A/N. Hello friends yep, i am still hear, but this is a really short A/n as I'm about to go away on holiday, and i mean littrialy in the next hour but as I promised an update shortly (on my profile. where i add all latest news) I though you would appreciate it before I go. You've waited long enough as it is.

Thank you everyone who has read and reviewed. Your reviews have really encouraged me to finish this chapter, and carry on. The end is in sight, and I hope you bare with me.

As always onwards…

Chapter 14-

Wanting in, Wanting Out.

Rick paced up and down outside the small tent.

Evelyn lay just meters away unconscious on her makeshift cot. He had carried her from the tomb to her bed, and yet in respect of their customs the Medjai still would not let him stay inside, even in these circumstances.

So he paced.

"But she's not sleeping!" he had argued.

"It does not matter," Ardeth had argued back. "You cannot be with her."

Rick kicked the sand angrily. Ardeth had disappeared off to the nearby Medjai camp moments ago, and he was seriously fighting the urge to go to his wife.

"I found the sword," he began trying to distract himself with their mission, "so now we can go get Jonathan, and get the hell out of here."

He paused as a thought occurred to him.

"Or we could just leave him here?" he suggested, and then laughed to himself; he knew full well Evie would never go for that.

"Come on Evie," he whispered, suddenly his thoughts having turned back to his wife. "Wake up, I need you…"

Rick felt his chest tighten as he remembered the stillness of her face, and the limpness of her body as he had carried her away from her own tomb. It was a look he had seen before, and it scared the hell out of him, like nothing else. He couldn't bare the idea of losing her, not now, not again.

Unbeknown to anyone, the scene of Evie dying in his arms was one Rick had replayed far too many times in his head. The nightmares that had accompanied it were as uncontrollable as his current visions were. Why were things in his life never simple? All he really wanted was a quiet time at home with his wife and son. But that wasn't him, and it certainly wasn't his wife; from the first time he had seen her he knew she would never be a stay-at-home woman, she was headstrong, and proud, and just a little clumsy, and he loved it all.

Now if only she would wake up, he could tell her.

XXX

The older woman who walked alongside Ardeth was so slow, it even irritated the normally calm Medjai.

"This better be important," she grumbled for about the fifth time since they had left the camp.

"It is," Ardeth assured her. "My …friend," he stumbled over the word he was not used to, "is unconscious and we cannot rouse her."

"Did you try salts?" the old woman asked, in a voice she would use with a child. She had seen many Medjai rise to power and lead the various different tribes, and she cared little for the titles the men festooned themselves with.

Ardeth opened his mouth to explain why he hadn't, but the woman cut him off with a loud tut, and cursed a little as they finally arrived at the makeshift camp.

"What tomb were you in?" she questioned as Ardeth pointed her towards the correct shelter.

"The princess Nefertiri's," Ardeth answered succinctly.

"Well then," the woman exclaimed, "she probably got what she deserved."

Rick looked up as the voices came to him over the sand.

"She is Nefertiri re-incarnated," Ardeth was explaining as he followed an elderly woman.

"Perhaps," the woman began as her eyes travelled to Rick, and she studied him, "perhaps not. Either way it doesn't not matter."

Rick waited to be introduced, but no introduction came.

The woman just swept past him, and into the tent.

Rick went to follow, but Ardeth caught his arm and pulled him away.

"Who was that?" Rick asked impatiently.

"A healer," Ardeth answered, stating the obvious.

"Is she always so…"

Ardeth suppressed a smile.

"Only when you disturb her dinner."

XXX

Evelyn stirred slightly, her head felt heavy and she couldn't quite open her eyes. She was in that place between sleep and awake when you're not quite sure which way to go. She could feel movement around her, but it wasn't worrying, in fact she felt safe. Smiling, her thoughts wandered to her husband.

She had seen him in so many different ways over the years. How he was today was a million miles away from the unkempt rogue she had been insulted by in that prison in Cairo, but no matter how he changed he was always her Rick.

He had changed somewhat in the last few days; something was definitely going on for him. She knew what toll remembering a former life took on one only too well, but it seemed to be worse for him somehow.

In some ways she felt closer than ever to him, but in others it was like he was distancing himself from her. That thought scared her… She didn't know what she'd do with out him.

Reluctantly she opened her eyes, and found her self starring straight into the face of a robed stranger. Instinctively she screamed with every breath in her lungs. The stranger stumbled back as she heard two sets of footstep coming running. Sitting up quickly, Evie took in her surroundings: she was laid out on her make shift bed in a tent

"Evelyn?"

Rick's voice was loud and demanding, reaching her long before she watched him running into the tent.

Dropping to his knees he searched her face.

"Are you ok?" he asked in concern, reaching up to touch her face.

Evie winced as his fingers brushed across her forehead.

"You men…" the stranger spoke, ignoring the question. "Big warriors roaming the dessert swearing oaths, but a little bit of blood and you fall apart."

Evelyn giggled. She didn't know who this woman was, but she instinctively liked her.

"I couldn't agree more," she whispered.

"Evie," Rick admonished and pulled her into his arms, finally letting go of the breath he had been holding ever since he had seen her lying in Ardeth's arms. "I was worried."

"So I gathered," Evie giggled again.

The old woman had crossed to Ardeth.

"A small cut and a twisted ankle is hardly life threatening."

Reaching into her robes, she pulled out a small bottle of smelling salts and pressed it into his hand.

"Let her sleep, and rest," she commanded. "And next time, don't panic."

Ardeth was speechless as the woman turned from him and disappeared out of the tent.

Panic was not something he did.

XXX

Jonathan rolled drunkenly in the sand.

"Why thank you, my good man," he smiled at the guard who had just thrown him in the little cell. "I'll send for my bags later."

The Onuris slammed the door shut.

"And yes," Jonathan called, "I will have The Times with breakfast!"

Despite Osahar's best attempt, Jonathan had been discovered drunk, and after having been hauled up in front of Shu-nah they had eventually just decided to lock him away for his own good, until the time of his death.

Jonathan had been giggling throughout; little did they know they were playing directly into his hands. Standing up straight he brushed himself down. Sometimes it really paid to have a dubious reputation.

Reaching into his pocket he pulled a large ring of keys out. As they rattled he smiled; breaking out of a locked room was always so much easier when you had the keys.

Reaching into the other pocket, he pulled out the still full flask. Seeing as all he had to do now was sit and wait, he didn't see the problem with having a drink for real.

XXX

"Evelyn, you can't do this," Rick tried to reason with his wife as he trailed behind her.

"We don't have a choice," she answered, not even turning to look at him. "We have to get to Hamanaptra before.." she paused and looked up at the ever darkening sky. "Before this time tomorrow."

Rick sighed, and patted the horse Evelyn was packing. He wasn't happy but he knew she was right.

"But you need to rest," he argued half heartedly.

Evelyn finally turned to look at him, and could see the concern etched on his face; she hadn't realised her earlier accident had worried him so.

"I'm ok," she tried to reassure him, "just a small bump, remember?" she continued, touching her forehead. "Nothing serious."

"Evie," Rick sighed again as she moved close to him.

"Rick," Evelyn sighed, mimicking her husband's tone, "we have to leave now."

Rick pulled his wife into his arms and held her tight against him.

"I know," he admitted, "but I don't want you riding."

Evelyn giggled as she felt her husband's hands travelling across her body.

"What do you suggest I do?" she asked in mock outrage. "Fly?"

Rick smiled. Now he knew she was feeling better.

"Oh, I think we can find something a little more comfortable than that."

Leaning back in his arms, Evelyn met his eyes, and suddenly she knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Oh yes?" she asked.

"Yes…" Rick nodded before kissing her.

Stepping apart as the sound of hooves reached them, they both looked around.

"He really knows his timing," Rick grumbled under his breath as they watched Ardeth pull his horse to a stop next to them.

"Ready to leave?" the Medjai asked, oblivious to Rick's annoyance, and Evelyn's amusement.

XXX

Djeser-si sat gripping the arms of the throne chair someone had found for him, so hard his knuckles were going white. Being in this body was starting to get painful. He really needed to complete the ritual, and to do that he needed the weapon that killed him.

"Where is the brother?" he boomed loudly as Shu-nah entered the room.

"He was drunk," Shu-nah responded, not bothering to hide his contempt. "I've had him locked up."

"Fine," Djerser-si snapped. "As long as he doesn't escape this time."

Shu-nah's eyes went wide.

"My lord that was an accident, the man responsible has been punished."

Djeser-si's eyes narrowed.

"Nevertheless," he growled, "be aware High Lord Imhotep will not accept such incompetence."

Shu-nah dropped to his knees.

"It will not happen again my lord," he swore.

Djerser-si smiled thinly. At last these fools were showing him the appropriate respect.

"It had better not, for tomorrow is my day. I shall receive my weapon and then-" he paused and licked his lips; the mere thought of it excited him. "I can make my sacrifice, and become whole again."

XXX

Evelyn rolled her head back. She really was tired, and not to mention sore. She was also, despite her earlier objections, extremely grateful that she did not have to rely on herself to guide her horse through the dark night. Rick's strong arms firmly encircled her waist and held her tightly, affording her the luxury of relaxing somewhat.

After the limitations of the previous couple of days, Rick was enjoying the closeness for many different reasons. However, as he felt himself grow tired, his misgivings about making the trip tonight returned.

"Are you ok?" he whispered softly, his breath warm against her neck.

"Hmm," she mumbled, allowing her eyes to drift shut.

Rick felt her body relax and he smiled. It was good if she slept, as tomorrow was promising to be one heck of a day.

Rick wasn't sure what Djeser-si was up to, but he suspected it wasn't going to be a simple case of trading one sword for one brother in law. And even if it was, he greatly doubted Ardeth, or even Menka, would be happy to leave it at that.

He knew he had to be ready for just about anything. After all, this wasn't just some meeting place they were going to, it was Hamunaptra, the city which from the moment he had stepped into it had caused him nothing but trouble.

Evelyn mumbled something sleepily, and Rick was forced to re-consider that statement: almost nothing but trouble.

"Ready for anything" he whispered to him self as he raised his eyes to the stars, and with dread realised he recognised some of the patterns. "Ready for… anything."

XXX

Drinking deeply out of his- well, his by default- flask, Jonathan sat in silence on the soft sand. He held the large set of keys in his hand, trying to decide what to do next.

From what he had overheard, Rick and Evie were already on their way to rescue him, and he had a hunch they wouldn't be too impressed if they turned up to find him already gone. Besides, where would he go? It was the middle of the night, and pitch black. Even if he did somehow head in the right direction, he was never going to make it back to civilisation. If he left now, at best Djerser-si's men would follow his tracks and bring him back, which would probably earn him another beating. Absently he rubbed his still aching ribs.

At worse he could get lost in the dessert, and never been seen again.

He shook his head; neither were favourable options. He might as well just stay in his warm cell and wait for them. He smiled. Now that was his kind of idea. Hell, he could even end up rescuing them by escaping at the right time.

Reaching over to the old blanket in the corner, he rolled it up for a pillow. Lying back in the sand he sighed contentedly.

Now this is the life, he thought. Well, if you forget the un-dead lunatic running the show…

XXX

Turning his horse closer to the couple, Ardeth watched closely in the moonlight as he saw Rick wince in pain.

The American had been hiding his discomfort for some time now. Every time he was forced to move by his wife's fidgeting, it caused him pain, and from the way he held his back so stiffly as he rode, Ardeth deduced that was what hurt.

He wasn't sure why he hadn't said anything, but he was pretty sure that he wasn't the only person Rick was keeping this injury a secret from.

A/N. So that's that, they are on there way, and as we all know Hamunaptra has a habit of throwing up surprises. So what waits our heros? and will Evie find out about Rick's mysterious injury? All to be revealed soon, well hopefully soon anyway.

If anyone out there is still reading I'd love to hear from you. And a quick reassurance for anyone wondering, this WILL be finished.

Until next time T.C.U. pp xxx