SO sorry again for the long time in between updates! And sorry this one is a little shorter than the last .I've been really busy lately with band camp and AP class homework. And thank you so much again to those of you who have favorited, followed, and reviewed!

I was focused so intently on listening to Sully answer my question that I hadn't even realized that we had already entered the room we were headed to. Before I knew it he was making his way over to a window and cracking it open. Soon he was getting comfortable on one of the lounge's many sofas and lighting a cigar.

"Well," he said after taking a long drag, "I guess that about covers it. Anything else you want to know?"

"No," I reply, "that answered all three of my other questions, too. And probably some more I could have come up with along that way." We exchanged smirks, "Always full of mystery, that Nathan. In the almost eight years I've known him he's never told me once about that. I'm sure there are plenty of other stories like that, though."

"Yeah, well, understandably so. I didn't think he'd ever bring it up again but here we are." And with that he leaned over and pulled the chain on a nearby lamp a few times, giving the signal for Nate to start heading our way from the outside. I always hated this part of a job. Just sitting around waiting made me anxious. Sully must have noticed my tension through the silence.

"You worry too much, darlin'. They'll get here soon enough. Just try and make a grand entrance." He turned around and gave me a reassuring smile and I couldn't help but relax. Sully always knew what to say to me, even if there weren't many words. The moment we met we both took a liking to each other. We seemed to be equal parts wit as well as tongue. Making sure Nate didn't do anything too stupid was a hobby that he, Elena, and I now shared. He had made it his responsibility to watch over Nate like a father some twenty years ago but he had also done the same for me almost eight years ago.

Right, a grand entrance. If there was one thing I was good at it was being stealthy. I was sure I could just melt into the shadows and then reappear from the darkness when the right time arrived. Coming up with a witty remark to announce my presence wouldn't be that hard either. I backed into a corner of the room and started inspecting the books on the shelves. I had become rather absorbed in one particular piece of Italian literature and almost didn't notice the window Sully had unlocked earlier swinging open wider. As I watched two figures climb through the window I heard a voice call out from the darkness.

"Sully?"

"You know what I love about partying with a bunch of crooks?" Sully turned on the lamp again, bathing the immediate area in light, "Nobody cares if you smoke indoors." He beamed up at Nate, cigar hanging from his mouth. The two men hugged and shared words of welcoming as I stepped out of my corner.

"I mind a little, y'know." All three of them turned to face me before Nate and Sully started laughing. The other man, who I could only assume to be Nate's partner, Sam, just stood there, eyes wide. I could tell he wasn't expecting a woman. It wouldn't surprise me if Nate didn't tell him about me at all. Nate walked over, arms open.

"It's been a while, Leigh Ann." We embraced, "Thanks again for coming."

"Yeah, well, life and death adventure friends, right? It's good to see you again." I pulled away and grinned up at him.

"You, too." He smiled back.

I walked toward his friend who had just finished greeting Sully and held out a hand toward him. "I suppose I should introduce myself. Leigh Ann Brook." His expression relaxed greatly and I swore I could almost see the ghost of a smirk as he took my hand in his own.

"Samuel Drake." He lifted my hand to his mouth and gently placed a kiss on top of it.

"Drake?" I questioned, turning my head towards Nate again. As far as I was aware he didn't have any blood relatives left.

"Oh, right," Nate responded sheepishly, "he's my brother. Did I forget to mention that?"

"Must have slipped your mind. I'll add it to the list." I said, facing Sam again. "Your brother always leaves out the most important parts, do you know that?"

He chuckled and the corners of his grayish-blue eyes crinkled. "Yeah, he does that sometimes." He replied looking down at me. Even with my heels on he was a good five inches taller than me. "Do you know that dress looks amazing on you?" I blushed at his simple comment. It had been a while since I had received a compliment like that. It wasn't anything special, anyway. The only thing interesting about it was that it was backless and had a generous slit up the thigh that under different circumstances I probably wouldn't have been comfortable wearing. However, it would help with mobility if, God forbid, we had to make a quick escape.

I could tell he was probably just being a flirt but it was still a very nice thing to say. I said my thanks a little less coherently than I normally would and took a step back, "Well, let's go get that cross, shall we?"

"Yeah, about that," said Sully, "C'mon, let me show you something."

As I followed close behind Sully to leave the room I could hear the two brothers talking quietly to each other.

"Still wish I hadn't invited her?" Nate asked.

"I might reconsider."

"Yeah, well she's not just a pretty face. She happens to be a top notch adventurer. And stop staring at her like that, she'll kick your ass." I couldn't help but smile.