Author's Note: As always, a huge thank-you to all of my reviewers (you make my day and keep me writing!) After angsty parts and dramatic rescues, I thought that it was time to reward your patience with a solid dose of fluff. I hope that you enjoy it – comments are always gratefully received.

Chapter Thirteen: All That's Best of Dark and Bright

Rick pounded heavily on the door.

Nothing.

Ardeth glanced warily down the corridor, but none of the other doors opened. He was accustomed to the desert and the ways of its people, but he could easily surmise that this was the sort of neighbourhood where no-one interfered with anyone else's business.

Rick had divested himself of his borrowed robes as soon as Evelyn and her escort had left them. Under the robes he wore a simple dark shirt and trousers - now in his own clothes and in the knowledge that Evelyn was safe, Rick was starting to feel more like himself. Nevertheless, he suppressed the desire to simply kick the door open and tried the handle instead. The door swung open, creaking slightly on the rusty hinges. The two men exchanged glances and entered.

It was a dingy room at the best of times – without the ragged bits of finery that Selina had arranged around it in an attempt to disguise her own degradation, it appeared even more squalid. That Selina was gone was obvious from the first. Rick pulled open the doors of the wardrobe, but it merely confirmed that it was empty. He sat heavily on the edge of the bed. Evidently, she had taken his advice to heart and left while she still could.

'Did you really think he would be here?'

Rick looked up at his companion and blew out a breath. 'Not really, I guess. I just had to be sure. Even if Selina had been here she probably wouldn't have known where he'd go. Don't think she'd want to.'

Wherever she was, he thought, she would soon find someone else to take up with. Someone who didn't really care what she did. The sort of man he himself had been, before. Only with more money. Rick took a moment out from despising her to wish her luck and then dismissed her from his thoughts.

Ardeth said nothing. He felt for Rick's sense of frustration, but had no words of advice. There was nothing to say that would erase the pain and anxiety of the past hours and nothing that would make the present situation any easier. With the Englishman Barton still free, they were all in danger.

Rick finally stood and wandered over to the window; he gazed out for a moment and then let the shutter fall closed with a dull thud.

'There's, er, there's something … Well, something I've been, er, kinda meaning to ask. You. To ask you.'

Ardeth looked at him curiously. It was strange to hear Rick O'Connell sound so uncertain. He waited.

'It's just…' He cleared his throat, not quite meeting the other man's eye. 'We're getting married soon. Evelyn and I.'

'I did not think that you would be marrying someone else.'

Rick grinned sheepishly and took a deep breath. 'It's just a small ceremony, nothing fancy. But, er, I was wondering if – I mean it's not like it's any big deal, but… Would-would you be my best man?'

Ardeth became very still.

'It's just, y'know, a sort of formality. You just have to hold the ring and-'

'I know what it is. Should you not ask someone from your family? Or a friend?'

'I don't have a family,' Rick answered bluntly. 'As for friends…' He shrugged. 'Most friends I had, if you can call them that, are dead. I'd ask Jonathan, but he's giving Evy away. And, well, to be honest, if I was gonna actually choose someone, I guess it would be you.'

It was not the most graciously worded offer Ardeth had ever heard. Nevertheless, he smiled and in that moment looked far younger that his habitually stern visage usually allowed.

'I would be truly honoured, O'Connell.'

'Good. Great. Thanks.' Rick O'Connell was not a man given over to sentimentality, but he did have an appreciation of genuine emotion. The fact was that throughout the course of his life, emotion of any kind had played very little part. During his adult life, the people he had termed 'friends' had merely been associates and fellow soldiers he had not particularly cared for. With Ardeth, it was different. It was even different with Jonathan. Despite their differences, he felt true fondness for the Englishman. With Ardeth, the connection transcended simple friendship, as though it were a primal bond of flesh and blood. For the first time in his life, Rick had friends and family. He ran a hand through his hair self-consciously and glanced around the bare room. 'C'mon, we're done here. Let's go back to the hotel.'

They made their way down the stairs.

'By the way, just because you're the best man, it doesn't mean you get to start telling bad jokes about me and hiring strippers.'

The Medjai stared at him, bewildered. 'Strippers?'

Rick laughed and shook his head. 'Ardeth, buddy, we've gotta work on that sense of humour of yours.'

They found Jonathan and Evelyn in her suite.

After a much appreciated bath and edible food, Evelyn was sitting on the settee, resplendent in her brother's silk dressing-gown and clutching a half-full glass of whisky. She beamed at Rick and Ardeth as they entered, her cheeks flushing pink.

'You're back!'

She attempted to stand up but became entangled in the voluminous folds of the dressing-gown and sat down again.

Rick glared at Jonathan. 'Great. You got her drunk.'

'Ooh, I am not drunk!'

'Certainly not, dear boy. She's had about three sips and managed to slosh most of the stuff all over the cushions. Bloody waste, if you ask me.' He looked over at his sister critically. 'Although, you are looking a bit squiffy, sis. I know you're a cheap drunk, Evy, but this is ridiculous.'

'Oh, honestly!' Evelyn rolled her eyes. 'Well, I am not going to say it again.' She slapped her glass down on the table emphatically – the liquid inside spilled out over her hand. 'Oops.'

Now that the tension had drained out of her body, she felt limp and hollow; even the smallest amount of alcohol had set her head buzzing. She looked up at her fiancé and smiled guiltily.

Loose curls were falling around her face and her eyes sparkled with an inner fire. He felt as though someone had grabbed hold of his insides and was squeezing them until he could hardly breath. The sudden, intense sweep of love for this woman was dizzying and terrifying. He realised how close he had come to losing her and made a silent vow that he would never allow anyone or anything to harm her again. Rick lowered himself onto the settee next to her, still watching her.

Jonathan observed this scene indulgently and then waved an arm at Ardeth. 'Have a seat, old son. Evy's been telling more about old Horus and Seth. Only with added gory bits. Very morbid streak she's got, my little sister - bless her. Will you two stop drooling over each other until respectable people have left the room?'

Rick raised an eyebrow. 'Respectable? Getting delusions again, Jon?'

'I was referring to Ardeth,' Jonathan stated with dignity.

'And I have never drooled over anyone in my life,' Evelyn supplied adamantly.

Jonathan smiled into his whisky and then looked up at his sister innocently. 'Course you haven't, sis. Just a slip of the tongue.' It was just too easy to tease her sometimes, he thought. Admittedly, it was something that he probably should have grown out of by now, but he saw no reason to change the habit of a lifetime.

Ardeth was staring moodily at an unspecified patch of floor.

'What's eating you?'

He looked up at Rick. 'Barton was wearing the amulet.'

'I know. It was kinda hard to miss.'

'Even though we have Evelyn back, nothing in his plans has changed. He will still attempt to awaken the demon and-'

'You-you actually saw the amulet?' Evelyn's face flushed and she was almost stammering with excitement.

'Oh God, here we go,' Rick groaned.

'W-well, what did it look like? Did you see the papyrus?'

'You had to bring it up, didn't you?' Rick glared at Ardeth. 'You couldn't just keep that part to yourself.'

'Oh be quiet.' She leaned forward, little patches of pink burning on each cheek. 'David told me about the papyrus, but I didn't actually see it. You know, apparently it was actually dictated to Horus by Ra himself and then Horus presented it to Narmer – the Catfish King,' she added by way of explanation to Rick.

'Why was he called… Actually, don't tell me. Save some of the fun for tomorrow.'

Evelyn's hands were fluttering around her as she talked, her eyes glowing. 'I know that David has to be stopped, but if we could save the amulet and the papyrus… I-it's one of the most exciting archaeological discoveries of recent times – perhaps of anytime!'

'Hey, even more than the Book of the Dead?' Rick asked sardonically.

'I was not the one who dropped the Book,' she responded, looking meaningfully at Jonathan. The fact that the Book of the Dead was buried beneath the sands at Hamunaptra – probably lost forever - was not something that Evelyn could get over very quickly. 'That is not going to happen to the papyrus. I-it is a link – a tangible link between the gods of Egypt and the first pharaohs! It's incredibly valuable!'

Rick exchanged a despairing glance with Jonathan. The latter shrugged and took a long pull of his whisky.

Evelyn turned to Ardeth. 'The papyrus… I-it's instructions written by a god. We have to preserve it, study it… Present it to a museum, or a library… Oh, you must understand!'

Ardeth suppressed a smile. 'Yes, Seshat.'

Rick raised his head. 'Who now?'

'Ah, of course, old Seshat,' Jonathan said airily. 'Yes, he was, er… '

'She was the senior goddess of writing,' Evelyn said, tucking a stray curl behind her ear and flushing at the compliment. 'Her name means "foremost in the library".'

Rick snorted. 'A goddess for librarians. Figures.'

'Evelyn is right – the papyrus and the amulet are items of immense power and importance. But,' Ardeth looked at Evelyn severely, 'if they must be destroyed in order to prevent the dark lord from rising, then that is what must happen.'

'Oh… I know.' She sighed. 'But-'

'No! No more buts, that's it!'

Rick sprang to his feet and for a moment he towered over the others. 'We're gonna do what we have to do. I think the world will be happier without a necklace and a bit of paper-'

'It's an amulet-'

'Whatever! I don't give a damn what it's called, Evy!'

She folded her arms sulkily and muttered, 'There's no need for that sort of language…'

He let out a carefully controlled breath. 'The world will be better of without that stuff than it will being ruled by a madman, okay? Look, if we can save the stuff we will. Let's just see if we can make it through the night in one piece, shall we? We back here tomorrow and decide what to do, yes?'

'Absolutely.' Jonathan drained his glass and stood up. 'Think I'll turn in. I get the feeling that tomorrow is going to be a very long day.' He stooped and caught Evelyn in a clumsy embrace. 'Good night, old mum. Don't give Rick too hard a time,' he added in a whisper.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

Ardeth stood. 'I too will go. I must speak with my people before tomorrow. Goodnight, Jonathan, Evelyn.' He bowed ceremoniously. 'O'Connell.'

Jonathan raised his hand in a vague gesture of farewell as Ardeth's dark figure eased out of the room. 'Well, that's me gone too, I think. Night, Rick.'

Rick grasped Jonathan's hand between both of his. A silent understanding passed between the two.

'Don't have nightmares.'

'Never fear, old man. I haven't had a dream since I was fourteen. It's amazing what Glenmorangie will do for you.'

He turned back when he reached the door, as though memorising the sight. His sister, her eyes and face glowing in the soft lamplight, wrapped in the silk sheen of his robe; and her handsome American standing over her, ready to protect her with his life if necessary. He felt a suspicious prickling behind his eyes and blinked rapidly. Damn whisky making a chap maudlin, he thought, and left.

The door clicked shut and Rick and Evelyn were finally left alone. She looked up at him.

'Are you going to shout at me again?'

'I wasn't shouting at you,' he growled. He shook his head, exhaling loudly. 'Y'know, half the time I want to slap you silly.'

She gave him a crooked little smile. 'What do you want to do to me the other half?'

'Kiss you silly.'

Her smile broadened. 'Sounds like the basis for a perfect relationship.'

He descended on her, holding onto every part of her he could reach and burying his face in her hair.

'You're the bravest person I've ever met, Evy.'

'I wasn't brave.' She touched his face gently. Her eyes were huge and dark. 'I was terrified'

'So was I.' His mouth formed the words, but the voice that came out was not his own.

She took his face in her hands as though memorising every line. She promised herself that she would never be the cause of his pain again. Never.

Her lips were soft and warm and tasted faintly of whisky. But beneath its smokiness was her own, indescribable flavour. He couldn't get enough of it. He remembered the first taste of her lips, under the burning sky in the hell that had been Cairo Prison – he had been craving her ever since.

She let out a soft moan and he pulled back, examining her face in concern.

'Does it hurt?' he asked, his fingers barely touching her battered cheek.

'No, not really,' she answered, unsure how to tell him that her inadvertent exhortation had been one of pleasure, not pain.

Exhaustion was clearly etched into the lines of her face, he realised. She needed sleep and time to mend weary muscles. He informed her of this and an expression of disappointment fell across her face.

Part of her was prepared to argue the point, but she could barely keep her eyes open. It was easier to let Rick raise her to her feet and guide her into her room, his warm hand resting in the hollow of her back.

She slipped Jonathan's robe off and draped it carelessly over a chair. Her eyes moved across her room, lingering over her piles of books and a few choice trinkets from Hamunaptra that she used as decoration. It was wonderful to be back in her own room, with all of her own things. Rick had pulled back the sheets and blankets for her and she crept in gratefully, stretching her weary, aching body on the soft mattress.

Rick pulled the sheets back over her tenderly and then took a step back, watching her. He didn't want to leave her alone for a second, but there were things in his room that he needed to get. If anyone tried to get Evelyn tonight, they would have to go through him first.

She pushed herself up into a sitting position, her eyes heavy.

'Rick, don't go.'

'I'm not going anywhere.'

'No, I mean...' She turned her head away from slightly, feeling her cheeks burning. 'Please just ... just hold me.'

He swallowed hard, not moving. 'Are you sure about that?'

'As long as you take your boots off first.'

She pulled back one corner of the sheet, and patted the empty space on the bed next to her.

Rick sat on the edge, keeping his back to her and started to unlace his boots. His fingers suddenly felt thick and clumsy; he kept losing hold of the laces and swore softly under his breath.

Evelyn played with a strand of her hair, fascinated by the play of muscle and contours in his back and shoulders as he stooped. She reached out and traced the long line of his back with her hand. He stiffened at the touch, suddenly sitting upright and breathing in shakily. Without turning he caught hold of her hand and held it tightly for a moment, caressing the smooth skin with his callused thumb. Eventually he placed her hand gently on the pillow and mounted a successful attack on his boots. With that task accomplished, he turned his attention to the mosquito netting.

Mosquito netting and its ways posed a permanent challenge to Evelyn - it had bested her more than once. So it was with a certain amount of admiration that she watched Rick skilfully arrange the netting around them. He extinguished the lamp beside her bed and the room was plunged into complete darkness. She felt the mattress dip under his weight and then the solid bulk of his warmth next to her.

He felt for her in the darkness and then pulled her soft form into his arms. Evelyn rested her head in the crook of his shoulder, one small hand tucking into the open collar of his shirt. He rubbed her back reassuringly and the simple gesture was both comforting and heartbreaking. She felt her throat tightening and took a deep breath in the effort not to cry.

Rick laid his cheek on top of her head, inhaling the sweet perfume of her hair and marvelling at how it could be so soft. He tried to remember the last time he had felt so good, so complete and came to the conclusion that it was the last time he had held her.

Evelyn pressed herself against him, as though she could draw from him the strength she seemed to be so suddenly lacking. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness and in the pale light, she could just make out the strong lines of his face. She remembered how he had rode by her side all through the desert, how he had held her after the Medjai had attacked their camp – how he had tried to defend her with everything he had against the immortal power of Imhotep.

The knowledge that someone is prepared to die for you is overwhelming. That another person is capable of so much love for you is even more incredible than the fact that you are prepared to sacrifice yourself for them.

In Evelyn's exhausted brain, this twin knowledge was almost too much to bear. It was only Rick's firm caresses along her back and his soft breath against her face that grounded her. She relaxed her hold on him, turning her face up to his.

'Aren't you going to kiss me goodnight?'

There was a moment's stillness and then she felt a feather-light touch brush her forehead. It was achingly sweet, but it did not dull the ache within her.

'I meant properly.'

'Honey, if I started kissing you now, I wouldn't stop. And I don't think you'd thank me in the morning for where it would lead.'

Where it would lead… She knew perfectly well what he meant; and all of the reasons she had ever thought of not to simply give in to the thing her soul and body ached for appeared to have vanished. His hands had stopped their migration and had come to rest – one in the hollow of her back, the other tangled in her hair.

'I love you,' she murmured, her voice thick with drowsiness. His response was to hold her closer.

It was wonderful to feel her warmth and weight in his arms. Once, the knowledge that a beautiful, willing girl was lying beside him would have been enough. But Evelyn was different, in every conceivable way. What he felt for her was more than wanting her body or a deep romantic love – it was a connection he had no name for. It was not possible to take advantage of her momentary weakness. Holding her like this, feeling her soft skin under his hands, inhaling her perfume, was ecstasy and agony at the same time. He had a feeling that life with Evelyn would be full of such moments.

Rick felt his eyes drifting closed and forced them to open again. She was still in danger and he had a duty to protect her. She had asked him to hold her and he had done that. As soon as he was certain she was asleep, he would get up.

He wouldn't be able to sleep with her so close to him anyway, of that he was certain.

Just a few more minutes and then he would go.

She was making low sighs of pleasure as she nestled against him.

He would definitely get up soon. Definitely.