Elena finished placing the last of the relics back in the storage case and closed it. She closed her eyes for a moment, clearing her mind of the images that had come along with handling the relics. She sighed softly, contentedly. She so loved seeing what the people had seen, what their lives had been like. It was seldom that she could immerse herself in the past. When around others she had to be careful and only read the surface. Even then it could be dangerous. She was on constant guard against letting too much about her ability to read the past slip.<br/><br/>She turned from the case and checked her watch. Surely Stephan had enough time talking to the Callaway women by now. He'd asked her to meet with them at the women's lawyer's office around 5:00 so she could see some of the negotiations.<br/><br/>"You need the experience if you're going to be running your own digs," he'd said. She was honored he thought she was a good enough archaeologist to be in charge some day. He'd taken a big chance, naming her his assistant; usually this position went to a graduate student or doctorate candidate, not a senior. He knew she intended to go all the way and get her doctorate eventually, and this appointment was a huge boon.<br/><br/>She didn't intend to let him down.