Favoured Friends

Part 26/?

Summary: An invitation to the National Egyptology Conference quickly becomes deadly race for the mythic Ichriem against an old rival of Sydney's - the assassin known only as 'the Viper'.

Note: This is a round robin originally posted at the Relic Hunter Yahoo Group. Although I'm posting it, I did not write the entire thing. This part was written by snaggletaz@yahoo.com

Also, I have Support Services. That means that, if you want, you can put me on Author Alert and receive notice when other stories of mine are posted, even if you haven't paid yourself.

Posted: Saturday, May 17, 2003

"Nigel, oh god!, Nigel wake up." Preston slapped Nigel's cheek as gently as he could.

No response.

For one brief moment he feared the worst, and checked for a pulse "Thank god." Fear of discovery set in as Preston slapped Nigel's face harder. "Damn it, Podge, wake up!'' This time Preston was rewarded with a groan.

Nigel looked into his brother's worried eyes. It was true. This wasn't a dream... Preston was really there! "How did you find me?"

"I'll tell you later. Just concentrate on staying conscious long enough for us to get out of here. Can you walk?" Preston could feel Nigel shaking, and had doubts if his baby brother would even make it out the door before passing out again.

Nigel nodded, putting all his concentration into putting one foot in front of the other.

They exited together, Preston supporting Nigel as they tried to inconspicuously walk down the corridor. The less attention they attracted to themselves the better. "So far, so good." Preston felt hope surge through him. Just a few more feet and they would be home free. "Come on Nigel, We're almost........."

"And just were do you think your going with my little goose, Mr. Bailey? The Viper hissed as he saw the Bailey siblings freeze in their tracks. "I'm not done with him yet."

Preston slowly turned around tightening his grip on Nigel. Were was Lloyd? He said he would take care of the Viper. Bloody hell, he didn't just get Nigel back to have that bastard take him away again - or worse! Preston, still supporting Nigel, did everything he could to put himself between his brother and The Viper.

The Viper scanned the hallway. If Preston was here, so was Fox, and Lloyd. He knew it had been a mistake staying as long as they had, and he was not a man who made mistakes. But the Bailey kid had been in no condition to go on. With any other victim he would not have given a second thought to killing them, but Bailey had been different. He liked him because he reminded him of his own kid brother. The Viper had not thought of his own brother in years, until a certain Brit had entered his life and reopened that wound.

Preston saw the bulge in The Viper's Robe and caught a quick glimpse of the gun that was now pointed at his chest. As Preston eyes rose to look at the man who was going to kill him, he saw Lloyd. Preston did everything he could to keep the hope from showing on his face, but he had never been good at fooling anyone.

The Viper knew Lloyd was behind him: the elder Bailey's face gave him away. The older man fired as he quickly ducted into the adjoining corridor, with Lloyd in hot pursuit.

The impact of the bullet sent both Preston and Nigel to the floor.

It took Nigel a couple of seconds to realize what had happened. Preston had been shot!

The remaining cobwebs in his head disappeared as he quickly scrambled to Preston's side.

End Part Twenty-Six