Jared Padalecki and the Mystery of the Egyptian Mummy, Ch. 5
Chapter Five
“You should be careful with that one Jared Padalecki.” Akil said as he came over to sit beside Jared. Most of the men were sitting quietly in a circle, sharing stories and passing around extra little tidbits of comfort that they could. They both watched Jensen sitting with them, smile infectious as he fit seamlessly into their company.
“Have you changed your mind about him Akil?” Jared asked, slightly taken back by the words. Akil was a good judge of character but Jared wasn’t so sure he’d go back on his invitation for Jensen to join their expedition even if Akil demanded it at that point. Beyond simply politeness, he wanted to know who this man was.
“No. No, he is good as I have said, but he watches you and there is something in his eyes that I cannot read. He will be good for the men and good for this journey, but I can’t say that he will be good for you.”
Jared looked at Akil for a minute and sighed. In the way that Akil trusted Jared about their finds without asking where he got his information, Jared listened to Akil’s insight. “What do you know about him?”
Akil looked away, taking a drink from his water skin before sharing it with Jared. When it was resealed, he looked at the circle of men. “No one knows where he comes from and he does not tell of it. What I know is that he came out of the desert a few years before you came to me. He walked in from the sands as if he belonged there. He shows up from time to time on digs and seems to find himself always in the heat of something troubling.”
“You mean he brings trouble with him?”
“No. I mean just that he seems to find trouble or it him. Men who have worked with him say they would die for him and know that he would die for them without question. He works with them and becomes one of them, only to disappear when everything is done. Until he shows up at another dig at some other time.”
“Why haven’t I ever heard of him?”
“Do you know of many archaeologists that would be willing to say another man led them to the treasure they were seeking?” Akil asked. “Will your own word say that you found this marker with study and hard work and determination, or that you were shown it by Jensen Ackles?”
He understood the answer then and it was an interesting question in and of itself. He knew without a doubt that he would have explored these caverns until he found the markings on his own. The find should be his by the number of hours he had put into the translation, the expense he put into the expedition, but nonetheless it was Jensen who had been there first, who had shown him the way without stuttering steps. He knew where he was and had been there before. He snorted. “I see your point.”
“The men don’t speak of him often, except in quiet tongues and they don’t call him by name. They speak of him as the green-eyed.”
That name was something Jared knew. It was considered something of a legend in certain circles. The working men always spoke of the green-eyed but never anything specific. It was a measure of pride for them and he understood now more than ever why Akil said they should keep him there.
“I think it’s time I learned more about the green-eyed.” Jared said softly.
Akil looked at him, something hidden in his expression. “Just be careful Jared. The green-eyed, he never stays for long and he comes and goes as he pleases.”
Jared nodded. “It’s a mystery Akil. You know how I am about mysteries.”
“How are you about mysteries?”
Jared looked up and saw Jensen approaching them. He could see from Jensen’s face that he was curious but nothing showed that he heard anything else they’d been talking about. “I can’t leave them unsolved.”
Jensen nodded and opened his mouth to speak but Akil took that moment to excuse himself, leaving them alone to talk. When he was gone, Jensen nodded towards the back wall where the alcove and their things were set up. “Can we talk?”
Jared just nodded as he stood up and followed the other man away from his men. He had no fear of Jensen, no matter what fear might be gripping Akil. The only fear he had was that his personal secrets might come to the forefront if he was left alone with Jensen for too long. It had been a long time since he’d found himself attracted to anyone and he was barely able to contain the need to touch him, to see how he’d react if he leaned too far into his space and just breathed him in.
“What are you looking for out here?” Jensen asked as they sat opposite each other.
“A tomb. I told you about the map I found.”
“Why though? Why do it yourself? Your men talk about you, they talk about your miracle with words and how you work day and night at the museum. Why leave it when you have so much else to do?”
Jared looked at him, trying to understand what Jensen was looking for. “It’s something different, something out of the ordinary. You heard me before. I can’t leave a good mystery unsolved. I like to dig things free. I might work in the museum and spend a lot of time there doing translations, but it’s not what I love most about this. I love to be in the field, getting my hands dirty and being a part of it. I need to be there when the mystery comes to a head, need to be at the opening of things and to see where else it might lead us.”
Jensen just watched him a moment then nodded his head.
“What about you Jensen? Our talk earlier? Are you going to stay with us, or will you disappear when the storm lets go of us?”
Jensen didn’t say anything at first, but Jared could see him thinking. He didn’t know what else it might be about so he didn’t worry about it just yet. “Why do you want me here?”
“Akil says you’re good with the men, that they respect you, that you have a good reputation on digs.” He said with a shrug. “I don’t really need more men and I don’t need someone who would compete with Akil’s authority. I do need someone I can talk to though, someone that isn’t just here for orders or for pay, though I expect you to take both if you come with us.” He said with a small smile. “What I think, is that you and I could work on this mystery together. You knew about the marker here and perhaps there is more that you’ll know that I don’t. We can help each other.”
“So you want someone to help you lead these men.”
“I want someone the men trust and that I can turn to for help.”
Jensen seemed to be searching his eyes for answers and when he finally spoke it was with a brief shake of his head. “I think… I think it could be interesting to see what happens with this tomb of yours.”
“Really?”
“I am like you Jared. I can’t turn away from a good mystery.”
Jared smiled and when Jensen’s own lips turned up in answer, the light in his eyes warming with it, he couldn’t help but think for someone who had just invited along temptation, he was far too happy.
On To Chapter Six