RADAMES POV

I sat fidgeting in my house, glancing out at the darkening sky every so often. I paced. I refrained from running a hand through my neatly combed hair. I did something I never believed I thought possible. I cleaned. I did everything possible to pass time, but I wondered one thing. Where was she? A part of me felt scared. I'd never done this whole marriage deal. What if she never came? What if…my eyes narrowed. What if she escaped to Nubia, another plot? The thought left as quickly as it came, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure standing at the door. Flinging myself forward, I pulled myself together right before pulling it open. There she stood, and it took all my power to keep my jaw from dropping. She was stunning, her dark hair twisted into a neat bun, her slim figure fitting snugly into a light blue dress. And then….she looked at me, eyes filled with many emotions, most of which probably reflected how I felt. Wordlessly, I took her into my arms, and took her inside. Finally, I spoke, and I still regret the words. Idiotic. I married the most amazing woman in the world…

"You have all your things?" I choked at last. Aida looked at me, speechless. I felt like an idiot. She meant so much to me, that I forgot that I was the man who captured her in the first place. She had nothing.

"I only brought myself," she replied, chin tilting slightly. "I hope that's enough." Oh, gods, that was more than enough. She could tell me she came with three dozen animals, but as long as she was in my arms, it was enough.

"Aida…I love you," I whispered as I leaned down to her. "And I'm sorry." Just as our lips met, she pulled back.

"Sorry?" she repeated softly. "Sorry for what? I just got here." Emotion built up in my chest.

"Aida, who am I?" I asked earnestly.

"You're Radames, my husband, captain of the Egyptian army, the man I love. Why? Radames, what is going on?" she sounded alarmed, and by the gods she had every right to be. This was our wedding night, and I was about to burst out my pities. Shaking my head, I smiled lovingly at her.

"I love you," I said, and attempted another kiss. Success. Her body molded against mine, and a sigh of content echoed from one of us, I'm not sure who. Deftly, she pulled her hair out of the bun, and rested her head on my shoulder, while I caressed her face.

"Radames," she mumbled against my shoulder, and together, we tumbled onto the bed.

~*~~~**~*~*~**~~~~**~~~*~~*~*~

Waking up to the feel of Aida's body curled against mine was the greatest feeling in the world. Wrapping my arm lazily over her, the response was her body curving tightly against mine. Sighing happily, I looked outside, and nearly bolted. The army was milling in the training grounds. I'd forgotten about the army. Easing out of bed, I tried not to disturb my wife….my wife, that sounded wonderful…but failed. Aida stirred, her dark lashes fluttering, then opening to frame her dark eyes.

"Morning," I whispered softly, still not believing that I'd spent an entire guiltless night with Aida. She smiled slowly, blinking languidly.

"Good morning. Where are you going? Come back," Aida said quietly. I grinned and shook my head.

"Sorry, but I've neglected my job," I replied, kissing her softly. Aida nodded and threw the covers aside, getting up. "Be back soon," I whispered, before hopping into my pants, and throwing on my vest. With that, I ran out.

~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~~*~~~*~*

the soldiers were arguing when I got there, but it was their conversation which peaked my attention.

"We're not attacking Nubia!" one man shouted.

"Why not?" someone yelled back.

"Have you noticed who the captain is married to?" the first man replied.

"Oh, right." I walked up, quietly as possible.

"Well, thank you, men, that was most entertaining," I said casually, a teasing glint in my eye. The men shifted uncomfortably, smiling sheepishly. "I'm sorry I'm late, I overslept." This brought on a sea of laughter.

"Right, captain," someone snickered. I grinned, and shook my head. "So, when did you meet her?"

"who?" I asked. The man rolled his eyes.

"your wife."

"oh," I laughed. "About two weeks ago." Jaws dropped.

"Sir," a man called Sam began. "You were engaged to the gorgeous Princess Amneris, on and off for 9 years, but that's beside the point. Then suddenly, you fall in love with the first Nubian woman that gives you an attitude? I mean, you could have married a PRINCESS for the gods sakes!" Suddenly, Sam looked to the other men, and sighed sadly. "Captain? You should know something about your wife." I paused, and looked at them, alarmed. "Paschal went to give the Nubians their food yesterday, and he overheard them talking. One woman was yelling at another for attacking your wife, Aida." My heart sank. Rough-housing my sandal. "the attacker, by the name of Kisha, ripped off Aida's necklace, and blamed her for the death of two Nubians. Aida was obviously harmed by the sound of it." I didn't listen to anymore. I got up, and ran back home. Nobody dared stop me.

~~*~*~**~*~~*~*~**~~**

"Aida!" I shouted, barging in. startled, Aida dropped the tray she was carrying.

"There goes breakfast," she remarked.

"Breakfast?" I was confused, then I realized it. For a little over a week, Aida had been a slave. Habits stuck, and she cooked for me. Made the bed. Straightened up. "Aida," I sighed. "come here." She sat next to me. "Aida, before you came here, did people cook for you? Because you were a princess?" Aida shook her head.

"No. unlike you, we didn't use slaves to do our work for us. We wouldn't enslave our own people. I cooked for myself." I nodded.

"Aida, this is going to sound funny, but you're going to have to be pampered a bit. You're not a rank like Amneris, okay, well, you are, but not here. I…" my voice faltered, as Sam's words flew back to me. I embraced my wife, and kissed her neck. "You have to trust me, Aida," I whispered. "No more lies, please?" Aida stared silently at me.

"I'll be right back," she said softly. Once she left the room, I hurled a glass across the room. What was wrong with me? Is this how a married man acts? I was furious, and confused. I didn't know how to act, to make her happy. I would give Aida anything, but now I gave her agony. She appeared in the room when the crash sounded, and looked silently at the broken glass, then at me. She didn't ask any questions, but walked over and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"I'm a pompous, ignorant fool," I muttered.

"Don't talk like that!" Aida scolded.

"It's true. I don't want the world, only you. But if I had the world, I'd give it to you in an instant. I'm the captain of the Egyptian army. Not exactly husband material." Aida was looking at me and shaking her head.

"Radames, I married you because I love you."

"But how can you love someone you've known for two weeks?" Aida's eyes saddened.

"You don't love me," she stated. Oh no. shaking my head wildly, I kissed her face.

"I love you, Aida. I love you with everything I have. But ever since…" oh gods, did my voice just crack? "Ever since my mother died, I've loved nobody but myself. You could say I'm out of practice. I want to be the best for you, Aida. I want to make your life in Egypt amazing. I want your life with me to be amazing!" Sure, I had just poured my heart out, but this was Aida, my wife. She was sitting in silence. How could I ever make it up to her? Words drifted through my head….**I will take you sailing. South. You could be my guide.** I smiled.

"Oh...Radames," Aida whispered, lifting her head to kiss me.

"I want to get to know you, Aida. Your life…." My words were cut off as she kissed me, when suddenly the door swung open.

"Wow, did I interrupt?" a cheerful voice asked. Aida bit back a scream, and I bit back a yell, as Mereb stood casually in the doorway, eyes sparkling.

"Aida! Get in the bedroom!" I ordered. "It's a apparition. Leave, spirit!" I shouted, wielding my sword. The spirit Mereb backed up, one hand on his bandaged chest.

"Radames? I thought you might need me," Mereb sounded hurt, then he grinned. "but I see you have all the help you need."

"You're dead," I uttered. "Go back to the afterlife. Why do you haunt us?" Mereb was staring at me in shock, and confusion.

"I'm not dead," he said quietly.

"Yes! You are!" I said. "Zoser stabbed you! We saw! You died in Aida's arms!"

"Aida!" Mereb called pleadingly, stepping toward her. I flashed the sword in front of him.

"Get away from her!" I yelled.

"Radames, stop!" Aida cried, advancing toward Mereb. She placed her hands gently on his face, then his hands. With a cry, she flung her arms around him, causing him to stagger back, wincing. "Mereb! Oh gods, Mereb! You're alive!" Mereb grinned and nodded.

"I knew I could count on you, Aida," he said, hugging her gingerly. I put my sword back, still wary. "So, I think I've missed a lot." Aida nodded, and linked her arm through mine. "It's morning…and Aida, you're in Radames' house…I walked in on you kissing…"

"Relax, Mereb," I said finally. "sit down, and explain what happened, then we'll fill you in from there." Mereb nodded.

"It's pretty simple, actually. Radames, your father stabbed me. I remember falling into Aida's arms, babbling something, then passing out. I woke up at the medical, and I've been there since. Now, do you mind explaining what happened next?" Aida looked to me.

"Well, we got Amonasro to safety, got arrested for treason, got buried under the sands alive. The usual." Mereb held up his hands.

"Hold on. You were ARRESTED, and buried ALIVE?" Mereb repeated. Aida added the part that seemed to be her favorite.

"Amneris had mercy, and pleaded with her father to let us be buried together," she said, smiling up at me.

"So…how are you here?" Mereb asked.

"Apparently, Amneris ordered for us to be dug out. We were both near death, right Eeda?" I said, teasingly calling Aida her (Tomb Name).

"Right, Ra-mes," she teased back. Mereb looked confused, so Aida explained. "I'm sure you can relate to a near-death experience, so when we were in the tomb, we were so weak that we could barely say each other's name." Mereb laughed at that. "So, it kind of stuck."

"so the fact that you're kissing in this house in broad daylight is…" Mereb questioned. Looking at Aida, we grinned, walked outside, and kissed. "Oh, okay. Ohhhh! Oh, gods! AIDA! RADAMES! You, how…Amneris?"

"Amneris said to me," Aida explained. " 'I loved both of you enough to let you love another.'" Mereb nodded understandingly.

"Well, congratulations," Mereb said wistfully. "Sorry I couldn't be there." Aida hugged him, and I shook his hand.

"Come in," I said, before realizing he was already in. "Want a drink?" Mereb shook his head.

"I've interrupted enough as it is," he replied.

"No!" Aida and I exclaimed at the same time.

"Mereb, could I speak with you alone?" I asked. Aida left the room, and Mereb sat beside me. "We got married yesterday," I said in a low voice. "Aida said she had to speak with the Nubians, who weren't thrilled with us being married. I found her by the river, her wedding dress torn, face dirty and tear-stained, and slightly bruised." Mereb gasped sharply, eyes widening. "She told me it was a bit of roughhousing, but I learned from my soldiers that she'd been attacked, and blamed for two Nubian deaths."

"Who?" Mereb whispered. I shrugged.

"I'm not sure, but I'm scared to death for her. Maybe you could talk some sense into them. They'll listen to you." Mereb nodded, and I noticed a shadow shift. Sighing deeply, I lifted my head. "Aida! I know you heard, please come in." Aida entered, head lowered. She slid under my arm, and rested her head on my shoulder. Gently cradling her head, I kissed it.

"Radames, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but it was our wedding day and…." Aida's voice trailed off. I kissed her softly, comfortingly.

"forget it, Aida. As long as you're fine now," I said softly. Aida nodded. Mereb stood up.

"I'm going to speak to the Nubians," he said abruptly. We nodded, and smiled at him. Once gone, I turned to Aida.

"It's going take time to make this work," I murmured. "And another thing…"

"Yes?"

"Do you feel like…when we're in public…"

"We act like we're still in secret?" Aida finished. "My thoughts exactly. That's the funny thing. One thing we wished for was the secrecy to end, and for us to be together. Now that we have that…."

"Old habits die hard," I remarked lightly. With a sigh, I leaned back on the bed, pulling Aida down with me. Suddenly, I got up, and ran outside.

"Radames! What are you DOING?" Aida called after me. I dashed outside, and climbed on top of a statue of a god. Clinging on, I lifted my arms.

"I LOVE AIDA!" I bellowed. "I'M MARRIED TO THE MOST AMAZING PERSON IN THE WORLD. AND GUESS WHAT!"

"Radames! Get down!" Aida shouted, laughing, waving her arms.

"I'M GLAD THAT I HAVE LEARNED WHAT IT IS TO BE IN LOVE AND HAVE THAT LOVE RETURNED!" I shouted to the sky. With that, I clambered down, taking satisfaction in the shocked faces below me. Grinning, I jumped down and swept Aida into my arms and kissed her soundly.