ANCIENT SECRETS
Chapter One
Nicholas Saint Germain has always hated his own name. Maybe because of the problem it has caused him his entire life. Maybe it is because he hated the entire concept of Christmas. He has never been a religious person. Maybe that has something to do with his mother, a saint of a woman who hoped putting "Saint" in his name would somehow inspire him to the priesthood. She missed her wish by a mile.
However, the main reason he hated his name was made evident at the start of Middle School. On the first day of school, the homeroom teacher called out every student's name to learn them. She made a mistake with his, and called out, "Germain, Saint Nicholas".
Of course, a smart-ass kid popped up with, "St. Nick. What do you know, we have Santa Claus in our class." And it was done. He was Santa for the entire time he was in middle school and high school. It didn't help that he was a little heavy at the time. What it did do was for everyone to soon understand he was not a "jolly old soul". But what was done was done. Even with his friends, which he did not have many of, he was Santa.
He was never sure if that was the primary reason he studied Anthropology and Ancient Civilizations. However, it took one year at the university for him to know he wanted to study old civilizations. He wanted to understand why people could be nice as individuals, but total assholes in a group. He wondered if our forefathers were just as fucked up as we are. It didn't take him long to get the answer. From the earliest known civilizations till now, groups of mankind coalesced around basic values; be it religion, nationalities, or the cult of a charismatic leader; they were possessive of their opinions and were quick to put down anyone who was not "one of them". It was the old schoolhouse all over again, whoever has the biggest dick wins.
He was on the higher level of intelligence and very motivated. He spent the next twelve years acquiring degrees. He graduated from his first university with a degree in Anthropology and a degree in Ancient Civilizations. The second university was for a master in each. His final university was for a double doctorate. They recommended he not do them simultaneously, but he had no other life and was motivated.
He dated some in his university life. He had joined a gym and was now not heavy. In fact, he seemed to attract young women. He took what he had learned about civilizations and applied it to individuals. He appeared easy going, and didn't throw his intelligence around. He understood how society worked, and he used his knowledge to get most of what he wanted. Even the name Santa didn't throw him when an old high school "friend" announced to the university that he was "Santa" in high school. He now knew how to hide whatever he thought. He let it roll off him. However, that didn't mean he would forget those that took the opportunity to start calling him that. He knew who his friends were, and the rest would be dropped in time.
It was during the final years of his dual doctorates that he took the opportunity to travel the world to study archaeological sites to see the remains of ancient civilizations firsthand. He loved it. By the time he was a "Doctor" he had seen most of the continents and the ruins of several of the most known ancient civilizations.
After graduation, he was finally ready to begin working on his own terms. One of the most prestigious universities offered him a grant if he would let them publish his findings. It was a win for him. He could go anywhere he wanted and study whatever he wanted. All he had to do in return was write a paper about it when he was finished. He liked this deal.
Over the next several years he was on every continent except Antarctica. He studied civilizations from the Neanderthals forward. He wrote several papers and a couple of books. Now he had independent income, and he didn't do much for the university. He was now famous enough that they didn't mind much, as long as he published every now and then.
Unlike most of his colleagues, as he moved up in the intellectual community, he didn't spend much time with women. Most had no time for relationships or sex. Nick, on the other hand, enjoyed the company of the fairer sex. He found them softer and less driven with some obscure theory about whatever. They enjoyed the distraction, but never considered anything permanent.
That changed during the last two years of college. It changed because of Mary Samatha Turner. She was a year younger than him and was studying archaeology. She was also working on her doctorate and was very motivated. He was smitten for the first time. He started trying to get her attention.
The first time came when they were in the same class. It was a class on the psychology of ancient societies. He made sure they were paired up on a project.
He introduced himself. "Hi Mary, I am Nick Germain."
"I know who you are. You're the lady-killer of the anthropology school."
"I wouldn't know about that. You've heard bad things?" He smiled his best smile.
"This place is a cesspool of unchecked passions and intrigue."
Nick looked "shocked". "I hadn't heard."
She laughed. "Really, you're one of biggest swimmers in the pool. At least, your reputation is."
"You know how people gossip. If they can't do, they can at least tear down those that can."
"That's a high opinion of yourself. How about we work on this project?"
That was that. He soon learned she was as smart as him and took no shit from anyone. The more she pushed him away, the more attractive she was to him. He fully understood the technical terms for chasing someone who didn't want you around. However, he wouldn't be there very long, and if she really didn't want to have sex with him, he could always go back to sloppy seconds. There were several he had been seeing on a semi-regular basis.
He next ran into her in the library. "I see you're studying. I won't bother you. How about a coffee later?"
"Sush. You can't talk loud here."
"I know. If you will meet me at the campus cafeteria afterwards, I will leave you alone."
Everyone was looking at them, and she decided it was best to agree and get him to leave. "Ok, in an hour."
He smiled, nodded, and left.
She walked up and sat down beside him. He smiled. "Thanks for coming. I sort of assumed you were just saying that to get rid of me."
She shook her head. "I was. However, after a while, I decided I wanted to see what the big deal was."
"I can assure you; you will be disappointed if you are looking for a big deal."
"You really know how to sell a girl, don't you?"
"Well, I don't know what you really know about me, so I will tell you a little. My study of civilizations has shown me a pattern. It repeats every time. A society grows until it is dominant in the area, oppresses everyone around them until the next society comes along and erases them. The pattern repeats."
"You are just a barrel of laughs. How do you get any girls in bed with that line?"
Nick laughed. "I can't say any of that shit with the women I date. They are looking for a little escape, a little excitement in their lives. They barely get past the "this is my life story stage" before they tend to put my hand on their breasts."
Mary looked down and laughed. "I can see that. You're pretty good looking and have a reputation for satisfying the girls you date. It is the same for the men I date. They don't want a dissertation on any thousand-year-old civilization. They just want a quick fuck. They try to get me drunk, but I make it a policy to not drink with anyone I don't know well. It's safer that way."
Nick sighed. "So, where does that leave us?"
"For a start, we can talk." For the next couple of hours, they sat and talked about their work, their lives, and even their families. By the time they parted ways, Nick had an idea she might be interested in something. His only problem was, he was afraid it might be more than just a great lay for the time he was at the university.
They continued to meet at the cafeteria while working on their project until they were finished. By then, they were comfortable with each other and talked about their plans and dreams. Nick really liked how she could cut to the chase.
Shortly after the class was finished, Mary invited him over for a celebration dinner. He arrived with a bottle of nice wine. "I know, you don't drink with anyone until you trust them. I don't want you to do anything that might cloud your judgement, okay? You can keep it around and think of me when you drink it."
