Okay, so it's definitely been awhile. Hey, life gets busy. I'll try a lot harder to put these chapters up faster, so thank you to all of those who are patient and bearing with me here. There isn't that much to go, we are entering the home stretch I promise.
Belloq awoke, light flooding in through the small window in his room. As the events of the night before flooded his brain, he broke into an ear splitting grin. But the smile quickly faded when he realized that the Nazis would soon be upon them. "We need a plan," he muttered, wondering if Jones was up. As Belloq got dressed, his mind was spinning, trying to come up with some way to get them out of the mess they were in. Unfortunately, one plan after the other seemed to fall apart almost as quickly as he had thought of them. "Damn!" He growled, punching the wall in frustration. It was not like him to lose his cool, but he had someone to protect, making the situation even more dire than it was before.
His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. Indiana Jones strode in, his jaw set. "Good going," he said to Belloq, trying to smile. Belloq gave a small smile back, trying not to let his frustration show. "I take it you've seen Marion this morning?" Belloq asked. Indi let loose a real grin this time, and sat down on the edge of the bed. "She was practically waltzing down the halls," Indi laughed. Belloq laughed as well, and sat next to his old friend. "You'll make her happy?" Indi said firmly, his final threat to Belloq. "I'll do everything within my power," Belloq answered, meaning it now more than ever.
Indi nodded, and returned to his tense state. Belloq laid a hesitant hand on his shoulder. "My friend... It is not like you to be so uneasy, what is the matter?" He asked. Indi shifted uncomfortably, still trying to get used to the new dynamic between him and the Frenchman. "I'm just... Well, I don't know. I feel so unprepared, I'm not sure how we are going to take on the Nazis," Indi sighed, his brow creasing with worry. Belloq sighed as well, putting his head in his hands. "I feel the same. I have to protect her Indi, she is my world. I tried to convince her to leave last night, but she would have any of it. She's staying here with us, but I'm not sure I can protect her. The Nazis will not kill me right away, but I can't promise the same for you and Marion," Bellow said. "What makes you so sure they won't kill you in sight?" Indi asked. Belloq patted his jacket pocket. "There is a book I have been carrying with me this whole journey, the only thing that contains the incantation that will unleash the power of the ark. As long as I have the book, they will have need of me," Bellow replied.
Indi stared at him, trying to process what he just said. "You mean to tell me that you alone have the power to open the ark?" Indi asked in disbelief. "No, whoever has the incantation has the power to open the ark, I'm just the current owner," Belloq explained. "So then why didn't they just kill you and take the book?" Indi asked. Belloq smiled smugly and patted Indi's shoulder. "While they may put a lot of stock in brawn, they don't have much brain. I managed to convince them that they would need an "expert" to decipher the text, and they wholeheartedly believed me," Belloq snickered. Indi's eyes widened, laughing incredulously. "Still up to the old tricks Rene?" He asked jokingly. "Always Henry...always," Belloq finished.
Indi's smile faded, and he looked at Belloq intently. "You're still going to go through with it then?" He asked quietly. Belloq turned away, unable to meet Indi's eyes. "I...I don't know. I mean... Wouldn't you? The ark holds so many possibilities, think of all we could do, all the people we could save, all the good we could accomplish! Don't you want to talk with the man who created us?" Belloq said excitedly. Indi shook his head, surprising even himself. "Listen... I know how your feeling. I'm curious myself. But it's too risky. What if it isn't what you think it is? What if it does to you what it did to all the other people who tried to open the ark? If Marion lost you... Hell, if I lost you like that... It would have been for nothing. Please Belloq, for her. Don't go through with it," Indi begged. Belloq sighed and gave a weary smile to his friend. "I'll try..." He started.
"Am I interrupting?" Marion asked, peaking in through the door. Belloq broke into a grin, and gestured for her to sit next to him. "Not at all my Cherie, we were just discussing how we were going to get out of this mess," Belloq answered, giving her a quick kiss as she sat down. Leaning into Belloq, she gave both the men an amused look. "You mean to tell me that Dr. Henry Jones Jr. and Rene Belloq have no idea how to get out of the trouble that they've gotten themselves into?" She said teasingly. Both men glowered at her, prompting an amused laugh. Belloq couldn't help but smile, hearing her laugh. His grin did not go unnoticed by Indi, who gave him a small smirk. "Ahem...sap!" Indi coughed, prompting a glare from Belloq and a punch from Marion. "Idiot..." She muttered, but gave a sideways grin to Belloq.
Their happy banter was short lived as a crew member barged into the cabin. "I hate to disturb you, but we've sighted a Nazi ship. They should be upon us shortly," the crew member panted. Belloq jumped up, glancing at Jones in alarm. The fedora clad man looked just as shocked. "I could have sworn we had one more day!" Indi muttered, looking at Marion with worry. Belloq's head began to spin, formulating a plan. It would be risky, very risky... And so many things could go wrong, but he had to try. "It doesn't matter now does it? We only have a few minutes...Jones, I need to speak with you for a moment..." Belloq responded quickly. The two men stepped out in the hall, and Belloq told Indi his plan. Indi shook his head vehemently. "No... Even if she and I survived the fall, you would be stuck with the Nazis. I know they have the submarines for us to stow away But they'll be keeping a close eye on you. How will we get to you again?" Indi asked. Belloq closed his eyes, a sinking feeling in his stomach. "You wouldn't..." He said quietly.
Indi stood in shock, processing what his friend just said. "So you ARE going through with the ark?" Indi asked incredulously. Belloq refused to look at Indi, his shoulders sagging. "I still... I still am not sure, but it looks to be so. If you follow closely, I will be able to "capture" you both again, but... I cannot guarantee that I will love to see that you are safe. You have to options, either we take the risk and you follow, or we go through with at least the beginning of the plan, and then you both sneak back onto the boat and head straight for the US," Bellow finished, giving Indi a half smile. Indy shook his head. "You know Marion will never go for that," he said quickly. Belloq grimaced and nodded. "Then I suppose were going to have to take the risk,"he said, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder."It's the only plan we've got," Indi said gravely. Indi held out his hand, and Belloq shook it, knowing full well this could be the last time.
I'll go up top, you talk to Marion," Indi said, and hurried up to the top of the ship. Belloq took a deep breath and headed back into the cabin. Marion was standing at the door, waiting for him. "Marion..." He started, but she held up her finger. "I heard," she said shakily. Belloq looked at her, fighting the tears forming in his eyes. "You know this is the only way," he said. Marion turned away from him, not wanting him to see her cry. "I know... but that doesn't make it any easier," she said. Belloq took a step closer to her, wanting so bad to just take her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be alright. But he knew but that would only be a lie. "I promise I will do everything in my power to return to you," he choked out, tears cascading down his cheeks. Marion turned to him, her eyes glistening with tears. But he also saw a blaze of defiance in them... And love. "I know..." She whispered. Belloq closed the distance between them, kissing her fiercely. They held each other for what seemed like an eternity, not wanting this moment to end and having to face the harsh reality of what was about to happen. Belloq finally pulled away and kissed her forehead softly. "Goodbye," he croaked out, knowing that this could be the last time his love was in his arms. Marion looked at him and finally said the words that he had wanted to hear. "I love you," she said strongly. Belloq kissed her one more time. As he pulled back he said, "I love you too."
"Are you ready?" Indi asked, appearing at the door. Belloq straightened his tie and put on a brave smile. "As ready as I'll ever be," he finished. He looked at his love one more time and gave a small nod to his friend, and with that, walked out of the cabin and up the stairs to face the Nazis.
Well, finally one more chapter up. Please review the chapters will come much faster now I promise. Updating soon!
