"Well it sure has been on eventful night here in Athens," the dark haired female reporter said into her camera. "But it would seem things are finally winding down. The strange fog has cleared and the truth is finally surfacing."
Her cameraman panned wide capturing the majesty of the Parthenon in the background.
"It was here, at the Parthenon, where a week long chase spanning all across Europe finally ended. Inside the ruins of this once magnificent temple police were finally able to arrest Garin Brewr, CEO and founder of Olympian Weapons Incorporated. Brewr has long been the suspect criminal mastermind behind a string of grand theft cases all over the world involving ancient Greek antiquities. In addition to the grand theft Brewr is now being charged with the kidnapping and attempted murder of American journalist Elena Fisher, who was finally found today after she and her cameraman, Ryan Michelson, went missing from a gala in Paris a week ago."
The camera panned wide sweeping over the action. Crowds of still confused masses hugged the police lines. A wall of flashing police cars and ambulances blocked the true action from view. Police officers and agents were tackling the onslaught of reporters and cameras flashed like crazy. Panning away the camera scoped back in on her.
"Many believe that the mounting pressures of his job drove Brewr to a mental break that led him to commit these strange crimes. Others say that Brewr has long been suspected of mental instability."
"Tonight police also caught up with notorious treasure hunter Nathan Drake after he escaped from their custody two days ago. No word has been released yet on what his true involvements in tonight's on goings were or what police are planning to do with him."
She paused ready to end the broadcast when new information buzzed in her ear. A hand flew to her earpiece making sure she was hearing it correctly.
"Wait… wait, this just in," she said urgently. "Nathan Drake has been released on all charges, I repeat; Nathan Drake has been released on all charges."
The reporter spun around spotting the nearest agent. She jogged towards the blonde woman heels clacking against the stone.
"Agent Orem!" she called. "Agent Orem a moment of your time."
"The woman turned around looking at her with a mixture of annoyance and acceptance. She nodded.
"Why has Nathan Drake been released from custody?" she asked shoving the microphone in her face.
"Mr. Drake was part of a sting operation headed by my team. We used his status as a known treasure hunter to infiltrate Brewr's circle. Once he was inside we were waiting for the right moment to intervene. Unfortunately things got out of hand and our correspondence with him was lost. Under the extreme circumstances he was forced to take matters into his own hands. My agency takes full responsibility for his actions."
"If Drake was once of your own, like you say, then why did you arrest him not two days ago?" she asked.
"After the confusion in Paris we had to make sure he was still on our side and talk to him without Brewr getting suspicious. Once we were sure he was still with us we orchestrated an escape and continued with the operation."
"If he was such a flight risk then why…"
"Please," Marie cut her off. "I know it's all very complicated and confusing. All of the details will be released at a press conference to be set at a later date. No more questions."
Rolling her eyes Marie walked away into the ring of ambulances hordes and reporters disappearing behind their giant metal bodies. Looking around she spotted Nate sitting on the back of an ambulance getting checked out by a paramedic. She grinned at the annoyed look on his face. Nate was a terrible patient and he wasn't fond of doctors. Shaking her head she walked over to him.
"Well," the paramedic said, "nothing seems to be broken but you do have a pretty descent concussion. Just take it easy for a few weeks and try to keep a hold of the brain cells you still have."
"Eh," Nate agreed unenthusiastically rolling his eyes.
"Don't worry, doc," Marie said. "He's got a thick skull. He'll be just fine."
Nate gave her a look as the paramedic walked away. She rested her hands on the ambulance's bumper leaning on them.
"How you feeling?" she asked.
"Fine," he answered. "I have a massive headache though."
"You'd figure," she laughed. "So… where's Elena?"
"She's off getting changed," he said. "One of your agents found her some regular clothes. She was more than happy to get out of that Athena outfit. Where's the other two?"
"Elias is off getting his ankle checked out and I think Ryan's giving a statement or something," she shrugged.
"Ugh, let's get out of here," he said pushing himself up off the bumper. "The noise is killing me."
They walked away from the cars and crowds heading back up toward the ruins. A long line of buffer rails blocked off the edge off the cliff. The view of Athens was spectacular from here; it sprawled out before them in a sparkling blend of ancient and modern. To the east the sky was glowing with soft pastel colors signifying the coming dawn. Nate stopped leaning against the rail.
"I want to thank you for what you did back there," Nate said seriously. "You really put your neck on the line for me and I really appreciate it."
"Don't mention it," she shrugged.
"Don't mention it? You could have lost your job."
"Nah, I'll be fine. You helped us finally nail Brewr which we've been trying to do for years. You did it in two weeks without even trying. So they can deal. It also helps that I'm on my director's good side," she grinned. "And besides, that's what friends do for each other. If you can't stick your neck out for your friends then who can you stick it out for?"
Nate looked at her eyebrows arching. She let out a short shocked laugh and knocked her shoulder into his.
"Yes, Nate, I'm still your friend," she said. "I never stopped being your friend."
"It's hard to tell these days," he said.
"That's because you've been hanging out with the wrong crowd," she ribbed.
Nate fell silent looking out towards the horizon. Marie frowned hoping she hadn't hit a sore note. Sighing she leaned back against the railing. There was just so much she didn't know about him these days.
"So…" she said breaking the silence. "This is the end of the road, huh? What are you going to do now? Got another crazy adventure planned?"
"No," he laughed lightening up. "I didn't even plan this one. I think I'm just going to go home and stay there for a while."
"Speaking of home," she said tentatively. "Do you ever think about going back?"
Nate whipped his head toward her shocked, "What? Why'd you have to… I mean… I can't…"
Growling frustratedly Nate turned sharply and started walking away. He couldn't believe she'd brought that up. Marie hurried after him.
"Nate, wait!" she called.
"I don't want to talk about it," he growled.
She grabbed him by the shoulder jerking him back, "You need to talk about it!"
"No, I don't," he said sharply facing her. "When I left I never looked back and you know that."
"Yeah, I do," she said voice just as sharp. "And I also know what it is like there without you. They miss you, Nate, all of them."
He laughed humorlessly, "Not all of them."
"It has been seven years, Nate!" she chided. "Don't you think it's about time you got over your bruised ego, sucked it up, and went home? Besides I know you found the treasure. Don't you think he deserves to know that too?"
"He wouldn't care," Nate said. "And I don't need to go back there just so he can tell me how much of my life I wasted doing what I love to do. I live my life the way I want to because I can and I don't need anyone's approval to that, especially not his. Now if you're done scolding me I've got other things to do."
He turned and started walking away again.
"What about your mom?" she called.
Nate stopped dead in his tracks fists clenching. He should have known Marie would play dirty. He spun around face taking on a reddish hue.
"Now that's taking it too far," he spat.
"Is it?" she asked. "Don't you think she deserves to know where you are? How you're doing?"
Marie paused walking up to him.
"Look, every time I go home she asks me if I've seen you or heard from you or know anything about where you are. Until now I've never really had much to tell her. But next time I go home and she asks those same questions I am not going to lie to her. So don't you dare even think about asking me to."
Marie stopped taking a breath. She calmed herself redness leaving her cheeks.
"I just want you to know the truth," she said softly. "They've all changed so much. Emily's grown up and you wouldn't even recognize Noah anymore. You've missed so much of their lives already. Can you really afford to waste anymore time?"
Nate went back to leaning on the railing and stared off towards the coming light of dawn. Marie could easily read the guilt on his face. She'd really driven the point home.
"Look, I'm not saying you should hop on a plane and leave tomorrow. I just want you to think about it."
They both stood silently for a while watching the colors glow steadily brighter.
"But despite it all," she said once again breaking the silence. "It was good to see you again."
He sighed turning to her, "It was good to see you to."
She quickly stepped toward him and wrapped him in a hug. After a moment he hugged her back. A strange nostalgia drifted around them. The both felt it, the sudden spark of what they'd had once upon a time, but deep down they both knew the flame had gone out years ago.
"Nate?" a voice called in the distance. "Nate?"
Marie pulled back out of the hug.
"Well," she said. "That's my cue."
In the distance Elena jogged up over the stairs and spotted them. She started walking towards them. Marie turned and began walking away. But at about fifteen steps she turned back.
"Oh, and Nate," she called. "Hold on to this one. She's good for you!"
Nate grinned as she turned to walk away. As she did his eyes drifted from her to Elena. They were so similar but so different, both unique and perfect in their own way. In the distance Marie disappeared over the edge of the stairs just as Elena reached him. Behind him the sun finally broke over the horizon bathing the temple in its golden glow. For the first time in weeks Nate was felt as if a new day had begun.