Chapter Two

It was a beautiful day in DC, but Kati felt like it should be raining, the gala was tonight at 7pm, she was getting ready around 5pm, but she felt an ache knowing her lover wouldn't be around to keep her company. She hadn't slept well that night, she knew well enough not to call Ben's place the night before, if Riley was upset he'd go to the house, the boys would talk it out and then go to sleep. It was 10am right now and she knew she should probably call and ask him to come home. But Riley usually came home of his own accord when he was ready.

She imagined it sounded bad, a young girl waiting for her boyfriend to come back home after a fight, but truth was he didn't go out and get drunk, or do bad things. He never hit her, he would leave—in fear he'd say something he would regret—then he'd return the next morning to apologize. She'd done it herself once or twice over the course of the last year.

With another frustrated sigh she picked up her phone and quickly dialed Abigail and Ben's number. Two rings and then she heard the groggy "'ello?"

"Ben, its Kate-"

"Everything okay?" questioned Ben.

"Is Riley there?"

"No…should he be?"

Kati felt fear mount slowly in her stomach, "We had an argument last night. I came home really late, I forgot our special night—"

Ben was silent for a moment, "He didn't show up here Kate, maybe he came in and slept on the couch, but we were both up until midnight."

"Okay, thanks Ben, see you tonight at the gala."

He sighed softly, "Yep, we'll see you there. Kati, why don't you come over here and get ready. If Riley decided to leave for the afternoon there's no reason to get prepared by your self."

"Thanks Ben, maybe I will. Bye."

He smiled sadly, "Bye Kate."

o0o

Riley felt a pang of annoyance as he sat in the wooden chair, arms tied behind his back silently wondering why everyone decided he needed to be kidnapped. Just once he wanted to see someone else aside from him get taken and held for ransom or sick purpose. He shivered when he heard the metal door clang open. A light flipped on and Riley felt a moment of sheer fear and panic when before him stood the same boy from Ben's class yesterday. He was dressed in a nice black suit and looked almost sorrowful. "Professor," he whispered.

"Seth what the hell!?" was all Riley could manage before another figure stepped into the room.

The older man, probably around Ben's age, was balding. His eyes held a glint of excitement as he looked at Riley. "Welcome to our humble abode Professor Poole, incase you are curious my name is Atticus and it would appear as though you already know my colleague Seth."

"Colleague?" Riley looked back over at Seth.

Seth tried not to appear terrified as he looked back at his professor, "Professor we need your help."

"No you needed Ben's help! This was all a plan, Ben didn't agree to look at your medallion thingy so you're kidnapping me to get to him!?"

Atticus chuckled, "You catch on quick, we have to find that treasure and we will. You're going to help us."

"That's where your wrong, just incase you haven't read the papers—or my book, Ben doesn't exactly bend to the will of others now does he. Look just let me go. If you can't get Ben Gates to believe in something then it's a pretty good bet that it doesn't exist so you're barking up the wrong treasure hunter!"

The older man chuckled as he stepped closer to Riley, "Tonight is the 75th annual gala at the National Archives, and we will be attending with you. Where we will hold everyone hostage until he gives us what he wants."

"My life isn't worth what you're asking for and he knows that," Riley stated trying to feel brave; he knew that Ben would give these men anything they wanted if they asked. Anything if it meant he was spared.

"Oh, I think you and I both know the truth. Now we're going to call your wife—"

"Girl friend," state Riley, deciding he obviously wouldn't detour them by lying.

"Well then you're going to call your girlfriend and tell her you will meet her there at the gala."

Riley looked down as the man handed him a phone and then pulled out a gun, "No hints, you tell her you're somewhere and you'll meet her there."

Nodding Riley waited quickly dialed and put it to his ear, he took a slow deep breath, doing his best to calm himself before he had to face talking to his lover. He heard a beautiful hello on the other side and felt a smile warm his features despite the situation, "Hey honey."

"Where are you? We're worried sick!? Sweetie, oh god I'm sorry, please forgive me for getting upset yesterday you had every right to be angry…"

"Kate, I'm at the apartment, I'm going to get ready here and I'll meet you guys there, I promise." Riley was banking on the knowledge that the apartment was currently rented out and that he never called her Kate. He prayed she'd notice.

"Okaay…are you all right?"

Riley smirked, she'd caught it, "Never better darling. I'll see you at seven."

"Bye Riley, I love you."

"Love you too."

Riley hung up and flinched as the man stole the phone from him again, "Excellent, now let's get you ready, wouldn't want you showing up to the gala in that."

o0o

Ben, Kati and Abigail stepped into the building of National Archives, looking sharp and proud. All three were well aware the Riley was in some sort of trouble. Kati had told them the entire brief conversation and was able to decide that whatever was wrong was very serious for him to have to leave a hint. However, Ben had been the one to decide that if they didn't show up to the gala then whoever had Riley would know and Riley may be injured.

Ben smirked as he looped his arm through his wife's arm, "Not only have I been invited to this, but I'm not stealing anything and I get to wear my tux," he beamed, trying to keep the mood light and natural.

Abigail chuckled softly as she leaned her head against his shoulder, "Well thank goodness for that. I have a secret for you," she smirked as they made their way to the center of the room where several couples were dancing.

Kati watched them with a smile on their face as Abigail led him into the crowd of dancers. Ben pulled her close, swaying gently to the music as he cuddled her close. Kati knew exactly what the secret was, she felt a grin pull at her lips further.

She jumped at the feather light touch at the base of her back where he dress dipped elegantly. Turning she felt relief flood her every fiber as Riley stood before her, in his favorite dress suit and his converses. He appeared completely unharmed and no worse for the ware. Without hesitation she threw her arms around him, feeling her heart pound in her chest. "I'm sorry Riley, I'm so sorry," she whimpered.

He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her in return. She could always soothe him, even in the worst possible situations, "I'm the one who should be sorry. Look I've got a temper that's not surprise. Sweetheart you and I are going to have our fair share of problems in this relationship, but that's what will make us stronger."

She nodded against his shoulder as she cuddled closer to him for a moment, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her. "I love you Riley, I was worried about you."

Riley pulled away, gently framing her face in his hands, "We're in trouble, all of us, and I have to talk to Ben. Sweetheart I was held captive by people who will do anything to get Ben to agree to search for this so called treasure. If we don't get him to agree there are half a dozen guys ready to come in here and kill everyone. The scary part is I'm pretty sure they don't care about living or dying."

"That's who had you?"

"Yes, and I'm not exactly safe now. I promise you one day I will take you to a gala and we'll have a wonderful time. However we have to leave right now or everyone here will get hurt."

She didn't need to be told twice nodded she took another longing look at him, brushing the hair from his eyes, "We're in this together, yeah?" Her normal British accent a little thicker than usual.

"All the way," he didn't hesitate, he leaned forward, his lips capturing hers in a sweet kiss, passion overtaking him he pulled her flush against his body, aware that if he didn't savor the moment he might lose it forever. "When we're all done we're making this permanent," without another word he pulled away from her and hurried off towards Ben and Abigail. Leaving his future fiancé to wonder what was going on in the man's head.

"Ben I have to tell you—" Just as Abigail opened her mouth her eyes grew wide and she threw her arms out, brushing past her husband to grab Riley in a tight hug, "Riley!" she all but cried as she held him tight.

He chuckled softly as he rubbed her back lightly, "You actually missed me?" he smirked.

She sniffled as she held him tighter for a moment, "I'm so glad you're okay, we were so worried," suddenly pulling away she cupped his face. "Are you okay?"

By now Ben had turned around, wondering what was on his wife's mind. He smiled as saw his best friend, "Thank God you're okay—"

"I'm not…well I mean I am, but I'm not. We've got to leave, now if we don't everyone here will die. Seth set me up, he wants you to find the city of Atlantis and it would appear he's willing to kill for it."

Ben shook his head, "Seth isn't a killer—"

"We didn't think Ian was either, but obviously he had it in him. Ben we can't gamble on this, there's way too much at stake. All four of us, have to get the hell out of here and do what they want."

"Not the girls," Ben began.

Again Riley shook his head, "No, you don't get it, that's not an option. We all have to go or they'll come in here and kill everyone."

Ben took a slow deep breath, "Okay, let's go get Kati and get out of here." The last thing he wanted was people hurt. Glancing around he looked back at his best friend, "Act casual go get Kati and head out whichever door you've been instructed to leave through. We'll watch and follow you in a few minutes."

Riley nodded and looked around before he pressed a quick kiss to Abigail's cheek and headed back to his girlfriend. Kati was acting perfectly natural as she spoke with another couple. Riley stepped up behind her, also acting as calm as he could, and smiled at the other couple, they were an older pair. Suddenly Riley realized it was Ben's parents. "Emily! Patrick!" he greeted both with quick hugs, not expecting them here. "How did you?" Suddenly he wasn't sure he wanted to know. Were they safe here, if Seth and his minions figured out who they were would they come after them too?

"I received an invitation to the gala for the contribution to the City of Cibola, though I didn't do much. I asked Patrick if he'd like to come and he said yes," Emily offered the explanation as she smiled at the young couple before them.

"Well that's great, Listen we're in sort of a bind right now, um could you walk off like you don't know us?" Riley asked.

"You're serious?"

Kati forced a smile, "It would appear as though Riley is looking forward to my first treasure hunt…" she stopped her words as she noticed Riley staring towards the back of the National Archives. She glanced over and felt a wave of fear rush over her. There stood two men, dressed in tuxedos but they stuck out like sore thumbs with long hair pulled back and menacing looks in their eyes.

"We've gotta go—"

"Yes I believe it is time to go Mr. Poole, and I believe your parents will be joining us," a chilling voice behind them spoke. Riley turned slowly to see Atticus standing behind him, also dressed to the nines looking rather dashing if it wasn't for the fact he was a killer.

"Please—"

The taller man took a step forward, glaring at Riley, "You don't have an option any longer Mr. Poole, I'm being nice your time is up and I have yet to kill everyone. We are leaving, where is Mr. Gates and his wife."

"Right here," Patrick answered quickly hoping to spare his son and daughter-in-law from whatever it was this man wanted.

Atticus laughed deeply, as if to throw people off as he clapped Patrick on the back, "I'm sorry Mr. Gates, perhaps you heard me wrong, where's your little treasure hunter?"

Riley glanced at Patrick, "They'll be headed out moments after we leave. You want us all, you've got us all can we get out of here."

"Very well, Patrick, Emily perhaps you'd care to go first. Those gentlemen by the door will show you the way out."

Emily glared at the man, hardly believing these men were gentlemen, but nonetheless she allowed her ex-husband to escort her towards the back of the archives. She glanced back over her shoulder, spotting her son and daughter and felt a small smile travel to her face as she watched Ben give out an excited holler before he swept his wife up in his arms and spun her around. Good, she'd told him. Now they'd just have to keep her safe.

Moments later the three couples were standing outside the back of the National Archives building, acting as though it were just some pleasant get together between friends. Ben was trying to hold back his glare as he stood beside his wife. He was studying the student he'd come to respect for at least trying his hand at college. "What do you want Seth?"

"Could we take this someplace less public?" Seth ignored his professor's question as he looked at Atticus.

Atticus looked at them, feeling confident that he had them where he wanted them for now, "Oh I think that's probably a good idea, come with me ladies and gentlemen, we're going on a little trip."

"We're not going anywhere…" began Patrick before one of the various thugs pressed the point of a pistol into the older man's side.

"Don't push it pops, we're not playing games at this point," the man said in a deep voice thickened by his Scottish brogue.

"Now, now Paulson, take it easy, they're going to help us. Into the vans, and please don't hesitate, we're really not concerned with a body count."

"Why?" Ben questioned Atticus.

The man turned, his smile firmly in place as he inched closer to Ben, until he was just inches from the man's ear, "Mr. Ian Howe sends his regards from his six foot deep grave."

Ben felt his stomach churn sickeningly. "You killed him?"

The man pulled away raising his eye brows, "No conviction, but I spent time in Prison for a reason Mr. Gates, now don't tempt me—if they find me in my country they'll kill me on the spot. I've got nothing to lose sir."

Ben shook his head, "I don't buy it, why would you be searching for a treasure if you had nothing to lose?"

"Perhaps I wish to find something worth losing. Enough questions get in the van or the old man gets it."

Ben glanced around at his family before nodding and making his way to the big black vans. Knowing that if he got inside they'd all be doomed.

TBC