Chapter Four

"Just Another Dirty American"

Indiana sat up and rubbed his eyes. For such a rowdy town, there hadn't been any action during the midnight hours. Shrugging it off, he shaved, dressed, and set out to look for information.

Entering the square, he realized that it must have been market day, for dozens of stands and bazaars had sprung up overnight. Merchants stood behind their wares, yelling at the top of their lungs to interested buyers.

Indy's eyes fell on a table, completely bare save for a roll of old paper and a cloth throw. Sitting behind the stand was a figure, completely covered in clothes save for their chin and mouth.

Indy could tell exactly who it was.

Reaching a hand over, he grabbed the top of the head cover and threw it back. Sitting there, amazed, was Audrey.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Jones? If any of the locals know I'm a woman they'll never cooperate!" And with that, she pulled the cover back over her head.

Groaning, Indy threw it back again.

They gave each other the evil eye and Indy leaned over the table. "What are you trying to pull here, Audrey?"

"If you couldn't tell already, Mr. Know-it-all, I am trying to get information on a certain prize."

"Which would be?"

"A little trinket. Some kind of ancient medallion that was made during the third Dynasty here in Egypt."

Indy grinned and pulled something out of his pocket. Her eyes fell on it.

"Jones, if that's what I think it is, you'd better hand it over before I have to fight you for it, and you damn well know I'll beat you."

He chuckled and grinned.

"Tell you what. I can't talk to these people because they all think I'm just another dirty American who wants their money."

"You are."

He laughed again, though this time a bit grimly. "No, what I mean is, no one will give me any info on the Pharaoh's Heart. But if you talked to them, maybe."

She stood up and made to spit in his face. But at the last second, he grabbed her jaw and held it still, preventing her from letting it fly.

"If you think for a minute I'm gonna even help you find that jewel, you can go to Hell."

Indy smiled sweetly and reached behind her. Grasping the pouch he had seen earlier, he ripped it off her belt before she could protest and brought it around. Audrey's eyes went wide and she tried to grab it, but no use. Indy tucked it away.

"Listen babes, we can do this the hard way or you can help me now. Until then, you're not getting your passport or your knives back. Comprendé?"

She didn't respond. Ripping her face from his iron grip, she wheeled around and shot a spinning back kick at him. Ducking in time, Indiana tried to reach for her legs, but she jumped up and landed square on his back, taking him to the dust. Grunting, he fought her weight and stood, just in time to receive a blow to the chest. He spun around, realizing she had really punched him! And it hurt like all holy hell!

People were beginning to stare now and forming a rough circle around them, cheering and making bets on who would triumph. From what he could hear, they were betting on the woman. Shame he had to make so many people disappointed.

Spinning back for her, Indy lunged and grabbed her waist. Taken off guard, she started to fall, clawing at his back. But he triumphed, sitting on top of her and pinning her wrists to the ground.

She gasped and fought for air. "Damn you. If I had my knives."

"They didn't call you 'Quickblade' for nothing back at the academy."

She smiled softly and tried to fight him off, but he only sat there until she was too tired to try. Standing, he lifted her up and listened to her instructions on how to reach where she was staying.