Hello again, Adoring Fans! Lol. J/K. Ok. First, I must apologize: *bows low to ground* I have just discovered from a very good friend of mine that I've been spelling Deana's name all wrong...not Deane...Deana. So, I must beg her forgiveness and plea that she will still enjoy my fic despite my most embarrassing display of idiocy. *offers an Ardeth Bay autographed picture* Forgive me, Deana? *grins wickedly* U can have thiiiiis.......... OK. Now. That's cleared up. And now, I must say thank you to my reviewers: Imhoteps Lover, Deana, and EvelynC.O! EvelynC.O and I have known each other for over a year now. We're best friends, so just say something if you get confused by her reviews: They have inside jokes sometimes. Lol. OK, from here on out, unless I get some really sweet reviewer who's just totally awesome, these chapters are dedicated to Imhoteps Lover, Deana, AND EvelynC.O, because they all ROCK and they're all sweet. Lol. OK. So. Now. I THINK that should be everything...ok. So. Here it is. Enjoy!

Chapter 6

Evelyn was dead-tired. She had walked around all day, following the stupid soldiers who didn't even know the proper place to set up a camp. Finally, Imhotep, who had just come back from bathing in the Nile, began shouting at them in Egyptian. They walked another mile or so back where they had come from, and only then was Evy allowed to sit down and rest against a wall. Now, she was watching everyone put tents up and build fires as the sun began its hurried descent. It was much cooler here, at the oasis, but Evelyn was still hot and uncomfortable.

She fanned herself with her hands and glared as the soldier watching her pointed a spear in her face, "I'm hot. I can cool myself off if I want."

 "Oh. Thought you were trying to leave," the man replied.

Evelyn rolled her eyes, "If Imhotep is so bloody powerful, you'd think he could at least get good soldiers," she grumbled.

"What'd you say?" the man snapped.

"Nothing that concerns you, Idiot."

"Did you just call me...?"

"Idiot? Yes. I did."

The man glared at her, and then knocked over her only bottle of water. Evelyn gasped and managed to pick the bottle up before it spilled all of her water, but it was now almost empty. Evelyn glowered and stuck the cap back on the bottle, "Great. Now it's half empty."

The man chuckled darkly, "Think of it as half-full."

Evelyn scowled.

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Shanala watched Alex carefully, being sure to stay in her corner so he wouldn't bother her. Alex was currently banging on the wall and shouting at Lock-na, but no one was listening.

 Finally, he slid down to the ground, his face in his hands, "Shoot.

 Shanala sighed, "I'm sorry, Alex."

Alex shrugged, not looming up, "That's fine. It ain't your fault my life sucks."

 Shanala rolled her eyes; boys could be so overdramatic. Alex turned and stared at the door,

"If you don't open now, you are an embarrassment to yourself and all other doors around."

Shanala started giggling, but then the door swung open, and she leapt to her feet, shocked. Alex seemed surprised too, but he instantly took his chance and raced out, only to be thrown back in a second later, along with another prisoner.

Alex landed on the floor with a grunt, immediately scrambled to his feet, and then was knocked over again as the second prisoner squeezed him, "Alex! Oh thank GOD!"

 Alex wax turning purple as he choked, "Help...squeeze...too hard..."

"Oh. Dreadfully sorry, Chap."

The man let go of Alex, and Alex wheezed for breath before looking at him; his face broke into a wide grin, "Uncle John!"

The man shrugged, "Yes, well...that's me. Uncle of you, brother to my reincarnated sister, enemy of scorpions, spiders, and that wench out there..."

Shanala raised an eyebrow; he was certainly an odd man. Alex shook his head and grinned, "Uncle John, you're ridiculous."


 "I am not!"

"Are too."

"Are not!"

"Are too."

"Are not!"

"Are too I win because my dad is stronger than you and he'll kick your bum if I tell him what happened, which I will if you don't shut your pie hole."

Jonathan shut his mouth, and Shanala laughed. Jonathan looked over at her and jumped back, alarmed "Who's that!"

Alex glanced at Shanala, "Oh. That's Shanala." Then, his face broke into a wicked grin as he stated, 'She's Anck-su-namun's sister."

Jonathan stared at Shanala, then yowled loudly and jumped up, "Oh help! Help me! Help!" Alex burst into peals of laughter, and Shanala joined him.
"What's so funny?" Jonathan demanded, backing away from Shanala.

 Alex shook his head, "Uncle John! Shanala isn't really her sister. C'mon! She's way too young! Anck-su-namun's, like, one hundred bazillion! Shanala's only thirteen!" He laughed harder, doubling over, "She's more likely to be her daughter, for cripes sake!"

Shanala said nothing.

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Rick finally came out of the tomb, expecting to be blinded by a sudden dazzle of brilliant sunlight; there was none. He looked up, surprised to see that the sky was velvet black, sprinkled here and there with stars.

 "Whoa," Rick muttered, "Guess I've been here longer than I thought."

 "O'Connell!"

 Rick turned and was relieved to see Ardeth Bay and the rest of the Medjai nearby. He went over them and stopped at Ardeth's horse, "Why'd you leave me like that?"

"I'm very sorry. I needed to prepare everything."

"Prepare...?"

"Yes. We must go now before the Creature reaches his destination!"

 "Which is...?"

"The evil god Set's temple."

Rick rolled his eyes, "Dangit. Figures."

Ardeth gave him a wry smile, "I have a horse for you."

 Rick shrugged as Ardeth handed the reigns of a midnight-black horse to him, "It's better than a camel."

After Rick had mounted his steed and had moved up next to Ardeth, he asked casually, "Hey, think we can make a quick stop at the Cairo museum?"

Ardeth looked at him dubiously, "Why?"

 "I just have a feeling that someone there needs us."

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Anck-su-namun was not a very patient woman. Especially now that she had gone for so long without seeing her beloved Imhotep. Now, while she walked aimlessly along the Egyptian corridors, she wasn't too certain that she could make it for another night without seeing him again. She let her hand slide over the tiled walls as she walked, examining the things that she was so familiar with... "My queen?" Anck-su-namun turned as Lock-Na came forward.

 He bowed his head respectfully for a moment, and then he said, "It seems that we have yet another unwanted visitor."

Anck-su-namun raised her elegant eyebrows, "And who might that be...?"

"It is Nefertiri's....Evelyn O'Connell's...brother. You do remember him?"

 Anck-su-namun smiled, and then chuckled darkly, "Of course I do. If I remember correctly, he's quite afraid of snakes, and yet quite a fighter..." She touched her cheek, remembering, "If I do say so myself..."

Lock-Na smirked, "Yes, perhaps, but not nearly as worthy a fighter as you, Majesty."

 "Thank you, Lock-Na."

They stood in silence for a while, Anck-su-namun staring at the pictures painted onto the wall and Lock-Na standing at attention before her. Finally, Anck-su-namun moved to where a statue of the Egyptian god Set stood and took a scythe from his hand.

She walked along the walls until she found the right picture, and then she smiled coldly, "Tell me, Lock-Na, have you heard of Nefertiri's current whereabouts?"

 Lock-Na nodded, "Yes, My Lady. She is with Lord Imhotep, awaiting Rick O'Connell."

Anck-su-namun sneered as she stared at the image before her; it was of two women fighting together. In one swift movement, Anck-su-namun had slashed across one woman's form, leaving the wall marred where her knife had cut. Lock-Na snickered. Anck-su-namun turned to him, beginning to stride out, "I believe we should leave earlier than Lord Imhotep anticipated, Lock-Na. An old friend of mine is waiting..."

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Alex yawned sleepily as he leaned against a wall. Jonathan was sitting beside him, snoring softly, and Shanala was walking around the room, thinking.

 "Why don't you sit down?" Alex suggested casually, nodding at the spot next to him.

Shanala looked at him, and then at the floor, "Oh that's fine...I...I prefer to stand."

 "OK."

After a few minutes, Shanala looked at him and, just as Alex expected, she spoke: "You said your mother is...is Nefertiri?"

Alex nodded, "Yea. Reincarnated."

Shanala nodded, biting her lip. She started walking again, and then she stopped and looked at him, "Did she say...I mean...how much does she remember?"

Alex shrugged slightly and looked up at the ceiling, "Oh....I'm not sure...prolly not much."

"Oh."

Alex expected Shanala to start moving again, but she stood still. Then, she glanced up at Alex, "I think I need to tell you something."

Alex raised his eyebrows, "Ok. Shoot."

Shanala opened her mouth, closed it, and looked confused, "Shoot what?"

"Oh! Sorry!" Alex laughed, "I mean...umm...go ahead. Tell me. Like...uh...shoot it out. Get it?"

"I...I think so..." Shanala shook her head and grinned, "You're very strange."

"Thanks."

She sighed slightly, and then frowned, 'I wish I could understand all of this better..."

"Understand what?"

"Just..." She waved her hand around, "Everything..."

"Oh. I know how you feel. I wish I could understand why Anck-su-namun is back, and why my parents are always the ones to save the world, and why...and why you are so interested in my mother being Nefertiri."

Shanala blushed, "Well...Nefertiri wasn't just any old Egyptian, you know. She was a princess."

Alex nodded, "Uh huh. I very well-respected princess."

Shanala bit her lip, "I...I need to admit...something..."

Alex waited for her to speak, but before she could, the door burst open again. Both children jerked their heads towards the door, and Jonathan awoke with a start. Lock-Na strode in, with Anck-su-namun at his heels. She stopped and looked around at Alex and Jonathan, and then spotted Shanala.

When Jonathan woke up more and realized who was standing in the same room as him, he gave a small squeak and got to his feet, fists clenched, "I'll give you another dose of medicine if you touch us, Wench!"

Anck-su-namun snickered, "Perhaps another time."

 Then she reached forward and grabbed Shanala's arm, "Leai sñia carnota, Shanala."

 Shanala shook her head, pulling on her arm, "Nai! Yo nai sana diente!"

Lock-Na came over then and picked Shanala up, slinging her over his shoulder. Anck-su-namun shrugged and smirked, following them out. "Let go!" Shanala shrieked, "Let me go!"

 Alex started forward to do something--anything--to help Shanala; it was the instincts he'd gotten from his father. However, he needn't have worried, because just then, a dozen or so Medjai charged forward, blocking Lock-Na's path.

Ardeth Bay was in the front, and when he caught sight of Lock-Na, his eyes widened, "You!"

Lock-Na sneered at him, "Caught off guard, Ardeth Bay?"

Ardeth's shock wore off and he smiled slightly, drawing his sword, "Forgive me, Lock-Na, but it seems to me that you are the one caught off guard; after all, I am the one with the army."

Lock-Na gave him a very ugly look. Anck-su-namun looked at the Medjai silently, her dark eyes flickering. Then, Alex and Jonathan came up form behind her.

Jonathan grinned, "Oh! Jolly good! Now it's getting nice..."

Alex nudged Jonathan, "Move! Let's get outta here!"

 "I beg your pardon! Stop your shov-

Alex pushed Jonathan hard, and his uncle landed flat on his face. "Sorry!" Alex called as he jumped over his uncle and raced for Ardeth.

However, though Anck-su-namun had been slightly preoccupied a moment ago, she was now just as alert as always. Just as Alex ran past her, she turned and grabbed his arm, jerking him painfully backwards.

 "Ow! Hey!" Alex yelled, stumbling over Jonathan's legs.

"Ouch! Oh dear! Ouch!" Jonathan shrieked jumping to his feet and racing away before Anck-su-namun got him too.

Alex fought against Anck-su-namun's hold, but she was much, much stronger than he would have thought possible.

"Let go, Wench!"

Anck-su-namun clicked her tongue, "Little boys shouldn't use foul language."

"Yea? Well I'm not little. So: Wench, wench, wench, wench!"

Anck-su-namun shook her head, "Your mother must be ashamed of you."

Alex ignored her. Ardeth Bay was watching them both, and he smiled slightly at Alex, "Hello."

"Hey. Long time no see."

Ardeth nodded, "True. You've grown in both mind and body, young O'Connell."

"Ardeth?"

"Yes?"

"Forgive me, but I doubt if this is much the time for chitchat."

"I agree."

Ardeth nodded to his men, and they all drew swords. Lock-Na snickered, "So...you wish to have a rematch, Ardeth? Very well."

Lock-Na set Shanala down and shoved her behind him, blocking

her from escape. Lock-Na unsheathed his sword as well, and faced Ardeth. Shanala backed up against the wall and looked over at Alex. He was watching her.

She smiled slightly, "She's stronger than she looks, huh?"

 Alex nodded, "Much."

 Anck-su-namun glanced over at Shanala and beckoned her forward. Shanala shook her head no and backed further away. That was when she hit the tapestry hanging on the wall and it fell, cloaking her in silks. Shanala screamed in surprise, and at the same time, Rick O'Connell charged in, guns drawn.

 "Dad!" Alex yelled. However, before Rick could catch sight of his son, another soldier of Anck-su-namun's came and, at her bidding, dragged Alex away. Anck-su-namun started forward, to grab Shanala and take her away as well, but at the same time, Rick caught sight of the wriggling form under the tapestry and, assuming it to be Alex, he raced forward, snatched it up, and backed behind the Medjai. Anck-su-namun glared at him, seething in anger, and then she turned and left, not wanting to risk getting harmed.

*******************************

"It'll all be ok, Alex, I've gotcha now. We just need to get outta here, save your mom, and leave Egypt FOREVER..."

 There was no response, but Rick figured Alex was keeping quiet for a reason. Rick stepped back, away from the fight and out the door. Once there, he saw several horses lined up in the parking lot; a strange sight even for Egypt.

He lugged his suddenly-lighter son ("Geez, Alex...haven't you eaten at all?") over to his horse, managed to climb on, and was just about to tear the material off of Alex when the Medjai raced out and leapt onto their horses. They each cried out in victory and kicked their horses to get them going. Rick, keeping one hand on the reigns and one arm wrapped around his son, followed the Medjai out into the desert, where sand was kicked up from the horse's hooves and the stars in the night sky seemed close enough to touch. Finally, they stopped again and dismounted, everyone laughing and congratulating each other.

 "Did you kill Lock-Na?" Rick asked, sliding from his horse's back and catching Alex as he fell off.

Ardeth shook his heads gravely, "No. He turned and fled soon after you left."

"I see."

Rick set Alex down and grinned, "C'mon, Alex. You can uncover yourself."

 Nothing happened.

Rick frowned slightly and kneeled on the sand, "Hey Kid....you ok?"

There was no response except for a strangled sob.

"Alex...? Are you alright?"

Rick hurriedly began tugging on the cloth, but Alex clutched it tightly, not letting it go.

"C'mon Alex...what...is...it...?"

Rick grunted, yanking on the cloth. Finally, the tapestry came loose from Alex's grasp and Rick was left holding it. He tossed it to the ground and looked up at his son in time to hear the Medjai gasp in surprise; it wasn't Alex. It was a girl. Rick stared at her, and she stared at him. Tears were pooling in her eyes, and Rick didn't know if she afraid or just confused.

"Shoot," Rick moaned letting his face drop into his hands, "I didn't save Alex. He's with them"

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