Niki (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
niki_chidon) wrote2008-11-11 07:06 pm
niki_chidon) wrote2008-11-11 07:06 pm
Entry tags:
Fic: From the Cold and Frost 3/6 (National Treasure; Ian/Ben, Riley/OFC)
Title: From the Gold and Frost 3/6: Sing Some Other Golden Legend
Author: Niki
Fandom: National Treasure (movie)
Series: Follows A More Perfect Union and The Age of Fire and Gravel
Pairings: Ben/Ian, Riley/OFC (Mina)
Rating: I'm aiming for R, at least but dunno...
Disclaimer: Disney owns most of them.
Summary: The *next* treasure, though to be fair, it's really a part of the previous one...
Notes: Book of Secrets didn't happen. Reading Fire and Gravel before this recommended.
Previous Chapters: Part 1 and Part 2
Thanks to Sila for yet more Dutchisms! Source reading at the end of the final chapter. Thanks to Mr Niki (he chose the name;) for random historical data. Oh, and to my mom for the suggestion for the location of the treasure.
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Part 3: Grenoble; "Sing Some Other Golden Legend"
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three weeks later
Hotel rooms are the same no matter the country, Riley thought, looking around yet another suite in yet another luxury hotel. Although, he had to admit, having roughed it in the field for as long as he had, he was ready to appreciate it a little more again.
And after 24 hours of travelling he was more than ready to appreciate a warm bed, right about now. Getting from Antarctica to France wasn't easy – even if you were a millionaire. From Antarctica to Southern Australia on a supply plane, from Southern Australia to Sydney, from Sydney to Paris – and even on first class that was gruelling – and from Paris to Grenoble, where Ben and Ian were waiting for them with a rental car. Half an hour and they were in the hotel, in the earth-coloured suite, saying hi to Abigail.
Riley had actually hugged Ben at the airport, so glad to see someone else besides their small group in the Frozen Wonderland. To Ian he had merely offered his hand to shake. His shameless wife had of course hugged and kissed both men.
She was looking even more tired than him, and Riley was actually a little worried. Mina was paler and tired more easily these days. And that made him feel protective.
"Look, guys, I'd love to catch up and hear why you wanted us here – not that I mind getting into civilisation a bit... but we really really need to sleep. And maybe get acquainted with that big big bath. But, you know, social stuff later?"
"Of course, you've had a long day – two days. Get some sleep. Call us when you wake up, no matter what time. You've flown through so many time zones it'll take a while for your bodies to readjust," Ben said, guiding Ian and Abigail towards the door.
"Yes, mom," Riley muttered but good-naturedly – he had, after all, missed him.
"Mmm, bed," he said after the others had left the room.
"Bed good." Mina giggled, and all but fell on it.
"'Bed good'? Okay, Ms Linguist, time to go beddy-bye."
"For once I won't fight you," she said, smiling at him from where she lay. "I've missed the others. It's not quite the same without them. Can't wait to hear what they've found out!"
"I can. At least until we get some sleep."
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After 15 hours of sleep they felt a little dazed but otherwise better than they had. They woke up just in time for dinner which was served in Ben and Ian's suite – they did not want to talk in a public restaurant.
Riley looked ecstatic at the sight of real food.
"What?" he exclaimed when he felt people's eyes on him. "We don't exactly get gourmet food in Santa's summer house. And airplane food is airplane food even in the first class."
"Learned anything new?" Ben asked after a while of polite chatter.
"Yeah. Don't read Lovecraft if you live in a cave in Antarctica," Riley replied.
"I'll keep that in mind," Ian said dryly, then turned to look at Mina who was obviously dying to tell her news.
"We found some remains!" Mina said. "I've contacted some people to start working on them."
"Hey, Ben, what's the opposite of a perk?" Riley asked innocently. Mina naturally caught the reference, and hit him in the arm. The others didn't even raise an eyebrow.
"You, probably. Tell us, Mina," Ben prompted.
"We found mummified remains piled haphazardly in a room. Seemed like natural preservation more than anything. It looked like someone – maybe the Nazis – just took them from where ever they had been and dumped them out of their way. We didn't have proper professionals to work on them so we requested some experts. I am actually hoping to meet some of them during this journey."
"We'll see what we can do," Ben promised, then glanced at Ian. It was obvious they had something to tell. Riley knew they wouldn't have called them if it wasn't something big.
"We found what we were looking for," Ben explained, smiling, and Mina sat up straight, dropping her fork. Riley froze, his fork in air half way to his mouth.
"Lake Toplitz?" Mina asked, breathlessly.
"Yes. We found the crates our conspirators hid there in the last days of the war. Not the artefacts," he added hastily, although he had said as much in his e-mail that invited the others to Europe. "But something almost as good."
"The Amber Room," Ian said dryly.
Riley had no idea what he was talking about but Mina stared at him incredulously.
"Well, yes, that too," Ben said. "But what I meant was the documentation concerning the excursion to Antarctica. And a clue to the location of the, well, treasure."
"Sorry, Mario, but the princess is in another castle," Riley intoned, and Mina giggled.
Ben and Ian just stared at them.
"I think we're too old for them," Ian concluded.
"You must excuse my husband. Tell us."
Ben then produced a letter and went on to explain its contents.
"Wait, wait... if the actual bit with instructions is missing, couldn't someone have already recovered the stuff from wherever they were hidden?" Riley asked.
"That's the risk we have to take. And as to the clues... I have to admit, even I am in the dark but Ian has this knowing glint in his eyes. Ready to tell us why we are in Grenoble?"
"The names mentioned in the letter. I took a wild guess that 'Y.G.' was Yrjö von Grönhagen, and 'O.F.' Ola Forsell, members of an Ahnenarbe expedition to Finland and Karelia. You remember, one of those well documented expeditions of Himmler's?"
"Good work but that still doesn't explain..." Abigail started.
"I wouldn't have made the connection had the writer not mentioned a collection given to Hitler. It was bunch of drawings, from coastal Finland, not made during the first trip. Given to Hitler as a present by Himmler, stolen after his death, disappeared for a couple of years, reappeared a few years later, changed hands a couple of times, always outside the legal network. In the sixties the collection ended up in a museum somewhere in France but was stolen again a few years ago."
"Wow, how do you know these things?" Riley asked Ian. "I mean, is there a Bad Guy Weekly that keeps you updated?"
Mina looked at him, obviously shocked at his lack of tact but Ian seemed unruffled.
"Yeah. But I haven't paid the subscription for two years so they booted me off the fraternity," he replied seriously.
"You were telling us they were stolen...?" Abigail prompted.
"Yes. But I know where they are now," Ian answered, smiling.
"Of course you do," Riley said after a tiny pause.
"Do I really want to know?" Ben asked, but he was also smiling.
"Back in 1993 when they were stolen from the museum they ended up in the hands of a millionaire collector who shall remain nameless..."
"So we just go ask him to let us see it?" Riley interjected.
"He doesn't have them anymore." Ian was smiling widely.
"It was a brilliant job," he told them, still smiling. "I mean, it's not like the collector could inform the police that the drawings he wasn't supposed to have in the first place were stolen. And as I was the go-between..."
"Wait, you arranged the theft? From the museum?" Mina interrupted.
"I... negotiated the deal, yes. As I was saying... because I was his link to the criminal world I was the one he came to to find the culprits and punish them the extra-legal way... I found him a scapegoat who had conveniently been offed by someone else and with forged evidence he believed his treasure forever lost."
"So who has it?" Ben asked, smiling.
"Another rich collector?" Mina suggested.
"Points to the beautiful lady," Ian said, bowing his head a little.
"So, what, you just march in and ask to see some art he can't admit owning?" Riley said.
"Yes," Ian said, grinning unrepentantly. "Since he knows I can steal them from him if I want to, he'll be more than happy to help. If not, well... I designed his security system."
"That seems silly, if he knew you were a criminal who had betrayed your previous employer..." Abigail frowned.
"But he didn't. I was the head of his security, not a random criminal. I had held the position for years, even before the first theft. It was a very useful occupation."
"I love your brain," Riley said, fascinated.
"I've got dibs on his brain. And the other parts of him," Ben said, grinning.
"And that's why we're in Grenoble?" Abigail clarified.
"Yes. Monsieur F and his collection have just removed themselves from his summer house to his winter quarters here."
"How do you know that if they booted you of the fraternity?" Riley asked, almost seriously.
"What do you think? I read the news."
"Well excuse me, I'm a bit behind on news living in Antarctica!"
"Rubbish, you're on-line every day," Mina corrected.
"Well, not every day, the connection tends to be a bit dodgy. But, wow, the acoustics are great. I hooked up a decent audio system up into the first room we slept in, remember? Great sounds."
"Fascinating, I'm sure," Abigail said but she smiled so Riley took no offence.
"So, what, you go visit your shady past, then?" Riley asked Ian.
"Riley!" Mina admonished him again. "Behave."
"What? He was a criminal, it's not a big secret. He doesn't mind. Do you, Ian?"
"Well, I mind, Mr Poole, and I'm the one you're married to!"
"Hey, cool down, babe..." Riley started, bemused at the show of temper. Mina wasn't usually the type to fly off the handle at small things.
Mina close her eyes and seemed to count to ten.
"I'm fine," she said, tersely.
"It's okay," Ian said, reaching for her hand. "I don't mind Riley's version of humour. After all, I was a criminal."
"That's not the point," Mina replied, turning her hand to hold Ian's for a moment. "It's not nice."
"He's not a nice guy, haven't you learned that yet?" Ben interjected, obviously trying to defuse the mood.
"Hey! I'm nice. I rescue puppies and smile at children."
Mina smiled at that, and turned to face her husband. "Yes, but you smile creepily."
"I represent that statement," he fell back on the old joke, careful not to piss her off in her mood. PMS?
The rest of the meal went without an incident until Riley put his foot in his mouth again, with another dig at Ian's past.
”Would you just stop needling Ian already? I know he doesn't mind but I do. I said I do, and expect you to take my wishes into account at least occasionally!” Mina said tetchily, and all but glowered at her husband.
”Whoa, protective much,” Riley muttered. Which, on closer inspection, was not a good idea as Mina bolted up, and almost shouted his parting shot.
”Well, I'm sorry for caring about my friends.”
Following her burst, Mina ran from the room, and Riley stared after her, flabbergasted.
"What's up with her? I swear, she gets worse every day," he said, still not sure what had actually happened.
"Are you sure she's not pregnant?" Ian asked.
At Riley's pointed look he clarified: "That's how Joanna used to get during the first months."
"Joanna?"
"My wife."
Riley's first thought was that his jaw was probably hanging open. It wasn't. His second was the realisation Abigail's jaw was. His third thought was 'well, duh, he's almost fifty, he probably did have relationships before Ben', and the one he finally settled on was, 'at least Ben doesn't look surprised.'
“You have a child?” Abigail got out.
“No. They... died,” Ian said simply, and as Ben reached out to hold his hand even Riley understood not to probe.
He got up instead, folding his napkin.
“Excuse me, I think I need to go check on Mina.”
“Go ahead. We'll schedule a meeting with Ian's mysterious collector for tomorrow,” Ben said.
”You could try chocolate,” Abigail suggested.
Riley opened his mouth to say something sarcastic, then shut it, admitting that Abigail might actually have a point. After all, she had inside information.
”Uhh... any idea where I might find some at this hour?”
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Riley found Mina crying softly in their room.
“I'm sorry,” she said the same moment he said the exact same words.
They shared a small smile. Hers got wider when he warily offered her the box of chocolates he had been holding behind his back.
“I don't know what's got into me lately,” she said, wiping her tears with a frustrated gesture. “Just... got a bit emotional seeing them after so long, or maybe it's being back in civilisation or something.”
“Hormones,” Riley teased softly, taking her into his arms, letting the box fall on the floor.
She faked a punch on his arm but let him hold her for a long time.
When they parted she picked up the chocolate.
”You're pretty smart, every now and then,” she told him, attacking the insides hungrily.
Relieved that she hadn't taken the chocolate as an insult Riley merely smiled, selfishly taking credit for Abigail's idea. He was sure Abigail would understand. And it wasn't like he couldn't have thought of it on his own. Eventually.
“Did you know Ian was married?” Riley asked after a while, when her eating had slowed down.
“He's married?”
“No, I mean... he was. And they had a child. But they died. That's all I know,” he hastened to say before she could get the questions out.
“No, I didn't. Can't blame him for not talking about it, though.”
“Me neither. Come on, you need some more sleep.”
“What about the drawings?” she asked even as she started moving towards the bed and removing her clothes.
“Tomorrow,” Riley said absent-mindedly, eyes on her exposed skin.
Mina noticed his stare and smiled wickedly. “I thought you said sleep,” she teased, purposefully slowing her movements.
He smirked, unbuttoning his own shirt.
“In time.”
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The visit to the white villa of 'Monsieur F' was almost anti-climactic. The old collector did not meet them but had arranged for his secretary to show them the drawings. The others didn't know what measures Ian had had to use to get them the permission and, quite frankly, didn't care.
There were seven drawings in all, originals in a display case and copies for them to study. Ian signed a document stating they would not publish the pictures or show them to anyone who could endanger their owner.
They didn't stay long, merely confirmed that the copies matched the originals in every detail. As they were leaving, Ian told the blank-faced secretary to tell his boss that 'they were even'. The man merely nodded in return and showed them out.
“Well, that was lots of fun,” Riley said. “What happens now?”
“It's five o'clock,” his wife replied. “Tea happens.”
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The Americans declined the offer of tea and left to arrange for their journey to Finland, and to find an expert who could help them figure out the area the pictures depicted. Ian and Mina ordered the tea from room service and settled in the latter's room.
Mina was half way through her second cup before she could mention the subject she'd being dying to ask Ian about for two days.
“Riley told me about... your wife,” she said, carefully, wary of his reaction.
He merely smiled a little sadly.
“Would you... tell me about it?”
“What do you want to know? I was young – we were both young, and... well, hardly a match made in Heaven.”
“Why?” she frowned.
"I was the wrong side of everything, born on the wrong side of the blanket to the wrong side of the street," Ian listed. "Oh, and the wrong side of the law," he added, as an afterthought. "But her parents didn't know that."
"Did she?"
"Yes, Joanna knew everything."
“And she married you anyway. She must have loved you very much.”
“Yes. Part of it was her desire to escape her stifling home life but she did truly love me. And she deserved better than what she got. I wasn't... because of where I grew up, I wasn't that good at talking about... my feelings. I've never been. Not until...”
“Ben,” Mina supplied when he faltered.
Quick smile. “Yes, Ben.”
They were quiet for a while, Mina basking in the feeling of closeness. She was sure he wouldn't have told that to just anyone.
“It's weird,” she started, the stopped, fearing that saying it aloud would shatter the mood.
“What?”
“I just don't get it. I mean, I'd understand it if you looked like my father but...” she bit off the rest, blushing.
He got up from his chair to sit down next to her on the sofa.
“And you look nothing like me,” he said, grinning. “But that doesn't stop me from feeling absurdly paternal.”
She sighed. “Thank God, I thought I was making a fool of myself. I mean, you're a friend but...”
“I am. But Ben also teases me about adopting you ages ago.”
“Riley says the same,” Mina smiled. “Well, sort of.”
“Well, that's settled then,” he said, casually, and Mina could well see that he still wasn't too comfortable about all this emotional talk.
“What happened to Joanna?” she asked softly, taking his hand.
“She was seven months pregnant when the house we lived in burnt down. She... they didn't make it.”
“I'm sorry,” she said, squeezing his hand.
“She was only 21. I wasn't much older. My... our child would have been 27 this year,” he finished quietly.
"I'll be 27 this December," Mina said softly.
This time there was no sadness in Ian's smile when he met her eyes.
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After that they stayed on easier subjects, Mina telling about their discoveries in Atlantis and Ian about their adventures in Germany and Austria.
She was aware of a slight feeling of nausea even as they talked but as that was nothing unusual after a meal for her these days, she paid no attention to it until it got worse. And then much worse, and before she had time to apologise she had dashed to the nearest trash can and was throwing up the tea and toast.
When she was done, Ian was there, offering her paper towels and a glass of water wordlessly, then helped her to sit on the sofa while he got rid of the can.
"Are you all right?" he asked, sitting down next to her.
"Yes, I... I don't feel ill, really, just..." She shook her head.
"Mina... Are you pregnant?"
She looked at him as if he'd gone insane, then her eyes widened, and she took out her palmtop, checking the calendar.
"Bloody hell," she got out, and started smiling. “Some scientist. I can't even count.”
He returned the smile.
"I... I need to buy a test. And tell Riley."
She was still pale but glowing.
"Why bother with a home test when we can probably get you a doctor's appointment immediately?"
"Oh, yeah... keep forgetting my changed circumstances," she said, grinning, and took his hand, squeezing hard.
"Happy?" he asked, pointlessly.
"Delirious. Though it will disturb my work. And I wonder what Riley will say. We haven't actually talked about children expect in a, you know, general, we'll-have-them-one-day way."
"I'm sure Riley will..."
"Riley will be very curious to hear why you're sitting here holding his wife's hand."
Riley walked in just as Ian had started his sentence and they both turned to look at him.
"Mina! Are you okay?" he exclaimed as soon as he saw her face.
"Just felt a little faint, and had another bonding moment with my fellow Brit," she replied, smiling, and let go of Ian's hand to get up to hug Riley.
"How did it go?" she asked.
"Fine, fine. What's wrong? You over-exerted yourself again?"
"I'll... leave you to it. You know where we are if you need anything, kiddo," Ian reminded Mina, and after a moment's hesitation kissed her on the cheek before exiting the room.
"What was all that?" Riley asked, more confused than jealous. After all, it was pretty obvious Ian's feelings were paternal more than anything else.
"I think you'd better sit down," Mina suggested, smiling.
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“Pregnant?” Riley repeated for what must have been twelfth time.
Mina bit her lip, suddenly uncertain of his feelings about the matter. Then he got down on his knees, and hugged her middle.
“For real?” he asked, eyes suspiciously shiny.
She just nodded, holding her breath.
“I'm gonna be a dad,” he said, wonderingly, and Mina smiled.
“You'll be a great dad,” she said, petting his hair.
“And you'll be an absent-minded mom, but we'll deal,” he teased lightly. “And at least the kid will have very rich godparents.”
"Godparents? You do remember I don't belong to a church, Riles?"
"Yeah, well I don't care about the 'God' part of it but... I want to ask Ben. He's my best friend. Well, besides you."
"What if I want to ask Ian?" she asked
"I thought you were casting him into the role of a grandfather," Riley teased.
"I've always felt close to him. Maybe it's just because we are both Brits among you Americans but I..."
"Hey, no need to get defensive, babe. I get it, I do. I... It took me some time to get over all that trying to kill us thing but... I think Anne helped me put it all in perspective. I don't mind having Ian as part of my family. And now that I've said that it sounds so weird I think I need a kiss."
- - - end of Part 3 - - -
Author: Niki
Fandom: National Treasure (movie)
Series: Follows A More Perfect Union and The Age of Fire and Gravel
Pairings: Ben/Ian, Riley/OFC (Mina)
Rating: I'm aiming for R, at least but dunno...
Disclaimer: Disney owns most of them.
Summary: The *next* treasure, though to be fair, it's really a part of the previous one...
Notes: Book of Secrets didn't happen. Reading Fire and Gravel before this recommended.
Previous Chapters: Part 1 and Part 2
Thanks to Sila for yet more Dutchisms! Source reading at the end of the final chapter. Thanks to Mr Niki (he chose the name;) for random historical data. Oh, and to my mom for the suggestion for the location of the treasure.
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Part 3: Grenoble; "Sing Some Other Golden Legend"
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three weeks later
Hotel rooms are the same no matter the country, Riley thought, looking around yet another suite in yet another luxury hotel. Although, he had to admit, having roughed it in the field for as long as he had, he was ready to appreciate it a little more again.
And after 24 hours of travelling he was more than ready to appreciate a warm bed, right about now. Getting from Antarctica to France wasn't easy – even if you were a millionaire. From Antarctica to Southern Australia on a supply plane, from Southern Australia to Sydney, from Sydney to Paris – and even on first class that was gruelling – and from Paris to Grenoble, where Ben and Ian were waiting for them with a rental car. Half an hour and they were in the hotel, in the earth-coloured suite, saying hi to Abigail.
Riley had actually hugged Ben at the airport, so glad to see someone else besides their small group in the Frozen Wonderland. To Ian he had merely offered his hand to shake. His shameless wife had of course hugged and kissed both men.
She was looking even more tired than him, and Riley was actually a little worried. Mina was paler and tired more easily these days. And that made him feel protective.
"Look, guys, I'd love to catch up and hear why you wanted us here – not that I mind getting into civilisation a bit... but we really really need to sleep. And maybe get acquainted with that big big bath. But, you know, social stuff later?"
"Of course, you've had a long day – two days. Get some sleep. Call us when you wake up, no matter what time. You've flown through so many time zones it'll take a while for your bodies to readjust," Ben said, guiding Ian and Abigail towards the door.
"Yes, mom," Riley muttered but good-naturedly – he had, after all, missed him.
"Mmm, bed," he said after the others had left the room.
"Bed good." Mina giggled, and all but fell on it.
"'Bed good'? Okay, Ms Linguist, time to go beddy-bye."
"For once I won't fight you," she said, smiling at him from where she lay. "I've missed the others. It's not quite the same without them. Can't wait to hear what they've found out!"
"I can. At least until we get some sleep."
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After 15 hours of sleep they felt a little dazed but otherwise better than they had. They woke up just in time for dinner which was served in Ben and Ian's suite – they did not want to talk in a public restaurant.
Riley looked ecstatic at the sight of real food.
"What?" he exclaimed when he felt people's eyes on him. "We don't exactly get gourmet food in Santa's summer house. And airplane food is airplane food even in the first class."
"Learned anything new?" Ben asked after a while of polite chatter.
"Yeah. Don't read Lovecraft if you live in a cave in Antarctica," Riley replied.
"I'll keep that in mind," Ian said dryly, then turned to look at Mina who was obviously dying to tell her news.
"We found some remains!" Mina said. "I've contacted some people to start working on them."
"Hey, Ben, what's the opposite of a perk?" Riley asked innocently. Mina naturally caught the reference, and hit him in the arm. The others didn't even raise an eyebrow.
"You, probably. Tell us, Mina," Ben prompted.
"We found mummified remains piled haphazardly in a room. Seemed like natural preservation more than anything. It looked like someone – maybe the Nazis – just took them from where ever they had been and dumped them out of their way. We didn't have proper professionals to work on them so we requested some experts. I am actually hoping to meet some of them during this journey."
"We'll see what we can do," Ben promised, then glanced at Ian. It was obvious they had something to tell. Riley knew they wouldn't have called them if it wasn't something big.
"We found what we were looking for," Ben explained, smiling, and Mina sat up straight, dropping her fork. Riley froze, his fork in air half way to his mouth.
"Lake Toplitz?" Mina asked, breathlessly.
"Yes. We found the crates our conspirators hid there in the last days of the war. Not the artefacts," he added hastily, although he had said as much in his e-mail that invited the others to Europe. "But something almost as good."
"The Amber Room," Ian said dryly.
Riley had no idea what he was talking about but Mina stared at him incredulously.
"Well, yes, that too," Ben said. "But what I meant was the documentation concerning the excursion to Antarctica. And a clue to the location of the, well, treasure."
"Sorry, Mario, but the princess is in another castle," Riley intoned, and Mina giggled.
Ben and Ian just stared at them.
"I think we're too old for them," Ian concluded.
"You must excuse my husband. Tell us."
Ben then produced a letter and went on to explain its contents.
"Wait, wait... if the actual bit with instructions is missing, couldn't someone have already recovered the stuff from wherever they were hidden?" Riley asked.
"That's the risk we have to take. And as to the clues... I have to admit, even I am in the dark but Ian has this knowing glint in his eyes. Ready to tell us why we are in Grenoble?"
"The names mentioned in the letter. I took a wild guess that 'Y.G.' was Yrjö von Grönhagen, and 'O.F.' Ola Forsell, members of an Ahnenarbe expedition to Finland and Karelia. You remember, one of those well documented expeditions of Himmler's?"
"Good work but that still doesn't explain..." Abigail started.
"I wouldn't have made the connection had the writer not mentioned a collection given to Hitler. It was bunch of drawings, from coastal Finland, not made during the first trip. Given to Hitler as a present by Himmler, stolen after his death, disappeared for a couple of years, reappeared a few years later, changed hands a couple of times, always outside the legal network. In the sixties the collection ended up in a museum somewhere in France but was stolen again a few years ago."
"Wow, how do you know these things?" Riley asked Ian. "I mean, is there a Bad Guy Weekly that keeps you updated?"
Mina looked at him, obviously shocked at his lack of tact but Ian seemed unruffled.
"Yeah. But I haven't paid the subscription for two years so they booted me off the fraternity," he replied seriously.
"You were telling us they were stolen...?" Abigail prompted.
"Yes. But I know where they are now," Ian answered, smiling.
"Of course you do," Riley said after a tiny pause.
"Do I really want to know?" Ben asked, but he was also smiling.
"Back in 1993 when they were stolen from the museum they ended up in the hands of a millionaire collector who shall remain nameless..."
"So we just go ask him to let us see it?" Riley interjected.
"He doesn't have them anymore." Ian was smiling widely.
"It was a brilliant job," he told them, still smiling. "I mean, it's not like the collector could inform the police that the drawings he wasn't supposed to have in the first place were stolen. And as I was the go-between..."
"Wait, you arranged the theft? From the museum?" Mina interrupted.
"I... negotiated the deal, yes. As I was saying... because I was his link to the criminal world I was the one he came to to find the culprits and punish them the extra-legal way... I found him a scapegoat who had conveniently been offed by someone else and with forged evidence he believed his treasure forever lost."
"So who has it?" Ben asked, smiling.
"Another rich collector?" Mina suggested.
"Points to the beautiful lady," Ian said, bowing his head a little.
"So, what, you just march in and ask to see some art he can't admit owning?" Riley said.
"Yes," Ian said, grinning unrepentantly. "Since he knows I can steal them from him if I want to, he'll be more than happy to help. If not, well... I designed his security system."
"That seems silly, if he knew you were a criminal who had betrayed your previous employer..." Abigail frowned.
"But he didn't. I was the head of his security, not a random criminal. I had held the position for years, even before the first theft. It was a very useful occupation."
"I love your brain," Riley said, fascinated.
"I've got dibs on his brain. And the other parts of him," Ben said, grinning.
"And that's why we're in Grenoble?" Abigail clarified.
"Yes. Monsieur F and his collection have just removed themselves from his summer house to his winter quarters here."
"How do you know that if they booted you of the fraternity?" Riley asked, almost seriously.
"What do you think? I read the news."
"Well excuse me, I'm a bit behind on news living in Antarctica!"
"Rubbish, you're on-line every day," Mina corrected.
"Well, not every day, the connection tends to be a bit dodgy. But, wow, the acoustics are great. I hooked up a decent audio system up into the first room we slept in, remember? Great sounds."
"Fascinating, I'm sure," Abigail said but she smiled so Riley took no offence.
"So, what, you go visit your shady past, then?" Riley asked Ian.
"Riley!" Mina admonished him again. "Behave."
"What? He was a criminal, it's not a big secret. He doesn't mind. Do you, Ian?"
"Well, I mind, Mr Poole, and I'm the one you're married to!"
"Hey, cool down, babe..." Riley started, bemused at the show of temper. Mina wasn't usually the type to fly off the handle at small things.
Mina close her eyes and seemed to count to ten.
"I'm fine," she said, tersely.
"It's okay," Ian said, reaching for her hand. "I don't mind Riley's version of humour. After all, I was a criminal."
"That's not the point," Mina replied, turning her hand to hold Ian's for a moment. "It's not nice."
"He's not a nice guy, haven't you learned that yet?" Ben interjected, obviously trying to defuse the mood.
"Hey! I'm nice. I rescue puppies and smile at children."
Mina smiled at that, and turned to face her husband. "Yes, but you smile creepily."
"I represent that statement," he fell back on the old joke, careful not to piss her off in her mood. PMS?
The rest of the meal went without an incident until Riley put his foot in his mouth again, with another dig at Ian's past.
”Would you just stop needling Ian already? I know he doesn't mind but I do. I said I do, and expect you to take my wishes into account at least occasionally!” Mina said tetchily, and all but glowered at her husband.
”Whoa, protective much,” Riley muttered. Which, on closer inspection, was not a good idea as Mina bolted up, and almost shouted his parting shot.
”Well, I'm sorry for caring about my friends.”
Following her burst, Mina ran from the room, and Riley stared after her, flabbergasted.
"What's up with her? I swear, she gets worse every day," he said, still not sure what had actually happened.
"Are you sure she's not pregnant?" Ian asked.
At Riley's pointed look he clarified: "That's how Joanna used to get during the first months."
"Joanna?"
"My wife."
Riley's first thought was that his jaw was probably hanging open. It wasn't. His second was the realisation Abigail's jaw was. His third thought was 'well, duh, he's almost fifty, he probably did have relationships before Ben', and the one he finally settled on was, 'at least Ben doesn't look surprised.'
“You have a child?” Abigail got out.
“No. They... died,” Ian said simply, and as Ben reached out to hold his hand even Riley understood not to probe.
He got up instead, folding his napkin.
“Excuse me, I think I need to go check on Mina.”
“Go ahead. We'll schedule a meeting with Ian's mysterious collector for tomorrow,” Ben said.
”You could try chocolate,” Abigail suggested.
Riley opened his mouth to say something sarcastic, then shut it, admitting that Abigail might actually have a point. After all, she had inside information.
”Uhh... any idea where I might find some at this hour?”
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,
Riley found Mina crying softly in their room.
“I'm sorry,” she said the same moment he said the exact same words.
They shared a small smile. Hers got wider when he warily offered her the box of chocolates he had been holding behind his back.
“I don't know what's got into me lately,” she said, wiping her tears with a frustrated gesture. “Just... got a bit emotional seeing them after so long, or maybe it's being back in civilisation or something.”
“Hormones,” Riley teased softly, taking her into his arms, letting the box fall on the floor.
She faked a punch on his arm but let him hold her for a long time.
When they parted she picked up the chocolate.
”You're pretty smart, every now and then,” she told him, attacking the insides hungrily.
Relieved that she hadn't taken the chocolate as an insult Riley merely smiled, selfishly taking credit for Abigail's idea. He was sure Abigail would understand. And it wasn't like he couldn't have thought of it on his own. Eventually.
“Did you know Ian was married?” Riley asked after a while, when her eating had slowed down.
“He's married?”
“No, I mean... he was. And they had a child. But they died. That's all I know,” he hastened to say before she could get the questions out.
“No, I didn't. Can't blame him for not talking about it, though.”
“Me neither. Come on, you need some more sleep.”
“What about the drawings?” she asked even as she started moving towards the bed and removing her clothes.
“Tomorrow,” Riley said absent-mindedly, eyes on her exposed skin.
Mina noticed his stare and smiled wickedly. “I thought you said sleep,” she teased, purposefully slowing her movements.
He smirked, unbuttoning his own shirt.
“In time.”
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,
The visit to the white villa of 'Monsieur F' was almost anti-climactic. The old collector did not meet them but had arranged for his secretary to show them the drawings. The others didn't know what measures Ian had had to use to get them the permission and, quite frankly, didn't care.
There were seven drawings in all, originals in a display case and copies for them to study. Ian signed a document stating they would not publish the pictures or show them to anyone who could endanger their owner.
They didn't stay long, merely confirmed that the copies matched the originals in every detail. As they were leaving, Ian told the blank-faced secretary to tell his boss that 'they were even'. The man merely nodded in return and showed them out.
“Well, that was lots of fun,” Riley said. “What happens now?”
“It's five o'clock,” his wife replied. “Tea happens.”
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,
The Americans declined the offer of tea and left to arrange for their journey to Finland, and to find an expert who could help them figure out the area the pictures depicted. Ian and Mina ordered the tea from room service and settled in the latter's room.
Mina was half way through her second cup before she could mention the subject she'd being dying to ask Ian about for two days.
“Riley told me about... your wife,” she said, carefully, wary of his reaction.
He merely smiled a little sadly.
“Would you... tell me about it?”
“What do you want to know? I was young – we were both young, and... well, hardly a match made in Heaven.”
“Why?” she frowned.
"I was the wrong side of everything, born on the wrong side of the blanket to the wrong side of the street," Ian listed. "Oh, and the wrong side of the law," he added, as an afterthought. "But her parents didn't know that."
"Did she?"
"Yes, Joanna knew everything."
“And she married you anyway. She must have loved you very much.”
“Yes. Part of it was her desire to escape her stifling home life but she did truly love me. And she deserved better than what she got. I wasn't... because of where I grew up, I wasn't that good at talking about... my feelings. I've never been. Not until...”
“Ben,” Mina supplied when he faltered.
Quick smile. “Yes, Ben.”
They were quiet for a while, Mina basking in the feeling of closeness. She was sure he wouldn't have told that to just anyone.
“It's weird,” she started, the stopped, fearing that saying it aloud would shatter the mood.
“What?”
“I just don't get it. I mean, I'd understand it if you looked like my father but...” she bit off the rest, blushing.
He got up from his chair to sit down next to her on the sofa.
“And you look nothing like me,” he said, grinning. “But that doesn't stop me from feeling absurdly paternal.”
She sighed. “Thank God, I thought I was making a fool of myself. I mean, you're a friend but...”
“I am. But Ben also teases me about adopting you ages ago.”
“Riley says the same,” Mina smiled. “Well, sort of.”
“Well, that's settled then,” he said, casually, and Mina could well see that he still wasn't too comfortable about all this emotional talk.
“What happened to Joanna?” she asked softly, taking his hand.
“She was seven months pregnant when the house we lived in burnt down. She... they didn't make it.”
“I'm sorry,” she said, squeezing his hand.
“She was only 21. I wasn't much older. My... our child would have been 27 this year,” he finished quietly.
"I'll be 27 this December," Mina said softly.
This time there was no sadness in Ian's smile when he met her eyes.
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,
After that they stayed on easier subjects, Mina telling about their discoveries in Atlantis and Ian about their adventures in Germany and Austria.
She was aware of a slight feeling of nausea even as they talked but as that was nothing unusual after a meal for her these days, she paid no attention to it until it got worse. And then much worse, and before she had time to apologise she had dashed to the nearest trash can and was throwing up the tea and toast.
When she was done, Ian was there, offering her paper towels and a glass of water wordlessly, then helped her to sit on the sofa while he got rid of the can.
"Are you all right?" he asked, sitting down next to her.
"Yes, I... I don't feel ill, really, just..." She shook her head.
"Mina... Are you pregnant?"
She looked at him as if he'd gone insane, then her eyes widened, and she took out her palmtop, checking the calendar.
"Bloody hell," she got out, and started smiling. “Some scientist. I can't even count.”
He returned the smile.
"I... I need to buy a test. And tell Riley."
She was still pale but glowing.
"Why bother with a home test when we can probably get you a doctor's appointment immediately?"
"Oh, yeah... keep forgetting my changed circumstances," she said, grinning, and took his hand, squeezing hard.
"Happy?" he asked, pointlessly.
"Delirious. Though it will disturb my work. And I wonder what Riley will say. We haven't actually talked about children expect in a, you know, general, we'll-have-them-one-day way."
"I'm sure Riley will..."
"Riley will be very curious to hear why you're sitting here holding his wife's hand."
Riley walked in just as Ian had started his sentence and they both turned to look at him.
"Mina! Are you okay?" he exclaimed as soon as he saw her face.
"Just felt a little faint, and had another bonding moment with my fellow Brit," she replied, smiling, and let go of Ian's hand to get up to hug Riley.
"How did it go?" she asked.
"Fine, fine. What's wrong? You over-exerted yourself again?"
"I'll... leave you to it. You know where we are if you need anything, kiddo," Ian reminded Mina, and after a moment's hesitation kissed her on the cheek before exiting the room.
"What was all that?" Riley asked, more confused than jealous. After all, it was pretty obvious Ian's feelings were paternal more than anything else.
"I think you'd better sit down," Mina suggested, smiling.
,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,
“Pregnant?” Riley repeated for what must have been twelfth time.
Mina bit her lip, suddenly uncertain of his feelings about the matter. Then he got down on his knees, and hugged her middle.
“For real?” he asked, eyes suspiciously shiny.
She just nodded, holding her breath.
“I'm gonna be a dad,” he said, wonderingly, and Mina smiled.
“You'll be a great dad,” she said, petting his hair.
“And you'll be an absent-minded mom, but we'll deal,” he teased lightly. “And at least the kid will have very rich godparents.”
"Godparents? You do remember I don't belong to a church, Riles?"
"Yeah, well I don't care about the 'God' part of it but... I want to ask Ben. He's my best friend. Well, besides you."
"What if I want to ask Ian?" she asked
"I thought you were casting him into the role of a grandfather," Riley teased.
"I've always felt close to him. Maybe it's just because we are both Brits among you Americans but I..."
"Hey, no need to get defensive, babe. I get it, I do. I... It took me some time to get over all that trying to kill us thing but... I think Anne helped me put it all in perspective. I don't mind having Ian as part of my family. And now that I've said that it sounds so weird I think I need a kiss."
- - - end of Part 3 - - -
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Loved the update! Lots of great character moments in this one. Looking forward to seeing where the mystery will lead them next!
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As my favourite procrastination method with Yuletide is writing *other* stories, I might actually manage to finish the next chapter soonish...
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Tell you what - since I'm not capable of finishing anything without a deadline, I'm creating one. Self imposed never works but now you'll be my witness;P After I've finished my this year's Yuletide story, I'm gonna finish this. Promise. This year. And if I don't manage that, I'll just give you the last chapters so that you can at least see how it ends!;)
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I understand about inspiration waning in these long-running stories. I just wanted to make sure you knew that despite low comments, somebody does love your work on it. =)
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