I wandered at the edge of a lake in a small clearing

I'm back! I know, you're probably thinking "Already?! But we just got rid of you!" Wall, you can't keep me away for long. I can't help myself. I love writing too much.

Since so many of you liked Nicole and Kathleen, I wrote a sequel based on a little vote that I took. This takes place during Book of Secrets, just so you know.

I do not own either of the National Treasure movies or the characters. They belong to Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Well, enjoy this first chapter!

I wandered at the edge of a lake in a small clearing. I walked towards the trees in the darkness, unaware of the presence of another person. My skirt caught on a fallen branch, and I pulled it off, beginning my journey into the thick woods. The man walking behind me took this opportunity to grab my shoulders. I jumped, frightened by the sudden touch. I spun around and he grabbed my wrists.

"Where have you been?" I looked deep into his crystal blue eyes, which were full of pain and hurt.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice quavering slightly.

"You know what I mean." His eyes narrowed, and I could feel myself trembling. "You left me."

"I'm sorry." I whispered. "But I didn't have a choice."

"But I needed you!" He exclaimed, developing an angry tone. "After you left, everything fell apart! Why did you leave?"

"Please, don't do this!" I began to cry. "You know I couldn't help it. I'm sorry! I wanted to come back, but I couldn't!"

"Like I'm supposed to belie-" He stopped mid-sentence as a shot rang out, echoing through the trees. He began to shake and he looked down as blood soaked through his white top. He fell back against a tree, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to speak. "Help me." He mouthed. "Help me, Kathleen."

"RILEY!"

--

"RILEY!"

I gasped, bolting upright in bed. I was clutching the sheet so tightly my knuckles were white, and I was breathing heavily. The sheets and my night gown were soaked. One hand flew to my mouth, as if I were going to be sick. This is all my fault. He almost died because of me.

"It was only a nightmare." I murmured to myself. The silence around me was overwhelming, and a soft breeze stirred the curtain. I looked at the clock, still trying to calm my racing heart. 5:32 AM. I took a deep breath and swung my legs around, getting out of bed. I walked over the window, letting the breeze cool me off.

This was the fourth time I'd had that dream in one week. I looked down at my hand, looking closely at the diamond ring on my finger. I twisted it around until it slid off. I fingered it delicately for a moment, and then slid it back on. Riley had given me that ring exactly 4 months before.

"Riley…"

I missed him, maybe more than I realized. Had it really been 4 whole months since I'd actually been able to touch him, to kiss him? I sighed deeply, fingering the ring again. I'd never realized what the ring had been for. There was probably no way I could ask him….

And then I remembered something: Nicole and I were having a sleepover at her house later. I felt a smile spread across my face. I knew exactly what I wanted to bring along. In a burst of excitement, I grabbed the DVD case and tucked it into my backpack with the other things I planned to bring along.

--

I rang the doorbell at Nicole house, bouncing up and down on my feet. Nicole opened the door, an apple in hand. I couldn't help smiling. She was always eating whenever I came to visit, it seemed.

"Hey! What's up?" She asked as I walked into her room.

"I brought something." I said with a small smile. I pulled out the DVD, and her shoulders immediately slumped.

"No, Kathleen…" She started.

"Come on, Nikki! It's been 4 months!" I pleaded. "I need to see him."

"I think you're a bit obsessed." She said, starting up to her room.

I followed her up the stairs. "I'm passionate."

"What's the difference?! Besides, I don't really want to go, Kathleen. We all nearly got killed last time! I don't want to drown in the City of Gold or fall off the teetering platform of doom!" She fell onto her bed.

"Please? It won't last as long as last time." I opened my eyes wide and stuck out my bottom lip.

"Not the puppy eyes!" She groaned. "You know that's my weakness!" She sighed, and sat for a moment, considering it. Then she snatched the case from my hands and opened it.

"Oh, thank you, thank you!" I gushed. She rolled her eyes.

"I'm only doing this so you'll stop moping around, you know. Ever since we left the first movie, all you've done is talk about Riley. It gets kind of annoying." She said, opening the drawer of her DVD player and popping in the disc. I shrugged innocently. She sighed, plopping down in front of the television. "One trip into National Treasure: Book of Secrets, coming right up."

I sat through the introduction, barely able to contain my nerves. Would he remember me? What if he didn't remember me? Would I have to explain everything to him again? As I attempted to tone down my worries, I felt a familiar pulling sensation, and the screen in front of me turned to static. Then as I was pulled forward, everything went black.

I know it was short, but it was more like a prologue.

Anyways, did you like it? Please be honest, I won't be offended if you say you hate it.

Push the periwinkle button. Yes its periwinkle. Not purple, not blue. PERIWINKLE! Ahem. Excuse me.