Disclaimer-I own nothing. It's sad, really.

A/N-This relatively short chapter is basically a parole hearing. I have never personally been to a parole hearing (yet), so I have no idea what one is like. Honestly, I got my parole details from the parole scene in Mystery Men (which I don't own either). Now that I think about it, The Mystery Men parole scene was for an insane asylum, not a prison (oops). So if any of you notice that paroles probably take place in courtrooms and not the actual prison, please forgive me on my lack of Judicial Accuracy. I know not what I do.

-------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Three

The parole hearing room was depressing- a huge, high-ceilinged space that had probably been a warehouse at another time. Its walls were once white, but over time had yellowed, and the huge padlocks on the doors were disconcerting. A lone chair rested in front of a long table occupied by four stern faces with stacks of paper before them containing the profiles of dozens of criminals whose parole hearings were today. Most, if not all of them would be denied.

But Ian won't, Claire thought smugly. Not today.

Sitting next to her in the visitors section were two men who she had once hated and was now ready to hug. Well, actually, I still hate one of them, she thought, amused. But after this, who really cares?

The middle-aged man sitting in the center chair cleared his throat. "The parole hearing of prisoner 23495, Ian James Howe, has begun. Please bring him in."

As Ian was let in, Claire heard Ben start with surprise. She guessed it was because of Ian's emaciated condition. He was probably feeling a little guilty. Serves you right you…. imprisonater. she thought nastily, before remembering that Ben was testifying and she didn't hate him anymore. Riley, on the other hand, looked terrified at the sight of her brother to the point that it was almost funny.

As Ian caught sight of Ben and Riley, he almost jumped is surprise, and then narrowed his eyes menacingly at them. Claire let Riley shake in fear for a few seconds before smiling at her brother reassuringly. Realizing that his little sister was sitting between his two enemies, Ian's look of anger turned to one of confusion.

"Ladies and Gentleman of the board," The lead board member began. "I believe this is Mr. Howe's fourth parole hearing. You will remember, of course, the enormous uproar he caused when he stole the Declaration of Independence."

Claire glared at the man. She really, really hated Judge Brody. The jerk had been the judge at all three of Ian's previous parole hearings, and loved to remind the board of all the "atrocities" he committed.

"In addition to Grand theft, Mr. Howe was charged with kidnapping, four counts of attempted murder, armed theft, and trespassing on government property, and sentenced to twenty years in prison." Brody continued in his horrible nasally voice. "It is my professional opinion, ladies and gentleman, that we can in no way allow Mr. Howe to be freed, as he poses a threat to the community."

Professional opinion my ass. Claire thought maliciously.

"I see that in addition to Miss. Howe, we have two more visitors. May I have your names, gentlemen?"

Claire snorted softly. The Judge knew exactly who Ben and Riley were, if he'd ever watched two seconds of CNN. He was just playing to his stupid board.

Gates cleared his throat. "My name is Benjamin Gates, your honor, and this is Riley Poole." he stated. Riley gave and awkward wave.

Brody raised his eyebrows dramatically. "The Benjamin Gates and Riley Poole who were listed as two of the four counts of attempted murder against Mr. Howe?" He looked as if Christmas had just come early. "Obviously, these two gentlemen have come to testify against the atrocities that Mr. Howe has inflicted on them."

Ben smiled awkwardly "Actually your honor, we're here to testify for Mr. Howe."

Claire smiled smugly at Judge Brody as his look of arrogance was replaced by one of disbelief. She knew it was childish to gloat, but at the moment, she was reveling in being childish.

The spectacled woman at the end of the table took advantage of Brody's shocked silence to gesture towards Ben and Riley. "Would you stand and tell the board why please gentleman?"

Both stood and Ben began. "We both do not deny the charges that Ian is placed under, but we dispute the Judge's opinion that Ian is a danger to us. We believe that Ian acted rashly, but regrets his actions fully and, if given the chance, would not commit those rash actions towards us again. Mr. Howe has served for a very long time. Obviously not his full sentence, but definitely enough to reprimand him for his actions. I believe that it's time we give him a second chance."

Man, when Ian got out, Claire was going to make him buy Ben lunch. And dinner. Possibly for the rest of his life.

By the time Ben had finished, Brody had reinstated his composure and was ready to do battle. "Mr. Poole, do you have any comments?"

Riley shrugged and pointed to Ben "What he said."

"Very well then. May I enquire, Mr. Gates, why the other two people Mr. Howe tried to kill aren't present?"

Ben nodded. "My wife, Abigail, had to watch our son, but she shares my sentiments."

Both Claire and Ian's heads shot up in unison. Gates has a SON? They thought simultaneously. Riley suppressed a chuckle.

"My father," Ben continued, "lives in Pennsylvania and wasn't available to come."

Judge Brody tried to regain his air of command. "Though it is touching to see the forgiveness of Mr. Howe's victims, there are numerous other charges against him. Kidnapping, armed theft, trespassing-these cannot be overlooked."

Claire was furious. That biased prick! He was ruining her brother's best chance at freedom because he was too much of a pompous windbag to admit he was proven wrong!

"Obviously, if my wife, who was the kidnappee, if you will, of the situation can forgive him for attempted murder, than the kidnapping issue is really not relevant. The armed robbery charges are also a bit tilted, since Ian really didn't end up actually stealing anything." Ben countered.

"And trespassing on government property?"

Claire jumped up next to Ben, enraged. "Judge Brody, I realize that you're trying to execute impartial judgment by exploring the case form every angle, but my brother broke into a church, not the frigging White House!"

"Ah, Miss Howe, I was wondering when we were going to hear your expert opinion."

Her eyes narrowed. "You pretentious bas-" Ben wisely cut Claire off of what probably would have been a tirade that would have gotten them thrown out. Riley blinked, shocked. Was this the same woman they had met last week?

"Your Honor, what Miss Howe is trying to say so……..emotionally is that Ian only cut the lock on the gate of the Old North Church-he was arrested before he actually went in. I hardly doubt that the board would keep him in jail for cutting a lock on a church door." Ben explained.

The spectacled lady at the end of the table spoke up again. "Judge Brody, we can hardly hold Mr. Howe here with the testimony that has been given. I think there's really only one choice we have."

Claire grinned. I knew I always liked her.

The other members of the board murmured in agreement and fuming, Judge Brody had no choice but to consent. "Mr. Howe, I declare your sentence officially over. You must consult with a parole officer once a week. You may not leave the country. If you miss your parole meeting, you will be eligible for arrest. Do you understand these charges?"

"I do." Ian replied, relived.

"Very well." Brody said grumpily. "You're free to go."

Once the guard removed his chains, Claire was out of her seat and rocketed over to his chair, hugging him furiously. Ian looked slightly bewildered, but insanely happy. I'm free, he thought, amazed. I have no idea what just happened, but I'm free.

----------------------------------------------------------------

As soon as the doors of the prison closed behind the foursome, Ian turned rapidly.

"Ben, not that I'm not grateful, but what the hell are you doing here?"

"Ask your sister" he replied. "Who, by the way, needs to work on her arguing skills. I believe calling the judge a pretentious bastard is not exactly the way to charm over a parole board."

Claire blushed "Sorry," she muttered. "But that guy just….he wouldn't…..he was so…..ughhhhhhhh." she realized Ian was still staring at her, waiting for an answer. "Oh! right…..I….. arranged a business deal with Mr.Gates."

Ian looked confused. "But you have no money." he made a face. "Ugh, Claire, you didn't seduce him, did you?"

Claire turned bright red "IAN!"

"Married!" Ben yelled

Riley was practically in tears by then, he was laughing so hard.

"I didn't seduce him Ian," she said, still embarrassed. "I gave him the Blackbeard documents."

He looked slightly angry. "The documents you've been working on for over two years? Claire, you were obsessed with those!"

"Do you really think I would be happy running off to find buried treasure while my brother was in prison and I could have done something about it?" she asked quietly. Taking advantage of her brother's silence, she turned to Ben.

"Speaking of the documents, it's about time I gave you these now; you've more than held up your side of the deal." Claire pulled out the envelope out of her bag and handed it to him reluctantly. "Lowering her voice, she whispered "The treasure is located on the island of Nassau in the Bahamas." Reaching into her bag again, she pulled out a giant notebook. "These are all my notes from the past two years." she explained. "Everything you need, including the location of the treasure, is in here."

Handing them over to Ben, she smiled sadly. "I really do hope you find it."

Turning to Ian, she grinned at him. "C'mon-lets go home."

After thanking him one last time, she turned and started to lead Ian towards her car. Ben felt a twinge of guilt. Would he have ever been able to give up the key to the Freemason's treasure? He made a quick decision that he would probably later regret. Dragging Riley back after Claire & Ian, he reached them just as they were about to get into Claire's car.

"Miss Howe, you consider yourself an expert on the subject of Blackbeard and his treasure, right?"

Claire nodded, confused.

"I admit, I don't know that much on the subject, and if we're going all the way to the Bahamas, we're going to need an expert. Plus, you have the messiest handwriting I have ever seen."

Claire still looked confused "What exactly are you asking me, Mr. Gates?"

"Would you like to come with us?"

"What?" asked Riley, openmouthed.

"What?" Ian sputtered.

"Absolutely!" Claire answered, beaming