Ch. 37

Her heart began to beat faster and faster, bordering on frantic. She had only been reading a book, but something was effecting her. She felt something pulling, deep within the pit of her stomach, beckoning her. The tablet. Glaring, she knew Larry had released its power and now it was asking for her to come to it.

Throwing her book across the room, she grabbed her pillow and tried to drown out the sound. It didn't help. There was nothing that could stop it from calling her unless she was within a few feet from it or in the same building. It wanted her to be at its side. How annoying…

"This is kind of creepy." Larry mumbled as he and his friend made their way to the lobby.

"You get used to it." he smiled.

The night guard couldn't imagine getting used to having six men walking relatively close to you while you took a stroll, their eyes darting around for any danger. Four times already, Ahkmenrah had to tell them to calm down. It was going to take a while for them to get the hang of it, but oh well.

With a wave of his hand and an exaggerated sigh, Ahk dispersed the troops, letting them roam free around the museum. He shook his head, wondering how awkward it was going to be to have body guards again after all this time.

"I guess you healed up okay." Larry finally said, pointing to the man's chest and arms.

Glancing down, Ahk noticed the wounds had healed. He stared at them curiously, his fingers gliding over the spot he knew they had been.

"I suppose you are right." he mumbled. "How odd."

"You didn't know that would happen?"

"Not a clue." he replied before glancing up and smiling. "I've never been out of my sarcophagus until you let me out. And since then, there wasn't any fighting."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

You learn something new about this place almost everyday. Larry turned his attention back to the beings that were beginning to walk around the lobby. His back tightened as he waited for the fighting to begin, but nothing happened. The groups hesitated for a moment before shaking hands with their counterpart, ending the ridiculous fight.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Larry noticed something in the distance, just pass the bones of the dinosaur, and saw the outline of a person standing in the doorway. They were pressed against the glass, hands cupped around the sides of their face to better see. Larry freaked. He ran to the stairs, turning quickly and nearly falling as he did. Some one had randomly walked up and now they could see everything. He had to get them to move away as soon as possible. God only knows what would happen if it was some little old lady trying to get a peek at all the noise. Rexy would give her a freakin' heart attack.

as he skidded to a stop in front of the door, readying his 'Can you please step away from the glass' speech, he felt a sigh of relief. It was only Jasmine. Oh shit, it was Jasmine. Larry forced a weak smile at her, waving like an idiot through the glass, not attempting to open the door.

"Hi." he yelled through the doors.

She eyed him for a moment before pointing to the lock.

"Sorry what?" he yelled, holding his hand to his ear as though he didn't understand.

"Unlock the door Larry." she replied.

"Huh?"

"I know you activated the tablet Larry. I don't care."

His face dropped.

"How… I don't know what you mean." he said defensively.

"Just open the door."

"How did you know I used the tablet?" he asked, the keys already going back into his pocket after he opened the door.

"Guardian remember." she smiled pointing to herself. "I can feel the damn thing."

"Huh…" he answered surprised. "Go figure. You're a weird one aren't you?"

"Me?" she laughed. "You spend every night playing with the reanimated statues of historical figures."

"Point taken." he replied with a crooked smile.

The two of them smiled at their comments before glancing around. It truly was amazing. Overhead, three large condors flew, their wings spread wide. On the top floor, a lion and his two female mates walked through the groups. Teddy was with his lovely lady and the others going about their own business. This was perhaps the happiest, and most amazing place in the world. Every fantasy could come true here. You would ride a dinosaur, you carry on conversations with long since dead people, or anything else you could think of.

"I truly am going to miss this place." she swooned, the smile fading slightly.

"So you're still leaving?"

"Yes." she answered glancing down to him. "I have a job opportunity coming up… And, I'm not completely sure it's… healthy for me to remain here."

he forced an awkward laugh at the mention of it being unhealthy but he knew what she meant. Things were being done without her consent and none of it had faired well for her. Honestly, he was surprised she even still came around instead of running for the hills screaming. The thought made him smile again.

"You going to tell him when you're leaving?" he asked, pointing to the Pharaoh that had been watching them, refusing to move.

She glance up at him and immediately regretted it. Her eyes were locked to his, the deep brown color keeping her attention completely. He smiled sweetly to her, something that made her heart race in her chest. It was a feeling that you couldn't help but hate sometimes, and yet, you loved it when it happened. It meant you were alive, that the one who brought the reaction out in you was the one you were meant to be with. Jasmine smiled sweetly, her hand raising in a slight wave. He responded.

"I'm not sure yet." she answered truthfully. "They want me to leave Thursday."

"This Thursday?" he asked loudly.

"Well, they want me for the dig next week, but it has been months since I've been home. I miss it. I wanted to go home for a bit and see family before I was gone for another few months."

"I can see that but I figured you would have let us know more then two days ahead of time."

"I'm sorry." she answered quietly, her eyes still on the Pharaoh. "But I know you understand."

He sighed heavily, his eyes traveling up to the ornately dressed man, still smiling wide at the young woman to his right. He did understand, he really did. As he thought about how hard this must be for her, he remembered the happy days when he was in the dark about the entire situation. Ah, the good old days when he would only catch the end of the conversation and didn't care to hear the rest.

"You going to go talk to him?" he finally asked her.

"I suppose I should. This will not end well." she sighed before walking forward. "I don't know if it would be a good idea for you to interrupt us. It may not be pleasant."

"Don't worry. I've seen how pissed you get. I'm all good out here." he laughed nervously before noticing the soldier standing by the king and glaring at it. "And what's the big idea with that guy?!"

The young woman turned and glanced at the soldier, laughing at the sight.

"Teresa has a bit of a crush on you. I was just as surprised as you." she laughed.

Larry blushed at the phrase. He figured the little woman had something going towards him but enough to actually make a model from him? Creepy… and yet, slightly flattering. He smiled inwardly and turned to make his rounds.

Jasmine's eyes were still locked intently with the Pharaoh's as she climbed the stairs, rounding the corner and standing in front of him. The six soldiers, three on either side like she had expected, dropped their weapons and bowed to her. Something neither of them had expected.

"You seem to have a presence about you." Ahkmenrah smiled.

"It appears so." she replied, eying the men wearily. "May I speak with you?"

Ahkmenrah's mouth went slack. She wanted to speak with him, alone preferably, but right now he didn't care. They could be in the middle of a crowded room and he would still be elated that she was speaking to him.

"Alone." she muttered, still looking at the soldiers.

"Of course. The tomb?"

"Sure. I know you're more comfortable there anyway." she smiled.

The young man muttered commands to the soldiers before the dispursed. Honestly, he was glad they were gone. Still smiling wide, he extended his arm to the young woman. The two set off to the tomb, him smiling wide, her…

Jasmine tried to think of the words to say. She wanted to stay behind, more then anything but she couldn't spend her life in a museum… not in that way at least. She was still alive, still had a pulse, and wanted the chance to live without someday being mistaken as one of the exhibits. Her face was contorting as the two walked.

Ahk glanced to his side to see her thinking intently. The look on her face made him more aware that the conversation she wished to have, was not one he wished to hear. But he had already decided while he slept that she had to be freed from him. He couldn't ask any more from her then he already had.

But no matter how he had convinced himself that it was a good idea to let her go, he still couldn't me anything but happy that she was here. He relished in the heat coming from her skin, the flush pink that graced her cheeks, the beautiful smell that radiated from her. If she was leaving, he was at least going to enjoy the time he had with her.

As they rounded the corner to the exhibit, she found herself smiling happily at the sight of the large warriors. When they grew closer, the creatures turned to face her kneeling low with their arms across their chest to show respect. Coming to a stop, Jasmine bowed low before standing.

"It's nice to see you again gentlemen." she said kindly.

The two nodded their heads to her before standing, taking their place once more on either side of the entry way.

Slowly, the two made their way inside. Ahkmenrah still held her arm to his before walking to his crypt and waited for her to speak. She stared into his face, trying her best to think of the words before her mouth opened. There was no stopping them, but perhaps she didn't feel as though she should try.

"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow night will be my last one here." she blurted.

"When will you return?"

"I won't."

Someone had ripped the breath from his lungs, smothering him with nothing more then words.

I hope you guys like it so far, and I have a question for you. I wanted to know if you thought they should get a little... physical in the next chapter? It's up to you guys. If you want them to, leave me a comment or message and let me know. Thanks a bunch!