Focused on Rath's hands as they slowly made their way towards my hips I didn't hear a engine. It wasn't just his hands but Rath's lips that caught most of my attention and even though I had my back to him, still sitting contently in his lap, I could feel him kissing his way down the base of my neck though just as he reached the spot directly between my shoulder-blades he paused.
"Rath, is something the matter?" I mumbled, waiting for his mouth to move back to my shoulders though when he didn't move I sighed. Finally cracking open my eyes I noticed Rath looking around and I rolled my eyes already knowing that our date was about to end abruptly. "I should have know something would mess this up for us. Third time's the charm I guess." I whispered and Rath finally noticed me looking at the grass at my feet.
"I am sorry, Jade but I can hear an engine heading this way." Rath explained, helping me off his lap before he stood. When he offered his hand I took it letting him help me to my feet and after brushing grass off my legs I walked over to retrieve the picnic basket. "When I find out who ruined our third date I will...have some strong words for them." He finally said and I suppressed a giggle as he helped me roll the blanket back up.
"Maybe we should just admit defeat, Rath." I told him after he picked up the rolled-up blanket and when he fixed me with a raised eyebrow I focused on my shirt, having forgotten that it was still partly open now. As I started to re-button it I looked back at Rath. "Every date we've been on so far keeps getting interrupted and I don't know about you but I'm starting to think it's a sign." I whispered adjusting the shirt and Rath shook his head, stepping close enough to place his hand on my left shoulder.
"Jade, I will make it up to you I promise." Rath suggested as I lowered my head slightly, keeping my focus on him as the sound of an engine grew even closer. "We could always return to the sphinx and continue our date there."
"That's actually a very good idea, Rath. I know I shouldn't get so upset but I like having you all to myself." I replied and Rath's smile grew kissing my nose before he took me by the hand. "Now I want to know who decided that wrecking our date was a good idea." I added, carrying the blanket under one arm as Rath carried the basket.
We made our way out from under the trees just as the Hot-Ra slowed and I fixed Nefer-Tina with a frown as did Rath. "I told you they wouldn't be happy, Ja-Kal." Nefer-Tina sighed looking at me when I started to head for the Jetcycle.
"Of course we are not happy, Nefer-Tina. Jade and I were enjoying our date until you all decided to interrupt us. Now is there a good reason you are here?" Rath answered, fixing his gaze on Ja-Kal and the mummies leader sighed.
"Rath, we came by to check on you both. After Scarab and Chontra took control of Jade we wanted to make sure they would not try it again." Ja-Kal answered and Rath sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Ja-Kal, will all due respect I have already made sure that won't happen again to Jade. It would be nice if someone trusted us a little more. Now if you are finished we will be heading back to the sphinx on the Jetcycle." Rath snapped, turning around before he followed me finding me already leaning against the motorcycle with my eyes on the ground.
"They need to trust us more, Rath. I know I'm new to the team and all but I'd never let anyone control me again." I told him looking up as he strapped the blanket and picnic basket to the back of the motorcycle.
"I know that, Jade but they have seen Scarab's and Chontra's magic first-hand and they know just how powerful those two are. But I trust you and that's what really matters isn't it?" Rath answered and I nodded, grateful that Rath trusted me wholeheartedly. "Now let's head back to the sphinx and from there continue our date." He added, climbing onto the Jetcycle and after I climbed up behind him I wrapped my arms securely around his waist.
Seconds later we were on our way back to the sphinx leaving the rest of the mummies and Presley to follow from a distance. "Rath's really mad at us isn't he?" Presley asked and Ja-Kal sighed, patting the prince on his shoulder.
"He is just angry we interrupted his date with Jade but he will forgive us...eventually." Ja-Kal explained as they followed the Jetcycle through the streets until the sphinx came into view. Revving the engine Rath shot into the sphinx and I smiled, still resting my head on Rath's shoulders as he slowed the Jetcycle parking it in the garage.
"Jade, I am truly sorry about what happened." Rath sighed, once he helped me off the motorcycle and I just shrugged trying to hide my disappointment as he took me by the hand. We had just finished returning the blanket to the bed when our friends walked into the room and I cleared my throat looking at them as Rath returned to his sarcophagus.
"You know we didn't mean to mess up your date, Jade." Ja-Kal apologized but I held up a hand waiting patiently until Rath returned minus his disguise. "Rath, Jade we were just worried after what happened yesterday."
"Ja-Kal, while I do appreciate the concern you know full well that I can handle myself against Scarab and Chontra. Besides it was my words and actions that brought Jade back to us." Rath replied, his arms crossed against his chest and I nodded in agreement.
"Rath already broke the spell those two had over me and now I'm my own mummy again. Look I understand why you're worried but I think I've proven I can take care of myself." I added with a faint grin, leaning on Rath's shoulder and after a slight pause he draped his arm around my waist. "You saw what happened in that warehouse..." I began until Rath cleared his throat shaking his head at me and I just shrugged.
"That's why we went looking for you, Jade. What if Scarab tried to capture you again?" Ja-Kal insisted and I rolled my eyes at the ceiling, moving away from Rath who narrowed his eyes.
"Great now everyone thinks I can't be trusted." I muttered, my arms at my sides as I crossed the room heading for my sarcophagus only pausing when I felt someone touching my shoulder and I turned my head to find Rath staring at me. "At least you still trust me...I hope so anyway." I whispered and Rath sighed, giving my shoulder a squeeze when I lowered my head.
"I saw how you stood up to Scarab and Chontra to protect me and that made me realize that you were much stronger than I first thought when you appeared in the sphinx. At first I was trying to find a way to change you back and eventually send you home but now...now I wish you would stay with us." Rath explained, his fingers through mine.
"You really want me to stay, Rath?" I asked, still not believing my ears until he nodded. "Of course I want to stay but won't it be a little crowded with me living here too? Well not exactly living but you get the idea." I added with a faint smile and Rath laughed, kissing my forehead.
"Of course, Jade. I would love to have you stay with us from now on." Rath answered, his eyes widening and his cheeks darkening when he realized what he'd just said.
"Aww so you really do love me, Rath? That's nice to know." I teased hoping I wasn't blushing as Rath coughed finding that he couldn't meet my eyes right at that moment. "You're actually very cute when you're embarrassed." I pointed out and Rath blinked turning his attention back to me.
"Am I really?" Rath asked and I nodded, giving his cheek a kiss when he stared at me. "Hmm yes well now that that's out of the way what should we do about our date?"
"You could always continue our lessons." I suggested and he brightened only to frown when he looked towards Presley and I sighed. "Or you could keep teaching Presley instead." I added in a much quieter voice.
"I am sorry, Jade but I did promise Pharaoh Amenhotep I would teach his son and that hasn't changed even now." Rath answered, cupping my cheek.
"It's alright, Rath I know you still have your duty. Besides we can have our date anytime especially if I'm going to be staying here from now on." I replied, covering his hand with mine and he cracked a smile not caring if anyone saw us when he kissed me.
"If you are sure, Jade." Rath asked me again, holding my hands and I nodded though as soon as he walked away I chewed my lip still a little sore that my friends had interrupted our date and tried to accuse me of still being controlled by Scarab.
Standing near my sarcophagus I watched as Rath tutored Presley in Ancient Egyptian though I could already see that their prince wasn't really paying attention.
"If that were me I'd be listening to every word Rath said." I muttered unaware that someone was listening to me as I leaned back against my sarcophagus though when I felt a hand on my shoulder I jumped. When I spun around I found a familiar face staring at me a trace of a smile on her lips.
"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you, Jade." Nefer-Tina apologized and I just shrugged, crossing my arms before I resumed watching Rath and Presley. "I know you're upset at Rath but he did swear an oath."
"Hmph I'm not mad at Rath." I replied and as Nefer-Tina watched I turned my head frowning the mummy. "I'm mad at everyone else thinking I'd let someone control me again. Rath and I were having a nice day together until..." I trailed off when she sighed, nodding at me once my attention moved back to Rath.
"We ruined it huh?" Nefer-Tina asked and I nodded, grimacing when I noticed Presley looking off into the distance as soon as Rath's back was turned. "It was Ja-Kal's idea, Jade. You know how much he worries about Presley."
"Uh huh. Rath trusts me and I'm sure Kahti does if she could talk but no one else seems to think I can be trusted. Rath broke that spell that Scarab and Chontra had on me and he made sure that it wouldn't happen again but no one else believes that." I explained, crossing the room before I smacked my hand on the table that served as Presley's desk and he jumped, staring at me with two wide eyes. "You should really pay attention, Presley." I told him once he frowned at me as Rath turned around, giving me a grateful nod.
"Hey I was paying attention to Rath." Presley protested as Rath rubbed the bridge of his nose and I just shrugged, watching Rath giving Presley an eye-roll. "Okay so I kind of drifted off." He finally admitted and I nodded.
"Thank you, Jade." Rath said and I grinned at him walking past the mummy who watched me walk off before he cleared his throat at Presley. "Now let's continue."
As soon as I walked through the open doorway leading to the next room my grin disappeared, my feet leading me further into the sphinx.
Rath gives up his time to help teach Presley and all the prince can do is daydream. At least when Rath teaches me I pay attention.
My thoughts kept wandering back to our date and I found myself chewing my lower lip, annoyed that Ja-Kal had messed it up. "The first two dates were interrupted by Scarab and Chontra and just when I thought we might get sometime alone to get to know one another without anyone else there Ja-Kal ruins it. Maybe we're just not meant to be together." I muttered, pausing as I rubbed my arm. "After everything we've been through so far I thought we deserved a break." I whispered, staring at the stone floor in front of me.
Giving up on our date I started to head back only to bump right into Rath who blinked back at me when I stumbled. "I am sorry, Jade." Rath said when I grasped my arms keeping me from tripping. "I just finished my lessons with Prince Rapses and I was wondering if you are free right now."
"Already?" I asked him and his lips curled into a grimace as he nodded back towards the sarcophagi room. "I think I understand. Of course I'm free right now. Not much else for me to do anything."
"At least you pay attention to my lessons, Jade." Rath commented as we walked side by side and after a slight pause he reached over, wrapping his fingers around mine. "Sometimes that oath I made can be a pain in the..."
"Tutt?" I finished for him and he cracked a smile at me when I gave him a one-armed shrug. "I heard Presley say that once." I explained and he nodded after giving me a nod. "So why aren't you teaching the prince right now?"
"He said something about having dinner with his mother so Ja-Kal and Nefer-Tina offered to bring him home. Armon went for some reason as well though I am not sure why." Rath explained and I cracked a smile at him, giving his fingers a squeeze.
"Probably because there's one of those Beefy Burgers close by." I answered and he nodded at me as we headed towards the slab in front of the TV set. "I wouldn't be surprised."
"You are most probably right about that, Jade." Rath agreed, sitting beside me once I took a seat on the stone slab and after I rested my head on his shoulder he picked up the remote. As he flicked through the channels Rath glanced down at me. "I am sorry I haven't been paying you the attention you deserve."
"That's alright, Rath I understand completely but I'll admit I am a little jealous of the prince." I replied and he raised an eyebrow at me. "He gets to spend time with you and I want you all to myself." I added with a tiny grin and he chuckled, draping his arm around my shoulder as we turned back to the TV. After a couple of seconds I felt my cheeks burn and I quickly grabbed the remote from Rath who blinked at me and then the TV as I quickly changed the channel.
"Jade, why did you do that?" Rath asked, curious as he stared at my cheeks noting how dark they were and when I coughed trying to quickly think of an answer he raised an eyebrow. "Was there something wrong with that movie?"
"Yes of course there was, Rath. Those two were about to..." I trailed off when Rath's lips curled into a smirk and I snorted at him.
"Jade, it's natural to want to be that close to someone you care about." Rath teased, secretly pleased that I hadn't noticed just how embarrassed he was. Chuckling softly he nudged me when I crossed my arms turning my head away. "You know you are very cute when you're embarrassed." He commented and I turned my back looking at him with a tiny smile.
"You really think so?" I asked and Rath nodded, brushing my cheek with his fingers. "I just...I mean I know what they were going to do and I really didn't want to watch them." I told him in a quieter voice and he nodded, clicking the TV off before he focused his attention on me.
"Me neither, Jade. I cannot believe that those two would want anyone seeing them..." Rath trailed off, clearing his throat and after I saw his own dark cheeks I nodded.
"I completely agree, Rath. Besides where's the fun when it's not happening to you?" I replied, my eyes widening after Rath snorted at me his green eyes wide once he understood. "I...I didn't mean it like that!" I protested as Rath continued to stare at me and I covered my face with my hands.
"Jade, is that really true?" Rath asked, all trace of embarrassment gone to be replaced with curiosity and I coughed again wishing I could make myself disappear. With a sigh Rath reached over and I blinked as he gently tugged my hands away from my face. "I never thought you would want...that." Rath said, staring at my face and I tried to turn my head away until he gently squeezed my hands.
"I don't. I mean...I do but...maybe not now...by the gods what am I saying?" I mumbled, my train of thought getting stuck at the station as Rath continued to stare directly into my eyes.
"Jade, you should have told me you felt that way about us." Rath said, giving my hands a squeeze when I looked down at my feet. "Jade, it's okay. Back in the park I wanted to...I was hoping yo...you would like to...oh for Osiris's sake what am I saying now?" He muttered, hiding his face behind one bandaged hand and I tried not to laugh at the face he pulled. But I couldn't help myself and when he heard me giggling Rath lifted his head to find me with my eyes closed a hand over my mouth as I tried to stop myself.
"S..sorry but...the face you pulled..." I giggled and Rath rolled his eyes at me breaking into a faint smile after a pause and when I heard him laughing it made me giggle even harder. Once our laughter subsided Rath smiled at me and I smiled back at him suddenly shy until he shifted close enough to kiss me and I melted, draping my arms around his neck as his lips moved down my throat. "Wow...you are an amazing kisser." I mumbled, tilting my head back as he nuzzled my throat.
"Thank you for that compliment, Jade." Rath whispered between kisses and I let out a shaky breath as he kissed the base of my throat. "In the park after you climbed onto my lap I must admit that I was a little surprised." He added, lifting me onto his lap and I sighed as he reached for the bandages covering my left shoulder. "Very pleasantly so."
Finding myself unable to move I could only stare at Rath as he carefully unwrapped my shoulder bandages though once I could see my own grey skin I grinned at him biting my lower lip when he lightly kissed my bare shoulder. "Rath, if you recall correctly you lifted me onto your lap." I pointed out and Rath paused, looking up with a faint grin on his lips when I tilted my head back.