"Morning gorgeous,"

A warm hand messaged Drew's left hip. She blinked a few times through the fuzzy feeling that engulfed her head. She leant back, soft breasts pressed against her back. The smell of a citrus body wash filled her senses along with the distinct vanilla oils Siobhan used for skin care. Lips descended on her extended neck, a hand trailing her curves.

"Morning," Drew gave a lazy grin.

Siobhan cupped Drew's breasts giving them a light squeeze. "Did you sleep alright?"

"Mmm. Like the dead. Some wonderful dreams of a siren in my bed." Drew turned catching her lips in a quick kiss. "Staying for breakfast? Davina offered to cook."

"That's tempting. Not needing to cook with a hang over, count me in." Siobhan pulled back. She turned, glancing to the alarm clock on the side of the bed. It was noon. "Brunch sounds good. We need protein after last night, I believe that was a record six in one night? Mind if I borrow a shirt and shorts?"

"I recount seven, but maybe need reminding." She teased. Siobhan laughed shaking her head.

"You forget nothing gorgeous."

"Especially not the way you use your tongue." Drew slid off the bed giving a stretch letting the blanket pool off of her naked form.

"Focus gorgeous, mind if I steal your clothes to get home? That dress I doubt will cover me after you ripped the straps." Siobhan clucked holding up her dress.

As described the two thin strings fell around it no longer connected. Drew bit her bottom lip, not feeling any guilt. "I'm not sorry for ruining the dress. Of course you can find something that'll fit you and its yours. Payback for destroying the dress."

"Not my first time stealing your clothes." She winked.

"Not my first time destroying your clothes." Drew laughed as Siobhan went into her closet. "I'm aware, the top you love is in the closet third drawer down. You may as well keep it at this point."

"The fall out boy one?" Siobhan perked up. She heard the draws opening and closing. "If I kept it what would I wear home after one of our nights?"

"The one and the same. May need to just leave some of your clothes here." She shrugged.

Drew got to her feet and padded into the closet grabbing another over sized shirt with the Ravenclaw crest across it in the dark blue. She slipped a pair of panties on under with some shorts.

"You know this is a friend's with benefits situation." Siobhan commented. "Isn't that getting to serious?"

"Clothing is clothing."

"Maybe if you asked me on a date doctor instead of just to your bed, I'd consider it." Siobhan replied.

"I'm —"

"Not looking for anything serious, I know. Neither am I, which is why this works. Now I was promised brunch my Canuck beauty."

Drew laughed shaking her head. Siobhan and her had began doing this a few months ago, after one hard night in the lab. The girl was from Belfast. Her beautiful Irish accent had done Drew in the moment she'd heard it.

Drew jumped when the front door of her flat echoed out from impact, causing the walls to shake.

"I bring eggs, bacon and many fresh fruit." Davina sang.

Drew sighed rubbing her temples. "How is she such a morning person?"

"No idea, there's ibuprofen in the night stand."

Drew grabbed the medicine for her head that was beginning to throb. She took her bottle of water and exited going to greet Davina at her living room. Living across the hall from each other made for easy visiting.

There she stood with many reusable bags in hand. Davina was barely struggling to carry them, her olive skin tanned like theirs from hours in the sun. The only thing that gave Davina away that she had been somewhat effected from last night was the slight puffiness under her eyes and the fact she chose glasses for time away from the site. The girl usually wore contacts outside of work. Drew took the bags from her.

"Did you bring the market with you?"

"Close enough." She replied. "You brought Siobhan home last night so I guessed I was feeding three."

"How?"

"I saw you two last night on the dance floor." Davina answered going into the little kitchen setting up to begin cooking.

"For such a reserved woman she is a siren on that floor." Siobhan interrupted collecting her braids together to braid them in one larger braid.

"I know how to have fun." Drew shrugged. "It's not often, but I'm not a sheltered nerd."

"Definitely not, our feisty girl here had quite the night. Did you hear what she called our boss' brother?" Siobhan asked Davina grabbing on of the grapes from the bags.

Davina shook her head.

Drew groaned, the foggy memory in mind.

"She called him a Dusty cock block."

Both busted up laughing. Davina pausing to look over her shoulder. "What? When the hell was this?"

"Earlier when I was dancing with a man." Drew tried to wave it off.

"Which brother was it?"

"Caius." Siobhan answered giving a playful smack to Drew's behind. "Brave little sprite."

Drew tossed her hands up covering her face. "I didn't even know who he was… I've never met them before."

"Caius is the oldest right?"

"Yes, I believe in his late thirties?"

"Not wrong on the dusty part." Davina snickered.

"You two are not helping. This is so embarrassing, he could have me fired. I'm here because my mentor now co-worker at the University of Toronto recommended me to this project in her place. This might be a private job, but people talk, and such remarks could have me fired. I'm not a seasoned doctor like her. I could be black balled from any further jobs. I still represent my University professionally to show what it has to offer. People like the Turi brothers could have my career over before I even began to establish it."

"Hopefully he didn't know you," Davina offered.

"If he finds out who I am, I'm so going to be paying for it."

"Maybe, only Aro Turi takes an interest in this field. The other two don't bother. I doubt what happens outside of work will really matter."

"Still people talk."

"Fret about it on Monday, come help cut up some tomatoes." Davina instructed.

"Why are you up so early?" Drew questioned seeing Davina coming from down the hall her gym bag in hand.

Drew pulled the key out of lock turning to the girl. Davina raised her brow. "What do you mean? It's ten thirty?"

"It's Sunday, a day for rest. Here you are in a pair of running shorts and a tank top looking like you've already worked out for sometime." Drew gestured.

"I went to bed at a decent hour last night. I thought I could get in some time at the gym. It's not often I get in with no people. Where are you going that requires your work pass?" She nodded to the badge on her neck.

"The office, I forgot my headphones." Drew replied holding up her iPod. "Then I'm going to the gym to run the track. I was going to ask you to join but a little late. I guess I'll see you to do some shopping later?"

"Sure, I'm down for that. Aren't you supposed to not be exerting yourself, or showing your face at work right now?"

"Sir Turi said I was to see him before work Monday morning. He made no comment on what I was allowed to be doing. That was Az to take the time off. I am. I am working out not working."

"It's still physical exertion, Doc. Surely you should relax."

"Look only slightly red, no blood. Normal healing process."

"Okay don't be surprised if Sir Turi sends you home if he finds out."

"I'll be fine."

Drew made her way down the stairs out into the mid morning light. The streets not too busy as people were beginning their days in the cafes. Which in return were just opening up for their day. Something she was becoming slowly used to. Businesses beyond certain cafes and corner stores often were closed today. Sunday, where she was used to limited hours not closed completely.

Toronto was always open. She passed a few neighbours she'd come to know waving as she went. She passed the fountain in the city square and down the side road entrance to the university wing her office was closest to.

The pass on her lanyard she scanned entering the side entrance to the labs. The familiar scent settled her as she made her way to her office. The cream walls with wooden doors and a few photos and displays of the finds from all over the world.

She stopped at her door where the blinds were closed and her name plate stood out. She unlocked the door flipping the lights on. She opened her top drawer. The few files and empty reusable bottles… pens and clips…

She'd put them in here right? She closed the top going to her next level. Nothing but papers bad notes. Next… nope… she huffed…

She bent down at the waist pulling open the bottom drawer. She skimmed through the files pushing them to the back. Surely her headphones weren't in here… did she leave them in the labs with the work incident report? She didn't have them on site. Not Friday anyways.

"Ahem."

A throat cleared. She glanced over her shoulder.

She stiffened immediately turning to cover herself. The air on her legs very apparent when she caught sight of who decided to interrupt her.

In a white button down, and black trousers Caius Turi stood. His white blond hair was down around him, tucked behind his ears. Drew gulped, cheeks heating immediately under his dark glare.

"Mr. Turi," she crossed her arms.

"What are you doing in here? Did you slip away from one of the employees here you were trying to fuck? A doctor Danvers by chance, is that why you are going through his things? He demanded stepping into the room.

She frowned. "We seemed to have gotten off on the wrong foot. I'm Dr. Drew Danvers."

"Not so smart mouthed when faced with your employer?" He sneered looking around her office. "I could have you fired for what you said."

She blinked once not giving him the reaction he seemed to be baiting for. Her blood beginning to boil in her, as she watched him lean on her desk as if waiting she would fall to her knees to grovel.

"I have to ask, does Viagra get confused when you take it? Because you're a massive dick." She blurted. "I was going to apologize but my assessment Friday night was right. You're an an asshole with nothing better to do. Expecting me to fall to my knees and suck you off to keep my job? I'd rather become a nun."

"You little bitch," he stormed to her stopping merely inches from her. He used his height to his advantage to tower over her. "I will have you regretting every word you have uttered."

She squared up. "Do it then, I dare you."

His eyes flashed red she swore immediately before being swallowed by black. The hair on her neck stood at attention. Goose flesh all over. She didn't break away even though something inside her begged for her to back down.

"You little —"

"Caius, what are you doing in here with Dr. Danvers?"

Drew looked over his shoulder seeing Aro Turi, brows pulled together causing creases in his forehead. He was quick to pull his brother by the shoulder away from her. She straightened up looking over to Aro ignoring his seething brother.

"You remember that woman I told you about Friday?"

"Yes, I don't see what that has to do with the doctor here," He cautioned.

"This is said woman. I demand you dispose of the girl."

"Caius," Aro sighed putting himself between the two of them. "What happens outside of this office is not of my concern. I will not fire the woman over alcohol induced behaviour, the way you have cornered her makes me think you even owe her the apology."

Drew's eyes went wide before she smirked at the blond. "I will not."

"Caius." She swore he growled the word at his brother.

"I will not." The man turned and strutted out of the office leaving Aro and Drew.

Her cheeks burned when he looked back to her.

"I'm sorry Sir, I didn't know who he was. I was intoxicated like you said…"

Aro held his hand up to silence her. "As I said what you do outside of company time is not my concern. I am more concerned as to why you are here. You were advised not to be working."

"I only came for my headphones before heading to the gym." She glanced to her computer seeing them plugged in. She reached over grabbing them and held them up.

"I do not think that is wise." He glanced down to her bandaged legs.

"I'll be fine, they're red sealed and will be gone soon enough. Now if you'll excuse me."

"You are not allowed on the site until those are healed up."

"What?" She gasped. "Why?"

"You're in no state to be back out on the site with the dangers when you are still healing. You spend a majority of your day squatted down or in the dirt. That would cause infections." He explained.

"I —I" she huffed. "Fine, I will stay on lab duty until these are healed, Sir."

Aro gave a small smile approaching her. His black hair was pulled back from his face. He cupped her cheek gently for a moment before pulling away. "Good girl, I don't need to lose such a valued scientist from this project."

Drew snorted shaking her head. "Any archeologist could do what I do. But thank you, I should go to the gym… I've got some shopping later to do."

"Of course, good day Dr. Danvers, be safe." He turned leaving with that.

Drew arrived to her office after checking in with Sir Turi down at city hall. He'd looked her over and sent her on her way. She was slightly happy she was able to wear a comfy dress today, a peter-pan collared periwinkle dress with a knee length skirt. She turned on the computer checking in on her inbox. There in her inbox a few emails had accumulated. Some from the labs letting her know that the pottery had been tagged for her. A few reports from HR with the explosion incident Friday…

She got through quite a bit of the emails replying and sending required documents. She replied to her mother as well letting her know the progress of the site leaving out the explosion. If the woman found out, she knew her flat would have her the next morning. She stretched right as the phone rang.

"Dr. Danvers,"

"Good morning Doc, thought I saw you. What are you doing in here instead of outside? Their cleaning the stairs off."

"Good morning Kingston. I was told by the boss no field work until my cuts are closed and gone. I was in the explosions after all."

"I heard that, how're you doing?"

"I'm doing good healing fine."

"Good to hear. Since you're stuck inside, I wanted to let you know I've got some funky things in the lab you may wish to see. You're favourite." He teased.

"My favourite you say? You got some bones?" She perked up.

"I've got no bones yet, I'm afraid. I meant some treasures from the few trunks found from the upper level. Some necklaces and decorated pottery. Get this from different eras."

"Kingston, you torture me." She said fighting a smile. "I'll be down into the lab in a few minutes. Coffee?"

"If you could Doc, I'd appreciate it. See you." The line went dead.

She smiled grabbing her notebook to document what they found. She slid her lab coat on and made her way down. She stopped on her way at one of the few break rooms for staff in this wing of the university. She was quick with the espresso machine adding the shot to the coffee she'd put on earlier this morning. She set them with the to go cups disposable, despite hating the waste. It was one of the only ways to bring drinks into the lab.

Once done she made her way down to the labs. She went up to the second floor down the left hall. She entered the main lab. Sterile and bright.

Kingston was leant over a microscope. He was the only one she noticed in this particular part. Unsurprising as he did prefer to work on his own from the other major lab across the hall. She placed his coffee next to him while downing half of hers.

Kingston pulled back meeting her gaze. He was a middle aged man from Scotland. A well known archeologist in his own right. His dark red hair combed back and large beard well sculpted. Blue eyes set on her crinkling with his smile.

"Good morning Doc, grab some gloves. I've got some finds for you."

Drew did as instructed looking around the lab table right behind him. His own station was coordinated by size and cleaned. She paused seeing a black ceramic that did not match the others. She rounded to the uncleared pile, near the far end.

The piece wasn't the biggest on the table. A tripod, rounded on the bottom thickened legs. Dirt still clung to it's ceramic outside. Despite this though she could tell once cleaned it'd be a dark onyx. A colour that wasn't common in this area of the world, created with a very unique technique. One such as this was specific. One she'd done a paper on for a class during her Masters. They had become some of her favourites.

"Longshan Culture. However did this piece end up here? Late Neolithic to the middle and lower Yellow River valley areas of Northern China. Preserved in certain areas of Tibet and so forth." She rambled while opening the drawer below her where some brushes were stored. "This Manor was destroyed in which century?"

She picked up a medium brush beginning to carefully wipe the dust off the ceramic.

"Seventeenth century. Been buried for almost four hundred years." He replied.

Drew's brows furrowed. "How'd this end up here?"

"Trade has centuries up on this place. Alexander the Great conquered many places and others did the same." Kingston reminded.

"Yes but a small city in Italy, a private collector? The journey from Tibet to here, would take generations…"

"The Turi family is an ancient one. They have the resources to get what they want."

She could give it that, a rich family could hear of these on the spice trade and request one. He rounded to her to get a better look at what she had in hand.

"Yes, but why a vessel such as this? I could understand art, fancy pottery, and things of value. Cultural significance isn't one I've seen being considered. To spend a considerable amount of money to procure, a simple every day object? Europeans were about showing off wealth, like renting a pineapple and placing it on display at parties. Why waste their wealth on this? I mean we all know Mummies became rare because Europeans ate them." She commented.

Kingston shuddered. "I don't need those thoughts right now. Our ancestors did some weird shite."

"Humans are weird in general. We dig in the ground to find connections to our pasts. This piece, it doesn't fit the whole 'I'm rich look what I have bought from far away' thing these people were all about. This specifically would've been used daily. To have it here collected by an Italian noble family. I'm utterly puzzled."

"I haven't the answer to that," He hummed. "Early explorers were going to the new world and bringing back every day items of the indigenous people to show what they called savage or exotic. It could be that."

"I guess… they had begun trading spices, silks, and luxury goods by this time with Asia. Why this? It's era is specific and the route treacherous. It would be such a risk for little reward or people knowing what it is."

"It may have been also procured by load, if they had bought many things from the traveller, it does look a bit funky."

"I'll give you that, people are odd and it simply could be aesthetic. I mean if a ceramic pot looks like boobs I'd be fascinated too."

"I'm sure we'll find more oddities and fascinating things the further we dig. In time I've learnt not to question the rich." Kingston chuckled, making his way back to his microscope leaving her with the pot. "Now the most interesting I thought you'd like is on the far end in a few of the small pots."

Drew headed to where directed. There she slid on some different gloves disposing of her dusty ones. A variety of pots were laid out of different shapes and sizes. The smallest, rounded. She unscrewed the lid which was stuck from dirt and grime but it did not break. Thankfully, she really hated doing the paperwork after breaking some ancient artifact.

Inside crusted rouge was dried up the small amount still inside. "A tin of lip colouring used most likely by one of the women in the manor. Time fits the type of Elizabethan kind. A bit of oil one may still be able to use this."

"Don't you dare try and use it, hell knows the boss will have you suspended if you got sick because I didn't do a thorough exam of those first." He warned "I know you're on lab duty until you heal."

Drew grumbled setting it aside. She went through a few more. Face makeup with lotions, and a mask she noted. She grabbed her notebook beginning to inventorying it as she went. This way she could update the tags as she went. The findings she wasn't surprised considering the era the manor had been destroyed in. The previous century had been full of upper classes wearing makeup. She paused on one vial. Corked and waxed shut. She gave it a little shake.

Swishing of liquid and small thuds from internal parts. She set it back down turning to the man.

"Fucking hell Kingston, are you trying to get us killed?" She snipped. "Bury this again and don't let it be found. Lord knows we don't need to be cursed. It's already risky as it is to be messing with the things belonging to the dead."

Kingston looked to her moving from the microscope. "What are you on about?"

"There's a goddamn witch's bottle in here. Who the hell knows what kind of curses it's containing. I'm surprised it's still sealed." She directed his attention to it.

"Ah, that. I wasn't sure what it was. Didn't think I should mess with it. Glad I didn't. No. I meant for you to look in the one clay pot. There's a bunch of coins. I know you love old currency." He turned back to the microscope.

"You could've said that. I've been sifting through makeup that could have lead in it, and finding cursed objects…" she said, moving back to the clay jar.

The orange vase wasn't large but was sturdy she realized as she picked it up. She cleared the counter top and spilt the contents on the area. Coins of different sizes fell out. Many crusted in dirt she took to her brush it was little help to the caked on dirt.

She turned and headed to the sink and filled a small dish with water and some gentle soap. A tooth brush, and she headed back. She felt a bit like a crow with shiny coins when she found old money. The fascination for currency started at the young age of ten when she found American quarters with the states on them. She had collected them all and set to find many more unique coins for her collection. She set to cleaning off the worst of them.

The first she recognized the fallen horseman larger that some of the others. A part of the Roman coinage reform which had bigger coins replacing the older small ones of the time around 348 AD. She gave it a good scrub.

"Huh I'm surprised you're in such good shape. Common in these parts but an interesting piece none the less." She whispered setting it down on some paper towel to dry.

The next she paused seeing a few loose coins with the iconic square in the centre. She was very familiar with older Chinese coins. They made up most of the old currency. Not a lot of value in the metals used but they were well crafted in their casts. Again once cleaned they were still holding their details.

"What stories you must hold, to have ended up in Italy. I wonder if you have anything to do with that pot…" She wondered aloud.

She continued sifting through the many coins sorting them into origin and era as she went. The more she determined the more questions appeared in her mind. How did each one end up here buried in the country side of Volterra Italy. Why did they end up here?

A/N:

I know this is a shorter chapter. I am currently in the middle of closing on my first home and in the midst of packing and the holidays, please know some updates may be slower than previously. I will try and update regularily. As well I got a concussion last Sunday that is why these chapters are late. I am back to regular scheduled posting near the end of January. Happy Holidays and I will try and get all the chapters lined up for release as I can. I appreciate all of you for reading and thank you for your patience! :)