White Out

White Out

By Andie O'Neill

Summary: Indiana Jones' biggest regret is about to be erased.

A/N: Okay guys, I know I hit you hard with the angst, so I'm gonna give you guys a little break and REALLY get into the story. Now we're gonna be heading into the Last Crusade. Things will be slightly different since history has changed, but for the most part I'm gonna be sticking to the story. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own it… but I certainly wish I did!


Part Four

Marion Ravenwood had never been a woman to pull punches. It was obvious not much had changed. Indiana had been bruised, broken, and battered more times than he could count, but none of those injuries had been quite as brutal as Marion's words. No three words had ever cut him so deep.

"You blew it."

He'd leaned back into his chair, stunned to silence. What could he possibly say to that? There were no words. She would never trust him again. The thought hurt almost as bad as her words, and suddenly he couldn't breathe. He wanted to go back. Suddenly, watching Mutt grow up was meaningless to him. They'd been a family there… in his time. Mutt may not have been fully comfortable with Indy, but they'd been getting there. For weeks after marrying Marion, he'd wake up in her arms. He'd had it all in that future, even if it had come a bit late. His own father may have been absent, but at least he was there. Indy knew how hard it'd been for Mutt, it had been even harder knowing his real father was practically a stranger. Indiana gently placed his son in Marion's arms and stood as straight as he could, trying to keep the hurt from showing on his face. By the guilty look Marion was giving him, he had a feeling he'd failed. It was getting late… he needed to leave. "Good night, Marion," he whispered and walked away.


Colin didn't like it. He'd heard the yelling inside Marion's hospital room, but Ox had told him not to go in. The yelling had stopped moments later, but he had a bad feeling. "I should be in there," Colin spoke in annoyance.

"Marion asked us to leave. She wishes to talk to Henry alone," Oxley reminded him.

Colin frowned and leaned against the wall. He wanted to be with Marion, wanted to be there by her side. They were getting married, and it felt wrong that he wasn't with her when she talked to Indiana. "What could she possibly be telling him?" Colin asked, though not expecting an answer.

"Marion loves you, Colin, you know that. You have nothing to worry about," Harold told him calmly.

Colin didn't like the tone in Oxley's voice. "You sound almost sad about that," he noted.

Oxley sighed, looking away for a brief moment. "You never saw them together, Colin. You never saw what it was like. Their relationship was never stable, but there was never any doubt that they loved each other."

"If Indy loved her so much, why did he leave?" Colin asked, trying to keep his temper in check.

Harold smiled. "Abner Ravenwood was a good friend of mine. Henry studied under Professor Ravenwood for years. Abner was a great man, but his duties as an Archeologist took him to distant parts of this world searching for clues and maps that would show him the way to lost treasures and famous legends. Since Marion's mother died long ago, she was usually dragged along with Abner. It was hard for her… having Abner of all people as a father. His death left her stranded in Nepal, where Henry finally found her. Henry's father was an Archeologist too, Colin. He's always known what Marion was put through… his mother died as well. It's a hard life… a lonely life. As much as I hated the fact that he'd left, I always knew why."

Colin had never truly understood how Marion felt about her father and Archeology in general. She'd always gone back and forth about the subject. Colin knew it was a sore subject, but he'd never known why. "Two sides of the same coin," he whispered, finally understanding.

Harold laughed at that. "A perfect analogy. The only reason they seem to hate each other so much, is because of just how much they love each other. For Marion… Henry was her first love."

It had always been hard to get Marion to talk about Indiana in the past, but from what he did know, while Indy was studying under Abner, he and Marion had briefly been in a relationship behind her father's back. It hadn't ended well the first time, and Indy had left without a word. "You think she still loves him?"

Oxley shook his head. "She will always love him, Colin. Since the very day she met him… she's always loved him, just as Henry has always loved her. The problem is she may never trust Henry again. Sometimes it's easier to be safe… a life with Henry would be anything but that."

Safe. Was that what it came down too? Colin knew Oxley was right, even though it hurt. Marion and Indy had a history no one else could ever truly understand. It had lasted over a decade, and Colin knew it would never really be over between them. Suddenly Colin straightened as Indiana walked through the door. "Indy!" he spoke.

Jones looked over at Colin, and immediately he knew it had not gone well. Colin almost shivered as he looked into Indiana's eyes, and saw the one thing he'd never thought he'd see… defeat. "I'll uh… come back by tomorrow morning when Marion's ready to leave. Thanks… for everything," Indy said, even his voice spoke of defeat.

"I could drive you back to the hotel… I was only going to say goodbye to Marion anyway. It would be no trouble, Henry," Ox said.

Indy shook his head. "I'll walk… could use the exercise." With that Indiana left.

Colin knew what he had to do, even if every bone in his body was telling him not to. With a glance at Oxley, he could tell the older man agreed. Colin turned around and walked into Marion's hospital room.


He didn't know what he was doing. Was he a fool to give Marion up so easily? Probably. Still, Indiana Jones was his friend, and he loved Marion. Sometimes love meant putting the other person ahead of self… no matter what. Love was unselfish. "You love him." He didn't bother to ask. He already knew.

He could tell Marion was already upset. Obviously her talk with Indy hadn't gone well for her either. "No Colin… I'm done with him. I'm finally done. I love you, and I won't let Indy ruin us."

Colin glanced back at the door, knowing Oxley was waiting. Harold had always been extremely protective of Marion, having known her most of her life. He wouldn't leave until he knew everything would be okay. "You mean you won't let him ruin you," Williams corrected. He could see it in her eyes. She was afraid. It was a rare sight, and it almost through Colin off.

To hide her fears, she laughed bitterly. "Ruin me? Colin what are you talking about?"

"You love him, and you're afraid," he repeated with conviction. He wouldn't back down. His heart was beating a mile a minute, but he would see their conversation to the end. He was in the Royal Air Force, a trained pilot, a fighter… he could handle Marion.

"Afraid of what?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

"That he'll keep hurting you. That he'll ruin you. He's hurt you so much. The problem is he's already ruined you… because you will always love him. He's ruined you for any other man. Marion, you need to give him another chance."

"Another chance? I gave him another chance, and for my troubles I was dumped a WEEK before my wedding with a baby on the way. Why should I give him anything?!" she shouted.

Colin remained calm. He'd expected her to lash out. He'd hit a nerve, only this time he wasn't going to back down. "You need him, Marion."

"I don't need anything from him! You think you understand, Colin, but you don't. You'll never understand what he did to me!"

"I do understand, Marion! I understand, all too well. I know he hurt you… twice! You want to hurt him the way he hurt you! You hate him for leaving you, but you forget the fact that he always seems to come back. He's here, Marion, right now! He's finally ready to be with you, to have a family! So what are you so afraid of?"

"I won't do it again, Colin. I've learned my lesson. I won't go through that again… and I sure as hell won't put my son through that!"

It was then that Colin realized where her fears lay. She was worried for her son, worried that Indy would leave him as he left her. It was one thing for him to leave her, it would be quite another for him to leave his only son. "You didn't see the look in his eyes the moment that nurse brought him his son, Marion. You didn't see the wonder, the amazement, and the love that I saw. He would give his soul to keep that boy from pain. I have no doubts of that. He didn't even want to let the boy go. You don't have to worry about him leaving his son, Marion, because it will never happen. He loves you, and he loves his son."

She was crying, and he knew she was finally accepting the truth. She was trying to hide her tears, but Colin could see them fall. He moved over to the bed and pulled her into his arms, while she held her baby close. Little Henry had finally fallen asleep. "Indiana is the man you belong to, Marion… not me. You need him, you're son needs him… and frankly he needs you both too."

"What do I do?" she asked, whispered. She looked lost.

"You let Oxley and I take care of little Henry, and you tell him the truth. Ox said he'd try to get you out as early as possible. Go to him."

Marion smiled her relief clear. "Thanks Colin."

Colin smiled back, surprised by the weight that was lifted from his heart. He loved Marion, but he'd finally come to realize his place. He would always be Indy and Marion's friend. And he would always be there for Henry. He would be their friend. "No worries, I'll be sure to cash in later," he teased.

Marion laughed. It was good to hear her laugh.


Marcus had decided to take the earliest flight back upon being informed of an emergency at the museum. Indy had assured him that he'd be just fine without his friend's support and taken him to the airport. Upon arriving at the hotel he was surprised when the man at the desk called him over. "This just came in for you from a Mister Charles Stanforth. Apparently it was sent to your house, but since you weren't there, Mister Stanforth decided to send it to you personally," the man explained awkwardly.

Indiana grabbed the package, curiously. He had a bad feeling, a very bad feeling. He immediately opened it, right at the front desk, ignoring the worker's nervous glance, and frowned when he saw what his worst fear. Dad's journal. "This isn't possible," he whispered.

"Excuse me, sir?" questioned the hotel worker, obviously confused.

Indy gave him an annoyed glance before taking out the journal and rushing up to his room. He wasn't supposed to get the journal for weeks… after he found the cross. His heart was beating a mile a minute as he opened his door and walked inside only to realize the place had already been ransacked. Someone was looking for his father's journal… the Nazi's. "Not good."


She was nervous… beyond nervous. She had no idea what she would say when she finally faced Indiana Jones. Little Henry was with Oxley and Colin, safe and sound. She'd been released from the hospital over an hour ago, and had immediately taken a cap to Indy's hotel. She'd just arrived to his floor and was heading toward his room when she saw Indiana rush out. He froze the moment he saw her. "Marion? What the hell are you doing here?"

It wasn't exactly the greeting she'd been expecting, but it really shouldn't have surprised her. "I came to talk to you," she explained, noticing the nervous expression on his face. He was worried about something. "Indy… are you okay?"

Indiana walked up to her, suddenly calm. "I'm calling you a cab, you're going back to Colin's and you're staying there. Where's Henry?" he asked, not even bothering to hide his desperation.

"He's with Colin and Oxley. Indy, what's going on?"

"Marion, I can't explain right now! We need to get you away from here! Now!" he shouted, grabbing her arm and he pulled her down the stairs. Marion was struggling to keep up with him, but chose not to complain. Something was very wrong. She'd seen the look on his face before… while they'd been searching for the Ark. She never had liked that look. He spoke of adventure, sure… but it also spoke of trouble, grave trouble. The moment they reached the first floor, Indy was flying toward the front desk. "I need a cab for Miss Marion Ravenwood, ASAP," he said calmly. To anyone else it would be calm; to her it was the hint of fear that worried her most.

"What's happening, Indy?" she asked, taking his hand.

His expression grew soft as he looked back at her, and he stroked her face sadly. "Take care of Henry, okay? I'll be back in a few weeks to check on you both."

Suddenly Marion knew exactly what was going on. "How bad is it?"

"Bad," he admitted. "Nazi's… they have my father."

Marion gasped. Anything but Nazi's! It just had to be them! "No! You're not leaving! You're going to get yourself killed!" she fought.

Indy shook his head. "I'll be okay! I promise! I have to find him, Marion. It's what I do," he told her.

He was staring at her, his eyes filled with a sadness she wasn't sure she understood. Without hesitation she pulled him into her arms and kissed him, knowing it was goodbye, but praying it wouldn't be for good. "Take care of yourself," she whispered.

"Don't I always?" he asked, suddenly looking far freer than he had before. "What about Colin?"

Marion just smiled. "What about him?"

"I thought..." he shook his head, never finishing his thought. "Nevermind."

"I love you," she finally admitted. She wasn't sure she'd see him again. She wanted him to know, and maybe it would be enough to bring him back to her… safe.

His eyes brightened as he kissed her again. "I love you too, Marion."

The moment didn't last as Marion heard the first round of gun shots. Indy threw her to the ground, jumping on top of her to protect her from the shots before he pulled her behind the desk. Suddenly she had a feeling she wouldn't be returning to her son anytime soon. "What now?" she asked over the weapons fire.

Indy gave her a worried glance, holding her hand tightly in his. "Now… we get the hell outta here!" he shouted back, glancing over the desk as the enemy sent another volley of fire their way.

The hotel manager lied dead beside them, caught by the weapons fire. Marion was sure she'd be sick, and looked away. "How exactly are we going to do that?" When he didn't answer, she grew impatient. "Indy!"

"I'm thinking!"

To Be Continued….

A/N: Things finally seem to be going their way and that's when they have to fight for the life. Like Marion said… they never get a break! lol Review please, and I'll do my best not to leave you with this cliffhanger for very long! ;) Mwhahahahaha!!