Disclaimer: There's a reason why this is on a fanfiction site...

When Irene first approached her brother with the request of "Teach me how to use a gun", Rick choked on his drink and shattered his teacup. Never in a million years did he expect those words to come out of his very anti-violent sister's mouth. It was almost as bad as the time Evie had announced that she was pregnant at the dinner table.

That time, too, the O'Connells had lost a few china tableware. Not that it mattered much, with the treasure they had obtained at Hamunaptra - courtesy of Beni - though Jonathan had ended up in a coughing fit and had Irene burst into tears.

"I want...I want to at least be able to use the gun if he's is in danger. What good would I be if all I can do is carry it?" Irene had argued, in an attempt to persuade her brother to help her. She was beyond relieved when he had finally agreed.

Of course, the process of learning how to use a gun was a whole different matter. Irene considered herself decent at following instructions, and she was soon able to load bullets and take care of guns quite easily. But aiming was not her forte.

The first time she tried to shoot the target, her hands shook so much that the bullet almost hit the vase that was in a very different location from the target. It didn't get better the second time, or the third, or the fourth. Irene had practiced for over two months, yet there still had been no progress, until Rick, very exasperatedly, told her to "Imagine you are trying to save the life of the one you love most, but if you hit anywhere else besides the target, it'll end up killing him."

It worked wonders.

Anyway, back to the present.

Irene hummed to herself as she dusted the wall again, waiting for Rick to return from another treasure-hunting expedition (something about a bracelet that was connected to a vision Evie was having). Over the years, she had become sort of the O'Connells' personal maid, and she was happy to do the housework as long as she could stay with Rick. She hadn't wished to return to her life in America, especially since she was jobless and alone, while she had actual family in England. And it was slightly closer to Egypt.

Irene had to admit that Egypt stole her heart. Not exactly Egypt herself, per se, but one of the country's inhabitants. A dark, mysterious, and not to mention handsome man by the name of Ardeth Bay.

Sighing, Irene's hand subconsciously reached for the handgun resting on her belt. She had developed a habit of checking it to make sure that it was still there.

A few years had passed since her journey to Hamunaptra, and she hadn't seen Ardeth once since then. She missed him terribly, so much that it hurt. But she had faith in him and believed that they would meet again some day, and turned down every man who showed interest in her. At least Rick didn't seem to mind her choices - he had learned to appreciate the Medjai for who he is.

The sound of the front door opening caused Irene to stop what she was doing and run toward the sound. She grinned as she saw who it was - "Rick, you're back!" she greeted them warmly.

She would have hugged him if it was not for the fact that he was carrying practically a dozen bags, so she didn't think Rick or their luggage would like it very much. She opted to hug her nephew instead.

"Omph! Aunt Rena - too tight!" Alex gasped, squirming in her arms.

Rick gave her a look - which she had learned to mean 'Keep an eye on him while we do our own thing' - before ushering Evie into the house. Irene shook her head as she watched them leave. They were married for over eight years, but still acted like they were on their first honeymoon.

She released Alex and ruffled his hair. "How'd your trip go, Alex? You promised you would tell your auntie all about it when you come back!"

"We found it!" Alex told her with a triumphant grin, gesturing at the chest that was still sitting in the doorway. "Well, Mum and Dad did most of the work," he added, bending down to carry the chest into the room.

"Good for you!" Irene praised, a grin almost identical to Alex's plastered on her face as she followed him inside.

Alex only grunted, struggling to carry the chest. "Mum!" he called out, "What do I do with this chest? Sucker weighs a goddang ton," he complained.

Irene didn't need to scold him - Evie was already on it. "Alex, watch your language!" she reprimanded from the second floor.

"Rather weighty, this," Alex corrected immediately, and Irene couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"You can put it there," Irene suggested, nodding at the small table in the living room, and Alex was more than happy to set it on the table.

But just as the two were about to leave, Alex stopped and turned back toward the chest. "Did you hear that, Aunt Rena?"

"Hear what?" Irene asked, tensing.

"A noise," Alex said, slowly walking back toward the chest as though he had been possessed.

"Alex, perhaps it might not be a good idea to open that," Irene began, having had plenty of experience when it came to opening ancient, cursed, chests.

Paying attention to her, however, was the last thing on Alex's mind as he clicked the box open with the key. "Whoa," he breathed as the bracelet was revealed, and with a look at Irene, Alex took it out and cautiously placed it on his arm. He let out a gasp when it snapped shut around his wrist, and his eyes widened as he saw something in front of him.

Irene had a feeling that whatever was happening wasn't good.

"Ugh! How do you get this thing off?" Alex exclaimed suddenly. Irene bent down and attempted to help, but no matter what they did, it wouldn't budge from his arm.

Yup, this definitely wasn't good.

"Don't tell Mum and Dad just yet. Please, Aunt Rena?" Alex begged, just as Rick's voice rang out, "Watch him for another five minutes, Rena!"

"Sure thing!" Irene responded, hoping her voice didn't sound strained. At least nothing has happened yet, she told herself. If it got worse, she would definitely tell Rick and Evie, but at least Alex's life didn't seem to be in danger.

Alex quickly slid his sleeve down to hide the bracelet, and stuffed a trophy into the chest before shutting it as Evie entered the room, holding onto a book. "Happy to be home?" she asked.

"Couldn't be happier. It's nice to see Aunt Rena again," Alex answered promptly, exchanging a glance with Irene.

She shuffled beside him. Irene hated keeping secrets, especially when it came to family members, and she was beginning to wonder whether she should say anything. She opened her mouth to inform Evie, but before she could, Evie held out her book to Alex. "It's the Year of the Scorpion," she explained with a smile.

"Neat!" Alex commented, taking the book from her.

"Thought you might like that," Evie said. She nodded to Irene in greeting before turning to study the chest, only to frown when she noticed that the key was missing. "Rena, did you see where the key went?"

Alex tugged at Irene's sleeve and shook his head. So he must have hid it, Irene realized. The kid was certainly a lot smarter than others his age. "Er, no," she mumbled. "Alex carried the box in."

It wasn't exactly a lie.

"Did you hide the key, Alex?" Evie asked, bending down to check the pockets in his jacket.

"Of course not! I just can't find it," Alex told her.

"Alex, I'm serious. If you've lost that key, you're grounded," Evie warned.

"I haven't lost it, I just can't find it. There's a difference. Right, Aunt Rena?" Alex argued, turning to his aunt for confirmation.

Maybe I'm spoiling him too much, Irene thought. But then again, her nephew was just too darn adorable. "I suppose," she mumbled, not fully agreeing with him yet not denying it, either.

"Well, you better start finding it, then. And don't bring your aunt into this," Evie ordered.

"I will, Mum. There's nothing to worry about," Alex reassured her hastily, giving Irene another look as he spoke.

Perhaps I really should warn Evie, Irene thought again, but unfamiliar footsteps interrupted them. "Good evening," the owner of the footsteps greeted, stepping into the room. He wore a distinct red scarf around his neck.

Irene stiffened. Compared to the bracelet problem, this was much, much worse. It wasn't everyday a stranger broke into your house, after all.

Evie pushed Alex back between her and Irene. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" she demanded coolly.

Thunder rumbled throughout the house.

"I'm looking for the chest, of course," the man said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Alex picked up the box in an attempt to hide it from him. "Give it to me now," the man continued threateningly, wordlessly warning them that there would be consequences if they refused to follow orders.

Evie strode across the room and snatched out the sword hanging on the bookshelf. "Get. Out. Of. My. House," she growled, holding the sword in front of her.

"Whoa, Mum. Maybe not the best idea," Alex stated, but Evie pushed him behind her.

Irene stared at her, wide-eyed. When had her sister-in-law suddenly learned to wield a sword like that? "Rena, take care of Alex," Evie said.

"I'm on it," Irene promised, pulling out Ardeth's gun. She didn't want to use it, but it didn't seem like there was another choice. Protecting Alex was more important.

"That gun," the man noted, his eyes widening slightly. "It's...familiar. Not that it matters, though." he laughed humorlessly as men wearing the same garments stepped out behind him.

Alex backed away slowly. "Definitely not a good idea," he pointed out. "Think it's time to yell for Dad now."

"Now, I would kill you and take it anyway," the man threatened, taking a step forward.

Irene shivered. Without Rick here, who knew how long they could fight back? Despite being able to use the gun, Irene had no other fighting skills, and she still liked to avoid violence if possible. And just what was that brother of hers doing, anyway?

It was then that the heavy-accented voice Irene knew so well cut in, "I think not."

Irene's mouth dropped open in surprise as Ardeth himself stepped into the room. Irene stumbled back, her arm shaking. After all this time, after all these years, he had come back...No doubt she was staring at him like an idiot.

Irene felt Alex nudge her. "Is he why you always turn down all those other men?"

"Y-You'll understand when you're older," she managed in a small voice. If she wasn't in her current situation, she would definitely have hugged him...But he appeared to be unwelcomed by the other men, for they drew out their swords upon his arrival.

"Ardeth, what are you doing here?" Evie queried, stepping in when it became apparent that Irene had lost the ability to speak.

"Perhaps explanations are best kept for later," he answered, casting a sideways glance at Irene.

The first intruder raised an eyebrow. "I figured you had some connection with them when that girl brought out the gun, Ardeth Bay."

"Lock-Nah," Ardeth returned in the same dangerous tone.

Yup, Irene decided as she watched them interact, they're definitely not on friendly terms. Groaning inwardly, she realized that whatever greeting she had been hoping for when she next met Ardeth would have to be postponed...

Oh, why couldn't she ever live a more peaceful life?

A/n: I couldn't stop myself from starting the story even though I'll probably be more busy in the next few weeks. Hope you'll like it as much as the first story!

Leave a review and let me know what you think? ;)