A/N: Here's the big reveal. Hope some of you stick around. :)
Finding a metallurgist in the Azores, let alone Portugal, who was up to working with us was like finding the needle in the haystack. Or like finding the lost city of Atlantis.
"We could get a university student," he offers quietly as I pour over the journal for the umpteenth time.
"We could, but their knowledge base might be limited. Plus, if they decide to go to a professor or someone else, our research might be compromised." I swing around in the chair to look at him. "We've discussed this at length. I think it's best, for now, to dismiss the metal."
He smiles gently. "Why don't you take a break? We've been going nonstop for almost two weeks."
"I don't need a break." I can feel the whine creeping into my voice. He's always known when I'm too tired to see straight or think clearly, but I feel fine. I'm nothing if not motivated and goal oriented.
"Okay, maybe you don't need a break, but that tub in there is big enough for two." He rolls off the bed, stripping off his shirt. "And I need a break." He tosses his shirt at me, and I laugh.
Maybe a soak in a deep, wide tub couldn't hurt anything. Maybe I'd think of something we could do, somewhere we could go. It takes me more than a few minutes to pull myself away, not because I don't want to soak in that man's arms but because I feel like I'm so close to realizing something.
I strip down, wandering into the bathroom, muttering about possible locations. "Island of Pharos, Troy, Malta, Richat Structure …" Trailing off, my jaw drops a little. Leaning against the back edge of the tub, arms splayed behind him, eyes closed and skin already glistening from the steam and moisture.
Emmett looks up and smirks. "Hello, Rosalie."
"Emmett McCarty; I never doubted that we'd end up in the same place at the same time. Something always made us feel inevitable."
He extends a hand to me, helping me into the tub so I can lean against him in the hot water. He's scented it with whatever was on the counter; it's relaxing and peaceful. Emmett's arms are wrapped loosely around me, holding me close but giving me room to move, to escape if I need it.
"How did we wind up here?"
I sigh, leaning into his frame. "Here, as in this hotel in Portugal? Or here, as in life?"
He chuckles quietly. "I'm not even sure anymore." Tucking his chin into the crook of my neck, he asks the question that's already burning in my mind. "Are you going to survive if we don't find it?"
Without saying anything, I sink farther into the water and his arms. The short answer is that yes, of course, I will. The disappointment will dissolve over time, and I'll focus my energies and interests elsewhere. Since this isn't a public search, sponsored by anyone or some company, I won't have any public fallout or humiliation to face. Dean Brody will welcome me back with open arms and a sympathetic ear.
"I'll have a great story if we never find it. I'll be disappointed but not devastated; I don't think." Emmett squeezes me gently. "Don't you dare tell me that I'm the greatest discovery you've ever made or that the true secret is within me."
His deep laugh shakes up both of us, sloshing water up the sides of the tub. "Have I ever force-fed you platitudes? I'm not about to start."
"Good." We settle back together ,and as we talk over everything from the past two weeks, he sighs deeply.
"Some leads are going to be dead ends; you and I both know that." He's rinsing my back as I hug my knees to my chest.
"I know, I know. I just wish there was some kind of obvious sign pointing us in the right direction." I sigh, leaning my forehead on my knees.
His motions still as the wash rag pauses on the small of my back. "What were you saying when you walked in here?"
"What? Saying about what?" I pick up my head, twisting to look at him.
"You were naming places. They sounded like supposed Atlantis locations."
"Island of Pharos, Troy, Malta, Richat Structure … did you want me to keep going?"
"You know who lives in Malta, don't you?" Emmett looks excited with wide eyes, dimples on full display.
"Oh, no, he's a nut job! He's like a craptastic, Dan Brown-esque, Leigh Teabing character." I hoist myself out of the tub, reaching for a towel. As I start to dry off, Emmett laughs.
"Oh, he is not. He loves you, and he's always been like a father to me. And if I remember correctly, he was part of the team that discovered that shipwreck in Gela. The one with—"
"The Orichalcum!"
He climbs out of the tub, staring at me as he grabs his own towel. "He may not have all the answers, but he might be a good stop along the way."
"Dammit," I mutter under my breath, but Emmett catches it.
"What? What is it?"
"Last time I saw him, I promised to let him take me hunting." I pull a face, and Emmett laughs.
He wraps his strong arms around me, shaking my body with his laughter. "Fishing and foraging, Rose. That's all."
"Oh, thank goodness. All right, so two tickets to Malta. Leaving tomorrow?"
Emmett drags me toward the bed. "I think we can wait a couple more days. He winks before he pounces.