Disclaimer: I don't own squat, not a damn thing. Well, I own a rather nice pair of red Converse high-tops, but that's it. As far as Ardeth, Evy, or Rick, no, sorry, not mine. The OC, however, is mine. Flames will be used to light my backyard barbecue pit. Please R&R, I'm desperate.

-Belle

Ardeth immediately sent word to his agents stationed in Cairo to meet him at the pier. After assuring the O'Connells that he would be fine on his own, Ardeth sent them on ahead so they wouldn't be seen together. Afterwards, he quickly got his things together, retrieved his horse and made his way through the city. He knew at least one person was tailing him, but he pressed on regardless. There would inevitably be a confrontation, and the quickest way to find where Lira had been hidden was to get himself captured. He'd informed his men of this and they knew to stay back until he was taken and then follow close behind.

Arriving at the pier, Ardeth dismounted and searched the list of boats scheduled to leave that day. Sure enough, there was one bound for Turkey. A glimmer of hope arose in him that perhaps she'd made it out of the city undetected. Though he knew, deep down, that it was a false hope. The way these bandits were watching that fort, there's no way she would have made it out without drawing their attention. So, he looked around, doing his best to appear lost and helpless. It was a difficult task for one as aware and well trained as Ardeth. He was on edge the whole time, searching the docks for any sign of the men who seemed so intent on following him. When a hand grabbed his shoulder, Ardeth spun around, grabbing for the hilt of his sword. Much to his surprise, Rick stood there, hands up in surrender to the half drawn blade. Ardeth let out a breath and pushed the weapon back into its sheath.

"O'Connell, what are you doing here?" he demanded, averting his eyes once more into the crowd.

"Watching your back." He replied curtly. Ardeth turned and glared at him.

"I wanted you to get Evy and Alex out of here."

"And they're going. They're on the boat right now with Jonathan." Rick responded, crossing his arms. Ardeth raised an eyebrow at the idea of Jonathan looking after Evy and the boy. Rick let escape a ghost of a smile. "To be honest, I think it's Evy who'll be looking out for Jonathan."

"I did not ask you to come with me." Ardeth growled. Stalking off down the pier, leaving Rick behind. Soon enough the stubborn American was following behind with the same overconfidence Ardeth had come to recognize him by.

"You're welcome." Rick called after him. He could only see Ardeth shake his head as he kept walking. Rick took a few hasty steps until he caught up and was finally walking alongside the foreboding figure in black. Ardeth's face was stern and set. His eyes scanned the crowd with a hawk-like perception. "As much as I'd enjoy seeing you take on half the Bedouin single handed, I can't sit by and let you get yourself killed." Rick said with finality. Ardeth remained silent. "Who is she?" he finally asked, the question gnawing at him from the inside, "that you're willing to risk hell and high water to get back?"

"She is a human being." He replied coldly, "And more importantly she is my responsibility." (Note to Ardeth: My friend, you'd be so much happier if you would just admit to liking the girl, a lot.)

"Fair enough." Rick countered, knowing better but deciding not to push, "Hey, isn't that one of the guys over there?"


"Joshua?" Lira whispered, the breath snatched from her lungs upon seeing his face. She fought back threatening tears. "I thought you were…"

"Dead?" he finished, taking a chair from a nearby table and swinging it around to sit down in front of her. "Dearest, I've never been more alive." He assured her, reaching out a hand to stroke her cheek. Lira shivered with fright at his touch, and he frowned. "What's wrong? Not happy to see me?"

"What's going on, Joshua?" she asked, anger and betrayal starting to flood her. It was apparent in her tone and Joshua stood and began to pace.

"That is an excellent question." he declared, "What indeed is going on, Lira, that you are still alive, a free woman?" She glared up at him.

"I asked first." She growled.

"Yes, yes, fair enough." He continued to pace, his hands coupled behind his back, "I am quite surprised that you haven't a clue what's been happening. I thought the money would give it away, or maybe the fact that when we reunited in Athens you never did see my dear parents. They were so fond of you after all. An engagement would have brought them running." As he went on, Lira looked up at him questioningly and he looked her straight in the eye, "They're dead, by the way." he confirmed, his green eyes cold and malicious, "And you were supposed to be as well. I had it all planned out. The attack was staged. I was knocked out so that, in an event such as this, you would truly believe me dead. My 'body' was identified by one of my own men and so Joshua Lieger ceased to be. Now you, my dear, are the only living proof of my existence."

"Why track me down, then? I believed you dead. I could have confirmed your little ruse." She countered evenly.

"Because you could have easily figured it out. It simply wasn't worth the risk. What would happen if we crossed paths again? When my dear mum and dad learned too much, I got rid of them. The same goes for you." He explained matter-of-factly. Lira glared up at him, her green eyes filled with anger.

"What about our engagement?" she asked, her voice now low and threatening. Slowly she was working loose the knots that tied her hands. No orphan worth their salt lacked certain basic escape skills.

"What about it?" he asked with a sadistic smile, finally taking the seat in front of her once again, "You were my cover, little one." She hated being called that. "You see I'm helping certain groups, who wish to remain anonymous, obtain priceless artifacts illegally. It was necessary that I appeared to have a normal life and a plausible alibi on those nights when I snuck out of bed while you were asleep. As long as you never knew I left, you could honestly vouch for me."

"What's so important about these artifacts?" Lira asked, hardly reacting to most of the information. The knowledge that he'd crept out of their bed in the middle of the night was less galling than the rest of the information she was being fed.

"I'm afraid that's confidential, my sweet." He cooed.

"Well, sounds like you're going to be killing me anyway. May as well let me know why." She reasoned, still fidgeting discreetly with the ropes. He regarded her for a minute, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze piercing and brutal. Finally, he sighed and sat back in his chair.

"Fair enough."


"Why do I get the feeling this is a setup?" Rick asked as he and Ardeth followed the fleeting figure of one of the Bedouin raiders. (Is it supposed to be "fleeting" or "fleeing"? Both would work, so I was unsure which one you wanted.)

"Because it is." Ardeth said simply, striding down the alleyway with massive steps.

"Oh, well at least it's not just me." The remark was ignored and they continued in silence. Each was prepared for an ambush, and Rick's hand reached for a pistol. Ardeth turned to look at Rick and shook his head. Reluctantly, the American's hand fell back to his side and they kept walking. As cowardly as these men behaved, Ardeth assumed that once this man knew that he was being tailed, he'd head straight for reinforcements. After all, he had no way of knowing who it was that followed him. The most reinforcements would likely stand guard wherever Lira was being held. It was a long shot, but it was all he had to go by. He had a sneaking suspicion that his message had been intercepted and that his men would not be coming. Ardeth glanced over at Rick and saw the slightly shorter man's jaw set firmly. In that moment Ardeth knew he could not ask for a more courageous or determined warrior at his side.

Finally, the man ahead of them ducked into a doorway and disappeared. This had to be it. As they approached the building, Ardeth regarded the grounds carefully, examining the shadows with a watchful eye. Rick pulled both pistols from their holsters. Ardeth looked over at him and drew one of his swords. This was the moment of truth. In a swift motion, Ardeth gave the door a massive kick and it buckled in its frame. Rick gave it a try, and it shook a little more, splinters falling out of the door jam. Finally, both men set their feet to it and the door flew open. Rick immediately leveled his guns, scanning hastily for any sign of opposition. Both of them saw the trails of a robe disappear around the corner of the hall ahead of them. They entered cautiously and, keeping their backs against the walls, they quickly made their way to the end of the hall. The paused for a moment outside the doorway, drawing slow, smooth breaths. In a moment, Rick spun around the corner, guns raised and at the ready. Ardeth followed immediately after, his menacing sword held in a defensive guard. There lay nothing before them but a flight of stairs.

Rick lowered his guns and Ardeth eased down his sword. They made their way up the stairs, Ardeth in the lead this time. At the top of the stairs they could only turn right and so they edged around the corner carefully. The hallway was bare, several doors on either side. Both men grew increasingly anxious. There should have been far more resistance. Ardeth expected an ambush but they were certainly allowing him to make his way through easily enough. As they made their way down the hall, the tried the door handles on the doors, finding most to be open and suspiciously empty. Finally it came down to the last door on the right hand side of the hall. Rick cocked both pistols and Ardeth tightened his grip on the sword. Rick reached out and tried the door handle. It turned. They took one last look at each other, and Rick threw open the door. The inside was lavishly decorated and brightly lit. Lira sat next to a window, tied to a chair facing a blond-haired man. More surprising was the man in the corner, a Bedouin chief that Ardeth knew all too well.

"Ardeth Bay," he spoke, emerging from the shadows, "So glad you could make it." Ardeth glared at the man and the vicious scar he had put there and smiled.

"Saqr."

A/N: Much thanks again goes out to Elrowin Tinuviel. You have no idea what a mess this stuff tends to be in before she gets her mitts on it. Also, thanks to my reviewers: Pirate Gyrl, picchic, Elrowen, brunette-barbie 14, and SahlenePhoenix. I've never had so many reviews at once. I'm actually speechless. I also see on my stats that my story has been added to a C2 community. Now, I've been out of the loop for a while, very busy and all, so could someone fill me in on what exactly a C2 is? Pwetty Pwease. Anyway, thank you all, and the new chapter will be up in a few days. After that, it may be a week or so since my beta is moving and will be without computer access. It's best that I don't post without a beta…. trust me.

P.S. There's a contest for all my readers out there. If you haven't noticed, I changed the titles on some of the chapters. All of them are now song titles. To the person who can correctly identify the MOST bands related to each of those songs (no two bands are the same) I will write a short one-timer starring them and everyone's favorite desert warrior. Essentially, I'm trying to find someone who's as big a geek as me. Now, if anyone can correctly guess ALL the bands as well as the poet to which the title of this story is accredited (if you can name the poem the line comes from, that'd be great too), I will write you into the next full-length Ardeth fic as a main character. Yes Elrowen is eligible for this contest, and no I won't be giving her any unfair hints. To be fair, if you name a band that sings a song of the same title as one on the list, I'll give you full credit.