A/N Okay, I had wanted this to be longer but I don't think I'll be able to really work on it again until this weekend and this chapter is already almost a week late. *sorry* Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. Btw, I don't know if the credits listed a character name for the cute red-head at the end of BOS but, in this story, her name is Stephanie. LoL Please let me know what you think? Your reviews inspire me, which, in turn, motivates me to write faster! :o) ~Kelcor

The sun was shining bright and the air was warm on this mid-September afternoon. Riley gazed up at the cloudless sky, trying to remember when he had ever been this happy. Ben and Abigail had invited him to this impromptu backyard-barbecue and had even told him to bring Stephanie along, as well. Patrick and Emily were there, too - making this an official 'family picnic'.

There was a time when Riley would have felt like an intruder by attending such an event but, over the past several months, Stephanie had managed to convince him that Ben did indeed consider Riley to be part of the family, possibly even a little brother. Though Riley didn't dare carry the fantasy that far, he had come to entertain the idea that he maybe held the importance of a distant cousin.

Ah, Stephanie. So sweet and kind. He took a swig from his beer, his blue eyes moving across the yard in search of his date of choice. From his perch on the edge of the picnic table, he could see her playing a game of volleyball with Abigail. His eyes then fell on Emily and Patrick who were watching from the sidelines, awaiting their turn to test each other's competitive edge. Some would think Ben's parents too old for such a sport - or for any sport, for that matter! - but, then again, those same people would have expected the two to be goners if left to their own devices after being trapped in a cave-in five months ago. And, Riley chuckled, they would be oh-so wrong.

"What's so funny?"

Riley glanced up to see Ben watching him from a couple feet away, smoke billowing around him from the steaks sizzling on the barbecue. Before Riley could answer, a whoop sounded from the other side of the yard, and Abigail and Stephanie came bounding over to them, eyes filled with laughter.

"Who won," Ben inquired, wrapping his arms around Abigail and pulling her close for a quick, gentle kiss.

"I did," Abigail giggled, "but I think Stephanie let me win."

"Not at all," Stephanie assured her, taking a seat on the bench next to Riley and leaning into his side, even as his arm lifted to drape over her shoulders. "You definitely gave me a run for my money."

"Uh-oh," Riley muttered.

Ben followed Riley's gaze. Emma and Patrick were already arguing and the game hadn't even begun yet. "I'll be right back," Ben sighed, stepping away to play mediator yet again.

Abigail grabbed his hand, however, pulling him back to stand in front of the barbecue. "You take care of the food, Mr. Gates. I will deal with your feuding parents this time." Her focus moved to Stephanie. "Feel like a game of doubles?"

"Sounds good to me," the red-head agreed, placing a kiss on Riley's cheek before standing and heading over to the net.

Abigail moved to join her but Ben kept a firm hold of her hand and, with a gentle tug, she found herself back in his arms. His gaze was warm and his lips were tender as he leaned down to kiss her again. "Thank you," he said, sincerity clear in his voice.

"You're welcome. And, Riley," she added, turning her attention to the youngest of her two favourite men, "don't let him burn the steaks."

Riley mock-saluted her. "Yes, ma'am."

"Hey!" But Ben's protest fell on deaf ears as Abigail joined Stephanie, Emily and Patrick to decide on the teams.

"I think I'm going to propose," Riley whispered, as soon as Abigail was out of earshot.

Ben turned a startled gaze toward him. "I'm sorry, you're going to what?"

"You heard me."

"Do you think that's wise?"

"What?"

"Riley, you've only known this girl for five months. Don't you think you're jumping the gun a little bit, here?"

"Why? You think she'll say no?"

"No. In fact, I'm pretty darn sure she'll say yes. I just think you should hold off until you can be more certain as to her reasons for saying yes, before actually popping the question."

"You still think she's only with me for my money." It wasn't a question. "Because why else would she be with someone like Riley Poole, right?"

"No, Riley. It's not that, and you know it," Ben declared. "I know you're anxious to be part of a family again, but --"

"What did you just say?" Riley's voice had pitched down to a dangerous timbre, deceptively calm but with an undeniable edge to it.

Ben had never heard such a tone from his young friend before. After doing a cautious double-take, Ben repeated his words. "I said that I know you're anxious to be part of a family."

"No," there was that tone again, "you said 'again', that I'm anxious to be part of a family again."

Ben sighed, annoyed with himself for the slip of the tongue. How could he have been so careless? Yes, he had been planning to talk to Riley about his recent discoveries, but he'd wanted to wait for the right moment (this was not it!) and it was supposed to be a private conversation, no spectators allowed. Now that that plan had gone out the window, Ben had no choice but to pursue it further.

In an effort to, at least, take the spectators out of the equation, Ben took Riley by the elbow and, ignoring the kid's struggles and protests, he led him over to the back porch, effectively inserting several feet between their soon-to-be discussion and the would-be audience.

"Let go of me," Riley said, finally wrenching his arm free when Ben loosened his grip.

"Riley, look," Ben began. "I know about your parents… and your brother."

Against his will, Riley's subconscious mind took him back to the dark and painful memories of his past, to a time and place it usually only pulled him to when he was locked in a deep sleep and had no control over its path. Forcing himself back to the here and now, Riley blinked back the burning sensation behind his eyes.

Ben plunged ahead in his explanation. "I did some research, Ri."

Hearing those words, Riley chose a much safer emotion… Anger. "I'm not one of your pet projects," he bit out through clenched teeth.

"Of course, you're not," Ben agreed. "I was just worried about you, kid--"

"You had no right."

"It's my obligation as 'best friend' to help you when you're hurting and how can I help when I don't know what's causing the pain?"

"Well, I hereby absolve you of that 'obligation'!"

"What?"

"Any and all obligations you felt as 'best friend' are now null and void… because you no longer hold that title."

"Riley, come on, now. If you would just take a step back and look at the situation in a logical manner, I'm sure --"

"Logical?! You know what's funny, Mr. Spock? I was all ready to ask you to be my best man," Riley said softly. "What's even funnier is that I was nervous you'd say no!"

"Riley," Ben pleaded, placing his hands on the younger man's shoulders.

Shrugging out of Ben's grip, Riley glared up at his friend, "Don't touch me," he seethed. "This friendship? It's over. We're through, Ben. Forever."

NTNTNTNTNT

Abigail lay in bed, her head resting on her husband's chest, listening to the pounding of his heart. If she didn't know any better, she'd think it was missing a crucial beat - a beat named Riley. Knowing that Ben was still wide awake, she whispered, "Try to get some sleep, sweetheart."

"It's too soon. He barely even knows her. She could be after his money for all we know."

Abigail pushed herself up on one elbow and locked eyes with him. "You don't really mean that."

"Yes. I mean, no. I mean… I don't know."

With a soft smile and a shake of her head, Abigail lay back down, snuggled into Ben's side. "Well said," she smirked.

"What I do know," he continued, "is that Riley is entering into this whole marriage thing for the wrong reasons."

"He thinks he's alone," Abigail stated matter-of-factly.

"But he's not alone. He already has a family. Why can't he see that?"

"Have you ever told him?"

"What?"

"Have you ever told him that he's not only a part of this family but a very integral part?"

Before Ben was able to answer, a crash sounded from downstairs.

NTNTNTNTNT

"Who does he think he is?"

"He's your best friend," Stephanie told him. "He's just looking out for you."

They drove around aimlessly for a few hours, stopping at a small diner for a bite to eat, which basically involved Stephanie watching the man who had mysteriously won her heart - despite her best efforts to remain unaffected by his charms - picking at his food for about an hour and eating none of it.

Finally returning to Riley's apartment about an hour ago, Stephanie was sitting on the sofa, watching Riley pace back and forth in front of her. He was still fuming about what had happened at the barbecue.

"He always treats me like a kid," he exclaimed. "The guy acts like I can't make any decisions on my own!" He paused for a long moment, then the true source of his anger came roaring to the surface, but it was more than just anger… his voice also held an undeniable trace of panic, as well. "He had no right to go digging into my past!"

NTNTNTNTNT

Ben slipped soundlessly out from under the covers, sliding his feet into the slippers laying on the floor next to the bed.

"What are you doing?" The urgent whisper had Ben turning back to look at his beautiful wife. He leaned forward and brushed his lips briefly against hers.

"Stay here. I'll be right back."

"Don't be a hero, Ben."

"Haven't you heard?" he asked with a dry smirk. "According to the papers, I already am."

She gave him an exasperated, yet concerned look as he blew her a kiss and stepped out into the hallway, closing the bedroom door behind him.

TBC