Just an FYI: this story takes place before the second movie.

It had been very exciting meeting Nubia. It was a little difficult to communicate since she doesn't speak English, but it was a good thing Ahkmenrah was there to translate.

Every night Larry saw Ahk was much happier since Nubia had come to the museum. Every night Ahk would spend a few hours teaching Nubia how to speak English. Larry was a little afraid about when she starts speaking. One night Jed was being his usual annoying self and irritated Nubia. She started going off on him in Egyptian. Jed asked for a translation, but Ahk said he didn't want to know what she said.

Right now Ahk and Nubia were having one of their private lessons; Nubia was getting frustrated.

"This is impossible. I'll never learn."

"You've only been here a week. Give it time. Besides, you do know a few words."

Nubia nodded. "Annoying little cowboy."

Ahkmenrah chuckled. "Don't worry you'll be speaking English soon."

"I hope so. I don't like not understanding anyone. I miss our home."

"So do I, my love."

After the two of them had their English lesson they went out to the lobby where a game of soccer was being held. It didn't take Nubia long to understand the game, but she didn't understand how kicking a ball into a net can be fun. Ahk said she would have to play some time.

After awhile Ahk decided that he was going to play. Nubia sat on the sidelines as she cheered him on. Everyone was having a fun time.

Suddenly Nubia froze with fear. One of the exhibits hit the soccer ball, sending it soaring through the air. All Nubia could see was a fire ball flying above a lava pit. Nubia closed her eyes for a few seconds then opened them and the room was back to normal. She shook her head as she walked out of the room. Rebecca saw her leave and followed her.

"Nubia, wait."

Nubia stopped and turned to face Rebecca.

"Nubia, are you all right?"

Nubia stared at Rebecca with a blank look. Rebecca sighed. She knew Nubia couldn't understand her. She wished there was some way she could communicate without always having Ahk to translate.

"Is something wrong?"

Rebecca tried using hand gestures to get her point cross, but it wasn't working. Nubia was looking at her with much confusion. Nubia said something in Egyptian, but Rebecca didn't understand. Nubia was probably saying she didn't understand either.

Just then Ahk waked up to Rebecca. "I was wondering where you went to."

"Nubia walked away and I was trying to see if she was ok. Its kind of hard when neither of us understand the other."

"I'll find out. Nubia, are you all right?"

"I think that woman is ill."

"Why do you say that?"

"She was waving her hands around."

"She was trying to see if you were all right."

Nubia didn't speak for a few minutes as she thought back to what she saw. She had been to that lava pit many times before and she was hoping that when she was awake she would get a break from the torture, but even when she's awake she still sees those frightful things.

"Nubia?"

"I am fine."

Ahkmenrah gave her a skeptical look. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm fine." Nubia smiled.

"She's says she's fine." Ahkmenrah told Rebecca.

"You don't believe her?"

"I know when something is bothering her. Nubia is just stubborn, very stubborn. She won't tell me until she is ready."

"She might just still be getting use to things. Coming back to life after 3,000 years can be quite a shock."

"Perhaps you are right."

Ahkmenrah didn't believe that was what was bothering Nubia. Nubia had said before that she hasn't been to the afterlife. She was somewhere else, but she didn't go into much details. What happened to her after he died? He never asked before because he knew how painful talking about death could be especially your own.

After awhile Ahkmenrah and Nubia went back to their tomb. The rest of the night Nubia had been distant and he wanted to know why.

"Please tell me what is wrong."

"I've told you-"

"I don't believe you. Something happened to you. What happened after…when I left?"

Nubia sighed. "I failed that's what happened. I went after Kahmunrah and I killed him."

"What happened after that?" Ahkmenrah asked gently.

"I…I lost too much blood. I didn't…"

Nubia couldn't finish her sentence. It was hard to admit that she died and it was weird to say when she was standing there alive.

Nubia looked at her husband with tears in her eyes. "I failed you. I couldn't save you. And I failed our children. They grew up without parents because of me. Ava already lost her real parents and that was hard on her. Who knows what it was like for her when she lost her second parents."

Ahkmenrah went over and wrapped his arms around her. "You didn't fail. If either of us has failed it is me. I should have been stronger. It was my duty to protect you and I couldn't."

"You don't always have to be the strong one."

"And you don't have to be strong all the time. Please tell me what is bothering you. I know there is more."

Nubia sighed as she pulled away from Ahkmenrah. "I keep seeing images. Images of when I'm asleep."

"I want to help you, but I can't do that unless you tell me everything."

"I've told you everything. I don't know where I go or why. I'm in this place where I have to run for my life. I know I'm already…dead, but I don't know what will happen to me if I die in that place. I don't know how I got there or how to get out. All I know is that place is meant to torture me."

"Maybe it is a curse."

"Then someone obviously doesn't want me to be happy."

Ahkmenrah felt helpless. Nubia was suffering and there was nothing he could do to help her. He then thought of something. It was a long shot, but it was the only thing he could think of at the moment to help his wife.

He made his way to the lobby, hoping there might be a chance. "Rebecca, I need your help."

"What is it?"

"Nubia is being tortured while she sleeps. I don't know all the details. All I know is she hasn't been in the afterlife. I need you to do some research and see if you can find anything about when she died."

"I did some research when she arrived, but I didn't find much."

"Please look again. If Nubia is cursed then I need to know how to end it."

"I'll do what I can."

"Thank you."

Ahkmenrah couldn't understand what was going on. If they died at the same time then why was only Nubia cursed? Who would curse her? He was hoping that Rebecca could find something so they could help Nubia. He didn't like to see her in pain.