Caesar's Pearl 2

by ZabuzasGirl

Ten years ago Margo Rodman lost everything and things haven't gotten any better. There are times when Margo is feeling so alone and heartsick she'll sit on the roof of her old home staring longingly at the Redwoods they all treasured. The memory's made there so precious. Little did she know someone she loved so much is about to make a serious comeback into her life. Caesar/OC/Alex

9. Chapter 9

Caesar's Pearl 2 Chapter 8

Malcolm barely made it to the apartment he shared with his family to catch Margo and her dog trying to skedaddle. More than aware of the danger she would be in if she stayed there for much longer after the spectacle she'd made of herself with Caesar Margo was making a break for it. She needed to get out of there and find Caesar now that she knew he was alive before she was detained and interrogated by the citizens in the Colony for what they undeniably saw in their eyes as disgusting treason.

Margo couldn't risk it.

In a bit of shock Ellie and Alex simply stood watching Margo giving her a wide berth.

It took a hell of a lot of effort on his part, but Malcolm somehow managed to convince Margo to accompany him and his team back up into the woods in order to find the apes. In his mindset Margo's connection to the leader of his troop of apes could come in handy with keeping the peace and everyone calm. Perhaps if she was there then the apes would see this small group of humans did not mean them any harm. At first Margo was very much against it even though she was already planning the same exact thing. She didn't know these people, what their intentions are, or if what Malcolm said about his intentions being benign were true. If they actually were trying to go up there with weapons to slaughter all of the apes living up there then she would have no part in it. In fact she might as well kill them before they even get the chance.

But as Malcolm was talking and Margo was staring intently into his eyes she saw the honesty in them and concluded that he at the very least was telling the truth. So Margo reluctantly agreed to join in on their mission.

Also, it was hard to refuse the request when he was literally on his knees begging her to come along.

To prove it to her Malcolm showed Margo a way she could exit the Colony without a riot exploding into eruption at the sight of her.

Basically the BART subway transit tunnels that ran underneath main levels of the tower. So with Malcolm and Alex's help the pair snuck Margo and Ranger down there. Once they were in the clear Margo and Ranger got out of there as fast as they could go. As Malcolm watched her leave what Dreyfus said kept going through his mind. Not wanting to think about it he shoved it aside. That's not something he wanted to have to do if it ever came down to it.

Malcolm was left to pack all the stuff he needed to make the trip to the dam while Kemp, Carver, and Foster were occupied repacking the vehicles.

As Malcolm was packing he saw Ellie standing in the doorway of their bedroom.

"Carver is getting the trucks ready. He'll be here with Foster and Kemp any minute," said Malcolm, not slowing down in his packing.

"You're really taking Carver? I mean, he shot one of them," said Ellie, exasperated.

Shaking his head, Malcolm explained "I don't really have any choice. He used to work at the water department. He's the only one who knows how the dam works."

"Malcolm…," whispered Ellie, "what are you gonna do up there? What are you gonna say?"

"I'll tell him the truth, like I did with Margo. Hope I catch him in a good mood," said Malcolm. He then turned to look at Ellie and he didn't like what he saw on her face. "You think I'm crazy?"

Rapidly blinking a couple of times, Ellie admitted "I'm worried."

"Yeah, so am I. I've gone over it in my head…and if I don't at least try this…there's gonna be a war," said Malcolm.

There was a heavy pause as both seemed to heavily contemplate over this. Ellie appeared to struggle with something before reaching a decision. Ellie went over to him and the two embraced.

Crying, Ellie said "Take me with you. What if someone gets hurt? You need me there."

Malcolm quieted her with a kiss.

Smiling, he murmured "I love you. But I need you to stay here. I don't want Alexander to be alone."

Meaning that if things actually did go wrong, leading up to an attack, then he didn't want his son left to fend for himself. He's technically entrusting his only child's care to her.

"I'm coming, too."

Their heads snapped toward the door. Alex had heard their entire conversation and he was not going to allow his dad to leave him behind. He was already prepared for the trip wearing the same clothes he had the day previously with the satchel slung over his shoulder.

"Son, it's not safe," said Malcolm, firm.

But Alex is undaunted.

"But I'm safer with you than I am down here," countered Alex. "I'm coming…Please."

None of them could deny the logic behind that. Alex chose his argument well.

Now all that's left is getting the team together and travel to the edge of the woods to meet up with Margo.

Speaking of which…

The minute Margo got home she immediately went into turbo drive. On the way there Margo had been going over stuff in her head so not to waste time and already had the things she wanted to take with her picked out, but limiting it all to the things she felt in her heart held the most meaning. Mixed with essentials Margo had everything packed into separate duffle bags mindful that she couldn't carry too much. That done Margo attached a cart to the back of her bike in order transport all of this and Ranger.

Unlike all the other times the distance to travel would be a hell of a lot farther than the rest. Margo didn't want to push it with Ranger's advanced age so he'd be riding as a passenger this time along. That didn't mean he'd be riding without any sort of protection. No, she had a harness for whenever anything like this came about so there wouldn't be an accident with him falling off of the seat. A cart like that isn't necessarily just for lugging parts around all over the place.

Margo was just about to head out to the meeting point when she saw a branch of the cherry blossom tree peeking over the fence from the corner of her eye.

That instantly got her thinking about Caesar and how much he probably would like to see and have one of those flowers. How funny it would be if she brought him some instead of in reverse like he did with her as an infant. Her mind made up Margo got out a knife to cut some down for the road as a gift. Instead of cutting of the stems to make a bouquet Margo did something much better. She cut off a branch with plenty of flowers on it that she strongly felt Caesar would enjoy and share with his own people. Margo carefully slipped it into a spot at the top of one of the duffels so that absolutely none of the blossoms would get crumpled on her before they could get delivered successfully.

Finished Margo stood there taking a breath. Holding the locket Margo traced over the pictures with her fingers a gentle expression on her face.

Softly, Margo said "I'm coming, Caesar. We'll all be together again soon."

Margo then patted Ranger on the head and mounted the motorbike. Revving up the engine to get it warmed up Margo shut her eyes sucking in a deep breath and slowly letting it out.

After relaxing the spread of different emotions bouncing all over the place inside of her Margo sped off down the maze of roads in San Francisco her long hair billowing out behind her in the wind.

.

Seems like I've spent my whole life hoping

Dreaming of things I've never tried

Tangled in knots just waiting for my time to shine

What if the doors began to open?

What if the knots became untied?

What if one day, nothing stood in my way

And the world was mine?

Would it feel this fine?

Cause I got the wind in my hair

And a gleam in my eyes

And an endless horizon

I got a smile on my face

And I'm walking on air

And everything life ought to be

It's all gonna happen to me out there

And I'll find it, I swear

With the wind in my hair

So many roads I've yet to travel

So many friends I haven't met

So many adventures just around the bend

Plenty of mystery's to unravel

Tons of mistakes to not regret

So much to see

And to do and to be

A whole life to spend

And it doesn't end

And I got the wind in my hair

And a song in my heart

And the fun's only starting

I got a skip in my step

And I haven't a care

A beautiful breeze flowing through

It's gonna carry me who knows where

I'll take any dare

With the wind in my hair

I got a smile on my face

And I'm walking on air

And everything light ought to be

But I know that it's waiting for me out there

And I'll find it, I swear

With the wind in my hair

.

It was beginning to rain now.

Margo stopped over a hill not far from the Golden Gate Bridge. Staring at it Margo's thoughts returned to that faithful day when the revolution Caesar started occurred. So many lives were lost that day, but following it were the dozens more led to freedom by his very hands. Unfortunately the events of that day led to where they were now.

Will and Caroline gone forever with only her, Ranger, and Caesar in the family left alive. A pang went through Margo's heart just thinking about it.

.

Back to life after so called happily ever after

Stuck inside once again and I'm gazing out

True I'm in here with those I hold dear

Surrounded by their love

And for some that's more than enough

No doubt

.

A bark from behind caused Margo to look around at Ranger. He was lying down in the cart on his stomach grinning at her in his own way panting happily. Margo smiled back. It's times like this Margo thought Ranger knew what she was thinking and did what he could to help her feel better whenever she was feeling gloomy. Like it always did his presence was its own medicine lifting her spirits. Here it reminded her that she was pressed for time, there's someone she had to be.

And a long lost brother to see.

.

But I got the wind in my hair

And a fire within

Because there's something beginning

I got a mystery to solve

And excitement to spare

The beautiful breeze blowing through

I'm ready to follow it who knows where

And I'll get there I swear

With the wind in my hair…

.

As long as Margo willed it she and Caesar would never be parted again.

Authors Note:

The possessions that Margo takes with her do have special meaning. The identity of these subjects is going to be a surprise for later on other than the branch of the cherry blossom tree. If you guys have any suggestions I'd be very interested to hear them. Think back on the movie and what objects may have some special meaning that can be shared with the reunited siblings. To be frank this one in particular I've been debating on whether to save for the end or not. Currently I've found a way to include it now so it'll be very heartfelt when Caesar sees she brought this in remembrance of what he did for Margo in her infancy.

The two songs here are Wind in my Hair and Wind in my Hair Reprise from the Tangled series.

In this situation I thought the lyrics here would suit Margo perfectly in this case.

The Redwoods are coming up next time and with it Caesar.

I seriously need your opinions before I even write anything down for that. I need to hear from all of you on this one. Should Margo go up to the tribal village with Malcolm, Margo go up there alone, or Margo stay in the car with the others while Malcolm goes up there? The third one is highly unlikely, but I'd still like to hear from all of you. I'm not kidding. I'm quite torn up about this so I need to hear your thoughts before I move forward on this.