Author's Note: Here we go again. If anyone has any suggestions, they would be appreciated. I dedicate this chapter to Deb2, whose Mummy stories have inspired me. She's a great writer. If you haven't seen her stories, please do so. They're well worth your time.

Thanks to all my reviewers so far. I treasure every review I get.

Fatima had, indeed, prepared a feast. Rick ate until he felt he would explode. The only thing marring his evening was his wife's behavior. She, who was usually so talkative, had been silent throughout the meal. The only time she spoke was to answer questions from Fatima or Rick. And, Rick noticed, she was avoiding contact with Tahirah.

Ardeth, too, had noticed Evelyn's reaction to Tahirah. In a way, he was grateful for it. It gave him something else to focus on. More than once during dinner, he caught Rick's eye and the two exchanged quick glances that clearly said 'we need to talk'. But, for now, Alex was doing all the talking. He had found quick friends in Tahirah and her youngest sister, Amina. Only Fatin, who was doing her best to attract Ardeth's attention, seemed unmoved by the young boy's charm.

"And then Dad grabbed me and ran to the temple. We almost didn't make it, but Dad flew inside the entrance just as the sun hit the diamond."

"Alex, your father can't fly," came Evelyn's absent-minded admonishment.

"Well, he came awfully close," the boy concluded.

Tahirah laughed, not unkindly.

"Fathers are like that, Alex O'Connell. They can do anything."

"Was your dad like that?" came the innocent inquiry. It served to snap Evelyn out of her strange trance. There was an uncomfortable silence around the room. Ardeth watched Fatima closely. But it was Tahirah who took him by surprise.

"Yes, Alex. My father could do anything he wanted to do. He was a good man. Very much like Ardeth, actually."

To Ardeth's amazement, he saw Fatima nod in agreement. Tahirah continued.

"You are blessed, Alex, to have such a good man for your father."

A snort quickly disguised by a cough came from Fatin and Ardeth looked at her in surprise. She muttered something in Arabic and Ardeth felt himself turning red. Fatin didn't know Evelyn could speak Arabic, although Rick and Jonathan couldn't. Evelyn did not say anything, however, although her eyes flashed dangerously. Alex, on the other hand, was an entirely different matter. His blue eyes blazed as he looked at Fatin.

"That's not true! My dad never did that!"

Fatin blanched. Fatima looked up in surprise. She had been too far from Fatin to hear the comment. Tahirah, who had been on the verge of silencing her sister, became even more ashamed when she realized that Alex had understood the comment about his father. It was Evelyn's voice which settled the matter.

"Alex, you are being rude to our hosts, dear. I'm sorry, Fatima. My son speaks before he thinks sometimes."

Fatima inclined her head towards Evie in acceptance, although she did not miss the poisonous look shot towards her middle daughter by the British woman. Evelyn resolved to discuss this with Alex when they returned to the hotel. In the meantime, she did manage to catch his eye again and smile at him. He smiled back, which made her feel better. After all, he was just defending Rick.

Tahirah felt horrible about her sister's behavior. She excused herself from the meal, ostensibly to get some more milk for Alex and wine for the adults, and asked Fatin for her assistance. Ardeth managed to keep from smiling at the determined look in Tahirah's eyes. He only hoped she would remember to get the milk and wine before returning.

When they were alone, Tahirah began to berate her sister in a soft voice. Soft, so no one could overhear them, but unmistakably angry.

"How could you embarrass our mother like that? What possessed you? And that poor boy."

"I didn't know he could speak Arabic," began Fatin, but Tahirah cut her off.

"That is hardly the point, Fatin. And I do believe Alex O'Connell is the least of your worries right now. His mother speaks Arabic as well. And she heard you, Fatin. You will have a hard time gaining her trust now."

"Why would I want her trust? Why would any of us want the trust of the O'Connell's? They have put Ardeth in danger more times than I can count. You saw his wounds after they had brought the Creature back the first time."

"Yes, I did. But the O'Connell's were also the ones who returned the Creature to the underworld. And Evelyn O'Connell's brother saved Ardeth's life at Ahm-Shere. You did not know that, did you?"

"It was the least they could do after what Mrs. O'Connell did at Hamunaptra. If it hadn't been for her, the Creature never would have risen in the first place."

"That is enough, Fatin!"

Tahirah's voice was sharp, but not loud. Fatin stared at her sister open- mouthed.

"But, even Khalil and Hamid have been wounded numerous times because of the O'Connells."

"Perhaps. But you would do well, Fatin, to remember that we all make mistakes. And Evelyn O'Connell regrets her actions at Hamunaptra all those years ago. Ardeth, Khalil, and Hamid were doing what they have been raised to do. What countless of generations have done before them and will do after them. Jonathan Carnahan did save Ardeth's life. And Rick O'Connell killed the Scorpion King. As for Alex putting on the Bracelet of Anubis, well, he is a child. And children make mistakes as well. Now, are you going to behave as you should? Or will you continue to disgrace this family and Ardeth as well?"

Fatin's silence told Tahirah that she would behave.

"Alright, then. Get the milk for Alex. It's the least you could do after the comment you made about his father. I'll get the wine."

When the two returned, it seemed as though nothing had ever happened. Evelyn was still highly upset with Fatin, as was Alex, but Rick was just confused. Ardeth, on the other hand was still embarrassed by Fatin's behavior. She found it much harder to get his attention for the rest of the evening. Not just because of her behavior, though.

Ardeth found himself drawn into conversation with Tahirah. She was quite unlike any of the other women in his tribe. More like Evelyn, actually. Her eyes were somewhat mischievous, though Ardeth knew she wasn't teasing him. In fact, she wasn't flirting at all. She was simply telling Ardeth about her travels, sharing what she had learned. Tahirah wove such an interesting tale that Ardeth didn't notice the dirty looks she was getting from Fatin, or the interested glances they both received from Fatima. Alex was deep in conversation with Amina, Rick and Jonathan were talking to Fatima about the Medjai tribe, both of them interested in learning more about their friend's way of life. Izzy was too busy stuffing his face to bother with anyone else.

Only Evelyn really studied Ardeth and Tahirah. Tahirah was telling Ardeth about her studies in the United States when Alex asked her a question. Fatin took the opportunity to ask Ardeth something. While Ardeth answered Fatin and Tahirah answered Alex, they both reached for their wine goblets. Their hands brushed and both looked quickly at each other, then quickly looked away. And, in that instant, Evelyn was transported yet again.

She was in the royal court. It was one day until her wedding to Smenkhkare. When she looked to her right, she was surprised to see Ardeth standing there. Or, at least, someone who looked like Ardeth. He stood rigid next to her, as if preparing to defend her. That's when she remembered. Ardeth had been her chief guard, the commander of her Medjai bodyguards. And his name had been Salih.

Evelyn, or Nefertiri, looked around the court with thinly disguised contempt. She had no use for her brother's idea of entertainment. This celebration was not given with her in mind. Only Hekatef and Smenkhkare. At the moment, to Nefertiri's relief, Smenkhkare was too busy enjoying himself to pay any attention to his future wife. Her eyes went to Hekatef, who was seated in his throne. To his right sat his chief wife, Queen Meskhenet. Meskhenet was not among Nefertiri's favorite people, but she wasn't as low on the list as her husband was. Nefertiri actually felt sorry for Meskhenet at times. She and Hekatef had been married three years, but there were still no heirs to the throne. Everyone knew that Hekatef had abandoned his wife because of this and, instead, had turned his attention to his concubines. Meskhenet was a beautiful, proud woman and Nefertiri realized that, despite the fact that she didn't love Hekatef, it must hurt her to not be desired by her husband.

To Hekatef's left, Rameses stood with his wife, Halima. Evy's mind processed with some surprise that neither Hekatef nor Rameses resembled Jonathan. Some part of her thought that her brother would have always been her brother. Apparently, this was not the case.

She allowed her eyes to leave Rameses and they settled on Kiya who, in an unguarded moment, had allowed her eyes to fill with undisguised longing. With a shock, Nefertiri realized that this gaze was directed towards Salih. Even more shocking was the fact that, when she looked at her Chief Guard, she saw that the gaze was returned. Nefertiri felt like an intruder on this byplay. These looks were not looks of infatuation. She saw that immediately. These two were deeply and irrevocably in love with one another. She allowed herself some time to ponder this information. Why had Kiya not come to her? Nefertiri adored Salih almost as much as she loved Kiya. As Nefertiri's handmaiden, Kiya would have had to ask for Neferitiri's permission to marry Salih. Had Nefertiri ever indicated that such a request would have been rejected?

When she felt a hand on her shoulder, the princess gasped and turned, only to come face to face with Rameses. Her brother looked apologetic.

"I did not mean to startle you, sister. I was wondering if you could help me with something."

"You should not have to wonder, Rameses," Nefertiri replied. "You know I will."

Her brother replied with a smile and indicated his wife, who was looking very pale indeed.

"Would you take Halima for a walk in the gardens? She isn't feeling well and she wants to go outside. But, for some reason, she insists that you be the one to take her."

Nefertiri was a little surprised to hear that. She and Halima got along well, but had never been terribly close. Why would Halima want her specifically? But she did not ask this. She merely inclined her head towards her brother and followed him back to where Halima stood. When Hekatef realized Nefertiri was leaving, he snapped at her.

"Where do you think you are going? I have not given you permission to leave."

Nefertiri smiled sweetly, which served to unnerve Hekatef more than if she had snapped back at him.

"Our sister is not feeling well and I am caring for her. I shall return, my brother."

Hekatef had nothing to say to this and so returned to watching his concubines, who were now dancing wildly and, to Nefertiri's mind, repulsively. At least it was keeping Smenkhkare busy.

Once in the gardens, Halima seemed much better. Nefertiri looked at her suspiciously and Halima finally began to laugh softly.

"I apologize, Nefertiri. I am not as ill as I pretended to be, though the scene in there certainly wasn't helping. In truth, I wanted to talk to you. About something very important."

"Is something wrong, Halima? Is it the baby?"

Halima patted the still small roundness that was her child.

"My baby is fine. No, Nefertiri, that is not what I wish to discuss. I want to talk to you about Kiya and Salih."

Now Nefertiri was surprised. Halima laughed again.

"I've known for some time. My handmaidens can't keep their mouths closed, it seems. After they told me, however, I made it clear that no one else was to know. I see they've obeyed me."

"How long have you known?" Nefertiri asked.

"Since the day after Hekatef announced that you were to marry Smenkhkare. It seems that Kiya was going to ask for your permission to marry Salih, but, the night she had planned to ask, Seti was murdered. She did not feel it was right to ask you so soon after that and, by all accounts, Salih agreed. Then, after Hekatef announced your betrothal to Smenkhkare, it seems that Kiya decided not to ask at all."

"But why not? Kiya is my dearest friend. And you know how I feel about Salih. I would give my permission for a marriage between them."

"Yes, I know. But Kiya told Salih that she couldn't ask you permission to marry the man she loved when you were so cruelly denied the same right. Salih tried to persuade her to ask, but she has refused time and again. She said she could not put her own happiness ahead of yours."

Tears stung Nefertiri's eyes as she realized the enormity of her handmaiden's sacrifice. What did it matter if she was destined to marry Smenkhkare? Why should that cause her friends to suffer, too? This wasn't right. Not at all. The Egyptian princess felt her sister's eyes on her and looked at her with determination.

"Their wedding will take place, Halima. I swear it."

Halima merely nodded in response. Then, with resignation, she suggested they make their way back to the celebration. As they neared the royal court, Halima found herself wishing that there were some way of granting Nefertiri's dream of a life with Kysen. Nefertiri, for her part, did her best to look like a happy bride-to-be for the rest of the evening.

"Say, old mum, is something the matter?"

Jonathan's voice brought Evelyn back to reality. She glanced around the table, realizing guiltily that everyone was looking at her with varying degrees of concern. Everyone but Fatin, that is. She started to say she was just fine, but a noise in the other room stopped her. Following that, a young Medjai warrior appeared in the room where they were eating. Tahirah jumped up and threw her arms around him.

"Khalil!" she cried. It didn't take long for the rest of her family to greet him in the same way. Everyone else stood to meet the eldest child of Fatima. Everyone except Evelyn. She remained seated, glued to her seat in shock as the young man's face registered with her.

"Rameses," she whispered.

A/N: Okay, that's all for now. Yes, it was long. No, I'm not sorry. Well, I am sorry if the past life thing is a little off. I'm still experimenting with that part of this story. It's not to easy to come up with ways for people to be reminded of their past life. Anyway, please read and review.