All throughout this particular story I kept writing whole chunks in present tense, realizing it, and having to go back and change all the tenses, so I apologize for any that I didn't catch:)

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That bitch.

I'm not one for name-calling (though I've been called a few things in my time), but honestly! Who the Hell did that bitch think she was? You don't just waltz in and kidnap someone, expecting him to be grateful that he gets to go be sacrificed. No way was I letting that bitch just steal Rick away like--

Jesus. What was that? Jealousy? Was I jealous of the mummy bitch who had stolen my boyfriend? I knew I could retrieve him--that bitch wasn't all that tough; unless he was dead already--in which case I was feeling a rather disturbing suicidal urge myself. Nor did I want him out of a sense of duty or responsibility.

I wanted him to tell me more stories about Egypt, I wanted to know what his favorite food was, I wanted to kiss him everyday for the rest of my life. I loved him, and in his absence I was more ready to admit that.

Lucky for us, my old pal Winston was willing to help our quest along by offering his flying skills. Jon and Ardina (a likable enough woman if a bit standoffish) had a worse time on the flight than I did, but eventually we all got ourselves there safe and sound. I count Winston in this tally, God rest his soul, because I've never met a man with as fervent a death wish. His was going to be the last death that day, I would make sure of it. Except for Anck-su-namun.

And...okay, maybe Beni. I wouldn't have said no to killing Beni, either, or at least maiming him.

Ardina was silent on the walk from the downed plane to Hamunaptra, but Jonathan wanted to talk. "You okay?" he asked me. "Your throat okay?"

"I'm fine."

My brother paused, then took my hand. "Don't you worry. We'll get him back."

"Yeah."

Jonathan nodded solemnly, as grave as I'd ever seen him. "He's my best friend, you know, like a brother... He's gotten me out of more trouble than even you can imagine." He shook it off, putting a smile on his face for the good of the mission. "Like I said, we'll get him back."

"We'd sure as hell better," I said, then, before I could stop myself, added: "I love him."

Jon did a double-take, started to say something, then stopped. "Oh. When did that happen?"

"Somewhere between prison and the plague of frogs. Are you okay with that?"

"Err, have you two...discussed this?"

"Briefly. Damn frogs."

He was silent for a moment, but then couldn't help jumping in. "O'Connell? Are you sure? I mean, you two aren't exactly a match made in heaven."

"Haven't you ever heard of opposites attracting?"

"It's just that he's so..." Words apparently would not suffice. "And you're so..."

"What? I'm not smart enough for him or something?"

He smiled and chucked me under the chin rather than answering. "I just don't want you to get your heart broken."

"Thanks for championing my insecurities. That really helps."

"Hey. Don't put yourself down. Nobody deserves my little sister. He'd be damn lucky to have you, is all."

He meant it, so I couldn't hit him. "Thanks, Jonathan."

"So he...feels the same way?"

"He'd sure as hell better."

"Oh," Jon said again, squeezing my hand. "Then let's make sure he hears it, shall we?"

All conversation halted as we approached Hamunaptra. Ardina seemed to know an awful lot about the layout of this place, and she was able to find us a way in without any trouble.

Trouble abounded, however, as soon as we found the statue of Horus, where Rick had insisted the Book of Amun-Ra must be hidden. I took my anger out on the mummy priests in the meantime. Picturing Beni's face on them was more than enough to make me want to blow them to bits.