Old Friends Meet Again
" Does everyone have everything?" Rick asked as they stood in front to the boat.
" I think so, yes." Evy answered.
" But…but…where did uncle Jon go?" Alex asked.
" Oh yes, where is he?" Evy said looking around at the people passing by.
" Well, it will be a pleasant trip without him." Rick said smiling.
" Stop it!" Evy snapped.
" What?" Rick said looking innocent.
By that time, Jonathan walked up with Malik.
" Right, well I'm ready." Malik said dropping the bag on Rick's foot.
" OWW!!" Rick yelled in pain as he bent down. He looked back up and gave Malik an angry look.
" Sorry." Malik said with a grin.
" What the hell is in there?" Rick asked angrily.
" Oh, just a couple of guns, and a blow torch or two." Mali stated innocently.
" A blow torch?" Rick asked. " This is getting ridiculous!" Rick said picking up the bag opening it and took out the blow torch.
" What are you doing?!" Malik asked as everyone was watching.
" Thinning down the cargo." Rick answered as he tossed the gun into the water.
" What the hell are you doing?!" Malik yelled running to the edge of the water.
" Getting rid of what you don't need!" Rick said.
" I needed that for the scarabs!" Malik yelled.
" My point exactly! We aren't going there to worry about bugs alright? If there are any, we will take care of it with guns, like I've always done, but don't go overboard!" Rick stated.
" I…I guess you're right. I'm sorry." Malik said closing her bag.
" Well, uh…that was interesting…right well I'm getting on the boat now." Jonathan said trying to break the tension.
" Yeah, me too." Malik said walking away with Jonathan.
" Alex, do you have everything you need to keep you busy?" Rick asked.
" Yes, just a book and my clothes." Alex said.
" Just a book?" Rick asked in surprise.
" Yeah, that's for the trip, I wont need anything else while I'm with the Medji." Alex stated.
" Oh, right." Rick said as Alex walked to the boat.
" Darling, are you alright?" Evy asked looking into her husband's eyes.
" Yeah, I just don't like the fact she over does everything when she doesn't need to." Rick said.
" Well, I know, but she's just a kid." Evy started
" That thing is not a kid…it's a demon." Rick said sarcastically.
" Well, whatever, but she is just trying to protect herself. I mean, you have over done things too you know." Evy said.
" Not like that I haven't!" Rick answered.
" Well, lets just forget it and keep our mind on the matter at hand." Evy said sighing.
" I'll be so glad when all this is over." Rick said picking up his bag.
" Well, we say that for every one…I have a feeling, it will never be the end for us." Evy said.
" My point exactly. It won't end for us because I'm not going to let that happen…and it's also our destiny." Rick said with his calming smile.
Evy smiled and Rick nodded his head towards the boat and Evy acknowledged and they walked to the boat.
" Ala humana." Ardeth said as he bid the commanders farewell.
" So now they know of the plans?" Mariana asked.
" Yes, they will help us if we need it." Ardeth replied.
" Ah, Master Medji?" Izzy asked riding up to them.
" Izzy?" Adeth asked.
" You quak! Stop saying Mr. Medji! His name is Ardeth!" Mariana snapped
" Mariana…enough, remember even under the circumstances, you are still my apprentice. You are still learning." Ardeth said.
" Yes, master." Mariana said with a sigh.
" Now, Izzy, she is right, you can call me Ardeth." he said.
" Oh, sorry, I just tend to get nervous around people with tattoos and really big swords, don't know why." Izzy said nervously.
" Oh, I can imagine." Ardeth replied.
" I bet it's because of O'Connell." Mariana said.
" O'Connell…oh yes, speaking of which, here." Izzy handed Ardeth a telegram.
" It came yesterday, but it takes such a bloody long time to get here, since your in the middle of the desert." Izzy stated.
" What does it say?" Mariana asked.
" That they were leaving and will be here tomorrow." Ardeth stated
" Which means their arriving today. They should be getting here about now." she finished.
" Today…now…right, well I'd better get going, I have to avoid O'Connell at all costs." Izzy said getting back on the horse.
" Izzy, O'Connell isn't going to try to hurt you." Ardeth stated.
" Yes, well, better to be safe than sorry." Izzy said and he rode off.
" Your right, he over reacts." Mariana said laughing.
" Come, lets head to Cairo to greet our friends." Ardeth said and they walked off.
Soon after Izzy left, Mariana and Ardeth started out towards the port. On the way, Mariana began to ask questions.
" Do you think this'll be a quick fight? I hope it is." she stated then blushed.
She almost had confessed, "So I could be with you" but had bit down before she said anything.
Ardeth must have been reading her thoughts because he chuckled.
" I know my young Medji, I know." he said and put his arm around her shoulder…they walked on.
On the boat, Evy was standing looking over the railing at the pyramids at Giza, as the boat had now just entered Cairo.
" Alex, just get your things ready to go." Rick said as he was coming out of the cabin.
He saw Evy standing there and he walked over.
" Well, how does it feel to be back?" Rick asked.
" You know, for once I would like to come here without having the intention of killing someone." Evy said with a sigh.
" Yeah, me too." Rick said sincerely.
" But, I always love coming back here. Really, it has so many memories." Evy continued. " I mean, there were some bad ones, but in all, they were good." she finished.
" Say, what category would you put our honeymoon in?" Rick asked.
Evy looked at him puzzled.
" Well I mean because there was sand, scarabs, guns, then of course there was you." Rick said smiling.
" Uh huh." Evy said. " Well, I would have to say, it was the best one yet." she said smiling.
" Dad, I have my things ready." Alex said walking up to them.
" It's such a good view." Evy said.
" Yeah, it's great mum." Alex said.
" Say Alex, how would you like to see the pyramids up close?" Evy asked.
" I'd love it." Alex answered.
" Well, I tell you what, once we get done, we will take you there." Evy said smiling.
" Neat!" Alex replied.
" Ah, honey, don't make promises you cant keep." Rick said sarcastically looking at Evy, who gave him a look.
" Oh, you hush! Go find Jonathan and get him out here!" Evy snapped. " Do something useful for a change!" she finished.
" Excuse me?! Do something useful for a change? Babe, I've been doing useful things since the day we met." Rick said and Evy smiled.
" But sure, I'll go drag Jonathan out. It'll be a good way to get this thing started." Rick said as he walked off.
" Where is it?" Mariana asked
" Patience, it hasn't arrived yet." Ardeth answered.
" Well, it needs to hurry." Mariana said.
They were now at the port, waiting for the boat to arrive.
" There it is, now calm down." Ardeth said nodding to the boat coming in.
" Yes!" Mariana squeaked.
The boat docked and they lowered the bridge. Passengers were coming out, but not the ones the two Medji were looking for. Then they saw them. First Jonathan came stumbling out, with Rick and Evy behind, Rick shaking his head at Jonathan and laughing.
" Well, he obviously had a hard trip." Ardeth said looking at Jonathan.
" Of course he did, he was with O'Connell." Mariana said smiling.
" Where are they?" Evy said looking around through the crowd.
" I know, they might be at the bar!" Jonathan said hopefully.
" Nice try., but no." Rick said. " There they are." he finished.
Evy looked in the crowd for familiar faces and then she saw them. Both in black Medji clothing, with their markings and both side by side. They walked over and Rick dropped the bags. They all stared at each other.
" So…the old lady is back to cause more trouble." Mariana said while everyone was quiet.
" And the little girl, still naive as ever." Evy answered.
Jonathan was getting a bit nervous. Both women started laughing.
" Hello Evelyn!" Mariana said reaching out to hug her.
" Hello Mariana!" Evy answered hugging back.
" O'Connell." Ardeth greeted, smiling.
" Medji." Rick answered saluting and smiling.
After Evy and Mariana hugged, Mariana looked at Rick, who looked back.
" Hello brother." Mariana said smiling.
Rick smiled back and they hugged.
" Good to see you have been safe." Rick said.
" Likewise." Mariana added.
" Ah, well, that's good, everyone has greeted, except me." Jonathan said sighing.
" Hello Jonathan!" Mariana said smiling.
" Hello." Jonathan said brightening up.
" So, O'Connell, where's your boy?" Ardeth asked.
" Oh, Alex!" Evy said remembering that he wasn't with them. " Alex!?" she yelled.
" Right here mum." Alex said running up.
He smiled when he saw Ardeth.
" Hello, little O'Connell." Ardeth said.
" Hi! Can I see your sword?" Alex asked.
" Alex! You know better!' Evy scolded.
" Maybe later, when you meet the ones who will be watching you." Ardeth said smiling.
" So, Jonathan, how would you like to go to the bar and have a few drinks.?" Mariana asked.
" Oh, yes, you owe me a contest!" Jonathan said smiling.
" Uh, I don't think it's such a good idea." Rick started.
" It is fine. We have time, plus, you need to get settled in." Ardeth answered.
" Alright then." Rick answered and they headed toward the Kasbah.