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

Evy thought it would be best if she and Lira had some time alone together the following day. Rick and Ardeth undoubtedly had nothing but the best of intentions, but hassling the poor woman so soon after what had happened was not advisable. Women need room to gripe to one another outside the world of men. So, just before sunrise, Evy stole away from her room and knocked on Lira's door across the hall. It was not long before a disheveled Lira answered, and Evy had little doubt that she hadn't slept much, if at all. Exhaustion was emanating from the woman in waves, and she hadn't changed her robes from the day before. Evy sighed.

"Change your clothes, and quickly. I don't want the men waking up."


Lira had given a great deal of protest. This was, after all, how she'd gotten everyone in trouble before. Evy argued that one of Ardeth's men would be tailing them the instant they left. Besides, they had each other, so they weren't exactly alone. Lira had to admit that the woman made a good argument, and she did need to talk to someone, a female someone, about all that had happened. So Lira changed into a fresh linen tunic top and a flowing purple skirt, so dark it was nearly black. Evy revealed that she'd snuck away with a vicious looking scimitar and one of Rick's pistols. Lira didn't know where the sword came from, and she didn't ask. This Evy character was quickly becoming a woman Lira could really respect and identify with.

They weren't particularly sneaky about leaving. Evy left a note for Rick as well as a message with the front desk. Lira, in the meantime, approached one of the Medjai sitting in the lobby, pretending to ask for the time and secretly slipping him a note, asking if Evy and herself could get a chaperone. When the warrior told her the correct time and wished her a good day, she knew he understood. In a few minutes, the two women were heading out into the streets of Cairo, just as the sun was rising over the horizon. The vendors wasted no time setting up for the day. It was important to take advantage of early morning shoppers and visitors on their way to the docks along the Nile. All too soon the streets became thick with shouting vendors and bustling shoppers.

There was something thrilling about the movement of the city, the way it seemed to breath and move as one. It was easy to be swept up in the flow of the vibrant, teeming masses. Evy for one, was practicing her haggling skills. In recent years she'd grown far more knowledgeable and wise to the ways of merchants. She knew what various items were truly worth, so she was nowhere near as easily taken in. Lira was familiar with this exchange, but she was used to the Turkish economy, and so she kept her mouth ostentatiously shut.

"You've been quiet." Evy commented as she tucked away her prize. It was a lovely deep red beaded veil. Lira merely shrugged.

"I don't have a lot to contribute. I'm not familiar with Egyptian economy." she replied, admiring some finely dyed bolts of silk.

"It's not really necessary. It's more of a game really. Whatever they demand, lower it to about half that. Eventually you end up around three quarters the original price. Usually that's about what it's worth anyway." Evy explained, "But that's not really what I meant. I was hoping we could have a chat. I haven't really gotten to know you and, tragic as it is, I'm terribly fascinated with your whole story."

"Not much to tell really." Lira sighed. She'd combed out her hair since the night before, and despite her insomnia, she appeared less ragged than she had the previous night.

"Well, everyone's got a story." Evy persisted, then, an idea struck, "Let me tell you how I met Rick."


"You mean that story, the one Ardeth told me…" Lira gaped. They were sitting in a small deli restaurant over some assorted fruits and nuts, both sipping at some glasses of wine.

"Was absolutely true." Evy concluded. Few people knew of their little adventure, at least the specifics, but Evy had her reasons for telling Lira about it.

"So your husband really is your knight in shining armor so to speak," Lira smirked.

"Rick's an amazing man."

"Wish I could say the same for Joshua." Lira muttered. Evy raised an eyebrow, egging her to continue. Lira laughed, slightly relaxed by the Greek wine (she'd been rather surprised they had it on hand until Evy reminded her what a crucial trading point Cairo was). "Oh, fine, you'll get your story."

Evy was nearly as amazed with Lira's tale as Lira had been with Evy's. It all seemed too elaborate and fantastic. She couldn't think why someone would go to such intricate lengths to disappear. Moreover, she couldn't understand why this 'Joshua' had been so fixated with getting his fiancé out of the picture. There seemed to be a few missing pieces. She wasn't quite sure why Ardeth had gone so off the wall regarding Lira's disappearance, but she had her suspicions. Lira had strategically left out any details about her interactions with Ardeth, and was particularly guarded about those silly dreams.)

"So you weren't kidding last night. Your fiancé tried to kill you. I mean, with his bare hands and all. It's one thing to send assassins after you, and another to hold a knife to your throat."

"Well, either way it ends up bad for me." Lira said with a frown, "And anyone who comes in contact with me." The Medjai who'd been tailing them was sitting at a table behind Evy, pretending to read a newspaper. Had the promise of a capable chaperone not been there, she would never have agreed to all this.

"You shouldn't worry yourself so much about it." Evy said, placing a comforting hand over that of the woman before her, "After dealing with Ardeth I doubt he'll have any strong desire to start anything again."

"No Evy, this isn't just some battered woman thing. I'm one of the few people who know that he's still alive. It's entirely political now, and once I'm on the boat to Turkey…" she let the sentence drop. She would be on her own the minute she was on the boat. She had no idea how far his reach went. She didn't know who or what he was involved with or just how dangerous his associates were. It was clear they couldn't overcome a seasoned warrior, but her, her they could overcome easily enough.

"So don't leave." Evy said, "Stay in Cairo, stay where the Medjai can defend you." Lira laughed, her first real laugh in far too long.

"I've already overstayed my welcome. They have far more important things to do than watch over one woman." She pointed out. Evy had been hinting at something else altogether, but she knew Lira was right, and she just put her chin in the palm of her hand and looked out onto the crowded street.

"So he's just out there somewhere, waiting for you."

"Pretty much."


All things considered, Ardeth reacted favorably to the news that Evy and Lira had gone out that morning. He didn't go charging after them, and he didn't order the warriors around the fort to track them. He did, however, wait in the lobby until they returned near dinner time. All day he sat, unmoving. Children would poke at him to see if he was real and when he'd snap his head around they'd shout and run back to their parents, who in turn shot him foul looks. Rick and Jonathan didn't go near him. Even young Alex seemed to know better than to interfere. The sun was very low in the sky when the two women finally came in through the door. Evy had a canvas bag full of newly acquired treasures, and Lira was sporting a pale green beaded veil and head scarf. Both women were smiling and joking as they walked in, and Ardeth watched them closely.

Not until he stood did either notice him, but as he approached, they stood silent. Lira's green eyes were positively brilliant, highlighted by the sheer veil that kept the lower half of her face faintly and tantalizingly hidden. As he looked on the woman whose smile had now faded, a spring of short auburn hair peeking out from behind the veil, his heart crumbled with what had been torturing him all day.

"So glad to see that the events of yesterday have not hindered you." he said quietly. All day long the anger had seeped through him, but now as he looked upon her, laughing with Evy, oblivious to the worry she'd caused him, all that remained was profound sorrow. All he could comprehend was that the feelings he'd felt were false, and she was nothing more than a little grateful he'd come to her rescue.

"Ardeth, we…" she began, taking a step toward him. He backed away.

"Do not concern yourself. I will retire and leave you to your own business." Ardeth turned and headed back for the stairs. Jonathan and Rick were sitting at the bar, Alex between them sipping a glass of milk. Neither men made a move and Evy glared at them before thrusting the canvas bag into Lira's arms.

"Hold this." She said shortly and rushed after Ardeth. Lira just stood there. She couldn't account for his reaction. She'd expected anger of course, and she expected to have to talk him down. They'd been careful; they were together the whole time with one of Ardeth's own men watching over them. That look though, it had been like a dagger being driven into her chest, stopping her heart and stealing her breath. She didn't even notice as Jonathan approached her.

"Come on old mum, leave Evy to smooth it over."


"Ardeth!" Evy shouted to the retreating figure in black, but he continued, neither speeding nor slowing his pace. Evy trotted up the stairs after him. He appeared to be heading for the roof. Finally, as they came through a door into the open evening air, Evy caught up. "Ardeth," she panted, placing a hand on his shoulder, "care to explain yourself." Slowly he turned around. There was nothing to read on his face or in his eyes.

"Go back downstairs Mrs. O'Connell." Came his reply, low and void of all emotion.

"No, not until you tell me exactly what's going on here." She insisted, hazel eyes flaming. "What did that poor woman do to deserve that from you? I know you Ardeth, and I can understand you being angry, but this just wasn't the same. Do you know what she's been through?"

"Yes, Evelyn, I do." Ardeth growled, showing the first signs of any feeling, "Though I doubt you understand what I've been through."

"No, Ardeth, I don't, I don't know why you came undone when you found her missing yesterday morning. I don't know why you rushed after her before your men could arrive to back you up. Rick can't explain how you reacted so unforgivingly toward the man who threatened her when you were merciful to the brother of the man who destroyed your family. I also don't understand why she felt it was necessary to leave large blocks out of the story she told me which might explain this behavior." Evy scolded, crossing her arms. In spite of her height, the brunette was discernibly intimidating.

"It's no matter." He grumbled, placing his hands on the guard wall around the roof and staring down into the bustling streets.

"Listen to me, Ardeth. I took her out this morning, and it was for her own good. Had she stayed here today with you and Rick, you would have paranoid her out of her mind. She may never have gone outdoors again. It was a fear she needed to face immediately, and you ought to know that." Evy said softly.

"He's still out there," Ardeth snapped his head around, his voice raised. "You should have taken Rick and I with you. She needs to be a little paranoid when that man, whoever he was, still has it out for her. I can't protect her forever." As he finally voiced the thoughts that had so tormented him they became all the more real, and the color washed from his face and he turned away ashamed. Evy understood now what was driving him, and she'd suspected as much all along. Still, at his admission of not knowing the man who'd threatened Lira, she gaped.

"You mean you don't know?"

A/N: My thanks to chocolatejet, RampantLioness, SahlenePhoenix, Akira, Aewnaur, and NewsieGoil1899. Don't worry everyone, I'm not going to give up due to low reviews. I mean I'm getting way more reviews now than I used to, there are a few like 4 or 5 chapters that have literally no reviews, so the way I see it, I'm doing good. Anyway, my beta continues to have problems, she's relying rather heavily on library internet access right now, so if it takes awhile to post, that's what's going on. I've got all the way through chapter 19 written. So yeah, I'm spacing them out so that there aren't frequent posts followed by huge obvious gaps.