Being confined to the sphinx wasn't my idea of fun so I couldn't help but be curious when Rath wandered in giving me a wave.

"Good morning, Jade." Rath greeted me with a smile until he saw me pushing myself up with my elbows and he frowned waiting patiently as I struggled to sit. "Jade, you know you should be resting. Your burns will not heal if you keep trying to walk around."

"Rath, I'm bored stiff. I can't just sit around and do nothing. Besides they don't hurt at all now." I replied, an arm wrapped around my middle as I stumbled towards him. Shaking his head at me Rath reached out and I gasped as he lightly prodded my stomach.

"Jade, those burns need more time." Rath sighed, wrapping an arm around my shoulders when I rubbed my stomach with an open palm. "But if you are that bored we could continue your lessons."

"That sounds great, Rath." I replied and he blinked at me a tiny smile crossing his lips at my answer. "What's so funny?" I asked him when he chuckled but he just shook his head at me, leading me back towards my sarcophagus. Once I was sitting Rath returned to his books and ater selecting one he walked back over to me only to see me patting the blanket and with a grin he sat beside me.

"I am just surprised you want to learn so badly, Jade." Rath explained, flicking through the book before he found the page he wanted. Resting my legs on one side of my sarcophagus I watched on as Rath cleared his throat. "Now should we continue our talk on the Eqyptian gods?" He asked me and I nodded, listening carefully as he read from his book.

Despite Rath having most of his attention on his lesson he couldn't help but notice the way I kept alternating between scratching and rubbing the bandage covering my stomach. Each time I grimaced he tried to focus on the book he held between his hands but after the third time he saw me wince he sighed and I blinked as he reached over, gently tugging my right hand away from my stomach.

"Jade, you need to let it heal." Rath told me and I sighed, lifting my left hand before I rubbed at my eyes. "Is it still bothering you?"

"It's itchy and sore, Rath. I'm trying not to touch it but I can't help wanting to scratch. Even if it just makes things worse." I replied and he nodded, carefully setting down the book between us.

"You should have told me that your burns were irritating you, Jade." Rath told me and I just shrugged my left hand moving too close to my stomach for Rath's liking. "Jade, you need to stop doing that." He scolded, holding both of my hands in his and I nodded chewing my lip as he smiled at me.

"Well if I had a way to distract myself from my itchy burns..." I trailed off when Rath's lips curled into a smirk and I blinked as he leaned close enough to gently push my shoulders back. Surprised I didn't even try to move as he pinned me to the blanket though when he kissed me I melted, draping my arms around his neck. As soon as the kiss ended Rath grinned at the flush of my cheeks, my grey skin an even deeper shade now.

"Now how do feel about your injury, Jade?" Rath teased and I coughed, unable to meet his eyes as he stared at me a tiny grin on his lips. "I believe that helped or am I wrong?"

"Very funny, Rath." I grumbled and he blinked, wondering if he'd gone too far until I pulled his face towards mine. The kiss left me breathing a little heavier though once we broke apart Rath frowned touching my cheek when I lay on my side. "Guess I still need to rest."

"Jade, you will get better in time but you mustn't rush it. Try and get some sleep alright?" Rath suggested and I sighed, my eyes already closed and he nodded. I barely even noticed him climbing to his feet though after he retrieved his book he leaned over, running his fingers through my hair.

My friends came and went from the sphinx over the next few hours and as the next day dawned Rath emerged from his sarcophagus to find his girlfriend lying on her side, one arm draped around her stomach. Once he carefully tiptoed towards her he knelt gently brushing a lock of hair away from her eyes and she sighed which brought a smile to his face.

"I'm glad you took my advice seriously, Jade." He whispered moving away from his sleeping girlfriend when he saw her wincing in her sleep. "Though I believe I can help with the pain while you rest." He added as he returned to his studies. When Ja-Kal walked in he found the scholar holding a beaker and as he stared Rath poured something green into the beaker which started to foam. "Hmm that can't be right." Rath muttered, checking through his books again and in the few seconds he turned away the beaker started to glow.

"Rath, look out!" Ja-Kal yelled and Rath turned his head, frowning at his friend for being so loud until he saw the beaker glowing a dark green and he blinked holding the beaker before there was a bang. I woke with a start, my eyes widening once I sat with a hand pressed to my stomach in time to see Rath coughing a faint green foam covering his shoulders and head.

"Rath, what happened?" I asked, trying to stand but my legs wouldn't keep me upright and I sat back with a groan of frustration as Rath wiped away the foam with a sigh.

"I was trying to make you a potion to ease your pain. This wasn't exactly what I had in mind." Rath explained, raising an eyebrow at me when I covered my mouth unable to stop a giggle from escaping. "That does not help, Jade." He added though I did see a faint smile on his lips for a few seconds.

"I wasn't trying to, Rath. Still I appreciate the effort you went to for me but I'll be alright." I replied as he crossed the room kneeling beside me. "See? I feel much better." I told him and after he scratched his chin Rath poked my stomach with his index finger producing a gasp and a grimace from me. "On second thought maybe I still need more rest." I admitted and Rath nodded, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"While you recover would you like to spend some time together? It may help take your mind off your injuries?" Rath suggested and I nodded, leaning on Rath as he helped me to my feet. Noting how unsteady I was Rath gently guided me to the table and after I sat he took a seat beside me.

"Thanks, Rath." I answered in a small voice and Rath stared at me as I let out a breath. "Can't even walk a couple of feet without help."

"Jade, you have no need to apologize. You protected our prince and protected me." Rath told me as I held my hand against my stomach. "That attack from Scarab was meant for me."

"I know, Rath but I hate being stuck on the sidelines." I said, getting a blank stare from Ja-Kal and Rath and I sighed. "I mean I don't like being unable to do anything but sleep and occasionally eat."

"What's wrong with that?" Armon asked, walking in with Nefer-Tina by his side. "I like sleeping and eating."

"As everyone can see." Rath commented, earning himself a tiny laugh from me before he reached over grasping my hand when it wandered close to my bandaged stomach. "Jade, you need to stop scratching it." He added, slipping his fingers between mine and I just snorted as he held my hand.

"You say that like I can resist scratching it." I complained and he gave me a tiny smile. "Still...that does kind of help." I added with a faint smile and he nodded, looking up as soon as Nefer-Tina laughed.

"Would you like something to eat, Jade?" Rath asked, everyone hearing a low growl coming from me and I coughed my cheeks darkening as soon as he chuckled. "Well that answers that question I suppose." He added with a grin.

While I waited for Armon and Nefer-Tina to come back from the grocery store Rath suggested I should rest. Which was a nice thought but as Rath found out later it wasn't the best suggestion when he heard whimpering coming from his girlfriend's sarcophagus, causing him to wander over to it. Once he did he noticed that Jade had an arm resting under her head the other draped over her bandaged stomach and he smiled at her though he frowned the moment she cried out, trembling as he watched her.

"Jade?" Rath whispered, kneeling as Jade whimpered again trembling until he reached out and I barely suppressed a scream once I felt a hand on my head. It wasn't until I saw Rath staring at me that I finally realized I was safe though that still didn't stop me from shaking. "You are safe now, Jade." He assured me shifting close enough to drape an arm around my shoulders and after a pause I moved close enough to rest my head on his shoulder.

"Sorry, Rath. Bad dreams." I mumbled, still trembling as he gently tugged me into his arms and after I rested my face on his chest he reached out with his free hand. Instead of speaking Rath started running his fingers through my hair in an effort to calm me and it worked when I woke later to find myself lying on my side a blanket spread over me. Rubbing at my eyes I soon discovered a bowl sitting beside my sarcophagus with a note leaning against it and a cloth over it. After a struggle to sit I reached over, picking up the note.

Thought you could use a good meal but I decided to make sure Armon did not put anything...strange into your lunch. I hope you like fruit.

Rath

With a faint smile on my face I folded the note, slipping it under my pillow before I uncovered the bowl to find a bunch of grapes and apples inside.

"Thanks, Rath." I whispered, hoping that wherever he and the other mummies were they weren't facing Scarab again.