Hello again everyone! I'm back to give you another chapter to "Coincidence and Fate!" First of all, I want to thank The Sarcastic Raccoon (Anne) and loulouflowerpower for being my first reviewers. Thank you so much! It means a lot to me that you are enjoying the story so far.

This next chapter focuses on Jonathan and his little drinking adventure at a pub. I do hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

On with the show!

Chapter 2

Worthless

"Ah, good to see you again old friend."

Jonathan Carnahan stood before a small, black little building. Over top the building in gold letters it read: "Manchester Arms Pub." The front door was made of a sturdy dark wood. To the door's left, there was a big window, similar to one that would be in a clothes shop. The window was clean and clear; big enough so you could peer inside and see the alcohol the shop carried. You could also see the other patrons as they drank and laughed their troubles away. Jonathan looked inside with glee, anxious relieve his troubles as well.

Before walking in, Jonathan began to fix his coat up a bit, as well as his shirt and tie, all a bit ruffled in his haste to reach the bar. Once he felt a bit more satisfied with his clothes, now a bit smoother but still wrinkled up, he took his hand and put it through his hair, smoothing it out and getting rid of any knots or unwanted cow-licks.

I have to look presentable in front of my colleagues, he thought to himself. As well as for any other women who may be drinking their sorrows away tonight.

Finally, he put a hand into his pants pocket and took out a sleek black compact mirror. He opened it and began to check his mouth for any leftover residue of food.

"I'm sure Evy won't mind that I borrowed her mirror," he said to himself as checked out his teeth. "I mean, after all, she has dozens of these things..."

With a final smile into the mirror, obviously pleased with the way he looked, Jonathan put the mirror back into his pocket and made his way into the pub.

He pushed open the door a bit dramatically, causing the door to slam against the wall. A few patrons jolted up from their seats. Many of the men turned to see who was causing the ruckus.

"Evening gentlemen!" exclaimed Jonathan as he walked inside and headed towards a bar stool by the bar. "You all look like your enjoying your night!"

A few of the men's faces fell while others whispered among themselves.

"Jesus christ..."

"Carnahan is back again..."

"I wonder what kind of trouble he's in for tonight..."

"I swear, if another woman leaves with him tonight, I'm going to strangle the bastard..."

Jonathan sat down onto the bar stool and swung himself around so that his arms could rest on the counter. With a big grin on his face, he smiled at the bartender, who was incredibly displeased to see him.

"Barry! My good chap!" exclaimed Jonathan with glee. "Might I say that you look rather fantastic this evening?"

Barry sighed. "Jonathan, please tell me you are not in here trying to hide from thugs again. Last time, they nearly trashed the place all thanks to your stupidity..."

Jonathan shook his head and laughed, as if it was merely a fond memory.

"Oh that! Ha! Well, that was quite fun now wasn't it? No...you needn't worry tonight Barry. My friends won't be in town tonight!"

Then, in a hushed whisper, but not quiet enough that Barry couldn't hear it, he said, "at least...I hope to God not."

Barry sighed, unable to withstand Jonathan any minute longer. "What do you want Jonathan?"

Jonathan grinned. "Oh, just a gin and tonic today Barry! Heavy on the gin please."

Barry looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He complied with Jonathan's order and proceeded to make his drink. Jonathan watched on eagerly, as if he were a child waiting for his ice cream sundae to be ready.

Barry then handed the drink to Jonathan, the drink clear and glistening as the ice made faint crackling noises. Topping the drink was a lime wedge, which Jonathan removed and squeezed some of juice into the drink before putting the remains of the wedge aside on the counter. He took his first sip of the drink and sighed, his thirst quenched at the moment.

"Thank you my good sir," Jonathan said proudly. "Please, do..."

"...put it on your tab?" finished Barry exasperatedly. "Honestly Jonathan, when do you intend to pay off your tab? The numbers aren't going to go away you know. It's been piling up for years now..."

In the middle of finishing his drink, Jonathan waved his hand up and down, his way of acknowledging that he heard Barry. Once he finished the drink off, he gasped. Licking his lips for the remaining drops of the drink, he looked up at Barry and smiled.

"No worries Barry!" he said as the bartender rolled his eyes and proceeded to take his glass and begin to clean it with a wash towel. "I told you that I am good for it. I just need to go and retrieve some of my funds...funds which I do not have with me at the time but I will if you give me until...oh...let's say next Thursday?"

Barry stared at Jonathan in disbelief.

Funds my ass, thought Barry to himself. Everyone on the whole block knows he mooches off his poor sister.

Despite knowing that Jonathan was telling lies, Barry did respect his sister and her husband, who were also patrons of his but did not come in as frequently as Jonathan did.

Barry sighed and looked Jonathan straight in the eye. "Just get it to me when you can, OK? And with your own money..."

Jonathan nodded. "Of course Barry! How else would I get the money?"

Then Jonathan gasped. "Are you suggesting that I may borrow the money from someone else? Oh Barry...it hurts to hear that you don't trust me...and I give you so much business..."

Anger was boiling inside Barry. He could easily deck Jonathan's lights out with one swing. The patrons of the bar might even applaud him. Hell, the police may even let him off the hook. They didn't care much for Jonathan either.

But, not wanting to cause a ruckus, Barry sighed. "Just...just get it when you can. Promise me that at least."

Jonathan nodded. "Of course my dear fellow! You can count on me! A Carnahan always keeps his word. Now..." he leaned over the bar and pointed at the empty space in front of the counter, "how about another round?"

Later that night...

Jonathan sat at the bar stool, sipping at the last few drops of his gin and tonic. The bar was a lot less lively then it was earlier in the day. Most of the patrons left so they could go home to their wives and be home for supper. But Jonathan didn't have a wife to go home to, so he was happy to just sit there among the other men who had no where else to go.

In fact, he wouldn't even have a home if it weren't for Evy and Rick graciously allowing him into their home after blowing away all his money.

Jonathan sighed. Barry was away from the bar area and cleaning in the back now that the pub was a lot more quiet. Because of this, Jonathan didn't have anyone to talk to and was left to muddle in his own thoughts.

He began to think about what Evy had said, and how she had been having a memory about her past life repeating over and over again. Something about it bugged him, but it wasn't the fact that she was having these dreams again.

If Evy has a past life, he thought to himself, then...why don't I have one?Why don't I have a destiny?

It's true. His whole family is connected to some greater purpose. Rick is a medjai, a warrior for God, Alex was the key to finding Ahm Shere, and Evy is reincarnated Egyptian princess. Everyone seemed to have something special about them.

Everyone, that is, except himself.

Not that I care or anything, he thought to himself, but why don't I have visions like Evy? Or why don't I have something of importance? Why...am I even thinking about this?

He looked around, as if he was waiting for an answer to appear. He looked out in front of him and realized the empty glass of gin and tonic on the counter; his own reflection staring back at him.

Jonathan scoffed. Oh...right, he thought.

He looked at the glass and began to think about how well off his sister and her family was. How they are managing so well and still incredibly in love with one another like they were when Rick saved Evy from Imhotep.

Jonathan scoffed, reminded of how affectionate Evy and Rick get on a daily basis. Oh please, he thought to himself.

And then there's him. He ruined his archeologist career and made a living stealing artifacts from others, as well as getting into trouble when it came to money. Not to mention, he drinks.

Oh yes, does he drink. Jonathan drank so much, especially nowadays since he really didn't have much to do. No real effort to do anything.

And despite his usual cheery demeanor, he did notice how low his life had become, and it did make him a bit sad. He frowned at his reflection in the glass and put it aside. He rested his arms on the counter and laid his head on top, now feeling a bit miserable. All thanks to guilt and alcohol.

Here he was, a much older man, and he had no money, no job and no family of his own even.

Not that he wanted a family of his own, but having some money would be nice. Nice enough that he didn't have to mooch off of his little sister.

Jonathan sighed. No wonder why I don't have a destiny or past life. I don't have any other greater purpose. All I do is lie, cheat and steal. Why would anyone give me a pre-ordained destiny?

The door opened, which caused Jonathan to sit up right, surprised by the sudden noise. He turned around to see who had come into the pub.

It was a woman about his age, wearing a long silky green dress with long sleeves and a pair of grey gloves. She wore a few pearls on her neck, which Jonathan could easily determine she was of wealthy status. She had short, curly blonde hair, and dazzling brown eyes.

She walked so elegantly that if was almost as if she was gliding. Jonathan was in awe of her as she approached the bar and sat down a stool away from him. Barry appeared from the back room and asked the woman what she would like.

"A glass of your house red please," she said, her voice smooth and clear.

In only took Barry a few seconds to get her drink all ready for her. She took it and began to sip it, careful not to let her lipstick stain the glass too much. She let her eyes wander and she noticed Jonathan smiling a devilish smile at her.

Intrigued, the woman put her glass down and turned to face Jonathan. "I'm sorry," she began. "But...is there something you need help with?"

Jonathan continued to smile at her. "Oh, I was just wondering if you were new around the area." He then added, "because I would have certainly noticed your pretty face before."

The woman smiled, her cheeks becoming a bit rosier at his comment. "Oh...why thank you," she said, now returning a smile back at Jonathan. "I am actually not from around here..."

She sighed, looking down at her feet. "I...I got into a fight with my husband earlier," she said with a frown. "...and I fancied myself a drink somewhere new so...I told my driver to take me here."

Jonathan thoughts were going wild. A driver huh? She is most definitely rich! He thought to himself.

"Sorry to hear that about your husband," he said apologetically, placing a hand on her shoulder and giving it a squeeze. "My name is Jonathan Carnahan by the way. May I ask what your lovely name is?"

"Claudia Charleson," she said, putting her hand out to shake but instead, Jonathan took her hand and kissed it. This caused Claudia to blush even more.

"That's a beautiful name," he said with a smile.

"Thank you," she responded.

"As I was saying, I am so sorry that your husband got into a tizzy with you," he said with a frown. "I never had the opportunity to experience such a thing with my own wife."

In his mind, he knew it was wrong to lie to someone just to get them in bed with him. Not to mention, someone who was already married.

But, he had done this so many times, that it has become a game for him. He could push a lie so far that he could have the woman begging him not to leave once the relationship, and the sex, had run dry.

That is...unless they found out he was lying and they send out their husbands to go after him.

Or worse...they themselves beat him.

But, it was the risk he took doing this. Besides, who would really sleep with him knowing he was broke and living with his little sister?

Besides, he told himself, easing away a bit of his guilt. She looks lonely...and probably could use the company.

Like many before her, Claudia looked at Jonathan apologetically and placed her hand over his. "Did...did your wife pass? I am so sorry."

"Yes. She passed on a couple of years ago," he said, sniffling a bit to create more of a dramatic affect.

It obviously worked, because Claudia began to pat his shoulder comfortingly.

"There, there," she said, as he continued his facade and sniffled a bit more. She then looked at him, her eyes twinkling a bit, and asked, "How...did she go? If I may ask?"

Jonathan turned around in his bar stool, looking away from her. "It was quite sad actually," he began. "She loved to garden, my wife. She had a nice big garden in front of out mansion Really lovely. I told her I could hire people to tend it for her, but she insisted that she care for it herself."

He then looked down, smiling a bit because in the corner of his eye, he could see Claudia hanging on to his every word. She looked on with a bit of a worried look in her eyes. She was obviously incredibly saddened by his story so far.

I have her hooked, he told himself, Now to put out the line and get my catch.

"And then one day," he continued, "she was gardening and didn't realize that a wasps nest was growing in the garden. She...accidentally disturbed it and they attacked. They stung her everywhere, and she was allergic so..." he paused, again creating a dramatic affect. Claudia turned his bar stool around so he could face her. Her eyes pleading to hear the end of his story.

"So what?" she asked.

Jonathan looked at her, his eyes holding back tears.

Great job there ol' Jon, he told himself, you could almost be an actor with this shit.

"She died instantly," he said. "The worst of it was...when I found her...she didn't even look like my wife anymore..."

He wiped his eyes, as if he was clearing away tears. He looked up to see Claudia tearing up a bit herself.

"Wow...that is so tragic," she said with a frown. "I am so sorry that happened to you."

"It's alright," he said with a sigh. "We had only just married at that point, so it was a shocking loss. We bought a mansion together not to far from here, and now I live in it alone..."

She frowned. "I know the feeling...my husband is always away drinking or on business. You lost someone...I still have someone and he ignores me."

Jonathan took her hands into his. "I'm so sorry that you feel so alone," he responded sadly.

He then looked at her deeply, which made Claudia blush a little more. "You have such gorgeous eyes Claudia. You remind me of my wife...just as beautiful and just as charming."

She smiled at that comment, looking down at the floor, too red in the face from Jonathan's compliment. Jonathan grinned, because he knew his lies were getting to her, and what was to come next would be inevitable.

She looked back up at him, and smiled a bit, but was still too shy to look at Jonathan directly. To help ease her out of her timidness, Jonathan placed a hand on her chin, lifting her face so that she could look at him.

"Is there some you wanted to tell me darling?" he asked with a smile.

"Would..." she began, her voice filled with nervousness, "would you like to come to my home and have a drink with me there? My husband will be gone for the evening"

Jackpot.

"Oh...MY...GOD! YES!"

With a final cry, Claudia became exhausted and slumped down unto the bed and off of Jonathan, who was just as equally tired. She moved closer to him as he wrapped an arm around her. Both of them were sweating and panting from their sexual encounter.

"Wow Jonathan," she said breathlessly. "Just...wow. That was amazing. My husband never made me feel like that before."

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," he said with a cheeky grin.

She nuzzled a bit closer to him, her head now on his chest. She looked at him with a bit of sadness in her eyes. "I hope you weren't...imagining your wife when we..."

Jonathan had to hold back a laugh at her comment.

"Of course not!" he exclaimed, hugging her a bit. "I thought of you and only you Claudia. Thank you for hearing me out today."

Claudia smiled, obviously pleased with his answer. "No problem," she responded proudly as she let her eyes close and she slowly drifted into sleep.

Once she was completely out, Jonathan pushed her off farther away from him so that he could have more room to himself on the bed. He looked up at the ceiling, which was completely blacked out in the darkness.

He did it again. He managed to get another woman to sleep with him. Normally, he'd be pretty pleased with himself, especially because it was with a woman of Claudia's wealth and status.

But for some reason...he wasn't.

In fact, he never really is satisfied when he does this.

Jonathan rolled over to his side, clutching the pillow where his head rested. He sighed as his thoughts kept him from drifting to sleep.

This is the only way a woman will sleep with me, he thought to himself. This is why I do this...And yet...I don't feel anything when I do it.

Sure, Jonathan definitely feels the sexual satisfaction from it. And Claudia was very good. Incredible, really. Probably one of the best romps he had to date.

But...no matter how good the sex was, it just didn't feel right.

Jonathan frowned as his thoughts became more scattered. He began to rethink about his family and their destinies, his lack of money and lack of a home to call his own.

He had to cheat and steal his way to get money. He had to lie to women to have them sleep with him. He drinks because of the boredom he feels for his life and he gambles constantly, where he loses all the money he stole and the cycle would begin again.

Jonathan knew that he should stop. That if he were able to control his urges, that he could turn his life around.

But he can't.

It's not that easy.

Jonathan was still wide awake. He shut his eyes and tried to force himself to sleep, but his thoughts were still racing in his mind.

Why is all of this worrying me now? He thought to himself. Why do I suddenly care about what I am doing with my life? Is it some sort of mid-life crisis?

Regardless, he had sunk so far into a hole that it's almost too late to get out. Drinking, gambling and sleeping around had became a drug for him. A drug that he cannot do without.

It didn't even make him feel good. In fact, now he wishes that he could get out of Evy's mansion, live on his own and have a respectable job. Maybe even sleep with women who actually want to because of him and not some farfetched story he had to come up with in a matter of minutes.

But...he's been doing this for so many years, he can't imagine where to begin with getting his life on track.

Which, in all honesty, frightens Jonathan. He's in his late 30s, and the idea of manning up and taking control of his life scares him.

Exactly why things are probably never going to change, he thought to himself.

He curled up closer to his pillow, his thoughts finally settling down, allowing him to get closer to sleeping. Despite this, he could not ignore the constant thought that kept repeating in his head.

Evy's right, he told himself. I need to take control of my life but...I can't. I'm all washed up...a moocher...and a crook...

He sighed a bit, looking over at Claudia, who was sound asleep. He began to think of her poor husband, and how their marriage would be completely tarnished, thanks to this one night stand with him.

I'm worthless, he told himself. And a poor excuse of a man. No matter how hard I try, I'll never accomplish anything. I have no future.

Poor Jonathan...though it's about time that you realizes what your life has become! BTW, I guessed that Jonathan is in his late 30s since that was how old John Hannah was when making the first two films.

Next, we will finally get some Rick and Alex! Yay! I am sure you guys are excited for that!

Thanks again for reading!