Krista - May 11, 2002
His fingers began to twitch as the liquid poured through his system. Soon they were deep into the sands, grasping as if he were attempting to grab his life. Rick felt pain slowly subside. Hadn't he...wasn't he close to...? He slowly opened his eyes and glanced around in confusion. Evie hovered over his body, tears streaming down her face in pure joy. Alex was behind her, excited that his father was being brought to the land of the living once more. He groaned and put a hand on his head, trying to disintegrate a headache.

"Nn...what the hell happened?" Rick's words slurred.

"Ohh Rick you're alive!" Evie cried, throwing himself atop his now healed chest.

Rick, unfortunately, still had the wind knocked out of him from both his wife and his child being thrown on top of him. But he didn't really mind it that much. He was just glad to see them both okay...with...two strange yet familiar looking people behind them?

Milo (pen name milo-n-vaughn) May 12, 2002
Gabrielle stared at Jonathan in astonishment. How could she have missed it? His features resembled the young prince so much and yet she'd completely overlooked it. Of course, Jonathan was much older than Ramesses, but yet she was sure the prince would grow to look very similar to her love.

It was a few years back when Gabrielle had rescued the young Ramesses, and they'd been friends ever since. However, the prince had been gone for quite a while for reasons Gabrielle had no knowledge of. But now she knew that it was true, that Jonathan was the reincarnated form of Ramesses.

"Gabrielle, we must go, you need medical attention." Nefret told Gabrielle, helping Jonathan up.

"That's right, we must get you into London." Jonathan said, recovering from his trance and regaining some of his strength, trying to concentrate on the situation at hand.

Not wanting to make the long trip to England, Gabrielle shook her head then got an idea, a sly grin spreading across her pretty face. "I have an idea..."

Jonathan and Nefret didn't even get a chance to ask what Gabrielle's brilliant idea was, but they followed her anyway. She was still limping and holding her stomach, but was obviously a very strong person who didn't give up easily, and Jonathan was greatly admiring her strength. Every once in a while she would almost fall to her knees but Jonathan would place his hand at her side and help her stand. They were also holding hands for most of the way.

She was going back through the tunnel, they could both tell that, but neither protested due to the eager look on the girl's face. Once through the tunnel she didn't stray very far, going into the direction of a small oasis surrounded by baron desert.

They reached the oasis but did not stop to rest at the brim, going deep into the trees Gabrielle brought them to a small shack next to a river paradise. She stopped finally and they all panted to catch their breath. "Senbi! Senbi!" Gabrielle called out, walking closer to the shack once she'd caught her breath.

Jonathan remembered the name 'Senbi' from his studies. It meant healthy but the small wiry man who came out from behind the shack was no resemblance of that. He was a sickeningly thin gangly man with a tuft of unruly black hair sprouting out of his head. He had a sunken chest and walnut shaped brown eyes. His skin was tan, Egyptian obviously and he was wearing what appeared to be black pajamas held up by a rope around his thin waist.

"Yes, yes, what do you want now?" He asked in a weasely voice.

By the Gods...it's Beni! Jonathan's jaw dropped and he felt it might even touch the ground. He knew he recognized this scrawny figure from somewhere! It was that little weasel Beni! "Holy Horus..." Jonathan muttered under his breath.
"I've got a job for you." Gabrielle told Senbi, putting her hands on her hips.

"No way sis, I'm not doing anything for you this time..." Senbi replied starting to walk away.

Sis? As in sister? Ah crickey Gabs is Beni's sister! Jonathan rolled his eyes and put a hand to his head.

Senbi scrambled into his shack and Gabrielle huffed and followed, turning to Jonathan and Nefret stating a simple, "This will only take a moment." Before she darted into the hut after her brother.

Jonathan and Nefret exchanged glances, but knowing that it was close to impossible for them to communicate neither even tried. After a few minutes Senbi came running back out of the shack, Gabrielle following angrily after.

"Come on Senbi! It's a chance to do something really good!"

"No way!"

"...and get a big reward.."

Senbi stopped dead in his tracks and smirked, turning around. "She had to mention the R word..."

Gabrielle stepped toward him, grinning.

"How much?"

"Fifty."

"Twenty."

"Forty."

"Twenty-five."

Senbi sighed and gave his sister a glare, "Deal."

Gabrielle shook his hand. "Pleasure doing business with you."

After Senbi had gotten Gabrielle stitched up and the others had bathed in the lake, Gabrielle and Jonathan lay outside under the stars on blankets while Nefret was sound asleep. Jonathan rolled over to look at Gabrielle. "Gabs?"

"Hmmm?"

"I knew your brother in his future life."

"You did? Was he as big of a weasel then too?"

"You have no idea."

They didn't speak for a while because Gabrielle started to hum and sing softly. Jonathan just lay there listening to her voice. She wasn't singing in English, but Jonathan could pick out a few of the romantic lyrics. After she stopped he had to ask:

"Where did you learn English?"

"From Olympus...he was born in Greece...he's studied many languages, back when Senbi and I were children his father taught us all the languages. Senbi's learned seven."

"How did you get the name Gabrielle? It's not Egyptian."

"My real name is Pasebaknaennuit." Gabrielle replied.

"That's a mouthful." Jonathan laughed.

"No kidding. Olympus gave me the nickname Gabrielle and it stuck."

Suddenly from the shack came a shattering noise and the two jumped up as they heard Senbi cursing in several different languages.

Heidi Rittner (pen name JasmineHR) May 12, 2002
Osiris watched as the man was practically strangled by his wife's and son's joyous hugs. He placed his hand on Evie's shoulder to get her attention. "I don't believe I have enough medicine left to revive him once more should you suffocate him," he joked. Evie laughed and wiped the tears from her eyes. She stood and took Alex's hand and they moved aside so that Osiris could help Rick to his feet.

"I don't know how I can ever thank you," Evie said.

"Perhaps we can discuss that after we have all made proper introductions," Osiris responded.

Rick did not understand what they'd been saying and could still not get over the two people who had been standing before him. Maybe it was a trick of the shadows, he thought to himself. He groaned as he pushed himself up to sitting position. He squeezed his eyes shut and put his hands on either side of his pounding head making circular motions at his temples to ease the pain. When he opened his eyes, the man was leaning over him, offering a hand to help him to his feet. He took the hand and pushed himself off the ground, finding himself at eye level with the man. He was shocked to find that the man looked exactly like him. "Oh great, I'm dreaming," Rick thought to himself. "I must've really banged my head this time."

Evie came to his side and placed her arm around him. "Are you alright my dear?"

"Yah, I guess, but this is the strangest damn dream I've ever had." Rick yelped as Evie pinched his side. "OW! What was that for?"

Evie smiled up at him innocently. "Just to show you that you're not dreaming. You wouldn't have felt that or any of the other pain if you were asleep."

"Yah? Well you just wait. You're gunna pay for that lady," he teased her. He bent down and gave her a kiss.

Alex rolled his eyes and began to tug on his father's sleeve. "Hello! Geez! Can't you guys stop the mushy stuff for at least five minutes? We have company you know!"

Evie blushed as she looked over at Osiris and Adom. Rick cleared his throat and chuckled under his breath. "So uh, who are these guys?" Rick asked Evie.

"I'm not exactly sure," she began, "they showed up and immediately began working on bringing you back to us. Let's get an introduction, shall we?" She removed her arm from around him and took hold of his hand while they began their introductions to Osiris and Adom.

Evie spoke in his language. "My name is Evelyn, but you may call me Evie. This is my husband, Rick, and my son, Alex. Ardeth and Olympus are around here somewhere making sure everything is all right, and my brother, Jonathan, and Nefret have taken Gabrielle to a healer in our time."

Osiris nodded to Rick and Alex and responded. "I am called Osiris. This is my son, Adom. Perhaps we can discuss how your group may be of help to me. I take it your husband does not understand my language, and I do not understand his. This will take much too long for you to translate to your husband, so I must ask that we delay until I can find the bracelet that was stolen from me." Osiris looked to his son. "Adom, go and find the body of Suetekh and bring me the bracelet. I will begin explaining the bracelet."

Adom gave a beaming smile at being given a task. "Yes, father."

"I'll go with you," Alex responded in their language. Adom smiled. "I know where Seth's body is." He and Adom began walking off together to retrieve the bracelet. "I'm Alex. Boy, it's neat to meet someone who looks just like me…." His voice drifted off as he and Adom walked out of hearing range.

"The bracelet had been given to me by my father when I became a Med-jai. He told me that the bracelet has a destiny of its own. It gives great power to the one who wears it. Suetekh was not meant to be a wearer of the bracelet, so he was not able to gain its full use or power. It is said that the chosen wearer will have dreams of who it must be given to next and when it must be passed on to the next chosen person." He looked over at Rick, who was curiously listening though he didn't understand, then he looked back at Evie. "I have had the dream, and your husband has been chosen as the bracelet's next wearer. As soon as the sun rises this next day, it is to be worn by him and it will show him what he must do. It is his destiny. He will be able to understand and speak this language, for it is the language of the bracelet."

Desiree - May 14, 2002
Jonathan and Gabrielle sat straight up, "What the bloody hell was that!"

"I'd better go check on Senbi." Gabrielle started to stand, but the pain in her side was too severe, and she fell softly back onto the ground.

"I'll check on him. You stay here and relax- I'm sure nothing's wrong. I'll be right back." Jonathan trotted over to the shack and saw a bunch of broken pots and Senbi lying on the floor… completely naked! "What the…?"

Nefret walked in right at that moment, and gasped at the horrendous sight before her.

"Get me my clothes! A blanket! Something!" Senbi was hysterical.

"All right! …Here." Senbi snatched up the clothes Jonathan was handing to him, and slowly started to stand up. Nefret attempted to help, but was pushed aside by the still uncovered Senbi.

"What happened here?" Nefret and Jonathan had spoken at the same time, asking the same question, but in different languages. Senbi chuckled at the timing.

First he answered to Jonathan and then to Nefret, "I was about to go to bed, um, when I remembered, um, that I was supposed to put these pots away. I, uh, slipped on some water here, and, um, I, uh, fell over and all the pots fell with me! I'm ok, though. Thanks for the concern- I'm good. You can go on to bed. I'm fine, really. Go on!" Senbi looked worried, and he kept looking at the ground. It almost looked like he didn't want the two to see which pots had been broken.

Jonathan shrugged his shoulders and went back to Gabrielle. Nefret also returned to her bed.

"Is everything all right?"

"Yes. He just, um, slipped on some water." Jonathan lay down next to Gabrielle, and the two slept in each other's embrace. Later that night, though, Jonathan lay awake wondering, Why did Senbi seem like he was making up his story? Why was he carrying a bunch of pots? Why didn't he just do it in the morning? And most of all, why on earth was he naked? Jonathan made himself stop thinking about it- oh well, maybe I'm just suspicious of another Beni- and fell asleep.

Deana Lisi- May 16, 2002
Ardeth checked the grounds, hoping to dispose of any foes that were working with Seth and Bonnie. What Ardeth didn't know, was that someone had spotted him.

Imhotep watched the man sneak around, suspiciously. He must be looking for me, having witnessed the crime! his mind told him. I must kill him before he makes known what I have done.

Ardeth never saw Imhotep coming behind him, but at the last second he sensed danger, turning around in time to deflect the priest's sword from nearly decapitating him. He succeeded, but the force of Imhotep's attack threw him off balance, and they both fell hard to the ground, his scimitar and Imhotep's still-bloody sword both clattering away.

Ardeth was stunned for a minute, his already injured head throbbing painfully. Imhotep crawled off him and frantically made his way to where the swords had landed.

Ardeth realized his intentions, and grabbed Imhotep's leg, attempting to stop him.

As fast as lightning, Imhotep turned around, and threw a punch at him. Ardeth had to let go with one arm to block it, and Imhotep now had his chance to stand, and he jumped to his feet quickly, kicking Ardeth in the chest.

Ardeth gasped when the breath shot out of him. He watched dully as Imhotep ran towards the swords, and he knew that if he didn't get up he would be dead in less then a minute.

Ignoring his pain, he got to his feet and ran at Imhotep, who was starting to pick up his sword. Ardeth dove into him, making the priest lose his grip on the weapon. What Ardeth didn't realize was that they would then both roll down a steep embankment that had been conveniently hidden by bushes.

After coming to a painful stop at the bottom, neither of them moved for a minute. When Ardeth opened his eyes, his one relief was that Imhotep was now away from the swords.

But now, so was he.

Ardeth got to his feet, the priest doing the same. With a deep breath, Ardeth realized that one of two things would now happen: he would either give the beating of his life, or receive the beating of his life.

With a wild yell, Imhotep charged at him, and Ardeth aimed to throw a punch at his face. The priest was expecting that, however, and blocked it, punching Ardeth hard in the stomach.

Ardeth gasped, the breath knocked out of him a second time. His body automatically doubled over, though he tried not to. Surprisingly, Imhotep didn't keep hitting him, obviously waiting for Ardeth to recover so they could go at it again.

It looks as though I will receive the beating of my life, Ardeth thought, trying to get his breath back. Hunched over, he hung his head, his hands on his knees, hoping that Imhotep would let his guard down somewhat, thinking he'd really hurt him. It seemed to work, for when Ardeth suddenly sprang at him, Imhotep looked slightly surprised.

Ardeth got in three good, solid punches before Imhotep punched him back, and, taking advantage of Ardeth's unbalanced position, kicked his legs out from under him.

As Ardeth went down, he did the same thing to Imhotep, who hadn't expected it. Landing hard on his rear, he muttered something that Ardeth didn't quite catch, and grabbed a huge rock, intending to smash it on Ardeth's head.

Ardeth rolled to the side, out of the way. He was frustrated that he hadn't already won the fight…his earlier injuries disadvantaging him greatly. He and Imhotep were pretty much evenly matched on a good day.

This was not a good day.

Imhotep came at him again, and, still on the ground, he kicked the priest's leg hard, before he came close enough. Imhotep caught himself before he fell, and punched Ardeth on the side of his head.

Ardeth saw stars, but he grabbed Imhotep's arm and punched him in the stomach. The priest fell on top of him, and used the advantage to get a few more punches in. They rolled around for a minute, each of them trying to get the upper hand.

"STOP!"

Both of them obeyed, surprised at the voice. Looking up the embankment, they saw Olympus standing there, holding Ardeth's scimitar and Imhotep's sword. He started to come down the embankment, and Imhotep—knowing he could never fight two people armed with swords while he had nothing—scrambled up and ran.

Olympus ran over to Ardeth, who was still lying on the ground, trying to catch his breath. Olympus knelt next to him, wincing at the bruises that he could see already forming, and the blood coming from the corner of the Med-jai's mouth and left eye. He put a hand on Ardeth's arm.

"Are you all right?"

Ardeth was so relieved that the fight was over, that he nearly laughed at Olympus' question. "Yes," he lied.

Olympus looked like he didn't believe him. "Nefret and Jonathan have taken Gabrielle to Jonathan's time, for medical help," he explained, as he helped the Med-jai up.

Ardeth held out his hand to stop him when he reached a sitting position, not ready to stand just yet. "The woman still lives?" he asked, surprised.

Olympus nodded.

Ardeth was glad, for Jonathan's sake. He was upset that Nefret had gone with them, however, for he wanted nothing more then to see her right now.

"I have told the O'Connell's, they are waiting for us to return," Olympus said.

At that, Ardeth started to move, and Olympus pulled him to his feet, holding onto him tightly when he groaned, blinking back a wave of dizziness.

"Are you sure that you are all right?" Olympus asked, concerned.

Ardeth nodded, realizing that Olympus didn't know of his earlier injuries. They made their way to the hill, and Ardeth nearly groaned again at the thought of climbing it.

They started up it, slowly; Olympus lending Ardeth a hand when he felt the injured Med-jai needed it.

After what seemed like an eternity, they finally reached the top. Olympus attained it first, and helped pull Ardeth up, over the edge. Sitting against the bush that had so effectively hidden the embankment, they paused to catch their breath.

"Did they find Alex?" Ardeth suddenly asked, remembering what they'd come for.

Olympus nodded. "Yes."

Ardeth smiled, sighing in relief.

After a minute, the two men rose and started the walk back to the O'Connell's location.