AN: Hey all!!! I'm very sorry for the delay, but I had a pretty nasty episode of pneumonia and I ended feeling so tired I couldn't even think. But now that I'm better, I present you this chapter. Enjoy and review pretty please!

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

An hour later, Ardeth found her standing by a palm tree, saying her goodbye to the Nile. She tried to quell the melancholy rising up in her, but it refused to be denied. Ardeth, who had approached her without she noticing it, saw so much pain in those eyes that all he wanted was to wipe it away and bring a smile back to her lips. He embraced her from behind, his arms wrapping possessively around her waist.

"Jean, habibi, I see sorrow in your eyes. What can I do to turn it into joy?"

"There's nothing you can do. But don't worry, it's ok."

He softly made her turn to face him and slid his arms around her neck.

"No, it is not ok. You know something Jean, when you laugh or smile it seems like the whole room lights up, and the sun shines even at night." He gently kissed her cheek. "Please don't stop the sun from shining down on me, because I couldn't face another day without your smile."

"Thank you." She whispered, her eyes sparkling green. "That was very sweet. You are strong... a handsome warrior."

"And you, Jean, are an amazing, beautiful woman. And I love you. I know I am not supposed to say this, but I love you."

"And I love you too."

His face became very serious. "When I realized that Imhotep had taken you I was angry with myself. I also felt a helplessness and fear I have never known before. I was afraid of losing you. Jean, I will be damned for saying this to you, as you are promised to another man but I will love you until the day that I die and even beyond that," he declared.

Jean was trying very hard not to cry. "When I saw you go down when those mummies attacked I thought I would stop breathing. When Imhotep took me to the Valley of the Kings I wished I had told you before how I felt so that if I died you would know that I loved you. I love you so much that it scares me. But even so, I would fight the devil himself for you if I had to."

"I think you did," he said with a smile on his face as he looked into her eyes.

"So did you," she replied, reaching up to push a lock of his hair back from his face. "But you will not be damned for this. Thank you for telling me how you feel."

For a long time they stared into one another's eyes, not saying a word, their focus broken only by a sudden blow of strong wind that jumbled their clothes. Ardeth reached his hand up to brush the cloud of red hair away from her face.

Tarek had arrived at that moment and hated the idea of interrupting them, but he had to, in order to notify them that the Chiefs and Elders were leaving. The couple went to bid them farewell. Ardeth noticed the older men greeted her as if she had been a daughter to them as most of the warriors showed her respect and affability. That pleased him, there was nothing that could make him happier that knowing she had been accepted by those men, who were the only family he had known for the last years.  

As they were no longer in sight, the men started to go to their tents; it had been a long day and they looked forward to getting some rest.

Jean was about to do the same when Ardeth stopped her. "Jean, it is my turn to keep the first watch. I will retire after a few hours."

"Okay. I'll be waiting for you."

He walked a short distance up to the top of the dune and began his watch.

Jean stayed outside for a while, looking up at the stars that were lightning up the dark night sky. One star in particular, shone more brightly than all of the rest.

"Starlight, starbright,

first star I see tonight.

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight."

What was her wish? What should she wish for now? The thought came to her out of the blue, and she knew the wish she should speak. "Please, in whatever he will do, however his life works out, keep him safe, and bring him all the love and happiness he deserves." The star seemed to wink at her, making her smile big. She stood there for a few more minutes, and then slowly headed to her tent.

Once she was inside, Jean undressed and got in bed. She sighed heavily, bringing the blanket up around her shoulders for warmth. She rolled over, trying to find a comfortable position, but to keep herself awaken at the same time, but she couldn't help to relax. She finally turned on her side and crooked her arm under her head and sleep took her away.

***

Ardeth sat on top of the dune, staring over the sands. The night was peaceful and calm, much more so than he was. He looked down at their little camp and saw Jean's tent. A lopsided grin graced his face, as he thought he would soon be in there with her. He turned away to look out over the desolate plains, trying to rationalize his feelings for her. He was fascinated by her personality and her breathtaking looks. He shook his head at himself as he tried to put her from his mind and concentrate on his duty.

A couple of hours into the night and another warrior came to relieve Ardeth of his watch. Ardeth walked down to the campsite and over to Jean's tent intending to spend his last few moments of quality time with her before she left.

She found her sleeping like an angel with her hair sprawled across the pillows and the sheets wrapped around her. Wanting to memorize her face to sustain him, Ardeth stared down at her sleeping profile for a moment, noting the slightly parted lips and the long lashes curled against her cheek as she slept. She looked so young and innocent. He sat on the bed and stroked her cheek. It would be a long time before he would see her again. They had all night to be together, and in the morning they were to depart to Cairo. He shed his robe and let his tunic fall to the floor. Quietly he slipped under the sheets and took Jean in his arms, burying his face in her hair. She smiled in her sleep, wrapped her arm around his waist and moved her face into his chest.

It took a few moments for her to realize she wasn't dreaming and sleepily opened her eyes.

"Sorry…I tried to wait for you, but…"

"It is alright. You must rest for tomorrow's journey."

They looked into each other's eyes for a while, until finally Jean spoke.

"This is our last night..," she began.

"Shhhh. Do not talk about it now. Do not even think about it. Let us enjoy our last moments together."

"You are right," she said with a loud sigh.

He pulled her closer to him and their bodies complemented each other wonderfully. Jean smiled, her personal space had become as much his as hers and vice versa. As she lay there in bed with him, she realized it was the only moment of the day when she felt safe and with that thought in mind, she allowed Morpheus to take her into his realm.

But that wasn't so easy for Ardeth. He didn't want to sleep, he only wanted to watch Jean sleeping the whole night, so he propped himself on one elbow and devoted that night to guard her sleep.