It was not unlike Evie to get lost in a good book or two out of sheer boredom. It had been quite a few months since their previous adventure and the ex-librarian frequently found herself pacing about, wondering what next. Alex had been doing well in his studies as of late and by some miracle of god Jonathan had somehow managed to keep himself out of trouble-for the most part anyway. As for Rick, well, Rick was Rick, ever the same brazen adventurer as the day she had met him. He presently sat across from the ex-librarian, polishing his prized guns in a loving manner; numerous parts intermixed with a various assortment of bullets, all spread out before her husband in a wholly chaotic-and untidy-manner.
"Don't forget to clean up afterward-the coffee table's new," Evie reminded her husband, boredly regarding the text before her very eyes.
"I won't," Rick replied, intricately focusing upon the stock of his rifle. His wife sighed, lazily flipping through the page of her book.
"Something on your mind?" He wondered as he eyed Evie for perhaps the first time in thirty consecutive minutes. She was perched upon her favorite chair, curled up within a ball with a book in front of her nose-naturally.
"It's nothing," She insisted, her face ultimately hidden behind her massive volume.
"You sure?" Evie immediately slapped her novel upon her lap, regarding her husband with a pouty expression.
"It's just that I'm so bored!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands up in angst. "Which is not to say, of course, that I'm entirely ungrateful for our present circumstances!"
"OK," Rick conceded, fleetingly wondering just what Evie was getting at. Over the past few years he had learned to simply sit down and shut up during times like these which is exactly what he did now. By now his wife was on her feet, pacing about the living room like some sort of caged animal.
"I mean to say that I rather enjoy my position at the British Museum not to mention being among the Bembridge scholars-it's just that I can't help but to feel as though something's missing-yes, that's it! Something's missing, Rick, and I want you to help you to help me discover what it is!" By now Rick was beginning to get the idea and as his wife stood before him, her index finger rigidly pointed toward his direction, he replied in a sheepish manner,
"You mean bloodshed? Haven't we already had enough-?" The ex-librarian rolled her eyes, immediately interrupting.
"It's not that, Rick, don't you see? We're meant for much greater things like-"
"Like bloodshed?"
"Oh will you come off it already?!" His wife tutted in response as her eyebrows deeply furrowed together in frustration. "More than anything in the world I would rather be out there-" she pointed toward the door, implying that adventure ultimately lie somewhere beyond the borders of England. "-making important discoveries among England's finest Egyptologists!"
"I get it," Rick responded, taking a step toward his wife upon releasing his prized armada. "No really, I do. As a matter of fact I'm starting to get the feeling that we'll never lead normal lives, mummies or no,"
"Do you define that as a good thing or bad thing?" Evie wanted to know, dutifully eyeing Rick.
"I'm still trying to decide," Rick affirmed, a sultry look within his eye. "After all," he continued, slinking toward her as he slid his arms around her slim waist. "I wouldn't have met you without getting into a bit of trouble," Evie immediately grinned, returning the appropriate gesture of affection by easing her arms around his broad neck.
"I know what you're trying to do-you're trying to distract me from my discontent," She whispered in mild amusement, her mouth dangerously nearing his own.
"You're on to me," Rick declared, an impish grin upon his lips as he inched toward her lovely mouth. An unexpected knock on the door suddenly occurred; Evie immediately turned her head toward it just as Rick simultaneously planted a kiss upon her forehead.
"Bugger," Evie murmured, accompanied by a look of utter disdain.
"Don't you see what I mean-? We don't lead normal lives!" Rick stammered as his wife immediately gestured for him to be quiet.
"Be quiet," Evie remarked, as if her previous gesture alone weren't enough. She made her way toward the door, playfully tossing a nearby book toward his direction. Her husband managed to catch the novel by a hare, grinning in a meager fashion as he shook his head in utter disbelief. Damn. Meanwhile Evie took it upon herself to tame her unruly hair before opening the door, a shocked expression upon her face as she instantly recognized just who was standing before her. It was Ardeth, Ardeth Bay of the Medjai.
(This story was originally supposed to be titled The Mummy and the Forbidden Portal of the Valley of the Kings; alas, the site decided that was far too long, therefore I had to shorten it. Do, nonetheless, enjoy the read!)