Dr Henry 'Indiana' Jones looked at the twenty year old woman who scrambled up the obstical course then down the other side of the rope bridge.

"Brigit." He called once she was safely on the other side. She snatched the towel from the rack and turned. The twenty year old woman had brown hair cut, boyishly short. She was dressed in a pair of black cut off jeans rolled up so that the frayed ends weren't showing, a blue top was tied tight covering the bikini top she wore under it.

"Hey Pops." She waved to the eighty year old man who smiled back. She then noticed the long haired woman next to him. "Lara, Shit, I'm sorry I forgot the meeting." She jumped down from her perch and walked over to them.

"This is your ward Dr. Jones?" Lara Croft asked looking at her. The two women were only a year apart. The tomboyish looks and childish manner made Brigit seem much younger. She wrapped the towel over her shoulders.

"I wouldn't really call Brigit a ward. Companion maybe." He countered.

"I'm his assistant. At least the only one that seems to stick around. I've been detailed on what we're going for. And I'm all packed up for it." She said with a nod.

"I don't need a kid following me."

"You'll need assistance getting into a few of those places Lady Croft. And when working I'm strictly serious."

"Honestly, Doctor Jones...as much as you prefer the company of the rather original macabre of assistance. I prefer professionals...and ones with experience." Lara wasn't impressed by this sudden turn of events and was open about it at least. She crossed her arms and inspected the "child" before her.

Indy looked at the two of them. "I was told that she was the one that was to be going."

Brigit looked at Lara. "You know, if it wasn't for me you wouldn't have any idea where that temple is anyway." She stretched popping her neck.

Lara raised an eyebrow and placed a soft hand on the man's shoulder, "You ...you're making it sound like you've decided to not attend." She shook her head and then for once looked at him for the aged individual he was, "Hmm...well, if the girl is able and willing, that's two attributes that most of your tag alongs didn't possess. Alright, girl...let's see how you handle yourself."

Brigit nodded brushing a few strands of hair out of her face. "Fine with me." She smirked. "Just hope you don't expect me to act like pops.

"Hey, that's low Brigit.." Indy looked at her. She giggled then went serious again. She remembered all of the training that He had given her and knew that she was to act like an adult.

Rather matter a factly she narrowed her eyes, "Actually, girl ...I was hoping that you would display his professionalism, intelligence and knowledge of the world around him with insight and the means to compensate with whatever is thrown at you. So, in a way, yes ...I would like you to be very much like Doctor Jones." Lara sighed seeing that it was to be a long and tiring trip.

"I just meant I wasn't going to be sleeping with every member of the opposite sex we run into."

"Brigit!" Indy glared turning red. She laughed.

"Seriously Miss Croft, I'm as professional as I have to to stay sane."

"I...errr...what?" She looked at Indy with a surprised expression. Lara had only known him in her youth and in his resent age, not hearing of his escapades as a younger man, except that he was one of the greatest hunters of power and glory that the 20th century had ever seen. "I hardly expect a man of his distinguished station would toss around like a high school yanger."

"Oh, I'll tell you some stories later if you want. I've been around him a bit longer and let's just say there's a lot I know that most people don't." Brigit took Lara's arm leading her out of the room. "I'm ready, just need to grab my pack then we can go."

"Very well, Briget...I should hope so, and please...as respectful as you are being, call me Lara ...you're making me feel as old as he looks."

Indy rolled his eyes. "You're just lucky that I'm letting you leave Brigit." The younger woman nodded waving at him.

Lara nodded and followed along, "I'll contact you later, when we've gotten on the map, Doctor Jones."

"Later's pops!" Brigit said as the door closed behind them. "The map's going to be harder than hell to get you know."

"It means when we've gotten moving in the direction we're suppose to...not an actual map." Lara rubbed her temples feeling a head ache in the works, building slowly, "Now...if you'd please. Tell me all you have known about the temple and it's where about's."

"According to my reading the temple's surrounded by cursed lands. Only three people have made it in and back out alive. Two of them went mad once they were back in civilization."

While listening, Lara was checking her PDA, and plugging it into her cell phone, "And of the other? The one not insane?"

"Last I checked he was living in Paris, locked in his house afraid that if he stepped out he'd be killed by the.. how'd he word it... Guardians of the gods." She tucked the hair out of her eyes as they stopped at her room. She snatched up an old leather jacket and a beat up fedora. Pulling the hat on she snatched her bag, a leather pack, and looked at Lara. "The only reason they say he's not insane is because he's still in contact with people on the outside. Though.. I think he's slightly off his rocker."

"Right...well, did you know that Paris has a wonderful little cafe that serves an incredible cup of java, with a hint of mint. It's to die for.." She started checking up listings for first class flights to Paris on her PDA, surfing for a good deal on parsol as well. "Hmm...do you prefer window, or isle?" Lara's mind was already in mission mode, and the thoughts of what equipment would be needed were already burning through her bank book. "I'll have to contact Juliet Bonniville before we leave. She'll be able to set up a warehouse for the proper supplies that will be meeting us in France once we touch down. Hmm...you wouldn't have a New York Yankee ball cap, do you? She's a fan."

"Can't stand Baseball, but yeah, pop's keeps getting me caps for my birthday, they work great when I'm trying to pull off the guy look. And isle if possible."

When Brigit made a mention of pulling off a guy look, Lara so wanted to make a comment on that...but figured she'd save it for another time, "Great...toss it in your pack, and meet me at my car. Our plane leaves in forty minutes. Hope you have an address of this nut job." With that said, she turned and headed out to start up her car, while beginning a conversation of her cellular, "Right...yes, I would like that settled before I get back, Winston...it's only two million, so I'm sure you can find it somewhere. Just make sure she gets a Jag in charcoal grey... I'm sure it comes in that color, I saw one last week. Great ...thank you so much. I'd be lost without you."

Brigit nodded grabbing the hat and taking off her tied top. She replaced it with a baggy knit sweater as she ran out the door seven steps behind Lara. "So.. That quick enough?" She asked.

She looked the tomboy up and down, "Err...have you ever heard of the phrase, style over substance?" She paused and then got into her 69 Mustang, "Pick one." The passenger door swung open and then the engine started with a high torque rev. "I've made arrangements for a car to be waiting in Paris at the airport, so all I'll need from that point is a direction."

She nodded. "I can give it. You don't have to worry, I know Paris like I know most of the tombs in Cairo. And I've yet to get lost in Cairo."

She liked that, "Fair enough. Good ...I'm glad your mentor taught you something useful, navigation." Lara backed out of the drive way once Brigit got in, even before the passager door was closed. The dash board was obviously modified to a modern display and chrome finish...the digital display showed that she was indeed exceeding the speed limit by a good 30 klicks. "Cairo's such a lovely place ...brings back memories. Okay, now...tell me about this cursed city? Who cursed it...and what are these gods that our nutty frenchman is going on about?"

"This city is cursed by the inhabitants. They did it in order to protect themselves from Cortez. I don't know all the details about the gods themselves, they're said to be at least twenty feet tall, some of them look human, others... Well other descriptions make them sound like dinosaurs."

"Reptilian? Hmm...Sauron. Ancient Mayan worshippers had a vision of a beast, half man half lizard...and all mean. This creature was eventually worshipped as a god in it's own right because human spears and fire wouldn't harm it." She cut off a bus and slipped between two semi flatbeds as they got up on the highway. "Alright, so the towns folk didn't like this Cortez, so they placed mystical barriers around their homes and the surrounding hunting grounds, I'm assuming. This didn't seem to do so well if these don't exist anymore...something must have wiped them out...but what?"

"When I was able to get a hold of the doctor, he wouldn't tell me over the phone. He said something about it being too dangerous." She said rubbing her temples. "Though, I think he may be starting to go insane. Most of it didn't make sense."

Lara got her car in front of a Honda Civic and slowed down to the traffic's pace, "Umm...not to alarm you, but Doctor Jones doesn't drive a black sedan with tinted out windshield and Illinois plates does he?" She reached over Brigit's lap and opened the glove compartment...but instead of the usual road map and sunglasses were two incredibly shiny automatic pistols. "I just ask this, cause if you casually look about three car lengths back, you'll see said vehicle. It's been following us since a block away from the Jones' homestead."

Brigit glanced back slightly and scowled. "That bastard." She looked at Lara. "That's the guy who's been trying to get me to take him to the site. Dr Jones has basically kept me at the house for the last three weeks hoping to keep the guy from me. She sighed took one of the guns and rolled down her window sitting in it, and moving to aim at him. "Just keep driving." She smiled as she took aim hitting the back right tire of the following car.

"Mmm...a girl after my own heart. Not a problem Brigit," Lara stepped on the excelerator and pulled out of the safeness of the Honda's shadow, opening a shot for Brigit. This of course alerted the following vehicle that they were onto the them, and they began to speed up as well. The traffic became heavy on both sides, but still Lara pressed on, dodging and weaving cars and truck alike. The sedan driver most have had some skill him or herself for they kept up, with minor scraps along the guard rails and larger vehicles.

"Damnit. I can't get another clear shot." Brigit slid back into the car. "We're almost there. We can lose them in the airport."

"Looks like you first shot has slowed them down at least, but the traffics too thick to make a clean break...unless of course you want to cause a sixteen car pile up." She shook her head and smiled as the off ramp took them to the airport property, "Not a problem...I highly doubt these guys want to..." her words were cut off by a gunshot and the bullet taking out her driver's side rear view mirror, She flinched slightly, "Damn it!"

"Got it." Brigit checked the gun in her hand. "If you can get us off the freeway I might be able to buy us a little more time." She looked at one of the trucks. It was full of logs. "I think I can shoot the chain."

"You're not going to do what i think you're gonna do...this is a freaking freeway. Those will kill anyone it crashes into." Regardless what she was preaching she did take the turn off and left the freeway. "Don't screw up..." Lara took the other gun and hung her arm out aiming at other vehicles as she passed them, "I'll clear a path as best as I can...we don't want to kill innocents." With that she fired, slowing most of the traffic by fear alone...not actually hitting anything vital in their cars.

Brigit pulled herself back out the window and took aim carefully timing it. When she took her shot the logs rolled off in such away that the traffic had time to stop. She gave a small salute to the man in the car that had been following them, knowing that he wouldn't be too happy about that.

The black sedan started to a screeching halt, but that didn't stop the logs from pounding it off the freeway, out of sight from the two ladies. "Okay, well ...I can see your one from property damage ....something I'll have to put up with I guess. A thrill for the dramatics I guess." As they pulled up to the airport entrance, "...and because it's a forward wheel drive vehicle, like most sedan types are still, you aim for either the front tires, or both rear ...losing one will only make the ride a bumpy one with an experienced driver." Lara got out of the car and inspected the damage done to the mirror, or lack there of, "Bloody hell.."

"Sorry, I guess I did get a little carried away back there." She looked at the mirror. "Guess the rental deposit's not going to come back eh?"

Lara raised an eyebrow and looked at Brigit, "One doesn't RENT a modified 1967 Mustang GT 500 Shelby. It's mine.." She then shook her head and walked to the trunk, retrieving two carry-on bags, then started inside, while raising her cell to her ear, "Winston...umm, there's been a problem with the car.."

"Like I'd know.. Only thing I've ever driven is a bike."

Lara finished with making arrangements for the car to be picked up and retrieved the tickets for their flight, "Here we are...two first class flights to Paris, and with enough time to have a drink before take-off. Now is that excellent, or what?"

"With luck Brandon won't show up." She tucked the hair out of her face. "I"m buying the first two rounds. And you better not drink those gross fruit drinks." Brigit smiled.

Lara smirked and took Brigit's arm, "Come on.." When they arrived at the rather pleasant bar within the airport Lara placed her bags under their table and sat down with a sigh, "I'll be brave and let you order for me ...seeing how you're seem to be an expert to what's good and not."

"Tequila sound good?"

"Not a very ethnic drink for our travel's destination, but it'll do." Lara crossed her legs and looked around at the crowds, watching who's watching them. Mostly just the usual jet-setting pervs who see two pretty girls alone at a bar and getting the mental image of a poorly acted porn. Still, Lara was scanning for something that didn't look to be interested in their obvious assets.

"This airport has one of the best mexican restaurants.. Their bar sucks though. All they have there is cosmopolitans and wine coolers." She said keeping her eyes out as well. "Worried you'll have someone too? Brandon's mostly harmless, he's just in the game for the money."

Lara frowned, "Money from the relics of old ...pathetic. I really hate treasure hunters." She then answered Brigit's question, "Actually ...I have so many enemies out there that's it's kind of difficult to pick 'em out on a random day. No, I'm looking for people that will be an interest with you knowledge specifically. Now, before you get any ideas, I don't play protector...you can't handle your own, I'm sorry but you'll be left behind ...I'm concerned about the discovery and making sure it's knowledge is safe. And that just happens to be within that head of your's."

"Don't worry about me. I'm an ace shot when needed, and Pops didn't let me go out on adventures until I at least had two martial arts under my belt just in case I need it." She said calmly. "Besides, I know that you're almost as bad as most 'treasure' hunters. Though at least you don't squirrel too many artifacts away." She said calmly as they went to the cantina.

"Now just a freaking minute," Lara spun around to face Brigit with an obvious angry expression about her, "What right do you have, getting off a statement like that?" She had grabbed the front of Brigit's sweater into a fist and pulled her close ...obviously having hit a nerve, "I do what I do for a reason, and I sure as hell don't need to be explaning myself to some punk amature adventurer wannabe."

"You think I'm a wannabe? I have more finds under my name on six continents than you do. I could go on my own, but I thought it might be a good gesture to let you have another one, since there aren't many of us ladies in the field." She said batting her arm away. "And no need to get defencive. It's a proven fact. Anyone who can look at your track record would be able to tell, now please, let's try to be civil." She said backing up slightly.

"There they are!" Someone yelled behind Brigit making her turn.

"Shit." Looks like I didn't buy us enough time with Brandon." She muttered grabbing Lara's arm. "Come on." She started down the terminal for the plane.

"Civil, why you little..." Lara looked up to the person who had spotted them, "Geez...we're not finished by a longshot, girl." She followed Brigit after securing her bags on her shoulders.