Meg, Queen of the Nile

Disclaimer: Hercules and Megara are not mine, neither is Phil and Pegasus. I do however, own the plot line that you are reading, the drawings that go along with a few of the chapters, and the Egyptian and Roman characters. So...there's that. Don't steal kids.

Chapter 12:

Hercules emerged from the washroom in their luxurious suite to find a table full of food, a new pair of clothes layed out on the satee, and his fiance in tears on the bed.

"Meg, sweetheart, what's wrong?" He sat next to her and gently ran a hand through her hair, massaging her neck a little.

"I'm sorry," Meg sniffled. "It's just...I'm just very tired. I can't ... sigh "

"It's ok..." Herc noticed that Meg hadn't yet changed into the clean dress that was layed out for her, and the one she was wearing had lines of dried blood on the back. Herc ran his fingers ever so gently over the dress. "...ok..." Then taking both hands he ripped it from the top down, revealing the deep slashes underneath. Some of the blood had dried to the fibers of the fabric and Meg winced when it was torn away. "Dear gods." Herc sighed at the look of her. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "This might hurt a little."

He brought a cloth and some warm water and began cleaning her wounds, pausing every so often to kiss her.

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner...I didn't know where you were...I should never have left you alone."

Meg shook her head. "It's not your fault. This whole stupid scandel...I don't want to think about it."

Herc leant down and kissed her again. "You're done here...why don't you go wash up a bit and change into your new dress there." Meg did as Herc suggested and felt much better for it. The two of them sat at the table and tried to enjoy the food and comfortable surroundings, but too much was going through their minds.

"It's already been over an hour," Meg sighed as she nibbled on a grape. "I wonder what's taking them so long."

"Well I've never really liked politics...for the very reason that it takes too long to get anything done." Herc made a face at the thought.

"Still...I'm just worried about them. Too much could go wrong."

Herc nodded and got up, disguarding his half eaten plate of food.

"Where are you going?"

"No where I just... I'm gonna pace. I hate feeling useless."

Meg gave a gentle laugh and got up to stop his pacing. "Don't. You're not useless. I need you here. And besides, you look exhausted."

"Well, I'll agree to that, I haven't slept in almost two days."

Meg nodded. "I thought as much. Come on, let's rest a while. They'll come for us when everything's settled." She lead him back to the bed where they lay down together and were both soon asleep.

A loud knock on the door awoke Meg from what she felt like had been an awful nightmare. The pain shooting through her back told her it had all been real. She got up, noticing that Herc was no longer next to her, and opened the door. A proper looking man on the other side informed her that Hercules was already downstairs and that she should join them. Meg slipped on the pair of fancy slippers that were in the suite and follwed her escort downstairs to the thrown room. The scene was only slightly less caotic than when she'd left. Cleopatra and Hercules approached her as she entered.

"We're to leave immediately for Rome," Cleo said, "Antony and I together to stop the Rebels. We have guards patroling the streets to arrest anyone suspicious but word may have already leaked out and I'm sure most have fled."

"Is your life in danger?" Meg asked bluntly.

"Not as long as I can help it." Antony approached the group now. "I'm sure she's told you, we're leaving as soon as the boat's ready."

"You're welcome to stay, Meg. We certainly owe it to you both."

Meg and Herc looked at eachother and back at Cleo and Antony. "Um...no thank you, I think we've about overstayed our welcome."

Antony laughed. "We thought as much. I've already had your things brought over to your room. They should arrive shortly."

"I'm so sorry- for everything." Cleo sighed.

Hercules shrugged. "I guess we never were very good at taking a vacation."

Meg rolled her eyes. "Understatement of the century."

Cleo gave a soft laugh, but Meg could tell she was very troubled. Who wouldn't be in her position? And Herc, being the big lug that he is, grabbed her up into a big bear hug. It was worth it just to see the shocked look on Cleo's face before she hugged him back. "Thank you," she whispered. Then she turned to Meg. "Megara, you did more than I could have ever asked of you. You've been...well, you've been a friend to me..."

Meg blushed. "Nah. I was mostly savin' my own ass." She gave Cleo a smirk and the two of them embraced.

"I hope I'll see you again."

"You can plan on it...maybe in Greece next time."

Cleo made a face. "Alright...but I get to wear my own clothes."

"It's a deal," Meg laughed. She turned to Antony then. "Antony. It's been fun scheming with you." She kissed his cheek. "And that's all the action you'll be getting out of me. Got it?"

Now it was Antony's turn to blush. "Yeah. Got it." Herc and Cleo looked puzzled, but before they could ask they were interrupted by someone telling them that the ship was ready to leave.

((Ok, sorry if that chapter was boring, guys. Next chapter will be up soon.))