4. KIMIA

Cairo International Airport
7:28 PM, Cairo Time
The Stratoliner rolled along the tarmac at a slow but steady rate as it neared the terminal. The speakers in the headrests clicked as Captain Perrish spoke:

:::Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Cairo, Egypt. Local time is now 7:28. We'll be at the terminal in just a couple of minutes. The weather report from the airport tower is for clear skies tonight, with a low temperature of around 72 degrees Farenheit...or 25 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow, there will be scattered clouds and a high of about 91 Farenheit, 33 Celsius. We ask that you do remain seated with your seat belts fastened until the ship has come to a complete stop and your flight attendants give the OK to disembark. Once again, we want to thank you for choosing Lightspeed Air, and we hope you'll tell your friends to try us, for when they don't want to spend much time getting to where they want to spend time:::

"That flight was so incredible," Kim said to William, her hand finding his, "and very relaxing...reduced gravity must be therapeutic. The scenery was out of this world." She then giggled when she realized her unintentional pun.

"You're almost right," William chuckled, then motioning to Kimi. "Guess it was a little too therapeutic for some."

Kim turned to look at her slumbering daughter. "Well, she was up late, taking in the view in the hotel...guess she must have fallen back to sleep after we woke her to watch the sky change back." She slid her hand along Kimi's shoulder, shaking gently. "Ki...we're in Cairo, hon..."

A flight attendant's voice came through the speakers: :::Rows 1 through 20, you are cleared to disembark the aircraft. Please remember to take all carry-on items you brought on board:::

Kimi stirred and looked around, not having her bearings yet. "Mmmmm...I was just all about snoozing for a few secs..." she said, stretching her arms out in front of her, loosely balling her fists, and straightening out her legs under the seat in front of her.

"'A few secs,' she says," snickered Kim as she opened the storage compartment and pulled out her tote and small purse. "You were asleep for nearly an hour the first time...and you slept through the entire landing. This is what happens when you don't sleep at night."

"Hey," Kimi retorted, "all about frost off, Mom." She tried to ignore her mother's smirk, and motioned to the still-sleeping Ramsi in the seat next to her. "I wasn't the only one who had an in-flight nap."

William retrieved his tote and Kim leaned to look at Ramsi as the flight attendant he had left instructions with came down the aisle to their seats. "He's still sleeping?" she asked.

"Yeah," Kimi responded. "He took some sort of medication before we took off."

"He didn't wake up the entire trip," Kim added. "Must be some sleeping pill he had."

The attendant patted Ramsi's hand gently. "Mr. Al-Kalesh? Mr. Al-Kalesh? We're pulling into the terminal, sir...time to wake up..." The smile left the attendant's face and her brow furrowed a bit as Ramsi's hand slipped from his chest, falling slack to the arm of his seat. He gave no sign of waking. There was no change in the rhythm of his breathing. The attendant tapped a Lightspeed-logo pin on the collar of her vest. "FlightMed to Row 14, please," she said. She then returned to trying to wake Ramsi, gently shaking his shoulder and turning to Kim and William. "If you're not traveling with or related to this gentleman, I'll have to ask you to disembark now. We may need the room in this row if we have to bring in any equipment."

Kimi reached for her backpack, sliding her MD player into it and zipping it up as Kim and William rose to their feet. "I hope he's alright," she said, looking back as they went to the side aisle, making room for two men in white uniforms who started to make their way down the center aisle to Ramsi's seat. One of them started taking vitals readings on Ramsi while the other, as did the attendant, made an attempt to wake him. Other passengers looked over at the seemingly unconscious man as they passed, making their way to the front of the ship.

Kim stopped before they left the ship, talking to the flight attendant at the door leading to the egress tunnel. "Is there some way the airline can contact us and let us know if Mr. Al-Kalesh is okay?" she asked. "We had talked with him for a short while before we took off. He's an editor for a New York magazine."

"Yes...yes we certainly will," the attendant said as William gave her one of his business cards with his cell number on it. Kim smiled a "Thank you" to the attendant as they started down the tunnel.

7:38 PM.
Kim was the first to emerge from the egress tunnel, closely followed by Kimi and William. She immediately spotted Donna in the small crowd of people waiting in the post-boarding area. She was wearing a white tunic-style shirt with oversize sleeves, and a pair of "parachute pants" in a deep silver faux silk, with thong sandals. She held up a sign made from a piece of notebook paper with "KP and Entourage" scrawled on it in black marker. Ben was with her, dressed in jeans and a shirt depicting one of Nytra's earlier albums, "I'm Off The Hook, So Hang Yourself Up Already."

"Heeeeyyyy!" Kim exclaimed, her tote swinging across her back as she broke into a trot to meet Donna with a tight hug. "Ohhh, you look fabulous, girlfriend!" she said, backing up a step and holding Donna at arms' length.

"Not nearly as good as you do," Donna replied, embracing Kim again. "Ten years...so age a little already!" The two women broke into laughter as William and Kimi caught up to the reunion. Donna slipped from Kim to embrace William. "William, you look just terrific! Life with Meridian still has its rewards, I see."

Kim turned to hug Ben, wrapping her arms around his neck. "How are you, you wonderful man, you," she said. "You both look soo good!"

"I've sure missed both of you," said Ben, looking both Kim and William over and reaching to shake William's hand heartily as Kim embraced him. "Life here is great, but it still isn't as interesting as when you two were around."

Kim snickered at this. "You don't know the half of it," she said. "But we've missed you, too." She then took a step back, as Donna and William parted their embrace. "Donna, you might be the Jewel of The Nile, but I want to introduce you to the jewel of my life. Donna and Ben Aaronson," she beamed, sweeping her arm and turning, "this is our daughter, Kimi. Kimi, this is your Aunt Donna and Uncle Ben."

Kimi smiled sheepishly for a second - then stepped forward, offering her hand to Ben, who shook it - then was neatly mugged by Donna, who then held her at arms' length. "You're...kidding me," she exclaimed. "This is the little bundle I remember back in Eastgate? She's- she's spectacular!"

Kimi had no real response but to blush deeply. "H-hi, Aunt Donna," she stammered.

Kim's jaw dropped in mock exaggerated shock. "What? Kimi shy and speechless?? I don't believe it!"

Kimi swatted at Kim's arm as she giggled, and steeled her gaze for a second - then looked back as Donna patted Kimi's upper arm. "Chalk it up to jet lag," she said with a wide smile. Kimi smiled at her "aunt" - then gave her mother one of her trademark wrinkled-nose grins.

A voice came over the overhead terminal speakers:

:::Passengers of Lightspeed Air Flight 1422, your luggage has been offloaded to the baggage carousel in the North Main Concourse next to Gate 21, and you may claim it there:::

"Time to get bags," Donna said, then turning to Ben. "Bring the car around, sweetie?"

Ben was already digging a set of keys from his pocket. "I'll be in the passenger loading area when you come out," he said, starting off toward a set of escalators. Donna took Kim by the arm and began to lead her in the direction of the North concourse, with Wiliam and Kimi following close behind.

"So how'd you like that Scramship?" asked Donna. "Ben's been on it, but I haven't."

"It was out of this world!" Kim exclaimed. "So fast...and smooth - especially after the Scramjets kicked in." Kim looked over at Kimi, who returned her glance. They both smiled - "Shizz-zoom!" they blurted together, then burst into laughter. Kim then placed her arm around Kimi, drawing her close. "This one slept for half the flight, but she had been up late the night before taking in the sights over New York."

"I was awake for the diamond parts," Kimi intimated, her brow lowered in frustration.

"Yeah," Kimi added. "That takeoff just took my breath away."

William edged between the two of them, placing an arm around each. "Yeah," he broke in, "kind of like an orbital reentry vehicle." He snickered as Kim flashed him a look of mock exaspiration and slapped his chest.

Kimi looked at Donna, throwing up one hand. "All about Happy Family," she grinned as Donna broke into laughter. They reached the carousel. "There's one," Kimi said, spotting one of their suitcases, rushing to the turntable to retrieve it.

8:25 PM.
They left the terminal - Donna in front, Kim and Kimi following, and William bringing up the rear, each carrying a suitcase or towing it behind them - and walked into the warm evening air, now barely lit by the setting summer sun. They continued down a long canopy-covered curb lined with street lights, under which several vehicles were parked, many of them cabs. "Heh," remarked Kim, "Some things are not changed by distance or location. This is just like the airport at home."

"Yeah," Donna replied, "but they're a little more friendly here than back in Eastgate. There are a few who try to cheat unwary foreigners, but most of them are okay...and nearly all of them speak English. Actually, a lot of them are moonlighting college students. Neat thing is, there's no tipping a taxi driver in Cairo."

Kimi took note of some of the drivers as they walked along the curb; most of the men were young, and she wasn't surprised by the reaction of most of them to someone from another country - especially one as unique-looking as herself and her mother, and she smiled politely as they passed each of them. Some of the drivers were sitting behind the wheel of their vehicle; others stood next to their car, leaning against the rear fender; all of them seemed almost too eager to offer passage to this American gentleman and the three beautiful women accompanying him.

She slowed as one young man caught her eye; he was tall and slender, but well-built. His skin was a rich, dark golden shade. He was rather well-dressed in black slacks and a white short-sleeve button-down shirt, both neatly pressed. He looked like a limousine driver. He smiled as Kimi neared, his teeth almost movie-star white. His taxi was a gleaming black Peugeot sedan with white doors, clean and polished. "Do you need a taxi, Miss?" He asked. His English was nearly perfect through his accent; his voice was soft and not easy to resist.

Kimi's expression softened, and she smiled. "I'm sorry...no," she cooed, "we...already have a car waiting."

The man's eyes dropped for a second, as if he were giving Kimi a quick lookover. "But my taxi is larger and more comfortable," he said.

Kimi wrinkled her nose at the man, her eyes narrowing to soft slits. "Mine's free," she almost whispered.

The man, still polite, knew he had been refused in a most gracious and slightly seductive manner. "As you wish, Miss." He then bowed slightly, still smiling widely. "Please enjoy your stay in Cairo."

"Thanks," Kimi smiled, and started to walk a little faster to catch up with the others. She had passed two more taxis and nearly caught up to her father.

8:27 PM.
Kimi suddenly felt a rather firm grasp on her upper arm. "Nice clean taxi, Miess--"

Kimi's surprise triggered her instincts. She instantly spun 180 degrees, her body tensing like spring steel, tearing her arm free of the grasp; the carry handle of her suitcase clattered to the concrete as she let it go. Kimi swung her right arm over and around the left arm of the man in front of her before he could retract it, trapping it fast under her own, and clutching a thick handful of his shirt from his chest. Her left arm flashed back and locked, coiled, her hand open-palmed and rigid, her fingers curled against it.

The entire move took but a fraction of a second. The man winced in pain from his arm being wrenched so suddenly. "Aiiee..." he moaned through clenched and gapped teeth.

"Hey, what's Your FLAW!?" Kimi barked at the man, who was a bit shorter than she was and rather dumpy, his clothes somewhat disheveled, his hair thinning on top. "Why'd you grab me??" Kimi's quick move and shouting startled several people on the walk, and several of the other drivers.

"Please! I meant nothing!" the man pleaded in a thick accent. "Only a taxi rdide! Ameddica nomba one!" His voice began to crack and waver with fear.

Kimi's anger rose, one hand gripping tighter onto his shirt, her free hand now curling into a tight fist. "Why-did-you-GRAB-me!?" she snarled. The azure of her eyes seemed to ignite into a silvery flame from the street lights as her face contorted into building rage.

Kim had whirled around at the sound of her daughter and now ran toward her. "Ki!" she shouted, "Stand down!"

"He grabbed me, Mom!" said Kimi, her eyes never leaving the man, who was now beginning to sink to his knees.

Kim reached the incident. "Let him go, Ki," she said as the man turned to look at her, seeming to give a silent plea for help. "I'm sure he didn't mean to startle you, and I don't think he meant any harm to you." The man quickly whipped his head back to Kimi, nodding rapidly.

Kimi slowly released the man's shirt and arm and lowered her fist, but kept it clenched. The man's knees thudded to the pavement as he let out a breath and began to dig in his pants pocket. "I meant you no hadrm, Miess," he spoke in a quick pace, pulling a thick wad of bills from his pocket. "My name is Khalid bin Azrdul," he said, extending the fistful of cash toward Kimi, his hand shaking. "I gieve you money...please do not rdepordt me."

Kim's eyes widened at the amount of money in Khalid's hand. Kimi's expression changed to one of mild surprise - then disgust. "We don't want your money," she said, "just...get out of here."

Khalid rose to his feet, backing up. "Thank you fodr not hitting me, Miess," he said, digging in his shirt pocket for his keys and turning toward a dingy white sedan with orange fenders that had definitely seen better days. "You wiell not see me again, I prdomise," he said as he flung open the door, dropping inside, the vehicle starting with a cough and a cloud of smoke even before he was fully inside. The taxi lurched from the curb, nearly hitting the car in front as he sped away, the cloud of smoke trailing behind.

Kim looked her daughter over. "You okay?" she asked.

"Well...yeah," Kimi replied, finally loosening her fist. "He just like, caught me off guard. I talked to another taxi guy for just a second, and I was catching up to you, and this little slug, he was all about--" Kimi grabbed her mother's arm in much the same manner as she had been, imitating Khalid's accent with a drippy, sick quality "-- 'nieeece cleen tahcksii, Meees?'...I might have overreacted, but he surprised me, and I just...like...all about lock n' load mode--"

Kimi's explanation was cut by spontaneous applause from the other drivers, and a few of the people walking along the curb who had witnessed the entire incident. A couple of them walked up, patting Kimi and offering compliments. Kimi tried to play down the comments. "Please, "she said through a sheepish smile, "I didn't do anything that anyone else wouldn't--"

"I'm...not sure you understand, Miss..."

It was the well-dressed young man Kimi had been talking to just prior to the incident. Kimi looked at him quizzically as he continued. "Khalid bin Azrul is also known as 'The Snake' by most of the taxi drivers in Cairo, and many of the passengers he has fleeced of much of their money." He then offered to shake the two women's hands. "I am Ahmed Al-Kasim."

"And nobody has bothered to report him?" asked Kim.

"They have," Ahmed said, "but his brother is a high official in the Cairo police force. Most of the reports are just ignored. Even if people report to the taxi bureau, it does no good. Khalid has not had a taxi license in over a year, and when they report him, they diavow any knowledge of him." He then lowered his voice and spoke closer to Kim and Kimi. "If you were to report this incident, his brother in the police force might make your stay in Cairo...less than pleasant and peaceful."

"All about international incident," Kimi whooshed through a whisper. Ahmed nodded slowly, a bit sadly.

By this time, Donna and William had also come back, tending to Kim and Kimi's luggage. An older man made his way around Ahmed. "I will make a report on Khalid bin Azrul," he said. "I will say he accosted a young woman and tried to pull her into his cab."

Kim started to put her hand up. "I'm not sure we want to start anyth--"

"I will not ask you your names or mention your description in the report," the older man said.

Kimi looked at her mother - then at the older man. "But Ahmed here just told us that reports against that guy just go ignored..."

"Ahh, but here is the edge," the older man grinned widely. "I know Khalid's brother, Hamid. The high official in the police force has an eye for my sister." He then began to laugh softly, joined one after another by the group who had gathered.

"Go now," the man motioned to Kimi and her mother. "Enjoy your time in Cairo...and know that Khalid bin Azrul does not represent the good people here."

Kim and Kimi broke into wide smiles. "Thanks," they said simultaneously, and turned to collect their suitcases. The crowd broke into applause again as they walked off, and Kimi's head tried to hide behind her hand as she blushed.

Kim spoke up first, in a slightly scolding tone. "You know, you might not have gotten into something like that if you would just work on toning down that hair-trigger of yours..."

"I know, I know," Kimi broke in, rolling her eyes, "'don't act - react. You are in control if the next move is yours.' Well, when I'm a black belt like you, I'll be all about cool and calm. But when I'm in a country I've never been in, and someone I don't know from the lead guitarist for 'Feeder' suddenly grabs me from behind, the only way I could think to 'react' was to hold him, thinking how long I would wait for him to pull like, a knife or something before I would 'act' by stapling his nose to the back of his slimy skull with my fist!"

William and Donna had faded back a step or two while Kim analyzed Kimi's choices in the incident. "Do they fight like this often?" asked Donna in a whisper.

"Ohhh, they're not fighting at all," William replied with a smile. "This is merely a...spirited discussion between a karate master and her student."

"We've been over this what, a thousand times?" Kim continued. "Break the threat - then assess - THEN act, if warranted. I didn't see the whole thing go down, but I can guess...I've seen you do it enough. You executed the first of the three...right?"

"Yeah," Kimi replied, "broke his hold on my arm--"

"Mmm-hmm...then you immobilized him...wrapped the arm...you've got that part down pat. But after seeing that he didn't have a weapon of any kind--" she patted Kimi's left forearm "--you had that arm locked and cocked like a .45. You execute the moves with textbook precision, Ki--" Kim then dropped her face a bit "--but then your emotions take over. Nobody - and nothing - can defeat you faster than your own emotions."

Now Kimi's face dropped, and she nodded a slow agreement with her teacher. This was met with Kim's arm across her daughter's shoulders. "I bet you one thing, though," Kimi said.

"Hm?"

"I bet you wouldn't want to check that slug's shorts about now."

Kim broke into a snorting giggle. "Yeah, you're right. I think you scared it all out of him." They both laughed, then Kim added, "Judging by the way that taxi looked, you probably helped improve the atmosphere in there."

"HAHAHAHAHA!" Kimi burst into laughter, joined by her mother.

"See?" William chuckled. "No fight."

"We've got to start working harder on this when we get home," Kim said, nuzzling Kim's shoulder. "Next year, when I get you to your brown belt, and start getting you into tournaments for the dojo, I want you to learn about your emotions not being a good fighting partner. And I'd hate to watch you learn that the hard way."

"Oh all about puh-lease, Mom," Kimi schmoozed her mother. "I'm the best red belt you know...and why not? Look who I had for a sensei from diamond day one!"

Kim had no response but to hug her daughter. "And you know I put love into every one of those lessons," she said.

"Here's the car, guys," said Donna. Ben opened the door and stood beside a blue two-year old Toyota Nexus sedan - the second generation of the manufacturer's hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.

"You Sir, have im-peccable taste in automobiles," said William as he moved two suitcases and totes to the rear of the car, followed by Ben with another suitcase. "This is exactly what I have at home." Ben smiled and pressed a button on the key ring to unlock the trunk, and then the doors, which Donna opened, showing Kimi into the front, and Kim into the rear, then enetering after her. Ben and William then closed the trunk and got into the car, with William in the back sitting next to his wife.

Donna prodded at Ben's shoulder as he put the key card into the ignition slot. "You told him...right?"

"Shhhh," smiled Ben. "He likes it." Donna prodded again, and Ben snickered, "Okay...it's a rental."

"It's just like ours at home," said Kim.

"We don't own a car of our own," Donna said as Ben pulled into traffic. "The restaurant is close enough to the house that I can take the tram or a bus, or just walk most days, and Ben drives one of the base's Jeeps to work and back."

"I could have gotten a HUMV for this, but Donna thought it would have been a bit crude," Ben smirked.

"Diamond!" perked Kimi. "Hummers are all about Jeeps on steroids." Everyone in the car laughed at this.

"We're going to leave it up to you guys as to your plans for your first night in Cairo," said Donna. "We can go straight to the house, where you can unwind, unpack and relax, and we can fix you a little something...or--" she paused, her espression changing to a hopeful, comely smile "...we can swing by the restaurant and taste some real Egyptian food."

Kim turned to look at William. "...can you deal with a little something? Or do you feel more like a full meal...?"

"You two deal if you want," Kimi interrupted, turning back to face them, "but I last ate at 5:30 this morning...which I didn't finish, thanks to--" she made a face "--'spinach waffles'...and by my watch, which is still on Eastgate time, along with my stomach...I haven't eaten a thing in--" she glanced down at her watch "--nearly 7 hours. Aunt Donna, I apologize for my rudeness...but drop them off at the house if they want. I'M all about FOOD."

Donna burst into laughter. "I love her, Kim! She's got your spunk! Does she always speak her mind like this??"

"No," tittered Kim. "Sometimes she speaks our minds, too. We're actually pretty hungry."

Donna reached forward and patted Ben on the shoulder. "You heard your fare, driver...onward to Belvedere!"

Rotisserie Belvedere Restaurant
221 Cornishe Street
9:18 PM.
"Is traffic always like this?" Kim asked.

"Yeah, pretty much," said Ben. "Much of Cairo is pretty crowded. That road we took from the airport, Salah Salim...that's one of the main roads. It's always pretty packed."

An orange taxi sliced across their lane into a space ahead. "And the taxis always drive like that," added Donna. "New York or Rome has nothing on this place. They all seem to have a need to fill every little open spot in traffic." She then noticed Kimi, who was looking a bit dejected, watching the waterway on their left. "Something wrong, Kimi?" she asked.

"I'm okay," Kimi said. "It's just...I don't know...I've seen pictures of The Nile...and I just thought...like....it's all about...bigger than this."

Ben chuckled. "Don't worry," he said. "This is just a little waterway on the east side of Rhoda Island." They neared a bridge at the northern end of the island to their left. They passed it, and Ben motioned to the window. "Now this is The Nile." The waterway opened to a massive expanse, shimmering with the light from buildings and streets on the other side. Ben turned to Kimi. "Better?"

"Shiz-nekticus," Kimi drew out, moving her hands across her hair and down her arms. "It's all about rings, and amulets, and gold bands, and an Anubis hat...I should be dressed!"

"It's the Queen of Style De-Nile," Kim laughed.

"We're here," Ben said, turning the wheel.

Kimi held out her arm in a commanding pose, pointing off the road. "Yes, Ben-Ali...stop the chariot, I wish to dine here."

Donna burst into chuckles as Ben brought the car to a stop in front of the restaurant. They got out, with William holding out his arm for Kim. "Guys, welcome to Rotisserie Belvedere," said Donna, sweeping her arm in a presenting motion. The restaurant was two stories, built and decorated in the style of the adobe buildings and missions of Mexico, complete with a terra cotta clay tile roof, and a series of arches across the front, forming a roofed walkway to the entrance.

"It's almost like something out of an old western movie," William said, "but...it fits."

"Heh," Donna chuckled. "The original restaurant was doing so well, we took out a loan from the base for a larger building. Shortly after we got the loan, we heard about Marcy having her baby. This is a bit of a tribute to her, actually...but I've always had a love for the old Catholic missions in Mexico and California."

"Has she seen any pictures?" Kim asked as they approached the entrance.

"Oh, Tina took a ton of pictures when she was here. Marcy already sent back a v-mail saying that she wants to come out either later this summer or after Thanksgiving."

Kim let out a small giggle. "So I guess that might be dependent on our critique of your food?"

"Probably," Donna snickered, swatting playfully at Kim, "but, knowing your love of good cooking...I'm sure Marcy will get a mouth-watering review." With this, she held the door open for everyone. Kim and William walked in first, followed by Kimi, then Ben and Donna.

The inside of the restaurant was a large, open space, filled with oak tables and chairs. Large throw rugs with intricate patterns sat under each of the tables. The rest of the floor was a deep-colored wood. The walls appeared to be made from adobe, like the outside, but smoother. Lanterns on large brass sconces sat over each of the perimeter tables, and wood-and-brass chandeliers lit the rest of the room on two levels. Two stairways led to the second story, which was about fifteen feet wide, and ran around the perimeter of the restaurant, bordered by a hand-carved railing, leaving the center open. Windows adorned the second story, allowing a beautiful view of The Nile on the east side. At the back of the first story was another archway, with restrooms on either side, and double doors at the back leading to the kitchen.

A rather exotic-looking young woman in a light gown approached the group, cradling several menus in her arms. "Masa el-khier, Miess Donna," she said. Her voice sounded nearly like that of a child. Her English was good, even with her accent. "Youdr frdiends frdom Ameddica, yes?"

"Good evening, Johara," Donna smiled. "Yes, these are our friends from America. They just landed a couple of hours ago, and wanted to taste our food right away." The woman bowed her head and smiled warmly as Donna introduced each of them. "Kim...William...Kimi...let me introduce Johara, the jewel of our restaurant, and my best greeter." She then turned to Johara. "Our guests would like an upstairs table and a view of the river."

Johara blushed a bit at Donna's introduction of her; then motioned to the stairway to the left of them "Please follow me," she smiled sweetly. Kimi followed first, followed by her parents and then Donna and Ben. As they reached the top of the stairs and turned to walk to a large table at the front of the second level, Johara turned to Kimi. "Youdrs is a unique name," she said. "I have not heard a name such as this. Does it have a meaning?"

Kimi now flashed her own wide smile. "Yes, it's a Japanese name," she said. "It means, 'she who is without equal'. What about Johara?"

"It is Ardabic name," replied Johara, "meaning 'jewel'."

"Good call," said Kim. "You are adorable, Johara."

Kimi nodded in agreement, causing Johara to blush again. As they arrived at the table and Johara held Kimi's chair out for her, she made note of her t-shirt. "You are a fan of Nytrda?"

"All about yeah," Kimi beamed, pulling on the bottom of her shirt to straighten the picture of Sarah Nayde. "This album is just the deep-blue-bang."

"Especially the guitarding of Abdul Fayed," Johara purred. Both girls then launched into a squealing giggle, until an "Ahem" from Donna, and a knowing smile. Johara recovered herself, grinning through her embarassment, and began to hand out menus. "Oudr lamb tonight is two houdrs fdresh, and the pita is hot fdrom the oven, with tahini."

Kimi perused the menu for just a moment before finding her choice. "All a-bout lamb kabobs," she cooed, closing her menu.

Donna nodded. "Kabob is very popular in Egypt."

Kim looked to William, who nodded his agreement. "Once again Kimi speaks our minds," Kim said, collecting her husband's menu with her own, and passing them to Johara. "Three orders of lamb kabob, Johara...and I think we'll share a pita as an appetizer...what is tahini?"

"It is a sauce fodr dipping the pita," explained Johara. "It is made mostly of grdound sesame seeds...quite pleasing."

"That'll work," smiled Kim.

Donna held up her hand indicating the number five. "Lamb kabobs, Johara, and another pita. Oh, and bring a tea basket with two pots? Darjeeling and Earl Grey."

"Yes, Miess Donna," Johara smiled, slipping the rest of the menus from the table and bowing slightly. "Shukran, Kim and William. Welcome to Egypt. I shall brding the tea and pita rdight away. And Kimi," she winked with a wider smile, "Nytrda rdocks." She bowed again and turned for the stairway.

"Perfect name," Kimi said. "...'Jewel'...she's already a diamond...and a Nytra fan."

William turned to Donna. "Gracious host," he said, grinning. "You remembered the v-mail about the tea."

10:21 PM.
"Ohhhhh, mmaaaannnn," moaned Kim, setting her fork onto her plate. "Donna...this meal was just...stellar. I could eat another plate of that lamb...but I wouldn't know where to put it!"

"I'm going to have to request a wheelbarrow to get me down those stairs," William grinned, sipping at his tea.

Donna beamed widely. "It's all in how the meat is spiced," she said. "Garlic is the big spice here. In fact, the oil for the salads is a garlic oil."

"All about breath mints," Kimi quipped, bringing laughter from the table.

"Did I taste a little bit of mint in the salad?" quizzed William.

"Yep," replied Donna. "Mint leaves. Adds a little brightness to the salad...and, along with the garlic, it's great for digestion."

"Speaking of digestion," smirked Kim, "did I see the restrooms were downstairs?"

"Yeah," Donna nodded. "The ladies' room is on the left just before you get to the kitchen doors."

Kim dabbed at the corner of her mouth with her napkin, and rose from her chair, slipping the strap of her purse onto her shoulder. "I'm sooo there. See everyone in a few." She wiggled her fingers at William and blew him a kiss as she reached the stairs.

Donna turned back to the table to notice Kimi staring at her. "What, hon?" she asked.

Kimi broke the stare. "I'm sorry, Aunt Donna," she said, resting her chin into her hand, "I was just trying to imagine you in a big pink bunny suit, like in the picture."

"The Meridian Halloween party!" Donna gasped. "I have a copy of that picture in my office downstairs. Wow, that's going back to before you were born." She shook her head, seemingly in disbelief. "Man...what a night that was...your mom and dad and Ben and Marcy all winning prizes....the fake fight with Marcy and your mom...then the real fight in the parking lot--"

Kimi straightened up quickly, her eyes wide. "Real fight?"

"Remember how Marcy was dressed just like your mom? After the party, these two dirtballs jumped Marcy, thinking she was your mom. They started to rough her up, until your mom heard the noise and ran over. She beat...the...Schlitz outta these two guys. They never knew what hit 'em!"

Kimi popped a date into her mouth from a bowl in the center of the table. "My diamond mom," she beamed. "I wish I could see her fight...all I've ever seen is sparring. She's been my karate teacher since I was 7." She then turned to her father, still smiling. "How come you guys never told me about this?"

10:26 PM.
A deep, low moan coursed through the building, seeming to come from under the foundation. Some of the dining guests looked around, startled; others looked up for just a second before continuing their meal. Kimi dropped a date she was bringing to her mouth, and William placed his hands palm-down against the table, as if to steady himself.

"Relax, guys," Donna sighed. "It's the plumbing...it's been doing this almost every day for about the last month. Something in the water system. They're supposed to come out next month and fi--"

She was stopped short as a sudden, deep bass "thud" shuddered the entire building. This was followed by two more, rattling the windows next to them and clinking the plates on the table. Kimi grabbed the edge of the table, feeling the quick rumbles reverberate through her.

"That was new," Ben said, watching the chandelier near their table swing gently.

"Earthquake"? asked William.

"No," Donna said. "They don't feel like that." She rose from the table, turning in the direction of the stairway, looking toward the kitchen, her hand on the side of her head. "Ohhhhh, I hope it wasn't the pipes rupturing. Kimi, go down and check on your mom. I bet that shook her up. I'm going to check on the kitchen." Kimi stood and followed Donna down the stairway. Johara met them from the kitchen as they neared the archway. "Johara, did you feel that?"

"Yes, Miess Donna," said Johara, "but I do not know what it was. We felt it in oudr feet...like it came frdom under us."

"Do we still have water?"

"Yes, Miess Donna. It is the first thing I checked."

Donna turned to Kimi and motioned toward the ladies' restroom with her thumb. Kimi pulled the handle of the door and coughed as she was met with a thin mist of dust from the restroom, which made Donna and Johara turn in her direction. Kimi took a step into the restroom - a sink, a mirror, a small padded lounge seat, and a single stall. "Mom?" she called. She took another step into the room - then noticed that the stall door was slightly ajar. "Mom?" she said again. Kimi edged slowly toward the stall door, noting that the dust was becoming thicker toward the back of the room. She looked along the floor for any movement of the shadows; listening for any noise; anything that might preclude her from having to look in that stall.

10:31 PM.
"DAD!!"

Kimi exploded from the restroom, the door flying open, knocking Johara back against the wall and nearly sprawling Donna to the floor.

"Dad!!"

Commotion increased among the patrons as she ran through the restaurant and up the stairway, taking two and three steps at a time. William stood as Kimi raced across the second level, clutching Kim's purse. Her breath heaved as she blurted a single unbroken line: "ThebathroomwasallaboutdustallintheairandnoMomjustherpurseandallaboutTHIS!" She thrust an envelope toward William.

William took the envelope. It too had a thin coating of dust from the restroom. He tapped the edge on the table a couple of times to shake it off; then he slid his finger under the flap and opened it as Donna and Johara joined them, Johara placing a hand on Kimi's shoulder. He took out a single sheet of paper and unfolded it, reading.

"We are the organizational force to be known as El-Dok Ali-Bin Drak. We are dedicated to hatred of the West's decadent way of life and culture. As proof of this, we have captured your 'Kim Possible' - a personification of a mythical Western creature, and further proof of your decadent ways. You have one month, until July at this time, to produce to us twenty million American dollars. Your 'Kim Possible' will not be harmed during this time. If the deadline passes and our demands are not met, your 'Kim Possible' will become an example of our resolve of our hatred against your ways."

Donna moved to William's side, reading the paper and slowly bringing her hand to her mouth in silent shock. Johara placed a second hand on Kimi's shoulder in a light conciliatory embrace.

William slowly sank to his chair, reading the paper again. His expression was quiet, his brow furrowed in disbelief and confusion. "My Kim...is being held for ransom," he said quietly. "Kim...is missing, I'm afraid."

to be continued...