Warnings: HAU, M/M sex, violence, swearing, possible humor, blatant use of movie misquotes, OOC, varying chapter lengths. UNBETA'D
Rating:Overall NC17 Individual Chapters PG to NC17
Pairing: 100% S/X (Is there any other?)
Author: Naughty_Fae
Comments: Comment if you want to, though it would be nice to know someone is reading it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, everything belongs to someone who is not me. I write for fun not profit.
Note 1: This follows the general plot of the film with a few important deviations!
Note 2: My heartfelt thanks go out to my dear friend Bmblbee, for holding my hand through the writing and posting process. *Hugs*
Note 3: This is a plot driven story. What sex there is happens in the natural course of the plot and as part of Spike and Xander's ongoing relationship.
Summary: Alexander Harris is a highly successful author of romantic novels under the pen name Xander Harris. When he met William 'Spike' Stone a roughish soldier of fortune, his life changed forever. He left the safety and familiarity of Sunndydale to join Spike sailing the World. Writers block and the offer of a commission to write the Biography of Omar Khalifa, soon to be proclaimed Emperor lures him from the arms of Spike and he travels to the banks of the Nile. When things start to go wrong he has to rely on Spike to save him. But will he?
This is a sequel to Romancing The Stone, but can be read on it's own.
Chapter 7/23 + Epilogue (This is not a WIP. One Chapter will be posted daily, until complete.)
Rating:NC17
Chapter 7/23 + Epilogue
Rating: NC17 Overall
Xander wandered through the crowded street. On all sides his senses were assaulted by strange sights, sounds and smells, behind him walked four, black uniformed and turbaned soldiers, Rashid had arranged as his escort.
He took photos, but each time he stopped to talk to the people the soldiers came forward and the people shook their heads dumbly. His research was getting nowhere. He stopped to photograph a snake charmer with his hooded cobra, as he adjusted focus there was shouting. He looked up to see a boy of about ten start to run, he'd been writing something on a wall, the soldiers gave chase and he was horrified when they began firing at the boy. Xander ran after the soldiers. "Hey stop that! He's a kid! Stop!" He yelled but they took no notice, he slowed as the boy and the soldiers disappeared in the maze of dusty streets. He walked back to see the snake charmer placing the lid on his basket and prepare to leave.
"Excuse me, do you speak English?"
The man looked around furtively and nodded.
"Can you tell me what it says there, on the wall?"
"Eid lana Al- Jawhara."
"In English?"
"Give back the jewel," he answered nervously.
"Jewel? What jewel?" Xander frowned in confusion.
"The Jewel Of The Nile, I must go now," the man hurried away.
Xander turned and raised his camera and took a photo of the wall, the soldier snatched the camera from his hand. "Hey! That's mine!" Xander grabbed for the camera but another soldier held him back. The soldier opened the camera and pulled out the film then he handed the camera back.
"A thousand pardons."
Xander snatched back the camera. "Oh yeah? Well we'll see what The Prince has to say about it, pal."
Xander followed Omar through the palace. "If you don't explain what is going on, I'm on the next plane out of here."
"That is impossible," Omar smiled. "tomorrow we journey to Kadir. You must be there it will be the most important chapter."
"I can't write the book if you keep secrets from me."
"Secrets? What secrets?"
"Why someone tried to kill you, why your soldiers shot at a boy for writing on a wall, why no-one will talk to me, why your adoring people throw rotten fruit at you and what is The Jewel?"
The Prince turned.
"The jewel is a legend amongst some of the region's tribes; I on the other hand am real. Do not be distracted from your purpose. Make yourself comfortable, you will stay until our book is done." Xander's stomach twisted. "You can't force me to stay here." The Prince gestured. "You are free to go. I regret I can neither provide transport nor an escort. You are familiar with navigating through the desert? Even if you reach one of the encampments, there is no guarantee your reception will be friendly."
They'd traveled steadily into the desert for several hours, it was late afternoon and still the sun beat down. Spike had tied his jacket as a makeshift turban round his head and one of the men had given Oz a scarf. Spike grimaced. His arse hurt, he clung to the front of the saddle as he lurched, swayed and bounced as Humphrey trotted along behind the other camels and horses.
Oz's teeth rattled as he bounced and swayed, alternately clinging to the front of his seat and Spike. "I gotta get off this thing, it's breaking my ass."
"Quit grabbing at me and bitching!"
"I can't take it any longer Stone, for the love of God." Oz moaned.
Spike looked up and a light appeared in his eye. Salvation!.
In the distance he saw an encampment of black tents. "Oz, I think we're there."
As if on cue Humphrey broke into a loping gallop.
"Stone! What the Hell did you do?" Oz screeched grabbing Spike around the waist in a death grip.
Spike lurched backward and forward. "Me? Why does everyone blame me?" Desperately he clung on.
"You're driving! Brake!"
Spike heaved on the reins.
Humphrey went faster.
Humphery galloped into the encampment and swung sharp left. Spike and Oz exited right.
Spike sailed through the air and landed in the sand with a painful 'Ooomph' at Tarak's feet.
Humphrey sat down and blew a bubble.
Spike crawled to his knees.
Oz lay on his back in the sand. "Am I dead?" He mumbled. "No such luck mate." Spike staggered to his feet.
"We have food, we have drink, we have women, we have men, entertainment, soft skins to sleep on." Tarak grinned.
Oz raised his head. "Have you a toilet, doctor and rubber ring?"
Tarak laughed. "You are welcome here." He pulled Oz up. "Tomorrow you will go into Omar's Palace and find out where the Jewel is."
Oz and Spike looked at each other.