One:

April O'Neil was attempting to make her way across town. New York was not the easiest place to negotiate and this morning was no different. Wedged between cars, the occasional pedestrian and towered over by large dark buildings April felt smaller and smaller by the second - like an ant in a tiny metal box with wheels - she was also becoming increasingly frustrated as every New Yorker seemed to delight in stopping her from moving forward.

"I miss my bike" she groaned.

"No you don't O'Neil. It's time to roll with the program and pollute the City like the rest of us" Her colleague and cameraman, Vern Fenwick, was talking to her via speakerphone, and she could picture the look on his face - smug, and then some "You had to get rid of that bike, made the rest of us look too unhealthy"

"Vern, you choose to get cabs everywhere" she teased; knowing full well that Vern hated driving in Manhattan as much as she did "Admit it Vern, you can't even be bothered to make the effort of steering"

"Ouch. Hey, O'Neil I'm hurt, I really am. Are you implying that I'm lazy? I play squash and run"

April rolled her eyes, she'd seen evidence of neither: "Yeh, yeh, and you do them both at the same time right?"

"I am as a fit and I'm fast, you seem to be forgetting, I'm the one who's here - you're the one who's late - that makes me officially built for speed"

"Vern, the train you caught was built for speed, not you. I'll see you in five" April ended the call, as always, she liked to have the last say it gave her a feeling a control and having control over Vern was always something worth having.

The Morgan Library and Museum, her destination, was getting closer. The press had been invited to the unveiling of a new exhibit and April was interested in this story for two reasons. She wasn't a history buff like some but she'd heard this particular relic was impressive and unlike any other item ever seen before. April liked a story that was more of a challenge, she'd had to research this one, find out what other collections they held there and that's when she'd discovered the second reason for her interest.

From the information on the website, the Assistant Curator, Olivia Taylor, was a person she recognised. Though the hair was longer, blonder and the surname was different; the photograph showed that there was no doubt it had to be her: either that or she had a very convincing Doppelganger. The two of them had been students at the same time, at Journalism School, when a year later Olivia had decided it wasn't for her and she'd quit. April hadn't seen her since but had heard, over the student grapevine, that Olivia was studying historical artifacts. During that first year they had been friendly but had eventually drifted apart owing to the change of career.

It had been years. April wondered if Olivia ever saw her on TV.

"At last" April arrived on site. The building was imposing but also had a rare beauty about it. The morning was crisp and dry and the sunlight seemed to frame the location like it too was a piece of art for viewing. There were a lot of bodies milling about. Some were obviously from the tourist brigade but the majority had microphones and cameras. She couldn't spot Vern among them, no doubt he was somewhere, cursing her tardiness.

The Museum had a few spaces around the back, Vern was standing in one of them, arms spread wide: "I'm saving it for you" he announced. In his suit jacket and chinos, Vern looked smart, smarter than he normally did when out on the road. Being the guy behind the camera, Vern always insisted he liked to be 'comfortable' which was usually jeans and a t-shirt.

"For your equipment more like" muttered April. She was his official carrier for the camera. Vern had said he had a medical appointment and couldn't very well take the camera there, he had also said his car was out of action which is why he'd got the train, so, could she very kindly bring everything with her mean as she was going to drive.

After she pulled into the space, narrowly avoiding Vern, she swung open the door and popped the boot.

"My camera is riding in the trunk? The outrage! This baby should be riding next to you, safety first O'Neil and this ain't cheap" He gently lifted the carrier out by the handle.

"How about, 'thanks'?" She zipped up her jacket. After the warmth of the car heater she most definitely felt the chill.

"Thank you O'Neil" He didn't even look at her and instead put the large strap of the container over his shoulder whilst muttering something incoherent to it's contents.

"Is it a free for all or are we zoned in?" April fell into step beside him as they went towards the front.

"There's a holding pen, obviously, they won't let us loose with all those exhibits" joked Vern "But I've been in and told them who we - you - are and so we have a nice spot at the front. The Assistant says she knows you, apparently, you have a 'past'" He held up his fingers to air quote the final word.

"I know, funny isn't it? Who would have thought it? Me? Having a past?" In response to her obvious sarcasm, Vern shook his head and followed her inside "Unlike yours though, mine isn't dodgy" She flashed him a smile.

"Ha ha, I am a saint"

The interior of the building was pleasant enough, Vern checked the lighting: "Should be good" he announced. Journalists from all over the State were gathered in a large group to the sides of what appeared to be a large covered box; they were all clambering to get a better position so clearly this was what all the fuss was about. April also noticed Olivia standing to the right of the covered item, blonde hair pulled up in a twist, grey suit and glasses finishing the look of museum chic.

"Where are we standing?" April turned her attention back to Vern.

"Follow me" He led her around the outside of the cordoned off area, an action which was met with angry words from fellow journalists "Hey" protested Vern "Just because we're V.I.P s. You know, green, is not a good colour"

April smiled to herself "Don't let our mutual friends hear you say that"

"No way" answered Vern as he retrieved his camera from it's case "Raph would have me in a head-lock and I've been there a couple of times already this month"

"April, April O'Neil?" At the sound of her name April saw Olivia approaching, a broad smile on her face and a hand outstretched "I can't believe it! I mean I've seen you on TV but I guess that's as close as I thought we'd ever get what with you being a big star and all"

"Oh please" said April as she shook the hand in front of her, she noticed rings on the fourth finger of the other hand which cupped the top of hers "Just doing my job. Thanks for the great spot by the way"

"You're welcome. When your colleague came in and said who you were then I just had to give you guys the best post didn't I?"

"Friends in high places O'Neil" began Vern "I would love to chat to you after this Olivia because I have a feeling you will have the best dirt to dish on what this one was like at college" He jabbed a finger at April.

Olivia smiled. She still had dimples and her eyes were still the darkest of brown. April remembered how she always thought they were black because they were so dark.

"April and I only knew each other for a year or so" Olivia folded her arms, holding each one at the elbow "During which she was a model student"

"Come on" encouraged Vern "I was hoping for locker room stories"

"You would" April touched the girl on the shoulder "Ignore him, sadly he has the innate ability to turn any situation into something sordid. A catch up would be good though, what do you think?"

Olivia nodded "That would be great"

"Err excuse me.." A man in a dark grey suit appeared by her side "Ms Taylor if you're ready?"

"Of course" She lowered her arms as she looked at April "Talk later?"

"Count on it"

Vern shouldered his camera as April turned around to face him.

"She's nice" he announced simply

"Yes she's nice. She was always nice" April pulled out her hand mirror to check her appearance and after adding a little lip gloss returned it to her bag "And it'll be nice to catch up"

"Ladies and Gentleman if I could have your attention please?" The suit man had been joined by two other suits - both black - and another smartly dressed lady "Thank you so much for attending today. We are very excited about our latest exhibit which has come all the way from the middle east. To acquire such a rare and beautiful item is a credit to us and our reputation" He shuffled his feet a couple of steps to the left "We are usually not so fortunate. However, our assistant Curator, Ms Taylor has a personal link to the acquisition so we do owe her, and her husband, a big thank you"

April's ears pricked up: so she had got married.

"And now to the moment we have all been waiting for" Grey suit moved closer to the black cloth and touched it before grasping it firmly between his fingers "I am excited to present to you, our latest treasure: The Spear of Oyu" He yanked the cloth away with a flourish and was greeted with a long, and slightly painful, silence. Olivia looked so obviously uncomfortable that April could feel herself blushing on her behalf.

The item under the cloth was mounted on two velvet boxes. Each box had a groove perfectly sized to anchor the Spear in place.

"Little small for a Spear isn't it?" whispered Vern

April didn't answer. He was right but she wasn't going to tell him that. Considering spears were traditionally used for hunting it was small. The size of it did not detract from it's obvious beauty. The yellow metal had to be gold and one end was decorated with red jewels and a large white one at the end.

Cameras flashed and rolled as grey suit gave all the details surrounding the relic - where it had been found and it's history; Vern recorded every word as April hung back for questions. Individual meetings were offered and then he stepped down, leaving Olivia to take over and close the event. She did it with confidence and charm.

April was then ready to do her piece to camera - a piece which took all of 2 minutes to film. Once wrapped Vern insisted on going right back to the office, apparently Rita, the head of the network, wanted a word as soon as they were done.

"I have to speak with Liv first, swap numbers, that sort of thing, then we can go and you can drive" She tossed him the car keys "Go put your camera in the boot, I'll be five minutes" She held up all five of her fingers to emphasise the fact.

"I'll put you in boot if you're any longer. Five minutes O'Neil then I'm going, with or without you"

April watched him leave; he seemed worried, April never worried about meetings with Rita, she knew that her popularity as a reporter was high so felt secure in her job.

Grey suit and Olivia were talking with visitors but she stopped as she saw April approach and angled herself to the right after an 'excuse me' "Mr Grant, this is April O'Neil, Channel Six News. We went to college together - briefly - a former life of mine. April, Mr Grant is the Head Curator here"

They politely shook hands and he nodded his head as he did so before he was pulled to side by the other suited woman. Olivia smiled at April.

"A man of few words" she stated "He's very, very smart, knows so much about everything"

April smiled back. She felt like she should ask the 'obvious' question: "So, how long have you worked here?"

"Three years"

"Oh...and before that?"

Olivia glanced at her watch in a not so subtle way: "Long story and no time today, sorry. I'll be frogmarched soon. United front and all that"

"Of course. Another time. It's fine, Vern is already threatening to leave me here so I have to shoot but we have to catch up soon"

The girl put a hand in her pocket and pulled out a card "Just let me know when". She handed the card to April who noted the quality of the paper and lettering. It was classy.

"Thanks"

They exchanged an awkward hug and April left her behind. She wondered if she should have given her one of her own business cards but then hers were no where near as stylish. Channel 6 tended more towards 'practical'.

Vern was drumming the steering wheel as she got in: "Nearly six minutes O'Neil. I should make you drive"

"No you shouldn't" She noticed the camera strapped into one of back seats, securely held by a belt.

He turned the key and pulled out of the space. April looked at the building from the side mirror as they drove away, now that the clouds to sheild the sun had appeared it looked so much darker. She shuddered and turned up the heating.