All to soon it came time for the O'Connells to head back to England and Ardeth was not very happy when that day finally came, because it seemed as if they had just gotten there even though he knew they'd been there for almost three weeks.

"We'll see you soon, my brother," said Rick looking just as unhappy to be leaving as Ardeth was to have them leave.

"Ma'a salama, my brother," said Ardeth. He then said a phrase in Arabic. "Sirma ma-salam ya ahi."

Rick knew that this phrase literally translated to 'peace be upon you, my brother'.

"And to you, my brother," Rick said in English. It was true Rick had started to learn Arabic since last year during their first visit to this place because he had found out that a lot of the Medjai both the males and females only spoke that language and it was frustrating not to be able to understand what was being said. However, it was slow going and he didn't have as much time to put into as he liked.

"I will contact you as soon as I can set up that appointment with Mark," said Rick giving his brother a slap on the shoulder.

"I will be waiting," Ardeth assured with a smile giving Evie a hug and shaking Rick's hand. After a they finished their goodbyes both turned away and mounted their horses. They both waved as they moved away from the camp and finally they both just relaxed thinking of Ardeth's visit that was soon to come.

~~~Rick and Evie~~~

Three months after the O'Connells had returned from their vacation in Egypt Rick got an appointment with his and Evie's lawyer whose name was Mark Simmons. Mark was an older gentlemen at least in his late forties if not his early fifties, but he had a easy and relaxed personality which was one of the reasons Rick liked him so much.

Mark rang the doorbell of the O'Connell home wondering again why Rick and Evie had wanted to meet here instead of at the office. Both of them had been quite insistent that they not talk about it over the phone and on top of insistent, mysterious—very mysterious. When Rick had called to set up this appointment almost three months ago he had said that he wanted to change his will. He had refused to say how he wanted it changed but Rick had offered him a rather hefty bonus if he would ask no questions.

The door was opened by Rick himself and Mark wondered what had happened to the butler.

"It's Martin's night off," Rick said by way of explanation to Mark's unspoken question. What Rick didn't tell Mark was that all the servants had been given the night off for they wanted no one to overhear the story they were going to tell Mark.

Mark nodded and came inside Rick closing the door softly behind him. "Evie's in the living room," said Rick leading the way. When they got there Rick stopped just outside the door and turned to Mark. "I'm sorry about the mystery Mark, but believe me when I tell you it was necessary. Before you enter this room tonight I want to ask you to keep an open mind about the story Evie and I are going to tell you for a I assure you it is true."

Mark looked at the expression on Rick's face seeing nothing but seriousness. So Rick wasn't joking for his expression was sober, his eyes serious.

Mark nodded stiffly and Rick turned and opened the door to the living room. As soon as Mark entered the room Evie and a strange man stood up. The strange man had long black hair and strange tattoos on both cheeks as well as his forehead. His skin was dark which meant he definitely wasn't English as if the tattoos didn't already prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt. As for his clothes he was wearing a long black robe kept closed with a sash with a long carved scimitar belted at his right side. He had the look of a warrior about him just in the way he moved which was with fluid grace.

"Mark, let me introduce you to a very good friend of ours, Ardeth Bay. Ardeth, this is our lawyer Mark Simmons."

"It's a pleasure, sir," said Ardeth politely stepping forward to shake Mark's hand.

Mark took it while his mind deciphered the accent. The O'Connells friend was more than likely Egyptian, maybe an Arab.

"Why don't you take a seat, Mark, and let me explain why I wanted to have this meeting at our home instead at your office."

Mark took the cup of coffee Evie handed him gratefully and took a sip. "Before we begin I want your word of honor that what we are about to reveal to you will never be spoken about outside this house, not if you are drunk or even threatened."

"My god, Rick, what could be so important that you even have to ask?"

Mark noticed that Rick and Ardeth exchanged a glance and the man he thought was an Arab nodded slightly as if giving his friend permission to continue.

Rick sighed then continued, "Mark, I would not have asked this of you if was not very important that you agree to our terms. It's as much for your protection as it is for ours. What I am about to reveal to you is a secret that must be kept at all costs—no matter what."

"All right. If it's that important then I will promise to never reveal what you tell me."

"And just so you know this goes way beyond confidentiality any promise you make could literally mean life and death. Not only for my family but for yourself and lots of other people."

"Rick," Evie protested. "Stop before you frighten the poor man to death. I think Mark understands the consequences if he does talk, don't you, Mark?"

Mark nodded too frightened to speak for he was trying to imagine what could possibly be so important that it required such a warning.

Rick relented and took his place directly beside his wife on the couch which put him directly across from Mark's chair.

"Remember what I said out in the hallway about keeping an open mind," Rick reminded his friend then said, "What I am about to tell you is absolutely true." Rick sighed and then began talking telling of a three thousand year old mummy being brought back to life and about his and Evie's role in helping to stop it. He then went on to explain what had happened just over a year ago and about how Imhotep had been brought back a second time and how Alex had been kidnapped so he could lead them to the Oasis of Ahm Shere. He then explained about the Scorpion King and how he had discovered that gold scepter Jonathan had been carrying around with him actually turned into a spear and that it was the only thing that could be used to kill the Scorpion King.

He finished by telling how he, Evie, Alex, and Jonathan had barely escaped with their lives as the oasis sank once again beneath the sands not to be raised for at least another five hundred years when it was again the year of the Scorpion and the stars were in exact alignment again.

When Rick fell silent at least it was some three or four hours later and they had all gone through several drinks and plates of sandwiches before Rick was finally silent.

"You can't be serious," Mark protested as soon as he found his voice which was several long minutes of sputtering later.

"Believe me, Mark, my husband has told you nothing but the truth—every single word," Evie said quietly. "It all really happened. I know it is hard to believe Mark," Evie continued. "Heck I wouldn't have believed it if it hadn't happened to me but it did."

"But the Medjai are nothing but myth—legend, nothing more."

Rick swallowed a chuckle and then coughed instead as Evie glared at him in warning

"Mark, the Medjai are real and one of them sits right across from you."

"For obvious reasons, they go to a great deal of trouble to keep their presence hidden. You have to understand that if people knew they existed they and their way of life would be wiped out," added Evie gently

"And the world would suffer for it," Rick added. "Since there would be no one to guard those places that need guarding."

"I would believe what the O'Connells tell you," said Ardeth speaking for the first time since Rick had finished speaking. "They have told you nothing that is not the absolute truth. All of us lived through these events."

"But I never heard about it or even read about it in the paper," Mark protested.

"We did our best to encourage an information blackout about what happened," said Ardeth. "Of course, some rumors still got circulated but with no proof to back them up they remained nothing more than rumors."

"I see," said Mark thoughtfully rubbing his chin in what appeared to be an unthinking gesture. "What you have told me is almost impossible to believe—"

"Mark—" Rick began.

"Let me finish please," Mark interrupted which was something he almost never did, but in this case he felt it was necessary.

Rick fell silent and nodded.

"As I was saying, this is almost impossible to believe, but for the fact that you and I, Rick have known each other for a number of years and I have never known him to lie to me about anything really important."

"That's right," said Rick. "I would never lie about something as serious as this."

"So let's just assume for the moment that your story is true and go on from there," Mark suggested, "I mean you didn't just call me here to tell me all this without a reason."

"You're right," said Evie, "We do have a reason for telling you all this. You see, we figure with the life we lead that something could happen to us. Of course it could be something perfectly ordinary, an automobile accident, a boat sinking or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But we've been discussing what would happen to our son if he was still a child when and if this event occurred. I know you're thinking that Jonathan would take him and this might have been the case if we had never met Ardeth. Now I'll be the first to admit that my brother has changed a great deal ever since Ahm Shere, but we feel if he was given Alex to be raised in the event of our deaths that he might start to slide back into his old ways and probably take Alex with him."

"So it was decided that if Ardeth agreed he would raise our son should anything happen to us," Rick added. When Mark looked shocked, Rick chuckled and added. "Don't look so shocked Mark, you know we never would have suggested such a thing if we did not trust Ardeth. Ardeth is the brother I never had and I would not only trust him with my life and Evie's but the life of my son."

"It's not that," said Mark. "It's how causally you talk about your own deaths."

"Mark you must understand that the two times we defeated Imhotep it was only by luck and the skin of our teeth that we survived. Once you've been through such things death doesn't seem quite so frightening. I, for one, would much rather die than lose my immortal soul. We just want to make sure our son is taken care of. Surely you can understand that?"

"Put like that yes, I can understand it," Mark said. "So I assume you want me to draw up the papers that makes Mr. Bay, Alex's legal guardian if anything happens to you?"

"Yes that's part of it certainly," said Evie

"And the rest of it?"

"Rick wants to adopt me as his brother—legally," Ardeth put in speaking for the first time in more than half an hour. Ardeth's voice sounded just slightly awed that someone would want to make him their brother, even though they were already brothers both because of the ceremony that had taken place just a few months ago and because in a past life they had not only been brothers but twins.

"Is that possible?" asked Rick.

Mark remained silent seeming deep in thought. Finally, he looked up to see two faces looking at him expectantly. As for Ardeth his expression remained the same but his eyes held a deep sense of awe and Mark had a feeling that that was an unusual emotion for him.

"I think it is," said Mark finally. "I will have to do some research but I seem to remember a law somewhere—" Mark paused. "You have to understand this situation doesn't come up very often and for me in particular—never."

"We understand," said Ardeth.

"How long will it take you to do the research and then draw up the papers?

"At least a week," said Mark. "Maybe longer, depending."

"Well Ardeth is going to be here for the next couple of weeks visiting us, so you have time," said Rick putting a hand on Ardeth's shoulder in a gesture of affection.

Ardeth's expression remained unchanged, Mark noticed although the man seemed to relax minutely. The relaxation was so subtle that unless you were watching for it you never would have noticed.

"I know that we will more than likely need a notary and probably at least two witnesses, but anymore then that I do not know. As for your other request that is fairly easy."

"Very well then we will wish you goodnight," said Evie. "So that you can get started on it first thing tomorrow."

"I know that we've given you a lot to think about," said Mark.

"Just remember my warning," said Rick. "By your silence you are protecting not only yourself, but my family and the Medjai as well."

"As well as a lot of innocent people," Evie added.

"I think I'm beginning to understand that," said Mark.

"We know it is a lot for you to absorb," said Evie sympathetically. "It's a lot for anyone to take in, but maybe once you sleep on it won't seem so hard."

"Perhaps," Mark conceded looking tired and no wonder for he had been through quite a few shocks in just a few hours.

Mark headed for the door and Evie handed him his coat.

"Thanks it has been…an interesting evening," said Mark.

"I just bet," Evie said with a tired grin, as she opened the door for him. Once Mark had disappeared into the fog she closed the door with a soft click.

~~~Rick and Evie~~~

"Your friend Mark is an interesting man," said Ardeth. "From the impressions I got, he is honest, hardworking and knows how to keep his mouth shut if he must. Also, it's true he was shocked by your explanation at first but he accepted it better than I thought he would. I mean if I was him I would have had a harder time accepting that a 5000 year old mummy had come back to life and rained destruction down on most of Egypt—not once but twice."

"That's true, Ardeth," said Rick. "But what you don't know is that one of the main reasons I chose Mark as my lawyer was that I knew if presented with enough evidence he would believe, even if it went against everything he was raised to believe in. Mark has always been like that, ever since I've known him."

"How did you two happen to meet?" asked Ardeth curiously.

"Oh now there's an interesting story in itself," said Rick with a grin as he remembered. "It was almost fifteen years ago, long before I met Evie and Jonathan or helped defeat a 5000 year old mummy—twice. I was 20 and just 2 years out of the Cairo orphanage. At that point in my life I was still trying to find my way and deciding what to do with the rest of my life.

"One day, I was down on my luck and very close to starving when I made the decision to pick this guy's pocket. Best and worst mistake I ever made for to my shock this older gentlemen who didn't look like he could harm a fly grabbed me by the ear so hard it was sore for a week. He then proceeded to give me a lecture stern enough to live my ears ringing for quite some time. Then instead of turning me over to the police like I expected, he fed me and gave me some money but he also made me promise to try to turn my life around and told me that if I was ever in England I was welcome to look him up.

"It wasn't long after that that I decided to sign up for the French Foreign Legion. I figured it was a good move while I decided what to do with the rest of my life. If I had realized that one conversation would set the course for the rest of my life I probably would have run in the opposite direction." This last was said so wryly that both Ardeth and Evie chuckled.

"I, for one, am glad that Mark Simmons straightened you out for if you had never joined the French Foreign Legion then we probably never would have met," Ardeth pointed out calmly but with an inner shudder as he thought about that possibility.

"I never would have met you either," Evie added.

"Well, you have to admit that your lives would have been more peaceful if we hadn't," Rick pointed out, reasonably. "Imhotep would probably never have been raised that first time."

"My friend, if there is one thing I've learned over the years is that there is no way to avoid fate."

When Rick looked as if he didn't understand Ardeth said, "What I mean my friend is that somebody else would have released Imhotep but this time without you there to help stop him it is likely that he would have succeeded in taking over the world."

"Ardeth's right, Rick," said Evie. "Fate has a way of balancing these things. Just think about it for a moment. That other team had someone just as capable of deciphering hieroglyphs as I am, but also those men all died to help the Creature regenerate. So tell me this: If everyone was dead and we weren't there who would have interrupted Imhotep's plans?"

Rick thought back to that day over ten years ago and finally had to concede that both Ardeth and his wife were right. Besides, if he had never met Ardeth or Evie would he have become the man he was today? Probably not, for both of them had had a rather profound effect on him over the years. Years ago all he had cared about was himself, but once Evie and then Ardeth had entered his life he had found himself changing a great deal for the better. Well with those two influencing him he supposed he'd really had no choice in the matter.

"All right, you're right," Rick conceded finally. "I, for one, know I am a better person than I was before I met either of you. It's true Mark set my feet on the correct path but it's you two, Alex and even Jonathan that keeps me on it."

"It is my honor, my brother," Ardeth told him gravely.

"And mine," Evie added with a smile giving her husband a kiss on the cheek.

~~~Rick and Evie~~~