Medjai: The Next Generation

by CJisArdethsgal

Ardeth Bay's grandson, Ali Bay, must defend both his love and the modern Medjai and team up with his grandfather in an attempt to fight off time-traveling bad guys.

20. Chapter 20

Chapter 20

They had remained in the Cave of Prophecies for the rest of the day and by nightfall, Tony and Ali were ready to leave. The information Ali had been seeking had finally been found in one of the many journals of recorded Medjai secrets. The journals were actually the secrets of Egypt, but no other group knew of all of them as the Medjai did.

Tony had assisted Ali in finding the information. Not that Tony could read the ancient language they were written in, but he could open the "secret" entrance to the back chamber of the cave and find the hiding place and keep torches lit for Ali to read by.

It was obvious Ali had only the strength to sit and read, and even that was taxing his reserves. He could barely walk and didn't even crack a smile at Tony's joke that instead of having a hidden lever to open the "secret" room, the Medjai should just use the old standby of "Open Seseme." Tony had figured out as much that Ali possessed a sense of humor during their time together, but it was obvious showing his humor at this stage in their travel was too draining. So, as Tony assisted Ali out of the cave and they mounted the camel, which grunted in protest, he kept any further jokes to himself.

"Where to now?" Tony asked, then remembered, "Oh, right.Hamunaptra."

"Yes, Hamunaptra," Ali repeated. Then with a heavy sigh, he said seriously, "If for some reason I am unable to carry out this mission, Tony, you must be prepared."

"Don't start, Ali," he insisted, but the man didn't listen.

The warrior continued. "You will eventually meet up with the Medjai at Hamunaptra. Continue to follow the path of the rising sun and you will discover the city a half days ride from here. Then show them my necklace to prove you are a friend. Ask for Ardeth Bay and I am sure he will know how to find the Staff of the Sun to get you and Rose home safely. And if he does not, tell him the key to start his journey is found in the catacombs beneath the museum in Cairo."

When Tony said nothing, Ali asked, "Did you hear me?"

"I heard you," Tony returned, miffed. "But its not like I'm going to have to remember it, Ali, because you're going to be fine. Once we get a chance to rest, you'll feel better."

"Perhaps."

"No perhaps about it. And remember, if you don't get there in one piece, Rosa is liable to kill you!" Despite his earlier resolve to keep his humor to himself, he couldn't help but try and prod Ali on.

Ali gave the briefest of chuckles and agreed, "You are right about that." Then he sobered and added sadly, "Rose and I did not leave things between us in good standing. She was ready to leave me, I am sure, because I did not tell her about the Medjai."

"There's one thing you have to remember about my sister, Ali, and that is, she gets over her anger very quickly. In fact, she was more concerned about you when I last saw her, than she was about the horrible trick Oscar and Victor were about ready to play on the world. And when I told her that I had not killed you, only pretended to, she was more relieved than I can say."

"It is good to hear," Ali finally stated, then fell quiet.

They rode for the rest of the night, and by morning, the rising sun was glittering over the city that Tony dreaded going back to so much. When they arrived, they secured the camel in the shade, then found their own to await the inevitable arrival of the Medjai.

They came, boldly, by evening, and Tony went to awaken Ali, only to find him pushing to his feet on his own. He had heard or sensed their arrival, obviously, and was staring directly at each and every warrior as twenty or so halted their horses in front of the two men.

The men's faces were all covered and one in particular stared hard at Ali, then dismounted and moved bravely forward.

His keen eyes scanned Tony and Ali for a long moment, then finally asked in his heavily accented English, "Who are you? And why do you resemble our chief so much?"

Ali, though barely strong enough to stand, smiled at the comparison and said, "I am Ali Bay. Grandson to Ardeth Bay, your chief. I am searching for him and the woman he rescued."

The man stared menacingly at Ali for a long moment, then quickly drew his scimitar and placed the point on Ali's chest.

"That is impossible, our chief has no heir, no family of his own. Only his mother he claims as family." Then the man looked Ali up and down and stopped at his combat boots. He kicked them with his leather boots and asked, "And what is this you wear?"

"I am Medjai," Ali then said firmly. "I wear the Medjai attire from a generation you do not yet know. I am from the year 2001 and Ardeth Bay is my grandfather."

"Prove it," the man said, his sword still aimed dangerously at Ali's chest. He never gave Tony a second look, but Tony did feel the eyes of the other warriors watching closely his every move.

Slowly, Ali reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the charm. Its symbols signified his tribe and his position as chief. The man before him studied it for a moment and Ali was certain his eyes showed with some surprise, but he covered it well.

"I have this, the charm of my ancestors and my face, does it not look like Ardeth Bay's?" Ali challenged.

"Yes, you resemble him much, but what of your Medjai marks? Surely no Medjai chief would be allowed to rule without them."

Ali unbuckled the sheath holding his swords and carefully laid the weapons on the ground. Then he took off his over-robe and then his long-sleeved black shirt. As soon as the warriors saw the marks on his chest, a murmur of whispers erupted among the men.

"Enough!" the warrior in front of Ali yelled at his warriors. Then he stepped back, but did not withdraw the threat of his sword. To Ali, the man said, "I have seen many strange things happen the past few days. Men with dangerous weapons attacked us and escaped through the Fortress of Aten. A lady wearing the ring of a Medjai chieftain wife has been in our company and claims she knows the Medjai from the future. If you know her name and can describe her, I will believe you are the descendant of our chief."

It was a fair deal, and Ali was glad the Medjai of this era were as diligent as the Medjai of the future in deciding who to trust and who not to trust.

"Her name is Rose and she has a beauty unto herself. Blue eyes, brown hair and an attitude that won't quit," Ali said and as he finished talking, he smiled widely.

The warrior frowned and returned his sword to his sheath.

"That is her. You know doubt know her," he resigned.

"She is to be my wife," Ali announced.

The man then gave a half smile and drawled, "Better you than our chief, for she is much too strong-willed for the Medjai of this era. She is with Ardeth now, they have gone to Cairo."

Relieved that this warrior was now believing him and talking easily, and that Rose was safely with Ardeth, Ali stooped down to grab his shirt and robe and inquired, "Why did grandfather.I mean, Ardeth, take Rose to Cairo? Are they searching for the Staff of the Sun?"

"They are," the warrior answered. "But now that you are here, they can stop their search. You have the staff from your time with you, no doubt?"

Ali and Tony glanced at each other with regret, then told the man, "Not exactly. There was a struggle for it with the men who were here before. It was broken."

The man closed his eyes for a moment and groaned. "That is not good news." Then he opened his eyes and said, "In that case, I will escort you to Cairo and we will assist our chief in his mission. By the way, I am Rashid, second in command to Ardeth Bay."

"It is good to meet you, Rashid," Ali told the warrior. "And we would appreciate your help."

Tony watched as Ali was about to redress himself, then stopped him and said, "Ali, you should have one of these men look at your wound. I am sure it needs care after the time we have spent in the desert."

"I am fine," Ali insisted.

Tony glanced at Rashid and the warrior asked, "Are you hurt, my lord? I have a man who can attend to your wounds."

Ali sighed. He was weak because he had left on a journey before his body was ready to endure such a hardship. The gunshot wound had not been life threatening, as the doctor had explained, but it he had lost blood and his body was still traumatized. And after trekking through the desert for days without any medical care, it was a good possibility that his wound was becoming infected. Stubborn, but not unreasonable, Ali nodded reluctantly and accepted Rashid's help. As soon as that was done, they would leave for Cairo. ****

Rose laid on the large double bed, gazing at the ceiling fan whirling above. She had bathed and was dressed in a clean white cotton slip-top and slip-bottom. It was the best she had felt since arriving in 1930 and despite the fact that she was being forced to dress like a woman from that era, life could have been worse.

They had arrived at the museum that morning, after having ridden hard for two days. The curator was a Medjai, yet he harbored no marks on his face. Ardeth had explained that it was easier for the curator to learn of expeditions into the desert and to pass on and gain information without notice, and Rose pointed out that was how it would be in the future too with all Medjai. Ardeth had acknowledged her reasoning with a nod, and she had noticed that his attitude toward her had been much more relaxed and friendly after their talk on the plateau.

His insistence, however, that she dress like a westerner from 1930 had her miffed and his friendliness could not make up for the fact that she would have to put on the long-sleeved shirt and ankle-length skirt if she were to ever leave her room.

Of course, it wasn't like Rose was in a hurry to leave the sanctuary of her room. They were staying in the quarters adjacent to the museum and it was quite luxurious compared to the Medjai camp. She had her own bathroom with hot and cold water, a comfy bed and borrowed clothes from a museum assistant. Her own were being laundered, and she realized that she would not be allowed to wear them as long as they were in the city. She had to blend in with the rest of the western visitors.

She sighed and resigned herself to that eventuality, then heard a knock on her door. Giving the order to enter, she found Ardeth standing in the doorway.

His dark eyes widened with some shock and Rose sat up on the bed and furrowed her brow.

"What's wrong?" she asked him.

"I thought you would be dressed," he answered her with some embarrassment filling his tone. He began to leave when Rose halted him with her next words.

"I am dressed," she insisted. "Maybe not dressed to go out, but dressed enough. Besides, I didn't think you were so uptight."

"I am being gentlemanly. Perhaps men of your century do not act so, but I still believe in decorum."

Rose laughed then and insisted, "If you think this is scantily clad, you'd die if you saw what women wear to the beach in America in the future. But since you're such a big sissy, I'll put on the clothes that cover me from head to toe.even though it is 120 degrees outside."

She stood from the bed and picked up the dark beige skirt and the long- sleeved white shirt with sleeves that one could only describe as puffy. Rose glared at Ardeth as she yanked on the shirt and began to button it. He avoided eye contact and even avoided looking at her. He did, however, ask her a question.

"What does 'sissy' mean?"

Rose laughed and stepped into the skirt, leaving the top two buttons of the shirt undone. There was no way she was buttoning those things to her neck. Why hadn't she been able to arrive in the 1920s when women were wearing shorter skirts? Hemlines throughout history had risen and fallen many times, and unfortunately the hemlines of the 1930s were as low as the stock market.

"It means you're a big wimp," she told him, tucking her shirt into her skirt and fastening the skirt at the back. She glanced away from him for a moment, searching for her shoes, then remembered she couldn't wear her tennis shoes with her skirt. Even in her own time she wouldn't dare make such a fashion fauxpau. Then she remembered the satin finished low-healed pumps the lady who worked in the museum had brought her along with the stockings and Rose thought she should have dressed in the stockings first. While she was contemplating the order of her dressing, she realized Ardeth was still looking confused.

"I guess you don't know what a wimp is either. I'm sure its been used in this day and age before, but I'll enlighten you just the same. It means your being childish, a big crybaby," she elaborated.

Ardeth looked at her face for a long moment, then burst out in laughter. Finally, after a long bout of chuckling, he took a deep breath and said, "Only a woman as bold as you, Rose, would dare call the chief of the first tribe of the Medjai such a name!"

"I called Ali that name all the time," she announced, then added under her breath, "and some other ones too on occasion." Then she picked up the shoes and threw them on the bed next to the white stockings. "I'm dressed enough for company now. What did you want?"

"You are not dressed enough," Ardeth argued. "We are leaving the museum and I am afraid you will need your shoes."

"Ahhh," Rose grumbled, then hopped on the bed and began sliding into the stockings as nonchalantly as possible. "I really hope you know how uncomfortable I will be dressed in these clothes. Its horrible how many layers women are expected to wear."

Ardeth had his back to her now, pretending to be studying the view outside her second story bedroom window.

"Would you rather I took you out into the streets of Cairo amongst a culture much different than your own dressed like you were when I first found you? I am sure that would cause quite a stir." He turned around then, just as Rose was stepping into the shoes that she had to admit were pretty comfortable. "As it is," he continued as he stepped in front of her and brushed his fingers along the edge of her chin-length hair, "your hair is quite different than any American's or European's hair I have seen. Usually, they wear it longer and pulled back. I have seen styles even cut short, almost like a man's, but never something that is neither long, nor short."

"I guess I'd rather not make a spectacle of myself," Rose conceded.

Just then, Ardeth's fingers landed on the buttons of her shirt and secured the two she had failed to button.

"No one wears their shirt undone," he informed her.

Rose tugged at the collar that was lined with a hint of lace like the cuffs of her sleeves. "I don't think I can breath in this," she wined.

He gave her a comical smile and took a quick step back. "Quit being such a sissy."

Rose smiled at him then noticed his attire was different than his usual Medjai-ware. His robe was long and belted at his waist with his scimitars, and he wore a cape instead of an over-robe. But what was so intriguing about his wardrobe was the gold and silver embroidery along the edges of the robe. Symbols that Rose assumed were Medjai symbols adorned the robe in the same silver and gold thread and she was certain it was the most impressive costume she had ever seen.

She reached out and traced her finger along the front of the robe. The collar was open and exposed the hard curve of his neck and she suddenly wondered if Ali possessed such a garment. It was magnificent and obviously had been hand crafted by someone with much skill.

"This is beautiful," Rose said in awe as she continued to touch the stitching on the robe only out of curiosity. Then she looked up at Ardeth and caught an odd look in his eyes. It was quite similar to the look he'd thrown her at the Cave of Prophecies and she wondered again why he was staring at her so.

"It is our ceremonial attire," he explained. "We wear it for special occasions."

"And what is the special occasion tonight?" Rose inquired.

"The museum is hosting a party tonight and sometimes I attend just to keep in touch with the archeologists in the area. To see who's doing what first hand and meet whomever I can," he said.

"So we're going to a party tonight?" she inquired.

He nodded, then added, "But first, I am going to show you Cairo. It would be a shame to have you travel back all these decades and not get to see what life was like in Cairo."

Rose beamed at him for it was the first thing that sounded positive about being stranded in 1930.

"Why Ardeth Bay, I do believe you make a gal one heck of a date," she teased.

Ardeth stared at her quizzically, obviously thrown by her silliness, and then seemed to remember her fingers were still touching his robe and stepped back. He motioned toward the door and Rose exited ahead of him, excited about the evening that awaited her.

And it was an exciting evening. Ardeth showed her the open markets, the Nile River and pointed out the great pyramids in the distance. He was charming and more relaxed than she ever imagined he could be. A bit of that warrior instinct was resting for the evening and Rose learned to enjoy the man that Ardeth was.

However, the evening was not going to end on the same high note as it began. Apparently, the site of a Medjai chief and a western woman walking arm and arm in the Cairo of the 1930s was an oddity. Several people had stared often during the evening, and yet Rose had barely paid them any attention. She had been too busy learning about the history of the Medjai and about Cairo as Ardeth talked. But his story about how the Giza Pyramids were constructed was cut short as a man with a southern American drawl stepped in front of them and said, "If you need a proper escort, ma'am, I'd be more than happy to oblige you."

Rose had hooked her right hand through Ardeth's left arm a long while before. It had always been second nature to hold onto Ali's arm when they had walked to and from work and with Ardeth it felt just as comfortable. Not to mention, it was safer to hold onto him in the crowded market-place they were leaving for it had been packed with shoppers. That arm, however, had suddenly grown stiff and she felt the muscles contract and watched as Ardeth's hand slid to the handle of his sword.

"I have a proper escort, sir," Rose answered politely, figuring if she spouted off like she really wanted to, she'd draw more attention to she and Ardeth.

The man who was dressed in a three-piece gray suit and wore a brimmed felt hat on his head stepped forward and corrected, "He is not a proper escort for an American lady such as yourself. Now, I would be willing to provide that proper escort for you, ma'am, if you would like." The man held his arm out toward Rose and she felt her lips frown.

Feeling Ardeth's arm grow even more tense then, Rose gave it a squeeze as if to tell him to ignore the man and said, "I thank you for your concern, sir, but I am quite satisfied with my current escort. And, we do have an engagement, so if you would please excuse us."

Rose gave Ardeth a subtle push to the right to indicate it was her wish to walk by the man and as they moved, the man grabbed her free arm and argued, "I cannot excuse you."

Just as he began to pull Rose away from Ardeth, Rose heard the grating sound of metal against metal and saw the flash of Ardeth's sword. He'd drawn it with one hand then wrapped his other hand around the throat of the American man and took him back three steps where his back hit the wall of a store with a thud.

With the tip of his sword pressed against the man's abdomen, Ardeth growled, "She has a proper escort, sir. Now leave us be before I decide I have to kill you."

The man turned white as a sheet and trembled under the threat of the Medjai. Then he nodded vigorously and as soon as Ardeth released him, he ran away. Rose then glanced around and noticed all the onlookers who had stopped to stare. As soon as Ardeth turned his gaze from the fleeing man, however, and looked at the crowd, everyone scattered or pretended to go about their business.

Ardeth replaced his sword, then moved next to Rose.

"Are you hurt?" he inquired earnestly, his hand searing hot as it rested on her arm.

Rose shook her head, amazed at how swiftly Ardeth had defended her. She then realized he would defend her as ardently as his grandson would and she suddenly wondered why. He hadn't had a moment's hesitation about acting and not once had he faltered. She admired that immensely. She had no time to thank him, however, for he was scuttling her away and back toward the museum before she could utter a word. ****

The Medjai warriors had done all they could for Ali's wound and the fever he was feeling was evidence that it had become infected. The natural ointment they had applied was supposed to draw out the infection, but they said it would take a day or two and Ali had spent that day or two upon the back of a horse riding with Rashid and Tony toward Cairo.

It was now nightfall on the second day and they were reaching the outskirts of town. Ali forced himself to keep his seat on the horse though he was feeling worse with each stride. Just another mile or two and he would be with his Rose. He repeated those thoughts over and over in his mind and he was able to fight off the weakness that wanted to claim his body. ****

It wasn't until they arrived back at the museum and stood in the garden at the back of the building, that Ardeth released Rose's hand. He had hurried them back in fear for Rose's safety. It wasn't until that man had confronted them that Ardeth realized just how incredibly odd it was to see a Medjai warrior and a western woman together on the streets of Cairo. In fact, it was odd to even see a Medjai warrior in the city so it was no wonder that American man had worried about Rose's situation.

Of course, there was nothing to fear, for though the Medjai had a ruthless reputation, they were a peaceful tribe as long as no one tried to uncover the dangers of ancient Egypt. If adventurers and archeologists kept to the safe sites, the Medjai left them be. It was only when someone threatened the safety of Egypt and the world that the Medjai struck and when they did, they struck with much force.

And Rose, she obviously already knew that about the Medjai for she had not feared him or his warriors once since she'd been in their company. She was a brave woman and he couldn't help but find that attractive. Who was he kidding, he was attracted to everything about her and that scene in her room earlier had not helped his resolve to behave himself. She'd boldly dressed in front of him, then closely inspected his embroidered robe with her fingers tracing lightly across his chest. Obviously there was nothing inappropriate on her side-she was simply curious and her ways were much different than his because of the time in which she lived-but it still didn't mean Ardeth quit feeling attraction.

He contemplated that as he stood in the garden of the museum, hearing the music from the party that had already started inside, and gazed at the stone fountain in the center of the courtyard.

"This is lovely," Rose said as she walked in a large circle, examining everything in the garden. "And the party has started." She stopped and turned her attention to the open doors that led into the museum from which the sounds of music were coming. "Oh, and listen to that music.its totally retro."

Ardeth threw her a slanted glance, often confused by her vocabulary and she obviously sensed that confusion for she strode toward him and said with a radiant smile, "It means old fashioned."

He nodded, though to him old fashioned meant 1800s, not 1930 and caught the tune of the music himself.

"It sounds like a lovely party," he told her. "Would you like to join it?"

Rose shook her head. "Not just yet. I'm afraid I would say something that would give me away. I mean, what on earth could I talk to those people about? They don't have the Internet, there's no rock 'n roll and they haven't even heard of television yet. I'd be an absolute bore."

Without thinking, Ardeth blurted out, "You could bore no one, Rose. You are entirely too appealing for that."

"Thanks for the compliment, Ardeth," she said happily. "And thank you so very much for the date tonight."

Ardeth then groaned and raised his eyes toward the heavens. They were littered with stars and had this been any other woman, he would have thought it a romantic sight. But she was Rose, his grandson's future wife, and he had no right talking with her under a romantic blanket of stars and wishing that she could stay with him instead of returning home to her time.

"It was no compliment, woman, and that was no date," he growled, returning his gaze to hers. His frustration must have shown on his face for Rose seemed to start when his eyes landed on her.

"It was my selfishness," he then added and she frowned.

"What on earth are you talking about?" she questioned. Then she took a step forward, placing her body directly in front of his and said, "Ardeth, there isn't a selfish bone in your body. You've been bending over backwards to try and find a way to get me home and to be a friend to me and I appreciate it more than you know."

She then wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. Ardeth immediately returned the embrace and realized he would always remember that sweet flowery scent that was unique unto her and the teasing glint that sparkled in her blue eyes. No woman after her could ever compare and for the first time in his life he felt sorry for himself that he could never have her for his own.

"The thing is, my darling," Ardeth began, as he continued to hold her, "I do not want you to."

"What the hell are you doing?" shouted a deep voice. "Get your hands off her!"

A strong, solid hand landed on Ardeth's shoulder and dragged him away from Rose. He was so shocked at the intrusion that he spun, grasped the attacker's shoulders and shoved him against the wall of the museum before he ever saw the man's face. Images of that man from the streets of Cairo were at the front of his mind and he was certain that was his attacker. Yet when Rose cried out, "No, Ardeth, don't!" and he caught a mirror image of himself as a thud from the impact of the wall against the man's back echoed through the courtyard, Ardeth realized it was someone entirely different.

"Ahhhh!" the cry of pain escaped the man in a quiet hiss and eyes that matched his own closed for a moment. Then the man's body began to slide down the wall but not before a small smile played about the man's mouth and he opened his eyes and said with knowledge, "Grandfather." His eyes then closed again and remained shut.

"Oh, no, Ali," Rose said urgently, pushing past Ardeth and kneeling next to Ardeth's future offspring. "Ali, are you hurt? Ali?"

Ardeth heard the near hysterical sound of Rose's voice and he never would have thought she could sound so distraught. Reluctantly, he knelt down beside her and stared at Ali's face. Ardeth felt the breath catch in his lungs as he saw his twin. The man was him in nearly every feature and Ardeth now realized why Rose had seen Ardeth as a body-double.

"Ardeth, do something," Rose insisted, turning and grabbing the front of his robe. "He's hurt."

Ardeth reached out and touched Ali's forehead then his neck. It was hot to the touch and slick with perspiration. He was breathing and his pulse was fast and Ardeth had no clue as to what this man's dilemma could be.

"What did you do to him?" Rose then questioned, her hand landing on Ali's face again.

"I only pushed him into the wall. Nothing more," Ardeth explained. "I thought he was that man from the street."

Rose nodded and said with a trembling voice, "Please don't tell me I've come this far only to lose him now."

"Rosa," her name was suddenly called and Tony was at her side. Ardeth remembered the man from Hamunaptra and wondered with fear if the group had returned to continue their evil plot against history. But when Rashid appeared next, Ardeth had a feeling that danger was well past.

"Rosa, what happened?" Tony inquired, stopping at her side and then looking down at Ali.

"Ali grabbed Ardeth.and then he was pushed into the wall.and he just passed out," she attempted to explain.

"Sis, its all right," Tony tried to assure her. "I think he was ready to pass out on us for the entire past two days."

Rose glanced at him with confused eyes and then Rashid stepped forward and added, "Yes, he has been very weak, Ardeth. He is injured and the injury has an infection. I tried to make him rest, but he wanted to find his woman."

Ardeth felt mixed feelings over the arrival of Ali. On the one hand, it meant the temptation of Rose would no longer be gnawing at his insides. Yet, it also meant she'd be gone sooner than he'd anticipated and it pained him to think about it.

Not wanting to look upon the man that resembled him so much, Ardeth stood and ordered to Tony and Rashid, "Carry him upstairs and look after him."

The men did as instructed and as his body was jostled, Ali whispered softly, "Rose."

"I'm here, honey," she said, but the man was not yet conscious despite his utterance and the men continued inside the museum.

Rose was poised to follow, when Ardeth caught her arm and said with regret, "I am sorry he is not well. I never would have fought him off had I known who it was."

Rose nodded and placed her hand over his where it grasped her arm.

"I know Ardeth. You'd never harm your own family." She then smiled sweetly, having no idea just how poignant her words to him were and stood on tiptoe to softly kiss his mouth. It was not a kiss of passion, but rather of adoration and friendship and she added a quick, "Thank you so very much for the night out. I'd better go take care of Ali." And then, she was gone. ****

How long now had she been by his side, waiting? Rose glanced at her watch, but wasn't certain what time it was that she had rushed to Ali's side. It must have been at least two hours ago. Tony and the Medjai, Rashid, had assisted her in getting Ali undressed down to this pants and into bed. Rashid had also tended to Ali's wound, which he insisted was looking better than when he'd found Ali two days earlier. And Tony had been in and out, making sure Ali and Rose were both all right.

Rose was doing much better now that Ali was within her reach. His skin, however, was still hot to the touch and she worried excessively about his health. And if anything happened to him now that they'd found each other, Rose wasn't sure she would be able to survive. Being away from him these past few days had made her realize just how much he meant to her. He was her best friend, her lover and her hero. He'd saved her from Victor and he was so incredibly good that she couldn't help but admire him.

And what if something did happen?

Rose visibly shook her head as she remained seated on the edge of the bed, holding Ali's hand and every few minutes cooling his face with a damp washcloth. Nothing was going to happen to him. He would get better and they would return to 2001 together.

Yet..what if?

Her mind couldn't help but contemplate that dismal thought. After all, he had been shot and his body was weak from both infection and exhaustion from his trek through the desert. And after what Hammad had said.well, if it was true she was going to have a child, Ali's child, then he just had to live.

But if he didn't, if he never made it, she would remain here in 1930 with Ardeth and her brother for she had nothing else to return to in 2001.

That wouldn't be necessary, however, because Ali would wake up any moment. She knew he would.

She tenderly touched his handsome face and whispered, "You'll be all right, Ali. I know you will." And when he neither stirred nor opened his eyes, Rose felt tears, hot and damp, drip down her face. ****

Ardeth paced in that same courtyard he'd been in since Ali had arrived. He had not ventured out of it, for he knew as soon as he did he would have to face Rose and his grandson. He didn't want to be jealous of his own flesh and blood, but he couldn't help it. After all, he might be a warrior and a chief, but he was still a man with the same emotions as every other man on the planet. And when a woman was involved, those emotions were rarely gentle-they were usually volatile.

Yet it had been at least two hours since Rose and Ali had left. Was Ali all right, or was he still unconscious?

Rashid had come to tell Ardeth an hour before that Ali was still unresponsive. But a lot could happen in an hour, and Ardeth wondered if he shouldn't at least check. There was, after all, a future Medjai chief upstairs in the museum. His off spring. He should be concerned.

He knew, however, that if he spent any amount of time with the man, he'd no longer be able to feel jealous feelings about Rose. For if he got to know the man who had inherited his face, voice and mannerisms so completely, he would no doubt love him with all his heart. And once he realized that love that a person could only feel for a member of their family, he would have to release Rose in his own heart.

And he wasn't ready to release Rose. He hadn't been given enough time with her and he was positive once she left his life, he would never find one quite so unique as she. Of course, it could very well be that her uniqueness only lay in the fact that she hailed from the future.

No, Ardeth corrected, her uniqueness hailed from her soul-from her inner strength and fearlessness. She would have been the same person had she been born in the 1500s instead of in her own time.

Having run all those thoughts through his head time and time again, Ardeth finally decided to climb the stairs to the second floor to check on Rose and Ali.

He found them, both in Rose's room. Ali still oblivious to the world around him, Rose lying with her head upon Ali's bare chest, sobbing. It pained Ardeth to see both in such a state, and he quickly moved to the bedside and touched Rose's shoulder.

"Rose, are you all right?" Ardeth inquired.

She jerked her head up and shook her head, wiping at her eyes.

"All's I seem to do is cry any more. You must think I'm a big wimp," she said between sobs.

Ardeth gave her a soft, tender smile and wiped at the tears at her face.

"I would never think that," he returned. "You are much too bold to be a sissy."

His use of the word she had taught him earlier caused her to laugh and her sobs dissipated with the humor.

"Thanks, Ardeth," she told him.

"Thanks for what?"

"Thanks for making me feel better. You and Ali have that same gift to make me laugh. Although, your humor is much more subtle." Rose turned and looked down at Ali again. "He loves a good joke, you know. And now that I see you two together, I would swear I was looking at identical twins." She then touched Ali's face and smoothed his raven hair away from his face. "He has your handsome features, your beautiful voice and that dauntless warrior personality. You must have taught him well when he was a boy." When she was finished with her words, she stopped and looked up at Ardeth.

Ardeth looked at her, warmed by her compliments, then gazed past her to Ali. Now that Ardeth was taking the time to study the man, he had to admit they looked very much alike. If Ali had possessed the same facial tattoos, then they would be almost impossible to tell apart.

"Yes," Ardeth said with quiet humor, "I suppose he is almost as handsome as me."

Rose smiled widely and then turned completely away from Ali and hugged Ardeth around the waist. His swords were in the way, but she didn't care. She cared for this man and was thankful he'd been at Hamunaptra to save her. She would always thank him for that.

"I see, I'm unconscious for a few moments, and this is what I find? You hugging another man?" a weak voice interjected from behind.

Rose released Ardeth and spun around to see Ali's brown eyes focused on her. Immediately she dove atop him, grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him on each cheek, on the forehead, on the lips. She apparently jostled him in her efforts to greet him, for he hissed in protest and she saw the pain radiate to his handsome face.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, sitting up and touching his face gently. "Ali, how do you feel?"

"Like a speeding bullet ripped through me," he drawled sarcastically.

Rose smiled at him and felt a new bout of tears escape her eyes.

"Ali, I'm so sorry about that night you told me about the Medjai," Rose said hurriedly. "I overreacted and."

Ali placed a finger upon her lips and said, "Hush. You had every right to overreact. I knew for a long while I should have told you. But I was so afraid of losing you, that I kept it all hidden. I was a fool."

Rose shook her head. "No. You're magnificent. And I'm so proud of you and the Medjai."

A smile played about his lips and he gazed at her as though it had been years since his eyes had drank her in.

"And I love you," he finally said.

"Same here," she returned.

She kissed him again and realized right then and there that it didn't matter if they ever returned to 2001. They were together again and that was all that mattered.

Ardeth's boots scuffed along the wooden floor and Rose quickly pulled away from Ali and caught Ardeth just before he fled with her words, "Ardeth, wait."

He had been attempting to flee unnoticed, uncomfortable being in the same room while the two lovers confessed their love, but Rose apparently would not let him go. He wished she would, for watching her kiss Ali so tenderly was tearing at his soul.

"I should leave," he said, his hand on the doorknob, his feet ready to walk out the door.

"But Ali's awake," she said, "don't you think you should stay and."

"No, I do not think I should stay," he snapped rather harshly, sorry for his tone, but having to find a way to leave as quickly as possible. "I need to go. I will speak with you later."

"Grandfather?" Ali's voice then questioned hesitantly, and Ardeth closed his eyes and cursed at the feeling of pride that was welling up inside of him just from the sound of the other man's voice.

"Later, Ali. We will speak later," Ardeth ordered without looking at his grandson. "I will send Rashid up to check on your injury." And he was gone before another word could be uttered.

Ali pushed to a sitting position, though his muscles were weak and his wound throbbed painfully. Yet he wanted to go speak with Ardeth, for the man seemed put out. Not to mention, the shock of seeing his grandfather, so young, so strong and so handsome, was a sight to behold. He wanted to spend time with him and ask him all the questions he'd never had the chance to ask as a boy. But the weight of Rose's hand on his chest kept him in bed.

"Ali, honestly, you need to rest," Rose chastised.

"I want to see Ardeth," Ali told her. "He seems upset."

"Yeah, he has his moods," she relayed. Then she turned her head to stare at the door he had just vanished through. "For the life of me, I can't figure them out, either. But lately, he and I were getting along wonderfully. In fact, he took me out and showed me Cairo this evening. Oh, Ali, you should see it! Its amazing here in 1930." She stood up and twirled in front him, showing off her outfit. "And get a look at this outfit. Is it me or what?"

Ali chuckled and reached a hand out to her. She was the medicine he needed and he already felt his strength returning just by being with her again.

"You my love, would look lovely in anything," he declared as she placed her hand in his. With his free hand, he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his Medjai charm. "And as soon as I can get the clasp repaired, you will look just as lovely in this."

Rose gasped and took the pendant in her hand. "Ali, how did you get this? I thought Victor."

"Victor is dead," Ali interrupted her to say. His voice was cold and immediately Rose saw the man she love transform into the warrior who had saved her life. "I killed him. He will never harm you again."

Rose swallowed and nodded. She felt no remorse over Victor's death. In fact, just a week ago she would have killed him herself had she not missed and hit only his arm. What she did feel, however, was remorse that Ali again had killed to save her.

"I'm glad he's gone," she told him, then sat on the bed next to him. "I shot him myself at Hamunaptra. He was trying to kill Ardeth."

Ali smiled then and let go of her hand to place it on her face. "Ah, you are developing a reputation for rescuing us Bay men, I see."

Rose leaned her cheek against his hand, wanting to feel more of his touch, warm and caring and said softly, "And the Bay men are developing a reputation for saving my life. Ardeth killed Oscar Mann. My gun was jammed and he bravely killed the man and saved history from Oscar's cruel game. Everything is safe now, Ali, isn't it?"

"Yes, everything is safe. The Fortress of Aten will not be used for evil now," he assured her. "And you will become my wife."

"I know, and I can't wait. When can we return to 2001 and get married?" she inquired.

Ali's brown eyes glanced away from her face and his hand dropped away from her cheek. "I don't know, Rose. The Staff of the Sun.it was damaged. Our only hope is to find the staff that exists here in 1930."

Rose should have felt dread from the news, but having Ali in front of her, looking more healthy every moment, she could feel nothing but elation.

"It doesn't matter if we never find it," Rose said. "You're here now and that's all that matters. I can live here with you just fine."

"Yes, but can the people of 1930 live here with you?" Ali questioned humorously.

Rose threw him a glare of mock anger and then leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

"You, Ali Bay, are incorrigible. But I still love you with all my heart." She stood and then added, "And now, I am going to get you some food and some water and then scrub the week's worth of desert off your body in the bath."

He threw her a comical smile, about ready to say something, she knew, in connection with her last comment, and she held up a hand and shook her head. "Don't even say that little taunt that is growing in your mind about the bath I mentioned."

He sighed. "Fine, I won't. I'm too tired to taunt you anyhow."

She smiled and he smiled and then she walked out the door to fulfill her promises.

****

Ali had eaten some, drank some water but had been too exhausted for the bath Rose had promised him. In fact, he was now asleep again, and Rose sat on the bedside watching him breathe easily. The color in his face seemed less drained and his slumber was peaceful and easy. Rose was glad and felt she could finally leave his side to take care of herself.

It was well into the night by now and Tony had been by several times to check on her. Rose was happy having her brother around, his easy, kind ways making her feel at home in any situation. Yet, this time, she didn't need to be made to feel that way, for she had Ali and that meant all was right.

She yawned, stretched her arms over her head and heard her stomach grumble. She hadn't eaten in hours, having skipped dinner because of Ali's arrival. She needed something to eat, or the growling of her stomach would surely awaken Ali. Changing out of the borrowed 1930's fashions, Rose found her recently laundered white shirt and blue jeans and then quietly exited the room.

She padded down the stairs, barefoot, and wove her way through the museum offices toward the kitchen. When she reached the kitchen entrance, she paused and looked down the long hall that led to the storage rooms. A door was open and a light was on. Knowing that the museum party had been over for hours, Rose quietly made her way down to the open door and peered inside, wondering just who was working in the storage rooms at this hour.

She found no one. The room was empty, or so she thought. Upon further inspection, she saw a slab of stone from the floor removed and a gaping hole in the middle of the room. Carefully she edged toward the hole and was just about to look in when a figure appeared from out of the hole. Rose screamed and jumped back and the man in the hole nearly fell back in.

"Damn, woman," came the harsh retort. "What are you doing here?"

It was Ardeth and once Rose caught sight of his tattooed face, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ardeth, you startled me," she said.

"And you startled me," he told her. Then he stood and held his hand down into the hole and assisted Rashid up.

Rose took a few steps closer and glanced down at the darkness below. "What's down there?"

"The catacombs," Ardeth said, then pulled a small dirty golden artifact from the pocket of his black pants. Rose noticed he had changed out of his embroidered robe and cape from earlier and was simply wearing his black pants and tunic shirt. They were dusted with dirt. "We were looking for this."

It was the size of Ardeth's palm, square and should have been gold except for the dirt corroding it. The insides of the square were cut into the most unusual designs and a long leather strand was tied to it.

"What is it?" Rose inquired.

"The key to a secret tomb in the Valley of the Kings. It will open the vault hiding the Staff of the Sun," Ardeth explained. "It has been buried for centuries," he dangled the key from the leather strand and added, "hung around the neck of a mummy."

Rose wrinkled her nose in disgust and said, "Glad you didn't ask me to tag along down there. I don't think I would have liked it much."

Ardeth handed her the key, then with Rashid's help, they slid the large stone into place in the floor of the store room. When Ardeth straightened, Rose smiled and asked, "So, how long does it take to get into the Valley of the Kings and back?"

Rashid and Ardeth glanced at each other and when Rose asked, "What's wrong?" Rashid excused himself and Rose was left alone with Ardeth.

"Ardeth," Rose demanded when he looked at her with some regret. "What's that look for?"

"You are always trying to interpret my looks, Rose," he said. "Why is that?"

"Probably because you are such a difficult man to figure out. I can never read you as easily as I can Ali."

He gave a small, shy smile and confessed, "I am glad you cannot, otherwise, you and I may not be such good friends."

Rose was just about to ask what he meant by that, when he said quickly, "As for the look of apprehension Rashid and myself just exchanged, it is only because finding the Staff of the Sun may not be so easy. The Valley of the Kings is full of archeologists and diggers and the Medjai would be greatly noticed. It will take some doing for us to infiltrate. And when we do, we might discover that the secret room that holds the staff has already been compromised. After all, tomb raiders have been taking what they wanted from the Valley of the Kings for thousands of years now. If they broke into the hidden chamber, the staff could very well be in someone's private collection. That will then take even more time to locate and track down. But from all accounts, I have never heard of any collector possessing the staff, so that is good news."

"Well," Rose said, exhaling a deep breath, "I suppose we'll find it when we find it. Now that Ali is here, its not quite as urgent as it was before."

Ardeth gave her a hard stare and insisted, "Yes, it is still urgent. A Medjai chief is surely being missed by his tribe in 2001. It is imperative we get Ali home."

"And I suppose you'll feel a lot of peace once I'm back where I belong too," Rose added humorously.

"Peace," Ardeth agreed, "yes. That I will certainly feel."

Rose threw him a frown and said, "Ardeth, you weren't suppose to agree. I was joking."

"I know you were. But you belong in your own time, Rose," Ardeth said with a softer tone. He reached out and brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face. She never seemed uncomfortable with his touch and even now, she stood still in front of him, her clear blue eyes trusting and confident. Yet it wasn't right for him to even think about touching her, for she belonged to another.

"How is Ali?" Ardeth suddenly asked, pulling his hand away and taking a few steps back.

"Asleep. He seems to be doing much better now that he's had a chance to rest some," Rose answered.

"And since he's found you again," Ardeth insisted.

"Yeah, maybe."

"No maybe about it. He is relieved. No man should have been able to push his way through the desert with an injury like his. He is lucky to be alive. He should have stayed in his own time. He was not fit to travel across land and decades like this."

"I know, but the Bay men have this funny trait. Its called stubbornness," Rose said with a small laugh.

Ardeth laughed too. "I know that trait well."

Rose was about to joke some more, when an incredibly woozy feeling forced her to halt her laughter and reach out to grab Ardeth's arm for support.

"What is wrong?" Ardeth demanded rather than asked.

"I think I'm really, really hungry. I feel a bit lightheaded," she told him.

"Lightheaded?" His face suddenly registered with knowledge and he inquired, "Have you told Ali yet about Hammad's revelation?"

Rose jerked her eyes to Ardeth's and she looked surprised. Apparently she had said nothing to Ali and it seemed to Ardeth that she was just now remembering what Hammad had professed.

"No, I haven't," she said, with a voice that sounded forced to remain calm. "I completely forgot. But now that you mention it.what if he's unhappy?"

Rose gripped the sleeve of his shirt tightly, and Ardeth both cursed and praised the fact that she was so affectionate toward him.

"Unhappy? Why would you say that?" Ardeth asked.

"Because we've been through so much. Ali doesn't need this news too."

"Ali doesn't need what news, Rose?" Ali's voice questioned from the doorway.

Ardeth felt Rose's grip on his arm tighten at the interruption and he was positive her face paled several shades. But she recovered quickly from the startle and immediately rushed to Ali's side as he held onto the door for support, obviously not ready to be traipsing about.

"Ali, what are you doing out of bed?" Rose demanded of him in that tone only a wife or girlfriend could produce and get away with using on a man as strong as Ali.

"I was looking for you," he said. "It worried me when I woke up and didn't see you."

"Thought I'd been kidnapped again or something?" she inquired with a smile.

"Something like that," he told her.

Suddenly Ardeth cleared his throat and announced, "Well, let me show you to the kitchen, Rose, and I will be on my way."

Ardeth began to move forward, hoping to escape through the door and down the hall but Ali reached out and grasped his arm as he tried to pass. Though the man was weak and tired, his grip was still strong.

"Please, grandfather, I want to talk with you," Ali said and his words sounded more like a plea than a request.

Ardeth halted and stared at Ali's face for a long, quiet moment. Then, when Ali said, once again in that same pleading tone, "It has been so long since I have seen you. I was very young when you left this world and I have so much to ask you."

That feeling of pride was again overwhelming Ardeth and though he wished to fight it, he could not. This boy, this man, he corrected, was his future flesh and blood and he could no longer avoid him.

With a slight nod of his head, Ardeth said, "All right. But first, we should get Rose some food. She missed dinner."

With his words, Ali released him and Ardeth led the way down the hall to the kitchen.

It was a large kitchen and as modern as could be for Egypt in the 1930s. Rose insisted Ali sit at the kitchen table and just as she was poised to assist Ardeth, he demanded she sit in turn. She obeyed and Ardeth gathered her a makeshift dinner.

"Have you eaten, Ardeth?" Rose questioned when he set a plate of fruit, cheese and bread down in front of her. It was left over from the party and as he turned to fetch her a drink he shook his head in the negative.

"You should eat too," she added.

"I am not hungry," Ardeth told her as he set a glass of chilled tea in front of her.

"You should be. We were out all afternoon and evening." Then Rose turned and looked at Ali. "Ardeth showed me this wonderful marketplace. And I saw the pyramids in the distance. How I'd love to see them up-close."

Ali gave her a small smile and declared, "It sounds to me like you're having too much fun in 1930 to ever want to return home."

"Don't be silly," she returned. "I know I'll miss movies and television soon enough."

"And was that what you and Ardeth were discussing when I happened upon you in that storage room?" he asked pointedly.

He stared at her hard for a long moment, then turned his eyes to Ardeth. Ardeth met the challenge, but gave nothing away.

"Would someone care to enlighten me?" Ali finally asked.

"It is nothing to worry about," Ardeth then spoke up. "Is that not correct, Rose?"

Rose turned her eyes to her food and fiddled with a piece of cheese. "Yeah, sure. I guess."

"What is it, my darling?" Ali asked her tenderly as his hand came down upon hers, halting her fidgeting and supporting her with just his touch.

Rose lifted her eyes to his and knew then she could tell him anything and he would understand. So, ever so hesitantly, she covered his hand with her other and began, "Hammad had a revelation."

"Hammad is here?" Ali asked, excitedly.

Rose nodded. "Yes, but he is just a boy. A very interesting little boy."

Ali let out a laugh and Rose could see the toll it took on him with that exertion by the tiredness that reentered his visage.

"A boy?" he said incredulously. "I do not believe it!" Then, he took a deep breath and winced. The effort had drained him.

"Believe it. I'm sure he's been asleep the entire night, but I'll bet he'll find you in the morning," Rose told him.

Ali looked thoughtful for a long moment, then asked, "Tell me, what did this boy reveal to you?"

The moment of courage she'd possessed had already passed and she looked over at Ardeth to see if he would spill the news for her. Yet since Ali's arrival, Ardeth had not been himself and when his gaze finally collided with hers, he pushed away from the counter he was leaning against and declared, "Perhaps I should leave you two alone."

"No, stay," Ali insisted. "There should be no secrets between family."

Ardeth's eyes narrowed and Rose was certain the man was angry. Or was it more conspiracy than anger? Rose was positive in that moment that Ardeth was keeping something back, something that was very important.

"Besides," Ali added, "it would appear as if you already know this little secret Rose has yet to reveal to me."

"Yes, he does know, because I already told him. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you first, Ali, but you weren't here," Rose said with a shake in her voice. "See, Hammad insists something has already happened and I won't be sure myself for a little while longer but."

When she paused, Ali urged her on by saying, "If Hammad says it is true, I'm certain it is. He is always correct in his predictions."

"That's what Ardeth insists as well," Rose revealed with a sigh. "So I hope you won't mind that Hammad says I am already pregnant with your son."

****

Certainly, Ali was still suffering the effects of exhaustion and infection, for Rose's words couldn't be true. Had he heard her correctly? Was she already with child? He stared at her for a long moment, and that moment's hesitation while he was still stunned had been a mistake, for Rose immediately paled and jumped to her feet.

"Don't tell me you're upset?" she shot out before Ali could even utter a word.

"I'm." he started to say, just as Rose placed a hand on her forehead and began to sway.

As Ali realized she was about to faint, he reached for her at the same time as Ardeth. Both men grabbed her and then helped her to her seat.

"Rose, darling," they both began at the exact same time.

Ardeth's words halted first and he threw Ali an apologetic look and took his hands from Rose's shoulders and stepped back.

Something suddenly clicked in Ali's mind at that precise moment. He realized why his grandfather had been avoiding him so well this night and that was because of Rose. His hands still on Rose, Ali stared at Ardeth for a long moment and almost started laughing, only because the revelation was so incredibly shocking. Not only had Ali just been told that his love was going to have his child, he had also discovered the long-lived mystery of why Ardeth had never married until much later in life. Now he knew.it was because of Rose!

Though Rose had just about fainted, Ali still could not take his eyes off his grandfather. There was no malice in his stare, only wonder, curiosity and shock. It was strange how life worked, and as the knowledge sunk in more, Ali began to feel sympathetic. He hurt, suddenly, realizing that his grandfather's self-imposed single life for the next fifteen years will be because of Rose. And though he felt nothing but love for Ardeth and wanted to tell him all of the future, he didn't want to reveal his sympathy for a man like Ardeth would only be angered by such feelings.

Instead, he continued to stare, until Ardeth turned and briskly walked out of the room.

"Ali," Rose said, practically pleading. "Honey, are you angry?'

Shaking the revelations out of his head, and reaching for her face he answered quickly, "No, of course not. How on earth could I be angry when the woman I adore is going to have my child, the future chief of the Medjai?"

Looking at him with sad eyes, Rose argued, "But you didn't answer me right away. You looked like you were about to pass out."

"I was shocked. Nothing more. And I am not the one who almost fainted, you did." He nodded toward the plate of food in front of her. "You need to eat, my love." He then brushed her hair from her face. "And, get some rest."

She nodded and as he studied the exhaustion on her face, he asked, "Why did you think I was going to be upset about this child? Are you?"

Vigorously, Rose shook her head. She leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth.

"No, not at all. I want nothing more than to start a family with you, Ali. I was just shocked at the timing. And with all that we've gone through these past few weeks, I just didn't want to heap anymore on you. That's all. But when Hammad first told me the other day, all I could think of was that I had to get back to you because I couldn't have this child without you," she explained.

"Well, I am here now and you will have this child with me either here or in 2001. And to me, it doesn't matter where it happens, just that we're with one another," Ali told her sweetly.

Rose smiled widely at him then fell into his embrace. He held her like he hadn't seen her in years and reveled in the glorious news he had just received.

****

Ardeth stood in the dimly lit room, knowing he should get something to eat and lie down for what remained of the night, but unwilling to do so. His emotions had been stretched too thin in every direction during the past week and he could not rest. Instead, he found himself standing in the middle of Rose's room, staring at her and Ali, asleep in the bed.

Why he tormented himself so with such a sight was beyond his grasp, but he had been drawn here like a moth to a flame. He was curious about his future offspring and worried about Rose. She had endured more than any woman should in the past few weeks and now that Hammad's prophecy about his great-grandson had been revealed, he found himself anxious over Rose's health and state of mind.

Of course, she was with her love and Ardeth had no cause to worry. As he watched her, she slept quite soundly, unlike the other times he'd watched her sleep when they'd been traveling through the desert. During those nights on their quest, she'd tossed and turned and mumbled anxious words in her slumber and many a time Ardeth had awoken, fearing the worst, but realizing it was only her angst that was causing her restless sleep. Her sleep this morning with Ali, however, was anything but tormented, and Ardeth was afraid any rest he attempted would be tormented with thoughts of her instead.

He shifted his gaze away from her angelic face and studied the man holding her securely. Ali certain carried his genes. They were twins, physically, and in the few times Ardeth had spoken with Ali, he had tried to see if they were alike mentally and spiritually as well. There was a toughness to Ali, but it was well hidden and refined. And the man did not easily back down from a challenge, as Ardeth had discovered on the occasion he had attempted to challenge him subtly. But there was a closeness the man obviously felt towards him and Ardeth felt uncomfortable with that. He did not know this man yet. How was he supposed to feel that same familiarity when his time with his grandson had not yet come in the future? How was he to relate when he was in such a disadvantageous position? And just how was he supposed to hand Rose back over to the man without flinching, when every fiber of his being hurt when he realized he would never hold her, never kiss her and never get to spend that lifetime with her that he had suddenly discovered he wanted?

It was a quandary his heart was creating for his mind, and he wished he could reason away his feelings as easily as he reasoned away every other problem he ran across.

He sighed quietly and was about ready to turn back for the door, when Ali's eyes opened and landed squarely on his face. There was no start in the man's eyes and his mouth instantly formed a smile.

"Grandfather," he said with a whisper.

"I should leave," Ardeth stated quickly, again feeling uncomfortable with the title Ali used and the familiarity with which he looked upon him.

"No," Ali insisted and carefully slid away from Rose and out of bed.

Ardeth halted and waited while the man dressed quickly in his pants. They were a strange garment made of heavy fabric and equipped with pockets in the front, back and on the leg. Then Ardeth's eyes moved to the heavy boots on the floor next to the bed and again wondered just how different this future that Ali lived in was.

"I've been wanting to talk to you since I arrived," Ali said as he moved closer.

"But you have been unwell. In fact, you should rest. You are still weary," Ardeth insisted.

Ali waved his words off with a casual hand. "No, I'm fine. I'm still a bit weak, but I'll be fine." Then Ali's eyes traveled over Ardeth for a long time and he said, "You don't know how good it is to see you again, grandfather." Then he smiled widely and suddenly looked more like a boy than the man he was.

Ardeth shuttered his gaze away and turned to walk toward the window. It was difficult to understand the awe Ali was showing and he again felt uneasy in his situation.

"I've made you feel uncomfortable," Ali suddenly said, obviously reading Ardeth's body language. "I'm sorry. I suppose 'grandfather' isn't exactly an appropriate title seeing how we're both about the same age right now."

Ardeth glanced back at him and said, "Yes, it would seem we are close in age."

Ali walked closer and added humorously, "Yet the last time I saw you, I was but a boy and you were a very old man. I suppose I still see you through the eyes of a child."

Ardeth nodded and upon seeing his reply, Ali said quickly, "We were very close, you know. We'd spend hours together everyday while father was off fulfilling his Medjai duties. You lived until the ripe old age of eighty- five, and though I was so appreciative of the time we had together, I have always wished for more."

"And now, you have more time," Ardeth drawled with irony.

"Yes, I suppose I do. But you do not know me, and that is hard to accept. I see the wariness in your eyes, Ardeth, and I wish it were not there." Ali was bold and so were his words. Ardeth could appreciate that.

"I am sorry if that is what you see," he replied, "but I know no other way to act. You have me at a disadvantage."

"I would never purposely put you there," Ali argued.

"Perhaps not, but that is how things stand. You know everything of me and my future, and I know so very little of you."

Ali wrinkled his brow with confusion and pointed to his chest. "You know little of me? Do I not bear the marks of our tribe?" He pulled the Medjai necklace from his pocket and held it up. Then reached out and grabbed Ardeth's matching necklace in his hand. "Do I not wear the symbols of honor and strength and leadership same as you?"

Ardeth moved his hand to cover Ali's and tear it away from his necklace, but the man did not let go.

"And," Ali continued, "do I not bear your last name passed down by our ancestors and do I not have your blood coursing through my veins? And do I not love the same woman as you? How can you say you know little of me? You know everything about me. I am part of you."

Upon hearing Ali's revelation about Rose, Ardeth stood, dumb struck, his hand covering Ali's and unable to move. In fact, he was almost unable to breathe for he wondered how Ali could have sensed his feelings for Rose when he had tried so hard to conceal them from everyone.

"You know?" Ardeth finally questioned slowly. "You know about Rose?"

Ali nodded his head and explained, "You never married, Ardeth, until you were forty-five. Nearly fifteen years from now. That's how long it took you to get over Rose."

"Fifteen years? That is insane," he said, trying to deny the truth. "I have known her but a week."

Ali threw Ardeth a crooked grin and moved his other hand to the Ardeth's shoulder. "What can I say.she has a way about her. She's irresistible."

Ali squeezed his shoulder and Ardeth felt comforting in that grip, not revenge.

"I did not mean." Ardeth began, only to hear Ali interrupt him to say, "I know."

"And you do not.?" Ardeth started again and Ali again interrupted with, "No, of course not."

They had just completed a conversation without actually saying anything and when both men realized they could practically read each other's minds, they both laughed.

"Ardeth, you have my complete trust," Ali said once they were both quiet again. Then he pulled his hand from Ardeth's and placed both his hands on Ardeth's face. "You are the man who made me what I am. I owe you everything. And I can't fault you for falling in love with Rose. In fact, I could fault no man for that."

It was the first time another man besides his father had touched him with such affection and he felt no awkwardness. In fact, he suddenly began to feel a burning kinship, a love that one only felt for their family. And that growing feeling prompted him to say honestly, "I know Rose is destined for you. She and I have been nothing but friends and sometimes adversaries since she has arrived and I will cherish that. But that is all it will ever be, Ali, you have my word."

"You never even had to give me your word, Ardeth, because I would never doubt you. You are true to the ways of the Medjai and to our history. You are the one who will lead us into the modern world and you are the one who will face the most difficult of challenges. And you will prevail at every turn. Remember that. When you think things are hopeless, remember that you will prevail. It is already written into the fabric of the future," Ali said seriously, his eyes determined and focused, his voice unwavering.

Ardeth gave a slight nod and as soon as he acknowledged his words, Ali moved to embrace him. For a moment Ardeth stood stunned, then again feeling that intense familial bond, he returned the embraced. It lasted but a moment, as is the case with all men showing affection, and when they pulled back, Ardeth smiled and said, "I am beginning to feel quite proud of the man you are. And I hope it is some of my doing that you turned out as wise as you are."

"It is quite a bit of your doing," Ali returned.

"Good," Ardeth said, then slapped Ali on his uninjured shoulder. "Now, you will have to make me a few promises, Ali. I will be away for a few days and you need to watch over Rose, her brother and Hammad. You will be able to rest here while I am away and when I return, we will get you home."

"Where are you going?" Ali questioned.

"To find something." Ardeth threw one quick look in Rose's direction, smiled and then said to Ali, "Please tell her I will return and have not abandoned you all here in 1930."

Ali gave a small chuckle and answered, "Of course, I'll tell her." Then he quickly asked, "But Ardeth, shouldn't I go with you? Are you going to do something dangerous?"

Ardeth shook his head vehemently. "No, you must stay here. You are not well and Rose should not be separated from you again. You two have spent enough time apart. I will be fine and I will bring Rashid with me. Good- bye, my grandson."

Ali smiled with much pride and Ardeth returned the expression. Then he was gone.

****

It was a week before Ardeth returned. Ali had worried the entire time and so had Rose. When she'd discovered Ardeth's absence, she'd gone pale and promptly explained to Ali that if anything happened to Ardeth, Ali's future would be no longer. Ali had simply smiled at her reassuringly and said with his trademark Bay arrogance that nothing would happen to Ardeth because he could take care of himself.

Still it was Ali who did not heed his own words and lay awake each night hoping to hear the sounds of his grandfather's steps on the stairs announcing his return.

As for Tony and Hammad, Ali spent the time he wasn't resting or with Rose getting to know Tony better and finding a wonderful friend in the man. As for the boy-Hammad, Ardeth still couldn't believe he was seeing the wise elder as a precocious boy. And though Hammad's stature was that of a child, even in this young age, his maturity was easy to see. The boy had a gift of wisdom and there were times when he literally stunned Ali with his revelations.

"Ardeth will return tonight, Ali, you will see," the boy had insisted. "And true to his word, he will get you and Rose home where you belong."

Ali had hoped the boy was right, but had a dreadful feeling he was wrong. When he went to sleep that night, he prayed he saw his grandfather alive and well by morning.

He of course, never mentioned his fears to Rose. She harbored enough of her own and she'd been put through enough turmoil these past few weeks thanks to Victor and Oscar Mann. Ali was glad both men were dead-he felt no guilt for having taken Victor's life or for Ardeth having taken Oscar's. Ali wasn't a man who enjoyed killing, yet when the necessity arose, he did so without flinching. He knew his grandfather was the same type of soul so when Ali awoke, startled by the feel of a nearby presence, and laid eyes on Ardeth with a drained look on his face, Ali realized the man had endured many hardships, perhaps even killed, on his quest for the Staff of the Sun.

"Ardeth," Ali had said quickly as he sat up in bed and threw the covers to the side and placed his feet on the cool hardwood floor. He met Ardeth at the door and placed his hands on his shoulders. "Ardeth, are you all right?"

"I am fine," Ardeth insisted, his voice weary, his eyes tired. "It has been a long week, my son."

"Come, sit down and I will get you some food and drink," Ali said, escorting him to a wingback chair that sat in the room next to a lamp and table.

Ardeth followed without protest and was just about to sit in the chair, when Rose awoke. He allowed his eyes to drink her in for a long moment wearing nothing but the borrowed slip-top, her legs bare. After only a moment of filling his selfish desire, he turned to Ali and inquired, "She has been well?"

"Yes. She's fine," Ali assured him.

It was then that Rose pushed her tousled hair out of her eyes and landed her gaze upon Ardeth. She gave a squeal of delight, then jumped from the bed and promptly threw her arms around his neck.

"Thank goodness you're all right, Ardeth," she said, her face buried in his hair, her arms holding him tightly. Then she pulled away a few inches and scolded, "You shouldn't have left without telling me. I was worried sick."

Conscious of the fact that Rose was wearing too little and that he had been in dirt and grime for a week, Ardeth disengaged her arms from his neck, held her hands in his with a more brotherly quality and insisted, "I am a warrior, Rose. I can take care of myself."

Ali chuckled from behind and placed a hand on Rose's shoulder. His grandson was so easy with Rose, so comfortable. He envied that closeness the two shared, yet was thankful they had each other at the same time. His trek to the Valley of the Kings, then up to Alexandria and then back down the Nile looking for the holder of the Staff of the Sun had been arduous, and he'd worried about Rose the entire route. Indeed, the relic had been looted and Ardeth was only thankful that the holder had obviously known little about its true purpose, for it was merely sitting in his collection of antiques. Of course, the man had been a rich European, an Englishman with numbers of guards around his estate, and with only Rashid as backup, the conquest had been hard fought. Then, when the man had held Ardeth at gunpoint and refused to relinquish the staff, Ardeth had had little choice in his actions. The man and all his guards now lay dead within the confines of the estate.

"I suppose you are," she finally said and then took a moment to look him over with critical eyes. When she saw the cuts on his hands, the bruises on his face and the gash on his shoulder, she frowned and added, "But I'm taking care of you now. Look at you, you're a mess."

She let go of his hands, turned on a heel and said over her shoulder, "I'm going to draw you a hot bath and clean all your cuts while Ali feeds you. And don't argue Ardeth."

He held up his hands in surrender and laughed once she had disappeared into the bathroom.

"Better me than you, huh?" Ali cracked. "I'll have to put of with that for the rest of my life."

Ardeth chuckled for Ali's light humor about Ardeth's feelings for Rose were a relief.

"Yes, my life will be much more peaceful," Ardeth said back with the same jest, and then sat in the offered chair and relayed to Ali all that had transpired in the course of his week.

****

They were only one day from leaving. A few hours and Rose would be back in her own time with technology and pizza and all the movies she could watch. She should be ecstatic, yet she wasn't. Tony couldn't stop talking about getting back, although he didn't mention going back home to Chicago. She wondered what he would do and how he would face father and she finally inquired that of him as she sat next to him around the small campfire they had built.

They were alone. Rashid was sitting a few yards away in his customary solitude, a warrior to the bone, and cleaning his Springfield rifle and Hammad was exploring an outcropping of rocks nearby, chasing lizards as many young boys do. Ali and Ardeth were off, as usual, walking and talking and Rose hadn't missed the intense bond the two had forged. They were like brothers more than anything, twins even, and as she contemplated Ali being separated from his beloved grandfather again, it tore at her soul and that was why she was so reluctant to leave.

"Tony, what are you going to do when we get back?" Rose questioned him as she hugged her knees to her and placed her chin upon them.

"I don't know," he finally answered. "But I'm not going home. Father can sit around wondering for the rest of his life what happened to Vic and I. Besides, he always did like Victor better. There's no reason for me to go home. I mean, what do I have to go home to anyhow? The family business?" He laughed then. "Heck, I don't want any part of that. I think maybe I'll travel through Europe for a while or maybe even hang out with my sister. I've always wanted to live in a real old-fashioned village."

Rose smiled and said, "I'd love it if you stayed. I've missed you so much these past few years, Tony. How I had wished you had come with me when I ran. But I knew you couldn't. Not then. You weren't ready to leave everything and everyone behind like I was."

"I wish I had been. I wasted those five years you were gone, Rosa. I didn't do much with my life after you left. I just went along with everything and kept my eyes on Victor and father. That wasn't much of a life." He paused and looked around the desert scenery that surrounded them. "This is peaceful and I like Ali. I think I just might stay after all."

"Great," Rose said back and quickly moved in front of her brother and hugged him.

Ali sat down next to them at that moment and inquired, "What's the occasion?"

Rose pulled away from Tony and announced, "Tony's planning on remaining in Egypt with us, Ali. Is that all right?"

Ali smiled easily and looped an arm around Rose's shoulders. His injury had begun to heal and his strength was obviously returning. Rose could feel it in his embrace now.

"Of course it's all right. I'd love to have Tony stay. Maybe he could help keep you in line," Ali stated with humor.

Rose playfully pushed his arm off her shoulders. "Ha ha, very funny." Then she sobered and glanced around the camp. "Where's Ardeth?"

Ali gave a heavy sigh and threw a thumb over his shoulder. "Back there a ways."

"Why do you say it with such a heavy heart, honey?" Rose inquired.

Ali said nothing, but when his eyes landed on Tony, Rose watched as her brother stood and bowed out saying, "I think I'll go help Hammad catch that lizard."

It was obvious Ali had precipitated that exit, so Rose turned to look Ali in the eye and ask, "Ali, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he insisted. "Its just that.well, I told Ardeth the news about father being assassinated. He's thinking about it now and the ramifications that news will have for the future."

"But certainly that must already be written somewhere in one of those nifty books you all have hidden out at the Cave of Prophecies?" Rose asked.

"No, its not. And Ardeth just told me that I was never supposed to come back in time. At least, he had never read or heard of it. He knew you were coming, or at least that was written in our history and predictions."

"I'm sure he'd like to have that part erased from their chronicles," Rose drawled sarcastically remembering the all the headaches she'd caused Ardeth over the past few weeks.

"No, I know that's not the case," Ali told her. "In fact, I think Ardeth sometimes wishes the future was written differently when it comes to you."

"What does that mean, Ali?" Rose questioned.

He reached out and placed a warm hand on her face. Even now just his touch gave her chills. She loved this man with all her heart and if anything tore him away from her, she'd never be a whole woman again.

"It means, my grandfather will not marry for another fifteen years-until after World War II. And the reason he never gets married until he's over forty-five years old, is because of you, my darling."

"No," Rose immediately spat out.

"Yes. It's true. I believe he is not only contemplating the future and my father, but also thinking about his life without the woman he's fallen in love with," Ali announced.

Rose laughed at first, for it sounded completely absurd to her. Of course Ardeth and she had formed a close bond over the past few weeks, but surely the man harbored nothing deeper for her. But when Ali never cracked a smile, when he continued to look at her with an anxious expression that said he was worried about Ardeth, Rose came to accept the news.

"Ali, I never did anything to." she began to insist, when his finger came down upon her lips, halting her words.

"Of course you didn't do anything to encourage his feelings Rose, aside from being your beautiful, fun-loving, intelligent and brave self. You have changed the Medjai forever with your presence and claimed my grandfather's heart as well. I am not angry or upset and I understand it is just the way of the universe. And, I know with all my being that I am the man you love. The only man you love. Do not think I doubted your love for an instant, or I would not have walked half-way across Egypt to find you."

Rose smiled at him, her love showing in every expression, and threw her arms around his neck. She kissed him for a long, sensuous moment, until Ali pulled away, his breath coming too quickly and his brown eyes filled with desire.

"Enough of that, my love. We'll have plenty of time for passion when we get back and get married," Ali said to her, touching her face sweetly, and then tugging her onto his lap where he hugged her to him and drank in the smell and feel of her.

"And I can't wait until I'm your wife and you're my husband, Ali," Rose told him, resting easily in his arms. "I promise, I'll never doubt you again. I'll never run from you in anger and always trust that what you're doing is for the best. I'll be the wife of the Medjai chief and love every moment of it." She halted her words and pulled her head from his shoulder to look him in the eye. "Well, I don't think I'll enjoy learning that ancient Arabic Ardeth said I'd have to learn to teach to our children, but I'll still love being your wife."

Ali chuckled and held her tightly again. His Rose may be a difficult woman at times, but she was his and he was hers and that's how history intended.

****

The next afternoon, the group stood on the platform in the Fortress of Aten standing quietly. The "control panel" had been double-checked and was prepared to send Ali, Tony and Rose back to the same day in time in 2001 from which they had come. The parting should have been filled with joy, since their lives could resume their normal courses, yet there was an atmosphere of sadness that everyone felt.

"You will promise to destroy the Staff of the Sun once I leave, won't you, Ardeth?" Ali asked as he stood in front of his grandfather.

"You know I cannot, Ali. I must send it to the museum in London, the one my friends are curators of for safe keeping. I cannot change the course of events that brought Rose to us or that brought those evil men back here in time. That is just the way things are. You understand that too."

Ali nodded. Yes, he did understand it and knew that was how history had to play out. Yet he had been thinking selfishly about his father, thinking that if Ardeth destroyed the Staff of the Sun, his father would not have to suffer such an early death.

"Then perhaps we should send you all home now," Ardeth suggested, holding the Staff of the Staff of the Sun toward Ali for insertion into the hole that would trigger the fortress's power.

Ali looked regretful and did not take the offered staff. Instead, he placed his hands on Ardeth's face and looked at him earnestly.

"I am not ready to leave, grandfather. I will never see you again and it tears at my heart," Ali said with emotion.

Ardeth smiled gently, placed a hand on Ali's shoulder and insisted, "I know that I am lucky in that I will be meeting you again as a child, my son, and I understand the anguish you feel right now. You know I do."

"Yes, you know," Ali said, realizing the feelings of longing Ardeth would experience for the next several years over Rose.

"I hate to say good-bye to you, Ardeth," Ali said.

"You must. You have your time to live in and I have mine. And though I will miss you terribly, for you are not only my flesh and blood but also my dear friend, I have no choice but to send you back. The future of the Medjai lives on in you and Rose and that is bigger than any of us. Our duty is to the desert first."

"It is," Ali agreed, then hugged his grandfather fiercely for a long moment and reluctantly stepped back.

Ardeth then shook hands with Tony and then moved to Rose. He glanced down at her with a tender expression Ali had never seen his grandfather express before. With much control, the man reached out and touched Rose's cheek.

"Farewell, Rose," Ardeth said diplomatically. "May you take care of my grandson and all my great grandchildren."

"You know I will," she told him.

He gave her a small smile and nodded. "The future of the Medjai is in good hands with you, Rose. And you have brought much to the Medjai of this time as well. You are an amazing woman."

"Thanks," she returned, then was about to simply say good-bye herself, when she remembered Ali's words. Unable to leave the man with a simple good-bye after all they had been through together and after finding out the way he felt about her, Rose wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him for a long moment. Ardeth returned the embrace without prompting and squeezed her tight. And when she kissed him lightly on the lips, he didn't pull away.

"You're a good man, Ardeth Bay," Rose whispered to him in his ear after she'd bestowed the most tender of kisses upon him. "Take care of yourself and take care of my Ali when you meet him in the future. Teach him well."

"I will," he promised.

She was about to pull away when she realized she had to say one more thing. "And Ardeth, you will love another, I am certain."

When she pulled back and looked him in the eyes, she saw they were filled with a host of emotions. The man did love her and she was sorry he would feel such anguish over her. Yet he was strong and he was brave and he would endure like a warrior and find his way without stumbling. She gave him one last smile, then hugged Hammad saying, "You, I'll see in the future, wise old man," and turned to regain her position next to Ali.

With little ceremony the staff was placed in the middle of the platform, the chamber filled with intense pressure, the light appeared and then they were gone.

****

The future had not changed so drastically, Ali thought, as he stood next to his new bride, smiling with intense pride and joy. The news of her pregnancy had been confirmed by the doctor, their wedding had just gone off without a hitch, Rose was ecstatic and Ali's father was still alive. That was the only change his returning to 1930 had caused and he had left that decision up to Ardeth.

He did, however, miss Ardeth terribly. Having known the young Ardeth had been a thrill Ali would never forget and neither would Rose. But they had promised each other upon their return that they would not linger over missing his presence and simply move on with their lives, thankful for the time they had been given with such a wonderful man.

As for having Aarif back, Ali couldn't explain the intense feelings that caused. His father had been like every other Bay chief in that he was brave and handsome and strong. Yet Ali had missed his guidance, his mentoring and though Aarif was still relatively young at fifty-five years old, he was officially handing the title of chief of the Medjai over to Ali saying it was time he retired after that attempted assassination staged by Oscar Mann's group.

As for the rest of the village, Hammad was still old and wise, his mother was as happy as he'd seen and Devraj and Yasmeen were planning their own nuptials. He looked around at the people celebrating his marriage, hugged Rose tightly and sighed with contentment. This is how the future was supposed to be.

The End