A/N: Oh My! I never thought it would take this long to update. I had this chapter started for the longest time, but could not seem to finish it. Real Life has been extremely harsh lately. On the plus side, depression brings out my desire to write. I have the next chapter almost complete as well.

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Chapter 7: Chasing Rainbows

He had been searching for her for well on 2 months now and still nothing. He was extremely frustrated and struggling to come up with more leads as to where she might have gone. His mother had told him under no circumstances was he to come back without Marguerite, though he needed no persuasion in that. As frustrated and worried as he was, he was not about to give up on her or them. This mess was his fault and he was determined to make everything better. He just did not know how.

He had already inquired through most of his contacts in England, France and beyond and no one had heard anything about Marguerite or anyone fitting her description. He had also been to Challenger's house numerous times, but the Professor insisted that he did not know anything about Marguerite's vanishing act. He even tried contacting Ned and Veronica, but as they were all keeping a low profile about the "Lost World" he did not want to draw unnecessary attention to them unless he had to. He had sent a discreet letter, but had not heard back from them yet.

He just came from Paris, from a lead that had turned into a dead end. The woman in Paris that his friend had contacted him about was not Marguerite. Not even close.

He dropped his bags in his London flat and slumped into the closest chair. He missed her so much. He was incredibly stupid for even thinking that he could have let her go. She meant the world to him and he had gone and thrown it away over idiotic doubts and foolish pride.

He decided to call upon Challenger and arrange to have supper with him. He needed a sounding board for more ideas and he strangely enough, he had yet to meet Jessie in person.

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"Challenger, I just don't know where to look now. All my leads have turned up nothing and I am so worried that I have lost her for good. I cannot let that happen."

Challenger looked at him with sympathetic eyes and a hint of something else, although what, Roxton could not say.

"I understand your frustration, my boy, I do, but you hurt her a lot and I am not sure she wants to be found, especially by you."

"I just need to explain things to her, talk to her, tell her I have been a complete idiot."

"It will probably take more than that judging by your account of the problem."

"I know, George. I just need a chance," Roxton sighed and seemed to slump down even further in the velvet chair.

George Challenger looked at the poor man and closed his eyes. He didn't think he had ever seen Roxton looking so upset and depressed. 'These last 2 months have really taken a toll on him. I really wish I hadn't made that promise.' He really wanted to help Roxton with Marguerite, but he had made a promise to her and in keeping it, he was hurting another close friend... a son. John had hurt her extremely bad, but didn't everyone deserve a second chance?

As both men sat in silence, each very much absorbed in their own thoughts, the savior of both men walked in the door.

"George, the supper is almost ready," Jessie smiled at her husband and turned to the dejected man on the chair. "You must be Lord John Roxton. I am happy to finally meet you. George talks about you so much that I feel like I know you already."

Roxton stood up and greeted the pretty woman. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well. Challenger has talked about you quite a bit too. How are you?"

"Fine, thank you. I hope you will have a pleasant dinner with us. I wasexcited when George invited you. I simply could not wait to meet another person from his 'Lost World'"

"Another person?" Roxton asked, his face reflecting his puzzlement.

George tried unsuccessfully to stop Jessie from any further disclosure, but she either ignored him or did not see his subtle attempts for her to stop. In fact, before he could jump in and say anything to handle the encroaching disaster, she was already speaking.

"Yes, I had the privilege of meeting the lovely Miss Krux not to long ago. She was a delight. Very quiet, but personable. It was a shame she did not stay longer. She kept telling me she did not want to impose and had to leave on a trip, but the few days she was here were pleasant," Jessie finished and smiled. "I wish she would call upon us again, but I remember her saying she had to leave to visit some friends. I had thought I would meet you at the same time as her with all the stories George told me about the two of you." Jessie looked over at her husband and suddenly frowned. He did not look very happy.

John Roxton was speechless... for about 30 seconds before the fury erupted. He twisted around to George with a furious glare. Both Challengers could feel the heat and anger radiating off the man before he even spoke a word.

"YOU KNEW! All this time and you KNEW!" Roxton's hands clenched over and over into fists and back again.

"Now John, I really don't think..."

"This was a secret? What on earth for?" Jessie asked.

Meeting John's furious look with his own defiant one, he decided he could justify this and explained to both his wife and Roxton exactly what transpired 2 months ago, minus the tiniest bit of information.

As he told his tale, it had the desired affect on Roxton. John visibly calmed down. Listening to Challenger's account, he could understand his predicament even if he did not agree. What he wanted now was her current whereabouts, which he was certain George Challenger knew.

"Challenger... George... Where is she? I need to find her."

"John, I can't. I swore not to tell anyone where she went." George looked genuinely sorry for the poor man and wished he had not promised Marguerite to keep silent.

Jessie, though, had heard enough. She shook her head and chastised her husband. "Really George, how could you promise such a thing? For being a genius, you can be such an idiot at times. It is obvious the two of them need to work this out. After finally hearing the whole story, I can plainly see Marguerite was miserable when she was here and this poor man is just as miserable." At that she turned to Roxton and gave him a hopeful smile. "If it helps at all Lord Roxton, Miss Krux mentioned visiting friends. I believe the other 2 people from your 'Lost World'... Ned and Veronica?"

Roxton seemed stunned at her outburst, but a smile slowly spread across his face and before he could stop himself, he had picked her up and swung her around exuberantly. He suddenly realized what he had done and blushing red, put her down. He quickly took his leave of the Challengers and practically ran out the door.

At last, he had the trail.