72

Disclaimer: I don't own National Treasure. But that would be very cool.

--

Abigail disappeared back into the shelves while Riley packed up his things.

"A little help here Ben?" Ben walked over and picked up one of Riley's bags.

"What is all this stuff?"

"Laptop in bag, collapsible table in box, copy of first book, collapsible "Meet the Author" sign in box with table, stuff like my wallet and extra glasses and car keys that go in the laptop bag I usually carry around anyway, signed photos the bookshop owner asked me to bring, reader's only copy of both books, extra pens, and fake golden statue that I was required to bring even thought it's very very tacky."

"Do you usually carry this much stuff around?"

"Certainly not, I've been known to read the "Meet the Author" sign at home." Ben shifted the table and meet the author sign in his arms so he could hold them more comfortably.

"Good because this sign could throw my back out."

Abigail appeared beside them and laughed, taking one of Riley's big boxes.

"Are you coming back here tomorrow?"

"Don't know, my guess is that if I didn't, I surely wouldn't be missed.

"Good because we've got a lot to do." Ben said as they stepped outside and headed toward Riley's car.

"We?" As in you're finally going to tell me what was on page forty seven?"

'I would have told you!"

"Then why not? Huh…I'm sure you told your girl friend!"

"Well, honestly Riley you never answer your phone, or you'd have known-"

"Known what?" Riley dumped his things into the newly bought red Ferrari and turned around. "That you have another mission? That you and Abigail are married and have three kids and a white house with a picket fence and I'm an Uncle? That aliens have invaded your brains and that's why I haven't seen you in weeks?" "

"Um…Well, one and a half out of three ain't bad."

"You mean you're…?" Riley stood speechless for a moment. "You…and…you…and him are…" Riley pointed to Abigail then to Ben and back again till Abigail screeched:

"We're getting married!" She and Ben dropped Riley's things unceremoniously into his trunk. Riley grimaced at the clunking sound then let out a very Un-Riley-ish whoop and hugged Abigail then slapped Ben on the back.

"Took you long enough! Oh, and the uncle thing? I totally call godfather when you and Abigail have kids."

"You already called Best Man Riley." Ben rolled his eyes smiling.

Riley felt genuinely happy, but there was a something nagging at the back of his mind.

"Wait another thing? Are we going on another tr-" Rley felt very excited. Without Ben and Abigail his life was somewhat boring.

"Can we talk somewhere more private?"

"Yeah, oh sure. My place is around the corner."

"Shall we follow your car?"

--

When Riley pulled up to his small townhouse it was raining again, he and his wet car parked. He picked up his boxes and walked up to the doorway. He watched Abigail and Ben rush up to the porch out of the drizzle, then handed his boxes to Ben.

"I have my key somewhere…" He muttered fishing in and out of his pockets and laptop bag.

"Can we hurry this up?" Grunted Ben under the weight of a table box, tacky golden statue and "Meet the Author" sign.

"Oh, here!" Riley opened the door, entered, and flicked on the light.

"Tea? Coffee?" He asked hurrying to his kitchen and starting the coffee pot and kettle.

Riley's place was nice. It was sparsley furnished but very clean. There was a nice sitting area nearby with a small tv. But boxes threaten to overwhelm the entire room. Each labled in of Riley's messy handwritng.

Abigail looked at one of the boxes. "Kitcher."

"Kitchen." Riley corrected putting down his laptop almost lovingly.

"Um…Riley we got FIFTY percent of the last treasure. What's with…?" Ben gestured around then promptly dropped the box onto his foot. As Ben hopped around the room on one foot Riley said nonchalantly:

"Oh, yeah any where's fine."

"Ouch!"

"I'm building my new place, but this has been my place since I was out of college."

Ben sat down with Abigail at his side.

"Now tell me!" Demanded Riley his back still turned to them. Ben sighed and wincing in pain said two words.

Riley turned fully around.

"You've got to be kidding me."