Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. If I did, I would be a rich director named Stephen Sommers.

Author's Note: Here's the next chapter! I'm going to try not to make this story drag on forever, but I really don't know how long it will be yet. Thanks to all my reviewers!!



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Chapter Three: Pieces of the Puzzle



Evy shot a look at Rick. When Imhotep had stepped out of the shadows, Rick's eyes had instantly narrowed. A ripple of movement had passed through his body, sharp but tightly controlled. No one else had noticed this display of anger, so subtle was it, but Evy knew Rick, and knew when he was barely containing his temper.

"Father," Evy said hurriedly. "I do not know what Imhotep means by this. But I think that Neharon will be a good bodyguard. Since he will be with me all the time, I believe I should have the most important say in the matter, only after you, of course."

"Yes, Nefertiri," Pharaoh Seti replied, his dark eyes meeting hers. "I agree with you. Neharon will become your bodyguard, unless Imhotep can provide evidence as to why he is not fit."

Imhotep stared long and hard at Rick. "I do not know," he said finally, with a shrug of his shoulders. "Call it an instinctive dislike, I suppose."

"Well then, it's settled," the pharaoh boomed. "Nefertiri, you may leave. Feel free to go anywhere you like, as long as Neharon is with you."

"Yes, Father," Evy said, bowing her head. Then she looked at Rick, motioned for him to follow her, and started toward the side door through which she had entered. When they had almost had reached the door, she turned her head to smile at Rick, and mouthed "Hello" in English. He smiled back, when suddenly -

"Oof!" Evy felt herself run into something, heard it cry out as well. She teetered precariously for a split second before Rick's arms caught her, not allowing her to fall. But the person she had run into was not so lucky. She looked down, and sprawled out on the floor was Anck-su-namun.



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Rick carefully set Evy on her feet, then looked down at Anck-su-namun. His jaw tightened as he remembered the horrible day at Ahm-shere when this woman had almost caused him to lose his wife forever. But then he blinked and took a deep breath. He couldn't do anything about it now.

"Anck-su-namun!" Evy exclaimed. "What were you doing?"

Anck-su-namun got up and dusted herself off. When she finally looked up at Evy and Rick, her eyes betrayed a hint of guiltiness. "I'm sorry, Princess Nefertiri," she said. "I guess neither of us were looking where we were going."

"Yes, well, I guess we'll both have to be more careful," Evy replied shortly. "Have you met my bodyguard, Neharon?"

"No, I haven't," Anck-su-namun said. "Let us hope he will prevent more attacks. We wouldn't want any more of those, would we?"

Evy and Anck-su-namun glared at each other. The tension between them was rising, and Rick knew he had to do something before a fight erupted.

"Princess," he said. "We really should be moving along now."

Evy relaxed about a hair. "All right. But Anck-su-namun, what are you doing down here? You weren't called to the throne room."

Anck-su-namun blanched. "I was, uh - I was trying to see the Pharaoh. I haven't seen him in a few days, and I, um, just wanted to see him."

Evy nodded. "Okay," she said. "Come, Neharon." As they were walking away, Evy called over her shoulder, "Oh, by the way, Anck, did you know that Imhotep has returned?"

Anck-su-namun nodded. "Yes, Princess." She looked petrified for a moment, but then her face hardened into a mask of steel.

"Good," Evy replied. Rick followed her through dazzling hallways of gold and polished stones, each one seeming more magnificent than the last. Just when he thought that there couldn't possibly be any more rooms to the palace, he realized that he was at Evy's - Nefertiri's, really - bedroom suites. She opened the door, and they walked inside, carefully shutting the door behind them. They looked at each other, and all of the sudden they were in each other's arms.

"Oh, Evy," Rick said, feeling like his heart would burst. Her head was on his shoulder, and he slowly rocked back and forth, cradling her in his arms. "God, I missed you."

"We were only apart for six days," Evy said, her voice muffled by his chest. "But it felt like six years." She looked up at him, and her eyes were full of unshed tears.

"Evy," Rick said, astonished. Had he made her cry? "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Because I'm so happy," she said. "You're back." Then her lips were on his, and they gave in to their passions.



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Well, there you go. I think this section is kind of weak, it's a lot of dialogue. If anyone has any helpful suggestions, they would be much appreciated. As always, I love reviews!