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Second Chances

A sequel to Hope For The Future
By Ladybug


Chapter 5

Rick caught her and held her close as she cried. His gaze traveled to the bed where his best friend and brother-in-law lay fighting for his life. His hand stroked Emma’s hair in a comforting gesture as he held her against him. Rick had been surprised when the three Med-jai warriors had appeared to him at the boat docks to inform him that Ardeth had been critically wounded in a battle with a renegade band of men. He had stopped only long enough to send off a telegram to Evelyn letting her know what happened and that he would be delayed coming home. They had rode fast and hard, making the normal two-day trip into one. When they had arrived in the Med-jai village a short time ago, Abdul had met him and gave him a quick update before taking him to see Emma and Ardeth.

“It’s alright, sis,” Rick soothed as her sobs began to subside.

Finally Emma pulled back a bit and looked up at her brother. “Not that I am not glad to see you, but how is it that you are here?” She sniffed, wiping at her tear stained face.

“I’ll explain later,” Rick answered. “How is he?”

They both walked over to the bed and Emma sat down next to Ardeth and Rick pulled up a chair, turning it and straddling it.

“It’s touch and go, Rick,” Emma informed him. “He’s running fever now and if the stab wound didn’t kill him, the fever could.” She reached out her hand and stroked her fingers along Ardeth’s brow. His skin was clammy and hot to the touch.

“He’s tough, Em, he’ll pull through,” Rick encouraged her.

“I hope so, Rick,” Emma answered softly. “If he dies before I can make things right between us . . .” Her voice drifted off.

“Hey,” Rick reached out and grabbed her arm. Emma turned her head and looked at him, “He’ll be fine and back to his old ornery self in no time. You’ll have your chance, Em and the both of you will work it out.”

Emma smiled sadly at him and nodded. She hoped Rick was right and that she would get her chance to make things right between her and Ardeth. This whole incident had changed her view on everything. If Ardeth made it through this, Emma would drop the thing about the miscarriage. It wasn’t worth being separated from him like they were, not when she could loose him. She wanted to make up the last 3 years to him, every day that she had rejected him and shut him out.

The next day Ardeth gave them both a scare. Rick had stayed with him so that Emma could get some sleep. It was late afternoon when she woke up, bathed, ate some food and returned to Ardeth’s side. Rick had just informed her that nothing had changed when Ardeth suddenly went into convulsions. Emma screamed and Rick lunged forward in time to catch Ardeth from falling off the bed.

“Oh my god, Rick!” Emma cried out as Ardeth’s face began to turn blue, his eyelids opened slightly and his eyes were rolled back.

“He’s choking on his tongue, Emma!” Rick shoved Ardeth forward. “Open his mouth and try to grab his tongue.”

Emma moved forward immediately dropping to her knees before Ardeth. She pried his mouth open and shoved her finger inside as far as she could. “Got it!” She yelled out seconds later and pulled her finger out. Rick laid Ardeth back on the bed, but he still wasn’t breathing. “He’s not breathing, Rick, why isn’t he breathing?” Emma panicked.

Rick seemed at a loss. He didn’t know what to do and he looked helpless at his sister. Suddenly Emma moved forward, “Lie him flat on his back,” she commanded Rick. Rick moved to do as she asked, then got out of her way. She moved up beside Ardeth and placed her left hand under the back of his neck and lifted, tilting his head back.

“What are you doing?”

“Something they taught us at University,” Emma answered and opened Ardeth’s mouth. After checking to make sure his throat was clear, she pinched his nose then placed her mouth over his and breathed into his lungs. “Come on, my love, breath,” Emma whispered as she placed her mouth over his again and filled his lungs again with her breath. She did this over and over.

“Emma,” Rick called to her softly.

“NO,” she cried out, “Fight, damn you! Live!” She breathed into his mouth again and was rewarded with a loud gasp as Ardeth breathed in on his own. “Yessss,” Emma cried out, her hands framing his face. She kissed him all over as the tears fell freely from her eyes. “That’s it, habibi, keep breathing.”

“I’ll be damned,” Rick replied softly from behind her.

Emma continued to stroke his face lovingly until her own heart began to beat at a slower pace. She would have to keep a closer eye on him so that they wouldn’t go through this again. Emma didn’t think she would survive it.

“Is he alright now?” Rick asked coming up next to the bed.

“I think so,” Emma answered, “At least he is breathing again.”

“Are you alright, sis?”

Emma turned her head to glance at Rick over her shoulder, “I am now,” she answered as she picked up a clean rag and dipped it in the bowl of water. She wiped Ardeth’s face, then placed a kiss on his warm, dry lips. Rick settled back in the chair he’d been using and watched as Emma went through the procedure of wiping down Ardeth’s feverish body with the cool water.

Emma had just finished bathing Ardeth when they heard movement. “Is everything alright?”

Rick and Emma turned to see Abdul standing in the doorway of the bedroom. Emma shook her head, “We almost lost him, Abdul.”

His eyes widened with fear, “When?”

“A few minutes ago,” Emma answered. “He was choking on his tongue and once we got his throat clear, he wasn’t breathing. I had to breath for him.”

“Breath for him?” Abdul approached confused. He needed to see for himself that his leader was still alive. He saw the rise and fall of Ardeth’s chest and sighed in relief.

“It’s a technique they teach at University,” Emma explained. “When a person stops breathing, sometimes you can help them begin breathing again by placing your mouth over theirs and blowing your breath into their lungs.”

Abdul looked at her doubtful, but didn’t argue. Obviously it worked or Ardeth would be dead now. “You have saved his life, Sayada,” Abdul told her.

Emma looked back at Abdul and frowned, “He is my husband, Abdul, I would die for him.”

Abdul met her direct gaze and nodded. “You honor the Med-jai, Emma. We can never repay you for what you have done.”

Emma smiled at Abdul kindly, “I don’t need to be repaid, Abdul. Your words are payment enough, but regardless of that, I would not allow Ardeth to die if I could help it.”

“Our leader is a very fortunate man to have a woman like you. Allah truly smiled upon him when He brought you into Ardeth’s life.”

“Thank you, Abdul,” Emma answered and hoped that Ardeth would feel the same when he was better. She turned back to him and watched him as he slept peacefully. She reached out and touched his face, he was still feverish, but Emma thought it had come down some.

“I must go,” Abdul announced. “I just came by to check on his condition. I will stop back by later. Please send word if anything changes.”

“I will,” Emma answered and Abdul turned and with a nod to Rick, he left.

The next morning, Emma lay sleeping next to Ardeth on the bed. Rick was asleep in Joseph’s room and Joseph was still staying with his Aunt Amina. She stirred when she felt something brush against her cheek. Her eyelids fluttered open to see Ardeth staring at her very awake and very aware.

Her eyes widened as she sat up quickly, “Ardeth?”

His lips curved up into a smile, “Were you expecting someone else?” He asked, his voice hoarse and raspy. Emma shook her head as tears formed in her eyes.

“I thought I had lost you,” she whispered as he drew her to him. He held her close for a few moments then let her go.

“Can I have some water?” He asked.

“Oh, yes of course,” Emma jumped up off the bed and poured some water into a cup. She helped him sit up, propping pillows behind him then helped him sip some of the water.

“How long have I been down?” Ardeth asked when he had finished drinking as much as he could hold.

“Four days, I think,” Emma answered. “I’ve lost count.” She put the cup aside and turned back to Ardeth. She reached out and touched his face and found it cool to the touch now. His fever was gone; he was going to be all right.

Ardeth sighed as he closed his eyes. He reached up and covered her hand with his, then brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. He rested back against the pillows already feeling himself drifting back to sleep.

“Ardeth?” He struggled to open his eyes again and he looked at Emma.

“It’s all right now, kalila,” he whispered softly. “I’m so tired.” His eyelids drifted down again.

Emma leaned forward and kissed his beard stubbled cheek. “Get some rest, my love. We can talk more later.” Ardeth nodded his head just a fraction and moments later was fast asleep.

“He woke up!” Emma shouted happily as she bounded into Joseph’s room. Rick jumped startled.

“What?” He asked looking around wildly.

“He woke up, Rick,” Emma repeated. “The fever is gone and he is going to make it!”

Rick scrubbed roughly at his face and smiled, “That’s great to hear, Emma. Is he awake now?”

“No,” Emma answered grinning. “He is sleeping again, but it’s a healing sleep now.”

“Good,” Rick responded truly happy for his sister. “Now that he is going to be okay, I am going to need to leave soon.”

Emma frowned, “So soon?”

Rick raised an eyebrow, “Emma, I’ve been in Egypt for over a week now. I need to get back home to Evelyn. There is no telling what kind of trouble she has gotten herself into by now.”

“That reminds me, what where you doing in Cairo and me not knowing about it?” Emma asked with a frown.

Rick smiled sheepishly, “It’s a long story,” he began.

“Well, I need to get cleaned up and go tell Abdul about Ardeth,” Emma told him, “Please don’t leave until we get a chance to talk. I want to hear about this.”

“Don’t worry, sis. I’m not planning to leave for another day or so.” Emma nodded then turned and left the bedroom.

Ardeth woke again a few hours later to find Rick staring at him. He groaned softly, “Allah have mercy, what an ugly sight to wake up to.”

Rick laughed, “Yeah, but I’m not half the ugly sight you are right now.”

“Where is Emma?”

“Resting in Joseph’s room,” Rick answered and he got up to get Ardeth a cup of water.

“Thanks, I needed that,” Ardeth replied after draining the cup. “Where is Yusuf, by-the-way?”

“Staying with your sister, I believe,” Rick answered. Ardeth nodded and relaxed now that he knew where his family was. “You had us all scared there buddy,” Rick stated. “We thought we lost you at one point, but Emma pulled you through it.”

“What happened?”

“When you were running fever, you swallowed your tongue somehow and started choking,” Rick answered. “Emma managed to get your tongue out of your throat but you still weren’t breathing.”

Ardeth looked startled, “What happened then?”

“She breathed for you,”

Ardeth blinked in surprise, “She what?”

“She breathed for you,” Rick repeated. “She put her mouth over yours and filled your lungs with her breath until you started breathing on your own again.” Rick let his words sink in, “She saved your life, buddy.”

Ardeth nodded and was quiet for a few minutes thinking about what Rick had said. “Thank you for coming here,” Ardeth began. “For being here for Emma.”

“I would always come, Ardeth,” Rick answered. “It’s a good thing your guys showed up when they did though. I was about ready to get on the boat to leave Cairo.”

“Why didn’t you tell me he was awake?” Emma chided as she entered the room.

“You are suppose to be resting, Em. You promised,” Rick reminded her.

“I couldn’t sleep,” Emma answered and crawled on the bed to sit next to Ardeth. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his temple and sat back with a smile. Their eyes met and something passed between them, a promise for the future that everything was going to be all right.

“I’m hungry,” Ardeth stated with a smile.

“I’ve got some soup made, I’ll warm it up,” she answered and started to crawl off the bed. She stopped when Ardeth grabbed her arm gently. She turned back to him.

The look in his expressive eyes spoke volumes, “Emma,” he began.

Emma placed a finger over his lips, “Sh-sh-sh, we will talk later,” she answered and replaced her finger with her lips for a quick kiss. She stood up and left the room to get him a bowl of soup.

Ardeth watched her leave the room. “Do you think I am too late?” He asked Rick after Emma was gone.

“Nope,” Rick answered understanding exactly what Ardeth was asking about.

“When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow,”

Ardeth turned his gaze on Rick, “Thank you, al zameel (my brother).”

“Anytime,” Rick smiled, “But next time you want to get me to stay a little longer, buddy, just ask okay? No need to go to all this trouble.”

Ardeth laughed, then winced, groaning in pain. “Believe me,” Ardeth managed through gritted teeth, “I did not want you here that badly!”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 6

Later that day after Ardeth had rested some more, Emma allowed Joseph to go in and see his father. Abdul also stopped by and spent some time updating Ardeth on the goings on in the tribe. Emma was as protective of Ardeth’s health as a momma bear protecting her cubs and the moment he started showing weariness, she chased Abdul out.

“Emma, you shouldn’t be so rude to Abdul,” Ardeth chided her, but he winked at her playfully letting her know he was enjoying her protectiveness.

“You almost died, Ardeth,” Emma began, “tribal business can wait until you are stronger. Abdul is quite capable of handling things until you are better.” She finished as she sat down on the edge of the bed next to him.

“I hate being trapped in this damn bed,” Ardeth complained frowning.

“Well get used to it, because you aren’t going anywhere for a while,” Emma reached out and traced her fingers across the tattoo’s that were on his cheek. Ardeth closed his eyes enjoying the feel of her touch. He hadn’t shaved since he’d been wounded and his beard was filling in on his cheeks tickling her fingertips.

Ardeth opened his eyes, “Come here,” he commanded gently.

Emma smiled and shook her head; “You are in no condition for that, buster!”

Ardeth grinned, “You would be surprised what I am in the condition for, now come here and kiss me, al marrah (my woman)!”

Emma laughed softly as she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. She started to straighten up, when his arms snaked around her, “Damn it, Emma, that wasn’t a kiss . . .” He yanked her back down to him and he winced as a sharp pain jabbed him in the back.

“Ardeth,” Emma panicked trying to push away from him.

“No,” Ardeth groaned and pulled her back to him. Ignoring the pain, he kissed her hungrily, his tongue parting her lips and melding with her own. Emma responded with a hunger of her own, her hands framing his face tenderly and returning the kiss.

“Ahem,”

Emma jerked away from Ardeth suddenly and Ardeth groaned as he shot Rick a deadly look. Rick grinned as he stepped into the room, “Really Emma, attacking the poor guy when he’s wounded.”

Emma blushed a deep red, “I was hardly attacking him,” she defended herself.

Rick emitted a sharp bark of laughter as he watched his sister become flustered. Even Ardeth fought back a smile as his gaze turned to his wife. Emma looked down at Ardeth and saw the humor dancing around in his dark eyes and she gasped, pointing an accusing finger at him.

“You!” She exclaimed, “You started it! Don’t you dare laugh at me!”

Ardeth’s lips twitched as he attempted to hold back his own laughter. It really was quite funny, he thought. “I would never laugh at you, kalila.”

Emma frowned at him, “Why do I find that hard to believe?”

Ardeth gave her an innocent look and shrugged his shoulders, “Really, al ahibuk (my love), I don’t know what you mean.”

Rick snorted and Emma turned to glare at him, “I don’t need any help from you, you pig!” Rick tried to look hurt by her words, but it didn’t work. Ardeth burst out laughing, then groaned in pain. Emma immediately turned to him worried.

“Ardeth,” she whispered as she leaned over him concerned, stroking his face. “I’ll get you something for the pain, then you must rest.”

Emma straightened up and pushed past Rick as she headed to the kitchen to get Ardeth something for the pain. Rick watched her go, then turned back to Ardeth.

“Sorry if I interrupted,” he apologized.

“No your not,” Ardeth laughed and winced again as another sharp pain jabbed at him.

“Okay, so I’m not,” Rick grinned.

“Are you sure you must leave tomorrow?” Ardeth asked.

“Yes, I need to get back to London. No telling what kind of trouble Evelyn and Alex have gotten into since I’ve been gone,” Rick answered as he moved further into the room.

“Good,” Ardeth grinned back. “I think you have quite worn out your welcome.”

Rick laughed, “Well buddy, ya know if you really need me to stay longer . . .”

“Laa!” Ardeth groaned, then started laughing again. “Kaaf (enough), Allah, you are killing me, al zameel!”

Emma came back in and frowned, “Ardeth, if you have ripped those stitches, I’m going to kill you myself.”

“I don’t think I am the one you need to worry about there, buddy,” Rick grinned.

Emma helped Ardeth to drink the powders she had mixed up in some water for him. After checking his wound to make sure the stitches had not torn, she helped him to get settled. Already his eyelids were heavy as the medicine worked it’s way through his system. Emma leaned over and kissed his forehead.

“Get some sleep,” she whispered.

A lazy smile curved his full lips, “Aiwa, al shoya lilith (yes, my little night demon),” he answered without opening his eyes.

Emma laughed softly, enjoying his playful banter. She straightened up and shooed Rick out of the room, closing the door behind her. Hope bloomed within her that her and Ardeth would be able to work out their differences. He had not been his playful with her in years. She followed Rick into the kitchen and fixed him something to eat while he sat at the table.

Emma sat down across from him and watched him practically devour his dinner. “I want you to take Joseph with you when you leave tomorrow,” she said just as Rick took a bite. He choked and began coughing. He took several swallows of water before he answered her.

“God Emma, what are you trying to do, get me killed?”

Emma frowned, “I don’t know what you mean?”

“You know damn well how Ardeth feels about Joseph going to London, he would kill me!” Rick told her.

“Oh don’t be ridiculous, Rick,” Emma brushed off his comment. “I know Ardeth has reservations about Joseph leaving the Sahara, but I will make him see that we need time alone together. Even with Joseph over at Amina’s, he would be a distraction and Ardeth and I need time alone together to heal our marriage.”

Rick looked at her doubtfully, “I don’t know, Em. I think you might make things worse between you two if you do this without his consent.”

“Rick, I love my son dearly. He has become my whole world, but now I need to get my husband back and I can’t do that with an overactive 6 year old constantly wanting our attention,” Emma explained. “Please, I’m begging you to do this for me.”

Rick sighed, “Alright, Emma. I just hope you know what your doing.”

Emma nodded and smiled, “And now, I want you to tell me what you were doing in Cairo.”

“Oh hell,” Rick grumbled as he realized he was trapped into answering now. He could always lie to her, but he had always been a terrible liar and Emma was very perceptive.

“Come on, spill it. Why were you here and why didn’t I know you were here?” Emma demanded.

“I brought part of an amulet for Ardeth and the Med-jai to guard,” he answered as he pushed his empty plate away.

“You saw Ardeth?” Emma asked surprised. “He never mentioned seeing you.”

“I told him not to,” Rick winced at Emma’s thunderous look. “Listen, sis,” Rick hurried on to explain. “This piece that I brought to Ardeth could really stir up some trouble. I felt the fewer people that knew I was bringing it to him, the better.”

“Is this another supernatural thing?” Emma asked nervously.

“Worse,” Rick answered. “It involves time traveling and being able to change the outcome of events from the past.”

“Seriously?”

Rick nodded, “That is what Evelyn believes anyways. After the shit I went through with Hamanaptra and Imhotep I am not inclined to disbelieve anything anymore,” he commented. “What I brought Ardeth is only part of the amulet. Somewhere out there is the other part and if they are brought together, Evelyn believes that the person possessing it can travel back in time.”

“Dear lord!” Emma exclaimed sitting back in her chair.

“Someone broke into the museum and tried to steal the piece we have. Fortunately they didn’t get it, but I believe that who ever is responsible for the break in may have the other part of the amulet,” Rick explained.

“I don’t understand,” Emma said confused, “what event in the past could anyone want to change?”

“Imhotep,” Rick answered.

Emma sat stunned, “Good grief, will we ever be rid of that blasted curse?”

Rick shrugged, “Does seem like the old bastard keeps popping back up into our lives.”

“So Ardeth has the one part of the amulet now?” Emma asked curiously.

“Yes, I gave it to him and he said he would take care of it. I assume that means he put it where the books are hidden,”

Emma nodded, “Well, no one knows where that is. Ardeth is extremely secretive about the hiding place of the Book of the Dead and the Book of Amun-Ra. Not even Abdul knows where they are hidden,” Emma explained. “He felt that if no one knew, then he wouldn’t have to set a guard to watch over it and therefore eliminating anyone discovering it.”

“Well it does make sense,” Rick agreed, “if you don’t have a guard set out, especially ones as noticeable as the Med-jai, then no one gets curious as to what they are guarding. By eliminating the guards, then no one is the wiser that anything is there.”

“Exactly,” Emma answered. “What time are you leaving tomorrow?” She asked changing the subject.

“Early,” he answered.

“Then I had better get Joseph some things packed and let him know,” she replied, getting up from the table and leaving Rick to his own thoughts.

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Second Chances - Chapters 7-8