Alice glanced at the surveillance camera while typing on her computer. She hated that damn thing. What she wouldn't give at that moment for a frappucino. But Freider had the nasty habit of actually checking the security footage, so playing hooky was out of the question.

With a deep sigh, she waited for the page to load and started scrolling through the online newspaper. Some celebrity suffering from bulimia, some professor dude recruiting for a study-camp and, finally, there it was, the article Freider had her look up: tax increase on small businesses. Ugh, she'd have a lot of recalculating to do. And it was all so tedious and boring.

Her head already hurting at the sheer thought of starting her task, Alice decided a messenger break was in order. So many of her friends had much more interesting lives. The only highlight in hers was when Freider brought his sons along. And even if today was one of those days, she'd have given anything for Jerry to have come instead of Sam. Not that Sam wasn't nice and sweet and everything, but he was a little too young for her. Jerry, on the other hand, tall, handsome beyond belief, with those chocolate-brown eyes she could melt into... She shivered. Way to have inappropriate thoughts about the boss's kids!

Someone cleared their voice and Alice jumped, shuffling her papers and knocking them off the desk.

"You okay, miss?" The man asked, tilting his head.

"Nice moustache, mister." Ugh, she did not just say that out loud. If Freider ever found out, he'd certainly cut her pay for being rude. "What I actually meant was, hello and welcome to the-"

The moustached man chuckled and waved his hand. "I'm here to see Sam."

"Sam?" What the-? Alice glanced at his dark brown suit, the dull tie, the black hair, strong jaw and the kind twinkle in his dark eyes. He didn't seem remotely dangerous, but she could be wrong. "Why would you come looking for him here?"

The man's smile widened. "I'm sorry. I haven't introduced myself." He reached out his hand. "I'm a professor, here to see Sam about an archeology camp."

"You're...?" Alice glanced back at the screen of her computer. "Yes, I've read something about that." But that didn't mean that Freider would gladly allow a stranger in his office to talk to his under-aged son. She stood, rounded the desk and placed herself in front of the door. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to get Mr. Grant."

Professor Moustache cocked his head again, watching her as if she were a delectable toddler. "You're pretty protective of Sam."

I'm protective of my job, but whatever. "Of course. He's a good kid."

"He could use someone like you on this trip, to help him out."

"What trip?"

"We're planning to go to a digging site." He paused as if waiting for her to answer, but what could she say to that? Good for him? "In Mexico," he added. "Cancun, to be more precise."

"Wait, isn't Cancun the one with the Riviera and hotels and stuff?"

"Exactly. Well, the dig will be in the nearby jungle, but the assistants will stay at the hotel. No use dragging them around in the heat."

Holy mother of God. If this wasn't an opportunity to get out of the recalculation, she didn't know what was. A long shot, but worth trying. "So, do you think Sam would need an assistant?"

"I know he would. I'll ask him if he'll consider you."

"Awesome. I mean, thank you very much," she said to the professor's retreating back. He'd slipped past her and toward the office, but who cared? If this could get her a vacation from Freider, the man could have all the time in the world with Sam.

* * *

It was a weird feeling, staring out from under a desk at a strange pair of legs, complete with over-shined shoes, that had randomly stepped into his father's office.

Sam gave up on pushing the file box as far as the space under the desk allowed - he'd actually jabbed his knee pretty hard against it - and backed out. Just as his head was about to clear the bottom of the desk surface, he stopped.

The legs had started moving; not fidgeting, not hesitant, but with the purpose of legs that had been there before. Which sort of explained why this man was so comfortable in an empty office that didn't belong to him.

Sam got on his knees and propped his elbows on the desk. Nope, no one he knew. "May I help you?"

The man flinched and turned from staring at one of the file cabinets. His hazel eyes lightened and his moustache lifted with his smile, as if teens normally popped out from under desks all around him and he found it highly entertaining.

"You must be Sam."

With the conviction in the man's voice and his emphasis on the must, Sam would've probably become Sam even if he wasn't already. And he was obviously who the man wanted to see.

"Um, I must be. And you are...?" ...doing what exactly in my father's office if you want to see me? God knew he avoided the office if he could help it. He was just terrible at helping it.

"Harris-" and he ended his name so abruptly, it must've been a well-rehearsed way for people to remember it. "Professor Harris." He dropped his briefcase on Freider's desk and reached his hand out for a shake.

Sam got to his feet and took his hand. A professor? What could he be doing there? Well, there was the obvious answer and Sam wanted to get it out of the way as quickly and as delicately as possible. "Is your wife cheating on you? Coz even if I'm here and my father would love it, I don't do PI work yet." Yeah, really smooth, Sam. He should definitely be spending his life among inanimate objects.

The professor stared at him for a few seconds then cleared his throat, his fist in front of his mouth to hide the beginning of a smile. "No, that's hardly why I'm here. I wanted to see you in a more... wholesome, family-friendly matter."

"Yes, of course," Sam answered, taking the most dignified air he could muster after just having shoved his foot down his throat. "So, what can I do for you, Professor?"

"I'm not sure if you are familiar with recent current affairs, but I am working on a project to bring-"

"You're the professor mentioned in the paper!" And thank God he hadn't pointed an accusing finger as he said it.

"Why, yes, I am," Professor Harris said, seeming pleased with the recognition. "And that being said, I'm sure you can guess why I'm here."

Sam could guess alright, but he didn't dare hope his guess was right. "In the paper, it said that a team has already been chosen."

"Chosen, yes. Confirmed, no. And Sam, you happen to be on the list."

Excitement bubbled in the pit of Sam's stomach, fizzled then died as his brain took over. "Why?" And "how" was next on his list of questions. Not that he wasn't thrilled to bits and on the verge of a happy-dance, but really wanting it didn't change the fact that he'd never applied.

Professor Harris frowned. "Why what?"

"Why am I on your list? I never applied for anything, handed in no essays even remotely related to archeology-"

"Don't you want to go?"

Hell yes! "That's beside the point."

The professor sighed as though he'd hoped he wouldn't have to get into this. "We've asked around and came across your paper on the use of mathematics in the cryptography process."

Sam frowned. An obscure paper in an even more obscure extra-credit class. And what was with the 'we'? "How did you come across that?"

"We knew what we needed and went directly to the schools for information. May I say that your Headmaster was quite proud of the originality of your work?"

Something inside Sam's head started to pulsate. He had to fight the urge to massage his temples. This was getting too confusing and freaky too fast. There was something wrong, but he secretly hoped there wasn't, that it would all end up making sense.

"Look," Professor Harris said, "I know this isn't how things are normally done, but we needed the shortcut. You see, we've been trying to obtain funding for over three years, but people are just not interested in history anymore. The money just came through and we want to get going as fast as possible, before someone changes their mind. You can understand that, can't you?"

Ah, funding. The ultimate first world problem. And a condescending adult - Sam's ever-present, entire life's problem.

"If you've been working so long and hard to get this project going, don't you think you should've taken more time to gather your team?" Why was he doing this? Crushing his own dreams when he could just say 'Okay' and run out of his house hobbit-like yelling that he was going on an adventure? But rationality had always been this huge, annoying part of him. And if something didn't make sense, it was most likely wrong or a hoax. Or dangerous. A shiver ran up Sam's spine, even if Professor Harris kept smiling and actually looked pleased with Sam's questions.

"Believe us, we have. We've been keeping an eye on you for the past three years, taking a special interest in your schoolwork. Your extra-curricular activities are the resume that made us decide to pick you."

That did make sense. All the extras that would drive his father insane if he knew were archeology gold. Sam's muscles relaxed as his brain accepted the reasoning behind the professor's choice. "So... you want me to be part of an expedition. A dig."

"Yes. Recently, untouched ruins have been discovered in the Yucatan Peninsula - temples that are reported to be quite whole. That is our destination. Our purpose is a thorough study of these new findings."

The bubbling excitement was back, though not as strong as before. This was really happening. "When?"

"Obviously, once the school year is over." The professor opened his briefcase and pulled a manila folder from its depths. He weighed it in his hand for a moment, then handed it to Sam. "You have your information in here and will be further briefed on the matter. Of course, you are expected to conduct some research regarding our destination and the whole process of getting there."

Sam hadn't even agreed to coming. There was a slight military air to Professor Harris' behavior and it pissed Sam off. Free will was his only real possession in this world and he wasn't about to let someone else make decisions for him. Even if the blasted man had guessed his choice. "What if I say no?"

Professor Harris waved his hand airily. "You won't."

Okay, that was really annoying. "I haven't said yes." At least not yet.

Wide eyes and a new, innocent expression showed the man had finally realized his mistake. "Of course you're free to say no. It's your decision after all. It would be a real pity if you stayed out of it, though."

"Yeah, it would." And, unfortunately, here came the part where it wasn't really his decision after all. "My parents might not let me come." Damn it, that sounded childish, but he wouldn't be eighteen for another two months. Okay, almost three months.

The professor smirked. "Then this is a great way to practice for adult life. Nothing ever comes easy and you'll always have to work hard to get people to give you what you want. So it's up to you to convince them this expedition is in your best interest." Harris closed his briefcase. "Of course, if it gets too hot and heavy, let me know and I might move in and use some of my academic charm." He winked and headed for the door.

Sam tilted his head wondering why the professor looked so thrilled. Sure, he'd gotten what he wanted and quite easily, but that didn't mean he should look as if he'd set up the perfect spy trap. Sam shrugged it off. All high academics had a dose of eccentricity. Maybe Harris' was playing undercover professor on a secret mission.

Sam followed the professor into the waiting room to see Alice blocking his path, her hands joined and a hopeful expression on her face.

"Well?" she asked.

Harris turned away and covered one ear, which Sam found pretty rude. There were gentler ways of showing people you didn't want to listen or answer. He didn't have to cover his ears like a kid. Well, ear, since his other hand was busy with his briefcase.

Suddenly, Harris lowered his hand and smiled. "I forgot to ask." He wheeled toward Sam. "Your friend Alice thinks you could use an assistant on your trip. I can't complain. It will be a lot of work and you might need someone to help you with your research files."

Really? Alice wanted to come and help him? That was sweet. Weird as hell, since Alice wasn't exactly an over-achiever who volunteered extra work on a regular basis, but sweet. "Okay, I guess."

"Yay! Thanks Sam." She skirted around the professor and caught Sam in a tight hug.

"It's always lovely to see young people helping each other out," Professor Harris said. "That's the team spirit I'm looking to build. Speaking of which." He cleared his throat. "Seeing as we're in a terrible hurry and the situation being what it is, I'd like both of you to keep as much of this to yourselves as possible. The operation is pretty covert."

Sam quirked a brow. Was he kidding? "It was in the paper."

"The gist, not the specifics. And certainly not what's in there." He pointed to the folder still clutched in Sam's hand. "You're going to a study camp and let's leave it at that." Another big smile stretched on the professor's face.

There was the wannabe spy again. Yeah, whatever got him off. Sam wasn't planning on shouting it out anyway. He was geek-king enough without letting everyone know he was up for more extra schoolwork.

"Sure." Alice winked at them, obviously enjoying the spy game.

"Goodbye then. I'll contact you in a few days with more details." And the professor was gone, leaving Sam feeling as if he'd been hit by a train.

The passage from his normal, boring life to this had been so sudden. But, then again, change always was, happening in the blink of an eye. The difference resides in whether you expect it or not. Bottom line, he had the chance to do something he really wanted, be part of something that, as far as he was concerned, mattered. He should focus on that. And on convincing his parents to let him go.

His father would surely have a problem with him running off to look at rocks. His mother will probably have a problem with the jungle the rocks were in.

How he wished he didn't have to answer to anyone. Like Alice. Which had him wondering again why she wanted to come and be his assistant.

"Phew, thanks, Sam," she said, wiping her brow dramatically. "I could use a long vacation. I hope this dig thing takes a long time."

Aaand, there it was. "Thank you. It's really nice of you to offer to help."

"Yeah, well, I'm just generous like that." She waved one hand and returned to her desk.

Sam had to fight not to laugh as he went back inside the office. Things might turn out fun in the end. And with that thought came a feeling of certainty mixed with dread at something he could feel, but couldn't understand.

So, yup, Sam got himself into a bit of a... situation. Do you think professor Harris can be trusted? How about Alice? Will Sam's parents actually let him go?

Stay tuned to find out;)

Thanks for reading. All thoughts are greatly appreciated!