Darkness had fallen. The stars were bright, as was always the case in Egypt. The lull of the night, broken only by the odd jackal cry, was soothing.

Emerson rose from his set near the fire.

"Ready for bed my dear?" He asked. I shook my head to rouse myself. I looked around surprised to see that the campfire was deserted except for the two of us.

"One minute my dear. I want to put the fire out." I crosses to the well and filled a bucket. We had been fortunate to discover it. The well has a crumbling wooden structure that had been part of the village square. Amazingly it was still functional, however I did not let any of the men drink out of it for fear of contaminates.

So, lost in my thoughts, I did not see the rock jutting out of the sandy ground. My foot caught, water sloshed out of the bucket; all over me. My gasp startled Emerson who had been looking out over the site.

"Peabody" he caught hold of my elbow. "Are you alright, sweetheart?"

"No Emerson, I am not. I am soaking wet from this confounded bucket."

"Soaking wet eh?" Emerson said holding me at arms length. "So I see. I rather like it, Peabody, the fabric is especially clinging when wet."

"If you like it so much-" I said crossing to the well "Try it for your self!" I threw a bucketful of water at him. It hit him square in the chest.

Emerson sputtered. "Why you little minx!" Emerson roared in mock-indignation. "I'll get you for that" He ran towards me. I pelted towards the safety of the tents, but Emerson, unsurprisingly, caught me. He collided with me, taking us both to the ground.

"Pay back, Peabody" He said, his eyes shining. Then he kissed me, hard.

"Mmmmm" was all I managed to get out.

Emerson started to pick me up, but I protested.

"Emerson, the fire"

"hmm…?" He grunted kissing down my neck. I pulled away from him.

"The fire, Emerson, the fire. We need to put it out."

"Oh very well. Do not stir from this spot." He deposited me on a stool with a thump. I watched him cross to the well, fill the bucket and proceed to pour it over the fire. I shivered. The nights in Egypt can be quite cool, and my soaking-sand cover clothing wasn't helping. I jumped when I felt Emerson's arms around me.

"Let's get out of these clothes eh Peabody?" Emerson suggested.

He gathered me up in his arms and carried me off towards our tent.