Disclaimer: Characters and past storylines are property of their original owners and creators. I own nothing, except in the case of the odd original character or two.
Author's Note: I've neglected this piece for a bit, so, I thought that now would be a good time to catch up on things. So, here is Chapter Two! Enjoy!
"So, Michelle, where have you been for the past few years?" Jonathan asked, truly interested. Everyone had moved in to the lounge, and had been talking for nearly half an hour. Rick and Jonathan each sat in large armchairs, while Evelyn and Michelle had taken to the couch. The topic had been about Evelyn, Jonathan, and Rick, for the most part, and Jonathan felt that it was time to change the subject.
Michelle smiled at Jonathan. "Well, I have been in America for the past four years," she said, thoughtfully. "Before that, I was in Egypt for several months, and, just before that, I had spent several years right here in England."
"Egypt, eh?" Jonathan inquired.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were here?" Evelyn asked, completely ignoring her brother's question. "We could have gotten together!"
Michelle shook her head, from side, to side. "I had tried to track you down the first year that I was here. Everyone that I got in contact with told me that you had left for Egypt. After that, I did not bother to continue searching." She smiled. "Believe me, I would have tried to find you. I was just so caught up with my work."
Evelyn smiled, too, in understanding. "Oh, yes. I know exactly what you mean." She eyed her husband for a moment, before whispering to Michelle, in a volume that only they could hear. "However, I was caught up in more than just work."
The two women burst in to light laughter, which lasted for only a few seconds. When the sounds of their laughter ended, a thick silence coated the room, along with its inhabitants. Rick cleared his throat, once, the silence becoming rather unsettling. Other than that, the only sounds to be heard came from the old grandfather clock, at the back of the room, as its pendulum swung back and forth.
Several moments passed in more silence, neither of the four individuals completely sure as to just why no one was speaking. Just as Evelyn was about to pick up the conversation, the sounds of car doors slamming could be heard from outside.
"Who in the world?" Rick asked, as he rose from the large armchair, and headed toward the front hallway. It did not take long for him to look outside, and find the source of the noise. "Jonathan!" he called, his voice echoing through the house. "It's for you!"
Jonathan, only half listening, heard his name being called, and sprang up from his seat. "I'm coming!" He left the room, in all but a run, leaving Evelyn and Michelle alone.
"Well, I assume that my brother has a female guest," Evelyn sighed, amused. "I also should believe that my husband will be making himself scarce for the remainder of the afternoon."
Michelle smiled, slightly. "I see that I still have that gift of driving people away," she said, solemnly.
"Oh, it's not that," Evelyn assured her friend. "Rick just had some things to take care of. He is leaving in about a week, for some archeological studies."
Michelle nodded, in understanding. "That sounds fun. I haven't been on a good dig in ages."
"Neither have I!" Evelyn laughed. "I went on one expedition before Alex was born, but, after that, I had no time." She sighed, heavily, thinking about where the last ten years of her life had suddenly disappeared to. Of course, she knew that she would not trade her life for anything in the world. It just depressed her that she was getting older.
"Well, I would not mind getting my hands dirty," Michelle admitted. "It is just that I have not been in the field for so long. I am afraid that I would be rejected, were I to apply to join a group on a dig."
"That would never happen." Evelyn smiled. "Besides, we might even find the time to do some digging while you are here."
Michelle laughed at the open sarcasm. "Unlikely. I am only going to be here for a short while. I have..." She paused. "Things to take care of."
Raising an eyebrow, Evelyn decided to inquire. "What things are those?" She watched, as Michelle shifted in her seat, remaining completely silent. "Michelle?"
Michelle looked up, as if someone had just pulled her out of a trance. "What? Oh, right." She inhaled, deeply. "They are just a few family related things. Nothing spectacular." She smiled, and Evelyn knew that the expression was fake. Michelle caught the look on her friend's face, and decided to change the subject. "So, what have you been up to, recently? Have the Scholars thrown you any puzzles?"
Evelyn perked up. "Actually, yes. Yes, they have." She rose from her place on the couch, and made her way toward the door. Motioning for Michelle to follow her, Evelyn smiled. "I'll show you."
Michelle stood from her seat, and followed her old friend out of the lounge, through the entrance hall, and up the stair way. She was curious to find out just what her old friend had been up to.