"You never texted me back!"

Rose had jumped Thea as soon as she had set foot in the door. Thea laughed, and Rose blinked at her, surprised. Suspiciously, Rose handed her coffee.

"You're awfully chipper for seven in the morning with zero coffee."

"Oh Rose," Thea replied with a happy sigh, "I had the most wonderful dream last night!"

"Did it involve a tall drink of water of a man?"

"Yes, but that's not what made it so amazing."

"Of course not," Rose muttered.

"I had the most splendid, extremely vivid dream I was in Ancient Egypt," Thea gushed.

"Sounds exhilarating," Rose said with dry sarcasm.

"Did you know," Thea continued, ignoring her, "that the pyramids used to be--"

"Boring," Rose cut her off, earning her a glare. "I want to hear more about this man."

"Why do you care?" Thea asked contentiously, crinkling her nose. "I thought you didn't bat for that team?"

"I don't, but I know you do! I just want to make sure your lady bits aren't as dusty as the sands of Egypt."

"Rose!" Thea snapped, turning a deep shade of crimson.

Rose stopped walking, taking Thea by the shoulders. She looked at her seriously now. "I'm worried about you."

Thea tried to walk away but Rose yanked her back into place. "Hey, Thea. I'm serious."

Thea rose her eyebrows.

Rose let her arms drop to her sides, and she looked at the floor. "All I'm saying is there's more to life than this museum, Thea."

"While I appreciate your concern," Thea replied with a mischievous grin, "I assure you, my lady bits are in proper working order, thank you."

"Come on. When was the last time you had a boyfriend?"

Thea now rolled her eyes and continued walking. "You're worse than my mother."

"I'm just saying that pretty soon I'm going to be showing people your exhibit with your stuffed-ass carcass behind glass."

"And I'm just saying," Thea retorted, starting to get annoyed, "that I have more important things to worry about than men. Just because I'm female doesn't mean my life revolves around being married off."

"I know that." Rose shuddered dramatically. "Don't say the 'm' word around me."

"What--married or monogamy?"

"Either or," Rose replied with a laugh.

"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you yet again with the fact that I'm not a slut like you."

Rose stopped walking and gasped loudly and dramatically. "Thea!"

Thea stopped walking and grinned. "Oh come on. You yourself have said as much."

Rose stepped forward, and the pair continued on their way. "I know, thus my shock. That's the highest compliment you've ever paid me I think, dear Thea!"

Thea chortled and threw her head back. Just then the pair came upon where they parted ways. Rose briefly touched Thea's forearm. "I heard you have a new co-worker?"

Thea moaned loudly. "Don't remind me."

"That bad?"

"He's--"

"He?"

Thea glared. "Stop it. He's as bad as I am."

Rose made a pained face, eyes wide, and hurried off. Thea laughed. Rose waved over her shoulder but didn't stop walking. Thea sipped her coffee and continued to the labs.

"Oh."

Ahmed rose his head. He grinned. "Good morning!"

"How did you get in?" Thea asked, not even attempting to mask the thick annoyance in her voice.

Ahmed pulled on his retractable key-card I.D. badge. "Remember?"

Thea sighed quietly and came in, setting her things down. She was surprised to see Vase Number One was nearly completely intact. Adjusting her glasses she stalked forward, snapping on gloves, and swiveling the piece every which way. Thea wanted so desperately to find something wrong with it, but she couldn't.

Ahmed watched her as she made a noncommittal noise and then walked towards her office. She felt his eyes burning into her back the entire way. Thea ignored the feeling, putting down her personal affects on her desk and sitting down. She opened up her drawer and pulled out a file. However, she paused, half hunched over.

Ahmed stood in the doorway. She didn't even need to look to know he was there. When she finally did lift her eyes, he was leaning against the door frame.

"I'm sorry," Ahmed said genuinely, "did I...do something wrong?"

Thea shut her eyes a moment and composed herself. "No Ahmed, you've done nothing wrong."

"I'm very sorry, I just was eager--"

"Ahmed," she interrupted him. Thea offered a small smile. "Really. You did nothing wrong. I just..."

Ahmed rose his eyebrows. "What?"

Thea tucked her hair behind her ear. "I'm admittedly not used to working with other people. So please forgive me if I'm..."

Ahmed grinned. "You trail off a lot."

"Cold."

Ahmed smirked. "Cold? Demanding, controlling...but cold? No."

"Thank you? I think?"

Ahmed laughed. He then walked into the room fully. When he reached her desk, he held out his hand, smiling. "I'm sorry--I think we may have started on the wrong footing. May we start over?"

Thea took his hand and shook it, smiling.

"My name is Ahmed, and I am looking forward to working besides you."

"Thea," she replied, now beaming, "and I think your work on Vase Number One is impressive."

~

For the second time in as many days, Thea opened her eyes to unknown surroundings. She was in a large building made of sleek granite. Confused, she sat up and looked around herself.

She was on a purple velvet couch. To the right was an armoire of sorts. The wind blew and she shivered. The room she was in didn't have walls. Instead the structure was held up by massive pillars, which were draped in linen as a faux walls.

Thea got to her feet (surprised that they held simple sandals), padding over to one of the drapes. Pulling it back, her breath caught in her throat. Once again her vision was greeted by the sublime pyramids.

"To what pleasure do I owe this second visit to?"

Thea birled, eyes wide. Standing at the entrance of this building was the man from the dream. Thea was at a loss for words.

"Are you following me?" the man asked, walking slowly towards her. It was said in a lighthearted manner, yet there was an underlying bite to it that was nothing but serious.

"Are you following me?" Thea retorted, knowing she was dreaming again.

He looked slightly confused. "You're in my monument; why would I be following you?"

Thea blinked. "Monument?"

The man stopped walking. Suddenly, he didn't seem as sure of himself. Suddenly he seemed to falter, and he looked downright worried.

"I'm sorry," Thea said quickly, hoping to put him at ease. "I don't remember your name."

"It's Ankhenaten," he replied simply. He seemed to relax a little. "But you may call me Ankh, should you wish."

Thea couldn't help herself--she smiled. It was a little known fact that there were several records showing that Ancient Egyptians partook in nicknames. "I appreciate that honor, Ankh."

"What are you doing here?" Ankh asked, still looking slightly alarmed. He took a small step backwards.

"I'm sorry," Thea replied desperately. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"Do you know who I am?"

Thea blinked. "Well, you just told me your name..."

A serious expression took over Ankh's face, and he appeared to be weighing something in his mind. Thea gulped. Ankh took a step forward, scrutinizing her. Thea took an unsure step back.

"Where are you from?" he asked, peering into her eyes.

Thea blinked. "I'm from--"

Beep, beep, beep.

Moaning, Thea flailed her arm out and shut of her alarm. For a moment she laid how she was, face down, refusing to open her eyes. She didn't want to be awake. She wanted to stay asleep with Ankh, forever.