Arch of Solon
McRaider
Summary: Many people attribute accidents within the Bermuda Triangle to left over technology of the Lost city of Atlantis, but Ben has another thought. Newly married Ben and Abigail are going to take Kati on her first treasure hunt.
Author's note: This is # 2 in the Forever series, number one being Desperado.
Research Notes: Five days, at three hours a day totals out to fifteen hours researching the city of Atlantis, strange happenings in the Bermuda Triangle, decompression sickness, the Egyptian Pyramids and half a dozen other tiny details. I am not saying that EVERYTHING in this story is true, it's based off a legend, however I've heavily researched everything in this and have been able to create a story using all the largest and most prominent facts I've learned about. Among the websites I used were and various other websites. If you'd like a full list of all articles and information looked at please feel free to email me.
Rating: PG-13 language, and violence.
You're not alone, together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold, and it feels like the end
There's no place to go, you know I won't give in
Keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you can say (Nothing you can say)
Nothing you can do (Nothing you can do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So - keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
So far away, I wish you were here
Before it's too late, this could all disappear
Before the doors close, and it comes to an end
With you by my side I will fight and defend
There's nothing you can say (Nothing you can say)
Nothing you can do (Nothing you can do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So - keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Hear me when I say when I say I believe
Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly
There's nothing you can say (Nothing you can say)
Nothing you can do (Dooo, do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So - keep holding on
Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
There's nothing you can say (Nothing you can say)
Nothing you can do (Doo, do)
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So - keep holding on (Keep holding on)
Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Chapter One
Six Months later
November 30th, 2010
The irritating beeping noise brought Kati from her deep slumber, rolling over she smiled as she felt the arm around her waist just naturally pulled her a hair closer. She giggled, snuggling further into his arms and allowing him to take a deep breath. She could tell he was awake, though just barely. "It's time to wake up," she whispered softly.
"Mmmm," was all he managed to mumble.
It had been almost a year since they'd first met, and it had been the best year she'd ever had in her life. They'd traveled to Germany in July where he'd met her entire family, including her younger twin sisters and little brother as well as her parents. They were returning this Christmas, alone to celebrate with her family since Riley didn't really have any of his own.
"Can't we play hookie?" whined Riley as he burrowed further into his bed, trying to bury his face in the pillow.
She chuckled softly as she pressed a kiss to his forehead, "Nope, afraid we've got classes to teach, come on grab a shower and I'll make you breakfast then we'll swap. It'll be fun!"
He rolled his eyes, "At least I'm not a morning person." Reaching over without warning her grabbed her waist and pulled her into his arms, causing her to giggle out loud as his hands poked her lightly.
"Oh you really want to start this?"
He smirked, "I think I already did," a moment later the tickle fight was launched. She tried to knee him gently in the stomach, trying to get him to stop. But suddenly she found herself face up on the bed, her arms being held down to the bed. Riley hovered just above her, as he pressed another kiss to her lips, and then trailed down her cheek and neck. She felt a moan escape her lips as he found the perfect spot where her collarbone and shoulder met. Then, as quick as he'd started he hopped off the bed, "We're gonna be late."
"Oh you little—" she jumped off the bed as he flew out the bedroom door into his bathroom. "May the water freeze you," she mumbled as she made her way downstairs to the kitchen. As promised just over three months ago they'd rented out his apartment closer into the city. She'd moved into the house with him, both feeling they were mature enough not to do anything before they got married. He hadn't proposed to her yet, but Kati had a feeling. Everyday seemed to get better. They'd had off days, when they couldn't get along or when one of them needed a little more space than the other, but that's all they were. Off days. Riley had this way about him; generally he made it a rule to start every day off as a new day. If they didn't get along the day before he'd greeted her like any other morning. The first time it had happened she'd asked him what was going on and he'd told her he didn't believe in holding grudges unless it was for a really good reason. As always, nothing was perfect, she had days when she didn't want to be near him, but generally she loved to hold his hand and walk with him, or sit in his arms for hours and just talk about pointless things that didn't matter.
She felt a pair of arms slip around her waist and smiled, "You should be grateful I'm letting you even touch me after that stunt," she grumbled as she turned slowly in his arms.
"Mm, the kissing or the tickling?"
"Both," leaning forward she pressed a kiss to his lips, deepening it further, her hands curled through the hair at the base of his neck. Groaning into his mouth, she could feel her resolve cracking, he hadn't proposed yet and some how they'd made it nearly sixteen months with little more than making out. He'd been the gentleman more times than not, though there had been a couple times where she'd pulled back instead. She felt the desire and passion between the two of him as his arms pulled her closer and he dove deeper, his tongue outlining the edges of her mouth.
"Babe," he whispered, he would give her anything he wanted, but they were really going to be late for work and they'd promised one another not to cross the line until their wedding night. "Babe we've gotta go, besides I don't think Miss Chase wants to explain the bruise on her neck."
She laughed out loud as she let him pull her out of the house less than twenty minutes later.
o0o
A hand rose in the air; Ben glanced up at this particular student, his name was Seth, and he was both a trouble maker and a genius rolled into one. Ben knew the kid, at eighteen, didn't mean to cause trouble, but it appeared to come as naturally to him as it did to Riley Poole. "Yes Seth?"
"Sir, do you believe in the Lost City of Atlantis?" It was an honest question, and a good one.
Ben wasn't really sure if he believed in it or not. "Well, as a small child I was told the story of Atlantis, but I don't know if I believe it, there are those myths that I find harder to believe than others."
Another hand rose, "But you found the Templar Treasure and the City of Gold."
He nodded, "True I did, but those locations aren't considered myths, not fully. People knew it existed they just didn't no the known location."
"You believed there was a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence," Another student spoke up.
Ben smiled as he sat on top of his desk, "Very well let me ask you this then…raise your hand if you believe in the Loch Ness Monster." Half the class raised their hands; Ben wasn't surprised to see some students do a double take as some of their friends did or didn't raise their hands. "How many of you believe in Big Foot?" Half the students with their hands in the air dropped them. He continued nodding, "Santa Clause?" the rest all dropped.
"But sir…those are stories told to us as children, to make us believe…"
Ben shook his head and smiled, "Well Santa Clause is a loose figure of Saint Nicholas who really did exist. The Loch Ness Monster could be many things, and Big Foot is a myth told to small children so they'll stay out of the woods at night."
"Then how do you explain the Bermuda Triangle?" Seth questioned again.
Ben shrugged, "I don't, and the Bermuda Triangle is a giant misconception that scares people into traveling or not traveling there."
"Some people seem to believe that left over technology from the city of Atlantis is what causes the disappearance."
"People also believe aliens beamed them up, do you believe that?"
Another hand shot up, this time it was one of Ben's brightest and favorite students Shelly, "Professor, what about Columbus and his crew seeing the big ball of fire in the sky?'
Ben nodded, "That's actually a myth that happened shortly after leaving the Canary Islands. The erratic compasses readings were recorded three times while in the Sargasso Sea and Triangle."
"So then you don't believe in Atlantis?" Seth seemed stuck on this concept.
"I believe that Plato believed there was a City of Atlantis, inhabited by Poseidon. I personally don't believe it exists," glancing down at his watch he looked back up at his class, "That's enough for today, everyone have a good weekend and I'll see you Monday."
He watched while the rest of the students hurried out of the classroom, he was vaguely aware that Riley was standing in the doorway to his classroom. However before Ben could acknowledge the younger professor Seth stepped up to him. "Sir…I think you should have a look at this," Seth spoke in hushed tones.
Ben glanced down surprised to see the boy holding a medallion in his hand, "What is this?" Studying it for a moment he realized what it said, though he only had a vague understanding. "This is in Greek."
"It says 'Atlantis rises', at least that's what my grandfather told me before he died. He passed it down to me before he died."
Ben nodded, "Do you know the story of Atlantis, Seth?"
The boy shrugged, "Vaguely, I know it's said to have sunk."
Ben shook his head slightly, "Not exactly, Atlantis was a city dedicated to art and science; the people built their city at the foot of a volcano which they used for power. They worshiped the torch of truth, said to possess the light of universal wisdom. For centuries it's said that the city of Atlantis was the center of the world. The world was at peace, but the volcano erupted and a few were able to escape and decided to hide the wealth of their city in what they called the tower of fear. They wrote the story in a book made out of platinum pages. Well thousands of years passed, until 590 BC a Greek scholar…Solon traveled to Egypt, he discovered two relics, one was the platinum book and the other was the torch of truth. Placing them in an arc he locked them and he took a key—this medallion supposedly and vanished without a trace. Plato himself believes the city lay at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, very close to the Bermuda Triangle. Those who believe the two are connected say that crystals created by the erupting volcano are still active at the bottom of the ocean."
"What about the arc, do you know where it's supposed to be?"
Ben sighed, "It's said to be buried in some of the deepest catacombs in the Balkins, however I don't know if I believe that either. Why are you so curious about this Seth?"
The boy shrugged, "I guess—Dr. Gates, when you were a kid and your granddad told you stories about the Templar treasure didn't you just believe?"
Ben studied the boy seriously, "Yes I remember how it felt to hear everyone else say it didn't exist. So you think the city of Atlantis is real?"
The boy shook his head no, "I don't know what to think, but I do know I'm only eighteen and if I left school to treasure hunt my mother would never forgive me. I'm the only kid in my family to go to college."
"But you think since I'm a professor and it's easy for me to go off and find the location of the lost city."
"I guess I'm asking you to consider looking for it."
Ben looked at Seth again, still studying the younger man, "What's in it for you?"
"Nothing really...just knowing my grandfather wasn't crazy."
"What's in it for me?"
Seth shrugged, "I've read your friend's book, and if you're the Ben Gates he talks about you don't need anymore reason than because it's an adventure."
Ben nodded, "I'll think about it." He watched as the boy hesitantly nodded his head before turning to walk past Riley.
"Everything all right?" Riley asked as he watched his best friend finger the medallion the boy had just given him.
"Yep, ready to go home?"
A heavy snow covered the beautiful campus of George Washington University, as Professor Gates and Professor Riley Poole stepped into the bitter cold weather of December in Virginia. Both quite eager to get home as they headed towards Ben's car while Riley was dropped off by his wife, the four friends tried to swap who was driving so they were all using the same amount of gas rather than more than usual.
"So the Gala tomorrow night?" Riley questioned as he took a seat in the passengers side of the car, glancing over at his snow dusted friend.
Ben sighed as he looked over at the younger man, "Yeah, are you and Kati still coming? Abigail is really looking forward to this."
"Kati's really excited about it to; she's never been to one before. Although you must be excited, this is the first time you'll wear your tux to something you were actually invited to."
The treasure hunter laughed out loud, "I seem to recall wearing it to my wedding a month ago."
"Yes but you weren't invited to that, you were kind of a crucial part of that. Oh I was wondering—you think Kati and I would make a good couple?"
Ben glanced over at his best friend and smiled, "Riley Poole are you actually considering asking her to marry you?"
Riley shrugged, "It'll be a year tomorrow... I'm not saying I want to do it right away; I'm just starting to think about it. I'm not looking at rings if that's what you're asking."
"Well to be fair I think Kati is very happy with you and I'm pretty sure that she'd say yes no matter when you asked."
"I don't know I was thinking maybe proposing sometime around Valentines day, I know it seems cliché, but Kati's romantic you know?"
"Yeah, I know, did you want Abi to know about this or did you want it to stay a secret?"
Riley shrugged, "I'd like for her to be as surprised as her sister, but whatever. And this Gala is a pretty big deal for them. I'm terrified I'll screw it up or something."
Ben chuckled softly, "I don't think you can screw it up Riley, she's in love with you. Sure you're going to have moments where you don't exactly get along, but I'm sure you'll pull through just fine. Do me a favor though, find something nice than your converses to wear."
"What's wrong with them!?"
"Riley, seriously?"
The younger man looked down at his lap and nodded, "Fine," he muttered.
Ben laughed as he rubbed his best friend's shoulder, "How are you sleeping?"
Riley shrugged non-committal, "It's been six months since the whole incident, I probably have one a month maybe a couple if things aren't going as well. I don't know Ben; I feel like I'm getting better but then sometimes I have these horrible nightmares where you or Kati are in trouble…"
"We're safe, you know that right?"
"Sure, my mind does, but my heart seems to be a different story."
Ben looked over at the younger man again, "I have nightmares too Riley."
"Really?"
"I had them all the time after we found the Templar Treasure. I'd see you or dad or Abi getting shot. It's okay Riley it doesn't mean your weak."
"I know, but it's just," the younger man let out a depressing laugh. "I spent my entire childhood being scared of my own shadow; I worked so hard to get away from that. Now sometimes I feel like it's all coming back to me."
"We're all here if you need us Riley."
Riley nodded, "Yeah, I know and I appreciate that, really I do."
Ben pulled the car up in front of the younger man's car and looked at him, "We'll pick you up at seven?"
"Sounds good, have a good night Ben."
"Love ya man," Ben smirked at the man he loved like his little brother. He wasn't sure when he'd begun expressing that sentiment more often—it was sometime shortly after the Laramey problem. Since then Ben had realized what a terrible friend he'd been. So for the past year he'd been struggling to make amends.
"You too." Riley took out his keys to his house and made his way up to the front door, he acknowledge the honking horn from Ben as the older man drove off. On most weekdays Kati got home around six or seven. She'd stay after classes for extra curricular things or to finish up lesson plans for the next day. On the weekends she normally got home around five or six. Sometimes she'd pick up food or sometimes she'd come home and cook for him.
Tonight however was special, tomorrow was their first year anniversary and they were spending that at a Gala for the National Archives. However tonight was their night together; he was making her favorite, chicken parmesan with green beans on the side and he'd picked up a carton of her favorite ice cream yesterday. He'd gotten a fine champagne and even bought some candles. She was supposed to be picking a couple movies for them to watch together. He couldn't wait, they were going to spend the night together wining and dining on their favorites.
Seven rolled around and Riley began wondering where she was, normally if she was going to be too late she called or something. By nine Riley found himself filled with worry as he paced the house. The food forgotten in the fridge, the wine chilling there as well, the candles were put away and Riley was on the phone with Ben trying to find out where she was.
"I'm sure she's fine Riley, she's a big girl and she knows how to handle herself," offered Abigail on the other end of the phone as she tried not to worry about her own younger sister. Normally Kati tried to get home at a decent time, even if it meant bringing home her work. However she also knew that sometimes her sister would stay extra late if she had a big weekend to clear out all her work for those two or three days. "Riley she's probably just finishing up so she can spend the entire weekend with you."
"Well then she should have called," he gripped. Riley and Kati didn't have many problems but this was one of their biggest problems.
Just as Riley made his final comment the door opened and Kati stepped into the house. She looked up at him sheepishly, "Riley—Oh God I completely forgot about tonight."
Riley immediately hung up the phone and looked at her, "Where have you been!? Why didn't you call? I've been worried sick!" He felt like an over protective parent rather than a concerned love. But he felt his anger and frustrations of the past evening coming to a head as he realized she'd forgotten they're plans tonight.
Kati felt her own anger rising at his tone, Riley didn't normally yell, but when he did he was a force to be reckoned with. "News flash Riley I'm a big girl and can take care of myself just fine! For your information I've been at work for the past fifteen hours so that you and I could spend our first year anniversary relaxing!"
"That's what we were supposed to be doing tonight! I had it all ready, this was our night Kati! You're constantly working; you have to rest and relax. You're a teacher for God sakes, not some highly paid and highly trained specialist."
"Are you saying I shouldn't work so hard at my job? Riley these kids are the most important thing in my life! Why don't you get that? Are we going to continue going around about this!? Riley these kids need someone to teach them the things you know now. How do you think you got to be so smart?"
He narrowed his eyes at her, "I'm here too! I'm a professor and I don't work nearly as hard as you do. Come on Kati I'm not trying to get into a fight with you, I just want you to try and come home at a normal time."
The words she said next she knew she'd regret the moment they left her mouth, "Maybe if you worked as hard as I did on my lesson plans your students wouldn't laugh at you…" she looked at him in shock, oh had she really just said that. "Riley please you have to understand."
"You know what, I'll just see you at the gala tomorrow…there's food in the fridge."
"Hon—" she felt the growl welling in her throat as he brushed past her and out the door, without so much as a coat. "Damn relationships!" she cried as the door slammed shut behind him. They'd been dating for a year and this was their most common argument.
Truth was she hated pulling late nights as much as he did, and she knew he worked just as hard as she did just in different ways. Riley could do most of his class preparations on his laptop upstairs. However she had to do a lot of hers on computers at school. It frustrated her sometimes, the amount of time she spent alone working on lesson plans and preparations for her students. However in the course of a year she'd brought up students' test grades as well as their over all grades. She was one of the best because she took all that time. Riley knew that, but she'd crossed a line today, and she knew that.
She collapsed wearily into the chair at the dinning table, feeling tears welling in her eyes, why couldn't this have happened any other weekend. He'd obviously prepared for this night, she saw the candles on the table, and the house smelled of her favorite food. It was no use reasoning tonight, Riley would drive over to Ben and Abigail's place tonight, where he'd camp on the couch. He'd come home tomorrow morning, they'd talk it over and attend the gala as if nothing had ever happened. This was part of relationships, disagreeing about things. And it wasn't as though they did it frequently, but it was common enough that she still felt frustrated that it was happening.
o0o
Riley felt so angry, he was sure he wouldn't even see straight for the next two days. He knew deep down that she hadn't meant what she said. But right now it had been a stab to the heart. Did she really think he was a horrible teacher, did his students find him to be a big joke. After everything he'd done, all he struggled with to create his own person.
Sighing Riley pulled off the road, it was another three miles to Ben's place, and even then he wasn't sure Abigail would let him stay. She'd probably tell him he was an idiot for getting mad in the first place. This seemed to be an ongoing argument in their home, she worked too hard, and in truth he only wanted what was best for her. It concerned him when she came home late, too tired to eat, barely able to keep her eyes open. He worried she would run herself into the ground or burn out before too long.
Shutting off his car for a moment, Riley leaned his head against the steering wheel; he'd never felt like this before in his life. He could find himself completely and utterly furious with her, not understanding how or why he felt the way he did on minute. And yet he found himself only desperately feeling concern and love for her.
His overwhelming anger came out in a single moment as he slammed his hands against the wheel. "God I love her," was all he could think of as he pressed his head against the steering wheel.
He never saw the lights, never heard the footsteps. Suddenly Riley noticed a presence at his side, for a moment he thought it was Kati, or Ben—perhaps a cop. Suddenly the door was wrenched open and Riley felt the collar of his jacket being yanked. Pulled from his car he collapsed to the group in a heap, he felt a harsh kick to his stomach, and realized he was in big trouble.
"We've been waiting for you Mr. Poole," a slick voice said as Riley was hauled up from the ground, "Operation Solon has commenced."
TBC