In an old ancient crumbling Egyptian city, a scholar of more than fair beauty stood in a dark cobwebbed stone hall before a dusty, muted gold door. Taking a dusting brush from her archeological excavation kit, a beautiful Evelyn Carnahan brushed built up dust off the pictures and hieroglyphs that were on the door. Evelyn was deeply intrigued with her work. She still loved doing archeological explorations and ancient Egyptian studies even after her frightening experience three years ago. Who knew that the odd dangerous adventure with a resurrected cursed mummy named Lord Imhotep and almost getting sacrificed to help bring back to life a dead ancient Egyptian concubine could have made her so much stronger? Evelyn felt that a whole new world was opened to her now that she knew that ancient Egyptian curses and magic existed. She had experienced that first hand.

Now three years later after that experience, Evelyn was more confident, strong ,patient and persevering. She was also more beautiful. The shyness and soft guarded librarian clothing style was gone and replaced with an outgoing, more confident and bolder style. The long ankle skirts and soft colored blouses with neck ties were gone. Instead Evelyn liked to wear brown slim pants, knee high boots and either desert style tops or sleeveless tee shirts. Whenever she wore a dress, it was usually of exotic Egyptian style with flowing cloth and ornamental jewelry. She enjoyed dressing in the more freer ways. The librarian look had been because back then she had sort of been timid and self- conscious. She hadn't tried to enjoy her beauty because she hadn't thought she really had any. Now she found enjoyment in trying to make her-self look more beautiful.

Evelyn leaned closer to the door and blew on the figures on the door she was uncovering. The last of the fine dust blew away and Evie studied what she had uncovered. It was a picture of a woman wearing a wrap skirt and bikini top. She had shoulder blade length hair and wore a mask that included a headdress. Evie moved her fingers to start to touch the woman's hands and what she held in them.

"Sai daggers." Evie spoke aloud to herself. Her fingers came against the cold muted gold door and suddenly her whole body shuddered making her close her eyes. Brief colorful images blurred through her mind as if she was watching a movie. She got a flash of a beautiful woman dressed in the finest Egyptian clothing she had ever seen. Evie couldn't see the woman's face very clearly but she felt like she recognized her or knew who she was. Then that image was gone and a new one replaced it. This image was of two finely dressed women holding sai daggers in their hands and facing each other in a sparing stance. Just as suddenly as it had appeared in her mind, it abruptly vanished.

Evie's eyes opened. Quickly she took her fingers away from the image on the door. A sudden sound made Evie whirl about face, her heart now racing in her chest. Her hands immediately went to her hidden knife behind her belt and she whipped it out automatically, holding it in a defensive positon. She relaxed when she saw Rick O'Connell come through the archway and into the hall she was in.

"Whoa Evie! It's just me." Rick O'Connell's eyebrows rose and he had an amused look on his face.

Evelyn gave a slight smile and let her hand holding the knife drop to her side. She took that moment to observe Rick thoughtfully. He looked about the same as he always did. Rough, sort of rude and yet he held a sense of charm at the same time. His skin was a dark tan from all the time he spent out in the desert sun of Egypt. Her own skin was almost a sort of light bronze tan herself. Their time out in the desert was vast since they were almost always out and about on their own excavations and journeys throughout Egypt. Rick and Jonathon, her brother, had tried to get her to stay and keep working at the Cairo museum of Antiquities but she no longer desired to remain behind closed doors in stuffy old rooms seeing nothing but old books and parchments. Evelyn hungered to be out exploring and discovering all the wonders of ancient Egypt that there was to uncover and explore. It was not that she desired gold and treasure like her brother did, she valued the knowledge of all the ancient history and artifacts. There was so much more to learn and enjoy buried beneath all these sands of Egypt. Jonathon still kept trying to persuade her to return to Cairo but Rick understood and so therefore he didn't mind going about on excavations with her.

Rick started walking down the sandy dark hallway toward her holding his torch. "Even though I gave that to you and taught you how to use it, be careful when you wield that thing. Ok?" He said the first part with a smile but then as he uttered the last sentence, his smile faded.

Ever since Evie had almost been sacrificed by the mummy Lord Imhotep three years ago, Rick had been more concerned and watchful over her well-being than ever before. Evelyn knew that it was because he cared for her safety but it had been getting on her nerves that he didn't think she could handle things herself. So hoping he would ease up on being so overly concerned, she had persuaded him to show her how to use and handle a knife.

Rick's initial thoughts had been that it was too dangerous for her. However Evie had pointed out how it might be more dangerous if she didn't know how to use one and defend herself. Rick had agreed at that point and not only showed her how to use a knife but he also had taught her how to hand fight and shoot a gun with accuracy. This all just made Evelyn feel more confident. If necessary she could take care of herself and defend herself efficiently. She wasn't just quite and naïve librarian Evie anymore. She was now a woman who could hold her own.

Evie gave Rick a firm look.

"I am always careful." She replied as she tucked her knife back behind her belt.

Rick set his ruck sack down on the sand beside hers. "You weren't careful about reading from that book."

Evie titled her head in a sort of aggravated way and gave a sigh. "You always have to keep reminding me that everything that happened was my fault. Ok so it was all me, me, me, I, I, I but lets look at the good side of this. Everything is fine now and has been for three years."

Rick moved beside her and observed the door she had been working on cleaning. "And everything will be fine longer if we make sure that we don't disturb anything else or desecrate another tomb." He ran his pointer finger across the dust covered door.

Evie looked back at her work and took up brushing the dust off again. This time she focused on cleaning off the hieroglyphics so she could decipher them. "Well we know more now. We don't underestimate curses or magic anymore. We won't disturb what shouldn't be disturbed."

Rick turned his head to her. "We?"

He shook his head. "No it wasn't a 'we' it was a 'you'. I wasn't the one who didn't believe in curses or magic. It was you who didn't believe in anything unless you can see it or touch it."

There was noisy movement, grumbling and shouting from outside the archway in another hall. The footsteps sounded clumsy and heavy like the person was staggering or trying to keep from tripping.

"Where the bloody 'ell is everyone?" Came a slurred yell.

"We are in here Jonathon! The archway to your right." Evie called out.

There was more stumbling.

"Which way is my right?" Jonathon asked really to himself but was talking so loud that Rick and Evie heard him.

Evie shot a pointed look to Rick. "What has he been doing? How can he get into trouble out here in the desert?"

Rick grinned. "You should know. He is your brother that 'good ole boy' is." Rick said, mimicking Jonathon's turn of phrase.

Evie gave him a moderate slug on the arm. "Go help him in here."

Rick gave a large amused grin and started for the archway.

"And don't give him anymore drink!" Evie called after Rick who just then disappeared through the archway into the other hall. Rick didn't have to tell her that it was he who had brought the alcohol and that Jonathon had managed to discover it. Evie had told them not to bring any hoping that they could remain civilized men for a while. But obviously that hadn't worked so great. There was really no helping it. Jonathon was always a drinker, cheater at cards and sort of a coward at times.

Evie sighed. Yes that was her brother. Good ole Jonathon. At least he was predictable so she knew what to expect from him. Lately it was Rick that she wasn't sure what to expect from. Usually he seemed his same old self but there were times when she caught him watching her with concerned eyes.

Evie gave another sigh. After they had escaped crumbling Hamunaptra those three years ago, it seemed that her and Rick were on a course for love and happiness through the rest of their lives. It had gone that way for a while. Rick would wrap her in his arms lovingly and she would feel her heart start to pound. They had told each other sweet endearments of always being there for one another. It had seemed that they were going to get married and have a grand life together. Rick did sit down with her and they talked over it. It was the talk however that showed what they didn't see...they weren't ready to be together forever and they might never be.

Evie could see that night in her mind. She could hear their words again that they had spoken in the conversation.

"Evie, I want to talk to you about us." Rick had said as they set down side by side on a sofa in her home in Cairo.

Evie had felt her breath catch. This was it, she thought. Her rescuer was going to become her prince forever. "Yes? What about us Rick?" Rick's large hand held her own in a warm grasp.

"You need a protector. Someone who can always be around to get you out of trouble that you always get yourself into." Rick said with a teasing grin.

His words were teasing but affected her more than she thought. A protector? That sounded nice as of a way of him saying I want to take care of you because I care for you. What started to slowly sizzle in her was his talk of trouble. Evie couldn't deny that she did get into a good bit of trouble but she wasn't always the only one to get herself into it! It made him seem like he was saying that she just couldn't do anything right or was too clumsy or clueless about her own good. So already she was starting to bristle.

"Ever since Hamunaptra I want to be there with you to keep you safe. I care for you Evie. You certainly are a one of a kind person. Would you think about marrying me?" Rick asked with somewhat of a romantic sense but not truly the best romantic way to say it.

Evie felt herself cooling down. She smiled at him. "If I do think about it...what do you see for us?" She was hoping and wanting him to tell of a future together where they both wanted to adventure out on excursions andwould work for their living together.

Rick's gaze held hers, still holding her hand in his. "If you marry me then we can get a house together. I could pick up an old job and you could stay at the home and raise our kid if we have one. You wouldn't have to work anymore or try to impress those pompous scholars. And maybe we can travel, like go to America for a bit and then come back here."

Evie went still. There was so much in what he just said that she wasn't sure where to start! Obviously they did not have the same plans and ideas for the future. She pulled her hand out of Rick's making a surprised and confused expression appear on his face. "Rick of all the insane, crazy, male chauvinistic, unintelligent, egotistical, boorish ideas!"

Evie continued before Rick could say anything. Rick recognized her attitude and tone. He had heard this side of her plenty times before when they had first met.

"I will not just stay at the house all day being a boring housewife! You can not just place me about where ever you wish like an old carpet bag! Why should I stop my Egyptian studies and archeological studiesand you be the only job holder! You are acting like a chauvinist Rick!And those scholars may be pompous but I love my work. I do not wish to leave Cairo. Egypt runs through my veins it is my home and I dare not leave it." Evie objected very quickly and forcefully.

Rick could see that this was one of those times where to win he would just have to dominate over her. Usually though that didn't even work. Instead of making it better she would get more fired up than before. Evie hated being pushed around like as if she knew nothing. She was always telling of how she could be just as intelligent and more so than a man. Rick felt like just picking her up, taking her to her room and locking her in until she would see his reason and calm down. However he knew that he couldn't do that.

The more they had gotten into the deep conversation, the more she started to see that even though they cared for one another there were things about them both that couldn't be solved. Some of their differences were to vast that even their feelings for each other couldn't overcome. So they ended up both agreeing that they still would always mean something to each other but their relationship wasn't going to go further or deeper than that. Her and Rick had ended their relationship a year ago and so far they had managed to just be good friends ever since.

For a long while after their agreement to end their relationship, Evie had kept going through in her mind as to why it had looked so promising for her and Rick but then wasn't. It was because of everything that happened with Hamunaptra. They had gotten caught up in their roles in the tale all to easily. She had been the damsel in distress while Rick had been her rescuer. It had inspired feelings for each other during those events more than they might have on their own. But all of that was over and now they were all settled in their new way of life. One that Evie delighted in, Rick enjoyed and Jonathon didn't always care for but could be happy enough at times when they were to come across something of wealth.

There were shuffling sounds from the hallway as Rick was helping Jonathon. Evie could hear Jonathon's clumsy fumbles and heavy breathing. He was muttering and complaining that there was not enough whiskey or companionship around ancient Egyptian ruins so he wanted to go back to Cairo where there was plenty. And where they had stored all of their gold that they had gotten from Hamunaptra.

The gold was theirs thanks to Beni. Evie had stashed the majority of her share in a vault in her home. Rick had done the same in his shared home with Jonathon though Rick had spent a bit of it on a gallivanting trip to every cashaba . Jonathon had spent most of his doing the very same thing only more so. Evie knew that it wouldn't be long till Jonathon used up all of his share and when he did she wasn't going to give him more of hers than would be enough to account the cost for his living. For she would be watching him to make sure that he didn't spend the gold she gave him on the very hobbies that he lost his to.

"I'm just sayin why don't we go back to Cairo? We haven't found much of treasure or wealth here at all." Jonathon was saying as he was brought in by Rick who was having to help support him so he wouldn't fall over.

Evie turned around from the door to look back at her hopeless brother. Jonathon held a almost empty bottle of whiskey in his right hand and his left arm was across Rick's shoulders. Rick and her exchanged amused and sort of aggravated looks.

"Jonathon we have already discussed this. It wasn't and isn't like we have been dragging you around with us on our expeditions. I enjoy you being here with us but if you really desire it, go back to Cairo and waste the rest of your life away drinking and cheating. I wish you wouldn't though. It is not really good for you Jonathon." Evie told him watching her brother sway slightly.

No matter how disreputable or cowardice her brother was, he was her brother and she cared for him very much. Jonathon was the only close family that she had left. Her distant family lived in London, England and were the very proper type. A few aunts kept trying to get her to come live with them in London so she could take up a proper role in society there with them, but Evie didn't want a life in dreary London among gossipy relatives and socialites.

Jonathon glanced up at his sister. His expression showed that her words had pierced his foggy mind. Jonathon tried to stand up on his own so Rick stepped away for Jonathon to fend for himself. Jonathon swayed and teetered. Evie started toward him but Jonathon managed to stay up.

"Now my dear baby sister, I was only complaining to complain. You know me old mum. There is always something that won't sit right with me. I do not blame you." Jonathon said and then hiccupped.

"Then might you try to show what ever enjoyment you do have in being here? You make yourself sound so gloomy lumbering around here like you do as if you were not getting to participate in a once in a life time expedition. Might anything help to get you away from drinking?" Evie asked him looking again at the almost empty whiskey bottle.

"From my drink." Rick muttered the correction while casting a annoyed look at Jonathon.

"Gold, treasure and wealth is the only other things in life I seek. No one can ever be too wealthy, especially not me." Jonathon said with a hungry glint in his eye for what he spoke of and a silly grin on his face.

Evie shook her head with a small smile. She turned away from them back around to the muted gold door. Taking up brushing again she started to uncover more pictures and hieroglyphs. The pictures were of a pharaoh and a beautiful woman that was depicted as a princess. The woman was the same one that was in the other picture holding the sai daggers.

"Hmm." Evie said softly, her curiosity further increased.

Rick stepped over to her side and looked at the pictures and hieroglyphs on the door. "This is what drew you here? This is why you wanted to come to this place?"

"Yes, I believe so. " Evie replied. "I am almost positive that it is."

Rick's eyebrows rose as he looked to her. "You believe it is?"

Evie realized how silly what she was going to tell him would sound. It sounded silly and maybe crazy to herself. She looked up to him.

"Five weeks ago I started having dreams. Ancient Egyptian dreams. They sometimes seem so real and detailed that they seem like they are more than a merely dreams. There are people in them that seem very important to me somehow. I feel like I should know who they are but I do not. Usually the same people are in them at one point or another and then in other dreams there are different people in them all together. At the end of every dream I see this city. That was why I wanted to come. I feel drawn to it although I do not know why." Evie waited for his expression feeling silly. She wondered what this ex-legionnaire would think.

Rick had an amused, sort of surprised expression as if he wasn't sure whether to laugh or think her crazy. However Rick wouldn't think her crazy. He could never think of Evie that way.

"So that is why you wanted to come here so bad. I couldn't understand why before." Rick shrugged.

Evie thoughtfully looked at the pictures and hieroglyphs again. Meanwhile Jonathon went to lean against a wall.

"Are you sure that you haven't been drinking a bit old mum?" Jonathon teased from behind them.

Evie gave a huff and looked back to him. "I would never, Jonathon!"

Rick was looking at the pictures. "So what is this? What does it say?" He asked then froze.

He looked to her. "Make sure that it is alright to be read aloud before you do. We don't want any type of events getting repeated again."

Evie nodded and looked to the hieroglyphs. She put her finger under them as she read them first over in her mind. "It is alright. It is not a curse, chant or spell. It speaks of praises for a Pharaoh and his daughter. "

Moving her finger back to the beginning she moved under them again reading aloud.

"Great Pharaoh Seti I is a immortal amongst mortals. His rule is wise. His actions worthy of praise. He builds up Egypt and makes it cities shine again. Pharaoh Seti I gifted grand Egypt with a blessed princess that is sure to make even the gods desire to sing praise to her. Princess Nefertiri is a most beautiful woman of all the times. She inspires hope, love, loyalty and strength in everything. Most promising she is already at her age. A beauty that is precious to all. May Pharaoh Seti I and Princess Nefertiri be blessings for eternity."

Evie leaned back and looked at the depictions of Pharaoh Seti I and the princess Nefertiri. The depictions however were not so clear as to see every detail. Evie knew more about Pharaoh Seti than the princess Nefertiri. There was not much history on the princess.

While Evie had been reading, Jonathon had come up behind them to listen and observe the door himself. It seemed that the drink might be starting to slowly wear off. His voice though just behind her startled Evie.

"Pharaoh Seti I, hmm? He was the one that you once said was the most wealthiest of all the ancient Pharaohs right?" Jonathon looked to Evie. "Isn't that Seti's gold in Hamunaptra? All that gold in the big underground chamber?"

Evie nodded. "Yes most of it."

"I really could use all of that gold. I wish we could have gotten more of it. Why don't we just go back and try to get some?" Jonathon asked, his eyes glinting with gold fever.

Evie and Rick simultaneously looked at Jonathon with surprise. Rick gave a small scoffing laugh.

"After all that we dealt with while we were in Hamunaptra, the mummies, scarabs and collapsing city that nearly could have killed us all, you out of all people want to go back? Jonathon you were always the one most horrified. You couldn't go back to that sunken dead city even with the lure of the vast amount of gold there." Rick stated with mixed expressions of a smile and a wincing remembrance.

Jonathon had paled at the mention of all the dangers that they had been through at that amazing yet deadly city. He took a breath and shook his head. "No, I guess you are right. I wouldn't go back there willingly. Though I sure do wish we had more of that gold. I'm running out of mine."

Evie shrugged her arms in a exasperated way. "Jonathon that is because you spend and use it all up on disreputable things. Instead of saving it and storing up your own wealth, you have just lost what you had for mere flitting pleasures that are not good for you."

Jonathon just looked like a boy getting scolded by its mother. He winced but then seemed nonchalant. "Evie, you know me..." He stopped though as all three of them heard sounds of unexpected company in the halls of the ruins.

Jonathon stumbled and moved back away from the archway and toward Rick and Evie. He still clutched the whiskey bottle but looked like he was ready to run. Rick reached into his holsters and pulled out his two pistols. Evie looked to Rick who gave her a glance before all three of them looked to the archway. Jonathon pulled out his own small mini pistol from his pants pocket. They were not expecting anyone to be out here. Who was it that was now inside the ruins of the city with them? Friend or foe?