Shipment
/ˈʃɪpm(ə)nt/

noun

1. The action of shipping goods.
2. A quantity of goods shipped; a consignment.

♡

"...I like my coffee with two sugars in it, High heels and my jewelry dripping, Drink and I get all fired up, Insecure but I'm working with it..." - Woman Like Me - Little Mix

♡

It always seems impossible, until it's done

Present Day
~ Today ~

At the Museum

The resounding click of Zahra's animal print heels against the polished concrete floor, enveloped the empty hallway. With each graceful stride her handbag swung in time, a silent melody to her body. Her slim legs were concealed but accentuated by her black cigarette pants. 

Her left arm clad in the fitted blazers sleeve, had begun to cramp from the angle at which she held her Surface Pro tablet along with many pages of notes. Among those pages included a crisp manila folder containing the still recently printed warm paper of documents and images relating to their latest tomb discovery. 

Her right hand held a ceramic panda shaped mug, filled with freshly brewed coffee, held half an arms length away from her textured ivory blouse. The fear of staining her top, whispering in the back of her mind always ensured she had enough distance between her clothes and her liquid savior. God forbid if someone were to bump into her. 

Nearing the metal double doors, the 'Staff Only', vinyl sticker caught the light as she pushed the left side of her body through. Keeping her coffee high to dodge the swinging doors. The hallway was void of any humans but the buzz in the air told another story, to the right, down another hallway there were renovations to expand their laboratory. As she continued to her destination her ears picked up on how the drilling and hammering became distant, submerging her silence. 

Once more, the click of her heels was the only sound in her eardrums. Turning left down another hallway she slowed her steps as she had to switch her coffee - carefully - into her left hand, the balancing act straining her arm further. With her right hand now empty she was able to open the twist handle to her sanctuary, the study. 

The room was almost always unoccupied, being the perfect spot for her to get absorbed into her work. Especially when she was translating hieroglyphics--much like the plan today, having no distractions, allowed her to work in depth and in peace. Flipping the switch beside the door frame, her eyes adjusted to the fluorescent lights flickering on, illuminating the work space. 

An exasperated sigh escaped her lips, they still hadn't fixed the one light with the broken circuit - it's irregular flickering was not only an eyesore but an unneeded distraction. Walking towards her favourite bench-- it was in the middle of the room. A perfect distance from the window, ensuring she didn't overheat from the summer sun, but also from the over powered air-conditioner. 

Setting her now perfect temperature for drinking, coffee down to her side, as she placed the Surface Pro down, watching in distaste as the pile of notes slide off lightly spreading over the laminate bench top. Quickly grasping the loose sheets she brought them together, tapping them rhythmically into a neat pile to her right along with a black ballpoint pen. Sliding the tablet in front of her, she opened it gingerly, logging in quickly watching as the pages she had previously been on occupy the screen. 

Articles of previous tomb discoveries, family trees of Pharaohs from the 18th Dynasty, along with her emails, more importantly the most recently opened which contained the digital images from the excavation. She had a small window opened of the burial chamber, grabbing her pen and the page she had been working on last night, she continued on from her last line. 

♡

"Are you excited?"

An exuberantly sweet voice pierces through Zahra's ears, pulling her from deep within her thoughts. Registering that the voice belonged to her closest friend; Kate. Katie for short-- reserved only for friends. One of the Museum's youngest Curator's and her partner in crime since the early noughties. 

Lifting her eyes from scanning the ink covered page, she locks with Katie's expectant expression, the taller female was leaning forward on the bench via her elbows, causing her straight lob to brush over her shoulders. The overhead light highlighting her ombré colouring, which complimented her tawny skin. 

"Of course. I can't wait to view the artifacts in further detail" it was true. The shipment of the artifacts discovered was arriving at some point in the day and she couldn't wait to actually sit with them. The images were amazing but there was just something magical about seeing and touching them in person.   

A playful scoff caught Zahra's attention "you mean you can't wait to view Hayden in further detail." Katie threw her head back dramatically with her perfectly manicured hand on her heart. Zahra's cheeks flame with embarrassment, regretting ever telling her best friend of the trip to Egypt and the attractive Archaeologist constant flirting. 

Slapping her playfully on her bicep with the back of her hand "stop it!" Their laughter mixed in harmony, Katie straightened herself out, tilting her head in disbelief at her friend.

"Oh com'on. Everyone can see that you both like each other" her voice taking on the matter-of-fact tone, she raised a perfectly sculpted brow as if to challenge Zahra on what she was saying. 

Zahra shook her head firmly "Hayden and I are just friends, that's all." She felt bad because she could tell that he clearly felt more than just friendship with her, Katie--a true friend, found humor in teasing Zahra about him. Even though she knew her friend wasn't interested in him that way. 

"Who do you think got you invited on the excavation trip?" Zahra looked up in surprise from Katie's knowing tone, her hazel eyes twinkled with mischief as she watched on with amusement. She didn't know he had requested to allow her to join.    

She couldn't deny that it was a sweet thing for him to do but now she internally groaned, what if the others thought there was something between the two? She knew of his feelings towards her and they had talked about how she felt, or mainly how she didn't feel towards him. "It was just a kind gesture."

An unladylike snort left Katie's mauve lips "keep telling yourself that future Mrs. Wilkins" laughter bubbled from within her as Zahra slapped her arm yet again. 

"I'm a witness of workplace abuse" 

Hayden's playful voice ceased the girls friendly argument. Their heads snapped towards the door. Eyes landing on his fit figure leaning against the door frame, sleeves rolled to his elbows exposing his sun kissed forearms and the edge of a hidden inky design.  

The man in question himself was there. What was the saying? Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear?  

Zahra gulped slightly, her heart palpitating, while her eyes were wide with fright. Silently praying he hadn't heard their conversation. Katie, a complete juxtaposition of Zahra, had a sly smirk on her face "we were just talking about you." Her voice was an octave higher than usual, bringing Zahra back into the present, narrowing her eyes in warning to her friend. 

Hayden's lip uplifted "oh really? Pray do tell" his eyes twinkled in amusement as he picked up some sort of tension between the two girls.

Katie went to answer, but Zahra's rushed response stopped her "we were discussing about the shipment!" The words sprinted from her mouth without a breath. The other two occupants in the room watched on with raised brows, taking notice of the crimson blooming on her freckled painted cheeks. 

"Okay" his tone was questioning as he drew the 'ay' as his slightly sculpted brows creased "speaking of - the shipment just arrived" he threw his hand back thumb pointed behind him. The two girls could see the excitement swirling deep within his eyes, Zahra was certain it was mirroring her own pair. 

♡

Entering the illuminated, sterilised room, Zahra took notice of the six benches draped in white cloths. Eyes travelling over the equipment trolley, metal utensils gleaming under the over head light, before settling on the splintering dust covered crates that littered across the linoleum floor. There were a couple perched atop the benches, with either completely removed or half opened lids. 

She could feel her lips pull into a smile, giddiness flowing freely through her veins. She just wanted to open everything, the familiar feeling to that of when she was a child on Christmas morning. A dull ache throbbed through her chest at the happy memories, Christmas has never been the same. She was jolted from the sorrowful thought from a muscular arm wounding around her shoulder.

Her nose tickled as the familiar sweet yet musky scent of Joop Homme, cologne slowly seeped into her nose. Hayden. The strength indicating it had just been recently reapplied, "wanna help us?" His voice was light with enthusiasm, as his other hand gestured to some of the other team members opening crates, Zahra's ruby lips spread into a toothy grin as she nod her head exuberantly.

"Yes! Please" she followed after Hayden as he made his way to their stationary bench, observing as he puts on two pairs of glove. Purple surgical gloves first, before slipping a pair of plain white cotton gloves over the top. 

Hayden must have seen her expression as he grabs her a pair of each explaining as he sauntered over towards her "cotton pair is to ensure we don't mark the artifacts, while the pair underneath gives us another layer of protection" 

Zahra nods her head "makes sense" it was interesting to see this behind the scenes of a delivery, she was always given artifacts after this process. Slipping the latex surgical gloves over her dainty fingers they pull to a snap against the unmarred skin of her wrist. Clenching her fingers to stretch the gloves, she slides the plain white cotton gloves on top. 

With a tight grip on the iron crowbar, Hayden lodged the chiseled edge under the lip of the crate, with a few jerky movements they were greeted by a strained crack, as the wooden lid gave way under the pressure. Removing the lid. They began their work of rifling through the thick layer of foam peanuts, the small white pieces tumbling out of the crate as Zahra's searching hands clasp onto a firmly bubble-wrapped object.    

Removing the object from the crate, she couldn't tell straight away at what it was due to the many layers of bubble-wrap but she took a guess that it was either a canopic jar or a shabti--a mummiform funerary figurine, Ancient Egyptians believed they would act as servants for the deceased should they call upon them in the afterlife. Using one of the many scattered box cutters on the bench top, Zahra cut the tape sealing the bubble-wrap. 

Skillfully yet careful and slowly she unwrapped the package, she soon got her answer. Staring back at her was the intricately carved head of a baboon. Hapy. It was indeed a canopic jar, containing the mummies lungs. Placing the artifact gently onto the cloth covered bench, she continued her scavenge for the rest of the canopic jars. 

♡

Zahra's eyes flickered around the packed room as she deeply inhaled, the benches were covered in the artifacts, separated loosely into categories - the most appealing one in her opinion was the pottery. Her eyes would always find a way to settle on the three ornate vases sitting perfectly in a line, illuminated by the overhead lights as if to say 'pick me'. From where she stood she couldn't make out the details but she couldn't wait to sit with them and find out what secrets they held.   

A glint of gold caught her eyes. 

The fluorescent lights above had reflected off an object within an open crate, which had been cast off to the side of the room. She assumed the item occupying the space had to be the sarcophagus. It was the only plausible item to fit in that sized crate and to have enough gold to cause a small reflective patch on the ceiling. That was another item she was excited to get a closer look at, she couldn't wait to note all the tiny little details they included along the outer coffin, but even more so she wanted to see the death mask.   

Sighing in contempt, she made her way over to the bench where the four canopic jars, sat almost dimly glowing. Her stack of papers and pen were already on the bench, she had preempted that they would want the canopic jars to be written about first. And going from her most recent email from Diane the museums Exhibitions Officer, she was right. Zahra lifted the black ball-point pen in her hand, scrawling across the fresh unblemished piece of paper, she began her notes. 

Material - Alabaster. 

Her hand paused briefly it was the same material as Tutankhamun's. 

While alabaster had been used for previous Pharaohs, it was more common for the canopic jars to be made from limestone. The pen in her hand stills at the sound of Hayden's voice "our research team is going to have fun with their current job." 

She lifts her head to look at him with a perplexed expression across her face "what do you mean?" Her head tilted at the end as she watched him avidly awaiting his response, wondering what he meant by his words. 

"Well they're trying to determine if this mysterious Pharaoh-" his hands froze as her curt voice interrupted his sentence

"Ahmesseker" she pursed her lips as her eyes narrowed slightly. Since getting back they had gone over the theory countless times, all the similarities between this Pharaoh and King Tut's tomb were too close to be considered coincidental. Meaning they had to be related in some way.

He rolled his eyes before continuing "Ahmesseker, is related to King Tutankhamun as we speculated" 

Zahra nodded her head along with him as he spoke "DNA test?" Her voice was questioning but filled with excitement. They were so close to determine if this truly was the brother mentioned.

"Bingo" Hayden pointed a finger gun in her direction as he clicked his tongue together. 

"If this Pharaoh is related, it would change history" her voice was breathy as the realisation dawned on her that they uncovered a piece of Ancient Egypt's puzzle.

"Yup. It's exciting right? We helped change history" his eyes were wide with excitement. 

If only she knew what the weight of those words would entail for her in the not so distant future.

Their conversation was interrupted by the melodic chimes of Hayden's phone, grabbing the device from his pants pocket a sigh escapes his lips "Dr. Fleming needs me, have fun with the organs-"

"Viscera" her voice holding a slight irked tone.

Hayden chuckles before pointing to the jars "organs", Zahra rolls her eyes at his antics "when you're done with that, I know you'll love the vases" he winks at the mention of the pottery. Everyone knew how much she enjoyed the Ancient Egyptians story telling, most importantly though, she enjoyed translating it so others could learn it. 

She shakes her head slightly turning back to the canopic jars, "have fun with whatever he has planned" brief laughter is shared between the two as Hayden makes his way out of the room.

"Catch ya"

"Bye"

Zahra's gaze at the canopic jars before her waver as her eyes slowly glance towards the three gorgeous vases sitting on another bench. She was oh so tempted to slide her chair towards the other bench, but only just refrained to keep herself focused on her current job. Analyzing the four canopic jars. 

Just from observing the four lids, it gave them an idea of the Pharaoh's time line. 

During the Middle Kingdom and The New Kingdom, the lids on the canopic jars were all human, more specifically the face of the deceased. While at the end of the New Kingdom, and during the Ramesside period; the 19th and 20th dynasties, the lids took shape of the four sons of Horus.

Those being; Hapy the protector of the lungs portrayed with the head of a baboon, Imstey the protector of the liver kept the human head. Duamutef the protector of the stomach depicted with that of a jackal, and lastly Qebehsenuef the protector of the intestines characterized with the head of a falcon.  

These canopic jars had the faces of Horus's sons, placing him near the end of the 18th dynasty, which was supported with the mural in his burial chamber which depicted this Pharaoh with Tutankhamun. 

Although she was stumped. 

Tutankhamun's canopic jars were his face, it left her wondering why they would go back to an older practice for the boy king. Just another part of this mystery, that she couldn't wait to uncover. 

♡

Zahra could feel her head slowly increase in weight, snapping it up to refrain from sleeping she strained her eyes as she jotted down a couple more dot points. Sitting up straight she stretched her arms outright above her head, twisting her body in the process releasing a satisfying pop and crack from her back. 

Removing her glasses from her aching bridge, she rubbed her eyes with her flat palms, dropping one tired hand to cover the yawn drawn from her mouth. Deciding a quick power nap was alright, she crossed her arms over her stack of papers, resting her head to the side, as her tiresome eyes slowly shut. 

Behind her eyelids the usual black abyss came to life with faint figures and scorching sweeping sand dunes in the distance. 

A/N: Hiya! Sorry about the delay but finally there we have it, Chapter 2 of Ancient Love done! I hope you all liked it :) Please let me know what you thought in the comments <3
- Any ideas of what to expect next chapter ;) 

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