I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! I'm sorry it took so long to update this, but I've
been busily working on 'A Med-jai in Middle Earth,' along with a few other
stories. Also, looking for a new job. As always.
Reviews!
Lilylynn: (laughs) I thought a few people would enjoy the comeuppance remark! It was one of my favorite lines in the first movie, and Evy's expression was utterly priceless. No kissing in this chapter, sorry, but there will be more soon. Promise.
Sailor Elf: Yup, definitely hurt, but you know our Ardeth. He's never let pain stand in his way before. Why should he change now?
Terreis: Yup, I updated, though I'm running behind. As usual. I hope you like the explanation for Ardeth's mishap. As you say, he is very graceful and majestic (a few other adjectives come to mind as well), but I figure if you're not used to riding double, that throws your balance off. This chapter depressing? Judge for yourself, m'dear.
Kelekona8: Hey, hon, glad you caught up! Yeah, evil, but we're so much fun that way. I'm still figuring out how Imhotep and Anck's first kiss comes to be, so just keep being patient with me, 'kay?
Luvbug99: Well, here's another update, but I'm still a ways from being done. Be patient with me, please?
On with the story!
Part Sixteen
Once the three girls safely reached the house, Galen dismissed Rick, telling him to change into his clown costume. The young man obviously didn't want to go anywhere, but a quick glance between him and Ardeth convinced him that his brother was in good hands. Galen almost envied him that. As much as he loved both of his younger siblings, he could never communicate what he wanted done with just a look.
Ardeth obviously wanted to reassure his brother. . .and Rick wasn't to let the children down. Just as obviously, the other young man understood. Once Rick disappeared upstairs, Galen turned his attention to the anxious-looking trio of girls. He almost laughed, seeing their expressions. But he didn't. Instead, he told his sister and her two roommates that before they started the picnic lunch, he needed their help in caring for Ardeth.
They figured that out already, and waited somewhat patiently for their directions. Galen didn't make them wait long. First, he asked Evy to locate the muscle relaxants in the house. They would probably be in the bathroom she used during the last two nights, in the medicine cabinet. Evy dashed out, after he finished giving her those instructions, and Galen turned his attention to Anck.
She would soak washcloths in hot water. There was a pile of rags in the closet they used for these types of situations. He wanted Anck to gather them all up, and start working on that. Anck didn't even wait for him to finish speaking. That left Celia, and Galen looked at his younger sister. She was pale, but determined, and Galen allowed himself a moment of pride in his baby sister. He might never communicate with her, with only a glance. . .but she made him proud. She always had.
She did real good after Ardeth and Kate were thrown. Perhaps it was silly of him, to be so proud of her for keeping her head, but he was. Maybe it was being in Washington DC two years earlier, when everything went to hell, or maybe it was just listening to him talk about the things he saw in the hospital. . .but Celia kept her head together, and kept moving forward. Truthfully, though, he thought it was the former, rather than the latter.
Maybe a hospital filled with burn victims wasn't the best place for a badly shaken seventeen-year-old girl, but Galen was a doctor. His specialty was in pediatrics, but he was a doctor first and foremost. Where would he have left her, while he did what had to be done, what he needed to do? Alone in the hotel room, to watch scenes of devastation over and over? That was out of the question. And so, he took her to the hospital, and to his ever-lasting shame, he left her there while he took care of other people.
During those long hours, his sister did what she could to help. He often wondered if Celia ever felt helpless. That was a stupid question. Of course she did. Galen felt helpless, and he was a doctor. Celia had no training. She couldn't give shots, she couldn't even help bandage people. She could only do little things. Like hold the hand of a dying patient. So many people needed help. They saved the ones they could, and others. . . Others died in pain, with only a strange young girl holding their hands.
Given that, maybe he shouldn't be so surprised that his sister didn't fall apart when she saw Orion throw Ardeth and Kate. Even taking Celia's growing feelings for Ardeth into account, he shouldn't be in the least bit surprised that his sister. . .just did what had to be done. Their grandparents would have been proud of her, he knew. Not because she did what had to be done, but because she did what had to be done without complaint.
She could have stayed in the other room with Ardeth, not leaving his side. She could have vanished into her own room, shaking like a leaf. She could have remained outside and placed Ardeth's care in Evy and Anck's hands. God knew, their parents did it enough times. In a strange sort of way, Galen understood it. It killed their mother to see any of the three children in pain. . .so her mother was the one who took care of them when they were sick or hurt.
At least, that was the case up until their grandmother's death the previous year. So, yes, there were many things Celia could have done after they got Ardeth inside. But instead, here she was, quietly waiting for instructions. Galen put his hand on his little sister's shoulder, briefly seeing the ten year old version of Celia standing in front of him. Jason was down with the chicken pox, and since she already had it, Celia was safe. She stood in front of Galen, then in college, and asked earnestly what she could do to help.
Then the nineteen-year-old version of his sister was in front of him once more. Galen told his little sister, "And as for you. . .you'll remain with Ardeth. Do whatever he needs done. Spoil him, even. I think the boy could use some spoiling, don't you?" Celia's dark eyes shone brightly, and Galen swallowed hard. God, when did his baby sister grow up? Wasn't she supposed to stay ten forever? No. Of course not. No one stayed a child forever, though there were times when Galen wondered about that particular truth.
His sister was nineteen years old, almost a woman. . .and she was falling in love. Galen didn't know how things would end between Celia and Ardeth. He knew that he liked Ardeth, and trusted the young man to do right by Celia. Beyond that, he didn't know. . .and he was afraid to ask. He was afraid to find out the whole truth about Ardeth Bey, and his mission here in the United States.
Ardeth swore to Anck-su-namun Cortez that he wasn't here to harm anyone whom she loved. Galen believed him. He saw the way Ardeth looked at Celia when her attention was directed elsewhere. Celia was falling in love with Ardeth. . .and as much as he fought it, Ardeth was teetering on the edge of falling in love with Celia. Galen wanted to say that it was too soon. That they didn't know each other long enough, but. . .he couldn't. He couldn't betray his sister like that. And so, he did the only thing he could do in the situation. He let go.
. . .
Celia would have been very surprised at the course of her brother's thoughts. . .if she even considered what he was thinking. Right now, the only person she was really thinking about was Ardeth, and what she could do to help him. At the same time, she was afraid. What if she pushed too hard? Some guys were funny like that. And yet, as Evy and Anck scurried around him, doing what they could to make him comfortable, Ardeth remained silent.
Celia backed off a little, so she could see Ardeth's expression, and she almost laughed when she saw the stoic acceptance of his fate. He didn't like being fussed over. . .like a lot of males she knew. . .but he accepted the attention from the two girls. That didn't stop him, however, from casting an occasional, pleading look over at Celia. She just smiled and shook her head. Nope. She wasn't dumb enough to intervene when her two roommates decided there was someone who needed their mothering. Especially when it was someone other than her.
Funny thing was, Anck would have probably shot the first person who remarked on her mothering. . .of anyone. She didn't view herself in that way. But Celia, who remembered to eat many a time because of Anck's mothering/nagging, knew the truth. Anck might not be a cuddler, but she did have some maternal instincts. Whether she ever became a mother, Celia didn't know. . .but she also didn't discount the possibility. Anck was an avenger, and some of the most vengeful people she knew were mothers whose children were harmed or threatened.
Finally, Celia told her two roommates, "Okay, guys, we can handle it from here. I'll be in to help you with the picnic lunch in just a few minutes." Evy and Anck looked at each other, then at Celia. It almost made the American girl laugh, seeing the twin expressions of suspicion. Evy and Anck thought they were so very different, but in some ways, they were so much alike!
Ardeth, seeing his chance to have one mother-hen, rather than three, quickly put in, "Yes, we will be fine. Please, do not disappoint the children for my sake." Now, the twin expressions of suspicion were directed at Ardeth, who quickly assumed a look of total innocence. Celia bit down hard on her lower lip, as her roommates looked even more suspicious. Relief was finally starting to make itself known through her fear, and as ever, that led Celia to become more playful. Or more devilish, depended on whom was in the room at the time.
Then, Anck grinned unexpectedly, and observed, "That's right. . .they don't need us any more. Ardeth has Celia to take care of him now, so we can go, Evelyn." She winked at Celia, adding in her native language, "Mind you, I'm trusting you to take care of him, dear roommate, and not take advantage of him. As enjoyable as that might be for both of you. . .remember, he *is* an injured man!"
Celia blushed, then laughed as Evy fumed, "Ooooh! I *hate* it when you two do that!" The American clapped her hand over her mouth, shaking with laughter. Evy folded her arms over her chest, her mouth set in a familiar mulish expression. Oh dear. This might prove to be entertaining. She glanced over at Ardeth, who evidently had the same idea that she did. He squirmed until he was more comfortable. . .and had a better view of what was going on.
They were both proved correct when Anck rolled her eyes and grabbed Evy's forearm, physically pulling her out of the room. The Guatemalan girl said, once more winking at Celia over her shoulder, "Come *on,* Evelyn, or I shall show Ferguson's Funniest Home Videos in Professor Tepper's class, and everyone can see what you're like when you're drunk!" That prompted another 'oooooooooh!' from Evy as Anck dragged her into the kitchen. And Celia bit her lip, because knowing Anck, her roommate would do just that.
As soon as the door shut behind them, Ardeth and Celia looked at each other. . .then collapsed in laughter. Celia dropped into a chair, laughing helplessly. Especially when she heard Evy squeal from the kitchen, "Cecelia Anne Ferguson, I heard that!" Celia was on the point of composing herself enough to answer when she looked at Ardeth, who was shaking with laughter. And that set her off once again.
After several seconds, Celia managed to bring her laughter under control. Not a moment too soon, as tears were now running down her face and her sides ached from laughing. The American girl called back in a singsong (and hoarse) voice, winking at Ardeth as she did, "You were *meant* to hear that!" She sat back, catching her breath, then grinned at Ardeth. He was just now bringing his own laughter under control, and it occurred to Celia that she wasn't used to hearing him laugh out loud like that.
He said, his lips quivering as he tried to keep from laughing once more, "I believe, Celia, that I have smiled and laughed more in the last three days than I have in the previous three years. I thank you for that." Celia blushed and didn't know what to say. It wasn't every day that someone told her that she could make them laugh. . .and it most certainly wasn't every day that it was a handsome man saying so! Or if it was, then it certainly wasn't a nice compliment like the one Ardeth just paid her.
Ardeth continued, sounding more in control of himself, "I am well now, thanks to you. I will be fine." Celia's laughter died slowly, and she shook her head. No. No, she wasn't ready to leave him yet. Galen charged her with taking care of Ardeth, with spoiling him, if her memory served. And she planned to do just that. Ardeth said earnestly, "Truly, Celia, I will be fine. My pride was hurt more than anything."
Uh, if memory served, a bit more than his pride was hurt. Especially considering he needed help getting up the hill. . .needed help getting upright, period. Celia tried not to think about that, because that brought the memories back to the front of her mind. Not just the memory of Ardeth tumbling from the back of the horse, but her own rage. She was actually angry with Kate, and Celia hated herself for that. Kate was afraid of horses, and she was just twelve years old. . .it wasn't so unreasonable for her to panic under those conditions.
That was why Celia pulled back. She was afraid of lashing out at a child who was already traumatized. . .a little girl who was here this weekend to be a child. O'Connell mentioned once, on the way up here, that Ardeth's pride *was* hurt. He was one of the best horseback riders among their people (there was that phrase again), but he was not used to riding double. That explained everything. . .everything except Celia's overwhelming desire to stay here and spoil him rotten. She smiled in spite of herself at that, knowing fully well what the explanation for that was. He was important to her. He was (Celia giggled inside when she realized whom she sounded like) precious to her.
"Nope. I'm not going anywhere. I was told that I was to take care of you, spoil you, even, and I intend to do just that," came the reply. Celia set her jaw and practically dared Ardeth to argue with her further. He opened his mouth, as if to speak, then closed it with a snap. It was the shortest argument in Celia's memory, and the one she won the easiest. The girl smiled. She kinda liked winning arguments.
Ardeth bowed his head and replied, "Then I will acquiesce to your wishes." Unaccountably, that tickled her funny bone. Or not so accountably. The word 'acquiesce' brought back memories of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' with her two brothers over the summer. Not surprisingly, when they all got back to college the previous week, she and her roommates discovered they all went to see the movie. Just because they saw it for different reasons. . .
Evy went for fellow Brit, Orlando Bloom (who was cute, but didn't hold a candle to Ardeth); Anck was a self-avowed villain fan, and Barbossa was a cool villain. And Celia? She loved any movie with sword fighting in it. Each girl had her own favorite lines in the movie. Evy's favorite, surprisingly, was Captain Jack Sparrow's 'There will be no living with her after this.' Anck's was Elizabeth's line about painful corsets. And Celia's. . . well, she laughed every time she heard 'I'm disinclined to acquiesce.'
And that was what she thought about now, hearing Ardeth use that word. Acquiesce. Not that she would tell Ardeth that, not when he was still confused about 'Lord of the Rings.' Something she still had to explain. . .or get one of the other girls to explain. So, instead of thinking about *that,* Celia chose instead to find common ground.
It was an idea that Evy gave her the previous night, while she was drunk. No, Celia had no intention of getting drunk. In addition to her fear of losing control, and the allergy to alcohol that ran in her grandmother's family, Celia also saw wayyyyyy too many hangovers in the year she lived in the dormitory. Besides, she wouldn't give Anck any ammunition. Sure, Anck loved her. . .but that never stopped her from shooting blackmail material with that camcorder of hers.
In a way, it was her fear of losing control that made her consider what she was about to ask Ardeth. That, and witnessing the drunken fighting lesson Evy received the previous night. She said quietly, sitting in the armchair opposite him, "What I'm about to suggest is a trade-off, for lack of a better term. I will take care of you, until we're both satisfied that you're comfortable. In return. . ." She paused, licked her lips, and tried to find the courage to continue. Celia had the uncomfortable sense that she was about to cross a line here, but she needed help. The girl said, "I want you to teach me how to fight, Ardeth. . .how to defend myself."
. . .
Her request surprised him. Given the way she was gathering her courage, Ardeth half-suspected. . .well, that was neither here nor there. She was asking him to teach her how to fight. It wasn't such a strange request. Not after the entertainment they received the previous night from his brother and Evelyn Carnahan. But, Ardeth felt reluctant to agree. He wasn't exactly afraid of hurting Celia, though she *was* smaller than he was.
However, Ardeth watched two many hand-to-hand matches to *not* see the possible problems that could crop up. There was another danger, aside from the very real possibility of physically harming Celia. There was the danger. . .there was a danger that he could pin her to the ground, and. . .and that things could develop from there. Ardeth barely suppressed a groan at the mental image created by his all-too-vivid imagination.
He shut his eyes, willing the image away. When he was satisfied that he banished that particular demon, Ardeth opened his eyes once more. . .only to be confronted with the flesh and blood Celia, rather than the Celia of his imagination. And the real girl was far more dangerous to him than her counterpart in his imagination. She was far more dangerous, in more ways that one. It would be wisest to say 'no.'
But during this past weekend, Ardeth found himself doing things that would be considered highly unwise. The previous night was the biggest example of that. And yet, he didn't regret it. Any of it. He asked now, "Why do you wish to learn how to fight?" Oh, very good, Ardeth. . .delay the inevitable, a voice jeered inside his head. Ardeth strove to ignore it. Delaying the inevitable, he might be, but he was buying himself time.
She was quiet for a long time, though Ardeth knew better than to think she was dropping the subject. After a few moments, she replied, "I want to know how to defend myself, defend my friends, or anyone else I care about. Not just stand up for them, but defend them." Celia's eyes dropped, and she whispered, "There was a time, Ardeth, not so long ago. . .a time when I was helpless to protect anyone I loved. Everyone and everything that has meant anything to me. If that type of situation comes up again, maybe there isn't anything I can do. But for anything below that. . .I wanna know how to protect myself, and anyone else who is important to me."
A chill zapped its way down Ardeth's spine. He didn't ask what she meant. He wasn't ready to hear what her answer might be. And Celia wasn't finished speaking. She continued, "There's something else. I. . .I think I told you that I spent this past summer working at a warehouse." Actually, she didn't, but Ardeth wouldn't call her on that now. Instead, he listened as Celia explained, "There was a guy. He doesn't deserve to be called a man. He doesn't have that level of maturity."
This. . .person. . .hurt Celia. Ardeth was certain of it. He could hear it in her voice. In the barely-suppressed bitterness. He could see it in her eyes. Someone hurt Celia deeply, and Ardeth silently swore that if he had the opportunity, he would make that someone pay dearly. The rage started in his soul, gathering potency until it burned in his blood. It was a familiar rage, but it still threatened to choke Ardeth with its intensity.
Celia said softly, "It's a long story. Suffice it to say. . .he tried to intimidate me, and got caught by some of my co-workers. When management refused to do anything about it, there was a backlash from the others, against Neil. They turned against him, refused to have anything to do with him. And he turned against me. Neil Grady is no different than any other bully in this world, Ardeth. For 'humiliating' him, he's willing to attack not just me, but anyone I care about. That includes my family, it includes my roommates. . .and it includes you."
She raised her eyes to meet his, saying softly, "I was helpless once, Ardeth. *Never again.* Will you teach me?" The quiet intensity in her voice took his breath away. This wasn't some bored young girl wanting some excitement. . .not that Celia would have fit that description in any event. No, she carefully thought this out. And there was pure steel in her determination. If he didn't agree, someone else might.
Ardeth replied quietly, "I will. But I have a few. . .conditions. Firstly, you must promise me that you listen to everything I say, no matter how foolish it may sound to you." Celia bobbed her head immediately, her dark eyes focused solely on his. Ardeth continued, "Secondly, you must promise me to use good judgment when you put your lessons to use. I do not believe that you would start a fight. But if you do find yourself engaged in such a fight. . .then fight to win. No half-measures."
Again, Celia nodded, but now her eyes were glowing with a feral light. Ardeth recognized the look. He saw it in his mother's eyes many times when she was accepting a challenge. Ardeth smiled inwardly, silently accepting his own challenge. Agreeing to teach Celia, to whom he was so powerfully attracted, was probably not the wisest thing he ever did.
But he believed it was the right thing to do. If only to avoid the annoyance of jealousy, every time he thought about someone else teaching her. Besides. . .if she wished to learn, shouldn't she learn from someone who had the necessary patience? Ardeth said now, "There is one final promise I wish to extract from you before we set the schedule for these lessons. Promise me, no matter how much I teach you. . .you will never face this Neil person alone."
"Deal," came Celia's immediate response. She gave a half smile, adding, "I'm a coward at heart, Ardeth. I don't want to face him at all. But if I don't have any other choice, I prefer to have the knowledge and the skills to protect myself." Ardeth blinked, not quite believing what he just heard. Did he really just hear this girl call herself a coward? He looked at her closely, and with a shock, he realized that he did indeed hear what he thought he heard.
He breathed, because that knowledge knocked the breath from his lungs, "La!" Ardeth shook his head to clear it and to communicate what he wanted to say. He failed at both miserably, especially when his headache began intensifying once more. Besides, he forgot that Celia didn't understand Arabic. This time, Ardeth said quietly, but firmly, "I wish to never hear you say such a thing again. You are no coward, Celia Ferguson."
She looked at him, obviously surprised, and Ardeth repeated, his voice a little stronger now, "You are no coward. This. . .person. . .he hurt you, Celia. And very recently. It is not cowardice that makes you wish to avoid him at all. It is natural. It is sensible. Because, I believe, you are not just afraid of the harm he can do to you, and to your friends. . .but the harm you may do to him."
Now Celia ducked her head, murmuring, "I've hated very few people in my life, Ardeth." She looked up again, her dark eyes taking on a haunted look, and continued, "Most of the people whom I truly hate. . .deserve it. It sounds terrible, but it's also true. If anyone deserves to be hated, it's them. But. . .I can't do anything to them. So, in a way, it's safe to hate them." Again, she paused. There was a much longer silence this time, then Celia whispered, "But Neil. . .he's different. He's closer. I'm afraid of what will happen if I. . .lose control."
Her voice faltered, and her eyes almost implored him to understand. Which he did. He understood not just what she was saying, but what she wasn't saying as well. He understood that was part of the reason Celia wanted him to teach her how to fight. She wasn't interested just in knowing the moves and how to counter an act. She wanted to know how to control her rage, because if her control snapped. . .it was all over.
Over the last few days, ever since he met Celia Ferguson, it seemed like Ardeth committed one unwise act after another. But while they might not be wise, the young chieftain was convinced that they were also the right thing to do. Such was the case with his next action. Mindful of his still-aching body, Ardeth leaned forward and cupped Celia's face in his hands, just as she did his face the night before.
Staring into her hazel eyes, he whispered, "I will teach you what I can. And I will trust you to find the strength you need, within your own soul."
Celia closed her eyes, and her face relaxed. Ardeth could feel the muscles in her jaws relax under his hands. And he wanted to kiss her. Oh, how he wanted to kiss her! But instead, he gently leaned his forehead against hers. In a way, it was even more of an intimate gesture than a kiss. It was just as well that they weren't locked in a passionate kiss, because for the first time, Ardeth realized that the chatter and banter he heard through the kitchen door was. . .gone.
In fact, the kitchen was eerily silent. Warily, Ardeth pulled back a little from Celia, his eyes sweeping over the room. They were still alone. . .or were they? His sharp eyesight homed in on the kitchen door, open just a crack. Ardeth frowned and nodded in the direction of the kitchen door. Celia stared at it briefly, before she nodded her understanding. And then the most mischievous, most evil smile he ever saw on the face of a friend or ally crossed her face. Ardeth was suddenly very glad they were on the same side.
Celia soundlessly left her perch beside him and moved cautiously to the door, and now, Ardeth could hear voices once more. His face burned with embarrassment as he heard Anck-su-namun raise her voice, saying, "I don't know. . .they are not talking!" Another pause, as Ardeth and Celia looked at each other, then Anck added, "I hope they're kissing. I. . ." Ardeth bit down hard on his lower lip, seeing Celia reach for the knob of the door.
It was open a crack, as he thought, and Celia jerked it open all the way. Anck and Evelyn tumbled into the room, both squeaking in surprise as they landed on the ground in front of Celia. The smallest of the trio was now staring down at her two roommates, her lips twitching as she fought to keep from laughing. Anck rolled to her knees, looking first at Evelyn, then at Ardeth, then finally at Celia. She raised both hands, as if in surrender, and asked, "Parley?"
The word meant nothing to Ardeth, but it obviously meant something to Celia. She stared at her roommate in shock. . .then collapsed, literally collapsed, laughing. Anck was grinning from ear to ear as Celia joined her on the floor. And Evelyn covered her mouth with one hand, her shoulders shaking. Despite that valiant effort, however, a giggle slipped through, and then all three girls were laughing hysterically. Ardeth resolved that he would learn the story behind that simple word. Later. After they stopped laughing themselves hoarse.
. . .
Oooooooohkay. Rick O'Connell could hear the almost hysterical laughter of three girls all the way upstairs, where he was currently struggling into his clown costume. Or more appropriately, struggling into the extra-extra-extra large clown shoes. It wasn't putting on the clown shoes that was so difficult. . .he, however, was dumb enough to put headgear on first, rather than footwear.
Thus, his cone-shaped clown's hat fell off repeatedly. As he replaced it back on his head a fourth time, Rick wondered why he was even bothering putting it on before the shoes. If he didn't knock it off bending over, he knocked it off when the tip of his hat touched the hardwood floor. Hell, he couldn't win, no matter what he did. Then again, that was the story of his life during this last weekend.
It was disconcerting enough, to realize that he was attracted to Evelyn Carnahan, who wasn't exactly his usual type. But Ardeth. . .Ardeth was the one getting lucky more often than not. True, he and the little roommate weren't doing the horizontal mambo (yet), but they actually shared a real kiss. Rick and Evelyn kissed. . .but got interrupted by Anck Cortez before things could get really interesting. That Anck could be a real pain in the ass if she wanted to be.
And just what was up with her? Evelyn left him befuddled, but Anck? She was just plain *strange.* Shooting footage of her roommate in the shower, naked? The roommate she was closest to? Rick ignored the little voice inside his head that reminded him that he was known for doing things like that to Ardeth, when he had the chance. That was different. He was a man, he was *supposed* to do crude stuff like that.
Then again, he remembered from his years before military school, his closest female friends were like Anck Cortez, only without the sensual sexuality that seemed to ooze from every pore in her body. They were 'one of the guys,' and as capable of dishing out lewd remarks as any of Rick's friends, or Rick himself. But. . .they were different. They fit a particular category, just as Evelyn and the little roommate did.
Anck, on the other hand, seemed to break all the rules. When Rick was fourteen, and at the military academy, the students had an 'illegal' movie night. A night when they watched a movie they weren't supposed to. One of the boys smuggled in a copy of a movie from the late 1980's, 'Total Recall.' Anck kinda reminded him of the girl in that movie, the dream girl who turned out to be real, who was both sleazy and demure at the same time.
And just why the hell was he thinking about her, anyhow? Especially since he was so attracted to Evelyn. The answer presented itself almost immediately. Because she was Evy's opposite, just as Rick was Ardeth's opposite. He wasn't attracted to Anck, but in a strange sort of way, he could understand her. An understanding that didn't exist with Evelyn or Celia. He would never understand the little roommate, more than likely, and he had his doubts about ever understanding Evelyn, for that matter.
So. He could understand how Anck-su-namun Cortez thought, could understand how her mind worked. How did that help him, especially where her roommate Evelyn was concerned? He wasn't sure that it *did,* and more to the point, he wasn't sure why he wanted to know that. Why should it matter to him, what any of those girls thought of him, or whether he understood any of them? Okay, yeah, he was attracted to Evelyn, but he was attracted to girls in the past. It never lasted more than a few months, at most. Maybe Ardeth had the right idea after all, and that getting involved with these girls was a really bad idea. Like, a fifteen on a scale between one and ten, kinda of a bad idea.
But then, his own words came back to haunt him. They were already involved. . .it was too late to second guess himself. And all three girls were in danger, though he was willing to bet that Anck Cortez could handle just about anything that came her way. Celia, though Rick did resent her, was a pretty tough little gal. . .even so, Rick's instincts told him that she wasn't used to taking care of herself, in the way Anck was. And Evelyn. . .Evelyn was even less experienced than her American roommate.
Rick sighed as the top hat fell off, yet again. This time, he set the hat down firmly by his feet, and turned three fourths of his attention to his shoes. The last fourth of his attention was continued in his silent debate with himself. One, he really didn't like his own words coming back to haunt him, and two. . .two, it occurred to him that he wasn't giving the entire unit of roommates enough credit.
He knew Anck didn't have much use for Evelyn, but she did care about Celia. And no matter how Rick felt about the little roommate, he knew that *she* cared about Evy. Anck would protect Evy, if only to keep Celia out of trouble. Rick had only to remember his first official meeting with the little roommate to know she would get into trouble to protect someone important to her. She was a lot like Ardeth in that respect, actually. . .
Rick froze where he sat. There was something important in that thought. The similarities between his brother and the little roommate. Something very important, but Rick couldn't put his finger on it. But for some reason, he had no trouble at all seeing Celia Ferguson throw herself between Evy or Anck, and danger. No trouble at all. And. . .Rick followed that thought to the logical conclusion.
Only to be distracted by another gale of laughter from downstairs. Okay. He *really* didn't want to know what was going on down there. Especially since he heard Ardeth laughing as well. His brother didn't usually laugh. His smile was rare enough. . .a true smile, one that came from his heart. But to hear him laughing? Uh, no. Yet another reason for Rick to resent the little roommate. Not even he could make his brother laugh, not like that. Who was she that she could do something he couldn't?
Then Rick was ashamed of himself. What the hell was wrong with him? Resenting a girl because she made his little brother, his way-too-serious younger brother, laugh? Resenting a girl because she could make him happy, when there was precious little happiness in his life as it was? What kind of jackass did that make him? And why did he keep going 'round and 'round with himself about this whole topic? Why couldn't he let this go, and just be happy that Ardeth met someone who could make him smile, make him laugh?
Because she was changing things, just like he told Ardeth, and changes of any kind frightened Rick. Remembering that conversation, the American brother felt his lips twist. Ardeth was right (not that this was anything unusual): change wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Change was how Rick got his brother in the first place. It was how his two little sisters came to be, how they came into existence. Rick and his father changed the Med-jai when Nathaniel married Altair Bey. And the Med-jai changed them.
The changes he was seeing in his little brother were *good* ones. How many times did Rick needle Ardeth about his sense of humor, or lack thereof? Ardeth always had a sense of humor. He just kept it carefully hidden, because of his position and his responsibilities. But he had a wicked streak a mile wide, and it was because of that wicked streak that Rick never gave up on him. So why, now that he was seeing Ardeth laugh and smile more, was he so afraid?
Because with the little roommate in his life, Ardeth would no longer need Rick. That was the real reason Rick feared her and resented her. He would see that Rick was more trouble than he was worth, that he caused more headaches than anything else. And Rick would lose his little brother for good. That was it. He would see just how good he could have it with Celia, and Rick would lose his brother.
It never occurred to him that he was being unfair to Ardeth. It never occurred to him that Ardeth might need them both. He only knew why he resented Celia so much. And it was a turning point for him. He would make sure that Ardeth never realized how much better his life would be, how much easier it would be, without Rick around. From here on out, Rick would be the perfect brother.
At least until he forgot that resolution. Again.
. . .
Rick O'Connell wasn't the only one who found it hard to keep his resolution. Beni Gabor was finding himself sorely tested as well. Beni might have found that amusing, since he always knew O'Connell was more honorable than himself. . .however, at the moment, he was more worried about getting out of this current situation intact. He told Lock-nah a somewhat abbreviated version of his encounter with O'Connell in the apartment.
Leaving out, of course, the part about O'Connell using him to feed bad information to Lock-nah and his employer, whoever that happened to be. He also left out the part about going to Dr Terrence Bey. It was hard to know, whether or not Lock-nah believed him. The other man's dark eyes were impassive as he listened, then said, "So you have not yet found any information on the three girls, either?"
"I haven't spoken with the girls in a few days," Beni answered truthfully. That was why he went to the apartment shared by O'Connell and his step-brother. Beni knew that Evelyn kept a journal. . .he heard Celia ask what prompted her to start keeping a journal. However, he wasn't able to get into their room before the trio left on the weekend to read it. Not that he really wanted to. . .he didn't like Evelyn Carnahan, but even Beni had his limits.
"You will keep searching, and you will keep reporting back to me. If I learn that you have lied to me, your fiancee and your daughter will suffer for it. And trust me," Lock-nah added, leaning in to make his point, "I am very good at inflicting pain." Beni swallowed hard, suddenly afraid that he would lose control of his bladder. Lock-nah pulled back, smiling coldly, and motioned to his two henchmen.
The two thugs followed him, and Beni almost collapsed against the radiator. He caught himself just in time. . .he really didn't want to add a burned butt to his growing litany of problems. Instead, he fell against the wall, shaking. He just wasn't sure if he was scared or angry. It would have made more sense, to be scared. Beni was considerably smaller than Lock-nah, and the other man obviously had no problem with hurting him.
Or threatening his girls. That was where the anger came in. Beni freely admitted that he was a weasel. . .a coward. He also freely admitted that he betrayed Rick O'Connell eight years earlier. He wasn't a good person. But Beni had his own boundaries, his own lines. What kind of a man threatened a little girl. . .a young woman who was no threat to him? There were worse cowards in the world than Beni Gabor, and he just found one of them.
His Renee and his Ceci were both innocents in this whole mess. They were among the few innocents, because almost everyone involved did something to contribute to this mess. Beni, O'Connell, Lock-nah. . .and the step-brother, what was his name? Ardeth? Beni didn't know what he did to contribute to this mess, but it had to be something. But Renee and Ceci? They did nothing wrong, unless you counted Renee falling in love with him. And Ceci. . .she was just a baby. What kind of man threatened a little girl like that?
Beni's blood ran cold. For just a few moments, he actually considered betraying his fiancee and daughter. Yes, he blamed O'Connell for making him feed bad information to Lock-nah, but if Beni wasn't caught, O'Connell would have never known. Beni hated it, but he was just as responsible for everything as O'Connell or his stepbrother, or Lock-nah. He hated it even more, because O'Connell was his best chance to save his girls.
He considered telling Lock-nah the truth, until an unpleasant fact smacked him in the face. If he told Lock-nah the truth, what would stop the big man from attacking Renee and Ceci, to punish Beni? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Beni swore at himself again. What was he thinking, agreeing to help Lock-nah? He should have seen this coming.
The custodian sighed, rubbing his eyes wearily. **C'mon, think,** he told himself, **think. Renee and Ceci's lives are on the line here. Sooner or later, Lock-nah will realize that you've been playing him, and I don't think this alliance with Terrence Bey will protect the girls.** The girls. Beni thought about that for a moment. It was risky. Very risky. But the girls were away this weekend, not due back until around seven or eight pm.
And breaking into their room was a lot different from breaking into the apartment shared by O'Connell and his stepbrother. Celia was his friend. She carried the same name as his daughter. Perhaps that was something of a stretch.
But every time Beni looked at her, he thought of his daughter. Betraying her would be like betraying his daughter, and that was something Beni just couldn't do. But. . .what if there was a way he could do this without betraying Celia? After all, she wasn't the only one who lived in that room. Couldn't he find what he needed among Anck or Evy's possessions?
He brightened almost immediately, when that occurred to him. He could still do this, without betraying Celia or his daughter. Beni wasn't entirely sure what 'this' was, but he was sure that he had to find something that would buy himself some time. Time to do what was another question, but at the moment, he was more concerned with doing something. Anything. Anything to stave off this awful feeling of being utterly helpless.
Beni glanced down at his watch. It was now twelve thirty pm. He had about six hours to make his plans. Fortunately, it was a weekend, and there were few people on the hall. Thus, there were fewer people to question him. He didn't have a master key to the various dormitory rooms, but he did have the ever-handy credit card. Beni was quite good at fooling the door into thinking a credit card (or ATM card) was a key. He had enough practice at it.
Right. So that was one part of the plan fixed. Next, he had to decide what he was looking for. Did he want to read through their diaries? Not particularly. He wasn't as concerned with the violation part as the possibility of reading something that might make him sick. Like, sexual fantasies. You could just never tell with these prim and proper girls. They were just like the quiet ones. . .you always had to look out for them.
That was Evelyn's journal, at least. Anck was out of the question because Beni didn't know a word of Spanish. He was a weasel and a coward, but he wasn't stupid. Anck thought in Spanish and English, but when it came to writing down her innermost thoughts, she would write in her native language. Just as Beni did. He spoke Hungarian and English, along with German and Russian, but no Spanish. So that was out.
What else? Notebooks for their classes? That was a possibility. One thing Beni learned over the last few years, while working at the college. . .people wrote the damnedest things in their notebooks for class. They threw them out, too. Beni didn't even want to think about some of the things he discovered in college notebooks that were thrown out when the student decided they were no longer necessary.
He might find more interesting things in Evy's old notebooks than in Anck's. For one thing, Evelyn Carnahan was more likely to keep old notebooks than Anck Cortez. For another, Anck was more inclined to doodle when she was bored. On the other hand, it might have been fun to read some of the notes she passed to classmates while she was in high school. Beni had no doubt that they were entertaining. Simply because *Anck* was entertaining.
Beni frowned thoughtfully, trying to come up with other ideas. Private journals were out, but what about field journals? He asked Celia once if archaeologists actually kept field journals, like in the Indiana Jones movies. Beni couldn't help smiling when he thought of those movies, the source of some of his best memories from the military academy.
He was careful not to ask that question in front of Evy. She tended to start spouting off about the terrible archaeology in those films. There were times when Beni swore she had no sense of humor, and absolutely no sense of fun. Celia acknowledged that the movies weren't about archaeology, but about adventure. . .and besides, Harrison Ford was hot (even if he was old enough to be her grandfather. Possibly her grandfather, definitely her father).
In any event, Celia acknowledged that field journals were kept, recording what happened on a dig, sometimes even cataloging the artefacts that were found. Beni wondered if there were more things to be found in Evy Carnahan's field journal than simply information about the digs in which she participated. He smiled to himself. Yes. . .yes, that might just work after all. He had a place to start now!
. . .
Troubling rumors were reaching him. Rumors that he found all too easy to believe. The trouble wasn't in believing them, but in deciding what to do about them. The rumors made him angry enough. His own indecisiveness made him all the angrier. He was not used to being indecisive. He was not used to second-guessing his intentions. But from the moment he hired Lock-nah, he did little else.
First, there was the matter of the Med-jai little girls, the young sisters of Ardeth Bey. They were very young indeed. . .hardly more than babies. Imhotep did not pretend to be something he wasn't. He was a thief, yes. But harming children was beneath him. Only cowards threatened children or harmed them deliberately. Cowards and fools, particularly in this case. Those little girls had a very powerful, very determined older brother. Only a fool would deliberately antagonize Ardeth Bey.
Imhotep supposed Lock-nah saw this as a game. He didn't know, not for certain. Perhaps he believed that the young chieftain would be so enraged by the attacks against his sisters, that he would blindly walk into an ambush. If that was Lock-nah's intention, he badly misjudged their opponent. After all, they were dealing with Ardeth Bey, not his foolish older brother Andreas.
Andreas Bey, no doubt, would have done exactly what Lock-nah thought Ardeth would do. The man had no style and even less substance. He was, now that Imhotep thought about it, a nearly perfect match for Lock-nah. Neither of them had any understanding of subtlety. Granted, Ardeth's subtlety was somewhat lacking, but he did remind Imhotep rather strongly of his late father. Much more so than his brother. For a brief moment, Imhotep wished that Suleiman Bey was still alive. Or lived long enough to teach his younger son more of the game.
However, Suleiman was dead nearly ten years. And young Ardeth was learning quickly. Besides, even if his dearest enemy was still alive, Imhotep would still have a problem with Lock-nah. First, it was the little O'Connell girls. Now, he was hearing disquieting rumors about Lock-nah threatening the little daughter of a custodian for one of the dormitories. That was bad enough. . .but the custodian in question, one Beni Gabor, was the custodian of the building where Anck-su-namun Cortez lived.
That *did* worry Imhotep. Why would Lock-nah blackmail the custodian for that building into working for them, by threatening his fiancee and small daughter? What possible danger could Anck, or her two roommates, pose to Imhotep? Well, aside from the way Imhotep's pulse reacted whenever he looked at Anck, or thought about her. . .no matter how many times he tried to remind himself that she was only nineteen.
And that fact alone made her dangerous to him. Even so, there was an additional complication. This Beni Gabor had a past with Rick O'Connell, Ardeth's step-brother. Imhotep didn't believe in coincidences, not when so many of them were strung together. He remembered what Suleiman Bey told him once. It was not, strangely enough, during one of their many matches. Rather, it was a rare time when the two men found themselves on the same side.
'There is a fine line between coincidence and fate,' Suleiman said softly. They were standing side by side, these two men on opposite sides most of the time. Until a child's life was endangered. There, they could find common cause. . .there, they could find common ground. Imhotep questioned the likelihood of two such different men joining forces out of a series of coincidences. . .and Suleiman told him about that fine line between coincidence and fate.
Perhaps Suleiman was right, because it was that brief, shining moment, when two men on opposite sides joined forces which set the tone for the rest of their matches. Imhotep was forever changed by the two weeks he and Suleiman Bey were allies, rather than enemies. And was Suleiman changed? That, Imhotep didn't know. He supposed it was possible. Word of mouth had it that Suleiman changed toward his five children after that was resolved. And unfortunately for Imhotep, word of mouth didn't explain *how* he changed.
There is a fine line between coincidence and fate. Fifteen years after that conversation, Imhotep had to agree. Suleiman was right. It wouldn't surprise Imhotep to learn that Suleiman was right about many more things. The jewel thief was very young during that conversation, only in his early twenties. In some ways, he was just a young punk. Full of himself. Imhotep supposed the same was true, even now, but he hoped that he was more mature than he was fifteen years earlier. He hoped he was a different person in many ways.
Just as he hoped that even when he was a young punk, fifteen years earlier, he was nothing like Lock-nah. Imhotep hoped he was smarter, for one thing. And for another, he hoped that he would have never threatened a small girl to ensure her father's compliance. Further, since he was thinking about it. . .why did Lock-nah enlist Beni Gabor? Was it because of his past with Rick O'Connell? Or perhaps it was because of his connection, however tenuous, to Anck-su-namun Cortez, Evelyn Carnahan, and Celia Ferguson?
No. It had to be the former, rather than the latter. There was no reason in the world for those three girls to be drawn into this. He could accept Gabor's recruitment because of his past with Rick O'Connell, but not because the man was custodian in the building where three of his students lived. That was reaching, that was going too far. Imhotep shook his head, turning his attention to the problem of Lock-nah.
There were two problems he saw with the recruitment of Beni Gabor. First and foremost, it was under duress. That wasn't winning loyalty. And people chose the strangest times to develop a spine, to become angry and push back. You won loyalty by being loyal. Something Lock-nah didn't seem to understand, and Imhotep didn't know if it was something that could be taught.
The second problem was much more practical. From all accounts, Beni Gabor was a weasel. Weasels could not be trusted. The man betrayed Rick O'Connell eight years earlier, shortly before the American went to Egypt with his father. What was to stop Gabor from betraying them, aside from the threat to his woman and his child? Indeed, in Imhotep's opinion, Gabor was far more likely to betray them. What guarantee did he have, after all, that *they* would keep their word and leave the woman and the child alone?
None. Absolutely none. And if Gabor loved his family, as Imhotep was sure he did, then he would start looking for ways to protect his woman and his child. Not that Imhotep had any intention of telling Lock-nah that Gabor was far more likely to betray them, now that his woman and daughter were threatened. Desperate men were unpredictable. They could cave. . .or they could do something incredibly brave and incredibly stupid.
One simply never knew. And Imhotep was unwilling to leave such things to chance. He was reminded once more that he made a mistake in hiring Lock-nah. A simple decision was leading to all sorts of complications. . .worse yet, Lock-nah would start drawing unwanted attention if he continued on this path. Part of Imhotep's success as a jewel thief was his ability to melt into the background or to remain un- noticed.
Lock-nah's actions compromised that ability. They compromised that ability, and they compromised the safety of the entire operation. Imhotep had to find a way to keep the operation intact. . .along with this campus. The children on this campus did nothing to him. They were perhaps young and self-centered, but Imhotep was once young and self-centered. He could hardly hold that against them. This had nothing to do with them. Why, then, should they pay the price for Lock-nah's actions?
He would have felt this way, Imhotep told himself, even if he wasn't so attracted to Anck-su-namun Cortez that it took his breath away. This had nothing to do with them. Nothing at all. But if Imhotep didn't come up with a way to neutralize Lock-nah, it was all too likely that the young college students would, indeed, get caught in the crossfire. Unfortunately, Imhotep kept coming up short in the idea department. The last time he came up short in the idea department, he ended up joining forces with Suleiman Bey. Suleiman was long dead. But there was still his son, and the boy's step-brother.
Joining forces with Ardeth Bey was an intriguing idea. Imhotep had little use for his step-brother. He was. . .now, what was the term that Imhotep's Irish friend Finn liked to use? Oh yes. He was a flannel- mouthed braggart. However, Ardeth was another story. He would likely find it difficult to trust Imhotep when the request was made. He was, after all, a Med-jai. And Imhotep was the thief who took the Book of Amun-Ra from the hands of the Med-jai.
But. . .Ardeth Bey was a protector. A type of personality Imhotep understood quite well. And he could not simply stand by and do nothing if someone needed help. His step-brother would have no trouble doing so. . .Asu knew the big-mouth often stated that the only people he cared about was his family, and the rest of the world could go to hell. But Ardeth wasn't his step-brother. Yes. Yes, he would think about joining forces with Ardeth. He would watch the boy for a time. . .and then he would make his decision.
Assuming, of course, that the decision wasn't made for him.
Reviews!
Lilylynn: (laughs) I thought a few people would enjoy the comeuppance remark! It was one of my favorite lines in the first movie, and Evy's expression was utterly priceless. No kissing in this chapter, sorry, but there will be more soon. Promise.
Sailor Elf: Yup, definitely hurt, but you know our Ardeth. He's never let pain stand in his way before. Why should he change now?
Terreis: Yup, I updated, though I'm running behind. As usual. I hope you like the explanation for Ardeth's mishap. As you say, he is very graceful and majestic (a few other adjectives come to mind as well), but I figure if you're not used to riding double, that throws your balance off. This chapter depressing? Judge for yourself, m'dear.
Kelekona8: Hey, hon, glad you caught up! Yeah, evil, but we're so much fun that way. I'm still figuring out how Imhotep and Anck's first kiss comes to be, so just keep being patient with me, 'kay?
Luvbug99: Well, here's another update, but I'm still a ways from being done. Be patient with me, please?
On with the story!
Part Sixteen
Once the three girls safely reached the house, Galen dismissed Rick, telling him to change into his clown costume. The young man obviously didn't want to go anywhere, but a quick glance between him and Ardeth convinced him that his brother was in good hands. Galen almost envied him that. As much as he loved both of his younger siblings, he could never communicate what he wanted done with just a look.
Ardeth obviously wanted to reassure his brother. . .and Rick wasn't to let the children down. Just as obviously, the other young man understood. Once Rick disappeared upstairs, Galen turned his attention to the anxious-looking trio of girls. He almost laughed, seeing their expressions. But he didn't. Instead, he told his sister and her two roommates that before they started the picnic lunch, he needed their help in caring for Ardeth.
They figured that out already, and waited somewhat patiently for their directions. Galen didn't make them wait long. First, he asked Evy to locate the muscle relaxants in the house. They would probably be in the bathroom she used during the last two nights, in the medicine cabinet. Evy dashed out, after he finished giving her those instructions, and Galen turned his attention to Anck.
She would soak washcloths in hot water. There was a pile of rags in the closet they used for these types of situations. He wanted Anck to gather them all up, and start working on that. Anck didn't even wait for him to finish speaking. That left Celia, and Galen looked at his younger sister. She was pale, but determined, and Galen allowed himself a moment of pride in his baby sister. He might never communicate with her, with only a glance. . .but she made him proud. She always had.
She did real good after Ardeth and Kate were thrown. Perhaps it was silly of him, to be so proud of her for keeping her head, but he was. Maybe it was being in Washington DC two years earlier, when everything went to hell, or maybe it was just listening to him talk about the things he saw in the hospital. . .but Celia kept her head together, and kept moving forward. Truthfully, though, he thought it was the former, rather than the latter.
Maybe a hospital filled with burn victims wasn't the best place for a badly shaken seventeen-year-old girl, but Galen was a doctor. His specialty was in pediatrics, but he was a doctor first and foremost. Where would he have left her, while he did what had to be done, what he needed to do? Alone in the hotel room, to watch scenes of devastation over and over? That was out of the question. And so, he took her to the hospital, and to his ever-lasting shame, he left her there while he took care of other people.
During those long hours, his sister did what she could to help. He often wondered if Celia ever felt helpless. That was a stupid question. Of course she did. Galen felt helpless, and he was a doctor. Celia had no training. She couldn't give shots, she couldn't even help bandage people. She could only do little things. Like hold the hand of a dying patient. So many people needed help. They saved the ones they could, and others. . . Others died in pain, with only a strange young girl holding their hands.
Given that, maybe he shouldn't be so surprised that his sister didn't fall apart when she saw Orion throw Ardeth and Kate. Even taking Celia's growing feelings for Ardeth into account, he shouldn't be in the least bit surprised that his sister. . .just did what had to be done. Their grandparents would have been proud of her, he knew. Not because she did what had to be done, but because she did what had to be done without complaint.
She could have stayed in the other room with Ardeth, not leaving his side. She could have vanished into her own room, shaking like a leaf. She could have remained outside and placed Ardeth's care in Evy and Anck's hands. God knew, their parents did it enough times. In a strange sort of way, Galen understood it. It killed their mother to see any of the three children in pain. . .so her mother was the one who took care of them when they were sick or hurt.
At least, that was the case up until their grandmother's death the previous year. So, yes, there were many things Celia could have done after they got Ardeth inside. But instead, here she was, quietly waiting for instructions. Galen put his hand on his little sister's shoulder, briefly seeing the ten year old version of Celia standing in front of him. Jason was down with the chicken pox, and since she already had it, Celia was safe. She stood in front of Galen, then in college, and asked earnestly what she could do to help.
Then the nineteen-year-old version of his sister was in front of him once more. Galen told his little sister, "And as for you. . .you'll remain with Ardeth. Do whatever he needs done. Spoil him, even. I think the boy could use some spoiling, don't you?" Celia's dark eyes shone brightly, and Galen swallowed hard. God, when did his baby sister grow up? Wasn't she supposed to stay ten forever? No. Of course not. No one stayed a child forever, though there were times when Galen wondered about that particular truth.
His sister was nineteen years old, almost a woman. . .and she was falling in love. Galen didn't know how things would end between Celia and Ardeth. He knew that he liked Ardeth, and trusted the young man to do right by Celia. Beyond that, he didn't know. . .and he was afraid to ask. He was afraid to find out the whole truth about Ardeth Bey, and his mission here in the United States.
Ardeth swore to Anck-su-namun Cortez that he wasn't here to harm anyone whom she loved. Galen believed him. He saw the way Ardeth looked at Celia when her attention was directed elsewhere. Celia was falling in love with Ardeth. . .and as much as he fought it, Ardeth was teetering on the edge of falling in love with Celia. Galen wanted to say that it was too soon. That they didn't know each other long enough, but. . .he couldn't. He couldn't betray his sister like that. And so, he did the only thing he could do in the situation. He let go.
. . .
Celia would have been very surprised at the course of her brother's thoughts. . .if she even considered what he was thinking. Right now, the only person she was really thinking about was Ardeth, and what she could do to help him. At the same time, she was afraid. What if she pushed too hard? Some guys were funny like that. And yet, as Evy and Anck scurried around him, doing what they could to make him comfortable, Ardeth remained silent.
Celia backed off a little, so she could see Ardeth's expression, and she almost laughed when she saw the stoic acceptance of his fate. He didn't like being fussed over. . .like a lot of males she knew. . .but he accepted the attention from the two girls. That didn't stop him, however, from casting an occasional, pleading look over at Celia. She just smiled and shook her head. Nope. She wasn't dumb enough to intervene when her two roommates decided there was someone who needed their mothering. Especially when it was someone other than her.
Funny thing was, Anck would have probably shot the first person who remarked on her mothering. . .of anyone. She didn't view herself in that way. But Celia, who remembered to eat many a time because of Anck's mothering/nagging, knew the truth. Anck might not be a cuddler, but she did have some maternal instincts. Whether she ever became a mother, Celia didn't know. . .but she also didn't discount the possibility. Anck was an avenger, and some of the most vengeful people she knew were mothers whose children were harmed or threatened.
Finally, Celia told her two roommates, "Okay, guys, we can handle it from here. I'll be in to help you with the picnic lunch in just a few minutes." Evy and Anck looked at each other, then at Celia. It almost made the American girl laugh, seeing the twin expressions of suspicion. Evy and Anck thought they were so very different, but in some ways, they were so much alike!
Ardeth, seeing his chance to have one mother-hen, rather than three, quickly put in, "Yes, we will be fine. Please, do not disappoint the children for my sake." Now, the twin expressions of suspicion were directed at Ardeth, who quickly assumed a look of total innocence. Celia bit down hard on her lower lip, as her roommates looked even more suspicious. Relief was finally starting to make itself known through her fear, and as ever, that led Celia to become more playful. Or more devilish, depended on whom was in the room at the time.
Then, Anck grinned unexpectedly, and observed, "That's right. . .they don't need us any more. Ardeth has Celia to take care of him now, so we can go, Evelyn." She winked at Celia, adding in her native language, "Mind you, I'm trusting you to take care of him, dear roommate, and not take advantage of him. As enjoyable as that might be for both of you. . .remember, he *is* an injured man!"
Celia blushed, then laughed as Evy fumed, "Ooooh! I *hate* it when you two do that!" The American clapped her hand over her mouth, shaking with laughter. Evy folded her arms over her chest, her mouth set in a familiar mulish expression. Oh dear. This might prove to be entertaining. She glanced over at Ardeth, who evidently had the same idea that she did. He squirmed until he was more comfortable. . .and had a better view of what was going on.
They were both proved correct when Anck rolled her eyes and grabbed Evy's forearm, physically pulling her out of the room. The Guatemalan girl said, once more winking at Celia over her shoulder, "Come *on,* Evelyn, or I shall show Ferguson's Funniest Home Videos in Professor Tepper's class, and everyone can see what you're like when you're drunk!" That prompted another 'oooooooooh!' from Evy as Anck dragged her into the kitchen. And Celia bit her lip, because knowing Anck, her roommate would do just that.
As soon as the door shut behind them, Ardeth and Celia looked at each other. . .then collapsed in laughter. Celia dropped into a chair, laughing helplessly. Especially when she heard Evy squeal from the kitchen, "Cecelia Anne Ferguson, I heard that!" Celia was on the point of composing herself enough to answer when she looked at Ardeth, who was shaking with laughter. And that set her off once again.
After several seconds, Celia managed to bring her laughter under control. Not a moment too soon, as tears were now running down her face and her sides ached from laughing. The American girl called back in a singsong (and hoarse) voice, winking at Ardeth as she did, "You were *meant* to hear that!" She sat back, catching her breath, then grinned at Ardeth. He was just now bringing his own laughter under control, and it occurred to Celia that she wasn't used to hearing him laugh out loud like that.
He said, his lips quivering as he tried to keep from laughing once more, "I believe, Celia, that I have smiled and laughed more in the last three days than I have in the previous three years. I thank you for that." Celia blushed and didn't know what to say. It wasn't every day that someone told her that she could make them laugh. . .and it most certainly wasn't every day that it was a handsome man saying so! Or if it was, then it certainly wasn't a nice compliment like the one Ardeth just paid her.
Ardeth continued, sounding more in control of himself, "I am well now, thanks to you. I will be fine." Celia's laughter died slowly, and she shook her head. No. No, she wasn't ready to leave him yet. Galen charged her with taking care of Ardeth, with spoiling him, if her memory served. And she planned to do just that. Ardeth said earnestly, "Truly, Celia, I will be fine. My pride was hurt more than anything."
Uh, if memory served, a bit more than his pride was hurt. Especially considering he needed help getting up the hill. . .needed help getting upright, period. Celia tried not to think about that, because that brought the memories back to the front of her mind. Not just the memory of Ardeth tumbling from the back of the horse, but her own rage. She was actually angry with Kate, and Celia hated herself for that. Kate was afraid of horses, and she was just twelve years old. . .it wasn't so unreasonable for her to panic under those conditions.
That was why Celia pulled back. She was afraid of lashing out at a child who was already traumatized. . .a little girl who was here this weekend to be a child. O'Connell mentioned once, on the way up here, that Ardeth's pride *was* hurt. He was one of the best horseback riders among their people (there was that phrase again), but he was not used to riding double. That explained everything. . .everything except Celia's overwhelming desire to stay here and spoil him rotten. She smiled in spite of herself at that, knowing fully well what the explanation for that was. He was important to her. He was (Celia giggled inside when she realized whom she sounded like) precious to her.
"Nope. I'm not going anywhere. I was told that I was to take care of you, spoil you, even, and I intend to do just that," came the reply. Celia set her jaw and practically dared Ardeth to argue with her further. He opened his mouth, as if to speak, then closed it with a snap. It was the shortest argument in Celia's memory, and the one she won the easiest. The girl smiled. She kinda liked winning arguments.
Ardeth bowed his head and replied, "Then I will acquiesce to your wishes." Unaccountably, that tickled her funny bone. Or not so accountably. The word 'acquiesce' brought back memories of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' with her two brothers over the summer. Not surprisingly, when they all got back to college the previous week, she and her roommates discovered they all went to see the movie. Just because they saw it for different reasons. . .
Evy went for fellow Brit, Orlando Bloom (who was cute, but didn't hold a candle to Ardeth); Anck was a self-avowed villain fan, and Barbossa was a cool villain. And Celia? She loved any movie with sword fighting in it. Each girl had her own favorite lines in the movie. Evy's favorite, surprisingly, was Captain Jack Sparrow's 'There will be no living with her after this.' Anck's was Elizabeth's line about painful corsets. And Celia's. . . well, she laughed every time she heard 'I'm disinclined to acquiesce.'
And that was what she thought about now, hearing Ardeth use that word. Acquiesce. Not that she would tell Ardeth that, not when he was still confused about 'Lord of the Rings.' Something she still had to explain. . .or get one of the other girls to explain. So, instead of thinking about *that,* Celia chose instead to find common ground.
It was an idea that Evy gave her the previous night, while she was drunk. No, Celia had no intention of getting drunk. In addition to her fear of losing control, and the allergy to alcohol that ran in her grandmother's family, Celia also saw wayyyyyy too many hangovers in the year she lived in the dormitory. Besides, she wouldn't give Anck any ammunition. Sure, Anck loved her. . .but that never stopped her from shooting blackmail material with that camcorder of hers.
In a way, it was her fear of losing control that made her consider what she was about to ask Ardeth. That, and witnessing the drunken fighting lesson Evy received the previous night. She said quietly, sitting in the armchair opposite him, "What I'm about to suggest is a trade-off, for lack of a better term. I will take care of you, until we're both satisfied that you're comfortable. In return. . ." She paused, licked her lips, and tried to find the courage to continue. Celia had the uncomfortable sense that she was about to cross a line here, but she needed help. The girl said, "I want you to teach me how to fight, Ardeth. . .how to defend myself."
. . .
Her request surprised him. Given the way she was gathering her courage, Ardeth half-suspected. . .well, that was neither here nor there. She was asking him to teach her how to fight. It wasn't such a strange request. Not after the entertainment they received the previous night from his brother and Evelyn Carnahan. But, Ardeth felt reluctant to agree. He wasn't exactly afraid of hurting Celia, though she *was* smaller than he was.
However, Ardeth watched two many hand-to-hand matches to *not* see the possible problems that could crop up. There was another danger, aside from the very real possibility of physically harming Celia. There was the danger. . .there was a danger that he could pin her to the ground, and. . .and that things could develop from there. Ardeth barely suppressed a groan at the mental image created by his all-too-vivid imagination.
He shut his eyes, willing the image away. When he was satisfied that he banished that particular demon, Ardeth opened his eyes once more. . .only to be confronted with the flesh and blood Celia, rather than the Celia of his imagination. And the real girl was far more dangerous to him than her counterpart in his imagination. She was far more dangerous, in more ways that one. It would be wisest to say 'no.'
But during this past weekend, Ardeth found himself doing things that would be considered highly unwise. The previous night was the biggest example of that. And yet, he didn't regret it. Any of it. He asked now, "Why do you wish to learn how to fight?" Oh, very good, Ardeth. . .delay the inevitable, a voice jeered inside his head. Ardeth strove to ignore it. Delaying the inevitable, he might be, but he was buying himself time.
She was quiet for a long time, though Ardeth knew better than to think she was dropping the subject. After a few moments, she replied, "I want to know how to defend myself, defend my friends, or anyone else I care about. Not just stand up for them, but defend them." Celia's eyes dropped, and she whispered, "There was a time, Ardeth, not so long ago. . .a time when I was helpless to protect anyone I loved. Everyone and everything that has meant anything to me. If that type of situation comes up again, maybe there isn't anything I can do. But for anything below that. . .I wanna know how to protect myself, and anyone else who is important to me."
A chill zapped its way down Ardeth's spine. He didn't ask what she meant. He wasn't ready to hear what her answer might be. And Celia wasn't finished speaking. She continued, "There's something else. I. . .I think I told you that I spent this past summer working at a warehouse." Actually, she didn't, but Ardeth wouldn't call her on that now. Instead, he listened as Celia explained, "There was a guy. He doesn't deserve to be called a man. He doesn't have that level of maturity."
This. . .person. . .hurt Celia. Ardeth was certain of it. He could hear it in her voice. In the barely-suppressed bitterness. He could see it in her eyes. Someone hurt Celia deeply, and Ardeth silently swore that if he had the opportunity, he would make that someone pay dearly. The rage started in his soul, gathering potency until it burned in his blood. It was a familiar rage, but it still threatened to choke Ardeth with its intensity.
Celia said softly, "It's a long story. Suffice it to say. . .he tried to intimidate me, and got caught by some of my co-workers. When management refused to do anything about it, there was a backlash from the others, against Neil. They turned against him, refused to have anything to do with him. And he turned against me. Neil Grady is no different than any other bully in this world, Ardeth. For 'humiliating' him, he's willing to attack not just me, but anyone I care about. That includes my family, it includes my roommates. . .and it includes you."
She raised her eyes to meet his, saying softly, "I was helpless once, Ardeth. *Never again.* Will you teach me?" The quiet intensity in her voice took his breath away. This wasn't some bored young girl wanting some excitement. . .not that Celia would have fit that description in any event. No, she carefully thought this out. And there was pure steel in her determination. If he didn't agree, someone else might.
Ardeth replied quietly, "I will. But I have a few. . .conditions. Firstly, you must promise me that you listen to everything I say, no matter how foolish it may sound to you." Celia bobbed her head immediately, her dark eyes focused solely on his. Ardeth continued, "Secondly, you must promise me to use good judgment when you put your lessons to use. I do not believe that you would start a fight. But if you do find yourself engaged in such a fight. . .then fight to win. No half-measures."
Again, Celia nodded, but now her eyes were glowing with a feral light. Ardeth recognized the look. He saw it in his mother's eyes many times when she was accepting a challenge. Ardeth smiled inwardly, silently accepting his own challenge. Agreeing to teach Celia, to whom he was so powerfully attracted, was probably not the wisest thing he ever did.
But he believed it was the right thing to do. If only to avoid the annoyance of jealousy, every time he thought about someone else teaching her. Besides. . .if she wished to learn, shouldn't she learn from someone who had the necessary patience? Ardeth said now, "There is one final promise I wish to extract from you before we set the schedule for these lessons. Promise me, no matter how much I teach you. . .you will never face this Neil person alone."
"Deal," came Celia's immediate response. She gave a half smile, adding, "I'm a coward at heart, Ardeth. I don't want to face him at all. But if I don't have any other choice, I prefer to have the knowledge and the skills to protect myself." Ardeth blinked, not quite believing what he just heard. Did he really just hear this girl call herself a coward? He looked at her closely, and with a shock, he realized that he did indeed hear what he thought he heard.
He breathed, because that knowledge knocked the breath from his lungs, "La!" Ardeth shook his head to clear it and to communicate what he wanted to say. He failed at both miserably, especially when his headache began intensifying once more. Besides, he forgot that Celia didn't understand Arabic. This time, Ardeth said quietly, but firmly, "I wish to never hear you say such a thing again. You are no coward, Celia Ferguson."
She looked at him, obviously surprised, and Ardeth repeated, his voice a little stronger now, "You are no coward. This. . .person. . .he hurt you, Celia. And very recently. It is not cowardice that makes you wish to avoid him at all. It is natural. It is sensible. Because, I believe, you are not just afraid of the harm he can do to you, and to your friends. . .but the harm you may do to him."
Now Celia ducked her head, murmuring, "I've hated very few people in my life, Ardeth." She looked up again, her dark eyes taking on a haunted look, and continued, "Most of the people whom I truly hate. . .deserve it. It sounds terrible, but it's also true. If anyone deserves to be hated, it's them. But. . .I can't do anything to them. So, in a way, it's safe to hate them." Again, she paused. There was a much longer silence this time, then Celia whispered, "But Neil. . .he's different. He's closer. I'm afraid of what will happen if I. . .lose control."
Her voice faltered, and her eyes almost implored him to understand. Which he did. He understood not just what she was saying, but what she wasn't saying as well. He understood that was part of the reason Celia wanted him to teach her how to fight. She wasn't interested just in knowing the moves and how to counter an act. She wanted to know how to control her rage, because if her control snapped. . .it was all over.
Over the last few days, ever since he met Celia Ferguson, it seemed like Ardeth committed one unwise act after another. But while they might not be wise, the young chieftain was convinced that they were also the right thing to do. Such was the case with his next action. Mindful of his still-aching body, Ardeth leaned forward and cupped Celia's face in his hands, just as she did his face the night before.
Staring into her hazel eyes, he whispered, "I will teach you what I can. And I will trust you to find the strength you need, within your own soul."
Celia closed her eyes, and her face relaxed. Ardeth could feel the muscles in her jaws relax under his hands. And he wanted to kiss her. Oh, how he wanted to kiss her! But instead, he gently leaned his forehead against hers. In a way, it was even more of an intimate gesture than a kiss. It was just as well that they weren't locked in a passionate kiss, because for the first time, Ardeth realized that the chatter and banter he heard through the kitchen door was. . .gone.
In fact, the kitchen was eerily silent. Warily, Ardeth pulled back a little from Celia, his eyes sweeping over the room. They were still alone. . .or were they? His sharp eyesight homed in on the kitchen door, open just a crack. Ardeth frowned and nodded in the direction of the kitchen door. Celia stared at it briefly, before she nodded her understanding. And then the most mischievous, most evil smile he ever saw on the face of a friend or ally crossed her face. Ardeth was suddenly very glad they were on the same side.
Celia soundlessly left her perch beside him and moved cautiously to the door, and now, Ardeth could hear voices once more. His face burned with embarrassment as he heard Anck-su-namun raise her voice, saying, "I don't know. . .they are not talking!" Another pause, as Ardeth and Celia looked at each other, then Anck added, "I hope they're kissing. I. . ." Ardeth bit down hard on his lower lip, seeing Celia reach for the knob of the door.
It was open a crack, as he thought, and Celia jerked it open all the way. Anck and Evelyn tumbled into the room, both squeaking in surprise as they landed on the ground in front of Celia. The smallest of the trio was now staring down at her two roommates, her lips twitching as she fought to keep from laughing. Anck rolled to her knees, looking first at Evelyn, then at Ardeth, then finally at Celia. She raised both hands, as if in surrender, and asked, "Parley?"
The word meant nothing to Ardeth, but it obviously meant something to Celia. She stared at her roommate in shock. . .then collapsed, literally collapsed, laughing. Anck was grinning from ear to ear as Celia joined her on the floor. And Evelyn covered her mouth with one hand, her shoulders shaking. Despite that valiant effort, however, a giggle slipped through, and then all three girls were laughing hysterically. Ardeth resolved that he would learn the story behind that simple word. Later. After they stopped laughing themselves hoarse.
. . .
Oooooooohkay. Rick O'Connell could hear the almost hysterical laughter of three girls all the way upstairs, where he was currently struggling into his clown costume. Or more appropriately, struggling into the extra-extra-extra large clown shoes. It wasn't putting on the clown shoes that was so difficult. . .he, however, was dumb enough to put headgear on first, rather than footwear.
Thus, his cone-shaped clown's hat fell off repeatedly. As he replaced it back on his head a fourth time, Rick wondered why he was even bothering putting it on before the shoes. If he didn't knock it off bending over, he knocked it off when the tip of his hat touched the hardwood floor. Hell, he couldn't win, no matter what he did. Then again, that was the story of his life during this last weekend.
It was disconcerting enough, to realize that he was attracted to Evelyn Carnahan, who wasn't exactly his usual type. But Ardeth. . .Ardeth was the one getting lucky more often than not. True, he and the little roommate weren't doing the horizontal mambo (yet), but they actually shared a real kiss. Rick and Evelyn kissed. . .but got interrupted by Anck Cortez before things could get really interesting. That Anck could be a real pain in the ass if she wanted to be.
And just what was up with her? Evelyn left him befuddled, but Anck? She was just plain *strange.* Shooting footage of her roommate in the shower, naked? The roommate she was closest to? Rick ignored the little voice inside his head that reminded him that he was known for doing things like that to Ardeth, when he had the chance. That was different. He was a man, he was *supposed* to do crude stuff like that.
Then again, he remembered from his years before military school, his closest female friends were like Anck Cortez, only without the sensual sexuality that seemed to ooze from every pore in her body. They were 'one of the guys,' and as capable of dishing out lewd remarks as any of Rick's friends, or Rick himself. But. . .they were different. They fit a particular category, just as Evelyn and the little roommate did.
Anck, on the other hand, seemed to break all the rules. When Rick was fourteen, and at the military academy, the students had an 'illegal' movie night. A night when they watched a movie they weren't supposed to. One of the boys smuggled in a copy of a movie from the late 1980's, 'Total Recall.' Anck kinda reminded him of the girl in that movie, the dream girl who turned out to be real, who was both sleazy and demure at the same time.
And just why the hell was he thinking about her, anyhow? Especially since he was so attracted to Evelyn. The answer presented itself almost immediately. Because she was Evy's opposite, just as Rick was Ardeth's opposite. He wasn't attracted to Anck, but in a strange sort of way, he could understand her. An understanding that didn't exist with Evelyn or Celia. He would never understand the little roommate, more than likely, and he had his doubts about ever understanding Evelyn, for that matter.
So. He could understand how Anck-su-namun Cortez thought, could understand how her mind worked. How did that help him, especially where her roommate Evelyn was concerned? He wasn't sure that it *did,* and more to the point, he wasn't sure why he wanted to know that. Why should it matter to him, what any of those girls thought of him, or whether he understood any of them? Okay, yeah, he was attracted to Evelyn, but he was attracted to girls in the past. It never lasted more than a few months, at most. Maybe Ardeth had the right idea after all, and that getting involved with these girls was a really bad idea. Like, a fifteen on a scale between one and ten, kinda of a bad idea.
But then, his own words came back to haunt him. They were already involved. . .it was too late to second guess himself. And all three girls were in danger, though he was willing to bet that Anck Cortez could handle just about anything that came her way. Celia, though Rick did resent her, was a pretty tough little gal. . .even so, Rick's instincts told him that she wasn't used to taking care of herself, in the way Anck was. And Evelyn. . .Evelyn was even less experienced than her American roommate.
Rick sighed as the top hat fell off, yet again. This time, he set the hat down firmly by his feet, and turned three fourths of his attention to his shoes. The last fourth of his attention was continued in his silent debate with himself. One, he really didn't like his own words coming back to haunt him, and two. . .two, it occurred to him that he wasn't giving the entire unit of roommates enough credit.
He knew Anck didn't have much use for Evelyn, but she did care about Celia. And no matter how Rick felt about the little roommate, he knew that *she* cared about Evy. Anck would protect Evy, if only to keep Celia out of trouble. Rick had only to remember his first official meeting with the little roommate to know she would get into trouble to protect someone important to her. She was a lot like Ardeth in that respect, actually. . .
Rick froze where he sat. There was something important in that thought. The similarities between his brother and the little roommate. Something very important, but Rick couldn't put his finger on it. But for some reason, he had no trouble at all seeing Celia Ferguson throw herself between Evy or Anck, and danger. No trouble at all. And. . .Rick followed that thought to the logical conclusion.
Only to be distracted by another gale of laughter from downstairs. Okay. He *really* didn't want to know what was going on down there. Especially since he heard Ardeth laughing as well. His brother didn't usually laugh. His smile was rare enough. . .a true smile, one that came from his heart. But to hear him laughing? Uh, no. Yet another reason for Rick to resent the little roommate. Not even he could make his brother laugh, not like that. Who was she that she could do something he couldn't?
Then Rick was ashamed of himself. What the hell was wrong with him? Resenting a girl because she made his little brother, his way-too-serious younger brother, laugh? Resenting a girl because she could make him happy, when there was precious little happiness in his life as it was? What kind of jackass did that make him? And why did he keep going 'round and 'round with himself about this whole topic? Why couldn't he let this go, and just be happy that Ardeth met someone who could make him smile, make him laugh?
Because she was changing things, just like he told Ardeth, and changes of any kind frightened Rick. Remembering that conversation, the American brother felt his lips twist. Ardeth was right (not that this was anything unusual): change wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Change was how Rick got his brother in the first place. It was how his two little sisters came to be, how they came into existence. Rick and his father changed the Med-jai when Nathaniel married Altair Bey. And the Med-jai changed them.
The changes he was seeing in his little brother were *good* ones. How many times did Rick needle Ardeth about his sense of humor, or lack thereof? Ardeth always had a sense of humor. He just kept it carefully hidden, because of his position and his responsibilities. But he had a wicked streak a mile wide, and it was because of that wicked streak that Rick never gave up on him. So why, now that he was seeing Ardeth laugh and smile more, was he so afraid?
Because with the little roommate in his life, Ardeth would no longer need Rick. That was the real reason Rick feared her and resented her. He would see that Rick was more trouble than he was worth, that he caused more headaches than anything else. And Rick would lose his little brother for good. That was it. He would see just how good he could have it with Celia, and Rick would lose his brother.
It never occurred to him that he was being unfair to Ardeth. It never occurred to him that Ardeth might need them both. He only knew why he resented Celia so much. And it was a turning point for him. He would make sure that Ardeth never realized how much better his life would be, how much easier it would be, without Rick around. From here on out, Rick would be the perfect brother.
At least until he forgot that resolution. Again.
. . .
Rick O'Connell wasn't the only one who found it hard to keep his resolution. Beni Gabor was finding himself sorely tested as well. Beni might have found that amusing, since he always knew O'Connell was more honorable than himself. . .however, at the moment, he was more worried about getting out of this current situation intact. He told Lock-nah a somewhat abbreviated version of his encounter with O'Connell in the apartment.
Leaving out, of course, the part about O'Connell using him to feed bad information to Lock-nah and his employer, whoever that happened to be. He also left out the part about going to Dr Terrence Bey. It was hard to know, whether or not Lock-nah believed him. The other man's dark eyes were impassive as he listened, then said, "So you have not yet found any information on the three girls, either?"
"I haven't spoken with the girls in a few days," Beni answered truthfully. That was why he went to the apartment shared by O'Connell and his step-brother. Beni knew that Evelyn kept a journal. . .he heard Celia ask what prompted her to start keeping a journal. However, he wasn't able to get into their room before the trio left on the weekend to read it. Not that he really wanted to. . .he didn't like Evelyn Carnahan, but even Beni had his limits.
"You will keep searching, and you will keep reporting back to me. If I learn that you have lied to me, your fiancee and your daughter will suffer for it. And trust me," Lock-nah added, leaning in to make his point, "I am very good at inflicting pain." Beni swallowed hard, suddenly afraid that he would lose control of his bladder. Lock-nah pulled back, smiling coldly, and motioned to his two henchmen.
The two thugs followed him, and Beni almost collapsed against the radiator. He caught himself just in time. . .he really didn't want to add a burned butt to his growing litany of problems. Instead, he fell against the wall, shaking. He just wasn't sure if he was scared or angry. It would have made more sense, to be scared. Beni was considerably smaller than Lock-nah, and the other man obviously had no problem with hurting him.
Or threatening his girls. That was where the anger came in. Beni freely admitted that he was a weasel. . .a coward. He also freely admitted that he betrayed Rick O'Connell eight years earlier. He wasn't a good person. But Beni had his own boundaries, his own lines. What kind of a man threatened a little girl. . .a young woman who was no threat to him? There were worse cowards in the world than Beni Gabor, and he just found one of them.
His Renee and his Ceci were both innocents in this whole mess. They were among the few innocents, because almost everyone involved did something to contribute to this mess. Beni, O'Connell, Lock-nah. . .and the step-brother, what was his name? Ardeth? Beni didn't know what he did to contribute to this mess, but it had to be something. But Renee and Ceci? They did nothing wrong, unless you counted Renee falling in love with him. And Ceci. . .she was just a baby. What kind of man threatened a little girl like that?
Beni's blood ran cold. For just a few moments, he actually considered betraying his fiancee and daughter. Yes, he blamed O'Connell for making him feed bad information to Lock-nah, but if Beni wasn't caught, O'Connell would have never known. Beni hated it, but he was just as responsible for everything as O'Connell or his stepbrother, or Lock-nah. He hated it even more, because O'Connell was his best chance to save his girls.
He considered telling Lock-nah the truth, until an unpleasant fact smacked him in the face. If he told Lock-nah the truth, what would stop the big man from attacking Renee and Ceci, to punish Beni? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Beni swore at himself again. What was he thinking, agreeing to help Lock-nah? He should have seen this coming.
The custodian sighed, rubbing his eyes wearily. **C'mon, think,** he told himself, **think. Renee and Ceci's lives are on the line here. Sooner or later, Lock-nah will realize that you've been playing him, and I don't think this alliance with Terrence Bey will protect the girls.** The girls. Beni thought about that for a moment. It was risky. Very risky. But the girls were away this weekend, not due back until around seven or eight pm.
And breaking into their room was a lot different from breaking into the apartment shared by O'Connell and his stepbrother. Celia was his friend. She carried the same name as his daughter. Perhaps that was something of a stretch.
But every time Beni looked at her, he thought of his daughter. Betraying her would be like betraying his daughter, and that was something Beni just couldn't do. But. . .what if there was a way he could do this without betraying Celia? After all, she wasn't the only one who lived in that room. Couldn't he find what he needed among Anck or Evy's possessions?
He brightened almost immediately, when that occurred to him. He could still do this, without betraying Celia or his daughter. Beni wasn't entirely sure what 'this' was, but he was sure that he had to find something that would buy himself some time. Time to do what was another question, but at the moment, he was more concerned with doing something. Anything. Anything to stave off this awful feeling of being utterly helpless.
Beni glanced down at his watch. It was now twelve thirty pm. He had about six hours to make his plans. Fortunately, it was a weekend, and there were few people on the hall. Thus, there were fewer people to question him. He didn't have a master key to the various dormitory rooms, but he did have the ever-handy credit card. Beni was quite good at fooling the door into thinking a credit card (or ATM card) was a key. He had enough practice at it.
Right. So that was one part of the plan fixed. Next, he had to decide what he was looking for. Did he want to read through their diaries? Not particularly. He wasn't as concerned with the violation part as the possibility of reading something that might make him sick. Like, sexual fantasies. You could just never tell with these prim and proper girls. They were just like the quiet ones. . .you always had to look out for them.
That was Evelyn's journal, at least. Anck was out of the question because Beni didn't know a word of Spanish. He was a weasel and a coward, but he wasn't stupid. Anck thought in Spanish and English, but when it came to writing down her innermost thoughts, she would write in her native language. Just as Beni did. He spoke Hungarian and English, along with German and Russian, but no Spanish. So that was out.
What else? Notebooks for their classes? That was a possibility. One thing Beni learned over the last few years, while working at the college. . .people wrote the damnedest things in their notebooks for class. They threw them out, too. Beni didn't even want to think about some of the things he discovered in college notebooks that were thrown out when the student decided they were no longer necessary.
He might find more interesting things in Evy's old notebooks than in Anck's. For one thing, Evelyn Carnahan was more likely to keep old notebooks than Anck Cortez. For another, Anck was more inclined to doodle when she was bored. On the other hand, it might have been fun to read some of the notes she passed to classmates while she was in high school. Beni had no doubt that they were entertaining. Simply because *Anck* was entertaining.
Beni frowned thoughtfully, trying to come up with other ideas. Private journals were out, but what about field journals? He asked Celia once if archaeologists actually kept field journals, like in the Indiana Jones movies. Beni couldn't help smiling when he thought of those movies, the source of some of his best memories from the military academy.
He was careful not to ask that question in front of Evy. She tended to start spouting off about the terrible archaeology in those films. There were times when Beni swore she had no sense of humor, and absolutely no sense of fun. Celia acknowledged that the movies weren't about archaeology, but about adventure. . .and besides, Harrison Ford was hot (even if he was old enough to be her grandfather. Possibly her grandfather, definitely her father).
In any event, Celia acknowledged that field journals were kept, recording what happened on a dig, sometimes even cataloging the artefacts that were found. Beni wondered if there were more things to be found in Evy Carnahan's field journal than simply information about the digs in which she participated. He smiled to himself. Yes. . .yes, that might just work after all. He had a place to start now!
. . .
Troubling rumors were reaching him. Rumors that he found all too easy to believe. The trouble wasn't in believing them, but in deciding what to do about them. The rumors made him angry enough. His own indecisiveness made him all the angrier. He was not used to being indecisive. He was not used to second-guessing his intentions. But from the moment he hired Lock-nah, he did little else.
First, there was the matter of the Med-jai little girls, the young sisters of Ardeth Bey. They were very young indeed. . .hardly more than babies. Imhotep did not pretend to be something he wasn't. He was a thief, yes. But harming children was beneath him. Only cowards threatened children or harmed them deliberately. Cowards and fools, particularly in this case. Those little girls had a very powerful, very determined older brother. Only a fool would deliberately antagonize Ardeth Bey.
Imhotep supposed Lock-nah saw this as a game. He didn't know, not for certain. Perhaps he believed that the young chieftain would be so enraged by the attacks against his sisters, that he would blindly walk into an ambush. If that was Lock-nah's intention, he badly misjudged their opponent. After all, they were dealing with Ardeth Bey, not his foolish older brother Andreas.
Andreas Bey, no doubt, would have done exactly what Lock-nah thought Ardeth would do. The man had no style and even less substance. He was, now that Imhotep thought about it, a nearly perfect match for Lock-nah. Neither of them had any understanding of subtlety. Granted, Ardeth's subtlety was somewhat lacking, but he did remind Imhotep rather strongly of his late father. Much more so than his brother. For a brief moment, Imhotep wished that Suleiman Bey was still alive. Or lived long enough to teach his younger son more of the game.
However, Suleiman was dead nearly ten years. And young Ardeth was learning quickly. Besides, even if his dearest enemy was still alive, Imhotep would still have a problem with Lock-nah. First, it was the little O'Connell girls. Now, he was hearing disquieting rumors about Lock-nah threatening the little daughter of a custodian for one of the dormitories. That was bad enough. . .but the custodian in question, one Beni Gabor, was the custodian of the building where Anck-su-namun Cortez lived.
That *did* worry Imhotep. Why would Lock-nah blackmail the custodian for that building into working for them, by threatening his fiancee and small daughter? What possible danger could Anck, or her two roommates, pose to Imhotep? Well, aside from the way Imhotep's pulse reacted whenever he looked at Anck, or thought about her. . .no matter how many times he tried to remind himself that she was only nineteen.
And that fact alone made her dangerous to him. Even so, there was an additional complication. This Beni Gabor had a past with Rick O'Connell, Ardeth's step-brother. Imhotep didn't believe in coincidences, not when so many of them were strung together. He remembered what Suleiman Bey told him once. It was not, strangely enough, during one of their many matches. Rather, it was a rare time when the two men found themselves on the same side.
'There is a fine line between coincidence and fate,' Suleiman said softly. They were standing side by side, these two men on opposite sides most of the time. Until a child's life was endangered. There, they could find common cause. . .there, they could find common ground. Imhotep questioned the likelihood of two such different men joining forces out of a series of coincidences. . .and Suleiman told him about that fine line between coincidence and fate.
Perhaps Suleiman was right, because it was that brief, shining moment, when two men on opposite sides joined forces which set the tone for the rest of their matches. Imhotep was forever changed by the two weeks he and Suleiman Bey were allies, rather than enemies. And was Suleiman changed? That, Imhotep didn't know. He supposed it was possible. Word of mouth had it that Suleiman changed toward his five children after that was resolved. And unfortunately for Imhotep, word of mouth didn't explain *how* he changed.
There is a fine line between coincidence and fate. Fifteen years after that conversation, Imhotep had to agree. Suleiman was right. It wouldn't surprise Imhotep to learn that Suleiman was right about many more things. The jewel thief was very young during that conversation, only in his early twenties. In some ways, he was just a young punk. Full of himself. Imhotep supposed the same was true, even now, but he hoped that he was more mature than he was fifteen years earlier. He hoped he was a different person in many ways.
Just as he hoped that even when he was a young punk, fifteen years earlier, he was nothing like Lock-nah. Imhotep hoped he was smarter, for one thing. And for another, he hoped that he would have never threatened a small girl to ensure her father's compliance. Further, since he was thinking about it. . .why did Lock-nah enlist Beni Gabor? Was it because of his past with Rick O'Connell? Or perhaps it was because of his connection, however tenuous, to Anck-su-namun Cortez, Evelyn Carnahan, and Celia Ferguson?
No. It had to be the former, rather than the latter. There was no reason in the world for those three girls to be drawn into this. He could accept Gabor's recruitment because of his past with Rick O'Connell, but not because the man was custodian in the building where three of his students lived. That was reaching, that was going too far. Imhotep shook his head, turning his attention to the problem of Lock-nah.
There were two problems he saw with the recruitment of Beni Gabor. First and foremost, it was under duress. That wasn't winning loyalty. And people chose the strangest times to develop a spine, to become angry and push back. You won loyalty by being loyal. Something Lock-nah didn't seem to understand, and Imhotep didn't know if it was something that could be taught.
The second problem was much more practical. From all accounts, Beni Gabor was a weasel. Weasels could not be trusted. The man betrayed Rick O'Connell eight years earlier, shortly before the American went to Egypt with his father. What was to stop Gabor from betraying them, aside from the threat to his woman and his child? Indeed, in Imhotep's opinion, Gabor was far more likely to betray them. What guarantee did he have, after all, that *they* would keep their word and leave the woman and the child alone?
None. Absolutely none. And if Gabor loved his family, as Imhotep was sure he did, then he would start looking for ways to protect his woman and his child. Not that Imhotep had any intention of telling Lock-nah that Gabor was far more likely to betray them, now that his woman and daughter were threatened. Desperate men were unpredictable. They could cave. . .or they could do something incredibly brave and incredibly stupid.
One simply never knew. And Imhotep was unwilling to leave such things to chance. He was reminded once more that he made a mistake in hiring Lock-nah. A simple decision was leading to all sorts of complications. . .worse yet, Lock-nah would start drawing unwanted attention if he continued on this path. Part of Imhotep's success as a jewel thief was his ability to melt into the background or to remain un- noticed.
Lock-nah's actions compromised that ability. They compromised that ability, and they compromised the safety of the entire operation. Imhotep had to find a way to keep the operation intact. . .along with this campus. The children on this campus did nothing to him. They were perhaps young and self-centered, but Imhotep was once young and self-centered. He could hardly hold that against them. This had nothing to do with them. Why, then, should they pay the price for Lock-nah's actions?
He would have felt this way, Imhotep told himself, even if he wasn't so attracted to Anck-su-namun Cortez that it took his breath away. This had nothing to do with them. Nothing at all. But if Imhotep didn't come up with a way to neutralize Lock-nah, it was all too likely that the young college students would, indeed, get caught in the crossfire. Unfortunately, Imhotep kept coming up short in the idea department. The last time he came up short in the idea department, he ended up joining forces with Suleiman Bey. Suleiman was long dead. But there was still his son, and the boy's step-brother.
Joining forces with Ardeth Bey was an intriguing idea. Imhotep had little use for his step-brother. He was. . .now, what was the term that Imhotep's Irish friend Finn liked to use? Oh yes. He was a flannel- mouthed braggart. However, Ardeth was another story. He would likely find it difficult to trust Imhotep when the request was made. He was, after all, a Med-jai. And Imhotep was the thief who took the Book of Amun-Ra from the hands of the Med-jai.
But. . .Ardeth Bey was a protector. A type of personality Imhotep understood quite well. And he could not simply stand by and do nothing if someone needed help. His step-brother would have no trouble doing so. . .Asu knew the big-mouth often stated that the only people he cared about was his family, and the rest of the world could go to hell. But Ardeth wasn't his step-brother. Yes. Yes, he would think about joining forces with Ardeth. He would watch the boy for a time. . .and then he would make his decision.
Assuming, of course, that the decision wasn't made for him.