Looks like I'm back! And so is Lyssie! I hope you enjoy chapter one.

I own none of the characters in this story except for Lyssie.

The sky around the rising sun burned a pale gold, beams of light surrounding clouds that hung in the chilled December air. In an apartment over Washington DC, the light began to peek through a crack in the curtains of a bedroom, where Lyssie Matthews slept soundly. Her head rested on the chest of Riley Poole, her boyfriend of almost two years.

Lyssie slept soundly a few more moments before an alarm clock broke the silence. She reached for the nightstand and switched it off. She sat up slowly. Riley didn't stir.

"Come on." She shoved Riley's shoulder. "Time to get up." Riley let out a moan, and rolled over. She shook her head and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She walked to the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror through her hazel eyes, thinking about how much had changed.

After they'd found the treasure, Lyssie's life had become a whirlwind. TV interviews, speeches, exhibit openings, it all happened so fast. After things had slowed down, she had moved in with Riley.

She sighed, running a hand over her black hair. She took off pajamas and turned on the shower, stepping in. Warm water rolled down her back as she began to massage the shampoo into her hair. And then she hard the bathroom door open and close, footsteps, and then the shower curtain opened. Someone grabbed her around the waist, causing her to let out a shriek.

"Riley!"

"What?" Riley asked innocently.

"What are you doing? Don't you have to get ready for work?" Lyssie asked.

"I don't know. Remind me why I'm still working?"

Lyssie rolled her eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you? We agreed that you would keep working so we can keep part of our share of money in the bank and save it for something important." She explained.

"OK. Fine." Riley sounded slightly disappointed. "But can't we just-"

Riley was suddenly cut off by a sponge to the face.

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After practically pushing Riley out the door, Lyssie finally had some time to herself. She poured herself a mug of coffee and walked into the dining room. Something sitting on dining room table caught her eye. A single rose on the table and a note. Curiously, she set her coffee on the table and walked over, unfolding the note. It was written in code. She grinned. She and Riley often left coded notes for each other.

She started decoding it from memory, and suddenly stopped as she began the third word. Everything began to come together in her mind.

She grinned, her heart beating quickly in her chest. Lyssie took a deep breath, quickly grabbing the nearest piece of paper and scribbling down her response, not even bothering to put it in code. She gently folded it and put it in her pocket.

For a moment she thought she heard the floorboards in the living room creak, but she brushed it off. She was about to head into the kitchen, but hearing a few more creaks, she spun around. A man with a mask covering his face was standing only 5 feet away. Before she could react, the man grabbed her from behind. She struggled desperately, knocking over the vase, sending the rose to the wooden floor, water spilling everywhere.

The man tightened his grip, stopping her struggles. She leaned down, his mouth right next to her ear.

"It's nice to see you again, Miss Matthews." He whispered, the familiar sound sending a chill down her spine. She began to scream, but a gloved hand over her mouth quieted her.

"Sleep well."

Lyssie felt a needle plunge in her neck and everything became black.

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When Riley returned home from work at 4:00, he put his key in an already unlocked door and found no trace of Lyssie except a broken vase, a cold cup of coffee, and a single red rose smashed into the wet carpet.

DUN DUN DUN!!!!! And the drama is already unfolding! Who kidnapped her? If you know, don't tell. Keep it to yourself, because you'll all find out in the next chapter anyway.