Chapter 35 – Final Choice
It was just after 3:00 am when they returned to the O'Connell's dig site. Tia entered the tent Evie had told her to use and sat wearily on the edge of the narrow cot. When was the last time she'd slept? She wasn't exactly sure. Did drugged unconsciousness count as sleeping? She removed her borrowed boots and bandaged her ankle again. Would Ardeth come in? Tia thought he probably would. After his words to Robert earlier this evening, he would think it his right. Words, she thought with a snort. Statement of ownership was more like it.
Tia's emotions were mixed. On one hand, she resented the hell out of Ardeth's arrogant attitude toward herself and Robert, even though she knew that according to his culture, she DID belong to him. On the other hand, she kept remembering the concern in his face and voice after saving her from near rape; how he'd smiled at her in the tomb. She remembered also the one night they'd shared together. He'd made her feel beautiful and desired. She'd felt that he'd cared for her, personally, not just because she'd been available to him. Tia shrugged to herself and started unbraiding her hair. Yes, he'd come to her, and he'd presume that her body was his to do with what he pleased. The question would be, would he come as the arrogant commander, or would he come as a lover?
Tia had just finished brushing her hair when Ardeth entered the tent a few minutes later. She watched him cautiously as he did up the ties that would hold the tent's flaps shut.
"I haven't had a chance to thank you yet, my lord," Tia said softly. "You saved my life."
For some reason the use of his title instead of his name irritated him. He shrugged. "It is my duty to protect you." He set down his weapons, undid his belt and sash, and dropped his robe on the end of the cot.
"Your duty. Of course." Tia smiled briefly and looked away. Yes, she thought, he was here as the commander.
Ardeth groaned inwardly. That certainly had been smooth. You'd think him a witless boy instead of a man of more than thirty years. "That cot is rather narrow, I think." He took the blankets and spread them on the floor of the tent. "That's better." He settled on the blankets and held out his hand. "Come, Tia."
Tia kept her gaze down as she knelt on the blankets beside him. If this was only duty, she knew hers as well. She would not deny him. You don't want to deny him, a small voice whispered in her mind.
Ardeth unbuttoned her shirt and slipped it off her shoulders. The sight of the numerous scrapes and bruises sent a flash of anger through him. He smoothed his hand over the skin of her shoulder and lightly kissed one of the scrapes. "It is my duty to protect you, Tia. It seems I haven't done a very good job of it."
"It wasn't your fault, my lord," she said.
"Ardeth," he corrected. "Call me Ardeth."
"If you like," she said.
"I like," he replied softly, just before lowering his mouth to hers.
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The day was far advanced by the time Tia woke. She and Ardeth were lying spoon fashion, her back pressed against his chest, his arm draped over her ribs. She could feel his breath in her hair, deep and even. He must still be asleep. She stretched carefully, trying not to disturb him. He stirred, however, and rolled onto his back. Tia eased away from him and sat up.
Asleep, the Medjai's face was relaxed, lacking the firmness that characterized his waking moments. He looked younger and more approachable. Tia let her eyes wander over his body, exposed by the blankets they'd kicked aside during the night. My, but he was a magnificent specimen of manhood! The strong, muscular chest was marred by several scars, and decorated by tattoos. Tattoos similar to the ones on his hands encircled his biceps. The words that came to her mind were 'beautiful' and 'powerful'.
He had surprised her again last night. She'd expected him to be the arrogant commander, taking what he wished without regard for her. Instead, he'd been the lover, coaxing her to fulfillment before achieving his own. She shook her head. The man was full of contradictions. He seemed so hard, cold and merciless, and then he turned around and was kind, considerate and warm.
The feeling of being stared at teased Ardeth awake. Opening his eyes, he saw Tia sitting beside him. When she realized that he was awake, she blushed and lowered her eyes. Amused, he turned and propped himself up on his elbow, reaching out with his other hand to caress her knee. "Why are you embarrassed?"
Tia blushed even deeper. "Because you're naked and you caught me staring at you."
"So are you, my love. I like what I see when I look at you. If you like what you see as well, I'm not at all displeased."
Tia picked up Ardeth's head cloth and draped it around her shoulders. It wasn't as large as the veil she'd worn back in the desert, but it covered essentials. "I know but I can't talk to you this way."
He chuckled and drew the blanket up over his hips. "Does that help?" When she nodded, he chuckled again. "Now what is it you want to say to me?"
Tia fidgeted with the edge of the head cloth. "It's about Robert." Uneasily she noted the amusement fading from his face and the dark eyes becoming harder. She rushed on. "Ardeth, there isn't anything between he and I. There never really was. You don't need to worry about that."
"Perhaps not on your side," Ardeth said dryly.
"I don't think on his either," Tia replied. "He wants to take care of me, wants to see me happy. That's not the same thing as wanting ME." When he remained silent, she went on. "The idea that he's actually a reincarnation of my son makes a lot of sense really. It feels like that. I'm very fond of him, but I don't want him in any sort of sexual way. Not the way that I want, uh, I mean….." Flustered, Tia went silent.
Ardeth sat up, pulling the blanket up with him and looked at Tia closely. "Do you really want me, Tia, or are you just trying to say what I want to hear?" He reached out and tipped her chin so that their eyes met. "Don't lie to me."
"Do you want to hear it?" Tia asked, uncertainly. "What do you feel for me, Ardeth? Just duty? Desire?"
"Duty, yes. Desire, certainly," Ardeth replied. "I also feel admiration. You're braver than you think, Tia. As for more than that, I want to take you home with me. I want to spend time with you."
"In bed?"
"And out of it," he answered honestly. "We've had little time together. I want to know you better than I do now. Will you come with me?"
Tia frowned slightly. "Have I a choice?"
"Yes," he answered. "I have already promised Rick O'Connell that if you wish it, I will leave you with them. You can work their dig, return to America, or pick up your life in Cairo. Whatever you want, Tia. The choice is yours."
She was silent for a long moment. He meant it. He'd let her go if that was her decision. "You're right, Ardeth. We have had little time to talk. I don't know you very well. You still make me nervous. You kill so easily."
His stomach clenched. Was she about to deny him? "Not easily. I don't kill for pleasure, Tia, only for reason. Nor do I have to do it frequently. If Rick and I were ever to compare notes, I suspect he has more notches in his gun belt than I do." At her surprised look, he added, "Ask him about his years in the French Foreign Legion sometime. The important thing is, however, that I would never hurt you. Never. You must believe that."
"I do believe it," she replied. "You've been very gentle with me. And," she smiled slightly, "your mother speaks very well of you."
He grinned. "So you got along well with my mother, did you?"
Tia smiled broadly. "Yes, I did. She's a remarkable woman."
"She is," he agreed. His smiled faded, and he reached out for her hand. "Come home with me. I enjoy your company, and I want you badly. Come with me."
Tia's fingers tightened around his. "Yes, I'll come."
He smiled with relief. "Are you going to tell me that you want me now? I would very much like to hear you say it."
She blushed, but answered. "I want you."
His smile widened. "Good." He pulled her toward him and claimed her lips with his. Tia kissed him back enthusiastically. The choice had been made.
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Not over yet, folks. Stick around for another few chapters, there's some loose ends still.
Psycho8 – Hi, I heard the same statement, about first wanting to have Evy be Nefertiti – I think it's on the Director's commentary off the Mummy Returns DVD. However, it really makes no sense at all with the plot they have. Nefertiti was Queen of Egypt from 1350-1335 BC, the wife of Akhenaten, the heretic Pharaoh. He wanted to eliminate the worship of all deities except one, Amun Ra, I think. Nefertari (or Neferteri or Nefertiri) was also a real person, the Queen of Ramses II, who reigned from 1290-1224 BC. Nefertari works perfectly with the plot they have. Nefertiti would have been more than 40 years too early. Perhaps they kicked around the idea of doing something in the era of Akhenaten, which would have made an interesting movie – lots of anger of the gods, religious fanaticism, etc – but they couldn't have worked in Seti I, Anck-sun-namun or Imhotep as easily based on the storyline they'd set up in the first Mummy movie. They might have come up with something else, though. Steve Sommers (the writer and director) doesn't seem to let historical accuracy get in the way of a good story!
Thanks Lometari, lilylynn and scarlet witch for reviewing!