Author's Note: Another ridiculously long gap between this and the last chapter. Sorry everyone! I don't even really haunt this site any more, but I got a couple of reviews for this story recently, which not only reminded me that it existed, but also motivated me to try and finish it. This chapter is mostly a bit of fun and a chance for me to flex my A.T.O.M. brain again, but I promise high action in the next one. I think there's about a chapter to go, maybe two if I feel the need to tie up any loose ends. Hope you're all enjoying the ride so far! It's been a long one! The contents from this chapter came straight from my brain to the page and I didn't get it beta read, so sorry for any terrible mistakes.

Disclaimer: Okay you got me, I own it all! (Really, I don't and everything I write is purely for mine (and hopefully your) enjoyment.)

It was the night of the party. All of the Alpha Teens were excited, but nervous. This was the event of the year, black tie with all sorts of famous people attending. Hawk was particularly pleased, his mind on all the potential contacts he could make that could give him the boost into the industry he needed.

“Dude! I look like James Bond!” Shark said, exiting his room dressed in a tuxedo, hired of course. His shirt was un-tucked and his bow tie hung loosely around his neck.

“I look like James Bond,” Hawk corrected, catching sight of his reflection in the glass of the large windows and pulling a pose. “You look like a scruff in a suit.” Shark blew a raspberry, launching himself onto the couch with no thought about how it would crease his clothing.

“I look like a bouncer.” King complained, cutting the two of them off before they could launch into a full on bicker.

“For tonight we are bouncers.” Lioness said kindly, patting King on the arm. All three boys turned to stare at her, drinking in her appearance with wide eyes and open mouths. Her hair was clipped up, strands falling down to frame her face. She was wearing a long crimson dress that seemed to accentuate every curve, black shoes and a matching clutch.

“Wow.” Shark breathed, voice several octaves higher than usual. Lioness grinned and tapped her fingers under King's chin to stop him gaping.

“You know sometimes I forget you're a girl.” Hawk said, his version of a compliment that was met only with an icy glare.

“Lioness is right.” Axel said, interrupting the moment. Lioness pouted, wondering if he'd even noticed her appearance. Sometimes he just got so obsessed with the job.

“We need to focus.” He gave the gang a stern, determined look. “Shark no hoarding the aperitifs, Hawk I don't want to see you handing out any business cards tonight. The Shadow has slipped away one too many times.”

“Aww man!” The two teens groaned simultaneously, looking dejected.

“Here,” Lioness offered, reaching up to tie the bow tie Axel still hadn't fastened.

“Hey, mine isn't done either!” Shark complained, pointing at his shirt front. Lioness gave him a look and shook her head, her hands deftly knotting the fabric around Axel's neck.

“I'll do yours, learn from the master my friend.” Hawk piped up, launching at Shark before he could refuse. With a look of concentration, tongue poking out from beneath his lips, he set to work on the tie.

“Can't... Breathe...” Shark choked when he was done, reaching up to tug at the collar of his shirt.

“My bad,” Hawk said as the rest of the team chuckled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “It's a lot more complicated when you're trying it on another person I guess.”

“The name's Hawkes, Zachary Hawkes.” Hawk said, using what the gang had dubbed his 'movie star voice'. The two girls he'd been talking to, a pretty brunette and her freckled friend, giggled and turned away. “That's cool ladies, we can catch up later.”

Lioness rolled her eyes. “Hawk!” She snapped. “We're working, stop trying to pick up girls.”

“Yeah Hawk.” Shark chided, his words muffled by the mouthful of food. King tapped his wrist making the blonde drop the handful of mini pastries he'd just tried to stash in his pocket. “Dude, not cool.” Shark pouted.

“Mr. Lee wants to meet us at the exhibit room.” Axel said, leading the teens away from the crowd of party goers to the empty room where the more important artefacts would be unveiled later that evening.

Inside Mr. Lee and Jenny Night were standing near a great sarcophagus, mostly in tact with surprising detail carved into the sides. As usual she was surprisingly close to the man, leaning in, hand on his shoulder and lips murmuring a message into his ear that was clearly meant for him alone.

Mr. Lee let out a little chuckle then cleared his throat as he spotted the Alpha Teens piling into the room. “Ahh boys,” A look from Lioness made him correct that statement. “And girl, of course. Glad you could make it.” It was barely noticeable but there was the slightest tightening of Jenny's eyes, almost as though she wasn't pleased about the interruption.

“Now, this room is going to be locked until the grand opening.” Mr. Lee explained. Jenny spun her head to stare at him, clearly this was the first she'd heard about the planned security measures too. “Can't be too careful I'm afraid, what with The Shadow still out there. I'm entrusting you teens with the only key. Nobody, not even myself, is to enter this room until nine when the ceremony starts, understand?”

“Yes sir!” The Alpha Teens chorused to a round of salutes.

“But surely,” Jenny said, speaking aloud for the first time since they'd entered the room. “Should I want to make any last minute arrangements...” She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind one ear, sounding almost anxious.

“My dear,” Mr. Lee said with a smile. “You fret too much. Everything his ready.” His hand on her arm lead her down the steps of the small stage that the sarcophagus was placed on and they lead the way back out of the room, Mr. Lee locking up once they had all exited and handing the key over to Axel. “Now I don't know about you, but I believe a drink is in order.”

The two adults started to make their way across the room, hindered by the crowd of people who wanted to talk to the man of the hour. “Hawk, you take the key and guard the door.” Axel said. None of them noticed the way Jenny Night turned back to look at the redhead. “The rest of us will fan out and look for the Shadow.”

“Aww, but how can I mingle when I'm stuck over here?” Hawk protested, taking the key and tucking it away in the breast pocket of his tuxedo jacket.

“Exactly.” Axel said sternly.

“Can't King guard the door?” Hawk pouted, crossing his arms.

“Nu-uh!” King denied, shaking his head and walking away so he couldn't be roped into guard duty. Axel and Lioness left too, shaking their heads and looking entirely too pleased that they were practically responsible ruining Hawk's career. (As far as he was concerned anyway.)

“Sucks to be you dude.” Shark said with a little sympathy, before he was leaving too, eyes on a waiter with a tray of particularly tasty looking pastries. Hawk huffed and slouched against the wall by the door.

It was an hour into the party, thirty five minutes until the grand ceremony, and Hawk was bored out of his skull. His feet hurt from standing for so long and he was in a foul mood. Occasionally one of the teens had ventured over to check on him and the locked room, but his grouchy behaviour quickly drove them away again.

Hawk looked up from where he'd been gazing at the carpet pattern when a shadow fell across him. His eyes widened and he stood up straighter, a hint of a smile quirking the corners of his lips. Jenny Night was standing there, one hand resting on a cocked hip, her posture and the flattering emerald dress she was wearing showing off her figure.

“Hello Hawk.” She grinned, leaning in and somehow managing to make this simple exchange more intimate.

“Hi,” Hawk managed to reply, still thoroughly stunned that she'd even come to talk to him at all. “What can I do for you?”

Jenny beamed, that had clearly been the right question to ask, and she laid a hand on his shoulder, much like she'd done to Mr. Lee earlier. “Actually, I was wondering if you could let me into the exhibit for a while. I just want to check on something.”

Hawk's face fell a little as he realised it hadn't been him, but the allure of the artefacts that had caught her attention. “I don't know...” He said uncertainly, surely Mr. Lee wouldn't mind Jenny entering the room. “I'm not supposed to open the door for anyone.”

Jenny's pleasant expression faltered for a second, then it was back in full force. “I have to admit, the knowledge you displayed on our first meeting intrigued me.” Her voice was husky and inviting. Hawk swallowed, a little red in the face. “You're a very interesting young man.”

“But...” Hawk stammered. “Mr. Lee. I thought you and he were...” He tugged uncomfortably at the collar of his shirt.

Jenny threw back her head and laughed as though Hawk had just told a particularly funny joke. “Nonsense, we're just colleagues, I could never be attracted to a man who didn't understand the beauty of Ancient Egypt.” She told him, green eyes sparkling. “Aren't you the least be tempted to take a closer look at that sarcophagus?”

“Well...” Hawk knew he should be saying no, that he should stay to guard the door and tell Jenny she could look later along with everyone else. But he did have an avid interest in the Egyptians... It was so hard to think with Jenny so close, her expensive perfume was intoxicating. “I am curious about Chephren.” He admitted reluctantly.

“Of course you are.” Jenny was smiling again, her hand traced down Hawk's arm to link their fingers. “Come, lets you and I go and explore.” Hawk gave a final moment's hesitation before he nodded and let Jenny pull him away from the door. He retrieved the key from his pocket and, when they were sure nobody was looking in their direction, they slipped into the room.

Author's Note: I don't know if any of you are still reading, but if you are dropping me a review would be much appreciated!