A/N: Sorry for me taking forever to update. I have Spring Break right now - it literally took my two sittings to write all of this and before break I didn't even have that kind of time.

Hope you guys enjoy!

"All right, it's going to be okay, don't panic." Jacob tried to say as calmly as he possibly could.

"Little too late for that!"

"Hey, look at me," Cassandra resisted, but then looked up. They met eyes and she instantly felt secure. "You ain't about to die. We're gonna figure this out, all right?"

Her head wobbled up and down, tears building in her eyes. "How?"

"How Librarians always do – with knowledge. We got brains, don't we? Let's use 'em."

Cassandra took in a deep breath, her eyes clamped shut. Equations started to slowly fill her mind, then suddenly, like a gust of wind, her mind was overpowered with equations and numbers. She recoiled, letting out a shriek from the pain. Feeling Jake's hand gripping hers she opened her eyes, seeing the walls still inching closer.

"Hey, hey," he said softly, getting her to look back at him. She met his eyes and she abruptly felt that pit gnawing in her stomach. "Forget about the walls. Just try to breathe and focus."

Cassandra took in another deep inhale, nodding. "Right. Like the smell of strawberries."

"Yeah, strawberries. Whatever makes ya happy."

At that, she wasn't imagining strawberries. She wasn't imagining anything. 'Whatever made her happy' was currently holding her hands in comfort.

"Cass," Cassandra's eyelids lifted, seeing Jake staring at something behind her. She followed his eyes and saw the wall behind them, one that was not moving. There were words printed on it, not in English, but in Spanish.

"'Heaven is no haven for a king.'" Jacob looked at her, almost like he didn't believe it. "It's a clue."

Cassandra looked to her side, the walls practically touching them by now. She forced herself to focus. "This sounds like a history exam, Jake, not physics."

He looked back at her, his hands tightly gripping the sides of her arms now. "You're right." His brow furrowed, clearly trying to figure it out. "Heaven is no haven. Is it just implyin' death?"

"No, it has to mean something. It wants something. If heaven isn't a safe haven, then what is?"

Jacob let loose of her arms, reeling his out in thwart. "Their ship, the sea? That ain't it. They mentioned it for a king, that has to mean somethin', right?"

"Well, this treasure was taken from royalty. What would've been somewhere that was safe for them once they had stolen their loot?"

Jacob thought about it. "For these pirates? I'd assume Canada, considerin' they traveled all the way from the Spanish seas to Canada's dry land to hide their treasure."

The walls were inches from touching their shoulders.

"It has to want something more specific."

"A royal safe haven… -" He looked at her, a grin on his face. "Port Royal!"

The walls stopped – a loud crash of stone echoing the caves. Jacob and Cassandra looked at each other, both breathing heavily, awe covering their faces.

Cassandra laughed out of pure joy, slinging her arms around Jacob's neck and squeezing him tight. Jake wrapped her arms around her torso, hugging her back. After a moment Cassandra pulled back and she met his eyes again, but this time the pit in her stomach wasn't there, but instead, the urge to kiss him senseless. It might have all been her imagination, but she couldn't help but feel that Jacob was thinking the same thing. His eyes broke from hers and glimpsed her lips before they ambled back, a look in his eyes she'd never seen before. With his hands now on her waist, she could have sworn they were slinking closer and closer to each other. Cassandra watched his mouth, their lips seconds from meeting –

A loud roar boomed from behind them. They both looked, out of surprise, to see a door way now slid open for them to escape. After taking a moment to snap back to reality they hurried out, the moment between them forgotten.

For now.

I swear I slid their phones back in their pockets this morning as they left the hotel. Yet, I couldn't help but feel like the lack of signal and answering of calls was somehow my fault. Baird knew there was no chance of reaching them down here but she wouldn't seem to stop, calling them over and over as we watched the wall that had just randomly appeared sink farther and farther away from us.

"Flynn," Baird said panicked. "Do something."

"Do what, Eve? You're the Guardian, why don't you do something?"

"Oh, hey, guys," I voiced.

"Because, Flynn, I'm not the Librarian. I don't think myself out of tough situations or solve impossible puzzles. You know what I do? I punch people! And right now, the only person I want to punch is you!"

"Guys," My voice might be showing slight irritation.

"Really? Is threatening really the way to go, Eve?"

Okay, they really needed to shut up. "Guys, the wall, it-"

"If it gets you to save the lives of those two Librarians, then yes!"

"What do you want me to do? Say 'Abracadabra' and make everything okay?"

"Maybe!"

"Baird, Flynn!"

They turned their heads towards me, but quickly were taken by the wall. "Oh, hey," Flynn commented, nonchalantly. "The wall stopped moving."

I groaned. "Really? I didn't notice."

"It's okay, Jones." Flynn patted my shoulder. I rolled my eyes. "One day, just maybe, you might be just as observant as I."

"I really hope not. For all our sakes." I quipped. Flynn of course chose not to hear it. Baird went back into her worried-mom zone and pulled out her phone again. "Baird," I said with a strange calmness in my tone. "I think we all know they won't answer."

Baird growled and tucked her phone back into her pocket. "I know. Flynn, you take Jones down towards the supposed treasure. I'm going to go back and look for –"

"Eve," Flynn furrowed his brow. "There's one way out of this cave, and that way would be towards the treasure."

"Yeah, remember? Exit sorta closed off out of nowhere." I leaned on the wall, knowing I probably shouldn't, considering the previous booby-trap.

"We can't just leave them – we have no idea if they're even safe. With this ghost around-"

"Cassandra and Stone can take care of themselves." Flynn said firmly. "They're Librarians. If they got out, which I'm highly certain they did, then they are likely on their way to the treasure as we speak. We need to get a move on – so they don't bump into the ghost without our help."

"Right." I nodded. "Mr. Soggy Ghost Pants is probably just guarding his prized possessions now."

After a while of persuading, Baird relentlessly followed suit and we headed for the treasure once again. Let's just hope this time I don't run into anymore booby-traps.

Cassandra and Jacob had followed this tunnel for a while and they were starting to wonder if it would ever end. At least end where they would want it to end; preferably not their death. They have had one too many near death experiences for once day.

The tunnel took a turn in the path and Cassandra found herself mindlessly following Jacob, lost in thought. She knew she should be thinking about the mission – she was completely on board for finding this treasure and saving the day, what not. However, she found herself distracted, like she had been a lot recently. But – they almost kissed. It wasn't all in her head, right? She shook her head, trying to stay on task. Their emotions got the best of them – they almost died and they got overly excited. It was a normal circumstance for anyone who almost died, right? … Right?

Jacob cleared his throat, taking a glance her way. He was acting strangely awkward ever since the almost slip up of lips meeting. She needed to watch herself – like literally, she just about tripped on her face. She needed to pay attention to where she was walking and stop thinking on purely one thing.

"Hey, uh," Jake stopped in his tracks. Cassandra followed suit, watching his eyes. He stared at her, searching her face, like he was looking for an answer before he even asked the question.

Cassandra crinkled her brow. "You okay?"

Jacob sighed, almost as if his words were useless to him now. He gently grabbed her hand and he took a step closer to her; Cassandra could have sworn he was going to kiss her. His eyes were on her and her alone, he was leaning in closer, Cassandra thought she was going crazy – and then his phone rang.

Cassandra was not amused. "Do we even have phone signal down here?"

Jake growled under his breath as he reached for his phone. Once he pulled it out his face changed to confusion. He gave Cassandra a skeptical look before answering, "Hello?"

"Port Royal is found – but safe haven is lost."

The line went dead.

Jake looked at Cassandra with a fearful expression. "I need to get you outta here."

Cassandra frowned. "I'm perfectly capable of saving myself, Jake."

Jake groaned. "Now's really not the time, Cass."

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Oh right, because normally you're completely open to hearing me want to be independent for a change."

"Cassie," Jake looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. He put out hand for her to take and he pleadingly said, "Please."

Cassandra sighed, but took his hand and gripped it tight. "This doesn't mean I'm not saving you in return."

Jacob grinned at her, despite their circumstances. "You won't hear me arguin'."

And they made a run for it, as fast as they could in a dark, poorly lit tunnel, until they finally found their destination. After a long run of twist, turns, running into walls, and bumping foreheads on rock, they found an exit brightly lit and open wide.

Cassandra found herself holding Jake's hand even tighter as their eyes caught sight of what their mission here was for this whole time - the treasure. However, the soul leaning on the treasure brought the tight grips between Cassandra and Jake's hands.

"Well," the old man looked up at them, a sneer distorting his face. "Where's your thief about?"

Cassandra sighed. "Why do I get the feeling us being separated from them was much more purposeful then I suspected previously?"

Jake scoffed. "Seems he did the math. Figured splittin' us up made it easier on ya, huh?"

The ghost cackled.

Cassandra's grip tightened again, a gasp escaping her mouth. "Jake," He looked down at her, meeting her eyes. "Ezekiel."

"So, Flynn, I gotta know. Why exactly did you think a murderous ghost would be a good bonding trip for all of us?"

Baird practically punched me in the stomach at that. "Shush." She scolded me.

Flynn looked back, a defeated smile covering his face. He dropped his arms in a subdued shrug and said, "Well, Jones, I wish I could say my Librarian intuition kicked in – but clearly, as we can all tell from my failure in this choice of mission, I seem to have none of such thing."

I scrunched my brow and scoffed. "Geez, mate, wasn't asking for a self-pity party. Just wanted to know if you had a thing for Ghost Hunter's or somethin'."

Baird was scowling at me, again. Flynn looked at me and let out an exasperated breath.

"You're right, Jones." Flynn said with a chirp in his voice. "There's no time for blaming myself for something that is clearly not my fault. We should focus on the mission at hand!"

"Yeah, definitely didn't say anything remotely similar to that."

"Stay focused – eye on the ball. Save the day at all cost."

"All cost? That is implying my life, yeah? 'Cause I'm not really feelin' like dying for some buried treasure. Least not right now. Maybe give me an hour." At that comment I expected to feel another punch on the arm by Baird. I turned my head to take a look at her, but instead found my side empty. "Baird?"

"Flynn, where'd Baird go –" I looked back towards Flynn to now find myself completely alone. Not just alone, but in a different environment. My skin was warm, the sun blazing down on me. Birds were chirping, frogs were croaking. I looked down – my feet standing beside still waters. "What the h-"

"Jones?" Baird jumped, Ezekiel collapsing to the ground in a matter of seconds. Baird rushed to his side, shaking his arm. "Jones!" She looked at Flynn, his face just as much in shock. "Flynn. What just happened?"

Flynn sighed, giving Baird a stern expression. "The ghost."

Baird's eyes got wide.

Jake watched him shift from one leg to the other, he put his body weight on the chest sitting in the center of the wide-open cavern. Cassandra's hand slipped from Jake's as she inched closer, Jacob still just watching him intently. "What have you done with Ezekiel?"

"The thief is out of me hair."

Cassandra looked back at Jacob, both sharing a mutually fearsome look.

"No thief, no treasure."

"Why is that?" Cassandra questioned. "Why was Ezekiel such a requirement?"

"He was the chosen one." He said in a hush. "The Librarian."

Cassandra and Jacob met eyes. Jacob took another step closer. "This Librarian," Jake started. "Was he who could open the treasure?"

The old man eyed him before saying, "Thee who fights and thee who discovers, thee whose thy wish is to uncover. Buried or burned, it won't affect, unless the one who seeketh finally collects."

"Well that was beyond vague." Cassandra commented. "No wonder you had no idea."

He glared at her, his stare scornful and blunt. "The thief collects the thief retrieves."

"Would it kill ya to stop with all the dang cryptic rhymes?" Jacob stopped, letting out a breath. "It's not helpin' anyone here."

"Thee who reads the books of life is chosen to collect the treasure of strife."

Cassandra crossed her arms, letting out a huff. "He's not really getting it, is he?"

"No, Cass, it doesn't seem like he is."

"What'd you mean?" the man stood up from his perch, straightening his back. "Don't come any closer – don't move a muscle."

"Or what? It's not like we can get the treasure – I mean, it's not like I'm a Librarian, right Jake?"

"Yeah, no, Cass. Only Librarian I know is, well … me."

The man's eyes bulged from his skull – he looked Jake up and down, taking another step from the chest. "You are the thief of legend?"

"I like to think of it as the stuff of legend, but that's just me personally."

"How?"

Jake smirked.

I wiggled my fingers around, feeling the fresh air envelop me. I took in a deep breath, and then found myself panicking. "What the bloody hell."

I stepped ahead, and suddenly my balance was almost nonexistent. Without control, I started falling to my side, sinking into the water, without any splash within entrance. Suddenly, I was engulfed in a river – everything still around me.

"Jones," I could hear, muffled. "Ezekiel Jones, answer me,"

My eyes closed, the water filling my lungs.

"I'll make you a deal." Jake crossed his arms, watching the ghost twitch. "You undo whatever the hell you did to the thief, I promise I won't take your gold."

The old man's mouth curved into a grin. "Gold?" He scoffed. "Whoever said my treasure is my gold?"

Cassandra stepped beside Jake. "Does it matter? He made you an offer. I advise you take it before he changes his mind."

"Honestly, I could live without Jones." He shrugged. "Actually make life easier for a change."

The man scowled at them. However, his face withdrew, and at that his shoulders relaxed and dropped, limp.

"Jones!"

I leaped up, rejecting water from my lungs the moment I felt oxygen surround me once again. Baird and Flynn were at my side, Baird pulling me into a hug the moment I could breathe air again.

"Um, Baird,"

"Are you okay?" She pulled back, acting like her normal motherly self. I just nodded ahead, causing Baird and Flynn's heads to follow. We now were in an open cave with Cassandra, Stone, a treasure chest, and the ghost.

"There," the old ghost guy stated to Stone. "Now leave."

"Whoa, whoa," I shakily stood up from my spot, giving a look towards the two love birds, then back to the ghostly omelet hater. "I'm not going anywhere – you just tried to bloody kill me!"

The ghost tilted his head. "I tried to do so to all."

I scoffed. "Wow. Not much of a guide, are you?"

He tweaked a brow. "Guide?"

"Yeah, ya know. One who shows us the safe passage to our destination. You've done a real lousy job, mate. You should really work on your people skills."

"You know nothing – you are merely a follower."

"Follower?" I let out a laugh. "Uhh, sorry to disappoint, but I'm the best thief in the whole world –"

"Ezekiel," Cassandra tried to say.

"Ya know, actually, I'm more than that. I'm a bloody Librarian. And you? You're just a grumpy old man who desperately needed a bath a good hundred years ago. And you know what else you are?"

The old man looked stunned – almost like he was in shock from what I was telling him. Something he should already know, obviously. I stepped right in front of him, and the ghost finally raised a hand – ready to send me back wherever he just sent me. I eyed him, saying in his face, "You're in my way."

The old guizer then dove his hand right for my heart, but before he could do anything, I ripped a piece of paper in two – the old man looked me in the eyes, terrified, and then poof. He was gone.

Flynn's treasure map floated down to the dusty ground, now shredded from my own hands. "'Bout time. I was really getting bored with his role."

Cassandra, Jacob, Flynn, and Baird all stared at me in awe.

"Ezekiel…" Cassandra said in shock.

"I know, I know. I ripped the ancient artifact. But, I figured if he was following us from the map, without the map he'd stop following. I'd say it was a lucky guess, but –"

Suddenly I felt Cassandra embracing me, her arms wrapped around my neck. "I'm just glad you're not dead." She said over my shoulder. I smiled, hugging her back.

Cassandra pulled away when we heard Stone scoff. "Figures," He mumbled, staring down inside the treasure chest.

"What is it?" Red probed.

"The treasure. You know how he said it wasn't gold?" Stone asked, Cassandra nodded. "Well, it's not gold."

Flynn rushed by his side, seeing the inside of the chest himself. Flynn's eyes grew big. Baird stepped over to see as well, and her head tilted to the side. "Is that a … book?" She asked, her brows furrowed.

Flynn grinned. "Yes, my dear Eve. And it's not just any book. It's the book of life."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you telling me I almost died for a book?"

The mission was over, finally. Flynn got his oh-so precious book – apparently, he knew about it being a book, but he keeps saying that the greatest treasure is the gift of knowledge. Whatever that means. I just really wanted some cash – I could really use a new phone. On a side note, don't steal Stone's phone. He will find you, and throw your cell in the nearest water bank.

I walked beside Baird up to the car while Flynn tries to find a way to open the back door wide enough for our car to fit. I realized, as Baird gave me another lecture about being reckless, that Cassandra and Stone were out of sight. Me, being the awesome instigator of hugs, left Baird's side to go find them. I roamed around, until finally I spotted them on a lower cliff down from me – but I could hear every word.

"I was impressed by Ezekiel today," Cassandra said to Stone. "He really showed his true courage."

Stone shrugged. "I gotta admit, I didn't expect that from Jones. But I'm not real sure if it was less courage, and more pride that brought on his act of bravery."

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Don't be so hard on him. He did save us, after all."

Stone nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I'll make sure to thank 'em later. After I knock him across the head for being so dang reckless."

Cass giggled. "You're one to talk."

Stone raised a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Jake, you lied to a ghost that had just admitted on killing 'the Librarian' that you were the Librarian, just so he'd save Jones' life instead." She crossed her arms, looking him in the eyes. "That wasn't just only risky, it was heroic. Now, was that heroism from courage, or pride?"

Stone groaned, but still smiled at her. "All right, you gotta point. Maybe I don't have much room to talk."

"No, not really." She smiled back. "But still. You were quite the hero today – so thank you."

"I just convinced a ghost he killed the wrong guy, Cassie."

"Not just then. You also saved us from being smashed into pancakes, and you did everything to protect me from that ghost."

"I was just doing my job, Cass."

"Librarians jobs aren't to protect Librarians. That's the –"

"I mean my job as your friend – I ain't about to let you get hurt."

Cassandra beamed at him. "Thank you." And before Jacob could respond, Cassandra was hugging him. Her arms wrapped around his rib-cage, her head laying on his shoulder. Jacob didn't even hesitate, he just quickly hugged her back, his head laying on hers.

Ezekiel Jones had done it. They had hugged at last. From the looks of this hug, it wasn't the only one from today, either.

Now to just get them to do the impossible – kiss.

And that's a wrap for the road trip plot! It went on for so long. I seriously meant it to be like 3 chapters tops.
Next chapter will likely be a one-shot plot, and then the last two will be the end of it all.

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