A/n. So we're back again for another chapter, yay!! A few new faces to say hi to this time, Mandi-solo, saiyuki123, Ann- glad your all enjoying it. Toni-Isis, lilylnn, angel 1411- your all far to kind, not that I'm complaining! Lol. You can be as kind as you like. Lucky fannah- as promised jonathans back, not for long however. Hehe (evil laugh) hypercaz -now that's what I would like to see politicians bumping heads more often! Oh and Jax's don't be so cheeky! (retrieves scary look from said Jax) ok ok, you can be cheeky and I promise I'll check with you first before posting, just don't hurt me! ;op

Chapter five- Broken dishes, bookcases. and brutes.

The next morning came far too quickly for Jonathan's liking. Sitting up he showed his disgust at the sun shining in his face by groaning loudly and stringing together a long line of expletives. After rolling out of bed and clumsily dressing, he made his way down the stairs. Unsurprised by the unusual situation he found himself in, of being the only person up, he made his way to the kitchen. He had heard Rick come in last night. Jonathan was asleep, but woken by the loud knocking he crept to the top of the stairs, where he overheard Rick's startling news about meeting Djeser-si. Not wishing to make a nuisance of himself, yet unable to turn away, he sat and listened from his hiding place. He heard Rick ascertain that Djeser-si knew him, or at least had known him in a previous life, as Menka. He heard Evelyn's concerns, and Ardeth's promise to look more deeply into the existence of Menka, then after Ardeth left he overheard Evelyn and Rick begin a conversation of a more personal matter. It was then that he had crept back to bed.

Standing in the kitchen, Jonathan wondered what he could do to ease the obvious apprehension that would settle on the house once Evelyn and Rick finally rose.

"I'll make breakfast," he said aloud to himself with a smile, pleased at how considerate he was being.

Five minutes and three broken dishes later he revised his plan. "I'll buy breakfast," he said once again to himself as he grabbed his coat and wallet and headed out the door.

XXX

With the morning heat beating down on him, Ardeth Bay rushed through the streets of Cairo and towards the O'Connell house. Irritation ran through his veins and quickened his heart beat. He was annoyed by the fact that he hadn't had the information he now held last night, when his friends had needed it. He was annoyed that he had had to spend the entire night negotiating with one of the elder leaders to obtain the information, and he was annoyed that the information he did have didn't hold all the answers he wanted.

As he rounded a corner he was surprised to see the very people he had been heading towards standing in front of him.

"Good morning," he greeted them warmly. "I have news."

"As do we," O'Connell replied with a face that told Ardeth it wasn't good.

Rising unusually late, Rick and Evelyn had forgone breakfast, left a note for Jonathan who was unexplainably missing and left the house at the earliest time possible, in an effort to get to the museum before it opened. As they left the house, however, a small Egyptian paperboy shattered their plans.

As she heard the shouted headlines, Evelyn froze

"Cairo museum ransacked! Many items missing or destroyed!"

Buying the paper before even interpreting the cries to Rick, Evelyn's heart sank as she opened the paper and found that what the boy had said was true. To say Rick was less than impressed when she finally told him of the latest turn of advents was an understatement, and although he hadn't said anything regarding his preferred plan of action last night, Evelyn knew he was thinking about it.

Quickly relaying their news to Ardeth, the three of them then proceeded swiftly to the museum. Upon arriving, however, they were stopped by a young museum guard.

"I'm sorry m'am," he began, addressing Evelyn. "I'm afraid the museum's closed today."

"I'm aware of that," Evelyn smiled politely. "But we are here to see the curator, Mr Nero."

"Who shall I say is here?"

"Mrs O'Connell," Evelyn answered with a grin, it still made her smile to hear her married name.

"Very well," the guarded nodded. "I'll tell him of your arrival." With that he disappeared inside the building.

As they waited for the guard to return, Rick began to pace impatiently in front of the glass doors that marked the entrance.

"So much for being simple," he muttered to himself.

"We don't know anything yet." Evelyn replied, trying to comfort her husband. She knew this latest adventure was unsettling him, and had she needed proof, the conversation that they had had the night before would more than suffice.

Rick didn't reply, he just carried on pacing silently.

Suddenly, and much to the relief of all of them, the guard reappeared and permitted their entrance.

Evelyn's face brightened as she entered the museum, she knew the layout like the back of her hand and she loved every nook and cranny. As she sniffed the air the musty quality of it widened her smile further, and transported her back to the days of when she used to work here.

"Longing for the past?" Rick asked as he saw the expressions cross her face.

Evelyn blushed and looked down quickly.

"A little," she admitted quietly and then suddenly began to hope she was talking about the same thing Rick was.

After they had returned from Hamanaptra the first time, Evelyn had temporarily taken up the post of curator of this museum, and Rick, who had been actively courting her at the time, had spent a lot of his time here. Consequently, if the walls or exhibits could talk the pair of them would have had a lot to explain.

"Mrs O'Connell!" A voice suddenly rang out. "What a pleasure." The museum's curator had left his office to greet the group. "I have eagerly awaited meeting you," he continued as he reached the group, then took Evelyn's hand and kissed it.

"As I have you, Mr Nero," Evelyn lied back. She hadn't even heard of this man before reading this morning's paper. "I do but wish it was under better circumstances," she continued.

"My dear lady," The curator continued as he wrapped his arm around Evelyn's shoulder, continuing to ignore both the men. "Any circumstance that brings you to my door, I cannot consider unfortunate."

"Mr Nero, you flatter me!" Evelyn giggled

Rick visibly stiffened as Evelyn laughed lightly; he knew she was putting it on, he knew there was no way she was impressed by the smarmy fool, but he still didn't like it.

"Shall we adjourn to my office?" the curator carried on, oblivious to Rick's reactions.

Evelyn heard the deep breath Rick took in as he heard the question, and she silently praised him for keeping quiet.

"Of course," she answered the curator with a smile, and allowed him to lead the way.

Only once outside his office did Mr Nero address Rick and Ardeth's presences. "Perhaps it would be best," he began as he opened the door, "that we discuss this matter in private."

Evelyn's smile tightened somewhat; she had just asked him what had been stolen in the robbery.

Rick stepped forward; he could only take so much of this man's behaviour. "Oh, I don't think that's-"

"That will be fine," Evelyn assured the curator loudly over her husband. Waltzing into the office quickly, she gave Rick only the briefest of reassuring looks as she shut the door behind her.

Rick stood stock still for a moment, breathing deeply and allowing his anger to subside. When he finally turned away from the door, he saw that Ardeth had taken a seat on the bench that adorned the far wall. Crossing slowly he joined the man.

After waiting twenty minutes, Rick got to his feet. He had had enough of waiting around like a naughty schoolboy outside a headmaster's office. Much to Ardeth's amusement, he began to pace again.

"What is bothering you my friend?" Ardeth asked eventually, after noting that Rick was starting to look more and more like a caged animal.

"Bothering me?" Rick repeated, sitting back down. "Oh, nothing much- apart from the fact that I can barely look at my wife without seeing a long-dead princess, and the fact there's some priest out there that wants to harm Evie- again!"

"Knowing your past can only serve to illuminate your future," Ardeth replied simply.

"Hmmm," Rick replied noncommittally. "But what if I don't-" His question was halted in his throat by the office door creaking open. Jumping to their feet, both men watched in anticipation.

"That is very kind," Evelyn was saying as she exited the office, "but really there is no-"

"Nonsense," the curator's voice came, "It would be my pleasure."

Seeing both their expectant faces, Evelyn nodded her head sadly. The movement was barely noticeable but it was enough for both men to have their worse fears confirmed; the dagger had indeed been stolen.

"Well then," Rick said, stepping forward, "we really should be going now."

"I think not," the curator replied with a confidence that immediately got Rick's back up. "You see, Mrs O'Connell has agreed to look over the crime scene with me, as well as giving me her opinion on my new exhibit."

Although amused by the fact that Evelyn hadn't granted this man the privilege of calling her by her first name, Rick looked at her with concern that what the curator had said was true.

Evelyn rolled her eyes slightly to show her own annoyance at the situation, but quickly smiled as the curator looked at her.

"Of course," she practically whispered, "it would be an honour."

As the small group traipsed through the corridors of the large museum, the curator kept up a monologue that no one was really listening to. Sensing his opportunity as the curator rounded a corner, Rick pulled Evelyn quickly to one side.

"Why on earth did you agree to this?" he hissed quickly.

"I didn't have a lot of choice," she hissed back, somewhat annoyed by her husband's attitude.

"You could have said no!" he continued, but stepped away and followed the curator round the corner.

Standing against the wall, Evelyn was troubled by Rick's behaviour. She needed to talk to him and it needed to be now. Racing around the corner after the small group, she was delighted to see them heading towards the library. As they passed an upright sarcophagus, Evelyn hooked her fingers under the lid, and was grateful to see it slide open silently. Whoever kept the library now, had obviously kept the secret door as well-oiled as she had. Leaning forward, she grabbed the back of Rick's shirt and forcefully pulled him backwards and into the hidden room. Barely having the chance to react, Rick stumbled were he was pulled and was surprised to find himself slammed against a wall in a dark room.

"Evie?" he asked loudly, and was somewhat surprised to find a hand clamped across his mouth.

"Ssshhh!" Evelyn whispered into his ear and slid the door shut behind them.

"Evie?" Rick asked once again but quietly, as the room was plunged into complete darkness. "What are you doing?"

Evelyn didn't answer, she just forced Rick back against the wall with her body and kissed him deeply. With her hot mouth against his Rick suddenly lost all thought of everything. Pulling her even deeper into him, the intensity of her kiss increased, and as her soft tongue slipped between his lips Rick forgot his own name. Forcing herself to move away as she felt his arousal grow, Evelyn stepped back.

"Rick," she said, "you're my husband, and it's time to tell me what's wrong."

His head spinning with excitement, Rick barely heard her words. "W...w...what?" he managed to ask.

Evelyn grabbed Rick's hand and pulled him down the corridor that widened into a small room, running her hand along the wall until she found a switch, which she flicked, and the room lit up. Suddenly smiling, Rick recognized the room.

"Your secret office," he whispered with a grin. "I thought the entrance was behind the Hathor bookcase."

"One of them is," Evelyn admitted, but resisted as Rick tried to pull her towards him. "Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing," Rick shrugged, even though he knew exactly what she was asking him about.

"Rick," Evelyn groaned.

"Ok, ok look. I'm just fed up of having to react to things. I like having a choice in my actions, and lately... well I haven't."

"I'm sorry I agreed to the tour..." Evelyn began.

Rick just waved her apology away. "It's not just that," he interrupted. "Its just feels like we're one step behind at the moment, and that's not a place I like to be."

Evelyn nodded; she understood. "I know it's difficult for you," she admitted, remembering how hard it been for him when Imhotep had taken her the first time, and he had been stopped from acting and forced to react. "But some good things can come from the unplanned."

Rick raised his eyebrows. "Such as?"

Evelyn perched on the edge of the desk before answering. "Such as, what happened in this very office approximately ten years ago?"

Rick thought for a minute before this face broke into a wide smile.

"Alex's conception," he whispered.

Evelyn smiled and nodded. "We had to react to that."

"Yeah," Rick admitted. "We did." Although not entirely convinced, he definitely felt better. Reaching behind him, Rick flicked the switch on the wall. "Let's see how we can react to this," he added in the dark.

Evelyn just began giggling.

Standing in the library, Ardeth was seriously considering whether he could justifiably kill the curator, who was still talking incessantly about the museum.

The man's conversation suddenly changed, however.

"Have you met Mr O'Connell?" he asked.

Somewhat surprised by the question, Ardeth paused. "Yes," he admitted.

"I've heard he isn't a scholar, do you know if that is true?" The curator paused only for breath. "If it is true I cannot understand what Mrs O'Connell would see in him- she deserves someone who can converse with her on a higher level, not some some uneducated brute."

Ardeth smiled thinly; as the curator had been talking he had heard a small wooden creak.

"I think you'll find Mr O'Connell's far from a brute..." Ardeth began defending his friend, but the curator wasn't listening.

"I mean can he really expect Mrs O'Connell not to go looking for someone of a higher intellect?" Ardeth's eyes went wide, not only at what the pompous man in front of him was saying, but at the secrets being unveiled behind him.

"Do you know if her husband has accompanied her on this trip?" the curator continued, unaware of the scene unfolding behind him.

"Yes," Ardeth answered, this time with a wide smile. "I do believe he has."

"Mind you, if he is such a philistine, I'm sure he'd never be seen in such a place as this."

"Oh, I think you'd be surprised," Evelyn said loudly as she arrived behind the curator, making him jump.

"Oh, Mrs O'Connell!" the curator turned quickly, his smile widening at the sight of her. "Where did you go? I was worried."

"We were just studying the Hathor book case," Rick announced loudly from the other side of him, making the curator jump again. "Such interesting hieratics," Rick continued. "I do believe they pertain to a secret room, located somewhere within the building. Do you know of such a thing?"

The curator looked from Evelyn to Rick. "I...I err, no I wasn't aware of that," he mumbled, somewhat crestfallen. "Are...are you a scholar?" he asked Rick.

"Me? No." Rick admitted, shaking his head. "I'm just a philistine- isn't that right darling?"

Evelyn leant over and kissed Rick lightly. "Yes," she said, "but don't forget dear you're also a brute."

"Why of course," Rick replied with mock dignity. "And now I think it's time for this brute and his wife," Rick paused as he pulled Evelyn to his side, "to leave."

With that he marched himself and Evelyn out of the library, closely followed by Ardeth, leaving behind a speechless curator.

By the time they had got back to the house, Ardeth had filled in Evelyn and Rick on the crime seen that the curator had shown him while they had been talking. It was completely inconsistent with the newspaper report of 'ransacking'- nothing except the glass case that had held the dagger had been disturbed. The thief had obviously known what he was looking for. That fact, coupled with Rick's memory of the bag Djeser-si had carrying, was enough to convince both the Medjai and the O'Connell's that Djeser-si was the culprit.

"So, what does this dagger look like?" Rick asked as they entered the house.

Not answering, Evelyn's eyes went wide as she turned to shut the door behind them. "Well, it looks somewhat like that," she said after a minute, pointing at the door.

Spinning quickly, Rick's eyes also lit on what Evelyn had seen.

On the inside of the front door there was a note that appeared to be written in ancient Egyptian. Pinning it in place was a golden dagger, driven deep into the wood.

a/n. Wow thanks everybody,eight reviews for the last chapter, that's my record so far, my equation must have made sense.

Not that I'm greedy or anything but how about beating that record this time round? As ever its in your hands my friends. I just say one more thing: pretty please with a cherry on top! ;o) Till next time. xxx