Disclaimer: I still don't own Indiana Jones or any of the research pertaining to Atlantis. There! Now that I've reminded you of that, do read on.
Chapter 3 An Unexpected Reunion
Indiana had left Anya's house on good terms, planning on returning the next day for a meeting they had set up. Many arrangements needed to be made before they could go to the site. He taught his classes that day as he usually did, if a little more absentmindedly; a few students even noticed him grinning oddly to himself when they looked up from their papers. No one dared to question Dr. Jones, however, so their teacher's strange actions became the popular topic under speculation in the rest of his students' discussions that day. Not that any guessed the whole truth.
Indiana arrived at Anya's house promptly at nine the next morning, as agreed.
Anya opened the door and smiled, "Good morning, Indy."
"Anya." He responded as he hung his hat on the rack.
She led him into the library. "Coffee?"
"Yes, please--dad!" he stopped in his tracks and stared at the elderly gentlemen who had stood when they entered.
"Junior!" The old man smiled.
"What are you doing here?" Indiana asked, too shocked by this unexpected, and rather unwelcome, surprise to remind his father of his dislike for that name.
"Anya invited me." Henry Jones gave his son a hearty hug, not seeming to notice his son's discomfort.
"Anya?" He turned to his hostess, who was calmly pouring the coffee, then looked up at him with a raised eyebrow as he turned towards her. "I should have known. What is he doing here?"
"I asked him to help. Sugar?"
"Don't try to sweet talk me, Anya, answer my question."
She sighed. "One lump or two?"
"Listen, sister, don't get violent with me–"Indiana was obviously on a one track mind.
"Don't tempt me." She spat out at him and added two lumps to his coffee. "I'd love to cream you too, but I'll settle for putting it in your coffee if you want it."
He looked at the coffee cup, realized what she was talking about, and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I was...distracted."
"Yes, that's obvious."
He glared at her. "Yes, cream, and can you please tell me what's going on? I thought you hired me."
Anya handed him his coffee and sat down. "So I did, your father will be helping us."
"Dad's specialty is the grail."
"But he is also well learned in the history of Atlantis and ancient artifacts."
"And I'm not?"
"Listen, I thought your father's input would be useful. Besides, it's really not your choice, is it, Indy? I've hired him."
"You've gotten far too power hungry–"
"I most certainly haven't, Indiana Jones, it's you who's gotten too used to getting your own way, leading everything and having the final say. Well not this time! I know more than you think I do about this and you'll just have to trust me."
"Listen–"
"Why is it that you two fight all the time?" Henry asked from his seat between them. "Nothing's changed, has it?"
"I'm sorry, Dr. Jones," Anya sighed helplessly, "It's just that...your son...he can be very difficult sometimes–"
"Oh, I'm difficult?"
"Yes, you are!"
"Well, you should know, since you're the queen of difficulty; I've never met anyone so hard to work with!"
"Can we please–"Henry burst out, "settle all of this rationally, maturely, and professionally for once?!"
"I've already told you why I've hired your father, you'll just have to live with it." Anya's suppressed anger could be heard in her tone.
"If I'm going to be a source of dissension between the two of you then perhaps it's best if I didn't come along." Henry looked at the two of them.
Anya shook her head. "No, Dr. Jones, I want you to come. Indy's just going to have to live with that."
"No I don't. I can quit anytime I want."
"Go ahead." Anya called his bluff.
Indiana looked at her in surprise, then gave in. "Alright, Anya." He wasn't about to give up this opportunity, no matter what.
Anya sighed, "Good."