Chapter 7

"Oh," the old man stroked his neatly manicured white beard with his hand, "I apologize. Forgive me for assuming. Dr. Smith you say. Or did you?"

Janeway opened her mouth. If she could somehow talk her way into some semblance of control over the situation and her role there within, she would.

"It's Smith," the Doctor beamed as he looked to her, "just married. I thought we could use this placement as a honeymoon, too. Please, call me John." Janeway looked into the Doctor's eyes. They were so soft and curious. His right eyebrow rose almost imperceptibly. It was an intimate gesture and Janeway wondered how elaborate the false backstory truly was.

"I am Dr. Potts," the old man said still watching Janeway, "I curate this little museum."

"Oh, we know who you are sir," the Doctor buzzed with excitement, "and it is such an honor. I can't wait to pick your brain on your theories regarding the social implications in the shift from elaborate pyramid structures to subterranean tombs. We were just debating this, weren't we Kat?"

Janeway racked her mind for something to say. Nothing in her upbringing or training had prepared her for this moment. Finding nothing else to add and uncertain of the extent of the story constructed, she simply smiled and extended her hand to the man. The Doctor saved her from the man's expectant attention.

"Kat holds a doctorate in Egyptology from the University of Chicago." The Doctor bragged. His hand pulled on her hips so she was closer to him. The old man's eyes raised. Janeway just smiled and nodded.

"A woman and an American, as well…" The old man looked very closely at Janeway. He seemed to be studying her and trying to decide how such a woman would fare in such a dirty field. If only you knew the half of it, Janeway mused. And she thought of her crew. After a moment, his eyes softened and opened his mouth in a toothy smile. "Ha!" he cracked, "two doctors for the price of one!"

Janeway breathed a sigh of relief. She was exceptionally confused as to the role of an Egyptologist. She knew of the ancient Egyptians in theory; however, her cursory knowledge was insufficient to begin to pretend to be an expert. Luckily, she seemed to remember the field of Egyptology consisted of mainly digging and waiting. She could do that.

Dr. Potts gave Janeway and the Doctor a tour of the museum. It was more for Janeway's benefit than the Doctors as apparently his assumed identity spend several years studying here before Dr. Potts' tenure began.

The monumental structure was built to house some of the most startling and well-preserved findings from the ancient world. Janeway found herself in awe of her surroundings. Reluctant to ask too many questions that someone with her apparent qualifications should know, she stayed quiet and the Doctor and Dr. Potts engaged in spirited dialogues regarding most of the more significant findings, and even some of the less than significant ones. Janeway listened and learned to the best of her ability. She was always a quick study. However, she needed to find the nearest library in order to catch up on several degrees-worth of knowledge she utterly lacked. She caught herself in this thought. How long will this charade last? She wondered.

On the western wall of the main chamber of the museum, four large glass windows looked over the city. Janeway assumed they must be in Cairo as from their position the museum overlooked a large river and several pyramids ranging in size. Three in particular punctuated the waning light and grew dark as the sun set behind them.

"Growing tired, darling?" The Doctor reached for Janeway's hand and gently stroked it with his thumb before bringing it to his lips to kiss it. As if on the Doctor's command, she felt her feet ache and the muscles in her back clench.

"Very much so," she explained, "the journey must have taken more out of me that I previously anticipated." She looked to see that she had not made a linguistic mistake. The English language has changed a great deal over the past almost 400 years. When she played through holo-novels, modern or odd turn-of-phrases were ignored in accordance with the novel's programming. Real life, if that is where she was (Janeway was not totally convinced that she wasn't experiencing some sort of manufactured reality) didn't obey by the same source code.

"Yes of course you are," Dr. Potts agreed, "you have only traveled half-way around the world."

Janeway sighed in relief. She had not made any significant errors.

"Let me get a porter to bring your bags to your new home."

"No need," the Doctor interjected, still looking to Janeway, "everything was sent ahead. All we require is a lift ourselves."

"Of course," Dr. Potts chuckled as he watched the Doctor watch his bride, "we can arrange that."