Disclaimer: I own nothing. Absolutely nothing… except maybe the plot for this story… but I barely own that because I'm sure it's copied somewhat from something out there… In short, I am a person who owns nothing, has said they own nothing, and therefore cannot be sued for anything… *sigh* there are ups and downs to everything…

*A/N*~ Okay, so, I finally finished one of my stories, and now I want another story up so I can still have four going at once! I have decided to do this and go a little differently from everything I've ever written before. Dunno where the idea came from… but anyway, hope you like it, because I'll be counting on you telling me what you think before I write more! ;-)

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There comes a time in everyone's lives, especially the O'Connell's, when it's time for a much needed vacation…

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Chapter 1: The Oasis Hide Away Resort

Evelyn O'Connell woke up early Saturday morning next to her sleeping husband. She knew both he and her 6-year-old daughter, Emily wouldn't wake up until hours from now followed by her son and brother, who both usually woke up near lunchtime on Saturdays. She wished she had the slight laziness that was needed to do such a thing, but she also knew it wasn't possible for her. She had always been this way; going to bed at late hours of the night for numerous reasons, whether it be because she was caught up in a good book or…*ahem*…other things, and then waking up at 6 the next day.

She was really starting to get tired of that. Evelyn wanted badly to have a time where she felt relaxed enough to actually sleep late.

She looked over to her husband longingly as he slept peacefully. He snored lightly now, which was a bit surprising because of his usual loud snort. She loved to watch him sleep… He looked so different than when he was awake. That was how it was with all of her men, though. Rick, Alex, and even Jonathan looked sweet and cute while they slept, although not exactly so while awake. She sighed again and got out of bed.

She put on her robe and headed downstairs. Now was a good a time as any to make breakfast. Although Alex, Emily, and Jonathan wouldn't awaken for quite some time now, she and Rick still needed to eat.

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Just a little bit later, she had breakfast waiting on the table. Evie had gone outside to get the paper and now, she sat at the table, drinking her tea, eating her breakfast, and opening the paper to see if she saw anything that looked interesting.

When she unwrapped it, a little piece of paper fell out. She picked it up and read the typed letters.

MR. AND MRS. O'CONNELL AND FAMILY, YOU HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE FEW CHOSEN TO VISIT THE OASIS HIDE AWAY RESORT! Come and visit for the most relaxing vacation you will ever have! Located in a far away and secluded oasis where you're sure to be left alone by everyone.

She read on to discover that the resort itself had tons of different relaxing things. This was just what she had been waiting for. She had wanted to go and relax and she just knew that this would be the perfect way.

Just then, Rick walked into the kitchen.

"G'morning." He said to his wife.

"Good morning." She answered, kissing him briefly before he sat down.

"Darling, look at this!" She told him, handing the piece of paper to him.

He read it quickly. "The Oasis Hide Away Resort? Right."

"Yes, darling, doesn't that sound marvelous?"

Rick was silent as he looked at the paper again.

"It says it sits off the coast of Alexandria. Uncharted even."

"Yeah, so?"

"So, it's the vacation of a life time! We haven't had a read vacation in such a long time…"

"What's the catch?"

"No catch this time!"

Rick arched an eyebrow at that.

"Honestly!" Evie said. "Think about it darling, we could walk on the white sandy beach and," she stood up and wrapped her arms around her husband's neck from behind, "relax by the ocean…"

"And it really isn't some cursed land or resting place of an army or anything like that?"

"No."

"I dunno, Evie. Every time we go anywhere in Egypt, something bad happens."

"Come on. It's a resort. An actual place where people go and stay for weeks at a time."

Rick sighed and thought. She was right, it did sound really nice.

"And look at the cost. It's really good."

"Yeah, Evie, but what if this place is a shack or something?"

"Then we'll come back home. They make it sound really nice. Listen: 'In the old Manchuria Mansion'."

"And is that supposed to mean something to me?"

"Yes. It's the mansion of the man who use to be the wealthiest in all of Egypt about 100 years ago. It's probably owned by some of his grandchildren or something."

Rick was silent again.

"We can't go anyway. The timing's all off. Alex and Emily are both still in school and we can't very well leave them here with Jonathan."

"No, Rick, I've already figured it out. On the brochure it said that the resort would just be opening in two weeks. That's perfect because that's the day after the kids get out of school."

"Well, isn't that ironic?"

"It sounds good, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, it sounds a bit too good. I think there's one thing that we should've learned after all that we've been through and that's the fact that everything that sounds good is too good to be true."

"It's just an oasis, Darling!"

"Where have I heard that before?"

Evie rolled her eyes at her husband. He was far too cautious. Sure, they'd been through a lot and all that, but she was sure that this was different.

She was also pretty sure that he was going to stand his ground on this one unless she did something. And fast.

She turned so that they were facing each other and gave him her famous puppy dog look. She downcast her eyes and pouted her lip so that she looked as if she was about to cry.

Rick sighed and smiled at her. "All right. We'll go. But promise me that there'll be no reading from Egyptian books or opening chests or anything like that, okay?"

"Promise."

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Alex, Jonathan, and Emily were thrilled when they heard the news. Rick thought that it would've been better if Jonathan didn't go but Evie, being his sister and all, highly disapproved of that.

Jonathan wasn't too bad and he was kind of like the brother that Rick had never had, but he had been living with them for fifteen years now and it was getting just a little bit old…

They five of them all couldn't wait for their get away and it seemed like it would be forever before it came.

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*End of chapter 1*

I know I know… it seems like just about nothing happened, but it'll get there. Patience is a virtue after all! Now, I'll be looking for ur reviews, okay? I know there's not much 2 review on yet, but if you want me to get there, then you'll just have to say so! K? K!

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EvelynC.O