"Serenity please!! It's just a three week initial dig, nothing intense."

"No."

"But you're one of the best and this is a sponsored dig"

"No"

"Look. I've come all the way out here, to Cyprus, just to offer you this job. Don't leave me hanging here. Please!"

"Terrance. No. I don't take UK digs. You know that. And now I have work to do. Feel free to make use of my tent until the transport arrives. Excuse me."

The tall, blue eyed brunette swung away and strode purposefully towards her trenches and the sound of steady digging. Behind her, Terrance watched her go, exasperated but determined. Professor Serenity Neville was a good leader, confident but not arrogant, approachable and kind, yet firm when push comes to shove. She was efficient and always got the job done, no matter what obstacles she encountered. She always found a way. On the rare occasion she lost her temper, she was like a fierce lioness. She was a damn good boss and someone worth having as a friend. Not that she had many Terrace mused.

Though popular, Serenity didn't socialise much. She put a lot of her life into her work, which was one of the reasons she was so good at it. Her love of history, inherited from her father, had become her focus early on. Comfortable only in small groups and work orientated, she never really engaged in personal relationships. Despite all her fine attributes, she never seemed to apply them to a romantic relationship and the few she had ventured into ended very quickly, usually with him heart broken and Serenity feeling contentedly amicable and oblivious to the fact that only she had come out of it unscathed. The fact that she had no clue how lovely she was and her effect on the opposite sex didn't help matters.

Sighing, Serenity briefly contemplated her conversation with her old colleague. Not much of an archaeologist, though his knowledge of history was as good as hers, Terrance was more of an agent, promoting digs and staff, gathering funds, networking, organising and generally a driving force. He loved history as much as the rest of them but he disliked getting dirty himself in the trenches. Charismatic, charming and likable, he was very good at his job but because of that, Serenity naturally kept him at arm's length. Still he had always been a good guy and an old family friend. But this request… Serenity frowned. What on earth had possessed him? He had known her longer than most, he should know better. No matter who the sponsor was…

Giving herself a little shake, Serenity focused again on her dig and the progress they were making. Just before Terrance had pulled her away, Trench 3 was showing promising results. She couldn't wait to get back in there and immerse herself in the hidden history. The puzzles that needed solving, the secrets waiting to be uncovered. Gathering knowledge about people who had lived hundreds of years ago. Discovering all that was lost. Realising what we have gained… She could lose herself for hours in those trenches. Grabbing her tool kit and re-tying her long cascading hair so it wouldn't interfere as she worked, Serenity stepped down into Trench 3 grinning and, within minutes, was lost in the scraping of her trowel over the earth.

***

The sun was almost hidden when Serenity finally looked up from her digging and, leisurely stretching out her stiff limbs, she took her first good look around all afternoon. Most of her workers had already called it a day but a few of her long-time friends had stuck around, knowing her propensity to lose herself, and all track of time, in her work. Appreciating their dedication and friendship, she gave them a tired but happy smile and took the proffered hand that waited to help her climb out of the trench.

"Did you have a good day boss?" Sam smiled as he pulled her up.

A quiet man, but with presence, he never said much. When he did, it was always worth listening to. His glasses glinted in the fading light, briefly obscuring his eyes. He only wore them when digging because "contacts were a pain when you're hands are constantly covered in dirt".

"Thanks Sam. Great day.” A small frown crinkled her brow. “Well, apart from Terrance's visit…"

Her friends passed significant looks in a telling silence. They all knew that, normally, she got on with Terrance, so there was only one thing he could have done to invoke her ire. And they all knew that the relentless Terrance and stubborn Serenity wouldn't settle this quickly.

"Don't tell me he wants you to head a dig in the UK? He should know better than that!"

Beth, a short, spunky red head with lots of energy but the good sense to go with it, was right. Although Serenity was one of the best archaeologists of her time, she had a few quirks. One of which was that she never took jobs in her home nation, the UK. No one really knew why, only that, for as long as they had known her, she refused to physically work on digs in the UK. Despite that fact that her knowledge of the islands' history was superb and she frequently analysed and handled UK artefacts from all eras of history, but she just wouldn't dig there. Over the years, her friends had learnt not to question it too much…

Walking into the main tent, Serenity was satisfied to see all her workers were well fed and winding down for the night. As she moved to the food area, she greeted her workers and, casually walking from table to table, exchanged words about their day. Her good mood and the days progress was palatable around the tent and she smiled contentedly. Until Serenity spotted Terrance in the corner quietly reading an archaeological paper while drinking tea from a thermos. Shopping dead, Serenity squeezed her fist trying to remain calm as her good mood rapidly dimmed as her temper began to fray. He knew, they all knew, that she would not take this job so WHY was he still here? What more could he have to say? Taking a deep breath, Serenity turned away and grabbed her food. She was tired and needed the energy and some rest. Soon.

Letting out a calming breath, she forced her hands to relax and turned to collect her food and find her seat. But throughout her meal, no matter how much she tried to focus on the good work of her dig, her mind and eyes kept straying back to Terrance and the reason for his visit. What could be so important that he would risk irritating, and possibly angering, her? They were good friends and she didn’t want a fracture between them but she just couldn’t deal with this.

I wonder who the sponsor is. It could be an iron age dig, those were popular, or Roman. Novices always love the Roman digs. They think it's glamorous, sophisticated… civilised. Yeah right. What if it was from the dark ages? Surely she would have heard if something that important had been discovered. None of my sources have mentioned a dark age dig in the UK, just the normal archaeological scene.

While Serenity pondered and mused, the tent had begun to empty as archaeologists and volunteers sought their well-earned beds. Before long only five people were left in the tent, Serenity, Terrance, Sam, Beth and a very hungry young volunteer named Wick. Knowing she had to deal with this sooner or later, Serenity quietly got up and headed to the corner of the tent, cup of tea in hand.

"Did you miss your transport Terrance?"

Looking up from his papers, Terrance smiled knowing she didn't mean anything by her comment and indicated the chair across from him.

"Would you like to take a seat Serenity? We have a lot to talk about."

"No we don't Terrance. Why did you bring this to me? You know me better than most, I will not work in the U-"

"Your father is working on this dig. He requested you…"

Serenity was silent. Stunned. Her gaze drifted, clouded by memories. She could remember her father showing her his digs when she was a child, quizzing her on her history, hours spent in the museums together.

"Dad and I never work together…" She suddenly snapped her gaze back to Terrance. "What is going on Terrance? What is this dig?"

"I can't tell you"

He looked incredibly uncomfortable. And so he should! He was asking her to go against all her instincts, her principles, to work with a family member (a logistical nightmare) and put her reputation on the line on a dig she knew NOTHING about.

"You want me to take a job without knowing a thing about it? I wouldn't do that normally not to mention a UK dig. How am I supposed to prepare, research, gather qualified workers and materials? This is madness Terrance. No. I just can't."

"I know this is difficult for you Serenity but this is important. And not just for archaeology. Look, we know you won’t talk about it but you can’t spend the rest of your life and career avoiding your home. I don’t know what he means, but your father said this could be the opportunity for you to finally lay to rest the shadows of your childhood… Besides, I was told not to come back without you."

The silence between them was heavy, but not uncomfortable. Terrance's words unsettled Serenity and she struggled to know her own mind. When it was obvious that their conversation would not continue, Terrance collected his papers and stood.

"I have secured a tent for the duration of my stay. Take a few nights to think it over." He placed a hand on her shoulder. " I hope, whatever you decide, you will be at peace Serenity. No matter what, I’ll always be youth friend."

And with that, he left the tent.

Serenity stood, now alone in the main tent, silhouetted against the setting sun. She remained, transfixed, lost in a sea of memories with Terrance's words echoing over and over in her. Shadows. Would she never escape them? Perhaps? No... but what if? …Perhaps this was her chance…

Serenity finally roused herself from her mind wondering. She was too tired to deal with this now. She rubbed her gritty eyes and headed to her private tent. She would sleep and see what the dawn would bring.

Unnoticed, from the darkness, grey eyes intently watched her leave the main tent and disappear into the night. They would watch over her, just as they had once watched her before.