London, 1928

The hope of approval from her professor for her international trials lifted Lily to his office. She'd worked throughout the whole night on her presentation, and she was convinced she had planned it to perfection. There was a flight leaving London for Alexandria in four days, and she'd already communicated lodging for two weeks at a hostel right in town.

All her undergraduate research had led her to believe that the Library at Alexandria was not only safely preserved through a hidden chamber, but that it also contained ancient secrets that humankind had long forgotten. This expedition would prove her thesis and ensure her a PhD within a year or so.

"So you see professor," Lily was explaining. "All fares included it only adds up to four hundred pounds! Four hundred meekly pounds, professor, for all the world's knowledge," Her eyes pleased with him. "Surely we can find the funds?"

The old man pulled from his pipe and grunted. "I suppose we could dig around a bit,"

Lily could hardly contain her excitement; her dreams were finally falling within her grasp.

"Thank you, sir! You won't regret it,"

"You're one of my brightest students that I've ever taught, Miss Evans. I wish you well on your travels."

Lily beamed from ear to ear as she left his office.

In just four days, the life of Lily Evans would be altered forever.

The days had passed feverishly. She wouldn't be gone but two weeks and yet Lily had stocked her luggage with everything imaginable. She'd practically brought her whole wardrobe; on top of that she'd purchased special sun-protective clothes so her fair skin wouldn't burn in the African sun. Her field notes were also her itinerary and she had no plan save discovering the secret tunnel.

The flight over was bumpy, but not too long and unenjoyable. At last she landed, taking in the complete change in elements.

Egypt was dry and hot, but all that she'd expected. Her Egyptian-Arabic dictionary served her well, and she reached her hostel with little trouble.

She'd been prepared for the low conditions of the lodging, but the cheaply hostel exceeded all expectation. Lily tested the sink water and found it flowed out clean enough. Besides, all her time would be laboring in the desert for hours; she just needed a place to crash when she inevitably exhausted herself.

Night encroached, and soon the sun was setting outside her window. If she'd be living there for two weeks, Lily figured it was only appropriate that she get acquainted with the country. A night out of exploring the city's streets and avenues would help ease her bout of homesickness greatly.

She dressed modestly, with a veil on her head and a cardigan over her shoulders. She'd undoubtedly warm up if she drank, but the breeze between the buildings and over the sand refreshed her skin.

A little path from the hostel led her evening walk to the main street in town. The last lights of day illuminated the shopkeepers' goods and the city folk abiding around it. People were merry and laughing, a drink in one hand and a shoulder of a friend clasped in the other.

One little habitat nestled into a corner seemed particularly jovial, so Lily figured she'd try her luck there.

It's inhabitants were already well past the amount that Lily would usually drink in a whole evening. Rough hands banged in rhythm on the table to the tune of a local song. Drinks clanked and toasts were made all as she made her way over to what looked like the bar, though truth be told there were drinks everywhere.

"What'll it be, love?" asked the bartender.

"What do you have?"

"Clear liquor, amber liquor, and dark liquor,"

"Clear, please"

He poured her a shot which she threw back with a grimace. Her finger wagged in a quick circle to signal another one, which the man supplied gratuitously.

From the back of the establishment, an unruly ruffian with dusty suspenders and crooked wire rims sauntered out of a back door.

The stubble on his chin further perpetrated his disheveled look. He stepped with confidence telling of his personality, but with the staggering of a man who'd indulged too much for the night. The amber contents of an unlabeled bottle swished around as he made his way over to her.

He was English; she could already tell that before he opened his mouth. A part of her nagged that she already knew him somehow. His manners were slurred but well-intentioned as he took to introducing himself.

"James," he said to her, offering his hand.

She gave him her soft, delicate fingers which he clasped in his. "Lily," she replied sweetly.

Dropping her hands, he waved over the bartender - who he treated as genially as family.

James motioned for the man to leave the bottle, which he did as James took to occupying the stool beside her.

"Pardon me miss," his rough voice purred to delight her ears. "But you've got an interesting life and I'd like to hear about it." He grinned at her from ear to ear; his eyes large, hazel, and sincerely eager to listen.

"What makes you think I lead of life of any interest?"

"I've traveled the earth and met every kind of person you can imagine. Humankind follow all sorts of archetypes, and until now, everyone I've met has fit into those archetypes," here, he paused and leaned in towards her to where she could smell the whiskey on his breath. "Until you."

She took a moment to fully gather her senses before Lily responded. Maybe it was the shots, or perhaps he was just that smooth, but Lily was roped in, if not only to just talk to him more.

"Is that so?"

"Yes ma'am," James replied, flashing that grin again. "So you see my problem."

"I'm afraid I don't."

"I want to know you, Lily. Body and soul." He looked away and sipped his drink like he hadn't just made Lily's breath hitch in her throat. Never in all her life had she been spoken to like that. Certainly no one had ever assumed that she lived an exotic life. Being a female scholar was a pride accomplishment of hers, but the field work was often menial and lengthy. Her voyage to Egypt was really the first time she'd ever ventured somewhere completely by herself doing something of actual importance.

Lily was feeling the warmth from her consumption. She nursed her drink in small sips. "Do you think you can know some one like that in two weeks?"

His eyes met hers over his glass. "I'd sure like to try."

"All right then, Mr. James. Show me around Alexandria and I'll tell you about myself along the way."

Lily ever so subtly made out the widening of his eyes at her offer.

"What do you want to see?"

She opened her mouth but shut it before any sound escaped. Should she tell this stranger about her true plans? It was crucial her research go off how she'd planned it. James seemed nice enough, but she'd literally just met him and this was her life's work after all.

"Show me your best," is what she settled on.

James beamed and gulped down the last of his drink excitedly. "I know just the place,"