The trip back to the tree house would take about a week on horseback. The cooks at the castle had prepared much more than necessary. Although Gawain could not accompany them because of, as he called it, 'royal business', he sent twenty of his finest soldiers to bring them home.

Everyone was relaxed except Marguerite. She kept expecting jokes or comments about her relationship with John. She never really did relax. Veronica seemed lost in her own world. Ned attempted to drag her out of it, but she simply smiled and ignored him except for single word sentences. River spent an unusually large amount of time talking to Challenger, mainly about the steps needed for the production of penicillin. Simon hung around Jia, unconvinced that her head injury was all resolved. She tried to assure him it was but he would not be put off until the third night when she let him do a neurological exam. Challenger studied this with unconstrained fascination. Finally satisfied there was no more he could do, he left her alone for the most part. Mal sat back and smiled at Jia's attempts to avoid Simon. Roxton stayed by Marguerite's side throughout the entire trip. Wherever she went so did he. She half-heartedly snapped at him a few times, but a fight never ensued.

Their arrival back at the tree house was happy but tired, especially Challenger. He never really did get the hang of riding a horse. They all took a long nap. Veronica awoke first and started preparing a light meal. She had noticed Roxton was not on the couch, but had smiled and continued doing what she was doing. Jia awoke and sat at the table. Even after the long absence, the strange tension between the two women was still there. They ignored it and sat in companionable silence.

Soon, Marguerite emerged from her room followed by Roxton. She stood incredibly straight. They both sat at the table. Roxton in a relaxed posture and Marguerite sitting as straight as she could. Veronica looked at her and smiled and shook her head. She then went back to cooking.

Marguerite had sat next to Jia. Jia leaned over, "Relax, you look like you are going to blast into orbit."

Marguerite visibly relaxed. "Just cautious is all."

Veronica turned to face her, "You don't need to be Marguerite. No one here cares."

Marguerite shrugged, "I'm just waiting for the jokes to start."

Veronica stiffened, "The only one around here who makes hurtful jokes is you."

Jia said under her breath, "Why would anyone think otherwise?"

Veronica heard her however. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Jia looked at her, "Nothing of course."

Veronica turned around again. "Anyway Marguerite, how are you feeling?"

"Fine."

"Really?" Veronica smiled, "One would think you were feeling better than that."

Marguerite slammed her fist on the table. "That's just what I was talking about!"

Veronica turned to face her, "I didn't mean anything by it."

Marguerite scoffed.

"It's not like it's unexpected. We all knew you would give in one day."

Her face fell and she stormed back into her room. Roxton sat at the table with his head in his hands.

Jia shook her head, "Unbelievable."

Veronica turned to Jia, "Is there a problem?"

"Yes there is. Nice way to treat your friends."

"I did not mean it like it sounded."

"You sure as hell did. The second she walked in here you wanted to say something even though you saw how uncomfortable she was."

Veronica laughed, "Trust me, she doesn't care what I say."

"Do you really believe that?"

"She doesn't care what anyone thinks."

Jia stood and crossed to Veronica, "Sure as hell looks like she does."

Veronica scoffed, "That is nothing. A woman like her isn't capable of caring what I say."

"A woman like her?"

Veronica was getting upset, "You don't know her like I do."

"I know her a lot more than you do obviously."

Veronica gestured towards Marguerite's room, "She doesn't care what anyone else thinks or says, she never has. She's too involved in herself for that."

"Looks to me as if she ain't the one to involved in herself."

Now Veronica was livid. She got in Jia's face, "What do you mean by that? You don't know half the things she's done here."

"I know I don't, but I know some things all of you have done. Sounds to me like there's only been one time that she wasn't trying to help you out of trouble. Her wants have never harmed anyone. Your's however..."

"My wants?"

"Wasn't it you search for your parents that killed someone with that giant? What about paradise? Both situations in which Marguerite had to save everyone from a situation you created."

"You don't know what she did when she first got here. Her greed has gotten us in much worse situations than my search for my parents ever has."

"And you haven't let her ever forget it have you?"

Veronica blanched.

"When is the last time she said some nasty comment about your shortcomings or mistakes? I haven't heard a single one since I've known her. Even when she was telling me about them she made sure to protect you from blame. All she talked about was how brave and considerate you were. I haven't heard one comment out of your mouth that has been complimentary to Marguerite, not one."

Veronica didn't know what to say.

Jia turned to Roxton, "And you," he looked up, "You want her to trust you? How about taking her side or defending her from friend as well as enemy."

Jia turned and descended in the elevator. Veronica and Roxton turned at a sigh coming from behind them. It was Mal, "That temper of hers. Saw it coming." He followed Jia down.

Veronica stormed to the balcony. Ned inched into the room, "What was that about?"

Roxton sighed, "Something someone should have said a long time ago." He got up and went into Marguerite's room.

Ned stood there confused for a moment before joining Veronica on the balcony.

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Roxton didn't knock before entering, knowing he would not be granted entrance. Marguerite was pacing.

"I told you we should keep it a secret but you said it wasn't a big deal. I knew Veronica would react the way she did."

"I wasn't the one who revealed the relationship Marguerite."

"I know that John! Don't you think I know that?"

John approached her, "It will blow over. She didn't mean...well maybe she did. Who cares though Marguerite. I love you and that is all that matters."

She looked at him and sighed, "I love you John, but this is not London. We can't just ignore someone when they sleep not ten feet from you."

He pulled her into his arms. "I promise you it will never happen again."

Marguerite laughed ironically, "You can't promise that John."

"I can." He pulled back to look at her, "I can because I will never leave your side again. It's both of us together. You are not alone. I should have said something out there. I'm sorry."

Marguerite shrugged, "It's not a big deal."

"Yes it is. You need to know I'm at your side always, not just sometimes or when I feel like it. I can't promise never to fight with you Marguerite."

She laughed.

"However, I can promise I will always be there."

She pulled him closer, "I know you will. I know you will."

There was a knock on the door. Marguerite said to come in.

It was Veronica, "I wanted to apologize Marguerite. That was unnecessary and childish. Please forgive me."

Marguerite nodded. Veronica took John's place in the hug. Both women laughed.

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Jia sat on the picnic table that Veronica's parents had made. Mal approached her cautiously, "Still in killing mode?"

She laughed, "If I were you would never see it coming."

He smiled and sat next to her, "Well, it was inevitable. You two didn't get along from the beginning. Couldn't figure out why but it was obvious."

"How much of a fool of myself did I make?"

Mal sighed, "You'll never be able to show your face again. I'll go get you a paper sack to use as a mask."

Jia nudged him, "No really. How upset was she?"

"More upset at herself then you. You had some good points."

Jia shrugged.

Mal continued, "Next time however, please don't mettle. You seem to need to stick your nose where it don't belong."

Jia turned to look at him, "Ain't that the pot calling the kettle black. Who's the one who ordered Zoe not to marry Wash?"

He grimaced, "Heard about that huh?"

"Yep." She sighed, "Wonder how they are doing."

Mal shrugged, "Fine probably. Jayne's taken over the ship. Shepard's broken up a few fist fights. Zoe has probably killed Jayne by now, maybe Wash too. Kaylee left the ship long ago."

Jia glared at him, "You know, you think you are funny, but you are not."

Mal gasped, "I am so. I'm hilarious."

She raised one eyebrow but said nothing.

The elevator came down with Veronica on it. She approached them.

"Can I talk to Jia alone Mal?"

"I don't know. I'm not cleaning up the dead body when you're done. I will take bets however."

Jia shoved him towards the elevator, "Get."

When he had ascended into the tree house, Veronica started, "I ...don't really know what to say. I apologized to Marguerite. I may not agree with all you said, but I understand why you said them. Thanks I guess."

"I'm sorry, Veronica. I guess you and I were not meant to get along."

Veronica sighed, "I hope that's not true. How about we start over?"

"Sounds good."

An hour later Mal was thinking about going to get them when the elevator brought them up again. Everyone was gathered in the living room.

River sighed and went and hugged Marguerite, "I will miss you Aunt Marguerite."

Marguerite returned her hug, "Where are you going?"

Just then the tree house was hit by a huge gust of wind. Everyone covered their eyes because of the dirt blowing. When it stopped, the crew of Serenity was gone.

Marguerite sighed, "I hope we get to see them again."

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"River, River are you alright?"

River opened her eyes to see Jia with her hands on her shoulders.

"You kinda blanked there for a second."

"Where is Marguerite?"

Jia looked confused, "Who is Marguerite?"

River saddened. "Never mind."

She shuffled off towards her bunk.

Mal shook his head, "She gets creepier every day. In answer to your question Simon, drug Jayne all you want. Jia, get moving."

He went through the cargo bay doors and Jia followed behind with a smile to Simon. She shifted the position of the guns on her shoulders and walked to the next job.

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Yes this is the end of Jurassic Park. There will be a sequel after a few firefly fics to further that story line, but I will be back to the plateau. Watch for more soon.