Marguerite was the first to enter at a run. She went to the man that she had noted as the leader and flung her arms around him," Oh! Help me please help me! Raptors! A pack of them! All of my companions are dead! Help me please!" As she did this marvel of acting all the attention was focused on her and Veronica snuck quietly to Roxton and Malone.
At the sight that could only be Marguerite, Roxton and Malone exchanged questioning glances. Why on earth was she here? Was she out of her mind? Or was this a part of some plan? There was no more time to think as Veronica came to them and quickly cut the ropes binding them," Here are your weapons. We are going to have to make a small stand to get out of here." They grabbed their weapons from her and she let out a loud wistle.
Challenger was waiting, peering through the bushes. God, Marguerite was acting as if she had done this a thousand times. But indeed she had when he thought about it. She had suduced many men and other things to help become free. And it was just the same as what she was doing now. Acting with her life on the line. She was good at it. He had no more time to linger on the subject however as he heard the loud whistle that could only be Veronica. And the signal.
The leader of the slavers was shocked to find a woman in his arms begging for help. But he rather enjoyed it. As she let go of him he was about to say something very crude when a loud whistle broke the air and hit his ears. Marguerite took her pistol and started firing. Veronica and the two men came from the post and started their attack. What followed was very caotic. Challenger came from the side shattering victims with a rifle. Marguerite found herself in a bind when she found herself out of weapons and too surounded to reload. She found herself stabbed in the gut. She was about to fall when arms caught her and put a knife to her throat.
The leader of the slavers shouted at everyone to stop and surprisingly they did. Probably only becasue they realized he was holding the dark haird beauty. Roxton ran to him at once, but was stoped at the leaders words," One more step and she dies. It seems I have found a way to hurt you after all." He grinned at his own words and loosened ever so slightly. Roxton gave a look at Marguerite who seemed to read his mind. She grabed his arm and pulled the dagger back enough to escape and Roxton takled him. The fighting resumed with the three remaining slavers. When they were finished off the others rushed to Roxton who was lying beside the leader. The leader was dead and Roxton was panting beside him heavily. He looked up and realized his friends were over in a huddle. He quickly stood," Marguerite!" She was but three steps away. He knelt down beside her as she wispered to him," John, I'm sorry. You can protect me any day."
Back at the treehouse Marguerite was still unconsious. It had been two days and Roxton was beside himself with rage and sadness. Veronica entered Marguerite's bedroom," You should get some sleep. You know it would hurt her deeply if she saw you like this." Roxton shook his head as tears filled his eyes," No. I have to be here when she wakes up. I have to tell her that I am sorry. I shouldn't have argued with her. I should have been there for her during the fight. I..." But he was cut off by a soft voice," You should stop before you make me cry John." He lept by her side," Marguerite! Thank God! I am so sorry. Forgive me please. I love you." Marguerite looked up at him and smiled," I love you too." Veronica went to Challenger so the couple could remain alone for a while. They entered a light kiss.
A week later Marguerite was up and moving around. Roxton was by her side every minute he could spare. Marguerite did everything she could to protest. As they were resting in the afternoon, her and John were on the couch his arm around her shoulders, Veronica doing the dishes, Malone and Challenger thinking of a new way to get off the plataue Roxton spoke up," Hey you know I never got to ask. Who's idea was it to send Marguerite in there like that?" They all turned and stared at Marguerite and Roxtons jaw dropped," Well that was about the stupidest thing you've ever done!" She looked at him astonished," Well if you hadn't got yourself captured I wouldn't have been so dumb! Next time I will just let you get sold to the highest bidder!" He pointed his finger at her," Now wait one minute! If we wouldn't have gotten into that fight then none of this would have ever happened!" At this everyone stoped and laughed hysterically at the irony. Challenger turned to them," You two really are just like an old married couple!"