Treasure Protectors
A/N: This is set about 14 years after the movie. It has Ben, Abigail, Riley, Ian (and some of his henchmen), and Martha (Marti for short), Ben's daughter. While Ben and Abby go out one night, Riley stays home to baby-sit Marti. They all expect a quiet evening- that is until an old enemy resurfaces to steal their greatest treasure. This is my 1st fanfic! (PS: I don't own national treasure- Disney does, But Marti belongs to me!)
Chapter one
Abigail Chase leaned over the desk, her dark eyes studying the two nervous young men in front of her.
"You're treasure hunters, aren't you?" She accused, wondering why they were even trying. The quick thinking one, Mr. Brown, glanced over at Mr.…Bill, or whatever his name was.
"We're more like treasure protectors." He told her, smiling slightly. She gazed into his brown eyes, wondering if she could trust them.
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The young man tapped his fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of the song he was listening to. Gazing out the window at the sky he murmured that he must be getting close- he could actually see a few stars out.
Riley loved visiting his friends at their old colonial house out in the middle of nowhere- but it seriously creeped him out how quiet it got at times. At least he wasn't going to be alone tonight. He was babysitting Ben's teenage daughter, Martha (or rather, Marti, as she liked to be called). Ben and Abigail had always made sure that they got Riley to baby-sit for them. He treated Marti like his little sister; and after all- who else could they trust better?
The music erupted into static as Riley rounded a corner. A bulletin came on the radio, something about an escaped convict. Riley flipped it off.
"Yeah, that's just what I need- something to creep me out even more tonight."
Riley had traded in his sports car a few years ago after (accidentally) driving it through one too many front yards. He now had a pretty reliable used car, much easier to drive than a stick shift (which he had never gotten the hang of anyway).
He finally caught sight of their lighted driveway up ahead and sighed with relief. He pulled up near the front door, making sure that he wasn't blocking their car from leaving. He got out of his car and walked over to the front door, opening it without knocking. He immediately smelled pizza and could hear Ben talking in the background.
"Hello?" he called out.
"Oh, hey Riley. You're actually on time!" Abigail greeted him as she rushed past in a black dress, fastening one of her earrings.
"Yeah, nice to see you too, Abigail." He waved as she rushed down the front hallway. He closed the door behind him and stood in the hallway for a minute, listening to the dysfunctional family background noise. Finally Ben walked over and greeted him.
"Riley! Thanks for getting here on such short notice!" he shook Riley's hand.
"Hey, no prob. You guys get invited to yet another gala event and I'm the faithful babysitting man." He smiled.
"Dad!" Marti whined as she walked over, already dressed in pajama shorts and a tank top, "I don't need a babysitter, I'm already fourteen!"
"Hey, hey, hey." Riley waved his hands, "Who said anything about babysitting? I am merely here for pigging out on pizza and watching movies for my own enjoyment." He explained. Marti smiled.
"You're the best Riley!" she hugged him, her honey-brown eyes glowing, and then turned away. "I'll go get the pizza- sausage and mushroom!" she called out as she disappeared into the kitchen.
"Sausage and mushroom?" Riley turned towards Ben, "Honestly, what have you been feeding that girl?" he asked.
"Hey, it's her favorite." Ben smiled. Abigail came over and joined him at the front door.
"Now, we'll be gone for about four or five hours, but you have our cell phone number, so call us if anything is wrong." She talked hurriedly as she dug around in her purse for her car keys.
"Yes mom." Riley sighed. Abigail looked up and smiled at him.
"Now you two go and have fun," Riley ushered the couple out the door and waved to them. "Be back by midnight and don't talk to strangers!" he called out before shutting the door and locking it.
"Alright- who's ready to watch some movies?!" he yelled out, running into the kitchen after Marti.
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None of them saw the man hiding in the shadows- watching them. He remained still and silent, like a predator observing his prey. He had waited so long for this night, so long…
He had to chuckle slightly when he saw Ben and Abigail walk over to their car. They were so carefree, so unsuspecting. He only wished that he could see their faces once it happened.
"Oh well," he whispered to himself, gazing as Abby's car slid out of sight, "Riley's reaction will be good enough…"