Disclaimer:- I don't own Tom Sawyer, Mina Hawker, Skinner, Captain Nemo, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde or anything else used in the fic, except Smith and Mr. Big. For those who don't want to read me blabbing on, feel free to skip the shout outs and go right onto part 17 of Bodyguard. The title come from - well, it should be clear eh, especially if you watch the scene between Allan and Reed at the start of the movie of LXG. Anyway, here are the shout outs;

Clez:- *Huggles Clez* There, there it may never happen... except it already did... okay... look, a new part! *smiles innocently* Maybe they save Tom and live happily ever after... *sniggers*

Rayne:- Glad you liked the dreams, we won't be seeing the dream girl for a bit though - as only Tom could see her and at the moment he can't.

Silent Bob 546:- He tried. It's so good that you're enjoying this!

LotRseer3350:- Aw, stop it, I'm going to get a swollen head! If I told you what's going to happen to Tom, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?

Angharad:- It's the only way to get reviews ;)

Niani:- It was a bit sad wasn't it...

Graymoon74:- *Looks down* I'm sowwy... should I just stop writing then? ;) Will Tom snap out of it? Will he end up at the bottom of a well? Just have to wait and see... The League? They... were... having sherry and giggles. Yeah, don't worry, Mr. Big will... well... he might die in a nasty way... depends how much he annoys everyone.

And Now...

The Bodyguard.

~~~

Part Seventeen:- The Dark Continent

~~~

The ship that had based on blueprints of The Nautilus, plowed through the water of the River Nile, leaving a wake of turbulent water behind it as it did so. The prow cut though the water effortlessly, sending up a faint spray of white foam, that almost reached the deck of the boat. It sped past the cruise ships, where the rich and idle of Britain and other nations would come to gape at the stone wonders of Egypt and her ancient past. It sped past the Felucca - the traditional boats sailed by the native Egyptians, the wake of the water making them tilt alarmingly, and causing the owners to shout colorful curses at the ship as it silently moved past them.

The ship finally slowed to a stop just outside the capital, Cairo. The natives and tourists alike came to gape at the ship which moved with such power and grace. A hole suddenly appeared in the side of the ship, causing the people near that area to back away, the more nervous making the evil eye sign. A large gangway was placed from the hole to reach the ground, the sailors who placed it there, worked with out a sound. Three people slowly walked down the ramp, all dressed in native clothes, the robes covering their faces, and going all the way down to their feet. The man in the lead walked confidently over to a fat looking merchant and began to talk in a low voice. The other two men waited at the base of the ramp, the shorter of the two hovering near the other one protectively, a Winchester rifle slung over his shoulder. The last man tapped his foot impatiently, his cold blue eyes staring over at the crowd. No-one seemed able to hold the man's gaze, all looking away after only a few seconds. The first man nodded at the fat merchant and slipped a few coins in to the waiting man's hand, then headed back to his two companions.

"Boss, we could take the ship right down to the city." Smith said in a low voice. Mr. Big shook his head, peering out of his hood at Tom Sawyer who was scanning the crowds, his hand always just a few inches away from his Colt pistols. Smith followed his gaze and sighed softly.

"You want to drag it out, don't you Boss." He said. Mr. Big frowned, a wide range of emotions playing over his face.

"I want to travel the last 17km on donkey." He said abruptly, turning away from Smith. "Sawyer, come here." He called. Tom's head instantly snapped round and he hurried over to his master's side, taking his place next to him.

"Boss, the spirits of the Well, they don't like tricks like this. They won't like you dragging this out. Don't antagonize them." Smith pleaded. Mr. Big gave a short, humorless laugh.

"I have no intention of antagonizing them." He said, clearly ending the conversation at that. Smith nodded and moved away, searching for the donkey seller the fat merchant had recommended. He soon found his way to a wiry thin man, mostly by just following his nose, which lead him right to the stink of donkey dung. The two started to talk quickly and soon the serious business of haggling began.

About half an hour later, Smith was leading four fine donkeys, each in top shape, all ready for the trek ahead. Smith jumped gracefully onto the lead donkey, landing like a cat. He looked over his shoulder, staring hard at his shadow, a hint of worry on his face. Then he turned back to face the desert sands of Egypt. Mr. Big climbed on the second donkey a little slower, having to accept some help from Tom. The young American then loaded the last donkey with a few items they would need before climbing the third donkey and sitting tall upon it. He took the reins of the last donkey, and clicked his teeth together, following Smith and Mr. Big.

~~~

The Nautilus made good time from the coast of Scotland, soon reaching the tip of Africa. Skinner was standing on the conning tower, staring moodily at the passing landscape when he heard lightfoot steps behind him and a faint, almost intoxicating perfume reached his nose. He knew, without turning around that Mina had come out into the fresh air. She moved up to the railing next to the invisible man and silently stared out at the sea and land.

"Does Nemo know where we are going then?" Skinner asked at last, unable to stand silence when someone else was around. Mina nodded, turning her face to stare at him with her perfectly formed blue eyes, that were so deep you could fall into them.

"Our first clue was the fact Mr. Big called the place where the well is a Necropolis..." Mina said.

"A what?"

"It's Greek, Mr. Skinner. It means 'City of the dead'. Think of it as an overgrown graveyard. The Egyptians took burring their dead very seriously. It has buildings just like a normal city, only the people living there are dead." Mina answered, her gaze drifting back to Africa. She sighed deeply.

"If they cared about the dead as much as they are supposed to, they have to have more than one Necropolis right? How did you know which one is the one?" Skinner asked in confusion.

"The diary entries mention the pyramid of Unas and a causeway which leads to the entrance which is under the pyramid. I checked some of Captain Nemo's books. An Unas is mentioned, his pyramid is located in Saqqara. The main Necropolis of the Ancient Egyptian world." Mina smiled as she said it, letting the sun play on her face. Skinner watched in fascination. He had always thought Vampires would die if exposed to sunlight, but Mina had proved him wrong.

"Then to Saqqara we go." Skinner said in a sing song voice, skipping off to go inside, his skin till tender and prone to burning after his near toasting experience just over four months ago. Mina watched him go, then turned back to face Africa.

They would catch up with their enemy very soon.

~~~

The 17km trip to Saqqara was uneventful for the three men as they followed the course of the Nile as it wove its way through the lush flood plains. They soon reached the entrance to the city. The donkey Smith was riding suddenly stopped and refused to pass into the dead city, no matter how much Smith coxed or whipped it. He climbed down from it and lead it along the side of the city, driving a stake into the ground then tiring the reins of the donkey around it. Mr. Big and Tom Sawyer did the same. Mr. Big stepped ahead of the other two, breathing deeply, sand entering though his nose, though he seemed oblivious to it. He strode along an ancient causeway, without looking back. Tom looked over at Smith for a second, something stirring deep with the glazed green eyes. Then he trotted after Mr. Big.

Smith slowly extended his lean arm, letting it pass the boundary of Saqqara. Though the arm remained the same, the shadow it cast had altered drastically. The shadow was of a rotting arm, bits of flesh hanging off it. He slowly pulled his arm back and the shadow became normal again. It always amused Smith to see how when he was in Saqqara, the sun showed his true form.

"Smith!" Mr. Big yelled, getting his attention. The Egyptian shook himself mentally and hurried after his Boss, his hand resting on the Dagger of the Well. He wanted to be ready for anything. They hadn't seen the League yet and this worried Smith slightly, he didn't think they were the type to just give up. Even if they didn't come after them to save Agent Sawyer, they should have come after them to try and get their revenge on the American - if they believed he had indeed betrayed them.

Smith hurried after his Boss, his senses alert, ready for any sign that might tell him the League were already here. Of course, they didn't know where Mr. Big and the rest were going, but he doubted such a small flaw would stop their plans for very long. Soon the guardian of the Well had caught up with the other two and they hurried towards the entrance to the maze which would would lead to the Well and then to the restored heath of Mr. Big.

~~~

The Nautilus raced through the Nile, heading towards Saqqara as fast as Captain Nemo would make her. It moved silently, deadly, the League all inside, all tense, ready for action. Mina couldn't stop the paranoid thoughts that ran though her head. What if she was wrong? What if the diary entry was a blind or a mistake made by Mr. Big himself? They could spend days searching the underground caverns of Saqqara and not realize they were in the wrong place until it was too late - assuming they ever found their way out of the maze afterwards. Suddenly the Nautilus slowed to a stop, pausing outside of Cairo. The League looked slightly confused as one of Nemo's sailors raced past them, heading for one of the many exits of the ship. He jumped out and darted towards one of the merchants, talking frantically and pointing at something on the Nile. Dr. Jekyll, who had followed the sailor, turned his head to look at what the man was pointing at. His mouth fell open in surprise.

"Smith's ship is here!" he called back to the rest of the League. Skinner and Mina exchanged a look, confused by this turn of events. What was Smith's ship doing here if they were supposed to be heading for Saqqara? Unless they were lucky enough to have caught up with them already.

The sailor passed a few coins to the man he was talking to then hurried back to the Nautilus. He ran past Dr. Jekyll and began to whisper in Nemo's ear, reporting to his Captain. The Indian nodded and dismissed him, turning to face the League, who had crowed around him, varying degrees of worry on their faces.

"Smith, Mr. Big and Tom Sawyer all passed this way about ten hours ago, traveling down the by the side of the Nile on donkeys. They probably only just reached Saqqara, if that is where they are heading. It will take us mere minutes to reach that city. We are catching up." Captain Nemo said. Skinner smiled and punched the air with his fist.

"Yes!"

TBC...

There really is a Necropolis called Saqqara, which does indeed have the pyramid of Unas and the Unas Causeway.

Hope you enjoyed, please leave a review on your way out!

~Sethoz