Title:  Fury - Chapter Fourteen – Commitment
Rating:  PG13 prolly eventually
Author: Angel - ninthsaturn@yahoo.com - http://oocities.com/saturnfiction
Summary:  Evy finds a secret temple that holds an ancient deadly force.  Cataclysm ensues.
Notes:  Set about a year after The Mummy.  An alternate "Mummy Returns" of sorts.  At this point I have a vague idea of where this story will go, so bear with me...and possible name changes. :D  I haven't written Mummy in a while, so if this little prologue sucks, I apologize. :D
Disclaimer:  No infringement intended.
Codes:  Imhotep/Evy, Ardeth/Meela

*

"I left him, Nycolaus...I've hurt him..."

"But you love him still, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Then go back."

"...I can't..."

Rick O'Connell dozed, very aware that his body was screaming out in discomfort.  Half asleep, he couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong.  But something had to be done.  There was no question about that.  Shoving aside the strange images of his dreamscape, Rick pulled himself from the blessed realm of sleep.  "That explains it," he mused, groaning and stretching.  He'd fallen asleep at the patio table, in the chair he'd been waiting in.  And now he was paying for it.

Exhaling, O'Connell braced himself against the table and pushed, standing up.  "Ardeth?" he yelled, wondering if anyone had gotten back.  The morning sunshine taunted him with it's nearly insulting brightness.  "Jonathan!"  No reply.  It seemed that his morning wasn't about to begin easily.  Of course during these little adventures they seldom did.

Ardeth had taken his guns, so he was left with nothing to arm himself with.  Frowning at the sting in his leg, Rick half limped out the back door and headed into the yard towards the forest.  Leave it to everyone else to get lost.  He rolled his eyes and smirked moodily.  "Jonathan!  Ardeth!"  He shook his head.  "Is anyone out here?  At all?"  There were numerous footprints in the mud from the night before, most of which lead off into different directions.

Worry settled in atop his morning irritation.  What if everyone was dead?  No...that couldn't be.  He refused to let himself think that way.  Evy was fine...she was fine or Imhotep was dead.  If that priest didn't protect her with everything he could, Rick decided he'd do some fairly horrible things to repay him.

Taking it slow, Rick ran his fingers through his hair as he walked.  It was stiff and damp.  Crunchy.  Groaning, he yanked his hand down and concentrated on finding his friends.  It wasn't long before his eyes caught something in the distance.  Widening his eyes, Rick walked a little faster and collapsed to the dirt beside Ardeth.

The warrior lay sprawled in the mud, face down and unmoving.  His adrenaline racing now, Rick rolled the Med-Jai over and shook him hard, his voice nearly a shout as he said, "Ardeth!  Tell me you're okay, buddy."  His friend didn't awaken.  "ARDETH!"

Ardeth jumped at that, startling O'Connell.  Rubbing at his shoulder blade, Rick rolled his eyes and shook his head.  "Y'okay?" he asked, concerned about finding Ardeth unconscious in the forest.

Immediately his friend pushed himself up, then groaned.  Opting to rest a moment, Ardeth laid back and squinted in the sunlight.  "I am all right."

Rick explored the area visually, wondering what had brought Ardeth down.  Where was Jonathan?  He smirked, an image coming to mind.  "So, what happened?  Jonathan finally let his anger get the best of him and knocked you out?"  He chuckled and reached for his fallen gun roll.

Furrowing his brow in confusion, Ardeth shook his head and searched his memory of the night's events.  His expression drew a blank.  "I do not know," he answered, his voice puzzled.  That wasn't exactly what Rick would term a 'good sign'.  He watched Ardeth finally draw himself up completely and rub his head.  "Where is Jonathan?"

It was Rick's turn to shake his head.  He checked his gun roll to make sure everything was there.  Nothing had been misplaced.  "Beats the hell out of me.  I woke up and no one was around, so I came looking.  You were the first one I found.  What's the last thing you remember?"

"I remember Jonathan and I split up.  He took the right and I the left."  Inhaling deeply, Ardeth leaned back on his hands.  He was drenched and shivering, Rick noticed.  The attack had occurred sometime after midnight and Ardeth had been outside since then.  Jonathan too, most likely.  "Perhaps the exhaustion got to me."  The large warrior seemed a bit bothered by that conclusion.

Rick yawned and rubbed his face.  "You've been through a lot this week.  I'm surprised you didn't give out earlier."  He looked at the Med-Jai thoughtfully.  "We'd better get you back to the house and warmed up before you get sick.  Evy'll have my hide if she thinks I let you wander around half dead."

Grunting at that, Ardeth stood up slowly, letting his body adjust to being upright again.  He held a hand out to Rick and helped him stand.  Together they headed back towards the house.  It was slow going, what with Rick's sore thigh and Ardeth's weariness.  A good week in bed wouldn't hurt either of them.  Suddenly Ardeth stopped and pointed.  "There," he said, nodding towards whatever had caught his eyes.

Rick looked and sighed.  There was Jonathan, leaned against a tree.  Asleep.  "Watch this," he told the Med-Jai, then left his side and went to Jonathan.  He put on an angered face and bellowed, "Hey!  What are you doing with my wife?"

Carnahan's eyes flew open and he stumbled away, then frowned.  "Very funny."  He looked around and scratched his cheek.  "Wasn't it dark when we started searching?"

"What is the last thing you remember?" Ardeth asked him warily.  Rick sighed, knowing it bothered him to have to be so careful with Evy's brother.  Despite the rough edges, inside Ardeth was a man who cared deeply about his relationships.  Rick could empathize.  If he'd be forced to hurt Evy...that right there would have been enough to drive him to unthinkable torment.  Not to mention if a friend could never forgive him.

Thankfully Jonathan seemed to be more agreeable.  "I was walking and suddenly got really tired.  I leaned against this tree to have a rest and must have fallen asleep."  He eyed the Med-Jai.  "Have you been searching all night?"

Rick exchanged glances with Ardeth, a bit surprised at Jonathan's story.  He shook his head and spoke before Ardeth.  "Wait.  Sometime last night you fell asleep against a tree, Ardeth passed out and I fell asleep in my chair?  Can either of you remember anything else weird?"

The other two thought it through, both seeming to come up with nothing.  Jonathan shrugged and looked at the American.  "Nothing else happened.  I just fell asleep."  He grinned.  "I did dream about my past life.  I was at a party with glorious girls surrounding me.  Speaking of which, I'd like to get back to that."

It was written on Ardeth's face, the surprise of a shared experience.  "I too dreamt of my past," he said, nodding with Rick.  "I was at some sort of party and you were there, speaking with me."

"Yeah," Rick agreed as they began walking again.  "You went off with Ancksunamun and then someone came into the party, saying that some priestess had been found and was trying to raise Set or something.  I wasn't paying attention...I was with Evy.  She was upset.  Anyway, they called on Imhotep to take care of it.  You know he was in a pretty bad mood, too.  When he wants something, he don't take 'no' for an answer."

"They went to the tomb of Set to stop her from raising him," Ardeth added, his mind working fast.  He shook his head uncertainly and looked at the other two.  "Imhotep's spell has taken effect."

Jonathan nodded his head, helping Rick over a large fallen branch.  "So, every time we sleep we'll be having these dreams, then?"

Ardeth shook his head.  "That I do not know."  He looked up at the sky.  "Meela has the third seal, but has not yet broken it."

"Can we be sure she hasn't?" Carhanan asked as they walked past the flowerbed Rick had been laying in last night.  Evy's precious white tulips were crushed.

Rick exhaled, his leg aching.  He was thankful when they came back closer to the house.  He needed to sit down again.  And he needed coffee.  "She didn't come back for us.  I'm sure she wouldn't mind killing us or something.  She probably wants Ardeth back too."  He noticed Ardeth's grip on him tighten unconsciously at that.  "We've got to find them."

"Good god," Jonathan complained, helping Rick into the house.  He frowned at the broken door as they lowered the ex-Legionnaire into a chair.  "I hate this."  Rick couldn't agree more with that, personally.  He sighed and leaned his head back, listening as Jonathan again spoke out.  "Where do we even start?"

O'Connell shook his head and rubbed his face.  He felt dirty and uncomfortable just now.  "Back at the woods.  That's all I can say.  I don't know how far they could have gotten, but it's our best shot."  With a groan he sat up straight and looked at his two companions.  "Clean up and get some rest.  We'll never find them if we're unable to function.  After we get a little sleep, we'll go out again."

The two nodded simultaneously.

Standing, Rick hobbled past the other two and headed into the other room, saying, "I'll be taking a bath in my room."  He didn't wait for a reply.  Unbuttoning his shirt already, Rick headed for the stairs and climbed them cautiously.  At least his leg felt better than it had before.  He supposed he was lucky to still have it at all.  Who knew what kind of vile poisons might have coated that creature's claw?

Tiredly, he headed towards his old bedroom, intent on a nice long soak.  He felt like half the dirt of the world had been poured on him and was sure the others felt the same.  Rick sighed as he walked past his bed.  It beckoned him with a sweet and very urgent voice just now.  But he had to bathe first...Evy would knock his head off if he dared stain her pretty linens.  He prayed she was all right.  What would he do if she were gone?  Tossing his torn shirt to the floor, O'Connell sat down on the edge of the tub and turned the water on.

Running his fingers through the cold water, he exhaled in anticipation of being covered by it's cleansing softness.  He kicked the bathroom door shut and tested the water's warmth again.  Yanking his boots off resulted in a groan of pain.  His feet were killing him.  Nothing like having a big huge mission on your shoulders, he mused.  He again sent his hand into the water and this time was satisfied.  Rick corked the drain and removed the rest of his cumbersome clothing.

Reveling in the submersion of his body into the soft waters of the bath, he closed his eyes and tried to push away his worries for at least the time being.

*

Evy cried out, hitting the floor when Meela's creature tossed her inside the building.  The high priestess's spells had kept the people of London from noticing them as they traveled to their new hiding place.  What wasn't on their minds was blinded from their eyes.  Only someone looking directly for them would be able to see.  Rick, Jonathan and Ardeth for example.  Imhotep helped her up gently, rubbing her arms and asking if she were okay.  "I'll be fine," she answered.

"How do you like it?" Ancksunamun asked them, spreading her arms as if she were unveiling a wondrous mansion.  "It will suit our purposes until my friend arrives."

Looking around the place for the first time, Evelyn gasped.  It was sterile and cold, but black stains revealed the reason this building had been abandoned.  A fire.  She could remember hearing about it, too.  Seven years ago there had been a terrible fire at London's waterfront asylum.  Alone on a secluded hill, the building had burned for quite some time before help could arrive, killing many of the patients and doctors.  The caretakers of this fearful place simply rebuilt elsewhere, but had left the ruins tucked away and out of sight.  The steel floor and white walls were stark and lifeless.  Hopeless.

Papers were scattered on the floor and chairs overturned.  It looked like something out of a nightmare.  "Come.  I will show you to your room," Meela said with a flourish, a delighted grin on her face.  She seemed to like this place for some morbid reason.  The angels of Set pushed Evy and Imhotep towards a small lift.  It creaked dreadfully when Meela pulled the handle and they began to ascend.

Imhotep looked to Evy in puzzlement.  "What manner of place is this?"

She winced, not really wanting to go into the details.  "They kept the insane here," she replied, hoping he'd leave it at that.

His face grew cold and he sneered at Meela.  "How fitting."

"All those people screaming for release," the priestess mused, looking around as they came to the appropriate floor.  "Unable to hide from their torments.  That soon will be the two of you."  Her heels made a terribly loud and chilling sound as they clinked against the steel flooring.  It echoed through the otherwise silent sanitarium.

Verbally unbidden, the creatures of Set continued to urge the two captives further.  They followed Meela down a plain white hall, the only touch of color being the painted black room numbers on each door.  Evy peered inside one of the open rooms and swallowed at the black ceiling that had been burned as the fire had progressed downwards.  A bed with straps had been shoved away as if someone had escaped with haste.

Their captor finally opened a large, unmarked door at the end of the hall and Evy groaned.  It was a solitary confinement cell.  She could only pray that Meela wouldn't separate them.

At a glance one of the creatures shoved Evy into the padded room.  Imhotep followed quickly after, hissing, "Witch of Set!"

One of the angels took that moment to strike the priest for his hostility and he fell back, slamming into the wall.  Evy rolled her eyes and wiped the blood from his lips as he got back up.  "I think that hurt you a little more than it hurt her."  He smiled sheepishly.

"Aren't you two sweet together?"  Ancksunamun commented.  She looked between the two of them thoughtfully.  "After all these years and through much hate you two still return to each other.  I admire that.  You know it was I who tore you two apart?"

Evy shook her head at that, something inside her knowing it was true but unable to grasp.  "You didn't..."

Ancksunamun smiled.  "Would you like to remember it?  I can arrange that.  Perhaps a little pain from the past would do you some good."  She grabbed for Evy and began chanting dark, ominous words that filled the hall.

"No!" Imhotep hissed, moving to stop Ancksunamun.  But it was too late.  Evy fell back and he caught her, cradling her in his embrace.  "Nefertiri?" he whispered, stroking her cheek and sitting down with her.

She immediately had trouble keeping her eyes open.  "I can't," she managed, but true to her words - couldn't.  The last thing she heard was Imhotep denouncing Ancksunamun and the priestess laughing.  Then she was plunged into a myriad of dreams and images, all fleeting and all connected to one part of her history.

*

...Imhotep kissed Nefertiri deeply, touching her cheeks.  "My princess," he whispered as she shoved him into the wall.  His dark eyes were pleading and playful.  "My love."

Nefertiri grinned and washed her eyes over her lover's face.  "My priest," she replied, rubbing his sides sensually.  "What did you pray for today?"

"I prayed the night would find me worshipping you once more in my arms."  He kissed her lips then laughed.  "I prayed your father would not kill me for such thoughts about his daughter."

Nefertiri laughed too, wrapping his arms around her.  "And what did Osiris say?"

Imhotep drew her close, his face very serious.  "He told me to be willing to die for you."

"And are you?" she said softly, putting her head on his shoulder.  The relationship between them had grown immeasurably from what was once a mere friendship.  They had come far in their life together, from teacher and priest when she was younger to friend and finally lover now that she was a woman.  This would be only the third time she knew him this way, but was prepared for a lifetime of these intimate moments.

Grinning and pinning her to the wall, Imhotep nodded, holding her arms back.  "I am," he said passionately.

Nefertiri shivered when he pushed himself against her, but something...someone caught her eyes from across the room...

..."He will not be true," the concubine said, her eyes grave.  "I know you do not like me, but I must warn you.  Please be careful when consorting with Imhotep.  He takes any woman he chooses and even if he does marry you, that will not mean he loves you, Nefertiri.  He is a man that delights in many pleasures."

Blinking, the princess held back her tears.  Could she believe this?  Her Imhotep, her beloved priest lover.  A liar?  "No.  He wouldn't have been using me."

Ancksunamun sighed, concern written in her eyes.  "He tried to force me to his bed and would have succeed had a Med-Jai not stopped him.  He feigned drunkenness for his own sake, but I tell you he was alert.  Nefertiri, you are new to the ways of men.  Please heed my advice."

All Nefertiri could think was, No...

*

Voices were present, but Evy couldn't make herself focus enough to answer to them.  "Please," she whispered as the vision faded.

"I put doubt in poor Nefertiri's heart.  I placed a spell on her that would make her believe anything I said and I told her you would be unfaithful.  That you had already tried to take me to your bed," Meela was telling Imhotep.  Evy tried to open her eyes but failed.  "She believed and finally ended what you two had together, taking comfort in another.  And then I made my move for you, Imhotep."

*

..."I cannot be with you, Imhotep."  She couldn't look at his eyes.  They were filled with such emotion.  "Please understand.  I can bear a husband that loves other women, but not if it's you."

Imhotep inhaled and leaned back against the table he stood before.  "Such is the custom of men in high positions, Nefertiri.  And yet I would abandon it for you.  Can you not see that?"  He reached for her and she pulled away.

She couldn't push it out of her mind.  Ancksunamun - her father's own concubine! -  had nearly been attacked by this man Nefertiri had trusted with her heart.  Her friend and lover.  "I'm sorry, Imhotep."

She finally did look up and saw his eyes were wet with tears.  He nodded his head slowly and pushed himself up, brushing past her without a word.  "Imhotep?" she called, but he didn't answer.  She watched as he exited her rooms for good.  And then she cried...

...Nefertiri had fought like she'd never fought before...and lost.  Ancksunamun was still too good at combat.  But soon that wouldn't be so.  Her eyes had been uncovered.  The concubine had put false beliefs in her heart.  But for what reason would she do that?  Her father hugged her and Nefertiri gazed over his shoulder at the woman who would be his wife.  And suddenly her stomach hurt.

Imhotep stepped down from his place, his hands clasped together in reverence as he headed out for his daily prayers.  He passed Ancksunamun, turning his head and sharing a look with her.  The concubine gazed back in longing, then looked away as Imhotep left the chambers.  Disbelief coursed through Nefertiri and heartbreak.

But it was too late.  Imhotep was forever gone from her now.  Maybe he truly had been using her after all.  Maybe Ancksunamun had made up that story about her lover being forceful and doing what he shouldn't.  Maybe that was remorse written in her dark eyes as she looked to Nefertiri.  Or was it pity?  Maybe Nefertiri just didn't care anymore...

*

Evelyn stirred and roused, finally able to open her eyes.  A rush of emotions suddenly swept over her as the contents of her dream came into place.  "No," she whimpered, remembering the terrible things that had been done.  The vision left her eyes open to the coldness of reality.  Her stomach hurt at the painful betrayed emotions that assailed her.  "You took him from me," she said, wiping her wet cheeks as she looked at Ancksunamun in new understanding.  It was like feeling the loss all over again.  "Why?"

Meela's face softened a little as she watched her captive struggle with the pain.  "It was nothing personal, Nefertiri.  Not towards you.  Set wanted the High Priest of Osiris defiled because of his hatred for the god of the underworld.  I had to obey.  I had to rob him of his relationship to Osiris and rob him of his innocent love.  Unfortunately my actions took your innocence away as well."

Imhotep inhaled sharply, assimilating everything.  "Then it meant nothing.  All I was to you was a gift to your dark master."  The old feelings that had so entangled him were still there.  For some reason that made Evy jealous.

She nodded at the priest, her face showing no remorse.  That age long hatred of any servant of Osiris was still locked behind those glittering eyes.  "Enjoy the pain," she said, gripping the door handle.  Meela called her beasts with her and closed the door on them, leaving the two in total darkness with their hurt.

Evy wiped her cheeks again and tried to stop herself from crying, but the past was just too real right now for her to think straight.  She could feel the love she and Imhotep had shared, and she could feel it ripped apart by doubt and ultimately her fears becoming real.  Nefertiri had hated Ancksunamun for warning her and then betraying her by accepting Imhotep's advances.  And now it was happening all over again inside Evelyn, the pain of discovery and remembering.  Pain that held no purpose or basis on fact until Ancksunamun had tricked Imhotep.

He was strangely quiet beside her, most likely reliving the old tragedy himself.  She brushed her hair behind her ears and sat up.  "She told me that she could love me as you could not," he explained, his voice thick.  "She said you were young and unable to stay true to a man's heart.  I believed her because I needed someone...and sacrificed everything.  I have nothing because of her."

Covering her face, Evy leaned against him and blinked a few tears from her eyes.  She just didn't know what to say.  All she wanted now was to sleep and escape reality.  They had both had so much ripped away and taken from them.  She just couldn't push it all away.  Nor could she stop herself from telling Imhotep, "You have me."  He rubbed his cheek against her hair in a silent reply, but the hopelessness of the past intruded upon the here and now too greatly for either of them to say another word.

*

Ardeth Bay wrapped his long fingers around the handle of his scimitar and grit his teeth, watching from the shadows.  Night was once again making it's decent upon the earth and would obscure him.  She'd gone into the hotel mere moments ago, but logic told him that she wouldn't remain.  It would be foolish to stay in such a spot.  Especially with him out and abroad, looking for her.

There had been no sign of the priest or Evelyn, no hideous angels.  Only Ancksunamun.  The thought occurred to him that he could simply go in, catch her alone and kill her, but that could put his friend in danger.  Where Evy was concerned he would take no chances.  And so he stood outside across the street, waiting to follow her.  He'd come on a hunch to watch for her and it had paid off.

And true to his prediction she did come out from the hotel, her bag in hand.  She had no car, nor had she called for one or went for a bus.  No one seemed to notice her as she descended down the street, apparently intent on walking.  And so Ardeth followed her, his weapon ready in his hand.

Remaining discreetly inconspicuous proved to be a challenge for the Med-Jai.  Of course being sore and tired didn't help matters, but what truly was his concern was the cough he'd acquired.  She kept a steady pace in full view and Ardeth disappeared down an alley momentarily.  Covering his mouth as well as he could manage, he coughed and swallowed, wishing there was something he could do about that awful tickle.

But there was nothing save breathing easy to limit the flow of air brushing against his sensitive throat.  Gathering his strength again he slipped from the shadowy alley and back into the street, following at a good distance.  She was still straight ahead of him, ignored by all who passed her.  He however was receiving a few odd glances here and there.  Not that Ardeth could blame them for gawking at a big man wearing clothes that only just fit him and wielding a large bladed weapon.  This likely wasn't the usual in London.

He sighed at the clothing he'd been forced to wear for the sake of not getting arrested in the street.  Meela had kept his things with her when she'd left him at the Carnahan manor and what he'd been wearing was now dirty and ripped.  Thankfully he and Rick were nearly the same size, if in some areas the clothing was a bit tighter than Ardeth would have liked.  So, dressed in black pants and a navy shirt, the warrior had left the home to search while Rick and Jonathan had explored other means of seeking.  Still, he'd like to get back to the hotel and get his robes back.

Together they walked, both intent on the same destination even if only Ancksunamun knew where that would lead them.  He would learn of it and get the other two, then together they'd rescue their friends and take back the seal of Horus.  He held back a cough as Meela turned down a dark road.

Another chance to kill her.  He could catch up and put his scimitar in her in no time at all, but something held him back.  Caution, he wanted to believe, but somewhere inside him there was a hidden fear that it wasn't just his careful nature that stayed his hand.  He feared it was pity.  Never know your enemy, he thought, remembering what his uncle had told him.  No, he didn't pity this horrible woman.  She'd put him through torments and hell, causing him to do things he didn't wish.  Things that shamed him and tore apart who he was inside.  He could never forgive this woman.  He could never feel anything but hate for her.  And yet there still was that nagging feeling that he felt bad for her.

Shaking his head at the weariness that seemed to be ever present and fully a complete part of him now, he covered his lips and coughed as lightly as he could.  His throat wasn't about to allow him the luxury of stealth.  But when he looked up she was gone.  Sniffing, Ardeth picked up the pace a little, ignoring the pain in his body.  He couldn't see her.  Tightening his fist, Ardeth turned back towards town to search for Rick and Jonathan.  Perhaps they would know what was down that small street.  But before he'd head back to the Carnahan house one thing had to be done.  He had to get his robes back.

*

Meela inhaled, walking alone and unafraid down the dark road.  Laughing softly, she held her bag and mused to herself.  She enjoyed the night air here in London.  It was peaceful and cool.  She was going to hate leaving it when Lock-nah arrived.  She was also going to hate leaving enemies behind.  Ardeth would have to be reclaimed soon if she were to continue with breaking him.  She wasn't about to let him get away this lifetime.

"My Akhenre," she whispered to the night, her dark eyes gazing softly at the moon.  "You don't think I can feel you coming?  I know your spirit better than you do, my love."  Love.  She frowned on that word, afraid of it's real meaning.  Yes, she had loved him once.  Deeply.  But he wouldn't allow their love to flourish because of his cursed duty to Seti, her slave master.

She loved him much as Nefertiri had loved Imhotep if not more.  Which was part of the reason Meela now nearly felt bad for the suffering she'd caused, but she dared not risk the anger of her god.  It was his will that his enemies not only be crushed but totally broken and if possible, condemned.  She had been trained to hate Imhotep and what he stood for.  But it wasn't just the eternal struggle between Set and Osiris.  She could admit, if only to herself, that love had played a small part in her decisions, or rather the lack of love.  Why should any woman suffer at the hands of men who promised their hearts or even worse, not even offered that but merely took what they wanted because they were in authority?

What made Imhotep any different than any other man?  Akhenre had promised her his love...they'd even stolen a night together.  And yet even he, whom she trusted implicitly, had turned her away.  So Imhotep likely deserved what had come to him, just as Seti deserved it and Akhenre as well.  None of them had really loved her in her time with each.  Such deep meaning was meant only for stories and poetry.  Not reality.

Sometimes she wondered what might have happened had she not taken this dark and evil road.  What if Set had never promised her vengeance and glory?  Would she have been Seti's happy bride?  Or would she have been an ignored and unimportant woman?  She refused and rejected that destiny.  If love didn't exist for her, it probably never really existed to begin with.  So she would take what Set offered--then and today.

And she would drag Akhenre with her.

*

"There are several things down that road, but luckily it ends not too far down," Rick was saying to Ardeth, who seemed off in his own little world.  The ex-Legionnaire kicked his friend's foot and snapped his fingers.  "Hey.  You okay?"

The Med-Jai blinked and Jonathan privately wondered what the man was so deeply lost about.  He just didn't know what to make of the man or this situation.  And he sure as hell didn't understand what had happened between Ardeth and Evy that night.  That night he'd almost lost the only family he had left.  "I am sorry, Rick," Ardeth replied, coughing lightly.  A sick warrior was the last thing they needed right now.  "I was thinking of something.  You say there are a few places down there?"

O'Connell nodded, leaning against the kitchen counter.  "Yeah.  Warehouses, mostly.  A marina.  Maybe some houses."

Carnahan grinned to himself, uncrossing his arms.  "Let's not forget the loony bin."

"Loony bin?" Ardeth asked, furrowing his brow at the foreign terminology.

Jonathan wiggled his eyebrows and fingers dramatically.  "The abandoned asylum.  Most of it burned in a fire some several years ago, but a lot of it is still intact.  Rumor has it that the spirits of the poor nutters that died there roam the halls in search of revenge."

"Ghost stories," the warrior breathed, leaning back against the wall.  "I wonder if that is where she hides."

Rick shook his head dubiously.  "Would she choose so obvious a hideout?"

Ardeth looked at the other two men thoughtfully, biting his bottom lip and searching through his memories of Ancksunamun.  He pushed himself up and wrapped his hand around the hilt of his scimitar.  "There is one way to find out."

"Why did I even bring it up?" Jonathan asked no one in particular as Rick headed into the other room for his guns.

*

I definitely had thought I would be further by this chapter, but God help me when an idea strikes.  :O  Hehehe.  Anyhow, thanks a bunch for your continued reading.  I appreciate it so much when you take the time to review.  Anyway, I was listening to music from a game I enjoy and thought, "Every good scary story needs an abandoned asylum."  So I changed my nearly finished other chapter to this.  Hehehe.

Deana, a big thanks to, for reading this and bearing with me through my writers block as of a few days ago.  God knows I start these stories without a clue how they're going to turn out..lol.  Wildcardgal, it's just a torture fest right now...lol.  I don't know why I write such things.;)  I'm not really like that.  Thanks!  RedLady, thanks for liking my story so much that you've stuck through it.  Of course I wouldn't be mad you couldn't read right away, I'm thankful people read at all. :) Newkirk's Heroes, you flatter me!!  :)  Thanks for reading this and I'm glad that since this was your first mummy fic, you weren't scared away from the fandom entirely. ;)  Mija, I could fall in love with him too...lol.  I upset myself by thinking up such things cause then I waaant. ;)  Jay, Polgara, NeferBast and Buffelyn, thank you all for your continued reading. :)  And also thanks to everyone still reading that isn't reviewing...I hope you guys enjoy. :)