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Chapter 21: The Fist Fight
The two men rolled. Indy ducked to the side as Parodi tried to punch him in the face. He then drove the heel of his hand up into the bastard's jaw and sent him wheeling back. An Italian curse and then Parodi dived at him again. Indy jumped to the side. Parodi spun around and faced him again. Kamau, Sigurd, Leo and Carlos watched passively. None of them moved to help him but Indy was fine with that. He'd wanted it that way. This was something he'd need to do on his own.
The Italian charged again. Indy tried to jump to the side again, but pain bloomed in his middle. Looking down, he saw a dagger buried in his ribs. Parodi was standing in front of him with a smirk on his face. 'The princess is mine!'
'Actually…' Indy took a firm hold on the handle of the dagger and yanked it out of his body. He twirled it around in his hand and drove it into Parodi's shoulder. The asshole cried out in pain, shocked eyes looked at Indy. '…she belongs to no one.'
'You dirty…'
Indy wrapped his hand around Parodi's shoulder in a grip that would be bruising. 'Don't give me that, you son of a bitch. Marion isn't just property you can claim. She's a woman with a mind of her own. Trust me, guy like you – you wouldn't be able to handle it. You would expect her to just do as she was told. That's not who she is!'
Parodi growled. 'She'll learn.'
'You gonna beat it out of her?' Indy's grip on the bastard tightened so much that Parodi grunted in pain. Indy felt the rage boiling within him. No one would ever hurt his princess. 'Let me tell you something. The thought of love scared the shit out of me for years, but now I don't give a rat's ass how I look. She agreed to marry me and that's what's going to happen.'
With that said, Indy threw the hardest punch he could ever remember and released the ass's shoulder. Parodi flew back and slammed into the nearest wall. Indy had distinctly heard a crack with each impact. The Italian didn't move.
The wound began burning and Indy stumbled, his hand going to his ribs. Shit, that hurt. He knew the full length of the blade had gone in so Carlos would probably have to give him stitches. Beyond that, it'd be fine. But Indy's legs didn't want to hold him up anymore and he stumbled.
'Indy?' Marion had just come in and she ran over to him. Her arms wrapped around his waist and he immediately slid his free arm around her shoulders. Indy groaned and nearly collapsed on her.
'All right, let's take a look at you.' Carlos had come over. Indy moved his hand and half leaned on Marion as Carlos yanked his shirt out of the way. The immortal doctor clicked his tongue. 'You're gonna need a few stitches.' He reached into his bag and pulled out some bandages.
Indy had seen wounds bound enough to not care to watch. He was much more in favour of pressing his face into Marion's shoulder and closing his eyes.
'You all right, Jones?' Marion asked.
'I doubt it,' Carlos muttered. 'But he'll live.'
'You're gonna have to stop calling me that soon, honey,' Indy told her.
'All done,' Carlos said. 'Now, let's get back to the Mansion. I've had enough of this place to last me for ages.' He looked over at his wife. 'Will we have to sneak out?'
Penny stretched, like the day's work had been done. 'No. That was more for dramatic effect. We'll just beat our way out.'
The Holy Children led the way. Indy had to lean on Marion, but he was pleased to note that she didn't seem to be hurt from her battle with Abner. In the meantime, Indy had something more important to consider.
Mansion de Boiur
Indy lay back in the bed, with his eyes closed. Marion had barely left his side since they met up in the throne room. Carlos had quickly stitched up his side when they got back here and Indy had to move as little as possible till the flesh had time to knit itself back together.
'One of the pitfalls of mortality,' he'd said.
Marion had looked fidgety for the past few hours, so he wasn't really surprised when she spoke. 'Marie said they told you about the prophecies.'
'Yeah, they did,' Indy said. 'Why? When did they tell you?'
'When I was fifteen,' Marion answered. 'I started freaking out at first.'
'Fifteen, I'm not surprised.' Indy cracked a smile. 'You thinking about when you wanna have the kid?'
'Yeah,' Marion said. 'I mean, we know it's going to happen. If we're getting married, we may as well at least plan for it.'
'Good point.' Indy laid his head back on the pillow. 'I don't have anything against having kids with you, honey. Matter of fact, I'd like it…'
'But?' Marion pressed.
'But the Cross of Coronado,' Indy said. 'We both know I'm obsessed with it. If we have the last Holy Child before I get it, I won't be able to focus on what's really important. I don't wanna be like either of our fathers. I don't wanna go and push that kid's needs aside just because I want to get my hands on something.'
Marion smiled. 'Marie told me as much. And I'm actually glad you think that way. It's fine with me.'
Indy smiled and Marion leaned in. They kissed gently, Marion being very careful of Indy's wounds even as he pulled her across his lap.
