DISCLAIMER: See Chapter 1 for Proper Disclaimer.

Author's Note: I like to thank those that have been reviewing thusfar, and I hope that you enjoy these last couple of chapters. This chapter is Part B of Chapter Nine.

And now, without further ado...'Boy Next Door'!

"…Is she breathing…?"

Benjamin Franklin Gates…what can I tell you about my older brother? Well, he's the one that has his mind set on his goals, even if he's stubborn like Dad and Mom are at times, but he's really one of the few people that I've looked up to in my entire life. He is, as most people would call him, a steadfast loyal person to his friends and family.

"…I don't know…she looks so pale…"

Abigail Chase…what does one say about her? I can say, from personal experiences, that she's eager to give you a lecture without putting you to sleep. She's taught me to curse in German pretty darn well and on how to preserve historic documents…no, I haven't stolen any other documents since the Declaration, silly. The interesting thing is that she's one of the few girlfriends that Ben has had in his entire life that I actually get along with.

"…Is she going to wake up…?"

Mr. Patrick Gates to the academic and archaeological community, Patrick to those that knew him before and after Mom came into his life, and Dad in Ben's and my case. What can I can about my good ol' pops? He's been on my side since I told him that I wanted out of boarding school and into mainstream schooling. He's also been on my side when I told him that I wanted to be a historic literature professor, teaching both history, folklore, and works of literature to the future generations (he was the only one that knew that I would really well in this department). Of course, he was the one that wrote a book on being stubborn and headstrong, hence we fought at times over the most idiotic thing we could have thought of right on the spot.

"…I got a weak pulse on her…"

Em-Mom…guess I'm on her good graces to consider calling her 'Mom' again. Sure, we fought and whatnot, but we made up later on with shopping sprees at the bookstore, discussing different ancient folklore and myths over coffee and cookies, and so forth that both me and my mom were able to do unlike me and my pops whenever we made up after a fight. But…of course, like Ben and my dad, she can be stubborn at times.

"Alex…wake up. Please wake up…"

Riley Jonathan Poole, the one that was the first guy to give me my first kiss and the one that I gave my virginity. Who would have thought that the night of that party would have changed my view on Riley forever? Since that night, it kind of got really awkward to be in the same room as Riley, since it would lead back to that memory every time I saw him. But, I felt glad that I was able to confess as to who it was that I loved all this time…him, not Ian. Ian was more of a big brother, as I had figured that out after a month of knowing Ian. Riley, on the other hand…it took me up till the night that Riley told me that he was waiting for Mia to show up for that date of theirs to realize that I loved Riley.

"Alex…it's time for you to wake up."

Cassie…?

Coughing up water and taking a deep breath afterwards, Alex gained conscious of her surroundings. As her eyes opened, she saw that everyone was looking down at her.

"What happened?" was the first thing that came out of her mouth.

"You opened the door, but that was before you had been thrown off the wheel by a strong current, caused by one of the statues to fall into the room, by the wheel and where you were standing," Ben said as Alex felt the wave of pain hit her like a brick wall.

"I kinda figured that part already, Ben…where's Wilkinson?" Alex asked as she tried to block off the searing pain from her head and right hand.

"He didn't make it," Patrick said to his daughter as Alex began to shiver from the cold.

Seeing this, Riley wrapped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her towards him, helping to warm her up. Alex smiled at the gesture and nodded her thanks to the computer expert. As the group thought in silence, Alex felt a glare coming from the water. Abigail then turned her head to find light coming from the end of the tunnel. The group got to their feet and walked over to the light.

"We haven't officially met. I'm Riley," Riley said to Emily.

"Oh…hi. You must be the Riley that Alex had told me about while she was finishing her Bachelor's in GWU," Emily said as she shook Riley's hand.

Alex grinned sheepily as she remembered telling her mom that part within two hours after the Psych class was over. As Emily joined Patrick, Alex held Riley behind a little. Riley turned to see what Alex was holding him back for, but didn't get a chance to ask when Alex pulled him down to kiss him. Riley wrapped his arms around Alex's waist as the two stayed in that embrace. When Alex pulled away did she answer his unspoken question.

"Cassie said hi and was jumping up and down when she found out that you had asked me out finally. 'Make sure to tell him that he should marry Alex before the chance is lost.' Whatever that meant…" Alex said as she and Riley then walked to the end of the tunnel…and back out to Mount Rushmore.

Author's Note: Ok, you know the drill. Click on the Review button, please. Thanks for reviewing, guys: without you, this story would have never been a success.

-Jade Opal-