Jared Padalecki and the Mystery of the Egyptian Mummy (Ch 15/18)
Title: Jared Padalecki and the Mystery of the Egyptian Mummy
Chapter: Fifteen
Author:
hunters_retreat
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: R
Summary: J2 AU. Jared is a young Egyptologist trying to find a prize. Jensen is an adventurer in need of a mystery. Jared provides him with one. This is the story of the legend they become.
Author's Note: A huge thank you to
insane_songbird for the amazing manip! Previous chapters can be found Here. Also, this story is now COMPLETE! WOOHHOO! Per the poll, the last few chapters will be updated every day! Thanks for hanging around guys and hope you enjoy! And a big thank you to akadougal for the beta on the last few chapters of this story! *hugs*
Chapter Fifteen
Things seemed to move faster once they had the first day under their belts. The new men understood the routine and they assimilated into the group easily under Akil’s watchful eye. He and Jensen moved among the men at what seemed a random dance, but they were always working their way to the back and the middle of the column. Jared wondered how they coordinated it with such ease, but he had faith in both men. He knew that his lover was just as skilled in this area as his friend.
Jared found himself sleeping better than he had before. When Jensen closed the flap to the tent it was just the two of them and all thoughts of the translations left his head. Afterwards, when he was too tired and sated to do anything else, he’d fall asleep beside Jensen, one hand locked around the necklace that belonged there.
It wasn’t always peaceful though. The second night Jensen woke with nightmares, his eyes dark and hungry as he shot up from his sleep. Jared calmed him but he noticed the way Jensen’s headaches seemed to grow worse and the nightmares seemed to plague him in the waking hours. He contented himself with giving Jensen what relief he could, and knowing that whatever happened, Jensen would be free of it all soon.
They were four days out of Cairo when Jensen made his way to the front of the column. “Jared, something’s coming.” He pointed to the horizon and Jared could just make something out.
“What is it?” He asked, trying not to think about what they were running towards.
“It’s a single runner. I’ll go find out what he wants.”
Jared grabbed Jensen’s arm before he could move his mount forward. “Jensen, be careful.”
He gave Jared a warm smile. “Haven’t you heard Jared? The Green-eyed is always careful.”
He was off then, leaving Jared cursing at his reckless nature. “Damn fool is going to get himself killed,” he muttered before calling the rest of the men to a halt. Akil came to the front then, but didn’t ask Jared for information. Jared wondered if somehow Jensen had let Akil know what he was doing before he’d talked to Jared but he didn’t ask.
They watched in silence as Jensen met with the lone rider. Jared was worried; tension seeped into his muscles even though he knew Jensen could take care of himself. Part of him wanted to say it was just because they’d become lovers, but Jared knew he’d worried about him before that happened. He wondered how much of that had to do with the dig and for the first time, he was really concerned about what brought Jensen to them in the first place. Was Jensen as unaware of the events that were unfolding as he seemed? Did he really just drift from place to place like he claimed, or was there more of a purpose to it than he’d let on?
He dropped that line of thought as the rider shot off alone, leaving Jensen to ride back to them in safety.
The men behind them were restless, no one comfortable with this lone figure after they’d been attacked by raiders. Jensen came straight to Jared and he was grateful for that at least. “Jahde’s men. They’re close by and wanted to see if they could join camps.”
“You gave them the okay?” Jared asked.
Jensen nodded. “I figure the more we get to know each other before everything goes crazy, the better.”
“I agree.” Jared said, as if that was in doubt. It made sense on more than one level. He looked over at Akil. “Tell the men to break for lunch here and start spreading the word about our new arrivals.” He looked back at Jensen. “Any word on when they’ll be joining us?”
“Before nightfall.”
Jahde was at the head of the small group that joined them an hour or so before they needed to set up camp. He didn’t feel hostile anymore, but Jared couldn’t relax around him; it wasn’t easy to forget the gun to his head. Jensen didn’t relax either and Jared felt a rush of affection towards him.
“I thought you would be waiting at the pyramid?” Jared asked as the other men said their hellos.
“I think it would be best if we arrived at the tomb together.”
He eyed the men around them nervously and Jared realized there was more to this than he was comfortable saying in front of the others. He shifted to look at Jensen who nodded slightly, as if he could read his thoughts. “We’ll stop for camp in about an hour. Perhaps you’d join us at our fires?” He asked.
Jahde seemed to relax a little and nodded. “My men are ahead and have already started to prepare tents. It is the only defensible position in this area. Joining our camps would make me feel more at ease.” He smiled as he said it, but Jared didn’t think he was happy about any of it. Whatever was happening, Jahde was worried.
“We’re honored to accept.” Jensen said in Jared’s place.
He could see Jahde’s questioning look between himself and Jensen, as he tried to work out who had the real control of their party and Jared contented himself with a smile. “Jensen, pass word back to the men.”
He nodded slightly before turning to the men. Akil fell behind with him and left Jared with Jim and Jahde.
“I have never seen the Green-eyed take orders from another before.”
“Take orders? I don’t think he really does. It’s more that Jensen does what he needs to, and I just happen to voice it before he can.” He said with a fond voice. “He knows his way around a dig as well as I. He and Akil keep the men moving and I get to keep my head in the artifacts. It works well.”
Jahde nodded and Jim gave him an odd smile. Jim had a large array of them that could do anything from communicate joy and pride to call you a damn fool of a jackass without more than a twitch of his lips. He wasn’t sure what this one was, falling somewhere between damn fool and pride, but beneath it all was the affection he’d come to know from the older, gruffer man.
“We’d best be on our way Jared, if we’re going to settle in tonight before the men get too restless.”
He nodded and looked back to the column, seeing Akil in the middle with Jensen at the end. He waved back to them both and then they were moving again, towards a meeting with Jahde that he was sure he wouldn’t enjoy.
They met with the other contingent of men and everything went smoothly. The men might have felt some resentment towards each other, but they were being paid well to do what they were told and they kept their feelings to themselves. There seemed to be two separate camps though, even if they were all camping together.
Jahde eased tension a little by sitting in the middle of Jared’s men, taking a meal with them. It wasn’t enough to settle it all, but it helped. Jensen walked among the men, Jared’s and Jahde’s and his presence eased the way as well. He heard men laughing when Jensen was with them, heard groups joining in around him and everyone seemed to relax a little more with each laugh. Jared couldn’t help the way his lips twitched up each time he heard Jensen’s laugh or the way his eyes searched the other man out.
Jim and Jahde spoke quietly as they ate; Jahde about the terrain they’d cross in the morning and Jim about the translations they’d been working on. Jahde listened to the stories that Jim related and added bits and pieces of history that his people knew. Jared listened as intently as he could, but found himself distracted each time he found Jensen.
The fires were starting to burn low when Jim sighed. “Suppose it’s time for that talk now Jahde.” He said softly.
Jared nodded as he stood. He caught Jensen’s eye and the other man moved to Akil’s side, speaking softly to him before joining them as they entered Jared’s tent. He took a seat on the cot, leaving Jim and Jahde to take the two seats in the tent. Jensen came in a moment later and took a seat on his own cot which sat perpendicular to Jared’s. He was just grateful they hadn’t moved them together yet. There was enough surprise in Jahde’s eyes as it was.
“So what happened that you changed your plans Jahde?” Jim asked.
Jahde took a deep breath, running his hand over his beard as he did so. “A runner came to us yesterday. He did not speak of what was happening, but he said that we should not return to the tomb without you.”
“What happened?” Jared asked.
Jahde shook his head, unable to speak for a moment but Jensen filled the silence. “It was already there.”
Jahde looked up and nodded. “We knew what we were up against; I just didn’t expect it to be at the tomb. I believe that Jared’s idea was for the best, to meet the Pharaoh at his pyramid and call him to us, but he either divined our plan or he simply wanted to steal his way into the General’s tomb on his own.”
“Why would he want to be there?”
Jahde shook his head. “I don’t know. I had hoped you would be able to tell us.”
“I have no idea.” Jared said. He looked over at Jensen and shook his head. “The Pharaoh wanted the General.” He said, getting up to pace across the small area in the tent. “The only way to stop him now that he’s awakened is a confrontation with the General.” Jared stopped. “He wants the body. He thinks the General’s soul is trapped in that body and he’s waiting for us to release him.”
“You don’t think his spirit is there though?” Jim asked.
Jared kept his eyes carefully focused on Jim’s. “No, I don’t.”
“Then where the hell is it? Because if he’s got to confront the Pharaoh, we need to know.”
“The artifacts that were taken. It has to be in one of them.” Jared said. He knew it was a lie, but he couldn’t give up what he knew just yet. “And I suggest we work on those translations again. The ones in the room with the General’s mummy are probably the most relevant.”
Jim nodded. “I think it’s time for me to retire to my tent then. You have something in here I can work on?”
Jared looked through the tubes that were always brought to him and handed two to Jim. He placed another two on his desk. “These were next in line for translation anyway.” He said with a small grin. At least Jim would enjoy the work, even if Jared was lying to him.
He took his leave and Jared was left with Jahde who watched him like a dangerous viper. “There are things about you I don’t understand, American.” He said softly. “I will follow your lead tonight, but in the morning, I will expect more answers.”
He didn’t give Jared time to respond before he was leaving the tent.
Jared sighed and fell back onto his cot. He’d forgotten Jensen was there until fingers dug into his neck and he moaned slightly. “Jensen.”
“We all know you’re hiding something Jared. I don’t think Jahde is going to take no for an answer come morning, so you’d better come to terms with it now.”
“What if… what if I do know something, but I can’t tell anyone? What if I’m keeping my secrets to protect someone?”
Jensen pulled him around until they were facing one another. “Jared, no one doubts your desire to do what must be done. You can’t hide behind that though. What we face tomorrow, it’s a nightmare the likes of which none of us have seen. I’ve been listening to Jahde’s men and they’ve handed down the legend of this beast. He’s immortal with strength that you can’t understand. We don’t deserve to walk into this blind.”
“What I might know won’t help that any.”
“Will it hurt us?”
He took a deep breath. “One of us, it will.”
Jensen watched him for a long moment then shook his head. “You won’t speak and I can’t make you. I’ll back you in the morning Jared, but I think you’re making a mistake. Whatever it is you think you’re protecting, you’re hurting us all.”
Jensen pulled away from Jared and he grabbed for his wrist. “Jensen, please. Don’t go.”
He looked at Jared’s hand on his wrist and then back up. “You have translations to do Jared and I want to spend more time with the men tonight. I’ll be back.” He said, pressing forward and laying a soft kiss against Jared’s lips. “I don’t agree with your secrets Jared, but the heavens know you aren’t the only man with them.”
He left before Jared could say another word. When he came back that night, it was long past dusk and he fell under his blankets without a word. Jared watched, as fascinated with his movements as he had ever been. He had to work on the translations though. He had his secrets, but he still had hope that what he believed had to happen was wrong, so he continued to search for new answers until dusk spread her light across the sands.
On to Chapter Sixteen