"Where is the Pharaoh?"

Hephaistion woke with a start thinking that that the voice was directed at him, his eyes moved towards the direction of the voice but there was no one in the tent it was coming from outside. He listened some more.

"Search the camp and have the guards ready, just in case."

This was followed by the sound of running feet and clattering armour.

It was then that Hephaistion realized that he was still in Alexander's embrace, snug in the crook of his arm that snaked around him holding him close.

"Alexander" Hephaistion said loud enough for the sleeping person to hear but not the whole camp. "Alexander." this time he got an arm free so that he could give him a shake. "They are looking for you."

Alexander let him go and rolled over, "Let them look." he mumbled

Now free Hephaistion stood up retrieved his robe from the floor and going over to the wash basin, there was some water left in the jug beside it. Picking it up he dumped the contents on top of the sleeping Pharaoh causing him to wake with a start and sit bolt upright pushing his hair out of his face looking for the culprit. Hephaistion couldn't help but flinch when those dark angry filled eyes found him holding the jug.

"Hephaistion, What the…"

"If you want half you army disappearing in a futile search for YOU, I suggest you make your presence know to them."

Alexander blinked, coming to the terms with having his sleep so rudely interrupted.

"They're doing what?" when it finally sunk in.

"They are sending out search parties."

This spurted Alexander into action grabbing his robe from Hephaistion in passing.

Hephaistion held back while Alexander pushed aside the tent flap blocking the sun with his hand giving his eyes time to adjust.

"Kineas." he said stopping a passing guard by placing a hand on his arm.

Kineas looked shocked to see the Pharaoh suddenly beside him

"Y- y-y-our majesty." he stammered "We have guards out looking for you, we feared the worse."

"Well you can call off the search I have been here the whole time, I had an early morning meeting with Hephaistion."

Hephaistion saw Kineas look in his direction whilst putting two and two together, his face remaining natural. Alexander let go of his arm and sent him to carry out his orders.

"Oh and Kineas send in my council I have an announcement to make."

Alexander kept the council waiting Hephaistion tailed behind as he made his way to the council tent sometime he had to jog to keep up with the Pharaoh.

"We will be leaving Egypt ." he said as soon as he entered the tent

The other companions looked at each other as the Pharaoh sat down Hephaistion placed next to him.

"Alexander, have you thought this through properly?" asked Cassander " We can't just up and leave."

" We can and we will. That is why I have called you all here now to plan."

"But what about the city it is only fifty five percent complete."

Alexander put up his hands to stop them un their questioning.

"Gentlemen please all will be revealed if you let me explain."

So it was settled Alexander and his army would leave Egypt next month, Alexander consulted the high Priests for a time and day. Hephaistion's skills were used to keep track of the comings and goings of resources with much success.

Special offices were set up to take the names of those that wished to stay to populate the new city and those that wished to carry on with Alexander.

When they were given to Alexander he was furious to see that his closest friend Ptolemy had choose to stay in Alexandria with his wife . The General was called for and an argument then ensued. Hephaistion like everyone else was stood listening, it reached a peak before it all went deadly quiet then tent flap was flung back and Ptolemy stormed out trembling with hidden unspoken rage. The other companions went after Ptolemy while Hephaistion stood deciding if he should with them, he turned away from them and entered the tent.

He found Alexander in a chair leaning one elbow on the table whilst pinching the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger his eyes were closed and he was breathily heavily. He opened his eyes when Hephaistion entered letting his hand flop away from his face on to the table before waving Hephaistion forward.

Hephaistion placed his hands on his shoulders the muscles were hard with tension but soon began to soften as he kneaded. Alexander slumped and sighed

"Better?"

Alexander nodded he reached up to place a hand on top of Hephaistion's stopping him

" You are so good to me." he said patting the hand

Hephaistion couldn't help but snort a laugh " You sound like and old man when you said that."

Alexander smiled too.

" You'll stay ?"

" Of course were where else can I go."

Alexander patted the hand again before lifting it up to plant a kiss on it.

"Good."

Ptolemy changed his mind about staying in the city, the army was ripe with rumour to what Alexander had said. Alexander was quick to stop the gossip by ordering all of his army to attend training as the men had gotten lazy and the news recruits needed to be built up. Hephaistion joined them and pretty soon he built up his physique and became lightly tanned from being out in the sun to long, much to the delight of Alexander.

Hephaistion spent the last night with Alexander but Alexander was distracted.

Hephaistion looked from where he had been sucking at his nipples with a frown leaning up on his elbow., the moment gone.

Alexander looked at him before smiling and pulling him down against his chest wrapping his arms around him tightly.

"It's not you honestly ." he said kissing the top of his head.

"Then what?"

"I'm just worried about tomorrow."

Hephaistion ran his tongue along his bottom lip before sucking in his lower lip

"I know" he said before moving closer for a deep kiss that travelled down Alexander's throat, down towards his chest adding his tongue eyes flicking between Alexander and the job at hand "But--let-- me-- put-- your." he stopped at his nipple taking it in his mouth sucking watching all the tension melt away from Alexander causing Hephaistion to smile " your mind at ease."