Hey all! I absolutely, positively, completely adore Indiana Jones. (Squeals when she discovers fanfiction based on the most amazing movies of all time). I normally would ship Indi/Marion, but honestly, I thought someone else was a better fit for Ms. Ravenwood. So, I noticed a couple stories in here about my favorite villainous Frenchman, Rene Belloq, and the lovely Marion. Well, I am about to add one more to that ship. Here's to you Paul Freeman, for playing a drop dead gorgeous bad guy.

Rene Belloq stared at the feisty woman in front of him, guzzling down an entire glass of his best wine like it was nothing. Trying to impress, he did the same, only to find that she was already pouring another full glass. Trying not to look dumbfounded, Rene plastered a smile on his face, and started to ask her all sorts of questions, questions about her past, her interactions with Dr. Jones, her father's history, why she agreed to join Indiana...but he was getting absolutely nowhere. She either refused to speak to him, or changed the subject abruptly.

It wasn't like he was trying too hard to get the answers. He absolutely detested the Nazis, and it was in fear of his own life that he had agreed to this entire expedition. That, and the insatiable curiosity of the power the ark actually held. No, Rene Belloq was not a bad man, he was just afraid, and even the best men will do terrible things due to fear. Sure, he could be a con man, and a womanizer, and a thief, and a selfish egotistical know-it-all, but aren't all archeologists? Even the great Indiana Jones had lied to obtain precious artifacts, left girls behind in the dust after each expedition, stole from the native people who had a right to the item at hand, and pretended to know everything. Yes, it was just in the job description, not the true colors of the man in question.

Belloq mulled this over as he continued to stare at Marion, who was obviously starting to feel the effects of the wine. He was too, and he couldn't help but laugh as she missed the glass entirely, and tried to take a sip of the air beside it. As he watched her smile, he realized how beautiful she actually was. With her long dark brown hair, her glittering blue eyes that matched his own, her dazzling smile, and her impressive physique, she was quite the catch. "What in the world does she see in Jones?" He wondered, feeling that Marion deserved better. Shocked at the jealousy he was feeling, he pushed all thoughts of her beauty out of his mind and tried to focus on the mission at hand. "Get the information from her, use her as ransom for Jones, and release her to the Nazis, that's all I have to do. Then, this blasted thing will be over soon and I can return home," he thought, and suddenly the cold, calculating Belloq was back.

"So mademoiselle, have you given any thought to...hic... Answering my questions?" He slurred, causing them both to burst out into drunken laughter. "Nope," she said in between giggles. Rene tried to look serious again, but was feeling the wine too much. "That's too bad. I'd hate to spoil such a pretty face," he said, his attempted sneer coming out a smile. She grinned back at him, bowing her head. "I'm shaking in my sandals," she said teasingly. "And she's got a sense of humor," Rene thought, before laughing again.

"If you just tell me what I need to know, I'll release you back to your boyfriend," he lied. Marion seemed to instantly sober, and Rene knew he had struck a nerve. Standing up and looming directly above his chair, Marion stuck a finger in his face and muttered threateningly, "Listen you Nazi wacko, I don't know who you think you are, but you shouldn't assume things like that. Indiana Jones is NOT my boyfriend. You got that?" Belloq stared up at her in shock, not knowing why it upset her so much. He winced when she had called him a Nazi wacko. That hurt. "Is this what I've been reduced to?" He thought, and wondered for the umpteenth time whether he had made the right choice.

Trying to save face, he scooted his chair back and held up his hands in surrender. "I'm deeply sorry madame, I did not know this was... A touchy subject," he said softly, trying to soothe her anger. I didn't work, and she slapped him hard across the face. Belloq stiffened in anger, and contemplated calling for that psycho Toht. He would deal with her. But he stopped when he saw the obvious pain on her face. "Marion...are you alright?" He asked, surprised at the amount of concern detected in his voice. Marion glared at him, and turned away. "What kind of question is that? I'm trapped here, against my will, and I'm probably going to get tortured, or maybe killed. I had a shot a being rescued by that jerk, and all he did was kiss my forehead and tell me he'd be back for me. Well, this guy has a track record of not coming back. I know only too well..." She paused as her voice cracked, trying not to show weakness in front of her enemy.

Belloq dropped the cool facade instantly. He had been around long enough to know when a person was in pain, and hearing the bitterness coming from such a beautiful woman made his heart break. Without realizing what he was doing, he reached out and touched her shoulder. Surprised at his touch, Marion stiffened, but did not shake him off. "I won't let them hurt you," he said softly. The tenderness in his voice shook Marion to the core, and she turned to face him. She saw sincerity in his eyes, and something else, something she couldn't put a name on yet. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I think we should start over," she said, smiling and reaching out to squeeze his hand.

In that moment, Belloq lost himself to that dark haired goddess forever. Belloq realized that he had fallen fast and hard, and there was nothing he could do about it. But rather than fighting it, he realized that his newfound love could be the fuel that the two of them needed to get out of this mess. He didn't expect her to love him back, he would always be "a Nazi wacko" to her, no matter what he did. The thought saddened him a bit, but rather than wallow in self pity, Belloq decided to be unselfish for once in his life and take care of the frightened girl in front of him. "Never say never," he reminded himself, and he smiled and nodded at Marion. "Agreed my Cherie. Now, would you mind explaining exactly how you got involved in this disaster?" He asked. She looked at him suspiciously for a moment, then sighed and ran her hand through her hair. "Well alright. I guess the way to start over is to trust you. I just have to hope you won't run to your comrades with this," she added. Belloq winced at yet another blow. But, he supposed he deserved that. "I promise I won't tell a soul," he swore. Marion looked into his eyes, and began her tale...

And I leave it off there. Muah ha ha! I will update soon, it will be Marion's story. It will of course include the actual bar scene (shortened) from Raiders, and the background details on her and Indi. But I am adding some stuff. Please please review!