They searched for River in groups of two and agreed to meet back at the tree house when darkness fell. They all met inside the electric fence. Roxton had found some foot prints, but not enough to establish where she had gone. Simon was very upset, as was expected.

Roxton looked over at Marguerite and saw something he didn't expect. She was visibly upset. He had only seen her like that a few times, and each time was in fear of her own life, not another's. He made a mental note to talk to her later.

The first four went up on the elevator, Veronica, Simon, Malone and Professor Challenger. Veronica quickly drew her knife when she heard noises coming from the direction of the lab. She sent the elevator back down and she and Ned went down to investigate.

They found River concentrating on a beaker in front of her. She did not look up or acknowledge their presence. Veronica shouted for the other two and still River did not move. Simon ran over to his sister and tried to pull her away. River turned to him with a big smile on her face.

"It is accomplished."

"What is River?"

"Grandpa Challenger's request."

It took Simon a while to even grasp her meaning. The other four came down into the lab. Simon finally understood. "What did you make, River?"

"I am growing the mold necessary for the production of Penicillin."

Simon looked in the large covered beaker. She had what looked like several slices of bread with a small amount of water in the bottom. He looked up at his sister and she rolled her eyes.

"She knows what she is doing."

River got up off the chair she had been sitting on and skipped upstairs. Everyone was left staring at Simon.

He didn't know what to say sop he just looked at the floor. Everyone but Challenger and Simon left the lab and went to their rooms, or in Roxton's case, the couch. He got up when everyone was asleep and made his way to Marguerite's room. She was sitting up in her bed. When she saw him she grinned, "Back again are we?"

Roxton half-smiled, "Always."

She patted the spot next to her and he sat down where she had indicated. She put her arms around him and started kissing him.

He pulled back, "What happened earlier when we were waiting to come up to the tree house."

She had that evasive look on her face, "I don't know what you mean."

"You were very distraught Marguerite. I want to know why."

"Even if I was distraught, it doesn't matter now. It's over."

"If it was I wouldn't see that haunted look in your eyes. I haven't seen that look since the cave."

She looked away. She couldn't let him read her this time.

"Please, Marguerite. Tell me."

She sighed, "I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

"I barely know the girl. I shouldn't care what happens to her."

Roxton smiled, "You were concerned for River."

She turned back to him sharply. He could see tears beginning to form, "Ever since I met her that little urchin has been hanging on me. I... she has gotten to me that's all."

Roxton shook his head and put his hand on her cheek, "It is not a bad thing to care about someone Marguerite. You like her. That is not bad either. Perhaps you enjoy being Aunt Marguerite."

Marguerite scoffed, "Yes, Roxton, I enjoy that little thing following me around and hanging on me at every opportunity. I enjoy her little eccentricities. I enjoy the fact that she didn't judge me at all when I first..." She paused, knowing she was about to reveal something. "Never mind."

"I think you do. She likes you. Since she has been with us I have noticed that she knows things she shouldn't. She seems to see inside people. I think you like it that she liked what she saw in you."

Marguerite shrugged softly.

Roxton smiled even bigger, "I always loved what I saw in you."

Marguerite looked at him with one eyebrow raised."

He gently laughed, "Perhaps not all the time. River sees what is inside and isn't afraid. She doesn't shun you Marguerite. If she can know all your secrets and still love you why can't I?"

Marguerite hung her head, "I don't think I can take that chance. I don't want to lose you."

"You will never lose me. Never."

"Don't make promises you can't keep John Roxton. I can't take the words back once it's out there. I don't think I could take your rejection too."

Not for the first time, Roxton cursed those that had come before him. Those who had hurt her. How could they have bot seen the fragile angel beneath the tigress. He removed the family ring he had always kept with him. He took her left hand, and put the ring on her ring finger. Marguerite looked up sharply at him.

"My rejection is something you will never deal with my love. And that I can promise. I don't think I could live without you anymore Marguerite."

Her eyes were huge, "Is this a proposal?"

John caught his breath for a second. Could he finally ask her what he had been wanting to for over a year now? He knew his Marguerite however.

"It is if you want it that way. I want to marry you Marguerite, more than anything, but I know you may not want to . If that is the case, just keep the ring as a symbol of how much I love and trust you. The rest is up to you. We can be married anytime, anywhere. As long as I can be with you, it doesn't make a bit of difference to me."

It was one of the few times Marguerite didn't know what to say. She loved this man more than she ever thought possible, but she was still scared. Scared of the possibilities, scared of the future.

"I do love you John. But, could I think about this? I want this to be a decision I come to without reservation."

John's chest ached a little, but she had kept the ring. He smiled and kissed her, "Take all the time you need."

He hoped it wouldn't be that long.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone sat around the table the next morning to a very simple breakfast made by the new resident cook.

Veronica said, "I think it's time for another trading trip to the Zanga village. I though we could all go and spend the night."

She got smiles all around and many agreements. Much was needed, but the thing they most wanted to do was see some different scenery. The tree house was starting to be too much for everyone with the tension around there lately.

Simon found Veronica after everyone had gone to pack, "May I speak to you in private?"

"Of course."

She took him to the balcony, "What's wrong Simon?"

He didn't really know how to start, "River is... different. I can understand her most of the time. None of you seem to have a problem with her peculiarities either."

"Of course not. We love River."

"The problem is that villagers like the Zanga may not feel the same way. They may view her impossible knowledge as a threat."

Veronica was about to deny this but thought about the Zanga's ancient ways and superstitions, "You may be right Simon."

"We don't want to cause any trouble here for you. She was already almost burned as a witch once and that was enough for me."

Veronica blinked rapidly, stunned. "Maybe someone should stay here with her. But I was going to ask you to look in on the sick and injured at the village to see if you could help."

"I would like to help, but perhaps that is not possible."

They both returned to the main room and Challenger was not happy, "If I give one of you a list, could you get those things for me. I have some experiments I can not leave at the moment. I also wish to watch this spectacular mold grow."

Roxton smiled, "Of course George. We understand. We will get whatever you need."

Challenger hurried to get a piece of paper. River went over to Simon.

"She doesn't want to go Simon."

"Are you sure River?"

She nodded.

"Then I will stay with you."

Malone walked over, "That's not necessary Simon. I'll stay with the professor and River. Between the two of us we should be able to keep her in sight."

Simon looked at the blond man, "Are you sure?"

Malone nodded.

Challenger came upstairs with his list and handed it to Roxton. He read the very long list and handed it to Marguerite. She gave both of them an annoyed look before putting the list in her bag. They discussed plans and the ones traveling took off. Malone stayed in the main room with River.

"So what did you want to do River?"

"Staying behind did not have a motive. Simply removing obstacles to brother's desired actions."

Malone thought he understood.

"So what do you do with the mold once it's ready?"

River went into a detailed description that would have confused anyone but perhaps Challenger. Malone stood there dumbfounded. He had absolutely nothing to add to the conversation at hand.

"Do you like baseball?"

River cocked her head, "I have read about it."

Ned laughed, "That is no where near as fun as playing it. Maybe we could do that."

"Are not a requisite of nine required?"

"We can just practice."

River shrugged, "Acceptable."

Malone thought to himself as they got up to find supplies, 'this may not be so hard after all.'

-------------------------------------------------------------

The trip to the Zanga was almost uneventful. Three raptors had tried to make a meal of them, but were quickly dispatched. Mal had swore in Chinese, which earned him a censorous glance from Jia and Marguerite. He went on muttering about those damn creatures from that other place.

Assai came to greet her old friend as they entered the village. The tiny woman was five months pregnant, and showing it quite abundantly. She introduced her new friends and they set about the village.

Sorry about the lack of action, but it was necessary. Please review...pretty please.