Dr. Nathan Gold walks into his room. Albeit small, it has all the necessities. He sits down at his steel table, opens the notebook and starts writing his journal.

He prefers late nights to early mornings for journaling while the day's memory is still fresh in his mind.

After done writing he picks up the photo on his nightstand. He and Mason are standing on a suspension bridge in Pailon del Diablo on the picture. It's one of Nathan's favorite.

Nathan misses his nephew and home. And he worries Mason is probably looking for him. But it's still too dangerous for Nathan to return or contact the outside world.

He has to sit tight and wait. The miracle is close by. It'll happen any day. Maybe even today.

HANOI, VIETNAM

Eve fans herself with the newspaper as they wait for their ride. Hanoi is in the middle of a yet another record breaking heatwave. The mercury says it's 116 degree Fahrenheit.

Soon their rides arrive. Eve breathes out inside the air conditioned Mercedes. She knew it was going to be hot, but not this hot, she thinks.

The cars take them to Peridot Grand. Eve takes a cold shower in her room. After she's changed, someone knocks on her room door.

When she opens the door, Mason comes in.

"Brad talked to Minh. He'll be here in an hour. We'll see him in my room," Mason says.

Through his contacts Mason was able to track down someone who might know something about a secret genetics research. His name is Minh Ngyuen Lam. Minh used to be an archaeologist with the Vietnamese government before he was let go due to budget cuts. He works as a tourist guide now to pay the bills.

"I've been reading Dr. Takahashi's research. It's amazing. They even created some possible genetic sequences from the Mesozoic era," Eve says, sitting on the bed.

Mason sits down next to her. "How's that possible?" He says.

"You know what predictive analysis is?" Eve says.

"Create future business models based on machine learning," Mason says.

"Correct. Basically, we somewhat predict the future by analyzing the data we have now with the help of predictive algorithms and AI that can process a lot of data and find patterns. Imagine the same but backward."

Mason leans back on the bed and says, "Use the data we have now, project it backward and find what could've been the past."

"Exactly! That's what Takahashi's team did for genetics data. I really think this time it's the real deal. This secret genetics project could be the one your uncle was after. We find that we find your uncle. I can feel it!"

Mason smiles. "I believe you," he says and reaches his hand out and touches hers. "I know I've said it before. But I'm really glad you came. Not only because you help me looking for my uncle. I just feel... I feel better when I'm with you. Happy."

Eve feels her face getting warm at Mason's unexpected remark. "I feel the same," she says.

Mason leans into Eve. For a brief second Eve thinks of backing away. But she decides not to and stays put.

They kiss.

Mason moves forward, closing the distance between them. They lie on the mattress without letting each other go.

When knocks on the door are heard. Mason breaks the kiss and they both breathe heavy. "I really wish I'd only brought you with me," Mason says.

Eve shyly smiles.

Mason gives her a quick kiss before leaving the room. Outside Brad is waiting to update Mason on the arrangements.

"What were you doing in there?" Brad says.

"Don't pretend like you don't know what it is you interrupted," Mason says.

Brad laughs. "Sorry, man. But this is urgent. Besides I thought you still hadn't find the balls to make a move on her yet."

"That's because I'm smart enough to not take dating advice from you," Mason says.

"Dating? That's a first."

Mason smiles. "I know."

An hour later Minh arrives. A spindly man with short straight hair, tan skin and thick glasses. Everyone gathers at Mason's room.

"I heard about it through one of the diggers when I was working in Lang Son," Minh says, "A week ago he was working in another limestone cave looking for fossils for a foreign company."

"That company," Mason says, "It was the one doing the research?"

"No," Minh says, "The superiors were foreigners and seemed to work for a big construction company. But they mentioned a research and that even they didn't know what it was."

"Which construction company?" Mason says.

"An American," Minh says, taking out a small piece of paper from his pocket, "It had a long name. I tried to remember it, and wrote it down on the way here. I think this is the name the digger told me."

Mason takes the paper from Minh and unfolds it. His expression becomes serious.

"What? Which one?" Ashton says, taking the paper from Mason. He too looks surprised at reading the name — Gold, Heath and Ritt.

"This," Ashton says, "This is your dad's company."

End of chapter 

A/N — Just got back on with the writing. Hope you guys are doing well :) See you in my next update!