[color=gray][h2][b]Photographic Memory[/b][/h2][/color]
The thought of Theo being his assistant sounded like good bonding time. If this trip wasn't as dangerous as it was, that is. Still though, this didn't let Thierry stop from laughing along with his only son, "You'd better be!" He took a sip of his fresh coffee as he continued his conversation with his oldest.

"Sounds lovely! I can't wait to see it!" The mannerisms that were about his expression was nothing less than jovial. The happiness that Thierry exuded? Genuine. This particular conversation with his oldest child? Perfect in every way. His eyes sparkled as he realized he'd forgotten to tell her something. He spoke hoping she'd be excited, "I forgot to mention that I booked a photowalk as well. Along with the thing with the camels for Cosy."

As the Louvre man pulled his children around him, he took extra caution to not leave Sabrina out. Pulled her just as close with a tight squeeze and let his head momentarily tilt against her silky soft hair. He might have been romantically negligent with her, but she was still the mother of his babies. And what a magnificent mother she was. He was proud to stand there paternally opposite to her maternal stride. Just the way a virtuous father should.

Cosette was pulled firmly in his arms, despite his opposing knee. Gave her a kiss on the cheek as she wiggled about his grasp, causing him to giggle. His lack of shaving that morning must of tickled her. Her exhilaration was infectious, to say the least. Then he turned to his son who was radiating charm as well, "When did you get so much taller than me?!" He playfully frowned while looking back to Sabrina and pretended to be insecure about it, "Je ne suis pas petit! I'm standing in quicksand!"

Thierry could feel Theo's arm make it's way behind him. As Cosette turned excitedly, her movement caused Thierry to wince in pain, "Cosy..." The shooting pain reached his mid back. A little reality check to how bad his knee was that day. While it was sweet that Aurélie had remembered his lotion, physical therapy would probably be necessary again. But it seemed someone had noticed his labored breathing start. A hand or two helped relieve some pressure from Cosette's weight.

With the much needed aid, Thierry was able to regain his composure and charm. As Aurélie told everybody to [i]'Say Boris,'[/i] an endearing toothy smile came out. The camera flashed. Everything seemed perfect at the time. 7 years would soon go by. Not a single day would Thierry go without looking at this picture. He would carry a copy of it in his wallet. Pace gingerly with a framed copy sitting on his desk in both of his offices. Gaze longingly at it as birthdays passed. Clutching it while clinging desperately to his future husband, whimpering.

Honestly? It was a relief to put Cosette down, "Cosy, ma fille..." He tilted his head down to his daughter while pretending to be stern, "I absolutely forbid you from getting any bigger!" And shook his finger at her before booping her nose. With a laugh he turned and pointed to Theo, "And that doubles for you, jeune homme!"

In the midst of walking back to the tents, Thierry turned to Aurélie, "Thank you for remembering my ointment." And smiled graciously while leaning in for a impromptu hug, "Where would I be without such a thoughtful fille, hmm?"

With The idea of getting back to the burial chamber, Thierry found himself standing there. Triple checking his gear after triple checking it. His anxiety was picking back up. After about 20 more minutes of that, he'd wandered with Sabrina outside the tents. His own set of notes in hand as she spoke. She was quick in confirming some of what he'd suspected, but also added her own spin. He smiled at Sabrina's sagacity. It was something he truly enjoyed about her.

Thierry spoke with a certain levelheadedness, "It sounds like they're talking about electric shock, but I don't see how that could possibly be what they mean. Could you imagine the sorts of artifacts we'd be uncovering right now, if they had electricity?"

But his smile faded as he locked eyes with her. The perturbed expression lingered about her facial features. As Sabrina questioned him, he gazed to her with pleading eyes. But he wasn't really sure what he was pleading for. Pleading for her to not question him? No, he wasn't that elusive. But then when she spoke of being left out, his own features fumbled a bit as he was unsure of what to say. He looked around to make sure the kids weren't in ear shot. A little nervous about what he was about to say.

"I"m just..." Thierry started with slight hesitation, "Worried. It feels like there's an entire backlog of information that the Museum's not giving me." His honesty made him sigh as he looked back to his notes. He looked back to his wife, "I went in and placed markers this morning. As long as the kids don't go past those, everything should be fine." At this point, Thierry was trying to convince himself more than Sabrina. For the first time during the trip, he opted for the unabridged truth.

The linguist agent turned paper pusher laughed at Sabrina's comment about digging up artifacts, "You have no real idea, my dear." But the laugh was filled with anxiety as he spoke, "I hate it, but I can't seem to get enough of it. What am I to do?!" He hesitated while keeping eye contact with her, "I trust you with the kids and my life, Sabrina. I'm sorry I'm not always there for you the way you deserve."

Thierry didn't always apologize to Sabrina about his work life, but when he did, it was sincere. He knew, or at least felt he knew, the toll it took on her and the children. And he hated it. That side of him. His drive for adventure, or rather, chaos.

[hr]
Thierry looked with raised eyebrow to Theo, "I mean it, Theodore. I want your best behavior!" But smiled charmingly as he pulled his kid-friendly edition of notes out for him to examine. An abridged version of notes that would show Theo interesting things. Along with what it was like to be a linguist for The Louvre, but not an agent. He'd never forgive himself if Theo became an agent as he had. Never.

The notes talked about the Pharaoh and his ascension into the afterlife. No mention of dark energy or... 

His nerves didn't get the better of him, as he patiently waited to see if Theo wanted to play 20 questions. But there was a moment as he realized he'd lost track of Cosy. He looked about the great room and breathed a sigh of relief. He'd been so wrapped up in thought, that he hadn't heard her prancing footsteps. She was with Sabrina and Aurélie. His wife and oldest seemed to be keeping up with Cosy's heightened energy levels just fine. Which was fantastic, as he'd come only half prepared. How did they manage? The father silently admired his baby's enthusiasm from afar. 

The look of worry had completely dissipated from his face, as he looked back to his junior assistant, "Do you want to brush some of that wall off for me? I have my tool kit if you need it." Hands on experience. Thierry knew Theo was desperate for it, but little stuff like this, was the best he could manage without real risks involved, "Or help me with my Rosetta Stone notes?"

Thierry smiled softly as he spoke, "Not nearly as glamorous of a job that your father has, now is it?" The intent of his comment? Keep the truth of being an agent for The Louvre as far away from Theo as physically possible. Maybe, just maybe, if Theo thought it was a dead end...

A soft chuckle escaped him at what the girls were talking about. Their chatter prompted Thierry, "I bet Cosy wants her history lesson now. I don't think she's found Boris!" Thierry nodded in his girls direction as he had spoken, "Pop quiz! Khufu facts, go."

There was a definite amount of dislike that lodged itself in the pit of Thierry's stomach. He didn't hate having his children with him, but it was certainly a relief once he found himself alone in the Purple Chamber. The glow of the portal he stood before, made him feel nauseous. While the hum that emanated from it, beckoned him to step closer.

"I'm..." Thierry's voice trailed as he stared at the glow, "Just tired."

With direct eye contact broken, Thierry was able to make his way back to the Anubis shrine. His knee wasn't agreeing with his antics for the day, so he couldn't completely sit the way he had that morning. Instead he slid himself against the wall and leaned while standing. There was enough support from the wall, that some weight was removed from his angered knee.

His real work began.

Every now and then though, it felt as if the... "No. I'm losing it." Thierry shook the voices out of his head. The safe removal of his family had been secured and Mr. Andrew along with his agents were in another part of the pyramid all together. 

[hr]
[color=gray][h3]Middle of the damned desert...[/h3][/color]
"I see you, hotshot." The binoculars were pulled from his blue eyes. Wiped some sweat off his brow in the process. Everything so far, had led up to these assholes. Whoever the hell they were... "Nice bike." He smirked.

That was something Nick could understand. A man and his bike. He had a bit of a muscle car obsession himself. He didn't particularly like his uncle, but was still grateful for the rust red 1984 C4 Corvette he'd given him for his birthday. The car needed tons of work and a new paint job, but it gave him an excuse to tinker when he visited. If he wasn't here in the middle of the desert right now, he'd be back in the States. Probably flipping through a car magazine or installing a new transmission. Or whatever the hell it was that normal kids did these days. 

Unscrewing the bottle just long enough to take a tiny swig of water, Nick looked at the cultists again, "But I don't like that you're fucking around with my Anubis statues."

His statues?

Because the 16 year old clearly owned the world. Or rather, he hated seeing the statues being defaced. He just wanted to read them. Learn what the different inscriptions said. Protect them. These guys though? Destruction seemed to follow along.

Nick had been speaking as if he wasn't alone. While yes, he could see the bike rider pull up and threaten the guy, he couldn't exactly hear them. Giving him freedom to run his mouth as he pleased. The way he preferred. A lone pistol was pulled from it's holster and he examined his ammo situation, "Damn." Now was not the time to be seen from his lofty hiding spot on the damaged obelisk. He'd wage hell later. For now, he pulled the binoculars to extend his line of sight.

The annoying sound of yelling started on the opposite side of the wall, "You've gotta be kidding me."

Had he been spotted? Followed?