AN: Hey, all! This is the first ever collaborative fiction written by ChickGamerNicole and Woman of Rohan here on FFnet. We're both very passionate about Uncharted, so we've decided to give this a whirl with this story, focusing on a possible adventure that Nate and Flynn could have had in their younger years. Any kind of feedback is greatly appreciated, and we hope you enjoy it as we try out something new!

"Truth is the property of no individual but is the treasure of all men."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Chapter 1

Pulling a Fast One

Eyes glued to the endless stacks of research material upon his desk, one fact was painfully apparent to Nate.

He couldn't do this one alone.

He'd been on his fair share of solo adventures, of course. Uncovering the past was his calling, and treasure-hunting was his addiction... with or without somebody accompanying him. But this one was going to be a little more complicated, and a lot more under the radar. He'd need help, and furthermore, it couldn't come in the form of Sully... for technical reasons.

With his usual partner nicked off his list of worthy assistants, Drake had some phone calls to make. He'd made his way about halfway through his journal of contact information before he thumbed over a familiar name: Harry Flynn.

Nate and Flynn had only met on a couple of brief business occasions, mostly some information-swapping and chit-chatting about their line of work. He'd been introduced to him through a friend of a friend, and they had hit it off pretty well. He didn't actually remember their last encounter too much, as they'd done some heavy drinking in a little bar on the West Coast. If there was one thing Flynn knew how to do, it was kick back and have a good time, but he was also just as passionate as he was. If he remembered correctly, his father had sparked his interest in the business. A family thing. If he needed a partner, short of Sullivan, Flynn seemed the most logical and worthy choice.

He might not be interested in Nate's current job, especially since it was so local, but it was worth a shot. With eagerness bubbling in his chest, he picked up the phone and dialed.

A few brief minutes later, and Nate was pocketing his cell phone, hardly believing that Flynn had actually agreed to meet up with him in a few short hours. He barely had time to register the news when he heard the distinctive, and vulgar, sound of Sully cursing from across the hallway. He crossed the kitchen of his modest apartment and peeked his head out the door just in time to see him emerging from his own living quarters, apparently struggling to get his luggage through the doorway.

Nate couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, but he made his way over to him, nonetheless.

"Need a hand there, old timer?"

Sully regarded him with a smile, wiping a hand across his forehead.

"Ah, thanks Nate. My back ain't what it used to be."

"No problem. What have you got in here, anyway?" he asked, voice strained as he lifted the bag from the floor and headed toward the stairs. "A ton of bricks?"

"Just the usual, kid," said Sully, following suit. "Various items for... business negotiations."

In the language of Victor Sullivan, that meant gold, guns, and greenbacks: the three G's of treasure hunting. Ah, Nate knew them all too well.

"I see. So, Jamaica, eh? Been a while since you've been there."

"Yeah, a couple years. Too long if you ask me."

Nate was amused by the fact that his friend's usual attire of Havana shirts and khaki pants would fit right in with the tropical climate and laid-back atmosphere of the island. He could go for a vacation himself. Florida wasn't bad in the autumn months, but it certainly wasn't the Caribbean. Normally he'd tag along with him as the wingman, but it was peak season for business at Sully's Bar, and someone had to man the fort while he was gone.

It was actually opportune timing that Sully would be away on business. The last time Nate had mentioned his most recent job prospect, he had vehemently persuaded him to drop the idea altogether. He'd said a lot of things... that he was in over his head, that it wasn't worth his time, that the trail had run cold, et cetera, but Nate would hear none of it. Sully should have known by now that telling him not to do something would only make matters worse.

If there was one quality the duo shared, it was their stubbornness. Now that Flynn was in the picture, and Sully would soon be out of it for a short time, Nate was going to do as he wished. The catch was, he just couldn't let him know about it. Not yet, at least...

They made their way down the stairs and out to the front of the apartment complex where Sully's car was parked. Nate loaded up his stuff and turned to face his friend, who produced one of his signature cigars from his pocket.

"Thanks again, kid."

"No problem." Nate pulled him into a hug, patting him on the back. "Bring me back something nice, yeah?"

Sully flashed a mischievous grin. "Pick your poison, booze or broads?"

"Well, one of them might get through customs easier. "

"The broad it is, then."

They both laughed, and Sully got into the car while Nate leaned on the frame of the open window.

"Be careful, old man. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"No guarantees," he winked. "Try not to mess the place up too badly, alright? Last time was hell on your rent."

"Yeah, well, that was a one-time thing, I promise. See ya, Sully."

"Be back in a few days. You know the drill, call me if you need anything."

"Will do. Now get outta here, the girls are waitin'."

With the cigar hanging idly at the corner of his mouth as he continued to grin, Sully drove off, leaving a trail of dust and cigar smoke in his midst. As Nate watched him go, he placed a palm over his eyes to block out the midday sun. He felt only mildly bad that he was pulling the wool over his mentor's eyes. If all went as planned, and he was sure that it would, Sully would return none-the-wiser, and Nate would have some extra cash to his name, and perhaps a bit of fame as an added bonus.

Smiling a little to himself, he turned back towards the apartment complex. He'd be expecting company in a few hours, and there was much to be done. For once, Nate had a good feeling about this one.