DISCLAIMER: I do not own National Treasure.
"Ben!" Riley yells up the stairs. They had to get out. They had to get out fast. A car engine is heard and cut outside. "We're running out of time!" A modest click-clack of high heels echoes in the halls.
"Hang on, Riley. I'm almost done!" Ben's voice is strained. Riley grins and locks the door to the attic, where Ben is gathering all his things from his boxes in Abigail's mansion. She has a new roommate that she refuses to tell Ben about. Riley runs down the flight of stairs behind him, careful not to make a sound. He slides to a stop. Gorgeous. That is the only way Riley Poole can ever describe Dr. Chase. Her straight blonde hair falls just beyond her shoulders, which are clearly visible in her strapless, midnight blue evening gown. She is totally oblivious to the man standing behind her.
"How do you manage to look amazing every time I see you?" someone says, right before Riley can open his mouth. The voice steps out of the shadows. Ben. Damn.
"What are you doing here, Ben?" Abigail asks, her voice seeming shocked and shaky. Ben grins.
"Just picking up some of my stuff. You look nice," he compliments her. She falters. Riley sees the plastered grin disappear. "Where's that new roommate? I was hoping to meet her."
"Well, I-"Abigail begins. I move quickly and silently and appear behind Ben, searching for a blunt weapon to knock him out with. An umbrella lies at his feet. Riley gingerly picks it up off the floor, gesturing for Abigail to keep her mouth shut. Her eyes flicker from Ben's face to Riley's. There is fear behind the ocean blue eyes of Abigail Chase. She and Riley are the only people who know of Ben's abusive past. Ben quickly grips Abigail's upper arm, turning the delicate flesh from a pale white to a scarlet red. Riley brings up his arm and slashes down, hitting Ben squarely on the back of the head, sending him directly to the ground.
"Riley…" Abigail's voice trails off and she rushes forward into his arms. Riley hesitates, but eventually returns the gesture. The two stand there, Ben lying at their feet, for a quarter of an hour, before one of them says something.
"So. Whose turn is it to make dinner?" Riley smiles.