Rating: PG13
Author: Nine - http://www.geocities.com/evysdreams
Summary: Alternate universe where TMR didn't take place. Evy's having strange dreams and returns to Egypt and runs into an old friend.
Hello again everyone. I've decided after so long to write an epilogue to this sucker. I felt Ardeth wasn't given enough of Evy as Nina suggested when reviewing. That's always stuck with me, and tonight I just so happen to feel ambitious enough to write this up.
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An Egyptian sunset could dazzle one's mind as the sun fell from the sky in an orange and pink blaze. The cool that dusk brought afterwards was also dazzling - in a lulling and soothing sort of way. There was something charmed and mystical about looking over the pyramids with the night sky and moon as their backdrop. And there was a feel in the air that breathed into his very veins constantly - home. But it felt much more than that now. He felt stronger, happier. More alive. Ardeth Bay was not only at home within this country, within his father's house...it carried on to the very core of his heart.
The dreams that had plagued him since the nightmare first began were now but a memory. His sleep was sound and peaceful. The weight that had been on his shoulders before seemed lifted. His being had found peace. His heart had found it's mate. A new mystery of life had now unfolded before him.
He could hear her footsteps coming down the hall lightly and a smile touched his lips. He didn't turn when she stopped at the door to his bedroom. Merely waited and reveled in her presence here. "What are you doing?" she asked and he could hear her smile.
Ardeth turned then from the mystery of the Egyptian night outside his window. She was dressed in a soft white gown, her hair down and her appearance all together lovely. "Thinking," he replied simply.
Evelyn entered his room then and came to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Her dark eyes were brilliant in the moonlight that shone through the window. What was in her eyes, however, was even brighter. "Stop thinking and kiss me."
Ardeth wordlessly obeyed, knowing his heart would never allow him to deny her. It felt like a dream almost. Something so surreal and beautiful that his mind almost couldn't believe it. Wasn't there supposed to be some disaster happening? But he felt released from all the commotion that usually surrounded his waking hours. His lips tenderly met hers as his arms encircled her. He grinned and pulled back. "More like 'kiss me and stop thinking'," he mused.
Evy laughed and batted him, then sat down on his bed. "What were you thinking about, Ardeth?" she asked him, folding her arms.
Ardeth couldn't leave her for long. He needed contact he felt. Maybe he just needed comfort from the events of the past week. Moving before her, he knelt down and laid his head on her lap, his arms again going around her waist. Evy began to rub through his hair and he closed his eyes. "I was thinking about how good my life is now. I was dreaming of what could be. And I was lamenting that tomorrow you will leave me."
He heard her sigh softly as she began to rub his shoulders. "Ardeth, do you really feel this way about me?" she asked him, her tone hopeful. Perhaps she was having trouble adjusting to the changes herself.
The Med-Jai looked up into her eyes. Just a week ago she was in the arms of Imhotep, forced to endure his advances. And now she had him with his heart in his eyes. But he'd felt this way before all the damage was done. They had been lovers once upon a time. This was where his heart was to be - with this woman who'd only come into his life a year ago and would now remain a part of him forever. "I believe for 3,000 years my soul has longed to love you, Evelyn. In the freedom of daylight and without someone stopping us. Now that chance is finally here. I don't want to lose you again." He took her hands in his and nuzzled against them.
Evy smiled softly at him, letting him kiss her fingers and hands. "Ardeth Bay, I had no idea you were such a romantic," she told him.
Ardeth pushed himself up and into her lips again. She instinctively lay back, drawing him above her. His kisses were long and tender, sweet and frequent. "Don't leave me tomorrow," he pleaded, laying his forehead against hers.
"It's only for a while," Evy retorted, giving his lips a quick brush. "I must take care of some things. I'll return before you know it and when I do we'll have all the time in the world."
He rested his lips against hers, whispering, "Please," while his fingers brushed up and down her neck and shoulder. He knew she was right. There were things in England that simply needed her attention before she made such a drastic jump from there to here. Not to mention her personal things that she wanted to get. He kissed her again.
"Dear god!" suddenly came from the door. They both looked up to see Jonathan at the door, his nose scrunched. Ardeth sighed at the disadvantage of having enough room to board them all. He cleared his throat suggestively at the Englishman. Jonathan then remembered himself and grabbed the door knob. "Oh...I mean we can't let Rick see. He might have some remaining jealousy...not to mention my poor, innocent eyes having to witness the horror..."
"Jonathan," Evy interrupted, her voice slightly irritated. Her eyes were again on Ardeth, her hand pulling his face to hers for another kiss as she said, "Shut up and close the door."
Ardeth didn't even hear the door shut or see the room darken as Evy kissed him soundly. All he could do was respond at the intimate gesture and the softness of her hands as she caressed him. Yes, this was indeed where his heart made it's home. It was time for his dreams to become reality with this lover of his spirit. Smiling quietly and living inside her touch, he whispered into the darkness, "Evelyn." Now Nefertiri could mean more to him than she had in their previous time together. Now his heart was complete.