Anything
by Miss Becky
Disclaimer: Stephen Sommers and Universal own these characters, not me. I am merely borrowing them for my own evil purposes.
Summary: When a man's life is at stake, how much would you be willing to give? Eight months after the events of TMR, Rick O'Connell has a chance to pay off an old debt.
Rating: R for violence and swearing. Not everyone is nice in this story. You've been warned, so no complaining.
Author's Notes: 1) This story references events in my previous story, "A Fine Line" although you do not need to have read that one to understand this one. 2) I have scant knowledge of things Arabic and I apologize for any errors.
Many thanks to the people who have given me such kind feedback. And a huge thanks to Jen for being my beta reader and partner in crime. HDWS!!
****
Chapter 1: Rick's Promise
Alex O'Connell had many things to be happy about. It was a beautiful morning, full of invitation and promise. He was back in Egypt, and of his own free will this time. Most importantly, his parents had finally consented to let him out of their sight, and while they were belowground in the tomb, he had the entire temple to himself.
It had been his idea to return to Egypt. With what he had hoped was the proper solemnity, he had informed his family that he wanted to go back. The events of Ahm Shere were eight months old. He did not want Egypt to be a place that existed only in his nightmares, a place where he had been tormented and nearly killed. He did not want Egypt to be the place where his mother had died. He thought it would be best for everyone if they went back.
His dad had taken one look at him and said no. Uncle Jon had shaken his head and said no. But his mum's eyes had lit up.
Two days later, it was settled. They were going to Egypt.
His mum, of course, had a tomb she wanted to explore. Uncle Jon was lured by promises of riches. Only his dad was unhappy about the trip. Even before they reached Cairo, Alex found his freedoms sharply curtailed, as his parents kept him close by, where they could watch him at all times.
For a nine-year old, this was nothing short of excruciating. Alex had complained and pleaded to no avail. His mum had been willing, but not his dad.
Then, early this morning, his persistence had finally paid off.
"Oh, all right." His dad was obviously sick of hearing him whine, but just as obviously reluctant to let him go. "But you come right back down if you see anyone," his dad had ordered.
Alex had nodded, using his best innocent expression. "Sure!"
"Or if you hear anything."
"I will."
"Or if you even think you hear anything."
"Daaad!" He was exasperated now.
"Rick, would you let him go?" His mum had sounded a little annoyed herself. "Alex will be fine." She smiled. "Won't he?"
"I promise I'll come back if I see or hear anyone," Alex had said.
His dad had frowned and Alex took that to mean he was free. "Thanks, Dad!" He had snatched his pack and run up to the temple.
That had been an hour ago. And now he was bored. To his chagrin, there really hadn't been anything fun to do in the temple. His parents were taking longer than he had expected, Uncle Jon was down there with them, so he was truly alone, as he had wanted. The problem was, he couldn't go back down to the tomb, because then his parents would gloat, and keep him down there the rest of the day.
Wishing for something exciting to do, he began climbing the steps of the temple. He thought he would go outside and get his telescope from the pack still tied to the saddle of his horse. There were several buildings at this dig site, and their animals were tethered behind one of these, well out of sight of anyone who might ride up. Alex enjoyed riding, and he liked his horse, a gentle bay gelding whom he had named Horus.
He scampered up the stairs, and halfway up, while he was still within the shadow of the temple's interior, he heard voices. Instantly he flattened himself against the stone, his eyes very wide.
"He's coming," a man hissed. "Are you ready?"
"Of course," came the response.
Alex forgot to breathe. Were they talking about him? Was there no end to the people who wanted to kidnap him?
The men were hiding behind the columns in front of the entrance to the temple. From where he lay he could see the dusty boots of the man behind the column on his right, but nothing at all of the man on his left.
Further out, a horse whinnied. Alex ducked his head and wondered if he could get back down the stairs without alerting the men.
The rifle shot so surprised him that he actually cried out. Immediately he clapped his hand over his mouth, but he need not have bothered. His small outcry was lost in the louder scream of a horse, and in the sounds of the two men springing from their hiding places.
Alex slithered up the remaining steps, wanting to see. He lay on his belly and peered over the top riser.
Almost twenty meters out, a black horse lay dying on the sand. A man was pinned between the horse and the ground, and Alex could not see this man's face, but he wore the black robes of the Med-jai.
The two men who had been hiding behind the pillars had now been joined by two more. All four of them were dressed in worn clothing that had clearly seen better days, and were armed to the teeth. A large black man carried the rifle that had produced the killing shot. They ran up to the fallen Med-jai, who was struggling to bring his own weapon to bear.
The man with the rifle brought it down on the Med-jai, once, twice. The sound of the stock slamming into the man's skull carried across the sand with gruesome clarity, and Alex winced and dropped his head.
"Enough!" The command was given in Arabic, and Alex looked up again. On his return from Egypt eight months ago, he had vowed to learn the language of that land. His mother knew a little, and Uncle Jon remembered just enough to get by, but Alex was proud to say he could now read and write the flowing script and speak the language. He was glad now he was able to understand what the men were saying.
He peered cautiously over the step. He couldn't see any faces, for they had their backs to him. One of the men was holding the arm of the black man with the rifle, preventing him from striking the unconscious Med-jai a third time. "They will give us nothing if he is dead."
The man with the rifle lowered the gun. "We should kill him anyway."
"It's amazing," a third man commented. "All you have to do is say the name O'Connell, and the almighty Med-jai practically rush to do your bidding."
"We shouldn't stay here," said the fourth man, looking around nervously. "I heard the O'Connells are in Cairo. What if they really do come by here?"
"Chickenshit," the first man muttered to this one. He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "Get the horses."
The second man scratched his head. "What if they won't bargain with us?"
"Oh, I think they will," said the black man. "I can promise you that." He chuckled. Then he looked up. "After you get your treasure, he's mine."
"Yes, yes," the first man said impatiently. "But first, Hamunaptra. You get nothing until then, Kadyn. Now, help me with him."
The two men bent down to retrieve their prisoner, and Alex O'Connell gasped as he got the shock of his life. He knew these men!
The black man looked just like Lock Nah, the one who had tormented him so mercilessly during his abduction. That was bad. But worse, he knew the other man.
The Med-jai these men had captured was Ardeth Bay.
****
"Dad!" Alex's shout preceded him and Rick O'Connell felt his heart stop.
"Dad!" The nine-year old burst into the antechamber, his eyes huge. "You have to go. Now!"
Evy stepped forward. "Go?"
Alex seized his hand. "They're getting away!"
Not liking where this was headed, Rick looked around hastily. "Who's getting away?"
"The men outside," Alex exclaimed. "They've got--"
"Men outside?" He dropped the hammer he had been holding and pulled his gun.
"What men outside?" Evy demanded.
"I thought I told you to come straight down if you saw anyone," he said. Fear for Alex's safety made him sound angrier than he truly was.
His son stared at him in agony. "Dad, listen! You have to go after them. They've got Ardeth. I heard them--"
"Ardeth?" Evy shot a startled look toward the door of the antechamber. "He's here?"
"Come on!" Alex yelled. "There's maybe still time!" He turned and ran out of the room.
"Alex!" Still holding the pistol, Rick followed the boy. His heart was pounding. Not again he prayed desperately. Not again If anything happened to Alex, he would never forgive himself. The guilt he bore for letting them take his son in London was still too scalding; he knew he could not endure it a second time.
"Rick!" Evy ran behind him, with Jonathan lagging a distinct third. "Don't let him get up there alone. If they're still out there--"
"I know," he said grimly.
It was easy to catch up to Alex, who pleaded with his eyes. "Dad, come on!"
Together they ran out of the tomb. Rick held the gun high enough so he would not accidentally shoot his own son, and scanned the area. There was nobody in the temple.
Nor were there any men outside. But they had been here, that much was clear. Several yards out lay a dead black horse, a bullet hole in its neck still sluggishly oozing. Just above the horse, there was an impression in the sand in the shape of a man. Blood darkened the sand where the man's head had lain.
Alex groaned. "They hit him with a rifle, Dad."
Tracks in the sand told the story. The men had kept the horses in plain view, but they themselves had hidden, two behind the pillars and two just around the corner of the temple. When the Med-jai had ridden up, they had leapt out in ambush, killing the horse and knocking the man unconscious.
Rick knelt down and touched his fingers to the bloodied sand. There was an awful lot of it. "Alex, are you sure? Most of those Med-jai, they look alike."
"They tricked him, Dad. They pretended to be us, wanting to see him. I know they did." Alex's face was stricken with guilt. "They said they could make the Med-jai do anything, just by using our name."
Jonathan and Evy walked up together, surveying the scene through shocked eyes. "How many were there?" Evy asked.
"Four," Alex said. His shoulders hunched. "And I knew one of them."
Rick looked up in concern, recognizing the strained look on Alex's face. For months after their return from Ahm Shere, his son had suffered nightmares over his ordeal there. It was why he had argued so vehemently against their return.
But Evy had not seen it that way. "It will do him good," she had said. "He needs to face his fears." She had agreed with Alex that a trip to Egypt was the best thing, and in the end, as always, Rick had been unable to refuse her. He never could.
Now Evy knelt down in front of Alex, her dark eyes very solemn. "Who did you know?"
"The one who hit Ardeth. He looked just like the man who kidnapped me, Lock Nah. I think he must be related. A brother, maybe. Or--or--" His lower lip trembled, and tears shone in his eyes. "Or a c--cousin." He began to cry, a nine-year old boy trying hard to be brave but not quite able to do it.
Rick let Evy take their son into her arms, and stood up. Over the heads of his wife and son, he looked at Jonathan, who gazed back at him helplessly.
"Why would they do it?" he muttered, shaking his head. Slowly he put the pistol back in its holster. He kicked sand over the blood on the ground. "Why?"
Alex pulled away from Evy and dragged his sleeve across his face. "They want Hamunaptra," he said.
"Hamunaptra?" Evy gave her husband a worried look.
"I heard them talking," Alex said. "In Arabic," he added with some pride. "I think they want the treasure under Hamunaptra."
Rick pursed his lips. The Med-jai would never allow scavengers such as these men to go into Hamunaptra, not even with the threat of Imhotep far removed and buried deep beneath the sands of Ahm Shere. He wondered if the desert warriors divided their time now between both places.
Regardless, the four men whom Alex had just witnessed obviously had a plan: take hostage the leader of the Med-jai and then ask them, "What is Hamunaptra worth to you?"
They wouldn't do it, he thought. Not even for Ardeth. They would let him die rather than give up what they had spent three thousand years protecting. Ardeth himself would want it that way. The Med-jai leader would not expect any rescue, any bargaining for his life.
He looked down at Evy and saw that she had already reached this conclusion. She stood up. "Rick, we can't let them," she said slowly.
He knew that. But, "What can we do?" he asked her.
Her dark eyes flashed. "You better think of something, Rick O'Connell. We owe that man more than we can ever repay. We are not going to stand back and let this happen." She drew herself up. "Especially not when it was our name that did this in the first place."
Rick looked down at the sand near his boot, sand stained with Ardeth's blood. He closed his eyes, and the memory returned with startling clarity, as though it were only yesterday, not eight months ago...
**
There were bodies on the floor.
He swayed where he stood in the foyer of their house, drunk with loss and disbelief, still unable to believe that they had taken Alex right out from under him. He had stumbled into the house, intent on returning to Egypt and getting his son back, and stopped dead.
There were bodies on the floor.
Suddenly he realized how close he had come, not just to losing Alex, but to losing everything. While he had been upstairs, dealing with the curator and the woman and Jonathan, a second battle had been raging down here.
He grabbed Ardeth, ignoring the way the injured Med-jai flinched. "You did all this?"
Ardeth nodded curtly.
Fear made him feel faint. They would have killed Evy and Alex and taken the Bracelet, and he would not have been able to stop them. If Ardeth had not been here, his entire family might be dead right now.
He gripped Ardeth's arm harder. "You--" He had to swallow hard before he could go on, not sure he could express the things he was feeling. "If you ever need anything... *Anything*..."
"My friend." Ardeth shook him off. "I know." The warrior gazed at him for a moment, then said, "Now we must find your son."
**
And he had forgotten all about his vow. Until now.
He opened his eyes, staring into the distance. The tracks of horses were clear in the sand, a trail for anyone to follow.
"All right," he said, without turning around. "Get your things. We're going after them."
****
by Miss Becky
Disclaimer: Stephen Sommers and Universal own these characters, not me. I am merely borrowing them for my own evil purposes.
Summary: When a man's life is at stake, how much would you be willing to give? Eight months after the events of TMR, Rick O'Connell has a chance to pay off an old debt.
Rating: R for violence and swearing. Not everyone is nice in this story. You've been warned, so no complaining.
Author's Notes: 1) This story references events in my previous story, "A Fine Line" although you do not need to have read that one to understand this one. 2) I have scant knowledge of things Arabic and I apologize for any errors.
Many thanks to the people who have given me such kind feedback. And a huge thanks to Jen for being my beta reader and partner in crime. HDWS!!
****
Chapter 1: Rick's Promise
Alex O'Connell had many things to be happy about. It was a beautiful morning, full of invitation and promise. He was back in Egypt, and of his own free will this time. Most importantly, his parents had finally consented to let him out of their sight, and while they were belowground in the tomb, he had the entire temple to himself.
It had been his idea to return to Egypt. With what he had hoped was the proper solemnity, he had informed his family that he wanted to go back. The events of Ahm Shere were eight months old. He did not want Egypt to be a place that existed only in his nightmares, a place where he had been tormented and nearly killed. He did not want Egypt to be the place where his mother had died. He thought it would be best for everyone if they went back.
His dad had taken one look at him and said no. Uncle Jon had shaken his head and said no. But his mum's eyes had lit up.
Two days later, it was settled. They were going to Egypt.
His mum, of course, had a tomb she wanted to explore. Uncle Jon was lured by promises of riches. Only his dad was unhappy about the trip. Even before they reached Cairo, Alex found his freedoms sharply curtailed, as his parents kept him close by, where they could watch him at all times.
For a nine-year old, this was nothing short of excruciating. Alex had complained and pleaded to no avail. His mum had been willing, but not his dad.
Then, early this morning, his persistence had finally paid off.
"Oh, all right." His dad was obviously sick of hearing him whine, but just as obviously reluctant to let him go. "But you come right back down if you see anyone," his dad had ordered.
Alex had nodded, using his best innocent expression. "Sure!"
"Or if you hear anything."
"I will."
"Or if you even think you hear anything."
"Daaad!" He was exasperated now.
"Rick, would you let him go?" His mum had sounded a little annoyed herself. "Alex will be fine." She smiled. "Won't he?"
"I promise I'll come back if I see or hear anyone," Alex had said.
His dad had frowned and Alex took that to mean he was free. "Thanks, Dad!" He had snatched his pack and run up to the temple.
That had been an hour ago. And now he was bored. To his chagrin, there really hadn't been anything fun to do in the temple. His parents were taking longer than he had expected, Uncle Jon was down there with them, so he was truly alone, as he had wanted. The problem was, he couldn't go back down to the tomb, because then his parents would gloat, and keep him down there the rest of the day.
Wishing for something exciting to do, he began climbing the steps of the temple. He thought he would go outside and get his telescope from the pack still tied to the saddle of his horse. There were several buildings at this dig site, and their animals were tethered behind one of these, well out of sight of anyone who might ride up. Alex enjoyed riding, and he liked his horse, a gentle bay gelding whom he had named Horus.
He scampered up the stairs, and halfway up, while he was still within the shadow of the temple's interior, he heard voices. Instantly he flattened himself against the stone, his eyes very wide.
"He's coming," a man hissed. "Are you ready?"
"Of course," came the response.
Alex forgot to breathe. Were they talking about him? Was there no end to the people who wanted to kidnap him?
The men were hiding behind the columns in front of the entrance to the temple. From where he lay he could see the dusty boots of the man behind the column on his right, but nothing at all of the man on his left.
Further out, a horse whinnied. Alex ducked his head and wondered if he could get back down the stairs without alerting the men.
The rifle shot so surprised him that he actually cried out. Immediately he clapped his hand over his mouth, but he need not have bothered. His small outcry was lost in the louder scream of a horse, and in the sounds of the two men springing from their hiding places.
Alex slithered up the remaining steps, wanting to see. He lay on his belly and peered over the top riser.
Almost twenty meters out, a black horse lay dying on the sand. A man was pinned between the horse and the ground, and Alex could not see this man's face, but he wore the black robes of the Med-jai.
The two men who had been hiding behind the pillars had now been joined by two more. All four of them were dressed in worn clothing that had clearly seen better days, and were armed to the teeth. A large black man carried the rifle that had produced the killing shot. They ran up to the fallen Med-jai, who was struggling to bring his own weapon to bear.
The man with the rifle brought it down on the Med-jai, once, twice. The sound of the stock slamming into the man's skull carried across the sand with gruesome clarity, and Alex winced and dropped his head.
"Enough!" The command was given in Arabic, and Alex looked up again. On his return from Egypt eight months ago, he had vowed to learn the language of that land. His mother knew a little, and Uncle Jon remembered just enough to get by, but Alex was proud to say he could now read and write the flowing script and speak the language. He was glad now he was able to understand what the men were saying.
He peered cautiously over the step. He couldn't see any faces, for they had their backs to him. One of the men was holding the arm of the black man with the rifle, preventing him from striking the unconscious Med-jai a third time. "They will give us nothing if he is dead."
The man with the rifle lowered the gun. "We should kill him anyway."
"It's amazing," a third man commented. "All you have to do is say the name O'Connell, and the almighty Med-jai practically rush to do your bidding."
"We shouldn't stay here," said the fourth man, looking around nervously. "I heard the O'Connells are in Cairo. What if they really do come by here?"
"Chickenshit," the first man muttered to this one. He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "Get the horses."
The second man scratched his head. "What if they won't bargain with us?"
"Oh, I think they will," said the black man. "I can promise you that." He chuckled. Then he looked up. "After you get your treasure, he's mine."
"Yes, yes," the first man said impatiently. "But first, Hamunaptra. You get nothing until then, Kadyn. Now, help me with him."
The two men bent down to retrieve their prisoner, and Alex O'Connell gasped as he got the shock of his life. He knew these men!
The black man looked just like Lock Nah, the one who had tormented him so mercilessly during his abduction. That was bad. But worse, he knew the other man.
The Med-jai these men had captured was Ardeth Bay.
****
"Dad!" Alex's shout preceded him and Rick O'Connell felt his heart stop.
"Dad!" The nine-year old burst into the antechamber, his eyes huge. "You have to go. Now!"
Evy stepped forward. "Go?"
Alex seized his hand. "They're getting away!"
Not liking where this was headed, Rick looked around hastily. "Who's getting away?"
"The men outside," Alex exclaimed. "They've got--"
"Men outside?" He dropped the hammer he had been holding and pulled his gun.
"What men outside?" Evy demanded.
"I thought I told you to come straight down if you saw anyone," he said. Fear for Alex's safety made him sound angrier than he truly was.
His son stared at him in agony. "Dad, listen! You have to go after them. They've got Ardeth. I heard them--"
"Ardeth?" Evy shot a startled look toward the door of the antechamber. "He's here?"
"Come on!" Alex yelled. "There's maybe still time!" He turned and ran out of the room.
"Alex!" Still holding the pistol, Rick followed the boy. His heart was pounding. Not again he prayed desperately. Not again If anything happened to Alex, he would never forgive himself. The guilt he bore for letting them take his son in London was still too scalding; he knew he could not endure it a second time.
"Rick!" Evy ran behind him, with Jonathan lagging a distinct third. "Don't let him get up there alone. If they're still out there--"
"I know," he said grimly.
It was easy to catch up to Alex, who pleaded with his eyes. "Dad, come on!"
Together they ran out of the tomb. Rick held the gun high enough so he would not accidentally shoot his own son, and scanned the area. There was nobody in the temple.
Nor were there any men outside. But they had been here, that much was clear. Several yards out lay a dead black horse, a bullet hole in its neck still sluggishly oozing. Just above the horse, there was an impression in the sand in the shape of a man. Blood darkened the sand where the man's head had lain.
Alex groaned. "They hit him with a rifle, Dad."
Tracks in the sand told the story. The men had kept the horses in plain view, but they themselves had hidden, two behind the pillars and two just around the corner of the temple. When the Med-jai had ridden up, they had leapt out in ambush, killing the horse and knocking the man unconscious.
Rick knelt down and touched his fingers to the bloodied sand. There was an awful lot of it. "Alex, are you sure? Most of those Med-jai, they look alike."
"They tricked him, Dad. They pretended to be us, wanting to see him. I know they did." Alex's face was stricken with guilt. "They said they could make the Med-jai do anything, just by using our name."
Jonathan and Evy walked up together, surveying the scene through shocked eyes. "How many were there?" Evy asked.
"Four," Alex said. His shoulders hunched. "And I knew one of them."
Rick looked up in concern, recognizing the strained look on Alex's face. For months after their return from Ahm Shere, his son had suffered nightmares over his ordeal there. It was why he had argued so vehemently against their return.
But Evy had not seen it that way. "It will do him good," she had said. "He needs to face his fears." She had agreed with Alex that a trip to Egypt was the best thing, and in the end, as always, Rick had been unable to refuse her. He never could.
Now Evy knelt down in front of Alex, her dark eyes very solemn. "Who did you know?"
"The one who hit Ardeth. He looked just like the man who kidnapped me, Lock Nah. I think he must be related. A brother, maybe. Or--or--" His lower lip trembled, and tears shone in his eyes. "Or a c--cousin." He began to cry, a nine-year old boy trying hard to be brave but not quite able to do it.
Rick let Evy take their son into her arms, and stood up. Over the heads of his wife and son, he looked at Jonathan, who gazed back at him helplessly.
"Why would they do it?" he muttered, shaking his head. Slowly he put the pistol back in its holster. He kicked sand over the blood on the ground. "Why?"
Alex pulled away from Evy and dragged his sleeve across his face. "They want Hamunaptra," he said.
"Hamunaptra?" Evy gave her husband a worried look.
"I heard them talking," Alex said. "In Arabic," he added with some pride. "I think they want the treasure under Hamunaptra."
Rick pursed his lips. The Med-jai would never allow scavengers such as these men to go into Hamunaptra, not even with the threat of Imhotep far removed and buried deep beneath the sands of Ahm Shere. He wondered if the desert warriors divided their time now between both places.
Regardless, the four men whom Alex had just witnessed obviously had a plan: take hostage the leader of the Med-jai and then ask them, "What is Hamunaptra worth to you?"
They wouldn't do it, he thought. Not even for Ardeth. They would let him die rather than give up what they had spent three thousand years protecting. Ardeth himself would want it that way. The Med-jai leader would not expect any rescue, any bargaining for his life.
He looked down at Evy and saw that she had already reached this conclusion. She stood up. "Rick, we can't let them," she said slowly.
He knew that. But, "What can we do?" he asked her.
Her dark eyes flashed. "You better think of something, Rick O'Connell. We owe that man more than we can ever repay. We are not going to stand back and let this happen." She drew herself up. "Especially not when it was our name that did this in the first place."
Rick looked down at the sand near his boot, sand stained with Ardeth's blood. He closed his eyes, and the memory returned with startling clarity, as though it were only yesterday, not eight months ago...
**
There were bodies on the floor.
He swayed where he stood in the foyer of their house, drunk with loss and disbelief, still unable to believe that they had taken Alex right out from under him. He had stumbled into the house, intent on returning to Egypt and getting his son back, and stopped dead.
There were bodies on the floor.
Suddenly he realized how close he had come, not just to losing Alex, but to losing everything. While he had been upstairs, dealing with the curator and the woman and Jonathan, a second battle had been raging down here.
He grabbed Ardeth, ignoring the way the injured Med-jai flinched. "You did all this?"
Ardeth nodded curtly.
Fear made him feel faint. They would have killed Evy and Alex and taken the Bracelet, and he would not have been able to stop them. If Ardeth had not been here, his entire family might be dead right now.
He gripped Ardeth's arm harder. "You--" He had to swallow hard before he could go on, not sure he could express the things he was feeling. "If you ever need anything... *Anything*..."
"My friend." Ardeth shook him off. "I know." The warrior gazed at him for a moment, then said, "Now we must find your son."
**
And he had forgotten all about his vow. Until now.
He opened his eyes, staring into the distance. The tracks of horses were clear in the sand, a trail for anyone to follow.
"All right," he said, without turning around. "Get your things. We're going after them."
****