Finn was the first one up the next morning. She found Veronica�s old picnic basket and grabbed a couple of glasses and took both to her room. She wrapped the glasses in cloth and put them into the basket along with a bottle of wine she had conned Challenger out of last night.
Finn heard Veronica in the main room. She decided to join her and wait until after breakfast to finish the basket.
When Finn walked into the main room, Veronica had already started breakfast. Malone was setting the table.
�Good morning,� Finn called out.
�Good morning Finn,� Veronica said, turning to smile at her friend.
�Good Morning,� Malone said a bit testily.
Finn could tell he wasn�t too happy. Did he and Veronica have a fight? That could make her plans more difficult.
�So Malone why are you so grouchy this morning?� Finn asked.
�I�m not grouchy,� Malone said defensively.
�Ned is everything all right?� Veronica asked, with concern in her voice.
�Everything is fine Veronica,� Malone replied gently and with a smile reserved only for the woman he loved.
The truth was he was getting a little impatient. Malone wasn�t sure what he expected of Finn. After all she wasn�t a miracle worker and this really wasn�t her fault. This mess was his own doing and he had to correct it, somehow.
Finn noticed how Malone looked at and spoke to the older woman. He�s probably just getting antsy, thought Finn. Well today will be just what the doctor ordered.
�Finn how about calling the others to breakfast?� Veronica asked.
�Sure Vee� Finn replied. �Be glad to.�
Finn walked over to the stairs leading down to the lab.
�Hey Challenger,� Finn yelled. �Food is ready.�
Veronica just laughed and rolled her eyes.
Finn turned to go down the stairs towards the bedrooms when Roxton came in. He was followed by a very sleepy Marguerite.
�Who�s doing all the yelling?� Marguerite asked. �Don�t you people realize how early it is?�
�Oh but Miss Krux, think of all you�d miss if you were still in the bed,� Roxton said, grinning at the heiress. �It�s a beautiful morning. You don�t want to spend it in bed, do you?�
�As a matter of fact, yes,� Marguerite replied. �Coffee! I need coffee and lots of it.�
Malone poured a steaming cup of coffee for the volatile woman. He didn�t want to start the morning off on her bad side.
�Marguerite, I don�t understand,� Challenger said. �You went to bed earlier then any of us. You should have gotten plenty of sleep.�
�Well I didn�t,� Marguerite said crossly. �I need more sleep than you do obviously.� She didn�t tell them she had another of those nights in which she was plagued with nightmares; ghosts from the past. She had dreamt of Christmases past. They were not happy or joyful, just lonely.
Everyone knew Marguerite was having one of her bad mornings. The wise thing to do was to leave her alone until she came out of it. Unfortunately Lord Roxton seldom followed this wisdom.
�Then why don�t you and I take an early morning walk? Roxton asked. �We can enjoy the beautiful sunshine, the birds singing, the fresh air, and hopefully you�ll lose this bad mood of yours.�
Roxton knew he was baiting the beautiful woman but he didn�t care. He loved to see the fire in her eyes. He loved sparring with her. It made him feel so alive. She made him feel alive. And Marguerite took the bait.
She turned towards the hunter and gave him one of her evil stares.
�Lord Roxton,� Marguerite began sweetly. �The chances of that happening are about one in a million. I�m not going anywhere. I�m just going to sit here and sip my coffee, eat my breakfast and then take a nice leisurely bath.�
The others grinned at the antics of the hunter and his lady love. They knew this was a game the two played. Only Finn seemed serious. But no one noticed; no one but Marguerite.
Finn was playing the whole scenario in her head. How was she going to get rid of everyone? Challenger would probably return to his lab, Marguerite was going to take a bath. But what about the others? Then something occurred to her.
�So after breakfast is everyone going to bring their presents up and put them under the tree?� Finn asked innocently. �Now that it�s decorated, all we need are presents.�
Everyone stopped eating and looked up. They all seemed surprised. The truth was no one had wrapped their presents, with the exception of Marguerite.
Veronica took a last bite of her food and then stood up.
�I�ve got things to do this morning,� Veronica said. �I better get started now. I cooked so someone else can clean up.� She then hurried downstairs to her room to get started wrapping all the Christmas gifts.
�Yes and I set the table and helped Veronica with breakfast,� Malone chimed in. �I really need to work on my journals.� He then hurried off to his room, hoping he could figure out how to wrap all his gifts.
�Well I hope you don�t expect me to wash dishes,� Marguerite said. �I think I�ve done more than my share the past couple of days.�
�Don�t worry,� Finn said. �I�ll clean up the kitchen. All of you can go do whatever you need to do. I don�t mind really.�
�Thank you Finn,� Roxton said. �That�s very generous of you.� The hunter then got up and headed to his room to wrap his treasures.
�Well I need to check on some experiments,� Challenger said, taking a last sip of coffee. He then stood up and headed to his lab.
Marguerite drank the last of her coffee and then stood up and slowly walked down towards her room.
Good, thought Finn. They�re all gone. Now I can finish what I started. She then hurried down to her room and retrieved the basket, bringing it back with her to the main room.
Finn made some sandwiches from dried raptor meat and wrapped them in some cloth napkins. She placed some plates in the basket, along with the sandwiches and some fruit. The hair stood up on the back of her neck, warning her someone was there. She turned around quickly and came face to face with Marguerite.
Marguerite was leaning against a beam with her arms crossed. She just stared at Finn, with a kind of smirk on her face.
�What are you up to Miss Finn?� Marguerite asked.
�I didn�t hear you come in,� Finn said. �How did you do that?�
�Oh please,� Marguerite said sarcastically. �I made a living doing that. I can also tell when someone is trying to manipulate me. You may have fooled the others, but not me.�
�Okay,� Finn said. �You caught me. I�m working on a wish.�
�A wish,� Marguerite said with a smile, �from someone special.�
�Sorry Marguerite,� Finn said. �It�s not Roxton�s. But don�t ask me whose it is. Wishes are secret, at least until they�ve been granted.�
�So this must be Veronica�s wish,� Marguerite said. �I know she�s wanted to spend some time alone with Malone.� Marguerite was quiet for a moment. �I�ve got something to add to the basket. I�ll be right back.� She then hurried down to her room.
When Marguerite came back into the room she was carrying a small wicker basket. She handed it to Finn. Finn opened the basket.
�This is bread and cheese,� Finn stated. �This was one of your gifts from yesterday.� She looked at the heiress, surprise clearly written on her face.
�Well I received many gifts,� Marguerite said, shrugging it off as unimportant.
�This is really nice of you Marguerite,� Finn said. �I�m sure Veronica will appreciate it.�
�I really don�t think she needs to know where it came from,� Marguerite said. �It can be our little secret.�
"Okay Marguerite,� Finn said. �If that�s what you want.�
Marguerite turned and went down to start her bath. Finn grabbed some silverware and napkins to add to the basket. Then she went and got a blanket and put that on top.
There, all finished, thought Finn. Now it�s time to go get the lucky couple.
Veronica was finishing the last gift when she heard a knock. Tying the ribbon and setting it back in her trunk, she headed for her door.
�Finn ,� Veronica said with a smile. �Come on in.�
�No thanks Vee,� Finn said. �I really need to see you upstairs for a few minutes. Can you come up?�
�Sure,� Veronica said. She followed Finn down the hall. Finn stopped at Malone�s room and knocked on his door.
Malone was still working on his first gift. Blasted ribbon. It just would not stay tied. He began to swear again when he heard a knock on his door.
�Who is it?� he called, a bit testily.
�It�s me, Finn. I need to see you upstairs a minute.�
�Now?� Malone asked.
�Yes now,� Finn replied. �Don�t keep me waiting.�
Malone just shook his head. What was the use? If only he could talk Marguerite into wrapping Veronica�s gift for him. That would probably never happen. Then he thought about last night and what Roxton had said. He would ask her later. The worst that could happen would be she�d say no. He put the gift away and headed out to meet Finn.
When Malone walked into the main room Veronica and Finn were already there. The picnic basket was sitting on the table.
�Someone going on a picnic?� asked Malone.
�Yes we are,� Finn replied, reaching for the picnic basket. �Get your weapons and come on.� She grabbed her crossbow that she had already brought up and headed for the elevator.
�Well let me go and get everyone,� Veronica said.
�No Veronica,� said Finn. �It�s just going to be the three of us. Challenger is busy, Marguerite is taking a bath, and no way is Roxton going to leave her.�
Veronica shrugged and followed Finn into the elevator. Malone reluctantly followed. This was not what he had wished for. Maybe Finn misunderstood him.
They walked for about a mile. Then Finn left the trail. Veronica followed knowing exactly where the younger was headed.
�Why are we leaving the trail?� Malone asked.
�There�s a special picnic place I�m taking you to Malone,� Finn said.
�I don�t know about this,� Malone said. �We haven�t had the best of luck with special picnic places. Just ask Marguerite.�
Veronica laughed, remembering the �other� Marguerite. The Marguerite who loved to do domestic chores and was caring and very sweet. That should have been their first clue, thought Veronica, smiling at the memory.
�Relax Malone,� Finn said, �there are no purple lights or pod people.�
They came into an opening. There were at the base of a small cliff. There was a trail leading up the cliff. Finn headed to it. They only went a few feet up when they came to a cave. The opening was big enough for people but not for predators.
They walked into the cave. It was very roomy. In the back there was a small stream that ran through the cave and emptied down below. Malone could hear the sound of a small waterfall.
�Now isn�t this nice Malone?� Finn asked.
�Yes it�s very nice,� Malone replied.
Finn laid the basket down . She spread the blanket on the ground and set the basket on the top of it.
�Okay you two enjoy your picnic,� Finn said. �You are not expected back until late this evening. Just be home before dark.� Finn smiled and then headed out the entrance to the cave.
�Finn this is a lovely surprise,� Veronica said. �Thank you.�
�Yes thank you,� Malone chimed in.
�You�re welcome,� Finn replied. She smiled and then turned and left, heading back to the tree house.
Malone and Veronica sat down on the blanket. Both had so much to say but didn�t know how to start.
�Veronica,� Malone began.
�Ned,� Veronica began.
The both laughed uneasily.
�Do you mind if I go first? Malone asked. �I have so much to say and I�m afraid I�ll lose my nerve.�
�Of course not Ned,� Veronica replied. �You start.�
�Veronica the entire time I was gone I thought of you,� Malone said. �I know you said you wanted to be just friends, but the truth is I want more. I love you and I have for some time. I just haven�t had the courage to tell you.�
�If you don�t feel the same way,� Malone continued, �I�ll understand. But I have to warn you I�m going to try and win your heart. I can�t imagine my life without you.�
Tears were running down Veronica�s face. She was smiling in spite of them Malone took his hand and gently wiped the tears from her eyes. She grasped his hand and carried it to her lips, kissing it gently.
�Ned I love you too,� Veronica said softly. �I think I always have. I think the reason I told you I only wanted to be friends was because I was afraid you would leave me one day. I�m not sure I could have withstood that kind of pain.�
�Veronica I�ll never leave you,� Malone said tenderly. �You are my life. It would be like leaving part of me behind.�
Malone reached for the beautiful blonde and pulled her into his arms. They sat there for several minutes just holding each other.
When they finally pulled apart, Malone gently caressed Veronica�s cheek. He then kissed her. It began as a gentle, tender kiss, but soon changed into a kiss of promise and of passion. When they broke apart, they were both breathless, yet they still held on to each other, neither wanting to let the other go.
�I think maybe we should talk some more,� Malone said smiling.
�That may be a good idea,� Veronica said, laughing. �Tell me more about your travels and the time you were away. I want to hear everything.�
And that�s the way they spent the next few hours. They sat there, with their arms around each other. Malone told her of his adventures, of how much he missed her and how he used to write letters to her in his journal.
Veronica told him about the adventures they had while he had been gone, including her confusion about the past and the anger and sadness she felt when she found out her father had been murdered. Malone held her and comforted her as she cried tears of grief.
Eventually they pulled apart long enough to eat lunch.
�Hey I wondered where this cheese came from?� Malone asked as he opened the small wicker basket.
Veronica looked into the basket. She knew where it came from. It was one of Marguerite�s gifts from the Zanga.
�It came from a friend,� Veronica replied with a smile, touched by Marguerite�s thoughtfulness.
They enjoyed all the goodies Finn had packed for them. Malone silently thanked Finn for making his Christmas wish come true.
Finn didn�t linger on the journey home. She was hoping to get two more wishes done today. Luckily she didn�t encounter any predators on her way home. When she arrived back at the tree house, the main room was still empty. Good, she thought. Now I can get to work.
Finn went over to the fireplace and picked up the canvas log carrier. She loaded it with logs and then took them over to the cabinet and put them inside. She got another load and hid them behind the bookshelves.
She had just put the log carrier back when Roxton walked in.
�I�m glad you�re here, big guy,� Finn said. �I was just going to get you.�
�Is something wrong Finn?� Roxton asked, concern showing on his face.
�Yeah, we need firewood,� Finn replied.
�What?� asked the hunter, a surprised look on his face. �I just filled up the bin a few days ago. He walked over to the fireplace. He could have sworn it was full.
�Well the nights have been cooler and we have been using the fireplace more,� Finn replied. �If you want you can rest while I chop some wood.�
Roxton shook his head. He reached for his Webleys and his rifle and headed to the elevator. No need to put it off.
�I�ll take care of it Finn.� Roxton replied. Chopping wood was his job. It may be vanity on his part but he wasn�t going to be outdone by someone almost half his age.
Finn grinned as Roxton left the treehouse. No wonder Marguerite is always teasing him. He�s too easy, Finn thought.
Finn moved the comfortable chair that Roxton liked to the middle of the room. She then moved two small side tables on each side of the chair and added a footstool. Finn then went down to her room and got the cigar she had conned out of Malone. She placed it on one of the tables with a few matches and an ashtray.
Finn then headed down to Challenger�s lab. He was busy working on some experiment.
�Hey Challenger. whatcha doing?� Finn asked.
�I�m working on a formula that could help infections heal quicker,� Challenger informed the youngest member of the treehouse.
�Challenger about that bottle of aged whisky,� Finn began, �how would you like to trade for it?�
�I don�t think so Finn,� Challenger replied. �As I told you before, I�m saving that one for when we find a way off this plateau.�
�Well here�s what I have to offer,� Finn said smugly. �How would you like to spend the afternoon with Marguerite in your lab, discussing science?�
�That�s a tempting offer Finn,� Challenger said, �but Marguerite would never agree to it.�
�Well you see that�s the thing,� Finn said, �she already has. All she wants in exchange is that bottle of whisky. What you�ve got to decide is whether it�s worth it or not.�
Challenger thought for a minute. He then walked over to the bottom shelf and retrieved the bottle of aged whisky. He held it for a moment and contemplated keeping it. He then turned and handed it over to Finn.
�There you go my dear,� Challenger said. �I hope you enjoy it. I�m sure it is aged to perfection.�
�It�s not for me Challenger,� Finn said. �I�m using it to make someone else�s wish come true.�
Finn headed back up the stairs but paused and turned towards the scientist.
�Marguerite will be down shortly,� Finn said. She then hurried up the stairs.
Finn made sandwiches for everyone and sliced some fruit. She pulled out a tray and put two plates laden with food, two glasses and a pitcher of water on it. She set that aside and fixed another plate. This plate she placed on one of the side tables. Finn then fixed a plate for herself.
Finn went down to the sleeping area. She knocked on Marguerite�s door.
�Come in,� Marguerite called.
Finn walked in the room. Marguerite was lounging on her bed reading a book. The Christmas something was all Finn could read. Marguerite quickly put it aside when she saw the younger woman looking at it.
�It�s time Marguerite,� Finn said.
�Time?� Marguerite asked. �Time for what?�
�Your afternoon with Challenger,� Finn replied.
Marguerite made a face but then she got up and straightened her clothes. A deal is a deal, thought Marguerite, even if she did get the worst end of it.
�Well let�s get it over with,� Marguerite said.
The dark-haired woman followed Finn upstairs to the main room. Finn went to the table and picked up the tray she had prepared for Challenger and Marguerite and handed it to the older woman.
�Here you two might as well eat, while you�re busy solving the problems of the world,� Finn joked.
Marguerite just rolled her eyes and took the tray and headed down to Challenger�s lab.
�George, lunch is served,� Marguerite announced as she walked into Challenger�s lab.
Challenger moved some of his notebooks off of the table so Marguerite could lay the tray down. She laid the tray down and pulled up a stool. She poured a glass of water for both her and Challenger.
�Thank you my dear,� Challenger said. �It looks delicious.�
�Don�t thank me,� Marguerite replied. �Finn prepared the lunch.�
�Of course,� Challenger replied. �But I am pleased to have such a delightful lunch partner.�
�Look Challenger,� Marguerite said sternly. �I�m here because of a trade off. In order to make my wish come true, I had to spend the afternoon with you discussing your work. It�s not how I would have chosen to spend the afternoon.�
�The whisky was for you,� Challenger said, realizing the full extent of Marguerite�s sacrifice. �It�s for Lord Roxton, not you personally.�
�Does that surprise you Challenger?� Marguerite asked. �Are you shocked to find out I used my wish for someone else and not myself?�
�Not in the least, my dear,� Challenger replied. �I might have been three years ago, but not now. Now I realize the coldness, the selfishness and even the greed were just a way of keeping everyone away. If you don�t let anyone close, then you won�t be hurt.�
�Sometimes Challenger you see too much,� Marguerite said.
�Even in the beginning, when you were so cold, ruthless, and self-absorbed, you showed compassion,� Challenger said kindly. �I remember when Arthur was dying from the sting from that giant bee. You helped me take care of him.�
�I really had no choice,� Marguerite said defensively.
�Yes you did,� Challenger said. �You didn�t realize but I was standing in the doorway when you pretended to be Anna. I was so arrogant I was appalled at you pretending to be someone you were not and yet, even then, I was touched that you cared enough to try and comfort a dying man.�
Marguerite reached for a sandwich, pretending she wasn�t touched by Challenger�s words.
�Even now you like to pretend you don�t care,� Challenger said, �but we all know better. Especially Roxton. He�s the one person you can�t fool and I think that is what frightens you the most.�
�You don�t know me Challenger,� Marguerite said, a tad harsher than what she had intended. �You have no idea what drives me or what I fear most.�
�Don�t I?� asked Challenger. �You�re afraid if you let Roxton in completely, the past will come back to haunt you. You think he can�t handle your past and that in the end he will leave you like all the others have. What you fear the most Marguerite, is that you�ll end up alone.�
�You don�t give Lord Roxton enough credit,� Challenger said. �He loves you and he�d never leave you. You may have a past but so does he. The biggest fear Roxton has is that he�ll lose you. And to him that would be devastating.�
Marguerite was amazed that Challenger had realized what fears drove her. She didn�t think he could see anything but his precious science. Obviously he saw more than she realized.
�And what do you fear Challenger?� Marguerite asked. �Surely not ending up alone. Maybe you fear dying without the recognition you think you so richly deserve.�
�If you had asked me a year ago, I probably would have agreed,� Challenger said. �But to be honest, I�m not so sure anymore. I used to think all I needed was my work. It was the most important thing to me. But sometimes, late at night, I think of Jessie and how much I miss her. I wonder if she�s still waiting for me, if she misses me as much as I miss her.�
Marguerite stood up and walked over to Challenger. She placed her arm around his shoulder.
�You know Challenger, you�re the most intelligent man I�ve ever met,� Marguerite said softly. �One day you�ll find a way off this plateau. We�ll all go home to London and you will find Jessie there waiting for you.� She kissed Challenger on the cheek. �Now let�s finish our lunch so we can get to work.�
Roxton came up in the elevator. He had the log carrier full of logs. Finn was finishing her lunch.
�Roxton why don�t you go get cleaned up and eat lunch,� Finn said. �You can finish later.�
�Where are Marguerite and Challenger?� Roxton asked.
�They are down in the lab,� Finn said. �Marguerite is helping Challenger with his notes and stuff. They asked not to be disturbed.�
Roxton looked disappointed but he nodded and headed downstairs to wash up. When he came back up, Finn had already finished and cleaned off the table. Roxton looked puzzled.
�Yours is over there,� Finn said, pointing towards the easy chair.
Roxton turned and was surprised to see the chair sitting there with the tables and the footstool. He walked over to it. On one table was a plate of food. On the other was a cigar and matches and a bottle of whisky and a glass. Roxton picked up the bottle and looked at it.
�This is Challenger�s whisky, Finn� Roxton said. �He�s been saving it for over three years now.�
�Yeah I know Big Guy,� Finn replied. �I traded for it. Why do you think Marguerite is down in the lab?�
�I don�t understand,� Roxton said, looking confused.
�What�s there to understand,� Finn said. �You eat your lunch and then you relax with the whiskey and a cigar. Veronica and Ned are gone and Marguerite and Challenger will be down there all afternoon. You have no worries and no responsibilities for one afternoon.�
�Enjoy Big Guy,� Finn said with a smile, and then she walked away, leaving Roxton all alone.
Roxton looked at the bottle in his hand. This had to been Marguerite�s wish. I know she hates being down there with Challenger and yet she did it so I could enjoy this whisky. She wanted me to have an afternoon of peace and quiet.
Roxton smiled as he sat down in the chair. He opened the bottle and poured himself a drink. Ahhhh smooth, he thought, as the whisky slid down his throat.
Roxton reached for the plate. He would enjoy this afternoon. It was the least he could do. Marguerite had made a sacrifice to make him happy. He would find some way to make it up to her. With that thought he began to relax.
Marguerite and Challenger spent the afternoon discussing science. Every once and a while you could hear Marguerite arguing with Challenger disputing some theory he had devised. This would bring a smile to Roxton�s face as he puffed on his cigar and sipped his whisky.
It was almost dusk when Veronica and Malone returned to the tree house. They were holding hands as they stepped off the elevator. The main room was empty. Malone turned to the blonde and kissed her softly on the lips.
�I enjoyed being with you today,� Malone said softly. �I can�t think of a better Christmas present. It was my Christmas wish and I will be forever grateful to Finn for making it come true.�
�I will be too, Ned,� Veronica whispered to the man she loved. �I can�t think of anywhere I�d rather be than with you.�
�So I see the two lovebirds are back,� Marguerite said, coming up from the lab. �I can tell from looking at you, that the two of you had a good day, unlike some of us.�
�Hello Marguerite,� Veronica said, smiling. �Yes we had a lovely day. I take it you didn�t.�
�Well I�ve had worse I suppose,� Marguerite said dryly. �I think I�ll go get ready for dinner. Something sure smells good.� Marguerite headed towards her room.
�She�s right,� Veronica said. �Something does smell good.� She walked towards the kitchen.
�Veronica, Ned, you�re back,� Roxton said, as he walked into the room. �Go wash up. Dinner is almost ready.�
Malone put the picnic basket in the kitchen. Then he and Veronica headed to their rooms to get ready for dinner. Roxton set the table. He then headed down to the lab.
�Challenger dinner is ready,� Roxton said. �I decided to cook for everyone tonight.�
�Well that was generous of you John,� Challenger said. �I can hardly wait.� Challenger started to follow Roxton out.
Finn heard the others and knew Veronica and Malone were back. She headed up to the main room for dinner. She was starved. It was great that Roxton had volunteered to cook tonight. She was exhausted. This wish granting business was hard.
Finn stopped by Marguerite�s room and knocked. She entered when the older woman called out.
�Hey Marguerite dinner is ready,� Finn said.
�Thank you Finn, I�m starved,� Marguerite said.
�Look Marguerite I need another favor,� Finn said, �in order to make another wish come true.�
�Please no more Finn,� Marguerite said. �I admit this afternoon wasn�t so bad. In fact I rather enjoyed it. That doesn�t mean I want to do it everyday.�
�Well it�s not that bad,� Finn laughed. �All I need you to do is to tell everyone you�re not feeling well and go to bed early tonight. I�ll check on you tomorrow and tell everyone you�re still not feeling well and will have to stay behind.�
Marguerite looked at Finn like she had lost her mind.
�First of all, I feel fine,� Marguerite said. �And secondly where are you going tomorrow?�
�That Zanga feast thing,� Finn replied. �Assai invited us while Veronica was down here talking to you yesterday. But you can�t come.�
�And why can�t I come to the Zanga feast?� Marguerite asked.
�Because if you are not feeling well and decide to stay home, �Finn explained �the Big Guy will insist on staying with you.�
�I don�t understand,� Marguerite said. Then she hesitated. �Lord Roxton�s wish is going to be granted tomorrow isn�t it Finn?�
�Yes,� said Finn. �So will you do it?�
�Well when you put it that way how can I say no?� Marguerite smiled at the younger woman as they both left the room and headed upstairs.
