| THE ADVENTURES OF THE O'CONNELL FAMILY Page 36 |
| Evelyn glanced over her shoulder at Rick, sensing him slowing down. She thought it odd immediately, since he was the first to want to go after Alex immediately. Now suddenly, a man with such amazing strength and stamina was slowing down? That merely meant that he was troubled... "Rick..." Evelyn said softly. He glanced up at his wife upon hearing his name. His eyes were dulled with sorrow and yet they shimmered with anger and self-loathing. Rick closed his opened hands and slid them against his sides, as if to hide what he had on his hands. Evie slowed a bit to stand beside him, and tipped her head as if to ask what was wrong, despite she knew already. "Don't worry, we'll get Alex back. You said so yourself. If anything, I'm the one who should be worried. After all, I always am." Evie said, putting an arm around Rick's waist. Rick sighed. "It's not just that Evie..." he said as he opened a hand and put it in front of himself. "I've just realized what a monster I've been..." Evelyn blinked. "A monster, Rick?" Rick nodded. "My hands are coated in blood and dirt. And it's not even my own. It's Alex's...it's yours...God, I feel like a murderer. Hell, if you count my time in the Foreign Legion, I AM one..." "Ohh, Rick you're not a monster. You did what you had to in the Legion to stay alive! And as for the blood of Alex and I being on your hands...well..." Evie paused to think of a way to phrase what she was about to say. "The blood of our son is not only my blood, but your blood as well. Don't think of his blood being shed on your hands as your fault...you're his father, Rick O'Connell. You and I both know no harm would ever be caused by us onto him. If anything..." Rick glanced at her when he realized she stopped. "If anything?" "If anything, I think that represents Alex's strength. Our son is in a very troublesome situation, and could be killed... yet when he was with us, he knew he had to be brave...for you and for myself. Perhaps Alex's blood on your hands is meant to remind you to be strong. To remember why you're fighting..." Evie said quietly, taking Rick's hand into her own. Rick looked at her, gazing into her soft and gentle eyes. "And what about your blood?" She smiled. "My blood? Maybe it's the blood of Egypt... meant to remind you of who you are. Not a monster, but a great and wonderful man. And also who you are defending. After all, Mr. O'Connell, what's a life without love? From what I was told as a girl, monsters do not love or are loved." Rick couldn't help but smirk. "Evie, even in the most horrible of situations you somehow manage to be philosophical. I dunno how you do it." Evie smiled faintly. "Talent. Now then...are you ready to defeat evil once again and rescue our child?" Rick himself smiled this time. "Do you think I would deny you the pleasure of watching me battle again?" "Never." "I should hope not." "My friends" Olympus called quietly. "We must move quicker than this, the time is growing shorter!" Rick nodded and began to quicken the pace, grabbing Evie's hand as he dashed into a jog. Evie kept up the pace as well, watching the back of her husband silently. She smiled at Rick's renewed valor. It was times like these she was glad she married the adventurous American man. It, in turn, gave her a renewed sense of valor. No longer was she the meek, feminine Evelyn whose glasses were firmly planted at the end of her nose. She was now the wife of an adventurer, a thrill-seeker, a gun-toting, terrible grammar using American. And a cute one to boot... "Come on Evie, faster, we've got to stop the ritual." Rick called. "I'm coming as fast as I can! I-" Evie was suddenly interrupted by a bloodcurdling scream. The trio stopped short and gazed in the direction of the scream. Only one person could make such a horrified scream that it would reach the distance they were at. "Jonathan!" Evie and Rick gasped in unison. Milo ([email protected]) April 27, 2002 It had all happened so fast. One minute they had been teasing each other playfully the next...it was all over. Jonathan sat down as soon as Rick and Evelyn were out of sight to avoid any of Rick's 'lazy ass' comments. He was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed when he heard Gabrielle laughing softly to herself. "What is so bloody funny?" Jonathan asked, opening one eye. Gabrielle tilted her head slightly to glance at him, "I'm just thinking of what you said...earlier when we were...you know." "And what was that, pray tell?" Pushing away her smile, Gabrielle acquired a dramatic facial expression, doing a very good impression of the passionate Jonathan, "Do not be afraid my love..." She mocked, "Know that you may tell me to stop at anytime and I will." Seeing his face after he turned bright red with embarrassment made Gabrielle start laughing again, which was exactly what she had been doing when an arrow zipped strait past her head and into a nearby tree trunk. Jonathan screamed and jumped to his feet, but Gabrielle was already engaged in heavy battle with the guards, |