Title: Return to the Beginning

Author: Comnena

Pairings: Rick O'Connell/ Evelyn; Jonathon/ OFC; Ardeth/ OFC (but no Mary Sue)

Rating: PG-13 I'd guess, at least for now.

Disclaimer: Not mine, no money being made, no rights being infringed. All good, clean (-ish) and harmless fun being had.

Feedback: Anything you want, but bear in mind flames aren't nice for anyone.

Notes: Please note I don't speak any form of Arabic and I'm using a phrasebook designed for ignoramuses like me. Also I am mixing up Islam with the ancient Egyptian gods as I please and no offence is meant to any religion or its followers past or present.

Summary: Arrangements are made, new arguments begin and Jonathon tries to avoid adventure.

Dedication: (meant to do this last chapter but was flurriedand forgot) This chapter is dedicated to the five people who gave me my first reviews! Purple pebble 22, L.C., Lilylynn, Fiona12690 & HgandRHforever. Thank you very much for your encouraging words. I do hope that now we are (finally) getting closer to the main action you will continue to enjoy the story.

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'Professor Sommerson, Dr Faulkner! If you would just follow me... Evelyn's voice trailed off as a plump older woman followed the two men, while behind her there came a young girl and an even younger boy – both of whom looked sulky and bored. Despite this they resembled the Professor enough for Evie to guess at the relationships involved.

'Mrs Sommerson? Oh, how wonderful that you could join us.' Internally she was aware of a sudden sinking feeling as she looked at the soft pretty faces of the other two women. In no way had she expected that this was going to be an easy meeting, and it looked now as though it was going to outdo all save her very worst imaginings. Which since those involved Imhotep and the Scorpion King still gave them plenty of leeway to create havoc.

Evelyn led the group through the sitting room of their suite and out onto the balcony. Aware of the people behind her she saw the men in her life as though through their eyes – Rick in his usual tan trousers and white shirt was leaning on the balcony rail watching the street below. Jonathon in a lightweight pale grey summer suit was sipping an iced drink whilst going over the sporting section of the London and local papers. Alex was curled on a cushion in a corner of the terrace in grey shorts and a blue shirt and was pouring over a large volume on Egyptian history.

Relieved that they were all present and mostly correct, Evelyn broke into the peaceful scene, 'Darling, this is Professor Sommerson, his wife and Dr Faulkner. Also the Professor's son and daughter.'

Rick turned and gave a quick polite smile to the guests. 'Pleased to meet you. I'm Rick, this here's Jonathon an' our son Alex.'

'A pleasure.' The Professor nodded equally impersonally, then waving to each in turn he continued. 'My wife Helen, my daughter Daphne, and my son Linus.'

'Hello.' Jonathon waved vaguely, glancing up from his paper but failing to stand up.

Alex did stand up and came over to the table, still carrying the large book. He didn't speak but he nodded at their visitors before turning to his mother. 'There isn't any mention of this village in 'A Thousand Miles Up the Nile'. I've checked twice.'

'Oh dear, thank you anyway Alex. Maybe it was in one of her other works. We can check later.' She took the book and looked round vaguely before putting it down on the table amongst the plates and cups.

Rick had been counting heads and he broke in now with, 'Alex, why don't you and Jonathon go and collect another couple of chairs?'

'Ok Dad. Uncle Jon? Uncle Jon!'

'Hmmm... what? Oh, yes, right.' With a heavy sigh the slim Englishman dropped his paper and pulled himself to his feet and followed his nephew back into the suite.

'Mrs Sommerson, if you would like to sit here,' Evelyn gestured towards a chair at the right hand side of the veranda which would allow the older woman a view down the street. 'And...' her voice trailed off as the Professor took the seat nearest him and interrupted her by saying in a testy voice.

'Sit down, sit down, what does it matter where we sit? We are here to talk not to admire the view.'

Rick's eyebrows rose at this absentminded insult, 'No, this isn't really a social chat now is it?'

Jonathon and Alex reappeared carrying three extra chairs, which were squeezed in round the oval table. Then there was an awkward pause as they all looked at each other. It was broken, inevitably, by the Professor.

'Mrs O'Connell believed that you would both be of use to the expedition I am heading. She seemed convinced in fact that your presence, sir, would be most 'useful?' the last was addressed to Rick, who quirked an eyebrow, but did not smile.

'As I said yesterday,' Evelyn spoke up, 'Rick has a close relationship with the leader of the nomads who live in that area, and they don't like strangers in their lands. Especially not those they would consider treasure hunters.'

'Huh!' Jonathon snorted, 'why not be a bit more honest Evie? They don't like people barging in on their lands and their reaction can often be extremely violent. Trust me - you don't want these men charging your camp out in the middle of nowhere, and at night.'

Evie smiled at her brother, 'I didn't mean for our warning to be quite so blunt, but well... he's right.' She shrugged and looked back at the Professor.

'What makes you the expert on these nomads?' Rick bridled at the irritated scorn in the Professors voice.

'Guess I was in the right place at the right time, their leader and I got to be pals an' these days I count as an honorary member of the tribe.'

'So if we run into them, you can speak to them – yes?' the dark young doctor's voice had a singsong lilt, and both the accent and his conciliatory tone soothed the building tension within the group.

Mrs Sommerson smiled at Rick, 'I am glad you'll be with us then. And it will be so comforting for your wife.' She beamed with vapid good humour round the group, nodding her head as though agreeing with herself.

'Evie doesn't need much comforting.' Rick grinned across at his wife, their eyes met and – as always - they forgot about their audience as they gazed at each other.

'Oh purlease!' sighed Alex, irritated and embarrassed by his parents continual soppiness. A giggle surprised him and looking across the table he met Linus Sommerson's eyes. The slightly older boy looked again at the O'Connells and then struck a finger in his mouth and made gagging noises.

'Linus!' his father snapped and boy immediately sobered up and straightened in his chair. Rick and Jonathon both glared at him – each planning surprisingly similar fates for the boy, while Evie blushed – although whether the colour came from anger or embarrassment even she was not sure.

Attempting to keep his desire to explain 'good manners' to the boy, preferably using mild-to-moderate violence, out of his voice Rick moved on with, ''So how are we gettin' out to the dig site? You need any help with the travel arrangements, or anything?'

'No, no,' Dr Faulkner's lilting voice was again quick to cover the underlying tension in the group. 'We have already booked several cabins on one o'the cruiser's and the plan is that we leave in six days. Travel up the river for the next two or three days dependin' on the captain and then there'll be a party of camels, horses an' diggers waitin' for us. Should take another four days ride t'get us out to the site.'

'But if you've already booked all this, then should we make our own arrangements? After all one person might not make to much difference to your plans, but there are four of us!'

The Professor waved Evelyn's offer away with a dismissive hand, 'I booked for a larger party than is actually going out. There was talk of a couple of our backers wanting a look, to see what their money is being spent on.'

'Oh, well. That's alright then. I'm so glad we needn't put you to any more trouble, Dr Faulkner.' For the life of her, Evelyn couldn't decide if the Professor meant to be offensive – or if he was just incapable of interacting with people who were actually alive, unlike the previous inhabitants of his precious village.

Jonathon blinked, silly-ass persona even more exaggerated than usual. 'So are we going? I mean it sounds like someone is going to have to step up to the mark pretty quick and make a decision, or we'll just be sitting here rehashing it all until lunchtime. Actually, lunch sounds like...'

His voice tailed off as Rick spoke up, his drawling accent easily drowning out his brother-in-law's chatter. 'I reckon we should go along. Evie's right, you're goin' to need our help. An' we won't be much use to ya sittin' around here.'

'If the only reason you are going is to offer your protection from these desert tribesmen you find so terrifying...' This time it was the Professor that Rick interrupted, hanging on to his own temper with grim determination in the face of the other man's irritable obstinacy.

'You want another translator, an' you picked Evie. You even said you needed more folks with experience in the desert; well we've got that. An' we're offering to help out your party on that front, so we're goin' with you.'

'Excellent, so glad we have that settled. So I suppose the next step is packing? And we'll get to ride camels again – complete with smell, flies and spit I dare say. Are you sure you need me along old girl? I couldn't stay here? Mind the rooms for you? No? Well, it was worth a shot...' And with a heavy sigh Jonathon left the awkward party on the balcony as he headed into the suite, to start his own complicated method of packing.