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With a flick of the wrist, the rope tying the dirigible to the pole split into two, and the dirigible was off.

Irene smiled as she felt the playful breeze caress her cheeks. Compared to the plane ride from their previous adventure, this was ten times better. They didn't have a sandstorm chasing after them, for one.

She raised a hand and waved to the carefree children below, a small part of her itching to join them, running around and yelling in excitement as the dirigible lifted higher and higher into the air. They were soon nothing but tiny dots in the distance.

"So you like children," Ardeth remarked, joining her by the rail and making her jump in surprise. She hadn't heard him approach her. Then again, as a respectable member of the Medjai, stealth must be a beneficial trait to possess.

Irene nodded, feeling warm and fuzzy at his proximity. Even after all these years, her feelings for him hadn't changed, and she knew she would always act like an idiot around him. "Yes, of course. They're a part of my life. I've helped Rick take care of Alex for eight years now, after all." Suddenly feeling self-conscious when she realized that the two of them were alone for the first time in a long while, she absently began twirling a strand of her hair.

"Amira has been pressuring me into start a family," Ardeth murmured, and Irene could detect faint amusement in his voice. "You have no idea how many women the Medjai presented me with."

Irene rolled her eyes as she recalled the countless men she had rejected after the O'Connells had returned from Hamunaptra. "Oh, I think I do. It was the same with me, you know. Though they did run away squealing when I pulled out your gun." She couldn't stop herself from giggling at the memory of them running away for dear life. Rick didn't even have to lift a finger, though he had promised that if they were giving her too much trouble, he would step in to deal with them his way.

"I wish I could have seen that," Ardeth said, his eyes sparkling. "You're always full of surprises, Rena." Irene opened her mouth to protest, but he reached forward and caught her hand in his own, using his other hand to tuck her stubborn strand of hair back behind her ear.

"But it's gone now," Irene sighed, "Your gun, I mean."

Ardeth squeezed her hand. "Ah, but now that I am here with you, Rena, you no longer need a weapon, correct? I will protect you with my life...Always." He didn't give her time to speak as he added, "You have spent enough time taking care of your nephew. You deserve a family of your own."

Irene's heart skipped a beat and she felt her cheeks burn at his words. "Ardeth, I..."

Ardeth pulled her against him, tightening his arms around her as though he never wanted to let her go again. "You have no idea how much I missed you during these eight long, painful years, Rena."

"I missed you so much, too," Irene whispered, feeling tears beginning to trickle down her cheeks. Not wanting him to see that she was crying, she buried her head into his chest and hugged him back just as tightly.

He pulled away slightly so that his eyes met hers. She drew in a breath, her brain ceasing to function like it always did when she was near him. His face was now merely inches away from hers.

He leaned in closer, but not completely touching her. He smiled - it was the one true smile Irene had ever seen on his handsome but usually stoic face - as he said, "I have waited so long for this day, Miss O'Connell."

Irene blushed furiously as she mumbled back, "C-Call me Rena," then wondered what made her say something so silly.

"Rena," he whispered her name with the accent she adored so much, and then, with nothing to stop them this time, he closed the gap between them by brushing his lips against hers.

Irene closed her eyes. He tasted like the sand and the humid air and the scorching sun of the desert, but she didn't mind one bit. To her, he was home. She didn't want the moment to end...not now, not ever.

But, sadly, all good things came to an end. Irene groaned inwardly when she heard a cough sound from behind them, and she wasn't surprised at all when the owner of the cough spoke in her loving brother's voice, "Oi! What are you doing with my baby sister?"

"R-Rick!" Irene squeaked, glaring at him with all the hate she could muster (which wasn't much, seeing how Rick was her beloved brother and there was no way she could actually hate him). "I never complain when you kiss Evie! Can't you let me be happy for once?" she huffed with annoyance, her cheeks turning red in embarrassment.

Her brother gave her an infuriating smirk and patted her on her head. "No can do, Rena, no can do. I'm afraid my job is to bother you."

Jonathan, being the helpful man he was, piped up, "Hey, that rhymes!"

"Wow, I had no idea," Irene said sarcastically, rolling her eyes while Evie shook her head at Jonathan's comment. "Maybe you could switch your job from mummy-hunting to poetry-writing. Then you can live a little while longer."

Rick winced. "You just crushed my ego, Rena. I've survived this long, haven't I? You should have a little more faith in your big brother."

"No can do, Rick, no can do. I'm afraid my job is to doubt you," Irene retorted scathingly.

"Ooh," Jonathan said, slapping Rick on the back sympathetically. "I know what it feels like when your own darling sister turns against you."

A low whistle caused Irene to look up, just in time to see Izzy give her a toothy grin and a thumbs up from his post. It was obvious he wasn't a big fan of her brother, that was for sure. Rick followed Irene's gaze and scowled when his eyes met Izzy's, silently warning him to mind his own business (if looks could kill, Izzy would be fearing for his life right now). The poor man held up his hands in defeat.

Rick gave Irene an annoyed look before turning to his brother-in-law. "Worst feeling ever," he agreed loudly, making sure that Irene heard him.

"Welcome to the club," Jonathan added good-naturedly.

Irene exchanged a glance with Evie and burst into a fit of giggles. She soon was laughing so hard that she had to hold onto Ardeth for support, while Rick pretended to look dejected to add affect.

"By the way, Ardeth, who was the lovely lady that came with you?" Jonathan asked innocently.

"Ah, you mean Amira? She is my cousin," Ardeth explained, clearly amused by Jonathan's inquiry. "I will let her know you thought of her as lovely."

Jonathan nodded eagerly. "Please do!"

"Oh, Jonathan," Evie sighed exasperatedly, "Don't trouble Ardeth. He's already helping us find Alex."

"It is no trouble," Ardeth insisted. Horus the hawk let out a chirp at the same time, as though the bird was agreeing with his master. "She almost wanted to come on the journey with us, so I am sure she would not have minded speaking with you. She would use any reason to see Rena. She is quite fond of you," he finished, addressing the last part at Irene.

Irene flushed, recalling that she had been jealous of the woman when she had first saw her, mistaking her for Ardeth's future wife. "I-Is that so?"

"Someone's jealous," Rick teased.

Irene groaned inwardly. She knew full well he was getting back at her for their earlier exchange.

Ardeth's eys sparkled. "She wanted to meet the woman that caught my eye. There is no need to be jealous, Rena."

Irene buried her face in her hands in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. To think that the guy she was in love with was telling her not to be jealous! She didn't need to be able to see to know that Rick was secretly dying of laughter at the expense of her suffering.

"Ardeth, if you and Rick ever decide to have a dual, do try and remember to kill him for me?" Irene requested, her voice filled with false sweetness.

"If that is your wish," Ardeth assented, to which Irene beamed and kissed him on the cheek to thank him.

Rick wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Tch. Who says he's going to beat me? And, Rena, could you do that somewhere else? I don't fancy seeing my sister showing affection to a man that's not me."

"Someone's jealous," Irene mocked, pleased that she was able to get back at him for the second time in one day. She was on a roll.

"Alright, you two," Evie interrupted just as Rick opened his mouth to speak, "I suggest we spend this time doing something useful, not argue among ourselves."

Rick and Irene looked at her innocently. Then, in almost simultaneous voices, asked, "Who said we were arguing?"

"Are you sure your brother would let you go?" Ardeth wondered, gesturing towards the other end of the dirigible where Rick and Evie were absorbed in their own conversation.

"I'm sure he will," Irene assured him, "He knows I'll be safe with you by my side, even if he doesn't want to admit it. That's the type of person he is."

Ardeth looked at Rick thoughtfully. "You know him very well. You must have been together for a long time."

"We weren't always together," Irene answered. "Especially during our childhood years. After our father left us and our mother passed away, Rick was sent to an orphanage in Cairo while I stayed behind. I didn't get to see him for a long, long time." Trying to lighten the suddenly somber atmosphere, she joked, "I guess they didn't think it was suitable for a lady to be in such a harsh environment."

Ardeth took her hand and squeezed it. "I am sorry to hear that," he murmured. "It must have been a difficult time for you. I wish...I could have been there to help you."

Too overwhelmed to speak, Irene buried her face into his chest for support as she thought back to the day she was separated from Rick.

~Flashback~

"I wonder what will happen now," Irene whimpered, huddling close to her brother for comfort.

Rick stood up and, with a determined look on his face, offered Irene his hand. "Mother and father aren't here to take care of us anymore, but I will! I promise I won't let you get into any danger, Rena!"

Gratefully, Irene took her brother's hand in her own. His hand was warm, giving her the comfort she desperately needed. "We'll be together forever!" Irene agreed, letting him pull her to her feet.

Rick nodded importantly, knowing that his sister depended on him now. "Yeah! So there's no need to be sad, Rena! We have each other!"

And that was when they came.

"This is the kid, right?" A gruff voice asked, barging into the O'Connells' household with men following him. Irene's eyes stretched wide as the strangers approached, dark and dangerous. She was terrified. "You're Richard O'Connell?"

"Rick! What are we going to do?" Irene yelped, trying to get closer to her brother. But the strong men grabbed Rick's arm and hulled him away from her side.

"You're coming with us," the man announced briskly. "It was in the woman's will that you go to Cairo. Something about following your father's footsteps."

Rick tried to kick him in an attempt to break free. "I'm not going anywhere! I can't leave Rena by herself!"

The man didn't even look at Irene. "If you're worried about the girl, don't be. She'll be taken care of by a governess."

"N-No!" Irene protested at once, "I don't need a governess! I only want my brother! Give Rick back! D-Don't take him away from me...he's the only family I have..." Sobbing, she fell to her knees, knowing that she had no power to stop them.

"There's no point in struggling, girl. The adults have already decided what's best for you," the man snapped. "Your new governess will be here shortly."

With that, he flung Rick over his shoulder and turned to leave the house. Rick yelled and beat the man's back, but his effort was futile. "Rena!" he screamed, reaching out desperately for her while another man grabbed Irene to prevent her from going after him.

"Rick!" Irene wailed, wriggling in the man's arms as she tried to free herself.

"Rena! Remember, no matter what happens, I'll - "

Slam!

The door shut, separating the the two siblings for many years before they would be able to meet again.

"It was horrible, Ardeth," Irene whispered, feeling his hand brush her cheek to wipe away the tear that had escaped from her eyes.

"It must have been," he agreed forlornly. "If you do not mind me asking, when did it happen?"

Irene tipped her head to one side thoughtfully. "It was when...I was seven, I think. So Rick would have been ten. I can't believe it's already been twenty-two years since then."

"Twenty-two years...that is quite interesting," Ardeth mused. At Irene's questioningly look, he elaborated, "I remember distinctly that about the same time, I was feeling unwell but insisted on training. My dizziness caused me to fall off the horse and break my leg. We must have been connected even then."

Irene blinked in surprise. To her, Ardeth had always appeared so perfect that she never stopped to think that even he could get hurt. "That must have been painful," she shuddered. "I wish I had been there to take care of your injury."

He chuckled. "Do not worry, Rena. The Medjai are injured many times throughout training in order to become the best warriors we can be."

Irene made a face. "That sounds so different from how I was raised," she sighed. "I stayed in the comfort of my governess's home, and she taught me how to be a proper woman. Then I felt rebellious, so I ran away and became a haircutter instead. She's probably very disappointed in me right now."

"Then I am glad you were rebellious," Ardeth decided, gazing at her warmly, "so you were able to become the person you are now and...even have someone like me fall for you."

Irene's cheeks burned under his gaze. She felt as though her heart would burst at his words, and she looked back at him with love and joy and longing. "I've missed you so much," she said, hugging him tightly. He returned her hug, and she giggled when he cast a sideways glance at Rick to make sure that he wasn't keeping an eye on them.

She didn't know what was going to happen in the future. She didn't know whether they will win or lose. But she did know that whatever will happen, she wanted Ardeth to be by her side.

A/n: I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a while.. having midterms and projects.. /dies/ but hopefully this chapter makes up for it. Plus it's all original material with some of Rena's backstory~ ;)

Leave a review and let me know what you think? ;) you guys are all amazing /sobs/ thank you so much for supporting the story!