The quotes Rick and Evy trade are attributed, respectively, to Jacques Bénigne Bossuel and H.L. Mencken. I almost expected them to pull a Satine and Christian routine and start singing, but I resisted that temptation:)
Angel-4-Ever (formerly Tigerwolf, I know who you are!:), the smacking line was a "Something Blue" reference, but also a reference to dorm life (mithwith, I tried to put the zippers in but thought it inappropriate for a pg-13 fic...;)
Enjoy the conclusion:)...
Chapter 14
Soaring
Before Evelyn quite knew quite what she was doing, she whirled around and squeezed the trigger of the shotgun she'd forgotten she held. The close range impact of the bullet threw Dr. Miller back and away from her, though she'd only caught him in the shoulder. Panicked, Evelyn streaked past the curator and back down the hallway from whence she'd come. "Rick! Rick, he's here!!"
Rick appeared in the doorway of the office in an instant. Dr. Miller was stubbornly pursuing Evelyn despite his injured shoulder. "Get back here, Princess," he hissed. Rick yanked Evelyn through the door and began to close it just as Dr. Miller reached them. The curator managed to sneak his hand through the door before it shut, howling in pain as Rick slammed it on his bloodied fingers. Without thinking, Evelyn seized the curator's hand and pried the cursed ring off his finger. She flung the ring into the fireplace, where it landed in the center of the conveniently lit fire. A bright blue flame immediately rocketed up through the gold band, lifting it momentarily from the ashes before it settled back down into the heart of the sputtering fire.
"What the hell is a fire doing lit at this time of day?" asked Rick.
"I get cold," Bob mumbled, still a bit shook up. "My joints..."
"Bless you, Bob!" Evelyn cried. "Bless your poor circulation!"
A very disheveled Dr. Miller practically fell into the room, trying to staunch the blood that ran freely from his shoulder. "Whad happen..." he mumbled. "Where hem I...Ooh, fire pretty..."
All was silent for a precious second as they contemplated the sparkling cerulean fire. Then, with a burst of chilling wind, a shimmering blue chariot burst out of the wall behind the fireplace. The savage howl of a tortured soul filled their eardrums as the driver swooped down and snatched the ring from the ashes, while Imhotep's spirit struggled to free itself from the ring's bondage. Brandishing its prize, the driver headed straight for the opposite wall, where Evelyn and Dr. Miller stood. Rick dove without a second thought and wrenched Evelyn out of the path of the rampaging chariot. Unfortunately, no one made any such daring save for the curator. The chariot ripped viciously through Dr. Miller's body, the force sending him hurtling backward and through the French doors. As if in slow motion, the windowpanes shattered with the deafening tinkle of a million pieces of glass hitting the ground in a spectacular splatter. His body landed with a nauseating crash on the balcony. The last of the glass fell to the ground with a soft clatter, and all was silent.
The five survivors peeked cautiously through the empty space. Before anyone could stop her, Evy stepped through the splintered doorway. Dr. Miller lay miserably across the fractured remnants of glass, tiny rivulets of blood trickling around the pieces of shattered windowpane. He caught side of Evelyn standing above him, and managed to smile slightly.
Despite her better judgment she sank to her knees beside Dr. Miller, and he clutched at her hand as a drowning man clutches at a straw. "You've got my vote, Ms. Carnahan," he whispered through gritted teeth. His grip on her hand loosened, and as Jonathan pulled her away from the body, she cried for him. Evelyn was quite sure that no one else would.
By the time they'd gotten back to Evelyn's apartment, the body of the warden was long gone and so was Evelyn's blood-soaked rug. In fact, Evelyn was hard pressed to find any sort of evidence that there'd been a murder there at all. She supposed she had the Medjai to thank for that, though none could be found anywhere nearby. Even Ardeth had disappeared back at the museum with a short, "It was nice to see you all again." He had then ushered them out the back door, assuring them that the Medjai would take care of everything with the police. Two curators dispatched in less than a month, Evelyn thought ironically. One might think I was after their job!
This thought struck the sleep-deprived Evelyn as hysterically funny, though her companions thought her apparently unprovoked glee to be quite inappropriate for the situation. "You're all nuts," muttered Jonathan. "I'll be off drinking myself to sleep if anyone needs me."
Neither Rick nor Evy protested this time as Jonathan left. "Are you okay?" Rick asked as soon as they were alone. "Zealous laughter is hardly what I'd expect after a day like this."
"I'm sorry. I think I'm just exhausted."
"Tell me about it," Rick agreed.
"Rick," said Evelyn, turning serious, "I have to say something."
"Yeah?"
"Listen, I...I had doubts about us. At the beginning. Not just normal jitters, I mean, big time, earth shattering doubts."
"Gee, thanks."
"No, you've got to let me finish. It just seemed too good to be true. I couldn't believe that what I'd found was for real. I was so afraid that it was all a dream, that you'd leave...It scared me."
"Scared me, too," he admitted.
"But then you were taken away, and since that moment it's never entered my mind that you might leave me by choice. That you didn't love me. I've never been more sure of anything else in my entire life. You taught me to listen to my heart instead of my mind for once."
"'The heart has reasons that reason does not understand,'" replied Rick with a smile.
"'Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence,'" countered Evelyn.
"Look, this...I mean, you and me...it may be crazy, but...it's right. I know it's right. I love you, Evy."
"I love you too, Rick."
And just when the lovers thought they could finally enjoy a good kiss without being interrupted...
Ardeth tapped Rick on the shoulder, causing both Rick and Evy to jump a few feet in the air. As soon as the startled pair realized that the intruder was the Medjai and not an undead mummy, Evelyn quickly enveloped the surprised Ardeth in a tight hug. "Thank you, Ardeth," she said.
"I am sorry if I startled you. I came to say goodbye."
Rick offered his hand, which Ardeth shook. "Well, Ardeth, buddy, it's never dull when you're around, I'll give you that."
"We really do have to stop meeting like this," Ardeth replied, with a completely straight face.
Rick and Evy tried, but after a few seconds they couldn't hold their laughter in. "Did you just make a joke?" Rick asked incredulously.
Ardeth looked at him strangely. "No."
"Oh..."
A seemingly awkward silence reigned for a few moments. Then Ardeth broke into a wide grin. "I think I have a future in comedy, wouldn't you say?"
Laughing again, Rick said jokingly, "Remind me never to play poker with you."
"I am sorry to leave so quickly," Ardeth continued, "but I must be getting back to the tribe."
"Have a safe journey," offered Evelyn.
"Maybe the next time we see you there won't be any mummies involved?" asked Rick hopefully.
"I hope so. I am sure we will meet again."
"Hey, why don't you come to the wedding?"
"Wedding?" asked Ardeth.
"Rick and I are getting married!" Evelyn informed him.
"When?"
"Just a minute." Rick turned to Evelyn. "Doing anything a week from Saturday?"
"Hmm, I don't think so. April sixth, then?"
"April sixth it is!" announced Rick. "See you then?" he asked Ardeth.
"I will try. Congratulations, my friends. I am sure Allah will smile upon the both of you."
"Thank you, Ardeth."
With that the desert warrior turned and faded away into the sinking light. Yes, he thought, as he snuck a glance back at the happy couple, by now completely oblivious to their Medjai friend and everything else around them...perhaps there was a friendship shaping up there after all...
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FIN...POUR MAINTENANT:)
Well, we've come to the end of this particular story arc. I do hope y'all enjoyed it. Eventually there will come a sequel, as Rick and Evy try to put the past behind them and start a new life together. There are still many unanswered questions and fabulous ideas floating around in my head! (Also, just a note: there is, indeed, a fire place in Dr. Bey's office. I checked:)
Without further ado, however, y'all should head over to my newly posted story "The Cost of a Glance," the beginning of my epic take on the ancient love story:) It's a fabulous, tragic tale of intrigue, romance, and deception, as Ardeth helps Rick and Evy discover the truth behind Nefertiri's ancient legend. Go read it!!! Please?:)
Many thanks to all of my loyal reviewers, especially MBooker, LadyFoxFire, JessC, Seletha, Kim, Vic, Whitney, katie_janeway, cracklyn, Angel-4-Ever/Tigerwolf, kmac, marrokinhas, Shelby, Deana, Evie of the Nile, EvyOConnell, oconnellsmummygirl, Max452, charon 19, KatG, Dylan, Linser-42, mithwith (finally!:) and everyone else who ever reviewed or I mistakenly forgot, thank you so much and I love you all!!!