Indy and Annie

Disclaimer: I do not own Indiana Jones


Chapter 2: Tuthmosis

Annie's POV

It has been a month since the breakup with Douglas. I've been keeping myself occupied with work and cleaning the house. Father was baffled as I went on a crusade to remove any dust. Of course, we never had to clean since Father hired a maid who came in daily. However, I needed a distraction. Even baked many scones and shortbread cookies. Even helped Father organize his collection since he was too distracted in his research to notice.

I hear women talk about wallowing. But I will not lower my standards to the bloody bastard. I cried for him for one week. And when my tears dried up, I had this strange feeling and possible recollection. I don't think I was truly in love with Douglas. Maybe I loved the idea of being in love with him, but after a week of sorrows, all I felt was humiliation and anger. Maybe I was rushing things, being twenty-nine years old.

I long for a family of my own. I guess... I was so desperate for a husband and children that I rushed to the man who fit my criteria. Then again, I didn't grow up with good examples of a healthy relationship. Mother died when I was six, and father hardly dated another woman. As for Henry, as much as I love my brother, he was a bit of a Casanova. Women come and go and I hardly remember their names.

Still, I don't want to be alone.

A hundred years ago, I would have been considered a spinster.

Possibly, then again, women are still held to a high standard.

I heave a heavy sigh; I do miss the twenties. While attending university, my peers and I would go dancing and sneak in a drink. But once Black Friday happened in 1929, everyone became cautious about spending. Father had a stable job at Princeton, along with his lectures. Henry, with his two careers, secured him financially. But I know not many people have the luxury and connections. As I read the papers of people living on the streets and in parts of America, agriculture was terrible, and nothing could grow in the Dust Bowl.

Needing to escape, Brody had me go to Marshall University to review some documents and antiquities. Henry had a house there and gave me a spare key. So, leaving Ferndale, New York, I made do to Bedford, Connecticut. I review the documents for each artifact, restoration, and fact-checking.

Anyway, I was in the private libraries organizing the Egyptian section. Some researchers, historians, archeologists, and probably students have taken books off the shelves and did not put them back. Mr. Hendrix had been called in to go over inventory. I volunteered to help as I alphabetized the books by the librarians' standards and started putting each book away.

I gathered several books and made my way to the S section. Double-check and adjust the ladder around until it reaches the right shelf. I managed to climb up and noted most of the books were from the same row. I put the books away and started reading the titles aloud.

"Sacred Stones," I murmured, putting the books in place. "Sculpture and Aesthetics. Socrates, Seth, volume one, volume two…and volume three. And T-" I paused, realizing I was holding a different book. "Tuthmosis? What are you doing here?" I chuckled, shaking my head, adjusting the bundle, and looked around. "T. T, T, T, T."

Seeing that T was right behind me on the other bookshelf. I set the rest of the bundle on the shelf, then adjusted my glasses before examining the labels to see where the book should be. Just right across from me. Seeing the actual spot. I did my calculations and should be able to reach over and put Tuthmosis away.

I stared at the book, "I need to put you where you belong."

Keeping one good hold on the ladder, I reached the T section to put Tuthmosis in his rightful place. I leaned forward as much as I could, mere inches from the shelf. There was a slight creak from the ladder. I bit my lip, leaning further, when there was a sudden jolt.

I gasped. Clutching the ladder, it pulled away from the S bookcase and was now standing on its two feet. I desperately tried to grab the bookshelf, but the movement caused it to swirl, standing center. I almost screamed as I tried to keep my balance.

One wrong move, and I'll fall and collide into the bookcases, causing a domino effect.

"Help!" I called out.

There's got to be somebody here to catch me or grab the ladder.

I tried to keep my balance, yet it started to wobble.

"Annie!" Called a male voice.

I glance behind me to see Henry standing there in shock. It was a terrible move on my part, as the distribution weight lost balance, and I began to fall backward. My feet struck the ladder as it dropped the other way. I screamed, closing my eyes, expecting the impact on the hardwood floor. But it never came. Instead, I collided with flesh, and we both fell to the ground.

A mild pain than expected as I lay on top of my brother. He groaned as he adjusted us and couldn't help but laugh.

"Causing trouble, I see," Henry concluded.

I corrected myself and stared at him, baffled, "Henry."

He smiled at me as he helped me stand up. I was still dumbfounded that Henry was here. The last time I saw him was five months ago. His previous telegram was a few weeks. What is he doing back in America?

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I came over to check on my kid sister," he answered.

"I'm not a kid," I corrected. "I'm twenty-nine."

He gave me a doubtful look as he glanced at the fallen ladder. "You know that was dangerous."

I scuff as I bend down to pick up the book, "Don't blame me."

"And who should I blame?" He asked playfully.

"Tuthmosis," I answered.

Henry laughed as he picked up the ladder and set it on the bookshelf dedicated to T. He took hold of Tuthmosis and put him in his place. Afterward, he came down and wiped the dust off his lapels.

"Still, what brings you back here?" I asked. "I thought you were in China and won't be back until July?"

"I was until I got your telegram," he answered.

I blushed, for I had forgotten I sent him a telegram instead of a letter about my engagement being canceled. Henry actually stopped what he was doing and came over to check on me. I was utterly shocked. He sent me a telegram sending his condolences, and he'll be back as soon as possible. I thought he meant when he returns in July, not in a month.

"Come on," he said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Let's get some lunch."

I shook my head, "I need to finish putting the books away."

He shook his head, keeping a stronghold, and led me out of the library.

.o0o.

We ate at a café near the college. One that we always go to if we were both in the neighborhood. After ordering and receiving our beverages, I stopped to stare at my brother. Thankful that he is still alive and in one piece.

The last expedition he went to, Ceylon, was searching for the artifact called the Heart of Kouru. It took him to all parts of the world, from Ceylon to Prague, Istanbul, and China. There are times I wonder if he is exaggerating this. Like he did when we were children. Yet, the evidence says differently. There were many times I received telegrams that reported my brother was dead. Only to see him a month later or a telegram. Drives me crazy that I might have silver hair in my blonde locks.

"How are you doing?" Henry asked.

"I'm doing fine," I answered, sipping my lemonade.

"Annie," he pried.

I sighed, setting my drink down, "I'm mad. Furious. I thought I knew him."

Henry nodded, "He fooled us all."

I snorted, "You had your doubts."

Henry nodded again knowingly, "At least you caught him early. Annulment is hard to come by."

I scoffed. As our family was Catholic. Although Henry and I are not as devout as our father is. Since both Henry and I are half Scottish and half American. As our mother was American, we inherited a more American perspective on life. Then again, we grew up in America.

Also, marriage is a sensitive topic. Henry was once married back in 1925. Almost a decade since Deirdre passed away in a terrible plane crash. Only married for a few weeks and courted for a year. I liked her as we bonded over many things. Henry barely talked about it since he barely survived. I stepped in, taking care of him as he went through recovery.

"So…why are you truly here?" I muttered.

"Can't I come by and check on my kid sister," he teased.

I rolled my eyes, "Last telegram I read, you were in Shanghai?"

Henry sighed as he sipped his coffee and then set it down, "Thought you could use a distraction."

"A distraction?" I repeated.

"What do you say about a trip to China and Egypt." He offered.

My eyes widened, "Really? What expedition do you have in China?"

Henry leaned forward, "I found it. I found the Peacock's Eye."

I nearly gasped. The Peacock's Eye was an elusive 140-carat diamond once owned by Alexander the Great. It was mounted alongside a second as the eyes of a giant, solid gold peacock statue. The statue and the eyes were destroyed after Alexander's death. Records state one of the diamonds was sold off to an Indian emperor, who saw it cut apart. While the other was lost in history.

Henry has been searching for it since 1919. As he gets leads that have him nowhere. But he always keeps an eye out.

"Where is it?" I asked with excitement.

"I don't have it yet," he murmured. "I got a letter from a gangster named Lao Che, offering a trade for the ashes of Nurhachi."

"Henry," I exasperated. "Way to get a girl's heart going."

He chuckled softly.

However, I do not know much about Chinese history, "I'm assuming Nurhachi was once an emperor."

"He was the first emperor of the Manchu Dynasty." He explained.

"Seventeenth century?" I guessed.

He nodded, "Nurhachi came to ally with other powerful clans and build an army strong enough to defeat the Ming Dynasty."

I nodded, intrigued. The waitress came by and dropped off our orders, then left. We waited momentarily as I took a bite of my sandwich. Henry did the same. Once we knew we were alone, he continued.

"I brought the jade urn here, but I need it evaluated before I give it to Lao Che." He added.

"Can you trust this man?" I asked. "What if he gives you an ordinary diamond or glass?"

"Legend says there was a sapphire on it," He answered. "Either there is a sapphire on it, or at least an etching in which the sapphire rested."

I nodded as I remembered interpreted the painting of sapphires on the eyes.

"But why me?" I asked. "Heck, I don't even speak Chinese."

"Consider it a small vacation," he offered. "And we can stop in Egypt on the way back."

I paused, thinking about it, "It would be nice to see Sallah again."

Henry smirked at that.

"Along with experiencing a different culture," I added.

I had tried some oriental food from Chinatown in New York City. But I never had an actual experience in China. When I was little, I stayed close to my mother. Followed by Henry catching a fever that he almost died. Mentally shaking my head from that scary memory. That was the last time I was in China. Spent most of my travels in Europe and the Mediterranean.

Then I remember my job, "But I can't leave under short notice."

"Why not?" he asked.

"Henry," I scolded. "I have a job as Brody's assistant. And Dad…."

Henry frowns when mentioning our father. They were estranged to the point they were avoiding each other if they were at the same university. The last time they were in the same room on my behalf was graduation. Then again, they had a huge fight back in 1919, with father holding animosity that Henry went to fight in the war. Followed by Henry's decision to attend the University of Chicago instead of Princeton. I was only twelve, standing by the door, wishing they could stop fighting. Wishing Mom was still alive.

Mother held us together.

I sighed. Even how father's reaction to my breakup was not comforting.

A hand rested on my own. I looked up, staring at him.

"I talked with Brody, and he approved." He said. "And I'm sure Dad can handle himself."

I thought about it. Father would either be busy anyway. Then again, he hardly made time for me unless it was Sunday's dinner. I need to spread my wings and see the world. I need to get out of the States.

So, staring at my brother, "Alright, Indiana."

When I go on his travels, I use his alias. Dr. Indiana Jones.

His way to honor our dog.

Indiana couldn't help but grin.


Hope you are all enjoying the story.

The library scene is inspired by The Mummy.

Thanks for reading, and please leave a review!

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