A/N: Dear Valued Reader,
This is my first fan fiction on this website and I'm really excited about it. Obviously this is a National Treasure story and it takes place after the second installment. I hope you enjoy and please review.
Disclaimer: All National Treasure related characters and trademarks belong to Disney.
"A toast," Ben announced as he, Abigail, and Riley sat on a couch in front of the fire in his mansion with a champagne glass in their hands, "to another great find."
"Cheers," Abigail said in agreement as she softly tapped her crystal glass against Ben's making a beautiful sound.
"Amen to that," Riley joined as he mirrored Abigail. Abigail sipped womanly from her glass and Riley sipped his slowly, while Ben downed the drink without a breath of air. "Ben if I remember correctly you said if we ever found another treasure that redefined history for all mankind that I could make the call on the finder's fee." Riley said with a smile.
"Did I say that?" Ben asked Abigail next to him with a fake puzzled look on his face.
"I don't remember," Abigail said shrugging her shoulders. Riley lost his smile and frowned.
"Very funny guys," Riley said taking another sip from his glass.
"This adventure was really something wasn't it?" Abigail said with an off look thinking back to everything that happened.
"Oh, yeah," Riley whispered thinking about what happened on Mt. Rushmore, "You know I wouldn't mind going back to England." He said his volume normal again.
"Really and why is that Riley?" Ben asked serving himself another glass of champagne.
"Just to see you make a complete fool of yourself again," Riley said with an amused smile as Abigail began to laugh.
"Hey you told me to make a big scene so that is exactly what I did," Ben said and then taking a sip from his drink while Abigail and Riley continued to laugh at the memory.
"Oh and I still needed to pay for that ticket I got in France when I was flying my helicopter so you owe me for that," Riley said setting his glass down on the center coffee table.
"You got a ticket in France?" Abigail asked almost chocking on her drink.
"Yup, apparently flying toy helicopters over there isn't allowed," Riley answered pouring him self some more champagne and Abigail began to laugh again.
"A lot of good stuff came out of this trip," Ben said looking from Riley to Abigail, "we got to go to France and England, I cleared my families name, I got to meet the President and kidnap him, Abigail and I made up, my parents made up-"
"And we found the treasure which I didn't foresee you listing at anytime so I thought I'd say it for you," Riley said rolling his eyes on how his friend Ben was.
"Thank you Riley," Ben chuckled and a few minutes later the grandfather clock chimed midnight.
"I better get back to my apartment," Riley said stifling a yawn which escaped anyway.
"Oh no Riley, you're exhausted, why don't you spend the night and leave in the morning when you're awake," Abigail offered concerned that he would fall asleep on the wheel.
"No I'm fine," Riley said making his way to the front door with Abigail and Ben following.
"No, c'mon Riley you don't have to leave now," Ben said trying to convince his best friend.
"It'll be fine guys—" Riley was cut off by the phone ringing in the distance.
"I'll get it," Ben said leaving his girlfriend's side.
"C'mon Riley stay," Abigail continued to try to convince but Riley just wouldn't hear it.
"Its fine Abigail, my car is waiting for me anyway," Riley said with a smile spinning his keys to his red Ferrari, "Tax free!" Riley announced loudly.
"Abigail…Riley," Ben yelled from the study where he had picked up the phone. Abigail ran down the steps and straight into the study with Riley right behind her closing the front door. When they entered the study Ben was just getting off the phone.
"Ben what is it?" Abigail asked her now pale from worry and shock boyfriend.
"I just got off the phone with Agent Sedusky," Ben murmured almost afraid to say his news loudly.
"And…?"Abigail asked impatiently.
"There's been a break out…" Ben hesitated trying to find the right words to break this to his girlfriend and best friend.
"Ben!" Riley whined getting impatient as well.
"Ian's escaped from jail," Ben whispered. There was a stunned silence that followed.
"I hate that guy," Riley said, his voice echoing in the silent study.
"Mr. Gates, Mr. Poole, Ms. Chase," Agent Peter Sedusky greeted with a grim smile. He motioned to three seats in front of his desk and the three sat down to listen. They were in the J. Edgar Hoover FBI building three days after they had received the news of Ian's break out. "I am sure you three are as impatient to hear what news we have on Mr. Howe as I was so I won't beat around the bush, we got a tip from a Seattle's Best coffee shop waitress that she had first handedly served and attended to a man who resembled Mr. Howe." Sedusky said while showing them a few pictures they got from a surveillance camera and the man sitting there did look shockingly like Ian, "Now the girl said that Ian had received a call while he was there and said something about a plane going to South America in two weeks and he seemed to be finalizing a few plans with the person on the other end."
"South America," Ben mumbled softly to himself.
"We thought that he was trying to flee the country but then we got another tip this morning from another coffee shop waiter and this is where you three come in," Sedusky revealed looking pointedly at the three of them.
"What do you mean?" Abigail asked still staring down at the picture from the coffee shop surveillance.
"The waiter said he had spoken about taking a map that led to the 'treasure of all treasures'," Sedusky answered.
"Well, he's wrong because we already found the 'treasure of all treasures'," Riley said also studying the surveillance pictures.
"So, this map and treasure that he's talking about is obviously in South America," Ben said piecing the clues together.
"Obviously," Sedusky answered nodding.
"But he doesn't have the map," Ben thought aloud.
"Which is another reason he's going to South America," Abigail pitched in entering the conversation.
"Is that all the witnesses have said," Ben asked anxiously.
"I'm afraid so," Sedusky said frowning.
"A map and a treasure in South America…," Ben recited to himself as he, Riley and Abigail left the FBI building, when he felt his phone vibrating in his right front jacket pocket. He pulled it out and read 'Gates Home'. "Hey dad," Ben greeted into the phone. "Oh sorry mom I'm so used to dad calling me on this number."
"Any ideas on why our best friend is going to South America," Riley asked Abigail.
"Nope, I don't know much about treasures, especially ones in South America," Abigail sighed frustrated.
"Wait a minute she's there?" Ben asked surprised and that seemed to catch the other two's attention. "Yeah let me talk to her," There was a slight pause as Ben's mom handed the phone to an unknown person, "hey kiddo," Ben greeted enthusiastically with a wide smile, "How was your trip?"
"Who is he talking to?" Riley whispered to Abigail who just shrugged in reply.
"Yeah, I'll be home for dinner and we'll talk some more than…" Ben's voice slowly faded as he realized something, "and you know what I might need your help with something." Riley and Abigail at each other puzzled as a muffled response came from the other end. "Alright I'll see you tonight, okay love you too…bye." Ben hung up the phone and sighed, a smile gracing his features.
"Who was that?" Abigail asked raising an eyebrow folding her arms over her chest.
"Someone who is going to help us," Ben smiled.
"Really," Riley asked eyebrows knitted together in confusion, "How?"
"She is majoring in World History and knows the legends like the back of her hand and languages. She might be able to help us find out exactly what grand treasure Ian is going after," Ben explained.
"And who is this fortunate person?" Abigail asked as she climbed into Ben's car along with Riley and the owner.
"My sister," Ben said and started the car. Destination: the Gates Home.