Chapter 2
The Archives
They needed flashlights to navigate the dark and cold halls, with rows upon rows of shelves laden with artifacts or crates from all over the world. Most of the objects were recovered by Dr. Garcia himself on his numerous digs in South and Central America. There was no doubt about it, Garcia was one of the best.
Elena retrieved a key and unlocked a door into another office. The desk was dusty, with unread files waiting for Dr. Garcia to get back and read. A pottery sherd and magnifying glass lay near an empty mug.
"This is where my father keeps the fragment," Elena said. "It must be important — he wouldn't have put it in here otherwise."
"Great," Indy said, examining the artifacts in the room. They were beautiful, without a doubt. He always felt like a little kid around this stuff, and it made his stomach tingle with excitement to be around it. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elena standing over her father's desk, the light glistening off her dark hair. No doubt about it, she was beautiful.
She swore under her breath.
"What's the matter?" Indy asked.
"The drawer is locked. My dad keeps the key on him at all times," Elena replied.
"Never mind that. I can take care of it."
Quickly, Indiana Jones picked the lock.
"Ah, still got that trouble streak in you, I see," Elena said with a smirk. "My father always did say you were a child."
"Oh yeah? And what did you think of that?"
"I dunno, I was too busy kissing you, remember?"
"How could I forget?" Indiana gave his best smile, but Elena simply rolled her eyes and opened the drawer, from which she extracted a cloth, in which was wrapped the portion of the map.
"Is this really what you think it is?" Elena asked.
"I'm sure of it," Indiana said, taking it and looking at the frayed cloth.
"Then I want in," Elena said.
"Not at all," Indiana replied, shaking his head. "Your dad would kill me if I got you into trouble."
Suddenly, Elena took the cloth back. "Then you're not getting this back."
"Wait a second —"
"Dr. Jones, this belongs to my father —"
"It actually belongs to the people of India."
"My father found it, and he would be very mad if he found out I gave it to you," Elena went on with a distinct facetious pout. "So the only way to appease him would be to let me come and keep a careful eye on it."
Indy knew when he was beat, but he didn't want to admit it.
"Fine," he said through gritted teeth. He pointed a finger at you, "But you better not make trouble."
"Please, what trouble could little old I make?" Elena said, placing a hand on her chest and feigning insult.
"You've always been trouble," Indiana said. "It's one of the things that drew me to you," he added with a smirk.
"Then where to next, Indiana Jones?"
Wow, long time no see, everyone! Don't worry, I'll start posting more regularly on this story! I'm just getting some college work done and then finishing up my other story (Munk Noir!) and then this story will be my main focus!
Anything you're hoping to see in this story?