Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2021 05:43:19 -0500
From: Richard McQueen <mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com>
Subject: Blueblood, Chapter 27 BB27 Cairo

Story: Blueblood

Chapter 27 Cairo

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Adult Readers, Sexual Situations, Sex

Freedom of expression is precious. To do that Nifty needs help. Your
donation is greatly desired. Give to http://donate.nifty.org/ or this story
ends and all the others! That would be a crime!

Cairo

Colin frowned. "Mister Big Bucks?" He said looking not too sure.

Mark nodded. "Huge bucks! You're not just a man with money..." he shook his
head. "No, you're a man with a hell of a whole lot of money! Above everyone
else, whether they see that or not. You will be expecting them to treat you
that way. It's understood! You're a billionaire!"

Colin shook his head. "I've not really done anything like that."

Mark looked as to why we couldn't understand what he was saying. "Yes, you
did!" He waved at the house that surrounding us. "You went on TV showing
everyone what you have. Now you just have to do it a little more...a little
grander." He smiled. "Get off the plane like you own or could buy
everything you see."

Colin laughed at Mark's expression. "I guess I'm as guilty as others not
trusting anyone. Being low keyed and hiding, slinking through shadows
unseen is how I'm used operating." He shrugged.

Mark nodded. "We had this visiting...whatever...sheik or some big shot over
from the Middle East. He came with four of his ten wives! Ten wives! He
hadn't given a thought about whether or not we supported or even agreed
with his life or lifestyle. He didn't care. He just assumed we wouldn't
care either." Mark grinned. "You do the same. Religion or personal beliefs
weren't a consideration. We just...did it." He shrugged.

I nodded. "That's what we're going to do." I grinned. "I like a low profile
myself, but..." I shrugged. "Now I get to see how the one percent live." I
smiled.

Wayne chuckled. "You'll be royal."

Mark nodded. "They won't care about the sex part. I'm willing to bet many
will give themselves sexually to both of you!" His eyebrows danced when he
said that.


The next week, we had Ursula from Holms' Laboratories call the Cairo Museum
of Egyptology and asked for the curator to call her back about a visit from
Colin Wentworth. She did that as her computer broadcast the video of her
calling to us. Tad Morsi was the curator's name. He was a man in his
fifties and pretty sure he didn't care if Colin Wentworth came or not. Yet
somehow, she piqued his interest when she shrugged and said she guessed he
didn't need help translating things. That Mr. Wentworth would be happy to
bring his new interest in translating other pyramid writings in Central
America. She was sure everyone there was fluent in reading the
hieroglyphics. She was sorry for wasting his time. She looked at the
computer's camera. "He'll call back. I bluffed." She had left her name and
the name of the company Colin and George had and left him with that. It was
two days later when Mr. Morsi called back. He apparently saw a little of
Holms Laboratories history and accomplishments. It seemed he was
curious. Doing the search about Colin, there wasn't a lot about Colin. Only
his name and his worth, which was a lot. He was thinking Colin could come
and show his computer and use the program. He was calling her bluff. Ursula
smiled and said she would pass it along, but Mr. Wentworth was looking
elsewhere. I got the feeling you didn't play poker with Ursula. You'd lose.

I smiled when Colin was called to the phone.

"It's Tad Morsi. He's calling from Egypt." Robert said handing Colin the
phone.

"I'll be right back," Colin said and rushed into the other room and got one
of the devices we had programmed to use to translate and handed me one to
hear. "Hello, Mr. Morsi." He said and he heard it translated "marahabal
sade morsi" in Arabic.

"hill tethedth larbia?" The man said in his native language. You speak
Arabic?

"La arid," Colin said. "Anna osthedm bernamg dilkenzie lelthadth maak." No,
I don't. I'm using the Delkenzie Program to speak with you.

Mr. Morsi paused. "But I speak English." He said in English.

"But I don't speak Arabic," Colin explained. "I want to make sure I'm
understood. It's the only way to be sure there's no miscommunication."

"I see." Mr. Morsi said again. "We have computers that can translate."

"Hieroglyphics?" Colin asked.

"We use computers for that, too." Mr. Morsi said.

"Right, so you're not interested?" Colin asked. "Are these computers taking
a while to translate? And the translation is assisted by humans to
straighten out the bugs?"

"It's part of the program. Certain words need human decisions." Mr. Morsi
said.

"I see. I guess there are many there that can translate those writings."
Colin said. "Well, I'm off to Mexico. Translating the Mayan Language was of
interest to the government and universities there."

"But your program is faster? More reliable?"

Colin smiled at me. "That's why we wanted to come there to see. You weren't
interested in Delkenzie software. My computers and the program might be
faster and more thorough, but you weren't interested. We'll never know."

There was a pause. "I would be happy to show you some tomb writings."

"That's okay," Colin said. You didn't play poker with him either. "I'm sure
translating isn't a problem there. I'm sorry I wasted your time."

"Fine," The man knew he had to get this program. "I'd really like to see
this program and your computer work. There are people that can read the
writing in tombs, but it's up to the perception and knowledge of the
reader." He took a deep breath. "Please come."

Colin looked at me and winked. "I suppose we could."

"I'll make arrangements for a hotel." Mr. Morsi said.

"That's okay," Colin said. "We can make our own arrangements. We wouldn't
impose on you for my business."

"No! I insist."

Colin nodded. "Well, I won't be coming alone. There will be fourteen of
us. We need to bring our equipment and a secure place to keep it."

"Fourteen!?"

"Do you think I'd come alone?" Colin asked. "As I said, we'll make our own
arrangements. We pay our own way."

There was the inhale and then another pause. "No." He said. "My brother
works in the government. I'm sure I'll find something that will work."

"Well..." Colin said like he was thinking.

"Again, I insist." Mr. Morsi said.

"Fine," Colin said. "I'll call you before we arrive. I have to get my
equipment and pick up the others. I'll be in touch. Have a good day." Colin
said and hung up. "We're in!!"

I grinned. "And you can't lie? I never want to face you or Ursula in
cards."

"Well, business is a game and I know how to play the game." Colin looked
sheepish. "When necessary, I can bluff. I guess I can lie, but I'm not
comfortable with it." He smiled. "I never lie to you." He stressed to me.

I smiled. "How do I know you're not lying now?" I would enjoy this.

Colin looked a little alarmed. "I can't lie to you! You know that!"

"Relax." I came closer to him bringing him kissing him gently. "I believe
you."

Colin nodded, but not convinced. Still, he moved on. "I'll call your Mom
and Willie. Have them meet us in Manhattan." He pulled me close. "And
then...you and I are going shopping."

I nodded. "I know," I said rolling my eyes. I looked at him again. "Don't
the rich have them come to us?"

Colin shrugged. "I don't know!"

It was another week before we went back to New York. We came through the
VUN and Colin said. "And we're off again, back to another time zone."

"We're not suffering too much," I said smiling as we went down to our
apartment.

Colin consulted a few people at VUN. We were told to make the best impact;
our clothing should be custom made. We looked for a good man that could do
that and one name came up. A man that could make anything. He had worked as
a young man for two top designers and was branching out on his own now. We
both liked what we'd seen he had done and wanted his look. At first, he
wouldn't even come, but when Colin said he'd back his new collection and
help finance him for the next few years. He came.

He wasn't what I expected. He designed clothes!? Wasn't it expected that he
would be light in the loafers? (Gay!) I was as bad as everyone else. I had
my vision of what gay men were like. He wore a simple pair of jeans and a
t-shirt covered by a leather jacket. Then he started talking and I heard a
slight accent. He was German-Italian. His mother had been Italian, his
father was German. Seeing him I could put him in a pair of overalls and on
the back of a tractor.

He had black hair, but fair skin. He walked around us as he looked us
critically up and down. He was not a tall man; he was an inch or two
shorter than I was. "Well, we have something to work with." The man took my
right arm and held it out. To see the length? "Good form. Nice bone
structure." He said looking at my face and then went to Colin.

"We need this pretty quickly, Mr. Kurtz," Colin said. "We're going overseas
in two weeks."

The man smiled. "Gio."

Colin blinked and moved his head forward slightly. "I beg your pardon?"

The man chuckled. "That's my name. Gio Kurtz." He smiled. "The combination
of both my parents. My mother's father's name and my father's last name."
He gave a grudging nod. "It can be a volatile combination."

"Your heritage?" I asked.

He nodded. "And my parents." He laughed.

"They didn't get along?" Colin asked.

Gio shrugged. "It depends on the season." He grinned. "They've married five
times."

"Five times!?" I asked.

"Well, they've married others, but somehow they come back and marry each
other. They have ten between the two of them. Five of them are to each
other." He chuckled. "They are currently unmarried at all, but they'll
marry again to each other. They love each other, but..."

"And you?" I asked looking at his left hand with a wedding ring. "You're
married."

He nodded. "Currently." He smiled. "I'm only on number three."

Colin looked surprised. "You're how old?"

Gio grinned. "Oh, let's not go there." He chuckled. "I met the first wife
when I was twenty. I married Carl, my husband, at twenty-seven. I'm married
to Marta now." He looked again at us. "I can do it." He smiled again. "I
will do it." He looked at Colin. "Two weeks?"

Colin nodded. "Two weeks."

"Okay." Gio nodded. "I'll get my crew busy. It will be ready." He
smiled. "You're backing my new line; how can I say no?" He looked at
us. "Three suits each and the more casual clothing? I need measurements for
each of you." He waved at our feet. "I have a colleague that does the
footwear."

Colin nodded. "It's just important they be impressed."

Gio smiled. "They will be."

"And other clothes made while we're there," I added.

"Done," Gio said. "Can I ask the climate?"

"Egypt. Desert." Colin said. "Dry, but seeing that it's nearly winter, it
won't be too hot." He smiled. "It's business."

Gio nodded. "It will be ready."


We got other things together for our trip. All the equipment needed was
gotten together and my mother and Willie returned to New York.

I greeted Mom. "How's married life?"

She smiled. "I highly recommend it." Then she frowned. "We're going further
while we're here."

I nodded. "The turning into...?"

She nodded. "Willie's having the disc removed today." She looked at
me. "Are you okay with this?"

I nodded, but a little hesitantly. "Okay with it? Not really, but I did it
willingly. I know it needs to happen for you and Willie to have any
future."

She smiled. "And I am doing it willingly."

"If anything happens to cut the serum off. You'll be a bloodsucker. So,
will I."

"We need to make sure it's not cut off." Mom said.

"It takes a couple of days before Willie reverts to being a vampire," I
said. "He can do it then." I grinned at her. "He really loves you, if he's
willing to go through the week of Hell afterward." I looked at her
closer. "And you have no idea what it's like, but you will."

Mom laughed. "According to Sarah in England, it's like labor." She
nodded. "Nonstop labor for hours. I've done that."

I frowned knowing I was the cause of her pain. "You poor thing," I said
hugging her.

Mom laughed hugging me back. "Oh, it's over. I got you and now, I'll get
Willie! I love him."

"It's still a huge, scary step," I reminded. "But love makes it better." I
smiled and kissed her. I knew the emotion. I love Colin that way.


There is no ceremony for this sort of thing. A vampire becoming a full
vampire, biting his love, and then going back on the serum. Willie shut
himself in the room he and my mother shared. I knew what was happening when
Mom didn't bring food to Willie.

It was night when Mom and Willie went to one of the protective rooms we had
for full vampires at VUN. I made sure all the cameras were off to the room
as Mom closed the door behind her. Willie was starting to fidget as his
nature was reinserting itself. He was a full vampire now.  Colin took my
arm and brought me close to him and wrapped his arms around me. "You look
worried."

"Naturally I am." I waved at the closed door. "My mother is becoming a
vampire!" I said. "You told me Willie never hunted a human before. He may
find her blood too tempting to stop!"

Colin nodded. "That won't happen." He looked me in the eyes. "It is
tempting. Could it happen? Yes, but it won't." He assured. "It doesn't take
much venom for her to become a vampire. Willie loves your mother. Did you
doubt I would stop?"

"No," I said grudgingly. "I knew you'd stop."

"Because you knew I loved you." Colin nodded. "So, does Willie. He loves
her. He'll stop."


I was tempted to wait right outside the room, but Colin pulled me away and
took me to get something to eat. Naturally. I ate but was not that
interested in the food.

"It will be fine, Devon," Colin said smiling as he took my hand.

I could just nod.


The next night at sunset we went to the room where my parents were. We
carried the needed blood they would crave. I knocked on the door which was
opened with both my mother and Willie standing there. I didn't need my
senses to tell it worked. My mother's eyes were dry as they always were
with a vampire. The wound on her neck was healing. I saw they were holding
hands.

I smiled at them. "Well, here's the blood," I said offering them to bags of
blood.

"Thank you." Mom said taking her bag of blood. She was still not certain
until she opened the port and the scent of the blood hit her. She began to
drink greedily.

Willie drank his and smiled. "We're ready for the serum."

I nodded. "George will begin that tomorrow night."

I smiled at Mom. "How are you, Mrs. Kalinowski?"

She chuckled. "I feel...Polish."

I smiled with a chuckle. "Better than Scottish?"

Mom grinned. "You know I loved your father." She reminded me. "But he's
been..."

I stopped her. "I'm fine with it," I assured. "I know you loved Dad. I also
know you love my new Dad." I said touching Willie's arm. "And you are my
Dad now."

Willie smiled. "I know." He hugged me. "I love you, too."

I gave Mom my grin when I was about to be a smartass. "You know...your hair
still grows." I pointed to her head. "Even though you swear you don't. You
still will have to use that stuff you don't use to keep your hair that
color."

Mom smiled and hugged me.

"Welcome to the family," Colin said coming up and hugging her. "First when
I married Devon, then when you married Willie and now...you're one of us."

I nodded. "Forever," I added. "Or until George finds that way to reverse
the venom."

That week was agony again for me, more so for Mom and Willie. By the end of
the week, Mom and Willie were back. Colin called Tad Morsi to tell him we
were arriving at the beginning of the next week. He also emailed Amasis and
told him were we coming but didn't know where Tad Morsi was housing us. Tad
Morsi was still insisting he was making the arrangements.

Gio had brought sketches to us and we told what we wanted of the drawings
he brought. We got it all together and loaded up.

We, at last, all gathered and flew to the airport and boarded the plane,
taking off for Cairo.

Again, we crossed the ocean and landed at Cairo International
Airport. Opening the door, we stepped out to get off the plane having flown
nonstop for twelve hours or more, avoiding areas of conflict on the way.

The people of Egypt are...well...they aren't black and they aren't
white. They are beautiful people, there were a few men and woman that would
turn an eye. Science is still trying to figure out what they are. They were
people. Then again, it didn't matter. Now, they were breeding with other
races and the lines were beginning to blur. I knew of the three groups:
Caucasoid, Negroid, and Mongoloid. These people really more resembled none
specifically. I can't really say where the hell we were, except we were in
Cairo. I'd researched where we were going. I knew about the fertile area
that water from the Nile made fertile. I also knew the Sahara was right
here! The tip of it anyway. This was North Africa. We were unloading on the
tarmac and meeting a few men at the bottom.

Colin and I had changed before we landed, but I could only imagine what
someone greeting us would see. Colin was definitely taking no one's
opinions or worrying about what anyone thought. Though I have to admit,
Mark, Stan, Chuck, and Shelly with the dark sunglasses and dark suits were
going to take no prisoners. It was morning here now, but no one would give
us shit! Not with this crew.

A man came up to us. "Mr. Wentworth?" He was not a bad looking man. He
enjoyed eating. He wasn't fat, but heavier than he should be. Clearly, he
was Egyptian. Not dark, but not white or even biracial as I had seen in the
world and he was human, as the hair on his head was showing signs of losing
its grip with his head on top.

"Yes." Colin and I both said. I noticed then as Chuck and Mark came up and
stood behind me and Colin. Their faces unmoving and emotionless but scanned
the area with those dark glass covered eyes. They were our security! I
glanced back at Chuck whose mouth corner went up a split second at me but
returned to the emotionless watching.

Colin smiled at me and turned to the man. "I'm Colin Wentworth." He
said. "This is my husband, Devon Wentworth."

The man looked surprised and almost didn't complete holding his hand
out. "I see." He stammered a little. "I'm Tad Morsi."

I watched the grin appear on Colin's face, but it was not a humored
grin. It was a knowing grin. He let it go for the moment taking Mr. Morsi's
hand.

Colin raised his hand to stop Mr. Morsi. He and I both put our earpieces in
and took the device out of our pockets and clipped them to our lapels.

"Sorry," Colin said smiling. "The program works, but if someone speaks to
us in Arabic, we'll understand them and if they don't speak English, we can
in Arabic." He grinned. "There is a slight lag with verbal
conversations. The whole sentence has to be entered before it gives the
right response."

Mr. Morsi nodded. "I understand." He smiled. "Most people in Cairo speak
English. I will admit. This device...will it translate the hieroglyphics?
Make it possible for everyone to read them?"

Colin nodded. "That's what our hope is. There are people that can read
hieroglyphics. There are some that can read some of them. These devices
will make it possible for anyone to read all of them." He pulled out the
other little scanner. "With this...all they do is scan the wall and they
don't have to wait for someone to tell them what it says. They look at the
screen and it should be in whatever language they use."

"And that doesn't apply to just hieroglyphics," I added. "Any scroll,
anything written in any language can be scanned and translated for the
person reading. It makes people less dependent on others to do it for
them." I pointed to the portable scanner. "This can also possibly read
portions of walls that have faded with time. The markings are there still,
just hard to read."

Now any discomfort about Colin's and my marriage was forgotten. "We have
equipment that can do that as well." He looked at the scanner closer. "This
would be easier to carry around and use."

Colin shrugged. "Maybe." He waved at the plane. "The CPU and hardware don't
have to be with this, just joined by satellite." He said holding the
scanner. "But the scanner reads it and will translate it right here."

"Hopefully," I added again.

Colin looked back. "These are friends and family that work with me." He
motioned for George to come down the steps from the plane. "This is
Dr. George Holm. He and I started Holms Laboratories."

George nodded and shook Mr. Morsi's hand. "This little venture, I leave to
my friend Colin. I have science. He does the business."

Colin smiled at George who went back beside Burke as they stood close
together. I watched Mr. Morsi's eyes grow again. He eyes traveled over the
various couples. My Mother and Willie were together. Shelly stood
alone. Gabriella was with Alex. Stan had joined Mark, but clearly saying
they were also together.

I noticed a couple of vans there. "I thought you told him we would take
care of things," I said to Colin as I waved toward the vans.

Colin looked at the vans. "I did." He defended. "We have it handled,
Mr. Morsi." Colin waved as three limousines drove up. "I appreciate what
you've done. We have it under control. You made arrangements for us to
stay?"

Tad Morsi nodded. "I think you'll be pleased." He smiled. "The vans can
your take luggage." He looked at George. "The equipment? Can our officials
inspect them, please?"

George nodded. "Sure, but they can only look inside if I open anything."

"The equipment is very sensitive," Colin explained.

Mr. Morsi nodded. "That won't be a problem."

Everything we had was documented, including the vials of serum. Certified
and sealed by the FBI. We all were sweating them finding the serum, but
they didn't question it. Chuck and Shelly were there as the inspectors went
through our things. No facial changes just watched. Completely emotionless.


It took about an hour before we were cleared and allowed in the
limos. Luggage and other vans followed us to where Mr. Morsi told our
driver to go. Cairo was on the edge of the fertile areas of this region
right next to the Nile River which fed the fertile area. To the southwest
was desert and south was desert. We were heading northeast. I was having an
issue with what I saw. Clearly, we were not in the United States. This was
a whole new world for me. I was looking at a city that had both old
structures and modern. The people that were walking; men wore modern
clothes and those long robe-like garments. Women wore the burkas and others
didn't. There were dark-skinned people and other Egyptians that were
not. The highway was just cars and...no, I definitely would not be driving
here. This was the end of autumn and soon it would be winter so the
temperature wasn't bad. It would be cool that night but now wasn't bad at
all. We rode a little while as it soon would be mid-day. We'd left early
but lost a few hours. It should be noon here. I felt the loss of a day.

Okay, I only knew this part of the world through TV and movies. I half
expected to see Charlton Heston or Yul Brynner come around the corner! I
was waiting for something spectacular. A chariot or something. It was no
Hollywood set. The fertile area was tropical! Palm trees and plant life
everywhere here. He questioned Colin about what he was hoping to
accomplish.

"This program is used by several agencies and government including the
United Nations and companies that have to deal with other countries and
various languages. A system that can be used by the average man who isn't
so versed in languages can use it easily." Colin smiled. "No others
needed. The scanner and computers will make it very simple. And, if it
works on the hieroglyphics and other writings, it could be a great boon to
colleges, universities...with Delkenzie software and my computers, it will
make things a lot easier." Colin looked at Mr. Morsi a little more
intently. "I asked you for help because this is a venture for me, my
company. I needed your permission to come here and assistance in getting
into some places...maybe. This is my business. I am aware that there are
those that can read and understand hieroglyphics. The Rosetta Stone made
translation possible, but not everyone can and will learn to translate. I
also know that not everyone can with hieroglyphics. Streamlining
translations would be profitable for me. As good as I believe the Delkenzie
program is, testing it on something like this is important. It will help
future scholars and institutions with the translating of all documents and
spoken languages and even forgotten and unused languages today." Colin took
a breath. "I pay my own way, Mr. Morsi. I will pay for whatever you have
gotten for us to stay. You insisted you handle it, so I let you. We will
begin...with your permission...our work. We may need permits or whatever
from you or government to search and do what we need to. I was willing to
go elsewhere, but again you insisted. We can all profit from what we're
about to do."

Mr. Morsi nodded with a smile. "We can do that."

We pulled into a walled complex. The house...mansion...was huge! We pulled
to a stop in front. Whoever owned it was very, very rich.

"This mansion is...well...the owner died a year ago and right now it's in
dispute as to who inherits it." He smiled. "Right now, it is under our
government's control. It has twenty bedrooms and over forty rooms. It is
fully staffed. I think you will be comfortable here."

We got out of the cars and I looked at this mansion. It had...a different
construction. I stayed in a big house at Wentworth. I stayed at
Thornwood. This was totally different. This mansion was the color of stone
or sand. It was not a new construction but looked well maintained. It had
part of the roof that had the dome structures as you saw in many Middle
Eastern homes or Mosques. There were four floors with a flat roof spreading
out beyond the dome. There was a stone banister that lined the floors,
making a balcony/terrace that surrounded the house to see from.

Colin smiled and nodded at the house. "It looks beautiful." He looked again
at Mr. Morsi. "How long is it available? We could be a month or two."

Mr. Morsi smiled and shook his head. "That won't be a problem. The dispute
will go on for months or years. There's no hurry, but the staff need
jobs. You're being here makes that possible. If it does get resolved and
you have to move...we'll give notice to you and we will make arrangements
elsewhere. It does have a secure room for..." he waved at the truck that
had our computers and equipment in, "...for your things."

Colin nodded and took my hand. He stopped as Mr. Morsi's eyebrows rose
seeing what he did. "Oh, and one more thing," Colin said calmly and
smiled. "I noticed when I introduced my husband, your reaction was
telling...just like I saw your reaction just now. I am aware that this
country doesn't...accept people like my husband and me...that goes for you
and anyone here working now. They don't have to work for or with someone
that makes them uncomfortable."

"It's just not common here." Mr. Morsi said defensively.

Colin stiffened and smiled that smile that said he knew better. "I would
contest that it isn't common. It may be more common than you know about or
want to believe, but it does happen here." Colin continued. "I have seen on
the Internet how you treat people here like us." He looked at Mr. Morsi
more seriously. "My husband and I will behave ourselves in public, but...we
are not from this country. We are not citizens here. We're your guests. I
expect us to be treated with respect as human beings. That goes for
everyone I have with us. These people are trusted members of my family and
dear friends, including the people doing our security. Respect us, or we
leave. Have your issue with it, but if this is going to be a problem...we
can get back to the airport and leave. No problem."

Tad Morsi nodded waving us to stop. "It will be no problem. I promise."

Colin nodded and we walked up the steps to the entrance and stepped into
the house. Colin didn't let go of my hand. When we walked in...I was
stunned. The floor was polished...something. Marble? It was the color of
sand! From the entrance way, there were steps down a little. On either side
were these large statues of cats about four feet high; big cats that
shimmered gold. Next to those were the floor lamps that stood higher than
the cats. Lining the steps down to a shining floor that gleamed was a table
on either wall also had things of sculptures of sphinxlike creatures on
each desk/table in gold with the pharaoh headdress on each. They weren't
missing their noses here. The walls were stone with stone pillars that held
the ceiling up. Way up! Twenty feet at least! To the right behind the
pillars was a sitting area with large, cushioned places designed to sit,
lounge, and talk. A table between them and a couch that had ornate tables
at the sides of the couch and it was all very well-lit. There were doorway
arches on the left that went into other rooms. The whole place said
Egypt. There was a formal dining room, a less formal dining room. A full
kitchen. A study or office. And then he brought us in a covered area where
there was a huge pool. Again, there were pillars that edged the pool
holding up a domed ceiling painted to look like the blue sky and
clouds. This was no pool for children. No diving board, but you could smell
the chlorine. He showed us some of the bedrooms, one was used by the
original owner as his master bedroom. Whoever built this place had a thing
for the color of sand and stone. Now, I was seeing what I saw in the movies
like The Ten Commandments; the ornate floor that gleamed and large sitting
area in front of an enormous fireplace and everything was spread out. It
was two or three times the size of our bedroom in Wentworth. The
staff. There was a man in charge of the whole house, various housekeepers
and several that worked in the kitchen. Again, Colin said what he did to
Mr. Morsi about us and said if there was a problem with us, they should
leave now. No one left. Mr. Morsi showed us a room that could be secured
with our equipment. It took nearly two hours to unload and secure
everything and lock it up. Colin had the key and was assured that only he
had that key. It was after midnight at home in New York or Charleston when
we were finally left alone. I wasn't tired though. Colin and I said our
good nights to all that came with us and went to our room.

I grinned as Colin sat at a desk with the laptop we had hooked to the
satellite network. He gave a tired sigh. I came up behind him as he typed
to let Amasis know where we were and that we were in Egypt. I put my hands
on his shoulders and let them come over his chest from behind. He was now
smiling as he typed. "I hope I behaved as I was expected." He said.  I
laughed as I kissed the top of his head as I hugged him in his seated
position. "You had me convinced! There were moments when I forgot why we
came here in the first place."

He chuckled and hit send for his message to Amasis. "I sounded right then?"
He asked as he turned around in the chair and I felt his hands go up around
me and up my back, bringing me closer to him.

I nodded kissing him. "As I said, I almost forgot about Amasis and the
other vampires." I looked at Colin in his emerald eyes. "Maybe we should do
what we say we are."

Colin looked surprised. "We are."

I nodded. "I mean about his program. We can do all that we said. See if
this program can be used as we said. Not just looking for evidence of
vampires, but do what we said, translate everything. If we can, there could
be a market. Our computers and Mitch's program could really benefit
others."

Colin grinned as he stood up. "I know." He said kissing me more. "I've
already spoken with Mitch about licensing his program on our computers to
do just that. We really will be seeing if the program and our computers
work well. I thought of marketing a lesser version program for people to
buy and add to their current computers. I would sell a scanner and audio
device which they can attach and download the program and call it the
Language Buddy."

I grinned larger. "You have?"

He nodded smiling again more. "The program Mitch let us use is huge. It
would take up too much memory for a regular laptop or even a desktop
computer. A lesser one with few languages would take up less space. If they
wanted to add a language...that's extra. An expansion pack!" He
grinned. "Languages will not be a problem anymore."

"You'll have to include Stan in this. He came up with the name." I said.

Colin nodded. "And as the program learns and more information is loaded,
Stan will be the one to oversee that now and later if he wants. So, of
course, I'll include him." He gave a shrugging nod. "Mitch McKenzie profits
and we profit." He said backing us up toward the bed. "We really are doing
what we say we are."

"The whole vampire thing is just...a sideline?" I asked as I let my hands
run over him.

"Not at all," Colin said as he kissed me and let his lips travel over my
face to my neck. "We're doing that, too. Only Mr. Morsi doesn't need to
know that." We were at the bed as he lowered me back to lie on it with him
above me. "I'm not sleepy yet." He grinned. "It must be the opposite of
jetlag." He said reaching for my belt. "What do you say about tiring
ourselves out?"

I unbuttoned his shirt. "I like that idea." I ran my hands over his warm
skin below the shirt and shoved it off him.


It was a while before we both collapsed against each other and tried to
regulate our heartbeats and rapid breaths.

Colin smiled as we cuddled together. "I never get tired of loving you,
Devon."

I smiled as he pulled me again closer to him. "I will never tire of loving
you. I love you, Colin."

He smiled as he kissed me. "I love you, too Devon."

I kissed him. "I know you do."


Amir