DINING CAR

"We were starting to form a rescue party."  Rick laughed. 

"Forgive us, my nurse takes great pride in her work."  Ardeth joked.

"The patient will live."  Dorey joined in nervously.  She was hoping no one could tell what happened between her and Ardeth.  She was sure she was still blushing from head to toe.

The group sat around the table in silence, moving their food around their plates, but barely eating.  Their thoughts were heavy with worry for Alex.  After an hour of staring out the window and watching the landscape go by, Evie decided to call it a night.  The group agreed and they all headed towards their compartments. 

Outside the compartments, Rick took Evie in his arms and kissed her goodnight.  "I love you.  Please try to get some rest."  Evie nodded and entered the small room. 

Rick, Jonathan and Ardeth said their goodnights to Dorey, both Rick and Jonathan placing a kiss on her cheek.  Ardeth moved towards her, then hesitated and merely nodded to her and entered his compartment. 

Dorey was disappointed as she watched the door close behind him. She didn't know what she had been expecting, but she wanted more than a nod in her direction.  Sighing heavily, she joined Evie in their room and readied herself for bed. 

Dorey opened the upper berth and climbed up.  She laid her head on the pillow as Evie said goodnight and turned out the light.  A few minutes later…."Evie, are you awake?"

"Yes, dear."

"I…um…I…" Dorey stammered.

"What is it, Dorey?  Ardeth?"  Evie asked knowingly.

"What?  Why would you ask that?"  She couldn't believe Evie could guess so easily.

"Oh, well, you have that look about you.  Ardeth is a very handsome and mysterious man.  I can see why you would be taken with him.  You are, aren't you?"

"Is it that obvious?" She signed heavily.

"To me, perhaps, because it was under similar circumstances that I met your brother.  I fell in love with him from the first moment I saw him.  He kissed me for no reason...well, it's a long story; anyway…I was pretty much a goner after that, although I tried to fight it."

"I don't know about love...but Ardeth did kiss me."  She confessed.

"WHAT?!  Are you serious?"  Evie pulled herself out of bed and stood up to face her sister-in-law.

"Yes, please don't say anything.  I don't understand how or why it happened, it just did.  While I was bandaging his wounds."  She spoke dreamily,  "I…I…I think he is the most beautiful person I've ever met.  Handsome, mysterious, brave…I could go on forever.  I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry.  I have been where you are.  It is both exciting and scary at the same time.  Don't worry; your secret is safe with me."  Evie smiled at her sister, "Now go to sleep."

It took two days to travel to Egypt.  Ardeth made it a point not to be alone with Dorey, although the urge to be with her was, at times, overwhelming during the tedious train ride.  He watched her discretely, and she was never far from his thoughts.  How could she invade him, body and soul, in such a short period of time? 

He was glad to be back in Egypt, the air itself renewed his conviction.  The train was nearing the station in Cairo and he was ready to be on his way.  He left the train as it pulled into the station.  Although he knew he should say something to Dorey, he was in a hurry to reach his comrades.  The plan was for Rick to employ the services of his friend Izzy to take them to Carnac, while he gathered the commanders of the twelve tribes of the Medjai.

Dorey shyly watched Ardeth leave the train before it came to a complete stop.  He had told them the night before that he would take his leave as soon as the train reached Cairo.  Her heart ached at the sight of him disappearing behind the train station; she couldn't fathom why she missed him so soon.  She barely knew him and what she was feeling in such a short time couldn't be normal.  She shook her head and returned to her compartment to gather her belongings.