It worked.

The arc reactor actually worked.

Not that she didn't doubt Tony Stark's ability to find a different solution, but where the tablet is magical, she didn't think it'd be the same.

No. It worked, and holy hell did it ever help ease her stress.

Everyone was going to be okay.

If she could, she'd go over there and give Ironman a kiss right on his cheek.

Emma smiled, followed by her father and brother as Ahkmenrah's skin turned from a charred colour to the beautiful and flawless tan that it had always been, his eyes returning back to the dark brown colour that they were familiar with.  Dexter jumped up and hugged Larry, Jed and Octavius  exclaimed their happiness and relief, Sacajawea, Teddy, and Attila did as well.

Emma met Ahkmenrah's gaze and went over to him just as he was getting up and wrapping her arms around his waist, leaning her head against his shoulder. Tears formed and she squeezed her eyes shut, taking deep breaths as she calmed herself down.

Emotions rolled over her like a damned tidal wave; happiness and relief being the prevailing ones.

However, she couldn't shake off the feelings of sadness, and it wasn't because that her friends, friends that she has known for years, being saved or anything. No. She was so very relieved that her friends were going to be alright.

Emma hated saying goodbye to those she loved, but after overhearing a conversation between Teddy and Sacajawea, there was a good chance that this would be the last time they would ever see each other again.

And it broke her heart.

Ahkmenrah wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer to his body as he rocked the both of them; then and there, he knew why she was crying.

She overheard the conversation that they had the previous night and a few hours earlier.

The plan that ended with him staying in London with his family and everyone leaving to go back to New York, never to come alive again.

He closed his eyes, his head falling on her shoulder, his nose in the crook of her neck and tried to calm her, before she pulled away and gave him a forced smile, though, he could see what it was going to do to her broke his heart.

Emma could see it in his eyes, she knew that he knew why, and she brought her hand up to his cheek, caressing it lightly, giving him a small, reassuring smile.

Maybe it was selfish of her for wanting Ahkmenrah to travel back to New York with them, but she couldn't help it. They had been friends for years, now, all of sudden, they were brought to this.

Taking a deep, staggering breath, she pulled away from them, and looked at her father and brother who were all currently chattering away, their eyes brimmed with relief and joy, and she felt guilty.

It had been many years since Ahkmenrah had actually seen his parents, and now he was here, why would she want to take that away from him?

"We...we should get going." She whispered, glancing to Ahkmenrah. He nodded, and got the other's attention. She couldn't look at them, she couldn't bring herself to say anything else.

And if she did, she knew well that she would start crying.

Emma waited until everyone was heading back inside, shaking her head when Ahkmenrah insisted that she came in, but she shook her head, murmuring something that she needed time to recollect herself, and was given a knowing nod.  She took a deep breath, just as she was reaching for the door handle, a hand was placed on her shoulder, stopping her.

She glanced back to see Stark standing there, and for the briefest of moments, forgot all about him.

He studied her for a moment before speaking, lifting up the faceplate of his suit and giving her a small, barely noticeable smile,

"You did good kid," he said, giving her shoulder a slight squeeze, letting his arm fall back down to his side.

She mirrored that smile, "Thanks Stark."

He nodded to the door and she opened it, silently stepping back into the theatre and walked behind Stark as they headed down the narrow staircase, Emma looked up and saw the others standing at the entrance of the theatre waiting patiently for them.

She sighed, averting her gaze, but looked up when Stark spoke, "Remember eight months ago when I offered you a job?"

"Yeah?" She frowned and wondered where the hell that came from, "I was just finishing up my degree at the University."

He stopped and looked at her, "That offer still stands, it'd be an honour to have you work at Stark Industries," he winked at her, "Besides, you could always come back and visit."

She smiled, "Thank you for the offer, I'll think about it."

"Twenty-four hours." 

She nodded her head, yeah, she figured she probably would.  To see Ahkmenrah again would be phenomenal, and she couldn't wait to do so.

And they all haven't been separated yet.

xxx

Everyone stood in silence, observing the scene between mother and son. As Ahkmenrah retold the tale of them going up against giant statues of snakes and lions, his mother smiled on, his father turned his head and looked at Larry, gesturing for him to approach.

He did so, only slightly cautious.

Emma looked from her father to the others who were conversing in hushed tones and sighed again.  

And here comes the painful part...

She moved away and stood quietly near one of the statues, and watched as Ahkmenrah's eyes watered, his speech quiet and broken as he spoke to The Guardian of Brooklyn. A painful lump formed in her throat as she fought against the tears that wanted to fall and the sob that wanted escape from her mouth, but she gritted her teeth, her heart dropping as she heard her own father's broken voice and the rustling of clothing coming closer towards her and she looked up.

Wordlessly, Ahkmenrah pulled her into a tight embrace, whispering words in that beautiful ancient language of his just simply trying to comfort her, even though she shouldn't need it. She shouldn't, and she felt guilt because of that. She felt so damned selfish. She didn't stop him as he rubbed her back and when he pulled away, his own dark eyes were filled with unshed tears and it made her choke on a sob, Emma's gaze locked onto the floor, but only for a moment as Ahkmenrah coached her to look up him, and when she did, he placed a gentle, comforting kiss to her lips, holding it there for a mere moment longer than he intended to and pulled back.

He took a deep, shaky breath as he took her hands in his, caressing the back of her hands with his thumbs and he gave her a small smile, "Do not worry, we shall meet again."

Even with Tony's words hanging in the air, she wasn't going to hold her breath, but she didn't have the heart to tell him that.

All Emma could do was nod, leaning into him for one last hug, but that didn't last long as someone interrupted them, they both glanced up and everyone was watching them, Ahkmenrah's parents shared knowing smiles, and everyone else felt sympathy, knowing that she had always had feelings for the Egyptian Pharaoh.

It took her a moment, but she managed a small laugh as she spoke, "Well, I guess this is it?"

"It appears to be."

She reluctantly moved away from him and to the others, "You take care of yourself, alright?"

"I believe that is a statement reserved mostly for you." Ahkmenrah countered, chuckling slightly.

"I'll see you around sometime." She turned around, starting to walk away, her legs were shaking, her mind yelling at her to not leave, her heart falling deeper and deeper into her stomach. "Bye."

xxx

The plane ride back was solemn to say the least. No one spoke, everyone was in their own little world, but before they knew it, they were finally arriving in New York City.

Emma's heart was increasingly heavy as they arrived to the museum, only a little bit before they would never be able to have conversations with the exhibits of the Natural History Museum ever again.

She gave everyone that was awake one last hug and a goodbye before she and Nicky left the building, deciding it'd be best for Larry to say a few of his own words.

Stepping out into the cool night air, Nicky spoke for the first time in a while, asking how she was. She looked at her younger brother and nodded, "I will be."

They silently stood there for an unknown amount of time before Larry stepped out of the revolving doors and without so much as a warning, pulled both of his into him, placing a kiss onto the tops of their heads. "I love you guys."

"You too."

"I love you too, dad."

He sighed, letting go as he changed the subject, "You guys want a lift back to the house?"

Nick replied with a yes, but Emma declined, "Your place isn't too far, dad, I'll walk. I just need..." Emma's voice trailing off, and Larry nodded at her with understanding.

"Call if you need anything."

"I will."

She watched as they made their way across the street and down the sidewalk, not bothering to look at the person who came up beside her, not until Larry and Nick rounded a corner.

"I'll take that job." She said, without even removing her gaze from where her father and brother once were.

"You start Monday." He clapped her shoulder and began walking away, calling over his shoulder, "Get some sleep, kid."

She took off down the front steps and across the street, and before she was out of sight she looked back, for a few moments, a small and sad smile gracing her lips, her hands dug into her jacket pockets, and with a nod, she too, rounded that corner.

Fun at the museum may have ended, her memories however, wouldn't.