Indiana Jones and the Cross of Kings
Chapter One: Dusting Off the Gear
"So, Dr. Jones, pardon me for asking, but when you say normative culture models, what exactly do you mean?" Fortunately for Dr. Henry Jones Junior, Professor of Archaeology, (also known as Indiana Jones) who was lost for words in this students question, the bell rang. As the students packed their bags, he called out,
"Don't forget, next week there will be a quiz on Gordon De Vive and diffusion!" As the students made a rush to get out the door, two teens came through the door. They were both about the same height, maybe the same age. The boy had blond hair that grew almost to his eye's length and deep hazel eyes. Just from his appearance, he looked kind but protective of others. On his face was a mischevious smile, showing a hidden sense of humor that only came out when necessary. The girl, had stunning black hair and sharp, tingling blue eyes, but she looked around nervously, as if she were being watched.
"Excuse me." He said politely as he pushed through the throng of students. The girl stayed close to him, as if he were a rock that would never move. The boy walked up to the desk and smiled.
"How's it going, Indy?" Indy looked up. He squinted at the pair, trying to remember them. The girl rolled her eyes.
"Getting slow in your old age, huh?" Indy racked his brain to remember who these two were.
"Ken Miller?" The boy said. Indy's eyes lit up in recognition.
"Ken! And who is this?"
"This is Kaylie Booker ." Ken said, putting his arm around her.
"Pleasure to meet you, Kaylie. I assume you know who I am."
"Dr. Jones." She said, forcing kindness. Indy turned back to Ken.
"You're not marrying her, are you?" he murmured.
"No. Well, not yet."
"Make up your mind, kid."
"Where you been for the past five years?"
"I ask the same of you, old timer." They laughed, and Kaylie rolled her eyes.
"So, what are you here for?" Indy asked. Ken reached into his backpack and pulled out a manila folder.
"Found this." He said, throwing it on Indy's desk. "Thought you might want to take a look at it." Indy picked it up and opened it, while putting in his glasses. Sight just gets worse with age, he thought.
"The Cross of Kings?" he said incredulously. He pulled out a black and white photograph, which showed a golden cross, bordered by rubies with a seal of some sort in the middle.
"Yeah. It's a beauty, isn't it? The museum will pay quite handsomely for it. And you could get your name out there….even..more?" Indy didn't really laugh normally, but he couldn't resist.
"I found the Ark of the Covenant. I wouldn't say I'm really world known. Besides, I'm getting too old for fortune and glory."
"Come on, one more adventure, Indy." Indy sighed.
"Where's it at?"
"Come with us on this dig and we'll show you."
"You drive a hard bargain. At least time me where it is that we are going."
"Tennessee."
"That is strange place for an Israeli cross." Ken nodded.
"I thought the same thing. Supposedly it's been moved around by different groups, but I have no idea how it got across the ocean."
"Must have been recent…" Indy mused. Ken agreed.
"I already bought tickets for us, leaving out of Bradley International tomorrow.
"Bradley?" Indy asked. Ken rolled his eyes.
"Hartford, Indy."
"Sorry! No need to get your shorts in a knot!" Kaylie laughed. "Alright. Meet me at my place tomorrow and we'll leave."
"See you then." Ken waved, and then grabbed Kaylie's hand. She shook it off as they walked out the door. Indy shook his head, grinning, and then went back to grading quizzes.
***
After about a solid hour of grading quizzes on Hargrove and Egypt, Indy headed out. Grabbing his hat, a beat-up old fedora that he wore everywhere, he locked his door. He stopped to tell the dean, Marcus Brody goodbye, then smiled wryly as he walked out. A man that gets lost in his own museum. Marcus also owned a museum adjacent to Marshall College, where he was the curator. One night after staying late, he somehow got lost for about two hours. Marcus was a remarkable man. Indy's humor passed quickly. For the past week, his mind had been filled with thoughts of his sweetheart, Marion Ravenwood. They had been through more than most couples, though.
Only two years ago they had risked life and limb to get the fabled Ark of the Covenant before the Nazi's, led by Frenchman Renee Belloq. It actually turned out quite romantically in the end when they were both captured along with the Ark. Being the smart person he was, Belloq opened the Ark of the Covenant, and promptly melted along with the rest of the present Nazis. The only way Indy and Marion had made it out alive was by closing their eyes and not looking upon the spirits released from the ark. And, cue the romance.
Anyways, the point was, Indy missed Marion. Badly. He was walking down the sidewalk, pulling his coat around himself to give his body some warmth from the unforgiving Connecticut wind. He was almost home when he heard a familiar voice.
"Indy!" He turned around to see that black-haired, freckle-faced sweetheart, Marion Ravenwood.
"Marion!" She ran across the park, wearing the same white dress she had worn on their adventure together. She fell into his arms, and they embraced. "Still wearing that old thing?" Indy said, smiling.
"As always. I fixed it!"
"Since when did you sew?"
"Now." Indy put his arm around her and began walking.
"How you been?"
"What's it to ya'?" Indy smiled.
"Just the same spitfire you were before, huh?"
"Yep. I've been looking around for a husband, dated a couple. None of them really fit me. So, for now, I've stopped and been trying to find an actual house instead of an apartment." Indy nodded.
"You can stay at my place. I've got a guest room." Marion stifled a laugh.
"You think I don't see what you're doing, Indy?"
"You always were a girl with foresight. But no, that was not my plan. Come on. I've got some old friends I want you to meet tomorrow."
Marion thought Indy's house was a mess. But it had a nice library….filled with boring language books. Marion sighed as she fingered through the books.
"Got anything to drink, Jonesy?" she called over her shoulder.
"Will Scotch do?" he called back.
"Sure." Marion found the guest room, a nice room. It had a brown/tan theme to it, and there was a picture over the bed, and a lamp. She set her bag down on the bed; she had gone home to grab a bag before heading to Indy's.
"Drink's ready!" Indy said, carrying in a glass of amber liquid, already condensating on the side. Marion downed it in one swig. Indy laughed.
"You always were a heavy drinker." She glared at him.
"Don't make me come over there." Indy sat down in the chair in the corner.
"What's on your mind?" he asked. Marion sighed, then sat down on the bed.
"You know Collin? The one you introduced me to?"
"Yeah? Collin Williams?" Marion nodded.
"Well, he asked me. To marry him." Indy gaped. It was a bittersweet moment. He was happy for Marion, but he loved her and wanted her.
"That's…great!" Marion rolled her eyes.
"I'm not that dumb, Indy. I don't know if he's right for me, though."
"Hey, it's your choice, girl." Marion leaned forward intensely.
"You wanna know who my other choice was?" Indy too leaned forward.
"Who?" Marion smiled.
"You." They leaned in together. Indy felt his lips brush her's, the warmth, then she pulled back. Indy too leaned back.
"Well…I'm gonna go grade…something. After all, I am a teacher." He said, rubbing his neck.
"Yeah." Indy walked out, and Marion shuddered with pleasure, leaning back on the bed. She knew she had him now.