C13: A moment's rest

The next time Aida opened her eyes, it was night and it was cool. She ached all over, but surprisingly, the pain was only a minor buzz. Her eyes slowly fluttered open when someone pressed a cool, damp flannel against her forehead.

"Aida?" Evy leaned over with a small smile, "Can you hear me?"

She nodded and looked up into the warm, loving face of her friend. She wanted to say so much to her. Express her thanks for being saved. Tell her how much she loved her. But she felt only an overwhelming sense of guilt. She'd be unable to save Alex.

"Evy…I'm sorry," she felt her lip quiver, and tears spring to her eyes, "I'm so sorry!"

"Shh, don't," Evy hushed and reached out, tenderly stroking her cheek, "you wouldn't let go of him. You tried to keep him on the bus, I saw. I know they wouldn't have done all this to you had you not made it difficult for them."

"I'm sorry," her tears rolled down either side of her head and she tried to calm herself, "I'm sorry, I couldn't save him. I couldn't get him free-"

"Aida, you mustn't blame yourself. I know you. I know you tried," Evy dropped the cloth and placed her hands around Aida's shoulders, "come on, let's sit you up."

She groaned as her body protested at being moved, but she forced herself to do as she was told. Together, they got her into a seated position and Aida's stomach grumbled loudly. Enough for Evy to hear and let out a soft laugh.

"Come on, we need to get some food in you. Then maybe a little walk around, stretch your limbs."

When Evy moved aside to grab something, Aida took a good look down at herself and noticed that not only was she bandaged at her wrists, but from what she could see, she was no longer wearing her torn garments.

"My clothes?" She queried when Evy turned back to her with a small box.

"You weren't really dressed appropriately to be kidnapped and I knew you'd want some traveling gear. Rick lent you one of his shirts though."

Having a quick peek down her own 'blouse' she noticed she also had clean undergarments on. Lifting aside the coat of Jonathan's that was draped over her lap, she also found new trousers. To the side, Evy had laid out some heavy-duty traveling boots.

"I did wash and bandage you whilst you slept," Evy lowered her voice and winked at Aida, "and don't worry, we had a screen up to protect your modesty. Does it feel better?"

Knowing she was trying to make her laugh, Aida finally smiled and nodded. It was true, whilst her wounds still stung and her bruises were there, the pain had dulled. She just felt weak from lack of food and stuff from being tied up.

"Tons. Thank you," she looked above them and noticed…something odd. She wasn't sure exactly what it was, but it was big, like a balloon and they appeared to be on a boat of some kind?

"Evy," since she could only see stars and sky going past and heard no water, she knew everything was a little strange, "where are we?"

"Rick has an old friend who flew for him before we met. You'll meet Izzy soon enough," she opened the box and pulled out something wrapped in paper, "but first, you need something in you."

Evy didn't even need to wiggle it in front of her, Aida could already smell it.

She took the offered parcel, tore it open, and immediately shoved one end of the sandwich into her mouth.

'Oh…oh, that's bliss!'

She took three large bites, trying to chew and swallow as quickly as she could before she realized that Evy was holding up a flask of water for her.

"Wow…you are hungry."

"They didn't feed me," Aida continued to talk with mouthfuls of food, a habit she hated, "I managed to get water but…nothing of sustenance."

Evy sat with her and fed her three sandwiches and let her drink all the water in the flask before Aida finally felt satiated. She also noticed that there were four occupants on the other side of the boat. One man she couldn't see as he had his back to her, but the other three were recognizable AND all trying to pointedly not look at the two women. Possibly to give her space and possibly because they'd just witnessed her devouring three sandwiches in less than five minutes.

"Ok, I'm ready to stand up, but" Aida already knew she was going to struggle, just by the tension she could feel in her legs, "I'm going to need your help."

Full of food, water, and renewed (much needed) energy, Evy looped her arm around Aida and together, they helped her stand. Her legs were definitely wobbly, and her ankles did protest, but she knew she'd be fine once she started walking. Hell, she knew she should rest, but she had gotten back to work twenty-four hours after having a baby. This would be easier.

She looked out at the side, her arm around Evy to support herself, and finally caught a glimpse at the mode of transportation they had chosen. All she could see was the night's sky…and the vast sand dunes below them.

"Oh…oh, we're up high," she felt a little queasy, remembering the last time they had to fly in Egypt. At least this one was slow. Slower.

They walked over to the three men, all turning to them with looks of worry and concern, but Aida decided to be brave.

"Steady lads," she laughed warily as she held onto Evy, "you all look like I'm about to faint."

"You did once," Rick moved forward and placed his hand on her shoulder, "though this time, at least you'll have plenty of people to catch you. Glad you're ok, kid."

"Rick, I'm sorry-" she began but he shook his head.

"No, don't apologise. You did good and I think you got us some time."

She turned from him and looked to Jonathan, who clasped her face in his hands and beamed.

"Hello, darling. You look shattered."

"I feel terrible," Aida took a ginger step forward, Evy letting her slip out of her grasp, "I think I know how you felt when you got hungover last Christmas."

Jonathan, as was his wont whenever they had a rare moment of not arguing, leaned forward, and pressed a kiss in the middle of her forehead.

"I'm glad you're in one piece."

When his hands slipped from her, that meant there was only one person left. She turned to Ardeth with a small, shy smile and felt her heart flutter. She'd forgotten how beautiful and imposing he was, lit only by starlight and wearing his full outfit. A proud, Medjai warrior.

"I do not know what to say," he spoke earnestly, and in contrast to his strong image, he was almost…vulnerable.

"I do. I think it's best to say thank you for saving my life. Again. And…before, at the museum. And on the bus."

Ardeth stepped closer and reached out, his hand gently encasing her wrist, just above where her bandages were.

"In your sleep…you cried out for mercy. You cried out…Lock-Nah's name," his jaw tightened in anger, but she saw the remorse in his eyes.

"He's not a genuinely nice man…but I promised him you would kill him," she forced a small smile, "and if you don't, I will. It's not your fault though."

A silent communication seemed to move between the two and it only broke when Aida wavered and stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her. Using the quickness he had trained for over the years, he caught her easily, his arms slipping around her and holding her close.

She would have appreciated the warmth and the feel of his body more, was she not weak and dizzy.

"I urm…I think I need to sit down and have another sandwich," she laughed but felt true fear at the lack of control she had.

"Sit here," he directed her to a small crate and helped her down.

"How long have I been out? I feel like I've only rested for a few hours," her hands were still on his shoulders and she was reluctant to let go.

"You've slept the entire day," his hands slipped over her, almost as though he didn't know he was still touching her, "you wouldn't even wake when we tended to your wounds."

"Not a pretty sight, eh?" Aida hoped her body didn't look too bad, but from everyone's reaction and the stiffness in her body, it must have been a sight. Finally, his hands slipped from her waist and she let her hands fall away when someone else stepped forward to greet her.

Someone she didn't know. He was slightly handsome, black, had a large, toothy grin and a cheeky glint in his eye. He playfully saluted her and winked.

"Captain Izzy, at your service, madam," he bent over to take her hand and pressed a quick kiss to her knuckles, "I'm honored to have such a brave woman aboard."

Aida couldn't help but chuckle.

"I'm glad to be aboard, Captain. I think I prefer this ride to my last one. Much slower."

"Ah, wait until you see this thing pick up speed!" He said excitedly and she tried to hide her dread at the thought.

"But for now, you get to see the stars in all their glory," he let go of her hand and turned to Evy, "it's always reassuring to know that what you are looking at is what everyone else is looking at. That despite the distance, someone you love is also looking at them."

Suddenly, something deep inside of Aida pulled at her heart. She had a moment of clarity and remembered someone important.

'I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise!'

Her hand flew to her mouth, but she was too late to stop her gasp of horror. She began to sob when she thought about her daughter.

"Oh God…Oh God, Amina!" She looked at her friends, feeling terrible at what she had done, "I promised I'd come back to her! Oh, god, I broke my promise! She-she-"

"Hey, hey," Jonathan immediately squatted down beside her, his hands covering her own, "It's fine. It's absolutely fine. I went to see her. I told her…well, I told her you were a spy on a secret mission and that we were going to rescue Alex. She doesn't know about you being taken. Thought it best not to worry her."

Aida was grateful but couldn't stop sobbing.

Evy immediately came to the other side of her and held out another small food parcel and a fresh flask of water.

"Come on, get something else down you. You're tired and hungry," when Aida took the items and placed them in her lap, Evy asked her as gently as she could, "perhaps…when you can, could you tell us what happened? How was he when you last saw him?"

"Brave and unharmed," Aida sniffed and managed to get out, "he was…he was as defiant as ever. He said he was going to escape and come back and rescue me."

Once Aida had calmed down and had a couple of bites of another sandwich, she began to recount everything that had happened to her and Alex. Everyone listened with rapt attention, Rick and Evy smiling at Alex's brave and heroic declaration to keep her safe. Jonathan holding her hand when she talked about her ordeal. And she glimpsed at Ardeth's face, to only see anger on her behalf at what Lock-Nah had put her through.

But she remembered another important detail.

"There was another vision, just before we were recaptured," she shut her eyes, struggling to remember exactly what she had seen, "I don't know what it was, I've never seen it before. But I might be able to describe it if you get a pen and a piece of paper."

"No need," when she opened her eyes again, Evy was smiling proudly, "Alex made us a sandcastle so we could follow. The Temple Island of Philae."

"Oh, thank God," she sighed happily, pleased that Alex was one of the smartest boys she had ever met.

As she finished her sandwiches, she listened to the others as they talked about everything they knew and what information they themselves had gathered. Imhotep was indeed fully regenerated, Meela was now Anck-su-namun and surprisingly, Evy, Rick, and Alex fit into an ancient prophecy. It wasn't that hard for Aida to swallow the idea that Evy herself was a reincarnation of a Princess so long ago and that Rick was a Medjai, sent to protect her.

She turned to Jonathan with an amused grin.

"That means you and I are brand new," she playfully nudged him with her elbow, glad he had sat next to her to give her a little support.

"Nah, I was probably a Prince far off somewhere special. And you, a secret warrior."

"Oh? Not a lowly milkmaid then?"

Easy and happy chatter rippled amongst the small group again. It felt wonderful to be with her friends and despite the dire situation and circumstances, for a moment, they were happy. Full of hope.

On her other side, Ardeth had chosen to sit down, and now, as she grew tired, she swayed and fell against him.

"Sorry," she tried to stifle a yawn, "I've only just woken up and I feel so tired suddenly."

"You were severely dehydrated-" Rick began, But Evy and Jonathan added on a list of things wrong with her.

"And you were tied up-"

"and exerted yourself with barely any food-"

"And now you're stomach is full, so of course you're feeling better-"

"And the medicine we gave you will do that," Ardeth cautiously put his arm around her back and then, the other hand on her arm, "come, you must rest again."

Helping her to stand, he simply walked her to Evy and then, reluctantly, let her go again. The two women made their way over to the simple long sheet and pillow that had been Aida's bed.

"You'll feel better tomorrow. Ardeth brought the best medicine and you're already healing. Let me change your bandages beforehand, alright?"

As Aida laid herself flat, she allowed Evy to change the bandages around her ankles and wrists, her friend gentle, as always when it came to her care. And despite still feeling guilt at not saving Alex, she knew she'd make it up to Evy. They had made a promise long ago, after all...

"Oh, I felt her kick!" Evy laughed and smoothed her hand over her friend's bump, "Oh, she's got a powerful one!"

"Are you sure it's a girl? I can barely tell most days," Aida then put her own hand over Evy's bump, waiting for the expectant, 'thump' that usually came.

"As sure as I am that this little one is a boy. Though Rick would prefer a girl. I think he's a little worried about being a good dad to a boy."

"I'm sure he'll do a great job," Aida looked away, pretending to concentrate on the bump, but Evy had seen the sad look in her friend's eyes.

"Alright," Evy moved closer on the bed, making sure she had her 'no-nonsense' glare down, "what's wrong?"

Rolling onto her back, Aida stared up at the ceiling fan and shook her head.

"Everything and nothing. I just…some days I'm fine, but today and other days…I miss him," she shut her eyes tight, trying to will away the tears, "I keep thinking what would he do if he were here? Would he like London? Would he be out with Rick on some days, buying gifts for his child?"

"We could always write to him? Find him in Cairo and let him know-"

"Oh, Evy. You know that's impossible," she turned back to look at her friend, her lip quivering, "we're from different worlds and he wouldn't come here. He didn't leave or come to see us off…it would never work. He knows that and so do I. What we shared, was wonderful. Short, but not meant to be."

"Well," Evy sighed and set herself up on her elbow to look down at her friend, "you don't have to worry about going through this alone. You forget, Jonathan has decided he's going to spoil your little one as Rick is going to spoil ours."

"This is true. God," she groaned and covered her eyes, laughing at the thought that entered next, "I hope he doesn't get that train set he was eyeing up. You know he and Rick are just going to play with it themselves, right?"

"Oh, of course," Evy laughed and settled herself back down, getting comfortable, "got to make sure everything works. And they'll try out the toy planes-"

"And the tanks-"

"And all of the little sports equipment-"

"And then spend time worrying about what's better: American football or British football?"

Both women laughed for the rest of that fine, warm summer evening, relaxing atop Aida's bed. They held hands and made promises to not only be there for one another but if the events came to it…to protect the other's child. Whatever the cost.