A/N: Thank you to the Guest who reviewed!

Marion (pen name GiantPygmyGirl) January 19, 2003
Gabrielle ran as fast as she could back to her brother's hut, the wind whipping her dark hair across her face, her breaths coming in short, ragged gasps, burning her lungs. The sand was being kicked up behind her in little jets, and the sound that her leather thongs were making when they impacted the miniscule grains was abrasive. When she reached the hut she flung open the wooden door and bolted into the quiet interior, sweat trickling down her face.

"Gabs, what's wrong, my pet?" came Senbi's drawling question.

She held up a finger to silence him as she tried desperately to catch her breath.

"Senbi, oh it's all my fault! We've been discovered... the portal, everything's going wrong!" She started to sob uncontrollably, throwing herself into her brother's arms.

"Shh Gabrielle, you aren't making any sense, calm down, try to breathe first and then talk to me." Senbi said gently stroking her damp hair.

Gradually her breathing slowed, and she was able to regain her composure. "Senbi, I was discovered. A horrible man tried to kill me up in the cave, and I just barely escaped before the portal closed. We have to do something so that we won't be discovered... Please..." she paused "help me think of something!"

"Well, what did he look like?"

"I don't know... I didn't get a good look at him, most of the time he had a knife pressed to my throat. He was strong, but also very drunk, his breath smelled horribly like hard liquor. But I lost Jonathan's ring."

Senbi started to laugh. "Gabs..." he said teasingly. "Why are you worried about a drunk man? He probably just went a little off of his rocker and is now lying in a pool of blood at the bottom of the cliff. There's no need to be concerned."

"But, he was intent on killing Senbi. Not necessarily me... I just happened to be there, unarmed and vulnerable, the man was crazy- I could see it in his eyes when I turned on him and punched him. It was very frightening.

I just think we need to be cautious, that's all. Because, even though I highly doubt that this man can find his way back to our time, there is always the slight possibility that he could, and then we would be in for a heavy ordeal."

Senbi nodded his affirmation. "Well, what do you suppose we do about it?"

"There are two feasible solutions, however, the second one I do not like at all."

"Ok... spit 'em out why don't you?"

"First, we could set up someone to guard the portal, only when it's open. They would sleep when it was closed, and guard when open. This I think, would work rather well; assuming whoever is in charge of it does not let their guard down. Nefret's out of the question, so that leaves you and me, dear brother." She watched as Senbi swallowed hard, a small smile dancing across her lips.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah... so what's the second idea genius?"

Gabrielle looked down. "We could find a way to close the portal, destroy it if we had to. If this man passes into our world he could destroy it by just snapping his fingers. History could be changed forever. He could kill someone in his thirst for blood. Evie, John, Rick, and Ardeth could just vanish, because maybe that man would have saved the princess Nefertiri or Osiris. Then they would not be reincarnated if they were to die. Senbi, do you understand the magnitude of what I am explaining to you!? We can not fail in this. If we chose to simply guard the portal we can not make a single mistake. Do you hear me? NONE."

"Yes." Senbi replied, a weary sigh escaping his lips. "I know how much closing the portal would do to you, what you have sacrificed by even suggesting such an idea. But, in our case I do not suggest we go to that much of an extreme. I will guard the portal. Your job is to protect Nefret at all costs, she is the one who is pregnant, and she needs your company, she does not wish for mine."

Gabrielle's eyes lit up and a single tear slipped down her cheek. "Oh thank you Senbi! You are good for something at last!" She embraced him, hugging his slighter frame towards her.

"Ha... very funny!" he replied sarcastically into her shoulder.

Ardeth was just about to snuff the candle next to his bed when he heard a soft knock on the door. "Come in." He replied, the regret showing in his voice. An extremely tired looking Jonathan plodded into Ardeth's room and plunked himself down onto his bed wearily. "What is wrong my friend? You do not look yourself."

"Well aside from drinking too much Glen Livet..." Jonathan sighed as he saw Ardeth's smile. "Hey Ardeth, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure. Anytime."

Jonathan raked his fingers through his hair, pausing to rub his eyes as he did so. "Are you truly in love with Nefret? Do you think about her every waking moment that you exist? Does everything you do bring up an image of her in your mind, one which you can not blow away because it is so permanent that even the gods could not wipe it from you?"

"Yes. At least, that's one way to put it. I miss her terribly. She is pregnant and I have no idea how she is doing, whether she is safe, lonely, or in pain. Everything's a mystery to me. I just pray to Allah that when this is all over and I return to her I will not be too late, that I will be in time to witness our child's birth."

"I miss Gabrielle so much. She's the first woman I have ever been in love with, and definitely the last. I blame myself because when I left her I did not do a very gentlemanly job of saying goodbye. I hope that she still has the ring that I put on her finger..." He said, looking down at his hands nervously.

"Now, now my friend. There is nothing to be ashamed of. When you love a woman there is no other single emotion that can mirror, match, or compete with the feeling it." Ardeth placed a comforting hand on Jonathan's shoulder, then added. "I am sure she greatly appreciates your gift to her, and we will be seeing our women soon enough for we arrive in Egypt tomorrow."

Jonathan rolled his eyes. "I know... and that's what I am afraid of."

Rick looked at the sun in the sky. It was directly over head and he could just make out land in front of him. At last. He thought. At last we are getting closer to our final destination. He sighed heavily and then jumped slightly as he felt warm arms encircle his waist. "So... you finally decided to get up!"

The warm arms withdrew, and he immediately regretted what he had just said.

Evie moved around in front of him. "I have been up for a while. Now, if you don't want the lunch I have been making you, you can just leave make yourself a sandwich, and I will take the wheel."

"But Evie, you don't even know how to sail!" Rick protested."

"What is there to it. Egypt's straight ahead isn't it?" She smiled devilishly up at him.

Rick had seen how her eyes had lit up as she said the word Egypt. That concerned him. The woman was insatiable! "No... on the other hand I rather would like that delicious sandwich you just made for me. It looks very tasty." His eyes were focused on her lips, and the sandwich they created. Then slowly he bent down, kissing her hard and fast as she leaned into it, moaning.

"Oooh, you evil, evil man!" Evelyn said her eyes dancing with happiness.

Rick looked at her. "I have missed you Evelyn. When we get back to London you and I need to have some time alone together. All alone. No Alex, no Jonathan, no Kit, no Ardeth, no Alan Skarzinski... just you and me and a nice big bed!"

Evelyn then reached out, grabbing his balls with her fists and squeezing them gently. She waited until his breathing quickened and then released him. "That sounds absolutely lovely dear, now if you will excuse me, I have work to do!"

"Evie!" His voice was full of lust as he grabbed her around the waist as she tried to get away. "Please..."

"No darling, not on deck. Maybe later."

"You are a horrible, horrible woman, do you know that?"

She flashed him a smile. "Yes, I am quite aware of the fact. Goodbye dear, see you in Egypt!"

Shelby (pen name Eviefan) January 24, 2003
After spending three days in the hold, Kit was more than ready to get out on his own and find the man who destroyed his life, taking from him the only family he had ever needed or wanted. It was the sun shining in his face which woke him on that third morning, as well as his stomach growling. For several moments he was still, letting the gentle rock of the boat lull him, then a knock at his door ended his time of relaxation.

In a few minutes they would be docking, and after waking Alex and Jonathan, Evie decided to inform Kit they would be dockside soon. "Kit?" she called out. When he told her to come in she unlocked the door and informed him they would be docking.

Before she left, Kit called her back. "I just wanted to thank ya for being nice to me," he said, then looked down, his hair falling into his face, not sure if he should have said anything to her.

"Kit, perhaps when we find Alan, and all of that is behind us, you could stay with us. We have a whole wing, that no one uses."

"Maybe," he said. When she left he was glad. He sat up, stepping away from the cot and put on his own cloths, ones she had washed for him and mended. After dressing he got into his duffel, pulling out a book. In the middle of the book, was his pocket knife, hidden in the pages, which he had carved away, to keep his secret safe.

Very easily he picked the lock, taking with him his duffel. When no one appeared to be there he snuck up to the main deck, ducking low as he passed by the Wheel room. They were docking, and the men on the main land were helping them tie up. Quickly Kit ran to the far end of the boat and made his escape. He ran behind some crates, catching his breath, knowing that he would need to go to the Market and buy supplies he needed. He would have to figure out where to go, but wouldn't worry about that until he had what he needed.

What Kit did not know was that he was being followed. Alex had climbed up on the mast, and had seen Kit heading for the far end of the yacht. It had not been easy, but he had followed him off of the yacht, and now was walking around the docks looking for him, not knowing the danger which awaited both he and Kit.

Having played numerous games of hide and seek, with his unwilling parents as a child, Alex surmised that Kit was hiding out behind several of the stacks of crates, and began to look there. He was getting further away from his father's yacht, and walked past where Kit was hiding without even knowing it.

After making sure he had enough money, and getting everything ready, Kit was about to head into the main hub of Cairo when someone passed by, someone he knew. "Damn kid," he muttered to himself as he stepped out from the crates grabbing Alex by the arm. Alex tried to punch him, but his swing was way off. "Calm down it's me," he said.

Alex turned feeling embarrassed that Kit now knew he couldn't really protect himself. "So that's it then? After my mum feeds you, fixes your cloths, gives you a cot to sleep on rather than the floor, your just going away?" he asked.

"I never asked for her to be nice to me, besides I work alone," he said as he began to walk away from Alex at a hurried pace. When Alex ran up beside him he stopped. "Look, go on back to your family, I have enough to deal with on my own, and I don't need to be baby-sittin' for ya," Kit said.

"I'm not going anywhere, and I can take care of myself," Alex side offended by Kit's comment. Not looking where he was going he bumped into a few boys not much older than he was, and was instantly on the ground. The other boys started to advance on him, and Alex was both relieved and embarrassed when Kit took control of the situation.

All that it took for Kit to make the boys realize they were not allowed to hurt Alex, was punching the tallest of the bunch in the mouth. The other two boys stood there stunned, then ran off, followed by their injured companion.

"So what was that ya were saying?" Kit asked as he pulled Alex to his feet.

"I can shoot good," Alex tried.

"I don't have time to fight with ya, so come on," Kit said as he pulled Alex with him.

The two of them headed into the city, not knowing the panic and anger they were causing back at the ship.

Penny - January 26, 2003
Rick O'Connell was fit to be tied. "Evie stay here, in case Alex comes back!"

"But Rick!"

"No buts, Evie! Stay here! I'm gonna kill that damn kid! Don't he know Skarzinski will kill him, if he finds him? Damn fool kid! What the hell is he thinkin'?" Rick checked the chambers of his Colts and shoved them back in his shoulder holster. "And Alex! What in the hell is goin' through his mind!"

"We'll get them back. Calm down Rick. We'll find them," Jonathan offered nervously.

"Calm down? Calm down, Jon? I AM CALM!"

Yes and the moon is made of green cheese, too, Jonathan thought. No wonder Rick was graying at the temples. It was a wonder his blood pressure wasn't over the moon!

With a look of grim determination on his face, he snapped at Jonathan and Ardeth, "Let's do it!"

"Bring them back safe, Sweetheart," Evie whispered in his ear, as she kissed him.

"Right after I tear up some ass! Count on it, Hon!"

Three hours later as the sun beat down from overhead, there was still no sign of Alex or Kit. Rick's temper had not cooled. If anything, it was worse. "Damn! Where are they?"

"If we split up, ahi, we can cover more ground," Ardeth told him watching the street.

"Yeah. Okay. Now if I was their age, where would I go?"

"Chances are Alex is following Kit. Maybe, so he can come back and tell you where he went," Jonathan offered hopefully, as he wiped the sweat from his eyes.

"Yeah and maybe he's just taggin' along," Rick groaned, knowing his son all too well. "That sounds more like it and that means they could already be out of the city, cause Alex knows the way!"

He scanned the surrounding area and his eyes widened. "Jon! Check the house! They might be there! I don't know why I didn't think of it before! If you find them, keep 'em there, even if you have to lock Kit in a damned closet! Right now I don't care, just do what you have to do!"

Jon nodded and took off running, headed for the home that had once been his and Evie's parents.

"Ardeth? You got and 'friends' in town?"

"Not unless the Med-Jai are in the marketplace getting supplies, but I know of someone who may know."

"Good. Go check. I'll meet you at Castor's, in the marketplace about one. If I'm not there wait for me!" he said, turning and started to sprint off.

"Where are you going?" Ardeth called out.

"To check the back streets! That's where I'd be if I didn't want to be seen. One o'clock, Ardeth! One o'clock!"

Ardeth watched his turn a corner and then he headed for the British Museum. His contact Momar El Fadhas would know if the Med-Jai were in town today. Someone would have checked in with him.

"Kit, wait up!" Alex called, trying to keep up.

Kit stopped and turned so quickly that Alex plowed right into him. "Look! I told you ten times already, GO...BACK...TO..THE...BOAT! What part of that don't you understand?"

"But you need me for cripes sake! How else are you gonna get around?"

"On two feet!" he ground out.

Alex just folded his arms and smirked. "Yeah, well who's gonna show you where everything is smart guy? YOU NEED ME!"

"Yeah," he mumbled. "Like Europe needed the plague."

"Face it I know where everything is. YOU NEED ME!"

"Wanna bet, old buddy?"

Alex, not to be deterred, grinned at him. "Oh yeah? "Where's the British Museum?"

"It's on the north side of Midan el Tahrir."

"That's a lucky guess. What's the best place to eat?"

"The Paradise Oasis and it's the most expensive. Castor's is the cheapest, but the food's still good. It's in the marketplace, next to Sahibs, a junk dealer, who sells cheap homemade artifacts, he makes in a one room hut behind his stall. The best place to get a drink is a French place called Bordeaux's, unless you like cheap bathtub hotch, then you can head for the Kasbah over on Sharia el Nil. Let's see what else? If you were older and looking for more 'manly' entertainment, you could go to the Golden Genie on Aswan down in the Old Quarter. But what they sell there Buster, you can't buy till you're old enough to shave! NOW WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?"

"You've been here before!" Alex accused with wide eyes.

"Duh Sherlock, ya think?" What was your first clue?"

"You could have said something."

Kit shook his head and threw both hands in the air. "GO...BACK...TO...YOUR...FOLKS! I don't need a side kick, Tonto! It's dangerous out here!" He adjusted the shoulder strap on his pack and glared at Alex who continued to watch him. "GO HOME SQUIRT! If I want to be followed, I'll buy a dog!"

"What will you do when you find him?" Alex asked quietly. "Skarzinski I mean."

"Kit sighed and looked away, feeling the painful lump form in his throat. "Never you mind. Just go on and go back to your family now, okay?"

"They're your family too, Kit."

Kit shook his head. 'Nope! You're wrong Sport. My family's dead. I don't want any more! They're too easy to loose. And where I'm goin', I don't need that kinda baggage. They would only end up like mine. Cannon fodder. Oh and tell your Mom not to worry, I'll take good care of Skarzinski for her and Grandpa with his busted wing."

"His name is Uncle Jon. He's your UNCLE too, just like my Dad is your UNCLE."

"Don't need one Alex. Definitely don't need two, old buddy. Don't need an Aunt or a Med-Jai or you for that matter. I work alone! That way I only depend on the three of us. ME, MYSELF and I! NOW GO HOME, KID! Bet it! Amscray! Chow! Fare thee well! Adieu! Adios! Cheerio! Keep a stiff upper lip and all that shit! Catch ya in the Sunday Funnies! Don't let the door knob hit ya where God split ya! Just make like horse shit and hit the trail, Tonto!" he smirked at the wide eyed kid.

Kit waved a final farewell and turned right into Rick's waiting arms! "WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOIN',LONE RANGER?"

"SHIT!"

"DAD!"

"Rick's blue eyes snapped at his son and Alex knew he was in deep trouble, that only an act of God could get him out of. "You are grounded for life, Buddy! You'll be ninety-five and still eatin' dinner in your room!"

"And you'll be ninety-five and still won't be able to find your nuts!"

Before Rick could say, "Huh?", Kit introduced his knee to Rick's groin. Rick bent double, his face turning white, then five shades of green, as he went to his knees and rolled on his side. Alex was by Rick's side in a heartbeat, as he glared up at Kit, who was slowly backing away.

"Bloody bastard! I hate you! I hate you!"

"GOOD! I'M GLAD! Now take your Dad home while you still have one, before some sonuvabitch kills his dumb ass! You'll thank me for this someday, Alex!" With that Kit turned and ran down the narrow back street and disappeared around a corner.

A/N: Please review! :)