"A Vacation by Another Name" By: Aenigmatis Disclaimer: I own nothing nor do I claim to own anything. I tried to claim a character once, but he ran away screaming. Author's Note: I don't know if this will turn out any good or not, but I'm mostly writing this to get rid of writer's block. If you like it, please let me know by reviewing it Thanks for taking the time to read it.
It came to her as most great ideas do, in a flash. Sydney Fox had been sitting at her desk thinking about a lot of things. To many it would seem she was brooding, but a woman never broods, she ponders. Syd was pondering what to do about Nigel. Since joining the ancient studies department and becoming her teaching assistant, Nigel had become much than that. He had become a part of her life that she couldn't imagine living without. After long deliberation and many a sleepless night, she had decided that she actually loved him, and it scared her to death. She had always tried to go through life with a steel wall around her heart, no stronger than steel, more like titanium. The fewer people she cared about, the fewer people she could lose and the fewer people that could hurt her. She thought she didn't need anyone and the threat that someone close to her could be used by one of her enemies always loomed over her. And yet, despite all that, somehow the young Englishman had wormed his way in. He deserved to know the truth about how she felt, but the fear of the unknown after-effects of such an admission had stayed her hand until then.
Syd also realized that it had been too long since she had had a real vacation, one without any tombs or renegades. That's when the idea hit her. She would take Nigel on vacation with her and while they were away from it all she would tell him. There was of course a problem though. They were both knee deep in papers to grade, had classes to teach, and the relic hunting season was in full swing. Once she thought about it a minute the solution presented itself.
Sydney picked up her cell phone and dialed the number to her own department. After two rings Karen's chipper voice answered with, "Ancient Studies."
"Karen, don't say who this is out loud. Just pretend you don't know who this and be convincing."
"Alright. How may I help you?"
"Good. Now, I'm going to come out there in a few minutes and say that Nigel and I are going on a new hunt. It's a lie, but I need you to go along with it."
"Yes ma'am. Could you give me a bit more information? Thanks."
"I need a vacation and I'm taking him along with me. Call it a surprise 'thanks for letting me drag you around the world' present. When I tell you to order two plane tickets use my credit card for everything. I'll slip it to you."
"Of course ma'am. We don't usually handle things like that, but I'll be willing to pass the message on. Have a nice afternoon."
Syd hit end on her phone and waited a few minutes before exiting her office. Out in the main room she could see Nigel grading some papers and Karen was scribbling on a notepad, both whom looked up when she came out.
"Hey Karen. Who was that on the phone?" Syd asked trying to sound interested.
"Oh, just some crazy old lady that thought she found the map to Valhalla on the back of a fifty year old sealed box of cereal." Karen replied earning a disgusted look from the two academics at the thought of cereal that old.
"Well forget that. We have a new hunt to go on. I just got an e-mail from a professor in Paris." Sydney announced.
"What is the relic we'll be traipsing after this time?" Nigel asked rising to lean on edge of is desk. He was excited about the prospect of another hunt, but lacking much gusto since he still hadn't rested from their last trip.
"He said that he had been excavating the site of a thirteenth century castle a little ways outside the city. His team found carvings in a dialect dating from the time alluding to something that could be a significant find, but they can't decipher the writing to figure out the clues. That's where we come in. Karen, get us two tickets to Paris and arrange for our classes to be covered. It doesn't seem like this will be a quick a trip Nigel, you should probably pack for about a week and god knows what kind of clothes we'll need so pack for all contingencies. I'm going home to pack myself. Karen, call me when you've got the details worked out." Sydney never lost her cool as she expertly made up her speech on the spot while slipping the blonde secretary one of her credit cards.
She walked out the door with her usual confident stride and a satisfied grin on her face. So far her scheme was going right on target. They were going to Paris, the real reason was going to be a complete surprise, and hopefully by the end of trip Nigel would officially be more than just her TA. Now the only problem was that she had to decide what to pack and knowing Karen's planning she probably didn't have much time to use to decide her vacation wardrobe.
Another Author's Note: I know at the top I said this would be just to alleviate writer's block, but now I think I actually like the story. I'm gonna keep writing on it. The next part will probably be up by late tomorrow. I would do it now, but it's late and I'm tired.
It came to her as most great ideas do, in a flash. Sydney Fox had been sitting at her desk thinking about a lot of things. To many it would seem she was brooding, but a woman never broods, she ponders. Syd was pondering what to do about Nigel. Since joining the ancient studies department and becoming her teaching assistant, Nigel had become much than that. He had become a part of her life that she couldn't imagine living without. After long deliberation and many a sleepless night, she had decided that she actually loved him, and it scared her to death. She had always tried to go through life with a steel wall around her heart, no stronger than steel, more like titanium. The fewer people she cared about, the fewer people she could lose and the fewer people that could hurt her. She thought she didn't need anyone and the threat that someone close to her could be used by one of her enemies always loomed over her. And yet, despite all that, somehow the young Englishman had wormed his way in. He deserved to know the truth about how she felt, but the fear of the unknown after-effects of such an admission had stayed her hand until then.
Syd also realized that it had been too long since she had had a real vacation, one without any tombs or renegades. That's when the idea hit her. She would take Nigel on vacation with her and while they were away from it all she would tell him. There was of course a problem though. They were both knee deep in papers to grade, had classes to teach, and the relic hunting season was in full swing. Once she thought about it a minute the solution presented itself.
Sydney picked up her cell phone and dialed the number to her own department. After two rings Karen's chipper voice answered with, "Ancient Studies."
"Karen, don't say who this is out loud. Just pretend you don't know who this and be convincing."
"Alright. How may I help you?"
"Good. Now, I'm going to come out there in a few minutes and say that Nigel and I are going on a new hunt. It's a lie, but I need you to go along with it."
"Yes ma'am. Could you give me a bit more information? Thanks."
"I need a vacation and I'm taking him along with me. Call it a surprise 'thanks for letting me drag you around the world' present. When I tell you to order two plane tickets use my credit card for everything. I'll slip it to you."
"Of course ma'am. We don't usually handle things like that, but I'll be willing to pass the message on. Have a nice afternoon."
Syd hit end on her phone and waited a few minutes before exiting her office. Out in the main room she could see Nigel grading some papers and Karen was scribbling on a notepad, both whom looked up when she came out.
"Hey Karen. Who was that on the phone?" Syd asked trying to sound interested.
"Oh, just some crazy old lady that thought she found the map to Valhalla on the back of a fifty year old sealed box of cereal." Karen replied earning a disgusted look from the two academics at the thought of cereal that old.
"Well forget that. We have a new hunt to go on. I just got an e-mail from a professor in Paris." Sydney announced.
"What is the relic we'll be traipsing after this time?" Nigel asked rising to lean on edge of is desk. He was excited about the prospect of another hunt, but lacking much gusto since he still hadn't rested from their last trip.
"He said that he had been excavating the site of a thirteenth century castle a little ways outside the city. His team found carvings in a dialect dating from the time alluding to something that could be a significant find, but they can't decipher the writing to figure out the clues. That's where we come in. Karen, get us two tickets to Paris and arrange for our classes to be covered. It doesn't seem like this will be a quick a trip Nigel, you should probably pack for about a week and god knows what kind of clothes we'll need so pack for all contingencies. I'm going home to pack myself. Karen, call me when you've got the details worked out." Sydney never lost her cool as she expertly made up her speech on the spot while slipping the blonde secretary one of her credit cards.
She walked out the door with her usual confident stride and a satisfied grin on her face. So far her scheme was going right on target. They were going to Paris, the real reason was going to be a complete surprise, and hopefully by the end of trip Nigel would officially be more than just her TA. Now the only problem was that she had to decide what to pack and knowing Karen's planning she probably didn't have much time to use to decide her vacation wardrobe.
Another Author's Note: I know at the top I said this would be just to alleviate writer's block, but now I think I actually like the story. I'm gonna keep writing on it. The next part will probably be up by late tomorrow. I would do it now, but it's late and I'm tired.