AN: Thanks again to my beta reader, Liddella. Also, thank you for the reviews. I really appreciate comments and constructive suggestions. Enjoy!
Chapter 3
The next morning Faye, once again, awoke with a start. She sat up a little too quickly for her aching muscles and a moan of pain escaped her lips. She was back in her bedroom, and she couldn't remember getting there the night before. Her last memory was her sinking back onto the pillows on the couch knowing Mutt was near by reading.
She wondered if he had carried her up stairs once he was sure she was asleep or if he had left her on the couch until his parents had returned from the dinner. She was amazed she had managed to sleep through the night and she knew it had quite a bit to do with the fact that she had felt safe with Mutt nearby. Something about his presence alone encouraged her trust, much as his father's did years earlier.
There was a knock on the door and it opened a moment later. She saw Indy appear from behind the door and tried to give him a small smile, despite her still protesting, aching muscles. She knew it must have been the first day of his summer break judging by his state of attire. The suit and the bow tie were gone; instead he wore a more casual button down shirt with slacks. He was carrying a tray with the various, usual breakfast items on it.
"How are you feeling, kiddo?" he asked, and she fought the urge to scold him for using the nickname as he set the tray down over her lap.
"Sore," she replied softly as he re-arranged the pillows for her, "but a little better after getting some rest. How was the dinner?"
"Same as every year," he said, sitting in the chair next to the bed.
"Boring?" she questioned, taking a sip of coffee and letting the warm liquid slowly warm and relax every inch of her from the inside.
"Exactly," he replied, laughing a bit. He then became a little more serious as he continued. "I talked to Charles a bit last night. Told him you were back in town and he reminded me the college would be looking to hire a new professor, who would be part of my team. My recommendation would carry quiet a bit of weight as we've had problems finding someone who was the right for the job."
Faye knew what he was asking and she couldn't help smirking a bit as she imagined the long line of candidates he had probably gone through in the past. He wanted her to stay and he had arranged for her to step into a position she wouldn't be able to refuse so she might truly consider not running off once she felt stronger. She had been told she was one of the few who had worked as his assistant and truly understood him and his ways. She had enjoyed working with him, learning more then she could have hoped to in class. It truly was too good of an offer to pass up and nearly every fiber of her being ached to stay in Connecticut.
"Doctor….Indy," she began, correcting her habit before he could scold her again, "I don't know what to say. Is Marshall College really ready for a female professor though?"
"I have a good feeling Charles will see that you're hired, should you want the position," he told her and Faye looked away for a moment weighing her options.
She couldn't go back to her old life, only someone who was truly a candidate for an institution would return to what she had left behind. Yet the thought of teaching and starting a new life frightened her, and she knew she would inevitable be forced to truly find her own way to fit in with Indy's still new family unit.
"And the students?" she asked, taking a bite of toast to distract herself for a moment.
"Don't worry yourself over them," he replied. "You would be teaching mostly freshman when the school year starts. Rest of the time you'll assist me."
"Indy, my life right now is all in the experience outside the classroom," she said, not sure why she was fighting so hard. "I can't just leave all my research."
"Faye," he began, "you can't go back there."
"I know," she answered.
"Maxwell Blakeshire is also well connected," he continued. "How many of the other girls you've worked with have found other positions after leaving his team?"
"Alright," she said, before she could convince herself otherwise. "If it can be arranged I'll take the position."
She looked up in time to catch the smile that had formed on his lips and she matched it with one of her own. She was distracted by a knock on the open door and looked over to see Mutt standing in the doorway. Indy stood from the chair and Mutt took a step into the room.
"There's a man at the door, says he knows Faye," he began, and Faye felt her heart stop at the dread of having to face Maxwell. "Told me his name was James Sanders."
"He was on my team in Ireland," she told them both, feeling relief wash over her entire body. "He is a friend of mine…what is he doing here?"
"He said he brought your belongings," Mutt told them, and Faye instantly picked up the breakfast tray and set it aside so she could swing her legs over the side of the bed.
"You should stay here, I can take care of this," Indy said as she tried to rise.
Faye ignored him though as she finally managed to struggle to her feet and wrapped the dressing robe she had obviously slept in a little tighter over her pajamas. James was probably the person she trusted the most after Indy, and her spirits seemed to lift a bit at the thought of seeing him again.
"I'm fine," she told them, moving towards the door. "Besides, he won't be happy until he sees that I'm alive and mostly in one piece."
Her body protested as she started down the stairs but she began to descend despite the pain. On the second step, she felt a hand on her back, and she was surprised to find Mutt descending with her, ensuring she didn't fall. She could see the purple bruise under the slight stubble that had grown on his chin, and bushed a bit at remembering she had inflicted the injury only the night before.
"Thank you," she said softly when they reached the bottom of the stairs, and turning towards the door she saw James watching her.
"My God, Faye," he said, moving towards her, and examining her slightly. "He certainly did a number on you, darling. I wish I had been there..."
James was a bit older then her and quite handsome. His dark hair had hints of grey, and his green eyes seemed to radiate whenever he smiled. Faye had never seen him look unfashionable, even on a dig. She knew she idolized him in a way, and he had never once taken advantage of those feelings.
They had become fast friends, both joining the same team around the same time. They always looked after each other as best they could. After spending nearly a year working closely with him, she was sure he would be mentally berating himself for choosing to go out instead of remaining in for the evening.
"If you had tried to step in, who knows what he would have done," she replied.
James opened his arms to her, and she was grateful for the embrace. He was gentle with her; almost as if he was afraid she would break. She suspected in her current state she resembled a delicate glass structure that had cracked a little and would shatter if even the slightest pressure were applied.
Pulling away she turned to find both of the Jones men staring at them, each with a slightly raised eyebrow. Marion had also entered the foyer from the kitchen, dishcloth in hand, observing the scene silently.
"There's some people I'd like you to meet," she told James motioning towards their audience and Indy stepped forward.
"I did some asking around in town to find this house," James replied, extending his hand to Indy. "You must be the famous Dr. Jones Faye talks about. I'm James Sanders."
"It's nice to meet you, James," Indy replied, shaking the other man's hand. "This is my wife Marion, and our son, who goes by Mutt."
Faye watched them all shake hands, and turning slightly she noticed her suitcases had indeed been brought and were piled near the door. She considered it a good omen that James should have arrived when he did, seemingly supporting her decision and encouraging her to leave Maxwell's team.
"Why don't you come inside and have a seat," she heard Marion offer, drawing her attention back to the others around her.
"Thank you, but I can't stay long," James told them, turning back to Faye as Marion excused herself again. "I'm supposed to be on a plane back to Ireland this afternoon. Have you gone to the police yet?"
"No," she said softly. "It would be my word against his. Watching him walk away with no punishment after the fight I would have to pursue would be worse for me then remaining silent. You're going back to Ireland with him?"
"I feel like I have to," he replied, placing a hand gently on her arm so he wouldn't hurt her.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Mutt fidgeting a bit, looking like he wanted to interrupt the scene that was unfolding. She said nothing though, doubting he could possibly be jealous. They had only just met, and she certainly was in no shape to attract any man at the moment.
"Why?" she asked James softly. "You could find something else."
"He's always going to be hiring young women to work for him," James explained, his voice calm and steady. "Eventually he's going to find himself another one like you, one who he can't seem to have. Hopefully, I can stop him from ever doing something like this again."
She moved into his arms for another embrace, feeling tears prickle her eyes. He would be leaving any moment, walking out the door and she would no longer be able to see him every day. They had trusted each other, and it was rare to find someone she could trust completely. She hated the feeling that she couldn't have him as a permanent part of the life she was about to build in Connecticut.
"You're the best friend I could have ever hoped to meet," she told him. "You couldn't be there every moment protecting me, and this is not your fault. I'm a big girl remember? I don't usually need protecting. Please stop feeling guilty."
He then pulled away, placing a quick kiss on the top of her forehead. Again from the corner of her eye she notice Mutt moving, and this time he turned away completely as he scratched the back on his neck. However, her attention quickly returned back to James. Faye worried what would happen to him once he returned. She knew eventually his sense of honor would win and he would no longer be able to work along side Maxwell.
"I wish you luck, Faye," he said softly. "Write to me every now and again."
"I will," she promised.
"I'll see you out," Indy said, stepping towards them and moved outside with James.
She was alone again with Mutt. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was staring at her with an unreadable expression. Perhaps the pang of jealousy had crept into his mind during her short exchange with James. Occasionally men were known to easily develop feelings for a woman in need. She raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for whatever he wanted to tell her.
"So who is he to you exactly?" he asked, not moving from his spot.
"A friend," she told him, moving towards the stairs. "Nothing more."
"How do you know that he's your friend?" he asked. "Seems to me, if Blakeshire's paying his salary he would be loyal to him."
"Don't be ludicrous," she replied, turning back to face him again. "Why are you so interested anyway?"
"I'm not," he said, turning away from her with a shrug and looked in the mirror behind him.
Faye had to fight the urge to roll her eyes at him as he pulled out a comb to fix his hair. The action was infuriating and she wanted to sink her fingers into his perfectly placed locks and leave him with a perfect mess. She could only imagine how much the action annoyed his father. The door then opened and Indy stepped back inside, unaware of Faye's devious thoughts.
"James is on his way," he told Faye, picking up one of the suitcases. "Junior, would you help me with these?"
Faye nearly let out a laugh as revenge had been taken without her saying or doing a single thing she had schemed. Mutt glared at his father for a moment, putting the comb back into his pocket. It was similar to the look she had seen Indy give his own father when he used the nickname in front of her when they met at the college. However, Mutt said nothing as he picked up the remainder of the other suitcases and Faye stepped out of their way so they might climb the stairs.
She shook her head as she watched them, and followed them back to her room so she could unpack and truly get settled. Running a hand through her unruly red locks she hoped she had thought to pack a hair tie in her bags when she did.
She stopped suddenly; remembering what else she had packed in her bags when they left Ireland. Looking up she saw Mutt and Indy exit her room once again, and she managed a small smile as she passed them.
"When you're ready we can finish discussing the position at Marshall," Indy told her as he passed and she gave him a slight nod.
Entering the room she shut the door behind her and crossed quickly to where her small shoulder bag had been placed. Unsnapping the buttons on the flap, she let out a small sigh of relief seeing the small scroll inside. Taking it out of her bag, she turned and pulled back the area rug that covered much of the area around the bed. Long ago she had discovered the lose floorboard and knew the scroll would be safe there temporarily.