Rick slowly made his way down to the lower level of the bus, heaving in deep breaths as he came down from his adrenaline high. Eden was perched on a seat next to Ardeth, fussing over his wounds, checking over her brother at the same time and scanning him to be sure he was unharmed. Alex was at the front of the bus, giving his beloved uncle Jon a hug as he complimented his driving. The man was visibly shaken up as he pulled over the bus to catch his own breath and take a moment to relax.

Rick looked between Eden and Ardeth, asking the two while pointing at the Medjai's wounds, "You alright?" And while to many he would appear nonchalant, shrugging off their ordeal as though it were just another day, Eden could hear the concern in his voice and see it in his eyes.

Ardeth couldn't help but to grin, before wincing as his wife prodded at the wound on his chest. He reached over, grabbing her small hand in his much larger one before kissing her fingertips and assuring her, "I am alright, habibti." He then looked back to his brother-in-law, grinning once again as he said, a little breathless, "This was my first bus ride."

Eden chuckled at her husband, leaning over and placing a soft kiss to scruffy cheek. Rick and Evy seemed to have the same idea, the two all but eating each other's face as they locked lips after sharing relieved smiles. Eden cackled as she heard her nephew mutter with a roll of his eyes, "Jeez, get a room." The blond haired little boy then made his way to the back of the bus hoping to escape the adults in favor of his own company and to not witness his parents playing tonsil hockey.

The redhead ignored her brother and his wife in favor of looking over her husband once again. She pulled back the layers of fabric that had been ripped open, wincing as she saw the blood and the four scratches across his chest. Thankfully, the wounds were superficial and all she would need to do is clean them to ensure that there would be no infection.

Ardeth grabbed Eden's hand once again, her seafoam gaze meeting his dark eyes. She could see relief in his gaze that she was unharmed and safe. However, her own eyes told a different story. Ardeth could see fear in them, a bone deep fear that rattled him. "I'm fine, habibti," the Medjai assured his beloved. He then reached up, brushing back a strand of her red hair before cupping her cheek in his calloused hand.

Eden leaned into the touch instinctively, relishing the feel of his warmth. "You scared me, Ardeth," the woman replied softly, though there was a slight undertone to her voice. It was razor sharp, deadly, like barbed wire wrapped in razor blades. That tone brought with it a promise of death for anyone who crossed her family, anyone foolish enough to harm the ones she held dear. It also brought with it a reprimand for his foolishness, but he didn't mind in the slightest.

Grinning, the dark haired man said nothing, instead leaning forward and capturing her lips in a soft kiss. It was full of love and assurance, both for her and himself. It was a promise. A promise that he would always come back to her.

Their moment, however, was short lived. In the blink of an eye, arms reached in through the back of the bus, one hand clamped tightly over Alex's mouth while another wrapped around the young boy and dragged him from the back of the bus. Eden pulled back from her husband, quickly jumping into action, Rick, Ardeth, Evy, and Jon all close behind. They all ran, watching as Alex was shoved into the backseat of a car before it pealed off with squealing tires.

"Stop!" Rick bellowed, pushing himself to the limit as he pumped his legs to move faster.

Eden kept pace with her brother, chasing down the car that held her beloved nephew. "ALEX!" she bellowed, reaching out and willing the vehicle to slow. But it was too late, and the car was too fast. They wouldn't reach him in time, and now, Imhotep had her nephew.

They were helpless, watching as the car slowed for only a moment to allow another man to slide in the back, desperately trying to close the distance as they pushed themselves to the limit. But it was useless, hopeless. The car then picked up speed once again, tires squealing as they swerved for a moment before speeding off. And then, the bridge began to move, moving up and up and up. They had accessed the operating room where the bridge operator would raise and lower the bridge for incoming and outgoing boats. Rick had managed to move ahead of Eden at this point, climbing the bridge in a hopeless attempt to reach his son, but it was too late.

Eden cursed, spitting out threats of death as she raged in the middle of the street. Jon and Evy watched her, tears in their wide eyes as the redhead doled out threats and promises of death and blood and fury. Her eyes seemed to cloud over, almost changing. But Eden seemed oblivious to this, rampaging like a raging bull as she cursed and spit and threw her hands around wildly in an attempt to calm herself.

Ardeth approached his wife whilst Rick slid slowly and cautiously down the bridge. The elder O'Connell moved to Evy, wrapping the woman in his arms in hopes of giving her comfort, shushing her cries as he placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. The Medjai had tried the same with Eden, but she had shoved him away, screaming out in frustration and fear. And then, her adrenaline finally gave out, the woman falling to her knees as she slumped over herself and openly wept. It was then that Ardeth knew it was safe to approach his wife, wrapping her in his arms and rocking her back and forth as she cried for her nephew.

"I'll tear them all apart with my bare hands," Eden cried into her husband's chest. "I swear it to Sekhmet, I'll tear them all apart and make them wish they had never crossed my family."

Ardeth couldn't help but smile at her words. Even in her state of sadness, she was still able to make promises of death, and that gave him comfort to know she had not given up. Kissing her forehead, the Medjai told her, "I know you will, my love." He then pulled back, looking her in the eye. He watched as a faint ring of crimson flashed around her irises before fading out, but made no comment. Instead he told her, "We must help get him back. He is safe for a time, but only until they reach Ahm Shere. We'll need to get to him before then."

The redhead nodded in understanding, shaking off the slight dizziness that had overcome her as she allowed Ardeth to help her stand. She took in a deep breath, Ardeth still holding her hands in his as he watched her calm herself. She then nodded to him, before intertwining her fingers with his and making their way over to Rick and Evy with Jon in tow.

When they reached the couple, Eden immediately reached over, pulling Evy into her arms, the two women sharing a tight embrace. "We'll get him back, Evy," Eden promised. "I don't care if I have to tear the desert apart with my teeth, I will get Alex back to you."

Evy pulled back, giving Eden a soft smile in thanks. "I have no doubt," the brunette replied, causing the redhead to smile back at her.

Eden then turned to Rick, her brother wrapping her in his arms as he struggled to hold back his tears. Eden squeezed him, hoping to offer some form of comfort, but found it hard to do so as a fresh wave of tears filled her eyes.

"Remember when we were kids, and you got lost in the stalls at the bazaar?" Rick suddenly asked, voice muffled by Eden's shoulder. When he felt the redhead nod, he continued. "I couldn't find you for hours, and I was so scared that someone had managed to take you. You were only about five or six, and you were so little, Ed. You would've been so easy to snatch up, someone could have grabbed you and I thought I'd never see you again. And when I finally found you, I had hoped that I'd never feel that fear again." Rick then pulled back, looking at his little sister, and she could see the fear in his eyes. The same fear mirrored back in her own. "This is the same as that day, but worse."

Eden sniffled, pulling her brother into her arms once again and hugging him tightly. "I remember that day, too," Eden replied. "I was terrified! I remember looking around for you, wondering where you went. And when I didn't see you, I thought I would be on my own forever. But you did find me, Ricky! You found me and you've kept me safe ever since that day." Eden then looked at her brother with hope and love and adoration. "We will get him back, Rick. You'll get Alex back, just like you got me back all those years ago. I promise. And I'll be with you every step of the way."

Rick gave Eden a soft smile in return, love and adoration in his gaze as he kissed his sister's forehead in thanks. "I know I can always count on you, kid," he told her, voice thick with emotion.

That was when Ardeth finally spoke up, clapping Rick on the shoulder and catching the man's attention. The elder O'Connell pulled away from his sister, the redhead reaching for Evy once again. As the two women held onto each other, Ardeth assured them all, "You needn't fear for your son, my friend. He wears the bracelet of Anubis. They cannot hurt him."

That was when Evy piped up, looking confused as she pulled away from Eden to look between them. "Alex is wearing the bracelet?" she asked, eyes wide.

Rick nodded, gathering Evy into his arms again. "Yeah," he replied. "He said when he put the bracelet on, he saw the pyramids at Giza, and then the temple at Karnak."

"And once they reach Karnak, the bracelet will show him the next step of their journey," Ardeth told them.

Evy looked shaken, and Eden couldn't blame her. She looked from Ardeth ro Rick, telling them, "If we don't get to Karnak before them, then we'll have no idea where to look for him next."

Eden saw the contemplative look on Rick's face, and knew he had an idea. When his gaze locked with Eden's, the redhead grinned along with her brother, the siblings seeming to have the same idea in mind. "Seems to me," Rick started. "Like we need a magic carpet."

Eden snorted out a loud cackle, the others looking between the siblings in confusion. Rick just grinned at his sister as the redhead told him, "You'll have to promise him some kind of payment, Richard! Especially after last time!"

The five set off for Egypt, Eden kissing Ardeth goodbye. "I'm going with Rick," she had told him. "Someone needs to be there to convince Izzy to help us. Lord knows the last time he worked with my brother, he's still not happy about the outcome."

Ardeth grinned against his wife's lips. "I understand, my love," he assured her. "All I ask is that you stay out of harm, yes?"

Eden giggled as Ardeth leaned in to kiss her once again. "So long as you do the same, my love," she asked of him.

With that, Eden set off with Jon, Rick, and Evy for Magic Carpet Airways. The two Brits looked a bit concerned as they pulled into a dilapidated looking hangar, men milling about the area as a faded red and white wooden sign came into view. As they approached the main hangar, Jon pulled the car to a full stop, putting the vehicle in park before shutting off the engine. Eden looked around in nostalgia, remembering all the trouble she and Rick would get into in their youth, Izzy tagging along for the ride and helping them out of tight spots. Children ran about, herding what appeared to be sheep or goats, camels and horses alike were tied to tethers. It was like taking a trip down memory lane for the redhead.

"This is the magic carpet?" Evy asked incredulously as they all got out of the car.

Eden grinned over at her brother as he waved off her worries, assuring her, "Izzy's fine. He's a professional."

Jon snorted out a chuckle, looking back at Eden and nudging her in the side. "Like you and your brother?" he asked under his breath, remembering her words from a decade past.

Eden let out a loud cackle at that, slapping Jon on the back jovially as the two shared a laugh. "Exactly like that, Jon," she said through her laughter.

It was at that moment that the main hangar doors opened, a short, lanky, dark skinned man stepping out. He wore an aviator's cap with goggles perched atop it, holding it to his head. An eyepatch covered his left eye and Eden could feel herself grinning at the sight of him, outright laughing as he stopped short when he heard Rick's exuberant cry of, "Izzy!" while holding his arms up in greeting. The man stopped dead in his tracks, eye widening in fear as he shuffled back before spinning a few times just to be sure that what he was seeing was real. He quickly ran back the way he came, the sounds of locks sliding into place as he barricaded himself behind the stone walls and wooden doors.

Rick looked almost hurt by the action, his face falling as he yelled out an indignant, "Hey!"

Evy grinned at her husband. "He definitely remembers you," she told him as she made her way closer.

"He's a little shy," was Rick's immediate reply, his tone dry.

Eden cackled. "Shy my ass, Richard!"

Rick rolled his eyes before shooting his sister a warning look and shaking his head as if to say 'shut the hell up'. He then looked over to Jon, telling the man, "Jonathan, get the bags."

Jon, bless him, let out a tired sigh, the golden spear in his hands. Eden had noticed that he hadn't put the damn thing down for even a moment, holding it close even in his sleep. "My hands are full," he told Rick, waving the spear.

Rick snatched it from Jon, glaring at him with an irritated, "Now," slipping past his lips. Jon just nodded, not one to argue with Rick when the man was on a mission, moving back to get the bags from the car. Rick then pulled a pistol from his holster, telling the two women, "I'll deal with the flight details." He then shot at the lock on the wooden door, the little bit of metal falling to the ground from the force of the bullet.

Evy stepped over to Rick as Eden made her way to the door and kicked it in. "Honey, you're not a subtle man," she chastised with a grin.

Rick looked back at his wife as he followed his sister through the now open door. "We don't have time for subtle," he replied easily.

As the three made their way inside of the main hangar, Eden watched with a grin as Izzy whimpered, running off the close Rick got to him. Gasoline drums littered the area, a man sleeping at a desk with papers strewn about just feet away, and Eden could have sworn she had seen an old, clawfoot bathtub with a man inside reading a newspaper to her left. This place hadn't changed in the slightest.

"Izzy," Rick all but groaned, chasing after the flighty man. "Come here!"

Izzy just kept muttering 'no, no, no' as he paced further and further away from the O'Connell siblings. Evy looked between the two of them, telling Rick, "He doesn't look happy to see you."

Rick just grinned as Eden told her with a grin of her own, "He's never turned us down yet."

"Whatever it is, whatever you need, I don't care," Izzy told them as he made his way over to the desk with the sleeping man. He frantically grabbed at a few rolled up papers, what Eden assumed to be maps, as he went about refusing them before even hearing them out. "Forget it, O'Connell! Every time I hook up with you, I get shot!" he whined, grabbing more rolled up papers. Eden chuckled under her breath as he grabbed the sleeping man by the back of his head, lifting it to grab a paper he was using as a pillow before letting his head hit the desk with a resounding 'thump'. "Last time, I got shot in the ass! I am in mourning for my ass!" he bellowed as he walked away.

Eden cupped a hand over her mouth, shouting to Izzy, "It was an improvement! You're ass looks great, Izzy!"

Rick glared over at the redhead, shaking his head as she shrugged her shoulders. "Shaddup, Eden!" he griped, pointing at her in warning.

"Remember that bank job in Marrakesh?!" Izzy asked as the three followed after him to a little overhang that served as an office.

"Bank job?" Evy asked with a grin, curiosity shining in her brown eyes.

"It's not like it sounds," Rick said, turning to look at her as he tried to downplay it.

Eden let out a loud laugh, telling Evy, "It's exactly like it sounds."

"Uh, it is exactly like it sounds!" Izzy agreed with the redhead. He then turned around to point an accusatory finger at Rick, sunlight glinting off the golden caps that covered a few of his teeth. "I'm flying high, hiding in the sun," he goes on to explain. "White boy here flags me down, so I fly in low for the pickup. The next thing ya know, I get shot!" he all but screeched. He then slumped his shoulders, looking between Evy and Rick as he laments, "I'm laying in the middle of the road with my spleen hanging out, and I see him," he glares, pointing at Rick. "Waltzing up with some belly dancer girl!"

Eden grinned as she watched Rick make a cut it out motion with his hands, eyes wide as Evy grinned mischievously behind his back. "Belly dancer girl?" she asked rhetorically. Rick then turned around to give an apologetic look, shrugging shoulders and shaking his head with a grimace on his face. Evy looked past him, ignoring him in favor of telling the pilot, "Izzy, I think you and I should talk."

"As long as I don't get shot," he replied evenly, glaring at Rick once more.

Eden chuckled at her old friend, assuring him, "I think Rick might be the one getting shot this time, Iz."

The dark skinned man grinned at the redhead, Rick glaring at her, and Evy finally taking note of the man in the bathtub behind her. "You, shaddup," the elder O'Connell all but whined, pointing at his sister. "You're not helping!" He then rolled his eyes, telling Izzy, "And quit your complaining." He then pulled a wad of cash from his pocket before tossing it to the pilot. "You're gonna get paid this time."

Izzy caught the wad of cash easily, his eyes widening a fraction as he took in the amount. "O'Connell, have you looked around here any? Hmm?" he asked the man, his eyes still not leaving the money in his hand. "What do I need money for? What the hell am I gonna spend it on?" he asked, holding the money up as he questioned Rick. But he, of course, pocketed the money in a pouch on his beige flight jacket, not taking his eyes off of Rick.

"I'm gonna keep this short," Rick told the pilot, stepping closer to him and boxing him in. The hand that held the spear that Jon was so enamored with came up, moving about wildly as Rick emphasized his point. "My little boy is out there, and I'm gonna do whatever it takes to get him back."

Rick then seemed to notice that Izzy was transfixed by the golden stick he held in his hand. He watched the man, moving he stick about in different directions, his eyes following its movements as he let out little whimpers here and there. Once Rick had stilled the golden spear in front of Izzy's gaze once more, Izzy finally told Rick, "O'Connell, if you give me that gold stick there, you can shave my head, wax my legs, and use me for a surfboard."

Rick seemed pleased by this, tossing the golden stick to Izzy, the lanky man dropping his papers to catch the item as he stared at it with glee. "Didn't we do that in Tripoli?" Rick asked. Izzy just gave him a sheepish look, before going back to looking at the gold in his hands.

"Crete," Eden uttered in reply under her breath.

"Again, not helping!" Rick complained, not even looking in her direction, causing the redhead to roll her eyes. "By the way," Rick started, pointing to the eyepatch as he asked Izzy, "When did you, uh, lose your eye?"

"Oh, I didn't," Izzy replied breezily with a shake of his head. He then lifted up the eyepatch, showing his unmarred eye, telling Rick with a grin, "I just thought it made me look more dashing." He then shrugged his shoulders with a wheezy laugh, looking between the O'Connell siblings before placing the patch back over his eye.

Rick rolled his eyes before reaching up and ripping the patch from his face. He then waved his hand around, telling Izzy, "Come on, get to work."

Eden chuckled at her brother as Izzy scampered off. "Ya didn't have to be so rude, ya know," the redhead admonished her brother.

Rick looked down at her with a grimace telling her, "If I didn't, nothing would get done. We're on a bit of a time crunch right now."

Eden placed a placating hand on Rick's arm as Jonathan finally met them in the hangar with their bags. "Rick, calm down," the redhead said soothingly. She then brought her brother's attention to her seafoam eyes, the same eyes he saw looking back at him each time he looked in a mirror. "We'll get to him, okay? Alex is a smart kid. He's got bigger balls than you, big brother. He'll be fine."

Rick grinned at his little sister, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he hugged her to his side. "Gee, thanks sis," he griped playfully.

Eden just chuckled, pushing him toward Evy as she moved to fall into step next to Jon. "C'mon, ya big baby. We've got work to do."

Izzy then reappeared, walking side by side with Evy as Eden walked ahead of Rick and Jon. The redhead led the small group to where she could see Ardeth, the Medjai dismounting his horse. She watched as the chieftain strode toward them, the eleven commanders at his back still perched atop their mounts. When Ardeth reached Eden, the redhead sidled up next to him, the two sharing a brief kiss. Eden then turned from her husband, greeting the commanders with a small bow, showing her respect and gratitude. They all returned the gesture as Ardeth explained to the others, "These are the commanders of the twelve tribes of the Medjai." Ardeth then turned, lifting a gloved hand as he commanded, "Horace."

The falcon flew from one of the commander's wrists and straight to Ardeth's outstretched hand. Eden smiled at the beast, reaching over to run a gentle hand over his feathers. Jon looked impressed as he looked at the creature, uselessly pointing out, "A pet bird."

"My best and most clever friend," Ardeth replied easily, stroking the bird's feathers softly. "He will let the commanders know of our progress so that they may follow." Ardeth then turned back to the commanders once again, raising his right hand as he declared to them, "Allahu Ma'ana!"

The commanders returned the gesture, placing their hands over their hearts as they repeated, "Allahu Ma'ana!" almost reverently.

Ardeth placed his hand over his heart, looking to his wife and seeing that she was also repeating the gesture to the men as well. It was easy for him to forget sometimes that he was now chieftain, and his people looked to him for guidance and strength. But, just as they looked to him, they looked to his wife as well. Eden was just as much a Medjai as her husband and the people who followed them. Where they looked to him for strength and courage, they looked to Eden for kindness and love. Ardeth was always impressed by her ability to pick things up quickly, learning fast that these people showed her the same reverence and respect that they showed their chieftain and leader. And at every turn, she returned that respect tenfold. These men had come at Ardeth's call, as they were duty bound to do so. But for their lady, their revered chieftain's beloved wife, they would follow them both into Hell itself.

The six of them then watched as the commanders rode off, horses nickering as they were urged on into a quick gallop. Ardeth watched his men go with respect, before telling Rick, "If the army of Anubis arises," he then turned around to face the man. "They will do all they can to stop it."

Rick nodded in understanding. Eden then stood close to her husband, wrapping an arm around his waist as she molded herself into his right side. Ardeth immediately wrapped an arm around her, pulling her ever closer and looking into her beautiful eyes as she told him, "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

"Let us hope indeed, my love," he agreed.

*gasp* SURPRISE! I had some down time and decided to post another chapter for you guys. I've had this story in my head for quite a while and can't seem to stop thinking about it. The next few chapters will see more of Eden and a bit of an explanation for a few things, so get ready pals and gals! We're in for a bumpy fucking ride! Anyway, drop me a review, a fave, a follow. THEY SUSTAIN ME! If ya'll celebrate, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! If not, well, I hope ya'll are somewhere warmer than bumfucked North Dakota! Stay safe out there ya'll! Much love!

Side note: Allahu Ma'ana means "God is with us." This is what Ardeth says to the commanders in the movie.