Title: Adjustments

 

Author: Eviefan

 

Disclaimer: TM, and TMR are not mine. They belong to Stephen Sommers and Universal Studios, and I only wish they were mine.

 

Summary: More on Alex and Emma. Don't know where this is going at this point its going to be like everything else I write, and simply go. Be constructive not destructive. Well maybe I know where its going. It's about a week after Emma gets officially adopted by the O'Connells, and about her adjusting to rules and life as a member of the family.

 

 

Adjustments

 

 

 

Chapter 1: The start of a new Day

 

 

 

It was the start of a new day, and Emma O'Connell awoke before her brother. She smiled as she noticed that Cleo was asleep beside her.

 

"So you decided to be my friend?" The cat opened her green eyes, and looked at her. She purred as Emma began to rub under her chin. Alex had told her, that it was there, Cleo liked to be pet the most, and he was right. A knock at the door startled both Emma and her feline friend.

 

"Come in." Alex walked in with a book in his hand.

 

"Hi. I thought I'd share my favorite book with you." She nodded and he climbed into bed with her.

 

"You'll have to read it, I'm still not all that great at doing this yet," she told him as she propped pillows up for him, and her. Alex opened it.

 

"Uncle John got this for me when I was three, I think. It's Peter Pan."

 

"Never heard of it go ahead." Alex began, and took her into his favorite world.

 

 

In their room, Evelyn lay against her husband still breathing heavy after some early morning loving.

 

"That was," Rick breathed.

 

"Incredible?' she asked. He nodded holding her closer.

 

"So are you ready to be a teacher today?" Evelyn asked her husband. She had taken a few weeks off at the Museum while Emma adjusted, and today would be Rick's first day alone with her.

 

"I think I can handle it. And if it gets to rough we will come see you." That made her smile.

 

"I guess we better get going," Evleyn said, as she started to move away, or tried, but Rick wasn't ready to let her go yet.

 

"Rick, I..." she never finished as he leaned down, and took her lips in another passioned kiss.

 

 

 

It was an hour later that both parents entered the kitchen, finding Emma eating breakfast.

 

"Uncle John took Alex to school," she informed them, grinning. She had never seen real love, and it was a wonderful thing to be a part of. Evelyn came over and placed a kiss on the top of her daughter's head.

 

"That was nice of him," she said, as she settled into the chair next to Emma. Breakfast was hurried for her, for she was late already getting to work, and when she was ready, she kissed her husband and daughter then left for work. Now it was just them, and Emma fidgeted with her fork, while her father finished his breakfast.

 

"May I go outside and sit in the garden before we start my studies?" She asked.

 

"Sure, you don't have to ask, but thank you for being considerate." She nodded and left, and Rick sighed. He knew she was still uncomfortable to be with him, alone, and hoped that in time she would learn that he wasn't such a bad guy. When he finished his breakfast, he took her plate, and his and set them in the sink, then went outside and found her walking around the garden smelling the different flowers that were in bloom.

 

"Do you know the names of flowers?" Rick asked deciding that this would be a good first lesson.

 

"Most of them. We had a garden, a small one, back at the orphanage, and had to learn how to take care of them. The sisters said it was supposed to teach us how to want to care, but it never did much for me," she admitted, looking shyly up at him. Rick sat down on a bench, and after a moment Emma joined him.

 

"How did you and Mum meet? Alex said you tell it better than he could."

 

"Well," Rick began. "I met her when I was your age believe it or not." Emma was impressed.

 

"So you knew each other as children?" Rick nodded.

 

"Not exactly. I was an orphan in Egypt, Cairo to be exact..." Rick spun the tale for her, and she was totally fascinated.

 

"Wow, so she saved you from prison, and you two went on a dig...Will I ever get to go on a dig?" Emma asked.

 

"Perhaps someday." He wasn't ready to tell her about the horror stories they had been through. That would come later.

 

"Now, lets head in and start on reading." She nodded.

 

"Alex read some of that Peter Pan book to me. Can we start with that?" Rick nodded, and she ran in ahead of him.

 

 

 

At school it was recess, and Alex was sitting against one of the large trees, reading one of the books he had taken from his mum's stash. He was reading about The Curse of the Pharaohs, amazed by what she had been through. He had pretty much decided, that he would study Archeology, and Egyptology when he was old enough. Suddenly, something hit the side of his head, and he looked up to find that Micah was standing there with his buddy Jack.

 

"Look its Mr. Wizard," Micah said.

 

"Go away," Alex said trying his best not to get mad. Lately he had been getting into a lot of fights. Dad told him one more fight, and he would be grounded from going to the Museum for a month, which was not something Alex wanted, especially since Emma was around. He wanted to show her all the neat stuff that was there.

 

"Why don't you get up and make us, or are you to scared?" Jack asked. Alex didn't respond, not until the book he was reading was romoved from his hands, then it was war.

 

 

 

At the house, Emma was seated next to her father reading, or trying to read, and was getting frustrated.

 

"This might be too difficult," Rick tried.

 

"I know, but I want to do this." He nodded, but before he could say anything more, the phone rang. Marie was here today and picked it up.

 

"Mr. O'Connell," she called. Rick got up and went to the hall where the phone was and answered to the Head Master, and knew what was coming.

 

"I'll be there to pick him up shortly.' After hanging up the phone Rick went back to Emma.

 

"I need to go get you brother from school. Can you manage alone, or you can come with me." She chose to stay here, and continue to practice reading. After giving her a kiss Rick left for the school. Emma read a little more, then put the book down, and went over to the piano, which had a lot of pictures on it. One picture was of a little girl, and from the looks of it, she guessed it was her mum. Another was of a little girl, and a little boy, and a man and a woman seated

together. Again she guessed that it was mum, Uncle John, and their parents. She looked around and found a picture of Mum holding Alex when he was little on some sort of porch. That made her smile. Their Mum was so beautiful, and Emma wished she looked more like her, but she was stuck with her straight blond hair. She opened the cover on the keys of the piano, and struck one, then another. Maybe mum would teach her how to play this one of these days, though Alex said that

she was always busy with Museum stuff.

 

 

It was almost an hour later when Rick returned with Alex, who held his head low as they walked in. He shuffled past Emma and went up to his room. One look at dad, told Emma he was mad, and she decided to go check on Alex, and find out what had happened. As she approached she heard something hit the door, and wondered if it was wise to go in there, but decided to anyways. She knocked first, and when he didn't respond she walked in, and found him on his bed not

looking up.

 

"Hi," she offered.

 

"Go away," he said in a hateful tone.

 

"No, not till you talk to me. It's not good to be made and stay that way," she said coming to sit beside him.

 

"Your lucky that you don't have to go to school," He told her.

 

"Why? Mum says school is lots of fun," Alex sighed and looked up.

 

"Not when they find out who you are. The kids make fun of me all of the time, because of Mum working, and because I'm not like them." Emma never thought of that, though in the past she would probably have been one of the ones to make fun of him, now she felt bad for him.

 

"So what happened?"

 

"I got in a fight, and gave two boys a bloody nose." That was very impressive, for someone so small.

 

"How did you learn how to fight?" Alex grinned.

 

"Well dad taught me some basic moves, but well you can't tell a single soul I told you, but Mum can fight really good when she has too." That made Emma giggle.

 

"No way, she's so nice." Alex grinned.

 

"Well see has dad told you how they met?" she nodded, so Alex delved into the who story, and by the end of it Emma was in a total state of disbelief

 

"So they found a place called Hamunaptra, and set free a Mummy, thats

impossible." Alex shrugged.

 

"It's all true, and I don't advise asking them either or they will probably add another month to me being grounded." Alex got out the book he had managed to hide from his dad, and showed her what their mom had written on curses, and the one about Hamunaptra and the Mummy, which he read for her.

 

"That says its just a myth." Alex nodded.

 

"Yeah it does, but see they can't say anything about it." Rick walked in on that last note.

 

"Say anything about what." Both of them jumped.

 

"Uhh, nothing," Emma said running past him. Rick frowned.

 

"What were you too talking about?" Rick saw the book then.

 

"Is this what you got in a fight about, and by the way, your not allowed to take these books out of the house, you know that," Rick said picking up the book.

 

"I just get tired at recess, no one likes me, so I read." Rick sat on his bed.

 

"And you fight. Alex, what do you want your mum and I to do? I know you miss Max, but you need to make new friends, or at least give it a try." Alex sighed.

 

"Teach me with Emma. I hate it there dad. They talk about mum working like its a bad thing, and they make fun of me because I know all the answers. I can't stand being there." Alex was truly unhappy, and Rick hated seeing him so sad.

 

"I'll see what mum thinks. Now why don't we go down to the Museum, and get mum and go out to eat." That put a smile on his face, and he ran out and into Emma's room, and found her with his Peter Pan book.

 

"Come on were going out to eat." She put the book down, and the two of them raced out to the car, arguing who got to ride in the front, just like other siblings did. Rick just shook his head enjoying the fact that he finally had a normal life, or ate least for a while.

 

 

More coming keep checking back....Find out what happens when Emma finds out Alex was not lying about Hamunaptra.

 

 

Disclaimer: The Mummy, and The Mummy Returns are not mine, they belong to Stephen Sommers, and Universal Studios, and I am merrily borrowing them.

 

Author: Eviefan

 

Chapter 2 The Adventure.

 

 

It was a few nights later, after Alex had spoken to her about Hamunaptra, and about Ahm-Shere, the Emma decided she was ready to take her first adventure. The rest of the family had been on adventures, and it was high time for her to be just like them. Knowing that Alex knew more about travel than she did, sent her

to his room well after everyone else had gone to sleep. She had taken a Rucksack out of their parents closet, and had already packed what she guessed she would need, and now had that draped across her back. In her brother's room, all was quiet. Alex was asleep on his stomach all balled up, and she giggled because his butt was sticking up in the air. How he slept like that was beyond her. Quietly she walked to his bed and rubbed his back.

 

"Not yet mum," he mumbled. This time she giggled a little louder, and he woke up. After rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Alex noticed the rucksack.

 

"Where are you going?" he asked, fear tingeing his voice. Was she going to run away and leave him? She seemed to read his thoughts.

 

"I'm going on an adventure, not running away. So how much trouble do you think I'm going to be in for this?" She asked, sitting down at his bedside. Having been throught this himself, he knew big trouble, and told her so.

 

"I, well me and my best friend Megan, went to Egypt, and I got grounded and spanked for it." The last part of his punishment made her cringe a little.

 

"So they hit you?" Alex nodded.

 

"Not always, I mean actually its barely ever, but I really scared them, so I guess I knew it was going to happen, I'm sure he won't do it to you though." She nodded.

 

"Well I should be prepared for that I suppose, " she told him. He yawned.

 

"I'm going to Egypt" This shocked him, and frightened him.

 

"Choose someplace else, its not safe in Egypt," he told her.

 

"Its just a place Alex, and I want to see it for myself." He shuttered. It was more than a place. There were things there that were unexplainable, things there that could kill her, and he didn't want that to happen to her.

 

"Well then, I'm coming too." He got up, got dressed, and got out his own Rucksack, then packed it with what he needed.

 

"We need money, and it means taking it which will add to our punishment," he warned her. She nodded.

 

"Wait here." She sat on his bed, and while she waited Alex crept down the hall, and into his parents room. It was quiet, and he got to the chair where his dad's jeans were laying. Alex reached in to the pocket and got out his wallet, and took out all the money which came close to 900 dollars. He also got a gun, knowing that would get him spanked, but they needed something to protect them, and Alex would chance his butt being toast, rather than being dead. The last

thing he got was the bullets that went to the gun, and when he was ready he left, and neither parent had a clue what had just taken place. Back in his room,

 

 

Emma waited.

 

"Okay, got what we need. We should leave them a letter. Not in a logical spot, so we can have a few days ahead of them, but, well we can just mail them from Cairo," Alex decided. The last time he had gone, they had caught him, this time he wanted he and Emma to actually succeed. Once they were Ready, they went outside, and got their bikes out of the garage, then took of for the port.

 

 

It was quiet when the two children arrived at the port, and Alex told Emma they should look into getting a small room, which she was able to get for 200 dollars. Now they waited nervously. They had desposed of the bikes in the water, again adding to how much trouble they would be in when they were found, but both were determined to do this without being stopped. As they waited Alex dosed off, and Emma kept look out. No one said anything about the two of them waiting

there, and when the ship finally did arrive, they gave their passes, got their bags, and went to a very small room that was filthy, but at least it had a bed. Once they had gotten situated, Alex drug her up to deck, and they watched as the ship departed from port. Once they were away from land, the two ran up to the top deck where the other children were playing, and ingaged in a game of tag.

 

 

 

Back at home, the morning sun shown through the windows, waking Rick and Evelyn.

 

 

He pulled her into his arms placing a kiss on her lips.

 

"It's quiet this morning, I think they must have stayed up all night again," Evelyn said.

 

"Then I'll have a hard time keeping them awake while I teach them. You know, doing this I'm learing allot that I never really got around to learning, reading the great works, which I think is a little boring at times, but hey every ounce of knowledge helps," Rick said. She smiled and climbed on top of him, and he raised his brows.

 

"Something in mind Mrs. O'Connell?" he teased. Evie leaned in, and kissed him passionately, and for a while nothing else was thought of except for fulfilling the hunger that was never ending. When they did finally part, Evelyn was in a rush to get ready, and Rick wished they could continue. He walked over to the chair noticing that his wallet was on the ground. When he picked it up, and opened it, all his money was gone. Still dressed only in his underwear Rick ran out of the room, and down to Alex, and Emma's rooms, finding that both doors

were open, and both of them were gone. He came back into the room and as he moved his jeans noticed, that his gun was also gone That caused him to say few choice words under his breath. Evie came out of the bathroom as he finished dressing, noticing that he was not happy about something.

 

"What's wrong?" he sighed.

 

"I think Alex and Emma decided to take an adventure, and I really hope I'm wrong about this" He smiled and came over to her hugging her close.

 

"Don't worry, I'm fairly sure they went into town, or out in the woods." The last time Alex had gone on an adventure was all the way to Egypt, and Rick knew he wouldn't do that again, so he put it out of his mind, and left to go and find them, and his gun, and money.

 

 

 

The first day on the ship ended, and now Alex and Emma were in their room, and he was telling her about the Med jai. "The leader knows mum and dad, and me very well. Did you know that our dad is one, though he says hes not, but he has a tattoo, well you've seen it, and that

is a mark for them. Emma frowned.

 

"Why doesn't he want to be one?" Alex shrugged. If he was a Med-jai, he would love that. Trying to figure his dad out was too confusing.

 

"We should get some rest," Alex told her. She nodded and they snuggled together in sleep.

 

 

When night fell in London, everything was not at peace. Emma and Alex had not been found, and their parents had checked all the transportation systems for their names, but noone had seen the two children. Now in the Parlor Evelyn sat on the couch her face in her hands, a nervous wreck to say the least. Rick brought her some tea, and settled beside her.

 

"Where would they go? With all the money you said they had, they could be anywhere right now." Evelyn stood, angry. She hated not knowing where her babies were, and when they did find them she would have a hard time not strangling both of them.

 

"You don't think they would have gone to Egypt do you," Jonathan asked. Both of them glared at him, and he decided to leave them to deal with this on their own.

 

 

He went outside to see if he could find any clues He looked around the house, not finding anything, and as he approached the back he noticed that the shed door was open, and ran to it. Inside everything seemed fine with the exception that both of the children's bikes were gone, and that at least was a start. As fast as his leg would carry him, Jonathan ran back into the house, and interrupted an argument between his sister and Rick.

 

"Where ever they went they took their bikes, both of them are missing." Rick stood, and grabbed his coat.

 

"They may be at the park. Jonathan stay here, and Evie and I will look there, and in the museum." He helped Evelyn with her coat, then they hurried out to the car, and off they drove praying to find their two children.

 

 

 

The trip to Egypt lasted a week, and when they finally hit land, both the children were glad. It had been a stormy trip, and both of them had gotten sick because of it. Now it was hot, as Egypt always was, and Alex got them a taxi to the Fort . When they arrived he got them a room, but only after telling the clerk that he was doing this for his parents. It didn't much matter, because after tonight they would be on their way to Hamunaptra. Alex had taken the map from his moms library desk, and had a pretty good idea of how to get them there,

they wouldn't take the boat, which would add a day to their trip, but they would get there.

 

"Think we should send that letter to mum and dad?" Alex shook his head.

 

"We will call them. But you should let me talk, because they will be really mad at us for this one.

 

 

 

A week had passed, and every authority in London was looking for Alex and Emma. Evelyn was a wreck, and neither one of them had even let Egypt enter their minds, reasoning that Alex wouldn't do the same thing twice. Right now they were looking into a possible kidnapping, which was why Evelyn was so distraught. Rick was as well but was doing his best to hold up for her. He was in the Kitchen making tea for her before bed when the phone wrang. Marie set down what she was

doing, and answered.

 

"Alex." His name sent Rick to the phone and he grabbed it from her.

 

"Alex where are you, are you safe?" Rick felt his heart beating fast, worried beyond all reason.

 

"Sure were safe. Dad uh sit down." Rick did.

 

"Me and Emma are sort of on an adventure, and well uh we are in Cairo

actually..." Rick cut him off

 

"Your where! Alexander Jonathan O'Connell you stay where you are and don't move a muscle." It was Alex's turn to cut him off

 

"Dad your not much in a posision to make me do that, and I know we scared you, but we are fine, its no big deal." Alex heard something slam, and split, then his dad cursing, and knew that was a very bad sign.

 

"You are in so much trouble, both of you. If you want to save yourselves you will do what I say and stay where you are. I'm going to contact Izzy.." the line went dead, and Rick threw the phone down as Jonathan walked in.

 

"He went back to Egypt, and he told me not to worry." Rick stormed out, and upstairs to Evelyn who was asleep. His mood went from angry to worried., but he had to tell her. Gently he settled beside her and kissed he lips, which woke her.

 

"We need to pack. Alex and Emma are in Cairo, and I have a feeling heading for either Ahm-Shere, or Hamunaptra." That was just to much, and Evelyn sobbed.

 

"Why are they doing this, he knows the risks." Rick kissed her.

 

"It's called being rebellious, and I promise you that neither one of them will do this again, not when I get my hands on them." She calmed down, and they made plane reservations for three, and left as soon as they were ready.

 

 

More Soon. okay so Alex is being a hellion, but look at it the way I do, hes their kid and naturally he is going to start doing things they don't like. I hope you guys like this, and hope you don't think this is stupid, but if you do you do, and I'll live with it.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Not mine, know their not mine, thats that.

 

Chapter 3 Danger Alex and Emma Danger.

 

Note: yes its a cheesy title for a chapter but hey Ill give credit where credit is do that came from Lost in Space, and I'm just altering it a bit.

 

 

Night fell over Cairo, and now Alex, and his sister Emma were at the stables with all they needed. They had purchased two Camels with what was left of their money, and now were on their way into the desert, not noticing that a little ways away two men on horses, who were not nice men ,were following them. Earlier in the day Alex and Emma had been eating in a cafe, discussing their plans, and the two men had over heard, intrigued, and were now following.

 

"Don't these guys go any faster?" Emma asked of their Camels. This was boring to her.

 

"Yeah they go really fast but you have to hold on." She nodded.

 

"To make them go you have to yell", and he spelled it "D.I.G.. over and over, and P.A.T works too." To prove his point he yelled,

 

"Dig Dig Dig," and smacked his camel with a crop, and it indeed took off. Emma followed her brothers lead and laughed as hers went fast, catching up to his.

 

"This is so much more fun than riding a horse" she told him. Behind them the two men were closing in on them, then were beside them. Emma screamed as one of them grabbed her, and Alex tried to get to the gun he had, but was grabbed off his camel. When they stopped both were tossed to the ground..

 

"So you two know where Hamunaptra is," The tall man said, with the long hair, and a patch over his eye.

 

"What makes you think that," Alex said, smartly. The tall man smacked him hard, and Alex let out a yelp. Emma managed to knee the short fat guy in the balls, and he groaned.

"Run Emma," Alex yelled. She ran for the horse, and jumped on and took off back toward Cairo, or so she hoped.

 

"Seth, you fool get up off your fat ass and get that little brat," Nick said, finishing his job with Alex. The last thing he did was to gag him, and then he sat next to him, and waited for his partner.

 

"You children shouldn't come out here alone, its very dangerous." Alex's eyes got big as the man reached for a knife, and held it to his shirt.

 

"Men like me have very vivid imaginations, and we like to have fun." he said. Alex swung his leg up and kicked the guy in the head hard, and got up running as fast as he could then he was tackled, and screamed but noone was there to protect him.

 

 

 

It was terrifying being out in the desert alone, and Emma knew she was lost. She was doing her best not to cry, but it was so hard. There had to be a way to find her way, and she spurred her horse on riding well into he next day finding nothing but sand in front of her. She was thirsty, and hot, and felt sick to her stomach, but still she kept going. Then in the distance she thought she saw more

men on horses, and when she knew they were not a mirage, she tried to get away, but in a moment they were around her.

 

"Please don't hurt me just take my horse and leave me here okay," she said, now crying. One of the men came forward and lowered his scarf. He had markings on his cheek, like Alex had told her.

 

"Your a Med-jai, " she said, which surprised the leader.

 

"Yes. What brings you out in the desert so far from any protection?" Ardeth asked.

 

"Adventure," came her reply, and the Med-jai leader nodded.

 

"The desert is not a place for a child," that was not the thing Emma wanted to hear.

 

"I can take care of myself," then she remembered Alex.

 

"Maybe I can't. Me and my brother were going to go to Hamunaptra, but these two men attacked us. I got away, but they still have him, and I think they are going to make him lead them to Hamunaptra," Emma explained. The talk of Hamunaptra brought back bad memories for Ardeth. No one had been out that way since the excavation had ended, and with time the sands had covered up what had been uncovered.

 

"How is it that you know of Hamunaptra?" Ardeth asked curious.

 

"My family knows. You know them, I'm Emma O'Connell, they adopted me, and I decided to come out here to see things for myself, well Alex came too." Ardeth wasted no time. If Alex was in trouble, then he and his men would take care of things. Right now however, he needed to figure out what to do with Emma.

 

"One of my men will take you back in to Cairo. Do your parents know you are here? Ardeth asked already knowing the answer to that.

 

"Well Alex told them so I think they should be here in a few days. But I'm not going back. I got Alex into this and I am going to help get him out." Ardeth admired her bravery.

 

"I understand that you want to help, and the best thing to do right now is to let me and my men get him back." He managed to convince her to go back, then with the men he had left, headed for Hamunaptra.

 

 

It was being lifted onto a horse that woke Alex, and for a moment he thought it was just a dream, then realization hit, and he started to struggle. The tall man smacked him.

 

"Sit still." Alex nodded, wishing his parents would find him now. He wished he wouldn't have come back, not after all that had happened to him. The big man had smacked him around until he agreed to show him the location of Hamunaptra.

 

"I'm going to take this gag off of you now, you won't yell or scream, or I'll cut you with my knife." The tall man removed the gag, and Alex took in a deep breath.

 

"Now what way do we go?"

 

"Just follow the sun," came his trembling reply. They took off. Alex had decided live or die he would not take them where they wanted to go, and he hoped that Emma was safe.

 

 

 

Being back in Cairo, Emma had locked herself in her room for the past two days, not eating much, and not sleeping much. She decided it was time to move on. If it wouldn't have been for her, then Alex would be at home right now, and none of this would be happening. As she packed someone knocked on her door.

 

"Go away," she said almost in tears. That stupid Mad -jai wouldn't leave her in peace.

 

"Emma, its mum." Emma ran to the door, and unlocked it, then was in her mum's arms sobbing.

 

"I'm so stupid, I'm sorry," she cried. Evelyn had been very angry, now she was not, and held her daughter, letting her cry herself out.

 

"Looks like your all packed up," Evelyn observed still holding her daughter.

 

"I got Alex into trouble, and thought I should leave now," came her sad reply. Evie led her over to a bed, and sat down holding her daughter close.

 

"You didn't get him in to trouble. Alex knows better, the important thing right now is that he is found and brought back to the people who love him. We wouldn't be the same if you left us," Evelyn said. Emma just hugged her.

 

"Now, lets get you something to eat." In response Emma's stomach growled.

 

 

Disclaimer: Not mine just borrowing thank you thank you.

 

Chapter: 4 The Rescue

 

 

It was hot, the sun was hot, and Alex felt sick. His skin was sunburned badly, because the two men he was with were not the caring type. Now he road on the back of the tall mans horse, and every movement the horse made sent pain shooting through his body.

 

"I need water," he squeaked.

 

"Only when you decide you want to show us where Hamunaptra is," The tall man said. They had been riding for days now, and Alex wouldn't show them. He had gotten pretty beat up for that, but he was made of tough stuff, and was holding on to the hope, that someone would come to his rescue. He drifted to sleep and started to slide off the horse, so the tall man lifted him onto the front of the horse. His partner looked over.

 

"Maybe we should let him go. He doesn't look so good," the little man said.

 

"Maybe I'll just shoot you. He stays and if he dies then so be it." He kicked his horse and they took off at a gallop over the next few rises, and thats when they saw it. It was in ruins, but it was what they had been looking for. They set up camp, and The tall man left Alex tied up out in the heat of the sun to torture him more, then he and his buddy left to find a way into the ancient city.

 

 

 

A few days earlier, Rick had met up with the other Med-jai, and now they were on rout to Hamunaptra. He was still angry at both of his children for doing this, and not sure who he was more angry with. With Emma, things were still new, and she was testing her limits, because she didn't know really what they were. Alex however knew his limits, and his punishment would be one he would not forget anytime in the future.

 

"Look." Someone said close to him. Rick came back to the present realizing they were at Hamunaptra, and not far off they saw some tents, but noone around. He and Ardeth road ahead, and as the got closer they saw something that made Rick's heart go into his throat. He got off of his horse, not giving a damn about the danger, and ran over to his son.

 

"Alex?" he knelt down and felt his neck, finding his pulse still strong. Rick took out his knife and cut the rope around his son's hands

 

"Don't hurt me," came Alex's panicked response, and he began to struggle.

 

"Alex, shh its dad." Suddenly there were two gun shots, and something just behind them fell. Rick turned and saw two men dead now, both of them had been ready to kill both he and Alex. Rick lifted Alex into his arms, as Ardeth came over to them.

 

"He needs to rest my friend, the sun can be a deadly enemy and those burns need to be treated." All Rick wanted to do right now was get Alex back to Evelyn, and

 

 

Emma, but his friend had a point. They road for almost two hours, before they came to the Med-jai camp Once they had arrived, and had gotten off the horses, Ardeth led Rick to his tent. It wasn't big, and only had the bare essentials. Gently Rick lay Alex onto a bed role, and Alex awoke startled.

 

"Shh, were safe. Ardeth brought us to his camp, and were going to help you feel better."

 

"Don't touch hurts," Alex said of his sunburned skin. Ardeth came in with a pitcher, and a clay bowl, and some rags. He poured the water into the bowl, and also put some sort of powder in it. As he approached Alex tried to get away, and

 

 

Rick gently but firmly held him still.

 

"No dad don't let him touch me." Alex began to cry, and Rick held him.

 

"Alex, shhh." Rick rocked him and in a moment he had calmed down.

 

"I'll leave you, just put the cloths over his skin, it will help ease his pain."

 

 

Rick nodded and when Ardeth left, he eased Alex away from him and lifted off his shirt. His skin underneath was dirty, but not as badly burned as his arms and legs, and face. Rick started there and used one rag to clean him with, then eased Alex to the mat, and got a clean rag, and wiped his face, which did make him. feel better. Once Alex was covered by the cloths he fell asleep. Rick lay next to him, and sleep soon found him too.

 

 

 

In Cairo, almost a week had passed, and Evelyn was doing her best to be strong for Emma. They had gone around the city, seeing sights that Emma had never even dreamed of. Today was a quiet day, and the two ladies sat in their hotel room talking.

 

"When will we know?" Emma suddenly asked. Evelyn looked at her knowing what she was referring too.

 

"Soon I hope." At that moment Jonathan came running in.

 

"Their here." Both of them ran down the stairs, and outside where they found Rick carrying Alex who rested against him.

 

"Alex." Evelyn ran to him, and hugged both her men.

 

"Easy, he has bad sunburn," Rick said feeling Alex flinch at her touch. He had on a robe that Ardeth hand given them to keep his skin out of the sun, and he was still pretty sick. Emma ran over.

 

"Is he okay?" she asked afraid for him.

 

"He will be. Ardeth says he needs to rest, and drink lots of water." They all went back to the room. There Rick removed the robes exposing his sunburned skin which had blistered. Evelyn settled next to him, and he opened his eyes.

 

"Hi mum," he said.

 

"Shhh, just sleep my darling boy," He closed his eyes, and only Rick noticed Emma run out. Blinded by tears, she ran down the hall to Uncle Johns room and lay on his bed sobbing. If she wouldn't have been so stupid, he wouldn't have been hurt like this. She felt someone sit beside her, then she was held in secure arms by her father, the last person she thought, who would love her.

 

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked him to help me." She sobbed. Rick kissed the top of her head.

 

"Emma, we all make mistakes, its what we learn from them that matters," Rick said. She pulled away from him a little.

 

"I guess the next time I just tell you and mum I want to go on an adventure?" Rick nodded moving her long blond hair out of her face.

 

"I don't suppose you'll let this slide with the Punishment. I mean I know I'll never do this again, and I'll make sure Alex doesn't," she tried. Rick chuckled and hugged her again.

 

"Not getting off so easy," he said. She sighed.

 

"Well you can't blame me for trying?" He tickled her and she laughed

 

"Stop, no more please." he let up on her.

 

"Lets go check on Alex." She nodded and they went back to his room.

 

 

 

 

A month had passed since their return back to England. Alex and Emma were both grounded to their own rooms, having to stay there unless it was time to study, or to eat a meal. Despite the dangers, both of them had really loved going on an adventure together, and that had brought them closer as siblings.

 

 

THE END for now

 

Note okay I let this sit too long serves me right I can't do three things at once and expect all of them to be good. As always comments are now welcome so tell me that this sucked and go on your marry way Just kidding.