They flew through the sky, high above white clouds that must be turning pink or purple or orange from the view below. It was difficult to remember the troubles back down on earth, when you were so high above everything, practically touching heaven. Wars or hunger or sickness just didn't seem like they could exist. At least, that was how it felt to the group of worn liberators who were on the plane on their way home.

The only thing Paige worried about now was how very tired she was. Apparently being sick, and then sleeping for two days straight, and then running around and falling and receiving memories from the past was…wearing. She felt like she could sleep for decades, leaning against Alex's shoulder and staring out the window at the blue, blue sky. She felt his arm softly wrapped around her, his thumb gently rubbing up and down her arm, comfortingly. She closed her eyes and yawned.

Now that she was back, she really should be thinking about Alex's confession, but that was nearly impossible with the weight on her eyelids. Besides…what was there to think about, really? Alex liked her. And she liked him back. No – she didn't like him back, not that way, at least. Wait…yes, she did like him!

Paige sighed, more confused then ever. But confused or not, this was still the most peaceful she'd felt in…well, years, really. Since before her parents started fighting. Since before she started dating that jerk. She hadn't even had any close friends back then, really. She had a few friends she could go to the movies with or to the mall or spa or whatever, but no one she could really confide in.

Now she had Fiona, and Alex, and even Josh. She'd barely known Josh very long, but already she felt very close to him. He was so cute, with the video, and visiting her when she was sick…he was really sweet.

There was another problem. She liked Josh, and she knew she liked Josh. She wasn't sure if she liked Alex. And if she did like him, did she like him enough to stop seeing Josh? She looked so forward to seeing her maybe-boyfriend…

But it was Alex who she knew would go to rescue her. And it was Alex who rushed to her side. Alex who put himself into danger to protect her.

She knew Alex cared for her. She knew Josh cared for her. Maybe Josh would have been the one to rescue her, if he'd had the chance.

Oh, this was so confusing!

Instead of thinking about her feelings, she thought back on what had happened since she'd left Imhotep. It wasn't much. She had looked over her shoulder every three minutes, half-expecting him to follow her again although he'd already let her go. The group had spent some time in a hotel and at a store, where they bought Paige some more normal-looking clothing. They'd also gotten something to eat; though she wasn't used to Egyptian food, her empty stomach had been completely grateful. And then she and Alex and locked themselves into another room to study, which was something she hadn't done much during their break. She was surprised she could remember so much from school.

And then she'd thought about how much she missed Josh, and then felt guilty for thinking about Josh when Alex was around, taking care of her…

Paige sighed. Now that her thoughts were swimming, she couldn't sleep. She sat up, giving a thankful smile to Alex.

"Can't sleep?" he asked.

Paige nodded. "Too much to think about."

"Yeah," Alex agreed, "I'm not so sure Imhotep is going to let us off that easily."

Paige shrugged. "I dunno. He seemed pretty sincere to me. Maybe he finally realized that I'm not the same person he loved."

"Maybe…" Alex said skeptically, and then mumbled something under his breath.

"What?" Paige asked.

"Nothing," Alex responded. He moved his arm from around her, as though he just realized that it was still there. "So, what's the first thing you want to do when you get home?"

See Josh, she thought, but instead said, "Take a long, hot bath. And then play poker with you and Jonathan and Alice, if I can convince her."

Alex laughed. "Yeah, speaking of Alice…"

Paige raised her eyebrows. "What about Alice?"

"Funny how she insisted on sitting next to Ardeth."

Paige laughed, looking over her shoulder in an attempt to see past Rick and Evy to her sister and the Med-Jai warrior. "Yeah…what happened while I was gone?"

"I didn't really notice anything," Alex shrugged. "They talked on the plane here. And when we went in to rescue you, Ardeth suggested Alice stay close to him, but that could be because she has zero experience with mummies and he had…a lot."

"Maybe…" Paige said, smiling. Alice and Ardeth? That was an interesting idea…

"It would be weird…" Alex began.

"What would be weird?" Paige urged him to continue.

"If they got together."

Paige nodded. "Weird, and kinda cool. He was Isis's brother, and then to have him become my brother-in-law…" Paige closed her eyes, shook her head and squealed. "Too weird!"

"Yeah," Alex chuckled.

They sat in silence for a moment, she looking out the window at the darkening clouds, and he looking at her.

"So Paige…"

Paige turned to look at him. "Yes?"

Alex opened his mouth, and then hesitated and closed it. He swallowed hard, closed his eyes and spoke.

"About what happened…you know, before….Imhotep came."

"Oh," Paige said so softly she was unsure if he could hear her over the plane engines. "Yeah, about that."

"If you don't want to talk about it, then-"

"No," said Paige. "We can talk about it."

Alex opened his eyes, and examined her face. His expression was unreadable, which was unusual for Alex who usually showed his emotions so well. If he was sad he showed it, if he was happy you knew it.

Then again…he'd managed to hide that he liked her for…ages.

"So, um…I know you haven't had any time to think about it…"

"Yeah," Paige sighed, tangling and untangling her fingers in her lap.

"So maybe later is a better time?"

Paige bit her lip softly and was quiet for a minute. Later she would have her thoughts organized better. Later…she would have seen Josh. Maybe she'd be able to figure things out later. Or maybe she would just end up more confused.

"I think so…" Paige finally answered.

"Because you want to see Josh?"

Paige turned her head to stare at Alex. See, this was the problem with having this kind of situation with your best friend. Alex could practically read her mind.

"Kind of," she shrugged. "I just want to see him to see if I…still feel the same way about him."

"It's only been like, three days," Alex reminded her, sounding a bit gloomy. "Things probably haven't changed that much."

"Well, four days ago I didn't have all these new memories. And I didn't know that you…"

"Right," Alex nodded, sounding a little more positive. "Okay."

It was quiet again – well, relatively so. The plane engines still roared, and babies still cried, and people still chattered, and the guy across the aisle from them somehow managed to snore over all of it. But Paige and Alex didn't speak to each other. They were both lost in their own thoughts.

"If you don't like me," Alex said, "You can just say so. I won't hate you or anything."

"I didn't say I didn't like you," Paige sighed.

"I know. I just wanted you to know that if you don't…feel the same way about me, I understand. And I want to still be friends."

Paige grinned. "I certainly hope so. I'd hate to lose your friendship…"

But would she hate to lose more then his friendship? Paige closed her eyes and tried to picture it. If Alex told her he didn't like her that way anymore, that he just wanted to be friends…would she be relieved? Or disappointed?

Why do I want to cry suddenly? Paige wondered. Okay, so it was time to try the other way around. What if Josh told her the same thing? 'Sorry, Paige, but I think I just want to be friends'…?

She'd smile. 'That's okay, Josh. I'd like to be friends, too.'

"I'd hate to lose your friendship, too," Alex was saying. "I really have fun with you, Paige, and-"

"Alex," Paige interrupted, opening her eyes.

"What?"

"I like you, too."

Alex hesitated. "Well, yeah…I know that…We're best friends, you mentioned-"

"No, Alex," Paige laughed. "As in, I don't want to date Josh anymore."

"…Wait, what?" Alex asked, confused. "Did I miss something here?"

"Yup," Paige giggled. "But don't worry about it. The important thing is I figured it out."

"So, you like me…as in…?"

"As in the same way you like me," Paige grinned, and then leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

"Oh!" Alex said, blushing. "Oh, wow."

"You're really cute when you blush," said Paige, also blushing. He really IS cute…

"Thanks," Alex laughed, turning redder. He reached out a hand and took her left hand, and rubbed his thumb over the top of it. "You're cute when you blush, too."

Paige giggled again, feeling some funny ticklish sensation in her stomach. She leaned her head against Alex's shoulder.

"So Paige," Alex said, resting his head on hers.

"Yeah?"

"Wanna go on a date with me tomorrow night?"

Paige giggled, yet again. "Yes."

Alice sighed, setting aside her book of Sudoku puzzles. She couldn't concentrate well enough to get any of them done. Though they had rescued her sister, she was still worried. She hadn't noticed anything different about Paige, but she was sure that all those memories must have changed her somehow. At least made her more cautious, or predictable or calmer…

Or maybe she was just hoping for that.

Honestly, she would hate to see Paige changed…at least anything beyond a bit more careful outlook. Paige was her sister, and she wouldn't be the same person without her outgoing, dramatic personality.

Alice picked up her ginger ale and took a dainty sip, then glanced at Ardeth, who was sitting to her left. He sat with his arms folded, a crease between his brows.

"Worried about something?" she asked, slipping her hair over her shoulder. He gave her a small half-smile.

"No," he reassured her. Then frowned. "Yes. I do not believe the Creature will let us go so easily."

Alice crossed her ankles. "Well, Paige said-"

"The Creature could have lied," Ardeth said. "In an attempt to lull us into a false sense of safety."

"Why?" Alice wondered as she set down the drink and folded her hands neatly in her lap. "He already had her…"

Ardeth's frown deepened. "I do not know."

Alice sighed, leaning back into her seat. Yet another thing to be concerned about. Imhotep coming back for her sister.

But the worst was over, wasn't it?

"Ardeth, do you date?" My, that was out of the blue. Alice shut her mouth quickly and felt a blush quickly spreading across her fair skin.

Ardeth's eyebrows rose. "Do I…?"

"Date," Alice repeated. "You know…go out…with women…"

"I know what dating is," Ardeth said. "I…do not date currently, no. Why?"

"Well, why don't you date?"

"I did not know any women who I wished to…date."

"'Did not'? Why is that past tense?"

"Why are you asking me?"

Alice turned to look out the window for a moment. Why did she care if he dated or not?

"Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" she answered her own question, and then turned to Ardeth. "I would like to date you. You're mysterious and almost wild while still being sensible and in control."

Ardeth smiled, nodding slowly. "I would like to date you, as well. You are calm and collected, as well as lovely and charming."

Alice smiled. "Well then. That's convenient, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," Ardeth laughed. "Shall we have dinner when we return to England?"

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Alice agreed. "Perhaps we could go to a show beforehand?"

"Excellent. We should plan this for the night after we return…that way we can be well-rested."

Alice nodded. "Alright then, it's a date."

"Yes," said Ardeth. "It is a date."

Evy and Rick sat in their row, leaning close to each other and talking.

"Evy, darling," Rick began. "Next time you want to go on vacation, let's not go to Egypt. In fact…let's just never go to Egypt again, alright?"

Evy pouted. "But Rick…it's not really Egypt you have a problem with, it's-"

"No, it's Egypt I have a problem with," Rick disagreed. "Remember that they tried to hang me."

"Oh, yes…" Evy recalled. "What was that for again?"

Rick opened his mouth to answer, and then closed it quickly. "Nice try."

"You'll have to tell me one day…"

"No, I don't."

"But I'm your wife!"

"And that's exactly why I don't need to tell you," insisted Rick.

"But all you told me was-"

"Oh, I know what I told you," Rick grinned. "And that's all I'm going to tell you."

"If you tell me, we won't go to Egypt again."

"We won't go to Egypt again regardless."

"Oh, but Rick…"

The drive back was dark and foggy. Mist clung to the black, moist streets. Paige leaned to the side to face her window, and breathed on the glass, and then drew a heart.

"It's cold and wet," Paige complained.

"Welcome to England," Jonathan muttered from the other side of Alex.

Paige sighed. Though she was still herself, the memories were affecting her a little. She'd almost felt the heat on her skin from the ancient Egyptian sun while she was inside those memories. Now that she was back in cold Europe…she felt as though she wasn't used to the chill, though she'd spent quite some time here.

Then again, the last time she'd been here was when she'd had a fever. That could be it.

"I'm not turning the heat up any more," Evy said from the driver's seat. Rick mumbled something about how HE would've turned up the heat, if he were driving.

"I am never sitting in the car with you driving ever again, Rick. You nearly killed us last time," Jonathan complained.

"Hey, it's not my fault you decided to pack all four of you in the back like that!"

"Yes, it was! You said-"

As Jonathan and Rick argued, Paige glanced over her shoulder to the cab that Alice and Ardeth were sharing. There was definitely something going on there.

"You want my jacket, Paige?" offered Alex. Paige looked over with a smile.

"No, thanks," she said, pulling at the edges of her own coat. "I'll be alright."

"You sure?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Okay…" Alex said, frowning. He slowly reached to his side and placed his hand over hers. She fought back a bit of a squeal when the butterflies in her stomach demanded to be released. She smiled as she looked out the window, and turned her hand over to grasp his.

"Why didn't I insist on sharing that cab?" Jonathan muttered to himself as Rick seemed to have won the argument.

"Because Alice wouldn't let you," Paige chimed in.

"Why on earth wouldn't she let me?"

"Probably because she's gotten to know you," joked Alex.

"That's very nice, Alex, haha," said Jonathan sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"She probably wanted some alone time with Ardeth…what?" Paige asked, glaring at Alex after he elbowed her in the side.

"Alone time with him?" Jonathan asked, frowning. "Isn't he too old for her?"

"Well…I don't think so," Paige said, shrugging. "It can't be that much of an age difference anyway, she's like, twenty-five – ouch! Alex, what was that for?"

"She's what?" Jonathan asked. "Alex! You said she was eighteen!"

"What? Why would you do that, Alex?" Paige wondered.

"I was protecting your sister from a gold digger!"

"I am not – well, I am a gold digger," Jonathan admitted, "But it's not as though Paige's family has any money. No offense."

"None taken," Paige giggled.

"But she's pretty, so she was still at risk," Alex noted.

"…Did you just call my sister pretty, Alex?"

"Well…yeah, but um…I meant that…she's not all that pretty-"

"Did you just call my sister ugly, Alex?"

Alex paused. "I'm not going to win, am I?"

"No," answered everyone else in the car.

"Forget I said anything then," Alex laughed, squeezing Paige's hand harder.

Paige smiled again as she stared out the window, trying to keep away depressing thoughts like how she was going to break the news to Josh, or about how Imhotep might be following them (which Ardeth wit his usual timing had warned her of as they stepped off the plane), or worse yet…thoughts about Jonathan becoming her brother-in-law. Ew. That would make Alex her…something. Cousin-in-law? Alex was Jonathan's nephew, so if Jonathan was her brother…

This was starting to remind her of the Gods of Olympus, where they all were related in one way or another.

The car slowly pulled up the long driveway, and Paige watched as the light green lawn and dark green and brown trees sped by. Everything had a glisten to it, and Paige figured that the rain had caused a small amount of ice to form on the leaves. Why was it so cold? It was England, but it wasn't the dead of winter. Well, it happened sometimes, she figured. Maybe she was just paranoid of the world ending now, after meeting a mummy who had the ability to end it.

The car stopped in front of the house, and Evy turned the engine off. She stepped out of the car and slowly opened the door and got out. Rick unbuckled and quickly followed her. Paige and Jonathan both unbuckled at the same time, Jonathan frowning and a crease forming between Paige's brows. Alex slipped out of the car after Paige.

"Why aren't you pulling to the side of the house?" Rick was asking.

Evy pointed to where the O'Connell's usually parked their car. Instead of an empty space there were three cars. Paige walked up to them, with Alex behind her. One was small and blue, another was taller and black, and the last was a red sports car. On the back of the two of them was a small sticker with a symbol.

"Rentals," Alex muttered. Paige nodded and then looked to the other car, which was…familiar.

Alex frowned. "Hey, isn't that-"

Paige turned as she heard the cab pull up behind them. She and Alex caught up with Rick and Jonathan (who were still standing by their car, Rick eyeing the other cars and the front door suspiciously) as Evy went to pay the cab driver and to warn Alice and Ardeth. As they approached Paige caught their conversation.

"Should we call the police?" Alice asked, worried.

"What, a bunch of mummy killers call the cops? Please," Paige scoffed, trying to laugh it off.

"Let's head in," Rick suggested. "Let's grab the guns first, though…"

"No," Paige insisted. "I think I know who it is."

"Who?" Alice asked.

"You think you know it is," Rick repeated. "But you don't know. It'd be safer if we went in armed."

"It would be best if we called the police," Alice sighed. "And who do you think it is?"

"That's Josh's car," said Alex, wrapping an arm protectively around Paige's shoulders.

Paige ignored the raised eyebrow from her sister. Instead, Paige raised an eyebrow at her when she spotted her arm in Ardeth's.

"I don't know who the other two belong to, though," she admitted.

"All the more reason to bring-"

"Rick," Evy interrupted. "Maybe we should teach you how to handle a situation without violence."

"People broke into our house; I think I'm fully in my rights to be violent!"

"Josh is probably just worried about me," Paige shrugged. "I don't know what you guys told him while I was sick, but he must have known it wasn't good, and then we all disappear without a word."

"And whose cars are those?"

"His host family's?" suggested Paige.

"What's the harm in bringing the guns in, really?" Rick wondered. "We can say were unpacking."

"And give the poor boy a heart attack? No," Evy disagreed. "Usually I'm fine with the guns, but let's just go in. I'm sure everything is fine."

Rick sighed. "Alright. But if we get shot at, don't blame me."

"We won't get shot at," Paige laughed, and then the group turned and headed into the house.

As they walked up the stairs toward the front door, Paige braced herself for seeing Josh and trying to explain to him both why she'd disappeared and why she just wanted to be friends. Things were complicated enough as it was, and this was just going to cause more drama. She was tired and wanted nothing more then to go straight to sleep, but…she had to handle this first. She couldn't let Alex or Alice speak up for her; Josh deserved to know the truth, directly from her. Especially since he'd come with his host family and everything.

Rick got to the door first, and slowly opened and stuck his head inside. Sounds of things being moved and thrown around came from inside. Rick turned back.

"Now can I grab my guns?"

Evy shushed him and tried to push around him, but Rick put out an arm to stop her and went in first instead. Evy followed behind him, and then Paige and Alex, and behind them followed Jonathan, and then Ardeth and Alice. As they walked forward, Paige caught a glimpse of someone who was vaguely familiar, though she couldn't put a name to him. He was about her age (though shorter then she was) and had shaggy reddish hair, tanned skin and dark brown eyes.

"Hey!" Rick exclaimed. "Who are you?"

The boy turned and dropped the vase he'd been holding, causing it to shatter across the hard entryway floor. He ran into the living room, with Rick right behind him. The group followed the two into the living room in time to see Rick leap over the couch and get the boy in a headlock.

"Who are you?" demanded Rick.

"Jhahawsh!" the boy yelled, or tried to. His windpipe was crushed by Rick.

"Rick, loosen up," Evy said. "We can't hear his answers."

Rick loosened his grip with a grimace.

Paige glanced around the room, frowning. The place was trashed. Most of the furniture had been turned over, books were emptied off of their shelves and artifacts were scattered around, most of which were still in perfect condition, but some which were broken. Paige noticed some of the better-looking ones were missing.

"Paige?" came a surprised voice behind them. Paige whipped around.

"Josh?"

The next instant she was up the air, being twirled around. Paige was too much in shock to squeal in surprise. When he set her down, his back was to Rick and the boy. "Paige, you're okay! Where have you been? What happened?"

Josh's voice was full of relief and joy, and Paige felt as though she would cry.

"I'm okay, but-"

"Josh," Rick interrupted. "Who is this guy?"

Josh turned around. "Oh, that's Don. He's a friend. Can you let go of him?"

Paige frowned, the name as vaguely familiar as the boy's face.

"Depends," Rick said, "Why is our house a wreck?"

"I asked my friends to come and help," Josh shrugged. "When we realized you weren't here, we looked through the house to see if we could figure out what was wrong, and since we couldn't we started looking for a note, or some clue as to what happened."

Rick let go of Don and let him fall to the ground.

"Why are some of our artifacts missing?" asked Evy.

Josh seemed embarrassed. "Ah…some of my friends are…well, I'll get them back."

"Darn right you will," Jonathan muttered from the back of the group. Apparently he'd decided that letting Alice and Ardeth closer to the crazed teenager would be better then him being closer.

"But Paige," Josh continued as though he hadn't heard Jonathan. "What happened? Where did you go? How did you get better so fast?"

"Well, Josh…" Paige started, but then stopped dead when she suddenly remembered where she knew Don from. Don stood behind Josh, glaring at her. Rick had rejoined the group to stand next to his wife, staring at the other two boys.

And Paige was going white.

"Paige?" Alex asked with concern.

"Is she…not better?" Josh asked, sounding almost terrified.

"She is," Alice reassured him, but she was starting at Don and frowning, too.

Paige turned, clearing her throat. "You guys better go get the other boys running around the house…stop them from tearing anything else apart. Get them to go home."

"Are you sure?" Alice asked slowly.

Paige nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Hesitantly, Rick, Evy, Alice, Ardeth and Jonathan turned away to find the other boys and tell them to stop.

After the others walked away, another boy walked around Alex and Paige. He wore dirty, too-large jeans and a red button-up shirt with a black skull printed on the left shoulder. His hair was dirty blonde and his eyes were a cold grey. His skin was almost a pale yellow color, and he stood almost two feet taller then Alex. His shirt revealed a big black tattoo of some sort on his left shoulder.

He walked until he stood next to Josh, sliding his bony hands into his pockets. He then turned to face the couple, examining Alex and then scowling when he noticed Paige.

Alex knew this face from a picture Paige had burned on her arrival to England. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and Paige wrapped an arm around his shoulders to keep herself steady. She tried not to look at Josh's face…he seemed to have realized what happened while the group had been gone. A deep crease formed between his brows and he bit the inside of his lip hard. His breathing became heavier. Paige wanted to apologize for flaunting her new relationship with Alex before explaining, but she couldn't get her mouth to work.

"Paige?" the boy with yellow skin asked, surprise and anger mixing in his tone.

"Chris," Paige answered breathlessly.

Josh looked from his best friend to the girl he'd wanted to date, and then back again. "You two know each other?"

"He's my ex I told you about," Paige said through gritted teeth. "The one in the gang."

"Oh."

"You're in the gang, too, aren't you, Josh?"

"…Yes."

"What?" Alex demanded, as Paige let out a deep breath and felt her legs go weak. Alex caught her, an angered look on his face as he glared at Josh.

"Josh joined up a couple days after we broke up," Chris grinned, now seeming to assume he had power over the situation. He took a hand out of his pocket and motioned for someone to come in from the TV room. A boy with long, messy blonde hair walked in and past Josh to stand next to Chris. Paige remembered his name as Hank. Chris elbowed him and motioned to the black bag Hank was holding. Hank began opening the bag. "Speaking of the break up, I'm still a little…irked about it."

"Chris," Paige began, "It's not like we-"

She stopped suddenly as she noticed what Hank was taking out of the bag. A gun.

"Chris…what are you doing?" Paige asked softly, carefully, pushing Alex's arm aside as he tried to push her behind him. She didn't want him to provoke Chris, and any sign of affection could set him off.

"I'm not doing anything," Chris smirked. He pushed the gun into Josh's hands, grinning. "Josh…you need to make a decision."

"A…decision?" Josh asked, his eyes wide.

"Yes," Chris continued. "Paige, or the gang. I can't have one of my closest friends hanging around her."

Josh glanced up at Paige, his eyes filled with tears. Then he glanced at Alex, and the way he held her.

"You," Josh answered, his voice breaking. "I choose you, Chris."

"Prove it."

Josh turned his head to look at Chris as he frowned. "How?"

"Shoot her."

"Dad!" Alex called, pushing Paige behind him. But a hand grasped Paige's wrist from behind and she was yanked away, and then dragged to the side a few feet. And then an arm wrapped around her to hold her in place. Paige didn't struggle…she knew she didn't have the power to fight one of these guys off. She didn't scream, either – that could set Chris off even more, and he could shoot her right out.

Another boy grabbed Alex around the middle, grunting as Alex struggled.

"Shoot her now, Josh," Chris commanded. "Before their buddies get here."

Josh swallowed hard. "But I…I can't-"

"Do you still want to be one of us, or not?"

"I can't kill-"

"You knew you'd have to kill somebody at some point, Josh," Chris said, speaking so quickly his words were almost impossible to understand. "This is just some chick."

"But I know Paige…"

"And she obviously doesn't care about you. Did you see how she flaunted her relationship with that boy? After being with you?"

Paige gasped for air as her heart pounded in her chest. "No, Josh, I swear I didn't mean-"

"Shut up, bitch!" Chris spat at her, and then turned back to Josh. "Do it now, Josh. She hurt you, right? Well – hurt her back!"

Josh closed his eyes tight.

"No, Josh…" Paige wasn't aware when she started sobbing, but whenever she had started it got worse now. "Please."

"Josh," Alex shouted, "Don't! You know she didn't mean to hurt you – ack!" he cried out as the boy grabbed his arm and then twisted. Another boy – Royce? – came up and grabbed Alex's legs as he put up a harder struggle.

Josh opened his eyes, and then looked at Paige. She felt her body go cold when she saw the dark, empty look in his eyes, the frown his mouth was set in, the hatred she could almost see in his skin.

"Josh…" she squeaked.

He lifted the gun, aiming for her heart. "You shouldn't have betrayed me."

"I didn't…Josh…"

"I was worried to death about you…I made the guys come out here for you…and you were with him. Were you screwing him?"

"No, Josh-"

"I don't believe you." Josh whispered. "You're a whore."

Paige felt as though her chest had been it with a brick. Another flashback of Isis's feelings, mixed with the terror of the present.

"That's right. Do it, Josh. Now," commanded Chris.

Josh cocked the gun.

"No!" Alex cried, fighting harder now. "Josh, don't do it! You don't want this!"

"I do," Josh mumbled. "I want her to suffer. I want her dead." He aimed the gun at Paige's head. She swallowed hard, feeling her body tensing and shaking. This was it. She was going to die now. After everything…she was going to die right now. She hoped it wouldn't hurt too much…

Her eyes widened as Josh's eyes narrowed. Then he closed his eyes…

And then he turned the gun on Alex, and pulled the trigger.

RubyMoon's Secret Place

RubyMoon: First of all, thank you, annabethchase45, for helping me buy Chips Ahoy to pay back Charcoal. Second of all…um…I'm not sure what to say. I'm kind of…in a smidge of trouble.

Roselyn: AKA, she's so desperate she dug a hole in the ground to hide in.

RubyMoon: Someone took over my Secret Place, and I don't know who, and I don't have any allies to help me.

Roselyn: I wonder why…

RubyMoon: Me too!

Roselyn: I was being sarcastic. I know why.

RubyMoon: Oh…why?

Roselyn: You annoy everyone!

RubyMoon: I do not! I only annoyed the Leafe Knights…and Imhotep…and Erik…and Raoul and Rick and Evy…and…oh, dear.

Roselyn: Exactly.

RubyMoon: It's not my fault I have such a bubbly personality!

Roselyn: Bubbly?

RubyMoon: Shh. Point is, someone took over my Secret Place, and I don't know who, but whoever they are they're after me more intensely then Mannen or Goh or Yue ever were. They never bothered to take over my Secret Place…just chase me off for a little while.

Roselyn: I know who could help you!

RubyMoon: Besides you?

Roselyn: Nah, I'm not going to help you, I get into enough trouble on my own – remember my being electrocuted? No, you could ask Ruby Moon!

RubyMoon: …I am RubyMoon.

Roselyn: No, I mean Nakaru!

RubyMoon: Oh! I could, couldn't I?

Roselyn: Yes…

RubyMoon: NAKARU! …I can't believe I'm actually TRYING to get him to come here.

Nakaru: -pops out of nowhere- Yes, Namesake-san?

RubyMoon: -gloumps- HEEELP! THEY'RE TRYING TO KILL ME!

Nakaru: Who? Who is trying to kill you?

Disembodied voice: We are.

RubyMoon: MEEP! THEY FOUND ME, THEY FOUND ME, THEY FOUND – wait. We? There's only one of you!

Disembodied voice: Only one of us can throw our voice.

RubyMoon: One of you…? OHMY!

Roselyn: I'm gone. –poofs out-

Disembodied voice: …poofs out?

RubyMoon: Why doesn't anyone think that's awesome?

Nakaru: Who are you, Mr. Disembodied voice?

Disembodied voice: Who am I? I?

Nakuru: …yes. You.

Disembodied voice: I! I am…Erik! –dramatic flash of light and crash of music, and then the Phantom of the Opera appears standing over the hole, looking down on RubyMoon and Nakaru with a white mask and glowing golden eyes-

RubyMoon: …Yeah, that would have been much more dramatic if I hadn't already guessed that. AND LET ME GUESS WHO IS WITH YOU.

Erik: Go on then. Guess.

RubyMoon: Imhotep?

Erik: …You see, this is why no one likes you. You spoil all our fun.

Nakaru: I LIKE HER.

RubyMoon: Yeah, Nakaru likes me!

Erik: …and that is a good thing?

RubyMoon and Nakaru: SHUT UP.

Imhotep: -looks down the hole- Come out!

RubyMoon: Um, let me think about that for a second – NO.

Erik: Do it…or else!

RubyMoon: Or else what?

Imhotep: You will suffer.

RubyMoon: And what's going to happen if I come out?

Erik: You will suffer.

RubyMoon: …I think I'll just stay down here, thanks.

Nakuru: -whispers- I'd turn into Ruby Moon, but then things would really get confusing.

RubyMoon: I need another ally.

Nakuru: But who?

RubyMoon: Sakura? Eriol? Mawata? Shin?

Nakuru: They're busy with things like magic cards and the end of the world.

RubyMoon: Oh. Darn. What about Raoul and Rick?

Nakuru: You don't remember the limbo, do you?

RubyMoon: Right. What about…um…any other ideas?

Nakuru: Not really –

Erik: We're still here, you know.

RubyMoon: WHY ARE YOU AFTER ME? I left you alone!

Erik: I was bored.

Imhotep: And we wanted revenge for your disturbing our homes.

Erik: That, too.

RubyMoon: Well, I really think you two need to - -floats- WHY AM I FLOATING?

Imhotep: -snicker-

RubyMoon:-is on the ground above the pit- Crap.

Nakuru: -flies up after her-

RubyMoon: Um…what now?

Imhotep: Now we-

Others: -from behind Imhotep and Erik- Now, you're rescued!

RubyMoon: HURRAY! YOU CAME! …also, please review!

TO BE CONTINUED