A/N ok so this is the prequel to the story City of Dreams which is in the Korroh Week 2014 one shot collection. You don't need to read that one to get what's happening her and in fact it might spoil a few things to read it first. This is definitely an AU 'verse and draws liberally from the Indiana Jones franchise (except the 4th movie because I don't want to nuke the fridge!) so please enjoy, this is definitely one of those more light hearted stories and I don't expect it to be too long. Be wary references are everywhere! And shameless.

Iroh Jones and the Staff of the Avatar

Part one

Vines coated the temple walls giving the ancient buildings a second skin. Iroh crouched down to exam the etchings on the wall. He stroked his chin the stubble more like sand paper then skin. He looked to his left and saw a trap had already been sprung. Frowning he went to investigate.

"Hello, who sprung you?" He heard a rustle behind him and turned. He saw glint of gold in the shadows of the forest. Slowly he stood up as a mocha skinned woman stepped out Ruku's crown in one hand and a revolver in the other.

She smiled, the ice in her eyes not melting a bit. "Guess, Dr. Jones."
Iroh frowned and put his hands above his head. "Dr. Korra Crawford, I should have known. Which private collector has hired you this time?"

She smirked. "Wasn't a collector this time Irony, it's actually a college in the North Pole. They want to add this to their Fire Nation studies department."
He frowned; he knew that university and it was almost as bad as a private collector. "That belongs in a museum! Preferably in Republic City where everyone can see in not locked up in a cold vault at the top of the world!"
She laughed. "Your starting to sound like a broken record Dr. Jones." She holstered the weapon and walked away. "Have fun with the snakes Irony."

Iroh paled looking around and jumped seeing the sea of snakes starting to slither out of the temple. "I really hate that woman."

.X.

"I almost had it, Tenzin! It was right there but that Korra got it first! And then she triggered a bunch of snakes and I had to literally fight a thirty-foot Python! Thirty-Foot! Python! It almost ate my hat!"

Tenzin, Dean of History, looked at Iroh with a disapproving gaze. He sighed. "I have no doubt you did your best to gain the artifact for Republic City University or that you might have run in to a few snakes while collecting the other artifacts you did bring back."

Iroh narrowed his eyes. "Then why did you come to see me?"

"There's a mover star here to meet you. Apparently your exploits have caught the eye of a film production and they've based a fictional character off you and well…the actor set to play you is waiting for you in his office."

"You don't look pleased about this Tenzin."
"The young man set to play Omashu Lu, is none other then Bolin."

Iroh raised an eyebrow. "The guy that plays Nuck Tuck?"

"The very same." He patted Iroh on the back. "Good luck."

Iroh scoffed. "I've dealt with crazed natives and more then a few of Amon's lackeys I think I can handled an actor."

.o.

Iroh slammed his front door effectively locking Bolin out. "I can't handle an actor."

Through behind the door came Bolin's muffled voice. "Dr. Jones, you shut the door in my face…Dr. Jones? Are you there?" The actor was now banging on the door. "Dr. Jones!?"

Iroh tried to ignore the actor when a new voice joined him. "Dr. Jones? This is Zaheer R. Lotus could you please let me in. I need to talk to you."

Iroh groaned and got to his feet. Zaheer was a big time donor to the university and a one of the fore most expert on the now extinct Air Nomads. Iroh wouldn't call him a good friend but one that he'd at least have a polite conversation with at a function. Opening the door Iroh let Zaheer and…Bolin in. Iroh poured Zaheer a glass of whiskey and handed Bolin a glass of milk before sitting down.

"So Zaheer what do I owe the honor of you visiting my humble abode?"

Zaheer raised an eyebrow and looked at Iroh's "humble" home, which was just the opposite. Iroh came from money and the large house he now resided in was one of the few clues to his family in the Fire Nation. Technically this was his family's house not his exclusively but since none of them cared to visit it was pretty much Iroh's. "I came to discuses a job for you."
Iroh leaned forward. "Really? I thought you did your own work with your partner Unalaq, did you two have a falling out?"

Zaheer frowned. "Yes a bit. Now do you want the job or not?"

Iroh crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "Depends what's the job?"

The man smiled. "Unalaq and I found the location of the Southern Air Temple."
Iroh sat forward. "Really? You actually found it?"

"Yes we know the location but since my falling out with Unalaq I no longer have the means or talent to explore the ruins."

Iroh grinned, "I'll take the job!"

He handed Iroh an envelope. "Here's all the details you need and there's a pilot in the Southern Water Tribe that is willing and good enough to fly you there." He stood up and tipped his hat. "Have fun Dr. Jones and, because I like you I'll warn you, Unalaq is eager as ever to reach that city first."

Iroh frowned. "Great…I love competition." He looked at Bolin who he forgot was even there. "Why are you grinning?"

"Because I get to go on an actual adventure with Dr. Iroh Jones! The most exciting history teacher in the world!"

Iroh's eyes narrowed. "You're not coming."

.o.

"Oh look there's the place we're supposed to meet the pilot that's going to take us to the Southern Air Temple!" Bolin yelled out pointing out the Obi Wan Club.

Iroh lowered his map and glared at the actor. "Thank you, did you yell loud enough? I don't think they heard you in THE NORTH POLE!" Iroh readjusted his brown fedora. "Now come on lets go find this pilot and get out of here. Who knows who Unalaq's haired to help him, and keep a wary eye out Unalaq's not one to worry about blood on his hands."

Bolin jumped up and down. "I am so glad I stowed away in the charter plane you booked to get down here! This is so exciting! You're so lucky I get to see this! I'll have your character down pat before we start filming!"
"Yeah, I'm so fortunate." Iroh rolled his eyes as he walked through the snow.

Bolin pulled a book from his pocket and started to jot a few things down. "Oh! Got to remember all your sarcasm for later! Wouldn't want to depict you inaccurately!"

"Yes, because that would be such a disservice to the world."

"There's that sarcasm again!" Bolin smiled. "The audiences are going to love Omashu Lu!"

"Yay…"

.o.

The two walked into the club, it was a nice place had a dinner show and everything. Iroh surveyed the room his eyes landing on a man that looked a lot like the one in the picture. He sat down at the man's table. "You Hiroshi Sato?"

The man nodded. "I am, and you are?"
"Dr. Iroh Jones, archeologist. A friend told me you're a good pilot and are willing to fly me and my companion to the Southern Air Temple. Was I informed wrong?"

The man picked up his glass. "No, you weren't, did your friend tell you about my fee? Good pilots aren't cheep."

"Money is no object in this case. Even if my friend did neglect to give me your quote."

Hiroshi smiled. "I think you and I are going to get along smashingly. Now sit back enjoy the show Dr. Jones. We'll discus details later."

Frowning but understanding that he couldn't really do anything to help it, Iroh leaned back as the curtains rose up and a dark skinned woman sauntered out to the mic. She wore a black dress that fit her like wet oil. She looked up right at Iroh and gave a little smile. Iroh leaned forward. That couldn't be? But why was she here? Damn it! Why wouldn't Unaloq heir his own niece? Damn nepotism. His thoughts trailed off however when she started to sing.

"I've seen the world
Done it all
Had my cake now
Diamonds, brilliant
And Bel Air now
Hot summer nights, mid July
When you and I were forever wild
The crazy days, city lights
The way you'd play with me like a child"

Iroh looked away. She had to sing that song with her nightingale voice didn't she? He looked back up to see Korra smirking as she went in to the course. His memory, despite his best efforts to resist, went back to the first time he had encountered his female rival.

"Will you still love me
When I'm no longer young and beautiful?
Will you still love me
When I got nothing but my aching soul?
I know you will, I know you will
I know that you will
Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?"

He had once thought they were kindred spirits searching for the treasures of the past to share with the public. They would both feel the rush of adrenalin when uncovering a mystery long thought forgotten. He may have been in it for the better understanding of the past but she; she was in it for the power and money. And He learned that a little too late. After the two had uncovered the fans of Kyoshi she had proposed a night of celebration to commemorate the find. She sang this very song that night as they 'celebrated' until exhaustion took the place of passion. In the morning Iroh woke to find his bed empty and the fans missing, the song still playing in his mind. Even now he could recall her humming the melody whenever she was absentmindedly staring off into space.

"Dear lord, when I get to heaven
Please let me bring my man
When he comes tell me that you'll let him in
Father tell me if you can
Oh that grace, oh that body
Oh that face makes me wanna party
He's my sun, he makes me shine like diamonds"

Iroh gritted his teeth and rose to his feet. He was not going to just sit here while she mocked him with that song.

Bolin looked up at Iroh. "Hey where're you going?"

"Bathroom. I'll be back in a bit."

He walked out of the room and quickly slipped back stage and into Korra's dressing room. Her started to rifle through her belongings looking for any clue as to what her target was. She didn't just stole through ancient ruins she always had a target.

.X.

"Will you still love me when I'm no longer beautiful?
Will you still love me when I'm not young and beautiful?"

Korra finished her song and smiled as the audience clapped. She noted that Iroh had bowed out of the room. She frowned. Now where had he slipped off to?

.X.

Iroh raised his hands as he felt the barrel of a revolver press into his back. "It's not nice to go through a lady's things Dr. Jones."

Iroh glanced back. "Then it's a good thing you're not a lady, Korra." She laughed sarcastically taking Iroh's gun belt and whip away. "Taking my belt off already? You didn't even bother with dinner. You're definitely not a lady."

"Oh shut up, Dr. Jones. What are you doing in my dressing room?"

"Trying to find out what you're doing in the Southern Water Tribe so far away from home."

She dug the pistol into his back. "What did you find?"

"Just your underwear collection. I must say you really should update your wardrobe more often." He held up one of her bras. "I have found memories of this particular piece." Iroh chanced a glance back to find Korra's cold blue eyes glairing at him. He flashed a charming smile and turning quickly grabbed the gun and pulled it out of her grasp. He held her arm tight in his free hand. "What are you looking for in the southern air temple? What treasure are you chasing now?"

She smirked. "If you don't know then I'm not going to tell you." Before he could say anything she knees him in not the stomach and laughs as he goes down. Adding insult to injury she sits on him and inspects her nails. "Do you have any other questions Dr. Jones?" Grabbing his hat she puts it on and inspects her reflection. "Oh come now you can't really have nothing burning in that brain of yours."

"Mfff aft rurrring mfft in mf mufffted?"

"What?"

"Mfff aft rurrring mfft in mf mufffted?!"

"Speak up handsome, you know I can't understand you when you mumble like that."

Quickly, Iroh rolled over catching Korra off guard and now he was pinning her on the floor. "I said what are you doing singing at a night club?"

"Can't a girl have a little fun?"

"I don't believe you."

Korra sighed. "Fine Unalaq may have giving me the map to the Sothern Air Temple but he didn't give me the means to get there. I heard about a pilot who frequents this place who's got the skills to fly me there and so I got a job as a singer here and have been staking it out looking for him. Happy?"
Iroh narrowed his eyes. "No, but it will have to do. Give me that!" Grabbing the hat off Korra he put it back on his head. "It's not yours, don't take things that don't belong to you. It's wrong and a really bad habit of yours."

She smirked. "Really Iroh? Just one of my bad habits? We're archeologist if we didn't take things that didn't belong to us…well we'd be out of a job."

Iroh was about to say something but the door opened. Bolin and Mr. Sato looked in at the pair with confusion on their faces. "Uh Dr. Jones, Mr. Sato is ready to talk about the job now…should we come back?"

Trying not to look too flustered Iroh got to his feet and dusted himself off. "No, I-I was just-nothing never mind." He walked past the two men. "Let's go, we can talk business back at the hotel."

Bolin looked back at Korra for a second before catching up. "Hey who is that woman?"

Iroh adjusted his collar. "She's no one important, just a person I used to know."

"The sexual tension between you two suggests differently, who is she?"

Iroh grumbled under his breath. "Uh, Her name's Dr. Korra Crawford."

"So that's Dr. Crawford! Huh, I always thought your greatest adversary was a guy not some pretty lady. Go figure." He nudged Iroh in the ribs. "Did she steal your heart along with all those artifacts? Huh? Huh?"

Iroh stopped and glared at Bolin. "No she did not! And she hasn't stolen that many artifacts from me either!"

"Well she stole you hat." Heroshi pointed out flatly.

Iroh felt for his hat and only found hair. He turned to see Korra leaning against the door holding his hat. "Give me that back!"

"Let me come with you and I'll share the maps Unalaq gave me and I'll give you back your hat and I'll give you back your belt and whip too." She held the other items up. "You forgot these Irony."

"No deal."

Korra put the hat on her head. "Then it looks like I've got some new accessories " She smiled and started to turn.

"Fine! Deal!"

Bolin looked over at Heroshi. "Is the hat that important?" The aviator just shrugged.

A/N Ok, so here's the first part I hope you enjoyed this. Yes Korra does call him Irony just to annoy him and yes she is a bad-ish guy in this universe. Song was young and beautiful by Lana Del Ray. Comment if you feel so compelled. See yah next time~ C.C.