A/N: Just in case you didn't see the changes I made to chapter one I will explain them here too. I changed the name of my OC because I realized she had the same name as Nathan and Elena's daughter. No it was not on purpose just a happy accident, I changed it because it felt kind of weird and forced. These first two chapters don't have any action any them, but I promise there will be plenty coming up.

Chapter 2

"So you are telling me you have been out for two months now and you are just now letting us now you are alive?" Jessica questioned Sam. "It's not like that Jess, it took me some time to track Nathan down and I figured you had moved on with your life." Sam responded. "Plus I had to track down the other cross, so we can go after Avery's treasure."

"Unbelievable, is that all you thought about in prison?" Jessica said shaking her head. "Look Sam I'm glad you are alive and out of prison, but I can't do this. Nothing good can come out of starting this back up again." She got up signaling she was done with the conversation.

"Jessi" Nathan spoke, "they are going to kill him."

"Let her go little brother we don't need to drag her into to this," Sam said.

"Who is going to kill who and why?" Jessica asked confused. "A drug lord named Alcazar, if Sam doesn't find the gold and give him a half, Alcazar will kill him."

Jessica turned her attention to Sam who was looking at the ground. She wanted so badly just to turn around, she had a bad feeling about this. She had from the beginning, some things were just better left as a mystery. It was Sam, though; she couldn't even count how many times she had laid awake at night wondering if there were anything she could have done differently to keep him alive. Now he was here right in front of her, still breathing. What if she said no and neither of them came back? She would never be able to live with the guilt.

Sam held his breath, he hated lying to them like this. It was bad enough he had to lie to his brother but Jessica? If she didn't hate him now she would if she ever found out the truth. Nathan he knew would forgive him once they found the gold, he was the only one who knew why it was so important to him. He had never bothered trying to explain to Jessica because she couldn't possibly understand. It felt like hours had passed as they stood there in silence, he looked up to see Jessica staring intently at him. He couldn't read her, had no idea what she was thinking. It bothered him almost as much as her silence, he could always tell what she was thinking before. Well, almost always. If anything it just highlighted the fact that so much time had passed. They had both changed for better or worse.

Jessica let out an exasperated breath, "I can't believe I'm agreeing to this. I must be crazy."

Nathan smiled at her, "I knew you couldn't say no."

"I'm only doing it to keep you two idiots alive. Not for any other reason." She proclaimed. Sam laughed, it was starting to feel like the old days. "Well, just for that I will do my best to ensure you don't get shot in the ass."

"Very funny." She replied not impressed. "To be fair she didn't really get shot in the ass, the bullet ricocheted off of a cliff face," Nathan added. "A bullet still hit me, Nate! So I would call that being shot."

Nate grumbled. "Would you just let it go already."

"I will let it go when you take a bullet to the ass, how about that?" She argued her hands on her hips. Nathan threw his hands up in defeat knowing he could never win.

"So what's the plan?" Jessica asked.

"We head to Italy, the Rossi estate to be exact." Sam chimed in.

"The Rossi estate? You are joking right? Do you even know what kind of people attend black market auctions like those? Because I do, in fact, I've worked for a few of them. They are not the kind of people you want to steal from." She stated.

The two men simply stared at her. "You are really ok with this Nathan, what about Elena?" Jessica asked. "It's for Sam Jessi, he needs our help, he is running out of time."

"See this is why I don't do business with Drake's anymore. You're senseless both of you" She griped in protest.

Three days Later

Italy

"Still no sign from Sullivan," Sam remarked.

"He will come through don't worry about it, anyways Jessi is with him," Nathan replied.

"Hey, he could just as easily screw her over along with us," Sam argued. "Oh really? Would you want to double cross her?" Nathan said with a pointed look on his face. "Good point." Sam mused. "Just trust me ok, he will come through."

Nathan took the binoculars from his brother and watched for the signal from sully. "See there it is." He pointed to a window where a flashing light could be seen. Sam grumbled, "Just try to keep your tux clean.

Inside

Elena walked around the edge of the crowd on the ground floor, keeping an eye out for Sully to return with Sam and Nathan. She recognized one or two people she was acquainted with and shook her head. Why did she let them talk her into this? It had to be their worst plan yet, and they had come up with some pretty bad ones. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the trio approaching her from her left side. She couldn't help but notice the fact that Sam was wearing a suit, or that he looked damn good in said suit. "So I'm guessing Sully has already told you about the lot order?" She asked rhetorically.

"Yes, and we have a plan," Nathan answered. "I am going to shut off the power, while Sam here dressed as a waiter will be standing in the front ready to grab the cross as soon as the lights go out."

Jessica looked at them both in disbelief. They couldn't really be proud of this plan, could they? She looked back and forth between the two. "This wasn't your idea was it?" She looked at sully already knowing the answer. This had Drake written all over it. "I wouldn't dream of taking that credit." He responded gruffly.

"I can understand why. Alright then let's do it." She said. "I will keep any eye on the floor while Sully gets you into the cellar."

Jessica watched as the three crossed the room to the server's corridors only to return minutes later. "What's the problem?" She questioned.

"The door is locked." Nate supplied. "So?" Jessica said sarcastically.

"What do you mean so? Yours the lock expert why don't you pick it?" Nate replied.

"You don't just pick a lock like that Nate, does it look like I have anything on me capable of bypassing a door like that." She said motioning to the dress she was wearing. "You need to find a key card."

Sam had noticed the dress she was wearing, and he could see there was no way she was hiding anything under it. It was skin tight black number with a lace back, the lace material actually ran up the sides as well and when she was standing the right way you could see the sides of her breasts. You could see every curve in that dress. He also noted the silver chain she was wearing. He hadn't seen her take it off since he had been back.

"Alright give me a second to think." Nate searched the crowd until his eyes fell on a male waiter crossing the floor near them. "There, he has a key card in his back pocket." He pointed to the man. "I'll go grab it."

"You? I thought we agreed I was the better pick pocket?" Sam asked surprised. "I can pick a waiters pocket," Nate exclaimed in a slightly offended tone. "Ok, give it a try hotshot," Sam said stepping to the side to let Nathan pass. "This should be good," Jessica muttered. Sam laughed quietly in agreement. They watched as Nathan tried and failed multiple times to get close enough to grab the card without being seen.

Nathan came back to the group defeated shrugging his shoulders. "Alright watch the master little brother," Sam said cracking his knuckles in an exaggerated movement. "No, I've got it. If I leave it up to you two we will be here all night." Jessica said pushing her small handbag into Sam's chest. "Be a dear and hold my purse will you?"

Sam stood dumbstruck clutching her purse to his chest as he watched her saunter over to the waiter. "What just happened?" he questioned. "I'm not really sure," Nathan responded. Sully just chuckled "Watch and learn boys." So they did, they saw Jessica approach the waiter, not attempting to hide her presence. She grabbed a glass of champagne from his tray and started a conversation with the man. Much to his annoyance Sam noticed her lean in with her free hand on his shoulder and whisper in his ear. When she pulled away they were both laughing and looking at a man standing a few feet from them. That's when Jessica excused herself from the man and let her hand slide down his arm before breaking contact. Much to their surprise, she was able to smoothly slip the card from his back pocket as she walked past him.

"See how easy that was." She said holding up the key card. "I could have done it in less time." Sam shot back irritated. As much as he disliked her methods he had to admit, she had managed to make getting the card look pretty effortless. He wondered how often she did this sort of thing. He didn't realize he had voiced his query out loud until she spoke. "As often as I need too, and sometimes just when I'm bored." She smirked handing the card over to him. He watched as she turned her attention back to the crowd carefully studying it. To an outsider, she might appear to be bored with the whole event, but he could see how carefully she was watching their surroundings.

"Alright, boys let's go," Sully said ushering the two younger men back to the door. A few minutes later Sully was back and he handed her an earpiece like the ones she knew he had given Nathan and Sam. "You enjoy messing with them don't you," Sully said with a smile. Before she put the earpiece in she responded. "Everything is different now, its…awkward you know? When I'm making jokes or teasing them I almost feel like things are the way they used to be." Sully nodded. "I can understand that." She slipped her earpiece in ending the conversation.

What she didn't realize was that Sam, Nathan could hear her through Sully's earpiece. Neither brother mentioned it, though, other than a slight tensing in Sam's shoulders and the quick glance Nathan gave him, you wouldn't even know they had heard.

Jessica finished off her glass of champagne and looked around for another waiter. "What's a girl have to do to get a drink around here." She asked sarcastically. "Oh, I don't maybe you could flirt with another waiter." Sam chimed in. "If that's what is takes." She jested. He sounded like he was joking but she felt like she heard a little bitterness in his tone as well. "I'm going to take a walk around the room and grab another drink." Sully nodded. "I'll be here."

After doing a round of the room and acquiring another glass of champagne she started to return to Sully when she heard him over the com talking to a woman. She watched as the woman left to get them drinks from the bar. "You hear that?" Sully questioned. "Yeah, a woman just offered to buy you a drink. What's the problem?" Nathan responded. Jessica half listened to the men go back and forth while her eyes followed the woman Sully called Nadine Ross, the name was unfamiliar to her. "What would a mercenary be doing here?" She wondered out loud. "I don't know but it can't be good. Be careful guys." Nathan said before ending communication.

Jessica decided to err on the side of caution and surveyed the area around the pair. She recognized a man named Marco whom she had done a few jobs for in the past. They had a friendly relationship, she made eye contact with him and smiled. He was a little over forty but looked pretty good for his age, they had slept together. it was only the one time but it was why she refused to do any more work for him. She would never make that mistake again. He was speaking with an older gentleman and when his eyes met hers he seemed pleasantly surprised. He made a motion signaling he would find her later.

"Sully who is your lady friend." Jessica inquired as she approached the pair.

"Ah, Jessica there you are." Sully greeted her. "Meet Nadine Ross. Nadine this is Jessica a friend of mine."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Nadine," Jessica spoke politely. "Likewise," Nadine replied. Jessica could tell Nadine wasn't too happy to be interrupted. The woman continued to speak as if she weren't there. Jessica pretended to act as if she were interested in the conversation when she noticed Sam enter the ballroom again this time in a Waiters uniform. She thought to herself there was no way anyone would believe he was a waiter. She had never minded his rough edges but they didn't make for a convincing waiter. Sully saw him as well and Nadine caught his interest and questioned him on it. Fortunately, she hadn't seen who he was looking at, not that she would recognize Sam, though.

"So when am I going to meet that partner of yours…Drake, wasn't it?" Nadine asked. "No, I've been flying solo for awhile now," Sully replied.

"Oh is he…dead?"

"Oh no nothing like that he is retired, last I heard he settled down and got married."

"Then he might as well be dead, right?" Jessica's blood ran cold at the voice she heard from behind her. She and Sully turned simultaneously to see Rafe Adler standing behind them smiling like the Cheshire cat. Could her night possibly get any worse?

"Victor Sullivan and Jessica Costa! What a surprise to see you too here." He commented shaking Victor's hand. He reached for Jessica's hand and she took a sip of her champagne ignoring the gesture outright. Rafe exhaled attempting to hide his annoyance. "How long has it been Jessi? Six, seven years?"

"I couldn't say." She replied, taking another sip of her drink. Her eyes were scanning the room as if she had lost interest in the conversation entirely. They briefly landed on Sam, giving nothing away but lingering long enough to see her was watching them sharply.

She saw Marco excuse himself from the group and make his way over to them. "Mi amor!" he said enthusiastically as he leaned in and kissed both of her cheeks rapidly. "Marco!" She replied in her most charming voice

"Como estas?" he inquired.

"Muy bien. Y tu?"

"Ah, bien." He laughed "Although I would be better if you had not left Spain. Who are your friends?"

"Oh I'm sorry, my manners are lacking tonight. Marco is my good friend Victor, and his friend Nadine." She said gesturing to the two as she introduced them. It was not lost on the group that she failed to introduce Rafe. No one addressed the slight, however. "Ah Victor, I had heard of you, from Jessica. It is nice to finally meet you." Marco commented.

Instead, Rafe introduced himself. "I'm Rafe, Rafe Adler. Jessi and I go way back don't we Jessi?" There was an edginess to his tone that bespoke his irritation but he maintained his smile. Jessica smiled at him if you could call it that.

"I am pleased to meet you all," Marco said smoothly. He slid his arm around Jessica's waist and leaned in to whisper in her ear. Or at least he attempted to whisper, he did not really lower his voice any.

"Quien es este hombre pequeno?" He asked. "No es nadie." She responded. They shared a laugh and glanced at Rafe who had turned his attention to Victor.

"Ah, Estaba preocupada de que tuviera que luchar por ti." Marco stated.

"No piensas tan poco de mí" she replied playfully slapping his shoulder, "Tengo mucho mejor sabor."

"May I steal you away for a moment?" He requested. "Of course, Sully I will be back in a few. It was nice to meet you, Nadine." She said. She gave a slight nod to Rafe before she allowed herself to be led off by Marco.

Sam watched the group closely as he listened in over the com. From the moment Rafe approached them jess had been tense. You wouldn't have noticed it unless you had been paying as close attention to her body language as he had all night. Rafe's body language had always been easy to read, every little slight she gave him pushed him closer to going off. Had she always hated Rafe this much, or was it a recent development?

It only made things worse when Marco joined the group, Sam was only a little surprised to hear Jess continue to slight Rafe in Spanish when she knew full well that Rafe spoke perfect Spanish. As much as Sam hated to see her being so intimate with another man, he was glad when she was pulled away by him. Did she not realize how dangerous Rafe was?

"Jess I know you don't care for Rafe but that was reckless. We are trying to keep a low profile here." He cautioned. Sam couldn't help but notice the way Rafe watched her as she walked away. The look was one of lust tinged with hatred and it made him uneasy. Had he always watched her like that? Was that why she had been so uncomfortable around him? Surely he would have noticed something like that he thought to himself.

Sam was so lost in his own thoughts he was barely listening to Rafe and Sully anymore. He quickly went on alert when he saw Rafe grab Sully to keep him from walking away.

"Just hold on sully," Rafe said quietly. "How did you find out about it?"

"It?" Sully replied playing dumb. "Now what it is that Rafe?" He laughed a little, "Nadine I think your partner here has had too many bloody marys's". As Sully finished his sentence Rafe knocked his drink from his hand and stepped towards him threateningly.

"Cut the bullshit old man!" He jabbed his finger into Sully's chest. "Now I don't know how you scammed your way into here and I don't know how Jessica is involved. But if you think… about bidding on Avery's cross I can tell you exactly how you are going to be leaving. In a goddamn body bag!"

"Rafe!" Nadine said cutting him off. They had drawn quite the crowd of onlookers due to Rafe's little outburst. Rafe took a look around and chuckled. "Well, you get my point."

Sully to his credit kept his calm and simply said, "Lovely seeing you both" before walking away.

Jessica both heard and saw Rafe's outburst, she couldn't help but feel a tad responsible. Sure Rafe was unstable on his best day and she knew how obsessed he was with finding Avery's treasure. But her taunting him could only have made his mood worse. "Excuse me Marco, but I have to go see to my friend." She said politely. "Si, that other man has a rather short fuse, does he not?" Marco replied understandingly.

"Sully, what the fuck was that?" She whispered harshly. "Things just got a lot more complicated." The man responded. "I thought you said Rafe couldn't know about the cross, Sam?' She questioned. "I don't know how he found out about it. I had no idea he would be here tonight." Sam said defensively. Jessica shook her head in anger as she made her way back to Sully. What the hell were they supposed to do now? Sully tried speaking to Nathan to no avail, he must be out of range.

The trio waited anxiously for Nathan to let them know he had made it to the power room. Sully and Jessica spoke about mundane things pretending to catch up with each other. While Sam kept an eye on Rafe and tried not to be noticed.

"Hey, guys you there?" Nathan finally said. "Goddamnit kid! Where the hell have you been?" Sully asked exasperatedly.

"I made it, had a few close calls but I'm in the power room." Nathan finally said. "Well, if you are going to cut the power, now would be a good time," Sully replied.

"Guys they are starting the bidding," Jessica said somewhat nervously.

"Alright, I'm going to need a minute, I can't reach the panel."

"We don't have a minute Rafe is about to walk out of here with your cross," Sully exclaimed. "Wait, What? Rafe?" Nathan asked confused. "Rafe is here?"

"Yes, and as of right now he has the highest bid." Sam chimed in.

"Well out bid him," Nathan said like it was the obvious thing to do. "With what?" Sully retorted, "I don't have that kind of scratch."

"Sully, we're stealing it, remember?" Nathan responded sardonically.

"And what if he calls the bluff?" Jessica said once again questioning Nathan's sanity.

Nate sighed over the com, "He won't."

Jessica and Sully exchanged a look that said they knew they were getting in over their heads.

Translation for Jessica and Marco's conversation in Spanish.

"My love, how have you been?" Marco

"Very good, and you?" Jessica.

…..

"Who is the small man?" Marco

"He is no one." Jessica

"I was worried I would have to fight him for you." Marco

"You cannot think so little of me? I have much better taste." Jessica.

Playlist for this chapter

Story of the year / Until the day I die.

Eve 6 / Think twice.

Fleurie / Hurts like hell.

Red / Never be the same.