A/N: Unfortunately, I don't own the rights to Indiana Jones.

April 1938, Chicago

"Dismissing me? Why the hell would you dismiss me?" Marion yelled angrily.

The baffled professor for whom she worked for shrunk back a bit, suddenly afraid of the woman's wrath.

"Here I am, back at this godforsaken university, and I've worked my ass off for you these last four months. I have! And now you're dismissing me?"

She paused, catching her breath, and noticed the professor had become very pale. Curious teachers and students, alike, had paused in the hallway to watch a pregnant secretary chastise an esteemed professor and although the situation seemed amusing, it gave Marion reason to worry. She couldn't lose her job; not when she needed money the most! Suddenly, she realized she had gotten so close to the professor, yelling to his face, that her pregnant belly was pressing against his protruding stomach. She backed away immediately.

"Sorry, Professor Larkin," she mumbled, retreating from the hallway and sitting at her desk in his office. "But it's true. I've worked so hard…I can't see why you'd fire me."

Her words were quiet and defeated. She placed a hand at the curve of her stomach, trying to calm the baby that bustled about within, uncomfortable at its mother's distress.

"Y-You're right, Miss Ravenwood," the professor began, nervously. "You've been the best secretary I've had in the twenty years I've been at this fine institution! And since you are dear Abner's daughter, it was such a pleasure to work with you, too."

Marion turned her head, confused.

"Then what are you firing me for?" she asked, hurt. "You know I need the money."

Professor Larkin cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"I'm afraid that's the exact reason."

"What are you talking about?"

Her tone was not a question, but more of a warning.

"Now…please try to understand, Miss Ravenwood…"

She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. He cleared his throat again, eyes darting to the floor.

"It has been brought to my attention that you are, er, unmarried… and—it's not that I have any problem at all with it—but the University feels that you, being in your condition…that the image of the University might not be, well, upheld…and the University cannot have you as its employee."

He swallowed audibly after his nervous speech. Marion sat, stunned.

"You're telling me you don't employ unmarried mothers?" she demanded.

"That's about right, I'm afraid," he replied meekly. "The deans wanted to cut back on…undesirables. Besides…they're afraid that, well…I'm a bachelor, and you're a young, pretty, unmarried woman. It just looks suspicious."

Marion open and closed her mouth, like a gasping fish, before she closed it again, too angry for mere words. What the hell was she supposed to do now? She was behind rent as it was…

It pained her to think of her child being born into such a terrible life. The Depression made everything scarce—food, clothes, jobs, and even happiness, it seemed. She had nothing prepared for the baby—nothing but a shabby one-room apartment with cracked ceilings and paint peeling off the walls…not exactly the beautiful nursery she envisioned.

"I'm sorry, my dear," Professor Larkin stammered gently. "I really do want to help Abner's daughter…it's just—"

"I'm an undesirable. I tarnish the University's pristine image. I could ruin your wonderful reputation. I get it," she growled.

Getting up, she grabbed her purse and her hat and swept out of the office with as much dignity as she could muster. The professor scrambled after her, offering to give her a few bills, just to pay the rent, but Marion refused the offer immediately. She would not depend on anyone.

She pushed open the oak doors leading out to the academic lawn and, breathing in the scent of springtime, slowed her pace a bit. April had always been her favorite month of the year, and not just because it was the month of her birth; all the new life teeming about, waking from the slumber of winter, was enough to cheer anyone. Just as the baby gave a sharp kick, Marion chuckled and decided to sit awhile, at least until the little being got comfortable. It was a little more difficult than she remembered, but somehow she managed to sit on the stone wall lining the lawn.

"About ten years ago I met your father here," she mused out loud.

Talking to her child had become a regular habit; after all, she had no one else to talk to. She allowed the memories to return to her. She had once been one of those girls, walking around campus, arm in arm with a handsome man. Smiling, she watched a couple sit under the shade of a tree, hands clasped firmly together, absorbed in each other's faces. There was a time when she would look at Indy's face and never wanted to look away…

Snap out of it, Marion, she told herself sharply. Those days are over. Besides…they probably don't want a creepy pregnant woman watching them while they're on a date.

The baby had settled, so Marion carefully slid down, but as she did, she suddenly found herself face to face with an old friend. His face was older, certainly, and he had a bushy brown mustache, but all in all, it was the same lovable face that belonged to the same lovable friend—Harold Oxley.

"Ox!" she exclaimed, immediately wrapping her arms around her father's old colleague.

"Marion! I almost didn't recognize you, since when did you start looking so beautiful?"

"You always did know how to greet a girl, Ox."

She grinned and he returned her hug eagerly, but quickly pulled away in surprise.

"Marion…you're…?"

"Gonna be a mom. I know, I know…crazy, isn't it?"

She laughed it off, hoping he wouldn't ask too many questions. Oxley chuckled too, albeit awkwardly.

"So…you're working at the university? I just came back from a trip to Mexico, so I haven't been here in quite a long time."

"Well, I was Professor Larkin's secretary," she began, "but these sons of bitches don't like to keep unmarried mothers-to-be, it seems. We are too goddamn scandalous, I suppose, even though we're the ones that need the money."

"Oh, Marion, I'm so sorry!" Oxley said earnestly.

After a pause, he continued. "You're unmarried, did you say?"
"That's right, Ox. The father doesn't know, and he walked out on me before I could tell him."

Marion was surprised how hard it was to spit out those words. She had been strong and independent for nearly five months, now. How could it be this difficult still?

Oxley looked around cautiously before he stepped closer to Marion, gently putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Marion…you don't have to tell me who the father is if you don't want to. I just want to let you know that I'm not like the deans of this university. I don't care what society says is "right." I want to help you, dear, and I think I have just the thing. You didn't deserve to get fired; it was cruel and unjust."

Marion was about to protest, when Oxley continued.

"It's not charity, if that's what you think," he explained. "Marion, I'm going to England next month—I got a job teaching at Oxford and I'm hoping that'll help me fund more expeditions. Plus, it'll be nice to go home. I want you to come with me…and work as my secretary. In exchange I'll get you a place to live and you'll get a very good salary, if I do say so myself. Please say you will, Marion?"

She looked up to meet Oxley's gaze. The kindness and strength in his eyes and demeanor lifted Marion's spirits.

"You're not kidding, are ya, Ox?" she asked in disbelief.

Could he really be this kind to someone who was practically a stranger—the daughter of his old, deceased professor?

"Not at all!" he smiled happily. "Sounds like an excellent plan to me."

"But…what about your reputation? The university's image?" she asked, thinking of Professor Larkin.

"Well, the way I see it, I don't really care about my so called 'reputation.' My personal life is separate from my teaching and archeological skills, after all. And as far as Oxford's image goes…well, frankly, once they find out you're an American, they won't really find anything about you quite shocking."

Marion laughed, and then began to think. Could she really pack up and move again? Did she have any choice? An offer like this one would never come again. Who knew if she could find another job, or if anyone would hire an unmarried mother… And at least with Oxley, she wouldn't be so alone. Already, she found his support miraculous. When the baby was born, it would be nice to have someone she could call on. She wouldn't rely on him, of course, but it would be nice to have a friend again.

"I know it's a hard decision and it's kind of sudden…but, I did say I'm leaving in a month, so—"

Marion leapt up and kissed Oxley on the cheek, her face beaming with excitement.

"Oh, Ox! You're the best friend a girl could have! Of course I'll come with you!" she exclaimed merrily.

His face turned beat red and he nervously adjusted his glasses, laughing.

"Splendid!" he sputtered, at a loss.

"I just don't know how I'm ever gonna repay you…"

"Don't worry your head about that. Just worry about packing your things and tying up all the loose ends. I'll have a cab pick you up later this week so you can stay at a hotel until our travel documents are all squared away…"

"A hotel? Jeez, Ox, I'm alright in my apartment."

"Consider this part of your wages. The more time out of your apartment, the less rent will need to be paid. Those prices are skyrocketing now due to the Depression…"

"You think of everything. Where've you been all my life, Ox?"

Oxley chuckled.

"Around. Just around."

And, as they walked through the University of Chicago campus, laughing and planning out the near future, Oxley gazed down at Marion, taking in her glowing eyes, her never-ending smile and wondered…who would be stupid enough to walk out on her? What he'd give to always have her looking at him with such admiration. It was something he had always secretly thought of in the back of his mind since he first met Marion when she was still so young; a girl, really. But, even since then, the fire in her spirit had filled Oxley's soul with so much exuberance, he thought he might burst. Despite their strange reunion and Marion's delicate situation, he could not wait to travel to England with Marion. Who knew what the future could provide them?

As all these old feelings were reemerging in Oxley, Marion could not help but be transported back ten years ago…when she was walking through the campus, arm in arm, with another man. Angrily, she pushed the thoughts from her mind for the second time that day. After all, she was getting as far enough away as she could. Part of her was satisfied that she would be an entire ocean away from Indiana, where he could never find her. And another part…a tiny part…whispered that she really wanted to be found. It lamented that Oxley would sweep her far, far away from her child's father. And Marion smiled through the frustratingly uncontrollable tears that formed in her eyes, hiding her pain. Just as she always had done just as she always would.

A/N: Thanks to all of my reviewers so far!! I've been able to upload fairly quickly, but I don't know if I'll always be so lucky! Review, please...