Sitting on the steps that led outside I rested my head on Rath's shoulder, noting with a smile that he had his hand on mine. "So where did you want to go for our date?" Rath asked me and I just giggled leaving him with a raised eyebrow.
"As long as it doesn't involve Scarab or Chontra I'm happy to go anywhere with you. Though if they do try and attack us again I'm ready." I replied and he chuckled, stroking my chin with his thumb. "How's the hand?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore but thank you for asking." Rath answered, climbing from the stairs before he reached for my hand and after he helped me to my feet I stretched. "Now should we get going?"
"After we get dressed of course." I replied and Rath nodded, our footsteps light as we walked back inside the sphinx. Once I finished getting dressed I leaned against my sarcophagus running my fingers across the Anubis symbol as Rath pulled on his jacket.
"Rath, if you're still not sure about where we should go for our date I have a suggestion." I told Rath and he raised an eyebrow at me. "Nothing involving sand or water this time I promise."
"I would like to hear your suggestion, Jade." Rath replied and I smiled at him. Once I told him my suggestion he gave me a nod. "A picnic would be wonderful...if I knew what one was."
"That's easy, Rath. We bring our lunch with us and sit on the grass. Or a blanket might be better. Grass and bandages aren't much better than sand." I explained with a shudder and Rath smiled at me, walking over and I grinned as he gave my cheek a kiss.
"That sounds wonderful, Jade. Let's check the refrigerator before Armon gets to it." Rath answered, taking me by the hand and I couldn't help the silly smile on my face as we walked hand in hand.
"Hmm...this is a problem." Rath sighed, his head in the refrigerator before he stepped back removing two cans of soda from it.
"Hey at least we have drinks. Besides we could stop at a grocery store and buy what we need." I said to Rath and he gave me a grin, closing the door. "Now we just need a blanket."
"The one off the bed should do nicely." Rath answered and I nodded, heading back to the sarcophagi room returning a few minutes later. "Perfect." He said when he saw the blanket rolled under my arm.
"Thanks. Let's head out." I replied and together we headed for the garage. Holding the blanket I folded it, resting it on my lap before Rath climbed aboard the Jetcycle.
"Hold on tight, Jade." Rath warned and I grinned, wrapping my arms around his waist before we shot down the ramp, sending us outside. We made a stop at the grocery store before we headed for the park nearby.
"This is a very good idea, Jade." Rath agreed as he helped me spread the blanket out on the grass setting down the box of groceries we'd bought together in the center. "This spot does look familiar." He pointed out as we sat together and I nodded towards the surrounding trees.
"It's the same spot where we hid from Scarab and his shabtis." I told him and Rath grimaced causing me to giggle at the face he pulled. "But it is a nice spot right?"
"Yes it is a nice spot. Thank you for suggesting it, Jade." Rath answered and I nodded, watching as he put his hand into the bag. "Now would you like a sandwich?"
Hours later as the sun was setting I lay back on the blanket secretly pleased when Rath lay beside me, his fingers wrapping around mine. 'This was a wonderful idea." Rath told me and I grinned as he pushed himself up by his elbows, leaning in to kiss me I was sure. Until his amulet glowed and I groaned as he sat back, shaking my head.
"Typical. Me and my big mouth." I complained, climbing to my feet. "Guess our picnics over huh. Rath?"
"Presley needs my help." Rath said as I stretched. "With the strength of Ra!" He called out and I couldn't help feeling jealous when I saw Rath's armor cover his body. "I'll drop you back at the sphinx."
"You should go looking for Presley. I don't have that far to walk, Rath." I replied and after a pause Rath nodded, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. Hopping onto the Jetcycle he waved at me and I waved back, forcing a smile on my face though as soon as he rode off I sighed to myself.
I started gathering up our picnic supplies not knowing that someone was standing a few feet from me, watching me as I rolled up the blanket wondering exactly I was going to carry everything back on my own. "Guess I should have taken that lift after all." I muttered, leaning over to grab the rolled-up blanket but as I lifted it I heard a laugh and I dropped the blanket, spinning around to find Chontra watching me with her arms crossed.
"Chontra, what do you want now? Rath's not here as you can see." I told her and she just smiled at me walking forward until she was looking down at me.
"I'm not here to talk to Rath, Jade. In fact I came by to see how he's treating you." Chontra answered and I frowned at her, confused and she sighed. "Not very well if he left you to walk all the way home by yourself."
"Why do you care? The first time we met you struck me with a fireball." I shot back and Chontra just waved her hand. "Oh it was a big deal to me."
"Jade, I wasn't trying to hit you but you just stepped into the way. Anyway I actually came past to ask about the amulet I gave to Rath for you." Chontra explained and I blinked at her until she cleared her throat. "So Rath never gave it to you? Typical."
"I put it on myself after Rath tried to warn me it could be dangerous." I said once I found my voice and she just laughed, touching the amulet hanging around my neck.
"Of course he'd say that, Jade. He just doesn't want you to be a guardian for Prince Rapses." Chontra said, releasing the amulet before she shook her head. "Back in Egypt he abandoned me too."
"Rath told me that he was asked by Pharaoh Amenhotep to tutor his son." I replied and she just shook her head at me. "Well that's what he told me anyway."
"He lied to you too. I loved that man and he left me for Prince Rapses." Chontra lied, trying not to smile when I chewed my lip with a frown. "You should ask him to teach you magic and when he refuses you'll know the truth."
"Well he can't right now. He's gone to find Prince Rapses." I told him, grimacing when I realized I shouldn't be telling my friends' enemies information but Chontra just sighed. "Now what is it? He did swear an oath after all." I pointed out and she just shrugged.
"Jade, you'll always be second to the prince. I should be going since Rath's not going to show his face but remember what I told you." Chontra told me raising her arms and in a flash of purple smoke she disappeared.
"I doubt very much that Rath would ever play with my heart like that." I muttered, gathering up the picnic supplies before I made my way back to the sphinx. Once I entered the building I sighed, heading for the sarcophagi room looking forward to dropping the blanket and basket I'd been carrying for the past few hours.
Once inside the room I walked over to the table, setting the basket down before I unrolled the blanket. After draping it over the bed I leaned against it, still trying to get Chontra's words out of my head.
"I know that woman was lying about Rath so why can't I stop thinking about what she said?" I whispered, pacing the room when I found I couldn't stand still. "Chontra lies all the time so why should now be any different?"
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't even hear my friends returning to the sphinx, Rath in the lead and as he hurried into the room I looked up at the ceiling.
"I trust Rath with my life but I certainly don't trust Chontra. She must be delusional if she thinks I'll trust her over my friends." I muttered, unaware I had company until I heard someone clear their throat I whirled around, wishing I had my daggers until I saw Rath standing there and I relaxed.
"Rath!" I called out, nearly knocking him over when I hugged him and after a pause he hugged me back. "I was so worried when you raced away to fight Scarab."
"Jade, I'm perfectly fine as you can see." Rath explained when I released him and I grinned as Ja-Kal, Armon and Nefer-Tina entered the room.
"We're fine too." Ja-Kal sighed, shaking his head though I could see a faint smile on his face. "Scarab didn't put up much of a fight."
"Yeah he did try and get the prince's spirit but he backed down as soon as Rath arrived. Can't even go skateboarding without Scarab showing up to ruin everything." Presley answered and I smiled at him, mock-bowing and he snorted. "Not you too."
"Just kidding, Presley. At least you didn't have to walk all the way back to the sphinx." I replied, stretching my legs and Rath frowned as soon as he caught the hint of a frown on my face. "Wonder why he didn't put up a fight? He wants the prince's spirit to become immortal right?"
"Yes and that's what worries me. Scarab never runs away from a fight unless he's sure he can't win." Rath answered, arms crossed against his chest and I shrugged still thinking about what Chontra had said. "Jade, is something the matter? If this is about leaving you in the park I..."
"Of course not, Rath. You did offer to drive me back but you're a guardian and that comes first." I told him and he fixed me with a raised eyebrow as I headed for my sarcophagus. "I'm kind of beat so I'm going to get some rest. You should too." I added, not glancing back and after I pulled open my sarcophagus I climbed inside.
"Well that was strange. Jade seems upset about something." Rath muttered and Nefer-Tina rolled her eyes at the scribe. "Do you happen to know why?"
"Of course I do, Rath. You two were on a second date until Scarab interrupted it right?" Nefer-Tina asked and when he nodded she walked over, patting his shoulder. "Then there's your answer."
"Whatever do you mean, Nefer-Tina?" Rath asked and she rolled her eyes towards Jade's sarcophagus. When it clicked he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Oh yes. That would explain why she's so upset with me. I should probably go and apologize even though it was Scarab's fault and not mine." He added, moving towards my sarcophagus until Ja-Kal stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"You should wait until morning, Rath." Ja-Kal suggested and after a pause Rath nodded, heading towards his sarcophagus as his friends did the same.