Author's Note: A little flashback to my life when I originally rewrote this: "I'm lazy, blah blah blah…I'm busy, blah blah blah…I backed into the house with the car and broke the house, blah blah blah…"
Alex's eyes popped open suddenly as a loud beeping sound woke him. He repressed a groan and turned off the alarm clock, and then glanced to his left to see if he had woken up Ardeth. He wasn't even in his cot.
"Must've just gone for a morning run, or something," Alex mumbled to himself.
Alex slipped out of bed and grabbed some fresh clothes from his suitcase and went into the bathroom. He took a quick shower, brushed his hair and teeth, and used some of the cologne Paige had gotten him for his birthday. After dressing, he walked out of the bathroom and grabbed his script and wallet, and left the hotel room and headed across the hall to Paige's room.
He planned on waking her up, ducking all objects thrown at his head, and dragging her out of bed and out into Paris so they could have breakfast out in the city, maybe do some sight-seeing. They'd be spending the night locked up in a theatre, after all.
He had taken out the extra key he had stolen from his mother and was about to use it to open the door when he heard voices inside.
"I know you're worried, Ardeth," Paige sighed, "But they need Alex and I. The performance is tomorrow night. We can't back out now!"
"I am not worried about Alex," Ardeth replied. "The Creature is not after him, he is after you."
"Like he's even going to know where I am!" Paige exclaimed, frustrated.
"He knew you were in Paris, did he not?" Ardeth countered, "And you say this competition is popular. That means he will find out that you are in this competition, and will easily capture you tonight."
Paige was silent for a moment. "He can't get to me with all those people there. Someone would catch him."
Ardeth sighed. "How will it hurt him if hundreds of people see him capture you? He is not a normal man. He does not care who sees him or not…he knows no one can stop him."
"Unless he doesn't have his powers...this spell was different, remember?"
"We cannot know that for sure, it is better to not risk your life."
Paige was silent again, seemingly trying to come up with a comeback.
"Look," she practically shouted a moment later, "I'm performing tonight, and that's it! You are not my parent…I mean, I don't even know you! How dare you tell me what I can and can't do!"
"I am the only person who can protect you from the Creature," Ardeth said, almost growling. "But if you do not care about your own safety, there isn't much I can do to save you. If you prefer, I will take this up with Evelyn, who is responsible for your safety. Perhaps she will have you sent home."
Paige let out a loud growl, and there was a 'bang' as she threw something against the wall.
"FINE! Let's compromise," Paige said. "I'll talk to the director about letting you backstage. But I am going to perform…if I have to run away to do it!"
Silence. Alex bit his lip, wondering if he should try knocking now…
"Alright," Ardeth said, sounded defeated. "That will be acceptable."
Alex stumbled backward as the door swung open and Ardeth left, not even seeming to notice Alex. Paige stepped forward, her arms folded and her face scowling. She was about to slam the door shut when she noticed Alex.
"Nasty fight," he commented.
"Hm," Paige responded, spinning around and going to sit on her bed. Evy had already gotten up and left with Rick to see the city.
Alex hesitated, and then said, "But you know…he's right. You are taking a big risk here."
Paige rolled her eyes and groaned. "Not you, too."
Alex held his hands up, palms out, in a defensive gesture. "Hey, I'm just saying. I like you better here than in the hands of a mummy."
"Uh…huh." Paige gave him a blank stare, and then turned to look at the TV that had some French kids' show on. "So, what's with the script?"
Alex was confused for a moment until he followed her quick gaze to his left hand, where he held his script.
"Well, the show's tonight," Alex said. "I thought we could practice."
Paige nodded. "Sounds like a good idea."
"Over breakfast."
Paige glanced at Alex, then down to her pink-and-white striped pajamas. "Uh?"
"Well, you can change first."
Paige rolled her eyes at him again. "Gee, thanks for the permission." She sighed. "I really don't feel like going outside."
"Oh come on," Alex tried to persuade her. "We're going to be stuck inside almost all day. Why not go out and see Paris before then?"
"Think Ardeth would let us?"
"Does Ardeth have to know?"
"What if Imhotep finds us?
"Paris is a big city. We avoid Notre-Dame, I think we'll be safe."
Paige bit her lip softly, considering what Alex said.
"Okay, okay," she finally agreed, "Just give me a bit."
She walked over, shoved Alex out, and closed the door.
Alex smiled.
"I think I've found the flaw in your plan," Paige explained as they walked out of the subway tunnels.
"What?" Alex asked.
"Neither of us speaks any French."
Alex paused for a moment, looking back at Paige, who had raised her eyebrows at him.
"Hm," he responded, frowning. "You're right."
Paige observed his disappointed face and felt a bit guilty for being such a spoil-sport. Just because she had a fight with Ardeth, that didn't mean she should take it out on Alex. Besides, it had mostly been her decision to come to Paris.
Paige forced a smile. "But I'm sure we can figure something out."
Alex smiled, too, and he and Paige continued their search for breakfast.
Unfortunately, a few hours later, they still hadn't found a place to eat, and it was noon. They had, however, managed to pick up a charm bracelet, a deck of cards, a miniature jewelry box with the Eiffel Tower on it, and a couple of shirts.
"Okay, now it's time for lunch," Paige complained as they walked down the street.
"We'll find something soon," Alex said.
"Okay, Alex," Paige began, "You refused the crepe stand, the diner-type place, the small restaurant and the McDonalds. When did you become so picky?"
Alex bit the inside of his cheek for a moment, then answered, "Since I met you, I guess."
"Are you saying that I'm-" she stopped mid-sentence.
"…Paige?" Alex stopped, and turned to look at Paige. She was staring to her right, her mouth open and her face turning white. He followed her gaze, terrified that Imhotep had appeared, but was confused when all he saw was a large, beautiful building.
"What is it?"
"Th-tha…that's…"
"That's…?"
"The Paris Opera House."
Alex eyes widened, not in shock, but in horror.
"Oh, no."
Paige grinned.
"That's where the Phantom of the Opera is written about," Paige practically drooled.
"Yeah…that's….great." Alex wasn't as enthusiastic.
"Can we go?" Paige asked, dancing around Alex to face him.
"…does it sell food?"
Paige frowned. "Well, no…but.." she glanced around the square, looking for something she knew was there. Over there was a bank sort of place, over there was a man taking pictures of people and trying to sell them, and over there...
"But that does." Paige pointed to a place beside the Opera. Alex looked over and saw a beautiful place, with the sign Café de la Paix over it. "It was built by the same man who built the opera house…it's awfully expensive though, so maybe we should-"
"Paige," Alex interrupted.
Paige turned her gaze from the Café to Alex. "What?"
"You forget where I live."
"…England?" Paige asked, confused.
Alex shook his head. "No, I mean…in a mansion. I think I can manage to afford a café." Then Alex winced. "And….maybe a tour of the Opera."
Next thing Alex knew, he was being tackled.
"You are my bestest friend in the whole wide world!" Paige claimed, her arms around Alex's neck.
"Yeah, thanks," Alex said. "Can I breathe now?"
"Oh! Sorry," Paige let go of Alex's neck then dragged him over to the café. She started to pull him across the square to the café, chatting all the way.
"Did you know that back in the eighteen hundreds, this place had kings as guests? Like the Prince of Wales, and the Shah of Iran…OH! And after the war, the Allied troops marched past it. OH! OH! And it was just restored, so now it'll look a lot more like it did when it opened…" she paused. "Oh wow."
"What?"
Paige pointed to a flyer that was hung outside a nearby shop. It advertised something in French, with a translation in English and Chinese underneath. 'The International High School Drama Competition'.
It gave away the details of the place and time of each show and which school hosted it, as well as the names of the leads. Paige and Alex's names had been written in.
"Isn't that awesome?" Paige asked Alex. Alex nodded.
"I didn't realize this was such a big deal."
Paige nodded in agreement, and then continued her monologue about the café, still dragging Alex along with her. She only stopped once they had walked through the front doors, when her mouth hung open in awe at the beauty of the café.
Paige and Alex decided to sit in the indoor terrace, which had a glass ceiling and another whole wall of glass. It was bright and cheerful, but also very elegant. There were large, beautiful Roman-type pillars, and the ceilings were beautifully carved into, with parts gold, parts marble-white, and beautiful pictures painted on it. The tables were small and round and made of beautiful dark wood, with two chairs to a table. It was strangely small, but that just made it feel more welcoming and cozy.
Paige and Alex were seated and given menus, which they looked over quickly.
"I am so hungry," Alex complained.
"Me too," Paige agreed, though she decided she probably wasn't as hungry as Alex. He was a teenage boy after all, and she was too excited to eat.
A few minutes later a waitress took their orders. Alex ordered 'Soupe a l'oignon gratinee' and 'Panini volaille et tomate', a cheese-topped French onion soup and chicken and tomato panini. Paige decided to be daring and ask for 'Rosace de melon, jambon des Aldudes' which according to the waitress was 'melon and country ham from Aldudes'. She also ordered a 'Croque-Monsieur'- a toasted ham and cheese sandwich - just to be safe. Alex ordered an Orangina to drink, Paige asked for Perrier mineral water.
"I hope they're fast," said Alex.
"Well, it looks pretty empty here," said Paige. "But between waiting for our food and eating it, it better take half an hour."
Alex gave her an odd look. He was afraid to ask, but he did anyway. "Why?"
"Because," explained Paige, "If you're in here for half an hour, you're supposed to see someone you know, even if you're from the other side of the world."
"…are you serious?" Alex asked.
Paige laughed. "Well, obviously I don't think it's true, but it'd be interesting, wouldn't it?"
Alex nodded. "Well, considering everyone from the drama team at school is here, it could happen."
"That's right!" Paige smiled. "That would be so incredible. I hope it's Fiona."
"Yeah, that'd be cool," Alex smiled, too. "You could listen to her complain about having to be on stage."
Paige laughed. "Well, she does still get to do makeup."
"Why on earth is she so scared of being on stage? She's in drama club!"
"I dunno," Paige shrugged. "She told me she just hoped to stay in the background and do costumes and such."
"So she's not a drama queen like you?" Alex laughed.
Paige gave Alex a glare, and after a moment Alex stopped laughing and started glaring back. Both of them glared into the others' eyes for almost a full minute, when Paige broke out in laughter and blinked about twelve times in a row.
"Okay, you win," she admitted. "Maybe I am a bit of a drama queen at times."
"At times?"
"Okay," Paige sighed. "Always."
"Thank you," Alex laughed.
From there they chatted about a thousand things…Paige's home in America, sports, music, books, school, and their dreams of the future.
"You seriously want to be a librarian?" Paige asked in shock as their food arrived.
Alex thanked the waitress, and then nodded. "Why not? My mother was one."
Paige sampled her salad before answering. "Well, yeah, but you always seemed more like your father to me."
"Really?" Alex asked in surprise after a sip of his coke. "You think I'm that…"
Alex let the sentence drift as he watched Paige struggle with the cap of her Perrier bottle.
"That what?" Paige asked as she shook her hand to relieve the pain, glaring at the bottle as though her death glares would scare it into opening.
Alex repressed a laugh and took the bottle from Paige and opened it easily. He poured it into her glass and put the bottle back on the table. Paige stared at him in shock.
"Let me guess…" Alex began. "You loosened it for me?"
Paige grinned. "Yes. And thanks."
"You're welcome," Alex smiled. "So, should we…what now?"
Paige had stopped mid-sip to stare past Alex at the door. Alex turned to look…
Imhotep.
"It's been half an hour…" Paige murmured.
Alex shifted his chair, putting his back to the door and hoping to hide Imhotep's view of Paige.
"What is Imhotep doing here…?" He mumbled in shock.
"Um. I'm guessing he's going to eat?" Paige said, trying to lighten the mood.
Alex glared at her. Obviously, he didn't think this was the right time of humor. "What if the reason he came in was because he saw you and-"
"Alex? There are no windows towards the street where he could see us from. And we know he wasn't in the square…oh, wow."
"What?"
"He's holding the flyer…."
Alex glanced over his shoulder. Sure enough, Imhotep – dressed in a nice suit…how strange – was holding the flyer for the High School Competition. Alex turned around.
"Don't lean over me to look at him," Alex snapped. "I'm trying to think of a way to get you out of here without him seeing us."
Paige sighed. "Ardeth is so not going to let me do the play now…"
"…We don't have to tell him," Alex frowned. He didn't like the idea of the risk, but…
Paige's eyes lit up. "Really?" she asked, sounding incredibly excited.
Alex nodded. "Yeah. But we still need to get out."
Paige glanced over Alex's shoulder again. "He's being led to another part of the café…" she looked thoughtful for a moment.
"What?"
"I thought Ardeth originally told your parents 'He will never eat'…"
Alex fought to keep back a smile. "I guess he doesn't have his powers, then. There haven't been any plagues in Egypt, either."
She nodded. "True."
Alex carefully watched as Imhotep walked past, not seeming to notice them. As soon as he was past them, Alex caught the attention of their waitress.
"We need a check," he said softly. "Now."
"Please," Paige added with a smile.
Alex and Paige walked slowly back into her hotel room, after managing to sneak in without Evy or Ardeth noticing…both of which had been arguing in Arabic.
"Since when does Mom know Arabic," Alex muttered under hit breath, and then froze.
"What?" Paige asked, slipping into the room behind him, and then froze.
The room had been torn apart. Not the room itself…the beds were fine, the television was untouched, even the minibar seemed to be okay, though missing a small bottle of some sort of alcohol.
But Paige's things were thrown about the room. Her clothes lay over the bed and all over the floor, books were left open, some with pages ripped, others with the binding ruined. The window to the room was left half-open.
"We were going to tell you," came a voice behind Paige and Alex. They both spun around to face Evy. "Someone broke in and searched your things."
"Obviously," Paige muttered. "Did someone call the police? Or…Sûreté…whatever the police are here?"
Evy shook her head, and then pushed her curls out of her face as she spoke. "No, we didn't. That would make leaving here much slower."
"I am NOT leaving without doing the show first! It's tomorrow nigh-"
"We're just changing hotels, Paige," said Evy, putting a hand over Paige's mouth.
"Did they take anything?" Alex asked.
Evy nodded. "Yes."
Paige took Evy's hand off of her mouth. "What?"
"The diary."
RubyMoon's Secret Place
RubyMoon: I know it kind of…petered out about the middle. Sorry. I sort of got stuck, and just forced myself to write it out. Oh well. Thanks for reading! Please review!