An Alternative View

by Marcher

Rated: R

gama39@austarmetro.com.au

Part two: Rick

He walked behind Evelyn, quietly shaking his head as they entered the house. She had been endlessly

speaking of that damned bracelet. It seemed she hadn't taken a breath. All their life together she exuded

the same enthusiasm and curiosity, but he now tired of the excitement and yearned for the tranquility of

home. A fundamental right which had been sorely lacking throughout his life. His body and his mind

were weary. He wanted to shout at her for silence!

The expedition just gone and the havoc left behind, had almost claimed their lives. Still her chatter was

relentless. He wondered if his will to listen to her could remain stronger than his want to shout her down.

To his own opinion he would counteract each and every argument she raised. He would not go back to

Egypt!. Not for treasure, not for glory, not for her!

***

Did she read his mind so clearly, or was she playing for time? He was unsure, but it appeared she was

offering a surrender. Whatever her reason, he was content with the change of mood and her sweetness

never failed to intoxicate him. She was his only weakness.

Stockings on the bookcase! Her brother was an interesting companion when Evelyn was away, but the

erratic nature he displayed with such extempore was a thorn in Rick's side. Sluts under the same roof as

his son would not be tolerated! Amusing as the man may be at times, he was not prepared to allow the

ramifications of Jonathan's lifestyle to affect Alex. It was becomming apparent that this was already the

case and it occured to him how the lad would benefit from a stronger dicipline which could be easily

managed with a decline in travelling. He considered his son to be on the wild side and feared he would

tred a similiar path to himself. As he searched for Jonathan, he smiled at the irony of his thoughts. The

fear that his son would mimic his lifestyle, when he himself, would not change a day he had lived.

***

Gunfire filled the room! There was precious little space to hide! All the disgruntled emotions he had

directed toward his family now turned to fear for their well being. His separation from his wife and son only

gave greater urgency to his predicament. Were they safe? Were they injured? Every reason he had offered

his wife to extol the virtues of home life was now threatened. His home was in chaos! Nothing made sense!

This intrusion was too brutal and too expedient to cast any reflection on Jonathan's lifestyle. It seemed

convenient to lay the blame on his brother-in-law, but the fact that Jonathan's associates were too stupid and

disorganized to pull this off, forced him look further afield.

***

Evelyn's cry for help was still ringing in his ears as he grabbed his son to his chest. Instinctively he checked

him for injury. He was relieved at his safety, but not surprised, Alex had the same blind luck as his mother.

However, it appeared this time, Evelyn was not to be as fortunate.

Suddenly pieces of the horror began to fit together when Ardeth Bay greeted him. He clutched at the man

with rage, shouting for explainations, but O'Connell knew that any reprehension would fall firmly at his own feet.

All he held dear was being threatened for no other reason than the continual indulgence he afforded his wife.

***

If he could just grab her and run they would all be safe! He saw no reason to fight other than for his wife's

survival. Ardeth could deal with Imhotep! It was his sworn duty. Had they never met, the Med-jai would be

forced to confront the creature alone. Any excuse suited! He was loathed to fight that battle again and he was

so very tired of death.

***

Alive and safe! Everyone! They were miles from the Museum, rid of the red warriors and rotting beasts. She

smiled and leaned into him, whispering her love and gratitude. Relief filled him. His son's groaning reaction

to their affection amused him.

Alex's smouthered scream cut through his peace of mind like a razor! The abduction was swift, but his mind

played the scene slowly. He chased them hastily but his feet felt like lead! Sounds became distant while his

heartbeat deafened him!

He ran after them, hopelessly outdistanced by the car. He cursed his wife's inquistive nature and his son's

ignorance of danger. He cursed Ardeth and his tribes for being unable to contain the rogue army in Egypt.

He cursed himself for letting his guard down.

Too long a time passed before the bridge reconnected. Precious time they didn't have. The look on Evelyn's

face mirrored his own, as well, the subtle expression of anxiety that Ardeth directed toward his wife did not

pass Rick without note. He wanted to shout his anger at all of them. His only son's life was endangered by

their own pre-occupations. He realized now that any decision had been removed from his control. He was to

return to Egypt. Again he was to face seemingly insurmountable foes. This time in the name of his son.

***

He had questions for Ardeth other than their plan of attack, but Evelyn's distress and compounding guilt

kept his interest at bay. He would leave it for now, her need was more compelling. Also, he knew if they were

to succeed he must have this man as his ally, any accusations would lead to bitterness, possibly to Alex's death.

As he turned to go to his wife, he left Ardeth in the bathroom with good will, first aid and a look in his eye which

Ardeth understood perfectly.

***

Evelyn wrapped herself in his embrace, her grief painful to his soul. The delay before their departure was

unbearable, but he found solace with her. However desperate the situation, they still united in a strength of

will. He silently reprimanded himself for charging her with this crime. He whispered to her their need for

courage. He was falling helplessly into his desire for her, his need for reassurance, for familiarity. She

encouraged him with a likened response.

***

He was not the same man he was ten years ago. He was world weary and cynical. The stakes he risked now

were higher and he began this journey with a heavy heart. As they left the house for the airport he decided

two things. Should they survive this ordeal, they would leave empty handed, never to return to the barren

wastelands of Egypt. The other was to ignore what he had seen in Ardeth's eyes.

END