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"Evy, I'm gonna get some air and stretch my legs, 'kay," Rick informed his wife, from the doorway of the hotel. After nearly seven hours of sleeping on the plane, he wasn't really in the mood to sit around, or worse yet, go to bed.

"Sure." Propped against the wall as she relaxed on the bed, Evy glanced at her husband.

"You want to come along," he asked, raising a flirtatious eyebrow. Evy chuckled.

"Tempting, but I'm really much too tired. I think I'll just stay here and rest." As Rick's face transformed into a disappointed pout, Evy added, "you could stay here with me..."

"Come on, Evy. We've been cooped up all day..."

"Really, Rick," she chided, teasingly. "You're as bad as Alex."

He chuckled. "You're sure?"

Evy nodded.

"All right, then. I'll see if I can find us some decent chow while I'm out," Rick quipped, tossing his wife a grin. Zaynab had rounded up some food for everyone shortly after they'd settled in their rooms. It had been a pleasant smelly, soupy something-or-other that had tolerably filled his empty belly, but Rick craved something a little more substantial.

Shaking her head, Evy smirked at him. As he disappeared out the door, she closed her eyes to rest, but after few minutes, it became clear that, although she was travel-weary, she wasn't particularly sleepy. Opening her eyes and stretching, Evy reached for the journal, flipped it open, and found her spot.

"Dabir's absence begins to weigh heavily upon our people. Not only does he rarely return to camp, he no longer rides with his fellow Medjai. There is one exception. Dabir keeps Fathi constantly at his side. For our people, it is not good that he does so. It is difficult enough that their king appears ready to abandon them, but it causes much aggravation that he keeps with him the son that appears to have become his chosen successor. In their uncertainty, the people turn to Ardeth for assurance. To my amazement, my nephew rises to meet the challenge."

Taken aback, Evy shook her head. She couldn't imagine a challenge her Ardeth couldn't rise to meet, so it seemed ridiculous that the author would find it amazing. Then again, the journal Ardeth seemed so very different from her Ardeth that, perhaps, it wasn't so difficult to understand. She knew with certainty, however, she would never fathom a father abandoning his son, as the journal Ardeth's had - and now, it appeared his brother had abandoned him, as well. Evy continued to shake her head as she tried to imagine the anguish it must have caused him. Taking a deep breath to quell her rising fury, Evy continued to read.

"It shames me that I am amazed, but I have watched Ardeth's resignation grow until I believed he no longer even sought to return to what he was, but was content to remain forever in the care of Badi'a. However, I have seen a change in him as it becomes apparent that our people increasingly draw comfort simply from his presence. It is so much more than Dabir offers, that it seems not to matter that Ardeth does not speak. Nor are they discouraged that his body is not yet fully recovered. They see in him the strength to keep our people united. I believe it is in response to this that there is new a spark in Ardeth's eyes, or I should say, the old spark has at last rekindled."

Evy swelled a little with pride as she kept reading. That was her Ardeth.

"Ardeth continues to grow stronger and each day the light of his revived spirit glows brighter. To be certain, he is not yet fully returned to us. He still does not speak and his vision remains weak, although that is something he is nearly able to hide from us. Despite these things, my heart grows lighter each day I see him again practicing with his weapons. I believe it will be many weeks, perhaps months, before he again wields them with skill, but simply to see them in his hands is a pleasure."

Evy chuckled as the merging Ardeths split apart again in her imagination. She couldn't picture her Ardeth ever wielding a weapon unskillfully.

"I have noticed that Badi'a does not draw pleasure in this as I do, but this is not difficult to understand. A warrior's life is, by its nature, one of risk. Badi'a grieves still, as do I, for her mother, brother, and sisters. Also, I believe she feels deeply the absence of her father and Fathi. To see the day looming that she must again face the possibility of losing Ardeth, too, pains her greatly. It also makes her, perhaps, a little over-protective. Something, which it is apparent, begins to chafe my nephew. I have noticed that their wills clash much more frequently these days. It is odd to think, but I find some measure of assurance in this, for it is increasingly Ardeth's will that triumphs.

Assurance is much needed for all at this time, for it has been nearly three weeks since Dabir and Fathi last returned to camp. It is fortunate, that between gesture and pen, Ardeth has been able to step into his father's role. His guidance holds our people together, despite their king's absence."

As the journal Ardeth merged back into her Ardeth, Evy shook her head, disapprovingly. A flush of anger lit her cheeks as she thought about Dabir.

"Allah be merciful. Late this afternoon, Fathi returned with his father. Dabir has been gravely injured. The healers tell us there is little they can do and do not expect he will live through the night. I do not know how he was injured. Still clinging to consciousness, Dabir called for Ardeth and Badi'a, before barring from his tent all else but his children. They have been at their father's side since, so I must wait for an explanation from Fathi. A heavy cloud hangs over the camp, for despite his recent absences, Dabir served his people well for many years. He will be mourned by all."

"Oooh," Evy gasped, feeling remorseful for cursing Dabir. She realized there was little reason to feel guilty; it just seemed somehow wrong to think badly of someone about to die - no matter how horrible they were.

Dabir has passed, as expected. Ardeth emerged from his father's tent shortly after sunrise to inform the camp. The news was received with sadness, but no great turmoil. I did not expect there would be. Ardeth was already leading the people in his father's absence, so little will change, except that my nephew now wears the title of king. None challenged it, not even Fathi. I had feared that he might. In all, it has all occurred with much more calm than I would have expected. I suppose this is explained by Dabir's prolonged absence. Or perhaps, as it has been with I, the unexpected pleasure of hearing of Ardeth's voice made the gravity of the words he spoke seem less severe. Whatever the reason, Allah be praised that this transition has passed peacefully. Our people have had enough turmoil. Now we will heal.

Evy sighed, believing she'd reached the end of the story. As much as she'd wanted to know how it all turned out, she felt a little deflated now that it was over. Not quite ready to let go of the adventure, she glanced down and noticed another paragraph, barely squeezed onto the bottom of the page. She found herself wary of reading it, not certain she wanted to risk starting a new story; the last one had been emotional draining enough. Flipping the page, Evy found that it was blank. She continued to flip and discovered there was no more written in the journal. Turning back, Evy decided there was little to lose in reading that last entry.

"I know hardly what to write. With a contentment that I have not known in many months, I returned to Cairo, only to have my heart burdened with grief once more. For I have been told that my dear friends, the Carnahans, have died, killed in a car accident on the very same day that Dabir received his mortal wound. With all that has happened, I am hardly able to grieve properly for them, and for this I am truly sorrowful."

Evy's jaw dropped. She hadn't expected to find herself back at the beginning. Well, not the beginning, exactly, but back to the death of her parents. A tearful lump rose up in her throat. The entry said nothing Jonathan hadn't already told her, but it seemed so much more real to read it on paper. Of course, she'd had to deal with the reality of it years ago, but still...reading it was almost like receiving the bad news all over again. Setting the journal down, an eerie numbness settled over her as she curled onto her side and fell asleep.

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Relieved that her reinforcements had at last arrived, Najat smiled, gratefully, as Zaynab approached Ardeth's bed. She desperately craved sleep; Zaynab could see it in her features and slid the cloth from Najat's hand. Offering another appreciative smile, Najat wandered into the adjoining room and, after sparing a quick glance at Jonathan and Alex curled up peacefully on the bed, settled herself on the floor. Quickly asleep, Najat stirred only slightly as Ardeth tossed, restlessly.

Instinctively choosing the same soothing method Najat had employed, Zaynab softly hummed, as she snatched the cloth from Ardeth forehead and replaced it with a fresh one. The Medjai settled for a moment, but stirred again as she lifted the cloth from his wound, re-soaked it, and re-placed it. Quickly grabbing another wetted cloth, Zaynab softly swirled it across his skin, calming Ardeth back into a more restful sleep. She glanced up, briefly, as Widad entered. Nodding her head toward the floor, Zaynab wordlessly instructed her fellow Abadi to rest. Widad nodded and made herself comfortable, knowing Zaynab would wake her when she grew too sleepy.

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The soft click of the closing door as Zaynab and Widad departed woke Alex. He sleepily rubbed at his eyes for several seconds before sitting up and, carefully, slipping off the bed. Wandering over to Ardeth's bed, he saw Najat standing where she'd been the night before, still faithfully tending the Medjai. He briefly wondered how she managed to look rested, then shrugged and glanced down at Ardeth. Alex couldn't decide if he looked any better or not.

"How's he doing?" He finally asked.

Najat glanced up and smiled. "His fever has lessened a bit, as has the bleeding."

Alex grinned, relieved. "You were right. He just needed some proper rest."

Najat smiled, tolerantly. She didn't have the heart to inform him that the improvement was likely only temporary. They had much traveling still to do, which would quickly drain away the reserve the Medjai had pooled during the night.

"We must depart soon," she announced, abruptly changing the subject. "Would you do me the favor of waking your uncle? Breakfast waits for you on the table."

Alex spun around and saw that, indeed, there was food on the table. He shook his head, amazed that he'd strolled right past it without noticing.

"Sure thing!" he replied. Turning back toward Najat, he grinned, mischievously, before dashing back to the other bed and bounded onto it. The resulting bounce brought his uncle awake with a startled gasp.

"Alex...," Jonathan mumbled, grumpily.

"Sorry, Uncle Jon, but Najat said to wake you up so we can eat breakfast before we leave," Alex replied, innocently. His expression provoked a smile from his uncle.

"Well, if Najat says we must eat, then we must eat. Let's see what culinary delights await us, shall we?" Jonathan replied, with feigned cheerfulness, as he pulled himself off the bed and strolled to the table. Alex laughed and bounced off the bed. Following his uncle, he grabbed a generous sample of the various breads and fruits sitting on the tray in the center.

Najat smiled, pleased to see her guests enthusiastically eating. Forcing her attention back to more serious matter, she gently skimmed a finger across one of Ardeth's tattoos. Startling, his eyes slowly flittered open and, eventually, focused on the Abadi.

"My apologies, Ardeth, but we must prepare to leave."

Sleepily blinking his eyes, Ardeth nodded, not fully grasping the subtle warning until he felt the cloth lifted from his wound. Closing his eyes tightly against the anticipated pain, the Medjai bit his lip as Najat covered the wound with a salve and secured a fresh bandage over the top. He noted, with weary delight, that it had not hurt as much as expected, and wondered if it were improving, or if he were just getting used to the pain. Sighing, Ardeth opened his eyes to see Najat looking down at him with concern. She didn't bother to ask if he were all right; it would have been a silly question.

"It still bleeds, although less. The salve should slow it further, but it really should be..."

"No!" Ardeth exclaimed, with all the force he could muster - which wasn't much. "It will be fine. We haven't much further to travel."

Najat bowed, stiffly, to acknowledge his wishes, and reached down to help him sit up. Ardeth waved her away, pleased that he felt strong enough not to need assistance. The Abadi simply shrugged and back away.

"I will bring you food. Will you try to eat?"

Although he had no appetite whatsoever, Ardeth nodded. He'd eaten nothing since before arriving in England, and knew the lack of nourishment only added to his body's weakness. With a smile, Najat bowed, respectfully, and quickly dashed to the table to gather a plate for him. Returning, she laid it on the bed beside him and excused herself. Glancing at the plate, Ardeth's stomach churned, disapprovingly, but he forced himself to pick up a chunk of bread and half-heartedly bit into it.

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Returning to the bed, Najat smiled, approvingly, as she inspected plate. Ardeth had managed to eat nearly half of the food on it, which was not a lot, but more than she'd really expected. Studying the warrior as he rested, eyes closed, against the wall, she hoped it would be enough to give him the strength he needed for the day's travel.

As though aware he were being watched, Ardeth abruptly opened his eyes. Seeing Najat was, again, fully covered, the Medjai assumed it was time to leave and heaved his legs over the side of the bed, biting his lip against the pain of the movement. Caught off-guard, Najat had no time to signal Johari, or even Jonathan, for assistance. Lunging forward as Ardeth rose to his feet, she just managed to tuck a shoulder beneath his arm before his legs went out from under him. Turning his head slightly as she wavered beneath his weight, Ardeth smiled, sheepishly.

"Johari!" Wary of attempting to move, Najat waited for the warrior to shuffle over and take her place.

"Ardeth...," Alex chided, paternally, having witness the event from the doorway. The tone provoked a soft chuckle from the Medjai, as the group began to move toward the door.

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Waiting for Evy to wake up before scrounging breakfast, Rick stared at the wall. His well-practiced hands cleaned his pistol as his mind tried to latch onto a thought that had been eluding him all morning. He was just about to give up when it struck him like a lead ball. The other plane had gotten a head start, but it still wouldn't have been able to make it all the way to Cairo. It had to have laid-over, just like they did.

Shaking his head as he stood, Rick chuckled at the irony, realizing the odds were they'd spent the night in close proximity to the very people they were chasing. Stepping toward the bed to let Evy in on the funny joke, another thought struck him and he abruptly froze. Neither plane was likely to take off before dawn. If they were waiting on the field before then, they just might catch them. Rick grinned, broadly.

"EVY! EVY WAKE UP! WE GOTTA GO!"

Evy bolted out of bed. "Huh! Rick!? What is it!? What's wrong!?"

"A hunch, Evy. Just playing a hunch," he answered, vaguely. "Hurry up! We gotta go!"

"All right! All right!" Evy huffed. Fortunately, she'd showered before dinner the previous night and, then, fallen asleep in her clothes, so it was just a matter of gathering their stuff. Glancing around, she found, to her surprise, that the packing was already done.

"What? I woke up, couldn't get back to sleep, needed something to do," Rick answered, slightly embarrassed by the bewilderment on his wife's face. Evy just smiled, appreciatively.

"Why don't you take the bags down; I'll be right there."

Rick nodded, loaded up the luggage, and dashed out the door.

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"I knew it!" Rick exclaimed, reaching the lobby and catching sight of a small group at the far end of it.

"What!?" Evy questioned, coming up behind her husband. Following his gaze, she found the answer for herself. "ALEX!"

Hearing his name, Alex turned. The sight of his parents sent so much relief washing through him that he completely forgot he was angry with them. Slipping free from Najat, he dashed towards his mum's open arms.

"MUM! DAD!"

"Alex! Mmmmmm." Evy pulled him into a bear hug.

"You are soooo grounded, buddy," Rick informed his son. He attempted to sound stern, but was too delighted to have him back, and grinned, ruffling the child's hair.

As they observed the happy reunion, Ardeth shot Najat a desperate look. Realizing he was concerned the O'Connells would interfere, she signaled for Johari to keep moving toward the door. Catching on, Jonathan took the lead, not relishing the idea of facing his sister and brother-in-law quite yet.

"Hold on, there! Just where do you think your going!" Rick shouted. Seeing quartet attempting to sneak away, he rushed forward to stop them.

As it was his first duty to protect Najat, who was nearest to Rick, Johari released his hold on Ardeth, pulled his scimitar and rushed forward to block the large American. Jonathan and Najat lunged for the Medjai, barely managing to catch him before he crumpled to the ground. Ardeth bit back a moan as they jostled his broken ribs in the process.

"Whoa! Don't want any trouble, big guy." Skidding to a quick stop, Rick held his hands in front of him, gesturing for Johari to put the scimitar down.

"Ya"if!" Najat shouted. Exchanging a quick glance with Jonathan, she shifted all of Ardeth's weight over to him and rushed forward to calm her protector. Placing her hand on Johari's arm, she gently signaled him to lower his weapon. ("Stop!")

"I apologize, Richard O'Connell. We, also, do not desire trouble between us," Najat soothed, while Johari warily put away his scimitar - although he kept a firm hold on its hilt.

"Yeah, so you people keep saying...," Rick replied, peevishly. Najat tilted her head, not understanding to what he referred. Rick noticed, but didn't bother to explain. "All right, you obviously know who I am, so how about introducing yourself and your buddy there."

"I am Najat; he is Johari," she replied, simply, troubled by the edginess in his tone.

"Assalamu 'alaykum," Evy greeted, respectfully, coming up behind her husband, with Alex in tow.

"Wa 'alaykum assalam," Najat replied, courteously, bowing.

"Thank you for taking care of Alex." Evy smiled, genuinely appreciative.

"Afwan. He is a delightful child." Still hidden beneath her burqa, the Abadi smirked as Evy raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Truly! He was no trouble."

Evy exchanged a dubious glance with her husband, who simply shrugged. Despite a desire to be invisible, Jonathan couldn't stop himself from chucking at the exchange, earning irritated glances from both his sister and Rick.

"Yeah, thanks, now...how 'bout you tell your warrior to get out of the way so we can have a look at Ardeth," Rick demanded. Reacting to the tone of his brother-in-law's voice, Jonathan shifted to carry Ardeth closer, but the Medjai planted his feet, refusing to move.

"Ardeth...," he whispered, rolling his eyes at the warrior's sudden show of strength, knowing it wouldn't last long. Jonathan barely heard Ardeth's gasped reply.

"No! There is not time for this!"

"This is not possible," Najat answered Rick, matter-of-factly, hearing the soft exchange behind her. She understood, even appreciated, the American's concern, but her duty was to Ardeth, not Rick. "We go, now."

"The hell you are!" Rick bellowed in response. Johari flinched at the tone and tightened his grip around the hilt of his scimitar. Rick noticed. "S'all right! Let's just stay calm, shall we?"

"Indeed, that would be helpful."

Irritated, Rick frowned at the slightly sarcastic edge to Najat's tone. "Look, I don't mean to be difficult here, but you can't really expect us to just stand here and watch you drag him away."

"It is his wish," the Abadi stated, expecting the American to comply. "We can delay no longer."

"Ardeth! What the hell are you up to?" Rick took a slight step forward as he spoke, prompting the very edging Johari to again draw his scimitar. Losing patience with it all, Rick pulled his gun and aimed it directly at the warrior.

"I've had about enough of you!"

"Rick! No!" Evy cried, alarmed. Behind her, she heard the soft sound of two more scimitars and quickly glanced around to see that Muhannad and Samih had arrived. Evy swallowed hard, realizing how bad the scene must look to them.

Dismayed by the development, Ardeth stubbornly freed himself from Jonathan. Swaying dizzily, he forced his reluctant body to move toward Najat.

"Ardeth!" Alex gasped, his voiced tinged with fear and frustration. Najat spun around and reached for the Medjai, but Ardeth waved her away. It required all his will to do so, but he was determined to stand on his own.

"Please, my friend," he pleaded. Determinedly ignoring the encroaching blackness, Ardeth gazed, intently, at Rick. "Put your weapon away. We can linger here no longer, but, if it will relieve your concern, you may travel with us."

"Please, Rick," Evy whispered, as her husband contemplated the request. "This isn't helping anyone."

"You better have a great explanation for all this, buddy," Rick muttered, reluctantly stowing his weapon.

"All will be made clear in time."

The weakly whispered response earned an irritated glare from Rick, but it melted into concern as Ardeth's meager reserve faded and his legs abruptly crumpled beneath him. Rick started towards him, but quickly realized Johari had yet to put away his scimitar. Unable to move, he watched helplessly as Najat and Jonathan lunged for the Medjai. The Abadi reached him first, but from an awkward angle. By the time Jonathan got there, Ardeth had taken them both to the ground in a heap.

Tangled up with Najat, Ardeth landed hard on his wounded side, further pulling open his already bleeding wound. He didn't really notice, however, as his broken ribs crunched against the floor, provoking a cry of pain he couldn't even begin to stifle.

Hearing it, Rick shoved his way past Johari's scimitar and rushed to Ardeth's side. Kneeling, he pushed Jonathan out of the way, with unintentionally roughness. Ignoring his brother-in-law, the Englishman quickly scampered back over to Ardeth. Turning, Johari quickly stowed his scimitar and hurried to help, going first to Najat's aid. Wriggling free from his mother, Alex flew to Ardeth's other side, with Evy close behind him. Coming out from behind Muhannad and Samih, Zaynab and Widad also raced over to help both Najat and Ardeth. Putting away their weapons, the two warriors dashed after them.

"Ardeth?!" Rick, Evy, Alex, Jonathan, and Najat exclaimed, nearly simultaneously. It would have been amusing were it not for the urgency they all felt. Unable to respond, Ardeth laid still, his eyes closed, gasping in pain.

"'Awiz mayya!" Najat shouted at Muhannad, hovering at the edge of the frantic group. Successfully disentangled, she gently helped Ardeth sit up, taking the pressure of his ribs. ("Bring water!")

Rick placed a hand on Ardeth's uninjured shoulder, attempting to offer some sort of support, without moving him and hurting him further. Alex took one of the Medjai's hands, whispering soothingly, since there seemed little else he could do. Evy continued to kneel nearby, fidgeting nervously as she helplessly watched. Catching site of her brother hovering anxiously over the trio, she tossed him a reproachful glare.

Jonathan just caught it out of the corner of his eye, but decided not to acknowledge it. He knew there'd be plenty of time, later, for his sister to chew him out. Hearing Najat say something in Arabic, he turned in time to see one of the other Abadi women scurry out the door with Samih. Jonathan briefly wondered what was going on, before Muhannad's return distracted him.

Taking a bucket of water from the warrior, Najat glanced toward the remaining Abadi woman and lifted the container her direction. Understanding the unspoken request, the woman dashed off to find a cup or drinking glass of some sort. Reclaiming the small bundle that had been dropped during the tumble, Najat knelt and quickly unwrapped several of the smaller bundles contained within.

Jonathan watched, curiously, as she quickly blended together several herbs, finishing just as the other Abadi returned with a cup. He heard her say something else in Arabic as she dumped the mixture into it, filled it with water, and stood. Stirring the mixture as she went, she carefully made her way back to the Medjai, leaving the other Abadi to gather up the bundles.

"Ardeth."

He managed to crack his eyes open enough to see Najat kneeling next with a cup in her hand and weakly waved her away. Ardeth knew the medicine would ease the intense pain coursing through him, but it would also make him sleep, which he did not wish to do. Asleep, he would loose what little control he had over the situation - a worrisome prospect now that they'd been joined by Rick and Evy.

"Please, Ardeth!" Alex pleaded.

"Yes, please, Ardeth! Don't be stubborn about this," Evy chimed in.

"Come on, buddy. Help us out here," Rick added, giving the Medjai's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Yeah, go on, old boy. You'll just make it worse for me if they have to see that look on your face the rest of the way to Cairo," Jonathan quipped, provoking a slight smile from the Medjai.

Sighing, Ardeth relented and gave Najat a slight nod. He knew Jonathan was correct. Moods were tense enough without forcing everyone to witness his pain over the succeeding hours. He would have to trust Najat to abide by his wishes and make certain the O'Connells learned nothing of his intentions.

Relieved, Najat gently brought the cup to his lips and held it as he drank. Making sure he'd finished the whole thing, she set the cup aside and reach down to inspect his wound, but Ardeth caught her hand. As she met his eyes, he shook his head.

"It can wait."

"It will take but a moment," Najat argued.

"It will wait. We have lingered too long, already," Ardeth firmly insisted.

From his tone, Najat could guess what he would not allow her to see - the tumble had aggravated his wound. She knew his friends would balk at traveling on if they knew. With a soft sigh, Najat nodded, reluctantly agreeing to wait. Rising to her feet, she signaled for Johari to help the Medjai off the floor.

"I've got it," Rick chimed in, before Johari had a chance to move. The warrior glanced questioningly at Najat. Before she could respond, Ardeth waved both men away and gingerly forced himself off the floor. His wary companions watched him closely, prepared to catch him of necessary. They all breathed a sigh of relief as he reached his feet without incident.

"All right, buddy, let's go," Rick muttered, as Ardeth nodded at him, indicating he would now accept assistance. Pulling the Medjai's arm over his shoulder, he shook his head, feeling Ardeth resist leaning on him any more than necessary as they slowly made their way out the door.

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