Full Summary

Audrey has never been all that impressed by the Black Gold infomercials. But when Max Lord himself stops by her department and offers an astounding donation to the museum, she begins to wonder if there is more to the charismatic TV man. They instantly hit it off - however, are his true intentions revealed when a new and special artifact suddenly goes missing from her collection?

Where my character is put into a similar position as Barbara was with Max using her to get the stone. Also I'm extending the timeline of events so their relationship doesn't seem too rushed.

(MaxLordxOC)

You know how it goes - I don't own anything except my characters and plots. Thanks and enjoy! :)

1 - Dr. Audrey Laurel, Natural History

Some people said that once you find a job you love you never have to work a day in your life again.

Audrey wasn't sure exactly who said it, or who said it first, but she felt that this statement could not be more true.

Walking through the doors of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History every day came with an indescribable thrill and honestly, as cliché as it sounded, it was a dream come true.

She loved her job, worked with great people, and got to express her passion all day every day - what wasn't to love?

"Life is good - but it can be better. And why shouldn't it be? Everything we've dreamed about is right at our fingertips. But are you reaping the rewards? Do you have it all? Welcome to Black Gold Cooperative, the world's first oil company run for the people, by the people..."

"Hey Angie, could you turn that off please? I've seen it like ten times already today," Audrey requested when she entered the staff room on the way to her office that morning.

"Are you kidding?" cried her friend and museum receptionist. "I could watch this all day," Angie stated dreamily.

Audrey rolled her eyes.

"I mean just look into is eyes - aren't they just so captivating..."

"I think you just have a crush."

"Well maybe I do. And what are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing. But just don't be too disappointed when it doesn't work out."

"How do you know?"

"Uh, other than the fact that you've never met and he has no idea you even exist."

Angie stuck out her tongue. "You're no fun."

Not that she would admit it, but Audrey could recite the overplayed Maxwell Lord infomercial word-for-word - that was how many times she had seen it.

"Think about finally having everything you've always wished for - and more! For a monthly fee, you can own a piece of the most lucrative industry in the world, and when we strike gold, you strike gold! No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you deserve to have it all..."

Blah, blah, blah...

Audrey rolled her eyes. "Oh boy."

"Oh boy is right," drooled Angie. "Do you think if I call the number I'll get to speak to him?"

"Doubt it."

"Might be worth a shot though. Maybe if I ask to speak to the boss."

"Something tells me 'the boss' is too busy doing that-" Audrey pointed at the screen where Max Lord was now on a boat surrounded by young women in bikinis. Again, eye roll.

"Remember, we have a museum to run today."

Again, Angie stuck out her tongue, making Audrey laugh as she headed to her office.

She had just unpacked her files from her bag when there came a tap tap at her office door and Carol, her boss, peeked in. "Morning Audrey."

"Morning Carol." Audrey was Head of the Department, while Carol was in charge.

"I want you to meet our newest addition - got to find her first."

"Yes, of course." Audrey had been eager to meet their latest addition to the team, a Doctor with multiple qualifications in multiple areas.

"Ah, Diana, do you happen to know who a Barbara Minerva is?" Carol asked the quiet member of the cultural anthropology and archaeology team.

"Oh hi Carol, hi! I'm Barbara. Remember, you hired me. Started last week," the blonde woman standing with Diana piped up.

"Oh! Gemologist?"

"Yes, and zoologist. We had a couple of interviews."

Oh, what an awkward start. Poor Barbara. Audrey decided to step in.

"Hello Barbara, so nice to finally meet you. I'm Dr. Audrey Laurel."

This seemed to do the trick and brighten Barbara's sprits. "Dr. Laurel, hi! So nice to meet you too-" She juggled the briefcase and papers in her arms in order to shake Audrey's hand.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for your interview, but judging by your resume you were more than qualified for the position. Welcome aboard, Barbara."

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

Carol stepped in again. "The FBI are going to drop off some artifacts later this afternoon."

"The FBI?!" cried Barbara. "They're coming here?"

"Yes. The mall heist yesterday. Apparently they were using a jewellery store as a front."

"A front for what?" asked Diana.

"Black Market, stolen jewels and art meant for private buyers. You'll be working with Dr. Laurel identifying and cataloguing the items. We could use your help identifying one in particular," Carol told Barbara.

"My help? Uh, yeah, I'll help the FBI with whatever they need, are you kidding-"

"Is that a yes?" Carol cut her off with a forced smile.

Barbara's own smile fell. "Yes, yes, I would love to assist you."

"Wonderful. Nice to meet you." With that, Carol strode past, Audrey moving to follow, but not before welcoming Barbara once again.

Once the files in her office were organized she and Barbara set down to work identifying the almost-stolen items.

"Oh, the Empress of Siam. Originally found in the wreck of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha. Sorry I couldn't resist coming to see." Diana approached their lab desk.

"Oh, no, that's okay."

"Oh, here it is Audrey." Barbara had found the missing item.

"Oh great. What is it?"

"Um, I think the technical term here is 'extremely lame'. It's citrine, a classic stone used in fakes throughout history. I can't imagine this is worth any more than seventy-five dollars."

"May I see? Fakes aren't my forte, but..." Diana examined the stone further. "Hmm, Latin."

"At least it's antique, right?"

"Or a purchase from a stall in Ponte Vecchio last week, you never know."

"I wonder what it says, the Latin," said Barbara.

"'Place upon the object held, but one great wish.'"

"You read Latin?"

"Yeah, yeah, languages are a hobby." Diana brushed this cool fact aside.

"So maybe it's like a lucky charm or something."

"Yeah I guess."

"I really wish I had a coffee." One of their coworkers came over and held the stone for a moment, making Barbara laugh.

"Hey, I got Erika a coffee but she's sick, anybody want this?" Almost right after, another coworker came in bearing two coffees.

"Haha, I'll take one."

"Did you see that?" cried Barbara.

"Wish granted," said Audrey.

"Or just a plain coincidence," remarked Diana, the most likely but least fun option.

"Can you imagine?" said Barbara.

"If only."

"So many things I don't even know what I would wish for."

"I do," mumbled Diana, almost to herself, seeming lost deep in thought.

"What about you, Audrey? Do you know what you would wish for?" Barbara asked.

"Good question - I have no idea..." Well, that wasn't entirely true. Be on good terms with my family again...

But that was wishful thinking. Besides, why even think about it, the possibility? It was just fantasy anyway, a stone with the ability to grant wishes.

Things like that didn't happen in real life.

Hello and welcome to my second Max Lord story and third Wonder Woman story - haha, I'm a little obsessed ;) And very inspired!

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)