Ardeth knocked lightly on Hermione's open door as she brushed her hair in front of the mirror. She smiled as he walked in, closing the door lightly. He looked her over, taking in what she wore. She was in a silk shirt with thin straps and pants that fell to mid-thigh of the same material.

"You will be leaving in the morning," he said.

Hermione didn't miss the hint of sadness in his voice. She turned toward him, standing.

"I must," she replied. "I want to get to know my brother, before I return to my own home."

"If you enjoy Egypt, why not stay?"

"It's not possible," Hermione insisted, turning away from him. "I want to get to know Rick and I have my friends and my job."

"You could find a job here," Ardeth countered, "and make new friends."

"I'm sure I could find a job in Cairo, but my job in London isn't something I can just walk away from."

"Why is that?"

"I can't tell you just yet, but I will."

"Will you come back?" he asked.

"Yes, I'll be back, for nothing else but to see you."

"Then I have no regrets in doing this," he said, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss.

She let her hands run up his chest to his neck, pulling him closer to her. She parted her lips, letting him deepen the kiss as he wrapped his arms around her waist, slipping his hands beneath the soft fabric. His lips left hers, moving to her neck, leaving her gasping for air. She pushed his robes off his shoulders, feeling his toned back through the thin black shirt he wore. She stepped away from him, pulling him toward the bed.

Hermione awoke the next morning, feeling content. She was against a still sleeping Ardeth, with her head resting on his bare chest. She was fascinated by the tattoos that adorned his body. His arm was wrapped protectively around her waist. She thought to the night before. He had gone through with his promise from days before.

She heard his stir as he awoke. She looked up at him, and smiled. He stared at her with a mixture of pain, anger, and curiosity.

"What?" she whispered worried.

"You weren't a virgin," he hissed almost in accusation.

She sat up, turning her back to him, before replying, "I was raped. I didn't think he saw us as more than friends, but I guess he thought that I was his for the taking. His mother was furious when I told her. His sister nearly castrated him when he showed up."

She heard him sit up as well, before she felt his lips on her back. She turned as they reached her neck.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't know. I didn't mean to overreact."

She pulled him in to kiss her, their tongues clash as she lay on top of him. Rick chose that moment to knock on the door to tell Hermione that the boat was leaving in two hours. Ardeth smiled up at her, pushing her hair behind her ear.

"You should get ready," he whispered.

"I'm packed," Hermione replied, smiling innocently. "I only need to change and get to the dock, and that will only take a half hour."

"Temptress," Ardeth growled, but complied with the unasked request.

Just under two hours later, Ardeth walked Rick, Evelyn, Jonathan, and Hermione to the dock. Jonathan and Rick boarded the ship, waiting for the girls. After some exchanged words with the Medjai, Evy joined the boys. Hermione looked at Ardeth, not wanting to leave, but knowing she must.

"Good bye, my desert flower," he whispered.

"Won't your superiors be angry?" she asked.

"You mean the elders? Maybe, but I still love you."

He placed a necklace in her hand. She looked at it, seeing a small, golden, flower pendent, with a sapphire in the middle. Hermione looked up at him.

"I love you, too," she whispered.

"Until we see each other again," he said, bowing to her.

She slowly walked up to the ship. She stood at the railing, watching as Ardeth grew smaller and smaller. She hadn't even realized how long she's been standing there, staring at nothingness, until Rick walked up beside her.

"So, little sister," he said. "What do you plan on doing once we get back to England?"

Well, there's the end of the first movie. And a little Ardeth/Hermione fluffiness. The story isn't over. I will venture forth (I love that phrase) into the second and possibly the third Mummy movies. Until then...REVIEW