AN: Again, a million times sorry for the delay. It's just that my laptop keeps having huge problems and I don't know where else to take it so it can be fixed. Anyway, here's a new chappie and I promise the next one will be uploaded in a week. Thanks for the patience!

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

She felt his presence long before he was near her. He walked up behind her. Jean could feel his body heat radiating from him as he stepped closer. Ardeth encircled her waist with his arms.

"I am back," he whispered. "Are you happy here, Jean?" He asked, very gently.

He sounded like a little boy, unsure and awkward as he waited for her answer. Jean found that endearing and, leaving the support of the palm tree, turned to him and laid her hands flat against his warm chest.

"Of course I am." And she told the truth, which was from her heart.

"Good, but I can not ask you to stay here with us. The desert is cruel and unforgiving. It is a harsh life and there is no guarantee of survival. The life of the Med-jai is not to be taken lightly. It is our honor that we do what we do, there is no leaving the desert for us. This is our home," he finished.

"I know, but that is not the reason why I am returning to the USA. Trust me, if I didn't love my life back there the way I do, I would stay here without even thinking about it twice."

He bent his head down so that their foreheads touched.

"Would you?"

"Surely I would, Ardeth. And maybe one day I will be back to stay," she said quietly.

"You would be most welcome, kalila."

She then remembered how he had called her when she was wounded. He had called her 'kalila' and 'habibi'; and now, he was doing it again. She was his sweetheart, his beloved. Jean smiled and delicately kissed his cheek.

"Ardeth?"

"Tell me."

"I know what habibi and kalila stand for… but what's the meaning of 'sheytana'?" She asked.

"Sheytans are spirits of the night, and a sheytana is a she-devil. In this case, it would be the equivalent to mermaid or sorceress. Alluring men with her magic," he said, and stared deeply into her green eyes.

Jean was speechless. "Woa." Looking at him a bit more intently, she noticed something... no, but it couldn't be... 'Did he just blush?' Jean wasn't sure and, apparently, it would remain as a mystery.

Ardeth wanted that moment to go on forever. Their kiss had been playing repeatedly in his mind. He wanted to take her to his bed making her his completely, but he couldn't...

Before any of them had the chance to say anything, Tarek went to let them know that the dinner was ready. They both went to the table, hand in hand, and joined the cheerful warriors, who were eating and drinking with great joy. Of course they were happy, Imhotep had been defeated, Jean was healing and the next day she would become one of them.

Ahmad was sitting at Jean's right side and his eyes never left her. Nervously, he spoke to her. "Thank you for choosing me as your leader… it is a great honor."

"I couldn't have considered anybody else to guide me," she simply said.

"I thought that now you would prefer someone with more experience…" he hinted.

Jean placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ahmad, what happened with Imhotep didn't change anything. I am still the same person. And I will never forget the sweet way in which you have treated me."

"And I will be always here to help you," he promised.

"Ahmad," said Ahmed, who had followed their entire conversation, "it would be good if you got together with Jean after dinner and told her what would be expected of her during tomorrow's ceremony."

"Yes, sir," replied the boy obediently.

Dinner was over a while later and they both left to Jean's tent. Ardeth saw them leave and contained a wave of jealousy that was growing inside him.

'Get a grip.' He told himself. 'Do not be stupid, he is only a kid.'

***

Three hours later, Ahmad went out and found his Chieftain sitting nearby, waiting.

"Are you done?" He asked the boy.

"Yes, Master. I've instructed her as much as I could, trying not to tire her. And I have also taken care of her wound; it is healing fastly." There was a note of triumph in his voice Ardeth didn't miss.

"Very well, go rest now, Ahmad."

"Thank you, sir, but I will guard outside tonight… as every other night."

"I am sure Jean will appreciate it very much. Good night." And with that, Ardeth went into Jean's tent and found her brushing her hair in front of the golden mirror.

"It looks like you no longer need my help for that…"

"Actually, my wound's starting to hurt..." she said, looking at him with a mischievous spark in her eyes.

Ardeth didn't need to be told twice and for the space of nearly half an hour, he ran the soft bristles of the brush through her lovely hair. When he was done, Jean turned to face him. Since there was no easy way of saying what she was about to say, she decided to do it quickly.

"Ardeth… I will leave the day after tomorrow."

He felt as if his heart was being ripped from his chest. "So soon?" He managed to ask.

"Yes… I don't want to worry my family anymore," she explained apologetically.

"I understand. Perhaps you would prefer to leave tomorrow and forget about the ceremony. After all, it is of non-importance," he said, more brusquely than he had really intended.

Her eyes filled with tears and she turned her back to him. "Perhaps I should. It's not worth staying where I'm not wanted."

"Damnit, Jean," Ardeth muttered. He knew he had hurt her deeply and turned her to face him once again, cradling her body between his arms. "Jean, look at me."

She kept her head down, not wanting to look at him. He put a hand under her chin and forced her head up but she kept her eyes downcast.

"Jean, I said look at me," he commanded firmly. Something in his voice made her obey and she looked at him, fire flashing from her eyes. He cupped her face with one hand, his thumb tenderly stroking her cheek. "I am sorry I snapped at you. I  know how hard this must be for you and yet I took it out on you. I ask you to forgive me."

The fire slowly died from her eyes as she listened to his deep voice. The tension left her body as his thumb continued its soothing motion. She was anguished to see the pain so visible in his eyes as he patiently awaited her answer.

She sighed. "I'm sorry too, Ardeth. I guess I'm just being a bit oversensitive. I know you didn't want to hurt me." She gave a chagrined look and he smiled back at her, catching both of her hands in his.

"You need to rest. Tomorrow will be a long day." 'And your last one here,' he thought.

"You're right." Jean quickly got in bed, leaving a free space for Ardeth.

"There is no more need for me to guard you. You may prefer to sleep alone," he said, trying not to show how much that fact distressed him.

"Don't think for me, my darling. I prefer to spend with you every single minute."

Ardeth swallowed and cupped her face in his hands. Was he trembling? Perhaps she was imagining it, but it seemed that his voice shook a little too. "Then will you allow me in your bed?"

" Of course." The answer pleased the Med-jai, who took off his robe and lay in bed next to Jean, but without touching her. Their gazes met and none of them spoke for a moment. When Ardeth did, his voice was packed with grief.

"We will miss you."

"Shhhh…" She placed one of her long, delicate fingers on his lips, as to silence his words. "Don't think about my departure. I am here with you now and that's all that matters."

"You are right." He kissed her finger and his body moved closer to hers. "Nothing else matters to me."

Jean looked at him with infinite affection and bit her lower lip, while he took her face in his hands and stared at it, as if it was the most precious jewel in the universe. Her body met Ardeth's and she nestled against him, draping one arm across his ample chest and tucking the other against her.

Ardeth could hear her breathing, strong and deep, and he could smell the fresh scent of her hair. It was intoxicating, familiar and almost drove him crazy.

"Try to sleep, little one. Tomorrow at this time you will be one of us."

"Sounds too good to be true," she said in a whisper.

"It will be true. Even the elders will come to the ceremony."

"Who are they?"

"They are the older of the Medjai, seasoned warriors, blessed and anointed by Allah. We all look upon the five of them with great honor and respect," Ardeth solemnly said.

"Wow. I would love to meet them. Oh, I forgot to ask Ahmad something."

"Then ask me, kalila."

"Won't I get any tattoos?"

"I believe any of my men would die before putting any mark on your lovely skin, Jeannie. Besides, I do not think it will be necessary, for you already have one."

She looked at her arm and smiled. The mark had blackened and now it looked like a tattoo that had been inked in her skin. "Yes, I think you're right."

Jean nestled against Ardeth more closely, smiled and let out a little sigh. He pulled the covers up and under her chin and gave her a kiss on her forehead. She smiled, clasped his shirt and let another sigh out as she fell asleep in his arms. He looked at her as he held her. An overwhelming feeling of love and protectiveness washed over him for the seemingly fragile girl. She had suffered so much in those days. He didn't want to disturb her, but couldn't help himself as he bent over and brushed her lips with his. A small sigh escaped her lips as a slight smile crossed her face, yet she stayed asleep. His eyes closed and visions of her floated around.

"Breathe to make me breathe, Jean," he whispered into her ear and then drifted off to sleep, joining her in the realm of dreams.