Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The crunching noise of twigs and leaves echoed as Indiana and Loretta ran from the enemy’s gunfire. Bullets hitting trees with cracks and wood chips splintering all over the place, bullets whizzing past them and barely hitting them.

The pair ran as fast as they could until a loud gasp full of pain and trouble was heard behind Indiana. “Professor!” Loretta called out as she fell onto the jungle floor, Indiana looked back and immediately saw Loretta's body.

Blood gushed out of Loretta’s fresh new wound at her thigh, ripping the pants she once loved as the bullet was lodged far into her. Indiana immediately ran to her, dragging her body so she lean against a tree trunk for some sort of comfort.

The gunfire died down but Indiana was still cautious and internally panicking. “You alright, kid?” He asked in almost a whisper, as he scavenged through his small satchel bag for anything to tend to Loretta’s wound but nothing could aid her except his little canteen bottle filled with his favorite scotch, his knife, a handkerchief and the amulet he had just rescued from the tomb raiders.

“I’m alright, sir.” Loretta said as she looked down at the wound and the immediate sense of dread filled her senses, her eyes going wide and immediately shot up to Indiana. “W-what do we do?” She blurted out in a panic as she too tried to look through her satchel but only to realise it was stolen from her when she got captured.

“Just calm down.” He replied as he placed a hand on her shoulder trying to reassure her, but he too was panicking deep inside. “Sooner or later, those men are going to catch up if we sit here any longer. I’m not letting them get a hold of you or that damn amulet.” he mumbled as he grabbed the canteen and the handkerchief, unscrewing the cap and quickly drowning the fabric in alcohol.

“This is gonna hell like hell, kid.” Indiana said as he held the damp cloth against Loretta’s skin, causing a shriek full of pain to escape her mouth and for Indiana to wince in sympathy, not used to seeing her so distressed and hurt, but he knew he had to get the bullet out. After dabbing the cloth over the wound, he held up the small container of whiskey towards Loretta. “Here, take a big ol’ swig of this. It ain’t gonna take away all the pain, but it’ll dull it, at least.” 

Loretta immediately snatched Indiana's flask and chugged what was left of the scotch, leaving a bitter taste on her mouth. She was only seventeen, long before she should be drinking alcohol, but anything for survival.

Indiana couldn't help but be a bit impressed by her quick thinking. He chuckled slightly but immediately got back to the serious task at hand. "That's my girl," he said, his voice laced with a hint of pride for Loretta’s resourcefulness. He gently placed his hands on either side of  her leg, just above the wound. "All right, I'm gonna dig that bullet out. Take a deep breath and try to relax. This is gonna hurt like hell."

Loretta nodded her head, taking a shaky breath in as she tried her best to stay still, gripping the nearby thick dirty roots of a tree. "p-please just be quick, Professor." lones nodded, his expression solemn as he prepared to go through with the process of extracting the bullet. He could see the fear in her eyes but tried to remain reassuring. "I'll be as quick as I can, don't worry. This ain't my first rodeo, kid." With steady hands, Indiana dug his fingers into Loretta’s wound.

A squeal full of agony left Loretta’s mouth as she gripped a nearby tree root for support as Indiana dug his hand into the bloody wound. "You're doing great. I know it hurts, but just stay with me, alright?" He reassured her with a calm, steady voice, trying to keep Loretta focused on his words rather than the excruciating pain.

She nodded her head yes in response as Loretta held her breath looking away from the messy bloody gash. Her face contorting in different ways as she tried her best to stay quiet but small winces and groans left her mouth. But with careful and precise movement, lones finally extracted the bullet. He held it up for a moment, the bullet itself stained with blood, before tossing it to the ground.

Loretta could’ve fainted at the sight of the bullet as Indiana held it up, but a sigh of relief left her mouth as she leaned her head back against the tree, exhausted from the pain and suffering. "I wanna go back sir... back to Connecticut..." She mumbled, the whiskey she drank prior now taking effect and the gash still oozing with blood.

Indiana’s expression softened, seeing her laying there, vulnerable and worn out. He reached for the handkerchief and started to clean the wound once again. "I know, kid. I know. But we can't go back yet." He took note of the exhaustion in her voice, a mix of fatigue and the effects of the whiskey. "Just hang in there for me, kiddo. We're gonna get outta here. You've been braver than some grown men I know."

The little comment made Loretta chuckle a little, dispite the situation at hand. Her eyes followed Indiana's as he tried his best to clean the wound up. "If... the cotton doesn't help, cut my sleeves off... it's too hot anyway." She mumbled and tried to joke, but her speech was drowsy and incoherent.

Indiana couldn't help but smirk slightly at Loretta’s terrible attempt to crack a joke in the midst of their dire situation. "You're a regular comedian, aren't ya?" he quipped, amused by her bravery even in the state she was in. The heat was almost unbearable, and  her suggestion only confirmed it. "All right, but don't complain about the fashion statement," he teased, grabbing his knife from his backpack and used it to carefully cut off the sleeves from her beige button up shirt.

He was careful with the knife, making sure not to accidentally prick her skin further as he cut the sleeves. He tossed the sleeves aside, revealing now her bare arms. The heat of the jungle seemed to get even more stifling as the sun's position slowly moved across the sky. "There ya go, no more sleeves. It's hotter than the devil's backside here in the jungle, ain't it?"

"It's hotter than Texas..." She replied as she looked up at the almost bright blue sky, no cloud in sight and the sun beaming down into the jungle. Indiana chuckled in response, nodding in agreement as he tried to shield his eyes from the bright sunlight. "Hell, even Texas feels mild compared to this," he said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. The air was thick with humidity, and each breath felt like inhaling steam. He refocused his attention on the cut, tying the sleeves around her leg as makeshift bandage to prevent anymore bleeding.

"Thank you, professor." Loretta said with a weak smile, her face pale from bleeding as she watch her professor wrap the sleeve around her leg. Indiana gave a soft smile in return though, as he finished securing the makeshift bandage around Loretta’s leg. “Don't mention it, kid. That'll do 'til we can get you some proper medical attention." He stood up, wiping his sweaty brow, and looked out at the dense jungle surrounding them. "Just need to find shelter before it gets dark. Don't wanna get ambushed by some wild animal in the middle of the night."

"Knowing our luck, some animal will attack us." Loretta said with a small chuckle, trying her best to cheer Indiana up. She too wiped the sweat off her forehead and upper lip, flicking her sweat off her finger and onto the dirt. He let out a weary chuckle in response, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood. "Yeah, that's a safe bet. We've never been the luckiest duo."

He extended a hand down to Loretta, helping her carefully get up on her good leg. "Come on, let's keep moving. We gotta find a good spot to set up camp for the night."

Loretta immediately took Indiana's hand as he helped her up from the jungle floor, she was lighter than usual as she grabbed onto Indiana for balance, almost falling on top of him. "I'm sorry, professor..."

Indiana was slightly caught off guard by her light weight as she stumbled against him, almost taking him down with her. He quickly steadied himself, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep Loretta upright.

"Whoa, easy there, kid," he said with a hint of concern, his eyes sweeping over her to make sure she weren't about to collapse on him. "Don't apologize. I gotcha, just hold onto me."

Loretta nodded her head yes as she looked up at Indiana with a faint smile, as she wrapped her arm around Indiana's shoulder. Her skin was scratched up, bruised and dirty, not to mention the stench of sweat on her and Indiana. He reciprocated her faint smile as she leaned into him, sharing that weary, dirty, and worn-out appearance. The jungle's humidity and heat only magnified the stench of sweat that clung to both of them like a second skin. "Looks like we're quite the pair, eh?" he said with a slight laugh, trying to keep the mood light despite their situation.

She chuckled a little but it was weak. "They could mistake us for a father and daughter..." Loretta joked back in a weak tone of voice. Indiana chuckled softly at her joke, appreciating her attempt to keep the mood light despite Loretta’s weak state. He carefully supported her weight as she leaned into him, making sure she didn't put too much pressure on her injured leg. "You know, you might be right about that," he replied with a wry grin. "Let's just hope they don't assume I'm the overprotective father."

Another small chuckle left her mouth along with a couple coughs. "I wonder how you'll explain all of this to all the teachers at school..." Loretta replied still in that weak voice as the pair tried their best to navigate through the dense forest. As she spoke, Indiana gave a weary smile, his mind briefly drifting to thoughts of the school and the inevitable explanations he'd have to give. "Well, I reckon they'll have a few questions, that's for sure," he said, gently steering her through the foliage. "But don't worry about that for now, kid. Just focus on getting us out of here, alright?"

Loretta nodded her head yes as she held onto Indiana tighter with the very little strength she had left, her eyes fluttering as she tried her best to stay conscious, each step she took, took more effort than the previous. He noticed her grip weakening, feeling the fatigue starting to take its toll on her. He could see the struggle to stay conscious etched on her face. "Hey, stay with me, kiddo," he urged gently, tightening his grip on her to keep her upright. "We're almost there. Just a little further, alright?" Indiana’s eyes scanned the surrounding area, searching desperately for any sign of shelter or a safe spot to rest.

Loretta nodded her head yes once more as the pair ventured more into the jungle, the trees now taller than skyscrapers, their leaves big enough to a blanket for two. Indiana eventually spotted a clearing in the jungle, small but it was either that or traveling even longer for some sort of civilisation.

Eventually Indiana’s eyes lit up as he spotted the clearing in the dense jungle. It wasn't much, but it was a good place to stop for the night and seek a bit of safety. He carefully maneuvered her through the thick foliage, guiding Loretta towards the small opening in the trees. Upon reaching the clearing, Jones gently eased her to the ground against a large tree trunk, making sure she was as comfortable as possible considering her current condition.

Loretta could barely keep her eyes open, every inch of her body either in pain or exhausted as she looked up into Indiana's eyes for a second. The whiskey from long ago still taking its toll on her. "Are we home...?" She asked in a delirious tone of voice, her vision was blurry and her eyes were devoid of any joy.

His heart sank at the sight of  her exhausted and state, the effects of the whiskey still lingering. He crouched down beside her, gently resting a hand on her shoulder. "No, kiddo, we're not home yet," he replied gently, his tone filled with both concern and determination as Indiana gave a smile of reinsurance. "But we're safe for now. Just rest, alright? I'm gonna scout the area, make sure there's nothing lurking around."

Loretta nodded her head yes, finally closing her eyes to rest. Her hands in her lap exactly how Indiana left them when carrying her. He watched as she closed her eyes, a mix of relief and concern on his face. He patted her head gently, trying to offer some comfort before he stood up and quietly stepped away into the surrounding jungle. He moved stealthily through the thick foliage, scanning the area carefully, keeping his senses sharp for any signs of danger. He made a circuit around the clearing before returning to her side, satisfied that the immediate surroundings seemed clear for now. Indiana knelt back down beside her, assessing Loretta’s current condition once more. Her weary expression and the exhaustion on her face tugged at his heartstrings. He knew she needed rest, but he also knew he had to take care of a few things before he could let himself rest.

"I'm gonna build a fire," he said quietly, "and see if I can find some more water and food. You just rest, alright?"

Chapter Text

Loretta was still delirious from the whiskey and exhaustion but she nodded her head yes. "Can... can I sleep on your satchel...?" She barely spoke out, almost incoherent as she looked up at Indiana, her vision muddy with exhaustion.

Indiana’s brows furrowed at the sight of her still being so hazy from the whiskey and exhaustion. He took a moment to consider Loretta’s request. "Yeah, kiddo, of course," he replied gently, he carefully unslung his satchel from his shoulder and placed it beneath her as a makeshift pillow. He then draped his jacket over her as a blanket to keep her warm and sheltered from the night air. Loretta almost immediately fell asleep as she closed her eyes.

Seeing her finally getting some rest, Indiana felt a wave of relief wash over him. He knelt beside Loretta for a moment, watching her sleep in the dim light. Then, he stood up and turned his attention to the task at hand. He moved around the small campsite, gathering kindling and firewood, stacking them in a neat pile. He took out his lighter, carefully igniting the fire. The flames crackled to life, casting a soft orange glow over the clearing. He adjusted the pile, making sure it would keep the fire burning through the night.

The warm glowing hue of the campfire caused Loretta to wake up as she adjusted her head on the satchel, her eyelids heavy as she stared at the flicking flames in front of her. Indiana heard her stir and looked over to see her moving. Concern was etched on his face, popping her head from behind the fire. "Hey, kiddo," he spoke quietly, not wanting to startle Loretta. "How you feeling?".

"A little better…" She mumbled as she adjusted Indiana’s jacket. He smiled faintly at her reply, relieved that she was regaining some strength. He lowered himself onto the ground beside her, watching the fire crackle and pop between them. "That's good to hear," he responded quietly, a hint of exhaustion in his own voice. "You've been through a lot. The human body can only take so much." He leaned back against a fallen tree log, feeling the weight of the long day on his shoulders. "You may be a teenager, but you're one tough cookie, kid," he replied, his voice tinged with admiration. "Not many could've handled all of this as well as you have so far.”

"And it’s not every day that a teenager goes up against a bunch of tomb raiders with their Professor in a jungle either..." Loretta mumbled, her eyelids heavy as she tried her hardest to stay awake. He nodded in agreement, his expression turning solemn. The harsh reality of their situation weighed heavily on him, but he attempted to keep his voice light for her sake. "No, indeed it's not," he said, his tone quiet. "But we'll get out of this mess, kiddo. We've been in worse situations before, right?"

"Yeah..." She replied as she adjusted the satchel nder her head once more. "Like that one time in Arizona where we almost got killed by those crazy cave cannibals..." She added on in a tired tone, reminiscing about her and Indiana's previous adventures. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Indiana’s lips. 

The memory wasn't pleasant, but thinking of it now, with the fire crackling beside them and Loretta drifting in and out of sleep beside him, made him feel strangely nostalgic. "Ah, good ol' Arizona," he said, a hint of dry humor in his voice. "I was beginning to wonder when you were gonna bring that one up again." He replied, Loretta giggled a little with a smile, knowing how much he “loved” that trip. "It was fun though..." She mumbled in an exhausted tone.

Indiana chuckled softly in return, a mix of amusement and exhaustion in his voice. "Yeah, nothing says 'fun' like running for your life from a bunch of crazed cannibals," he said dryly. "You and I have a very different definition of that word, kiddo." Loretta chuckled as well giving a smile in return, it was weak but due to her condition but something nevertheless.

He glanced over at her weakened form, the fatigue etched on her face. Despite Loretta’s exhaustion, he was glad to see a small smile on her lips. In the dim glow of the fire, her youthfulness was evident, but the day's events had clearly taken a toll on Loretta.

He let out a weary sigh, the weight of their situation returning. "You should probably get some rest, kiddo," he said, his voice low. "I'II keep watch for a while."

She didn't complain or argue, all she did was close her eyes. Sweat trickling down her face as she slowly fell asleep, the warm dancing hue of the campfire illuminated her face as she slept.

Indiana watched as she slowly dozed off, her face illuminated by the flickering firelight. His heart ached at the sight of her weary state. The jungle's heat, the exhaustion from the day, and her injury had drained her completely. The night pressed on, the jungle sounds filling the air. Crickets chirping, nocturnal animals rustling in the underbrush, and the occasional hoot of an owl. Indiana sat by the fire, the only source of light and warmth in the night. He watched the flames for minutes that felt like hours, lost in thought. He found himself stealing glances at Loretta, his young, stubborn student, now fast asleep. He couldn't help feeling a mixture of worry, admiration, and responsibility for her safety in this jungle.

By the morning, Indiana had already accidentally fallen asleep. His hat tipped low to cover the once cold moonlight but now beaming sunlight. Loretta was munching on some grapes that grew nearby to the clearing the two occupied. 

The sound of her chewing woke Jones up from his unplanned slumber. He blinked a few times, his hat still pulled low, blocking the sunlight. He looked over and saw her, already awake and working with the few supplies available. "Mornin', kiddo," he mumbled, his voice groggy from sleep, as he sat up. "How you feeling?"

"Good morning Professor... I'm feeling a little better. My leg still hurts." She looks down at her banged wound, adjusting it a little to make it tighter as she continues to eat the grapes. Loretta stuck her bandaged thigh out, her pants wore torn and bloodied from the wound. "Those stupid lowlifes." She mumbled angrily to herself as Indiana inspected the wound.

Indiana knelt down beside her, his face grave as he observed the wound. The rough edges of the bandage were stained with dried blood, and the skin around the wound was reddened and inflamed. "Nasty business, kid," he muttered. "Those bastards really don't mess around." He gently touched the area around the wound, checking for any signs of infection. Loretta gritted her teeth as Indiana grazed her skin ever so gently. "D-does it look bad?" She asked nervously, not wanting to see her own injury.

Indiana paused for a moment, feeling the heat coming off her inflamed skin. He drew a deep breath, his expression betraying a hint of concern. "It's not great, kiddo," he said truthfully, his voice laced with a hint of unease. “The wound's still pretty raw and tender, but there are no signs of infection yet. That's at least a small mercy."

She nodded her head yes, a tiny look of sadness in her eyes as Indiana explained. "And it'll be harder to infect because you took the bullet out?" Jones nodded in agreement, his eyes meeting her. The memory of the harrowing operation he had performed in the midst of the jungle was still fresh in his mind. It had been a risky move, but he had had no choice. "That's right," he affirmed. "Taking the bullet out when we did, while dangerous, should help reduce the risk of infection. But we need to keep an eye on it nonetheless. Clean it and change the bandages regularly."

Loretta once again nodded her head yes as Indiana continued to explain, her eyes met with Indiana's, a small smile appeared on her lips. "Should we try and find some kind of civilization out here and try and get back home?" She asks, her eyes brows furrowing and waiting anxiously for a reply.

He paused for a moment, his gaze thoughtful as he considered the question. He knew finding civilization was their top priority. "We have to," he said resolutely. "We can't stay out here much longer, especially with your injury. There are bound to be roads or villages close enough if we keep moving." He looked around, his eyes scanning the jungle around them.

"We'll keep moving northeast, see what we can find. With any luck, we'll be back in the US before you know it, kiddo."

Loretta nodded her head yes as she looked down at the ground for a second, soon looking back up at Indiana. "I guess we should start heading out now." She said, handing over Indiana’s satchel. Indiana slung his satchel over his shoulder as he spoke,  "That's the spirit, kid," he said, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Stick close, and let's get moving." he added on, he observed her determination, a flicker of respect and fondness in his eyes. Despite everything Loretta had been through, she was still pushing on, refusing to give up.

She once again nodded her head yes as she tried her best to stand on both of her legs. Her bandaged leg numb as she leaned up against a tree for support, limping a little as she tried her best to walk. Indiana’s eyes flicked to her leg as she struggled to stand. The limp was obvious and concerning. He stepped closer, placing a strong, steadying hand on her waist to support Loretta. "Take it easy, kid," he instructed, his voice betraying a hint of worry. "Don't overdo it. Let me do the heavy lifting."

"Thank you, Professor." She says sweetly, despite the discomfort she felt with her wound. Loretta slung her arms around Indiana's shoulders as the pair started walking to the northeast. He wrapped an arm around her waist, lending Loretta his strength as she leaned against him. He adjusted his stride to match hers, taking care not to push Loretta too hard. "No need to thank me, kiddo," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "That's what professors are for, right? Helping their favorite students out of scrapes."

The jungle rustled and crackled around them as they walked. Birds called to each other in the trees, creating a soundtrack to their slow but steady progress northeast. Loretta chuckled a little in response, a smile playing on her lips as Indiana and her continued their hike northeast. "I've always wondered how all the other professors feel about our adventures."

Indiana raised an eyebrow at her comment, a wry smile appearing on his face. "Probably not as fond of 'em as you think, kiddo," he replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Most professors don't tend to appreciate jungle escapades and or nazis as part of the curriculum."

"I don't think any do unless they're a jungle or a nazi." She joked alongside Indiana, showing off her playfully grin as she almost trips over tree roots. Indiana chuckled at her joke in return, a smile dancing on his lips. But his grip on her tightened as she almost tripped over a tree root. Indiana steadied Loretta, making sure she didn't fall. He gave you an exasperated look, "Watch it, kiddo. We don't need you tripping and making that leg of yours any worse than it already is."

Loretta nodded her head yes as she quickly steady her balance and continued walking alongside Indiana. The humidity was almost unbearable as sweat beaded on Indiana's and Loretta’s foreheads.

The heat and humidity seemed to intensify the further the pair moved through the jungle. The air was thick and sticky, making the hike even more difficult than it should. Jones's shirt clung to his body, damp with sweat. He noticed her struggling to cope with the heat too. "Hang in there, kiddo," he said, his voice slightly strained. "There's gotta be something up ahead. A clearing, a river, something that'll cool us down."

She once again nodded her head yes, wiping her sweat with the back of her hand. "Or even some kind of person who can get us home." She added.

He glanced over at her, noticing her exhaustion from the heat and the strain of the hike. He couldn't argue with Loretta’s point. "That'd be even better," he agreed as he too wiped the sweat off his brow. "But remember, we can't trust just anyone we meet in this jungle, kiddo. We've been down that road before, right?"

"Yeah! Like that one time in Venice." Loretta said as she remembered last time the pair trusted strangers. "You fell in love with that woman and it turned out she was a Nazi, and not just any Nazi. A high ranking one too!" She exclaimed, giggling a little. Indiana groaned at the memory, his expression a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "Yeah, thanks for bringing that up, kid. Really needed a reminder of that particular disaster.” He shook his head, remembering the sting of betrayal and how it had almost cost them.

She chuckled a little as the pair continued to walk through the dense jungle, wiping the sweat off her forehead with her bare forearm once more. "It wasn't fun either, professor. Never forget she shoved me into a suitcase." Indy chuckled sardonically, despite the memory being far from pleasant. "How could I forget that part? You almost suffocated in that damn suitcase." He glanced over at her, a wry grin on his face. "Remind me again why I let you tag along on these adventures, kid? I'm pretty sure most of my gray hairs are from worrying about you."

Loretta rolled her eyes as she adjusted her bandage quickly on her leg before she spoke in a monotone voice "Because it's very educational because I get a firsthand experience on archaeology and I am one of your best students..." He laughed heartily, caught off guard by her deadpan delivery. But he knew she wasn't wrong. "You got me there, kiddo," he admitted, shaking his head. "You're my best and brightest student, and I know you learn more on these adventures than you ever would in a classroom. But sometimes I worry you might get more education than you bargained for."

"Hey! I can tell the step-by-step process of how a bullet wound heals to Professor Richthofen now." Loretta said as she placed her unoccupied hand on her hip in a sassy manner, her other arm still slung over Indiana's for support. He raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a smile at her sassiness. The pain, exhaustion, and situation hadn't dulled Loretta’s spirit one bit. "Well, at least you've got that going for you," he replied dryly, unable to keep the hint of amusement out of his voice. "A unique practical lesson in bullet wound care, brought to you by yours truly."

She chuckled playfully with a smile despite their circumstances. “You should be a comedian like The Three Stooges. Maybe I can join you, Professor. Maybe even—” Before Loretta couldn’t finish speaking, she tripped over a tree root, causing her trip and landing face first into the ground.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" he exclaimed, rushing over to help her up. "Easy there, kiddo. You okay?"

He reached down, offering Loretta his hand to hoist her back up to her feet, a mixture of concern and humor on his face. She nodded her head yes as she slowly got back to feet with the help of Indiana’s hand, her injured leg wobbling a little. She wiped the dirt off her clothes and face, grumbling to herself before she made eye contact with Indiana.

He watched as she dusted off the dirt and mud from her clothes and face. He noticed the way Loretta injured leg buckled under her weight. "You sure you're okay?" he asked again, his expression a mix of worry and irritation. "You need to be more careful, especially with that leg of yours. Can't have you falling on your face every five minutes."

"Yeah! I promise, sir." She said sweetly, trying her best to reassure Indiana with a smile on her lips. Indiana scrutinised her for a moment, trying to gauge her level of pain and whether she was really okay or just putting on a brave face. He knew Loretta well enough to notice that her smile was a bit forced. "Hmm..." he muttered, his skepticism evident. "Let's just take a minute, huh? You're swaying like you're about to collapse."

"Yes professor." She replied in an understanding tone of voice, the pair fell quiet. "y'know, a lot of Latin American countries often sleep during the day, as it's too hot to work. But in return, they work during the nights... So you think we can do something like that? I still have your lighter so we can have some light." She suggested.

Indiana considered Loretta’s suggestion for a moment, weighing his options. The jungle nights could get fairly dark, but he knew the daytime heat was also taking its toll on both of them. "It's an interesting thought, kiddo," he agreed, his voice contemplative. "We could use the nighttime hours to make some progress while avoiding the relentless sun. Plus, the lack of light might make it easier to avoid any unwanted company." "Exactly! And since the night is quiet, if we hear a river, we would be able to hear it from miles away!" She exclaimed as almost if everything clicked into place. He nodded in response, appreciating Loretta’s insight.

Her knowledge of the jungle's acoustics and her attention to detail were always surprising, even to him. "That's right," he agreed, a hint of admiration in his voice. "The nights in the jungle can be eerily quiet. If there's a river nearby, the sound of rushing water would stand out, even in the darkness." His eyes met hers, a determination in his gaze. "Alright, kiddo, here's what we'll do..."

Indiana had led Loretta to a spot with ample cover in the dense foliage. He pulled, twisted and tugged on the nearby leaves and vines to clear a small area on the ground, creating a makeshift camp. The air was still hot and moist, but the shadows protected them from the sweltering sun. "This should do," he said, as he looked around the clearing. "It's not a 5-star hotel, but it'll keep us hidden and give us some respite from the heat."

Chapter Text

Loretta laughed a little as she carefully sat down on the ground leaning her back against the hardwood of a tree, making sure not to cause any harm or unraveling of the makeshift bandages to her leg. "I'm not complaining, I’ve been in a suitcase for God’s sake.” Indiana only chuckled and shook his head in response. He took a seat next to her, leaning against a nearby tree.

"Well, that's good," he said with a hint of levity in his voice. "I'm not exactly great at making beds or providing room service, so we'll have to make do with what we've got." "Neither am I. I can only make good tea and coffee and that's about it." She replied as she crossed her arms to try and get comfortable.

He chuckled softly at Loretta’s comment, a hint of affection in his voice. Her modest admission of her limited cooking and domestic skills was endearing. "Tea and coffee, huh?" he mused. "Well, I'd kill for a strong cup of coffee right now. Maybe a little sugar and cream too."

A small groan left Loretta as she playfully slapped Indiana's arm. "Don't say that! You're gonna start getting me hungry." Indiana laughed heartily at her reaction, rubbing his arm exaggeratedly where she slapped it. "What? I'm just stating a fact, kiddo. I could really use a cup of coffee right now. And some food wouldn't hurt either." Indiana glanced down at her with a wry smile. "But I guess we'll have to wait 'til we get back to civilization for that, huh? The jungle menu here isn't exactly five-star dining.”

"Yeah, I'm not a big fan of bugs, frogs or mosquitoes, Professor." She replied with a cocky smile as look over to Indiana. He chuckled at her statement, amused by her dry wit. She always had a way of finding humor in even the most dire circumstances. "Can't say I blame you, kiddo," he responded, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Who wants to chow down on bugs and frogs when you could be having filet mignon and lobster instead?"

"Or even a good thanksgiving turkey." She replied with a smile on her face. "With some nice mashed potatoes, gravy and more importantly corn on the cob..." She added on, a goofy smile now on her face.

Indiana chuckled at her wistful description of a Thanksgiving feast. It was obvious how much they missed the comforts of home and familiar food. "Mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn on the cob..." he repeated, his mouth watering slightly at the thought. "Now you're just making us both hungry, kiddo. That's not fair."

Loretta chuckled with a big grin on her face as she rested her head on her professor's shoulder. He felt the weight of Loretta’s head gently resting on his shoulder. He couldn't help but smile at the simple act of physical affection from his favorite student. Despite the challenges they were facing, having her by his side made the situation a little less dire. "Comfortable there, kiddo?" he asked, his voice gentle but still laced with affection. Loretta simply nodded her head yes, even though the sun was high up in the sky as it casted its sharp heat onto the pair.

Indiana shifted slightly to make himself more comfortable as he leaned against the tree. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. Even in the heat, the closeness was reassuring to both of them. "We'll get through this, kiddo," he muttered quietly, more to himself than to Loretta. "We always do."

"I know..." She mumbled back with a small smile. Indiana glanced down at her, noticing the small smile on Loretta’s face. Despite the exhaustion and the ongoing hardships, she had an unfailing optimism. It was one of the things Indiana admired about her, even if it could be a little reckless at times. "Always the optimist, huh?" he said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "That's why I keep you around, kiddo. We need someone to balance out my cynical nature."

She giggled a little. "I just try my best, Professor." He chuckled in response to her giggle, the sound a rare moment of respite in their dire circumstances. Indiana gave Loretta’s shoulder a gentle pat, his affection for her evident. "And you do a damn good job at it, kiddo," he replied. "But just promise me one thing."

"Hm?" She hummed, lifting her head up from Indiana's shoulder to look at him. Indiana met her gaze, his expression slightly serious but also affectionate. "Try to keep that optimism in check a little, alright?" he said, a hint of playful admonishment in his voice. "You have a habit of charging into situations like a bull in a china shop. Sometimes a little caution wouldn't hurt." "But you're no saint!" She replied almost instantly. "You're always doing stunts to impress whatever woman that's nearby." He bristled a little at her comment, feeling called out. But he couldn't deny the truth in Loretta’s words.

"Hey now, I'm an adventurer, kiddo," he retorted, trying to maintain his cool composure. "It's in my nature to seek out excitement and... female companionship." He smirked, trying to play it off, but her comment hit uncomfortably close to the truth.Loretta simply rolled her eyes as she adjusted her makeshift bandage on her leg, making it a little tighter. He noticed her fidgeting with her bandage, tightening it slightly. He knew she was still in pain, no matter how bravely she tried to hide it, and the concern resurfaced in his expression. "Leg still bothering you, huh?" he asked, his voice full of concern and frustration. "We should take a look at that."

"Yes professor." She replied, carefully unwrapping the bloody bandage, revealing the bullet wound. It was a bit groggy looking but it was slowing healing.

Indiana looked down at the wound as she revealed it, his expression a mix of concern and anger. It looked like it had stopped bleeding, but he could see the discomfort on her face. He quickly look around before standing up and naming his in front of a small tree, picking a couple leaves and making his way back to Loretta

"You should have told me it was bothering you," he scolded gently as he held out the leaves. "These are piper aduncum, chew on it and rub it on the wound, alright kid?” Loretta nodded her head yes, doing what Indiana instructed for her to do, she picked up the leaves that he held out and chewed it. It was bitter and harsh as she quickly spat it into the palm of her hand and rubbed the dark green paste onto her wound.

Once she was done, Indiana ripped off the sleeves of his own shirt, slowly bandaging her leg up. Indiana finished wrapping the bandage and secured it, satisfied that it was tight enough to keep out any dirt or debris.

"There we go," he said, gently patting her leg. "That should hold for now. Let me know if it starts hurting too much again, and we'll take another look at it."

"Thank you professor." She says softly with a smile as she looks at Indiana then at the sky, using both of her hands to measure the time left till sunset. "There's about 30 minutes till the sunsets… you think we should try and find some food?” 

Indiana glanced at the sky, following her gaze as she estimated the time left before sunset. He nodded in agreement with Loretta’s suggestion of trying to find food. "Good thinking, kiddo," he said, a hint of approval in his voice. "We have enough daylight left for a quick meal. You stay here, I don’t want you to harm yourself.” 

He immediately got up from the ground, dusting off the specs of dirt and going off to forage for food. Loretta watched her Professor walk off into the dense jungle, a small frown playing on her face, she couldn’t help but feel she held Indiana down from the two’s adventure. It was supposed to be a quick run into some temple from an unknown civilization, but had turned into a long and treacherous journey with the path paved in blood. 

“I found something!” Indiana exclaimed, pushing and shoving the dense foliage away from him, in his hands were papayas and a big smile on his face. “Cmon, dig in!” He said happily, walking over to Loretta and sitting down next her, handing her the ripe fruit. “Thank you, Professor!” Loretta said happily as she began to dig it into juicy fruit, the taste was new to her and something she had never had before.

Indiana smiled softly at her polite tone, appreciating her manners even in the midst of the dire circumstances. “You're welcome, kiddo," he replied, his voice a mix of affection and fatherly guidance. "Remember, it's just food. It's not about taste, it's about getting the nutrients we need to keep going. We can worry about gourmet meals when we're back in civilization."

"I know, I know. I just hope when we get back the school organizes some little welcome back party for us." She says in a happy tone as she continues to eat, leaving juice all over her hands and face. He chuckled at Loretta’s mention of a welcome back party. It was a nice thought, a beacon of normalcy amidst the chaos they were experiencing. "A welcome back party, huh?" he said, a hint of humor in his voice. "You and your classmates are quite fond of those, aren't you? I swear, it's the one thing you look forward to more than spring break."

She giggled a little with a smile as she continued to eat. "We do! We held one for Miss Florence after she recovered and a goodbye party for Mr. Thompson when he left a couple months ago." He sighed melodramatically in response, pretending to be offended. "And here I thought I was the favorite teacher," he joked, feigning hurt. "But it seems you kids throw bigger parties for anyone leaving besides me. I'm wounded, truly."

"But you are! No other teacher brings their best student to a high stakes adventure in Latin America!" Loretta said in a genuine tone of voice, a smile on her lips despite the two's current predicament. "Probably not even people higher up in the field of archaeology!" She added on, taking a bite from her food. Indiana chuckled at her response, touched by the compliment despite his earlier feigned offense. "Alright, I'll give you that. Not many teachers can match my adventures in the field of archaeology," he said, a hint of mock arrogance in his tone. "But you're no ordinary student either, kiddo. You're just as crazy as I am, if not more."

Loretta chuckled alongside Indiana. "I could be your long lost daughter." She joked playfully as she finished eating her papaya, wiping the juice from her lips with the back of her hand. He laughed heartily at her comment, his eyes sparkling with humor. "Long lost daughter, huh?" he repeated, still chuckling. "Well, you are as stubborn and reckless as I am. You certainly have the Jones spirit, that's for sure."

"And we do look similar but I'm just a Crawford, professor." She replied softly as she looked up at the sky, the sun now setting with a cool breeze running through the jungle. He chuckled at Loretta’s reply, amused by her comment on the similarities in appearance. The light of the setting sun began to fade, casting long shadows across the clearing.

"Yes, you're a Crawford," he agreed, a touch of affection in his voice. "But looks can deceive, kiddo. Who knows, maybe you're a secret Jones on the inside." Loretta smiled happily as she rested her head on Indiana's shoulder, bumping her head against his shoulder. "Maybe." She says with a small chuckle. "We should start going, Professor. We can use your lighter for light." She added on.

Indiana chuckled softly, ruffling her hair affectionately as she bumped her head against his shoulder "You're probably right, kiddo," he agreed, his gaze scanning the darkening surroundings. "We should get moving before it gets too dark. My lighter will have to do for light until we find a proper source." He stood up, groaning slightly from the effort, and held out a hand to help Loretta up. She nodded her head yes in response as she took Indiana hand to aid her to stand up, giving Indiana a small smile as thanks.

Indiana smiled warmly in return, his grip firm but gentle as he helped her up to her feet. He kept his hand on Loretta’s arm for a moment longer than necessary, a silent gesture of support and care. "Easy there," he said quietly. "How's the leg doing? Any pain?"

"Only a little, it's a little numb too." Loretta said as she wrapped her arm around Indiana's shoulder for support. Indy wrapped his arm around her waist, providing additional support as she put her weight on him. He looked down at Loretta’s bandaged leg, concern showing on his face, even in the fading light.

"Numbness, huh? That's not ideal," he commented, his voice reflecting his worry. "We'll have to keep an eye on it. Can you walk okay?" She took a little step with her bandaged leg to test it out, she can put weight on it but certainly not walk. "I think my leg fell asleep but that's ok, right?"

Indiana observed her attempt to walk, noticing the difficulty she had even taking a small step. He frowned, concern etched on his face. He gave her waist a gentle squeeze, silently offering reassurance. "It's possible," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of worry. "It can happen when you stay still too long. But you should take it easy for now. We don't want to risk aggravating your injury."

Loretta nodded her head yes as she looked up at Indiana for a second with a smile, trying to reassure Indiana. He chuckled softly, appreciating Loretta’s attempt to reassure him. He knew she wanted to be strong and not show weakness, but it was impossible to hide the fact that she was in pain. "You know, kiddo, it's okay to let your guard down sometimes," he said, his voice gentle and understanding. "I'm not expecting you to be a tough adventurer 24/7. You're allowed to show a little vulnerability."

"I know, sir." She said softly as the pair continued their trek northeast through the dark jungle, only Indiana's lighter illuminating the small area the two occupied. Indiana continued his steady pace, supporting her weight as she limped along beside him. The light from his lighter provided just enough illumination to navigate the darkened jungle, creating a small circle of familiarity in the vast shadows around them.

Chapter Text

Soon enough the pair heard the distant rush of water, their eyes lit up as if they struck gold. "Professor! Professor! You hear that right?" Loretta said in an excited tone of voice. Indiana's ears perked up at the sound of rushing water in the distance. "I hear it," he replied, a hint of excitement in his voice as well. "That's the sound of a waterfall or a river. We're close." He quickened his pace, the light from his lighter swaying with his movements as they pressed onward toward the source of the sound.

Despite Loretta’s condition, she tried her best to catch up with Indiana, trying to stay side by side with him. Indiana noticed her attempt to keep up with him, despite her injured state. His grip around her waist tightened once again, pulling her gently closer as he slowed down slightly to adjust to her pace. "Easy there, kiddo," he said, his voice a mix of concern and reassurance. "Don't push yourself too hard or you might overdo it. I'm not going anywhere without you." She nodded her head yes in response, already huffing and puffing as Indiana slowed down.

Eventually the pair reached a lake, Indiana and Loretta emerging from the dense foliage, the sight of the lake unfolding in front of them. The moon reflected off the surface of the crystal lake and the thunderous claps of a waterfall in the distance. The view was beautiful, like a Claude Monet painting. "Well, would you look at that," he said, his voice filled with relief as he took in the sight. "A lake. Finally, we might get some much-needed water."

He guided her over to the edge of the lake, carefully setting her down on a large rock nearby before he knelt down to test the waters. Loretta observed from a small distance, impatiently as she tapped her fingers against the cool rock. "Is it cool? Is it clean enough to drink?" Indiana chuckled at her impatience as he dipped his hand into the water, scooping up a small amount to examine it closer in the dim light from his lighter. He brought the water to his lips, taking a small sip and tasting it. After a moment, he nodded in approval. "It's cool and clear," he replied, a slight sense of relief in his voice. "Looks clean enough to me. You want taste?" Loretta nodded her head yes as she hobbled off the rock and limped to Indiana.

Indiana chuckled affectionately as she limped over to him, her determination evident in her movements. She knelt down on the harsh gravel and scooped the water into her hands, the water dribbling down her shirt as she drank. "I never knew water could taste that good!" Indiana smiled at her reaction, amused by the excitement over the water. "When you're stranded in the middle of the jungle, water can start to taste like the nectar of the gods," he said, a hint of wry humor in his voice. "But it's good, isn't it?"

She nodded her head yes as she went back to drinking the water, her face was practically in the water as she only came back up for breaths. "Take it easy there, kiddo," he joked. "You're gonna drain the lake at this rate. Maybe save some for the fish." She chuckled playfully as she gestured for Indiana’s canteen, he passed it over to her and she began to fill the canteen. 

"But then we can have fish without fishing." Indiana chuckled alongside Loretta, appreciating her playful banter despite the situation. "That's true," he agreed, a hint of humor in his voice. "But I think I'd prefer catching them the old-fashioned way. I hear fish tastes better when you catch it yourself." 

"Oh, they don't need to be on board with our plan." She said with a cocky smile as she gave Indiana back his canteen and sat down at the edge of the water. He chuckled warmly at her cocky response, shaking his head with fond amusement. "You're starting to sound like a true adventurer, kid. Just remember, the fish may have a different opinion on the matter." He took a seat beside Loretta at the edge of the water, watching the surface ripple in the moonlight. Out of habit, Loretta gently placed her head on Indiana's shoulder. Feeling the warmth of his skin on her face and his unique scent right in her nose.

Indiana smiled tenderly as he felt the weight of her head against his shoulder. Despite the challenges and dangers they faced, the warmth of Loretta’s touch brought a sense of comfort and ease. He gently slid his arm around her shoulders, drawing her a bit closer to him, his hand resting on her upper arm. "Professor, do you think we'll make it out of here?" She asks with an anxious tone of voice.

Indiana gazed down at her, his expression a mix of determination and reassurance. He reached up, gently pushing a strand of hair away from her face, revealing Loretta’s youthful features. "We'll make it out, kiddo," he said in a quiet, emphatic tone, his voice laced with conviction. "I promise you that. We've been in tougher spots before, and we always manage to find a way out. This time is no different." 

Loretta silently nodded her head yes as her eyes gazed upon the lake’s mirror like reflection. "You cold?" Indiana asked quietly, his tone laced with a hint of concern. "Yeah." She replied as she looked back at Indiana, despite Indy letting Loretta borrow his jacket, it was worn and practically ripped to shreds by the harsh conditions and her skin was exposed to the elements. "It really sucks that we didn't pack a blanket or anything... I guess we really thought this adventure was gonna be a hop, skip and a jump, huh?" She adds on with a chuckle. Indiana chuckled at Loretta’s comment, shaking his head with a rueful smile. "Yeah, we definitely underestimated the adventure a bit, didn't we?" he replied, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice. "But hey, we've survived worse before. A lack of blankets is nothing we can't handle." He pulled her closer to him, his arm wrapping around her a little tighter, trying to share his body heat with Loretta.

Loretta nodded her head yes once more as Indiana noticed her yawn and chuckled softly. "Getting tired, kiddo?" he asked, his voice warm and affectionate. "I don't blame you. It's been a long couple of days, and you need your rest."He shifted his body slightly, gently nudging her  towards him, encouraging her to lean against him more comfortably. Loretta gently rested her head on Indiana's chest, her face a little red from the cold but it was nothing compared to her and Indy’s adventure in Nepal. "You're getting comfortable, huh?" he teased gently, a hint of amused affection in his voice.

"I'm cold and tired, Professor..." She mumbled as she closed her eyes under the moonlight and its shining friends. Indiana smiled at her sleepy mumbling, his chest rumbling with a soft chuckle. His hand instinctively moved up to Loretta’s hair, his fingers gently stroking her head, soothingly running through her strands of brown hair. "I know, kiddo. I know," he murmured gently, his voice low and soft. "Just relax. Sleep a little. I've got you." Loretta nodded her head yes as she gently fell asleep on Indiana's chest, sleeping peacefully under the stars with her favorite Professor holding her tight. 

He watched as she drifted off to sleep, his heart swelling with a mixture of affection and protectiveness. He held her close, careful not to disturb Loretta as she found comfort in his embrace. The night slowly deepened, the only sounds were the gentle lapping of water against the shore and the occasional call of nocturnal creatures in the jungle. As she slept, Indiana kept a watchful eye on the surroundings, making sure himself and Loretta both remained safe and undisturbed, her steady breathing lulling him into a vigilant restfulness.

When the pair finally woke up they were to the sound of a seaplane landing nearby the shore they slept upon. "Dr. Jones! Miss Crawford! I’ve been looking for you everywhere!" A familiar voice to Indiana called out. He immediately stirred from his sleep, his senses on high alert as he heard the sound of a seaplane and a familiar voice calling out for him. He glanced down at Loretta, making sure she was alright, before gently laying her down on the ground and raising his voice in response. "Jock? Is that you?"

"Haha! Long time no see!" Exclaimed Jock, running up to the pair and almost tripping across the gravel that scattered along the lakeshore. "Doctor Brody has been worried sick about you two!" He added on, standing near the pair now.  Indiana chuckled at Jock’s familiar clumsiness, shaking his head at the man's exuberant greeting. He was genuinely relieved and grateful for the rescue. "Good to see you too, Jock. Glad to hear Brody is worried about us. Tell him we're in one piece, more or less." The commotion caused Loretta to slowly wake up, rubbing her eyes a little before seeing Jock. "Ah, and this must be Miss. Crawford," he said, his tone light and welcoming. "Professor Brody's talked a lot about you as of late, he's been worried sick about you both." 

Loretta smiled as she looked back at Indiana, before looking down at her bandaged leg. Indiana noticed her glance at her injured leg and felt a pang of worry. He looked up at Jock, concern evident in his eyes. "Jock, we need to get her back to civilization. She's got a pretty bad leg injury. Can you take us back on the seaplane?" Jock’s expression quickly became serious as he looked at Loretta’s leg, taking note of the bandage. "Of course, Indy. I’ll get you both back home as quickly as possible. The seaplane is stocked with medical supplies, we can take care of that injury on the flight back." He gestured for Loretta and Indiana to follow him, leading the way back towards the awaiting seaplane in the distance.

She smiled happily as she immediately stood up with excitement and she huddled her way to the seaplane, waiting for Indiana to catch up with her despite her injured leg. Indiana watched as she eagerly stood up, a mixture of pride and concern in his eyes. He understood her excitement at the prospect of finally getting out here, but also worried about her injured leg. "Hang on a moment, kiddo," he said, gently grabbing Loretta’s arm to hold her back as he came up beside her. "You need to be careful with that leg. We don't want to aggravate your injury further. Let's take it slowly."

She rolled her eyes and nodded her head yes in understanding, she slung her arm over Indiana's shoulder for support as the pair slowly made their way to the seaplane. With Jock getting into the cockpit of the seaplane and starting the plane up. As she slowly made progress towards the seaplane, Indiana wrapped his arm around her waist to provide stability and support. Each step was taken with deliberate care, making sure not to strain her injured leg any more than necessary. As the two eventually approached the plane, Jock popped his head out of the cockpit window. "Ready to go, Dr. Jones?"

"We're ready!" Loretta replied in a cheery tone of voice as Indiana helped her enter the small back compartment of the seaplane.

Fast forward a couple of months, after Loretta’s injury had completely healed. After their eventful adventure in South America, her and Indiana are now back in the comforts of civilization and are in Indiana's office. Indiana carefully uncovers a small crate with gloves, revealing all the artifacts the pair had found during their expedition and many others beforehand. Arranged on his desk are a number of ancient relics, ranging from a small Mayan statue to a sacrificial knife with an intricate gold handle and the amulet Indiana held dearly on their adventure.

Loretta gently took the sacrificial knife with her gloved hands, admiring the beautifully carved gold handle. "Professor, you think if I were to stab you. Do you think some Aztec god will come down and strike me?" She joked playfully with a small giggle. Indiana took the knife back from her, his smile mirroring hers. He secured the knife back in the crate, carefully covering it with a cloth. "You've got a wild imagination, kid. It's a mystery what goes on in that head of yours." He chuckled, his tone affectionate as he took the gloves off and leaned against his desk, arms crossed over his chest. She smiled happily as she sat politely in front of Indiana's desk, smiling happily. "So, you know when we'll be able to display them, sir?" 

Indiana nodded, pushing himself off his desk and pacing a bit in thought. "We're still going through the procedures of getting them authenticated and approved for display," he explained. "A lot of paperwork, a lot of red tape. But with your help in the artifacts' discovery, I'm sure they'll fast-track the process." He turned back to face Loretta, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Patience, kid. Good things come to those who wait, and all that." She nodded her head yes, that smile of her managing to her bigger. "I know, Professor."

Indiana chuckled at your eager anticipation, her smile contagious. He understood the fascination she had with these ancient artifacts, he was passionate about it himself after all. He leaned back against his desk again, crossing his arms over his chest, observing her with a fond look in his eyes."You know," he said, a hint of pride in his voice, "back in the day, when I was out there on my adventures, I would have never guessed I'd one day be working with such a bright, young student like you."

"Don't say that, Professor. You're making me sound too good of a student." She replied with a small chuckle with a bashful expression on her face as she waved her hand to brush off the compliment. Indiana laughed at her modesty, amused by the bashful expression on her cheeks. “Hey, I call it like I see it, kid," he replied warmly. "You're a good student. More than good, you're exceptional. And this adventure of ours is proof of that." He pushed off his desk again, closing the distance between her, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.  Loretta smiled sheepishly as her eyes went from Indiana's face to her shoes. "Thank you, Professor. Those words mean a lot to me..."

"You're welcome, kid." His tone was low and sincere. Stepping a little closer, he leaned one hip against the edge of his desk, still facing her. There was a moment of comfortable silence between the two. His gaze softened as he looked at Loretta, his voice gentle and affectionate. "I mean every word, you know."

"I know, Professor. I'm not use to my professors being so genuine with me." Loretta with a small chuckle and smile. "So use to them tiptoeing around compliments." She added on. Indiana smiled knowingly, understanding her surprise at his straightforwardness. "Yeah, well, not all professors are alike, I suppose," he replied, his tone casual yet warm. "Some are more blunt than others. I don't see why I should tiptoe around the truth, especially when it comes to my favorite student."

He gave her a warm, fond look, the compliment rolling off his tongue naturally. Loretta smiled happily as her hands rested on her lap. "Thank you, Professor." She said softly in a genuine tone of voice. Indiana nodded in acknowledgment, his smile growing in response to her gratitude. "You're welcome, kid." He studied and looked at her for a moment, his gaze soft, noting the contentment in her smile. Then, he tilted his head slightly, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Can I ask you something, kiddo?"

"Yeah, what's up?" She asks, tilting her head to the side as well. Indiana paused for a moment, a pensive look passing over his face. He seemed to be contemplating his question before asking it. "It's been a while, but I just want to make sure." He began, his voice a mix of gentleness and seriousness. "Your leg... it's completely healed now, right? You're not experiencing any pain or discomfort?"

"It's fully healed but there's a scar. You wanna see it? I think it looks cool." She says with a grin, standing up as she began to roll up her long skirt .A small amused scoff escaped Indiana's throat at her eagerness to show off her scar. He shook his head slightly, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Sure, go ahead. Let's take a look at your 'cool' scar, kid." He said, his tone light and teasing. Loretta eventually finished rolled up her beige plaid skirt, showing off the scar on her leg. It was much lighter compared to the skin surrounding it. Indiana inspected the scar carefully, taking in the pale line contrasted against her skin. He chuckled faintly, his expression one of both seriousness and amusement. "Damn, that looks badass," he admitted, his tone appreciating. "Quite the memento from our little adventure, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess it's a little souvenir from our adventure." She says with a little chuckle as she unrolls her skirt, quickly fixing it and sitting back down. Indiana smiled warmly at her comment, his gaze lingering on her scar for a moment longer before looking back up at Loretta. He pushed himself off his desk, pacing casually back and forth in front of you, hands in his pockets again. "You got it right, kiddo. It's a memento, a reminder of the wild ride we had." He stopped in front of you, his voice taking on a gentler note. "But more importantly, I'm just glad you're completely healed now."

"I couldn't do it without you, sir." Loretta said with a big smile on her face, looking up at Indiana and his thinly brown rimmed glasses. Indiana returned her smile with a warm one of his own, his eyes meeting hers from behind his glasses. "No, kiddo, you were a trooper all through that adventure," he responded, a hint of pride in his tone. "I just provided the leadership... and the occasional heroic rescue." The duo chuckled along together.

Soon, there was a brief moment of silence between the two before Indiana spoke up "You've got a beautiful smile, kid. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." A bashful expression appeared on her face once again as she chuckled a little, her hands resting politely in her hands. "Thank you, Professor. You got a nice smile too, no wonder Marion and Willie fell in love with you." She replied back, trying to be kind to her professor.

Another amused scoff left Indiana's lips, his smile widening at her compliment. The mention of his past love interests, especially Marion, added a note of nostalgic warmth in his eyes. "Well, I'm not sure about that, kid. But I'll take the compliment." he let out a soft chuckle, the mood in the room light and comfortable again. "You know, most students don't talk to their professor about his romantic escapades."

"I know, but is it really my fault if I were there alongside you?" She asks with a sneaky smile. Indiana chuckled, raising an eyebrow at her cheeky grin. "No, I guess you have a point there."He took a step closer, narrowing the distance between himself and Loretta. His tone was fond yet slightly teasing. "Just don't go around gossiping about my love life to all your friends, understand? I've got a certain mysterious and rugged reputation to uphold."

"I know, I know. But my friends are too busy gossiping about the football team to worry about their teachers." She replied as she quickly glanced outside, the warm spring day with high school messing around with their friends and enjoying their lunch. Indiana chuckled at her response, shaking his head with a smile. "Well, that's high school for ya. More concerned about the football team than their old professors." He replied, watching as the students enjoyed the sunny day, the lively sounds of laughter and chatter drifting through the open window. He turned back to Loretta, a fond look in his eyes.

She looked back up to Indiana with a worried look on her face "I was wondering, Professor…." She said, awkwardly scratching her upper lip with her index finger. "What happens when I graduate? Will we still continue our adventures...?" She finally asked, a little tone of fear lingering in her voice. Indiana's expression softened as he sensed the slight hint of fear in her voice. His tone was gentle and reassuring. "Of course, we will, kid," he said, his voice firm yet comforting. "Just because you graduate doesn't mean our adventures have to end. In fact, it's just the beginning." He paused, his gaze steady and sincere on hers. "Trust me, I'm not gonna just forget about you the moment you get that diploma in your hand."

Loretta's worry immediately disappeared as she smiled brightly from Indiana's words, jumping out of her seat and giving Indiana a tight hug. "Oh you're the best, Professor Jones!" Indiana chuckled warmly as she leapt out of the seat and hugged him tightly. He returned the embrace, his arms wrapping around her in a protective, affectionate and more importantly fatherly gesture. His voice was warm and affectionate near your ear as he spoke. "Hey, don't you ever doubt it, kiddo," he said, holding her close. "We've been through too much together to let graduation come between us."

Chapter Text

Indiana and Loretta walked through the bustling streets of Oxford, taking in the sights and sounds of the historic city. The buildings were the picture of old English architecture, and students could be seen walking back and forth from classes or cafes. They had arrived in Britain to begin their search for a mythical dagger reputedly belonging to none other than King Arthur, but before they could dig further into the legend, they needed to familiarize themselves with the city and the local people who could help them.

As they passed by a small café, Indiana signaled for Loretta to stop and enter. "We might as well grab a bite to eat and get a lay of the land from the locals," he said, guiding Loretta towards the café's entrance.

They walked in, the aroma of freshly baked pastries and brewing coffee filling the air. The place was cozy, with a few students sitting and discussing their studies amongst themselves.

The duo took a seat at a small booth by a window, dark walnut wood covered almost every surface from the tables and the decorative chairs to the building. “Professor, is it your first time here in Oxford?” Loretta asks curiously as she patiently waits for a waiter to come by. "No, I've been to Oxford before," he replied, running a hand through his graying hair. "During my stint teaching at Marshall College, I led an archaeological dig down here." He leaned back in his chair, his gaze taking in the charming decor, his thoughts lingering on the past. "But it's been a while, so it's nice to be back in this city."

“What did you end up digging up?” She asked with a tone full of excitement and a smile as she placed her elbows on the table. Indiana chuckled at Loretta's eagerness, her excitement always reminding him of his own youthful passion when it came to his work.  "Well, we ended up uncovering a few Bronze-age artifacts," he began, his voice taking on a tone of nostalgia. "A few pottery shards, a few old tools, and even a couple of ceremonial weapons." He paused, a slight smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "But nothing as exciting as King Arthur's legendary dagger, if that's what you're hoping for."

“If you had discovered it then we'd probably be arguing with The British Museum to hand it over to us.” Loretta joked with a small chuckle. Indiana chuckled, the amused sound echoing throughout the café. "Oh, you can bet on that, kid," he teased back. "The British Museum and their claim to every artifact ever discovered on this island." He shook his head with mock disappointment, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "As if they own the history of the world..."

“They have more Greek artifacts in storage or on display than Greece themselves.” She replied, the hint of anger in her voice. “Don’t even get me started on their Egyptian collection…” he let out a snort of agreement, his irritation mirrored in his expression. He disliked the British Museum's possessive tendencies as much as Loretta did. "You're not wrong, kid," he said, his voice slightly bitter. "It's like they're on a mission to hoard as many artifacts as possible, regardless of where they originated from." He leaned back in his chair, his arms crossing over his chest. "And don't get me started on the ethical issues around their acquisition of these treasures..."

“It’s unethical really.” She replied almost immediately as she shook her head as a waitress came by the table with a pen and notepad in hand. “Hi! What can I get for today?” Indiana glanced up at the waitress, his eyes quickly skimming over the café’s menu. "I'll just have a coffee, black, please," he said, his tone somewhat distracted. He paused, his gaze returning to Loretta. “And how about you, kid?" Loretta had a quick flick through the café’s menu before she spoke up. “Can I have a hot chocolate and a slice of carrot cake, please?”

The waitress jotted down Loretta’s order, a friendly smile on her face. “Of course, one coffee and one hot chocolate coming right up.” She took the menus and walked away, leaving Indiana and Loretta to themselves in the intimate booth. The chatter of the other patrons filled the air, creating a low hum of background noise. He turned his attention back to her, his chin resting in his hand. "So, what do you think of Oxford so far? Different than Connecticut, huh?"

“It's different. Oxford feels more sophisticated than Connecticut but I feel like there’s less of a community y’know? Like people are here to study and hopefully get out of here and do better things.” Loretta tried to explain to the best of her ability. Indiana nodded thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on Loretta's face. She had a point; the university atmosphere did tend to create a different vibe. "Yeah, I know what you mean," he said, his tone slightly reflective. "Oxford can be pretty intense, with the academic pressure and all. Everyone's focused on their studies, trying to make it big in their chosen field." He paused, a fond smile appearing on his lips. "But don't underestimate these students, Loretta. They're ambitious, driven, and often full of youthful energy and passion."

She nodded her head yes in understanding, knowing she’ll probably be in a similar place in the future. The waitress from earlier carefully placed Indiana’s coffee and Loretta’s hot chocolate and carrot cake. “Enjoy!” The waitress spoke with a smile as she left. Indiana thanked the waitress as she placed the drinks and cake on the table. He carefully took a sip of his coffee, the hot liquid bitter and comforting in his throat. He watched as Loretta reached for her hot chocolate, the rich aroma of chocolate filling the air. "You better enjoy that cake, kiddo," he teased with a smirk, his eyes twinkling with playfulness. "I'm not paying for it."

The smile that was plastered on Loretta’s face immediately dissolved as she stared at Indiana, her hot chocolate almost touching her lips. “I didn’t exchange my money while we were at the airport…” She mumbled, hoping it was some cruel joke Indy was playing on her. He chuckled heartily at her reaction, his smirk growing wider. He enjoyed teasing her, especially when he could catch her off guard like this. "Relax, kid, I'm just messing with you," he replied, taking another sip of his coffee. He pointed at the cake in front of her. "It's on me. Consider it my treat for the day."

She exhaled loudly as she shook her head with annoyance, finally taking a sip of her hot chocolate and a bite of her carrot cake. Indiana couldn't help but chuckle again at Loretta's annoyance. He loved getting under her skin, but he also loved that she could give as good as she got. "No need to thank me for the cake, kiddo," he teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm just that generous."

“Uh huh, sure you are Professor.” She grumbled as she took another sip of her hot chocolate. Indiana smirked, enjoying Loretta's grumbled response. "Oh, come on, don't be like that," he said, feigning hurt feelings. "I thought you'd appreciate my generosity a little more." He took another sip of his coffee, his tone turning slightly serious. "In all seriousness, Loretta, I am treating you today. Consider it my way of saying thank you for coming along on this little adventure."

“Thank you.” Loretta said looking up at Indiana with a small smile as she took one last bite of her carrot cake and washed it down with hot chocolate. He smiled back, his expression softening at Loretta's genuine gratitude. "You're welcome, kid," 

"It's nice to have some company on these expeditions, especially someone who can keep up with me." He leaned back in his chair, his mood relaxed and at ease.  "Now... let's talk business." Indiana reached into the inner pocket of his blazer, pulling out a couple newspaper clippings he had gathered prior to the trip.

"I've been doing some digging," he began, opening the folder and laying out the various newspaper clippings. "It seems we're not the only ones interested in Arthur's dagger. There's a rumor circulating among the antiquities circles that a group of treasure hunters are also searching for it."

“Oh fuck…” She mumbled under her breath, remembering her last time with the two encountered treasure hunters as she looked down at the newspaper, quickly scanning the printed words. Indiana gave Loretta a sidelong glance, picking up on her quiet curse and recalling the previous encounter she mentioned. "Yeah, the thought of those treasure hunter types sniffing around already puts me on edge," he grumbled, shuffling through the papers with a hint of unease.  He paused, his eyes narrowing as he came across a specific clipping. "Even worse... it looks like they've got a solid lead..."

Loretta looked down at the newspaper clipping which featured two men, a comedically tall and lanky one and a short, round man. They were posed in front of a large rock. “ That tall one…” Loretta muttered as she fished through her bag, soon taking out a broche, unfolding it and placing her finger on one of the photos. “He looks the same as the other man or at least has to be related to.”

Indiana's eyebrows furrowed as he observed the photo, then looked over the broche Loretta had presented him. A flicker of recognition passed over his face, his mind putting the puzzle pieces together. "You're right," he mused, his eyes darting between the photo and the broche. "The resemblance is uncanny..."

He leaned back in his chair, his expression turning pensive. "If that's the same man... then we're dealing with professional treasure hunters who are both capable and ruthless..."  She quickly turned the brochure around to herself, reading the words printed on the tan paper. “it says here that this man’s name is Fletcher Howe… a curator from The British Museum…”

Indiana's eyes widened in surprise, anger beginning to creep into his expression.  "A curator from the British Museum? That's just great..." he muttered with sarcasm, his tone laced with irritation.  He leaned in closer, his gaze fixed on the text. "This Fletcher Howe... he must be the one feeding that rumor about Arthur's dagger."

Indiana sat back in his chair, his mind spinning with the new information. The fact that someone from the British Museum itself was involved in this quest for the dagger made the situation all the more complicated and dangerous. "What's a British Museum curator doing getting mixed up with treasure hunters?" he pondered aloud, his tone laced with skepticism. "And why is he searching for Arthur's dagger?"

“Maybe he’ll sell it off to some private collector, maybe even Nazis or maybe some crazy cult leader in the Scottish Highlands.” She replied, trying to joke but half of it was true. Indiana chuckled at Loretta's attempt at humor, but his amusement was tinged with a grim seriousness. "You know, you might just be right, kid," he said, his tone laced with a hint of bitterness. "Curators like this Howe, they're driven by greed... and they'll do anything to make a quick buck, even if it means selling off priceless artifacts to the highest bidder." He paused, his eyes narrowing as he continued speaking. "And the damn Nazis... they'd love to get their hands on something like Arthur's dagger."

“Exactly. I could be wrong but in Welsh Arthurian Legends, Arthur’s dagger Carnwennan could shroud the wielder in a shadow…” Loretta explained, trying her best to remember if she was correct. Indiana's eyebrows raised with slight surprise, both at Loretta's knowledge and at the potential implications of what she was saying. "A cloak of shadows..." he mused, his tone a mix of intrigue and concern. "If that's true, then this dagger has the potential to be a powerful weapon... in the wrong hands." He leaned forward, his expression now serious. "We can't let that happen. We've got to find this dagger before Howe and his treasure hunter pals do, and make sure it doesn't end up in the wrong hands." Loretta nodded her head yes with a determined look on her face. “Where do we begin?”

Indiana leaned back in his chair, a small smile pulling at the corners of his lips at Loretta's determination. "I admire your enthusiasm, kid," he said, his tone laced with a hint of pride. "We'll start by doing some old fashioned detective work. We'll talk to some of my contacts here in Oxford, see if we can dig up any new information on Howe and his treasure hunter friends." He leaned in conspiratorially, his eyes sparkling with a hint of excitement. "But first, we need to pay a visit to the British Museum..."

Chapter Text

Indiana and Loretta navigated through the grand halls of The British Museum, their footsteps echoing against the marbled floors. The museum was bustling with people, tourists, scholars and students, admiring the countless exhibits and artifacts on display. Indiana, his brown cotton blazer blending into the crowd, scanned the surroundings with a seasoned eye, his mind calculating his and Loretta’s next move. 

"Where do we start looking? This place is massive." Loretta asks in almost a whisper. Indiana gave her a sidelong glance, his eyes narrowed as he continued looking around. He appreciated her question, considering the size of the museum. "We start with the curator's office," he replied in a hushed tone, his gaze fixed on a sign pointing towards the administration hallway. "If Howe is as corrupt as we think he is, his office will have some clues." He nodded in the direction of the administration hallway, signaling for Loretta to follow him.

Loretta hesitated for a moment before quickly catching up to Indiana, the administration corridors were quiet besides from the clicking of Indy’s and Loretta’s shoes. The two made their way down the hallway, the dim electric lights casting shadows on the pristine walls and polished floors. The air was thick with a sense of importance, a place where significant decisions were made and secrets were kept. Indiana came to a stop in front of a door with a brass nameplate that read "Fletcher Howe". He glanced around once more, making sure they were alone, before trying the doorknob.

It didn’t open, it was locked. Indiana gestured to Loretta for a bobby pin or two which she happily provided by pulling two from her hair and placing them in Indiana’s rough calloused hands. He took the bobby pins from her, his fingers handling them with a practiced ease. "You always carry these in your hair?" he asked with a slight smirk, his tone laced with amusement. He knelt down in front of the locked door, and with a quick and careful motion, inserted the bobby pins into the keyhole. A few moments later, a soft click echoed through the hall as the lock gave way. Indiana stood up, a satisfied look on his face. "Still got it..."

"That’s like asking someone if they bring their wallet with them everywhere." She replied back as she carefully pushed open the door, the creaking of the hinges echoed throughout the hallway, causing the duo to panic internally. Indiana casted a quick glance over his shoulder, his ears alert for any signs of approaching footsteps. Thankfully, the hallway seemed to remain quiet. "Careful, kid," he whispered, his voice low and urgent. "We don't want to draw any unwanted attention." He stepped into Fletcher Howe's office first, immediately taking in the surroundings. A large oak desk, a plush leather armchair, cabinets full of binders and files, and a small library filled with academic books and papers. 

The office was certainly bigger than Indiana’s back home and more fancier for sure. Loretta carefully walked over to Fletcher’s desk, multiple files and a couple writing utensils littered the desk. She flicked through the files, hoping one of them would contain information about King Arthur’s dagger. Indiana moved around the office, quietly opening cabinets and drawers, searching for anything that could provide clues. In the meantime, Loretta sifted through the files on the desk, her eyes scanning the contents with keen interest. The office remained quiet, save for the occasional sound of papers being shuffled and the ticking of a clock on the wall. The tension in the air was palpable, both Indy and Loretta knowing they were playing a dangerous game.

As she continued searching through the files, the sound of footsteps in the distance reached their ears. Indy's head perked up, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "Someone's coming," he whispered urgently, moving hastily over to Loretta's side. "Keep searching. We need to find something before whoever that is walks in on us." She nodded her head yes as she flicked through the files frantically before finishing the pile that sat on Fletcher Howe’s desk. The footsteps only got louder and louder and Indiana’s and Loretta’s heart bumped.

The footsteps echoed loudly through the hallway, the sound closing in with each passing second. Indiana's heart thudded anxiously in his chest, his mind racing for a plan to avoid getting caught in this compromising situation. "Hurry," he muttered to Loretta, his eyes darting to the door. "We need to hide." He quickly took in their surroundings, desperately searching for a place to hide. The office was spacious, but the only hiding spot that seemed viable was under the antique desk. He grabbed Loretta by the arm and pulled her towards the desk, urgently signaling for her to get underneath it.

Loretta immediately crawled under the desk, grazing her knee in the process as the pair squished together under the desk. A small slit between the backing of the desk made the two peer out to whoever was going to enter. Soon enough, two men entered the office. A man dressed in blue and another in gray. "Mr Howe, have you found anything on the dagger?" One of the men asked with a thick German accent, presuming the one in gray.

Indiana and Loretta held their breaths, their bodies pressed closely together under the desk. They had a narrow view through the slit between the backing, just enough to glimpse the men who had entered the office.

As they listened intently to the men's conversation, Indy recognized the German accent of one of them. He silently mouthed to Loretta " Nazis. "

"Certainly!" The British man in blue said in a giddy expression as she walked over to the bookshelf, pulling out a book which hid a file. "Anything for the Führer." Loretta turned her head to Indiana, her eyes wide as she silently mouthed " What the fuck? " Indiana swallowed hard, the gravity of the situation weighing on him. The realization that Fletcher Howe was willingly helping the Nazis was like a punch to the gut to the two of them. They couldn't believe the man could be so corrupt. Indiana turned his head to meet Loretta's horrified expression and silently mouthed back "I know."

Fletcher Howe pulled the file that was hidden within the many pages of the book and handed it to the man in gray, he flicked through it before nodding his head yes as he tucked it under his arm. "Good work. Now if you need me, I’ll be at that little pretty cafe down the road." The German said in his thick accent, chuckling so casually as if this matter meant nothing to him as he left the duo and Fletcher in the room.

" Should we knock him out? " She mouthed to Indiana under the dark desk as Fletcher himself paced up and down in front of his desk, muttering something under his breath like a madman. Indy gave Loretta a sidelong glance, considering their limited options. A thousand scenarios played out in his mind before a slight smirk pulled at the corners of his lips. He nodded to Loretta subtly, silently signaling his approval. It was risky, but the danger of being discovered grew with each passing moment, and Howe couldn’t be allowed to leave and inform the Nazis of their presence.

Loretta grabbed another one of her metal bobby pins from her hair, throwing it from under the table as it skidded on the wooden floors and across the room. "Huh, did Elena leave this?" Howe mumbled out loud, walking towards where the bobby pin skidded across the floor to the other side of the room.

Indiana and Loretta held their breaths as Fletcher Howe made his way across the room, oblivious to their presence underneath the desk. Indiana watched closely, silently willing Howe to move further away from them. The seconds ticked by with excruciating slowness, the tension in the room palpable. As Howe crouched down to pick up the bobby pin, Loretta and Indy exchanged a brief, determined glance, their minds set on their plan to subdue him.

Just as Fletcher Howe leaned down to grab the bobby pin, Indiana and Loretta seized the opportunity. With a swift and coordinated movement, they quietly darted out from under the desk with Indiana grabbing Howe from behind, his strong arm wrapping around the man's neck in a chokehold and before Fletcher could muster a sound, Loretta's hand slapped over his mouth, muffling any attempt at crying out.

The commotion was swift and calculated, Loretta and Indy working together as if they had rehearsed the move a hundred times before. Indy's hold on Howe was firm, cutting off the man's air supply just enough to render him unable to call for help. Loretta's hand over his mouth silenced any further attempt at resistance. In a matter of seconds, Fletcher Howe was incapacitated, his eyes wide with a mix of shock and fear as he struggled in their grip. Indiana tightened his grip, his expression stern.

"Quiet," he warned sternly. "We wouldn't want you to make any loud noises and draw attention, now, would we?" Loretta nodded her head yes in response as the two dragged Fletcher’s body to his seat, making it look like he fell asleep behind his desk. Indiana and Loretta positioned Fletcher Howe's body into his chair, making it look as natural as possible. He slumped forward, his head resting on his desk, looking as if he had dozed off while working. Indy and Loretta exchanged a quick, confident glance, satisfied with their quick and stealthy restraint of the man. The room fell silent, save for the occasional ticking of the clock.

"We gotta catch up with that Nazi." Loretta realized as she immediately turned around and turned the doorknob to exit out of Fletcher’s office. Indiana nodded in agreement, his mind already racing to come up with a plan to catch the Nazi before they got too far. "You're right," he agreed, stepping cautiously out of the room after Loretta. "We can't let the Nazis get their hands on that dagger, no matter what." The duo hurried down the hallway, their footsteps echoing quietly against the floor.

"He mentioned he’ll be at a cafe down the road." She said with a tone full of urgency as the pair finally got out of the winding administration hallways of The British Museum. Indiana kept pace with Loretta, a sense of determination in his stride. The mention of the cafe was their only lead, and time was of the essence. They exited the museum and stepped out into the bustling streets of Oxford.

"Let's hope this café isn't far," he said, his voice laced with urgency. "We can't afford to lose that Nazi and his contacts." The streets of Oxford were filled with a mix of students, pedestrians, and tourists as Indiana and Loretta navigated through the crowds in search of the cafe. The sun outside was starting to set, casting long shadows over the cobblestone pavement. Indiana's eyes scanned the surroundings, his keen senses on high alert. He spotted a small cafe tucked into a corner of a side street, its sign reading "The Corner Cafe".

Loretta immediately peered into the cafe, searching for the Nazi in his miserable gray uniform. "Professor, he’s in there." She whispered to Indiana, her breath fogging up the glass as she quickly wiped it away with her sweater. Indiana followed Loretta's line of sight, peering into the cafe. Sure enough, he spotted the Nazi sitting at a table by the window. The man still had the file tucked under his arm, his gaze fixed on a cup of coffee in front of him. Indy's eyes narrowed, his mind calculating their next move. "Looks like we found him," he muttered under his breath. "Now we just need to figure out how to get that file from him." Indiana surveyed the cafe, noting the number of other patrons and the general layout of the place. The cafe wasn't huge, but it was busy enough that they couldn't just charge in and confront the Nazi. "We can't make a scene," he said to Loretta, his voice low. "We'll have to be discreet. We don't want to draw the attention of all those witnesses in there."

Loretta thinks for a moment, peering into the cafe window one more time before she hides back away. "He’s sitting by the edge of the booth, maybe we can take a seat behind him and take it from under his armpit." She whispered to Indiana, unsure if the plan would even work. "You got anything, Professor?"

Indiana paused for a moment, considering Loretta's suggestion. It was risky, but they didn't have many options. He nodded, a slight smirk tugging at the edges of his lips. "It's a long shot, but it might just work," he admitted. "Okay, here's what we're gonna do."  He glanced down at Loretta, his eyes serious and focused. "You keep watch on the Nazi," he instructed. "Let me know if he gets up or if anyone pays too much attention to us. I'll slide into the booth behind him. Once I'm in position, you create a distraction. Make a scene, drop something, anything to draw his attention away from the file." Loretta nods her head yes as she once again peered into the cafe, then looking back at Indiana. "I’m ready when you are Professor."

Indiana took a deep breath, mentally gearing up for what was about to happen. He looked back at Loretta, a silent communication passing between them. One that said they were in this together. "Alright, let's do this." With the plan in place, Indiana entered the cafe and made his way to the booth positioned behind the Nazi. He slid into the seat, his back facing the file that was still tucked under the Nazi's arm.

After a moment Loretta eventually entered the cafe,  going past the booth Indiana sat in then the Nazi’s, her eyes "set" to the bathroom at the far back of the cafe. She pretended to slip on the cold tiles, right next to where the Nazi sat. "Ah!" She tried to gasp in a pretty convincing way as she fell.

The sudden cry of alarm from Loretta drew the eyes of everyone in the café, including the Nazi and Indy. The man in the gray uniform turned around, his attention momentarily drawn away from the file he held beneath his arm. 

"Are you alright, miss?" he asked, a hint of concern in his heavy German accent. The whole cafe seemed to be watching the spectacle play out, but the Nazi's main concern seemed to be on Loretta. "Oh no, I may have broken a bone. Can please assist me, dear?" She said, putting on a terrible high pitched voice as she "tried" to get up from the ground. The Nazi's eyes widened for a moment at the sight of Loretta crumpled on the floor, a mixture of annoyance and concern in his expression. With a quick glance around the cafe, he seemed to realize that all eyes were on them, and he couldn't just ignore Loretta's plea without drawing undesirable attention. "Ah, very well." he reluctantly agreed, standing up and placing the file on the table.

He stepped out of the booth, the file under his arm momentarily forgotten as he moved towards Loretta. The cafe was abuzz with activity, whispers and murmurs filling the air as the patrons watched the scene unfold. Indy seized the opportunity, his eyes darting to the file that was now left momentarily unguarded. Indy quickly slid out of his booth, his movements swift and stealthy. Everyone's attention was still fixated on the Nazi, who was making his way towards Loretta. With a careful and silent movement, Indiana reached out and grabbed the file. He tucked it under his jacket as he casually walked out of the cafe giving Loretta a little wink.

"Thank you so much." Loretta said, still in that terribly high pitched tone. "I can never repay you, but I have to go now." She added on as she began to make her way outside where Indiana now stood by the entry. The Nazi was still standing there, a little bewildered by Loretta's peculiar voice and hasty exit, when he realized that his eyes had been off the file for longer than he had realized. A look of alarm crossed his face, and he quickly patted down his clothes then looked over to the table "Hey, wait a minute-"

Loretta’s eyes went wide as she began to run, realizing the duo’s plan had gone south. "Run! Run Professor!" She shouted to Indiana as she ran out of the cafe. Indiana's heart pounded in his chest as he heard Loretta's panicked cry. The plan had gone sideways, and they had a Nazi on their tail. "Come on!" he called back, matching Loretta's tone. He spun around and raced after her. The cafe's other patrons had now gone silent, their attention shifting from Loretta's fall to the unexpected drama playing out before them. The Nazi stormed outside, his footsteps heavy and fast as he followed Indiana and Loretta through the cobblestone streets.

Loretta ran close behind Indiana as she quickly looked back, the Nazi looked furious and looking at him the wrong way could kill a man. "Take the train! Take the train!" She exclaimed to Indiana in a panic. Indiana nodded in agreement, his mind racing as they darted through the streets. The Nazi was closing in behind them, his footsteps growing louder and closer. The tube, the underground railway system, was their best chance at escaping. "This way!" he called out, veering towards the entrance to the tube station.

They ran down the steps and into the station as fast as their legs could carry them. The Nazi was mere seconds behind them, his breath hot on their necks. Indy pushed through the ticket barriers, pulling Loretta with him as he darted onto the platform. The train was just pulling in, the engine hissing and steam making the platform unbearably hot. They had to get on this train, or they were toast. Without hesitation, Indiana and Loretta pushed their way through the crowd and onto the train. They found an empty seat just as the doors closed behind them. The Nazi reached the platform just as the train began to pull away, his frustrated and furious face visible through the windows.

Loretta sat down on the small leather seat, out of breath as she placed a hand over her heart as if it was about to burst out of her chest. "Never again… oh my god…" She mumbled as she puffed for air. Indiana sat down next to her, his own breath heavy and ragged from their frantic escape. The adrenaline was still pumping through his veins, but he allowed himself a moment to relax, grateful they had evaded the Nazi's grasp.

"Yeah... never again," he agreed, a hint of relief in his voice. "That was a close one." Loretta  nodded her head yes as looked over to Indiana, her face pale as if she had seen a ghost. "He was so… terrifying." She replied, still trying to catch her breath. Indy nodded, finally allowing the gravity of their situation to sink in. The Nazi had been relentless in his pursuit, his face filled with fury. "He's not someone we should mess with again, that's for sure," he agreed. He exhaled deeply, leaning back against the seat. The train rumbled beneath them as it sped through the underground tunnels, taking them further from the café and the Nazi.

She nodded her head yes once more as she eventually caught her own breath back, she gently placed her head on Indiana’s shoulder for comfort as the train rumbled at its high speeds, getting further and further away from the Nazi and the cafe. Indiana glanced down at her, noticing her head resting on his shoulder. Despite the dangerous situation, a small, affectionate smile played at the corners of his lips. "You did good, kid," he said quietly, his voice soft and reassuring. "I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Professor." She replied happily with a small smile. Indiana returned the smile, his gaze warm and appreciative. They rested in companionable silence for a few moments longer, their shared experience still buzzing in the air. Eventually, he broke the silence. "So, I suppose you'll want to take a look at this file we risked our necks for, huh?" He nudged Loretta playfully, his tone light. "No Professor. We should have a look at it on some sunny day." Loretta joked with a small giggle. "That’s a stupid question, yes!"

He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement at Loretta's playful response. "Alright, alright," Indiana said, feigning reluctance as he pulled the file from under his jacket. He handed it over to Loretta, a wry smile on his face. "Here you go, Miss Smartass." As Loretta began to peruse the file, Indiana settled into his seat, eager to discover what secrets it held within its pages.

As Loretta flicked through the various pieces of paper, from letters and documents to a photocopy of the original myth the dagger was first mentioned in, nothing peeled her interest. But a particular document stuck out to her, she pulled it out before she began to read it. Only issue was it being written in German. "Um… Professor, do you speak German?" She asks sheepishly, passing the document along to Indiana.

Indiana chuckled at Loretta's question, his German skills already coming in handy. "As a matter of fact, I do," he replied with a knowing grin. "German, French, Italian, Latin... part of the job description. Let me take a look." He took the document from Loretta's hands and scanned its contents, his expression growing more serious as he read. "So you’re telling me I should be paying attention in my Italian classes?" She jokes a little with a hint of truth behind her words.

Indiana smirked, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Not necessarily, but knowing a few languages never hurts," he admitted. "You never know when you'll need to throw together a sentence in Italian to impress someone or get yourself out of a tricky situation."

"But yes, you should pay attention in Italian class." he added jokingly, giving Loretta a playful nudge. "It could come in handy one day, kid." The train's rumbling coming to an end as it pulled into a station, Indiana continued to translate the document in his hand "I guess so." 

Indiana glanced up from the document, a hint of realization in his eyes. He quickly skimmed the next few pages before meeting Loretta's gaze. "Looks like this goes even deeper than we thought," he said, his voice now holding new urgency. "According to this file, there's an old map that may lead us to the dagger. It's encrypted, but fortunately, the file also includes an old Welsh translation manual that may help us navigate Wales and possibly the map's cipher."

"Really!?" Loretta exclaimed in surprise, almost jumping out of her seat with a big smile spreading cheek to cheek. Indy chuckled at Loretta's enthusiasm, her excitement infectious. "Yep, looks like the Welsh translation may be our key to decoding the map," he confirmed, gesturing to the file in her hands. "If we can find the right combination, we might be able to pinpoint the dagger's location." He paused, his eyes thoughtful. "But we should exercise caution. The Nazis are on the trail too, and they'll stop at nothing to get their hands on that dagger. We'll have to be quick and stealthy.

Loretta nodded, her smile faltering slightly at the mention of the Nazis. Indy noticed Loretta's expression and understood her reservations. "It's okay, Loretta," he reassured her, his tone comforting. "We'll be careful. We can do this together." He gave her a warm smile, his eyes full of determination. "You know, Loretta, I've got a feeling you'll do great. You've got a quick mind, and you're brave. And we've been through worse, right?" Loretta nodded her head yes with a small smile on her face. "I’ve been shot, you’ve almost died hundreds if not thousands of times, I’ve been stuffed into suitcases and the worst thing, I’ve had to hear your love making to women who you don’t even know what their last name is." She replied, with a small chuckle, knowing how her professor will respond.

Indiana chuckled, a hint of embarrassment on his face as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I suppose you have a point there, Loretta," he admitted with a sheepish grin. "I do sometimes have a way of getting myself into trouble. But that's precisely why I need a dependable sidekick like you to keep me in line. Someone who can rein me back in when I start getting reckless." He looked at Loretta with a soft, grateful smile. "I'm glad you're here, Loretta. We make a damn good team."

"Sidekick? What are we, Laurel and Hardy?" She joked playfully. Indiana couldn't help but chuckle at Loretta's playful comparison. "Hey, Laurel and Hardy are a great duo. We might not be a comedy act, but we damn sure get the job done," he countered with a smirk. "Like I said, Loretta, we make a hell of a team. Partners in adventure, in crime solving, and everything in between." He chuckled again, his eyes dancing with playful warmth. "And don't forget, I'm still the professor, and you're my brightest student. That counts for something, right?"

Loretta shrugs in response as the duo continued to banter and joke around with each other, like father like daughter or so. Eventually the duo arrived back in Oxford, now standing outside the station with Indiana deciding on what to do. Crowds came in and out of the station, the majority of them leaving and heading home in the afternoon rush. Indiana watched the crowd with a thoughtful expression but one full of paranoia, his mind considering their next steps. They had the file and its Welsh translation to help guide their investigation, but now they needed to piece the clues together and discover the dagger's location. He turned to Loretta, his eyes full of determination. "Alright, kid. We have a lead and we have a plan. Let's get out of here, find somewhere safe and start unraveling all of this before the Nazis catch up to us."

"Back to that dingy hotel!" Loretta says in a sarcastic tone of voice as she sighs, a tired expression plastered on her face. He chuckled at Loretta's exasperated reply. He knew the hotel wasn't the most luxurious place, but it was a safe haven for them. "Hey, it's not the Ritz, but it'll do the job," he replied with amusement, his tone light. " And it's close by. We can be discreet there. No need to draw unwanted attention to ourselves." He gestured with his head in the direction of the hotel. "Come on, let's get going." She didn’t want to argue or throw a fit, it was true after all. They couldn’t draw attention by being in some luxury hotel with a dance hall built into it. Loretta simply walked side by side to Indiana as the pair began to make their way to the hotel.

Soon enough, the duo reached the dingy hotel, the outside showing its age and lack of recent renovation. It wasn't the most glamorous place to stay, but it was discreet. Indy turned to Loretta with a small, reassuring smile. "Alright, kid. Let's get inside, lay low and figure out what our next move is," he said, his voice serious. "We can't let the Nazis or anyone else know we're on to them." He held the door open for Loretta to walk through. Two mattresses were placed inside their duo’s hotel room, one in one corner and the other in the other corner. They were stained in an unnatural mustard yellow and a small wooden that was holding onto dear life separating the mattresses. "Home sweet home." Loretta says in a sarcastic tone of voice as she made her way to where her suitcase stood, its handles worn and tattered from past adventures.

Indiana chuckled at Loretta's sarcastic remark, appreciating the humor in their less than luxurious accommodations. "Welcome to the lap of luxury," he joked, shaking his head slightly with a smirk. "It may not be the Ritz, but it's got that, uh, rustic charm. Maybe we'll even find a bedbug or two for company." He sat down on his own mattress, leaning his back against the wall and glancing over at Loretta. "So, what do you say, Loretta? ready to do some treasure hunting?" He asked, his tone playful, yet determined.

"Oh nah, the bedbugs are a feature with this room. The room next door has the cockroach feature, they paid a little extra." She joked as she sat down opposite of Indiana, the mattress creaking loudly with a painful expression. Indy chuckled at Loretta's joke, appreciating her wit. "Ah, yes, the premium roach experience. Maybe we should upgrade next time," he joked back with a wry grin. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his legs, his eyes thoughtful. "Alright, down to business, kid. We've got this file, let's start translating that Welsh manual, see if it can clue us in on the dagger's location. We don't have much time." He picked up the folder and began sifting through its contents.

Indiana eyes scanned the pages, looking for any possible clues. Suddenly, he paused, seeing something that caught his eye. "Wait a minute. Look at this, Loretta." he said, pointing to a paragraph in the Welsh handbook. "It mentions the 'heart of the dragon', an ancient cave system in the heart of Wales. It says the dagger may be hidden there, along with the final puzzle piece to unlocking its power." He looked up at Loretta with a glint of excitement in his eyes. "This is it. We've got our next lead."

Chapter Text

Indiana and Loretta were seated in a small, rented car, driving through the countryside of Wales, which was bathed in the soft, warm glow of the setting sun. The rolling, green hills and the ancient ruins that dotted the landscape added an air of mystique to their journey. Indy drove, his eyes scanning the scenery, his mind intent on locating the ancient cave system mentioned in the file. He glanced over at Loretta, a look of determination on his face

Loretta was busy looking down at the notes she jolted down a couple days previously about her and Indiana’s findings with the file they "borrowed". She chewed the end of her pen out of concentration as the car rattled ever so slightly against the asphalt and gravel. He glanced over at Loretta, noticing her concentration. He could see the wheels turning in her mind, likely mulling over the clues they’ve gathered. He couldn’t help but smile, admiring her determination and sharpness. "Find anything interesting in those notes?" he asked, his voice light and teasing. "Any groundbreaking discoveries we should know about?"

"No, nothing new, Professor." She replied as she stopped chewing at the pen and looked up to Indiana. He chuckled lightly at Loretta's response, his eyes going back to the road. "No worries, kiddo. Sometimes these things take time." He glanced over at her, a small, teasing grin on his face. "Maybe we'll even get a clue from a Welsh farmer along the way. You know I'm a master at extracting information."

"What are you gonna do to him? Interrogate and threaten to take his sheep?" She joked playfully with a chuckle. He couldn't help but laugh at Loretta's little jab. "Ha! I'll have you know I'm an expert at gentle persuasion. No sheep will be harmed in the process," he reassured her, his tone light and amused. "Though, I can't promise the same for a pint or two of ale at the local pub after we're done."

"Professor, I’ve seen you try and persuade so many things. From our lives and belongings to artifacts and whatever else is on the line." Loretta said as she shook her head no like a disappointed mother. "No drinking for me professor, I’m only seventeen and that time I had to drink whiskey wasn’t fun…" Indiana chuckled at Loretta's comment, a sly grin on his face. "Hey, my persuasive skills are top-notch! And I'll have you know, I've never been refused service at a pub in my life." He looked over at Loretta, his expression softening into a warm smile. "Don't worry, kid. No underage drinking for you. We'll stick to ginger beer or something."

"You’ll find something." She replied as her eyes drifted off to the scenery next to her, small shrubs littered by the side of the road while well kept farms were off towards the horizon. Indiana continued to drive, the scenery morphing into a picture-perfect countryside setting. He stole a glance over at Loretta, observing her as she took in the scenery. Seeing her gaze fixed on the well-kept farms, he turned his gaze back to the road, a small, wry smile on his face. Something about the peaceful landscape and Loretta's pensive expression made Indy's heart feel lighter. The duo had been through so much together, it was nice to have these moments of serene contentment.

As they continued to drive along the winding lanes, Indy noticed a small sign advertising a small inn up ahead. The sight of it gave him an idea. "Hey, Loretta," he began, his voice breaking the comfortable silence. "Look at that inn. Why don't we stop there for the night? We could use a good night's rest before we embark on our little journey tomorrow." Loretta’s eyes followed the sign as Indiana drove past it, only for Indy to receive a shrug. "I don’t mind. We can ask them what they know about the surrounding area and that could help us."

Indiana nodded in agreement with Loretta's suggestion. "Exactly what I was thinking, kiddo." He glanced over at her, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "And if we're lucky, we might even stumble across a friendly local who'll part with some juicy information." He chuckled, bringing the car to a stop in the inn's parking lot, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Just remember, Loretta, let me do the talking. I've got a way with the locals."

Loretta nodded her head yes in response as she rolled her eyes, her professor definitely had "a way" with chatting to people. He chuckled, amused by her eye roll. He was fully aware of her skepticism towards his approach to people. "Don't give me that look, Loretta," he said, his tone teasing. "It's not my fault women find me irresistibly charming. It's a gift, really."

"I think it’s a curse." Loretta replied back immediately, getting out of the car and stretching. Her bones cracked as she stretched. Indiana chuckled at Loretta’s quick retort, following her lead and climbing out of the car. Watching Loretta stretch, he couldn't help but wince at the loud crack of her bones. "Careful, kiddo, you'll start making me feel young again." he teased jokingly. "And this so-called curse has got us through many a sticky situations."

"Name one." She replied, waking around back to the boot of the car and taking her suitcase out, stuffed to the brim with souvenirs she had brought (With Indiana’s money) for her family. He chuckled at her challenge, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. He followed her to the back of the car, helping her with her suitcase as he recounted some of his "charms".

"Oh, let's see," he began with a smirk, listing off as he ticked them on his fingers. "There was that waitress in China, the librarian in Cairo, and, of course, the French countess in Monte Carlo.." Loretta went silent as a goofy smile appeared on her lips as she eventually grabbed her suitcase out of the trunk of the car. "That countess… she was pretty, really pretty." She mumbled, it had been little over a year since that little adventure but she could get the image of the countess out of her mind, her almost bronze skin, her dark curls that framed her face.

"Ah, the countess," Indiana replied, his tone slightly wistful. "Yes, she was quite the head-turner, wasn't she?" He chuckled again, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. "She was a lovely woman, smart, charming and she had quite a fondness for me, for some reason..." He glanced over at Loretta, noting the slightly dreamy look in her eyes. It suddenly dawned on him that perhaps Loretta was a bit more smitten by the countess than he had realized. "Oh, Loretta," he teased, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Don't tell me you've got a little crush on the countess now."

"Please don’t tell anyone." Loretta said in a mild panic, her eyes going wide slightly. "But, listen. You remember how she let us stay the night cause her husband died or whatever and she needed company. She checked up on me before I went to bed and she touched my cheek and said something to me in French and I didn’t understand and she left." She rambled on, not being able to shut up about the countess as Indiana grabbed his suitcase from the trunk.

He chuckled, amused by her sudden burst of words. He could see the dreamy expression on her face and could sense the affection in her voice. "Ah, the countess really made an impression on you, didn't she?" He said with a soft smile. "And all it took was a few words, a touch on the cheek… and in French, no less." He closed the trunk with a thud, turning to Loretta with a smirk. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Your secret crush is safe with me."

"Thank you professor." She said in a voice full of gratitude as the duo walked to the front door of the Inn. It looked like an old Tutor home, maybe one that belonged to someone of high royalty now converted to an inn in the middle of nowhere. He chuckled softly at Loretta's relieved tone. He could tell that she was truly grateful for his discretion on the matter of her secret crush. As they walked towards the inn, Indiana took in the old yet elegant architecture of the building. The stone structure and slightly overgrown ivy creeping up its sides gave it a regal, timeless feel, like something from another era. They reached the front door, and Indy turned to Loretta with a slight smile. "Here we are, kiddo. Let's see what this inn has to offer."

With that, Indy pushed the door open, stepping inside the entrance and holding it open for Loretta to follow. The foyer was dimly lit, a soft amber hue casting shadows around them. A few comfortable armchairs and a worn rug in a checkered pattern gave the place a touch of homely charm. Ahead of them was a counter with a bell beside it, presumably the front desk. "Looks quaint," Indy said, taking in the inn's lobby. "Let's see who we've got here." He stepped up to the counter, rapping his knuckles on the bell. "It’s really nice." Loretta said, admiring the beautiful architecture, each inch of the inn had a unique story to tell. Soon enough, an old man came to the front desk. His hair far beyond gray with an impressive mustache to pair with it and he spoke with a heavy welsh accent. "Welcome to Cartref y Gof. Would you like a room?"

Indiana smiled, instantly charmed by the old, mustached man's accent. He always had a soft spot for the rural folks, and the old man's warm welcome only added to his fondness. "Yes, sir, we'd like a room, please," he replied, his voice friendly and polite. "Just for tonight." He glanced over at Loretta, silently signaling for her to be on her best behavior. The man rummaged the desk for a key, eventually he took one out and quickly read the tag on it. "Just room 203, just up the stairs and down the hall." The man said as he handed the key to Indiana.

Indiana took the key from the man, thanking him with a nod of his head. He then turned to Loretta, a friendly smile on his face. "Alright, kid, room 203. Let's go check it out." With Loretta following closely, Indy crossed the lobby and found the staircase. As they climbed the steps, Indy's mind began to wander. This inn seemed like the right place to gather some information. Reaching the top of the staircase, Indy led Loretta down a dimly lit hallway, the wooden floorboards creaking under their footsteps. They passed door after door, all closed with a small brass number on the front. Finally, they reached number 203. Indy unlocked the door and pushed it open, revealing a cozy room inside. Two single beds were pushed up against opposite walls with a nightstand between them, and a single armchair sat in the corner, flanked by a desk and an old lamp. "It’s actually really nice." Loretta said as she walked under Indiana’s arm so she could enter the cozy room before him.

Indiana smiled as Loretta entered the room ahead of him, her approval evident in her voice. He followed closely behind her, closing the door firmly behind him. As soon as the door latched shut, he turned back to Loretta. "Yeah, it's not too shabby," he agreed, taking in the quaint, intimate atmosphere of the room. "Perfect for a night's rest." He placed his briefcase on the desk before sitting on the edge of one of the beds, testing its firmness with a tentative bounce.

Loretta sat down on the bed opposite of Indiana, placing her suitcase down by her on the floor with a small thud. As she settled on the opposite bed, Indiana leaned back against the headboard, propping himself up on the pillows. He glanced over at Loretta, a slight smile playing at the corner of his lips. "So, kiddo, what do you say we freshen up and then head back downstairs? Maybe have a chat with the innkeeper. See if he knows anything about local caves and whatnot."

"Why not? Just please don’t bring a woman back to our room, please Professor." She said as her eyebrows furrowed like if she was pleading with Indiana. He chuckled loudly at Loretta’s unexpected concern. He was caught a bit off guard by her request, but found it oddly endearing. "Whoa, whoa, Loretta," he protested, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I’m wounded, you think I’d do something like that." He gave her a sly smile. "But seriously, don’t worry. I won’t be inviting any ladies back here, I promise."

"Thank you professor." She said with a smile as she picked up her suitcase and began rummaging through her suitcase for clothes, placing the souvenirs on the bed and whatever miscellaneous items she had.

A few minutes later, both Loretta and Indiana looked slightly more presentable, having changed clothes. Indiana adjusted the jacket of his suit, running a hand through his hair to smooth it out. He glanced over at Loretta, giving her an approving nod. "You all set, kiddo?"

"Mhm!" She hummed happily with a smile as she quickly adjusted the small bracelet around her wrist, Loretta herself was dressed in a modest light blue dress "I think you may be a little overdressed, Professor."

Indiana chuckled, straightening his jacket as Loretta teased him about being overdressed. "Hey, it's always good to look sharp," he defended, his voice taking on a hint of mock offense. "Besides, you never know when you might have to charm some information out of someone." Loretta rolled her eyes as she opened the door, the duo leaving the room and making their way through the hallway of the hotel. With Loretta leading the way, the duo made their way back down the narrow hallway towards the main stairwell. As they walked, Indy couldn’t help but glance at Loretta, amused by her reaction to his insistence on looking the part. "You better not roll your eyes at me again, Loretta. I still have some dignity left as your professor," he jokingly reprimanded.

"Whatever you say." Loretta said as she descended the stairs that lead to the main entrance of the hotel, she went by the front desk and entered the communal area of the inn. An old bar sat with the innkeeper standing behind the dark varnished wood, there were a couple people scattered about the small area. Most appeared to be scruffy shepherds or farmers, trying to enjoy their evening to the best of their ability.

Indiana followed closely behind Loretta as they entered the communal area of the inn. His eyes scanned the room, quickly taking in the surroundings. He steered Loretta towards the bar, signaling for her to sit down at one of the empty stools. As the two took their seats, he glanced over at the innkeeper, raising an eyebrow. Loretta sat down on the stool next to Indiana, a little awkward considering a teenager was in a bar. But nevertheless, she let Indiana do all the talking.

He chuckled silently at Loretta’s awkward expression, sensing her unease as she sat next to him at the bar. He leaned in close to her, speaking in a half-whisper. "Just act casual, kid. Everyone here’s too drunk to notice you're underage anyway." He shot her a reassuring smile before turning his attention to the innkeeper, calling out to him in a friendly voice.

The innkeeper looked up at Indy’s voice, his eyes flitting briefly over to Loretta before fixing on Indy. He approached the pair, with a gruff but not unkind look on his face. "What can I get for you folks?" He asked, his Welsh accent thick in his voice. Indiana leaned forward on the bar, his elbows resting on the worn wood. "I'll take a scotch, neat. And for the young lady..." He glanced sidelong at Loretta, waiting for her to speak up. "Just a glass of water, please." She requested that attempt of a casual smile still plastered on her face.

Indiana chuckled silently at her request for a simple glass of water. He shook his head slightly, an amused look on his face. However, he didn’t protest. After all, she was still a minor and he wasn’t trying to encourage underage drinking. "A glass of water for the lady," the innkeeper repeated, nodding at Loretta. He then turned back to Indiana "Anything else, friend?"

"Actually, yes," He spoke up, his tone more serious now. "We’re here on holiday, and we’re interested in exploring around the local area. We love a good adventure." He paused for a moment, trying to read the innkeeper’s facial expression. The man’s eyes flickered slightly, and Indy pushed further. "We heard some rumors about a cave system nearby, thought it might be worth a look. You know anything about that?"

"Cave…" The innkeeper mumbled as he poured Indiana his glass of scotch and Loretta her glass of water. "My boys, grown now but they used to run around in the fields by Allt Hanner Nos, a mountain north. They used to come home crying cause they tried to enter the cave, you see. Too frightened." Indiana nodded, taking a sip from his glass of scotch. He leaned forward, the innkeeper's words only piquing his interest further. "Allt Hanner Nos, you said? A cave near a mountain North of here? Did your boys ever mention anything about what was actually in this cave?" The innkeeper shook his head no as he resumed cleaning the glass cups. "They’re older now but you can’t even pay them to enter that cave. I truly don’t know what’s down there."

Indiana took another thoughtful sip from his scotch, mulling over the innkeeper’s words. He could tell the innkeeper's sons were genuinely scared of something in that cave. "Must be some pretty dark stuff to scare grown men that badly," he murmured to himself, his eyes glazing over as his mind began to race with excitement. He took another swig from his glass before turning back to the innkeeper, his voice slightly louder now. "Thanks for the information, friend. Can you refill this for me, please?" Loretta, who was listening in to the conversation, shot Indiana a look as if saying no to his refill like a stern mother.

Indiana caught Loretta’s disapproving look out of the corner of his eye, his lips twitching into a smirk. He shot her a sly glance before turning back to the innkeeper, his voice nonchalant. "Actually, you know what? Make that two, please." The innkeeper chuckled lowly, giving Loretta a sympathetic glance before pouring Indiana a refill. She only rolled her eyes as she finished the rest of the water, placing the glass back down in front of her. Seeing Loretta’s disapproving expression and the innkeeper’s smile, Indy chuckled lightly to himself, knowing he was riling the teenager up. "Alright, kiddo, don’t give me that look. You don’t need any alcohol, being so young and all," he teased, a grin on his face as he took another swig from his refilled glass. " I , on the other hand, can handle my drink quite well."

"If you say so." She teases as she leaned forward against the bar, waiting for her Professor to finish his drink and ask more questions. The Innkeeper only chuckled at Loretta’s actions and attitude. Indiana chuckled softly with the innkeeper at Loretta’s teasing tone and slightly bratty attitude. He downed the rest of his drink, feeling the warmth of the scotch running through his body. "Yeah, yeah, I do say so," he shot back, his voice feigning an attempt at authority. "When you're my age, you can drink as much as you want." He set the glass down on the bar and glanced at Loretta, gesturing for her to lean closer. Indiana leaned in close to Loretta, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "Have a little chat with those shepherds over there," he murmured, discreetly pointing to a group of gruff-looking men sitting in the corner, deep in their cups. He glanced over at the innkeeper, then turned back to Loretta. "See what you can grab from them while I'm having another drink."

Loretta nodded her head yes as she hopped off the wooden stool, walking over to the two shepherds sitting together. "Hi gentlemen, May I ask a couple questions about the surrounding area? I’m a tourist and I’m really curious." She says politely to the two men, trying her best to sound casual. The shepherds looked up as Loretta approached, their eyes slightly glazed over from the alcohol. They chuckled at her polite introduction, clearly amused by her youthful tone. "Well, ain’t you a curious little miss," one of the shepherds, a gruff, bearded fellow slurred, eyeing Loretta up and down. "What kinda questions you lookin' to ask?"

"The innkeeper mentioned a cave called Allt Hanner Nos. Can you tell me any more information about it?" She asks with a friendly smile on her face, placing her hands behind her back politely. The shepherds exchanged glances at Loretta's mention of the cave, their expressions going from amused to slightly unnerved. The bearded one took a long swig from his glass before answering her question.

"Allt Hanner Nos, eh? That’s a dark place, lass, filled with all sorts of nastiness. I'd stay away from it if I were you..." He paused, eyeing Loretta closely. "Why you askin' about it, anyway?"

"My professor and I are documenting the surrounding area and this is also our little vacation." She replied, lying but she pointed over to Indiana hunched over and drinking his scotch at the bar. The shepherds followed Loretta's gesture to where Indy was sitting at the bar, taking in the sight of the handsome, slightly inebriated professor. They chuckled slightly, their expressions growing amused once again. "Ah, a professor, eh? That explains your interest in the dark things hiding in this countryside," the bearded one chortled. "But I swear to you, lass, that cave's nothing but bad news. We shepherds stay away from it for a reason."

"Why’s that?" Loretta asked curiously, her eyebrows furrowed anxiously. The shepherds exchanged a grim look between them, their faces suddenly darkening. The bearded one grunted, leaning in closer to Loretta as if to whisper a secret. "Ain't no one know what lurks in that cave, lass, but it's something sinister. Folk go in and they don’t come out. Or they come out... changed, like they ain't quite human no more. Deprived from their humanity."

She looked at the bearded shepherd’s face then to the slightly younger one which stayed quiet while conversation, studying their faces. This must be true, it somewhat linked to the story the innkeeper told Indiana.  "Thank you for your time, gentlemen men." She says as rummages through her dress pockets, soon giving the shepherds a couple shillings, enough for a pint at the bar. Then she walked back to where Indiana sat, still hunched over at the bar.

The shepherds accepted the shillings with a nod of thanks, exchanging a silent look between them before Loretta walked away. The younger one leaned in close to the bearded one, whispering, "She's quite the pretty gal." Back at the bar, Indy was on his third drink, enjoying the warming effects of the alcohol. He looked up as Loretta approached, his gaze slightly unfocused. "Well, you get anything out of those shepherds?" Loretta rolled her eyes to the whispering she heard from the shepherds, she sat down on the small stool as before. "The shepherds said there’s something sinister in that cave, the same one the innkeeper told you about. The scruffy bearded one said that something dangerous lurks in it." She replied as she pulled Indiana’s glass of scotch away from him. "That’s your last one, Professor."

Indiana's eyes widened in mild surprise as Loretta took his glass away, preventing him from taking another sip. He looked up at her, a slight pout on his face. He was enjoying his drinks. "Awh, come on, Loretta. I'm still capable of having a few more glasses," he protested, but there was a hint of playfulness in his voice. "Professor, you’re almost drunk. If we were back in Chicago, it'd be a different story" She scolded angrily.

He couldn’t help but smile at her scolding. He found her attempts at being a protective force both endearing and humorous. He placed a hand on her shoulder in a playful gesture, trying to placate her. "I’m not almost drunk, kiddo. I’m just buzzed, that’s all. Relax, I know my limits. I’ve had far more than this before." He was right, he was buzzed enough to think probably and speak somewhat normal. So, Loretta gave in and slid Indiana’s half empty glass of scotch back to him. "I’m sorry, sir. I probably shouldn’t have done that."

A small smile formed on Indiana's face as Loretta gave in and returned his glass of scotch, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Don’t worry about it, kid. I know you’re just trying to look out for me, and I appreciate it, really I do. But sometimes, a man needs a little drink to unwind." He chuckled lightly, taking a small sip from his glass. He then leaned in closer to Loretta, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You, on the other hand, stick to your water." Loretta nodded her head yes as she watched Indiana take one last swig of his scotch, her arms resting against the bar. Indiana let out a satisfied sigh as he finished the last of his scotch, feeling the warm liquor settle in his stomach. He set the glass down on the bar with a soft thud, his gaze turning back to Loretta. "So," he began, his tone a bit more serious now, "You really think there's something sinister in that cave? It's not just some tall tale those shepherds cooked up to scare pretty young girls?"

"Maybe. It could be some campfire tale or it could be something set in stone, who knows. Someone or something is in that cave." She replied, yawning as she respectfully covered her mouth. Indiana chuckled softly, noticing Loretta's yawn. "Looks like it's past your bedtime, huh, kid?" He teased, a light smile on his face. He took in her expression, noting the tiredness in her eyes. "Why don’t you head on upstairs and get some sleep? I'll have a few more words with the innkeeper and then come up, alright?" Loretta nodded her head yes and hopped off the bar stool, hitting the floor with a small thud with her saddle shoes. "Goodnight, Professor." She says, waving goodbye to Indy as she began to make her way back to the duo’s room.

"Goodnight, kiddo," Indy replied, returning her wave.

He couldn’t help but smile at her youthful energy. As she disappeared from sight, he turned back to the bar, his mind shifting back to the topic at hand - the cave. He called the innkeeper over and gestured for another scotch, settling back in for further conversation.

[A little later]

Even though she was tired, Loretta couldn’t sleep. She stared up at the ceiling, her hands resting on her stomach as she thought about the cave. What could possibly be in there? Dangerous or not, is it guarding King Arthur’s dagger? After pondering question after question, she decided to rummage through her messy suitcase, eventually pulling out an old leather bound book. The book was titled ‘Welsh Arthurian Tales in English." She scanned and flicked through every page.

After a few more hours, Indiana entered the room quietly, trying not to awake Loretta if she was asleep. He glanced over and saw Loretta awake, going through a book. He smiled, amused by her scholarly habits. "Can't sleep?" He asked, his voice soft and low. She shook her head no, not even bothered to look over to Indiana. "No, I can’t. Not at all." Indiana approached Loretta, his eyes flickering to the book in her hands. He glanced down at the title, recognizing it as a book about Welsh Arthurian legends. "What’s this? Looking for stories about King Arthur’s legendary dagger?" He teased lightly, a smile on his face as he took a seat on the edge of the second bed.

She nodded her head yes with a smile. "Yeah. I’m trying to find a mention of something about the cave." Loretta replied as she grabbed the small candle by her bedside table and held it close to the book. "Did you hear anything from anyone else downstairs?" He chuckled at her determination, enjoying her enthusiasm. He leaned back slightly on the bed, his expression serious but tinged with a hint of excitement. "Yeah, I had a few more words with the innkeeper. Turns out, the legends about that cave go back centuries. Seems like no one's ever really gone in and come out alive. The shepherds were right - they say there's evil that lurks there." Loretta nodded her head once more as she listened, continuing to flick and scan through the pages.

Indiana leaned forward slightly, watching as Loretta continued to scour through the pages of the book. He studied her face, noting her focused expression, the flicker of the candlelight illuminating her features. "You really think you'll find some answers in that tome?" He asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Seems to be nothing…" Loretta mumbled, eventually finished the little section where it told about King Arthur and his dagger but nothing interesting came up. She huffed in annoyance as she placed her book back in her suitcase and the candle by the bedside.

Indiana could see the frustration on her face, knowing she didn’t find any solid leads on the cave or the dagger. "Don’t worry," he reassured her, his voice soft and soothing. "We'll figure something out. Tomorrow, we’ll head out to that cave ourselves and see for ourselves what’s down there." She nodded her head yes as she laid down in bed, the flickering flame by her face as she looked over to Indiana. "Hopefully tomorrow we find something on it or the dagger itself." Loretta mumbled in a tired tone of voice.

"Get some sleep, kiddo. Tomorrow’s gonna be a big day, exploring mysterious caves and all. I’ll wake you up in the morning. Rest up, alright?" He leaned forward slightly, his hand reaching over to brush a strand of hair from Loretta’s face. He stood from the bed he was sitting on and made his way towards the bathroom, stripping down to his undershirt and boxers before disappearing into the bathroom to freshen up. She nodded her head yes as she closed her eyes. "Goodnight, Professor." Loretta says once more, finally falling asleep.

Indiana finished up in the bathroom and stepped back out into the main bedroom. He saw Loretta already asleep in her bed, her chest rising and falling softly. He walked over and blew out the candle by her bedside before making his way back to his own bed and lying down. He closed his eyes and soon drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Text

The next morning, the sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow across the verdant hills of Wales. Indiana and Loretta had already begun their journey towards the cave, having left the small inn and set out on foot, guided by Indy's keen sense of direction and years of experience. The pair walked along the winding trail, the hills and fields surrounding them and stretching out to the horizon. Indy led the way, his eyes scanning the landscape for any sign of the cave's entrance. Loretta herself was busy being awestruck by the scenery as she walked closely behind Indiana. The grass that covered the winding hills looked like fine silk from the distance and the clouds looked like cotton from below. "How much closer are we?" Loretta asked, popping her head out from behind Indiana’s back.

Indiana chuckled at her eagerness, glancing over his shoulder as she popped her head out from behind him. "We're actually very close now. Just past those hills up ahead is where the cave is supposed to be." He gestured to the rolling hills just ahead, his footsteps confident and steady on the trail. "You ready to see what's down there, kiddo?" He asked, turning his head to glance back at her over his shoulder. "Yeah! But if that dagger isn’t down there, I’m going straight back to America." She joked as she immediately went back to admiring the scenery, she was out of breath but still ventured forth. He chuckled at her determination, a small smile forming on his face. He returned his gaze to the trail ahead and kept walking. "You're quite the stubborn one, ya know that?" Indiana replied jokingly. He was used to dealing with stubborn students, but Loretta took the cake. He had never quite met someone as determined and headstrong as her before. "But it's refreshing. Reminds me of myself when I was younger."

"You always say that." Loretta replied as the terrain became more rocky and rough to navigate, causing Loretta to focus more on where to place her foot, rather than the conversation at hand. He chuckled at her response, his gaze flickering to the rocky terrain that lay before them. "Well, it's true." He slowed his pace slightly, taking in the rugged landscape around them. The hills grew steeper and more treacherous, the path taking a more treacherous turn. But Indiana was unfazed. "We’re almost there. Just a bit further..." He murmured, the cave entrance finally coming into view. Loretta stood next to Indiana as they looked at the opening. it wasn’t anything spectacular or out of the ordinary, some shrubs and moss littered the cave entrance. "You think something will be guarding it, huh? Like some killer rabbit something..." Loretta joked as she tried to catch her breath. Indiana chuckled at her terrible attempt at humor. "An angry rabbit guarding the cave? That's a new one. I've dealt with ancient traps, poisoned darts, and man-eating crocodiles, but an angry rabbit? That would be a first." He glanced back at Loretta, noticing her catching her breath. "You alright, kid? Need a moment to rest?"

"Yeah… just give me a minute." She said with a little cough as she rummaged through her bag, pulling out her kerosene lighter and trying to catch her breath in the meantime. Indiana nodded in acknowledgment and waited patiently, leaning against a large rock nearby. He watched Loretta rummage through her bag, his eyes fixing on the kerosene lighter in her hands. "You'll need that once we're in the cave. It should be dark enough in there to need light."  He took in her breathing, noticing the slight exhaustion in her voice. After several moments, he checked his own breath, not winded at all from the hike.

After a couple of moments, she finally caught her breath and flicked on her kerosene lighter to life. "I’m ready, Professor." She said with a voice full of determination. Indiana smiled at Loretta's readiness, her exhaustion seemingly shaken off. He pushed himself away from the rock and stepped closer to the cave entrance. "Alright then, let's go. Watch your step and stay close." He took one last look around the area before stepping into the mouth of the cave, carefully descending into the darkness, Loretta following closely behind him.

Loretta held the lighter up high but the darkness enveloped their surroundings regardless where the lighter was faced, her and Indy’s boots crunched under the small stones and rocks under their feet, letting it echo throughout the cave.  With each step, the light from the kerosene lighter seemed to be swallowed up by the inky blackness that surrounded them. Indy and Loretta continued deeper into the cave, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the cavern walls. A chill crept through the air, making Indy's hair stand on end. He tried to brush off the creeping feeling of unease, telling himself that it was just the natural atmosphere of the cave.

"I-I’m a little scared..." Loretta whispered with a stutter as her arm that held the lighter became shaky. Indiana glanced back at her, noticing her trembling arm. He could sense her fear and decided to speak up in an attempt to relieve her nerves. "It's alright, kid. I’ve dealt with scarier caves. This one is a walk in the park compared to—"  Suddenly, he tripped on a loose stone and stumbled forward with a thud. "Professor!" She immediately called out, kneeling down and placing her lighter down on the rocks in a panic. "Are you ok?!" She yelled, her voice echoed throughout the cave and it distorted it in all sorts of ways.

He let out a small groan as he picked himself up from the ground, rubbing a sore spot on his chin. "I'm alright," he reassured her, his voice hoarse. "Just stumbled on a loose rock, that's all." He pushed himself up into a standing position, his body stiff and sore and that's when he looked down at Loretta. "Kid, hand me that lighter." She did immediately what Indiana requested, standing up and handing over her kerosene lighter, which the handle of it was covered in sweat. "Just don’t drop it, it’s my mother’s."

Indiana took the lighter into his hand, gripping it tightly in his palm. He could feel the slickness of the sweat on the handle but didn't comment on it. "I'll be careful," he assured her, a slight smile on his face. "Stay right by me, alright?" He began walking forward once more, holding the lighter up high and casting a dim glow in front of them. Loretta nodded her head yes as she looked behind her, the entrance of the cave was far gone, barely visible as she turned her head back towards Indiana. He proceeded further into the cave, the lighter's flame illuminating only small patches of space in front of them. The darkness seemed to follow them like a shadow, closing in around them as they pressed deeper. He could feel Loretta's presence close behind him, the sound of her soft footsteps and ragged breathing. It made him feel a bit more secure, knowing she was there.

Loretta, who was scared shitless, held the back of Indiana’s worn leather jacket for dear life, scrunching it in her hand. The air in the cave was cold and damp with the chill running up her and Indiana’s spines not aiding the temperature. He could feel her grip on the back of his jacket as she clutched it tightly in her hand. He could sense her fear in the way she held onto him. But he didn't complain, finding a slight comfort in her presence. It was so dark that they could barely see a few feet in front of them, relying on the dim glow of the lighter to guide their way.

Soon the air became warm as a ray of sunlight sparkled in the distance and the sound of running water became louder and louder. Loretta’s face immediately lit up with a grin, wanting to run straight to the source. As the sunlit glow became brighter and the sound of running water grew louder, Loretta's excitement was palpable. Her grip on Indy's jacket loosened slightly, her eagerness to reach the source of the light and water obvious. Indiana couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, his own excitement growing. This was it - they were getting closer to the source of the cave. "Careful now, kid. No running ahead." He warned, picking up the pace slightly as they approached the illuminated area. 

The sunlight which beamed from a small opening from the ceiling of the cave revealed a grotto, a small pond which had all sorts of foliage and rocks surrounding it. But the most important thing was the skeleton that rested upon a large stone in the middle of the pond. The skeleton was sprawled out and deformed with a dagger shoved deep into its cranium, but whatever it was, it was far from human. The duo stepped into the grotto, their eyes adjusting to the sudden burst of light. They looked around, taking in the sights of the foliage, rocks and the small pond in the center. But their attention was immediately drawn to the skeleton on the stone, the dagger piercing through its cranium. It was a gruesome sight, but there was something even more unsettling. This skeleton was humanoid, but definitely not human. "Good lord..." Indiana muttered, his eyes locked onto the deformed skeleton.

Loretta looked shocked as her eyes ran up and down the skeleton, absolutely speechless as she covered her mouth in shock. Indiana took a few steps forward, his gaze fixated on the skeleton. The dagger that stuck out from its skull was old and weathered, the blade stained with a dark substance that looked almost like blood. "It seems we found King Arthur's dagger, but I've never seen a skeleton like this before," he said in a low tone, his words filled with both surprise and intrigue. He turned his head slightly to Loretta.

She took careful steps till eventually her boots were in the shallow pond with Indiana’s as the duo stared down at the skeletal remains, tatted brown rags covered some of the skeleton but due to time they had deteriorated severely. Indiana and Loretta stood side by side in the pond, their boots creating ripples in the water as they studied the skeleton. Indy crouched down, carefully inspecting the skeleton. "This is the dagger, there's no doubt about it." He murmured, his gaze fixed on the ancient blade. "Here, let me take that." Loretta said, taking back her kerosene lighter from Indiana and placing it back in her bag. Then she brought out her journal, documenting and drawing a terrible sketch of what laid in front of them.

Indiana released the kerosene lighter to Loretta without protest, watching her place it back in her bag. He then observed her as she pulled out a journal, diligently documenting and sketching a somewhat mediocre sketch of the skeleton and dagger. "Quite the artist, aren't ya?" He teased, a hint of playful mockery lacing his words. "Leonardo da Vinci is afraid of me." She teased back with a small chuckle as she shoved her journal back into her bag. His lips curled into a smirk as he chuckled at her jest. He appreciated her playful attitude, and how she didn't take his teasing too seriously. He stood up straight, his eyes fixated on the dagger again. "Well, I wouldn't mess with you if that's the case," he replied, his tone lighthearted. He then gestured to the dagger. "I think it's time to take that knife out and see what secrets it holds."

"Can I do the honors?" Loretta asked, looking over to Indiana with a smile. He glanced over at Loretta, a small smirk on his face. He could see the eagerness in her eyes as she asked to pull the dagger out. He chuckled softly. "Sure, kiddo. Go ahead. Be careful, though. This thing's from the 5th century, you know." She nodded her head yes and grabbed the white hilt of the dagger, now aged to a mustard yellow due to the surrounding environment. It took all her strength to pull the dagger out but eventually she pulled it without causing any damage to the dagger or to the skeleton.

Indiana watched as Loretta struggled to pull the dagger out, clearly exerting all her strength. He had to admit, for such a small, slender girl, she had quite the grip strength. Once she finally managed to pull the dagger out, there was a small clink sound that echoed softly throughout the grotto as the blade came free from the skull of the skeleton, she stumbled back a little before maintaining her balance. She laid the dagger flat in her hands, admiring the small details engraved into the dagger as the sunlight made the blade glisten. "Sent down by god himself, huh…?" She mumbled to herself. He took a step closer to Loretta, his curiosity piqued as he looked down at the blade in her hands. He listened to her mumble the words, recognizing the phrase from the welsh tellings of King Arthur. "Sent down by God Himself, indeed." He confirmed, his voice just above a whisper. His eyes traced the small details etched into the dagger, admiring the craftsmanship of the ancient blade. Before Loretta could speak another word, the skeleton that laid before them began to regrow its skin and features, its hair frizzy as if it hadn’t been brushed in centuries, its eyes piercing yellow and orange and its skin a moldy green with hundreds of moles scattered around its face. But soon enough it came to life with a gargle.

Indiana’s eyes widened in surprise as the skeleton before them came to life, its body rapidly regaining its features. The sight was horrifying, like something straight out of a nightmare. "What the hell-" he muttered under his breath, taking a step back slightly. He instinctively placed a hand in front of Loretta, as if preparing to shield her from the monstrosity that now stood before them. The creature continued to gargle gibberish as it sat up on the stone, the regrowing of its skin, hair and its features completed. It pointed to the duo, its nails long, yellow and crusty as it shrieked loudly. The ear-piercing shriek sent a shiver down Indy's spine. He instinctively stepped in front of Loretta, putting himself in between her and the monstrous creature that now pointed at him. His heart raced as adrenaline pumped through his veins, but even in the face of this nightmare come to life, Indy's survival 

instincts kicked in. He knew they needed a plan, and fast.

Loretta hid behind Indiana, her face barely popping out from behind Indiana and she covered her ears with her hands which caused her to drop the dagger into the shallow pond. Indiana noticed her dropping the dagger into the shallow pond. He cursed silently under his breath as he glanced down at the dagger, now lying in the water. He quickly glanced back at the monstrous creature, then to Loretta. "Damn it, Loretta, the dagger!" The creature began to move to the dagger just as Loretta began to pick it up. The ogreish looking creature was slow but it was strong despite its frail looking frame, by time Loretta picked up the dagger, it grabbed her by the collar of her shirt, Loretta herself dropped the dagger once again as the creature held her up as some trophy. "Professor!" Loretta screamed, kicking and screaming at the creature but it wouldn’t budge. Indiana watched in horror as the monstrous creature grabbed Loretta by the collar of her shirt, lifting her up like a ragdoll. Her screams echoed through the grotto, panicked and terrorized. "Loretta! Hang on, kid!" He yelled, his heart racing as he lunged towards the creature, desperate to get Loretta away from its grasp.

The creature fell back, dropping Loretta face first into the pond as Indiana tackled the creature to the ground. But Loretta quickly crawled to the dagger and tucked it into her bag, her nose began to bleed and she felt nauseous from her little injury. Indy quickly got on top of the creature, trying to pin it down as it thrashed and writhed beneath him, splashing water all over the place. Meanwhile, Loretta picked up the dagger and shoved it into her bag, her face bloodied from the fall into the pond. Indy glanced over to Loretta momentarily, noticing her bloodied nose and the dazed look in her eyes. He had to incapacitate the creature quickly so he could check on her.

Loretta stood up, her clothes drenched in water as she swayed a little bit from side to side trying her best to fight her nausea, blood trickled down her chin. She had to aid Indiana with defeating this creature regardless of her situation. He noticed Loretta standing up, her clothes soaked through and blood dripping down her chin. He cursed silently, concerned for her well-being, but right now they had to deal with the situation at hand. "Loretta, stay back! I can handle this thing." he called out, his voice strained with exertion as he struggled to keep the creature pinned under the shallow water. In her sluggish state, Loretta spotted a rock off in the distance, one large enough to crush this creature’s head. She slowly stumbled across the pond as the creature thrashed and shirked once again in the shallow water.

Indiana grunted with exertion as he battled to keep the creature pinned to the ground, its struggle against him growing fiercer with each passing second. He watched as Loretta stumbled towards a nearby rock, her movements slow and disoriented from her injuries. "Loretta, don't approach!" He shouted, his voice filled with both urgency and concern. The last thing he wanted was for her to get hurt even more by the monstrous creature he was struggling to control. She didn’t pay attention to Indiana’s warnings as she approached the rock, she used the very little strength she had left and picked it up with her hands. Loretta slowly shuffled her way to Indiana and the wretched creature that laid under Indiana.

His heart raced as he saw Loretta approaching with the large rock in her hands. He knew she was too stubborn to listen to his warnings. "Damn it, Loretta! I said stay back-" His protests were cut off as she continued her slow approach. He knew he was in no position to stop her, with his focus being directed towards keeping the creature pinned down. Loretta stopped by the creature’s head, holding the rock high above her head, a look of no remorse for her actions already evident in her eyes. "Orddu! Orddu!" The creature cried out as if it was saying its name, thrashing more and more. Indiana recognized the word as Welsh, and realized it must be the creature's name, but it didn’t matter — they had to finish this quickly before it could hurt Loretta or anyone anymore. "Do it, Loretta!" He shouted, his voice urgent.

She dropped the rock, smashing the creature’s head into the pond. Green, almost blood like substance scattered the nearby surfaces including Indiana and Loretta as the cave fell silent except for Loretta’s heavy breathing. The impact of the rock against the creature’s skull caused a sickening crack. For a moment, the only sound that pierced the silence was Loretta’s heavy breathing as she stood over the now motionless creature in the shallow water. Indiana slowly rose to his feet, his gaze shifting from Loretta to the lifeless creature. He took a deep breath, before breaking the silence. "Are you alright, Loretta?" He asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. He took a step closer to her, his eyes scanning her for any signs of serious injury. The sight of her bloodied nose and dazed expression worried him.

Loretta shook her head no as she wiped her bloody nose with the sleeve of her shirt, smearing it across her once pristine white shirt "It hurts… a lot." She mumbled. Indiana's heart sank at her answer and her mumbled response. He took another step closer, his hand reaching out towards her, but unsure of where to touch without accidentally causing her more pain. "You're bleeding, sweetheart," he said quietly, the paternal concern in his voice evident. He gingerly touched her nose, trying to assess the damage. Indiana took a moment, his fingers gently inspecting Loretta's nose, trying to assess the extent of the damage. It was clear it was purely a blunt force trauma, causing her nose to bleed. His heart ached seeing her tearful gaze, hating that he couldn't take the pain away. He slowly withdrew his hand, his voice soft and soothing. "I know it hurts, honey, but it's just a nosebleed. It'll stop soon, I promise."

She nodded her head yes as a small tear ran down her cheek. "I just wanna get out of here…" She mumbled as she looked at the creature they had just killed, causing her to wince a little. Indiana nodded, understanding her desire to get out of the grotto and away from the monstrous creature. He reached out, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders to guide her towards the exit. "I know, kiddo, I know. We'll leave this place as soon as we can. Just lean on me, alright?" She nodded her head yes as she wrapped an arm over Indiana. "I hate having to rely on you, Professor…"She mumbled once again.

Indiana chuckled softly, his arm remaining around her as they began to walk towards the grotto's exit. He gently squeezed her shoulder. "It's alright, Loretta. We all need help sometimes, you know. Even an archaeologist like me." He cast a glance at her, noticing the tiredness in her features, but also the stubbornness that was clearly present. Loretta didn’t argue or complain as the duo began going through the dark tunnel that led back to the cave entrance.

Indiana and Loretta made their way through the dark tunnel until they finally emerged back into the open air. The walk back was mostly quiet, the only sound being their footsteps and Loretta's occasional sniffles as she fought back the pain from her nosebleed. Back at the inn, Loretta sat in the bathroom, sitting on the edge of the bathtub as she cleaned herself up. She winced slightly as she gingerly dabbed a warm and damp cloth against her nose, trying to stop the bleeding. Indiana leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a mix of concern and care.

"Hurts a lot…" She grumbled to herself, the once pristine white rag the innkeeper offered now soaked in Loretta’s blood but her bleeding lessened significantly than it was at the grotto. He couldn’t help but wince seeing Loretta wince with pain. The sight of her bloodied rag only added to his concern. "I know it does, kid," he said gently, his voice filled with sympathy. "But you’re doing good. The bleeding’s slowing down." He pushed himself away from the doorframe and approached her, crouching down beside her to get a better look at the damage. Loretta pulled the damp rag away from her face, allowing Indiana to inspect her face. "Do I look ok..?" He studied Loretta’s face, careful to avoid putting any pressure on her still-tender nose. He took note of the swelling and redness, but also the fact that the bleeding had significantly slowed down. "You look about as good as you can, all things considered," he said with a faint smile. He gently reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Your nose is going to bruise pretty badly, though."

"It better heal up before we get back to America, I don’t want my mother to throw fit about me coming home with another injury." She replied, chuckling a little. Indiana chuckled alongside her too, appreciating Loretta's attempt to lighten the mood through humor. He knew all too well the kind of fit Loretta’s mother would throw if she saw her daughter return from Europe with yet another injury. "Yeah, I can imagine your mother's reaction. 'First the ankle, now the nose... Indiana Jones, what kind of trouble are you exposing my daughter to?'" He teased, imitating the voice of Loretta’s mother. She continued to chuckle as she went back to wiping the blood off with the rag. "Don’t even let my brother hear it when he comes back ‘Professor Jones, what have you been doing with my sister while I fought Germans?’" Loretta joked back, using a whiney voice to imitate her older brother. Indiana chuckled, amused by Loretta's attempt at imitating her brother's voice. He could picture the scene in his head of Loretta's brother giving him the third degree upon returning to the States. "Oh, god... your brother would have my head if he saw you coming back with an injury," he replied wryly. He shook his head slightly, his expression softening. "But seriously, Loretta, try to be more careful. I don't like seeing you getting hurt like this."

She nodded her head yes as she stood up from the edge of the bathtub, looking at herself in the mirror. A light pink spot littered the bridge of her nose and down her cheek. The bleeding had stopped. He watched as Loretta stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. The injuries were certainly noticeable, but at least the bleeding had stopped completely. He took a step forward, his voice soft. "You look a lot better now, kid. That discoloration's going to get worse before it gets better, but you're looking a lot better. How are you feeling?"

"Less nauseous." Loretta replied with a smile on her face, looking back at Indiana with her hands placed by the sink. Indiana let out a sigh of relief at her words. It was reassuring to see her feeling less nauseous and in less pain, judging from the smile on her face. "Good, that's good." He said warmly, his gaze focused on her now. "Just take it easy, okay? No more chasing after creatures from Welsh legends."

Loretta nodded her head yes as she placed the wash cloth by the sink and walked past Indiana and back into the little hotel room, her bag and its contents was scattered all over the bed including King Arthur’s dagger. He followed behind her back into the hotel room, his hands shoved into his pockets as he observed the chaos on the bed. The contents of Loretta’s bag were spread out across the sheets, the dagger included in the mix. "Ever think about being more organized, kid?" He teased, a smile playing at his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest. "It's not my fault, I just threw my bag onto the bed and went to the bathroom for my nose, Professor." She grumbled as she began to shove all her belongings back into her bag.

Indiana chuckled as she grumbled an excuse for the mess on the bed, claiming it wasn’t her fault.. He flopped down onto his bed, making himself comfortable as he watched her stuff her belongings back into her bag. "Sure, sure... blame it on the nose bleed."

She rolled her eyes as she eventually placed her all belongings back into her bag, leaving the dagger out. "Um… Professor, you can take care of this now." She said, walking the tiny distance between her bed and Indiana’s with the dagger in her hand. Indiana carefully took the dagger in his hands and examined the dagger, his fingers gently tracing along the ancient patterns carved into the blade. He marveled at the craftsmanship and history woven into the small yet deadly weapon. "You know, for being over a thousand years old, this is still quite finely made," he mused, his voice filled with quiet reverence. "I might have to give Arthur points for style now."

"It’s really beautiful. Apparently it was sent down by God just for King Arthur." She added on as the two marveled at the craftsmanship that went into such a weapon. Indiana nodded in agreement, sharing in Loretta's admiration for the dagger. He held it up, the blade catching the setting sun’s light, casting reflections on the wall. "The stories that must cling to this dagger..." He mused, his voice slightly wistful. "Imagine, a weapon given by God to a king... it's like something straight out of a fairy tale."

"Maybe it is." Loretta replied with a little giggle as her eyes wandered to the window that faced outside and she noticed something. The Nazi from London along with Fletcher Howe walking towards the entrance to the Inn. "P-Professor…" She stuttered out of fear. He glanced over to Loretta, immediately noticing the fear in her voice. His gaze followed hers to the window, the sight outside sending an immediate jolt through him. The Nazi general and Fletcher Howe. Both, unmistakably headed towards the inn. Indiana muttered a curse under his breath. "Damn it..." he muttered, his voice low and tense. "We need to get out of here, now." He quickly sprang into action, tossing the dagger back into Loretta's bag and grabbing his own belongings. He shot a quick glance out the window, trying to gauge how much time they had before the unwelcome visitors reached the inn. Loretta immediately threw her bag over her shoulder as the Nazi and Fletcher Howe began to speak to the Innkeeper loudly, their voices echoing throughout the whole Inn as if they were threatening the poor old man. Indiana tensed up as the voices of the Nazi General and Fletcher Howe echoed through the entire inn, their conversation with the innkeeper becoming more and more apparent. He knew they had very little time. He moved quickly, grabbing Loretta's hand and leading her towards the door. His eyes darted around the room, searching for any possible escape route. "We need to find another way out. Something that doesn’t require going past those two."

"The window? We can use our suitcases as some cushioning." She whispered under her breath as she pointed at the window in their small hotel room. Indiana nodded in agreement, noticing the potential escape route she had spotted. The window seemed like a viable option, and they had no time to waste. "Good thinking, Loretta." He whispered back, his grip still tight on her hand as he led her towards the window. "Go first, I'll follow right behind you." She nodded her head yes as she carefully dropped her suitcase and Indiana’s outside but it only caused a loud thud. She immediately sat on the ledge of the window, pushing herself off and landing on the suitcases. Loud footsteps stomped through the Inn, presumably Fletcher’s and the Nazi.

He cursed under his breath as Loretta’s suitcase and his own hit the ground with a thud, the noise echoing loudly. His heart raced, knowing their escape was drawing the attention of the unwelcome guests. Without hesitation, he swung one leg over the ledge and pushed himself off, landing right behind Loretta on the suitcases, and immediately stood to his feet. "Run."

Loretta immediately bolted to the car Indy had rented previously, not even bothered by opening the boot of the car, she threw her suitcase into the backseat and jumped into the passenger seat. Indiana followed closely behind Loretta, adrenaline pumping through his veins as they made a mad dash for the car. The sound of footsteps drawing closer and closer, the voices of Fletcher and the Nazi general becoming more and more clear to them. As soon as Loretta flung open the door to the car, Indiana jumped into the driver's seat and started the engine, not wasting a moment. He slammed the car into reverse and hit the gas, the tires screeching as the car shot backwards out of its parking space. Loretta held onto the car door tightly as she looked behind in the rear view window, seeing Fletcher Howe and the Nazi storm out the Inn and screaming at the duo, throwing their hands up like an angry mob.

Indiana's heart was pounding hard in his chest as he kept his foot on the accelerator, the tires of the car spinning wildly beneath them. His eyes darted between the road ahead and the rearview mirror, watching as Fletcher Howe and the Nazi General burst out of the inn, their anger and frustration boiling over as they shouted after them. He clenched his jaw as he shifted gears, and the car roared to life, hurtling forward down the narrow road. Soon enough Fletcher and the Nazi jumped into the black car they arrived in, immediately chasing after Indiana and Loretta. "They're after us, Professor!" Loretta yelled in a panic. He cast a quick glance in the rearview mirror as the black car screeched onto the road behind them, its headlights like the eyes of a predator in the dark. "I can see that, Loretta!" He growled, his voice tense as he pushed the car even faster. Soon enough, The Nazi and Fletcher’s car was right beside Loretta’s window, the Nazi busy driving with an angry look. "Hand us the dagger you thieves!" Fletcher yelled in his thick British accent as he held a gun up, causing Loretta to gasp loudly.

Indiana clenched his jaw as the black car pulled up alongside them, the Nazi General's intimidating face glaring at them through the window. He could hear Fletcher Howe's voice, yelling at them to hand over the dagger. "God damn it..." he bit out, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way to get out of this. He could feel Loretta's anxiety, her sharp gasp a clear indicator of her fear. He knew he had to protect her, no matter what. Indy's eyes narrowed, his mind racing through possible solutions, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly. "Don't worry, kid, I'll get us out of this..." He reassuringly spoke, although his own doubts lingered in the back of his mind.

Loretta, who was panicking, quickly took off her shoes and threw them into Fletcher’s face, making him drop his gun onto the road and yelled. "You stupid brat!" Indiana couldn't help but inwardly chuckle at Loretta's quick thinking. The sight of her throwing her shoes into Fletcher's face, causing him to drop his gun, was both surprising and impressive. The shoe hit Fletcher square in the face, making him shout in anger. "That's my girl!" Indy praised, his voice full of fatherly pride. Loretta chuckled happily at the praise as Fletcher continued to curse all sorts of expletives towards Loretta like an upset child. Soon the Nazi who was driving in Fletcher’s car gave Fletcher another gun from his holster, causing Loretta to panic again.

As Loretta’s brief moment of triumph faded, Indy’s eyes widened as the Nazi general in the passenger seat handed Fletcher another gun. "Damn it…" Indiana muttered. The sight of Fletcher holding the gun again, this time aiming right at them, immediately sent a chill down his spine. He pushed the gas pedal to the floor, trying to put some distance between their car and the black car. But they were in a narrow lane… There was nowhere to go.Some brilliant idea occurred to Loretta as she threw her last shoe to Fletcher, causing him to cover his face in pain. She quickly grabbed whoever’s suitcase she could get, which happened to be Indiana’s suitcase and she began to throwIndiana’s belongings into the black car in hopes to distract the driver and Fletcher himself.

Before Indiana could stop her, Loretta had grabbed his suitcase and started throwing its contents through the window, into the black car. The sudden barrage of random items caught Fletcher and the Nazi off guard, forcing Fletcher to duck and cover his face as Indy's belongings flew all over the car. The driver tried to keep his focus on the road, but the distraction caused the car to swerve slightly. "Take that!" She yelled, throwing Indiana’s sturdy suitcase into the car, hitting Fletcher and the Nazi right in the face, causing them to swerve and crash into an old stone fence.

Indiana watched as Loretta threw the suitcase, hitting Fletcher and the Nazi hard. The car swerved wildly, the driver losing control and crashing right into a stonewall, the impact causing a loud crash. Indiana let out a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding, relief flooding him as he watched the aftermath of Loretta's stunt. Loretta looked back through the rearview window in somewhat of a shock knowing she most likely killed two men, but the adrenaline was still pumping through her veins. "Oh my god…" She mumbled, turning her head back towards the road ahead. His mind was racing, his heart still pounding faster than a horse’s hooves. He couldn’t believe what Loretta had just done, but he understood the desperation and the adrenaline that drove her in that moment. He reached over, placing a reassuring hand on Loretta’s trembling arm. "You did good, kid. You saved us…." He said softly, his voice filled with a mix of pride and relief. She nodded her head yes as her mind caught up with the events that just occurred but she shook it off, causing a silence through the car. "I’m sorry about your suitcase and your stuff, Professor…" Loretta eventually said in a mumble.

Indiana shrugged off her apology with a dismissive wave of his hand, a small, reassuring smile on his face.  "Hey, don’t worry about that. My stuff can be replaced. You can’t." He said, giving her arm a gentle squeeze once again. Loretta smiled happily as she looked out the peaceful night sky that littered the Welsh countryside, stars twinkling and a couple cottages in the distance with their lights still on.

[A week later]

Indiana stood amongst the crowded museum gallery, Loretta by his side as they presented the ancient dagger King Arthur was allegedly gifted by God. Eyes from every corner of the room were focused on the historical treasure, the murmurs of excited museum attendees filling the air. Indiana and Loretta answered questions from curious visitors, both of them standing in front of an ornate display case, the dagger locked securely behind the glass. After answering all sorts of questions and some about Loretta’s bruising, the little showcase eventually finished. All of the people had left except for Loretta and Indiana, looking at the finding behind glass. "I still can’t believe we have it, Professor…" Loretta said in disbelief, still marveling at the craftsmanship that went into such a weapon.

Indiana nodded in agreement, his own gaze fixed on the ancient dagger, his eyes tracing over the intricate carvings. "I know what you mean, kid. Even I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it." He took a step closer to the display case, his eyes filled with deep admiration for the artifact. "History in the making, that’s what we’ve got here."

"Mhm." She hummed happily with a smile creeping up her face, that bruise she has received has slightly healed only leaving a yellowish mark on her face. Indiana turned to Loretta, his eyes lingering on the bruise on her face. His expression softened as he studied the mark, a wave of concern passing over him. "How's the bruise coming along? It's looking better." He inquired, gesturing subtly at her face."Much better." She said, "My mother saw it and she wasn’t too happy about it." She added on with a small chuckle. "Loretta Crawford! I’ve been looking for you everywhere!" An older woman yelled from across the room, walking towards the duo as her heels clicked against the wooden flooring. It was Loretta’s mother. Indiana tensed slightly as the voice of an older woman echoed through the room. He glanced over at Loretta, her face lighting up at the sight of her mother approaching them. He took a step back, giving the pair a bit of space, his eyes studying Loretta's mother. She had the classic aura of a concerned mother.

"Oh Loretta, me and your father have been looking for you everywhere! I thought you were still with that McMillian girl." Mrs. Crawford said as she eventually stood in front of Loretta, pinching her cheek. "It’s good to see you too, Mr. Jones." Mrs. Crawford added on but she was more focused on her daughter than anything. Indy smiled politely as Mrs. Crawford addressed him, albeit briefly, before turning her attention back to Loretta. He could see the obvious concern in her eyes, a mother's love and worry for her child. "Good to see you too, Mrs. Crawford." He responded, his voice warm and friendly as he nodded his head in greeting.

"Ma… not in front of my professor…" Loretta grumbled with an embarrassed look on her face as she tried to pull her mother away, in hopes to make her stop pinching her cheek. Indiana chuckled softly as Loretta tried to protest against her mother's affectionate gesture. He stood silently to the side, watching the exchange between mother and daughter. He could see the love and care in Mrs. Crawford's actions, even though Loretta was clearly embarrassed by the display of affection in front of her teacher.

"Loretta, say goodbye to Mr. Jones. Your father is waiting in the car." Mrs. Crawford said as she stopped pinching and turned Loretta around. "Goodbye Professor Jones, I’ll see you in class tomorrow." Loretta said with a little wave as Mrs. Crawford dragged her out of the museum. Indiana chuckled again, watching as Mrs. Crawford steered Loretta away, his student waving goodbye as he waved back. "See you in class, kiddo. Take it easy!" He called out, a small smile on his face as he watched them leave the museum.

With Loretta and Mrs. Crawford leaving the museum, Indy was now left alone in the near vacant gallery. The room quiet and still, the only sound being the humming of the ceiling lights. He let out a small sigh, feeling a strange sense of emptiness after Loretta's departure.

Chapter Text

After being invited to some archeological gathering in Monaco by Marcus Brody, Indiana hears word about Joan of Arc’s sword spread amongst the gathering. Loretta was there too standing beside Indy, annoyed that she had to travel across the world when she’s meant to be enjoying her summer break. Indy listened to the whispers and rumors about Joan of Arc’s legendary sword spreading through the gathering, his interest piqued. But when he heard a loud huff from beside him, he knew exactly what the sound meant.

He glanced over and saw Loretta, a look of annoyance on her face. "You know, you could try to pretend to be excited about being in Monaco, kid." He teased, a small smirk on his lips. "It's just a racetrack and casinos, Professor. That’s all this place is." Loretta replied as she ignored the whisper and chatter around her. He chuckled at her blunt assessment of Monaco, her dismissive attitude towards the city’s glamor not surprising him at all. "Well, there’s more here than just racetracks and casinos, y’know. There’s rich culture, history…." He started, his smirk growing wider as he teasingly looked at Loretta’s unenthusiastic expression.

Loretta’s eyes also glanced over to the extravagant windows that faced towards the Gulf of Lion, small lights from the docks far below reflected off the ocean’s surface. "You’re not wrong… it is rather beautiful…" She said a somewhat defeated tone of voice. Indiana smiled, appreciating Loretta’s brief moment of appreciation for Monaco’s scenic beauty. He was glad that she could find some enjoyment in their surroundings despite her initial reluctance. "See? I knew there was a romantic in you somewhere." He joked lightly, nudging her with his elbow in a playful manner as he looked out of the window. Loretta rolled her eyes as she looked back at Indiana with an annoyed look on her face. "I’m not a romantic, Professor. I just like pretty things, I’m a simple person y’know?"

He chuckled in response, raising an eyebrow in amusement at Loretta's annoyed expression. He understood her preference for simplistic things, and he found it refreshing in a way. "There’s nothing wrong with that, kid. Sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful, I’ve learned that over the years." He said, his voice filled with honesty as he looked at her. His gaze softened, the corners of his mouth tugging into a fond smile. As Indy looked at Loretta, admiring her simplicity and appreciation for beauty, he saw a familiar figure approaching them. It was Marcus Brody, a long-time colleague and friend, who also was the curator of the local Museum . "Indy! There you are, you old devil!" Marcus greeted, approaching the duo with a big grin and open arms.

Loretta sheepishly waved her hand hello towards Marcus, she didn’t know the man too well besides being the curator of the museum her and Indy often visited and donated to and him inviting the duo here, plus Marcus being Indiana’s father figure. Marcus gave Indiana a strong yet playful hug for a moment before pulling away. Indiana couldn’t help but grin at Marcus’ warm and boisterous greeting. He clapped him on the back, returning the hug with equal warmth. "Marcus, good to see you too." He said, a chuckle escaping his lips as they pulled apart. "Thanks for the invite, it was a great excuse to get out of America for a bit." Marcus chuckled, his eyes shifting to Loretta briefly as she waved hello. "Of course, Indy. Anything to get you to leave the dusty corridors of that high school." He teased, a playful glimmer in his eyes. He then turned to Loretta, his smile softening.

Indiana rolled his eyes, a hint of a smile playing on his lips at Marcus' teasing remark. "Yeah, yeah. You just want free babysitting while I'm here." He joked, referring to Loretta’s presence. A mock gasp left Loretta as she looked up at Indiana. "And I’m here thinking I was your favorite student, Professor." She joked back, placing her hand over her chest. Indy couldn’t help but chuckle at her playful mock gasp. He looked down at her, a twinkle in his eye as he played along. "Well, you are one of my favorites." He said, ruffling her hair lightly. Turning to Marcus, he added, "You see Marcus, she understands me." Indy joked, feigning exhaustion as if dealing with Loretta was a constant challenge.

A grumble left Loretta as Indiana ruffled her hair, it was once styled nicely only for Indy to ruin it, it wasn’t the first nor would it be the last. Indiana couldn't help but chuckle at her grumpy grumble as he messed up her hair. He knew she hated it and it seemed to be a running joke between them. "Sorry kid, can't resist." He teased, his eyes amused as he looked at her disheveled hair. Loretta got Indiana and now greasy hands off her head. "I’m going to the bathroom. You better not mess my hair up again, Professor." She said sternly, but it was more kin to a small dog yapping than anything. She then began to shuffle through the crowd, dodging waiters with platters of food or the older gentlemen with canes and whatever walking aids they had. Indiana watched as Loretta walked off, a fatherly smile on his face as she began to talk to Marcus Brody once again.

Loretta eventually got the woman’s bathroom which was beautifully decorated with intricate tiles that littered the walls in a pattern. It was only her besides the chatting from outside the bathroom. She stood in front of the mirror, taking her little bag out and pulling her hair gel out as she began to fix her hair. As Loretta began fixing her hair in the bathroom, the sounds from the gathering outside faded into the background. She focused on re-styling her hair, her slender fingers working to smooth out the sections, restoring her hair to its neat, styled look.

As she tilted her head to the side to fix a small curl, the door to the bathroom creaked. Loretta ignored it as she continued to fix her hair, her slender fingers combing her hair in all sorts of ways. From the corner of her eyes, an older woman with bronze skin and dressed in a maroon stood by the sink next to her. Initially, Loretta didn’t pay much attention to the older woman. She continued to focus on fixing her hair, her attention mostly on her reflection. Yet, something about the woman's presence caught her eye. Intrigued, Loretta glanced over at the woman via the mirror, observing her for a moment. She looked so beautiful, her curly black hair framed her face, her eyes looked like topaz and her makeup was elegant. Loretta had to say something to this woman but butterflies fluttered in her stomach, a feeling she had never had. It was as if she was standing in the presence of a goddess. "Um… I was wondering, I heard word surrounding Joan of Arc’s sword… Do you know anything, ma’am?" Loretta asked as she struggled to find the words to form such an easy sentence.

The elegant woman, with her slender figure wrapped in a maroon dress and bronze skin glowing under the bathroom lights, cast a polite smile at Loretta. "Oui, chère. The rumors of Joan of Arc's sword are true. But do not let them consume you." She spoke in a soft, melodic French accent, her tone filled with a subtle mystical air. Loretta nodded her head yes with a goofy smile on her face as she finished fixing her hair and washed her hands. Her voice was beautiful as a melody and Loretta couldn’t help but listen. The woman watched as Loretta finished fixing her hair and washed her hands, her smile widening ever so slightly at Loretta’s apparent giddy deamour. She chuckled softly, a melodic sound filling the bathroom. "I can see you are more interested in me than in that old, dusty sword." She playfully teased in her French accent, her eyes sparkling with humor.

Loretta couldn’t help but chuckle as she put away her hair gel in her little bag. "No, absolutely not." She lied as she turned her body around to face the woman. The woman studied Loretta for a brief moment, her eyes sparkling with mirth. She could tell there was some deception in Loretta’s words. "Is that so?" She asked with a playful raise of an eyebrow. "Your actions don’t seem to agree with your statements, mon chéri."

She blushed a little bit as the woman immediately detected her lying, Loretta tried to speak but all she did was stutter. A soft, melodic chuckle left the woman's lips as Loretta blushed and struggled to string words together. She found the young girl's reaction amusing, endearing even. "There’s no need for words, chère." She said, her voice like a gentle, caressing breeze. "Your face betrays you."

Before Loretta could say anything else, she heard Indiana call her, knocking his hand against the door. "Loretta, you still in there?" Indiana called out like a concerned father. "C-coming!" Loretta called out, immediately making her way to the door. "I-im so sorry ma’am." She said before opening the door and leaving. The woman watched as Loretta hurriedly made her way to the door, her heart racing and her cheeks flushed. She couldn’t help but smirk at the obvious effect she had on the young girl. As Loretta rushed out of the bathroom, the woman called out, her melodious voice filled with gentle amusement. "Au revoir, mon chéri." When Loretta emerged from the bathroom, Indiana was waiting for her, a slightly concerned look on his face that quickly morphed into a smirk as he witnessed the flustered state she was in. "There you are." He said, arching an eyebrow in amusement. "What took you so long?"

"I accidentally dropped my hair gel under one of the stalls and I had to wait for the lady to finish up." She replied, lying through her teeth. He studied her for a moment, his eyes scrutinizing her face. He could sense that there was more to her story than she was letting on, and his eyebrow raised further in skepticism. "Is that so? It took quite a while for a mere hair gel to be recovered." He replied, a hint of playful suspicion in his voice. She nodded her head yes. "Yeah, she was very pretty too." She mumbled as the woman dressed in maroon left the bathroom right by the duo, giving Loretta a wink.

Indiana's eyes flicked up as the woman strolled out of the bathroom, his gaze lingering on her for a brief moment as she passed by them. There was a subtle, almost admiring look in his eyes. "Pretty, eh?" He said, his tone casual but laced with a hint of intrigue, trying to mask his own interest. He couldn't deny that the woman had an ethereal beauty about her. She once again nodded her head yes. "Yeah.. Did you hear anything else about Joan of Arc’s sword…?" Trying her best to steer the conversation back to what they were originally talking about.

Indiana's attention returned to Loretta, the memory of their earlier conversation resurfacing. He had heard whispers circulating about Joan of Arc’s sword, a legendary relic believed to hold immense power. "I've caught winds of rumors," he admitted, his voice lowering a few notches. "but nothing substantial. It wouldn't be the first time a historical artifact attracts sensationalized stories."

"Of course…" She replied with a bit of a frown. "The bigger question is if we can get our hands on it." His eyes gleamed at the prospect of acquiring the sword, his adventurer's spirit igniting at the mention of the challenge. He couldn't help but agree with Loretta. Acquiring the sword and delivering it to Brody seemed like a mission worth undertaking. "I like the way you think, kid." He teased, a smirk tugging at his lips. Indiana couldn’t help but chuckle at Loretta's eagerness, it was refreshing to see her enthusiasm for the adventure that lay ahead. "All right then," he said, his tone gaining an edge of determination. "We'll keep our ears peeled for any information on the sword's whereabouts."

Loretta nodded her head yes with a smile spread on her face as she looked around the crowded venue, spotting the woman in maroon once again chatting to some man with an alcoholic beverage in her hand, wanting to ask questions. Indiana followed Loretta’s gaze, his eyes landing on the woman in maroon, engrossed in conversation with another man. He recognized her as the woman Loretta had mentioned earlier. His brow furrowed slightly as understanding dawned on him. "Is that the lady you were talking about?" He asked, subtly pointing out the woman. "Y-yeah. Maybe we should ask questions?" She replied sheepishly, a blush of embarrassment patted over her cheeks.

Indiana noticed the blush on Loretta's cheeks, understanding her shyness in approaching the woman. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Go ahead," he encouraged, "I'll be right here if you need me." Loretta took a step forward before looking back at Indiana, trying to seek some reassurance within the features of his face. She was somewhat shy, goosebumps ran up and down her arms, hidden under her blazer. Indiana could sense Loretta’s apprehension, and a gentle, supportive smile graced his lips. He nodded encouragingly, his eyes locking with hers in a silent show of support. "You got this," he reassured her. "Just be respectful and polite."

She nodded her head yes with a smile, appreciating the small words from Indiana as she made her way through the busy crowd, weaving through people till eventually she made it to the woman dressed in maroon. The tanned woman held some beverage in her hand, bubbly and clear but slightly tinted in yellow, "Excuse me, ma’am. May I ask some questions?" She asked, fiddling with her fingers out of nervousness and looking up at her. The woman turned her attention to Loretta as she approached. Her eyes, like topaz, regarded Loretta with a gentle smile. She nodded politely. "Bien sûr, ma chère," She replied in her smooth, melodic French accent. "I'd be happy to answer your questions."

"You mentioned Joan of Arc’s sword earlier, do you know where it may be?" Loretta asked, her heart beating faster at each passing moment. Loretta, who wasn’t too happy with the answer, decided to press further. "Are you?" She asked before adding more. "Me and my father, he’s been following leads ever since I could remember and if you have it or know where it could be, we’ll pay you handsomely just to see it in the flesh." Loretta lied in a bit of a panic, looking over to Indiana with a smile for a moment. The woman's eyes studied Loretta, a mix of amusement and curiosity etched on her features. She sipped her clear beverage, maintaining her enigmatic smile. "Your father, hmm?" She said, her voice filled with a tantalizing mystery. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed Loretta glancing at Indy briefly and couldn't help but wonder about their relationship. "Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to share its whereabouts." she said in a hushed, melodious French accent, her eyes glimmering with a wicked gleam. "But, my dear, in matters of historical artifacts, knowledge is a currency. And I require more than just payment."

"Like what?" Loretta asked, a little worried this woman may ask for something inappropriate or illegal. Loretta tried her best to mouth for help to Indiana, hoping he’ll understand and come over to the pair. Indiana, observing Loretta from afar, noticed her desperate plea for help and the slight distress in her eyes. He quickly read the situation, recognizing the possibility of Loretta's young naivety being taken advantage of.

With a swift motion, he made his way over to the duo, his presence exuding a subtle air of authority as he reached Loretta's side. He wore a charming smile, his eyes subtly darting between Loretta and the woman with the enigmatic aura. "Ah, it seems you two are in the middle of something," he chimed in, his voice light but firm. "Yeah, me and this lady were talking about Joan of Arc’s sword, Dad." Loretta explained, hoping Indiana will catch on to the little narrative she had set up. Indiana, ever the quick thinker, caught on to her narrative immediately, his mind working quickly to adapt seamlessly to her impromptu storyline. He glanced at Loretta, a sly understanding passing between them, before turning his gaze towards the woman.

"She's very passionate about ancient artifacts," he said with a touch of paternal pride, playing along as Loretta's "father." "I've been taking her to historical exhibitions and such ever since she was a little girl." He extended his hand to the woman, his smile warm and charming. "Dr. Indiana Jones." he introduced himself, adding a flourish as he lifted her hand to his lips, gently pressing a kiss to it. "Comtesse Élodie Sylvestre." She said softly, smiling with her painted red lips as she looked at him. Indiana, maintaining his charming demeanor, nodded acknowledging the woman' name and title. "Comtesse Sylvestre," he repeated with a nod of respect, letting the French title roll off his tongue with practiced ease. "A pleasure to meet you." Loretta stayed quiet throughout the whole ordeal, her eyes glued to Elodie’s lips and how each vowel rolled off her tongue. "It is nice to meet you too, Mr. Jones." Elodie said in her thick French accent.

Indiana noticed Loretta's fixated gaze on Elodie's lips, but he couldn't resist the allure of the woman's French accent himself. He cleared his throat slightly, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "Likewise," he replied, his voice taking on a faint, almost imperceptible, undertone of admiration. The room seemed to pulse with a subtle tension, underpinned by the lingering echoes of their conversation. The mention of the sword and the shared interest in its location hung in the air like an unspoken promise.

"I assume we're discussing Joan of Arc's sword?" Indiana ventured, taking the conversation back to the topic at hand, his eyes glancing between Loretta and Elodie. "Mhm!" Loretta hummed with a smile on her face. "Please tell me everything you know. Comtesse." She practically begged. Elodie, amused by Loretta’s eager plea, couldn't resist the younger girl's enthusiasm. A sly smile graced her lips as she eyed Loretta, clearly charmed by her fervent interest.

"Very well, ma chère," she began in her smooth, melodious voice. "Allow me to share what I know." Elodie took another sip of her drink before continuing, the clear liquid glistening in the muted light of the venue. "The sword of Jeanne d'Arc, a symbol of strength and defiance," she began, her voice filled with a quiet reverence. "Is currently on display in my private collection." Both Loretta and Indiana eyebrows immediately shot up in surprise, this woman had to be lying or it had to be a replica for certain. Indiana especially was taken aback, a flicker of surprise registered on his face. The casual mention of having such an emblematic artifact in her private collection seemed almost too good to be true. "Is that so?" he said, his voice filled with a mix of astonishment and skepticism.

"Can we see it?" Loretta butted in like an impatient child as she looked at Indiana then back to Elodie with a smile. Elodie chuckled at her eagerness, her eyes gleaming with a wicked glint. "You truly are an impetuous little minx." She took another sip of her drink, her painted lips curving into a sly smile. "I could arrange a viewing, yes." Elodie cast a brief glance at Indiana and Loretta, her eyes softening slightly. "In fact, I have a suggestion," she purred, her voice filled with a wistful undertone. "Since you're both so keen on the sword, why not stay with me for a night? It's a shame to talk about such matters in such a crowded place."

Elodie's suggestion hung in the air, wrapped in an air of quiet invitation. The idea of staying the night with Loretta and Indiana seemed to hold a certain appeal for her, an opportunity to share the solitude of her home while discussing the intriguing secrets surrounding the sword. Loretta looked over Indiana, waiting for his response, after all Loretta was still 17 in a foreign country, she couldn’t decide for herself after all. Indiana sensed Loretta's unspoken plea, his mind working quickly to assess the proposal. He met her gaze, a tacit understanding passing between them. He knew Loretta was still 17, and the suggestion carried a certain level of risk. But the chance to lay eyes on Joan of Arcadia's sword was too enticing to ignore. "I suppose a night... wouldn't hurt," he relented, his voice measured but laced with a glimmer of anticipation.

Elodie's smile widened at their acceptance of her invitation, a subtle satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. "Excellent," she said, her voice a silky murmur. "Then it's settled. I'll arrange for a room to be prepared for you both." A big smile was plastered on Loretta’s face as she looked up to Elodie. "Thank you so much, ma’am."

Chapter Text

Elodie's home was an elegantly appointed villa, nestled in a tranquil, expensive neighborhood in Monaco. As Loretta and Indiana approached the grand entrance, the mansion stood imposing against the backdrop of the night, its exterior illuminated by soft, ambient lighting. The door swung open, revealing a luxurious entrance hall that beckoned them into the realm of understated opulence. Loretta was a bit skittish, after all she was staying in a stranger’s mansion but this wasn’t anything new to Indiana, after all he had been all over the world and had met people from all walks of life.

He couldn't help but notice her skittishness as they entered the mansion. He gave her a reassuring smile, understanding her apprehension. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, a silent gesture of support. Elodie, the mansion's gracious hostess, led them deeper into the house, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. "Please, make yourselves at home," she said, her voice echoing softly through the opulent hall.

Loretta nodded her head yes as she admired the intricately carved pillars and countless objects that were displayed from paintings to sculptures, if she could, she would’ve drawn all of them in her journal. Elodie noticed Loretta's awed gaze lingering on the artifacts and decorations, a subtle smirk playing on her lips. She found the girl's enthusiasm endearing, her eyes softening a touch. “You have an eye for beauty," she mused, her voice laced with a faint hint of admiration. A small blush appeared on Loretta’s cheeks but she tried her best to brush it off once more. “Thank you…” She said, almost mumbling her words.

Elodie's smirk deepened at the sight of the blush that dusted Loretta's cheeks. Something about the girl's reaction amused her. She led them down a hallway adorned with an art collection that would make a museum envious. “We should tell Dr. Brody about this place, Professor.” Loretta whispered over to Indiana as the two followed behind Elodie, their shoes clicking against the marble flooring. Her nodded slightly in agreement, his eyes taking in the artwork that adorned the walls. "I'll definitely mention this to Brody," *he murmured in a hushed tone. "He'd be thrilled to know about this collection." She nodded her head, she could only imagine how Dr. Brody’s reaction to such a massive collection.

*After walking a little bit more, Elodie stopped. “These will be your rooms, my servants will happily help you with anything… Mr. Jones, you can sleep with me…” Elodie said with a little wink and a look of lust in her eyes. Indiana's eyebrow raised slightly at Elodie's proposal, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He couldn't deny the intrigue behind her words. "That's a generous offer." he responded, his voice laced with a hint of playful teasing. Elodie's eyes gleamed with amusement at his response. She had hoped to gauge his reaction to her offer, and his playful tone suggested a potential intrigue. A knowing smile graced her lips, the corners tugging upwards in a sly curve as she leaned in slightly.

Loretta watched the two do whatever mating call you could call this and decided to speak up. “Um… which bedroom is mine?” She said with a little awkward chuckle. Elodie, who had been enthralled in her playful banter with Indiana, turned her gaze to Loretta. Her smile widened slightly. "Ah, my dear," she said, her voice laced with a touch of mischievousness. "Your room shall be just next door to your father's." She nodded her head yes as opened the door and slipped through the little opening, she allowed the two love birds to be alone even though she was slightly jealous.

The room that now belonged to Loretta had been used for storage, paintings leaning together against the wall, racks of clothes and all sorts of articles of furniture strung about but more importantly the inch of dust that covered almost everything besides the large canopy bed that sat by a window.

[Hours later.]

After one of Elodie’s servants aided Loretta with her bath and gave her clean clothes, she laid on the bed she had just been introduced to. Elodie… that woman… Loretta was completely enchanted with her, she didn’t feel this way when she saw Humphrey Bogart or Clark Gable on the big screen. Elodie’s face was practically tattooed on her mind despite knowing her for less than a night.

“Loretta, mon cher.” A familiar voice called out from the doorway, Loretta looked over in a daze, Elodie stood in the doorway, her silhouette outlined against the soft glow of the corridor light. Loretta's eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight, her gaze lingering on the way the silk nightgown clung to Elodie's curves. The canopy has been undone from before by one of the servants hours ago, causing the thin fabric harder to make out of the features of Elodie as she began to walk over to Loretta. Never had Loretta ever felt this close to a woman. It was taboo, previously she had heard her mother talk about these “lavender” women and how they’ll ruin her, but she had to be wrong.

Elodie continued her approach, her graceful strides covering the distance between them. The silk of her dress rustled slightly as she moved, the sound echoing softly in the dimly lit room. She halted at the edge of the bed, towering slightly over Loretta, a faint yet warm smile playing on her lips.

The canopy was the only thing separating the two, the moonlight shone down causing Elodie’s shadow to cast onto Loretta and the sheets. She held her arm up, Loretta wanted to touch, to feel this woman that had taken over her mind. Elodie noticed Loretta's longing gesture, her arm extended slightly. A faint glint of satisfaction flickered in her eyes, pleased by the younger girl's longing."Touch me," she whispered, her voice a husky murmur that cut through the silence. Those words felt like an order to Loretta, one she happily obliged to. She placed her hand onto Elodie’s waist, feeling the cool silk of her nightgown and her warm skin.

Elodie's skin was soft and warm beneath Loretta's touch, the silk of her nightgown whispering against Loretta's fingertips. She savored the sensation, her eyes locked onto the girl with a mixture of admiration and desire. "Good girl," she praised, her voice a husky murmur filled with approval. Loretta couldn’t help but blush like crazy but she continued what Elodie asked her to do, her hand traveled further down, placing her hand on Elodie’s thigh.

A satisfied smile graced Elodie's lips as she watched Loretta's hand travel further down, her fingertips tracing a burning trail along the silk of her nightgown. "You're a fast learner," she mused, her voice huskier with a touch of pleasure.

She wanted more, so much more. Loretta wanted to kiss her, feel Elodie’s touch on her skin without the fabric separating the two. She felt like a mortal within a goddess’s presence. Elodie sensed the growing desire between them, a flame flickering in the depths of her eyes. The allure was mutual, and she couldn't deny the magnetic pull between them. Taking a small step closer, she closed the gap between them.

For a moment, Loretta felt like she was in heaven as she closed her eyes. The moment she opened them once again, she didn’t see Elodie nor the moonlight that glistened from the window, Instead the harsh summer sun came through the windows as she heard Indiana’s distant voice. Indiana's voice echoed through the air, calling out to Loretta, his words a stark contrast to the moment she had just experienced. The transition from the dreamlike encounter with Elodie to the real world was swift and sudden, the harsh summer sunlight piercing through the windows. Indiana stood by her bed, concern etched on his face as he called out to her again and again. "Hey, Loretta, you in there?" he said, his voice filled with some urgency.

“Hm…? Yeah…” She mumbled with a small chuckle, trying to hide the immense disappointment she felt as she sat up in bed. “Sorry for sleeping in, Professor.” Indiana's concern immediately melted away, replaced by a faint smirk as Loretta apologized for the late start. "Ah, it's alright," he said, folding his arms over his chest. "I remember your enthusiasm yesterday. Must've worn you out, eh?"

Loretta nodded her head yes as she rubbed the sleep away from her eyes before the memory of Joan of Arc’s sword and the reason the duo were here. “The comtesse… is she gonna show us the sword?” He noticed the brief flicker of disappointment in Loretta's expression, but he brushed it off, attributing it to the transition from dream to reality. "Yeah, she assured me she would," he responded, a confident edge to his voice. "We'll see the sword after breakfast."

“Alright…” She mumbled, swinging her legs over to the side of the bed and yawned. Indiana nodded, his eyes following her movements before turning his attention to the door. He paused for a moment then turned his gaze back to Loretta. "You alright, kid?“ he inquired, genuine concern lacing his tone. She thought about it for a moment, that dream… Did Elodie really see her that way or was that her mind telling that? “Yeah, the pillow's a bit too soft for my liking and my neck hurts.” Loretta lied with a playful chuckle. He raised an eyebrow at her excuse, not fully convinced by her attempt at levity. His instincts as a teacher and a friend could sense that there was something else on her mind. He chuckled lightly, masking a hint of skepticism. "Ah, of course. Too soft pillows and neck aches. Can't blame the pillow, huh?"

“It’s definitely the pillows fault.” She insisted as she hunched over the side of the bed like a middle aged man. Indiana couldn’t help but chuckle at her exaggerated response. He knew she was trying a little too hard to brush off any concern he had. He leaned slightly against the support beam of the bed, a slight smirk on his face. "Of course, blame the pillows," he quipped. "Never mind the fact that you were drooling just a moment ago."

“Huh? I was?” *Loretta blurted out looking down her long nightgown and then back to the pillow she slept on, a small puddle of her own saliva formed on the pillow which tracked down to the sheets of the bed.* Indiana chuckled again, thoroughly amused by Loretta's reaction. He knew he'd hit a nerve, but he kept his tone playful. "Yep, drooling like a baby," he confirmed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You must've been having a pretty wild dream, eh?”

Loretta panicked a little, maybe Indy could piece the pieces together about her dream but nevermind that, she grabbed the sleeve of her night gown and began to try and dry up her drool from the bed. Indiana watched her panicked attempt to clean the drool stain on her pillow, a knowing smile on his face. The pieces were falling into place, and he could tell she was being uncharacteristically cryptic about something. His eyes narrowed slightly, his curiosity piqued. He cleared his throat lightly. "You, uh, want a handkerchief to help out there, kid?"

“Yes please.” She said immediately. Indiana fished a clean handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her. As Loretta took the handkerchief, he couldn’t help but tease her a little. "You know, Loretta," he began with a smirk, "if you're gonna drool in your sleep, might as well be honest about it. No need to make up excuses about the pillows." Loretta sighed as she looked up at Indiana with a guilty glint in her eyes. “I had a dream about Elodie…” She confessed in shame, damping the handkerchief against the damp pillow as if it didn’t matter much.

Indiana raised an eyebrow, surprised by the honesty in Loretta’s confession. He could sense the underlying guilt in her voice, but he feigned ignorance, wanting to hear her out. "A dream about the comtesse, eh?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with curiosity. Loretta nodded her head yes as she eventually cleaned up her drool. She had a hunch he would tease her about it once they got back home in America. He noted the nod from her, his curiosity piqued even more. He could see that Loretta was genuinely bothered by the dream she had about Elodie. He decided to tread lightly but couldn’t resist a slight tease. "Must’ve been some dream," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Care to share any of the... details?" She hesitated for a moment before sighing. “She came into this room during the middle of the night, she wore one of those silky nightgowns and I couldn’t see her face that much because one of her servants undid the canopy but she let me touch her though the fabric… I touched her waist and her thigh and… we kissed… then I woke up.”

He listened intently as her recounted her dream, his expression a mixture of surprise and understanding. He could see the mixture of embarrassment and guilt in her eyes, and he decided to take a more sympathetic approach instead of teasing her. He took a step closer to Loretta, his voice softer than before.* "That’s a pretty intense dream, kid," he said gently, his tone somewhat reassuring. "And you’re feeling guilty about it, am I right?" She once again nodded her head yes. “I’m scared of what my mother might think…” She mumbled sheepishly.

Indiana nodded, understanding Loretta’s concern. He knew the social norms of their time, and Loretta’s dream could be seen as controversial. But he also sensed there was something much deeper troubling her. "And your guilt isn’t just about your mother, is it?” he inquired gently. Indiana’s heart went out to Loretta. His protective instincts kicked in, and he wished he could shield her from the world’s harsh judgments. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his voice firm yet reassuring. "Loretta, listen to me.” He spoke with conviction. "No matter who you are or who you love, that doesn’t change the fact that you are a wonderful person. Your family’s love should be unconditional." She nodded her head yes, wanting to give Indy a hug. “Thank you, Professor… it means a lot to me…” Indiana pulled Loretta into a comforting embrace, wrapping his arms around her slender frame. He held her tightly, hoping to convey his support and understanding. "You don’t have to thank me, kid," he murmured in response. "I’m here for you, no matter what.”

After a moment, Indiana slowly pulled back from the hug, his arms still resting on Loretta’s shoulders. "But I’ve got a question for you," he said, his voice more serious now. He looked into her eyes, his gaze steady and sincere. “Do you have feelings for Elodie? Beyond that dream, I mean?”

“I do, I really do.” She confessed sheepishly. “I know she’s an adult and I’m a teenager but—“ Indiana held up a hand, silently requesting Loretta to pause for a moment. He understood her predicament and the challenges they faced due to their age difference. But he wanted to offer some perspective and advice. "Listen to me, Loretta," he began, his voice gentle yet firm. "It’s natural to have feelings for someone older than you. But you need to be careful. A woman like Elodie… she’s sophisticated, charismatic. She may not see you the way you see her." Loretta nodded her head as thoughts ran through her head. She was being seductive when they met in the bathroom and when they met up again in the venue’s main hall, did she only stop because of her saying Indiana was her father? The questions she asked perhaps? Indiana observed the thoughts and questions swirling in Loretta’s eyes. He could sense her confusion and doubt, and he felt a pang of protectiveness rise within him. He tried to be as straightforward as possible.

"Elodie, from what I’ve seen, she’s a woman who enjoys attention. But don’t forget, she’s also a comtesse. She’s used to having her way and having her pick of men. It could be that she’s just toying with you for entertainment." She went quiet alongside her thoughts. Shame and embarrassment washed all over her body, leaving goosebumps in its wake. He noticed the shift in her demeanor, the shame and embarrassment evident in her expression. He cursed himself internally, realizing he may have been too direct in his warnings. He moved closer, gently placing his hand on her shoulder once more. "Hey, kid, I didn’t mean to make you feel bad," he said, his voice softer now. "I just… I don’t want you to get hurt. I’m looking out for you." He paused for a moment, his voice more serious as he continued. "You know, you're at an impressionable age. Emotions are intense at seventeen and sometimes, we tend to fall for the wrong person. I just don’t want you to end up brokenhearted."

Loretta nodded her head yes once more as she looked up at Indiana, he was right and he had the experience after all. “Thank you, again Professor.” Indiana offered a warm smile. “Anytime, Loretta. That’s what I’m here for. Just… be careful, alright?” He gave her shoulder a pat before releasing his grip. “Now, hurry up and get dressed. We’ve got a sword to see.”

“Yes Professor!” She replied happily as she gestured for Indiana to leave her temporary room. He chuckled lightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “All right, all right. I’m getting out of here.” He moved towards the door, then paused and looked over his shoulder. “And remember, no drooling on pillows again.” He teased, a grin on his face, before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind him. After a couple minutes, Loretta opened the door. She certainly looked much less disheveled than she did when she woke up, her hair was brushed and styled the way she usually had it and she wore a casual yellow dress. “Ready when you are, Professor.” Indiana smiled warmly as Loretta emerged from her room, looking much more put together than before. He nodded with approval. "Looking sharp, kid." He complimented, a hint of pride in his voice. Then, he gestured for her to walk by his side. "Come on, let’s go see what the comtesse has in store for us."

Chapter Text

Indiana and Loretta walked side by side through the expansive hallways of Elodie’s mansion, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The opulence and grandeur were undeniable, but Indiana kept his focus on the task at hand. "This place is a true testament to wealth and luxury," he observed, his voice low but tinged with a hint of disbelief at the extravagance.
"I feel so out of place here." Loretta joked playfully with a chuckle. Indiana chuckled back at her comment, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "You and me both, kid. I’m more used to digging in the dirt than sipping champagne and wearing fancy outfits."

"I mean, that is what you and those coots were doing at the gathering last night." She replied, continuing her walk by Indy. He chuckled again, a hint of lighthearted sarcasm in his voice. "Yeah, right. The gathering felt like a competition on who could have their head stuck further up their ass. Not really my scene." She couldn’t help but giggle at Indiana’s reaction. Indiana smiled, enjoying the lighthearted banter and her giggles. The sound of their voices echoed off the walls, filling the hallway with a sense of camaraderie. "This place is like a damn maze, isn’t it?" he remarked, glancing around at the endless corridors. Loretta nodded her head as she looked up at a painting which depicted a woman blindfolded as she waited for her trial by a guillotine. "Bit gruesome to have this in a hallway…" She mumbled. He noticed her observation and nodded, his eyes roaming over the painting. "Yeah, definitely not a sight you'd want to wake up to every morning," he commented, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. He chuckled dryly, then added, "But I suppose, it suits the comtesse's taste of interior decorating."

"And or humour." Loretta replied as the duo continued through the hall, passing by an open door. Curiosity got the better of them, and they paused for a moment to glance inside. They saw Elodie standing by an empty glass display case, her back turned to the door as if she was lost in thought. Indiana exchanged a brief look with Loretta, his eyebrow raising questioningly. He couldn’t resist his natural tendency for investigation. He leaned slightly closer to Loretta and whispered, his voice barely audible. "Looks like the show has started. Watch and learn." With a subtle and smooth movement, he guided them closer to the open doorway, making sure to stay out of Elodie's line of sight. They concealed themselves behind a nearby arch, allowing them a perfect vantage point to observe the comtesse without being noticed.

Elodie spoke something in French, staring into her reflection of the empty glass cabinet as she ran her hand down the side of her face. Indiana's eyes narrowed, his analytical mind working as he observed the comtesse from their hiding place. He could see the pallid hue to her complexion, a stark contrast to her natural tan. It was odd, almost unnatural. He leaned closer to Loretta, keeping his voice low but intense. "See that?" he murmured. "There's something off about her face... That pallor, it's not normal."

"Maybe she’s sick?" Loretta questioned in a whisper, hoping Elodie was just acting weird with her head barely peeking around the column she hid behind. Indiana's eyes stayed fixed on Elodie as he considered Loretta's suggestion. It was a possibility, but his instincts told him there was more going on than just a simple illness. He shook his head subtly, still whispering. "I don't think so, kid. If she was just ill, she’d be seeking treatment or at least have a doctor looking after her. This is..." he paused, struggling to find the right word. "Let me talk to her." Loretta said, looking up at Indy with a reassuring smile. "Just watch just in case anything happens."

Indiana studied Loretta for a moment, hesitant to put her into potential danger. But he also trusted her instincts and knew she wanted to help. After a brief moment he relented, and nodded once in agreement. "All right. Be careful though, okay?" She nodded her head yes as she pulled away from the shadows, treading carefully towards Elodie. He watched in silence as Loretta emerged from their hiding spot and moved towards Elodie. He kept a careful eye on both of them, ready to step in at the first sign of trouble.

"Comtesse, are you alright?" She asks in a tone full of concern as she tilted her head to the side with a small smile as she placed her hand on the woman’s shoulder. Elodie immediately turned around and shrieked like a bat, her true features finally coming into view. Her irises almost pitch black, fangs replaced her teeth, small horns came from the side of her head and her hands became like claws. Elodie was a succubus all along. Loretta gasped as she stumbled back out of fear, almost having the wind knocked out of her.

Indiana’s eyes widened as the scene unfolded before him. The sight of Elodie’s true form, the horrific transformation from an alluring seductress to a creature of nightmares, made his heart skip a beat. But he quickly regained his composure, his mind racing with thoughts and theories. He moved quickly from his hiding spot, placing himself between Loretta and the succubus, a protective instinct taking over. He extended an arm, holding Loretta back from getting too close to the demonic creature. His voice was firm and steady as he spoke to Elodie, his eyes fixed on hers. "Care to explain yourself, Comtesse?"

"You know how many have entered here in hopes to see the sword? des centaines!" Elodie replied, licking her lips as her gaze danced from Indiana’s to Loretta. Indiana raised an eyebrow, his gaze unwavering as he studied the succubus. He didn’t respond immediately, contemplating the comtesse’s words. But then, a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "I bet you’ve lured many with your charm and grace, haven’t you?" Elodie couldn’t help but grin at Indiana’s words as she took a step closer to the duo, her black heels clicking against the hardwood floors. Loretta meanwhile felt confused, a woman she was crushing on turned out to be a succubus in disguise? She couldn’t complain, but scaring her shitless? That’s where she drew the line. Indiana noticed Loretta’s inner conflict, her confusion clear in her eyes. He kept his arm extended, keeping her shielded behind him as the succubus took a step closer. His gaze flicked back to Elodie, his tone still laced with his signature dry wit. "I’m guessing you haven’t just brought us here just to chat, have you?"

"Of course not, mon amour." She said softly but immediately jumped onto Loretta, tackling her down to the ground. Indiana reacted quickly, lunging forward to try and get between Loretta and Elodie. "Hey! Back off!" He snapped, his protective instincts kicking in as he attempted to pull the succubus off Loretta. He struggled against the demon’s surprising strength, his muscles straining. Loretta thrashed, kicked and screamed but it did nothing as Elodie tried to bite the neck of the poor girl. Indiana’s heart raced as he fought to keep Elodie from harming Loretta. He grunted, his muscles straining with the effort. But the succubus was stronger than she seemed, a supernatural force fueling her. "Get off her!" He growled, his voice edged with desperation. "The sword! Use the sword!" Loretta yelled out as she Elodie shrieked out of frustration and continued her attempt of biting her neck as Loretta tried her damn hardest to hold the succubus away from her.

Joan of Arc’s sword sat behind a glass cabinet, proudly on display with a small gold plaque sat right next to it. Indiana cast a quick eye at the sword, the golden pommel gleaming under the lights. But it was locked away in a glass case, a barrier between him and the weapon that could potentially stop the succubus. He grunted in frustration, still struggling to hold back Elodie. But he had an idea. "Loretta, keep her occupied for a moment!" He called out. She grunted a little, Elodie was practically using the strength of a thousand suns just to attack Loretta. "Give up, petite fille!" Elodie shrieked once more as she reined her attack more and more. With Loretta keeping the succubus distracted, Indiana moved quickly across the room. He approached the glass case holding the sword. He examined it with quick, calculated movements, noting the fastenings that held it closed. He clenched his jaw, focusing all his energy into one decisive move. With a firm blow of his fist, he shattered the glass, the sound of shattering loud in the room. With the glass shattered, he reached into the broken case and gripped the sword firmly in his hand. He felt a shiver of anticipation run through him as the cold metal touched his palm.He gritted his teeth, turning back to Loretta and Elodie.

"Elodie!" He shouted, commanding her attention. She looked up at the mention of her name, the sword close to her face as her appearance reflected back. Indiana’s grip on the sword tightened, his expression grim and determined. He met the succubus’s gaze, seeing the monstrous nature reflected in her eyes. He realized what he had to do, what was necessary. "I’m sorry, Loretta," he murmured, his voice steeped with remorse, feeling it was wrong to show his student violence like this. But there was no choice. He stepped forward, his arm raised with the sword.

"Say ‘au revoir’ to your head," he said in a stern commanding voice, channeling all of his strength into the incoming action. With a swift, precise movement he swung the sword, its blade a deadly flash of steel as it cut through the air. The succubus’s head toppled from her body, rolling across the floor with a dull thud. Loretta’s eyes widened in shock as Elodie’s head rolled across the floor, stopping right next to her. She immediately screamed at the top of her lungs, kicking Elodie’s decapitated corpse off her body. Blood stained her dress and dripped onto her arms. Glass covered her left arm and shoulder as she covered her face with her hands.

Indiana quickly went to Loretta’s side, dropping the sword at his feet. He knelt down next to her, his expression a mix of concern and regret. "Hey, it’s okay… it’s okay," he said soothingly, reaching out to comfort her but mindful of the blood that stained her. "Shhh, it's okay, kid," he murmured, his voice filled with a mixture of comfort and reassurance, his hand gently rubbing her shoulder. "It's over. It's okay, Loretta. You're safe. I've got you." Each rub caused the glass to dig deeper into her skin, causing her to wince in pain. Tears split from the corners of her eyes as she buried her face into Indiana’s shirt.

Indiana’s eyes widened as Loretta winced in pain. He looked down to see the glass sticking into her skin, his heart aching for her pain. "Oh, hell..." he muttered. He gently moved his hand from her shoulder, carefully moving some of her hair away from her face. "Stay still, alright? You’re covered in glass..." She nodded her head yes, rubbing the tears away that continued to roll her face. "I’m… I'm sorry, Professor." She said between howls of pain. Indiana's eyes softened with genuine concern as Loretta apologized through her tears. He shook his head, his voice firm but gentle. "No, no. Don’t apologize, Loretta. You've got nothing to apologize for. But we gotta get some of this glass out of you." He gently touched a piece of glass in her arm, his touch light and careful. He knew he had to remove them somehow.

He glanced around, his eyes searching for something to use. He spotted a table nearby with a few linens on it, probably used for a tea setup. "Wait here for a second, kid. I’ll be right back." He quickly got up, grabbing a few of the linens before returning to Loretta’s side. Indiana knelt down beside her once again, the linens he had retrieved in his hand. His movements were gentle, almost fatherly as he gently dabbed her face, wiping away some of the tears. He then focused on the shards of glass in her arm.

"This might hurt a little," he warned, his voice low and steady. Loretta nodded her head yes, gritting and wincing at each piece of glass Indiana extracted from her arm as tears continued to stream down her cheek. Each wince and whimper from Loretta tugged at Indiana's heart strings, making him wish he could take away her pain. But he knew he couldn’t... But could at least ease it as best as he could. He worked with a steady hand, pulling out each shard of glass with care, each removal bringing a sharp gasp from Loretta. "I know, kid. Almost done..."

After a few more nerve-wracking minutes, Indiana managed to remove all the glass from Loretta’s arm. He breathed out, dropping the shards onto the floor. He took the linen, gently wrapping it around her injured arm to stop any further bleeding. "T-thank you…" She mumbled with a shaky breath as Indiana wrapped the linen around her arm. Her eyes were still wet from her tears and her eyelashes clumped together. She wanted to look at the pieces of glass that Indiana pulled out but it also meant looking at Elodie’s corpse. "Don’t mention it, kid. You’ll be fine. Just a small scar, that’s all."

He wrapped the last bit of linen around her arm, then sat back, his gaze shifting for a moment to the decapitated succubus on the floor. Loretta nodded her head yes, staying quiet as her mind continued to process what just happened. Footsteps were heard from the hallway they were just in but eventually Elodie’s servants bursted into the room, they all had a shocked expression as they saw the duo and Elodie’s decapitated corpse. Indiana felt Loretta stiffen a little as the servants stormed into the room. He glanced in their direction, his gaze sharp and calculating. He didn’t know what these servants’ intentions were, if they were like their mistresses or not.

He slowly got up, moving to place himself between them and Loretta, his body on alert. "Whoa, fellas. Take it easy," he said in a measured tone, his hands raised in a defensive gesture. He kept his eyes focused on the servants, mentally calculating each one’s potential threat level. They were all small in stature, almost at Loretta’s height. One of the servants who was dressed in black and white from head to toe stepped out of the group. "What have you done to our lady!?" He yelled out in a thick French accent which Loretta and Indy could barely decipher. Indiana clenched his jaw, sizing up the small servant in black and white. He lowered his hands slightly, his fingers just hovering over the whip holstered in his belt.

"Your ‘lady’ was no saint," he replied, his tone flat. He nodded towards the decapitated body. "She was a succubus, a damn demon. She lured people here only to kill them." The servants looked amongst themselves with a clueless expression on all of their faces. Loretta was bewildered at the servants’s expression as she carefully stood up, using the edge of the wooden cabinet as support. Indiana noticed Loretta's surprise and confusion, his eyes flickering towards her for a moment. He knew that she would be feeling sore from the shards of glass. He turned his attention back to the servants, his expression hardening. "You're telling me you had no damn idea?" he asked, his tone skeptical. They all looked back to Indiana, shaking their head no in unison. "Aren’t you at least going to say something?" Loretta added on. Indiana glanced at Loretta, then back at the servants. He let out a snort, clearly frustrated by the situation. He crossed his arms across his chest, shifting his weight. "Well, ain't that just wonderful," he muttered sarcastically. He then turned his gaze to Loretta. "And what exactly do you want me to say, kid?" She simply shrugged her shoulders as she bent over to grab Joan of Arc’s sword, the cold metal leaving goosebumps in its wake. "We should probably take this home…"

Indiana watched as Loretta picked up the sword. He gave an appreciative nod. That was a very good idea. "Yep. This is coming with us." He gave the servants another glance, making sure none of them were making any sudden moves. "You lot, clean this all up. And maybe be a little more careful about who you serve next time." He turned, gently ushering Loretta away from the mess. The servants immediately went to work cleaning the blood, glass but more importantly, Elodie’s corpse as they rushed past the duo. Indiana followed Loretta as she exited the room. He watched her hold the sword like a teddy bear, and couldn't help but find it a bit amusing. He cleared his throat to keep himself from laughing. "Hold onto that sword tightly. You never know when you'll need it." he advised, following her into the hallway.

[Many days later]

After what felt like a long trip back home, the duo arrived back in America where Marcus Brody immediately took the sword to study and authenticate it for the museum's collection. It took days to hear news about it, but the moment Indiana got the news. He immediately went to the Crawford's place of residence.

Loretta’s father sat on the front porch with a cigar in hand and Loretta was there, wearing a summer dress and talking to him. Indy walked up to the porch, noticing Loretta and her dad sitting and chatting. He gave a small smile seeing the interaction between the two. He made his way up the steps, clearing his throat to get their attention. "Hey there. Hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Hi Professor!" Loretta exclaimed happily with a smile. "Afternoon." Mr. Crawford grumbled. "You’re not interrupting anything." Loretta added on. Mr. Crawford wasn’t the happiest man alive, despite being surrounded by Loretta's cheerful attitude, he was always grumpy. He also had rather bushy gray eyebrows despite being slightly older than Indy. Indiana nodded in acknowledgement to Mr. Crawford. "Nice to see you, Mr. Crawford," he replied politely. He then turned his attention to Loretta, excitement bubbling within him to share the news with her. "Hey kid, you want the good news or the bad news first?"

"The bad news?" She replied, an awkward expression played on her face. "The bad news... is that there is no bad news," he replied, a smile creeping onto his face. "The sword... it's real. Completely real. The Museum's going to take it, display it as one of the most unique and rare objects the world's ever seen." Loretta’s eyes lit up like stars as she turned to her father, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him. "Pa! Pa! You hear that?!" She screamed happily with a smile. Indiana chuckled warmly at Loretta's enthusiasm. It was the kind of excitement he loved to see. "Yup. The real deal. All thanks partly to you, kid." He said, giving her a smile. He glanced over at Mr. Crawford, trying to gauge his reaction. "Guess we should be expecting a party after this?"

"Hmm… maybe…" Me. Crawford said with a small smile playing on his face for once. "Go tell your mother. She’ll be proud." He added on, gesturing for Loretta to find her mother within the house. "Go on, kid," He encouraged Loretta. He looked back to Loretta's dad. "You've got an amazing kid here, Mr. Crawford. She'll do great things." He looked over to Loretta's retreating form. "And she's going to have one hell of a party thrown for her, I bet... if there's one thing I know it's that she deserves it."

"Wonderful girl… she takes after her mother." Mr. Crawford said as she tapped his cigar on the edge of the ashtray that was on the table next to him. "You should join us, you deserve it too Indiana." Indiana looked a bit caught off guard at Mr. Crawford's offer. But it was a pleasant surprise. He gave a respectful nod in reply. "Thank you, Mr. Crawford. I'll be honored to join," he replied sincerely. He was touched by the kindness in Mr. Crawford’s words. Maybe Loretta’s Dad wasn’t so hard and cold after all.

Commotion came from inside the house as Loretta dragged her mother outside to the porch, her apron messy from house chores and whatever meal she had prepared in the past. "Loretta, you better be telling the truth." Her mother said in a somewhat stern tone of voice. "Ah, good to see you Mr. Jones." Mrs. Crawford added on in a more friendlier tone. Indiana nodded in acknowledgement to Loretta's mother. "Good to see you too, Mrs. Crawford." He took a moment to look at Loretta, a hint of amusement in his eyes at her enthusiasm. But he also noticed her mother's stern tone. He decided to back up Loretta's words. "The sword is real, Mrs. Crawford," he confirmed. "It's a rare, unique find and the Museum is lucky to have it. Mrs. Crawford’s eyes lit up just like Loretta’s before. She was a religious woman unlike her husband but she spoke something in Italian before giving Loretta a tight hug. Indiana watched the interaction with a small smile. It was a heartwarming scene to witness. "We were thinking of having a small gathering to celebrate," he added. "That's if you'd be amenable to it, of course."

"Of course!" Mrs. Crawford said happily as she gestured for everyone to enter the house."Loretta’s lucky I’m cooking her and her father’s favorite." She added on, immediately heading to the kitchen as Loretta and her father at the dining table. Indiana stepped inside the Crawford's home, taking in the warmth and comfort that filled the space. Pictures of the family were hung up by the entrance, some had the whole family while others had Loretta and her older brother. "Smells good, Mrs. Crawford," he complimented as he followed Loretta's mom to the kitchen. The smell of whatever she was cooking wafted through the air, making his stomach growl a little. "Need any help in there?" She shooed Indiana off with her hand. "Go sit with Loretta and her father. I’ll bring dinner when it’s ready, ok?" She said sternly as she added some herb into the dish she was making. "Alright, you got it." Indiana made his way to where Loretta and her father were. He took a seat, leaning back in the chair. He gave them a glance, noting Loretta's enthusiasm once again. "Your mother's cooking something wonderful, it seems."

"She’s cooking spaghetti bolognaise." Loretta said with a smile. "You’ve had it before, right Professor?" She added on.

"Ah, spaghetti bolognese. Classic Italian dish." He replied with a nod. "And yes, I've had it before. But no one does it quite like your mother, that's for sure." He grinned at Loretta. Then turned his attention to Mr. Crawford. "How about you, Mr. Crawford? You looking forward to dinner?" Mr. Crawford nodded his head with a gruff, his cigar still continuing to burn between his lips. Indy chuckled, leaning back and getting a bit more comfortable in the chair. "A man of few words, huh? I can respect that." He turned his gaze back to Loretta. "Well, kid, looks like we're in for a real treat tonight. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the celebration. You earned it." Loretta couldn’t help but smile as she made direct eye contact with Indiana. "I couldn’t do it without you convincing me to go to Monaco anyway." Her eyes drifted to the empty seat at the end of the table, one reserved often for her brother. Indiana noticed the empty seat and Loretta's glance towards it. "Your brother would be proud of you," he added softly, his tone genuinely appreciative of Loretta's efforts. "You did great, kid," he continued. "And you know I'll always have your back... especially when it comes to exploring, and adventure... And fighting against demons and all that. We make a great team, don't we?" Me. Crawford’s eyes immediately shot up at the mention of demons, finally revealing his eyes. "Loretta… What did you two do?" He asked, slowly turning his head to his daughter. Loretta couldn’t help but laugh at her father’s reaction.

"We do make a good team!" Completely ignoring her father’s concern. Indiana watched Loretta's dad's reaction with mild amusement, his expression calm and composed. "Nothing we couldn't handle, Mr. Crawford," he replied, his tone casual and reassuring. "Just a bit of... well, a bit of adventure that's all." He turned his attention back to Loretta, matching her smile with one of his own. That we do, kid. And there's plenty more adventure to be had."

Chapter Text

Loretta sat by a window in Indiana’s class as he wrote on the black board, the stub of chalk squeaking against the enamel and the sounds of her fellow classmates either whispering to each other or their eyes glued to Indiana and ogling at him. Soon one of the ladies from the school’s office knocked on the door, opening it slowly and peeking her head out. "Mr. Jones, Mr. Brody is waiting for you in your office." Indiana paused mid-word, he shot a sideways glance at the open door where the voice came from. He sighed, rolling his eyes slightly but his expression remained his usual charismatic demeanor. "Of course he is..." he mused to himself before calling back. "One moment." He erased what he'd written, his eyes still half on the front desk staff member and half in the class of admirers. "I'll wrap things up here. Tell Mr. Brody, I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Will do. Oh, and don’t forget to bring Mrs. Crawford with you." She added on, smiling as she closed the door and walked away, her heels clicking against the hardwood floors in the hallway, dissipating in the far distance. Most of the students stared at Loretta at the mention of her surname, could she be in trouble? Important news that Mr. Jones must know? Maybe some secret affair to past tests or something worse? After the door had closed, Indiana let out a sigh, shaking his head. He knew what was going on. "Alright, settle down. Class is still in session," he announced firmly, making his way to the front of his desk and leaned back against it. "Now... What have we discussed in class so far today? Hm? Let's see if I can keep you engaged, before Mr. Brody drags me away."

The class began to buzz with murmurs and raised hands, some kids trying to catch Indiana's eye, trying to get his attention. He looked at each one of them in turn, his expression remaining firm and patient. "Alright, alright," he said, holding up a hand to quiet them down. "One question at a time. Cecelia, you've been keeping your hand up the longest, so I suggest that you ask your question first." She put her hand down as the class fell silent "Um so, how exactly do we analyze bones? We can’t exactly slice them in half or chew on it like a dog." Cecelia replied, smiling as she asked her question. Indiana chuckled slightly at the question, both amused and impressed. He nodded approvingly at her. "Ah, a good question from Cecelia," he said. "And you're right, we can't exactly cut bones in half or chew on them like dogs," he added, his tone teasing and lighthearted. "But fear not, we have other, more... sophisticated methods for examining bones." Despite Loretta’s enthusiasm for archeology, she felt like she could easily fall asleep. Counting blades of grass outside or watching the clouds pass by seemed more thrilling than the same questions being asked over, and over, and over again. She stared over to Cecelia, her eyes burning into the back over her head.

After a series of mundane questions, Indiana reached the part of class where he could feel the collective boredom starting to set in. He could tell he was losing a lot of the students, their attention drifting, eyes glazed over. He glanced at Loretta out of the corner of his eye, noticing her growing bored expression. Indiana thought to himself, 'Seems I'm not the only one tired.' "Alright, alright, I think that's enough questions for now," he said, clearing his throat. "Class dismissed."

The classroom immediately erupted into chatter as the school bell rang, the rumblings of chairs being pushed against the floor and the sounds flicking of paper, but eventually, they all left. Leaving only Loretta and Indy left. Loretta walked up to the front of the class where Indiana was erasing his chalk markings on the blackboard. "Why does Mr. Brody need us?" He turned to her when he heard her voice, packing up his belongings with a tired sigh. He ran a hand through his hair, looking over to her with a weary smile. "I wish I knew, kid," he replied, tossing his chalk aside. "But knowing Brody, it's probably something important. But don't worry, I'll have him spill the details. You and I are a package deal, after all." She couldn’t help but chuckle a little at the comment. "I’ll meet you at your office, I just need to put my books away." She replied, gesturing outside towards the hallway with a small smile. He nodded in acknowledgment. He watched as Loretta headed out into the hallway to put her things away. He couldn't help but chuckle at her comment. "Sounds like a plan. Just don't take too long, we've got a busy day ahead of us." Indiana gathered his things and prepared to head to his office, mentally bracing himself for whatever Brody Brody had in store for them.

Loretta nodded her head yes, waving goodbye to Indiana despite seeing him in a couple minutes. She opened the door and entered the hallway, some students were strung about, some were walking down the hall and chatting while others sat in groups and leaned up against their lockers. She began to walk down the hallway, turning her mind off as she delved into her thoughts. Indiana watched her leave and chuckled to himself before heading into the hallway in the opposite direction she had left. He could hear snippets of conversation around him, some students gossiping about the latest school drama or about their weekend plans. It all seemed so trivial to him, compared to adult life.

Eventually, he reached his office and pushed open the door with a weary sigh. Inside, he found Brody Brody standing by the desk, looking as cheerful and enthusiastic as ever. Brody was flipping through a file on Indiana's desk, his eyes scanning the papers intently. At the sound of the door opening, he looked up, his face lighting up in greeting "Jones, you're here! Perfect!" he exclaimed, waving his hand animatedly as if the news was the best thing that ever happened to him. Indiana crossed over, leaning against the desk and giving his friend a friendly nod. "So, what's the deal, Brody?" he inquired, trying to read the file on the desk. Before Brody could respond to Indiana’s question, a knock was heard and along with it the silhouette of a young woman painted in the small window of the door. Indiana's head snapped towards the door, his expression immediately perking up as he recognized the silhouette. Brody followed his gaze with a curious look. "You can come in!" Indiana called out, waving for the women to enter. The figure pushed open the door and entered the office, revealing Loretta. Indiana's eyes lit up as his gaze met Loretta's. Brody eyed the two of them with interest.

"Hi Mr. Brody!" She said cheerfully, closing the door behind her as she walked up to the two as she met Indy’s gaze for a moment then went to Brody’s. He grinned at Loretta's cheerful greeting, greeting her with equal enthusiasm. "Ah, Miss Crawford, good day to you!" Indiana chuckled a bit, shaking his head a little at Brody's eagerness. "Alright, alright, settle down, Marcus." he said, nudging his friend's arm. "So, what's the big 'secret' here? Why've you called us both in this office?"

At Indiana's question, Brody's face lit up, waddling back over to where the file he brought in laid on Indy’s desk. "Ah, yes, yes..." Brody's hands flipped to a page in the file, his eyes scanning the words on it. He then looked up with an excited grin. "Well, Jones, you're not going to believe this. I've got some exciting news for you... something we've been chasing for a while. And I think you and Miss Crawford have the chance to be a part of it..." Indiana's curiosity was piqued at Brody's words. He could tell by the look on his friend's face that this was going to be big. He crossed his arms, waiting for Brody to continue. "Go on," he urged him, his expression now one of interest. "What is it? What's this opportunity you're talking about?" Brody flicked through the file, humming and scanning the words as he tried to find the right page, Indy and Loretta couldn’t help but tower over him with intrigue. He continued to flip through the pages, his eyes darting between lines. Finally, he found what he was looking for and a wide grin spread across his face. "Aha! Here it is!" He exclaimed, holding the page open for Indy and Loretta to see. "Have either of you ever heard of the ancient Kantele?"

Loretta shook her head no as her eyes scanned the paper shoved into her face. "I know what a kantele is… but an ancient one?" She said with a voice full of confusion. Brody nodded, clearly excited about the topic at hand. "Exactly, Miss Crawford," he confirmed. "This isn't just any kantele, no sir. It's an ancient and incredibly rare artifact, said to have been made by Väinämöinen himself, a legendary Finnish runemaster and bard." Indiana's eyebrows shot up at the mention of the legendary name. "Väinämöinen? You mean the same Väinämöinen that appears in the Finnish Kalevala? The same Väinämöinen who created the world with his songs?" Brody nodded eagerly, grinning at his familiarity with the legends of Väinämöinen. "That's right, Jones. The very same Väinämöinen," he confirmed. "This Kantele is said to be an incredibly powerful artifact, one that's been lost for centuries. And now, recent reports suggest it might have resurfaced somewhere in Finland." Indiana's interest was piqued even more, his eyes narrowing slightly as his mind raced at the possibilities. But his eyes narrowed further in confusion. "Finland, eh...?" he mused, shifting his gaze to Loretta, who looked equally intrigued by the news. She couldn’t help but briefly grin at him as she leaned against the desk, flatting whatever unimportant documents littered on Indiana’s desk under her hand. Indiana raised an eyebrow at Loretta's casual disregard for his documents, but he had more important things on his mind at the moment. He turned his attention back to Brody. "Alright," he said, resting his hands on the edge of the desk. "So, what's the deal? Are we heading to Finland to track down this legendary Kantele?" Brody clapped his hands together, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"That's the plan, Jones! You and Miss Crawford will travel to Finland, see if there's any truth to these reports. And if the Kantele is actually there, bring it back here to the museum where it can be safely studied." Indiana nodded thoughtfully, processing the information. He then gave Loretta a sideways glance. She looked just as eager as he was. "Alright, sounds like quite an adventure," he said, drumming his fingers against the desk. "When do we leave?" Brody looked at his watch, thinking for a moment before looking back up at them. "As soon as possible," he answered. "I've already got your flight booked for the day after tomorrow, and I've arranged for a local guide to meet you in Finland. He'll help you navigate the area and act as a translator if necessary."

Like a deer in headlights, Loretta froze stiff like a log. Tomorrow? Out of all days!? She could already hear her mother’s voice in her head yelling obscenities in Italian and the rush of packing her bags. Indy noticed her sudden change in demeanor, her face going pale. He could practically feel the tension radiating off of her. He turned to Brody, his expression becoming one of concern. "The day after tomorrow, hm?" he said, his voice laced with worry. "Brody, might I have a moment alone with Miss Crawford?" Brody, sensing the importance of the situation, nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him. Indy turned towards Loretta, his eyes studying her worried expression. He took a few steps forward, his voice soft yet firm. "Hey, Loretta, talk to me. What's going through that head of yours right now?"

She tried her best to find the words as she stuttered. "I don’t t-think my mother would like me going on that expedition… but I’ll talk to her tonight about it, I p-promise." He listened to her intently, his eyes studying her worried expression. He could see the conflict behind her words. He nodded slowly, his voice still soft yet reassuring. "I understand your concern, Loretta," he responded. "But I want you to know, if your mother has any doubts, I'm more than happy to talk to her. I'll make sure she understands the importance and safety measures of this trip." Loretta nodded her head yes, a small appreciative smile on her face as Indiana reassured her. "Thank you, Professor." But a small chuckle couldn’t help but escape her mouth at the irony, she had been shot in the leg, broken glass in her arm and landed face first onto stone on previous adventures. Indy let out a low chuckle himself, a mixture of irony and slight amusement. "You're quite welcome, kiddo," he replied, crossing his arms and leaning against the desk. "And you know, Loretta, having survived the things we have together... a visit to Finland might just be a walk in the park for us."

"Hopefully." She said softly, the moment she had finished speaking, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break. Indiana glanced at the clock, frowning at the sound of the bell. Time was up, and the students would be back soon. "Looks like our little break is over," he sighed, stretching his arms a bit. "Listen, Loretta, don't worry too much about this. Go talk to your mom tonight, and I'll handle any concerns she might have. We'll figure this out, alright?" She nodded her head yes as she began to make her way to the door. "I will, I’ll see you later." With a smile on her face, she twisted the doorknob and left Indiana’s office. Also waving goodbye to Brody who stood outside in the hallway on her way out.

Indiana watched her leave, a mixture of pride and worry on his face. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the rest of the day. Brody reentered the office, a knowing look on his face. Brody closed the door behind him and chuckled a little, breaking the silence. "Quite fond of Miss Crawford, aren't you?" Indiana rolled his eyes at his little comment, though he couldn't hide the hint of a smile on his face. "Don't start, Marcus," he said, shaking his head. "We've been through this before. I'm just looking out for her. She's a good kid." Brody raised an eyebrow, a sly smile on his face. "Oh come on, Jones, you can't fool me," he teased lightly. "You practically treat her like your own daughter." He let out a sigh, knowing there was some truth in Brody's words. He leaned back against the desk. "Alright, fine, you're right," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "There's no denying that Loretta's special. She reminds me of myself when I was her age... adventurous, fearless, and a bit reckless."

Chapter Text

[A day later]

Loretta sat in the library of Marshall High school, busy catching up on homework. Her pencilcase’s contents littered on the desk she sat at but she couldn’t care less. There weren't a lot of students, some were helping the librarian with placing books back on the shelves while others were doing the same as Loretta. But she came to a pause when she heard Indiana’s voice in the far distance. She hadn't told Indiana what her parents said about their trip to Finland. Indiana strolled into the library, a stack of books in his arms, when he caught sight of Loretta sitting at a desk. "Speak of the devil." he mumbled to himself, making his way over to her. He set the books down on the desk, clearing his throat. Indy leaned against the desk, looking down at Loretta with a concerned expression. "Hey, kid. Can we talk for a minute?"

"Sure, what's wrong?" She asked, furrowing her eyebrows as she placed her pencil down. She couldn’t help but wonder about the books Indiana placed on the table, she couldn’t see the spine of them. He pushed the books aside, clearly not his main concern right now. He took a seat across from Loretta, studying her face intently. "I wanted to check in with you," he began, his voice laced with a hint of seriousness. "Did you talk to your mom about the Finland trip?"

"Yeah I did…" Replied Loretta, her cheerful expression leaving. "She’s hesitant but she said yes." Indiana let out a small sigh, both relieved and concerned by her response. "I see," he replied, scratching his jawline thoughtfully. "And she wasn't too worried about you going on an expedition halfway across the world with an old man like me?"

"Kind of, she’s met you a couple times and she trusts you and it’s not like you’re some random man. I’ll pack the moment I get home though." Loretta added on, her eyes slowly going back to her homework. Indiana chuckled lightly at her response, appreciating the trust placed in him. He nodded as she mentioned packing her bags. "Good, good," he agreed. "Make sure you pack warm clothes, Finland can get quite cold this time of year. And don't forget to bring your camera – who knows what fascinating sights we'll encounter on our adventure."

"I’ll bring my journal and I’ll buy a couple souvenirs for my family!" She exclaimed, her voice full of excitement. Her voice echoed throughout the library though, causing all the students to look over at her and the librarian to shush her. He couldn't help but chuckle as Loretta's voice rang out loudly. The students in the library looked up from their tasks, and the librarian shot Loretta a stern look. "Keep your voice down, kid," he teased, grinning at her enthusiasm. He leaned forward, lowering his voice to a whisper. "But I like your spirit. We're going to have a hell of a time in Finland, I can feel it."

[Days Later]

Loretta and Indiana stood in Senate Square, Helsinki, jet lagged, tired and overwhelmed as they looked down at a map Marcus Brody gave to them while at the airport. It was all in Finnish and the guide Marcus had organised? Nowhere to be seen. Indiana and Loretta stood shoulder to shoulder, squinting at the map in front of them. The foreign language and lack of a guide were making their situation all the more challenging. Indy let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing his temples. "Well, this is just great," he muttered sarcastically. "No guide, a map in a language we don't understand, and we're exhausted to boot. It's going to be a long day..."

"Can we go home now?" Loretta jokingly asked but there was a hint of truth behind her words as she looked up to Indiana, the sun was bright enough to blind anyone, yet the locals had no issue with it. He chuckled at her half-joking question, but he couldn't blame her for wanting to throw in the towel. The situation was anything but ideal. "Funny, Loretta," he said, folding up the map. "Unfortunately, we didn't fly all the way to Finland just to turn tail and run at the first sign of trouble." He glanced around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings and the foreign language that surrounded them. "First things first, we need to find our guide. I wonder where he is..." Loretta shoved her hand down her pocket, eventually pulling out a letter written by Marcus Brody detailing the trip, who the guide is and most expenses covered, double checking everything. "I don’t think they’re ever coming…"

He took it from her, his eyes quickly scanning the contents. "Let me see that," he said, frowning as he read. After a moment he spoke, "Well, I'll be damned. You're right, Loretta. Either our guide got cold feet or they just plain disappeared." He let out a heavy sigh, handing the letter back to Loretta. "Looks like we're on our own, kid." Before Loretta could even take the letter back, a voice called out to the duo. "Dr. Jones! Miss Crawford!" The man’s Finnish accent was thick like molasses, he had wrinkles that framed his face and a smug expression was plastered on that very face, permanent or temporary was the question the duo held. He eventually walked up to the pair, holding his hand out to shake Loretta’s and Indy’s. "I am so sorry for the wait, I forgot where I placed my keys." Indiana eyed the mysterious man with a mix of surprise and suspicion. "Ah, so you're our guide, I presume?" he said, shaking the man's outstretched hand. "Don't worry about the keys, everyone has their moments. You are..?"

"Sami Valtameri, but you can call me Sam." He replied as Loretta shook her hand with him, he immediately placed his hand in his pockets afterwards. "I am surprised that Mr. Brody did not mention my name." Indiana nodded at Sam's introduction, mentally filing away the name. "Indeed, Marcus neglected to mention your name," he noted, his eyes lingering on Sam's pocket, where his hand now resided. He shifted his weight a bit, looking around with a hint of annoyance. "But enough about names. We're a bit lost here, Sam. How about you show us the way to where we're staying?"

"Of course! Follow me. You need help with your bags?" He asked in a friendly manner, his accent sounded humorous to Loretta as she tried to stifle her giggle. Indy glanced down at his bags, and then at Sam's offer. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He shook his head. "No, no. I think we can manage," he replied, slinging his bag over his shoulder and gesturing for Loretta to do the same. "Lead the way, Sam." Sam began to walk north-east, his shoes clicking against the pavement with his hands still in his pocket. "What got you into Archaeology?" Indiana followed Sam, his footsteps falling in sync with the guide's. He adjusted the strap of his bag, contemplating the question. "A mix of factors, really," Indy began, his tone almost nostalgic. "Ever since I was a kid, I've had a fascination with history and uncovering the stories of civilizations long past." He glanced at Loretta, who was listening intently. "My father, also an archaeologist, nurtured that passion."

"How wonderful." He replied, sounding genuinely amazed at Indiana’s answer. "What about you, nuori?" Sam repeated the question to Loretta. "Well, my first exposure was when I ripped up my pa’s Egyptology book when I was a toddler. But I read Tintin and Cigars of the Pharaoh and thought The archeology aspect was interesting." Loretta replied cheerfully with a smile, despite the jet lag slowly getting more and more to her. Indiana chuckled at her answer, the mental image of a toddler-age Loretta destroying a book in pursuit of discovery bringing a smile to his face. "Ah, a true scholar in the making," he quipped, nodding approvingly at her response. "Ripping up books for knowledge is quite the initiation into the world of Archaeology." Sam couldn’t help but chuckle at Loretta’s response, the golden hair at the back of his head bobbing up and down with chuckle. Indiana glanced at him, a slight twinkle in his eye. He knew full well that most men wouldn’t be amused by the prospect of a toddler destroying their property, yet Sam’s reaction seemed surprisingly different. "So, Sam," Indiana began, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "How long have you been a tour guide here in Finland?"

"22 years. I grew up in Eckerö, far west of Helsinki. It’s a fishing town but also many ships will come and go to Sweden. Many travellers came and I loved their stories and being a guide is a good way to hear stories from all sorts of walks of life ." He replied, looking back at the duo, that smug smile still on his face. Indiana and Loretta listened attentively as Sam shared his background. Indy's eyebrow raised slightly at the mention of Eckerö. "So, you've been in this line of work for quite some time," he commented, a hint of respect in his tone. "And you've heard countless stories from people all over the world. That's quite remarkable." He cast a sidelong glance at Loretta, who seemed just as intrigued as he was. The duo continued to walk behind Sam but Indy’s mind was now filled with curiosity about the man who was leading them through the streets of Helsinki. But before he could ask another question, a thought occurred to him."So Sam," he began, his voice betraying a hint of concern. "I take it you're familiar with the area we plan on exploring, right? Any potential dangers we should be aware of?"

"Natural elements, weather and animals." He replied as he stopped at an entrance of a decent looking hotel. "Marcus organised your stay here, including me." He added on. He nodded as Sam listed the potential hazards of their expedition. He had dealt with worse back in India with Short Round and Willie. "I see," he said, taking in the sight of the hotel. It was a decent place, nothing fancy but clean and comfortable-looking. He turned to Loretta, who appeared to be equally satisfied with the accommodation. "Looks like our friend Marcus has taken care of us," he remarked. "Finally, no dingy hotels for us, Professor." Loretta joked with a chuckle as she wiped the sweat off her brow, her suitcase felt like it weighed a ton and about to burst at the seam. Indiana chuckled at her comment. "No dingy hotels this time, Loretta," he agreed, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Looks like Marcus decided to spoil us a bit on this trip. And I don't think I'll complain about that."

As they entered, Indy couldn't help but notice that strange look on Sam's face again. He couldn't quite pin it down, it was a mix of confidence and something else. He made a mental note to keep a close eye on the guide. As they walked further into the lobby, the cool air provided a welcome relief from the Finnish heat outside. Indiana's eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the modest yet comfortable interior. A few other people milled about, either checking in or checking out. He glanced at Loretta, who seemed to be just as impressed with the place. Then, he turned his attention back towards Sam, who was now leaning against the reception counter, that smirk ever-present on his face

Sam was talking to the receptionist, speaking Finnish and using what seemed to be kind hand gestures. Loretta was relishing in the cool air, she could’ve easily slept standing up and her exhaustion and jet lag didn’t aid her either. Indy watched as Sam conversed fluently with the receptionist in Finnish, his eyes drifting momentarily to Loretta. He could see the weariness in her face, the jet lag and fatigue from the journey taking their toll on her. Ever the observant one, Indiana reached out and gently placed a hand on Loretta's shoulder, offering her a reassuring squeeze. "Almost there, kid," he said softly, a hint of concern in his voice. He turned his attention back to Sam, who was now finishing up his conversation with the receptionist.

The receptionist soon gave Sam two keys with a friendly smile on her face, waving goodbye as he left the desk. He walked up to the pair, handing Indiana one of the set of keys. "Here, my room is right next to yours." He accepted the key from Sam, his mind still preoccupied with Loretta's well-being. But he was brought back to the current moment by the sound of Sam's voice. "Next to yours, huh?" he repeated, idly running his thumb over the room number engraved on the key. "Convenient." He looked up at Sam, the suspicious look back in his eyes. Something about the guide still didn't quite sit right with him. But he kept his thoughts to himself for now, pushing them to the back of his mind. "Appreciated, Sam," he said, pocketing the key. "Lead the way." He began to walk down a corridor, some cleaning crew already starting on their job. Soon, the three climbed up a staircase, laced with carpet down the middle. One small push could’ve easily harmed Loretta as she gripped onto the railing of the staircase and Indiana’s shirt with what felt like dear life.

Indiana exchanged a quick look with Sam, both of them undoubtedly noticing Loretta's condition. "Hey, kid," he said quietly, slowing his pace so she could keep up. "You holding up okay?" "Yeah…" "Nuori, the jet lag really got to you, huh?" Sam said softly with a chuckle as they eventually reached their rooms. Indiana nodded in agreement with Sam's comment, his concern for Loretta growing. She looked exhausted, but he knew better than to press her in this state. He took the room key out, ready to open the door. "Looks like we've made it," he said, glancing at Loretta with a small smile. "Why don't you rest up a bit, kid?" Loretta’s first instinct was to push open the door to the hotel room, but head butted it before Indy could twist the key in. "Ow! Fuck." Sam couldn’t help but stifle a giggle at Loretta, the same way she did earlier at Senate Square. Indiana winced as Shepractically slammed her head into the door. He turned to her with a mix of concern and disbelief, while Sam was clearly amused by the situation. "Hey, take it easy there," he scolded gently, placing a hand on Loretta's shoulder. "No need to break the door down. Here, let me open it for you real quick."

He quickly unlocked the door, pushing it open to reveal the modest yet comfortable suite. Loretta stumbled past him, collapsing onto the nearest bed with a tired groan and dropped her suitcase next to her on the bed. He chuckled, shaking his head slightly as he followed her into the room. The sight of her sprawled out on the bed was quite amusing, but he knew better than to tease her in her current state. "Väsynyt tyttö." Sam said as he leaned against the doorway with crossed arms as he looked at Indiana. "She always like this?" Indiana ran a hand through his hair, a mixture of amusement and concern etched on his face as he watched Loretta practically melt into the bed. "No, she's usually much more...spry," he chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "But jet lag has taken its toll on her this time, it seems. She'll be fine once she gets some rest."

Chapter Text

Loretta slept for what felt like an eternity ,the sun beaming through the curtains and into her irises causing her to groan. Indiana’s snoring and Sam’s whistling hrough the paper thin walls didn’t aid either. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, still in her clothes the day before, not even bothered to untie her shoes. How disgusting. In her dishevelled state, she opened her suitcase, placed her plushie on the bed, grabbed something presentable to wear and made her way to the bathroom. Minutes later, Loretta came out wearing a sweater and pants. She sat on the edge of her bed, brushing her brunette locks and looked down the street below the window.

Indiana slowly stirred awake, the morning sunlight streaming into the room through the curtains. He sat up groggily, rubbing his eyes and letting out a deep yawn. The sound of Loretta shuffling around prompted him
to glance over towards her bed. "Morning, kid," he mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep. He glanced at Loretta, noting her much more awake and presentable appearance. "Feeling better?"

"Good morning, Professor." She replied softly with a smile, flipping over to the other side of the bed to look at Indy and continue her work on her hair. "Better, but I still feel a bit tired though." He nodded, understanding her exhaustion all too well. He ran a hand through his messy bed hair, trying to tame the unruly hair. "Yeah, I feel ya. Jet lag can take a fair bit out of you," he sympathized, rubbing his eyes once more. "But a good night's sleep in an actual bed helps. We've had worse accommodation, trust me."

"Dingy hotels, the Amazon rainforest, a lakeshore…" Loretta began to list various places but she got the point, a bed is better than dirt. Indiana chuckled, nodding in agreement as she listed off the less than ideal accommodations they've had in the past. "You can say that again," he agreed, stifling another yawn. "But at least this time, we have walls and a proper roof over our heads. No wild animals trying to get in and say hello during the night, either." She couldn’t help but laugh a little. "They’re trying to keep us company." Loretta joked, as she quickly rummaged through her suitcase for her hair gel. Indiana let out a small chuckle at Loretta's comment, imagining a curious wild animal trying to squeeze its way into the hotel room for company. "Yeah, maybe. Or they just wanted a comfortable bed and a shower," he joked as he watched her rummage through her suitcase. "Trying to look presentable already, huh?"

"What if I find some beautiful Finnish girl who wants to marry me?" She replied back with a smirk as she eventually pulled out her hair gel and began using it, combing through her hair with her fingers. "Isn’t that how you got your husband?" Indiana chuckled at her joke, shaking his head slightly in amusement. The mere concept of Loretta finding a Finnish bride-to-be in this little hotel room was highly unlikely, and yet entertaining to think about. He raised an eyebrow at her question about Luis, a small but proud smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, more or less how it happened, I suppose," he agreed, his gaze momentarily drifting towards his wedding ring. "But I doubt you'll find a Finnish sweetheart here," he continued, the smirk on his face growing wider. He couldn't help but tease her a bit. "And even if you do, I bet she'll run off once she hears you snore."

"Yeah, cause she’ll wanna tell the whole town how I snore. Like a little baby lamb, y’know." She joked playfully as finally finished with her hair, getting up from her bed and heading to the bathroom to wash her greasy hands. He chuckled heartily, picturing her snoring like a baby lamb. The thought was undeniably amusing. "Sure, sure. Baby lamb snores. Maybe you'll end up as a local attraction. Tourists will pay to hear you sleep," he teased, a wide grin on his face. "Hey, It’ll make good money." Loretta replied as she popped out of the bathroom and sat back down. Indiana chuckled again, amused by Loretta's entrepreneurship. "I bet it would," he agreed, a hint of admiration in his voice. He took in her fresh appearance, noticing how much more energized she seemed now that she had tidied up. "So, you're all dolled up now, huh? Ready for the day?"

She nodded her head yes with a smile on her face and an eager look in her eye. Before another word could be muttered by the duo, a knock was heard on the door. I’m Indy's attention was immediately drawn to the knock on the hotel room door. He exchanged a quick glance with Loretta, raising an eyebrow slightly. He wasn't expecting company so early in the morning. "I'll get it." he said, standing up from his place on the bed. He walked over to the door and opened it, revealing Sam standing in the corridor. "Hyvää huomenta!" Sam exclaimed happily. "How are you?" He added on, that smug expression still plastered over his face.

"Morning'" he replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. He stepped aside to let Sam inside, casting a quick glance at Loretta who was still sitting on the bed. She waved to Sam, smiling happily as she peeked behind Indiana’s shoulder. "Good morning Sam." Sam returned Loretta's wave and smiled broadly at her greetings. His eyes briefly darted to Indiana, who was still standing in the doorway, a hint of amusement on his face at the exchange. "Morning, kultaseni." he said, using yet another term of endearment for Loretta. He then focused his attention back on Indiana. He rolled his eyes slightly at Sam's pet name for Loretta. He knew Loretta was a natural magnet for attention from men and women, but the guide's constant flattery was getting a little old. "Yeah, morning to you too, Sam. What brings you?"

"Next stop on your little journey, I am here to discuss. Dr. Brody wants you to head to Lapland, it is far by car but the train will be quicker." Sam replied, ignoring Indiana’s facial expressions when it came to concern about his little nicknames for Loretta. Indiana nodded, his expression turning more serious at the mention of Lapland. He had expected a change in scenery soon, but the thought of travelling to the far north didn't exactly thrill him. "Lapland, huh? Of course, Brody would send us all the way there." He glanced over at Loretta, gauging her reaction to the news. She seemed excited by the look in her eyes, she could already picture the winter landscape, icicles, soft Christmas lights in towns and the most important thing to her, seeing rabbits jump around in the snow. Seeing her excitement at the thought of Lapland made Indiana smile slightly. He could always count on her to find the magic in even the most daunting places they traveled to. "Looks like you're pleased about our next destination," he noted, a hint of amusement in his voice. He turned back to Sam, his expression now less sardonic. "When's the train leaving and how long's the ride?"

"Pupu kani." Sam mumbled as he patted Loretta’s hair, making her annoyed at the fact she just styled it. "Train ride is eight hours, but the train leaves in an hour’s time." Sam replied to Indiana. He shot a quick glance at Loretta, noting the slightly irked expression on her face at having her freshly brushed hair tousled. He chuckled softly before turning his attention back to Sam. "Ah, thanks for the info. We better get moving then," he said, running a hand through his own messy hair. "You sticking around while we pack up?"

"Of course, I am here to help." He replied as he tucked his hands into his pockets. "I am joining you two as well." Indiana raised an eyebrow at his statement, a slight hint of skepticism on his face. "You're coming with us to Lapland?" he asked, a subtle undertone of unease in his voice. He wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of having the guide tagging along. He nodded his head yes. "Dr. Brody told me to join you throughout the trip. What if you get lost in a village? They do not know how to speak English." He spoke in a more serious tone of voice, that smug look on his face seemingly fading away. "I think we should bring him along, Professor. Nothing wrong with extra company" Loretta added on with furrowed eyebrows. Indiana paused at Loretta's comment, considering her words for a moment. He turned to look at her, noting the seriousness on her face. He sighed, reluctantly admitting that she had a point. Traveling to a remote area like Lapland could prove tricky without someone who could speak the language. "Fine," he relented, not completely convinced but not willing to argue. "He can come. But you, keep the nicknames to a minimum."

Sam nodded his head yes, that smug smile returning. "No problem, Dr. Jones." Loretta was already organising her suitcase, placing all her belongings back and trying her best to close it. Indiana watched as Loretta resumed packing her suitcase, her efforts to close it with everything inside a little comical given the size of the case. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You really like to travel heavy, don't you?" he teased, his gaze flickering to Loretta's overstuffed luggage. She nodded her head yes as she kneeled on top of her suitcase, almost falling forward onto the ground. "I always have to bring my plushie, ok?" She said with a hint of embarrassment in her voice. Sam who watched the whole debacle with Loretta’s suitcase couldn’t help but chuckle a little. Indiana stifled a chuckle of his own at her admission of packing her plushie. He had seen her clutching the stuffed animal many times on their journeys, and it always managed to amuse him. "That old thing again, huh?" he teased affectionately. "Can't go without it, can you?"

He watched her face turn from happy to disappointed in seconds flat, and he chuckled once more. It amused him to no end how much she was affected by his playful teasing. She kneeled down a little harder into the suitcase as it squeaked and creaked but she finally clasped it together with a loud click. He stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, still chuckling. "Hey, I'm just messing with you, kid. I won't let you forget your old teddy." His eyes then darted over to Sam, who had been silently watching the whole interaction between Indiana and Loretta. He raised an eyebrow, a slight hint of suspicion in his gaze. "You two ready to go? Train is leaving soon, remember." Loretta nodded immediately her head yes as she hopped off her suitcase and lifted it up by the handle that looked like it was about to snap. Indiana winced slightly at the precarious position of the suitcase handle. It looked as if it was hanging on for dear life, and yet, Loretta hoisted it up without a care in the world. "Take it easy, kiddo," he warned, placing a hand on the case to steady it. "I don't think that handle's gonna last the trip."

"If it doesn’t, I’ll carry it." She replied back as she looked up at Indy. "Go pack your suitcase and get dressed, we don’t have all day y’know." Indiana rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help but chuckle at Loretta's spirited response. She was stubborn, he had to give her that. "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands in surrender. He grabbed his usual outfit, dipped into the bathroom to get dressed. Once he was done, he turned towards his own bed, grabbing his belongings and hastily tossing them into his suitcase. He quickly got everything packed, clasped it together, and lifted up his own case. "Happy now?"

She once again nodded her head yes, a shit eating smirk plastered on her face. "Yeah, but sometimes you shouldn’t always be so uptight, Professor." She said with a faux sense of concern. "Plus, stress causes gray hairs… I already see some already—" His eyes widened slightly as Loretta teased him about gray hairs. He instinctively raised his hand to his hair, running his fingers through it as if to check. He chuckled nervously, a slight hint of annoyance in his voice. "Very funny, Loretta," he said, giving her a playful nudge. "It's just a few silver threads. It adds character, you know."

"But I’m serious." Loretta pushed on, loving his reaction. "Sam, you can see his bald spot can’t you?" He chuckled heartily, enjoying Loretta’s teasing of Indiana. He tilted his head to the side, pretending to examine the top of Indiana’s head. "Ah, yes," he said, trying to keep a straight face. "Big bald spot right there. It is a little distracting, don’t you think?" Indiana's eyebrows shot up, a hint of irritation now obvious in his expression. He gave Sam a sharp look, silently telling him to quit it. But Loretta and Sam’s combined teasing only fuelled them more. "You two are a handful today," he commented dryly, trying to hold back his annoyance. "How about you both keep it in check? At least until we're on the train." Loretta rolled her eyes, deciding to oblige to Indiana’s wish. "Come on, we will be late." Sam said as he stood by the door of the hotel room. Indiana nodded, grateful that the teasing had come to an end for now. "Right," he said, hoisting his suitcase up with one hand. "Let's get going." He gave Loretta a sidelong glance, a hint of amusement in his eyes despite the slight annoyance from earlier. She sure knew how to push his buttons sometimes.

After a short walk and the long impatient wait at the train platform, the train finally pulled into the station. The three of them boarded, navigating through the tight hallway of the compartments with barely an inch to spare. They eventually found a private booth all to themselves, they tucked their luggage in and sat down. Loretta sat by the window next to Indiana while Sam sat across. Indiana sunk into his seat, stretching out his legs as best as he could in the cramped space. He glanced over at Loretta, who was already peering out the window with a look of pure excitement on her face. He couldn't help but smile at her eagerness. "You seem excited," he noted, amused by her wide-eyed expression. "We’re finding an ancient instrument, of course I’m excited Professor." Loretta replied with a small smile, looking over at Indiana. Indiana chuckled, appreciating her enthusiasm. "Just making an observation, kid. It's good to see you're up for the challenge."

He leaned back in his seat, resting his head against the headrest, and closed his eyes for a moment. Even though he was a bit tired, there was excitement coursing through him. Maybe it was Loretta's contagious enthusiasm. Sam, who had been quietly sitting across from them both, couldn't resist adding in his own two cents. "Oh, she is very excited about Lapland," he said, a hint of a playful teasing tone in his voice. "Especially the pikku pupu kanit." Indiana’s eyes immediately opened up at his comment, a hint of disbelief in his expression. He slowly turned his head to look at Sam, one eyebrow raised. "Translate that for me, will ya?" he asked, an edge to his voice that spoke of annoyance at Sam's teasing. "Little bunny rabbits. Lapland has them all over the place." Sam replied. "You should try the stew, Loretta." She looked over to Sam, with a cold expression on her face at the mention of rabbit stew. Indiana's expression softened as he looked at her cold reaction to rabbit stew. He knew how much she loved rabbits, and the thought of eating them obviously horrified her. "Ah," Indiana said, his voice now more gentle. "I think Loretta would rather have them as companions than in a stew, Sam." He raised his hands in a mock surrender, chuckling at Loretta’s reaction. "I am only joking, but I do have to admit. They are cute." Indiana chuckled back, shaking his head slightly at Sam's mischievous comment. He turned to Loretta, seeing the mild irritation on her face.

"Ignore him, Loretta," he said, patting her hand reassuringly. "He's just trying to rile you up." She looked back at Indy then back out to the peaceful scenery outside, resting her hand on the sill. She was annoyed, but wasn’t even bothered to press further. He noticed her annoyance, recognizing the look on her face. He knew better than to press further, so he let the conversation fall silent for a moment. He glanced out the window at the passing scenery as well, taking in the breathtaking view. The rolling hills, snow-capped trees, and the clear blue sky provided a tranquil backdrop to their journey.

Hours later once the winter Sun had settled long ago, the train came to an abrupt halt in the middle of nowhere, snow and dead foliage for miles and the Star shining softly from above. Chatter amongst the passengers could be heard throughout the carriages but all of the words were incoherent to Indy and Loretta. What was presumed angry voices came from the front carriage, with screaming and shouting.

Indiana was snapped out of his quiet contemplation at the sudden halt of the train. He exchanged a quick glance with Loretta, an expression of confusion on his face. The commotion from the front carriages only added to his bewilderment. "What on earth is going on?" he muttered, standing up and peering out the window to see what was causing the disturbance. Sam did the same, peering out of the window. His and Indy’s breath visible within the cold air as they squinted their eyes.

Men dressed in black military coats with red arm bands were shouting, pointing their guns to the poor engine crew. Indiana's heart sank as he recognized the men in German military uniforms. The red arm bands left no doubt as to who they were working for. "Nazis," he hissed, his jaw clenching tightly. "What in the hell are they doing here?" He quickly pulled away from the window, the realization of their dangerous situation slowly dawning on him. "What ever they are doing, they are trying to board the train." Sam murmured as he closed the window, his accent was thicker than usual due to the rising pressure he felt. Loretta was scared, it wasn’t her first time she had seen or interacted with these men but nonetheless she felt her blood run cold with fear.

Indiana could see the fear in her eyes, and it only fueled his determination to keep her safe. He clenched his fists, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way to protect her and themselves from the Nazi soldiers. "We need to stay calm," he muttered to Sam and Loretta. "Don't do anything that might draw attention to us." He glanced around the compartment, searching for any potential escape routes. The sounds of the soldiers approaching grew louder, their boots thumping against the train floor. Indiana gritted his teeth, mentally preparing himself for the worst.

Suddenly, the door to their compartment slid open, revealing a Nazi officer with a steely gaze and a swastika armband. "Documents please." The man spoke in a demanding tone with a thick German accent as he stared down the three, he stood at a menacing height. Loretta already took out her documents and handed it to the officer as Sam ruffled through his pockets. Indiana clenched his jaw, keeping a neutral expression as the Nazi officer demanded their documents. He didn’t like the idea of handing his passport over to the enemy, but he knew it was better to cooperate. He slowly reached into his pocket, his hand shaking slightly as he retrieved his passport and held it out for the officer to take.

The officer practically snatched it away from his grasp. He began to slowly scan the document, his darting from the fine print to Indiana, then he did Loretta’s. Smirking at the realization of a teenage girl on this passenger train, but it soon slowly disappeared as he looked up at Sam with a stern expression. "Documents, please." He repeated in a harsher tone. Sam was panicking, eventually he pulled out his license. "Ota se! olen asukas!" He exclaimed in Finnish, expecting the German man to understand. Indiana's eyes widened slightly at his outburst in Finnish. He had no idea what he said but he could sense the panic in Sam's voice. The Nazi officer's eyes narrowed, clearly not understanding a word Sam had said. "What are you saying?!" he barked, gripping Sam's flimsy license tightly in his hand. "I a-am a resident!" He stuttered as he held up his trembling hands, trying to show his innocence. The Nazi officer sneered at Sam's stuttering response. He took a step closer to him, towering over him with a look of pure disdain. "A resident, you say? Prove it." He demanded, his voice laced with mockery.

Before Sam could say a thing, Loretta immediately jumped up and slammed the Nazi’s face straight into the table that divided Indiana and Sam. Ceramic tea cups shattered on impact and cut deep into the officer’s face and crumbs of pastries smeared across it as well. Indiana was caught off guard by her unexpected but impressive move. He had to admit, sometimes her impulsivity wasn’t too bad. The Nazi officer stumbled back, taken completely off guard by the table to the face. He clutched his bleeding face, disoriented and in pain from the shattered ceramic. "Scheiße!" he exclaimed, his eyes full of pure anger as he whipped out his pistol, ready to aim it at Loretta. Realizing the danger Loretta was now in, Indiana acted without hesitation.

He lunged forward, grabbing the officer’s pistol hand and shoving it back, causing the officer to fire a shot into the ceiling of the train. At the same time, he struck a hard jab against the officer’s stomach. The Nazi doubled over in pain, gasping for air as his hands instinctively let go of his weapon. With lightning-fast reflexes, Indiana grabbed the fallen pistol. He turned and, without hesitation, pistol whipped the officer across the head, sending him collapsing to the ground with a loud thud. Loretta and Sam sat stunned at how quickly and efficiently Indy had taken down the enemy. Indy breathed heavily, adrenaline still coursing through him as he stared down at the unconscious body of the officer. Loretta especially was shaking in fear, the cold end of a barrel pointed directly at her was stuck in her mind. She was pinned against the cold windows as she looked down at the unconscious body. But Sam? He was amazed at the whole spectacle, and felt like it was straight out of an action movie.

Indy quickly looked over at Loretta, his expression softening at her shaking form. He knew she was probably feeling scared and overwhelmed from the whole ordeal, but he had to try and keep her focused. The danger was far from over. Indy let out a sigh, his voice stern once more. "Sam, we gotta move. Now." He tucked the Nazi’s pistol into the waistband of his trousers, then turned back to Loretta. He held out his hand to her, a comforting and reassuring gesture. "Come on, Loretta." he said softly, his voice a stark contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded. "We’re gettin’ off this train. We can’t stay here." She nodded her head yes, she wanted to take her luggage with her, after all her plushie was in there but she couldn’t. It would take too many precious seconds. Sam immediately got up, taking the documents that belonged to himself, Loretta and Indy that were scattered on the floor. He noticed Loretta hesitate as she glanced over at her luggage. He knew she wanted to take it with her, but they didn't have time to waste. They had to think about their safety before anything else. "Leave it," he said firmly, his eyes meeting Loretta's. "We can't worry about it now. We need to get out of here." He nodded to Sam, who handed him back his passport. Despite the perilous situation, Indy couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness when he saw Loretta's disappointment.

Together, the three of them moved swiftly through the train, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible as they passed the horrified faces of the other passengers. Indy knew they had to get off the train before more German soldiers showed up to help their comrade. He led the way, constantly on alert for any sign of danger. The adrenaline continued to course through his veins, his mind racing as he tried to think of their next move. They reached the end of the carriage and Indy threw open the door, the cold air hitting them like a wall of ice. The train was in the middle of the wilderness, with snow-covered fields and trees as far as the eye could see. "Come on," he said, gesturing for Sam and Loretta to follow him. "We need to get some distance between us and the train before they realize something’s going on." Sam carefully jumped off the train and onto the tracks, looking back at Indiana and Loretta.

Indy stepped off the train next, his boots crunching in the snow. He reached out a hand to Loretta, offering support as she followed suit. He kept a firm grip on her hand, wanting to keep her close. As they stood there in the harsh cold, he looked around at the desolate landscape. The train was still visible in the distance, but the chances of any more soldiers appearing were slim… for now. "Alright, we need to keep moving," he said, his voice low as he scanned the area for any signs of danger. "We can't afford to sit here and wait for them to find us." He started to move forward into the snow-covered field, still holding Loretta's hand tightly. He gestured for Sam to keep up the rear, creating a tight formation. As they trudged through the snow, Indy noticed Loretta wincing slightly at the biting cold. He knew it was a struggle for her to keep up, but they had no choice. They needed to keep moving. "You holding up alright, Loretta?" he asked, his voice concerned.

She shook her head no, her eyes pinned to her shoes as she remained quiet. All she wanted was her ever faithful plushie. He frowned at her response. He knew her well enough to understand that she was more than just cold. It was the loss of her plushie that was affecting her. He could see it in her silence. He squeezed her hand gently, a gesture of comfort and understanding. He couldn’t bring her plushie back, but he could at least try to reassure her. "I know you're tired and cold and probably scared," he said gently. "But we gotta keep going. We'll find a safe place to rest soon, I promise." He kept moving, pulling Loretta along with him. The snow seemed to get deeper, making it harder for them to walk. He could see the exhaustion on her face, but they couldn't stop yet. After what felt like hours of walking, the three saw a dimly lit town along the tracks. "Dr. Jones, there is a town up ahead. You want me to talk to the locals?"

Indy perked up at the mention of a town. Despite their situation, the sight of civilization gave him a glimmer of hope. "Yes, good call, Sam," he replied, his voice firm. "See if you can find us a safe place to lay low for a while. But be careful, we have no idea who might be a Nazi sympathizer around here." He nodded his head yes as jogged in front with his tall silhouette soon disappearing in sight. A silence fell over them as they waited for him to return. The sound of their breathing and the crunch of snow under their boots was the only thing that broke the stillness of the night. Indiana still held Loretta's hand, keeping her close as they continued to wait. He could feel her small hand trembling slightly in his grasp. "It's gonna be alright," he murmured, trying to reassure both Loretta and himself. "We've been in tougher spots before, remember?" He glanced down at her, his eyes meeting hers. Despite the worry etched on her face, he could see that she was trying to be strong. Just then, movement in the distance caught their attention. A figure was approaching, becoming more clear as it moved closer. Indy immediately gripped Loretta's hand tighter, ready to protect her if necessary. But as the figure got closer, it became clear that it was Sam, returning from the town. "A family agreed for us to stay the night in their barn, there is an attic where they keep their hay for the winter. They said they’ll take it down so we can sleep on it." He replied, almost out of breath with a small cough. Indy let out a sigh of relief at Sam's report. The idea of spending a night in a warm and safe space was much more appealing than sleeping outside in the cold.
"Good job, Sam," he said, a hint of a smile on his face. "Lead the way."

He looked down at Loretta, who still seemed to be struggling with the cold. He knew they had to get her to that farmhouse as quickly as possible. The farmstead was a small, cozy affair, situated on the outskirts of the town. The farmhouse was a traditional wooden building with a single storey and a thatched roof. Behind the house, surrounded by an old wooden fence, was a barn. The warm glow of lamp light glimmered out from the cracks between the planks of the wooden walls. As they approached, the barn door creaked open, revealing the warm interior of the structure. A farmer, a tall and burly man in his fifties, stood in the doorway, gesturing for them to come inside. Sam and the farmer talked as Loretta sat on a bundle of hay, shivering and tired. The farmer went off, soon coming back with tons of blankets and handed it to Sam, almost causing him to tumble over.

Indiana chuckled at the sight of Sam struggling to carry the massive pile of blankets. He took a few from Sam and went over to Loretta, wrapping one of the blankets around her shoulders tightly. He rubbed her arms a little to warm her up, trying to get some circulation back into them. "Here ya go, Loretta," he said gently. "This'll help keep you warm." She nodded her head yes softly, still looking down at her shoes with sadness in her eyes. Sam was already organising a place for the three of them to sleep, pushing and pulling bundles of hay together to make some makeshift bed. Indy noticed her downcast eyes and the sadness in her expression. He knew she was missing her plushie, and he couldn’t blame her. He knelt down beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice tender. "I know you're missing your plushie, sweetheart, but we'll get it back. I promise." She looked over to Indiana as she placed her hands on her knees. "It’s not just my plushie, Professor… That officer, the way he looked at my passport and myself… I felt…" There was no word in the English language that could remotely describe how that officer made her feel. His expression softened as he listened to her words. He knew the officer's gaze had upset her, and he understood why. In her young life, Loretta had already seen and experienced more than most people ever would, and the horrors of the Nazis haunted her far too much for one so young. He gently squeezed her shoulder, offering a comforting gaze. "I know," he said quietly. "Those Nazi rats don't see you as a human being. They see you as something less."

"But you're not," he continued, his voice filled with conviction. "You're stronger, braver, and smarter than any of them. They can't touch that. They can't even come close." He pulled her into a gentle embrace, holding her close. He wanted her to feel his reassurance, to know that he would always protect her.
Despite the gentle embrace, Loretta hugged Indy back tightly. As if it was their last moments together, she buried her face into his chest. She felt the warmth of his trusty leather jacket, a familiar smell of faded leather and scotch filling her sinuses, the smell of home to her. Indiana held Loretta close, her small frame seeming even smaller in his arms. He could feel her trembling, the fear and exhaustion coursing through her. He gently stroked her hair, trying to soothe her with his touch. "It's alright, Loretta," he murmured, his voice soothing. "It's going to be alright. You're safe. I won't let anything happen to you." She nodded her head yes as she continued to hug him, tears slowly rolling down her cheek and soaked up by his shirt and jacket.

The crunching of footsteps was heard behind her, causing Loretta to look up. It was Sam. "Loretta, I made you your bed." He said softly. "I’ll make Dr. Jones’ in a second." Indy gave Loretta a final reassuring squeeze before gently pulling away from her embrace. He looked up at Sam, grateful for the young man's help. "Thank you, Sam," he said, his voice firm. "Get Loretta settled in first. We'll work on mine together once you're done." He gave Loretta a small nod, silently encouraging her to follow Sam to her makeshift bed. Loretta nodded her head yes as she stood up as Sam guided her by the waist to a corner of the barn, where two bundles of hay were placed side by side with two blankets placed on top.

Sam led Loretta to the corner, his hand guiding her gently by the waist. He knew she was exhausted and still shaken from the day, and he wanted to make sure she got comfortable as quickly as possible. He stopped them at a spot where two bundles of hay had been laid out with blankets on top. "There you are," he said softly, gesturing to the simple bed he had made for Loretta. "Thank you so much..." She mumbled sitting down gently on the bails of hay before slowly taking off her shoes. Sam smiled warmly as he watched her settle into her bed. He could see how tired and weary she looked, and it tugged at his heartstrings. "You are welcome," he replied gently. "You get some rest now. We'll be right here if you need anything." Loretta nodded her head yes as she got under one of the blankets with yawn. "Goodnight Sam… Can you tell Mr. Jones I said goodnight too?" She mumbled softly. Sam chuckled slightly at her drowsy request, he couldn’t help but be endeared by her politeness. "Yes, Loretta," he responded, his voice soft. "I'll tell Dr. Jones you said goodnight."

With that, Loretta closed her eyes and buried herself further into the blankets. Sam watched as she settled in, her tiny form almost completely hidden under the thick wool. Satisfied that she was comfortable, he turned and made his way back to Indiana, who was waiting patiently nearby. "She’s all settled in." he said to Indiana, his voice a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction. He nodded as he watched Sam approach him. "Good," he replied, his own voice weary from the day's events. "She needs rest." He glanced over at the corner where Loretta had settled into her makeshift bed. He could see her form covered by the blankets, her breathing slow and steady. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and protectiveness as he saw how small and vulnerable she looked, tucked away in the hay. But at least she was safe and settled for the night. He turned back to Sam, a mix of exhaustion and determination in his eyes. "We should probably get some rest ourselves," he said, rubbing his temples wearily. "Who knows what tomorrow holds."

Chapter Text

The morning light crept into the small barn, casting a warm glow over the piles of hay and the trio of weary travellers who sought shelter there. Loretta stirred in her makeshift bed, rubbing her eyes and groaning softly as the sunlight hit her face. Indiana and Sam were already up, stretching and yawning, their faces looking tired but determined. Indiana noticed Loretta starting to wake up and made his way over to her. "Morning, sleepyhead," he said, his voice gruff but affectionate. "You managed to get some rest?" He knelt down beside her, a small smile on his face, as he pushed a strand of hair back from her face. "Some, but not much… Some bug kept crawling on my back."  She grumbled with annoyance as she sat up, slumped over with tiredness. He chuckled softly at her grumbling. He could imagine how a small bug crawling on her back in the night might have ruined her sleep. "Sounds like you had some unexpected company while you were trying to sleep," he said, still smiling. "Sorry to hear you didn't get much rest."

"I did not get much sleep either." Sam bumped in, leaning against a nearby support beam. "Had him snoring like a jet engine." He added on, pointing over to Indiana with that smug smirk he was known for. Indy feigned a look of mock indignation at Sam's comment. He put a hand on his chest in exaggerated surprise, even though he knew full well that he was known for his loud snoring. "Excuse me? A jet engine? Now that's a bit of an exaggeration, isn't it?" He shot back, trying to suppress a grin. Loretta shook her head no at Indiana’s faux defence.  "It’s terrible, I feel bad for Luis. How does he sleep next to you?" She replied with a serious expression on her face, but Indiana knew she was teasing. He couldn't help but burst out laughing at her comment. He knew she was only teasing, but he couldn't deny that his snoring was a frequent complaint from his husband, Luis.  "Hey now," he protested through his laughter. "I can't help it if I snore like a locomotive. But don't worry about Luis. He has his ways of dealing with it."

"Earplugs, pillows over his head, earplugs, muttering profanities under his breath… the works," he continued, still chuckling. He wasn't offended; in fact, he was amused by their banter. It beat talking about the Nazis, at the very least. "Poor man…" Sam mumbled, shaking his head with a disappointed look on his face. "Do not worry, my wife says the same thing about my snoring." Indiana chuckled at his comment. It seemed that snoring was a common complaint among married men. "Oh, trust me, Sam, I sympathize," he replied with a crooked grin. "When your significant other starts talking about how your snoring keeps them awake at night, you know you've got a problem."

"Thankfully, Luis is a saint," he added, his playful tone shifting to a more genuine one. "He puts up with my snoring and a lot more. I count myself a lucky man." Loretta hummed a little, she had met Luis on a couple occasions. Once when visiting Indy when he busted up his elbow and another when her and Indy retrieved a painting, Luis was there restoring it with care. "Professor… when are we gonna, y’know… go?" She eventually piped up. He  looked over at her, a serious look in his eyes. He knew she was restless to move on, to keep searching for the kantele. "We'll head out soon," he said firmly. "Once we've had something to eat and made sure we've got supplies for the journey. The search for Väinämöinen’s Kantele isn't going to be easy, and we're gonna need all the strength and stamina we can get." She nodded her head yes as she rubbed her face once more. "Kantele?" Sam repeated with a bit of a surprised look on his face. "You know, I can play it." Indiana's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Sam's declaration. He wasn’t expecting to hear that. "You can play the Kantele?" he asked, a mixture of disbelief and intrigue in his voice. "That's quite a skill to possess. Where'd you learn to play it?"

"My mother had one, it has been in our family for a generation or two." He replied, that Finnish accent of his becoming more evident with each syllable they left his mouth. Indiana's surprise turned to fascination. The Kantele was known for its unique sound and cultural significance in Finland, and the fact that Sam's family had one passing down through generations was something he found beautiful. "Well, well, well," he said, a note of respect in his voice. "I must say, Sam, you're full of surprises. You just keep getting more interesting, don't you?"

"There are many things you do not know about me."  He added on with a smirk, before Indiana or Loretta could speak another word, Sam spoke as he walked away. "If you do not mind, I will go into town and grab some supplies for the trip." Indiana nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah, that's a good idea. We'll need food, first aid supplies, maybe a few other things too." He glanced over at Loretta, who seemed to still be waking up from her restless sleep. "I'll stay here and look after Loretta. You be careful in town, you hear?" By the time he had finished his sentence, Sam was long gone but the man knew he had to be careful in town. Paranoia was etched into Indiana after all, a constant reminder of his failed exploits. He knew Sam would have to be on his toes, especially with the ever-present danger of the SS lurking around. 

He turned his attention back to Loretta, his expression a mix of concern and protectiveness. "You feeling alright, Loretta?" She nodded her head yes, rubbing her eyes one last time before shoving her hand deep into her pockets, soon retrieving a pack of cards. "I forgot to take these out of my pocket while we were on the train, I guess it was a blessing in disguise." Indiana smiled as she pulled out the pack of cards, the innocent gesture bringing a bit of normalcy to their situation. Despite the danger and stress, Loretta still found time to find comfort in small pleasures like a pack of cards. "Well, look at that," he said, his tone light. "Looks like Lady Luck was looking out for you again."

"Oh, me and her are best friends." She joked with a little chuckle as she slipped off the small cardboard box and shuffled the cards on her lap. He happily chuckled at her joke. She had a way of finding humor even in the direst of situations, a skill that not many people had. "You and Lady Luck, best friends, huh?" he teased, amusement in his eyes. "Is that so? You'd better introduce us some time. I could use a little extra luck in my life." 

"Especially with Marion." Low blow from Loretta as a smirk was plastered on her face. "Or has Luis finally replaced—" Indiana shot a mock glare, feigning offence at her jibe. But deep down, he knew she was just teasing. He let out a gruff sigh and replied. "Watch it, Loretta," he warned, but the playful tone in his voice betrayed his seriousness. "I'll have you know, Marion is irreplaceable. Luis doesn't stand a chance."

"Professor, how could you say that about your husband?" She asked in a faux shocked expression as she tried her absolute hardest to keep a straight face. She shuffled the cards once more before placing them beside her. He let out a mock annoyed scoff back, trying to maintain a stern face but failing miserably. The corners of his lips twitched as he fought back a smile. "Loretta, you're a menace, you know that?" he grumbled, shaking his head. "Bringing up my husband and my ex-wife in the same breath. You're going to give me a heart attack, young lady." She couldn’t help but giggle as she covered her mouth and leaned back a little, trying to stifle her laughs. He tried to keep his mock-serious demeanor, but her giggles and laughter were contagious. Seeing her laugh and find humor in their current predicament eased a little bit of the tension that haunted him. "Oh, that's just great," he said, still trying to maintain his faux annoyance. "I've got a teenage girl finding glee in my love life. What's next?"

"I just find it funny!" Loretta defended as she continued to giggle at Indiana’s reaction. "Plus, it’s my friends who are interested in your love life!" She added on. He rolled his eyes in exaggerated annoyance, feigning disbelief. He knew Loretta and her friends had a tendency to tease him about his love life, but he played along nonetheless. "Of course, of course," he said, feigning resignation. "It's always my love life that's under the microscope, isn't it? Just what I need, a bunch of teenagers dissecting my relationship with Luis."

"Well. They think you’re with Miss Graham, y’know the drama teacher." She eventually said as she calmed down from her giggling. "They don’t know about Luis or Marion or anyone else." He let out a hearty chuckle at her revelation. The idea that his students thought he was with Miss Graham, the drama teacher, was ludicrous. But he played along anyway. "Me and Miss Graham, huh? Well, that's a new one," he replied, shaking his head. "How did they even come up with that?"

"They saw you talk to her in the school facility room and another time after school they saw you two in town. That’s if I remember correctly…" She replied. Indiana nodded, a mixture of amusement and resignation in his eyes. It seemed his students had a habit of jumping to conclusions based on fleeting observations. "Well, that's teenagers for you," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "A couple of brief conversations and a sighting in town, and suddenly, I'm rumored to be involved with the drama teacher." He shook his head, chuckling softly.  "If only they knew the truth about my love life," he added, half to himself. "I'd probably be the talk of the school for months." She chuckled a little with a smile. "Like I said, I don’t have the heart to tell them about Luis or Marion. Plus Mary, Barbara and Patricia have a crush on you, I can’t ruin that for them." Indiana rolled his eyes again, this time with a touch of exaggerated irritation. Teenage girls having crushes on him, what a headache. But deep down, he was amused by Loretta's story. "Of course, they have crushes on me," he grumbled, shaking his head. "Because teenagers always make sound decisions when it comes to romantic interests."

He let out a weary sigh, realizing he was in for a world of teasing and awkwardness from his students once they got back to school. "You know, Loretta, sometimes I wish I had chosen a profession that didn't involve dealing with hormonal teenagers on a daily basis," he joked. "Weren’t you a college professor once?" Loretta asked, remembering a conversation she and Indy had many weeks ago but of course, she wasn’t sure. He nodded, a nostalgic smile on his face. He had fond memories of his time as a college professor, and Loretta's question brought those memories back to the surface. "I was,"  he replied, his voice tinged with reminiscence. "I taught at Barnett College for a few years. It was a different kind of challenge, dealing with young adults instead of teenagers." He chuckled softly, a hint of both nostalgia and amusement in his eyes. "You could say I've worked my way down the school ladder, from college professor to high school teacher. Who knows, maybe one day, I'll end up teaching kindergarten,"  he joked. 

"Oh, you’ll be perfect. I can imagine kids crawling on your back and legs and maybe, some pulling your hair." She joked back with a small chuckle. Indiana groaned playfully at her mental image. The thought of tiny children crawling all over him wasn't exactly appealing. "Please, Loretta," he said, his tone laced with mock protest. "Don't put ideas like that in my head. I'm too old to be a jungle gym for a bunch of kindergarteners." She giggled happily like the way she did but before Indiana or Loretta could put more cents into their conversation, they heard a bang on the side-door of the barn. "Hei? Little help?" The duo both turned their attention to the side-door at the sound of the bang. The voice on the other side was unmistakably Sam's, albeit in Finnish. "That doesn't sound good..."  Indiana mumbled, a flicker of concern crossing his face. He got to his feet and headed towards the door, with Loretta following close behind him. 

He cautiously opened the door and was met with the sight of Sam carrying an armful of supplies, his expression clearly indicating he needed some assistance. "Need some help there, Sam?" Indiana said, a hint of amusement in his voice. Before Sam could say a word, Loretta stepped in and grabbed most of the things that were in his arms. "Kiitos…" He said with a voice full of exhaustion. Indiana had to suppress a chuckle at the sight of Loretta helping Sam carry the supplies. It was a humorous exchange, and he found it endearing. "Looks like you managed to get quite a haul," he remarked, carefully taking the remaining supplies. He led the way back into the barn, setting the supplies down on an old rickety table. Loretta did the same, placing her own armload down with a huff of breath. 

"How much more stuff did you buy, Sam?" Indiana asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the array of supplies laid out before them. "That is all I could carry on my way back here, would be more if I had an extra pair of hands." He replied with a small chuckle. "And Loretta, I got his." He added on as he shoved his hand down his coat pocket, pulling out a small brown rabbit plush. "For you." Loretta’s eyes lit up like stars as she squealed happily. "Oh my god, thank you so much!"  She exclaimed as she grabbed the plushie and hugged it tightly, almost tearing it’s poor neck off. Indiana watched as Sam handed Loretta the small brown rabbit plush. Her enthusiasm and joy were infectious, and it warmed his heart to see her happy. He glanced over at Sam, silently thanking him for his thoughtfulness. "You're spoiling her, you know that, right?" He said jokingly to Sam, his eyes sparkling with amusement and affection. "She was sad about losing her toy on the train, it was only fair." He whispered as Loretta squealed a little. Indy couldn't hold back a grin at her enthusiastic reaction and Sam's explanation. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world to Loretta. He patted Sam on the shoulder, a look of appreciation in his eyes. "Thanks, Sam. You're a good friend," he said, his tone sincere. "I have a feeling Loretta's found her favorite person in the world for the next few hours at least."

He watched as Loretta continued to hug the plush rabbit tightly, her smile brighter than it had been all day. "We should probably sort through all this stuff," he suggested, gesturing to the supplies spread out on the table. "See what we've got and make sure we're prepared for the journey ahead."

Sam hummed in agreement as he looked over to the supplies. "I brought coats, boots, a map, compass, lighter, lantern, backpacks and food supplies." Each item was pointed out by Sam. "The boots for Loretta may not fit, I do not know her size." Indiana nodded, impressed with Sam's foresight and resourcefulness.  "You've really covered a lot of ground, Sam," he remarked, picking up one of the coats and inspecting it.  "This is all great stuff. And don't worry about the boots, I'll make sure Loretta gets the right size."nHe continued to browse through the supplies, mentally noting each item and its potential usefulness for their journey. "Good idea on the map and compass too," he added, grabbing the map and unfolding it to examine it further.  "We'll need all the geographical information we can get. And a lighter and lantern are always a necessity when you're out in the wilderness." Indiana paused for a moment, a question forming in his mind. He glanced over at Sam, his expression curious.  "What about guns? Did you manage to find any weaponry?"

"No. I tried to talk to the arms dealer in town and bargain but he would not budge." He replied with a disappointed look on his face. "But I do know how to throw a punch and you have your whip. I do not know why you did not use it on the train, but I am more worried about the girl." He sighed, a look of frustration crossing his face. Guns were a necessity in their current dangerous situation, and not having any was a significant disadvantage. But Sam's comment about the whip piqued his interest. He glanced down at the whip hanging by his side, its familiar weight reminding him of past adventures. "You're right," he admitted, a hint of regret in his voice. "I should have used the whip on the train. I guess I got caught up in the chaos and reacted without thinking." He gently took the whip in his hand, running his fingers along the woven leather.  "But don't worry about me. I can handle myself, and Loretta as well. She might seem fragile, but she's tougher than she looks."

Sam hummed once more with a nod of his head as he placed a hand in his pocket. "I did not have the heart to tell you or Loretta when we first met, but I know the location of the Kantele, I have been there a couple times." He confessed with a sigh. His eyes widened in surprise at Sam's confession. Väinämöinen’s kantele, the key to creating the world as they knew. Sam had been there before. The information hit Indiana like a ton of bricks, and he had a hundred questions burning on the tip of his tongue. "You've been to the Kantele?" He repeated, his voice betraying a hint of curiosity and eagerness. He stepped closer to Sam, his gaze intense and focused. "When did you go? And why didn't you say something earlier?"

"When I was in college, I visited family in the area. I did not tell you because I was afraid of your reaction." He listened to his explanation, his mind racing with thoughts and questions. The fact that Sam had been to the Kantele was a major development, a piece of information that could make or break their mission. "I wouldn't have been angry," he assured Sam, his voice sincere. "I understand why you didn't say anything. But please, tell me everything you remember about the Kantele. Every detail, no matter how small."

"There was this big amphitheater with a tree towering over it and there was this stone table and I think the kantele rested there… That is all I know because I blacked out." By time Sam had finished speaking, Loretta was already listening into the conversation, hugging the toy tight to her chest. Indiana listened intently to his description of the Kantele, taking in every detail. The mention of the big white tree and the stone table piqued his interest. And the fact that Sam had blacked out added a mystique to the entire affair. He also noticed Loretta quietly listening in from one side, her eyes wide with curiosity. He glanced over at her, a small smile on his face. "That's interesting, Sam," he said, his mind working overtime to piece together the information. "It sounds like there's more to the kantele than we realized. And the fact that you blacked out means there must be some powerful magic or energy at play." He turned his attention to Loretta, gesturing for her to come closer. She took a step closer, now standing by Indy. Sam chuckled a little as he shook his head. "No, no. I had one too many drinks that day. The place could have changed too, this was 20 years ago." Indiana chuckled as Sam explained his blackout as a result of drinking too much. It was a plausible explanation, and it lightened the mood a little. "Ah, well, that makes more sense," he said, a small grin on his face. "I guess we can't blame the Kantele for your drunken mistakes."

"You know that very well." Loretta butted in a smirk. He chuckled at her quip. The girl's quick wit and sense of humor always amused him. "Watch it, kid,"  he replied, feigning mock sternness. "Or I might take away that rabbit plush I see you're cuddling there." A comedic frown immediately appeared on her face as Sam laughed at her reaction. Indiana chuckled at Loretta's exaggerated reaction to his empty threat. It was all in good fun, but the girl was clearly attached to that plush rabbit. He glanced over at Sam, who was still amused by the exchange.  "I'm just messing with you, Loretta,"  he said, a smile on his face. "You can keep your rabbit, for now at least." Sam chuckled a little bit more before he looked back at the gear he gathered on the table with a serious look in his eyes. "Dr Jones, when do we leave?" Indiana's expression turned serious as Sam asked about their departure. The gravity of their mission began to weigh on him once again. "As soon as possible," he replied, his voice firm and determined.  "We can't afford to waste any time. We need to get to the Kantele, find the instrument, and get out of there as quickly and safely as possible."

He picked up the map and compass that Sam had brought, studying them closely. "Luckily, we have a good idea of the location now, thanks to Sam's information. And with these supplies, we should be well-prepared for the journey." Loretta hummed as she looked over to the map, all of the names were foreign and in Finnish. Sam took the map from Indy and placed it on the table for all to see. "We are here in Lohiniva," Pointing the little town on the map as he spoke. "jääpuikkokaupunki is the where we need to go, we can stay the night at my täti." Indiana studied the map intently, familiarizing himself with the names and locations. He mentally noted the distances and the route they would need to take. "Jääpuikkokaupunki," he repeated, the foreign name rolling off his tongue. "That's where we need to be and staying at your aunt's place for the night sounds like a good idea. She wouldn't mind three unexpected guests, would she?"

"I will talk to her about it when we arrive. I am sure she will understand." Sam replied, as he took the map and shoved it in his coat. Indiana nodded, satisfied with the arrangements. Having a place to stay for the night was a small comfort amidst the challenges they were about to face. "Good,"  he said, his gaze shifting to the supplies on the table. "We should pack these up and get ready to head out. The sooner we start, the sooner we can reach the kantele." Loretta nodded her head yes as squeezed between the two men, beginning to separate all of the gear, food and tools into three equal groups. The two men watched as Loretta efficiently separated the supplies into three groups. Her precision and organization skills were admirable, and it made the task easier for all of them. "You're quick with that, Loretta," Indiana commented, a hint of approval in his voice. "You may have a future as a pack mule." She side eyed Indiana with a dirty look on her face.  "You have a future in a retirement home..." She grumbled as Sam bursted out laughing. Indiana chuckled at her retort, amused by her quick wit and sass. "A retirement home? Ouch, that stung," he replied, feigning a wounded expression. "Maybe I should start doing crossword puzzles and playing bingo instead of going on these travels."

"You already do that." Snapped back Loretta as Sam stepped in to help her, passing Loretta’s gear to her and Indy. Indiana feigned a look of offense at Loretta's comment, although he knew she was partly right. It was true that he had a penchant for crossword puzzles and the occasional game of bingo. "Hey now, I can still hold my own in these adventures," he protested, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice. He took his gear from Sam, slinging the backpack over his shoulder. "And just because I appreciate the occasional mental exercise doesn't mean I'm ready for the nursing home yet," he continued, a smirk on his face. He glanced over at Loretta, who was still separating the last of the supplies, and chuckled. "Although I think Loretta here would be happy to see me in there, judging by her attitude." 

She couldn’t help but smile cheekily at his comment, it was somewhat true. Loretta quickly put her coat on and oversized boots and tied them up, soon slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "Well, seeing you all bundled up and ready to go eases any thoughts I have about being in a retirement home." He said, jokingly. He looked over at Sam, who had finished packing his own gear.  "Looks like we're all set. Let's get going. The kantele won't wait for us."

Chapter Text

After hours walking, the trio had covered a considerable distance from Lohiniva. The landscape was predominantly wooded, with thick forests and the occasional frozen lake dotting the terrain. Indiana, Sam, and Loretta were all bundled up against the cold as they continued their journey, the sounds of their footsteps crunching in the snow the only noise breaking the silence. The cold bit at their features, causing their faces to be natural reddish pink, their hands tucked deep into their pockets and the occasional complaint from Loretta. The sun hung just about the horizon, making the sky be painted in all sorts of pinks and purples.

Despite the cold and the hours of walking, the trio pushed on relentlessly. The beauty of the frozen landscape helped to ease the journey somewhat, and Indy, Sam, and Loretta all stared in awe at the stunning sunset. As they walked, Indy glanced over at Loretta, noticing her occasional complaints about the cold. "Still complaining about the cold, Loretta?" he asked, his voice teasing. "You know, you could always walk closer to me. I'm pretty sure I generate more body heat than these trees." Loretta tried her best to walk by Indiana but due to her massive boots and still trying to get used to them. She couldn’t, so she stuck by Sam. He chuckled at her attempt to walk closer to him, amused by her struggles with the oversized boots. Her stumbling footsteps and efforts to get closer to him were endearing in a way. He watched as Loretta settled by Sam instead, who walked beside her and gave her silent support. "Looks like she's got her new favorite companion now," he said jokingly to Sam, a friendly jab at the young girl's choice. "You can not tell an interesting story, I can." Sam joked with a bit of a chuckle as he seemed to stroll casual, probably because this was his natural environment after all. Indiana playfully pretended to be offended by his comment. "Excuse me? I have countless interesting stories. Adventures, artifacts, ancient civilizations..." He glanced over at Loretta, who was now listening intently to their conversation. "I suppose you have a point though. My stories might be a little dry next to your tall tales."

"Don’t forget womanizer skills, Professor." She added on with a cheeky grin. He raised an eyebrow at the comment, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Oh really? And who says I have womanizer skills, huh?" he retorted, trying to sound casual but failing. "I'll have you know, I am a gentleman, through and through." Loretta and Sam glanced over to each other then back at Indiana, knowing he was bullshitting. "Professor, explain Marion, Willie, Gina and the countless women and men I haven’t mentioned. Oh and Luis too." Indiana feigned a look of indignation at her comment. But deep down, he knew they were right. He had a reputation for having a soft spot for pretty people and he couldn't deny it. "Well, you see, that's, uh, part of the job," he protested weakly, trying to find a good explanation. "In my line of work, you come across interesting people, some of whom happen to be wonderful. It's just coincidence, really."

"If I have to become a womaniser in order to be an archaeologist, I would cry." Loretta joked but there was some truth behind her words. Indiana chuckled at Loretta's comment, appreciating her good humor amidst the cold surroundings. "Ah, don't worry, kid," he reassured her with a warm smile. "Being an archaeologist definitely doesn't require being a womanizer. In fact, it's better if you're not." He glanced over at Sam, who was quietly listening to their banter. "Trust me, I'm living proof that you can be an adventurous historian and still maintain healthy relationships," he continued, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Though, I have to admit, sometimes it's harder than it looks."

"I think your marriage between Luis and you is the only healthy relationship you’ve had." Loretta said in a tone of voice full of seriousness but it was her way of joking in these harsh conditions. "That poor man… he’s probably restoring some painting and missing you." Indiana feigned a look of exaggerated offense at her comment, but he knew she was just teasing. He chuckled and shook his head, amused by the girl's wit. "Hey now, you make it sound like I'm a terrible husband," he protested, placing a hand over his heart in mock distress. "Luis and I have a perfectly healthy marriage, I'll have you know. He even misses me when I'm gone."

"Are you sure he means it, Dr Jones?" Sam butted in with a smirk. He rolled his eyes at Sam's playful interjection. He knew they were both just trying to tease him, but he played along with the banter. "Of course I'm sure," he replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I mean, who else would put up with me and my adventures? Besides, he always waits for me with open arms...and a good bottle of scotch." They all shared a knowing chuckle at the image of Luis greeting him with a warm smile and a well-stocked bar. Even Indiana himself could not help but smile. The thought of returning to his husband and the comfort of their home was a welcomed notion amidst the journey.

As they continued walking, the sun had almost completely set over the horizon, casting a dim light that left the sky looking like a soft lilac color. The air had grown even chillier, and the crunch of their own footsteps seemed loud in the silence of the surrounding woods. Even Loretta's earlier complaints about the cold had died down, replaced by a silent acceptance of the circumstances. But soon enough, the three saw the town of Jääpuikkokaupunki off in the distance, the warm golden lights welcoming and lighting the path. Sam decided to walk in front of Indiana to guide him to his aunt’s place. The town was already decorated for Christmas despite it being mid November. But there was something off, plenty of German military vehicles surrounded the town and littered the streets. Along with them, Nazis were openly drinking, smoking and being loud and obnoxious.

The sight of the town filled with German military vehicles and boisterous Nazis caused a frown to form on Indiana's face. The presence of the Third Reich soldiers was a stark and unwelcome sight in the otherwise tranquil town. "Well, this certainly wasn't the welcome party I was expecting," he muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a flicker of irritation. Loretta pursed her lips together as she glanced over to the soldiers as they walked by, she felt uncomfortable with their presence, as she should. "They may have been the ones who boarded that train…" Sam whispered to Indiana. Indiana listened to his hushed comment with a quiet sense of realization. The presence of soldiers and their obvious connection to the train that went missing stirred a feeling of unease within him. "You may be right," he whispered back, his gaze still trained on the Nazi soldiers in the streets. "We need to be careful. We don't want to attract any unnecessary attention." The other two nodded their heads together as Sam led the two to his aunt’s place, a small garden that was dead and long frozen over was placed out front and a rock path that led to the door. Sam knocked on the door and soon a little old lady opened. "Sami, siitä on niin kauan." She said softly, hugging the tall man.

Indiana stood back slightly, watching the familial reunion between Sam and his aunt. Despite the cold, he couldn't prevent a small smile from forming on his lips. Seeing the old woman greeting Sam like a long-lost child was a heartwarming sight and a stark contrast to the intimidating presence of the soldiers in the town. "Helena-täti, olen pahoillani, etten ole käynyt. Oli erittäin kiireinen etelässä. Mutta majoitkaa minut ja ystäväni yöksi." Sam replied back, hugging the frail old woman and he gestured to Loretta and Indiana. "Ystäväni." Indiana gave the old lady a warm smile, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible. He had enough experience dealing with skeptical locals during his travels, and he knew it was best to put them at ease. "It's nice to meet you, ma'am," he said politely, extending a friendly hand. "I'm Dr. Jones. I hope you don't mind us imposing on your hospitality for the night." She didn’t understand a lick of English but she shook his hand with a friendly smile. Then she looked over to Loretta, her eyebrows furrowing at the sight of the young girl. "Katso häntä! niin kaunis." She said as she let go of Indiana’s hand and hugged Loretta, giving her a kiss on her cheek like an old grandma. Indiana watched as Helena fussed over Loretta, clearly charmed by the young girl's beauty. He chuckled silently at her reaction, secretly amused by how quickly she had taken a liking to Loretta. Perhaps young women had a way of melting the hearts of older ladies, even in remote Finnish towns. Loretta hugged Helena back, with a painful look in her eyes as she mouthed: "Get her off me."

Indiana suppressed a laugh as he watched her plight with the affectionate aunt. Clearly, the girl was not as used to being showered with attention and affection. Helena soon pulled away from the hug as she gestured for the three to enter. "Tule sisään, tule sisään." She said softly, waddling her way into her home as Indiana, Loretta and Sam followed closely behind. Photos lined the hallway of her home with decorations of dogs and cats as well. "She certainly has a soft spot for animals, doesn't she?" Indiana whispered to Loretta and Sam, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You think she likes rabbits too?" Loretta whispered back to Indiana with a little smile on her face.  "She use to have many cats, but she sold them all when she got older." Sam replied as Helena led them to the dining room. Indiana chuckled quietly at Loretta's comment and Sam's explanation. "Oh, I'm sure she'd love a rabbit or two," he said, a small smile playing on his lips. He looked around the dining room, taking in the cozy atmosphere. Despite the cold and the presence of Nazi soldiers in the town, Helena's home felt like a safe haven.

He took a seat at the dining table along with Loretta and Sam, while Helena busied herself in the kitchen with Sam following her, preparing some sort of meal for them. The sound of pots and pans being moved around and occasional Finnish words being spoken filled the air. "Täti, älä pelkää pyytää apua." Sam spoke to his auntie, she waved a hand at his words causing him to shake his head and a disapproving expression appearing on his face. "That lady…" He murmured as he crossed his arms and went back to Loretta and Indiana. "Sounds like she's quite the stubborn one, eh?" Indiana said, a hint of humor in his voice. He leaned back in his chair, looking around the home, his eyes tracing over the various photos and decorations as Sam sat down. "She’s like my grandmother." Loretta butted in as she played with the tablecloth. "She’s always pinching my cheek and trying to speak to me in Italian even though I don’t understand much." Indiana smiled at her comment, imagining the endearing scene of her being pinched on the cheek by the old woman.

"Ah, a true Italian Nonna, then," he said with a chuckle. "They always have a way of making you feel a little bit guilty and a little bit loved, even if you don't understand what they're saying." He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "It's always interesting to see how different cultures embrace and adopt aspects of each other. In America, we have a lot of Italian influence, especially in the food and music. And I bet your grandmother has shared some of that influence with you, eh?" She nodded her head yes with an enthusiastic smile on her face. "Yeah, she still cooks Italian meals. I think it’s because that’s all she knew to cook growing up, but also it’s a little memory from home. Her and grandpa immigrated from Sicily when my mother was a kid." Indiana nodded his head in understanding. "That makes sense. Food has a powerful way of connecting us to our roots and our family history. I bet the meals your grandmother makes are full of love and memories." He glanced over at Sam, who was quietly listening to their conversation. "What about you, Sam? Any stories or experiences you'd like to share about your auntie?"

"Hm? Oh." He seemed surprised as he shuffled in his seat, making it more comfortable despite the hardwood. "I have nothing interesting. My ancestors have been here, for… Couple thousand years." He raised an eyebrow at  his response. "Couple thousand years, eh? That's quite a lineage you've got there. Makes my own family history seem a bit recent in comparison." He chuckled softly before continuing. "But I'd say your ancestry in this region is pretty fascinating in its own way. All the history and culture that has shaped this place... it's part of who you are, Sam." He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have such a deep connection to a place and its history. His work often took him away from home and any sense of stability.

His thoughts were interrupted as Helena returned to the dining room, bringing plates filled with a hearty meal. The aroma of the food filled the air, making Indiana's stomach rumble with anticipation. "Wow," he exclaimed, his mouth watering, "Looks delicious, ma'am." Loretta looked over, almost blocking Indiana’s view as Helena placed the plates of food gently onto the table, it looked and smelt delicious and it definitely wasn’t something she ever had. Fish soup with cut loafs of bread. He chuckled silently as she leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the hearty meal placed in front of them. He could sense her curiosity and excitement, having never had Finnish food before. "It is called 'kalakeitto'," Sam explained, noticing Loretta's interest in the fish soup. "It is a traditional Finnish fish soup, with potatoes and vegetables." Indiana nodded with Sam's explanation, his stomach still rumbling as the aroma of the soup filled his senses. He picked up his spoon and took a small taste, savoring the flavors before swallowing. "Mmm...It's delicious," he said, a satisfied smile on his face. "You should try it, Loretta."

Loretta did the same, picking up her spoon and taking a little sip. Her eyes went wide for a moment, freezing in place. Then she dinged in like a savage animal. He chuckled to himself as he watched her reaction to the soup. Her wide-eyed surprise followed by her sudden ravenous eating was quite comical to him. He glanced over at Sam, who seemed unphased by the spectacle.

"Looks like she approves," he quipped, still amused by Loretta's enthusiasm for the Finnish food. Helena chuckled as she watched Loretta enjoy her soup, sitting down next to her nephew, but after a couple sips and bites of her food, Helena spoke up.  "Sami, miksi olet täällä?"

"Tarvitsimme yöpymispaikan. Tietysti vain yöksi." He replied, making eye contact with his aunt as he drank from his spoon. Indiana watched the exchange between Sam and his aunt with curiosity. While he didn’t understand a word of Finnish, he could tell from the tone and the expressions on their faces that it was not a casual conversation. He looked over at Loretta, who was still thoroughly enjoying the fish soup, oblivious to the underlying tension in the room. He leaned towards her, speaking in a low voice so as not to disturb the conversation between Sam and his aunt as the two continued to talk. "What do you think they're talking about? It doesn’t seem like a friendly discussion."

"Maybe how good the soup is? I don’t know." She whispered back as she went back to eating her soup. "If you don’t want yours, I’ll happily take it." Indiana chuckled at her attempt at a joke, but he couldn’t help but worry about the true nature of the conversation between Sam and his aunt. "No, no, I think I’ll keep my soup, thank you very much," he replied, a hint of humor in his voice as he spoke. He couldn’t deny the soup was quite delicious, but his concern for their situation outweighed his appetite. He leaned back in his chair, listening to the continuing conversation in Finnish. Despite not understanding a word, he could sense the underlying current of tension. He looked over at Loretta, seeing her still immersed in the soup. "You know, I’ve got a feeling this conversation isn’t just about the soup…"

"It probably is, it’s amazing Professor." Loretta replied, finishing the rest of her food and patting her mouth dry with a napkin. A short while later, after everyone had finished their soup, the atmosphere at the table had noticeably grown more tense. "That was delicious," Indiana said, breaking the silence. "But I couldn’t help but notice the serious discussion you were having, Sam." He looked over at Sam, awaiting his reply. "It was nothing, do not worry about it." He replied as he stood up, collecting everyone’s bowls despite the angry look Helena gave to him as he did. Indiana wasn't quite convinced by Sam's dismissive words. The look on Helena's face confirmed that there was more to the discussion than he was letting on. He watched as Sam collected the bowls and began to clear the table. "If you say so," he responded, his voice tinged with suspicion. But he decided not to press the issue for now. "If you were wondering, my Täti said we can stay the night." He added as he went to the kitchen with Helena as she grabbed the man’s arm, probably cursing him out for picking up the dishes. Indiana nodded, glad to have clarification on their sleeping arrangements for the night. He wasn’t sure exactly what had been discussed between Sam and his aunt, but he was relieved that they would have a safe place to stay. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, and couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene playing out in the kitchen. "Looks like Sam’s in the hot seat with his aunt."

"You think they're gonna duke it out?" Loretta whispered, giggling at the idea of a frail old woman knocking out a grown man with a single punch. Indiana chuckled softly at  her words, picturing the unexpected scenario in his mind’s eye. The image of tiny Helena scolding and maybe even scuffling with Sam was quite amusing. "Oh, I’d love to see that happen," he joked, unable to suppress his smile. "I have a feeling Sam might be in for a good scolding though." He glanced back over at the kitchen, where the discussion between Sam and his aunt was still ongoing. The sound of Finnish words being exchanged in a rapid-fire exchange filled the air, with the occasional hand motion added for emphasis. He leaned closer to Loretta, his voice still low. "Do you think things are getting heated in the kitchen?" He asked, half-joking and half-serious. He couldn’t tell if it was a lively debate or an argument.

"Probably, sounds like my ma and auntie whenever she comes over." Loretta replied in the same low voice as glanced over to the kitchen. "I hope they resolve it though." He chuckled softly at her comparison to her family’s arguments. He could somewhat relate, having witnessed similar exchanges between colleagues and friends. He nodded in agreement with her, his thoughts going back to the kitchen. "Yeah, I hope so too. The last thing we need is a family feud under this roof…" She hummed in agreement as she leaned back on the chair. After a couple minutes, the rapid-fire arguing came to a standstill with Sam exiting the kitchen and wiping his hands with a towel. "I am sorry for that, täti is stubborn." He said with a chuckle. "She did say we can stay for night, there’s two spare bedrooms upstairs we can stay in." He added on, throwing the towel onto the countertop in the kitchen. It was clear as day he didn’t wanna talk about the spat between himself and his auntie. Indiana nodded, accepting his explanation about the argument with his aunt. He wasn’t going to pry further, respecting his desire not to talk about it. He instead focused on the more important matter. "Two spare bedrooms, eh? Sounds like we’ve got a good set-up for the night." He looked over at Loretta. "Looks like we’ve scored some comfortable accommodations, kiddo."

"Finally." She replied with a sigh of relief. He  chuckled at her response. It was clear that the young girl was tired and probably looking forward to a good night’s sleep. "Yes, finally. After such a long and eventful day, a bed sounds heavenly." He looked over at Sam. "Lead the way, then, Sam. Let’s see these rooms." Sam nodded his head yes as he led the way to the staircase and ascending them, family photos hang from the wall almost covering every inch. But soon enough, Sam led the duo to their bedrooms. "So. Who is going to share with who?"  He asked, his hands deep in his pockets as Loretta looked over to Indiana. Waiting for his decision. He glanced down at Loretta, then back at Sam. He mulled it over in his mind for a moment, deciding on who should share a room. Part of him dreaded the thought of sharing a room with Loretta, but deep down he knew it was the right choice for their current situation. "I think Loretta can stay with me," he said finally, trying to keep his voice light. He looked over at Loretta, curious to see her reaction. She nodded her head with a small smile not complaining or arguing at the arrangement, after all she had shared bedrooms with Indiana, hundreds if not, thousands times. Indiana couldn’t help but smile faintly at Loretta’s silent agreement. He was grateful that she wasn't protesting or causing a fuss about their sleeping arrangements. It reminded him of the countless times they had shared a room before, whether it was on excavations or in a dingy inn while traveling. He turned to Sam and spoke, a hint of gratitude in his voice. "Thanks, Sam. We appreciate the rooms."

"You are welcome, I figured that is what you would want, Dr Jones." Sam said with a smile, his crow’s feet becoming more prevalent as he opened the door opposite Indiana and Loretta. "I will see you tomorrow morning." He nodded in acknowledgment of Sam's smile and his polite words. With a final farewell, he ushered Loretta into the room."See you in the morning," he called back before closing the door behind them. Loretta threw her backpack on the ground and sat down on the bed, rubbing her weary face. The bedroom was decorated with doilies and generic paintings of flowers, the wallpaper was white with little purple lilies printed on and a single big bed in the middle of the room. Indiana entered the room behind Loretta, dropping his own bag on the floor next to hers. He let out a weary sigh, surveying the room. "Looks like we’ve got ourselves a cozy little room for the night," he mumbled, walking over to the bed and taking a seat beside Loretta. He took a moment to rest his tired body, leaning back against the headboard with a weary sigh. He glanced over at Loretta, seeing the fatigue in her expression after their long day. "You look pretty beat, kiddo." He observed, his voice soft and gentle.

"I feel like I could sleep for an eternity." She replied as she stood up and grabbed her rabbit plushie from her back, soon sitting back down and kicking her shoes off. "My legs hurt so bad too…" He chuckled softly at her comment, he could relate to her exhaustion after the events of the day. He watched as she grabbed her rabbit plushie from her backpack and sat back down, kicking off her shoes. He could see the fatigue in her movements, the weariness in her body. He patted the bed next to him. "C’mon, kiddo. Lay down and rest your legs for a bit." She nodded her head yes, kicking up her feet and laying down next to Indiana as she wrapped her arms around her plushie. He couldn’t help but smile as she got settled on the bed next to him. She looked so young and innocent, cuddling with her plushie like a little child. It was a stark contrast from her usual headstrong demeanor. He gently smoothed down her hair with his hand, the way a father would soothe his daughter to sleep. After moments of a peaceful silence, Loretta spoke up with drowsiness in her voice as she spoke almost in a whisper. "Professor… What are your thoughts on Sam?"

Indiana paused for a moment, surprised by Loretta’s unexpected question. He was expecting her to doze off, not ask for his opinion on Sam. He thought carefully about his answer, choosing his words carefully. In reality, he still had his suspicions about Sam’s motives, but he didn’t want to worry Loretta with his doubts. "Why do you ask?" he replied, his voice soft but curious. "I feel off about him. Like, he’s very helpful but I feel like he’s not who he really is… y’know?" She tried her best to explain she felt about Sam, her voice low so he couldn’t hear her across the hallway. He listened intently to her observations, sensing her doubts about Sam. She was perceptive, sensing something off about him, even if she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what it was. He pursed his lips, considering her words. He had felt a similar feeling about Sam, but hadn’t voiced it yet. "I see what you mean. I’ve had a feeling there’s more to him than he’s letting on," he admitted lowly, keeping his voice down as well. He paused for a moment before continuing, his expression serious.

"But for now, I think it’s best to keep our suspicions to ourselves. We don’t know for sure what his intentions are, but we need to be cautious. We don’t want to reveal our cards too soon, especially since he and his aunt are our hosts for the night." Loretta hummed in agreement as she nodded her head yes, shifting a little on the bed, tiredness clearly evident in her movements. He patted her head gently, a small gesture of comfort. "You should try to get some sleep, kid. You’re exhausted, and we’ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow." She nodded her head yes once more, looking up at her professor with a small smile.  "Goodnight, Professor…"

Indiana returned her smile, feeling a pang of protectiveness for Loretta as he looked at her tired but sweet face. "Goodnight, Loretta," he replied softly in return, his voice filled with warmth and gentle care. He watched as she snuggled further into the bed, her rabbit plushie clutched closely to her chest. He settled down in the bed too, lying on his back next to Loretta. He knew he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep as quickly as her, his mind still swirling with thoughts about their current situation. He kept his gaze on the ceiling, a million thoughts running through his head, as Loretta’s soft breathing indicated she was fast asleep. As time passed, Indiana could feel the fatigue of the day begin to catch up to him, despite his mind still swirling with questions and worries. The soft rustling of the sheets as Loretta shifted in her sleep, the gentle hum of the house, and the occasional creak of the floorboards served as a lullaby to his racing mind. Eventually, the weariness overtook his worries, and his eyelids grew heavy. In the quiet darkness of the room, Indiana closed his eyes, finally surrendering to the exhaustion that had been looming over him. As his mind drifted towards sleep, he silently hoped that in the morning things would make more sense.

He woke up the next morning with a groan, slowly blinking his eyes open as he got used to the light streaming through the curtains. He shifted in the bed, stretching his arms and feeling a stiffness in his back from sleeping on a hard mattress. He glanced to the side and saw Loretta still fast asleep next to him, her rabbit plushie clutched tightly in her arms. He smiled faintly at the sight of her sleeping peacefully. It was a rare moment of quiet and calm compared to the chaos of yesterday. He sat up slowly, careful not to wake her, and swung his legs to the floor. He glanced at the clock on the wall, noting the time. It was still early, but he knew they needed to get moving soon if they were going to find Väinämöinen’s Kantle. He reached over and gently shook Loretta's shoulder, trying to rouse her from sleep. "Loretta, kid. Wake up,"  he spoke softly, his voice gravelly from sleep. He gave her another gentle shake, hoping she'd stir. 

Loretta stirred, exactly what Indy wanted. She rubbed her heavy eyelids with a groan, soon nuzzling her face into her plushie. "Good morning…" he chuckled softly at her tired response, seeing her nuzzle her face into her plushie. It was a sight he'd seen countless times before, and it never failed to bring a smile to his face. "Morning, sleepyhead," he replied, his voice light and teasing. He gave her shoulder a light pat, gently prodding her to fully wake up. "Come on, we've got a long day ahead of us." She looked up at Indiana, blinking a couple times as she adjusted to the light beaming from the curtains. "Give me… five minutes." Indiana rolled his eyes playfully at Loretta's request for five more minutes. He knew her all too well and her desire to stay in bed. But they didn’t have the luxury of extra time. "Three minutes," he counters, folding his arms in a firm yet lighthearted manner. "And that's as much as I'm willing to bargain."

"Three and a half?" She countered back. Indiana huffed, feigning irritation at Loretta's bargaining. He knew he was fighting a losing battle, and secretly he found her stubbornness endearing. "Three and a half, huh? You're a tough negotiator." He chuckled, shaking his head in mock defeat. "You drive a hard bargain. Alright, three and a half minutes. But that's the last offer, no more negotiations."

"Thank you…" She mumbled before flipping over and stuffing her face into her pillow. Indiana couldn't help but chuckle at her sleepy gratitude. She was like a stubborn but adorable child sometimes. "You're welcome, kid. Now make the most of those three and a half minutes and actually get up afterwards," he teased, watching as she buried her face into her pillow. He shook his head and let out a soft sigh, amused by her stubborn antics. As Loretta snuggled further into her pillow, he decided to give her some space. He took a couple steps back and made his way silently to the bathroom to freshen up. He entered the bathroom, flicked on the light switch, and took a glance in the mirror. Seeing his disheveled appearance, he ran a hand through his messy hair, trying to tame it into a somewhat presentable state. He proceeded to wash his face and brush his teeth, feeling a bit more energized after the quick grooming routine. As he washed his face, he started contemplating the day ahead. They were one step closer to finding the kantele, all thanks to Sam's knowledge. But he still had a nagging feeling of unease when it came to him. Something about Sam still seemed off, and Indy couldn't shake the feeling. He finished up in the bathroom and returned to the bedroom.

Loretta was already awake, her three and half minutes over. Her legs draped over the edge of the bed and her plushie sitting next to her. "Good morning, Professor." She said once again in a more awake tone of voice. He looked at her, surprised to see her already sitting at the edge of the bed, her plushie next to her. He chuckled inwardly at her promptness. "Good morning, Loretta," he replied with a smile. He walked over to where she was sitting and took a seat next to her, the bed creaking slightly under his weight. "You're up rather quickly, I thought I'd have to drag you out of bed."

"Not this time." She joked with a small chuckle as she stood up, stretching as her bones cracked. He winced slightly at the sound but couldn't help but chuckle at her comment. "Not this time, huh? Must be a miracle." She rolled her eyes as she grabbed her plushie and placed it in her bag, its little head peeking out with its forever present beady eyes and little nose. "You think Sam and his auntie are awake?" She asked, looking over to Indy as she slung her backpack over her shoulder. At her question, he shrugged, replying in a low voice, trying not to be overheard. "Hard to say. Sam and his aunt are probably up and about. Those two seem like early birds." He looked back at Loretta, his expression growing serious. "You ready for this, kid?"

She nodded her head yes as she opened the door into the hallway, Sam stood in front of the door with that smug expression he was known for, causing the poor girl to jump. Indiana couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction to seeing Sam suddenly appear in front of the door. She nearly jumped out of her skin, and even he was a little startled. "Jesus, Sam! You nearly gave us a heart attack." He exclaimed, his hand instinctively reaching out to steady Loretta. Sam couldn’t help but chuckle at the duo’s reaction. "Hyvää huomenta! I am so sorry, I did not mean to scare her." He let out a breath, slightly annoyed at Sam's smug smirk. "No harm done, but please refrain from appearing out of thin air like that again." He turned his attention to Loretta, ensuring she was alright. "You okay, kiddo?" She nodded her head yes, her skin pale like she had seen a ghost.  "I’m alright… I p-promise." Indiana chuckled at Loretta's pale complexion and breathless response, gently patting her on the shoulder. "You sure? You look like you've just seen a ghost, and I'm all out of Holy Water to chase it away." Sam walked towards Loretta parting her opposite shoulder. "I am sorry." He said, trying his best to apologise to her. She was gripping onto Indiana’s iconic leather jacket tightly like her life depended on it . "I-it’s alright… just don’t do it again." Indiana gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, then turned his attention to Sam. "As she said, don't do it again. You should know that frightening young girls isn't the best way to make a good impression."

"That is how I got my wife." He joked with a laugh, stepping back to let Loretta have some space. After finally getting her breath back, she slowly let go of Indy’s jacket. He rolled his eyes at Sam's joke, trying desperately not to let out a small laugh at the obvious attempt to lighten the situation. "Alright, alright. Let's not keep us all waiting. Where's this location of Väinämöinen's Kantle that you were talking about?"

"Ah! It is north-east of, bit of a trek but it is closer than our walk from yesterday." He replied, his voice crumbling a little from some sort of nervousness, but neither did Indy or Loretta question it. "North-east, huh?" Indiana repeated, mentally mapping their route on the map of Finland in his head. He noted the hint of nervousness in Sam's voice but decided not to comment on it as he began to make his way to the front door. "Nyt mennään, täti!" Sam said as he quickly ducked into the living room and gave her a hug and a kiss, she sat on her couch, happily knitting away. The duo followed suit down the staircase,  as they reached the living room, the two briefly saw Sam embracing and bidding farewell to his aunt. Indiana stood back, silently observing the interaction between the nephew and his aunt, a small smile on his lips at the simple yet endearing sight. He then looked back at Loretta, seeing her observing the scene as well. He lowered his voice, speaking quietly. "They seem close. Reminds me a bit of..." He trailed off, remembering something from his own past, but quickly pushed those thoughts away. He cleared his throat and continued. "Sam said it's a trek to get to the location. Let's get moving."

"Bit of what?" Loretta asked with furrowed eyebrows as Sam led them out onto the sidewalk. The cold winter morning hitting the three like a freight train. Indiana shook his head slightly, dismissing the memory that had briefly surfaced. He didn't want to get too personal, especially not now. "It's nothing, forget it." He said quietly to Loretta, not elaborating further on the matter. As they stepped outside into the cold morning, feeling the biting chill of the winter air upon them. Indiana pulled up the collar of his jacket, trying to shield himself from the frosty weather. Loretta decided not to press on, knowing him he would’ve given her double the homework once the pair got back home. She too adjusted her coat, quickly zipping it up as Sam navigated through the town. Indiana glanced around as they made their way through the town, his eyes taking note of the lingering Nazis and their vehicles. He had to admit, their level of drunkenness worked in their favor; they were too preoccupied with their own vices to pay any attention to the trio. He stuck close to Loretta, maintaining a watchful eye on her, making sure she was okay. As they navigated through the streets, Indy occasionally stole glances at Sam, studying his body language and facial expressions. There was something about Sam that still didn't sit quite right with him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the young man than met the eye.

The trio had been walking for a while, their boots crunching through the deep snow as they journeyed into a dense, snow-covered forest. The cold air nipped at their faces, but Indy, being the outdoorsman he was, seemed unfazed by it. Loretta, on the other hand, looked a little uneasy in the wild, unfamiliar surroundings. She huddled close to Indy, her breath coming out in visible puffs of white. He gave her shoulder a reassuring pat, noticing her unease. "Don't worry, kiddo. We're almost there." Then he directed his attention to Sam, who led the way through the woods. "How much farther until we reach the location?"

"10 more minutes of walking." He replied as he began to climb the large pile of rocks in front of him, soon getting up to the top. Indiana followed closely behind Sam, his boots slipping slightly on the icy rock surface

Reaching the top, Indy took a moment to catch his breath, the cold air stinging his lungs as he inhaled deeply. He was getting too old for this kind of climb, but he pushed the thought aside and looked around, taking in the panoramic view from the top of the rocks. Loretta climbed up after him, struggling a little with the steep climb due to her smaller stature. "Joints finally locking up?" Loretta joked with her failed attempt at humour, her voice shaky and out of breath as she tried to chuckle a little. He let out a small chuckle at her attempt to poke fun at him. She knew him too well, and the truth was, his joints were starting to feel the strain of the hike. "Watch it, smartass." He retorted with a playful tone. "I may be getting old, but I can still outrun you any day."

"That’s if I don’t trip you over." She replied back as the three continued their trek. Indiana smirked at her cheeky response, amused by her snarky attitude and confidence. "Careful there, kiddo. I may be old, but I still have the reflexes of a young buck. You might just end up flat on your face, not me." His eyes then darted to Sam, who was leading the way through the forest. The young man seemed laser-focused on their destination, not even pausing to look back and check on the pair's progress. Indy found it a bit peculiar but shrugged it off. "Hey, Sam," he called out, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Are you sure you know where you're going? You seem pretty confident in this route you're taking."

"Yes, if I can remember it while drunk, I can remember sober." He replied with a chuckle but soon enough a large tree could be seen in the distance, its leaves white with its bark and branches an almost pearlescent white. "There… we are close." He said softly, pointing over to said tree. Indiana followed his gaze, his eyes falling upon the strange, almost ethereal-looking tree in the distance. In the midst of the snow-covered forest, the tree stood out like a stark, yet beautiful, anomaly. He furrowed his brow at the sight, his curiosity piqued even further. "What on Earth is that..." he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It’s beautiful…" Loretta mumbled in awe. "You will see the full beauty soon, come." Sam said with another chuckle, gesturing for the pair to continue walking. Indiana looked back at Loretta, seeing her awestruck expression at the sight of the tree. He couldn't help but smile faintly, amused by her childlike wonder. Then, he turned his attention back to Sam, his curiosity now mixed with a healthy dose of caution.n"Lead the way, then." He said, following Sam intently, still wary of his trustworthiness. Sam continued walking, the surrounding forest becoming more dense with foliage and snow. Till eventually, they were standing under the tree with a partially thick bush blocking their way.  "I did not know how my drunk self did it but here." He said with a laugh, pulling the bush apart.

In front of them was exactly how Sam described it the day before. A stone amphitheatre, the seats covered a thin layer of ice, a stone table placed on the stage with the kantele placed directly in the middle, untouched for presumably centuries. The tree standing behind the stage had blue icicles that shone and sparkled in the daylight. Indiana's eyes widened in a mix of awe and disbelief as he saw the stone amphitheatre and the kantele sitting upon the stone table. "Wow..." he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze fixated on the ancient instrument. He approached the table slowly, his hands gently tracing the cold stone surface, taking in the intricate carvings and engravings upon it. The air was still and quiet, as if time had frozen within the confined space of the stone amphitheatre. Loretta was star struck beyond comprehension, it was something straight out of a story book and she loved every moment of it. Her mind raced with questions as her and Indiana inspected what felt like every single inch of the amphitheater. She could imagine performances or even plays being held on the very stone she stood on, instruments long lost to time being played and what foreign words that could’ve been uttered.

Sam had other things going through mind though, it was beautiful just like everyone else saw it but he stood behind the kantele, that smug expression growing ever so slightly. Indiana could sense that Sam had something else on his mind, his demeanor slightly different now. He turned his attention to the young man, noticing the smug expression on his face. Indiana raised an eyebrow, his senses piqued. "Sam." Indiana said, his tone more authoritative and direct, catching Sam's attention. He took a step closer, now right next to him. He lowered his voice so Loretta wouldn't hear him, his eyes locked with the young man's. "There's something you're not telling us, isn't there?" There was an edge to his voice, a mix of suspicion and caution.

"It has been so long since I saw it..." He mumbled, slowly looking up at Indiana with that smug smile of his, he had seen the magnificent instrument made from a great pike’s jaw bone and the fine hair of Hiisi's horse years ago but there was something cryptic about how he spoke. He studied his expression, trying to decipher the cryptic meaning behind his words. "So you've seen it before, huh?" Indiana looked back at Loretta, who was still marveling at the amphitheatre. He didn't want to alarm her, so he kept his tone low and even. "And what do you mean by 'it's been so long'?" he asked, the skepticism in his voice clearly evident.

"Let me show you." He said softly as he began to pluck the fine strings of the instrument, a soft melody began to play. Indiana listened to the soft melody that began to play from the kantele, his arms crossed over his chest. He once again glanced over at Loretta, who was now standing beside him, her eyes wide in awe. The music was hauntingly beautiful, carrying an ancient feel to it, as if it told a story through the strings and the tones. He then looked back at Sam, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. There was something different about the way he played, a depth and understanding that went beyond mere skill or practice. It was as if the instrument came to life under his fingertips. Indiana couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Sam than he let on, but he decided to wait and observe for now.

The melody soon came to an end with Loretta clapping her hands together. "Dr Jones, Loretta. What is something you wish for? Do you want money? A country under your name? Tell me and I shall deliver." Indiana raised an eyebrow at Sam's words, with Indy’s expression a mix of skepticism and wonder. The offer sounded too good to be true. "You're offering to grant us a wish, huh?" He said, his voice tinged with a hint of disbelief. He looked at Loretta, who looked just as puzzled as he was. Loretta remained quiet as her confusion hit her like a pile of bricks. Did the kantele grant wishes? Is Sam somehow Väinämöinen? These questions now replaced the ones of beauty she had just a moment ago.

Indiana continued to regard Sam with a mix of caution and curiosity. The thought that the kantele might grant wishes seemed ludicrous, yet the look on Sam's face and the depth in which he played the instrument made him question everything he knew to be rational. "And what's the catch?" he asked Sam, his eyes still locked on the young man's. "There is no catch. Take it as thanks." He replied with a smile. His eyes narrowed, his skepticism further piqued. Nothing in life came without a price, especially not something as valuable as having a wish granted. He studied Sam further, noting every nuance and expression on his face, trying to determine whether he was being sincere or playing some sort of trick. "Thanks, huh? For what exactly?" he asked, his voice still edged with suspicion.

"For helping me find what is mine." Sam replied as he once again plucked the fine strings, playing another sweet melody. His hair turned white, and grew at a rapid speed along with his facial hair, blue robes delicately placed over him. The Sam that Indiana and Loretta knew wasn’t a person, it was a facade, something else. As the music played, Indiana watched in utter bewilderment, he heard Loretta gasp softly beside him, obviously just as shocked as he was at this unexpected transformation. He could hardly believe what was happening, but the evidence was right in front of him. Indiana's grip on his whip tightened instinctively as he took a step back, his mind racing with questions and uncertainty. He looked from the instrument, to Sam, or whatever it was that was now standing before them, then back again, trying to make sense of the unfolding situation. There was a sense of ancient power in the air, a sort of raw, elemental magic that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Indiana finally spoke, his voice a mix of shock and caution. "Who...or what the hell are you?"

"Väinämöinen." He said bluntly, holding hands up like it was some grand entrance. Indiana's eyes widened at the name, his mind recalling legends and stories he had heard in his years of academia and adventures. "Väinämöinen..." he repeated, the name rolling off his tongue with a mix of disbelief and awe. "The mythical figure from Finnish mythology, famed as the creator of the kantele." He paused for a moment, his mind racing as he tried to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. Was it really possible that this being standing before him, Sam’s transformed form, was indeed the legendary Väinämöinen? His eyes flicked back to the kantele, the instrument now seeming more like a conduit for ancient magic than a simple stringed device. He glanced over at Loretta, who still looked stunned at the revelation. He could see the mixture of confusion and excitement on her face. She always had a passion for mythology, and this was like a dream come true for her. But even her fascination was tinged with apprehension, as they both knew that dealing with something as powerful as Väinämöinen required careful caution and respect. "If you truly are Väinämöinen," Indiana spoke, his voice steady and controlled, "then what have you done with Sam?"

"There was no Sam." He replied. "I have lived in many bodies over the years, trying to find my kantele." Indiana's eyes widened further at Väinämöinen's revelation, his mind racing to process the information thrown at him. "So you've been using different bodies, masquerading as people, all to find your kantele..." He glanced back at the instrument, the object seemingly taking on a whole new meaning. "That must have taken centuries..." He then looked back at Väinämöinen, his eyes scanning the ancient entity before him. "If you're the real deal, you must have a vast amount of knowledge and power... more than anyone alive today," he said, his voice steady and measured. He took a moment to gather himself, trying to maintain a semblance of calm and composure in the face of something so immense and mystical. He once again looked over at Loretta, who was now watching the entire exchange with wide eyes, her mind probably racing with questions and theories of her own. He could almost hear the gears turning in her head. "So if you're the creator of the kantele, and you were able to play a melody to transform yourself and grant us a wish..." He turned back to Väinämöinen, his curiosity piqued. "Does that mean you can use the instrument for other things? Magic, perhaps?"

He nodded his head yes. Väinämöinen held his hand up, indicating for Loretta and Indy to wait as he began to play another melody. His fingers were sharp and precise along the fine strings. Soon enough, a light blue dust began to come out of the kantele, whizzing around Väinämöinen before landing next to Indy. The dust formed a silhouette of Marion, her features soon coming in place. Indiana's eyes widened in utter shock and disbelief as the light blue dust took the shape of Marion. He was completely taken aback at the sight, his mind racing to process what was happening in front of him. He slowly took a couple of steps closer, his hand tentatively reaching out to touch her. She looked so realistic, so real, that it was hard to believe she was just a creation of magic and the kantele. "That is not all." He replied. His tune stopped, the dust that formed the silhouette of Marion losing its glow and causing it to drop onto the ground. Väinämöinen played another tune, a more harsher tone on the peaceful instrument. The dust came to life forming a silhouette of a rabbit, soon plopping into Loretta’s arms, a fully formed white and black rabbit. "Awww! Look at him Professor!" Indiana stood there, dazed and confounded at what he just witnessed. He couldn't believe his eyes. First it was Marion, now a fully formed, alive and squirming rabbit in Loretta's arms. He shook his head in disbelief, his mind trying to process what should have been impossible.

"This...this is incredible..." He took a moment to collect his thoughts, trying to make sense of the display of power in front of him. "You're telling me that the kantele can not only create life, but also bring people back from the dead?" He looked over at Loretta, who was busy cooing and fussing over the rabbit like a little kid with a new pet. "It can create, anything." He replied as he stopped his tune, rabbit still in Loretta’s arms with its little twitching nose. Indiana rubbed the back of his neck as he took in the information, his mind still reeling from all the things the kantele was capable of. "Anything, huh? Even things we can't even imagine..." He looked back at Loretta, who was still holding the rabbit with a joyous, almost giddy, expression on her face. It was hard to blame her. Seeing something materialize from thin air was bound to excite anyone. He stepped closer to Loretta, looking down at the rabbit in her arms. He reached out cautiously, gently stroking its head and fur. It was soft and warm to the touch, alive. The idea that it was a mere creation of the kantele's powers was still baffling to him. He then turned back to Väinämöinen, his curiosity driving him to ask more questions.

"This rabbit..." He began, pausing for a moment before forming his question. "It's not just a temporary creation, is it? It's alive, it can grow and reproduce..." Before Indiana could question more about this power, loud and angry shouting was heard from where they entered the amphitheatre. "Diese dummen Idioten sind diesen Weg gegangen!" One shouted "Nein! Ich verspreche Ihnen, sie sind nach Süden gegangen!" Another shouted. The rabbit in Loretta’s arms panicked at the sound, jumping out her arms and quickly hopping away in the dense foliage. The sudden shouting and yelling interrupted their conversation, causing both Indiana and Loretta to quickly turn their attention towards the sound. They recognized the language as German, but they couldn't make out the exact words through the distance. The rabbit hopping out of Loretta's arms startled them both for a moment, causing Indiana to reach instinctively for his whip. Loretta immediately hid behind the large stone table the kantele rested upon. Väinämöinen did not move, instead he waited for the Germans to make an appearance. Indiana glanced back at Loretta, seeing her take cover behind the large stone table. He silently gestured for her to stay quiet and keep hidden, hoping the Germans wouldn't notice her. He then turned his attention back towards the direction of the shouting, his hand still on the grip of his whip. The tension in the air was thick, and the shouting grew louder as the Germans drew closer.

From the thick bushes, 3 Nazis appeared. Their shadowy uniforms covered in snow and clearly not sewn with the Finnish winter in mind. They held submachine guns but they looked like they didn’t know how to use them. "Who are you?"  The stereotypical blonde hair, blue eyes Nazi asked in broken English. Indiana stepped forward, trying to keep his voice steady and authoritative. "We're explorers, just passing through," he answered in English, his eyes glancing back to ensure Loretta remained hidden behind the table. The three men looked at each other before an angry and familiar voice from behind them was heard, they immediately turned white before making way. A man with fresh scars across his face and gaze tough as steel, the man who Loretta smashed into the table. "Ihr drei könnt überhaupt nichts richtig machen!" He barked loudly, knocking the little helmet off one of the men. The sight of the fresh scars across his face and the fierce glare in his eyes sent a chill down Indiana's spine. The man's bark was as sharp and hostile as ever. He felt a pang of guilt knowing that he and Loretta were the cause of the man's disfigurement but he kept his expression stoic, trying to appear unafraid in the face of the Nazi officer.

The Nazi muttered an apology in German as he quickly stooped down to pick up his fallen helmet, obviously shaken by the officer's harsh words. The other two stood still, their grips on their weapons tightening as they nervously darted their eyes between the officer and the two strangers. The officer's gaze landed firmly on Indiana, a dangerous glimmer in his eyes as he approached them. He stopped a few feet in front of them, his hands on his hips. "So, that girl of yours did it." He mumbled angrily, his accent somehow thicker than it was on the train. Loretta could feel the air around her become stale and uncomfortable, practically shivering as she leaned against the stone table. Väinämöinen had no fear as he watched the interaction unfold. What was this German going to do? Shoot him?

Indiana stood his ground, trying to keep his expression blank. He glanced over once again to her for a moment, his eyes meeting Loretta's for a split second, silently warning her to stay out of sight and remain silent. He turned back to the officer, his voice steady but firm. "I don't know what you're talking about," he lied, his gaze unwavering as he met the officer's glare. Loretta covered her mouth with her hands and held her breath as the interaction unfolded. "You were there! That… Schlampe! Did this to me!" He shouted, his gloved hands pointing to his face. "Where is that Finn of yours?!" He clenched his jaw, his grip on his whip instinctively tightening as the officer's anger escalated. The word "Schlampe" hung heavy in the air, and a part of him wanted to respond with a sharp retort, but he swallowed his pride, knowing it wouldn't help their situation. He shrugged nonchalantly, feigning ignorance. "I assume you mean Sami. He's around here somewhere, perhaps exploring the amphitheatre. Why do you ask?" The German grumbled trying to find words to express his frustration towards Indiana but couldn’t, no word in English or German could express it.

Indiana could see the officer struggling to find the right words, his frustration and anger building, but his lack of English and the language barrier preventing him from properly expressing himself. It was almost amusing to watch, in a dark, twisted way. He kept his expression cool and composed, waiting to see what the Nazi officer would do next. "Schneider, Wagner, Schmidt. Zurück zum Wagen!" He called out, the three men immediately running away like little school boys. The big man himself followed suit as he walked away. "I recommend you be careful." He immediately said looking back for a moment before taking out his machine pistol and spraying it. It missed Indiana and of course Loretta but Väinämöinen was unlucky, blood immediately began to seep from under his layered robes, causing Loretta to look up in horror as he clenched his chest tightly. Indiana's eyes shot wide as the German officer suddenly took out his machine pistol and sprayed the area with bullets, unable to lash his whip out in time. He instinctively threw himself to the ground in an attempt to dodge the barrage of bullets. Thankfully, they all missed him and Loretta, but Väinämöinen wasn't as lucky. He could hear Loretta's gasp of horror as the bullets hit the ancient entity, and he quickly pushed himself up into a crouching position, his heart pounding in his chest. The men scurried away, leaving only Loretta, Indy and now the injured Väinämöinen. He fell down onto the cold stone floor, still clutching his chest as his breath got heavier.

Indiana quickly got up from his crouching position and ran over to where Väinmäinen lay. He knelt down beside the ancient entity, carefully examining the wound on his chest. "Väinämöinen, can you hold on?" He asked urgently, his eyes fixed on the blood staining the layers of the being's robes. He shook his head no, placing one hand on Indiana and the other clutching his wound tightly. "Sam— Väinämöinen! Are you ok?" Loretta asked in a panic, crawling over to him and clutching the man’s chest for himself. Väinämöinen winced in pain as Loretta touched his wound, his breaths growing shallower and shallower.

"No... I'm afraid it's too late for me now," he managed to gasp out, his voice tinged with both pain and resignation. Indiana's eyes widened at the realization that the ancient entity was fading fast. He couldn't believe what he was witnessing. The man who had just miraculously appeared, the being who had created the kantele, was now dying on the cold stone floor of the amphitheatre. He placed a reassuring hand on Loretta's shoulder, his own mind racing as he tried to make sense of everything that had just happened. He looked back at Väinämöinen, his eyes filled with urgency and desperation. "Is there anything we can do? Anything we can do to save you?" he asked, hoping against hope that there was some sort of magic or ritual that could counteract the bullet wound. He shook his head no once more, his skin becoming more pale. "No… no… I will be fine." He mumbled between gasps of breaths. "Let me… play once more." He added on, his limp hand pointing to the kantele on the table. Indiana looked at the kantele, then back at Väinämöinen, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. He nodded, knowing that this might be the ancient being's last wish. "Okay, just hold on. We'll get the kantele for you."

He gave Loretta's shoulder a gentle squeeze before quickly getting up and hurrying to the table. Carefully, he picked up the kantele and brought it back to the wounded entity. He knelt back down beside Väinämöinen, trying to ignore the pooling blood on the stone floor. He gently placed the kantele in the being's hands, watching as his fingers slowly and shakily took hold of the ancient instrument. He began to play once again, plucking the strings and closing his eyes, It seemed that all of his strength went to his finger tips. The melody as soft like a flower petal and as extravagant as a setting sun.Indiana and Loretta watched in awe as Väinämöinen played the kantele once more. The melody was just as beautiful and magical as the last one, and yet there was a bittersweet sense of finality to it, like it was the being's final farewell. The sounds of the ancient instrument echoed off the walls of the ancient stone amphitheatre, creating an eerie and hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Indiana felt a lump form in his throat as he listened to the melody, the reality of Väinämöinen's impending death slowly sinking in. He reached out and gently placed a hand on Loretta's shoulder again, hoping to offer some measure of comfort to her as they both witnessed the ancient entity's final moments. As the last note of the melody faded into silence, Väinämöinen's hands fell limp from the kantele, the instrument dropping with a soft thump onto the stone floor. His breathing slowed, and his body went slack.

"Have it… Jones…" He murmured, trying his best to pass the instrument to the Professor. Indiana's eyes widened slightly as he spoke, his voice now barely a whisper. He gently took the kantele from the being's limp hands, his own hands clutching the ancient instrument with a mix of awe and sadness. "I'll take care of it," he assured, his voice hoarse with emotion. With a final breath, Väinämöinen closed his eyes for the very last time, his arms laying perfectly still like a statue. Loretta bursted out crying, covering her face with her blood stained hands. She didn’t just lose a random Finnish guide, she lost a friend who deeply cared for her despite knowing her for less than a week. Indiana placed the kantele gently on the ground beside him and put a comforting arm around Loretta, pulling her close and letting her cry into his chest. He didn't say anything, knowing that words wouldn't be enough to ease her sorrow. He looked down at the lifeless body of Väinämöinen, a mix of sadness and anger welling up inside him.

He couldn't believe that this man, this ancient being who had created the kantele and shown them such wonders, was now gone. All because of some stupid, foolish Nazis. He let out a frustrated huff, his grip on Loretta tightening as he tried to keep his own emotions in check. Indiana looked around the ancient amphitheatre, his gaze falling on the various markings and carvings on the surrounding stones. But now, they all seemed less magical and more like symbols of the violence that had been unleashed on this sacred place. "Why? Why him?!" She sobbed uncontrollably, her grip on Indiana getting stronger as his shirt soaked up her warm tears.

Indiana squeezed Loretta tighter, wrapping his arms around her in a protective embrace. He felt her anguish, her despair, and he shared her pain. He didn’t have an answer for her. Why did this happen? Why did an ancient being like Väinämöinen have to suffer a violent end at the hands of the Nazis? It didn’t make any sense, and there was no logical explanation to give. He silently cursed the Nazis for their cruelty and stupidity, for ruining this beautiful place and killing an innocent soul. But he knew that curses and anger wouldn't bring Väinämöinen back. All he could do was offer Loretta comfort and support in her grief. "We…" Sniff "We need to give them hell!" She cried louder, her sorrow turning into pure anger but it was muffled from Indy’s chest. He could feel her body trembling with anger and grief as she spoke, her words muffled by his chest. He didn’t say anything, merely holding her tighter in his embrace, letting her pour out her emotions. He understood her anger though, he felt it too, but he couldn’t help but feel a pang of doubt. Sure they could try and fight back against the Nazis, but they were only two people against an entire army.

He looked down at Loretta, her face buried in his chest, and contemplated what she said. The thought of exacting revenge on the Nazis was tempting, but he knew the risks. They had no weapons, no backup, nothing but the kantele and their wits. Besides, Loretta was still just a teenager, and he couldn’t in good conscience rope her into a potentially dangerous situation. He exhaled a deep sigh, his fingers running gently through Loretta's hair, trying to offer her some comfort. "I understand your anger, Loretta. I feel it too. But we can’t be reckless. We don’t have the tools or the manpower to take on the entire Nazi army. It’s too dangerous for you, you’re still just a kid." She nodded her head yes, still crying. The little rabbit from earlier returned, hopping his way to Loretta. "Bunny…" She mumbled like a small child at the sight of the creature, diverting her attention away from her grief and anger. He watched as the bunny hopped up to Loretta and sniffed at her, its whiskers twitching curiously. He chuckled softly, breaking the moment of quiet comfort. "Looks like your friend came back, kid." He ran his hand over the bunny's soft fur, watching it hop onto Loretta's lap.

Loretta gently picked it up, holding it over her shoulder like a baby as she nuzzled the side of her face into the rabbit’s fur. He couldn't help but chuckle again as he watched Loretta hold the bunny like a baby, her face buried into its soft fur. There was something about the sight of an angry and grieving teenager being comforted by a small, fluffy animal that was endearing and hilarious at the same time. He patted Loretta's shoulder gently, a small smile still on his lips. "Maybe we should keep the bunny. Seems to be the one thing that can calm you down." She nodded her head yes, hugging the bunny a little tighter.  "Can… Can I bring him home?" She mumbled between sniffles. He chuckled again, amused by Loretta’s request. The thought of bringing a bunny back to New York seemed like a ridiculous and silly idea, but he couldn’t deny the effect it had on Loretta.

He shrugged his shoulders, feigning indifference, but secretly knowing he wouldn’t be able to resist her pleading eyes. "I suppose so. But you’re going to be the one taking care of it." He reached forward and scratched the bunny between its fluffy ears, smiling as it let out a small, contented noise. "What are you going to name it?" Loretta thought about it, the little black patches on the white rabbit remind her of dominoes and checkers but she grieved the loss of Väinämöinen and Sam. "Sami… his name is Sami…" Indiana's smile grew a bit wider at Loretta's choice of name. He understood the symbolism behind it, the rabbit’s appearance mirroring that of the two men they had lost.

He nodded his head in approval, gently petting Sami's soft fur. "Sami, huh? That's a nice name. I'm sure he'll be a good companion to you." He stood up, holding out his hand to help Loretta up from her spot on the ground. "Come on, we should get going. The longer we stay here, the more likely it is that those damn Nazis will find us again."

[Couple weeks later]

Indiana walked up to the front door of the Crawford’s house, a small gift tucked under his arm. The house was adorned with various Christmas decorations, and the warm glow from the windows illuminated the dark night outside. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door, his breath misting in the cold winter air as he waited for someone to answer. Footsteps were immediately heard running towards the door. "It’s has to be Charlie! It has to be!" The voice said with excitement in their voice as they quickly rustled the keys and opened the wooden door. It was Loretta, dressed in a dark red sweater and tartan skirt. "Merry Christmas Professor! He smiled as the door swung open and he was greeted by Loretta’s cheerful face. The sight of her dressed in a red sweater filled him with warmth, and he couldn’t help but chuckle at her excitement. He stepped inside, shaking the snow off his coat and handing her the small present he was holding. "Merry Christmas, Loretta. I hope I didn’t show up too early." She shook her head no as she closed the door and locked it. "Everyone came early." She replied, quickly making her way to the living room and placing the gift under the tree where what appeared to be hundreds of presents, including Sami, hiding under the tree with a little makeshift Santa hat.

He followed behind her as she entered the living room, his eyes widening slightly at the sheer number of presents spread out under the tree. He chuckled as he spotted Sami hiding under the tree with a Santa hat on, a cute and amusing sight. He looked around the living room, taking in the festive decorations and the overall atmosphere of warmth and cheer. He turned to Loretta, a cheeky smile on his face. "I hope you didn't ask Santa for anything too extravagant this year. He might not have room in his sleigh with all these gifts already here."

"Oh no. Everyone is here, Uncle Luigi and Joe, Aunt Barbra and Rossana." She continued to list a bunch of names from aunties, uncles, cousins and a few family friends but one got Indy’s attention. "Charlie said he’s been discharged or something for the meantime, he got injured in Scilly or something." The mention of Charlie’s name piqued Indiana’s interest, and he raised an eyebrow at the update on the young man’s status. He remembered Charlie clearly, the troublemaker who always seemed to find a way to get under his skin with his pranks and misbehavior. He chuckled at the thought of Charlie being injured in "Scilly", wondering just what kind of trouble he had gotten himself into this time. "Scilly, huh? That’s an interesting place to get injured. I can only imagine the antics he got up to to end up getting hurt in a place like that." He said casually, suppressing a grin as he thought about the chaos that Charlie must have caused. Loretta somewhat hummed in agreement. "I don’t think it’s any of his doing… he stopped being immature after he graduated." Indiana was a bit surprised by Loretta’s statement, his expression showing a hint of skepticism. "Charlie, mature? I find that hard to believe." He said, half-serious and half-joking. It was difficult for him to imagine the troublemaking student he used to teach suddenly turning into a mature and responsible adult. He chuckled, crossing his arms and shaking his head slightly. "Next you’ll be telling me he’s joining the priesthood or something."

"He’s thought about it." She joked playfully with a small laugh. Indiana's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Loretta's remark, a mixture of disbelief and shock crossing his face. "Charlie, a priest? That’s a terrifying thought if I’ve ever heard one. I don’t think the church could handle his… unique personality." Before Loretta could respond with another joke, Mrs Crawford shouted from the kitchen. "Dinner’s ready!" Indiana heard Mrs. Crawford's call from the kitchen and his stomach rumbled in anticipation. The scent of food floating through the air had teased his senses, and he was eager to see what was in store for dinner. He glanced over at Loretta and offered her a smile. "Sounds like it’s time to chow down. Shall we?"

She nodded her head yes as she guided Indiana to the dining room. Everything had been decorated beautifully, little figurines of cherubs and Christmas symbols scatted around the dining room, but more importantly the insane amount of relatives chatting, laughing and trying their best to find a seat. He chuckled as he realized just how many relatives were there, wondering how they would all fit at the dinner table. He looked over to Loretta, his eyes sparkling with amusement. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, his voice half-joking and half-serious. "Is this one of those 'big family dinners' where you sit next to a random aunt or uncle you've never met before and make small talk while trying not to mention politics or religion?" She nodded her head yes with a giggle as she finally grabbed a seat. "Don’t sit next to uncle Murphy. That man will try to convince you about some stupid thing." He chuckled as he took the seat next to Loretta, grateful for her warning about Uncle Murphy. "Thanks for the heads up. I was bracing myself for a heated debate on the merits of Marxist theory or something." He chuckled again, shaking his head in amusement as he took in the sight of all the relatives seated around the dinner table.

After what felt like hours, everybody managed to get a seat, even Sami, who sat on Loretta’s lap. Loretta’s mother and aunts began to place all sorts of delicious dishes onto the table, along with some sides but more important of them all, the massive turkey that sat right in the middle of the table. The moment all the women sat down, everyone began to dig in. Indiana's eyes widened with delight as the food was placed on the table, particularly the turkey which looked succulent and delicious. The scent of the bird and all the sides wafted through the air, making his stomach growl. He followed Loretta's family's lead and began to pile food onto his plate. He couldn’t remember the last time he had a meal like this, surrounded by a big, joyful family. As he took a bite of the turkey, his taste buds exploded with flavor. It was perfectly cooked, moist and juicy, with a crispy skin that was the perfect balance of savory and rich. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the taste of the turkey before opening them again and turning to Loretta "Your family knows how to cook a good turkey."

"Italians just know how to cook good in general." She joked playfully as she began to eat, handing Sami a little vegetable in between chews. Indiana chuckled, appreciating Loretta's joke about Italians being great cooks. "I'll have to agree with you on that. I've never met an Italian who couldn't cook a mean meal. I'm a sucker for good food, and I have to say your family's spread here is definitely winning me over."  He glanced down at the little bunny sitting in Loretta's lap, munching on its vegetables. "Looks like Sami's enjoying the meal too. Never met a rabbit with such good taste."

"He’s a little glutton, that’s why." She said with a little giggle as she continued to eat. Indiana chuckled at Loretta's comment about Sami's gluttonous behavior. He watched as the bunny ate its vegetables, its little cheeks filled with food like a hungry chipmunk. "He's certainly got an appetite, I'll give him that." He took another bite of his turkey, savoring the flavors before continuing the conversation. "So, any interesting tales about your family? I’m sure with a big gathering like this, there has to be some wild stories floating around."

"Well, Uncle Vito…" She pointed with her fork to the man wearing a bomber jacket with black hair and a matching button up. "Ma thinks he’s part of the… y’know… Mafia…" She whispered over to Indiana. "He’s cool though." Indiana chuckled and leaned closer to Loretta, also whispering. "Ah, Uncle Vito. So, a bit of a mobster, huh? I have to admit, I wouldn’t have pegged him for the mafia type. He looks more like a retired baseball player with that bomber jacket." 

"He loves baseball." She replied back as Sami jumped off her lap and scurried away, most likely Loretta’s bedroom. He nodded, his eyes following Sami as it hopped off Loretta's lap and made its way to her bedroom. "Ah, that explains it. The bomber jacket, the button-up shirt, all the perfect attire for a dedicated baseball fan. I suppose if he's part of the mafia, he probably bets on the games too." He chuckled to himself, sipping on his glass of wine. "You don't suppose he's in a league with some of the other mob bosses, do you? I can just imagine it, a secret gathering of mafia leaders getting together to play a friendly game of baseball and hash out their business disputes in the seventh inning stretch."

"Yeah, then after the match they beat each other up with the very bats they used." She joked back with a giggle but her giggling came to an end when she heard a knock on the front door. "Loretta, can you get that? I’m tired." Her mother said, scoffing her food down. Indiana chuckled along with her at her joke, imagining the scene of mobsters turning a friendly baseball game into a brawl. But he was abruptly pulled out of his thoughts by her mother's request for Loretta to answer the door. He raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected knock at the door. "Looks like you’re on door duty."

She rolled her eyes as she got out of her chair, the chair rumbling against the floorboards. "Be careful! You’ll scratch the poor wood Etta!" One of her relatives called out, their speech muffled by their food in their mouth. But she quickly got to the door and opened, revealing her older brother Charlie. Almost everyone erupted in cheer at the sight of the poor man, clearly affected by the events of the war. She hugged him so tightly, he could’ve bursted at the moment. Indiana knew Loretta hadn’t seen Charlie in months, perhaps not even since he had joined the war effort. When the door swung open and revealed the changed man before her, Indiana felt a pang of sympathy in his heart. Charlie looked weary and battle-worn, the toll of war clearly etched onto his face. He listened as Loretta's family erupted into cheer, all of them rising from their seats to embrace the poor man. He could see the relief on Charlie’s face, the way he hugged Loretta back as if he was afraid she’d disappear if he let go. He took a sip of his wine, his heart swelling with emotion at the scene before him.

He couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of pride and admiration for Charlie. He knew the young man had always been a bit of a troublemaker, but seeing him now, having gone through the horrors of war, Indy saw a newfound maturity and resilience he had never seen before. Once the chaos of Charlie's arrival had subsided, Loretta guided her brother over to the table where an empty seat was waiting for him, watching as Charlie took his seat, his eyes studying the young man's face, the way his shoulders slumped slightly, his gaze distant and weary. Loretta sat back down next to Indiana but her mind was focused on her brother, asking question after question as she shoved food into her gullet. Charlie was clearly changed due to his experiences in WWII, and Indiana could sense the worry in Loretta's voice as she bombarded him with question after question.

He sat in silence, sipping his wine as Loretta and Charlie talked, stealing glances at the young man every now and then. He couldn’t help but wonder what Charlie had seen and experienced through the horrors of war, and if he would ever fully recover from such a traumatic event. Indy had seen his fair share of tragedy and violence, but nothing compared to the atrocities of a world war. He shook his head slightly, mentally chiding himself for his grim thoughts. It was Christmas, a time for joy and togetherness, not sadness and reflection. He took another sip of his wine, trying to push his concerns for Charlie aside for the night and focus on the festivities and the company around him. After Charlie had answered all of Loretta’s burning questions and some of their relatives had left the dining table. Her attention went back to Indiana, tugging at his brown sweater. "Professor, where is Luis?" She asked in a hushed whisper, knowing how some of her family members would react to Indiana’s relationship. Indiana looked down at Loretta, his eyes briefly glancing over at some of her relatives who he knew were not fond of his relationship with his husband, Luis. He understood Loretta's discreet question and lowered his voice as he replied. "Luis is in Chicago. He's working on a restoration project there." 

He paused for a moment before adding with a slight smile. "He did mention he’d like to bring you to Chicago one day, show you around the art scene there." Her eyes immediately sparkled at the thought of going to Chicago, the birthplace of Jazz, her favourite music genre and the home to Blues, Indiana’s favourite genre. "Can we get some records while we’re there? Please, Professor?" He couldn’t help but chuckle at Loretta’s enthusiasm, her eyes lighting up at the mention of Chicago and her love for jazz and his own love for blues music. He could just imagine the kind of trouble they’d get into in that city. "Ah, classic music and Chicago. A match made in heaven. And you want to get some records while we’re there, huh? Of course, we can definitely make that happen. I’ll let Luis know about your wishlist when I see him again." He took another sip of his wine, a mischievous glint in his eye as he continued. "Who knows what other trouble we’ll get up to while we’re there. You are fond of jazz clubs, after all, aren’t you?" She shook her head yes and no, making a swaying motion instead. "I haven’t been to one but I’ve always wanted to." He could tell how excited she was at the thought of visiting a jazz club. "Ah, so you haven’t been to one yet. Well, then you’re in for quite a treat. There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a good jazz club, listening to the live music, dancing the night away..."

He continued on, a sly smile on his lips. "There’s a certain level of excitement and danger to those clubs that you won’t find in other places. You never know what might happen when you step into one. But I’ll give Luis the heads up that you’re interested in checking them out. Maybe he’ll even take us to his favorite spot. Who knows?" Loretta nodded her head yes with a big smile on her face, imagining the kinds of people she’ll meet, the roads that have led to that point but more importantly, maybe finding a girlfriend. He once again chuckled at her excited nods, her grin stretching across her face as she imagined the possibilities of a jazz club visit. He could picture her in his mind, dancing and chatting with other guests, no doubt making plenty of new friends. "Ah, there’s a sparkle in your eye. I can tell you’re thinking about all the people you’ll meet, those different paths they’ve walked to end up there. And who knows, maybe even catch yourself a sweetheart."

A silence fell between the two, background chatter from Loretta’s relatives and the clinking of dishes from the kitchen. "I miss Elodie…" She mumbled under her breath. Indiana noticed the sudden change in Loretta’s demeanor, the way the mention of Elodie’s name made her mood shift. He could sense the sadness in her voice as she mumbled, her eyes glazing over ever so slightly. He lowered his voice even further, his tone one of understanding. "I know you do, Loretta. Elodie was... complicated. It’s not easy to forget someone like that, even under the circumstances." He reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze as a sign of comfort. He knew Loretta had strong feelings for Elodie, even if Elodie had been anything but kind to her. "It’s alright to miss her. Just remember that those kinds of relationships, the ones that bring more pain than joy, they’re not worth clinging onto. You deserve better, Loretta."

He gave her shoulder a final squeeze before withdrawing his hand, his eyes fixed on hers as he continued. "And as for the jazz clubs in Chicago, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet people. Good people. People who will treat you right and appreciate your bright spirit." He chuckled softly at the thought before continuing. "Just, ah, maybe steer clear of any women who look like they might be supernatural creatures, eh? can’t have you going down that path again."

Chapter Text

The heels of Loretta’s shoes click and clack against the concrete pathway that led to Indiana’s home. The summer sun beaming down in the neighbourhood as Loretta tried to escape the heat. Her fingers rapped against the wooden door as she knocked, waiting with a friendly smile. Indiana was just sitting down at his little desk in the study, sorting through all the mess of papers and journals when he heard the knock at the door. He sighed, knowing the peaceful and quiet of his desk had been interrupted. But he quickly got up and opened the door, a small smile appearing on his face when he saw it was Loretta. "Ah, Loretta. Come in, come in before the heat melts you down to a little Italian soup." She nodded her head yes as she ducked under Indiana’s arm, entering his cool house. "Thank you, Professor. It’s terrible out there, isn’t it?" He chuckled as he closed the door behind Loretta, blocking the harsh summer sun. He could feel the heat radiating from her as she entered. "Ah, it's an oven outside. You should have seen me jogging earlier, I nearly collapsed. Come, sit in the living room. I'll get us something cold to drink."

"Thank you again." She repeated once again, that smile still on her face as she made her way to Indiana’s living room, sitting down on the plush couch. Indiana ducked into the kitchen, his footsteps light against the tiled floor. He could hear Loretta settling into the sofa, the springs creaking slightly as she sat down. He opened the fridge and perused its contents, his hand grabbing two chilled bottles of soda and closing the door gently with his foot. "Ah, I hope you don’t mind soda. I’m in no shape to make proper iced tea right now."

"No, no. It’s ok, I like soda." Loretta said as she took a sip of the sugary brown drink. "Haven’t had it in awhile, ma keeps saying they’ve been sold out." She added with a chuckle. He chuckled once more as he took a drink of his own soda, the cold liquid refreshing against his parched throat. "Ah, my secret stash, if you will. Luis got a case of them a while back as a thank-you from an associate of his. I managed to hide a few before they all disappeared." He sat down in the armchair opposite Loretta, stretching out his legs and kicking off his shoes. He took another sip of his soda before continuing. "So, to what do I owe the unexpected visit from you, Loretta? Not that I mind at all, of course. It’s just a bit unusual for you to stop by unannounced like this. Usually, you call first."

"To escape the heat!" Loretta joked with a giggle before taking another sip of her drink. "But no, I was wondering if Luis was home." Indiana chuckled at her joke, nodding in agreement. It had been a particularly hot summer, and he could understand her desire to find refuge from the sun. "I see. I should’ve guessed it was Luis you were after," he said with a smirk. "Always a favorite among the ladies, that one."

"He likes men and I like women. Won’t work out, Professor. Plus he’s like… 30 something like you, I’m only 17." She replied bluntly, almost backhanding Indiana. He chuckled at Loretta’s response, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Ah, point taken, point taken. I know you’re not interested in Luis that way, I was just teasing. But you’re right, he’s a bit old for you." He leaned back in his chair, a slight smile on his face. "And he does prefer men, of course. Trust me, I would know." He winked playfully at Loretta, knowing her well enough to see the playful retort for what it was. "So why do you want to see him anyway? Got something you want him to appraise, or are you just bored and looking for company?"

"Oh well, Just before the holidays began I was wondering if he had that Jazz record he ordered from the magazine on my behalf." Loretta said with a little smile. "I was wondering if it arrived." He nodded, recalling the record Loretta had been eager to get her hands on. "I remember him ordering that for you as a gift. It's been a couple weeks since then, it should have arrived by now. Luis is upstairs in the study, let's go ask him." He got out of his chair, gesturing for Loretta to follow him upstairs. Loretta followed closely behind Indiana, the stairs creaking with each step. The wall by her was decorated with Indiana’s and Luis’ past achievements, along with photographs from exhibitions and galleries where their restoration and research were celebrated. He reached the top of the stairs and turned to the right, heading for the study and gently opening the door. "Luis? Loretta's come to see you." From under a pile of easels, Luis stuck his arm up with smudged paint all over his hands in all sorts of shades and colours. A rumbling of a chair and soon a couple easels till eventually Luis appeared. "Preciosa! How are you?" He asked with a smile, "Ah, Luis," Indy greeted, a twinkle in his eye. "Seems you've been busy in here."

"I have!" He said with a little chuckle, wiping his dirty hands on his apron and smearing more paint the on the fabric. "What do you need help with, Loretita?" Indiana laughed, shaking his head at the sight of Luis, his apron now decorated with more paint than before. "You're quite the mess," he remarked, a playful smile on his lips. "Like you're no better." Luis snapped back playfully with a smirk, taking a step closer to his husband. "Um… Luis…" Loretta mumbled, trying to butt into the conversation. Indiana laughed at Luis's retort, acknowledging his own state of disarray. He ran a hand through his messy hair, messing it further. "Ah, yes, I've been up to my elbows in old manuscripts this morning. I'm quite the sight, aren't I?" Luis glanced at Loretta, noticing her attempt to interject. "Yes, Loretta?"

"The record, from the magazine. The Glenn Miller one you got for me, may I have it?" She asked, wanting to leave the two lovebirds alone together. Luis nodded and gave her a fond smile. He knew Loretta was probably eager to have her jazz record but was also likely anxious to give him and Indiana time alone. "Of course, it should be on the shelf in my study. Go ahead." He gave her a playful nudge, understanding her desire to retreat and give them some privacy. "Off you go, we'll catch up in a bit." Loretta nodded her head yes as she tried to navigate around the multiple easels with priceless artwork, some in the process to be restored while others were drying and waiting for their rightful owners to pick them up. She could hear the murmurs of Luis and Indiana, the two speaking in a hushed tone. Eventually she got to Luis’ desk, covered in scrap materials, paperwork and other miscellaneous items. So, she began to dig through the mess. The two lovebirds continued to chat in the background as Loretta looked for the record in the study. Their conversation was soft, a mix of Spanish and English, with an occasional laugh. It was clear they were engrossed in a heartfelt discussion, the warmth of their bond evident in their playful banter. Loretta knew no Spanish, so the distant conversation meant nothing but she was busy coughing at the thick smell of turpentine. "How does he do it?" She mumbled to herself as she continued to sift through the stuff on Luis’ desk. Eventually, she managed to locate the record she was looking for, tucked away among the clutter on Luis's desk. The smell of turpentine filled her nostrils, causing her to cough a little. She shook her head, wondering how Luis could bear the strong scent in his work space. She held it up like some priceless treasure, her pupils blown wide at the Glenn Miller record. She immediately rushed back to Indiana and Luis, unable to take the strong petroleum scent any longer.

Indiana turned his head as Loretta approached, a smile on his face as he saw the record in her hands. He could see the excitement in her eyes, the way her eyes twinkled with glee as she clutched the record tightly. He chuckled and reached out to take the record, examining it for a moment before handing it back to Loretta with a nod of approval. "There you are. This is a good one, Loretta. You have good taste in music, I must say."

"Glenn Miller is the best composer out there." She replied, coughing into her elbow. He chuckled and shook his head in agreement. He knew Loretta had a deep love for jazz and had a particular fondness for Glenn Miller. "Ah, yes, I can't deny that. There's something about his music that just captures the essence of the genre, something almost enchanting." He glanced at her, his brow furrowing in concern at her coughing fit. He moved closer to her, his voice gentle as he asked. "You alright? That smell of turpentine can be quite potent."

"Yeah… I hate the smell of gas." She replied, coughing one last time into her arm. "How do you do it?" Loretta asked the two of them. He laughed once more, understanding Loretta's dislike for the strong scent. He knew it could take some adjusting to get used to. "Ah, I've grown accustomed to it over the years. But I can't deny it's not the most pleasant aroma." He glanced at Luis, his smile growing wider. "And Luis here, well he seems to have a strange affinity for the smell, doesn't he?"

"Yes, it’s like perfume to me." The two love birds chuckled and Indiana rolled his eyes playfully at Luis' response, his amusement clear in his expression. "Ah, yes, for Luis, it's a fragrance like no other," he said with a playful tone. "But I suppose that's the price you pay for being an artist, eh?"

"The price of restoration." He said with a chuckle once again, his eyes full of love for Indiana and he could only respond with a fond expression of his own. He knew how much Luis loved his work, how dedicated he was to bring each piece back to its former glory. It was a labor of love that required patience, skill, and a keen eye for detail. He gave him a playful nudge, a silent gesture of understanding between them, knowing exactly what he meant. He looked back at Loretta, a soft smile on his face. "Ah, if you'll excuse us, Loretta. I need to steal Luis away for a moment." He gave her a playful wink, his eyes filled with a hint of mischief. She rolled her eyes in response, knowing exactly what the couple were going to do together. "Alright… but I’m listening to my record in your study, professor."

"Absolutely, Loretta. Make yourself at home. And don't touch anything except for the record player." With that, he took Luis' hand and led him out of his study, his eyes sparkling with excitement as they both left the room. Loretta quickly descended the stairs, went down the hallway and into Indiana’s office/study. Indy’s gramophone sat by his desk, with his favourite Blues albums placed on his messy desk. She carefully took her record out of the cardboard sleeve and gently placed it on the gramophone, placing the needle carefully. The record immediately came to life and she sat back on Indy’s leather chair. The melodic sounds of Glenn Miller filled the study, the notes of the trumpet and clarinet dancing through the air. Loretta closed her eyes, letting the music wash over her as she sat in Indiana's chair. It was a moment of tranquility, a small escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. She could feel the stresses of the outside world melt away, replaced by the soothing rhythm of the music. She let herself get lost in the melody, her thoughts and worries fading away. The music continued to play, filling the room with its gentle, uplifting notes. Loretta could almost imagine herself dancing in a lively jazz club, surrounded by people laughing and enjoying themselves. She leaned back in the chair, the leather cushioning her, as she continued to let the music carry her away.

She didn’t know how long she fell asleep for, all she knew was that the sky had turned into soft purples, pinks and oranges and the record’s beautiful tune had come to an end long ago. When she opened her eyes, she was immediately greeted by Indiana’s face. Causing her to jump as she clutched her chest. "Hello!" Indiana chuckled at her surprised reaction, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," he said with a smile. He stepped closer, his hand resting on the gramophone as he lifted the needle away from the record.  "No, no, it’s ok." She reinsured as she tried to regulate her breathing, her hand still over her chest. He chuckled once again, his eyes fond as he watched Loretta recover from the surprise. "I suppose I should have made my presence known a bit better," he said with a playful tone, his lips curling upward into a smirk. He moved over to the window, peering out into the orange and purple sky, admiring the changing colors with a thoughtful expression. "Where’s Luis?" Loretta asked as she looked around Indy’s study, seeing no sign of the Latin man. "He's in the kitchen," Indiana replied, his eyes still fixed on the sky. "He's preparing to cook dinner tonight. You're welcome to join us, of course." He turned his gaze back to Loretta, a warm smile on his face as he added playfully, "If you can bear the aroma of turpentine."

"It’s just his office that smells like that, he’s alright." She replied, finally standing up and out of Indiana’s chair and adjusting her clothes. "Ah, yes, only the study has that distinct aroma, but it's part of Luis' charm, I suppose. So, will you be staying for dinner then?"

"Yeah, I just hope Ma doesn’t mind." Indiana chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement at the thought of Loretta's mother's potential reaction to her staying for dinner. "Ah, well, I'll make sure we leave the study windows open so the turpentine scent doesn't linger and give your mother the wrong idea," he said with a playful wink. He carefully placed the record back in its sleeve, his fingers delicately handling the delicate item. He placed it on the desk, his eyes running over the various memorabilia scattered around the study, taking in the familiarity of the room, the scent of old books and paper and the soft hum of the gramophone. "Well, why don't we head to the kitchen and see what Luis is up to?" He asked, his lips curving into a gentle, playful smile. Loretta nodded her head yes as she began to make her way to the door, but just before she turned the handle, she spoke. "You coming, Professor?"

"Of course," Indiana replied with a fond smile. "Can't let you miss out on Luis' cooking, can we? It might be his way of apologizing for the paint fumes." He chuckled to himself, following closely behind as Loretta opened the study door. As they walked down the hallway and into the kitchen, the aroma of spices and herbs filled the air. The clinking of pots and pans and the sound of a quiet Spanish song playing on the radio created a cozy atmosphere, while the warm light from overhead cast a soft glow. Luis stood at the stove, his apron stained with various colors of paint as he stirred a simmering pot of a delicious-smelling stew. Indiana moved over to Luis, his hand coming to rest on Luis' back as he peeked over his shoulder to see what he was cooking. "That smells delicious. What are you making?"

Luis stirred the pot with a smile, the savory scent of the stew wafting through the air. "Ah, I'm making a traditional Spanish lentil soup. It's an old family recipe." His eyes twinkled as he looked up at them, the warmth and love in his gaze evident. As the two chatted, Loretta sat at their dining table. Resting her head in her hands and closing her eyes. The chatter in the kitchen continued, the sound of Luis explaining the intricacies of the recipe while Indiana occasionally offered a playful comment or two. The kitchen was warm and cozy, the aroma of the stew mixing with the scent of turpentine that wafted in from the study. Indiana and Luis' laughter filled the air and the sound of a Spanish song played softly from the radio. After a while, the clattering of dishes reached Loretta's ears and the sound of footsteps grew louder as Luis approached the dining table. "Dinner's ready," he said, setting the steaming bowl of stew in front of her with a warm smile. Indiana followed close behind, carrying the small bowl of bread and setting it on the table on the opposite side of Loretta. She looked up, a small smile on her face as she watched Luis carefully place the hot stew in front of her. "Oh this looks delicious!" Luis beamed at her compliment, his eyes filled with warmth and pride as he sat down. "Thank you, preciosa. You'll soon be able to bask in its full glory." Indiana took a seat next to Luis, his eyes sparkling as he nodded in agreement. I can never get tired of his cooking. It's a work of art in itself."

The three of them sat together at the table, the warm glow of the overhead light casting shadows around them. The steam from the stew rose into the air, the delicious aroma wafting through the room. Indiana and Luis shared a smile, their bond of companionship evident in the small gestures and playful banter, while Loretta remained quiet, her eyes flickering between them. As they enjoyed their meal, the sounds of spoons clinking against bowls, soft murmurs, and the occasional laughter filled the air. The atmosphere was cozy, the warmth of the food and company melding together to create a comfortable ambiance. The two lovebirds continued to chat and laugh, their interaction filled with playful banter and inside jokes, while Loretta listened and observed, her eyes occasionally darting between the two. Eventually, the conversation grew quiet as they focused on their meal. The soft strains of the Spanish song still played on the radio, the music and the sounds of the spoon clinking filling the quiet room.

After they finished eating, Indiana and Luis chatted a while longer, their words becoming a soft buzz in the background. It was a moment of contentment, a fleeting pocket of time where they could just sit and be together, the stresses of the outside world temporarily forgotten. After a while, Loretta eventually finished her stew along with some of the bread rolls . She slumped back in her chair with a big smile on her face. "Thank you Luis, that was beautiful." Luis beamed with pride once again at Loretta's compliment, his eyes sparkling with joy. "You flatter me, preciosa. It was my pleasure to cook for you." Indiana nodded in agreement, a fond smile on his face as he added, "Indeed, Luis has a true talent for the culinary arts. Never underestimate a painter's hidden talents." He winked playfully at Luis, affection evident in his playful banter. The three of them sat in comfortable silence for a while, the soft strains of the radio filling the room. Eventually, Indiana glanced at Loretta, a subtle question in his eyes. "Tired?" he whispered, knowing she had been drifting in and out of sleep earlier. She nodded her head yes. "Very… The heat always gets to me." She then looked over to the window, noticing the sun had set long ago and a small frown on her face. He chuckled softly, his eyes understanding. He glanced at the window as well and noticed the evening had fully set in, the room now illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight. "Well," he began slowly, "it's getting quite late... maybe you should stay the night."

"Yeah, maybe. Can I call my ma?" She asked sheepishly, pointing over to Indiana’s rotary phone by the front door. Indiana nodded, a fond smile on his face. "Of course, Loretta. Go ahead and give your mother a call. We wouldn't dream of sending you home this late." He gestured toward the phone, the moonlight glinting off the receiver, inviting her to use it. She quickly got up and made her way to the phone. Almost bending over as she began to dial for her mother, each number leaving with a loud clunk. But eventually it began to call and someone picked up. "Ma? It’s— I know I’m late, I’m at Mr Jones’ house, he’s asking if I can stay the night… Yes, I did pick up my record, yes I did feed Sami before I left…" Indiana chuckled at  her conversation with her mother, her voice filled with a mix of reassurance. He could tell from Loretta's expressions that her mother was expressing concern, but she was managing to calm her down, explaining that there was no need for anyone having to come pick her up so late in the night. Eventually, Loretta finished the call with her mother, the phone receiver clicking back into place as she placed it on its cradle.  Indiana looked at her, a playful sparkle in his eyes. "Ah, the maternal concern, always present," he said with a chuckle. "Everything alright with your mother, I hope?"

"Yeah, she said I can stay the night." Loretta replied, her hands resting politely behind her back as she made her way back to Indiana and Luis. Indiana chuckled once more and nodded, his eyes warm with understanding. He knew all too well the concern of mothers and the importance of giving them peace of mind. He gestured toward the living room, his voice filled with warmth. "Ah, good. You're welcome to stay as late as you like, Loretta. Now, why don't we move to the living room? We can listen to some more music."

"Yes please!" She exclaimed happily with a smile as she rushed off into Indiana study, soon coming out with the record Luis purchased for her earlier. Indiana chuckled and rolled his eyes playfully at Loretta's enthusiasm, amused by her excitement. He followed her into his study, his footsteps silent on the wooden floor. He watched as she carefully took the record out of its sleeve, her fingers handling it with care. It was clear she treasured the record, a gift from Luis that would bring her hours of enjoyment. He couldn't help but smile as they moved into the living room, the mood shifting with the change in scenery and the anticipation of the music to come. As they entered the living room, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, the soft light from the overhead light casting a gentle glow on the room. Indiana took a seat on one of the sofas, the leather cushioning his tired body. He motioned for Luis to sit beside him, a gentle, inviting smile on his face as he patted the seat next to him. Luis sat next Indy, snuggling up against his husband with a little smile. Loretta quickly went over to the gramophone, gently placing it on the turntable and dropping the needle onto the record. It came to life immediately as it spun around. The same tune from earlier playing once again as Loretta fell back onto a nearby armchair. Luis cuddled up next to Indiana, his warmth and presence providing a comforting presence for Indiana as they sat together on the sofa. Indiana leaned closer to Luis, his eyes closing as he enjoyed the sound of the music. The soft notes of the Glenn Miller record filled the room, a mellow background melody that created a soothing atmosphere.

He glanced at Loretta, her eyes closed as she rested in the armchair. The sound of the music was pleasant and calming, the gentle notes lulling them into a peaceful state. "Mi amor, shall we dance?" Luis abruptly with a cheeky grin on his face, getting up from the couch and holding his hand out for his lover. A soft chuckle escaped Indiana's lips at Luis' sudden request for a dance. He knew his husband had a penchant for spontaneous moments of affection like these and he loved it. Indiana took his hand, a warm smile on his face as he gently got off the sofa, the softness of the carpet beneath his feet. He held onto Luis' hand, stepping closer and gently swaying to the music as they glided across the small space, their movements matching the rhythm of the record. With each step and spin, they moved in harmony, their bodies swaying together effortlessly. The music seemed to guide their movements, their steps matching the timing of the beat. Soft laughter escaped their lips as they twirled and spun together, their expressions filled with a mix of playfulness and affection. Indiana's eyes never left Luis, his gaze filled with love and adoration. In that moment, they were lost in their own world, the music and their companionship their only focus.

"You remember how we danced on our wedding day?" Luis whispered softly with nostalgia in his beautiful brown eyes as he made eye contact with Indy. A soft chuckle escaped Indiana's lips as a fond smile graced his face. He could clearly remember their wedding day as if it were just yesterday. The joy, the music, the celebration... it was a day he would never forget. "Ah, how could I forget?" he replied softly, a warmth blooming in his heart as he gazed into Luis' beautiful brown eyes. He held him close, their bodies moving in harmony. "Though I seem to recall I stepped on your toes quite a few times," he added teasingly with a playful twinkle in his eyes. "You’ve always had two left feet." He replied, chuckling a little as he peered over Indiana’s shoulder. Seeing Loretta sleeping in a rather funny position in the armchair. Indiana glanced over his shoulder, his eyes landing on Loretta's sleeping form in the armchair. She had slumped back into a rather funny position, her arm draped over the side and her head tilted back at an unusual angle. He stifled a laugh, not wanting to startle her awake. "Our dear Loretta has dozed off again, it seems." He turned back to Luis, a playful smirk on his face. "And I've always had the grace of a bull in a china shop, haven't I?" he teased, his eyes filled with affection. Luis hummed in agreement, giving Indiana a soft kiss on the lips. "Mi toro." He teased with a little giggle.

He couldn't help but chuckle at his husband’s playful kiss and teasing comment. He loved their playful banter, the way they could tease each other so effortlessly. "Ah, yes, I suppose 'Mi toro' suits me well," he replied with a playful twinkle in his eyes. He rested his cheek against Luis' shoulder, his eyes closing as he enjoyed the feeling of being close to his husband. The music continued to play softly in the background, providing the perfect backdrop for their moment of intimacy. Indiana's eyes remained closed, his cheek still resting against Luis' shoulder. He could feel the warmth of his husband's body pressing against his own, their breaths in sync as they swayed to the music and enjoyed their moment together. 

The music continued to play, the gentle notes of the record filling the room with a cozy ambiance. In that moment, they were lost in their own world, the outside world fading away as they basked in the comfort of each other's presence. This was the kind of simple, beautiful moments they cherished the most, moments that were just theirs to enjoy.

Chapter Text

Loretta sat in her English class as her teacher, Mr Bridges was discussing the work. She was bored out of her mind and annoyed at the fact that she had to read another book. "Class, can you please tell me why did Ahab want revenge? It’s a simple question." Mr Bridges said with a stern look on his face, causing his wrinkles to pop out more. He was known throughout the school for his harsh tone towards his students, but it meant he turned out the best, right? Everyone sat in silence as they looked at one another. No, one was willing to answer the question. Just as Mr Bridges was about to comment once more, a familiar voice spoke up. "He wanted revenge because he lost his leg to the white whale, and blamed it for all the struggles he faced" The familiar voice said calmly with a soft smile, standing at the doorway with his arms crossed against his chest. Loretta and her classmates smiled in joy as if Indiana was here to save them. Mr Bridges sighed, annoyed that a fellow colleague answered the question and not his students. "Very good, Mr Jones..." With a huff of annoyance. "I assume you're here for Loretta..."

Indiana nodded, smiling as he made his way over to Loretta’s desk. He could see the relief on the faces of her fellow students, their expressions lightening up at his presence. At least they were having a break from Mr Bridges' harsh tone. He glanced at him, his smile growing just a tad wider as he could tell the older man was annoyed. He didn’t enjoy annoying the older teachers in the school, except for Mr Bridges. "You assumption is correct, Mr Bridges." He turned his attention to Loretta, speaking softly. "Pack your things, there's something I need your help with in my office." Everyone in the classroom began to whisper, the mention of Indiana taking Loretta to his office causing some gossip to start. She nodded her head yes, an embarrassed painted on her cheeks knowing exactly where the mind of her fellow classmates went. She quickly packed her pencil case and books and began to follow Indiana out of the classroom.

Indiana nodded, then turned on his heel and began to walk out of the classroom, the students whispering and giggling to each other as Loretta followed after him, her cheeks tinting a slight pink. He could hear snippets of their gossip as they made their way out of the classroom. "Indiana and Loretta, alone in the office." One of her classmates said with a giggle "What do you suppose they'll be doing in there? It's sure not grading papers." Another one added, whispering to the person next to them. He continued to walk ahead, his pace quickening just a bit, trying to get away from the sounds of giggles and whispers behind him. As they walked out of the room, he glanced at Loretta, his eyes catching a glimpse of her pink cheeks. "Ah, I believe they were giving us some funny looks. What do you suppose they think we're doing in there?" Indy teased as he smirked. Loretta shook her head no, embarrassed still evident on her face as she held her books and pencil case close to her chest. "I don’t want to think about it, Professor..."

He chuckled at her reaction, finding her embarrassment rather endearing. "I suppose it is rather embarrassing being the subject of gossip. Especially when the gossip is a bit… well, naughty, shall we say." He stopped at the door to his office, opening it and stepping inside as he waited for Loretta to follow. "Disgusting more like it." She grumbled as she stepped inside Indiana's office and sat down in the chair opposite of his. Indiana nodded in agreement, shaking his head at the audacity of teenagers. "Yes, teenage hormones and the gossip that comes with it, a deadly combination." He closed the door behind her before taking a seat at his desk, his eyes focused on Loretta. "I've been thinking, Loretta."

"You think?" Loretta joked immediately with a little giggle. He chuckled, playfully rolling his eyes. "Hush, you. I'm sharing my precious thoughts with you." He leaned forward on the desk, a thoughtful look on his face. "I've been thinking that it's been a while since you and I had a field trip." His eyes were fixed on hers, a glint of adventure in the hazel depths. "How would you feel about visiting a museum? Specifically, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York?"

"Wait, really!?" She exclaimed, her eyes widening with excitement. "I’ve always wanted to go! Please tell me you’re not joking. I’ve always wanted to go to New York but Ma-" Indy held up a hand, a small smirk on his lips. "I'm not joking. It's the real deal." He couldn't help but smile at Loretta's excitement, her face lighting up at the mention of New York and the MET. He chuckled as he cut her off, knowing exactly what she would try to say. He leaned forward on his desk, resting his chin on his fists. "Before you say something about your mom, let me cut you off again. I've already talked to her, and she's allowed you to accompany me to the MET. Provided you keep your grades up in class." Loretta was practically over the moon, a big goofy grin came to her face and she could jump out of her seat just from sheer excitement. "Oh Professor! I love you so much! Thank you! Thank you!" He chuckled once again, his heart swelling with joy at seeing the pure happiness on Loretta's face. He adored seeing her so excited, her eyes sparkling with excitement. He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in his chest, knowing that he had made her so happy. "Alright, settle down, settle down. Let's not get overly emotional now. We haven't even left for the trip yet." He raised an eyebrow playfully, a smile still on his lips. "You might want to save some of that excitement for when we're actually there, looking at all the beautiful artifacts and artwork. Otherwise, you might pass out from pure joy."

She shook her head yes with that big grin still on her face as she tried her best to remain quiet. Indy smiled at Loretta's attempt to contain her excitement. It was a sight to behold, the way she fought to keep herself from exploding with joy. He couldn't resist teasing her a bit more. "You look like you're about to explode. I should bring some earmuffs to New York to protect my poor ears from your excited squeals."

He chuckled softly, enjoying the light and playful atmosphere between them. He loved these moments, being able to banter with Loretta and watch her joy fill the room. "So, tell me, what are you most excited to see at the museum? Anything in particular that caught your eye?"

"Oh man…" it seemed like hundreds of artefacts and artwork began to run through Loretta’s head, couldn’t pick one. After all, the MET housed so many precious items. Indiana chuckled as he watched her brain work, her eyes twinkling with curiosity and excitement. "Ah, the possibilities are endless, aren't they? The MET has a vast collection of priceless artifacts and artwork from all over the world." He leaned back in his chair, a smirk on his lips. "You'll have plenty to see, I assure you." He picked up a pen, twirling it in his fingers as he continued, the corners of his lips curving into a teasing smile. "Though, if it were me, I'd probably start with the Egyptian Art section. There's something about the ancient history of Egypt that always draws me in. The mummies, the pyramids, the hieroglyphics... All fascinating, don't you think?" She shook her head yes as an idea popped up in her head. "Why don’t we go from exhibit to exhibit, room to room?"  She asked with a big smile. Indy chuckled at Loretta's suggestion, his eyes sparkling with a hint of excitement. "Ah, the classic room-by-room approach. I like your style, always seeking to cover all the grounds, eh? Well, I suppose we could give it a try." He twirled the pen again, his smile growing wider. "But be warned, we might be there an entire day, or maybe even two."

"The longer the better!" Loretta said with a big smile. "We can look at each piece in all its glory."  Indiana grinned, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "Ah, a true art connoisseur, I see. We'll take our sweet time, inspecting every artifact as if we have a magnifying glass attached to our eyes." He chuckled, his fingers drumming on the desk as he pictured the two of them spending hours in each room, studying and admiring the art and artifacts. "Just be prepared for some serious museum legs. We'll be walking A LOT."

(Imagine some montage of Loretta studying, I don’t know to put in in words lol.)

[Couple months later]

It’s now fall, the trees had turned into hues of oranges and browns and the once sunny weather had become cold, foggy and miserable. Loretta had her grades perfected for this, A+ throughout all of her classes and as Indiana promised, they were going to the MET.

Indiana stepped out of the car, his eyes falling on the iconic entrance of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and anticipation at the sight, the museum stood grand and majestic against the backdrop of the fall season. He walked around the car, opening the door for Loretta with a gentle grin. "After you, Miss Crawford."

She was so giddy, she giggled at the little name Indiana had given her and carefully got out the car, immediately enamoured by the MET. "Oh my god…" She mumbled under her breath in awe. Indiana couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction, her eyes lighting up with pure excitement. He knew she had been looking forward to this trip for months, and her awe made the whole thing even more rewarding for him.bHe took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers, his eyes fixed on her with a warm expression. "Ready for an adventure?"

Loretta shook her head yes, immediately dragging Indiana up the wet stairs like an impatient little kid. "Come on, Professor! I can’t wait any longer!" He laughed heartily at Loretta's impatience, her enthusiasm too contagious to resist. He allowed himself to be dragged along on the stairs, a grin on his face. "Alright, alright! We're going, we're going!"bHe chuckled one more as they made their way up to the grand entrance of the museum, the excitement growing with each step. As they entered, the scent of history and art filled the air, a mix of the musty scent of old artifacts and the faint tang of freshly printed books in the museum shop. bThe grand hall stretched out before them, filled with other museum-goers exploring and admiring the exhibits. Indiana took Loretta's hand again, leading her along towards one of the many rooms.b"So, where shall we start?"

"I don’t know… I think we should go room-by-room." She said, spinning around as admiring the beautiful architecture. "Ah, I see you're sticking to your original plan, room-by-room it is." He led her through the crowds, their eyes catching glimpses of couples exploring the art and students studying the artifacts. Indy made his way to the room showcasing the collection of Egyptian art and mummies. "Looks like that's where most of the crowd is headed. Shall we follow the herd or explore a different exhibit?"

"Let’s go where the crowd is heading." Loretta said, immediately dragging Indiana once again. Indiana chuckled as he was pulled along by Loretta, her enthusiasm impossible to contain. "Alright, alright! Leading the way, I see." He followed behind her, smiling as they approached the exhibit space filled with mummies, hieroglyphics, and other remnants of ancient Egyptian civilization. As they entered the exhibit, they were greeted by a mummy, its sarcophagus on display in the middle of the room. Ancient stone tablets were arranged around it, their surfaces etched with hieroglyphics that seemed to whisper secrets of long-forgotten times. The room was filled with a sense of history, a silent homage to a civilization that once thrived in the sands of Egypt.nIndy turned to Loretta with a grin, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Pretty impressive, isn't it? All this history right in front of our eyes."

"Yeah…" Loretta pushed through the crowd in order to get a better view, her eyes etched into the intricate stonework displayed behind glass. Indiana followed close behind her, maneuvering through the crowd to get a better view alongside her. Though he'd been to the museum on multiple occasions, the sight of these ancient artifacts never failed to captivate him. He watched as Loretta studied the exhibits with fascination, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she immersed herself in the history. He couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction, knowing he was the one who arranged this trip for her. He watched her in comfortable silence for a while, but curiosity got the better of him, as it often did. "Care to share what you're thinking about in that brilliant mind of yours?" He asked, his eyes fixed on her, a gentle smile on his lips. Hundreds of questions ran around her head and she couldn’t find the words for them. She looked up at Indiana for a moment then back down at the stone tablets. Indiana chuckled at her momentary speechlessness, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah, the wonders of history leaving you speechless, huh? I can only imagine the whirlwind of questions racing through your head right now." He placed a hand on her shoulder, a comforting gesture as he added, his tone gentle and understanding. "It's alright. Take your time. Take it all in." He stood beside her, their shoulders almost touching, as they observed the relics together. Indy's gaze flitted between the ancient artifacts and Loretta's face, taking in the awe-inspiring sight and the expression on her face. "You know, the people who created these artifacts, they lived and breathed just like us. They had dreams, ambitions, fears, all the same things we experience, even if their world looked very different."

"Exactly!" She exclaimed happily as some people side  eyed her for being too loud. "Sorry… but no, during the creation of these tablets, chiselling away at the stone carefully, how do you think their creators feel about them being displayed centuries later in front of thousands? Do you think their grandchildren know that this lies here or that their ancestors created this?" Indiana chuckled at Loretta's enthusiasm, his heart warmed by her boundless curiosity. "Ah, that's the million-dollar question, isn't it? The artists who painstakingly crafted these tablets, do they know that their work would be admired by countless generations? It's a question that often crosses my mind as I study them." He pondered the question for a moment, his eyes fixed on one of the tablets with a thoughtful expression. "It's a strange and beautiful notion, isn't it? That their creations live on far beyond their own lifetimes."

"We know more about these tablets than we know about the creator themselves…" She replied, taking one last look at the tablets with a sign of contentment. He nodded in agreement, a sense of wonder and curiosity evident in his gaze. "That's true. We often know much about the artifacts themselves but so little about the individuals who painstakingly created them. Each chip of their chisels holds secrets of their hearts and hands." He moved to the next display, his eyes wandering from the displayed artifacts to Loretta's face, taking in every expression and thought that flickered across her features. He couldn't help but admire her passion for history and her insatiable curiosity, her mind always thirsting for knowledge and understanding. Indy himself had a deep appreciation for the past and its lessons, but seeing Loretta's enthusiasm only amplified his own enthusiasm even more. He smiled warmly at Loretta, his voice filled with affection. "You truly embrace the spirit of an archaeologist, Loretta. Always eager to learn and eager to ask questions."

"Well, I want to be an archaeologist like you, Professor." Loretta said with a smile, looking up at Indiana, her father figure throughout her high school education. "I want to be able to dig these artefacts up and ask questions." She added on as the duo walked to the next exhibit which was surprisingly empty except for the two. He was touched by her words, his heart filled with a mix of pride and joy at her aspirations. "Ah, an archaeologist, huh? That's a noble pursuit. There's nothing quite like unearthing the secrets of the past and piecing together the stories of bygone eras." He smiled at Loretta, his eyes filled with warmth and encouragement. "And you, Loretta, I can already see you becoming an exceptional archeologist. Your mind, your curiosity, your passion—they'll take you far in this field." He glanced around the room, the silence settling around them like a gentle blanket as they moved onto the next exhibit which was surprisingly vacant compared to the rest of the museum. "We're fortunate to have some peace and quiet here, aren't we?" He commented, his voice filled with a sense of tranquility, the absence of noisy crowds creating a cozy atmosphere for their conversation to flourish. She nodded her head yes as she remained quiet, a soft blush painted on cheek, not just because of the cold and miserable weather outside, but the kind words from Indiana.

In the middle of the room sat two samurai garbs, encased in glass on all sides. One looked worn from battle, but the vibrant red paint and gold accents remained. While the other looked brand-new, barely a speck of dust on its cobalt blue surface. Indiana couldn't help but admire the beauty and craftsmanship of the armour. The contrast between the worn and battle-trodden red garb and the pristine blue one was striking, their colors and condition telling a story of history and perhaps even a tale of rivalry. "Ah, these samurai outfits, they've witnessed wars and stories we'll never know. Each garment is a silent witness to the history of their wearers." He gestured to the worn red garb. "That one has seen battles, while the blue garb looks almost untouched. It's almost haunting, isn't it?" Loretta nodded her head yes once more, admiring how the samurai armour sat on display.  "I wonder if the original owner died while wearing it..."

Indiana's eyes reflected the somber thought. "It's possible." He said, his voice laced with a hint of melancholy. "These garbs were often worn into battle, and the red one clearly shows signs of wear. The original owner may have met their end while wearing it." He paused for a moment, his eyes studying the garbs, the silence in the room amplifying the eeriness of the thought he'd just suggested. "Or maybe," he continued, his tone shifting to a more hopeful note, "Perhaps the owner lived a long and peaceful life after battling in this garb. We'll never know for sure."

He turned to look at Loretta, his eyes searching her face, noticing the soft blush on her cheeks in the tranquility of the room. A gentle smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Each artifact, each piece of art, each historical object in this museum, they all hold countless stories and endless possibilities." He reached over and gently touched Loretta's hand, his touch warm and comforting. "I love you Professor." She realized what she said and she tried to correct herself.  "Not in that way though! But like, I see you as my father y’know?" His heart warmed at Loretta's words, a wave of affection washing over him. He chuckled gently, understanding her meaning behind her words but touched nonetheless. "I know what you mean, Loretta. And I'm honored that you feel that way." He squeezed her hand, his eyes filled with tender affection. "And I care about you too, you know. More than you could imagine." He paused, his thoughts lingering on their relationship, a bond formed through shared interest and trust. "You know," he said, choosing his words carefully, "I've never thought of myself as a father figure before. But with you, Loretta, it just... feels right." He smiled, a subtle shift in his expression indicating a moment of vulnerability.

"Maybe in a different life," he mused quietly, a hint of melancholy in his voice, "I would have loved to be a father. But life takes us on unexpected paths, and here I am."bHe pushed away the thought, returning his focus to Loretta and their time in the museum.  He let out another soft chuckle, his tone filled with a playful warmth. "But in this life, I get to be your teacher, your mentor, and maybe a bit of a father figure too. And you're my favorite student. No, not just my favorite student. You're special, Loretta, in ways you can't imagine." Loretta immediately hugged Indiana, squeezing him tightly and burying a face into his chest. He was understandably caught off guard for a brief moment, but as Loretta hugged him, he returned her embrace with equal warmth, wrapping his arms around her smaller and slender frame. "Whoa there, Loretta," he said with a lighthearted chuckle. "I'm not one of your plushies, you know." Despite his teasing tone, his eyes shone with sincere affection, and he tightened his embrace just a little bit more, not wanting to let go anytime soon.

He held her in his arms, the silence in the room enveloping them both. It was a moment of unexpected warmth in the middle of a public place, a tender connection that seemed to hold the world at bay for a instant. He could feel Loretta's heart beating against his chest, a steady rhythm that provided a strange sense of comfort. He ran a hand gently over her hair, the gesture more affectionate than he usually allowed himself, but in this moment, it felt entirely natural. His mind flitted through the memories they had created together—the classes, the discussions, the adventures. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and responsibility as he held Loretta, realizing that he had not only influenced her academic path but also become a part of her life. He pulled her back just slightly, his hands still on her shoulders as he looked down at her, his voice soft yet firm. "Now, let's not forget we're in a public place, kiddo."

She slowly pulled away from the hug, nodding her head yes as she looked up at Indiana. He chuckled softly at Loretta's nod, his hands still gently resting on her shoulders. He gave her a warm smile, his eyes filled with affection. "That's more like it. We've got more of the museum to explore, after all." He gave her a gentle squeeze, before gesturing towards the next exhibit further down the hallway. "Come on, let's see what other treasures await us."

He started walking, his steps slow and measured, allowing Loretta to fall in step beside him. As they walked, he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, still amused by her spontaneous hug. Loretta walked beside him, her hands behind her back as they walked into another exhibition room, this time with people. "Do you see what’s on display? Everyone’s too tall." Loretta asked, stepping up on her tippy toes and trying to peer over the heads and shoulders of people. Indiana chuckled at Loretta's plight, her petite frame making it difficult to see over the towering crowd. "Ah, the woes of being vertically challenged," he teased, a playful smirk on his lips as they maneuvered through the crowd. "Shut up." She grumbled with an angry look on her face, but Indiana knew that she couldn’t stay angry forever as they navigated through the crowd. He chuckled once more at Loretta's grumpy expression, her attempt at anger only accentuating her endearing pout. "Now, now," he chided playfully, guiding her past a particularly tall man, "no need for such language. You'll scare away all the artifacts with that sour face of yours."

As they finally reached the front of the display, they found themselves face to face with the ancient Greek tiles, the artwork capturing a heartwarming scene of a father and daughter intertwined in a tender embrace. Indiana's eyes softened as he looked from the tiles to Loretta, the resemblance clear. He knew the image was centuries old, but in this moment, he couldn't help but see a parallel to their own relationship. He looked at Loretta, her gaze fixed on the tiles, and a wave of protectiveness washed over him. "Quite a sight, isn't it?" He said quietly, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and tenderness. She nodded her head yes, her once sour look on her face has become soft and tender. "Despite modern advancements in almost everything, we still show affection the same…" She replied with a little sigh, her eyebrow furrowing. "You're right." He answered, his voice gentle and thoughtful. "No matter the era, no matter the culture, humans remain constant in our desire for connection and love." He paused for a moment, reflecting on her words, then turned his gaze back to the tiles, his eyes taking in the details of the father and daughter. "It reminds me of something, though," he continued, his tone laced with a hint of nostalgia, "A story I heard a long time ago… There was this old folktale where a daughter goes on a quest to rescue her father from the clutches of a monster. She battles numerous obstacles, braves countless dangers, but despite the odds against her, she doesn't give up hope. She's determined to save her father, even if it means risking her own life." He glanced at Loretta, his eyes sparkling and his lips curled into a slight smile. "And in the end, fueled by her love for her father, she succeeds, rescuing him and restoring their bond. It's a tale from a simpler time, but the message remains the same, Loretta." He gently touched her shoulder, his fingers squeezing slightly. "Love can overcome even the greatest obstacles and the harshest circumstances. Those ancient Greeks knew a thing or two about it, and so do we."

He gave her a warm smile, hoping that she understood the underlying message in his words. Loretta chuckled a little as she nodded her head yes. "I just don’t think I can fight a monster." She joked playfully with a smile. Indiana chuckled at Loretta's response, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Haha, I wouldn't be so sure, kiddo. You've got more strength and spunk in you than you realize. And besides," he added with a wink, "I've seen you argue with your English teacher. If that's not battling a monster, I don't know what is." Before Loretta could respond with another witty comment, the sound of glass shattering was heard causing the duo and the crowd to turn their heads to the source. On the other side of the glass, two men broke the display case to the Greek title, pulling it out as some people tried to make them stop but it was futile, one man held a gun to a poor man making him quiver in fear. But soon enough, they ran out of the exhibition room and to the entrance of the MET.

Indiana's demeanor immediately shifted, his playful demeanor replaced by a look of heightened alertness. The sound of shattering glass immediately set off warning bells in his mind, his instincts kicking into high gear. "That's not good..." he muttered under his breath, his eyes following the two men as they made their hasty exit. He turned to Loretta, his expression grave. "Stay close to me, Loretta." With Loretta in tow, Indiana quickly pushed his way through the crowd, his mind already racing to assess the situation. The danger was palpable in the air, the shattered glass and the panicked murmurs a sobering reminder of the potential threat they faced. "Looks like they're heading for the entrance," he muttered as they exited the exhibition room. He scanned the lobby, his eyes searching for any sign of the two men or any other potential danger. He gestured for Loretta to stay close, his hand instinctively reaching for a revolver that was absent. Right, no guns in a museum. He cursed under his breath, realizing his lack of any real means of defense in this situation. "Stay here," he said urgently to Loretta, his voice betraying a hint of worry. "I'm going to see where they went."

"What?! No!" She exclaimed as the thieves got out of the museum and began to descend the long staircase, Loretta pointed to the men and began to run after them. Indiana's heart nearly skipped a beat as Loretta took off running after the robbers. He had told her to stay back for her own safety, but he should have known she would never listen. She was just as stubborn and headstrong as he was. "Damn it, Loretta!" He cursed as he raced after her, his long legs taking the steps two at a time. The duo made their way down the vast staircase, their footsteps echoing in the grand space as they pursued the robbers. The men were moving fast, their pace quick and urgent, clearly aware of the pursuit behind them. Indiana's eyes were fixed on the two figures, his mind racing to think of a way to apprehend them without causing a scene in the middle of the museum steps. Loretta didn’t know what caused her to think this idea, probably due to Indiana’s influence and stunts but not wanting to run down the wet stairs. She jumped from the very top of the stairs and onto the armed man, dropping his gun yet letting his buddy with the title to be free. Indiana's eyes widened in surprise and then in horror as he watched Loretta jump from the top of the stairs, aiming directly towards the armed man. "Loretta, no!" He cried out, his voice filled with alarm. But it was too late. Loretta had already made the bold move, tackling the armed robber to the ground, causing him to drop his weapon. The man's companion broke into a run, clutching the stolen item tightly. Indiana reached the bottom of the stairs, panting slightly as he took in the scene. The disarmed robber was struggling to get Loretta off of him, but she was clinging onto him like a barnacle on a ship's hull. Indiana was torn between a sense of pride at her bravery and a deep worry for her safety. "Goddammit, Loretta...!" he exclaimed, rushing over to her and the criminal, trying to assess the situation quickly.

"Professor! The other man!" She yelled, pointing over to the man trying to run through the crowd down the sidewalk.  "HE has the title!"bIndiana's eyes flicked over to the escaping man, his mind quickly calculating their options. "Right!" He shouted in response, his gaze shifting back to Loretta, the worry still etched on his face. "I'll go after him. You stay here and- wait..." he paused, his eyes darting back to Loretta. "Actually, come with me. We can't let that man get away with that title!" Loretta nodded her head yes and got off the man, he must’ve broken a rib or two due to Loretta’s recklessness as he writhed in pain but the security guards were already dealing with him.

The duo sprinted down the street, Indiana's long legs striding at a brisk pace as he followed the fleeing criminal. Loretta, to her credit, kept up with him surprisingly well, moving with a determination that mirrored his own. The thief was a quick one, weaving through the crowd and darting down side alleys, trying to shake off their pursuers. But Indiana and Loretta persisted, not about to let this fugitive get away with a priceless artifact. As they followed the thief, Indiana's mind raced, trying to anticipate the criminal's next move. He could hear Loretta's quick breaths behind him, a testament to her stamina and determination. Despite his worries about her safety, he couldn't help but be impressed by her. The thief took a sudden turn down a narrow alleyway, disappearing from view. Indiana picked up the pace, Loretta by his side, and they quickly disappeared into the alley, hoping to cut off the escaping man. The narrow alley was dark and cramped, the tall buildings on either side casting long shadows. The cobblestones were slick from the earlier rain, making for treacherous footing.bBut Indiana and Loretta pressed on, their eyes darting left and right as they scanned the area for any sign of the thief.

Suddenly, Loretta spotted a flicker of movement behind some trash cans, and sure enough, there was the thief, trying to hide in a can "There!" she cried out, pointing in the thief's direction, her eyes never leaving the man's position. She uncovered the lid of the trash can, being greeted by the man’s bald head. "Hi!" Loretta said out of breath, peering down the can at the man.

The thief looked up at Loretta, his expression a mixture of startled surprise and annoyance. He had clearly not expected her or Indiana to find him so quickly, especially not by peering down at him from inside a trash can. "How the hell did you...?" he muttered with his thick Brooklyn accent, his voice raspy and filled with frustration. "Clever hiding spot, huh?" Indiana said dryly as he stepped up beside Loretta, eyeing the thief with a raised eyebrow. He glanced at Loretta, admiring her quick thinking and cheekiness. The thief tried to get out of the trash can, wiggling like a worm or a fat rat. "God damnit! Help me!" He exclaimed as Loretta watched with laughter. Indiana couldn’t help but laugh alongside Loretta at the thief's predicament. Despite the situation, Loretta's laughter was infectious, her eyes sparkling with a mix of humor and triumph. "Looks like you’re a bit stuck there, pal," he said, a hint of teasing in his voice.

Loretta continued to laugh, clearly enjoying the situation a bit too much. The thief was still struggling in the trash can, his efforts only making him look more and more foolish. "Come on then," Indiana said, stepping forward and grabbing the man by the collar of his shirt. "Out you come."  As the thief stumbled out of the trash can, Indiana kept a firm grip on his shirt, preventing him from making another escape attempt. Meanwhile, Loretta spotted the stolen title peeking out from behind the bin. With a quick and easy movement, she picked it up. "There it is," Indiana said, a sense of relief washing over him. Loretta stood there, holding the title in her hands, a satisfied look on her face. "Good work, kiddo," He praised her, giving the thief a little shake, his eyes never leaving the title in Loretta’s hands. "Now, what should we do with our friend here?"

"Let me go!" The thief yelled, kicking his feet like a child. "T-The brotherhood of St. Anthony will get you!" Loretta raised an eyebrow to the man’s yelling. Saint Anthony? It rang a bell to her but she couldn’t place finger why. Indiana raised an eyebrow as well at the man’s outburst, his interest piqued by the mention of 'the brotherhood of Saint Anthony'. He’d heard of all kinds of secret societies and organizations during his adventures, but this one was new to him. "Brotherhood of Saint Anthony, eh?" he said, his deep voice laced with a hint of mockery. "Sounds like some sort of holy order, not a group of thieves." He looked over at Loretta, noticing the familiar look on her face, the wheels turning in her mind as she tried to place the connection to the mysterious Brotherhood. "Not familiar with that group, Loretta?" he asked, his voice low so the thief couldn't hear. She shook her head no with defeat. "Saint Anthony is a saint… it’s in the name. But the brotherhood of Saint Anthony? No."

Indiana hummed thoughtfully, still holding the thief tightly. "Brotherhood of Saint Anthony…" he muttered, the wheels in his mind turning. He had heard of various religious-sounding groups, but not one specifically dedicated to Saint Anthony. He then turned his attention to the thief, who was still trying to struggle free.  "You going to talk, pal?"

"Fuck off!" He yelled angrily, spitting in Indiana’s eye in response. Indiana winced as he felt the spittle hit his eye. He released the man’s shirt, wiping his eye with the back of his hand. Loretta couldn’t help but snicker at the thief’s boldness, her earlier fear and panic replaced with a kind of cocky bravado. With a cool and collected demeanor, Indiana turned back to the thief, a steely look in his eye. "That’s a mistake, pal." Without warning, Indiana threw a punch, his fist connecting with the thief’s nose. The man’s head whipped back, a grunt of pain escaping his lips. Loretta let out a small gasp, her eyes widening in surprise at the sudden display of force from Indiana. As the thief stumbled backward, clutching his now bleeding nose, Indiana stepped forward, his voice calm yet stern. "Now, are you going to talk? I’m not going to ask nicely again." The thief looked at him through his watering eyes, a mixture of defiance and fear in his gaze. He knew he was beaten and had little choice but to cooperate. "F-fine, I’ll tell ya everything!" The thief said placing an arm on Loretta to steady himself, but she didn’t like this. She instead pushed the man away, causing him to hit the grimy alleyway wall and slowly slid down. Indiana watched as Loretta pushed the thief away, a small smirk on his face. Her spunk and quick thinking never ceased to amuse him. He then turned his attention back to the thief, who was sitting on the dirty ground, a mixture of pain and defeat on his face. "Okay then...start talking." Indiana said gruffly, crossing his arms in front of him, his stature intimidating in the narrow alley.

"The brotherhood is… for Saint Anthony! It’s in the name!"  He said, coughing a little before resuming.  "Long ago… There were a couple jugs that had the water that Jesus turned into wine, it broke into pieces one day and scattered across the world. W-we are trying to find all the pieces... That’s the last one.." He explained, inhaling deeply. Indiana listened intently to the thief’s explanation, a pensive expression on his face. The story sounded outlandish and ridiculous, but he had heard his fair share of crazy stories in his lifetime. He glanced over at Loretta, seeing that she was just as bewildered as he was at the thief’s tale. "So, let me get this straight..." Indiana said slowly, his voice filled with skepticism. "You and your little Brotherhood, of Saint Anthony, are on some kind of quest to find pieces of a jug that held the water Jesus turned into wine?"

"Y-yes." The thief croaked out. Loretta looking down at the title, it didn't seem part of a jug and if so it would’ve been a weirdly shaped one at that.  "I think he’s lying, Professor." Indiana nodded, thinking the same thing. Her instincts were on point, as always. He glanced down at the title in Loretta's hands, then back at the thief. "I think you might be right, Loretta," he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. The thief's story didn't add up, and the title didn't seem to fit the description of a piece of a jug. But why would the thief lie about such a thing? Indiana knelt down next to the thief, getting eye level with him. "You expecting me to believe that load of crap?" He said bluntly, his annoyance turning into anger. "You better start telling us the truth, or I'm going to get real unpleasant real fast."

"I swear! I swear!" He said before wiping his bloody nose.  "B-big jug." Indiana raised an eyebrow at the thief's words. 'Big jug'? That was all he could come up with? "Big jug, huh? That's your explanation for all this?" Indiana said, skepticism still coloring his voice. "This better be the truth, or I swear, I'll..." Loretta put her hand on Indy’s arm, flipping over the tile. The back of it was curved slightly. "Professor, it’s curved slightly, look." She said softly, running her fingers against the terracotta. He glanced down at the tile, realizing what she was pointing out. He took the title from her hands, turning it over to inspect the back side. Sure enough, there was a slight curve in its shape. "You're right, kid," he said, impressed by her keen eyes and quick thinking. The tile did seem to have a curved shape. He turned the title over again, studying it carefully, his mind racing. The thief's story seemed to hold more weight now, but something still didn’t feel right. He looked down at the thief again, his expression stern. "Okay, so maybe there is a 'big jug' out there. But why would you and this brotherhood of yours be looking for it? What value does it hold?"

"Infinite wine."

Indiana blinked, taken aback by the thief's simple answer. Infinite wine? That couldn't be the only reason. "Infinite wine, huh? You're telling me a bunch of holy men are looking for a big jug of wine just because it can produce infinite amounts of it?" Indiana said, his tone filled with disbelief. "Alcoholics will go a long way for their favourite." Loretta butted in. "I’m no alcoholic though so I wouldn’t know…" Indiana chuckled dryly at Loretta's comment, "Smartass." He then focused his attention back on the thief, eyeing him with suspicion. "Look, pal, I don't buy it. There's got to be more to this 'big jug' than just producing wine. You expect me to believe you're a part of a religious group of thieves?" The thief nodded his head yes, it seemed he was serious.

He let out a weary sigh, running a hand through his hair. The thief's story was outlandish, but yet it held an air of truth to it. There was something about the man's expression and tone that told him he wasn't entirely lying. "This is unbelievable," he muttered to himself. He had encountered many strange and unbelievable things in his exploits across the world. Was this big jug one of them? He crouched down beside the thief again, looking him straight in the eye. "Okay, say I believe you. Say I believe there's a big jug somewhere, and it can produce infinite amounts of wine. But why you and the Brotherhood? Why go through all this trouble to find these pieces?"

"It’s holy." He replied straight up. "It is like the holy grail or King Arthur’s sword for us." Indiana raised an eyebrow at the thief's explanation. Comparing this "big jug" to the Holy Grail and Excalibur? This just got crazier and crazier by the second. "So, if I understand correctly, this 'big jug' is some sort of Holy Relic for the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony. Is that what you're telling me?" The thief nodded his head yes once more.

Indiana let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. This whole thing was getting more ridiculous by the second. He glanced back at Loretta, a hint of disbelief in his eyes. "I swear, Loretta, some days it feels like the line between fantasy and reality gets blurrier and blurrier," he said, shaking his head slightly. She couldn’t help but giggle at Indy’s annoyance. "If we are in one, can I have Rita Hayworth as my girlfriend?" He shot Loretta a look, his expression a mix of annoyance and amusement. "You want Rita Hayworth as your girlfriend? Really?" He said, shaking his head again, a small smile fighting its way onto his face. He knew Loretta was just trying to lighten the mood, and it was working. But still, the idea of a 17-year-old having Rita Hayworth as a girlfriend was absurd, even by his standards. "Focus, Loretta," he said, trying to get back on track. "We've got more important things to worry about than your little celebrity crush." Loretta nodded her head yes, looking back to where the thief was sitting. "Professor… he’s gone." She mumbled, almost dropping the tile in her hand.

"What? When did he..." He looked around the alley, quickly scanning the area. Sure enough, the thief was nowhere to be seen. How could he have escaped so quietly and quickly? He swore under his breath, anger boiling inside him. He hated being outsmarted, especially by a no-good thief like that. "Damn it! The bastard got away," he muttered, his eyes darting around the alley, looking for any sign of where the thief might have gone. He turned to Loretta, a mixture of disbelief and frustration on his face. "How did he get past us? I swear, that man is more slippery than a greased pig."

"Maybe because he is one." She replied with a hint of anger in her voice. Indiana couldn't help but chuckle slightly at her response.  "Fair point, kid,"  he said, his annoyance with the thief now replaced with a begrudging respect. He looked around the alley once again, realizing they weren't going to find the thief anytime soon. He let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.  "Well, I guess we've hit a dead end. For now, at least." He looked down at the title Loretta was still holding, the curve on the back of it clearly visible in the dimly lit alley.  He took the tile from Loretta, studying it once more. The thief's story might have been half-believable, but what were the chances that they'd stumble upon the one piece of the holy "big jug" that could produce infinite wine? With a heavy sigh, he slipped the title into his jacket pocket. "We need more information," he said, his mind already racing through possible next steps. "The Brotherhood must have some sort of headquarters. Somewhere they're keeping the other pieces of this "big jug". We just need to find out where that is."

Loretta looked down at the ground where the thief sat and picked up a little necklace that he left, it was stone and carved was a little lily. "Professor look… he left this." Indiana glanced down at the necklace that Loretta was now holding. Sure enough, it was the thief's. The stone and carving on it looked quite old, clearly a religious symbol. "Good eye, Loretta," he said, taking the necklace from her hands. He examined it closely, turning it over in his fingers. The stone was smooth and worn, with a carving of a lily etched into its surface. The craftsmanship was neat and precise, as if done by a skilled hand. "This must be some sort of symbol for the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony," he mused aloud, still studying the necklace. "It's possible that this lily symbol could lead us to the Brotherhood's headquarters. We just need to find out what it represents." He looked over at Loretta, a determined look in his eyes. "You up for some detective work, kiddo?"

"Yeah!"  She said excitedly like a little kid. "We can be like Sherlock Holmes and Watson or even—" Indiana cut Loretta off with a smirk, raising a hand. "Hold on, hold on. As much as I'd love to be Sherlock Holmes and have you be my faithful sidekick, we need to be serious here. This is no game, Loretta. We're potentially dealing with a dangerous religious group that's on a quest for a holy relic." He then gave her a stern look, his expression turning serious once more. "We have to be careful. I don't want you getting into any unnecessary danger. You understand?" Loretta nodded her head yes as she looked down at her saddle shoes in embarrassment. "Yes Professor…" 

His expression softened slightly, seeing the embarrassment on her face. He let out a soft sigh, patting her on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Loretta," he reassured her. "I just don't want anything happening to you. You're a smart kid, and I trust you, but I need you to be careful. We don't know what we're getting into with this Brotherhood." He fished his car keys out of his jacket pocket, jingling them slightly. "Come on, let's get back to the hotel. We can research that symbol on the necklace and see what we can find out about the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony."

Chapter Text

Indiana and Loretta were now back in the hotel room, the necklace with the lily symbol lying on the table in front of them. Indy was seated in a chair, a pile of research books and notes spread out in front of him. Loretta was sitting on the edge of the bed, her fingers drumming impatiently on her knee. She looked back at the tile that rested comfortably on the bed, ashamed of knowing how awkward it would be giving it back to the MET as the drumming of her fingers came to a close. Indiana glanced up from his research, noticing her nervous drumming. He could tell she was still thinking about the stolen title. "Don't worry about the tile, Loretta," he said gently, sensing her internal conflict. "We'll figure out a way to return it once we have all the information we need." She nodded her head yes, remaining quiet. He returned to his research, flipping through the notes in front of him. It was mostly useless information about the saint and the Brotherhood, but nothing that would help them locate the group's headquarters. "This is getting us nowhere," he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples in frustration. He looked back at Loretta, an idea forming in his mind. The Brotherhood was a religious group, so it only stood to reason that they used a house of worship as their base. He looked down at the necklace on the table, the lily symbol catching his eye. "Hey, Loretta," he said, catching her attention. "I have a hunch," he continued, picking up the necklace and holding it up for her to see. "This lily symbol, it must be related to a church or a monastery. Maybe it's a coat of arms or a family crest. Whatever it is, it's our best lead on the Brotherhood's location."

"Professor, there are probably hundreds of monasteries, churches, synagogues here. It’s impossible to visit each and everyone and ask questions." Loretta said with furrowed eyebrows. Indiana sighed in agreement. She had a point. They couldn't just go around to every church and monastery in the city and ask about a lily symbol. It would take weeks, if not months, to cover all of them and they didn't have that kind of time. "You're right," he said, setting the necklace back on the table. He thought for a moment, trying to come up with another angle. "We need something more specific. Something that narrows down our search." He looked over at Loretta, a new determination in his eyes. "And I think I know just the thing." Without another word, he got up from his chair and crossed over to the hotel room window. He pulled back the curtain slightly, looking out at the city below. Loretta was confused as she walked over to Indiana with worry in her eyes. "Don’t tell me you’re gonna jump…" He chuckled at Loretta's comment as he turned away from the window. He glanced over at her, shaking his head slightly. "No, I'm not going to jump out the window. I'm not that suicidal yet." He let out a sigh, leaning against the window frame. "But I am going to go out for a while. Alone."

"To drink? To cheat on Luis? Return the tile?" She asked cheekily with a smile with a hand on her hip. Indiana shot Loretta a glare, but there was no real anger in it. He knew she was just teasing him. "No, I'm not going to drink or cheat on Luis," he said firmly. "I'm going to go find us some information." He moved away from the window and walked over to the small closet in the corner of the room. He dug around in the closet for a moment before reemerging with a dark overcoat and fedora. "I'm going to talk to some old contacts, see if they know anything about that lily symbol and the Brotherhood," he told Loretta as he put on the overcoat and the fedora, adjusting the brim. He looked back at Loretta, a serious expression on his face. "I want you to stay here, Loretta. Don’t leave the hotel room. And for the love of God, don’t do anything stupid."

"Understood." Loretta replied as she sat down at the little desk. "I’ll do some research while you’re away." He nodded in approval at her response. He knew she was a smart kid and could handle some research on her own. "Good," he said, walking over to the door of the room. "Just make sure you don't do anything reckless. And don't leave this room, understand?"

"I promise." She said with a smile of reinsurance and a little nod with her head. Indiana nodded back, satisfied with her response. But he couldn't shake off the feeling of worry that settled in his chest. He knew Loretta was smart, but she was also a teenage girl with a habit of getting into trouble. He paused for a moment, his hand on the doorknob. "Behave yourself, Loretta. I mean it." With that, he stepped out of the hotel room, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the evening ahead. He had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

Loretta waited a moment with bated breath, before running over to the window as she saw Indiana walk onto the hustle and bustle of the streets of New York. She hurriedly donned her coat and stuffed the tile and her small coin purse into her pocket. Grabbing the spare key to the room, she quietly left the room, closing the door behind her with a silent click. She paused in the hallway for a moment, listening for any signs that she’d been spotted or heard by anyone. But the hallway was quiet and empty. She let out a sigh of relief, realizing she was in the clear. With determination, Loretta made her way down the hallway towards the elevator. She knew it was risky to leave the hotel room after Indiana had specifically told her to stay put, but she was confident in her plan. She would just quickly return the tile to the museum, maybe grab a few pieces of candy too, and then slip back into the hotel room before Indiana even knew she was gone.

The walk to the museum was relatively short. Loretta made her way through the crowded streets of New York, trying her best to blend in with the pedestrians around her. Eventually, she arrived at the museum, its grand columns and imposing façade towering above her. She took a moment to admire the building, before taking a deep breath and walking inside. The inside of the museum was just as impressive as the outside. High ceilings, expansive halls filled with centuries-old artifacts. Loretta made her way through the exhibits, feeling a little out of place among the well-dressed patrons and museum employees. She approached the desk at the information booth, clearing her throat to get the attention of the attendant.

"Um excuse me." She said softly. "The Greek tile those people stole earlier today. I retrieved it." She said as she took out the terracotta tile out of her coat. "It may be a little beaten up…" The attendant behind the desk looked up at Loretta, a small frown on his face as he saw the tile in her hand. He looked at it closer, studying the small cracks and chips in the terracotta. "Are you the one who retrieved this from the thieves earlier today?" he asked in a slightly skeptical tone. She nodded her head yes. "Well, technically not me. My dad punched the thief who took it." Hoping the attendant would believe her with her half lie. The attendant raised an eyebrow at Loretta's explanation. He seemed somewhat wary, but also slightly impressed by her father's ability to punch a thief. "Your dad, huh? I suppose that would explain the state of the tile." he said, taking the tile from Loretta and examining it more closely. "And what was your father's name, if you don't mind me asking?" Loretta panicked a little at the man’s question, a sense of immense dread filling her up. "Dr. Henry Jones from Marshall High School in Connecticut…" The attendant looked up from the tile, a look of surprise on his face. "Dr. Jones? As in the archaeologist Dr. Jones?" he asked, his tone changed from skepticism to curiosity. She nodded her head yes with a smile, thankful that the attendant took her lie. The attendant nodded in return, a small smile on his own face. "I see. Well, I suppose that explains why your father was able to punch a thief and retrieve this tile. A man like Dr. Jones is no stranger to adventure, I assume." He set the tile down on the desk, looking back at Loretta. "Well, we're very grateful to have the tile back. That's one less artifact those thieves got away with."

"I’m glad it’s in better hands now." She said with a bigger smile. The attendant nodded, returning her smile. "Yes, it is. We'll make sure to get the tile back on display as soon as possible. I'm sure our patrons will be glad to see it back where it belongs."

"Thank you, I’ll see you another time." Loretta said as she waved goodbye and left the museum. The attendant waved back, still somewhat taken aback by Loretta's connection to the famous archaeologist. As she walked away, he couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief. "What are the chances..." he muttered to himself, still holding the tile in his hand.

She made her way down the street, her mind still reliving the encounter with the museum attendant. She couldn't believe that she had pulled it off, lying about her dad being the famous archaeologist Dr. Indy Jones. But the attendant had bought it, hook, line, and sinker. Now that she had returned the tile to the museum, she let herself relax a little. And what better way to celebrate than by buying some candy of course. She spotted a small candy store on the corner and grinned from ear to ear. The window display was filled with all sorts of treats; chocolate, hard candy, gummies, and more. Loretta was in heaven. She entered the store, the sweet smell of sugar and chocolate overwhelming her senses. She looked around, taking in the wide selection of candy before her. She spotted a small candy store on the corner and grinned. The window display was filled with all sorts of treats; chocolate, hard candy, gummies, and more. Loretta was in heaven.

She entered the store, the sweet smell of sugar and chocolate overwhelming her senses. She looked around, taking in the wide selection of candy before her. There was candy and sweets  she had never heard of, probably some local business or something that hadn’t reached back home yet. She grabbed her purse and counted the coins. "thirty-nine cents…" She mumbled, with her limited budget, Loretta had to be selective about what candy she could buy. She wandered the store, her eyes scanning the candy display, trying to figure out what to get within her budget. She finally decided on a few packs of gum, a small bag of hard candy, and a couple of chocolate bars. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. She placed the goods on the counter and rang the little bell for the cashier to come over.

The cashier, a friendly middle-aged woman, walked over to Loretta’s side and began ringing up the purchases. "Find everything you were looking for, sweetie?" she asked with a warm smile. Loretta nodded her head, dumping all the coins onto the countertop with each coin ringing and dinging against the glass surface. The cashier chuckled as Loretta dumped all the coins onto the counter. She began counting out the coins, carefully sifting through them to avoid any mistakes. Loretta nervously watched her, silently praying that she had enough money for everything she wanted. After a few moments, the cashier finished counting out the coins. "Looks like you're all set," she said with a smile. Loretta let out a small sigh of relief, glad that she had just enough money for everything she wanted. "Here you go," the cashier said, placing everything into a small, paper bag. "Enjoy your treats, sweetie."

"Thank you!" She replied back with a smile, tucking her candy into her coat and leaving the store, waving goodbye to the kind lady. Loretta immediately began to run back to the hotel, hoping Indiana wasn’t back from his own outing. Her shoes clicked against the pavement as she wiggled her way through people and tried her best not to get run over. Loretta's run back to the hotel was a combination of excitement and nervousness. She had successfully returned the tile to the museum, grabbed some candy, and was now making her way back to the hotel without Indiana noticing her absence. It was the perfect plan. But there was still a small nagging feeling in the back of her mind that something might go wrong. She tried to shake it off as she increased her pace, determined to get back to the hotel room unseen. Eventually, she reached the hotel. She slowed down her pace, trying her best to discreetly make her way through the lobby and into the elevator. Fortunately, none of the hotel staff seemed to take notice of her. She got into the elevator and breathed a sigh of relief, feeling triumphant that she had made it back without being caught. She pressed the button for her floor and waited for the elevator to ascend. Her heart was still racing a little from the run, but she tried to calm herself down. She had succeeded in her little covert mission, and now all she had to do was slip back into the hotel room without Indiana noticing her absence.

The elevator arrived at her floor with a soft ding, and Loretta carefully stepped out, making her way down the hall towards the hotel room. She tried to act as nonchalant as possible, just in case she ran into any hotel staff or other guests. Fortunately, the hallway was empty, and she reached her room without incident. She grabbed the keys from one of the many pockets sewn into her coat, slowly turning the lock and twisting the knob. Making sure to make as least noise as possible. The door opened with a soft creak, the room inside was dark, only illuminated by the light that crept in through the window. Loretta tiptoed inside, careful not to bump into anything. She closed the door behind her quietly and took a deep, shaky breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. 

She peered into the bathroom, no sign of Indiana.

His bed? No sign of him either.

it seemed like he hadn’t got back. She squealed and laughed, grabbing her candy, throwing her coat off and sitting onto the chair at the little desk. She felt like she had won the metaphorical jackpot. Not only had she returned the tile to the museum and bought some candy without Indiana noticing, but he wasn’t even back from wherever he had gone yet. She couldn’t keep the giddy smile off her face as she sat down at the desk, tearing open a pack of gum and popping a piece into her mouth. She sat there for a moment, enjoying her sweet and stolen victory. She had successfully pulled off her little stunt without her mentor knowing a thing. It was a small, childish triumph, but it felt great just the same. As she was sitting there, humming to herself, she suddenly heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. Loretta’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned to look at the door, a wave of panic sweeping over her. She swallowed the chunk of gum that was on her mouth and shoved the candy into the desk’s many drawers. She hunched over the documents on the desk, pretending she was busy. 

The door swung open, and Indiana stepped into the room. He looked a little haggard, his usually neat hair was slightly disheveled, and his coat was hanging off his shoulders. He paused in the doorway for a moment, his eyes meeting Loretta’s. "Are you ok, Professor…?" She asked with worry plastered on her face, looking up and straightening her back. He ran a hand through his mess of hair, a weary sigh escaping his lips. "Yes, just a long night of dealing with some old contacts. And a few drinks too many." He closed the door behind him and walked over to his bed, collapsing onto it with a weary groan. He laid there for a few moments, eyes closed, trying to calm his slightly spinning head. Loretta had a brilliant idea, she grabbed a piece of gum from the dresser and walked over to Indiana. "Um… This may help you, the cleaning lady gave it to me." She lied, almost shoving the piece of candy into her poor professor’s face. Indiana opened one eye, looking up at Loretta and the piece of gum in her hand. He sighed once again, a small smile forming on his face at Loretta’s attempt to help. "Chewing gum, huh?" he said, taking the piece of gum from her. "Thanks, Loretta. That's sweet of you." He sat up on the bed, placing the piece of gum in his mouth and beginning to chew. He leaned back against the headboard, eyes still closed, trying to let the taste and scent of the gum calm down his slightly aching head. "Did you end up getting into contact with those contacts of yours?" She asked as she sat on Indiana’s bed. Indiana nodded slowly, his eyes still closed, mouth occupied with the gum. "Yes, I did. Got some valuable information, but…" he paused, opening his eyes and looking at Loretta, a tired expression on his face. "It came at a cost."

"What cost?" She immediately replied, her eyebrows furrowing and thinking of the worst possible outcome. Hundreds of dollars? blackmail? Theft? He chuckled softly at Loretta’s reaction. He knew her mind was probably racing with all sorts of wild scenarios, so he quickly spoke to reassure her.  "Nothing as extreme as those ideas you’re probably thinking of," he said, his tone somewhat amused. "Just a few shots of alcohol."

"Oh."

Indiana chuckled again, noticing the look of relief on Loretta’s face. "Don’t worry, kid," he said, patting Loretta on the head. "I’m fine. Just a little tipsy and tired. I’ll sleep it off, and be good as new in the morning." She nodded her head yes and hummed. "I got more candy in the desk’s drawer, by the way." She said, gesturing to behind her. He raised an eyebrow at Loretta’s statement, a small smile creeping onto his lips. "More candy, huh? You’ve been busy, haven’t you?" Loretta immediately shook her head no, panic running all over her senses. "N-no. The cleaning lady gave it to me, I didn’t wanna eat it all." She lied, hoping Indy’s drunkenness wouldn't detect her lies. Indiana gave her a knowing look, his eyebrow still raised. He could tell she was lying, but he wasn’t in the mood to call her out on it. In fact, it was kind of amusing to him. "Sure, sure," he said, still amused. "The cleaning lady just handed you candy out of nowhere, huh?"

"She felt bad for me cause I was stuck here." Loretta said with a little frown. He chuckled once more, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, I believe you. The cleaning lady felt bad for you and gave you candy. Case closed." He laid his head back against the headboard, his fatigue and slight alcohol buzz preventing him from being his usual skeptical self. He closed his eyes, still slowly chewing the gum. He knew Loretta was probably up to something, but he was too tired and buzzed to dig deeper into it. After a few moments of silence, Indiana spoke again, his eyes still closed. "Hey, Loretta, you wouldn't happen to have some water or a towel or something, would ya? My head is killing me."

"I’ll just use the towels in the bathroom." She said as she got up from Indiana’s bed and into the little bathroom, grabbing a towel, wetting it and walking back to Indiana. "I don’t know if I should’ve used cold water or hot, so I made it warm." Indiana smiled weakly as Loretta handed him the wet towel. He laid the towel over his forehead, the warm fabric feeling surprisingly soothing on his skin and head. "Thanks, sweetheart," he said, his eyes half-closed. "Warm water works just fine. You're a lifesaver."

"I’m glad." Loretta said with a little smile, sitting down on her bed and observing Indiana. Indiana laid there, the cold towel helping to soothe his aching head and take the edge off his dizziness. He breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the small comfort of the towel. He opened his eyes slightly, looking at Loretta and noticing her watching him. "You don't have to watch me like a hawk, you know. I'm not gonna keel over or anything-" Just as he said that, Indiana felt a wave of nausea wash over him. He swallowed, trying to force down the feeling, but it was no use. He sat up on the bed, groaning softly as he leaned forward, bracing himself against the sudden onset of nausea. Loretta immediately ran over to the other side of the hotel room, grabbing the trash can and placing it by Indiana’s bed. He mumbled a quick "thanks" as Loretta placed the bin by the bed. He immediately leaned over the trash can, one hand still holding the towel to his forehead. A few moments later, the nausea won, and he started to heave, feeling the contents of his stomach coming up his throat. She stood there, gritting her teeth at the site of her teacher hunched over and vomiting. It smelt putrid as she could hear his stomach rumble and erupt. After a few long moments, Indiana’s nausea and vomiting had subsided. He took a few deep breaths, his face pale and his head still spinning. He sat up slowly on the bed, still holding the towel to his forehead. "Goddammit, that was rough…" he mumbled, his voice sounding weak and shaky. He glanced over at Loretta, a sheepish look on his face. He knew he must look like a mess at the moment, and he felt a pang of embarrassment at the thought of her witnessing his moment of weakness. "Sorry about that, kid," he said weakly, trying to force a smile. "Not exactly my finest hour, is it…"

"No, no, it’s ok Professor. Something you couldn’t stop from happening." She said as she peered into the bucket, her own curiosity killing the cat. A beige almost yellow liquid with chunks of brown, her own reflection almost reflecting back in horror. "Oh god…" Indiana chuckled weakly at her expression, still holding the towel to his head. "Yeah, I know, it's not a pretty sight. I did try to warn you, I'm not exactly a picture of health at the moment." He took a deep breath, his stomach still feeling a little queasy. But at least the nausea had passed for the time being. He looked at Loretta, who was still staring at the trash can with a mixture of disgust and fascination. "Kid, you're starting to make me feel self-conscious. Could you stop ogling the trash can for a minute? It's not that interesting."

"Sorry… it’s so bad, you can’t look away y’know?" She joked playfully with a little giggle as she sat down back on her bed. Indiana rolled his eyes playfully at her comment, a small smile forming on his face despite the nausea still lingering in his stomach.

"Glad my misery can provide some entertainment for you," he said, his voice still sounding a little weak. "Very good student you are. Taking pleasure in your professor's suffering." He shifted slightly on the bed, sitting back against the headboard once again. He closed his eyes, the towel still placed on his forehead. "I swear, I've had hangovers before that weren't this bad," he muttered, massaging his temples. He breathed a sigh, trying to calm the pounding in his head. He didn't even remember the last time an experience as bad as this one. He usually could handle his alcohol quite well, but tonight, it was like the alcohol had gone straight to his head and hit him like a ton of bricks. He opened his eyes slightly, looking over at Loretta. She was sitting on her bed, watching him with a mix of concern and amusement. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen myself look so pathetic in front of you before," he said, letting out a weak, pitiful chuckle. She shook her head no. "First time. Most of the time it’s me getting injured and hurt."

Indiana let out a little laugh, rolling his eyes at Loretta's comment. He patted his hand on the bed beside him, motioning for Loretta to come over. "Come on, get over here." Indiana smiled weakly up at Loretta as she sat down beside him. Despite feeling like absolute hell, it was at least a little comforting to have her there. "Thanks for not just watching me suffer in silence while I'm down and out," he said, his tone slightly teasing yet affectionate. "You're a little angel, aren't you?"

"Your little Angel?" She said with a big goofy grin. Indiana chuckled softly, looking up at Loretta's big, goofy grin. He smiled warmly, reaching out and playfully ruffling her hair. "My little angel," he repeated, his tone affectionate. "Always there to witness my most embarrassing and vulnerable moments. How sweet of you." He laid his head back against the headboard, closing his eyes again. The pounding in his head was slowly starting to subside, though it was still there, lurking like a shadow at the edge of his consciousness. "You know, I don't think I've ever felt quite this terrible after a night of drinking before," he said, a hint of exhaustion in his voice. "Maybe because you’re getting old or Luis isn’t here to hold you and tell you that everything is ok." Loretta joking said with a smirk. He chuckled at her joke, rolling his eyes slightly. "Oh, ha ha, very funny. Luis is a godsend when it comes to dealing with my hangovers, you're right about that," he said, a small smile on his face. "But as for me being old, watch it, kiddo. I can still kick your ass anytime I want to, hangover or not." He tried to sound intimidating, but his tone was still weak and hoarse, and it didn't quite have the desired effect. Instead, he just looked like a pitiful middle-aged man with a severe hangover, trying (and failing) to act tough in front of a 17-year-old girl. "Professor… you look like a Chihuahua trying to intimidate a shoe… nothing is going to happen." She joked with a faux seriousness in her voice.

Indiana rolled his eyes again, but he couldn't help but smile at Loretta's comparison. She was absolutely right. He felt like a tiny, trembling chihuahua trying to bark up a tree. "Yeah, yeah, I hear you loud and clear," he said jokingly, still trying to maintain a sense of dignity. "You're right, I'm all bark and no bite right now. Just... don't rub it in too much, okay, kid?" Loretta shook her head yes as she yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. He noticed her yawn, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. It was getting late, and here he was, keeping her up with his pathetic state of being. He looked at her with tired eyes. "You should go to sleep, Loretta," he said in a low voice. "It's late, and you need to rest." She nodded her head yes, making her way back to her bed and tucking herself under the covers. He watched as Loretta climbed into her bed, a wave of relief washing over him. He was glad that she was taking his advice and going to sleep, even if it meant leaving him alone with his misery for a little while longer. "Good girl," he said quietly, his voice tired. "Get some rest. I'll be fine, I promise."

Indiana smiled at the sight of her clutching her rabbit plushie. He could tell she was still a little worried about him, even though he had reassured her multiple times. He understood the feeling all too well. "Sweet dreams, kid," he said softly. "And thank you... for putting up with my sorry state tonight."

"It’s alright…" She mumbled softly. "I’ve taken care of my pa and ma when they’ve been hungover… I’ve seen worse but I’ve also seen better." She added, trying to make a joke of the last part. Indiana chuckled weakly at her attempt at a joke, a weary smile on his face. He appreciated her attempt at finding humor in the situation. He knew she was trying to lighten the mood, and he was grateful for it. "Yeah, I bet you've seen your fair share of hungover parents," he said, his voice still rough. "Sorry to join the club, but it seems I've earned my stripes tonight." He shifted a little on the bed, trying to get comfortable. The nausea was slowly subsiding, but his head was still pounding like a jackhammer. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes and wishing he could just disappear for a few hours until his hangover subsided. "Professor." Loretta spoke up after moments of pure silence. "You never told me what your contacts said about the lily necklace…" Indiana's eyes flickered open at the mention of the lily necklace. His mind was still a little groggy, but Loretta's question brought him back to reality for a moment. "Ah, right. The necklace," he murmured, rubbing his temples with his fingers. "Well, my contacts didn’t have too much information on it, to be honest. Just some rumors and whispers that it was part of a larger collection of stolen artefacts. Nothing concrete." He closed his eyes again, trying to focus his thoughts on the necklace and not the headache that was still gnawing away at his skull. "They did mention that group, Brotherhood of Saint Anthony. Apparently, they're some sort of secret society that claims to be dedicated to finding lost items and returning them to their rightful owners."

"We knew that but I guess… that thief was raving and ranting it to us… and that ‘big jug’ of infinite wine…" She mumbled once again, battling her drowsiness. He chuckled softly at her mention of the big jug. It was true, the thief had been raving and ranting about it like a madman. "Yeah, the big jug of limitless wine... quite the legend, if it's real," he said, his eyes still closed. "But honestly, Loretta, I wouldn't put too much stock in the ramblings of a drunk thief. That kind of treasure is just stuff of myths and fairytales."

"Sounds like something out of the bible…" Loretta replied before shooting her eyes wide open. "Wait a minute!" Indiana opened his eyes again, intrigued by Loretta's sudden outburst. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate. Despite his grogginess, he couldn't help but be interested in whatever had suddenly occurred to her. She kicked the covers off her and stood up between the two beds. "The — the wedding with the jugs… with wine! That one story!" Loretta exclaimed, trying to use her hands to aid her in remembering. "Umm… Jesus was there too! I remember ma telling me!" He couldn’t help but be amused by her excited outburst. She was like a hyperactive puppy when she was onto something. "You mean the wedding at Cana? Where Jesus turned water into wine?"

"YES! That must be what they’re trying to find! The thief said the tile was part of the ‘big jug’ and it created infinite wine AND it was the missing piece!" She said as she began to jump up and down, all giddy that she connected the dots. Indiana smiled as he listened to Loretta's enthusiasm and her sudden realization. She was onto something, it seemed. "Alright, slow down, kiddo," he said, suppressing a chuckle at her excitement. "You might be onto something there. The thief mentioned the jug being able to create infinite wine, and he was raving about the final piece. Just like the wedding at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine..." He paused for a moment, his mind whirling with possibilities. The thief's rambles were starting to make sense now. "If the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony is searching for the pieces of this 'big jug'... we might be dealing with something bigger than we thought," he said, his voice regaining a degree of clarity. He sat up in the bed, despite the pounding in his head and the nausea still lingering in his stomach. Loretta's enthusiasm was contagious, and he was starting to feel a spark of excitement and curiosity despite his hangover. "You might have just connected a few dots there, Loretta," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "We should look into this further. The wedding at Cana, the big jug, the Brotherhood of Saint Anthony. We might just be onto something here, kid." Despite the late hour and his current state of misery, Indiana was buzzing now. If there was anything in this world that could get him out of his own sorry state, it was the possibility of an adventure. Loretta’s theory and eagerness were reigniting the fire that burned deep within him.

Chapter Text

The soft sun beamed through Luis’ little ‘office’ (More of a workshop than anything), the smell of all sorts of paints and the strong smell of petroleum present and called it home. He was completing a restoration of one of his many clients, a suggestive painting of Greek Goddess Aphrodite. Indiana leaned against the doorway, watching Luis work on the restoration. He couldn't help but feel a wave of affection for his talented husband, his skilled hands carefully bringing the painting back to life. 

He watched in silence for a moment longer, admiring the way the light played off of Luis' features. After a while, he cleared his throat, making his presence known. Luis lowered his paint brush, looking over his shoulder to Indiana with a soft smile and a weary look in his eyes. "Cariño… Just the man I need." He returned the smile, his heart swelling with affection as he approached Luis. He placed a tender hand on his shoulder, leaning down to look over the restoration. "You needed me, huh?" he said, his voice warm with curiosity. "What's the matter, sweetheart?"

He stuttered a little, stuck trying to form a basic sentence before slumping forwards a little in defeat, a sigh leaving his lips. "I am not worthy of this painting… I… I can’t capture her beauty, the intricate details of her chariot, the—" Indiana gently placed a finger on his lips, silencing his self-doubt. He knew all too well that his husband had a tendency to be hard on himself, especially when it came to his work. "Luis, mi corazón, listen to me," he said, his voice gentle yet firm. "You are the most talented artist I know. Your paintings are stunning, your restorations are flawless. Don't ever doubt your worth, love." Luis nodded his head yes in response as he closed his chocolate brown eyes, a sigh leaving his lips. Indiana's fingers slid from his lips to his cheek, gently stroking the stubble. "I've watched you transform damaged works of art into masterpieces, bringing them back to life. You have a gift, Luis," he continued, his voice filled with admiration. "Don't let your doubts hold you back."

"Me amas demasiado…” he mumbled softly, leaning back to his touch, soft and tender with each caress. Indiana chuckled softly, the corners of his lips curling into a warm smile. He cupped Luis's face gently, his thumb tracing the contour of his jaw. "Maybe I do love you too much," he admitted, a hint of teasing in his tone. "But can you blame me? You're talented, handsome, and have the heart of an angel." He bent closer, placing a tender kiss on Luis's forehead. "You're like a Greek statue come to life, love," he murmured, his voice low and affectionate. "And I'm the luckiest man alive to have you as my husband."

[The next day]

Indiana and Loretta had decided to grab a bite to eat at a small diner in town. It was a quaint little place, with a menu filled with comfort food staples. The smell of bacon and brewed coffee filled the air, creating a cozy atmosphere. He sipped on his coffee while Loretta perused the menu, her eyes scanning over the different breakfast options. "Awww man… Should I get the waffles or a burger? Wait no! The bacon and eggs…?” She said to herself, after all it was such a hard dedication, to Loretta at least. Indiana chuckled at her indecision, his gaze fond as he watched her struggle with the menu. He knew how much she loved her food, and the decision between breakfast options was clearly a serious matter to her. "You know you can order more than one thing, right kid?" he teased, a playful smirk on his face. "I know, I just don’t have enough pocket money…” Loretta muttered with a frown, her head popping up from behind the menu. He nodded, his expression softening. He knew Loretta was on a budget, and he had been more than generous recently.n"Well, how about this," he suggested, reaching into his pocket for his wallet. "You order whatever you want, kiddo. My treat."

She was a bit hesitant for a moment before letting the feeling disappear. "Um… is it ok if I get the waffles with bacon and eggs… and… orange juice?” Indiana couldn’t help but chuckle at her growing order, but he was more than happy to oblige. "Sure thing, Loretta," he said with a smile. "Waffles, bacon, eggs, and orange juice. Coming right up." He signaled to the waitress and placed the order, taking the menu away. He took a sip of his coffee, his eyes still on Loretta. The waitress nodded and walked away, leaving them to their own devices. Indiana leaned back in his chair, studying Loretta. "So, kid," he began, his gaze observant. "You've been awfully quiet this morning. Something on your mind?"

"No, just tired.” Loretta replied with a little chuckle. "Miss Jensen gave me so much homework…” Indiana raised an eyebrow at the mention of homework. "Homework, huh? I don't envy you there, kid. I always hated doing homework when I was your age." He took another sip of his coffee, a thoughtful expression on his face. "What kind of homework did she give you? Anything interesting?"

"Art…” She mumbled, her head resting on her hand. "I swear she knows what goes inside my head whenever I do artistic things… always stuff that I’ve struggled with…” He chuckled softly at her complaint. He knew firsthand how challenging art could be, especially for someone who isn't passionate about it. "Ah, the joys of art classes," he said with a teasing smile. "Always forcing you to confront your artistic demons." Indiana leaned back in his chair, a fond smile on his face as he mentioned his husband. "You know, my husband Luis is an artist himself. He's specialised in art restoration for years. Maybe he could give you some pointers and make those art assignments a bit more bearable." Loretta shrugged in response. "I don’t know, Professor… it’s just school work, not some ultra important job thing like Luis.” Indiana nodded, understanding Loretta's perspective. It was just school work, after all. "You're right, kid. It is just school work. But that doesn't make it any less important," he said with a gentle tone. "And besides, art is a valuable skill, even if you don't see yourself pursuing it as a career." He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "And who knows? Maybe you'll discover a hidden talent you never knew you had. Or at least, find a little joy in the process, despite your frustrations with your teacher." She hummed in agreement as the waitress from earlier came by, gently placing Loretta’s food onto the table along with her juice. "Enjoy!” Indiana smiled at the waitress, thanking her before his gaze returned to Loretta and her food. The waffles, bacon, and eggs looked delicious, and the sweet scent of maple syrup filled the air.

"Looks good, huh, kiddo?" he said, his own stomach beginning to rumble at the sight of the delicious food. Loretta nodded her head yes. "Thank you, Professor.” She said as she began to dig it, dumping all of the maple syrup onto her waffles. He chuckled at her excessive use of maple syrup, his eyes amused. "Careful there, kid. You're going to drown those waffles in syrup," he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. "And that’s what I want.” Loretta replied with a giggle as she began to eat. "You've got quite the sweet tooth, huh?" he said, raising an eyebrow. "I guess that means more coffee for me, then." He took another sip of his coffee, savouring the bitter flavour as it washed over his taste buds. "So, kiddo, you never did answer me earlier," he said, his tone lighter. "Is there anything on your mind? I know you said you were just tired, but I know you well enough to know when you're hiding something." Her munching came to an abrupt halt, her knife and fork placed in her plate. "It’s about Elodie…” She mumbled with shame in her voice. Indiana's expression softened, a mix of compassion and reminiscence in his eyes. "Elodie, huh?" he said softly, the name stirring up a mix of emotions within him. "You've been thinking about her, haven't you?" She shook her head yes. "Valentine's Day is soon and I’ve been imagining how it would be like to finally spend it with someone…” Loretta mumbled in almost a whisper. He listened intently, his heart aching at Loretta's words. He knew how hard it was for her, given her sexuality and the era they lived in. The stigma, the judgement, the fear...

He reached out, his hand gently covering hers across the table. "I know, kiddo, I know," he said softly. "It's so unfair, isn't it? Love shouldn't be a crime, but yet here we are." He let out a weary sigh, his expression softening. "But you can't let that stop you from living, Loretta," he continued. "You're so young, and there's so much life to live. You'll find someone who loves you, who appreciates you for who you are. And they'll make every Valentine's Day the best one you've ever had." She nodded her head yes, her lips pursed as she imagined her future. Maybe her sweet wife laughing alongside her, her soft hands and eyes— She couldn’t think about this, it’ll make her cry. So she decided to change the subject. "What are you and Luis planning on doing for Valentines?” Indiana raised an eyebrow, noting her attempt to change the subject, but respecting her choice nonetheless. "Ah, Valentine's Day," he mused, a small smile playing at his lips. "Luis and I? Well, I must admit, we're a bit old school. We tend to keep things simple." He took another sip of his coffee, his gaze drifting off for a moment, his expression growing fond as he thought about his husband. "It'll probably be just the two of us, a nice dinner at home, and maybe a movie afterwards." He chuckled softly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "And you know... whatever happens after will be a surprise," he added with a smirk, his words hinting at the passion and romance that would fill their evening together. "I don’t want to know what’s going to happen afterwards, Professor. I already know a little too much about your love life more than a student should know...” Loretta replied with a sigh and shaking her head in disappointment. He laughed heartily at her response, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, come on, kid," he said, chuckling. "You make it sound like I'm some kind of over-sharer." He leaned back in his chair, a playfully innocent look on his face. "Besides, you're practically family at this point. You visit often, and you've already seen Luis in his pajamas."

"Hmmm… that’s true.” She replied as she resumed eating. He nodded, watching Loretta devour her breakfast with amusement. "And don't pretend like you don't enjoy the visits," he teased, his tone lighthearted. "You're always happy to have a free dinner at our place, and Luis spoils you rotten with his sweets." Indiana chuckled, his expression sympathetic. She giggled a little, Indiana hit the jackpot. "It’s true, sometimes you get bored of eating some variation of soup with Ma...”

"I can understand the boredom with soup," he said, a hint of humor in his voice. "But don't let Luis hear you say that, or he'll be sending you home with a whole array of baked goods every time you visit." Loretta giggled once again. "I wouldn’t be able to eat them all!” Indiana raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with feigned incredulity. "That's not what your empty plate is telling me," he said, nodding towards Loretta's now cleaned-off waffles, bacon, and eggs. "Oh well… this is different.” She replied pointing to her plate with her knife, softly tapping against the ceramic. "Luis will probably give me double of what I ate.” Indiana chuckled once more, his expression amused by Loretta's response. "You're probably right about that, kiddo," he said with a grin. "Luis has a tendency to go overboard with sweets. And you're not the only one who gets the special treatment." He took a sip of coffee, a sly smile on his face. "Believe me, I've gained my fair share of pounds because of that man's sweet tooth." Indiana shook his head with a mix of exasperation and affection. "He can't resist baking anything sweet and delicious – cookies, cakes, pastries, you name it. And he always finds an excuse to share his creations. I've lost count of how many late-night "sampling sessions" we've had, which is code for him shoving sweets into my mouth." Loretta chuckled at the thought of Indiana stuffing his face full of sweet treats in her mouth, probably bound to a chair against his will.

The diner was relatively quiet, two or so people sitting on the stools at the counter and people and a group of teens snickering with each other. This all came to an end when a familiar face entered the diner as someone pushed through the door, the bell above the door ringing.

Indiana's gaze drifted towards the entrance, his eyes widening in surprise as a familiar face stepped into the diner. It was none other than Marcus Brody, a good friend and longtime colleague. "Well, look who it is," Indiana muttered under his breath, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He lifted his hand, waving Marcus over. "Hey, Marcus! Over here!" Marcus caught sight of Indiana's wave, a wide smile spreading across his face as he navigated through the diner. He approached the table where Indy and Loretta were sitting. "Indy," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "I was looking for you. Luis told me I might find you here." Indiana nodded, gesturing for Marcus to take a seat. "Yeah, he sent you my way, huh?" he replied with a smirk. "You know him, always looking out for me." He shifted his attention towards Loretta, a sly gleam in his eyes. "You remember Marcus, don't you, kiddo?"

Loretta shook her head yes, a soft and friendly smile on her face. "The museum creator, you work on the one on Denver Street, right?” Marcus chuckled, impressed by her knowledge. "That's right, I do." He said, nodding his head in confirmation. "I'm the curator at the Museum of Natural History on Denver Street. I oversee all those dusty old artifacts you find so interesting."bIndiana chuckled once more, a smirk playing on his lips. "Don't let him fool you, kiddo," he said, nudging Loretta playfully. "Marcus is more than just a dusty old curator. He's the one who's always bugging me about bringing some of those 'dusty old artifacts' back to the museum."

"You mean us?” She corrected immediately with a shit eating grin. "Yes, us," he agreed, a hint of pride in his voice. "We do tend to have some interesting adventures that result in bringing back certain artifacts." He turned his gaze towards Marcus, his expression becoming more serious. "Speaking of which, I'm assuming you're not here purely for a social call?" Marcus nodded, his expression becoming equally serious. "Unfortunately, no. I have important news to share."  He leaned forward, his voice lowered. "It's about an artifact that's recently come to the museum's attention. A very important one."

Loretta’s interest piqued as she shuffled and leaned in closer, her cardigan almost dipping into the slightly dried yet sticky maple syrup. Marcus continued, his voice hushed and urgent. "The artifact in question is Aphrodite's Chariot. According to legend, it was used by the Greek goddess of love herself." He looked around, making sure no one was listening in on their conversation. "We recently received information that a group of antiquities dealers have their sights set on it. If they get their hands on it, there's no telling what chaos they'll cause." Indiana's expression turned serious, his mind already strategizing. "And I'm assuming you want us to recover the chariot before they do?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. He knew this was a dangerous task, but he also knew he couldn't back down from a challenge, the daredevil he was. Marcus nodded, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "Yes, Indy. I need you to recover that chariot before those dealers get their hands on it. We can't risk them getting their hands on something as powerful as Aphrodite's Chariot."

"Where is it then?” Loretta butted in with a whisper, looking back to the group of teenagers for a moment, who were slapping each other on the arm and laughing. "The chariot is currently being held in a private collection in Athens. It's heavily guarded, but I believe your expertise can get us in and out undetected." He looked to Indiana, waiting for his response. "Athens, huh?" Indiana mused, his mind working a mile a minute. "That could make things complicated, but nothing we haven't handled before." He nodded, his resolve strengthening. "We'll get that chariot, Marcus. Just give us the details and we'll plan the rest." Marcus smiled, relieved that Indiana was on board with the plan. "Excellent. I knew I could count on you, Indy.”

He pulled out an envelope from his suit jacket and handed it to Indiana. "All the details and everything you need are in here.” Indiana took the envelope, opening it and skimming over the contents. "Alright, we'll take it from here." He closed the envelope and tucked it away in his jacket.

"We'll need some time to prepare, but we'll have that chariot in no time," he promised.

Chapter Text

Indiana entered his home with a sigh, the door creaking shut behind him. He made his way into the living room, where he found Luis lounging on the couch, reading a book. "Hey, querido," Indiana greeted warmly, a weary smile on his face. Luis smiled softly, swinging his legs to the side of the couch and placing his book on a nearby side table, weariness still stuck on his face and creating eye bags under his eyelids. Indiana joined his husband on the couch, sinking into the cushions with a weary sigh. "You look tired," he said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Luis' forehead. "Long day?"

He shook his head yes as he admired Indiana’s face, the wrinkles and dimples that had become more prominent over the years. "That restoration… it’s sucking my soul." He mumbled, his accent becoming more pronounced than it usually was. Indiana chuckled softly in return, his hand cupping Luis' cheek and feeling the ever so slight stubble. "I know that feeling," he said, his tone sympathetic. "You've been working on that for a while now." He leaned closer, his gaze meeting Luis' eyes. "Maybe what you need is a little distraction. A change of pace." He tilted his head quizzingly, raising an eyebrow. "What do you have in mind, cariño?" He hesitated for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "I've got a proposition for you," he began, his hand still lingering on Luis' cheek. "A trip to Athens. Work-related." Luis thought about it, leaning in a little as Indiana supported his chin. "When? How long? Is preciosa coming?"

He chuckled at his immediate questions, amused by his husband's curiosity. "Loretta will be coming along, yes." He paused, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. "And we'll be there for... I'd say about a week, give or take." Luis hummed as he went back to thinking, silence washing over the two. Indiana watched him in silence, noticing the contemplation on his face. He knew his husband well, and could sense the hesitation in his expression. "I know it's not ideal," he said gently, his thumb gently tracing circles on Luis' cheek. "But we could really use your expertise on this one. And Loretta will be there, so that's a plus, right?"

"Ella es como nuestra hija después de todo…" He mumbled to himself. But the idea of walking under the warm Greek sun, gazing upon the beautiful scenery and eating delicious food didn’t aid him in his decision making. Indiana smiled at his words, his heart swelling with affection for Loretta. "Exactly," he agreed, his tone softening. "She's like family to us. And it'll be a nice change of scenery. Good food, good weather, and of course..." He trailed off, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he leaned in closer to Luis. "...the opportunity for some alone time." Luis chuckled, shaking his head in faux disappointment. "Always thinking about that, huh?" He replied back with a teasing tone in his voice. "What about poor Loretta?"

He rolled his eyes in playful exasperation at Luis' teasing, but he couldn't help but chuckle. "Poor Loretta?" He repeated with mock incredulity. "She'll be fine, she's a big girl. Plus, I'm sure there's plenty to keep her occupied in Athens. Museums, historical sites, shopping..." He winked at Luis, a sly grin on his face. "And who knows, maybe she'll find some cute Greek girl to keep her company." He laughed, already imagining Loretta holding some beautiful Greek girl’s hand before snapping back to reality. "But mi vida, that work you mentioned. What is it?" Indiana's expression turned serious once again, the lightheartedness from before replaced by a focused determination.

"We're tasked with recovering an important artifact - Aphrodite's Chariot, to be precise." He began, leaning closer to Luis, almost touching each other’s lips. "A group of antiquities dealers are in possession of it." Luis raised his eyebrows, a smile playing on his lips as he remembered his restoration project a client asked for, a seductive painting of Aphrodite riding her chariot. This trip will definitely aid him. Indy noticed the smile creeping onto his face, and couldn't help but chuckle. "I see that look in your eye," he teased, shaking his head. "You've got that painting on the brain again, haven't you?" You're going to use this trip as an excuse to do some 'research' for that project of yours, aren't you?"

"¡Absolutamente!" He said with a happy grin and a laugh. Indiana chuckled in response, shaking his head in defeat. "Of course you are, cariño." He murmured, fondly exasperated. "Just remember, we're there for business, not pleasure. But..." He leaned in closer, a sly glint. "I suppose a bit of pleasure won't hurt, as long as it's in the name of research." A smirk came to Luis’ lips as a hand rested on Indiana’s shoulder. "Valentines Day will be happening while we’re in Greece…" He murmured back.

"Valentines Day..." he echoed, realization in his voice. "I hadn't even thought about that." He leaned back a bit, his eyes meeting Luis' gaze with a playful glint. "You've already got an idea brewing, don't you?" A little giggle left his mouth as he pressed a kiss against Indiana’s lips. "Just wait and see."

[Two days later.]

They arrived at Athens two days later, the sun shining brightly overhead. The sights and sounds of the city assaulted their senses, from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets to the smell of delicious Greek food wafting through the air. Indiana took in the sights, a familiar excitement coursing through him, whereas Luis and Loretta looked around in awe.!As they navigated the busy streets of Athens, Indiana spotted a small café on the corner and gestured for the two to follow. "Let's take a break," he said, ushering them towards the café. "We need to review the plan and gather our bearings." They settled into a table inside the café, were customers were sipping on strong Greek coffee and nibbling on sweet pastries. Indiana pulled out the envelope Marcus had given him, extracting the detailed plan and spreading it out on the table in front of them.

Loretta was preoccupied staring at all the little pastries that sat on the other customer’s tables, she couldn’t help it though, they all looked so good! Luis on the other hand looked over at the envelope that Indiana held in his hand, his eyes running over the cursive letters. Indiana chuckled at her distraction, shaking his head slightly as he watched her stare at the pastries like a kid in a candy store. "Focus, kiddo," he teased, nudging her arm gently. "There will be plenty of time for sweets later." He turned his attention back to the envelope, rifling through the documents and spreading them out on the table. "Alright, listen up," Indiana said, his tone becoming serious once again. "According to these documents, the chariot is being kept in the personal collection of a wealthy antiquities dealer named Nikos Demetriou." Indiana explained, tapping his finger on a photo of the dealer, a man who looked slightly scruffy, black hair, tanned skin and prominent cheekbones. "Demetriou is notoriously private, but we've managed to learn that he'll be hosting a gala event tonight at his estate. That's our window of opportunity." He pointed to a floor plan of the estate, circling a large room in the center. "We need to attend that party and get to the chariot without being spotted. Once we're inside, we'll find where the chariot is sitting and retrieve it." He glanced at Luis and Loretta, his eyes serious. "Any questions so far?" Luis and Loretta look at each other then back at Indiana, both shaking their heads no in unison. He  nodded back in response, satisfied that they understood the plan. "Good. We'll need to blend in at the party, so be sure to dress appropriately. And most importantly: don't draw attention to yourselves."

"No dancing for us then, cariño." Luis said a little frown on his face, like a kicked puppy. Indiana chuckled at his pout, shaking his head affectionately. "No dancing, querido. At least not until we've retrieved the chariot." He reached out, patting Luis' hand comfortingly. Loretta meanwhile tried her best to ignore the whole conversation, knowing that listening to it for a moment will fill her up with envy. He noticed her distraction and quickly picked up on her feelings. "Hey, kid," he said, gently tapping Loretta's arm. "You alright? You seem a little... distant."

"No, I’m alright. Just jet lag getting to me." She said with an awkward laugh. He raised an eyebrow, not completely convinced by her casual dismissal. "You sure?" he asked, his expression softened with concern. "You haven't been yourself since we arrived."

"No, no, promise Professor." Loretta insisted, waving her hands in front of herself. "Déjalo, cariño." Luis scolded, looking over to his husband with a stern expression. "If she does not want to talk about it, she doesn’t have to." He raised his hands in surrender, a chuckle leaving him "Alright, alright," he said, looking contrite. "I was just worried, that's all. Loretta, if you ever need to talk, know that we're here for you." He exchanged a glance with Luis, silently acknowledging his husband's protective nature. He then looked back at Loretta, giving her a reassuring smile. "Just remember, life's too short to be burdened alone. You have us, and you have a future. You'll find people to love. But for now..." He chuckled softly and tapped the envelope against the wooden table. "We have a chariot to retrieve."

[Later that night]

Night had fallen over Athens, the city illuminating under the glow of street lamps and twinkling stars. Music and chatter filled the air as Indiana, Luis, and Loretta stood across the street from the sprawling estate of Nikos Demetriou, their invitations clutched tightly in their hands. The three had dressed with the utmost finesse, as per Indiana's instructions. Indiana wore a sharp tuxedo that made him look younger than his years. Luis, with his chocolate brown hair styled and slicked back and looked rather dashing, and Loretta, in her velvet dress with silver accents, looked like she'd stepped out of a dream. The trio blended in with the other rich and influential guests who arrived for the gala, their chatter and laughter filling the air. The estate was lavishly decorated, filled with marble statues and priceless artworks. As they made their way into the party, waiters passed through the crowd with expensive champagne and gourmet hors d'oeuvres on silver platters.

Indiana, ever the smooth operator, effortlessly made small talk with other guests, keeping his cover of a historian intact. Luis did his own thing trying his best to fit in and appear as part of the high society crowd. Loretta, meanwhile, couldn't help but marvel at the opulence around her, her eyes wide with awe at the grandeur spectacle of the event. But Loretta’s eyes drifted across all of the architecture, before landing on a woman. She was dressed in dark red, tanned skin, curly black hair that reached her back, enchanting lips…

It couldn’t be Elodie, she was long gone but Loretta stood in place. Her heart beating out of her chest, memories of the comtesse’s decapitated head flooding her mind. She was wearing almost the exact same dress they met that night. Indiana, who was chatting with a businessman nearby, noticed Loretta’s distant expression. He followed her gaze, noticing the woman that Loretta was staring at. Sensing something was amiss, he excused himself from the conversation and approached Loretta. "C’mere, kid," he whispered. He placed a hand on her arm, gently pulling her to the side. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost." She shook her head no with grief ridden eyes, she tried to speak to explain herself but she couldn’t. Her voice shook and cracked and her stuttering didn’t aid her either.

Indiana saw the distress in her expression and his concern deepened. He knew something was troubling her, something beyond just being overwhelmed by the party. "Hey, hey, easy now," he said gently, his tone soothing. "Take a deep breath, kid. Take all the time you need." He glanced towards the women Loretta was looking at, noting the resemblance to Elodie. He turned back to Loretta, his voice now barely above a whisper, "Is it..." he paused, reluctant to bring it up, "Is it the woman? The one in red. She reminds you of..." Loretta shook her head yes, she wanted to cry but she couldn’t risk ruining her makeup during such a fancy occasion.

Indiana's expression softened further. He took Loretta gently by the arm and led her to a secluded corner of the party, away from prying eyes. "It's alright, Loretta," he said gently. "It's alright to feel the way you do. You don't have to hold back." She nodded her head yes. Luis on the other hand saw the pair talking, he came by and placed a gentle hand on Loretta’s shoulder. "Preciosa, you alright?" Indiana nodded greetings towards Luis, glad to see that Loretta had another person to support her.

"She's just a little overwhelmed. The party's a lot to take in for anyone." He replied, keeping his voice low. He looked at Loretta with concern. "Maybe she should go get some air. She looks like she could use a moment." Luis nodded, fully agreeing with Indiana’s suggestion, he patted Loretta’s shoulder. "Go on, we can cover for you."

Loretta nodded her head yes once more as she weaved in and out of the crowds. Soon ending up in a little garden far from the clutter of people, a couple people were scattered around some sipping their alcoholic beverages while others smoked. She went to a little bench, away from most of the people and sat down. A few moments later, Indiana and Luis joined Loretta, each holding a fluttering glass of champagne. They settled down on either side of her, creating a protective shield. The three sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, before Indiana finally spoke up. "You feeling any better, kid?" She grumbled something incomprehensible, hunched over and her elbows on her knees. Their couple’s alcohol looked real good right now…

He noticed her gaze on their drinks, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Oh no, you don't," he said, teasingly pulling his drink away from her reach. "You're underage, remember?" Luis chuckled and nodded in agreement, also pulling his drink away from Loretta. "Sorry, preciosa. Professor’s orders." Loretta rolled her eyes in response to the two’s boundaries, couldn’t they let her have fun even once? Just a sip in such dire circumstances? Indiana laughed at her response, shaking his head. "No way, kiddo. You're still a minor. And besides, you're not exactly in the right headspace for drinking at the moment." He set his drink down next to him and turned his full attention to Loretta, his expression now serious. "Now, can we talk about what just happened back there? You were staring at that woman like you'd seen a ghost." It took a moment for her to scrounge up the words, a sigh leaving her lips. "That lady looked like Elodie. Same face, eyes, lips, even the dress she wore was similar…" The couple exchanged a glance, silently understanding the weight of the situation. The memories of what had happened with Elodie still haunted Indiana, somewhat. "I see," Indiana murmured, his expression grave. "That explains your reaction." He ran a hand through his hair, a mixture of guilt and sadness crossing his features. He knew all too well the pain of remembering someone who had been lost. "I'm sorry, kid." He said, his voice gruff with empathy. "That wasn't something you needed to be reminded of tonight."

"I wanna hold her hand, I wanna dance with her, I—" She began to tear up, her voice cracking as she hid her face with the palm of her hands, smudging up her makeup. Both Indiana and Luis were struck by the raw pain in Loretta's voice. They both placed a comforting hand on her back, their touch gentle and comforting.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Indiana whispered, his words both soothing and filled with sadness. "I know it hurts, kid. I know it does." Luis rubbed slow circles on her back, his touch tender. "We're here for you, preciosa. You're not alone in this." She sniffed, looking up at them through bleary, tear-filled eyes. The empathy and understanding in their faces were a small balm for her aching heart. "It's not fair," she whimpered, "I lost her without even getting a chance!" The couple exchanged another pained look, their hearts breaking for Loretta's anguish. They understood her pain all too well, having experienced loss and missed opportunities themselves. "It's not fair," Indiana echoed softly, his voice thick with sadness. "Life rarely is. But you have us, kiddo. And we're not going anywhere." He reached out, gently wiping away the tear streaks on her cheek. "We're here for you, Loretta." Luis added, his voice a tender assurance. "We're your family."

Loretta continued to cry, looking up at Luis for a moment and then to Indiana. Mascara running down her cheeks and ruining everything. Both men were visibly moved by her heartbreak, their protective instincts kicking in full force. "It's alright, kid," Indiana murmured, draping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her closer. Luis, seeing Loretta's ruined makeup, quickly rummaged in his blazer and produced a handkerchief. "Here, use this." She grabbed the handkerchief with trembling hands, dabbing it across her face as her tears soon dissipated. The couple remained by Loretta's side, their presence offering silent support. After a while, the tears subsided, leaving Loretta red-eyed but more composed. Indiana studied her for a moment, his expression gentle but firm. "Feeling a little better, kiddo?"

"A little…" Loretta said with a little cough, her voice still weary from her tears. He gave her a small, comforting smile. "Good. That's good." He cast a quick glance towards the party, noting that it was still in full swing. "You up for rejoining the party, or would you prefer to stay out here for a while longer?"

"I… I need to fix my makeup." She mumbled. He nodded in understanding, his expression sympathetic. "Of course, kid. You go take care of that." He gave Loretta a gentle pat on the back, reassuring her that they'd be there for her when she returned. She nodded her head yes as she got up and made her way to the bathroom, other guests looked over their shoulder  at her, mascara stained cheeks, clumpy eyeshadow and smudged lipstick. Disgusting they all thought almost in unison. But eventually she pushed through the door to the ladies’ bathroom and was immediately greeted by the woman from earlier. Loretta’s fight of flight kicked in immediately, either she faced head on or ran back to Indy and Luis. The woman, realizing Loretta had walked in on her, looked up in surprise, pausing in her own reapplication of lipstick.

"Oh! I didn't expect anyone else to-" she began, but stopped mid-sentence as she noticed Loretta's tear-stained face. "Are you... alright, darling?" She nodded her head yes, walking over to the furthest basin and mirror. She grabbed Luis’ handkerchief, wet it under the water and ran it over her face, effectively taking off her makeup. The woman’s voice was nowhere near close to Elodie’s, it wasn’t sultry or whispery. In fact, Loretta couldn’t put her finger on it, Russian? Maybe somewhere more distant like Latin America or Asia. The woman watched Loretta for a moment, genuinely looking concerned. Her eyes lingered on Loretta's tear-streaked face, a flash of sympathy crossing her expression. "You look like you've been having a rough night, sweetheart," she said softly, her accent not quite identifiable. "Want some help?"

She ignored her, not even daring to look up to the woman. Loretta began to fix her makeup, starting at her foundation which she rummaged through her handbag for. The woman watched Loretta silently for a moment, then spoke up again. "You know, I didn't mean to worry you." She said softly, her voice carrying a hint of an accent that Loretta couldn't quite place. "I just wanted to help." She paused for a moment, taking in Loretta's distant demeanour. "And you seem like you need some help right now." Loretta sighed in defeat, her hand resting in her bag. "Please help me…" She mumbled. The woman came up and stood behind Loretta, taking a moment to study her face in the mirror. "Of course, darling," she replied, her tone gentle. She took a soft cloth from her purse and began to carefully wipe off Loretta's smearing makeup. "First time wearing makeup, honey?"

"I don’t wear it often..." She said in almost a whisper as she closed her eyes. The woman nodded, her touch gentle and careful as she worked to remove the ruined makeup. "I can tell, sweetheart," she said softly, her accent still barely identifiable. "You've got beautiful cheeks, though. You should put rouge on just to highlight them." Loretta remained silent, allowing the woman to expertly apply new makeup. The woman worked with a skilled hand, transforming Loretta's tear-stained face into a picture of composed elegance. As the woman finished up, Loretta finally dared a glance at her in the mirror. The woman looked pleased with her work, her lips curving into a small, satisfied smile. "There you go, darling," she said softly, "You look lovely." She studied Loretta's face for a moment more, her gaze a mix of sympathy and curiosity. "You know, you look vaguely familiar," she mused. "Have we met before?" She pursed her lips for a moment, hesitating to tell the woman but she decided not to. "No, I don’t think so…" The woman nodded, but her gaze lingered on Loretta for a moment longer, as if trying to place her. "Huh," she murmured, her voice trailing off into a contemplative silence. Then, as if remembering her own manners, she smiled again. "My apologies, where are my manners? I haven't even introduced myself." She extended a perfectly manicured hand towards Loretta, her grip firm but gracious. "I'm Alexandria," she said with a smile. "Alexandria Demetriou."

"It’s nice to meet you." Loretta replied back with a smile, shaking the woman’s hand. "You’re the sister of Nikos Demetriou, right?" She asked, her voice unsure and her voice still a little shaken from her tears. After all, Indiana only said his name, not anything about wives, sisters or children. Alexandria's smile widened, touched that Loretta remembered her brother's name. "Yes, that's right. What an astute observation." She lifted an eyebrow as her gaze lingered on Loretta's face for a moment. "And can I ask who you might be?" she asked gently. Loretta almost said her name but she remembered the conversation her, Indy and Luis had regarding their ‘disguises’. "Elvia Caradonna. My father’s name is Nicola." Alexandria's eyes lit up in recognition as Loretta mentioned her father's name. She smiled warmly, her voice tinged with a touch of familiarity.

"Ah, Elvia Caradonna. I've heard of your father. He's quite the renowned historian, is he not?" She nodded her head yes with a smile on her face. "He is, I just hope I don’t stand in his shadow later on in life…" she chuckled softly, amused by the young girl’s modest nature. "Oh darling, I wouldn't worry about that. You have a radiance all your own. A true gem in your own right." She paused, studying Loretta's face for a moment. "And between you and me, I think you've already surpassed him in many ways." Loretta looked up at Alexandria in surprise, her cheeks reddening at the unexpected compliment. She was used to her father getting the praises yet here this woman was, heaping her with praises. She shook her head, her self-deprecating instincts kicking in. "No, I'm not even in—" she stopped herself, realizing that it would ruin her alias.

Alexandria simply laughed, a warm, pleasant sound. "Oh come now, darling," she said, her voice filled with amused indulgence. "Don't be modest. You're young and smart, two qualities that make you quite formidable in your own right." She reached out, patting Loretta's cheek affectionately like a weld fed cat. "Your father should be proud to have such a talented daughter." She turned bright red at the gesture, Alexandria’s hand was so soft like rabbit’s fur, even a rose petal.

Alexandria chuckled softly, noticing the way Loretta blushed at her touch. "Oh, look at those rosy cheeks. You're adorable, you know that?"  She withdrew her hand, but not without a lingering brush against Loretta's cheek, as if reluctant to part from the contact. "Uh, thank you…" Loretta mumbled shyly, her cheeks still flaming red. She was taken aback by the way this woman's touch and words made her feel – it was so different to the way people usually spoke to her. She fidgeted in place, unsure of what else to say. From outside the bathroom, Indiana’s distinct voice rang out, calling out Loretta's alias. "Elvira! You in there?" Her head immediately looked over to the door slightly creaked open, she grabbed her makeup and quickly shoved them into her bag and ran to the door. "I-it was nice meeting you, Alexandria!" She watched her hurry off, an amused smile playing on her lips. She called out to Loretta one last time as the young woman opened the bathroom door. "You too, darling! Hope to see more of you around sometime!"

Indiana looked at Loretta expectantly, his expression mildly anxious. "There you are," he said, visibly relaxed that Loretta had finally come out of the bathroom. "I was starting to worry." "Sorry… I got sidetracked." She replied sheepishly. He looked at her for a moment, his eyes scanning her face. She looked better than she did before, her makeup now carefully reapplied, albeit with a subtle hint of redness on her cheeks. "Uh huh. And who was this someone that sidetracked you?" Indy asked, his tone casual but his expression hinting at his curiosity. "The lady who looked like Elodie." Loretta said with a little smile and a blush. "She helped me with my makeup too…" He raised an eyebrow, the mention of the woman sparking his interest. The resemblance to Elodie was already something he'd taken notice of. "Oh, really?" he said, his voice carefully neutral. "And who might this woman be?"

"Alexandria Demetriou, she’s the sister of Nikos."

Indiana nodded, a glimmer of recognition sparking in his eyes. "Ah, I see. And how did you find yourself speaking to her in the ladies’ restroom?" he asked, his tone a bit amused. "She said I was talented and I was adorable…" Loretta mumbled with goosebumps running all over skin. "—but, where’s Luis?" He raised an eyebrow at this, a bit surprised by the impact Alexandria's words had on Loretta. But he quickly dismissed it, focusing on her question. "Luis? Last I saw him, he was by the bar." He glanced around, scanning the crowd for a moment before spotting Luis indeed at the bar, engaged in conversation with a group of people.Indy leaned closer, lowering his voice as he continued their conversation. "I've been taking a good look around the place, trying to figure out where they might be storing that chariot." He scanned the room one more time, as if searching for some hidden clue. "I don't see it anywhere in plain sight. It's probably in a backroom someplace." He paused, mulling over something in his mind before continuing. "Most likely a pretty secure room, too. One would assume they're not just going to leave it out in the open, especially with so many people around." He leaned a bit closer, keeping his voice low.

"This estate is sprawling, with lots of rooms. So it's quite possible it's in one of the back rooms. The question is how to get in without being noticed..." Loretta stood there for a moment, a couple ideas running around her little head. "Stealing the clothes off a waiter’s back? Pretend we got lost? I don’t know…"

He nodded, considering her ideas but not entirely convinced. "It's not a bad idea, but it's a little risky. We might attract too much attention. We need something that'll let us blend in and access the area without arousing suspicion." He thought for a moment, his gaze flickering around the room as he tried to come up with an idea. "What we need is a distraction." He mused, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Something that will draw the attention of everyone here and make it easy for us to slip away unnoticed…"

"Here, give me a second." She mumbled as she plucked an unopened bottle of wine from a nearby waiter’s tray, immediately throwing it across the room and shattering on top some poor man’s head. People ran up to him, wiping the alcohol off while others tried to clean up the glass. Luis seemed to know what was happening, he went through the crowd searching for Indiana and Lotetta. Indiana watched the bottle hit the man in the head and shatter into pieces, immediately followed by the clamor of people gathering around to help. He couldn't help but smirk at Loretta's idea. "Clever girl," he murmured, as they both began to push through the crowd. Luis caught sight of them, making his way over and falling into step with them. As they navigated through the crowd, several party-goers shot them disgruntled looks, no doubt displeased with the disturbance. Eventually, the group reached the edge of the ballroom and slipped away into a quieter corridor, shutting the door behind them with a soft 'click'. Indy immediately took the lead, his eyes scanning the hallway for any hint of the Chariot's location.

Chapter Text

As they walked down the hallway, the sound of their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor. The air was thick with tension, each of them acutely aware of the importance of their task. Indiana led them down a set of stairs into a dimly-lit cellar, where they found themselves surrounded by racks upon racks of dusty, musty wine bottles. "This must be where all the extra wine goes…" Luis whispered, scanning the room with a critical eye. Loretta picked one up, a thick layer of dust on the bottle but she brushed it off. "Demetriou Winery…" She read out loud, the fancy writing wrapped around the glass bottle. Indy looked at her find, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. "Looks like Nikos Demetriou not only enjoys wine, but makes his own as well." he muttered, taking the bottle from Loretta to inspect it more closely. "Oye, tráeme un par, ¿vale?" Luis butted in with a joke and a chuckle, grabbing a bottle and tucking it in his inner pocket of his blazer. Indiana raised an eyebrow at him, slightly exasperated but also finding the humor in his friend's comment. "Luis, we're not here to restock your liquor cabinet."

"Our." He corrected. "Besides, if it was scotch you’ll be grabbing crates full." He added on with another chuckle, handing Loretta a bottle. "You give this to your mamá, ok?" He rolled his eyes good-naturedly, shaking his head at Luis' antics. "Just focus on the task at hand, you two..." He said, his voice firm but not without a hint of warmth. "We can celebrate later." With the bottles safely tucked away, the trio continued to explore the cellar, carefully picking their way through the labyrinth of wine racks. After a few minutes, Indy came to a halt in front of a solid-looking door. He rested his hand on the knob and tried to turn it, but it was locked. "Looks like we're getting closer," he said softly, exchanging glances with the other two. Loretta immediately plucked 2 bobby pins from her hair and passed it to Indiana "Try this, Professor." He took the bobby pins from her and examined the lock for a moment. "Bobby pins, eh?" He mused, slightly impressed by her resourcefulness. "Let's see if we can work some magic with these..." He began to carefully insert the pins into the lock, his hands working with the precision and finesse of a seasoned picklock. After a few moments of careful finagling, there was an audible 'click' as the pins did their job. Indy turned to Loretta and Luis with a satisfied grin. "There we go." He said, pushing the door open with a small flourish.

As the door opened, they were immediately hit with a blast of cool air. Following the source of the wind, they realized that there was another set of stairs that led further down into the cellar. Indiana took the lead once again, cautiously navigating the stairs as they descended deeper into the cellar. At the bottom of the stairs, they found themselves in a dimly lit room filled with boxes upon boxes. The air was noticeably colder here, the faint scent of mustiness tickling their nostrils. Luis immediately made a beeline towards one of the boxes, rummaging through its contents with a curious glint in his eyes. "I don’t think the chariot would be here…" Loretta mumbled with furrowed eyebrows. "Wouldn’t it be big and grand?" She added on, walking over to Luis and poking her head over his shoulder.

Indiana nodded in agreement with her, his gaze roaming over the boxes in the room. "You're right. The Chariot isn't going to be hidden away amongst a bunch of wine crates." Luis looked up at the duo, frustration seeping through his usual easy-going demeanor.  "Then where the hell is it?!" His voice echoed throughout the whole cellar, regret immediately being caked into his senses. Footsteps were heard from where the three entered from. Indiana immediately snapped to attention at the sound of footsteps approaching them. He exchanged a quick glance with Loretta and Luis, silently urging them to hide. Without wasting a second, the three quickly took cover behind the boxes, trying their best to stay out of sight. They held their breaths, listening intently as the footsteps echoed closer and closer. The tension in the room was palpable, each of them holding their breaths in anticipation. The footsteps stopped just outside the doorway, followed by a pause of silence. Then, the voice of a male guard rang out. "Γιάννη δεν είναι κανείς εδώ! γέροντας…" The man spoke to a fellow guard, the light from his oil lamp illuminating the entrance of the cellar. The second guard replied, his voice barely audible but clearly amused. "Μπορεί να είναι μόνο ένα πονεμένο μυαλό, αλλά..."  As he spoke, he entered the cellar, holding his oil lamp up and shining the light into the darkness. The three of them held their breath, praying that the boxes would be enough to conceal them. The first guard advanced further into the cellar, his footsteps cautious but steady. The glow of the oil lamp flickered against the walls, casting long, dancing shadows across the room. Suddenly, the guard stopped, his gaze fixed on a box that was ever-so-slightly out of place. "Εντάξει, αυτό είναι... περίεργο." The guard’s voice rang out, his suspicions rising. He walked over to the box, his footsteps slow and deliberate. The three of them could only watch in tense silence as the guard approached their hiding place.

For a brief moment, the room went silent. The only sound was the faint, steady breathing of the three hiding. Indy could feel his heart pounding in his chest, the anticipation clawing at his nerves. Just as the guard was about to look their way, the door at the top of the steps burst open, shattering the tense silence. "Εσείς οι δύο! Χρειάζομαι βοήθεια με έναν μεθυσμένο!" The person from on top of the stairs shouted, causing the two guards with the three to quickly scurry their way back to where the party was.

The three breathed a sigh of relief as the guards hurried back up the stairs, their departure providing the perfect opportunity for them to resurface from their hiding spot. Indiana  was the first to get up, shaking the dirt off his trousers. "That was too close," he muttered, a glint of tension still in his eyes. "Dios mio…" Luis mumbled, letting go of his breath that he didn’t even realise he was holding. Loretta on the other hand was still shaking like a bag of bones, remaining quiet as the two lovebirds chatted for a moment. Indiana noticed Loretta's trembling form, his expression softening slightly at the sight of her. He walked over to her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's okay," he said softly, trying to soothe her nerves. Luis, on the other hand, was busy looking at the boxes next to them, his curiosity piqued by their potential. He crouched down, running his hand over the surface of one of the boxes, catching dust on his finger tips. "You don't think the Chariot could actually be in one of these, do you?" he asked, a mixture of skepticism and hope in his voice.

Loretta shook her head no. "No, a chariot won’t be in here. It’s big, too grand for a cellar." She replied, standing up and brushing dirt off her dress. Indiana nodded, mulling over Loretta's words. She had a point - the chariot had to be somewhere more visible, more prominent. He sighed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You're right. It wouldn't be hidden away like this. They'd want to show it off, to flaunt its value."

Luis let out a frustrated grunt, leaning back against the pile of boxes. "Then where the hell is it? We've looked everywhere!" Indiana paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing in thought. "We haven't looked everywhere," he said, a hint of determination creeping into his voice. "We've searched this part of the estate, but there's always a chance it's in another wing or a different building altogether." Luis groaned, his frustration still lingering. "And how are we supposed to search the whole damn property without being seen?" He chuckled, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "We've managed to get this far without being caught, haven't we? We'll just have to keep going, stick to the shadows." He exchanged a quick look with Loretta, who nodded silently in agreement. The three of them shared a moment of understanding, a wordless agreement to push forward no matter the risk.

After their daring escape from the cellar, Indy, Loretta, and Luis made their way back up the stairs and back into the lavish main foyer. The party was still in full swing, seemingly completely ignorant to the trio's earlier run-in with the guards. As they navigated their way through the sea of party-goers, they spotted a grand staircase that led to the upper levels of the house. Indy nodded towards it, a silent signal for the group to start searching that particular section. They climbed the ornate staircase, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet runner. The upper floor was no less opulent than the foyer - elegant oil paintings adorned the walls, and lush velvet curtains framed large windows that overlooked the vast gardens outside. With every step they took, they passed by countless doors - each leading to a different room. The scope of the task that lie ahead was slowly beginning to sink in. Indiana paused for a moment, his eyes wandering from door to door, contemplating their next move. "All right, we need to be efficient with this. We can't just go barging into each room one by one - that'll take too long and we're bound to get noticed eventually."

"Maybe split up?" Loretta suggested, looking up at Indiana and Luis. He considered her suggestion, hesitating for a moment before nodding. "That might be the best option. We can cover more ground that way. Plus, we'll be less likely to draw attention if we're doing it solo." Luis nodded in agreement, his usual laid-back demeanor now replaced with one of concentration. "All right, we'll split up. But we have to be quick." He instructed, his voice firm and determined. "We know the general vicinity, so just keep our wits about us and don't get caught. We'll meet up in this wing once we're all done. No later than a half an hour - agreed?" Both Loretta and Luis nodded silently, preparing themselves for the task at hand. With that, the three split, each heading off in a different direction down the hallway. For a moment, silence settled over the hall, interrupted only by the faint music that drifted up from the party downstairs.

Loretta wandered down the hallway, priceless artworks were hung on the wall in golden and intricate frames. One of the doors called to her, a small plaque written in Greek was placed on the door. She gripped the handle and pushed it open, being immediately greeted by a big bedroom. A large bed with a golden frame, Ancient Greek looking tapestries hanging from the walls and a grand vanity. As Loretta stepped into the room, her gaze wandered around the lavish setting. She ran a finger lightly over the satin sheets of the bed, the material smooth and luxurious to the touch. She eventually made her way to the grand vanity, its surface polished mirror shining in the dim light of the room. Loretta caught her reflection in the mirror - her hair slightly tousled from the evening's escapades, her eyes wide with intrigue. She took a moment to catch her breath, mentally preparing herself for the task at hand. Loretta looked down at the drawers that supported the vanity, pulling one out carefully.

Nothing.

"*Alright, let's check the other drawer*" Loretta thought to herself, closing the drawer and pulling the one underneath it.

Nothing once more.

Slight frustration appeared on her face, her lips pursed as she bent over to pull open the last drawer. With the last drawer open, Loretta looked down at the contents - a few combs and brushes, a small hand-mirror, a box of what looked like makeup, and… She paused, a small glint catching her eye from behind the other objects. Loretta carefully pushed everything to the side, her heartbeat quickening with excitement and anticipation. Behind all the feminine belongings, was a worn yet well-loved brown leather journal with gold writing ‘Αλεξάνδρεια Δημητρίου’ it read in golden writing. Loretta flipped the book around but only being greeted with plain ol leather. Loretta furrowed her brow in confusion, a sense of disappointment beginning to take root. Did she really just go through all of this trouble for an old, empty journal? She was about to set the book aside when she noticed something at the seam- a small bump. She tried her best to dig her fingernails under the seam but it was no use, so she quickly looked around for something to maybe pry it open. She tried the back of a comb but it didn’t work, she tried tweezers to pick and prod but it didn’t work, she had one thing left. Cut it open.

With a sigh, Loretta picked up the nearest pair of scissors. She knew this was probably a bad idea - the book might be valuable, and she'd just be destroying it- but curiosity had gotten the better of her. Carefully, she started cutting away at the binding with the scissors. The leather started to give way, the layers slowly separating from each other. As she continued cutting, Loretta's heart rate sped up, the suspense almost too much to bear. Finally, the leather was fully separated, revealing the hidden contents of the journal. Loretta paused for a moment, the reality of what she had just done sinking in. Thoughts about what if the owner came in right this moment flooded her senses but she trenched on. She grabbed the content outs, revealing folded up papers and a generic silver key. "Is that it…?" She mumbled to herself before opening the folded papers, but her demeanor changed. Her eyes widened in horror at little insignias printed on the paper… a parteiadler? What!? All the writing was in German. She had to show Indiana and Luis this. 

Loretta quickly stuffed the papers and the key into her pocket, her heart pounding in her ears. She closed the journal and looked around, making sure she hadn't left any traces of her break-in. Satisfied that everything was as she found it, she made her way to the door and slipped out into the quiet hall. Her mind was racing as she made her way through the hallway, the implications of what she had just uncovered beginning to sink in. She had to find Indy and Luis and show them these papers - and fast. As she moved down the hallway, Loretta turned a corner and her heart leapt into her throat at the sight in front of her. A guard was patrolling the hall. She hid behind the corner, her back pressed against the wall as she tried to control her breathing. The Guard's footsteps echoed through the hallway, growing closer and closer to where she was hiding. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to come up with a plan. She couldn't afford to be caught, not with the stolen papers still in her pocket. Her eyes scanned the hall, searching for any sort of escape route. Just as the Guard came into view, Loretta noticed a nearby door left slightly ajar. Without a second thought, she ducked into the room, closing the door behind her as silently and quietly as possible.

Deciding that there could be another way, she slowly and carefully navigated her way through the room with her hand in front of her. She shuffled through the shadows, her eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness. As she moved deeper into the room, her hand brushed against a silk curtain, the material smooth and luxurious. Loretta gently pulled it aside, moonlight spilling into the room and illuminating the surroundings. She decided to rest there for a moment, not only just to catch her breath but in hopes the guard will patrol another area. Her eyes wandered to the body of water that sat by the estate, boats and a couple other rich folks' homes scattered down below… The scene was beautiful as she pressed her forehead against the glass with a little sigh. For a moment, she forgot about the danger she was in, her mind transported by the natural beauty before her. But the sound of footsteps in the hallway outside of the room snapped her out of her trance. Her heart immediately went into overdrive, a mixture of fear and adrenaline coursing through her veins. She quickly moved away from the window, hiding behind a couch, just as the door of the room opened. There was a moment of tense silence as Loretta peered over the edge of the couch, watching as the Guard looked around the room. He seemed to be checking each room to make sure everything was secure, his footsteps slow and methodical. Loretta held her breath, praying that he wouldn't notice her hiding spot.

The guard came closer to where Loretta once stood with an oil lamp in his hands and a focused look plastered on his face. Loretta knew it would be over if he could see her, so she got on her hands and knees and crawled against the floor. Her heart thumping like a drum. The guard's footsteps echoed throughout the room as he made his way towards the window. Loretta's heart pounded louder than ever in her ears as she crawled silently across the floor, trying to keep out of sight while the guard's back was turned. Her palms were clammy as she slowly positioned herself under an end table, tucking herself away as much as possible. She was right there by the door, the crack of light hitting her face. She glanced back at the guard who was at the other side of the room, he seemed to be preoccupied with the view like she was just minutes ago. She knew she only had a few moments. It was now or never. Pushing herself onto her knees, she slowly stood up on shaky feet. Her back was hunched over, her head nearly brushing the underside of the table. Heart thumping wildly in her chest, she slowly reaches out for the door handle. She turned the knob as silently as possible, the sound of the metal filling her ears. The door creaked loudly as it opened slightly, Loretta wincing at the sound. She glanced back at the guard, but he didn't seem to notice, still distracted by the window. With bated breath, she slipped out the room as fast as her trembling legs could carry her.

She let go of her breath, her face pale and hands shaky. She careful tiptoed down the hall, key and document in hand. Once she was out of sight of the room she immediately began to book it and went back to search for Indiana and Luis. As she made her way back to the other wing of the building, Loretta's thoughts were consumed by what she had discovered. The key and the documents were heavy in her pockets, but her mind was still reeling from the adrenaline rush she had just been through. Finally, after a tense few minutes of searching, she spotted Indy and Luis at the end of the hallway. The couple looked ruffled, Luis’s hair was no longer slicked back and Indy’s circular glasses were uneven on his face. Loretta ran as fast as she possibly could, her lungs hurting slightly. The two turned their heads as Loretta made her way towards them, both taking a step back as she nearly barreled into them. "Whoa, Loretta, slow down," Indiana said, steadying her by the shoulders. "What the hell happened to you?"

"T-there was a guard, and I found t-this." Her voice was breathless, almost panicked as she opened her hand. The document crumpled up in her hand and the key rested peacefully. The couple's faces both visibly paled at the sight of the documents. Indy gently took them from her trembling hand, his eyes scanning the page intensely. Luis, who was reading from over Indy's shoulder, let out a quiet " Mierda " under his breath. "*Parteiadler…*" Indy muttered, his eyes glued to the insignia. Luis leaned in closer, his brow furrowed in concern. "You think...?"  Indy shook his head, his expression stern. "We can't jump to conclusions, not yet. But this doesn't look good." He carefully folded the documents back up, shoving them into his pocket. He then turned his attention back to Loretta. "What about the key? Where did you find it?"

"With the document." She replied, finally able to catch her breath. Luis's eyes widened in surprise. "With the document..? They must be connected somehow."  

Indy nodded, deep in thought, his mind working fast to piece together the puzzle. "That's exactly what I'm thinking. But we can't just stand here and speculate. We need to find a quiet place so we can take a closer look at these documents." Luis scanned the hallway, his eyes darting from one end to the other. "There's a small library downstairs, towards that west wing. It should be quiet enough for us to talk."

"What about the party?" Loretta spoke up with concern. "Wouldn’t the guards and servants be concerned if we come out of an off-limits area?" Indiana considered her question for a moment before responding. "Good point. We need to be careful. We can't risk drawing too much attention to ourselves. If anyone asks, we were just on a, uh...tour of the estate." Luis shook his head slightly, always amused by his husband’s quick thinking. "Yes, a tour. That'll work." Indy patted Loretta's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. We'll blend in just fine. Let's head to the library."

The three made their way down the hall and grand staircase, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible. As they passed by the party guests and servants, they received a few curious glances but no one said anything. They soon reached the library, and thankfully, it was empty. Indy immediately took the documents and key out of his pocket, setting them down onto a nearby table. "All right. Let's take a closer look at these." Luis and Loretta moved closer to the table, their eyes focused on the two objects. Indy picked up the key, his eyes examining every detail. It was a simple key, no hints as to what it was for. "This key could be the key to a safe, a door, or anything else. But without knowing what it's meant for, it's pretty much useless." He then picked up the documents and unfolded them, his eyes scanning over the words. As he read, his face grew more serious, his muscles tensing with each word. After a few moments, he let out a deep sigh and looked up at Loretta and Luis. "It's... it's not good..."

The two both look at Indiana as if their soul had left their bodies, their faces pale. His voice grew more intense as he continued reading. "It's a meeting place for the exchange of the lost relic... Aphrodite's chariot." Loretta's eyes widened at the mention of Aphrodite's chariot. "That's what we've been looking for, do they have a time and place?" He skimmed over the text again before letting out another deep sigh. 

"Yes, it says here that the exchange point is at the abandoned airfield a few miles from here…  And the meeting is supposed to take place tomorrow night."

Chapter Text

The journey to the abandoned airfield was dark, quiet, and nerve-wracking, as they had to carefully maneuver their way through the property without being caught. The group was moving fast, the wind blowing hard as the leaves rustled. Indiana led the way, his footsteps sure and steady as he headed towards the airfield. From a distance, they could see the abandoned buildings looming in the darkness, lit up only by the pale light of the moon. They snuck through the perimeter fence and made their way towards the hangar. "It’s surprising they no longer use this place…" Loretta whispered as she followed closely behind the couple, keeping her head down. "it’s a prime spot for the allies." He nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning their surroundings cautiously. "You're right, it's a mystery why it's abandoned. Maybe it's not useful for their operations." Luis chimed in with, "The Germans probably found better places to use for their own purposes."

"Or maybe they're using it for something else. Something we don't know about yet." Indiana added as they reached the hangar, the large building standing ominously in front of them. The door of the hangar was already partially open, a faint light seeping out from inside. Voices of two people seeped out of the hanger, they seemed to speak some language, German? Greek? Maybe a mix of both. Indy squinted, trying to get a better look inside the hangar. The massive crate was blocking his view, but he could see glimpses of the people inside the room, their voices growing clearer as they continued talking. He could make out the words "chariot" and "exchange" as they were mentioned by one of the men in the room. He motioned for Loretta and Luis to come closer, his voice low and urgent. "Come here. Quickly and quietly." The two shuffled over to Indiana, Loretta peeking her head from under Indy and Luis peeking his head above his husband. "What about it, Amor?" Luis whispered.

Indiana pointed at the crate as he spoke, keeping his voice hushed. "That crate is blocking my view, but I can make out some of what they're saying. They're talking about the exchange." He furrowed his brow in concentration, trying to make out any other words or details. He hummed softly in response, as he looked around to the best of his ability before noticing a catwalk up above in the hanger and broken window. "Maybe preciosa can go up there for us, hm?" He followed Luis's gaze, spotting the catwalk as well. He nodded, a flash of agreement in his eyes. "Good eye, that might give us a better view." He looked down at Loretta, his expression serious. "You think you can make it up there?"

"Maybe from the outside… it is pretty high up though…" She whispered before slipping out of the little gap Indy’s and Luis’ head stuck out. Indiana watched as she moved to the side of the hangar, her eyes fixed on the catwalk. He looked up at to Luis, keeping his voice low. "Keep an eye on her. I don't want anything happening to her." Luis nodded, his eyes following Loretta's movements closely. "Don't worry, Amore. We'll make sure she gets up there unharmed."  

Indiana looked back at Loretta, his expression filled with concern. He knew she was capable, but that didn't stop him from worrying. "Be careful, Loretta." She walked around the hanger, her footsteps light and her senses on high alert. She noticed a part of the hanger that stuck out from the rest of the building. She attempted to jump and hang on to the side of the building but she was simply too short. She then looked around, maybe a crate or furniture could help her but there was nothing. She glanced back at the couple, who watched her predicament from afar with concern. She could hear them whispering amongst themselves, trying to figure out a way to help her. She let out a small sigh, feeling a bit like a nuisance. Indiana had an idea. With a quiet "Come on," he approached Loretta and got into a crouching position. He gave Loretta a boost, allowing her to grab onto the ledge. She gripped onto the rusty tin roof and pulled herself up. "Thank you, Professor." Loretta whispered, looking back at Indy with a smile. He nodded, his own face adorned with a small smile of his own. "Be careful up there, you hear me."

She nodded her head yes back before carefully tiptoeing up to the broken window, making sure the tin roof wouldn’t shake or clatter with each step. The couple went back to watching her as she made her way towards the broken window, their eyes fixed on her every move. The atmosphere around them seemed to grow more tense with each passing moment, their breathing almost in sync with Loretta's cautious footsteps. When she reached up to the window, she peered down, the crate still blocking her view but less significant what Indy saw though the door.

She saw two men, one dressed in the black military uniforms that belonged to the Nazis and the other wearing a stainless white suit. With every step, Loretta's heartbeat quickened, her pulse drumming in her ears. She had to remain calm to hear the conversation between the men. Loretta gently placed a hand on the glass and carefully snapped it like gingerbread, she never knew if she may need a distraction. But she climbed through the window, making sure her dress didn’t get hooked onto the glass. She landed on the catwalk with a soft thud, immediately ducking down to remain unnoticed. As she did so, the voices of the men below became more clear, their words now distinguishable with Loretta in a better position.

The voice of the man in the white suit spoke first, his tone calm and composed. "Wir haben unseren Teil der Abmachung bisher eingehalten, daher gehe ich davon aus, dass die Transaktion reibungslos verlaufen wird." His partner, the Man in the military uniform, spoke next, his words dripping with distrust. "Woher wissen wir, dass wir Ihnen vertrauen können?" The man in the white suit chuckled softly, his tone confident and slightly arrogant. "Ach, komm schon, lass uns jetzt nicht anfangen, aneinander zu zweifeln."

The man in the uniform huffed in annoyance but held his tongue. The man in the white suit continued, a hint of boredom in his voice. "Wir haben das Geld und das Artefakt. Wir müssen nur noch auf diesen Mann warten."

"Wir warten auf Nikos…" The man in white grumbled back. The name rang a bell, Nikos Demetriou. The man who hosted the gala the night before, the sister of Alexandria. At this point it shouldn’t have been a surprise but nonetheless, she continued to listen, despite not knowing German.

The man in the military uniform let out a frustrated sigh. "Er kommt, hab Geduld. Wahrscheinlich lässt er sich wie immer nur viel Zeit mit dem Angeben." The man in the white suit let out a scoff, unimpressed by the man's tone. "Nikos mag zwar ein Angeber sein, aber er weiß, dass er uns nicht warten lassen sollte." Another few minutes went by in tense silence before the sound of a door opening and closing echoed through the hangar. Loretta leaned forward, squinting to get a better look at the new person who joined the room.

Nikos appeared in Loretta's line of sight, the glow of the oil lamp bouncing off his fancy suit. He had an air of indifference to him, strolling over to the two men like this whole thing was routine for him. A woman with curly hair followed close behind Nikos, carrying a briefcase in one hand and the other leather journal… It was Alexandria, Niko’s sister but she remained silent as her brother talked. "I  am sorry for the wait, we may have an issue though…" He began, snatching the book from his sister’s grasp. "The key and the documents are gone." He said sternly, holding the book up. More specifically the backing had come undone by Loretta’s hand. The room fell into a tense silence, the man in the white suit's expression hardening. "What do you mean, gone? Who could have taken them?"  

Nikos shook his head, exasperated. "I have no clue. All I know is the documents were in that book." The man in the military uniform stepped forward, his face growing red. "This is unacceptable. We had a deal, and now you're tellin' us the damn papers are missing? What are we supposed to do now?!" Loretta couldn’t help but hold back a laugh, knowing that Demetrious were in some kind of trouble, indicated by the Nazi’s yelling. The man in the white suit silenced the man in the military uniform with a sharp look. He then turned his gaze back to Nikos, his voice cool but stern. "We need to figure out a solution, Mr. Demetriou. Quickly." Nikos ran a hand through his dirty blonde hair, his usual composure wavering slightly. "I'm working on it, I assure you." The man in the white suit continued to press, his patience growing thin by the minute. "Working on it won’t guarantee us our artifact. You better come up with something fast." Nikos let out a frustrated sigh, but before he could say anything, Alexandria spoke up unexpectedly. All eyes turned to Alexandria, the room falling silent once again. "I think I may have an idea..." She said in a soft yet firm voice, her grip on the briefcase growing tight. Nikos looked at his sister, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his expression. The man in the white suit took a step closer, his interest piqued. "You do? Elaborate."

Loretta knew it was getting too tense, for her at least. She began to walk back to the broken window she entered from, making sure once again she didn’t hook her dress against the glass. Once she was back on the tin roof, she decided to get rid of the glass. She threw it like a frisbee towards the conversation below before ducking down and promising for the best. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't immediately notice Loretta's movement. It wasn't until the sound of the breaking glass pierced through the air that they were snapped back to reality. Nikos's eyes widened, his gaze darting around the room. "What was that?!" Everyone in the room became visibly on edge, their attention snapping towards the noise. "Maybe a cat?" The man in the military uniform suggested, his voice tinged with wariness. "Cats can’t throw glass, idiot!" The man in white yelled, hitting the Nazi behind the back of his head. Loretta heard the commotion and quickly jumped off the roof in a panic, hurting her legs slightly in the process but she needed to find Indiana and Luis. She was just about to reach the corner when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She yelped, her heart leaping into her throat. "Shhh, Loretta, it's me." It was Indy, his voice hushed and urgent. She was huffing and puffing as she placed her hands over her heart. "W-where’s Luis?"

"Right here." Luis said, appearing from the corner of the building. "You nearly gave us a heart attack, preciosa."

"I’m sorry… I’m sorry." Loretta said in a panic, her eyes darting from Indiana to Luis and back repeatedly. "I didn’t expect them to react like that…" Indiana shook his head, his expression one of concern. "It's alright, Loretta. Just try to be more careful next time." Luis placed a hand on her shoulder, a small smile on his face. "You did great, though. You got some guts, that's for sure." Before Loretta could show any sign of gratitude, an angry yell was heard from behind her. "FREEZE!" The man spoke in a heavy German accent. All three heads snapped in the direction of the voice. Loretta's heart sank as she laid her eyes on the man in the military uniform. He was pointing a gun in their direction, his face twisted with anger and suspicion.

She raised her hands up with fear in her eyes, the man stomped his way to her and grabbed her by the hair, pulling out a couple curls out of her scalp. "WAREN SIE DERJENIGE, DER DAS GLAS GEWORFEN HAT?" The man yelled in her ear, causing her to wince. Indiana felt a flash of anger rise up in his chest as he watched the man manhandle Loretta. He took a step forward, his expression hard and intense. A protective fire burned in his eyes.

"Hey, Let go of her." He said, his voice firm and commanding. The man in the Nazi uniform turned to him, his eyes narrowing as he took in Indy's appearance. "Sind Sie auch bei ihnen?" He asked, his voice dripping with suspicion. He then turned his attention to Luis, an eyebrow raised as he continued to talk. "Du, was bist du? Deutsch? Italienisch? Amerikaner?" Luis was silent, his gaze locked with the man's. He knew better than to speak and give himself away. The man in the military uniform seemed to grow more agitated at the lack of an answer, his grip on Loretta tightening. "Let me go! Please!" Loretta cried, thrashing around like a child as she tried to step onto the steel capped boots of the man and injure him. The man shook Loretta around slightly, clearly annoyed by her attempts to fight him off. "Stay still, you little wench!" The man said in broken english. Indiana took another step forward, his hands clenched into tight fists. "You heard her, let her go." He repeated, his voice growing more dangerous by the second. The man in the military uniform let out a scoff, his grip on Loretta not loosening. "You think you can give me orders?" He taunted, his face turning a slight shade of red from anger. "Ihr Amerikaner denkt immer, ihr hättet die Kontrolle. Es ist widerlich-" He was suddenly cut off, mid sentence. Indiana had enough and swung his fist into the man's nose, hard. The man let out a pained scream, releasing Loretta and clutching his now bleeding nose. Loretta immediately scurried like a spider behind Luis, gripping his jacket tightly as she cried into it. "Dummer Idiot!" The Nazi said as he shook his head and clutched his bleeding nose.

Luis wrapped a protective arm around Loretta as he glared at the Nazi, silently daring him to come closer. Indiana wiped the blood from his knuckles, his eyes never leaving the man. The nazi’s rage increased at the punch he received. He lunged forward, his own fist going towards Indiana’s stomach, but Indy stepped to the side and landed a swift punch to the Nazi's nose again. This time, the man fell flat on the ground before Indy, nose bent at a strange angle and now streaming with blood. "That oughta shut him up." He muttered as he turned back to Loretta and Luis. Loretta peeked over from Luis's shoulder, fear still evident in her eyes. Luis nodded, a small smile of satisfaction on his face. But just as he was about to speak, the sound of shows stomping against the dirt made them all freeze again.

"Dr Jones, didn’t expect to see you here." The three of them gazed at the man, none other than Nikos himself. Dressed flamboyantly and a smirk plastered on his face and his sister following closely behind. Indy’s lip curled in distaste as he looked at Nikos. He knew him all too well from the night before at the gala. "Ah, Nikos. The host with the most." He deadpanned, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Nikos chuckled back, his smirk growing wider as he continued to look at Indy, taking a step forward as his sister appeared behind him. "You have quite the reputation, you know that? Professor, Doctor , Henry Jones… Teacher, mentor, lover..." his expression remained stoic, his guard up as Nikos continued his monologue. "Is there a point to this, or just going to read my resume to me?" Nikos chuckled once more, taking a few more steps forward. His eyes moved to Loretta and Luis, and his smirk turned sly. "And who might you two be? Part of Indy's posse? Or just some nosy kids?" Loretta gripped onto Luis tighter, trying to shrink herself. Indiana, noticing her fear, took a step forward and answered for her, his voice firm and protective. "They're with me. Leave them out of this." Nikos looked at Indiana’s hand for a moment, a simple gold band around his ring finger, one matching Luis’. "You forgot to take your ring off, double-gaiter." He felt a pang of panic for a moment but quickly masked it with irritation. He knew that his marriage was not something he wanted to spread around, especially to someone like Nikos. "My personal life is none of your concern." Nikos chuckled, clearly unfazed by Indy's cold demeanor. "Oh come now, Doctor, when one is as high class and educated as you, and yet you choose to keep the one thing that ties you down hidden. Why is that, hm?"

"Nikos, drop it." Alexandria said sternly, placing a hand on her brother’s shoulder. "It is not a time for riddles." He huffed, clearly annoyed at being interrupted by his sister, but he did drop the subject.  "Yes, yes, fine. We're all a little distracted." He turned his attention back to Indiana, his expression more serious now. "I want the key and the document back." Nikos said sternly with a cold expression. "That girl of yours took it, I know it." He looked at him incredulously, anger flaring up inside him. "What makes you think it was her? Maybe she was just an innocent bystander, in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Nikos raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Please, don't take me for a fool, Doctor. I'm not stupid enough to think that that girl was just 'in the wrong place, wrong time." He looked back at Loretta, his eyes narrowing as he took her in. "She looks awfully young, though. How does a girl like that even get roped into this?" He continued, taking a step closer to Loretta. She shrunk down into herself again, feeling the intensity of his gaze and still shaking from fear. Nikos smirked a bit, clearly enjoying her fear. "You wouldn't be hiding anything, Doctor?" Before Indiana could respond, Alexandria interjected. "Come now, Nikos, I think it's obvious that she was dragged into this. The girl's shaking like a leaf, for god's sake." Nikos rolled his eyes, clearly still irritated by his sister. "Fine, fine. But it doesn't change the fact that we need that key back, and fast." Loretta just wanted to go home, play with her rabbit and feed him till he was full. She reluctantly went through her dress pockets with shame on her face. Nikos's gaze was still locked on to Loretta, watching her every move. Indy and Luis watched as well, knowing that they need to be careful with their next words and actions. The tension was palpable in the air.

She took out the document and the key with pursed lips as she handed them over, she looked like she was on the verge of tears. Nikos took the key and the documents from Loretta, examining them intensely before putting them away into his pocket. He then looked at Loretta and gave her a sly smirk. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it sweetheart?" Lord did she already detest this man, even though she knew him for about 5 minutes, the term ‘sweetheart’ tipped her over the edge. "Don’t call me sweetheart you— you jackass!" She shouted, punching Nikos right in his jaw with her lack of experience. He stumbled back slightly, clearly surprised. He rubbed his jaw with a mix of shock and annoyance. He let out a scoff as he recovered from the punch, his gaze hardening. "Feisty one, isn't she?"Alexandria let out a deep sigh from behind him, clearly embarrassed. She pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. "Nikos, just- don't bother trying to be charming. It doesn't suit you." He gave his sister a stern glare, a silent warning. He then turned his attention back to Loretta, his expression still hard. "You sure got a nice swing, for a girl of your size."

"Can do it again!" She snapped back, punching him once again and causing him to fall on his ass, dropping the key and document in return which Loretta scrambled for. "God dammit!" Nikos groaned as he hit the ground, his expression morphing into anger. 

Instantly, Luis, Indy and Alexandria all lunged forward, trying to help Loretta, but Nikos was already on his feet, grabbing Loretta by the wrist. "I've had it with you, girl." He growled, his eyes locked on Loretta with intense rage. "Let me go! Let me go!" She yelled as she kicked and thrashed once again. "Shut up, you annoying little brat!" He yelled back, gripping Loretta's wrist a bit tighter. He then turned to look at his sister, anger still in his eyes. "Alex, be helpful for once and help me with this damn girl, will you?" Alexandria looked down at Loretta then back at her brother. The conversation between her and Loretta in the bathroom echoing throughout her mind. "You’re a grown man, Nikos. Do it yourself." He sneered at his sister, clearly irritated by her words. He turned back to Loretta, a wicked gleam in his eye. "Fine. If you're not gonna help, I'll handle it myself." His grip on Loretta's wrist tightened even more, making her wince in pain. Indiana stepped forward, his temper quickly rising. "Hey! You're hurting her, Nikos. Let her go."

Nikos ignored him, his gaze still fixed on Loretta. "Oh shut it, Jones. This little brat punched me in the face, twice. She deserves a little roughing up." Indiana’s eyes widened, his gaze hardening. Loretta was being hurt, and he wasn't going to stand by let it happen. Before anyone could react, Indy balled his hand into a fist and lunged forward, punching Nikos square in the nose. It seemed Nikos took the beating finally, falling backwards and landing on the dusty dirt and passing out. The bruising putting some colour on his skin. Loretta scrambled to Luis and Indiana as she trembled like a leaf. The silence was deafening except from the crickets from the far distance. Luis wrapped her into a tight hug, holding her close as she trembled. Indy stood over Nikos, his breathing heavy from the adrenaline and anger. He looked up at Alexandria who’s expression was unreadable, her wide eyes fixed on her unconscious brother. The air was thick with tension as Indy and Alexandria stared at each other. The only sounds being the crickets around them. Indy's expression was guarded, his eyes never leaving the woman in front of him. He was still on edge, the adrenaline of the fight still coursing through his veins. "Uhh… thank you." Alexandria spoke up sheepishly, fidgeting with her ring on her slender fingers. "Never liked him to be honest…"

Indiana’s expression softened at her words, a hint of empathy in his eyes. "Clearly." He nodded towards Nikos lying unconscious on the ground. There was a moment of silence between them before Indy spoke up again. "Your brother's a real piece of work, yeah?" He said with a slight smirk, he wanted to keep the mood light, but he was still on guard. Alexandria nodded, a small smile appearing on her face. "Yeah... He sure is." Suddenly, a loud commotion from the hanger drew their attention, the sound of a shouting and panicked voice. "Where’s that stupid bastard! Waited 3 hours for him to leave!" The voice yelled at the top of his lungs.

The four turned their heads towards the direction of the sound, a look of confusion on their faces. Indy's brows furrowed in curiosity. "What the hell's going on?"

"That’s the dealer… he’s representing one of Hitler’s top men, απόβρασμα if you ask me…" Alexandria mumbled under breath as she quickly opened the briefcase that she still carried before closing it. "If you deal with him, I’ll give you the chariot and the money…" Indiana nodded, noticing her expression. "Alright, I'll handle it." He cast a quick glance at Loretta and Luis, making sure they were okay. He then turned back to Alexandria, his expression serious. "You stay here. I'll take care of this." Loretta nodded her head yes, still shaken as she clutched onto Luis’ jacket like a teddy bear. Luis was a bit hesitant, his voice showing it. "Cariño, I can help too, y'know." Indiana shook his head, giving Luis a reassuring smile. "No, it's alright. You stay here with Loretta. She needs you right now." Before Luis could argue, he began walking towards the hanger. He could still hear the ranting and raving of the dealer, getting more and more agitated by the minute.

"Who the fuck are-" Where the last words Loretta and Luis heard outside before Indiana knocked him out with a single punch to the head. He wiped the sweat off his brow as he looked down at the man on the ground. He was out cold, his body sprawled out on the dusty floor. Indy let out a heavy sigh, still shaking off the adrenaline from all the commotion. He reached into the man's pockets, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Indy popped a cigarette into his mouth and lit it, taking a deep inhale before pocketing the lighter.

"Henry! I can smell that from here!" Luis called out. "You promised to quit, no?!" He let out a sigh, a small smirk on his face as he exhaled a puff of smoke. "I did say that, didn't I? Maybe I'll quit tomorrow." A small grumble left Luis’ mouth as he muttered to himself in Spanish. As Luis was doing that, Alexandria entered the hanger. Her heels clicking against the concrete floor. Indiana’s eyes flicked over to the woman as she entered the hangar, his expression hardening once again. He took a slow drag from his cigarette, eyeing her up and down as she approached him. "Here to check in for her brother?" Indy quipped, a smirk on his face. He couldn’t help but take a little jab at her. 

[Authour’s note: I have no idea what the fuck that meant but I’m not removing it, too lazy]

Her face stood still, unamused by Indiana’s attempt at a joke. She opened the briefcase, wads of cash lining the insides, bounded by clips. "Loretta’s key, it can open the crate." He nodded back, interest piqued at the mention of the key. "Alright, then. Let's get that crate open." The two of them began making their way across the hangar to the crate, Indy extinguishing his cigarette on the way. Indy stopped walking and turned towards the door of the hangar, calling out to Loretta and Luis, his voice loud and clear. "Loretta, Luis! Come here!"

The two appeared from the same side door as Alexandria. He gave the two a nod, his expression softening just a bit. He could see that Loretta was still shook up, but he tried his best to keep the mood light for her sake. "C'mon, come take a look." Luis guided her along, the silver key in her hands. When the two reached the crate, Loretta looked over nervously to Alexandria and Indy. He nodded to her once again, giving her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, it's alright. Just open it." She pursed lips together and inserted the key into the lock, placing a hand on chains to hold it in place before twisting in. The lock fell onto the concrete floor with a clank as the chains unraveled like yarn and soon enough, the crate fell apart. In front of the four, laid Aphrodite’s Chariot. Embellished in rose gold and silver with intricate carvings that resembled wings. Luis was starstruck as he carefully stepped closer with his hand stretched out, wanting to run his fingers over the details. Indiana couldn't help but be impressed as well, his eyes taking in the exquisite craftsmanship of the chariot. He joined Luis in examining the details, his fingers tracing over the wing shapes carved into the metal. Loretta followed closely behind, her eyes wide. A goddess had ridden this chariot hundreds, if not thousands of times and she gets to touch it… witness it in front of her.

Alexandria, still unamused, placed the briefcase of money on the footboard. "I need to go before…" She quickly checked her watch, five am it read. "I got breakfast with a special someone… have fun?" Indiana looked up from the chariot, a curious expression on his face. "Breakfast with a special someone? On Valentine's Day, huh?"

Alexandria was taken aback by Indy’s question, a slight tint of red in her cheeks. She let out a cough, trying to remain nonchalant. She avoided making eye contact with the professor. "Something like that." She muttered. He smirked, sensing her embarrassment. He leaned against the chariot, a playful glint in his eyes. "Must be a special someone if you're having breakfast on Valentine's Day, hm?" She rolled her eyes before storming off, leaving out of the side door of the hanger before the sound of a car starting up being heard from Alexandria’s direction. "I don’t think she liked that, Professor." Loretta spoke up in a mumble. "No, I don't think she did... But that only means there's a special someone, right?" He leaned back against the chariot, crossing his arms over his chest with a sly smile.

"Ay! Get off it, you may damage it, Cariño!" Luis scolded, slapping Indy’s shoulder. Indiana let out a lighthearted chuckle at Luis's scolding. "Alright, alright, I was just admiring the craftsmanship." He shifted his gaze towards Loretta, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Not every day you get to see the chariot of Aphrodite, eh?" She shook her head no, remaining silent as she admired the beauty of the artefact that sat in front of her. But the biggest question hung in the air, how would they get this back home in America? He tapped his chin, deep in thought as he tried to come up with a plan. "Getting this back to America is going to be a challenge. It's not exactly... small, is it?" Luis nodded, agreeing with Indiana’s statement. He looked over the chariot once again, his eyes tracing over the intricate carvings on it. "It is beautiful, however. And it will make a fine addition to Brody’s museum."

"Oh, absolutely. It'll be the envy of any museum curator once it's on display." He paused for a moment, his expression growing more pensive as he continued thinking of the logistics of getting the Chariot back home. "But getting it back in one piece will be the key. We'll need a plan... and some good old fashioned luck."

"Why don’t we ride it like Aphrodite?" Loretta butted in with a big smile on her face. Both Indy and Luis burst into laughter at Loretta's suggestion. Indy shook his head, a wide smirk on his face. He couldn't help but find her idea amusing. "Oh, Loretta, that's a good one. We're not exactly Greek gods, y'know. We can't just hop on this chariot and fly it across the ocean."

"Doesn’t hurt to try." Luis added his admiring of the chariot finally done, a hand still placed on the chariot. Indiana chuckled again, shaking his head in amusement. "Alright, smart alecks. I'd like to see you try and fly this thing." Loretta and Luis exchanged glances with one another, a sly grin appearing on both of their faces. Indy raised an eyebrow at their mischievous expressions, sensing their playful attitudes. She moved the briefcase out of the way and stood on the cockpit of the chariot, pulling the reins together and flicking it. The pole and yoke lifted up much to Loretta’s surprise, as if something hoisted it up. The other two watched in surprise as Loretta effortlessly lifted up the pole and yoke. Indy's eyes widened, impressed by her strength. "Well, I'll be damned. Looks like you might just have a shot at this after all."

She grinned triumphantly, feeling quite proud of herself. But the moment was short lived when Indy spoke up again, his tone more serious this time. "But hold on there, missy. We can't just lift this up in the air and expect it to fly. It ain't that simple." She flicked the reins once more, sending the chariot forward a little as her eyes lit up. "Look! Look!"

The couple looked on in astonishment as the chariot lurched forward slightly. "Be careful now!" Indiana warned, his tone serious but trying to hide his own excitement. Luis couldn’t help but break out into a grin as well, his eyes flicking between Loretta and the chariot "How did you manage to make it move?!" He exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine surprise. She shrugged her shoulders before bunching up the reins in her hand and gesturing for Indiana and Luis to hop on. The two exchanged another look, the excitement beginning to take over. Indy raised an eyebrow, a small smirk appearing on his face. "You really think we're just gonna hop on this chariot and trust you to fly us around?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Indiana looked at Luis."What do you think? You wanna go for a little ride?" He asked with a crooked smile.

"Sure, why not?" Luis replied as he stepped onto the cockpit of the chariot, making Loretta shuffle to the side to make room. He shook his head, a small but incredulous grin on his face. "Alright, but don't blame me if we end up flying into a tree or something." He then joined the two in the cockpit, standing tightly packed between them. Loretta, now seated as best she could between the two men, gripped onto the reins once more, ready to try and make the chariot move. Indy and Luis looked at one another, sharing an excited look. "Alright, you ready?" Indy asked Loretta.

She flicked the reins hard, causing the chariot to fly out of the hanger and onto the runway. Both Indy and Luis let out cries of surprise mixed with excitement as they rose into the air, clinging to the gold and silver chariot for dear life. Loretta's heart was pounding in her chest, but a wide smile was on her face as she steered the chariot. The wind whipped through her hair, making it look like a wild mess. They soared through the air as smooth as butter, the early morning sunlight casting a beautiful glow on the golden chariot. Indy's initial nervousness subsided as he realized that Loretta had a surprising grip of how to fly it.

They soared through the air as smooth as butter, the early morning sunlight casting a beautiful glow on the golden chariot. Indy's initial nervousness subsided as he realized that Loretta had a surprising grip of how to fly it. Loretta looked down for a moment, her heart immediately dropping into her stomach and nausea slowing building up. They were in the clouds at this point and could see Athens down below.

The couple were a bit too distracted with the breathtaking view to notice Loretta's discomfort at first. But after a few moments, Indy noticed her paling face and the way she seemed to cling tightly onto the reins. "Oh god—" She let go of the reins and turned around, immediately puking. Indiana and Luis turned their attention towards her , their eyes widening at the sight of her vomiting over the edge of the chariot. They both looked concerned, their earlier excitement replaced with worry. "Que chingados, Loretta, are you alright?!" Luis asked, placing a hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner. Loretta coughed a couple times, grumbling before closing her eyes and speaking. "y-yeah… please drive…" Luis chuckled softly before nodding, carefully taking the reins into his own hands. Indiana gave Loretta a gentle smile before ruffling her hair, trying to provide some comfort. "It's alright, sweetheart. Just try to keep your eyes closed, okay?" Indiana spoke softly. Loretta nodded weakly, shutting her eyes tightly as a shiver ran through her body. He draped an arm around her, trying to provide some warmth amidst the cool morning air. Luis watched them with a concerned gaze as he continued to steer the chariot. But he couldn't help but let out a small grin, seeing the way Indy was comforting Loretta. He shook his head softly, finding the scene strangely heartwarming.

Chapter Text

Interviewer: "It’s so nice to meet you two! I’m Sherri from TeennBop magazine and I’m here to ask you a couple questions!"

Harrison smiles warmly, sitting back in his chair. Winona smiles as well, turning politely to face Sherri. A poster of Indiana Jones and The Silver Lining stood proudly behind the duo.

Harrison: "It’s a pleasure. Ask away."

Interviewer: "Well let’s start off with a silly question but out of you two, who do you think is the funniest?"

Harrison: "Well, that’d be easy. Me."

Winona: "Oh really?"

Harrison: "What, you think it’s you? You’ve got jokes, but mine are better."

Winona: "You say that to all the ladies."

Harrison laughs, while Winona shakes her head in fond amusement. He slings an arm around her shoulders and ruffles her hair playfully, to her annoyance.

Harrison: "No way I’d let anyone else steal my title."

Winona: "Yeah right." She mutters, playfully ducking out of his grasp with a smile.

Interviewer: "Alright Alright, time for the next question. Who do you look up to? Any actors, directors, etc?"

Harrison thinks for a moment, running a hand though his hair as he thinks. Leaning back on his chair and placing his chin in his hand.

Harrison: "Ah, too many names to count. A lot of the old actors like John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart, that sort of thing. Nowadays...I like Jack Nicholson’s work… and Robert De Niro."

Winona: "Gene Hackman, Chistopher Walken-oh, and John Belushi!"

Interviewer: "Their all such amazing actors and Robert De Niro especially. And I know you Harrison, you worked with Gene Hackman early in your career, correct?"

Harrison nods, a small reminiscing smile crossing his face at the mention of Gene.

Harrison: "That’s right, yeah. Back when I was still working as a carpenter I did some work on the set of The French Connection. Met him on the set. He’s a great actor and an even greater guy."

Interviewer: "That’s so lovely! Winona, are you hoping you could work with Gene in the near future?"

Winona smiles, glancing over at Harrison for a moment.

Winona: "I would love to. He seems like an amazing guy to work with. His acting is incredible."

She agreed with a sigh, a wistful gleam in her eye as she imagines what it’d be like working with Hackman.

Interviewer: "That's so sweet of you! Now about the movie. In Indiana Jones and The Silver Lining, there’s a scene where Kevin Costner’s character Sami Valtameri dies. What was your initial thoughts of the scene?"

Harrison looks surprised and slightly saddened at the mention of Sam's death, but composes himself quickly.

Harrison: "It was tough reading that scene and filming it. Killing off such a dynamic character as Sam was never easy. But I think it paid off in the end to give the main characters even more reason to go after the villains."

Winona nods, glancing away as her expression softens.

Winona: "It broke my heart to see him go like that."

Interviewer: "I don’t blame you, real or not the loss of someone is painful… but to brighten up the mood, what’s your go to lunch order?"

Interviewer: "Have you seen the behind-the-scenes footage of Temple of Doom? He’s definitely burning the calories off."

Harrison laughs, nodding in agreement.

Harrison: "Oh yeah, there was lots of cardio in that one. Climbing, jumping, running."

Winona: "I remember seeing a clip where the crew were sitting around, eating these big juicy barbecue sandwiches and stuff. And there’s Harrison in the background, munching on an apple all by himself."

Harrison: "What can I say? I like fruit."

The interviewer laughs softly, finding the exchange between the two endearing. Winona shakes her head in fond annoyance

Winona: "Yeah and apparently all those apples keep a dentist in business."

Harrison: "Hey! My teeth are fine, thanks very much."

Interviewer: "That’s enough for you two! I guess this is directed to Winona more but what were your thoughts when you first played your characters?"

Winona grins, recalling the first time she read the script and imagined Loretta.

Winona: "I thought she was a really cool character. Smart, tough, sarcastic. And she’s got the best of both worlds, she’s a student but also kind of an equal in a way. And she’s not afraid of Jones-no matter how frustrating he can be sometimes."

Harrison laughs softly at that.

Harrison: "Thanks for that." He responds in amusement.

Winona: "It's true." She defends, making a face at him before looking back at the interviewer.

Winona: "I thought her journey was really interesting, growing from this sarcastic kid with a quick tongue to this young woman who's trying to find her place in Jones' world. I really enjoyed playing her."

Interviewer: "And what about you, Harrison? What were your thoughts when you first came back to play Indiana?" Harrison smiles, his expression fond and introspective.

Harrison: "Well, I've always loved playing Indy, there are so many aspects to him. He's this strong, witty adventurer with his signature fedora and leather jacket. At the same time, he's kind, intelligent, and has a lot of heart. It's been such a joy bringing him to life on the big screen." He pauses for a moment before continuing, his expression turning a little bit more heartfelt.

Harrison: "And I think the dynamic he has with Loretta is special. He's like a mentor to her, helping her grow and develop. But she's also not afraid to put him in his place when needed, which is always entertaining to watch... and film."

Interviewer: "From the previews I’ve seen, it really seems Indiana and Loretta have a kind of father-daughter relationship, am I right?"

Harrison nods, smiling warmly.

Harrison: "Yeah, that's a good way of putting it. Indiana has this sort of paternal feeling towards her, like he wants to protect her but also help her become her own person. And Loretta's got her own sass and independence, so she doesn't want to be treated like a kid. It makes for some pretty interesting interactions between them, I think."

Winona chimes in with a grin.

Winona: "Their banter is the best part. They're constantly going at each other, throwing snarky comments, but it never feels mean-spirited. There's a genuine affection behind it all."

Interviewer: "That’s super cute! Onto the next question, if that’s alright. But Luis… oh god what’s his last name… but he wrote and directed this movie. How was it working with him? This is the first Indiana Jones movie without Steven Spielberg directing and of course, also the first transgender direct an Indy film."

Harrison and Winona exchange a smile.

Harrison: "Luis was fantastic. He brought a new perspective to the table, and he had a lot of insight into character development and plot twists. His writing is sharp and witty, which perfectly suited the tone of this Indiana Jones movie."

Winona picks up where Harrison left off.

Winona: "And as for him being the first transgender director for an Indiana Jones movie? Well, it was about time."

Harrison: "Agreed. Everyone deserves a chance to shine, no matter their background or identity."

Winona: "And I think it made this Indiana Jones movie even more special. We got to see a different side of the franchise, one that's even more inclusive and relatable."

Harrison: "Absolutely. It made the whole experience more exciting and interesting. And he brought in some new ideas that I have never thought of." He adds, the two actors clearly impressed with working with a transgender director.

Interviewer: "Of course, everyone deserves to seem themselves on screen, either that be a self-insert or someone representing a group they’re part of."

Winona: "And it's not just about representation. It's also about the talent." She adds.

Harrison: "Yeah. Gender, race, sexuality, none of that should play a factor in whether someone gets a chance to direct and create. The only thing that matters is the quality of their work. And Luis definitely brought his A-game to this movie."

Interviewer: "I hope Luis heard about your kind words, it’ll mean a lot to him for a fact."

Harrison grins, looking over at Winona.

Harrison: "I'll be sure to tell him myself, then."

Winona: "Yeah, he deserves all the praise in the world. He knocked it out of the park with this movie."

Interviewer: "I got two last questions for you two. The second last question is, how did you feel about having to replicate or recreate things from the late 1930s or early 1940s."

Harrison takes this one, his expression turning contemplative.

Harrison: "It was an interesting challenge. We had to really dive into the research and details to make sure we got everything right. From the clothing, the hairstyle, to the sets and props, we wanted to make sure we captured the essence of that era."

Winona: "But I think we managed to pull it off. Every detail felt authentic, and it added so much to the movie's atmosphere."

Interviewer: "It’s not everyday you get transported back to 1940s! But my last question for you two is, are two hoping to come back in the Indiana Jones franchise?"

Winona: "Absolutely. I'd love to come back and play Loretta again. She's such fun character to play and her journey has only just begun."

Harrison: "And I'd definitely be up for another adventure as Indy. This franchise has meant a lot to me over the years, and I'm always excited to see where the character goes next."

Interviewer: "Thank you so much you two, this interview means a lot to me and to the readers of TeennBop magazine!"

Harrison: "Thank you for having us. It was a pleasure answering your questions."

Winona: "And don't forget to check out Indiana Jones and The Sliver Lining when it hits theatres later this week!"

Chapter Text

I haven’t updated this fic in almost 2 months and I’m extremely sorry.

I’ve been struggling with my mental health. I’m AuDHD and transmasc, so all of the world’s rights issues affect me sadly, from America and the UK to my home country Australia. Why can’t we love each other? But I am also in 12th grade (Senior year) and so my responsibilities have increased significantly.

I love writing this fic so much, I see Loretta as my own child but I got no ideas. I have motivation, yes. But no ideas. I believe it’s too early to quit the fic. If I end it,  it will be grand and long. Most likely taking place in Loretta’s graduation day.

I do have a fic in the works, it is revolving Indiana and his husband Luis. That’s all I can say lol

But if you wanna see my crazy ramblings, I have a tumblr which I am extremely active on https://www.tumblr.com/schizo-toddhoward

thank you for all the support, it means a lot to me ❤️