Treasures of the Heart – An Indiana Jones Fan Fiction

Author: Melissa Kalson

Chapter 1 – Coming Back Into His Life

September 1938

Barnett College – New Haven, Connecticut

It was a damp, chilly autumn evening as Dr. Henry Jones packed up his satchel with his papers from today's classes. It had been the first day back for students at Barnett, and his return to teaching. Although he did at times enjoy the teaching aspect of archaeology, there was nothing that could compare to the rush…the thrill of being out on the chase. On the hunt for some elusive, magnificent rarity that would make mankind tremble just thinking about it. That was what he loved the most about archaeology and what driven him to become the best.

As he headed out the door, he heard footsteps behind him and he groaned inwardly. Another student that needed after hour help; when would these kids get it through their head? He had regular office hours just like the other professors at the college, and if he turned around, Henry Jones would lay odds on it being a 'smitten' female student. The clickity click of the heels told him that the person coming up from behind was a female.

He decided to keep on walking; ignore the student if he could. Pushing the door open, he stepped out into the cool fall evening. It wasn't quite dark yet; he would be able to get home before it was totally dark. With New Haven being primarily a college town, there were lots of students, so there wasn't much room for cars and although Henry could drive, he preferred to walk as he didn't live far.

The footsteps hurried behind him, and then a voice called out, "Indy? Indiana Jones?"

That brought Henry to a stop. No one usually called him by that name; at least not outside his circle of close, intimate friends; of which there were precious few of them.

His hands clutched the satchel, and he swung around suddenly and said gruffly, "What?"... He broke off his speech, and a slow, lopsided grin began to spread across his face as he said, "Sarah? Sarah Dulane? Is that you?" She grinned broadly and stepped closer and said in a warm voice, "Yes, Indy, it's me."

He took her by the arm and said, "Well good heavens Sarah, it's been years since we last met. How are your father and mother?"

Sarah sighed and said, "Well Indy, that's what I need to talk to you about. Can we go somewhere quiet and warm?" He nodded and said, "I was headed home. Come along Sarah and we'll be at my home in moments." Before heading off, he switched his satchel over to his left hand and took her by the arm in his right hand as he gently guided her down the sidewalk, towards his house. Thoughts were flooding through his head. It had been at least 10 years since he'd last seen Sarah Dulane or her parents. What was she doing here in New Haven? Last he'd heard, she was attending college out west, after her parents had moved to Northern California.

Moments later, they arrived at Henry's small, but comfortable bungalow. Sarah looked around, and everything was just as she had pictured Indy's life as being like. She wondered too, if Indy had a steady girl in his life and whether he had ever married or not. So far, she didn't see a wedding ring of any kind on his finger; and as she stepped inside and glanced around, she knew that Indy was still the ladies' man and still single too, it appeared.

Snapping the lights on, he set his satchel down next to the desk in the corner of the room, then took his coat off, loosened his tie and said, "Well please have a seat Sarah. Would you care for something to drink, or eat perhaps?"

She smiled at Indy, and his heart was fluttering madly at her charming smile. He had always been captivated by Sarah Dulane, although he hadn't ever wanted her to know. And here she was...looking more beautiful than ever... violet eyes sparkling, her fiery red curls curling over her shoulders and her porcelain skin, just as gorgeous, touchable as ever; and those lips... good heavens they still looked so... so tempting, so kissable.

Henry turned and went into his little kitchen, trying to squash those unbidden thoughts on the beautiful Sarah Dulane. He set a pot of water on for tea, then hustled up some sandwiches and set them on the table, then came back into the living room and said, "Come on into the kitchen Sarah. We'll have a bite to eat and catch up."

Sarah followed him into the kitchen and took a seat, where she took a sandwich daintily into her hands and sat watching Indy. He cut a dashing figure as he made his way around the kitchen. Finally he turned and sat, finding her watching him intensely. He sensed that something was wrong, and that was what had brought Sarah Dulane all the way from California to here; to seek his help. Well Henry would do whatever he could for Sarah.

Henry had studied under her father, Professor Roy Dulane, one of the world's best archaeologists of his time, and at Princeton, Henry had bloomed under the tutelage of the great professor.



As he sipped on his tea, he watched her carefully, observing her facial and body expressions, but so far nothing was giving away. Then he said, "So Sarah tell me, how is Roy and Julia?" Her lips started to tremble, giving away her emotions, and Henry set his cup down, reached over and took her hands in his and said, "Something's wrong isn't it Sarah? That's why you've come here; come to ask for my help."

Sarah sighed softly and said, "Yes Indy, it is. First, I'm sure you're not aware that mother passed away five years ago. We lost her to cancer. It was a terrible ordeal and one that left father shattered. He couldn't cope with her loss, after fifty two years of marriage. I was in college at the time, but I dropped out to care for him, as all he was doing was moping around the house. He was like a shell of himself only. You wouldn't have recognized him then Indy."

Henry murmured his sympathies over the loss of Julia Dulane, but motioned for Sarah to continue on..." So you see Indy, he was this broken shell of a man for about two years. Then one day, shortly after the second anniversary of mother's death, he got a strange telegram from Germany."

Henry only heard the word Germany, and cold chills ran up and down his spine... sure of two things... one that it involved the Nazis and two... that it was bone chillingly evil and that Dr. Dulane was in deep trouble, if not already dead, murdered at the hands of the brutal Nazis.

Then he said, "Please Sarah go on, I need to know everything if I am to help." Sarah glanced up at him, and a trembling smile flitted about her mouth as she gazed at him. She had loved him for so long, and now he was going to help her...drop his plans or whatever it was he had to do, and rush to her aid.

After a sip of her tea, she resumed her tale..." well father told me that we would be having some guests from Germany, and that I was to pay no mind at all to them. They would be staying for a few days. I was to be the dutiful daughter; you know, cook, keep the house clean, etc. Which I didn't mind doing, as I usually did it anyway. Then one day in the summer, June of last year, three gentlemen came to stay. We



didn't have a big house anyway, so it was pretty crowded. Other than at night when they were sleeping in the living room, they were usually closeted in father's study with him."

Henry nodded, eager to know more about the three mysterious men from Germany, already feeling cold fingers along his spine, telling him that they were Nazis. Nazis in America? He couldn't wrap his brain around that concept. It was bad enough the way things were heating up over in Europe, but America didn't need that at all.

Sarah took another sip of tea, munched on her sandwich while Henry sat there gazing at her, once more wondering how he could have let her slip through his hands, and wondering if he had another chance with her; or was she already with someone? He didn't notice any kind of engagement or wedding ring on her finger, but that didn't mean she wasn't involved with someone. He would have to find out and it would have to tonight. Oh he would help her all right, no matter whether she was involved with someone, but he'd like to know just if he stood any chance at all with her. Henry wanted Sarah Dulane back in his life for good, and if it meant moving to California, then so be it. He'd be glad to give up these chilly autumns and cold winters of Connecticut.

Sarah then set her cup down and cried out, "Oh yes Indy, there is something dreadfully wrong. The Nazis had kidnapped father!"

Henry knew it... his gut instinct had been telling him all along, once she had mentioned Germany, that those brutal, inhumane, sadistic Nazis were behind this. And if that were so, then Professor Roy Dulane was in deep trouble indeed, if not already dead. But he didn't, and wouldn't say this to Sarah who was already distressed enough.

She pulled out a letter and said, "Father's been missing for over a year now. Of course, he was supposed to be on a dig in South America, looking for something called "Jewels of the Amazon" or something like 

that. He was supposed to be gone for six months, but that was a year ago. Then a few days ago, this letter came to me. I don't know what to make of it, but it's frightened me, Indy. You're the only one I could think of that knew father, his line of work, and what this might be about."

Henry took the letter from Sarah's trembling hands, gave her a lopsided grin, promising her with just a glance, that he would unravel this mystery.

The letter read:

Dear Miss Dulane:

We regret to inform you that your father, Professor Roy Dulane has been missing now for about six months. We believe that he has been abducted by the Nazis, as they believe that he is either holding, or has knowledge, of something that could be of significant value to Herr Hitler in Germany. We do not want you to do anything about this. If you do, or if you try you will only bring trouble upon yourself and those around you. The Nazis are brutal, ruthless and will not hesitate to kill you or anyone that gets involved. For your own safety, stay uninvolved. We will do our best to extricate your father from the Nazi's ruthless grip.

British Intelligence Agency

Henry was dumbfounded; but as surely as he sat there, he knew two things for sure: 1) Dr. Dulane was in seriously deep trouble; and 2) the Nazis were most assuredly behind this. He also knew that he had no choice but to help the lovely Sarah.

8:30 P.M.

Henry and Sarah had moved back into the living room when he said quietly, "Sarah did you just get into town? I know that you and your parents went to California a long time ago."



Sarah laughed softly and said, "No Indy, I'm living in Stamford, just up the road about 20 miles from here. I've been here for about a month I guess which is odd, because how could anyone have known that I was living in Connecticut again."

Weird indeed, Henry thought, and starting to sound ugly too. Then he said cautiously, "Why don't you just stay here tonight Sarah? There's no need to go back to your place and be by yourself. That's probably not a very good idea." And as he thought that to himself, he stood and strode briskly into his bedroom, and over to his dresser drawer where he pulled out his trusty Webley, checked the ammunition and made sure it was fully loaded.

Sarah turned from where she was sitting, and she could see the silhouette of Indy, and then the gun... she caught the glimpse of the gun, and it all came crashing down on her; how serious this trouble was, and wondered what had her father gotten himself into. Tears started to fall down her cheeks, as she closed her eyes and put her hands over her face.

Henry heard the sobbing and set the gun down; aware that she had probably seen the gun and knew that he was loading it up. He quickly moved over to the couch and sat down beside her and with his hands on her shoulders said, "Look at me, Sarah." When she wouldn't look up, he lifted her face up to his and said, "Sarah I'm going to help you. I don't want you to be afraid darling girl. But I'm afraid we are in a right spot. I've had several run ins with the Nazis and they are ruthless, brutal, and evil men."

Sarah leaned against him and in a sudden rush of emotion, Henry let his arms go around her and held her against him, smoothing down her fiery red curls, feeling the silky strands under his hands. Damned if he'd let anyone hurt her, and he'd get Roy Dulance back himself; even if he had to confront Herr Hitler himself. After a few moments, Sarah sat up and said tearfully, "I'm sorry Indy. I didn't even think to ask if you even still use that nickname. I know that you and your dad are Henry Jones Jr. and Sr. How is your father by the way?"



Henry laughed softly and said, "Yeah I'm Dr. Henry 'Indiana' Jones you know! In my travels, I'm just Indiana Jones." She sighed and said, "Just Indiana Jones? You'll always be Indy to me." He sighed and held her close to him, and wondered if he might get that second chance with Sara Dulance after all. And he said, "Dad's quite all right. He's still teaching at Princeton." Sarah was glad to know that Dr. Jones Sr. was still doing all right.

Finally she sniffled some, and sat up as Henry's arms fell from around her and said tearfully, "Yes Indy I suppose I'd best stay here. I don't know who these goons are or what they want." But Sarah Dulance was no dummy. She knew and had read about what was going on over in Europe, which is what was all the more frightening.

Then she rubbed her eyes and Henry said softly, "You can have my bed Sarah; I'll sleep here on the couch." Sarah stared at Indy and said, " Oh no, I'm not putting you out of your own room." He chuckled softly and said, "I've slept in worse places my dear Sarah." And with that, he stood up bringing Sarah up to her feet and led her through the living room and down the hallway to his room.

As she sat down on the bed, she watched as he picked up the gun and brought it with him, then he turned at the doorway and said, "Sleep well Sarah, and don't try to worry too much about it. You've come to the right person for help. We'll get your father back, even if I have to fight Herr Hitler himself." Then he nodded and closed the door. Sarah listened as she heard his footsteps fade down the hallway.

No use arguing with the man, she thought wryly. When he was determined, there was nothing that could change Dr. Indiana Jones' mind. So she slipped her shoes off, pulled the covers back and let her head hit the pillow and was soon sleeping.

As Henry settled down on the couch, he put his arms under his head and stared up at the ceiling. He had wanted to ask Sarah if she was seeing anyone, and whether they might have a chance again, if they had 

even ever had one to begin with. But there just hadn't seemed to have been a good time. She was emotionally upset over her father, and he could certainly understand that; his own father had been in danger more than once during his career as an archaeologist, although Henry had yet to jump in and save him, but he would.

He moved his arms from under his head, and once more before succumbing to a much needed sleep, he reached over to the table and fingered the trusted Webley, which he had laid on the table next to him... just in case, he thought. A fella could never be too trustworthy, he thought as he faded off to sleep.