A/N: Many thanks Chrystel Malfoy-Potter for beta-reading this chapter. It was basically a mess in some parts, so right now I'm incredibly excited for what's in store for the other chapters!

Bastet

"See, Bastet?" Yuri told me. "You got your girl, like we all said you would." I continued to cry.

She looked exactly like her brother, with a bit more hair than him. A dimple on her right cheek came out as she smiled up at me.

I took the baby from Yuri, and kissed her forehead. "Aren't you a little trickster?" I asked her weakly. She replied with a little grunt, and I laughed through tears.

"You must be tired. Horus and I can take the babies so you can sleep. You can name them after that." Yuri offered. I nodded, stealing one last look at both of them.

"There's one last thing that needs to be done." I started, attempting to rush against my growing exhaustion. "Bring me a clay tablet to write on, please. I need to send a message to Ramses." Shala rushed to find one.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Horus asked. Concern was written all over his face.

"Yes. While my allegiance isn't to Egypt, Ramses still deserves to have a chance as a father. I'd also like to name my children." I replied.

"You've come up with names?" Yuri asked teasingly. She knew how frustrated I had been about finding the right name for one baby, nonetheless two.

"The boy's name will be User, like his father, and the girl's name will be Hadi."

Hadi's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What are you naming her after me for? We aren't exactly the best of friends." She said.

"True, but she wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. I'm indebted to you. Plus, Hadi isn't too horrible of a name." I replied. Silence filled the room due to my unexpected gratitude, until Shala arrived.

"Is this the right size?" Shala asked, holding up a tablet.

"Perfect." I smiled, and reached out for the tablet.

Ramses

One Week later

"User!" Nefert sang my name mockingly. "You have a message!"

"What is it?" I asked, wary of my scheming sister. She hasn't eased up about Bastet. Her voice was heard in every nook and corners of my head, filling it with guilt and regret. She held out a tablet for me, and walked back to Mother. I read it slowly.

User Ramses,

Your son and daughter have been born. I have named them User Ramses II and Nephthys Hadi. They look exactly like you.

I will not beg you to take me back, but I'm asking for the sake of our children, that you step up and be a father. Expel Zahra so we can all be a family. Marry me so that they can truly be your children and not unwanted.

I want all of you or I'll have none of you. It is now up to you to decide what you want and, when you make your decision, think of your children. I can see them having a wonderful childhood at the Egyptian embassy in Hattusa, but it wouldn't be quite complete without you. You, the father, who will love them, teach them and learn from them.

This is your last chance. Make your choice before I leave Malatia in four days. I'd like to have a reply waiting for me when I get back to Hattusa.

Bastet

Zahra

I walked up behind Ramses and wrapped my arms around him as I kissed his cheek.

"What are you reading?" I asked playfully, but, inside, something turned cold as I read over his shoulder. He finally acknowledged my presence, looking over his shoulder at me. Staring at me like he was seeing a stranger and not his mistress.

"I've got to go."

"What? You can't do that!" I protested shrilly. Queen Dowager would not be pleased with this. I grabbed his arm as he began ordering servants around.

"No, don't leave me! I beg of you! I deserve to be here. Have I ever wronged you, like Bastet? Even now, she's covering up her request to return with an order!" I tried to convince him.

"She has my children, Zahra. I cannot allow them to be without a father. And, I need my son as a successor."

"What if I have one right now for you?" I lied. He stopped in his tracks. "That's right, I'm pregnant! You've got three successors now. Choose the one you love most." He turned to me as I smiled at him.

"Somehow, I have a hard time believing that." He replied. "But, if I did, I still need to see my babies. And I'm going to get them."

With that, he turned on his heel, and left me.

The second stage of the Queen Dowager's plan was already into effect. Even as I walked away, I knew that Horus had intercepted this message and was on his way to kill Bastet again.

I will never be able win.

Bastet

"Well, what of your meeting?" I asked Yuri, impatiently. I was still confined to bed, even though I was feeling much better in the past days.

"We still haven't found the Dragon's Eye, but we got something so much better." She teased, dragging out the news.

"And?" I gestured for her to go on. The parchment in her hand was lifted and unrolled in front of me. I gasped and pulled it closer to my face.

"The map!" I realized, looking up at her with a smile.

"Correct!"

"This is going to make taking the city so much easier. Where did you find it?" I inquired, eyes still glued to the map.

"We snuck into the Hakim's office and found it." My smile disappeared.

"You copied it, right? He can't know you took this."

"Of course. I'm not a complete idiot, you know."

"Very true. So, when are we going to commandeer Malatia?" I asked. Another voice replied.

"'We' aren't doing anything." Hadi said. I looked up at her, caught planning my escape. "You don't need to be in bed anymore, but you do still have to take care of yourself by resting. We can't have you dying and leaving your children without nourishment, or a mother for that matter." I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"I won't get myself killed. I'd say I have pretty good survival skills as an archer, thank you very much."

"You never know what might happen." She replied. I sighed.

"I was looking forward to battle." I muttered. I hadn't had a real fight since Egypt conquered a neighboring country.

"You wouldn't have been able to anyway. Do you honestly think that at eight months pregnant you'd be fighting?" Yuri said in disbelief. I shrugged my shoulders.

"You never know what might happen." I replied, mockingly. "Nonetheless, I'm not the only one who should be resting. Since you will be fighting soon, you all need to rest up. Pass my message on to Prince Kail as well. We all know he works much too hard."

"I couldn't work too hard. I have a lot to do." Prince Kail defended himself as he walked into the room. I rolled my eyes.

"Rest. You need it, badly. Look, can't you all see the bags under his eyes? Have you even been sleeping?"

"Have you always been this worrisome, or is it because you've just had children?"

"No." I answered honestly. "You remind me a lot of Ramses. He works hard like you." Of course, my comment started an awkward silence.

"Well, in any case, there is no time to rest now. The Hakim's feast is about to start."

"That's right." I remembered bitterly.

"I hope you enjoy yourself." Yuri said, her voice laced with earnest hope. He bent down and kissed her, causing Yuri's cheeks to turn into tomatoes, and walked away with a quick 'goodbye' on his lips.

"So, what are our plans for the night?" I asked, taking the babies from Horus. "I am allowed to start walking now, right?"

"Yes, I suppose you can." Hadi replied, but I could tell she wasn't happy about it.

"Then could someone get me a spare sheet and a knife? I'd like to make a hammock for Nephthys and User." I would continue calling User by his first name, but if the older Hadi was around, his twin was to be referred to by her first name.

About an hour and a half later, each baby was secured to me by a cloth tied around my torso. I bathed the babies and myself, fed them, and changed their diapers (the moment that made me wish I was back in the future—cloth diapers are a serious burden). I was finally ready to emerge from my confinement, when Horus rushed in.

I gave him a smile, but it faded as I registered the grim look on his face.

"Horus, what's wrong?" I asked, unsure.

"Something's happened. Follow me." He commanded, and rushed back out. I followed, making sure the babies wouldn't fall as I hurried to keep up with Horus. My legs couldn't carry me nearly as fast as usual; they felt like cooked spaghetti from not being used.

"Yuri! What's wrong?" I repeated my question.

"The messenger got to the Prince of Darkness. He's coming right now." She replied, worry on her face.

"None of us can go in to warn Prince Kail." Kash, one of the Prince's commanders replied.

"I can." I replied. "They think I'm a princess, remember?" he shook his head.

"You are a woman." I thought.

"I'll go." Yuri said as a determined look crossed her face.

"Me too." I grabbed her hand, and opened the doors.

I expected a lot of things when we walked in. Angry stares, shouts, execution on the spot. But, they just stared strangely, angry whispers filling the air. Prince Kail's faux smile faded into surprise.

"There's something wrong with the babies!" Yuri blurted. Okay, not what I was going to do, but it worked.

"Prince Kail, I do not know what's wrong, I cannot tell." I joined in as my eyes started to tear up. I rushed to him, and sobbed loudly as I threw my arms around his neck. He visibly stiffened, but only for a moment.

"The Prince of Darkness knows we are here. We have to get out." I whispered, then loudly cried, "Oh, it is awful! They won't wake up!" Maybe I was being a little dramatic, but what was a little fun and games?

He pulled away from me, and took User out of his cradle. Before he could wake up, Prince Kail rushed out.

"Excuse me, I have other obligations." He explained. I followed his every footstep. I trusted Prince Kail with the baby, but I had no idea what kind of a grip he had. We walked back through the doors.

Before I left, however, I heard the Hakim. "Very well. It is a shame children must die as well, though." I gritted my teeth in anger, but the Prince was already handing out orders. Kikkuri ran to set the armory on fire, Ryui and Shala used their charms to open the gates, and Kash got word to the army outside. Things were running smoothly, despite the complications.

"Let me help, Your Highness." I pleaded. "The Prince of Darkness may not spare a woman and her children, but one of his officials may. Let me use that to our advantage." He shook his head.

"You have other obligations. You and Yuri, stay close."

"What about the Dragon's Eye?" I asked. Yuri joined in.

"Yeah! We can't let it get into the wrong hands! I'll go find it; no one else can."

"I'll come too." I said quickly, before taking User out of Prince Kail's hands and running behind Yuri.

But I still wasn't fast enough.

"Oh, no you don't." Horus called, and grabbed my waist; he wouldn't have grabbed my arm, or the baby could have fallen. I sighed.

"At least let me help subdue the commanders." I begged. Prince Kail paused to think of this action.

"Very well. But, Horus goes with you."

"Of course." I replied, and ran with Horus, careful to re-secure User's hammock. After we got out of earshot, I turned to Horus.

"You stay here." I commanded in a whisper. He sighed.

"Bastet-."

"No. If you come with me, you would definitely be killed. I won't have that." I ran off without him.

"Wait!" I heard him shout, but suddenly, I was grabbed from behind.

A man's hand was around my waist, and another pointed at one of my bundles, baby Hadi.

"Don't move, or she dies. Although, I must congratulate you on your new additions to the world." I recognized the voice immediately.

"Can you not just let me be, Amun?"

"I can, once Ramses does. Unfortunately, he is coming for his family, and I must make sure his family is not here." A slight flutter came from my stomach. He had decided then? He would become a father and husband for his children and me?

"If you're just going to kill us," I said. "I can always just go ahead and fight back."

"And have your daughter's death on your hands? The same way Sanaa's is?"

"I don't want to hear her name on your lips, you bastard." I struggled to keep my voice down.

"Goodness." He muttered, mock hurt in his voice. "Well, we're going to hide you from your little bodyguard." He grabbed me, taking me in a different direction, towards the treasure room.

Yuri would be there, so I wasn't particularly worried. Of course, anything could happen. My children's safety was my first priority.

Amun opened the door to the treasure room. "Now, you will stay here."

"Like hell I will." I growled.

"Then, you're child will."

"No! Don't, Please!" I screamed.

"Then you can stay here. Oh, and look, you have a friend." His neutral gaze toward Yuri caused me to finally see her body on the floor.

Oblivious to the sword, I rushed to her and held up her head. The babies eyes were beginning to open, and their adjusting stares distracted me as they began to whimper.

"Yuri!" I shouted, softly slapping her cheek. "Wake up!"

"I suppose I shall take my leave." Amun said, and before I knew it, he disappeared.

Would he always be the one ruining my life?

"This way!" I heard a man shout.

"Is someone there?" I asked skeptically. The voice was unrecognizable. The room was silent, except footsteps, registering my voice, enveloping it as a warning. Then, the noises were quieted.

Suddenly, they ran into the room, swords raised. I heard the voice of the man again.

"Hey, it's two women, and children as well!"

"All the better." One man grinned, and in a flash, I was being held up by my arms and legs. My reactions just weren't what they had been eight months ago.

"Let go of me!" I screamed, kicking. They laughed at my protests. The babies cried louder and louder at the jostling. "I'll come willingly, okay; just put me down so I can make sure my babies are safe!" I pleaded. They stopped moving.

"Dead babies won't do us any good. Someone take them." The first man said, and the second responded and attempted to follow the order, until I clawed his face, leaving four red marks. He grabbed his face and exclaimed in anger. His hands reached their target, then another turned around and slapped me hard. My hand flew up to nurse my cheek in surprise.

"No!" I screamed. Another man grabbed me around my still swollen stomach, and I reached for my pride and joy.

They dragged me all the way, kicking and screaming, to a cart. The whole way, I bet the men carrying me wished Yuri had been the one they were holding. But, you can't be picky when you're trying to kidnap someone, now can you?

A/N: As usual, thanks for reading, and PLEASE review!