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 recounted the story Lira had told her earlier. It took some effort, but Ardeth absorbed every word. By the end of the story, a whole new sort of anger burned within the Medjai, the kind that brews deep and menacing beneath the surface. There was something very wrong about this Joshua character; Ardeth had received a message about Joshua's relationships with specialized organizations, undoubtedly illegal, throughout Europe. He had had dark dealings in Germany, Russia, France, and even Britain. This was an entirely new level, and Ardeth knew it to be far more serious than he had originally thought. If it was necessary for this man to fake his own death, it was highly probable that a lot of national authorities wanted him dead; never a good sign. Furthermore, he couldn't help but feel that Lira was somehow a pawn in the whole scheme. Ardeth didn't understand what this man would need from a seemingly ordinary woman.
Strike that, she was in no way ordinary, but she still possessed nothing that should be of interest to these "collectors." She was an orphan after all. A name was her only possession.
"I'm sorry Ardeth." Evy consoled once she'd finished, "I thought you knew all about this Joshua."
"I had reason to be suspicious of his dealings. I was concerned that his associates might come after Lira, but I had no idea he was still alive." Ardeth said darkly, "If I had, he would never have survived."
"Hey, don't worry too much about it," Jonathan quipped, setting a shot of bourbon in front of the quiet stranger. She'd removed the head scarf and veil. They now lay crumpled in her lap as she stared absently at the rows of bottles behind the bar. She regarded the small glass with distant eyes before letting out a sigh and downing the shot. Jonathan was more than slightly impressed, she hadn't even flinched.
"Yeah," Rick interjected, "Ardeth can be an intense guy, certainly very intimidating, but he'll cool down."
"I'm not intimidated." She said simply. It was such a bland statement, and both men believed her.
"What's got you down, then, old girl?" Jonathan asked, pushing away Alex's attempts to grab the empty shot glass from in front of Lira.
"Nothing that would concern either of you gentlemen." She said. Alex was trying his best to climb from his stool onto the woman's lap, and Jonathan became rather preoccupied with keeping him still. Rick, on the other hand, saw an opportunity to dig for some information he knew Evy was dying to have.
"To be honest, miss, anything that concerns my friend concerns me." Rick insisted, commanding the gravest face he could muster. Lira turned and regarded him inquisitively, her green eyes piercing him to the core, and making him aware of every molecule in the air.
"I don't know any more about the situation than you do." She finally replied, almost too softly to hear. She returned her gaze to the multitude of colorful bottles and Rick was eternally grateful. Lira had a tendency to be a little unnerving. It was as if she could see right through someone; that she knew what you were all about after only ten seconds. Then again, he smiled to himself, it did remind him of someone; someone who he knew full well could back up that intimidating gaze.
"How's that?" he asked, knowing full well he was walking into a lion's den.
"It's complicated." She said, "Or maybe it isn't, maybe I imagined it all." In her heart she knew that was a lie. She remembered that kiss and her heart leapt just thinking about it. Still, that could have been a fruit of the moment. Moonlight and open fire are a deadly mixture.
"Imagine what?" Jonathan asked, having finally gotten Alex interested in one of toothpick umbrellas the bartender had dug out from a back cabinet.
"Nothing." Lira responded, rather detachedly, as she stared at a fresh shot of bourbon.
"Look," Rick said in a tone usually reserved for his son, "Ardeth has been acting oddly ever since the two of you arrived in Cairo. I can only assume this behavior began out in the desert somewhere. Only you can tell me what happened, because I'm sure as hell not going to be able to drag it out of him."
"Well, as I'm not sure what 'normal' behavior would entail, I'm quite afraid I can't help you either." She said stiffly, downing the shot.
"Then tell me what's got you so spooked. I have a funny suspicion the two are related."
"Listen," Lira said with more force than she'd intended, "whatever it is you're trying to get out of me, you're not going to succeed. I don't know what you're talking about, and nothing has happened. I made a mistake today, and I'm paying for it. If you could please leave it be; I would much appreciate it." She'd stood from her stool during the speech, and she was hastily donning her scarf and veil. Rick and Jonathan glanced at one another with unreadable expressions. Lira looked at both of them for a moment, and each felt exposed and ashamed for no reason. "Good evening gentlemen." She said shortly before turning and making for the stairs. They watched as she marched her way to the second floor and out of their sight.
"Well," Jonathan exhaled, "That went well."
Evy had gone downstairs to freshen up before meeting Rick and Jonathan in the lobby. Ardeth was left alone on the rooftop with his thoughts. He could see a couple of his men in the darkened streets. The air was a deep, royal purple, and only the strongest stars had peeked their way through yet. It was the perfect time of night. He breathed in deep and stilled his mind. The information Evy had given him changed the game in rather distinct ways. There was no way to convince himself that Lira would be safe once she left the country, not anymore. This was far more personal than he'd first imagined. Worst of all, he had no business seeing to her wellbeing beyond Cairo. There wasn't a single excuse he could drum up. He was just a chaperone to get her to the docks and on her way, and it killed him.
He was nothing but her protector. He saw that now. Whatever feelings he'd imagined were nothing. That's why she'd left to return to Turkey on her own in the first place. His sudden and rash behavior had spooked her, and she left in an attempt to avoid any potential awkwardness. In his thoughtlessness he'd driven her straight into the lion's den. He silently cursed himself for that momentary loss of self control and tried to convince himself it was a product of their circumstances. This did little to quiet his tormented mind. He was a warrior, the leader of his people. He carried the responsibility of thousands of men on his relatively young shoulders. He chided himself for falling lax to his duty, and with an iron resolve he reaffirmed his responsibilities and swore to never again be so near-sighted as he'd been that night.
The sound of the door opening onto the roof broke his concentration and he turned quickly, a hand instinctively grasping the handle of his sword. His pulse immediately quickened in anticipation. He'd been trained from youth to be prepared for the worst. Every muscle and nerve in his body was keyed to his surroundings. Numerous scenarios featuring countless enemies flashed through his mind in a moment, and he had an answer to every single one. Still, for her there was no defense. He could barely see her in the dim evening with the bright interior of the fort lighting her from behind and leaving only a silhouette, but he knew. His arm fell away from the sword and the beat of his heart quickened like that of a cornered man. All his previous resolve dispersed like smoke.
After a moment of silence, when Lira made to return inside while uttering hasty apologies, Ardeth finally spoke up.
"Wait," he said with a little more urgency than he'd intended, and then continued more evenly, "You haven't disturbed me. Please feel free to join me." Lira hesitated, her hand still on the open door, and for a moment he feared she would return downstairs. In the end, though, she released the door and stepped out onto the rooftop. When the last sliver of indoor light disappeared with a thud it became easier to see her face. There was just enough light left to see the pale green head scarf and shimmering beaded veil she'd bought earlier. The light linen top she wore fluttered vaguely in the slight breeze, and her skirt flowed gracefully around her feet as she took a few short steps forward.
"I won't stay long. I didn't expect to see anyone, but since you're hereā¦" she began hurriedly before calming down, "I just wanted to apologize." She was close enough now he could just make out her eyes, and he almost wished he couldn't. "It was very selfish and very foolish of me." She continued, "I just wanted to talk to someone, and Evy was confident we'd be just fine. I knew you'd be angry, but I thought it was important to get out there and not let this whole Joshua mess scare me into submission. I really wasn't prepared for your reaction, and I'm very sorry I worried you so." Lira made to continue, but Ardeth raised his hand to quiet her. The look she was giving him was slowly stripping away at what resolve he had left.
"That is quite enough." He said softly, "I know you intended nothing hurtful in your actions, and I do understand your motivation. In some respects I admire you for facing the world so soon after all that. I should not have taken it so personally. I don't know what's gotten into me, but I promise I will behave more rationally and professionally in the future." For a moment they just stood there, and Ardeth turned around and stared out beyond the city into the open desert. Though he pretended otherwise, he was acutely aware of the woman who approached and stood next to him.
"Well, you won't have to worry too much about that," she offered with half-hearted humor, "I've decided I'm leaving tomorrow."
A/N: There we go. Chapter 18. My thanks to NewsieGoil1899, Aewnaur, RampantLioness, Puppynap, and NoBoDy'S LiL' AnGeL. Ya'll are fantastic. Please keep it up. Though I am wondering what happened to some of the earlier reviewers like chocolatejet and Pirate Gyrl. Have I been abandoned:( Anyway, Here's the chapte,r and hopefully I'll have 19 out in a week or 2. My Beta's still got internet problems. So I ask for patience and forgiveness. Adios!
