Disclaimer: I own no rights to Relic Hunter etc…I do own any characters you don't recognise.

And you are?

CHAPTER TWO

"Samuel! She'll be here in one hour if you're not back by then I swear there will be hell to pay!" The fifty-four-year-old Italian shouted down the phone; he slammed it down on the receiver cutting Samuel off. His twenty-five-year-old son had gone out the night before, Tristan shuddered to think what he'd been doing, Sam had been told to be back at the private museum by 9am the next morning to get ready for Sydney's visit; he was late and his father was not a happy man. The one bit of news that had brightened up his morning was hearing that Sydney Fox no longer had an assistant to tag along that meant no one to snoop around, it also made things easier for Tristan, no unnecessary deaths. Killing people that got in the way always complicated matters. He picked up his briefcase and keys and walked out, locking the door behind him.

* * *

Sydney waited by gate four impatiently, her plane was late in reaching its destination and that had annoyed her, it was only late because of some ignorant couple who had decided to pick a fight with someone else on the plane. The pilot had attempted in breaking them up ending in him getting punched in the face; Sydney really tried hard not to intervene but she along with the rest of the passengers wanted to leave the airport sometime that day. The end result was not pretty, and now Tristan was late; a guard in the corner was looking at her and she sent him a heated glare that could've melted all the ice in Antarctica.

She didn't even know what the guy looked like so she couldn't start looking for him, all she could do was watch the passers-by and hope one of them was the person she was waiting for.

"Ah Sydney Fox I presume" a tall and burly man asked, despite his fifty-four years Tristan still had a young look about him, his hair barely touched by grey.

"Tristan?"

"Yes, yes…It's good to finally meet you. I've heard many stories of your travels…I was lucky to get you to help me as you're in great demand, yes?" he asked with a glint in his eye.

"Well it's been quiet lately" she told him with a smile. They started walking towards the airport exit.

"Tell me why isn't your Assistant with you?" he asked making polite conversation.

She looked at him suspiciously, though she didn't show it she didn't completely trust this man, "Why are you so interested in him?"

He shrugged "Just curious I heard he travels everywhere with you and I thought he might be able to help with some of the texts".

"Actually he's back at Trinity he's been feeling under the weather lately and didn't want to stray to far from home" she lied.

He nodded in understanding though of course he already knew she had no assistant at the present, if his informant had been right. "My car is waiting outside" he said pointing to a black car parked in an illegal space, the chauffeur was arguing with a parking attendant who was insisting he move the vehicle, their argument was causing a crowd to gather and Tristan looked around at the people who obvious discomfort. He noticed Sydney's curious glances and faked a smile; "I dislike crowds" he said simply before opening the door to the passenger side to let Sydney in, he got in the drivers seat and sped away leaving the parking attendant and his chauffeur to gape.

* * *

Samuel glanced at his watch as he paced up and down his father's office his boots clattering on the hard wood floor, he looked at the syringe he held in his hand and sniffed the contents it was odourless but he didn't even want to guess what chemicals it contained. He froze as he heard the outer door opening then the sound of a man and a woman speaking as they walked to the office, he regained his composure and flattened himself against the wall by the door.

"After you".

He heard his father say, he saw a flash of blue through the screen that hung over the door window as Sydney entered the quaint little room, he heard her shout in surprise as Tristan struck her down. Then he saw his father fly into the room holding his arm in pain, he slid across the floor and tried to stand as Sydney came towards him.

She massaged her wrist where Tristan had grabbed her "Who the hell are you!" she demanded to know, she kept a steady gaze on the man in front of her not seeing the one behind before it was to late. Sam withdrew the now empty syringe from her neck and she looked at him in surprise, Sydney pushed him away and tried to escape knowing the danger she was in but she couldn't stop herself from falling and the relic hunter slumped to the ground.

* * *

Karen walked into Trinity late the next day and she was dreading having to explain herself to Sydney, she knew they'd be questions especially concerning her quick exit the day before. She was thrilled however to hear ten minutes later off one of Sydney's students that she hadn't arrived either. The young woman did think it was strange her employer hadn't turned up especially since she had classes to take that day. Karen unlocked the door to the office and walked in throwing the keys onto the table then continuing on to check for any messages on the answering machine.

'Karen I'm at the airport about to get on a flight to New York I won't be back for a few days so cancel my classes, will you? Bye'. Karen sighed, there was going to be a lot of people who were annoyed at the sudden cancellation; there was only one more message left. 'Its me again my flights gonna be late I don't know by how long yet…listen in case its cancelled I'll get a flight tomorrow so I'll be back a couple of days later. And find some information on the Peruvian jewel and fax it to The Tristan Dell Private Museum, thanks'.

Karen immediately set about finding the information Sydney had requested after all She was probably waiting for it.

TBC…