Title:  Passion - Chapter Eight – The Beginning Of The End?

Rating:  PG13 for now
Author: Angela - jedinineofnine@hotmail.com - http://oocities.com/saturnfiction
Summary:  Something’s bothering Ardeth. Of course it’s never as simple as that.
Disclaimer:  No infringement intended.  I own Asenath, Drake, Samira, Mahmud, Abdu, Omar and Ali.
Prequel (which should be read to get this):  http://fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=654922&chapter=1
Codes:  Ardeth/Ancksunamun, Imhotep/Evy

*

Akhenre hid under the night with his cloak drawn about him. He had to devise some sort of means of getting his love out of the hands of the others. Rick had been taken for treatment, he knew. He had watched from the shadows as they carried him away from the place he had been stabbed. Now he waited close to the hospital for his chance.

The blood was still on his hand, dried and serving its reminder of what he had just done. In another lifetime Akhenre would have been mortified at his actions, would have hated himself for such a thing. Not now. Akhenre hardened his heart against the guilt. He had one purpose and that was doing what he had failed to before. This was his second chance and he would not allow it to pass again. Nothing else mattered but that shining dream of saving her, that one light in the darkness.

Ardeth Bay had been weak when Akhenre had taken him, had been lost in his sorrow of what things Ancksunamun had done, what he had done and in the failure of 3,000 years ago. He had seen Ancksunamun as a girl marred by her life and by what things she had suffered. This man had felt guilt for a choice Akhenre had made so long ago to abandon his love. But now inside Akhenre could feel him give into rage against them both. Ardeth had lost his weakness and forged a new strength from watching his hand commit yet another act against the people he loved. Inside he stood ready to die to save them.

That burning within frightened Akhenre, but did not change his resolve. For he had rage of his own. He wouldn’t make the wrong choice now. He would save her and if that meant Ardeth Bay perished within then so be it. Neither man let the guilt take him. He could feel it coming, the fight between them that would end this one way or another. Ardeth had his faith back, but Akhenre refused to lose.

He stood in the shadow of an alley near the hospital, feeling the other soul inside stirring against him. Akhenre laughed as Ardeth struggled to once again take over. “I will not let you win,” he hissed through gritted teeth and that drew more rage inside.

The force of Ardeth’s anger sent Akhenre to his knees, but he swallowed back the strain and held onto control. Sweat beaded at his brow and his whole being trembled. Akhenre stared at the entrance to the hotel in which Imhotep and Nefertiri had disappeared. He gazed with firm, rock hard resolve and did not let his control slip. He couldn’t close his eyes, couldn’t hide from this as his counterpart had finally learned.

The fight kept him grounded, preventing him from even moving. All of his attention was upon Ardeth now. He lost himself in the fight, not letting his surprise shake his concentration. Even still Ardeth almost had him a few times, so intent was his need to be free. But he was no match and the Med-Jai within must have realized it, for soon the fight ended and Ardeth let go. That gave Akhenre no comfort, however. It wasn’t the acceptance of what was going to happen as it had been before. This time Ardeth stepped away to watch and wait for his own chance to win.

Akhenre staggered to his feet and drew his hood down, breathing out into the cool air. He would have to prevent that chance from ever coming. A sound caught his ears and he turned, seeing Nefertiri exit the hotel again, Imhotep trailing. His own chance to free her had arrived. Akhenre drew the dagger he had stolen from Rick and advanced.

Right away Imhotep caught sight of him and took a defensive stance, but Nefertiri pushed him aside and glared as Akhenre approached. “Put the dagger away,” she commanded and relief spread through him, though he found himself hard pressed to believe Ancksunamun was back.

“How do I know you are my love?” he asked, still holding his weapon.

Ancksunamun cocked her head and laughed, then lifted her hand to touch his shoulder suggestively. “Come to the bedroom and find out.”

Akhenre put his dagger away and glared up at the priest. “What are you doing with him?”

It was Imhotep that answered, his eyes intent. “I come of my own free will, if I can have but one promise of you, Akhenre. I know not what sort of man hides within that soul of yours, but I believe you may be willing to do as I ask as the good man you were. Ancksunamun wishes my life in exchange for Nefertiri’s and I will grant it if you will see she is freed and left to live without worry of you or your lover. I will have your oath as a Med-Jai.”

“I give you my oath I will do mercy where I can. His life in exchange for Nefertiri’s?” the Med-Jai repeated to Ancksunamun in a puzzled tone. She had a strong desire for vengeance, he knew, and wondered what she would want with Imhotep.

His love nodded once, her dark eyes traveling the priest over with ill intent. It was a look Akhenre would have lamented over, but for the blindness he imposed upon himself. Serving her was his purpose. When her eyes turned back upon him they shone with a light that made him forget any stray doubts. Even through Nefertiri’s eyes he saw Ancksunamun’s heart filled with hope and it filled him. “He will be a sacrifice to Set, that my body will be unbound. We will take him to the temple.”

Akhenre regarded the priest with neutral eyes, and then looked to Ancksunamun uncertainly. Imhotep was a man that said one thing, but would take advantage of a situation if the opportunity arose. “He will come with us,” she reassured him, taking a turn into the dim street and pulling him along. He shot a glance behind his back to see if Imhotep would follow and true to his love’s faith, he did.

“Where will we go?” Ancksunamun asked in Nefertiri’s soft voice and Akhenre sometimes found it difficult to see past that. Sometimes little flashes of the princess would mix with thoughts Ardeth had of Evelyn, but he would firmly push it awake with both hands. He would see mercy done where it could be as he said, but his compassion could not cloud over his goal.

Looking out into the distance ahead, Akhenre drew in a breath and replied, “I went to the home of a Med-Jai that is stationed here, lied to him and asked for his car. Knowing who I am, he gave it with no question. I hid it in an alley near the outskirts of town in case what transpired earlier would be reported to him and with that thought in mind I suggest we go from this city quickly. If the Med-Jai learn of Rick, then through him they will learn of what we are doing.” He looked his lover over softly. “We face great danger from here to the temple.”

Ancksunamun clasped his hand offered him a smile. He turned away from it, unable to bear it being Nefertiri that gazed back. He would be strong. “You have done well, lover. I doubted you when you freed Nefertiri, but now my trust is restored. We may face danger, but if you insist upon restoring my soul to my own body then we have no other choice.” She kissed his hand. “Do not be troubled, Akhenre. All will go well.”

Akhenre nodded his head, brushing his counterpart’s dark hair back. Inside Ardeth was very worried, but resolved to his strength. Ancksunamun should know about this, but at the moment they both had too many other things to think about before getting into it. Looking to Ancksunamun again, he wondered if inside Nefertiri was gathering strength of her own. Her priest was now in grave danger for the sake of her life. She would suffer after Imhotep died. He could only imagine the fear she had now, waiting for the terrible thing to occur.

Akhenre sighed and gazed at the sand below, resolving to free the princess whether Ancksunamun wanted that or not. Nefertiri could cause them no harm and she deserved at least that much.

*

Rick frowned at the wall, sitting propped up against his pillows in his in his hospital room, waiting for someone to come talk to him. It wasn’t like he had to actually know what was going on, really. Insane curiosity was workable. Rick rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, wondering where everyone was. “Sure,” he whispered to himself, picking at the sheet beneath his hands. “Leave me here alone. Probably out having all the fun and when Akhenre kills me it’ll be all their fault.”

He sank back against the bed and sighed, not really worried for himself. He was worried about them. From what he understood his two friends were being possessed and that could bring up all sorts of trouble. Everyone was in danger, not that that was anything particularly new. But from this little hospital bed he couldn’t exactly do much to aid the cause.

He sighed in frustration and glared at the door. The first person to enter was going to get an earful if he had to wait much longer. As if on cue the handle began to turn and Rick cracked his knuckles. But instead of Jonathan or Evy or even Imhotep, it was only a nurse. A pretty nurse, but not who he expected. “Hey,” he said, laying back down and playing up the weakness. “I don’t suppose I have any visitors.”

The young woman smiled and fluffed his pillow. “As a matter of fact, Mr. O’Connell, you do. There is a man outside wearing desert robes. He has markings on his face and says you would know his kind.”

Instantly Rick felt uneasy. If Akhenre were the one in control things could get really bad for him. If it were Ardeth and he needed help, how could Rick deny him? “Did he give a name?” he asked, knowing Ardeth could have picked any name out of his friends and family and he would never have been the wiser.

“Ali, I believe. He said you knew him.”

Rick frowned, but decided he was going to have to chance it if he wanted information on what was happening outside this tiny room. He nodded and looked around for something to use as a weapon, but there was nothing. He was left vulnerable. The nurse noticed his reluctance, but nevertheless obeyed and opened the door. Rick sighed in relief when the true Ali came in. “You can leave us,” he told the young nurse and she left, giving Ali a distrustful glance as she headed out.

Whatever was on his mind, Ali didn’t look happy. In a way Rick could almost say it was directed at him, or more generally he and his circle of friends. The Med-Jai took a chair and sat down, looking the American over. “I heard this morning that a white male had been stabbed and brought in. Normally this would not have troubled me, but Ardeth came to see me yesterday. Last night he, the creature and Miss Carnahan were seen leaving.” Rick got a sinking feeling at that, but waited for Ali to finish. “So I chanced that it had been one of you. I see I was right. How are you feeling, Mr. O’Connell?”

Rolling his eyes, Rick brushed a hand through his hair and exhaled. “Like I’ve had the hell beat out of me. So, they left?” He cursed. “Where’s Jonathan? Was he with them?”

Ali shook his head. “No. I saw Mr. Carnahan asleep in the waiting room when I came. I take it you did not know they were leaving?”

He didn’t know much of anything right now, except that he was very perturbed at having this stupid wound. “Nope. Had no idea. Jonathan might, but I somehow doubt it, knowing my luck. Look, Ali, Ardeth’s in some pretty serious trouble. We all are.”

“What else could have been expected,” the Med-Jai commented darkly, his gaze not friendly. Then again Rick could remember it hadn’t been all-together that friendly the last time, either. “I don’t know what you have gotten him into, O’Connell, but I do know it was a mistake for him to go with you to England.”

Rick’s expression hardened at that and his tone was no better. “Well, I think that was Ardeth’s choice and personally, I don’t blame him from the way the Med-Jai treated him before. Do you have any clue what that did to him, having his own people turn their backs on him because of his compassion? I wouldn’t blame him if he ever returned.”

Ali kept his cool at Rick’s threatening demeanor, and the ex-Legionnaire could see a glint of regret written within those dark eyes of his. Still, Ali kept in agreement with the Med-Jai’s decision. “We had to be sure he was not under the spell of the priestess, Mr. O’Connell. I will not justify their choices to you, other than to say because you are his friend I tell you why it was made. If his compassion’s source had been from a continued spell upon him, then he could have put us all in danger. Suppose Ancksunamun’s sway had been over him still and he killed a member of the tribe or did worse, helped her succeed in her goals. Do you honestly think, knowing Ardeth as he is, he would have wanted us to take that chance?”

At that Rick couldn’t say much. Ali was right. Ardeth wouldn’t have wanted them to endanger themselves for him. But it still irked him and Rick held onto that. “Okay. I see your point, but somewhere along the way Ardeth didn’t. Or maybe he did, I don’t know. I just know it hurt him like nothing else. But all this is beside the point anyway. He’s not himself, Ali. That Akhenre found a way to possess him.”

“What?” Ali exclaimed, standing from his chair. He paced a little, then looked to O’Connell. “You are certain? He seemed…strange, but still himself.”

O’Connell nodded and drew himself up a little at the tenseness of the moment. What he wouldn’t give to be out of this bed. “Yeah. Sometimes he fights Akhenre, I guess and takes his body back, but the other guy keeps coming back and he’s brought Ancksunamun back too, putting her in the body of Evy. I’m not sure, but my guess would be their going to go back to that Temple of Set.”

The Med-Jai paced a little more, running all that through his mind. “By Allah, we are again in danger. I must go warn my people. The priest, is he a part of this as well?”

Rick shook his head and watched as Ali started for the door. “Hey,” he called, stopping him. “What are you going to do with them?”

Ali grasped the handle with true fear written in his eyes. “They must be stopped, one way or another.” That was all he offered before leaving Rick alone to his thoughts.

“One way or another,” Rick repeated, not liking the sound of that. He frowned and looked at the two tables for something, anything to help him out. The only thing even worth his attention was a heavy book. It was better than nothing—hopefully. Rick grabbed the book and hurled it at the door as hard as he could, praying it got someone’s attention.

Unfortunately someone was already one step ahead of him and opened the door at the same time. A strangled shout announced that Jonathan had been the lucky victim and Rick smiled in satisfaction. At least it was the man he wanted to see. Jonathan came into the room, rubbing his shoulder with a very miffed expression. “I say. What the devil was that all about?”

Rick motioned him to hurry in and replied, “Close the door. We’ve got ourselves a problem and a half, Jonathan.”

Carnahan nodded and grabbed the chair Ali had been sitting in. “I saw that Ali fellow racing out of here. You told him about Ardeth?”

“Yeah,” O’Connell answered quickly enough, frustrated at the urgency he felt. “And I think I just got Evy and Ardeth into a whole lot more trouble. He said something about stopping them ‘one way or another’ and if you think about it, I’m sure you’ll know what that could mean.”

It took only a few seconds for Jonathan’s eyes to light up in grim understanding. “Bloody hell! They…they wouldn’t!”

They wouldn’t. If only that were true, but Rick wasn’t so sure. This was a people willing to kill innocents to prevent Imhotep from being raised, people who had turned their backs on one of their greatest heroes for safety’s sake. They could kill Ardeth and Evy if necessary. The problem was, they might do it even if it weren’t. Rick balled his fist and sent it into the bed, then leaned back. “I gotta get out of this bed.”

Jonathan shook his head and looked him over dubiously. “You can’t,” he said simply and Rick gave him a smart look.

“No, really? I’ve been stabbed!” He glared at the wall, hating its color with more passion than he thought possible. “Wonderful. This is just great.”

Evy’s brother exhaled and stood, pushing the chair back against the wall. “Well, I’m sure Imhotep’ll keep an eye on things and maybe the Med-Jai won’t be as bloody thirsty…okay, so maybe they will.” Jonathan went to the window and peeked out the shades, then snapped his fingers. “What about your scoundrel of a friend? Drake, wasn’t it? Maybe he’d send his goons out there or something.”

At that suggestion Rick brightened a little, but knew not to get his hopes up where Drake was concerned. He’d be lucky if the man didn’t have it in for him for some reason or another. Still it was worth a shot. “Yeah…yeah. Good idea. You remember where the hideout is?” he asked and his friend nodded. “Right, well, get me something to write on. We’ll just see how far Drake’s friendship goes.”

*

Marcher – Gut wrenching? Really? Woohoo! ;-) It’ll get worse before it gets better. Woohoo! Thanks!! I’m glad you liked.

Deana – He had some things to take care of, as you now know. ;-) Thanks for the review!

Karri – Yes, but the effects were different at least. ;-) The first time was a shock into despair and the second a wake up call which Ardeth so desperately needed. Thanks!

Elenhiril – Disturbing? :-O You haven’t seen disturbing! I mean, just kidding. ;-) Thanks for that kewl link!

Hadassaknamu – Oh, gotta love having fake nails. I usually end up getting them too long and kicking myself later for it. Doh! Yes, up close and personal. ;-) I thought it might add to the urgency of the story, not to mention how Ancksunamun’s evil would be reflected in light of the fact that there’s now a child she could be hurting with her hate. Thanks for reviewing!

Thanks to all the readers! Hope you are liking this. :-D -Angela