Alex was lying on his bed. The expidition was in it's final days. Roth even hinted at heading home early, an idea that was in and of itself amazing. Lara would be home in a few days. Alex could get home early and surprise her.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
Alex gazed towards the door and spotted Jonah standing in the doorway. Two large mugs in his hand, he walked over and set one on the desk.
"Hey, Jonah." Alex smiled, laying back down. "I'm just tired is all."
"I bet." Jonah chuckled. "It's been a hell of a trip. Well, I came to give you the good news, Roth's confirmed it. We're heading home."
"Are you serious?" Alex said sitting bolt upright.
"Grim is firing up the engines as we speak." Jonah smiled. "We should be on our way within the next hour, maybe two."
"That's awesome." Alex said.
"Yeah. I bet you can't wait to surprise Lara with Flowers and Chocolate. And regale eachother with your adventures."
"Pfft, Lara's not really into flowers." Alex chuckled. "She's more of a 'Books and...books' kind of girl."
"Well you got one book." Jonah chuckled. "Now all you need to get is another one."
Alex laughed. They had docked near the start of the journey journey. While there, Alex spent some time in the adjacent town, looking for a present for Lara. He found a hokey little book shop, tucked away near the edge of town, and picked out a book on Scandanvian myths and legends for her, knowing she'd love it. It was an old book too, so odds are that would score him some extra brownie points.
"Well, I'll talk to you later." Jonah smiled before heading down the hall. He spotted the small notebook, on his desk. He'd decided to keep a journal on his first night aboard. Lara had always talked about the importance of archiving events of an expidition, and on a whim decided to give it a shot.
He opened a book and read through a few of the more interesting chuckled as he read.
Day 2: I've spent the entire day, fixing alot of broken things aroung the ship. Some of it's only patch jobs, and I've had to tell Roth that he'd need to replace some of the equipment. He didn't seem happy about the prospect of spending money, but he seemed thankful for the work.
Day 5: I've got nothing to do...I've fixed everything, now I'm just waiting for something else to break. Not even a week in and I'm bored.
Day 6: We stopped in a small town in coastal Norway. I decided to look for a souvenier for Lara. I found a book that I hope she likes it. I also tried octopus...I actually really liked it.
Day 9: There was a fire in the kitchen. No one was hurt, no lasting damage either, but Stewart in now banned from going in anywhere near it. I'm surprise Jonah didn't throw him overboard.
Day 11: Holy fuck it's cold. I swear I'm going to have to defrost my pens before I write these. I'm seriously glad Sam talked me into buying that parka...and the thermal underwear. I'm thinking of growing my beard out.
Day 15: Roth got a mysterious call today. I didn't think Roth would be the kind of guy to have a sattelite phone, he seems really traditional. Grim told me it it was strictly for business use. So I decided against asking to use it to call Lara.
Day 19: There was a killer whale out side the ship. It was just like Free Willy...I really shouldn't have stood so close to the edge of the ship. I got soaked, and ended up spending the rest of the night with my feet in a dish of hot water. On the plus side, Jonah made that chicken soup of his again.
Day 23: Another mysterious call. I tried to ask Roth, he just laughed and told me not to worry about it.
Day 28: The crew were talking about their wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, whatever they had...particularly their sex lives, then they started asking about Lara. I just said we're happy together, and they tried to pry for details. I was too scared Roth would come in...So I just said it was satisfying, Sure enough Roth showed up when they started making jokes. Why does he have to wear those guns everywhere.
Day 30: Roth got drunk today. He walked into the galley with his shirt off chugging a bottle of rum. He started challenging people to fights, and even attacked Grim with a ladle. He knocked himself out after walking into a door. Jonah carried him to bed. Saying that this wasn't unusual when Roth was upset.
Day 31: Turns out Roth is really mean when he's hungover. Grim ended up blackening the eye the door hadn't. Second day in a row Jonah carried him to bed.
Day 37: I went ashore with the team. We didn't find anything. Roth was pissed. He said his client was gonna be pissed.
Day 42: Morale was pretty low, everyone was crabby so I decided that the best way to lift everyone's mood was with a movie marathon. I used one of my bedsheets, and set it up in the galley. I knew my mini projector would come in handy. Jonah was just glad of an excuse to make popcorn. Roth smiled for the first time in two weeks.
Day 47: Roth was yelling at whoever was on the phone today. I wasn't surprised when he tossed it overboard. I didn't ask. We'll being going home soon so I guess it doesn't matter.
The last few entries were rather mundane by comparison. Alex put the book down. It had been an experience to say the least. But he was equally excited to be going home.
He looked out the porthole to admire the landscape one last time. Something caught his eye.
It was dark but it was clearly a boat. It was moving fast. Alex couldn't tell, but it didn't look like much more than a speedboat. No it was more like a dinghy, heading straight for the ship. Odd. Alex picked up the walkie talkie.
"Roth?" Alex said he waited for Roth to reply.
"What's up lad?" Roth's voice crackled over the radio.
"Was anybody left on shore?" Alex asked.
"No. Why?" Roth replied.
"There's a boat heading towards us," Alex told him. "Port side."
Roth's answer didn't come immidiately. Alex was about to repeat his transmission.
"Alex. Listen carefully. I want you to stay in your room." Roth said quickly, his tone was different. "Lock the door. Do not leave under any circumstances."
"Roth I don't understand." Alex replied.
"Just do as..." Roth's transmission was cut short, with the unmistakable sound of a gunshot.
Alex panicked he turned to lock his door. Coming face to face with two men weilding assault rifles. One of them he recognised. His overweight frame, and multicoloured hair was unmistakable.
"Paul?" Alex said dumbly.
"You!?" He said angrily. The butt of the rifle made contact with Alex's forehead and everything went black.
The water jolted Alex into conscioussness.
"Get up." A voice commanded.
Alex rolled over. His hands were bound in front of him. A boot made fast contact with his stomach.
"I said get up."
"Okay, okay.". Alex winced bushing himself onto his knees. He had been dragged to the galley. Roth was to his to his left. His restrainst were more elaborate, a set of high quality handcuffs. They weren't taking chances with Roth. He spotted Roth's pistols on the table.
"Are you all right Lad?" Roth asked him gruffly.
"I...guess...Where's the rest of the crew."
"Haven't a fuckin' clue." Roth said.
"No talking." Paul said kicking Roth in the stomach. He seemed unphased.
"You think you're tough pal?" Roth sneered. "I met people tougher than you in primary school."
"I said shut up." Paul kicked him again.
"Paul, please try to conduct yourself in a civilised manner." A smooth voice asked. "Hello Roth."
"Elliot." Roth sneered.
"Roth, you know this guy?" Alex asked. He felt his head being whacked again.
"Mr Roth works for me." The man replied. "Or at least he did before he decided to take the prize for himself."
"There is no prize." Roth barked. "Your damn treasure either doesn't exist."
"It exists, Mr Roth." The man replied smoothly. "And after my men find it, I'm going to teach you what happens to thieves."
"Paul, if you're not going to at least try to conduct yourself properly, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to join the search party."
"Sorry Mr Elliot." Paul sneered at his employer.
Elliot. Alex knew he recognised him. From the Newspapers. He was a politician. And he was...
"You Simone's father." Alex blurted out. Elliot looked towards Alex. His expression ambiguos. "At least I know where she get's her sense of entitlement from."
"Petulant welp." Elliot's fist contacted with Alex's face so hard, he knocked his glasses off, and shattered the lens.
Alex reached for his glasses his eyes closed. He felt something lens. It wasn't sharp enough to cut through a cable tie, but maybe he couldn't loosen it.
"You won't need those." Paul threatened him.
Alex kept a hold of the piece of glass, as discreetly as he could he got back onto his knees.
"Is this the standard of people in your employ, Roth?" Elliot asked him. "Children playing at being men. No wonder you couldn't do the job I paid you to do."
"Better than having men who act like children." Roth spat. "Seriously is that lad supposed to be threatening?"
Alex fiddled with the glass. He had to be discreet, he couldn't only move when Elliot wasn't facing him. Luckily he like to pace. He needed to stall as long as possible.
"Yeah really. When they're best known for is robbing a chinese restraunt, and a pub." Alex was whacked again he winced. "Roth, remember the night we met?"
"Aye." Roth nodded.
"I'm sure this is a lovely tale, but I don't care." Elliot told him.
"Well, I'm sure Roth cares." Alex retorted. "He's the guy that threatened Lara."
Roth's eyes errupted in rage.
"You threatened my Lara? You little ratbag." Roth hissed. "I'm gonna tear you're fuckin' head off."
"Mr Roth you'll be doing no tearing of anything." Elliot said callously. He picked up a walkie talkie, "Jenkins. Report."
"Sir, we're still rounding up the crew. Please advise."
"Have you gotten everyone?" He asked.
"Negative, the cook and the helmsman are still unaccounted for."
"Any causalties?" Elliot asked casually.
"Negative sir."
"What about the artifact?" Elliot snapped. "Do you have it."
"Negative sir."
"Very well." Bring everyone to the main deck.". He said.
"Sir?" The man replied.
"We're going to ask Mr Roth, where the artifact is." Elliot began. "For every time he refuses to tell us, he's going to watch one of his crew take dip." He ended the call and looked to Roth. "I hear that even at this time of year, the average man will die in these waters in a few minutes. Let's see how many of your men are as exceptional as you claim. On your feet."
Alex felt the Cable tie loosen. He refrained from verbally celebrating. He had to act. Paul was the only sentry. And Elliot made two. Alex didn't know if he was armed. But if he reduce the risk. Roth could probably stop Elliot. He'd have to improvise, he needed to get Paul close enough to disarm him.
"I've been reading a lot about you in the paper reccently. How much money did you embezzle?"
Elliot merely looked at Alex with contempt, as though offended Alex would speak directly to him.
"I guess I figured a corrupt politician could afford deccent help." Alex said, he prepared to loosen the bind. He was going to have to fight. He'd never been in a proper fight, but he knew he'd have to try.
"Shut your mouth." Pual said. "And get up."
"You'll be the first in the water." Elliot said angrily.
"I'd expect maybe ex-military, some professional mercenaries. Expendable scum yeah, but You should have at least thought about getting some guys with a few more brain cells."
"That's it." Paul roared, she strode towards Alex.
NOW.
Alex swept this leg, Paul fell in a heap. In a flash, he tried to wrestle the gun from Pual.
Elliot momentarily froze. Imrpessed, and Enrgaged.
"For God's Sake. " He reached for one of Roth's pistols that was sitting on the table. He wasn't fast enough to aim, before Roth tackled him, and the gun skidded across the floor.
Paul got the upper hand and pinned Alex to the floor. his fist made contact with Alex's stomach. Paul hit just as hard as Alex remembered from being hit that fateful night in the bar.
Alex was different back then. He didn't have as much self confidence, he wasn't as strong. He wasn't as mature (even if her was only marginally moreso now.) And the reason he was so different. Lara. The first woman he'd ever had a serious relation ship. The first woman he'd slept with. The only person he could imagine himself with. His girlfriend. The woman he loved. Her own words rang clear in his head.
"I love you."
BANG!
The gun erupted with a single shot.
Alex pushed his way into Lara's apartment. She was sitting at the kitchen island, with the phone in her hand.
"For the last time. No." Lara said sternly. "This is the final time I'm going to have this conversation...Yes...Yes...Goodbye Uncle." She pressed the end call button. "Eugh!" Lara groaned, as Alex walked into the flat.
"If that's how you're gonna be, I guess I'll leave." Alex joked.
Lara jumped to her feet to face Alex.
"You scared me." Lara sighed. "I didn't hear you come in."
"You wanna talk about it?" Alex smiled, as he cracked open a can of soda and drank deeply from it.
"No...I mean...can I ask for your opinion on something." Lara asked.
Alex nodded, still drinking.
"Do you think I'm too...masculine?" Lara asked.
Alex choked on his drink and began to cough and splutter.
"What?" Alex finally managed. He looked Lara up and down. Given her current state of dress there was no way anyone could call her masculine. She was wearing a tight fitting tank top, and cotton short shorts. Everything was exposed. Her legs, figure and cleavage all on display. She lookd like she had just gotten out of the shower, her skin had a shine to it. Her hair was in it's usual loose ponytail, her slightly damp locks framing her face beautifully. The embodiment of femininity.
He walked over to her and began to run his hands over her skull.
"Alex..." She asked uncertainly. "Alex, What are you doing?"
"Checking for lumps?" Alex said as straight face as he could.
"Lumps?" Lara repeated.
"You clearly got hit in the head if you think you're masculine." Alex told her. "Have you looked in a mirror lately?"
"Cheeky." Lara shoved him away, a small smirk on his face. "I mean my attitude, and my habits?"
"Honest answer, No, I don't think your masculine. Why would I?" Alex honestly couldn't think of what she meant.
"My uncle...He wants me to drop out of classes for a year and attend finishing school in Switzerland?"
"Finishing School?" Alex asked.
"You know...where they teach you how to sit, and balance books on your head." Lara said in a disguested tone.
"I never got the point of that." Alex admitted.
"Posture." Lara stated simply.
"But you've got great posture." Alex said, "Besides, why would you need to do any of that, when you're training to be an archaeologist.
"He thinks archaeology is a waste of time." Lara grimaced. "He thinks I'd be better served becoming a banker." Lara said crossing her arms, inadvertently pushing her breasts together, causing even more damage to the narrative that she was masculine.
"Oh yeah, finding ancient treasures and going on adventures in nowhere near as good as scamming people with insane interest rates.
"You're giving archaeology too much credit." Lara chuckled weakly. "It's mostly just digging."
"Regardless, in what way knowing how to sit 'properly' or balancing a fucking book on your head in anyway relevant or important? Especially if your digging holes in the ground. Why would you want to be some trained to act like so, arrogant snob with a stick up her ass...why would anyone want to be like that?"
"But..." Lara began."
"No, let me finish." Alex said. "You, are so caring, and thoughtful, and beautiful, and so smart. You have a better handle on...everything than...Anyone else I know. You know what you want, and you know exactly how to get it. So stop worrying, about what some scumbag relative wants. Kaz did that and I didn't see her for five years. The last thing I want is to lose you too."
Lara reached around and hugged Alex, resting her ear to his chest.
"It's not...I just get so angry when he tries to tell me how I should be doing things."
"Why does he act that way? I mean my uncle Dave is asshole but...seriously, your uncle sounds like a dictator."
"He...didn't like dad." Lara admitted, and I think he's offended I'd rather be like Dad's side of the family, than his."
"Well he's gonna have to get used to it." Alex laughed. "Be who you want. Not who he wants."
"Thank you Alex." Lara said, the stress still obvious on her voice. Alex knew how to cheer her up.
"Come on, I brought pulled pork from that deli you like."
"You sure know how to make a girl feel better." Lara smiled as her heart fluttered.
Alex kissed her sweetly.
He'd been struggling with how he felt since she had admitted how she felt. He had pretty much come to the conclusion that he loved her. It no longer mattered to him whether she had meant it or not. The fact was, he loved her. And he had to tell her. He wouldn't lose.
With hands still gripping the assault rifle, He brought his knee into contact with the other man's groin. He howled in pain. Alex took the opportunity, grabbed the clip keeping the rifle latched to the strap. He tried to roll them them over. With some difficulty he succeeded.
Paul roared in anger, he pushed Alex away.
Alex felt the pain in his shoulder, as he collided with the ground again. He was hurt, he was dazed, and he was being charged. But he had managed to hold onto the gun, much to Paul's horror, he was all to late in realizing when Alex pulled the trigger.
Metal tore flesh in a visceral display, as chunks of the man were ripped from his body. Alex held the trigger until the clip ran dry.
As though unaware of his demise, Paul took two steps, before he finally collapsed.
Alex's triumph suddenly turned to horror. He killed someone. He had just ended the life of a human being. He felt sick. He wanted to vomit.
He suddenly remembered Roth. He looked. The two men were still fighting. Roth, still cuffed, was losing. Elliot had him pinned, a knife had been introduced and both men were trying to force the blade towards the other.
Without thinking, Alex aimed aimed the gun and pulled the trigger, and a dull click caught his attention. The magazine was empty. He looked at Paul, He had landed on his front, where he had been keeping the spare magazines. There was no time to try and move him.
Alex was about to rush over when he spotted Roth's pistol. Tossing the assualt rifle aside, he crawled towards it quickly. And grabbed it. He aimed at Elliot. He hesitated. He had already killed someone. Did he have the right to kill someone else?
His hesitation, came at a cost. Roth howled in pain, as the knife pierced his shoulder.
The question of what was right, was no longer relevant. He pulled the trigger.
Roth watched as the side of Elliots ripped open from the bullet. The politician fell backwards. His gaze made it's way to Alex, still on his knees, the pistol still firmly gripped in his two hands.
Roth forced Elliot's corpse off of himself, and pulled the knife from his sholder. He got up, making his way towards the younger man. He wrenched the gun from his grip.
"Alex," He said, his voice full of concern. "Alex, are you okay."
"I...I...wasn't quick enough." Alex replied
"Lad, it's not your fault." Roth tried reassuring him. "You did a great job, if it wasn't for you..."
"Roth...I killed them..." Alex said, horrified. "I killed two people."
"It's all right lad." Roth said, as he attempted to comfort the young man, he tried to hug him, which was awkward, with the cuffs still on his arms.
The door banged open. Roth aimed towards the door. Grim and Jonah, stood in the doorway, guns in hand.
"Jesus." Grim exclaimed, "What happened?"
"Alex?" Jonah said looking from the Alex, to the two bodies and back again.
Roth didn't answer. He stood up and addressed the two other men.
"Somebody find the keys." Roth said, "That one had them." Roth said pointing to Paul.
"I go it." Jonah nodded, he proceeded to search Paul's corpse.
"What's the situation.?" Roth winced.
"We got them all?" Grim said. "We're searching the ship now."
"Casualties?" Roth asked.
"A few injured, but nothing serious." Grim replied. "But you look like you're gonna need stitched."
"Yeah." Roth nodded sullenly.
"Got it." Jonah said, making his way to Roth and unlocking the shackles.
"Cheers. Jonah." Roth nodded. "Jonah, I need you to take care of this mess. Grim, get us the fuck outta here. NOW!"
The two men didn't question, they did as they were told. Roth helped Alex to his feet, and led him from the room.
Everything began to blur for Alex. He didn't even realise where they were going until Roth had him back in his room.
"Alex." Roth said again. "Alex look at me."
Alex turned his head to acknowledge Roth.
"Thank you."
"Thank...Roth...I killed two people..." Alex reiterated. "I..."
"I know...and I'm so sorry you had to. But if you hadn't told me, I might not have been able to warn everyone, I might, have lost...some men...and I nearly lost my life...and yours."
"Roth..."
"No, let me finish." Roth stated. "You saved lives tonight. I know it may not feel like it...but you did what you had to...and you did what was right. You're a hero."
Alex looked Roth dead in the eye. Roth clearly believe what he was saying.
"Roth...I'm no..."
"Yes you are." Roth stated. "Lara believes it. And I know she's right. I saw with my own two eyes.
"Lara...LARA...SHE'S GONNA THINK I'M A MONSTER...SHE'S..."
"ALEX, CALM DOWN!" Roth cut across him. "Lara is understanding, Lara is caring. But...whether Lara needs to know about this right away or not...you have to decide."
"But..."
"Alex...I know Lara can forgive you for anything...I've seen the way that girl looks at you..."
"But..."
"Lara WILL understand, when your ready to tell her." Roth said "And you will tell her...when you're ready."
Alex simply looked at Roth, and nodded absentmindedly.
"I'll be back to check on you in a few." Roth said. "I need to get patched up." Roth planted a hand on Alex's shoulder, and smiled weakly before leaving.
Alex vacantly stared of into space. He caught sight of himself in the mirror. He got up to examine himself closely.
His glasses were still missing. They'd be useless anyway, give that the lens had shattered. Luckily he had spares. What caught his attention was the blood. He couldn't even tell if it was his own or not. he removed his shirt and dumped it on the floor, and proceeded to wash his himself at the sink. When he was satisfied, he pulled on a fresh shirt and sat back down.
He thought about what he had done. And what he had come to realise. Did he have a right to love Lara. Would she still love him? Did she even love him? Or were her words just drunken ramblings?
Alex had no answers. He could only think of Lara. It didn't make him feel any easier.
Roth stepped out onto the deck. His arm still bleeding. He didn't care. He was too stressed. Before anything else happened, he needed a smoke. He lit a cigarette, and inhaled deeply. He made to put the cigarettes back in his pocket. Feeling an obstruction in the pocket, he placed them in a different one. Then he withdrew the artifact from his pocket.
Elliot had been desperate for it. He'd paid a lot of money. And Roth accepted, no questions asked. But when Roth found out what it was, he couldn't let him have it.
Elliot was scum. Not only had he been linked to embezzlement. But also associated, with even more unsavory people, who were involved in the most reprehensible acts. And was more than likely funding them.
And Roth had agreed to work for him. And had been stupid enough to attempt to double cross him.
Roth gripped the artifact and gritted his teeth. All this trouble, for a lump of metal. A worthless piece of nothing. It had almost cost lives, of himself, his best friend, his crew.
And Alex, who was still a child. Roth had personally invited him, to gain work experience, to show his grattitude, for saving Lara. And his own greed had turned his pure intentions, to something that had potentially become fatal to him,
And heartbreaking. How would he have been able to tell Lara if something had happened?
Roth screamed in anger as he tossed artifact into the frozen abyss.