An O'Connell introspective piece about his love for Evie. I have no idea where this came from, I haven't even watched The Mummy lately. I'm terribly sorry to all my loyal readers out there, I really should be working on Halls, but this was demanding to be written, and I just couldn't ignore it. Drabblefic.

The characters are not mine. I only wish. Please review, and enjoy!

As the hot air balloon floated away from the once oasis of Amun-shere, Rick couldn't help but stare at his wife. She's beautiful, he thought in a daze, and not for the first time. Ignoring the occasional squabble between Izzy and Jonathan over the diamond, a small smile crept over his face as he watched Evie fuss over Alex, who complained, but anyone watching could tell that he was pleased. Rick shook his head lightly as he observed them together. Only Alex would have had the brains and the strength to bring her back.

His smile widened as Evie turned to grin at him; the same impish grin she wore when she got talking about some ancient ritual that no living person could hope to understand, or even want to recreate.

He could understand how they had fallen in love, both in this life and their previous, but how had they found each other again? Had Ardeth been right? Had fate thrust them together because of his devotion and desire to protect this woman, this princess?

His smile faltered as visions of that same smile, the same woman, but a vastly different backdrop assaulted him. Gold shimmered faintly behind the woman he loved, encased in white linen and kohl lined dark eyes. He blinked, and the image was gone.

Ardeth was right, he decided. He had always known her; their paths were intertwined for all eternity. He was destined to be her protector, her warrior throughout the ages. He guarded her for his pharaoh, always at arm's length to the woman he had come to know and love, and now he guarded her as his wife.

Her laugh, carefree and easy broke through his musing, just in time to see Jonathan get a palm branch to the face, courtesy of Izzy due to the Englishman's itchy fingers. Alex broke out into a grin, and settled back against his mother, who absently ran her fingers through his hair. She was watching Rick again, a vaguely troubled expression floating across his uncommonly serious face.

Gently working her way out from Alex, Evie silently made her way to her husband, watching as his expression cleared as she approached.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked him quietly, as he turned to look over the edge of the balloon.

"I'm thinking I don't wanna loose you again." He replied, equally softly, blue eyes assessing her. Evie's lips curved upwards into a soft smile, and she slipped her hand into his.

"That's not going to happen anytime soon." She told him, eyes scanning the desert below. They fell into a comfortable silence, both watching the dunes as they quietly sailed across the sky.

"I remember." Rick whispered, so softly Evie could barely hear him. She looked at him, inquisitive. He smiled, and tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

"Remember what?" She asked, dark eyes scanning his face.

"Nefertiri, I was your personal bodyguard. I remember." Rick replied, gently stroking the side of her face. She nodded, completely unsurprised by his words.

"I remember, too."

"Three thousand years later, and I'm still in love with you." He murmured as he drew her closer. Evie smiled, eyes sliding shut.

"I know." She breathed, before he sealed his mouth over hers.

This is my first fic in The Mummyverse, so please be gentle. Cookies and protective charms to reviewers.

~le freak