#National Treasure fanfiction

[where-dreamers-go]

"Future Treasure Seekers" Riley Poole x Reader

(A/N: And we’re back with the third/last prequel to the Riley Poole series. This one happens after “Lunch Rescue” and before Part One “Charlotte”. Here we have what happens when Ben talks with Reader about their feelings for Riley and Ben’s theory about the treasure’s first clue.

I tagged the same people from the series, I hope that’s okay. Some have changed though..

Also: HAPPY 2,000 FOLLOWERS!!! <3

Warnings: Tiny bit of angst in beginning. Fluff. Mutual pining. Use of (Y/N) for your name. Two different point of views.

Word Count: 3,491 words)

~~~

Adult life could be anything if given the specific circumstances. The good, the bad, and the neutral.

Living next door to your best friend tended to be an enlightening addition to living in an apartment complex. It not only saved you two on phone bills, but also a quick travel distance when wanting to catch up with the other’s life.

“Better than the frozen meal you had yesterday?” You quipped from the other end of the small table.

“Yeah.” Ben admitted, “The edges were burnt.”

“I hate when that happens. Or when I randomly find a piece of corn in something.”

“That brownie?”

“It was weird. Never having that again. I’ll make my own.”

Chuckling, Ben took a sip of his drink. “At least you know what you like now.”

“True.”

“And you’ve learned a lot. Learned about yourself.”

You nodded before frowning slightly.

Where’s he going with this? You wondered suspiciously, hesitant to take another bite of dinner.

“There’s still a lot out there you haven’t experienced.”

“Why do I feel like you’re going to give me a big brother talk of life advice?” You asked, fully suspicious of your friend.

“Because I am.” Ben stated firmly. “You clearly like Riley.”

“Ben.” You set down the utensil.

“I like to see my friends happy.” He continued.

“Me too, but—”

“What are you afraid of?”

You sighed, slouching back into the chair. Time to be honest. “I don’t want to ruin anything. As it is, I’m having to learn that getting older means drifting away from friends I’ve made in school. I don’t want to push him away or make things awkward times a million. I can’t—,” you swallowed. “I don’t want to risk losing Riley because of . . . me.”

Quiet filled the space at the small dining table. You could see the twinge of sadness in Ben’s eyes.

“You’re a good friend, (Y/N). Maybe too good?” Ben inquired.

Staring down at your unfinished dinner, you grumbled somberly.

Maybe if I was brave enough, I’d do something.

. . .

Attempting to put on a light jacket while simultaneously slipping on your shoes tended to take longer in the mornings. As early as it was, you still tried. One elbow bracing by the front door, one shoe refusing to cooperate, and growing determination was how your morning began.

It only became odd with an urgent series of familiar knocks from the other side of the front door.

What the—?

Peering through the peephole, your confusion remained steady at the sight of Ben Gates.

It’s not even eight o’ clock yet, you thought as you unlocked and opened the door.

“Ben?”

“(Y/N),” he greeted brightly. “I think I figured it out.”

You opened your mouth to response, but he was just getting started.

“The Charlotte. It’s not a place and it’s certainly not just a thing. The Charlotte is a ship. A ship that was sailing through the Atlantic years ago.”

“It’s a ship?”

“Yeah. I’ve been researching to know where it was built, what it was supposedly carrying, and it’s destination.”

You shoved your foot into your shoe. “So, where’d it port?”

Ben stuck up his finger and announced, “That’s just it. The Charlotte never did.”

“Well, dang. Okay, um…”

“We just need to figure out where she landed.”

“Ben,” you said firmly. “I have to go in to work today.”

His eyes widened in realization. “Right. Of course.” Ben nodded, thoughts no doubt rushing through his mind. “I’ll call Riley. He’ll work it out on the computer and we’ll let you know everything when you’re off work.”

“Sounds like a plan.” You smiled. “Hopefully my workday goes by fast.”

Ben returned your smile and said with every ounce of determination and hope, “We’re going to find the Charlotte.”

. . .

The afternoon had been full of excited chatter and theories flying around.

Too bad I couldn’t have been here sooner, Riley thought.

Sitting at the small dining table in Ben’s apartment, Riley Poole waited for the results on his laptop. Tracking models took time, but Riley’s was up-to-date. He pushed up his glasses on his nose and waited patiently.

Much more patiently than his friend, Ben, who stood looking over his shoulder in anticipation. His gaze glued onto the tracking model as it moved North into the Arctic Circle.

Looming with crossed arms and no commentary, stood Ian by the kitchen counter.

I’m not sure if it’s comforting or alarming that he’s quiet. Maybe both, if possible.

Half a minute more and the tracking model stopped and delivered its results.

Breaths were held.

Riley blinked.

“There she is,” Ben announced in awe.

“And no one even knows its there?” Riley inquired, squinting at the screen.

“Let’s hope not.” Ian said.

“We have to go.” Ben urged. “All of us.”

“Certainly.”

“Okay, but how are we going to afford proper equipment? For the arctic?” Riley asked.

“I’ll take care of the costs,” Ian announced confidently and shared a smile with Ben. Although each smile was vastly different, one seemingly smug and the other grateful.

“Thank you.” Ben said genuinely.

How much money does he have? The ticket prices alone could be questionable. Then again, I don’t know how much equipment we’ll need. Or if we can get it there. Riley sat back in the chair.

“Okay.” Ben exhaled. Taking quick steps over to a less cluttered part of the table, Ben picked up his cell phone and started dialing.

“Who are you calling?” Ian raised an eyebrow as he took a closer look at Riley’s computer.

“(Y/N).” Ben revealed simply.

“Ben, (Y/N)’s at work.” Riley reminded his excited friend. “The exhibition is still new.”

“I know,” he waved off his friend gently. “It’s close enough.”

(Y/N)’s going to flip when they find out we tracked down a ship, Riley thought with a growing smile. Or run around.

Phone at his ear, Ben waited for a response while moving about the space.

Glancing at his laptop again, Riley checked the time.

They don’t work late today, do they?

“(Y/N).” Ben’s voice filled the apartment with his enthusiasm. Yet that did not stop the man’s feet as he crossed from one side the room to the next. “It’s about Charlotte.”

Riley smirked, fully knowing that there was no way you wouldn’t know what the phone call was all about.

“Okay. I won’t.”

Riley spoke loudly towards Ben, “How fast can you come home? Ben is pacing.”

Ben stopped abruptly and gave Riley a complex expression that made him suddenly self-conscious of his question.

Was that weird to ask? Riley wondered as he awaited your reply.

“They’ll be back soon,” Ben confirmed with a grin that soon dropped, “and . . . I wasn’t pacing the whole floor. No.”

Riley chuckled just as Ian covered his mouth to suppress a laugh.

Treasure, he thought. It could be anything.

Riley looked over to his laptop screen feeling more free and like himself than he ever had. For, he had helped and contributed.

Ben’s theory has to be right.

. . .

Everything’s going to be all right. You got this.

Being rushed usually involved tardiness and unwanted appointments. Strict deadlines as well.

Shouldering open your apartment door, you had a building excitement. One you knew would likely be tiny in comparison to your best friend’s next door.

After practically throwing your things onto the coffee table, you pocketed your keys and cell phone before heading right back out into the hall.

Stepping up to Ben’s door with a raised hand, it opened before you could knock.

“We know where the Charlotte could be,” Ben announced holding the door wide open.

You hadn’t seen him that happy before, practically about to giggle in glee. If Ben was one to giggle that was.

“Hi to you too.” You chuckled as you walked inside.

Ben’s apartment had a buzz of activity even with only two other people present. Ian stood off to the side, seemingly waiting, and Riley sat on the couch with a bright smile.

“Hi, Ian,” you greeted. “Has Ben filled your ears with enough history today?”

“Almost,” the man smirked. His expression could be read as both amused and confident with everything that had transpired that day.

“We’re one step closer.” Ben said after he closed the door and walked towards Ian. “I just know it.”

“Who would be silly enough to doubt you.” You added. “Certainly not me.” You made your way towards the small dining table where Riley sat with his laptop.

“Not me,” Riley raised his hand.

“And I’m guessing you helped?”

“With the computer. Yeah.”

“Yeah. Big deal,” you said and went in for a hug that Riley almost stood up for. “That’s awesome.”

“Not as big as when we actually find treasure.” Riley stated with a smile as you pulled out of the hug and sat in a chair beside him. “It could be worth millions.”

“If it’s a ship, it could have historical artifacts. Not just including the ship itself.” You said with a grin. “And you managed to find it on the computer?”

“I have a tracking model,” Riley gestured to his laptop.

“Oh dang.”

“We’ll be going to the Arctic Circle.” Ben revealed to you. “An area without much activity.”

“Or any at all,” Riley murmured.

“With who knows how many layers of snow and ice,” you added.

“Which is why we need a team.” Ian announced.

Right, you thought and mentally figured the four of you were not enough.

“I have people in mind.”

That’s convenient, you thought as you looked between the confident Ian and the ever-grinning Ben. And makes this a lot easier. Hopefully.

“But…uh. This is happening soon?” You asked, unsure of the chances of your participation. “Or do we not know yet?”

Ben turned to you with a firm point of a finger. “You’re coming too.”

“I have work. The exhibit has barely been up for over a week. Wouldn’t it be weird if I just took off?”

“You’re great at what you do. They have to let you have time off. The exhibit is perfect. They can handle a few days without you. Hopefully.” Riley added, “They can email someone else.”

Overwhelmed with his compliments, you bumped his knee with yours.

“Thank you.”

Turning at the sound of Ben’s chuckle, you caught Ian rolling his eyes. It only made you overtly aware of your knee still touching Riley’s.

You tore your gaze away from everyone and grumbled in thought, If I’m going to do this… I’m going to have to juggle some things around or something. Without letting people know specifics.

“But, you can make it work?” Ben asked, fully attentive.

Feeling yourself internally caving to the idea of discovering history, you said, “If anything, I haven’t called out sick in months. I could use sick days. I’ll talk with them tomorrow or…when we know for sure when we’re going.”

“Excellent,” Ian said with a determined nod. “I’ll make some calls.”

. . . 

Things were moving fast. Tickets were bought and plans were made. Phone calls were more common and expected between friends.

Check list in hand, you sat on your bed thoughtfully. Curtains closed to conceal the city lights of the city. Luggage sitting on the floor as other items were strategically scattered in your room.

Less than a week stood between you and the possibility of discovering treasure. That left you with much to settle and organize.

Thank goodness you weren’t doing it alone.

“You have a good hat, right? To keep you warm?” You asked into the phone.

“Yeah. Found it in the pocket of my coat.” Riley replied.

“Good place to find it.”

“Speaking of finding things. You have extra batteries, right? Extra film?”

“I have some somewhere,” you muttered, hopping off the bed to venture out of your bedroom and into a makeshift office. Shuffling through a set of drawers took a few moments. “Yup. There’s the right kind too.”

“Nice. Are those from your storm prep stash?”

“Yeah. I’ll get more when we come back.”

“From the Arctic Circle.”

You walked back into your bedroom and placed the pack of batteries by your camera bag.

“So much for traveling extra light. Snow…lots of layers and just-in-case items.”

“Like a bag for all of my chargers.”

“Extra long socks and snacks.”

“Mittens and gloves.”

“And we’ll be wearing most of it. I don’t know what we’ll be carrying.”

“Whatever Ian supplies, I guess,” Riley muttered. “He acted as if getting everything was easy.”

“For him it might.”

“How much money does he have?”

“Don’t know. Don’t think we’ll ever find out.” You stated while marking over a checkmark on your list again. “Equipment alone is a lot.”

“In the thousands, probably. Ben said something about us not having to worry about walking. What’s with that? Did Ian hire dog sled teams too?”

“I have no idea, but Ben’s happy.”

“I’m happy.”

“I know.” You smiled and set your list aside. “And it’s really cool that you found it with the tracking model.”

“Well, uh, if it’s right then we’ll all be shoving snow to get to whatever’s in the ship.”

“It’ll be a lot of work.”

“Hopefully not too much.” Riley added, “We’re looking for treasure not doing hard labor. Then we can spend it however we want.”

However we want, you mused over his words. You had no idea what you would buy first if rewarded with money for your treasure seeking efforts.

“Speaking of spending. Do you think Ian will treat everyone to food?” You asked, glancing at your secret savings in an old notebook.

“Uh. Let’s not push our luck. No matter how nice that’d be.”

“I’ll bring snacks then.”

. . .

Late afternoon light filled corners of your apartment. Time was ticking down to when you would all leave to search for the Charlotte. An air of change circled through the air.

Even your day at work had felt different. The feeling continued inside your apartment where Riley had left his bags in your spare room.

Definitely different, you thought as you made sure you had your basic essentials. Keys, check. Phone and IDs, got them.

“Why do you have to go back?” Riley asked, standing behind your couch.

You tilted your head.

“I mean—you just got off work.” He clarified quickly.

“I just need to give them a few things from my office. I would have done that earlier, but I didn’t know they needed that too. Museum stuff…no big deal, but I’ll be back in no time.” You twisted your keyring between your fingers. “Make yourself at home. The money for the pizza is on the counter if they beat me here.”

Riley nodded. Blue eyes following your movements to the front door.

And it’ll give me time to wrap my mind around Riley staying in my apartment tonight.

. . . 

Looking over his electronics, all were either plugged in to charge or packed away. Riley was thankful that the outlet by the spare bed was visible and connected to a surge protector.

They really know how to use their space, Riley thought as he looked about the spare room. An office, bedroom, and probably storage area. He eyed the closet beside a desk. Not wanting to intrude in your space, Riley kept his distance. Yet he could clearly see the setup around the desk with a calendar stuck to the wall with important dates marked in various colors. This is definitely theirs.

Out of the many times Riley had visited your apartment, he had never been inside alone. Being surrounded by everything that had your specific touch to it was intriguing. Then again, Riley had never been hours away from starting a search for treasure and he certainly had never been in the spare room knowing full well that was where he would sleep for the night.

Sleeping over. Riley thought as he wiped his palms over his jeans and exhaled slowly. It’s just Ben’s place has no room. And he’ll probably be on the phone with Ian every other hour. It’s fine. It’s just us then we leave in the morning. Riley swallowed. And I’ve never had breakfast here either. It’s fine.

Quiet hadn’t fully settled in your apartment. The television was set to an animal documentary. Riley hadn’t thought of changing it even as he sat down to watch.

He had to keep his mind busy, for the moment, away from the treasure and you. Waiting was all he really could do and not just because you called an order for pizza.

Blinking, Riley refocused on the show.

“ . . . now grown, he will do his best to attract a mate.”

Riley threw his head back into the couch cushion and uttered, “You and me both, buddy.”

Ben better not give me that talk again after this, he thought as he bounced his leg anxiously. Who am I kidding? He probably has one prepared.

A knock on the door startled Riley off of the couch.

The pizza had arrived.

. . .

A jingle of keys and a shove, you walked back into your apartment. The smell of pizza clinging to the air.

“Hey,” Riley stood from the couch, “did you get everything done?”

“Uh. Yeah. Everything’s good.” You answered and closed the door. Words left you oddly from feeling a little warm at the sight of Riley in your home and comfortable. You could get used to that image. “So…where are you hiding the pizza? I can smell it.”

“Oven. Keeping all the heat from escaping.” He headed straight for the small kitchen area.

“Thank you.” Setting your keys and such down on the kitchen counter, you watched Riley retrieve the pizza box.

“You’re thanking me?” Riley lifted the cardboard lid. “I’d be bunking with a sleep-deprived Ben if it weren’t for you.”

“Who says I’m not sleep-deprived?”

“I can tell.”

Smiling to yourself, you grabbed two plates from an overhead cabinet.

“For one,” Riley continued, “you’re talking coherently.”

“We’re about to eat pizza. So I don’t know how long that’ll last.”

With a quick smile, Riley distributed a couple of slices for the both of you and headed to the small dining table nearby. “But seriously, thank you.”

“It’s not a problem. You’re always welcome here.” You said and quickly added, “Treasure or no treasure.”

“Hopefully we find something.” Riley said after a bite of pizza.

You nodded, thoughtful.

“Even a small fortune.”

Laughing in agreement, you stated, “It’d be a great addition to my vacation.”

Blue eyes peered up. “You used your vacation days?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s great! The exhibition will be up for a few months anyway.” Riley exclaimed. “Maybe we’ll find something you could add to a new exhibition.”

“That would be really cool and a bonus considering I don’t exactly have a substitute for my position, but it’ll be fine.”

Both agreeing, you returned to eating. Thankfully the pizza hadn’t gone to room temperature while you were on route back.

The general silence was comforting. Perhaps it was the busy day or the adventure planned ahead of you, but you liked sitting down with Riley without needing to fill in the space with words.

Don’t go off on imagination overdrive while he’s here. Just eat your pizza. You thought to yourself, glad Ben wasn’t there to add commentary for just once. At least Riley’s comfortable here. I just gotta go over my list again after cleaning up. Set out a pair of socks for the flight.

“Hey.” Riley’s voice interrupted your thoughts.

You glanced up.

“You have everything packed except your phone. You haven’t forgotten anything.”

You sat up straighter. “Did I say something out loud?”

“No.” A smile curved his lips. “You had that overthinking look.”

. . .

Nighttime was a particular thing. It gave freedom to how one used their time away from work and offered a more suitable atmosphere for sleep.

Walking out of the bathroom and ready for sleep, you found Riley asleep on the couch. The television was still on and hushed forest sounds emitted from it.

I guess he didn’t head to bed after all. You mused, or I took that long in the bathroom.

Quietly, you knelt down by the couch. “Riley?” You touched his shoulder gently.

“Hmm?” Drowsy eyes glanced your way.

“Time for bed.”

Nodding and closing his eyes again, Riley pushed himself up. Then, with shuffling feet, he headed away from you and the couch.

You watched on.

“Left, Riley,” you instructed as he had been walking towards your room. You covered your own chuckle while Riley redirected himself to the spare room. “Sweet dreams.”

And don’t think too much about where he was heading, you thought to yourself and knowing full well that would be an extremely difficult task to follow through. Riley being adorable and finding treasure among friends, this could be fun. I might be too excited to sleep. Anything can happen.

~~~

(If you love my writings and want to support me, I have a Ko-Fi where you can buy me a coffee. I would be eternally grateful.

Best wishes and happy reading.)

~~~~~

DreamerDragon Tags: @cubedtriangle

Riley Poole Tags: @darkenwolfy @wesleeporstudy @yearning-warmth @thecaptaingingersnap @nervousfandom

**Let me know if you would like to be tagged in insert readers, either through replies, ask, or message.**

[imakatperson22]

Fanfic ideas for “Chris is out of town”:

Eddie says he’s out of town and we just cut to…

Chris working deep undercover

Chris running his own crime syndicate (Idk why I’m thinking underground casino ring?)

Chris is hosting some fancy charity gala, wining and dining philanthropists (for a CP research fund??)

Chris is on an epic quest to save the world (a la lord of the rings)

Chris is secretly a superhero (His powers? Mind reading or telekinesis)

Chris is on a business trip in Hong Kong trying to close a major deal between transnational corporations

Chris is chasing after a girl rom com style

Chris is actually a trained assassin for hire and he’s out of town working on a job

Chris is backpacking through Europe to “find himself”

Chris is taking a cross country road trip with friends and chaos ensues

Chris is living a double life with another family who were scammed into adopting him

Chris is running for office (LA mayor?)

Chris is already in office as a state delegate and is in Sacramento while the legislature is in session

Chris is in witness protection about to testify against someone at trial

Chris isn’t actually out of town, he’s been under our noses the whole time

I have so many ideas!

[arthur-lesters-right-arm]

https://www.youtube.com/live/GfPzBH9l1gE?si=qRetkXgmRil3On4p

1:20:00

trust me. it’s malevolent

Oh god it's the fuck stool all over again. This is essentially just Harlan Gutherie playing with dolls and I'm totally here for it

[thenationaltreasuregazette]

The National Treasure Gazette Humbly Presents:

National Treasure: The Musical

I said what I said.

For reasons that have nothing to do with Wicked (2003) or Wicked (2024) (obviously I am lying) here we go:

INT. GATES FAMILY HOME LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

SONG: Treasure is a Myth

At the Gates’ family home YOUNG BEN sneaks away with the family album and his grandfather JOHN ADAMS GATES finds him and explains the legend of the treasure.

The ensemble—as all of the GATES MEN since and their WIVES—each give a quick verse about their search and continued hope that someday they will find the treasure.

The recurring motif here is 'Treasure is a myth…but I’ll find it.'

Until PATRICK GATES arrives to spoil things with a counter refrain, arguing that the treasure is a myth so move on and make something of your life.

The song ends with Patrick towing Young Ben off stage as he sings wistfully, “Treasure is a myth…but I’ll find it.”

EXT. ARCTIC CIRCLE - DAY

At the same time, adult BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GATES enters from the other side of the stage in snow gear.

He echoes “Treasure is a myth, but I’ll find it.”

END SONG

Then RILEY, IAN, and IAN’S CREW follow behind him in snow gear with metal detectors.

Join me in hallucinating the rest of Act I of National Treasure: The Musical!

↓ ↓ ↓

Riley and Powell have the “how does a ship wind up way out here?” exchange.

A metal detector BEEPS. Ben and Ian fall to their knees uncovering evidence of the Charlotte (pantomimed).

They file off stage and reappear…

INT. CHARLOTTE - DAY

…inside the frozen remains of the Charlotte. Some comedic exchanges from Riley before Ben finds the MEERSCHAUM PIPE. He reads the riddle and sits to figure it out.

SONG: Charlotte’s Riddle/So Close I Can Taste It

This is Ben’s I Want song. As he tries to work out the meaning of the riddle he reflects on how he finally has the next piece of the puzzle in his hands and we get to hear a little bit more about what that means to him.

This is an important character moment for Ben and the first time we really hear from him directly about why he wants to find the treasure.

It also personifies Charlotte briefly as a haunting female voice beckoning him to come find the treasure.

END SONG

Ben figures out the riddle and Ian suggests they borrow the Declaration.

SONG: Invested

Ian explains a bit about his backstory, how he’s done things like this before. His crew chimes, each listing a crime of heist they’ve been involved in. (Think the ‘meet the cooks’ montage from Ratatouille).

He emphasizes how much he's invested in this expedition--and in Ben-- and that he expects returns. He becomes increasingly agitated as Ben rejects his plans.

Ian laments what he’ll have to do to Ben. The song ends with him singing/saying “Now all you’ll be in a hindrance.”

END SONG

Ian orders Shaw to turn on Ben. Ben and Riley narrowly escape before the Charlotte explodes.

EXT. ARCTIC CIRCLE - DAY

Ben pulls Riley out of the literal trap door in the stage as they emerge from the ship.

Riley asks what they’ll do about Ian. Ben says they’ll stop him.

Riley says nobody will believe them, and anybody who’s crazy enough to believe them won’t help.

INT. NATIONAL ARCHIVES CURATORS OFFICE - DAY

We transition to the curator’s office where Abigail waits to greet Ben and Riley.

SONG: One Step Short of Crazy

The music begins as Abigail stands from her desk to shake the guys’ hands. They stay speaking as they exchange names and do the “Saxony German” bit.

After Abigail says, “Now, you told my assistant that this was an urgent matter?” the song begins in earnest.

This is a duet between Ben and Abigail as the both try to get what they want from the other: Ben wants access to the document and Abigail wants information.

The text of the song is “one step short of crazy” from both of them, because that’s what Ben is looking for, and what Abigail thinks Ben is.

The blocking here is that they step forward when they’re winning and back when they’re losing, so that they’re pushing each other around the stage and Riley is following along popping in and out around Ben whenever he has “helpful” information to add.

This number should be a bit flirty but make it clear that Abigail cannot be charmed. (yet).

It ends when Abigail sits back down at her desk and bids them good day. She has won.

END SONG

INT. NATIONAL ARCHIVES ROTUNDA - DAY

Ben and Riley look at the Declaration. Ben recites his favorite line. (“But when a long train of abuses…”)

SONG: One Step Short of Crazy (Reprise)

Ben reprises a few lines from One Step Short of Crazy as he is making a decision that is very much that.

END SONG

Then he speaks the line, “I’m gonna steal it. I’m gonna steal the Declaration of Independence."

INT. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS READING ROOM - DAY

Riley brings Ben into the Library of Congress to convince him that this is a bad idea. “Let me prove it to you.”

SONG: 2000 Ways This Could Go Wrong

Riley attempts to convince Ben that he cannot steal the Declaration of Independence. The ensembles appears as other LIBRARY PATRONS who get in on the song for musical reasons.

The text of the song is "There are 2000s ways this could go wrong" and they could be comedically listing all the ways Ben could get caught.

Riley and the ensemble seem to almost have Ben convinced when he brings up Thomas Edison.

The light bulbs line is spoken, but then Ben gets his own verse laying out the preservation room plan. The one way to make it work.

The song ends with Riley saying, “This could work.”

END SONG

INT. ABIGAIL’S OFFICE - NIGHT

Abigail is packing up for the night.

SONG: Hunting Down History

Abigail sings an I Want song of her own expressing her curiosity about Ben’s story and her wish that for once she’d like to be a part of something that mattered instead of on the sidelines studying it a hundred years later.

Her ASSISTANT enters with a package. (The One Step Short of Crazy theme play as she opens it.) Abigail reads the notes tells the audience it’s the George Washington button. She and the assistant discuss Ben for a few lines until Abigail realizes she’ll barely make it home to get ready and back in time for the gala.

That’s when the ALARM RINGS.

INT. PRESERVATION ROOM - NIGHT

Abigail and STAN (already in his tux) oversee at TECHS IN CLEAN ROOM GEAR move the document into the preservation room.

Stan gets a verse of Hunting Down History, hitting on Abigail and and asking if there’s anything between them.

Abigail declines and leaves.

Stan continues to lament her lack of attention as the set changes to…

INT. NATIONAL ARCHIVES ROTUNDA - NIGHT

…the rotunda, now dressed up for the gala. Ensemble is other PATRONS milling around the gala.

Abigail enters, having done a quick change into her gala outfit. She makes small talk as RILEY’S VOICE is heard from off stage.

He’s asking, “Ben, are you sure you want to do this—”

—when Ben enters the gala in his tux.

Riley comes to sit on the side of the stage with his headset and laptop. He’ll speak to Ben from here throughout the heist.

Ben finds Abigail, and hands her a glass of champagne.

Abigail sings one last verse about how maybe something interesting has found her after all.

END SONG

Abigail asks about the pipe that bigfoot took.

Stan joins them, a bit perturbed, and he and Ben go back and forth until Ben gives THE TOAST. (it's perfect--no notes)

Riley is talking throughout the scene.

Ben excuses himself. He holds up the glass to the audience and tells Riley he’s got the fingerprint.

INT. VAULT CORRIDOR/PRESERVATION ROOM - NIGHT

Ben appears at the top of some stage scaffolding where he uses the fingerprint and does the password thing. He and Riley exchange dialogue explaining how they’re using the button he sent to Abigail to do this, since we won’t see it well. Riley helps crack the password. Ben rides an elevator down to stage level.

SONG: [MAIN HEIST THEME TBD]

Meanwhile, Ian and his gang make their way up from the bottom of the stage knocking out guards and breaking through a series of movable doors that have been lined up in their way.

→ Riley comes in with a reprise of 2000 Ways This Could Go Wrong

Ben reaches the Declaration first. He’s in the process of removing it when Riley stands up because he’s lost the feed.

Ben leaves with the case as Ian arrives. Squibs go off, cracking the case.

Ben runs back to the elevator as the lights go dark.

INT. ROTUNDA - NIGHT

Riley: Ben? Ben, what was that?

Ben sneaks through the partygoers and is caught by the CASHIER, who charges him $35 for the “replica” Declaration. He fumbles to come up with the change and pays with a card.

→ Abigail spots Ben and comes in with a reprise of One Step Short of Crazy and/or Hunting Down History

Abigail chases after Ben…

EXT. NATIONAL ARCHIVES - NIGHT

… who rushes outside to meet Riley.

Meanwhile Ian and co climb up through the trapdoor with their gear.

Abigail accuses Ben of stealing it, he gives her the Declaration, and Ian’s crew grab her.

END SONG

INT/EXT. CATERING TRUCK

You know that? Fuck it, let’s do the catering truck scene.

I was gonna say this would be a more stage-friendly tug o’ war over Abigail and she ends up with Ben while the Declaration winds up with Ian. That’s the backup.

But as long as we’re hallucinating a Disney-backed musical, maybe we put the van and the catering truck on stage, yeah? We, the audience, are looking toward their open backs as the two vehicles bounce around. They’re on springs or something, sorry actors.

There’s lots of LIGHT AND SOUND EFFECTS to heighten the “chase,” which ends when Abigail jumps from one car to the other.

Ben and Abigail exchange a few lines of banter in the van before Ben asks Riley to pull over.

EXT. PARK - NIGHT

This scene will remain largely the same, but we’ll move more of the dialogue to the park so we can get out of the van set as quickly as possible. Without the chase it’ll feel weird.

The dialogue will be rearranged so it ends with Ben’s line: “Yeah but I didn’t think I was gonna personally have to tell my dad about it."

As he says this the set shifts and Patrick’s door appears behind him, so all he has to do is turn around to be confronted by it.

EXT. PATRICK’S DOOR - NIGHT

“Where’s the party?”

This remains largely the same. Patrick lets them in.

INT. GATES FAMILY HOUSE - NIGHT

Yes, as a fun easter egg we can use the same Gates family home set as the opening number, to both maximize set use and make my headcanon about the Gates family house canon. Cool.

SONG: The Real Gates Family Legacy

Patrick hopes this isn’t about the damn treasure. Obviously it is.

Ben and Patrick go back and forth about their mutual disappointment in each other. Patrick wants Ben to stop wasting his life on the same mistakes that he, Patrick, made, and Ben just wants his dad to believe in him.

Riley and Abigail get a quick verse about their observations of the pair, Riley from the POV of someone who knows a bit of their backstory (and might even share a line or two) and Abigail as someone who’s just meeting them.

Ends with Patrick giving up and saying, “Do what you want Ben.”

END SONG

Abigail raises the very real possibility that there isn’t another clue. Ben says they can find out right now.

SONG: Talk to Me

In this number (better title TK) Ben gets the lemons and basically asks the map makers/founding fathers to talk to him. Tell him the message he’s been waiting his whole life to hear.

Then Abigail stops him and insists on being the one to actually do the lemon-ing. Her verse is a bit more delicate, but she too is genuinely asking for the document to say something to her.

Their parts come together and then—nothing.

This is being visualized by a scrim at the back of the stage. It’s been there for other scenes, and is a sort of parchment texture, but it’s only as the song progresses that we the audience realize it’s changing.

Light effects will be used to turn the whole stage into a VISUALIZATION OF THE DECLARATION, matching what Ben and Abigail are doing at the table on stage. First come the faint stains of the lemon juice.

Then Patrick interrupts to tell them they need heat.

Ben and Abigail breath on the Declaration and the masonic compass flickers into view momentarily on the scrim.

“We need more juice.”

“We need more heat.”

They sing the next verse of the song together as more and more of the map becomes visible. They’re asking the map to talk to them, but subtextually also asking the same of each other.

Thematically the song is saying please tell me there’s something to this. tell me i’m not crazy; tell me I’m not alone.

→ the ensemble reappears as the Gates family ancestors

→ the Charlotte’s Riddle theme and voice reappears as well

→ Patrick joins in with a reprise of The Real Gates Family Legacy

→ Riley joins in with a few lines about how he can’t believe this is really happening

→ young ben reappears to reprise Treasure is a Myth

All of the voices combine into that delicious thing where everybody’s singing their Act I theme over each other (I really can't emphasize enough how much delight this trope brings me) as the extent of the cypher is revealed.

Riley: What is it?

Ben: (barely believing what he’s seeing) A treasure map.

END SONG

END ACT I

[startrekmemequeen]

People who write cool fanfiction about unpopular fandoms deserve to be nominated for sainthood

[memory-and-sky]

so i’ve gained a huge hyperfixation on the national treasure movies (1&2). i recently got into the national treasure ‘fandom’ (not much of a fandom left) and am considering posting a fanfiction centric around riley poole here (because i love him). i’d definitely post it on ao3, but if anyone is interested in me posting it here lmk. i might just do it anyways.

[quietwingsinthesky]

Drabble 347/366 - National Treasure/Supernatural

“What are you looking for?” Nick asks, like he’s stroking fingers up Lucifer’s back. She probes at his mind again.

“Nothing in particular. Your life.”

“Nothing interesting ever happened to me before-” He falters, grief like a hammer against her grace, and she stretches her wings to cradle him. He recovers. “Well. I guess that isn’t entirely true.”

“Really?” Curiosity is the best, sometimes the only, balm for pain.

“You won’t believe this. I used to be in law enforcement. High up.” He laughs. “And once, I helped recover the Declaration of Independence.”

Lucifer’s quiet. Then, she says, “…the what?”

[hockeyspiral23]

Like … fuck. I have gotten three comments so far that have made me cry (IN A GOOD WAY). Two have been on The Backup Plan and two have come from @canadian-confusion. Like fuck. 😭🥰🥹❤️

Also, it got me thinking … mostly about TBP love. Listen, I’m proud of that 15k behemoth. But I think what I’m mostly proud of is how I can tell my writing has grown since I first picked it back up in May.

I used to write. All the time. Short stories. Longer stories. Song parodies. Poems. It started dying off in college, and then died off completely after.

(I should give the caveat of fiction writing, as I did work as a hockey writer for several years.)

Poetry and a bit of microfiction were the only things I kept up sporadically through the years.

Then the Empyrean hit, and the fanfic, and my brain finally started to whisper at me, after being dormant for so many frustrating years. And I chose to do it pen and paper, to prevent me from getting stuck obsessively editing the same thousand or so words before ever moving on.

I can tell the growth of my writing even over the course of viayn - I hope that people can tell too, over the 6-8 weeks I spent writing it. It’s definitely evident in TBP, which went from random idea to published story within two weeks. I’m not entirely pen and paper anymore because the notes app has served the same function (and I can read it a fuck of a lot better than my scribbles …), but I’m proud of myself.

And anyone who writes should be proud of themselves, too. Write for you. Write the story you want told. Understand your barriers and write in a way that will get around them.

[testingforgravity]

Grand Theft Holo

TCW Younglings continue to live on in the sequel to We Were Just Kids. And, that's right, it's a heist fic! Strap in, because it's about to be a wild ride.

Summary:

The Sith Runestone. Rumored to hold a holocron containing a map to the ultimate power, whoever cracks the Sith Runestone controls the Galaxy. With the rebels in shambles following the Battle of Atollon, now is the perfect time for the Empire to swipe the artifact from the Metropolitan Museum of Coruscant and secure their victory over the growing rebellion. However, Emperor Palpatine isn’t the only one aware of the urban legend. To save the rebellion—the Galaxy—Petro decides he’s going to steal the runestone first. But he can’t do it alone.

Six former Jedi. One impossible heist. There's nobody else in the rebellion Petro would choose for a job this important. But does his crew still trust each other enough to pull it off?

[kats-kradle]

Category: Gen

Fandom: National Treasure (Movies)

Relationship: Benjamin Gates & Riley Poole

Characters: Riley Poole, Benjamin Franklin Gates

Additional Tags: Friendship, Panic Attacks, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Rain, look about once a year I go on a national treasure kick, and ehehehe they were NOT okay after book of secrets, Post-National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets (2007), Benjamin Franklin Gates is a Good Friend, Hugs, Self-Worth Issues, Riley Poole Needs a Hug, and he gets one, Salt and Light, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst

Summary:

“It’s not supposed to be you,” tumbled out of Riley’s mouth, his eyes still shut, his shoulders still hunched, his hands buried in his core.

“What’s not supposed to be me?” Ben prompted. Riley shrank back from the hand that tried to squeeze his shoulder.

“Dying.”

——

Set a few weeks after Book of Secrets. The rain drives Riley into Ben’s house where he tries to dismantle a microwave, has a panic attack or two, and learns that he, apparently, is not expendable.

[where-dreamers-go]

Wait a flip flop moment.

I haven't written a Riley Poole insert reader since 2022???

I didn't write ANY last year?

Okay.

[imakatperson22]

I started my first fic!!!

Set 5 years into the future, Buck and Eddie are married, Buck has legally adopted Christopher, and Buck has changed his name from Evan Buckley to Evan Diaz.

One day, Buck gets loaned out to the 147 while one of their firefighters is recovering from an injury on the job. During his temporary transfer, the crew at the 147 try to figure out why someone with a name like Evan Diaz would be called “Buck”.

Buck can’t help but keep them guessing.

[oveliagirlhaditright]

Found Treasure - A NeShiki AU fic

Summary: An AU where Neku and Shiki are Ben and Abigail from "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets." Shiki loved Neku with all her heart... but when it became clear to her that, in some ways, he valued that big brain more than listening to her, she knew she had to end the relationship. But she gets pulled back into his world when he's bound and determined to clear his ancestor's name and needs her help to do it. And she might be starting to fall for him again, too. Because, after all, the adventure is fun. And even more than that, people DO change. Oneshot.

Found Treasure

Shiki's PoV

Shiki loved Neku with her whole heart. She did. But when it became more and more clear that in many ways, he valued his intelligence more than he did her—and would never ask her opinion on things, in being all assuming—she knew she had to break up with him.

And maybe in her heart of hearts, there had been a part of her hoping that he would change and they’d find their way back to each other—since he had touched her soul like no one else had—but she couldn’t waste her life waiting for a miracle. She had too much self-respect for that.

And so, Shiki had tried to move on. In fact, it was when she’d invited her new love interest over to her house for the first time that her and Neku’s lives would end up colliding again.

Neku had broken into her house with the key he’d yet to return to her… which surely would have been the biggest offense—if Shiki hadn’t noticed right away that he had Joshua working on something on her computer, and was trying to keep her from noticing it.

“Neku, are you kidding me?! You can’t just do these things anymore!” Shiki reprimanded her ex, stomping up to him in her little black dress and heels, and still one hundred percent being a force to be reckoned with even in this getup.

And Neku must have realized this, because he didn’t try to lie and pretend that he hadn’t tried to pull a wool over her eyes, or wasn’t at this very moment wasn’t using her government connections, but he just looked at her with despairing eyes and said, “Please, Shiki. You know how much my family’s name means me to me. And I think I found a clue to clear us. Just let me find it, and then I’ll be out of your way.”

Well, there was no way she could deny that, was there? Shiki had heard how Shiba Miyakaze had shown the world today that the Sakurabas had been part of the plan to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. And Shiki didn’t want to believe it for a second, so if Neku had found proof to show that he was lying… who was she to stand in his way? She knew that if it was her family that someone had said were linked to such an awful conspiracy, she’d be fighting it tooth and nail, too.

And, admittedly, she was curious to see how this turned out…

“Alright, Neku. Find this link. But then you really have to leave,” Shiki whispered, knowing that her date, Shuto, would be done looking at her collection from working in the museum any minute now, and would see that her ex was here and she was speaking to him.

Neku didn’t have to be told twice, and disappeared back into the den with Joshua after giving Shiki that heartbreaking smirk that had made Shiki fall in love with him in the first place. Though she refused to be pulled back in again, unless he changed. And she had yet to see that he really had. Though him being so thankful towards her again was definitely a start…

“Damn, Shiki!” Shuto exclaimed, as he joined her back in her living room, about just as soon as she’d assumed she would. And suddenly—despite how it would have ruined everything—Shiki found herself wishing that Neku would have seen Shuto, so he would have realized that she was on a date with someone else. She wondered if he would have been jealous. Or if he would have cared at all… “You weren’t kidding about the impressive presidential pin set that you have! I wish I had one like it!”

Shiki had to laugh at that, as she strode toward her current date and tried to put thoughts of her former love behind her.

“I also store all the best outfits that I’ve sewn right beside them, if you didn’t see that. I love my job as a curator. But sewing is definitely my favorite hobby, and I might have chosen a career there if things had gone differently.”

…

Shiki, in a million years, would have never thought that she would have ended up at Beckingham Palace—on another date with Shuto—at the same time that Neku happened to be there. Yes, she had once thought that the two of them might be soulmates… but seriously, what were the chances of this? Especially since Shiki thought she had done a pretty bang-up job of putting Neku behind her these past days, and she was actually starting to enjoy Shuto Dan’s company.

The museum curator would have been happy to pretend she’d never seen Neku and return her later, when he wasn’t at the location, if he hadn’t immediately recognized her and pulled her into a rather large argument that was completely out of character for him.

“Shiki… I just can’t believe you broke up with me and won’t even tell me why. And this coming from you: the girl who was always prattling on and on in my ear!”

Shiki was doing her very best not to react to this and create a bigger scene, but she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t irked. How dare Neku insult her for talking too much, like he had when they’d first met?! Didn’t he know how much saying such a thing would hurt her?!

And was he seriously saying he had no idea why she broke up with him? Wow: talk about even more proof that he didn’t listen to her and she was right in her decision.

“Oh, you are just so insulting,” Shiki shot back, trying not to be too loud, but still wanting him to hear her as she fought him, of course. “And if you’re still wondering why our relationship ended, then we never should have dated in the first place, Neku. You just don’t listen!”

“Oh, because I’m just always the wrong one in our relationship, aren’t I?” Neku spat. “Men always are... Kind of like how you think I’m wrong about my ancestor Isamu Sakuraba being innocent!”

Shiki was about to respond to that and remind him that she didn’t feel that way at all, because she’d let him use her computer for his ancestor’s sake, hadn’t she? When she looked Neku in the eye and it suddenly became very clear to her that this whole thing was an act. Oh. Was the next clue he needed to prove Isamu Sakuraba’s innocence here? Undoubtedly.

And if the way Neku was carrying on, it had to be in a place that was off limits to the general public… unless they made a scene. Well, if that was the case, Shiki found she definitely wanted to help him. But first she needed to get Shuto out of the way…

“Wow, you really dated this jerk?” Shuto asked incredulously, unknowingly giving Shiki the perfect excuse to send him away.

“Yes, unfortunately. And he- he seems drunk, doesn’t he? I’m afraid he’s going to do something stupid! Shuto, I left my purse in your car, that has my pepper spray in it. Do you mind going to get it in case I need it?”

“I-I guess,” Shuto said reluctantly, though it seemed to Shiki that he really didn’t want to do this and there were a lot of things he would have rather said here instead. But nonetheless, he was a gentleman and left to fulfill Shiki’s request.

“Alright, that’s enough you two,” a guard said as he took Shiki’s arm and then Neku’s. “We’re not having a confrontation like that in public. And we’re not having it get violent. If you’re determined to have an ex-lover’s spat, do it in private.”

“Hey, get your hands off of me! I have a right to defend myself!” Shiki protested, as she was led away, half-hamming it up and half-serious.

“You see? You see what I deal with? Thank you for defending me, at least,” Neku gave his own piece, as he was pulled away right behind her.

“Neku, go screw yourself!” Shiki bellowed, when they were both finally slammed into a cell.

“Not when you do it so well, honey,” Neku zinged.

Shiki stuck her tongue out at him. And though she knew Neku was really acting here, she was tempted to do much more. But she knew that would just make things worse for them and ruin their plan.

“Wow, do you two need couple’s therapy,” one of the guards said, shaking his head at them. “I’m going to give you two a minute to think things through, work it out, and if you don’t do that, I’m calling the police. If I were you, I’d really think about if whatever he or she did is worth time behind bars.” And then all of the guards were, miraculously, gone. That had to be a mistake… right?

But once they were, Shiki turned to Neku with a raised eyebrow. “Okay, Neku. What the hell is going on?”

“I have to get to the queen’s resolute desk…”

Shiki nodded her head, acting like this was the most natural thing in the world, even though it was of course anything but. “And you didn’t think you could try to tell me that through, I don’t know, Morse Code or something, before you gave me a heart attack in thinking you lost it?!”

That seemed to embarrass Neku for a second, that he didn’t think of that, and he hid behind his collar for a second before shrugging. “Didn’t really think about it. ‘Sides, it might have affected your acting, and I wasn’t sure if your new beau knew Morse Code or not. And things worked out well enough.”

“Sure they did, Neku. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re locked up! How are we supposed to get out of here, to-”

But before she had finished the sentence, the door to the cage swung open and Neku grabbed her hand and was leading her along.

“Sometimes, I hate that you and Joshua are friends,” Shiki complained. “He’s part of the reason you don’t put others first and think you’re infallible. But whatever, I guess. We’ll once again save this conversation for another time. Lead the way… Since I’m assuming we’re on a time crunch here.”

“Naturally, Chic. Is it fun in any other way?” Neku asked as he turned back to look at Shiki and offered her a small smile.

Despite herself, she couldn’t help but return it as the two of them began running together. “No, I guess not.”

And their maneuver to find the item that would help Neku proved to be fun in its own right, too. It turned out the queen’s resolute desk was half Japanese puzzle box, half desk. And Shiki and Neku ended up having to maneuver every which way to solve it. As a very clever girl, Shiki had to say that she enjoyed the brain tease and doing this sort of thing with Neku again. And she would even admit she liked this one moment where she had to be under Neku, so she could dial in a number via a tumbler as Neku told her the correct combination from above. She was only human, after all. The intense car chase they ended up in with Shiba in his men afterwards helped to make Shiki feel alive again, too.

So all of this was how Shiki once again found herself pulled back into Neku’s world, completely forgetting Shuto, and going with him to his last destination that seemed like it would take them to the City of Gold (the whole point of all of this, it seemed. Shiba had framed Neku’s ancestor just so he would help him find this), but Shiki didn’t want to get her hopes that it was said city just yet…

Except the moment that Shiki, Neku, his parents Koki and Uzuki, and Shiba were all trapped in a room filling up with water together, Shiki found herself wishing she’d never hoped that this was Eldorado. She was now certain it was, but at what cost? They were all going to drown for their knowledge of it!

“There’s no way we can all swim to the exit in time,” Koki said far too calmly, as far as Shiki was concerned. “The way this trap is designed, someone’s weight has to hold the lever down to keep the door open. And, yeah: the door stays open for a few seconds it looks like. But not fast enough for the person holding the door open to swim out. It’s meant for someone to sacrifice themselves.”

“Ugh!” Uzuki screamed, ripping her hair out before looking at everyone in turn. “Koki, swim over there and sacrifice yourself for your son, his lovely girl, and moi, your lovely ex-wife,” Uzuki cajoled, but Shiki could tell her heart wasn’t really in it. Whatever issue the two of them had been having, they’d since made up on this journey. And no doubt, she really wished Shiba would do this, but knew that he wouldn’t.

“No way, Mom,” Neku protested, immediately gaining Shiki’s attention as she turned to him with a sharp glance. “I’ll stay. I’m closest to the lever, anyway. And the longer we stay in here arguing, the room is filling up. Go.”

“Neku, absolutely- absolutely not!” Shiki protested, whilst she tried her best to swim to him. But it was getting hard to do so, as a wave rose up and tried to take her under: Neku was right. It was getting way too deep in here. “I- Okay, so I don’t regret my reasons for breaking up for you, and those are things we still need to work on, but I do regret that I ended the relationship. We could have tried to deal with it together. I love you, Neku. I just got you back. And I- I won’t lose you.

“And, damnit! You’re being sexist! I could totally sacrifice myself too, you know!” Shiki protested, having finally made it close enough to Neku so she could lean her forehead against his and press a hand to his cheek. She very much wanted to kiss him, too, but their lips were so close to being underwater, anyway, and unfortunately, there really wasn’t enough time for it.

“I bet you could, Chic,” Neku laughed, rising up and kissing her forehead. “But unfortunately, you really aren’t close enough. So go.”

“Neku,” Shiki whined, looking at her partner with tear-filled eyes. She didn’t care what he said. She didn’t. She would not leave him here. She would die with him, if she had to.

Except that Koki was already beginning to pull her away. Shiki shouted and tried to fight it, but it was no use, until-

“Now hold on, sheeple!,” said Shiba unexpectedly, as he pulled Shiki out of Koki’s arms and somehow sent her sprawling into Neku, so he was spinning away from the lever now.

“Shiba, what the hell are you doing?!” Neku protested. “If we keep this up, the weight of the water will be such that the door won’t even open! Do you want to drown?”

“Yes.”

“What?!” Everyone said at once. Shiki had not seen that coming, but perhaps she should have from someone who had already gone to these lengths to be famous. But to die over it?

“Well… no,” he swiftly corrected. “But I have no choice. Let’s be honest, Sakuraba. Your dinky arms could have never held the lever down to keep the door open long enough for your precious family to get out, and I’m the closest to it beside you. I will sacrifice myself for all of you. On one condition: When you tell the press who made this discovery, it was me.”

“Of course,” Neku said, looking at Shiba with nothing but respect in his eyes, Shiki saw. She might have tried to gauge even more then, but there was simply no time. Shiba made a soul screeching cry as he tried to press the lever down, the door opened once more and then Shiki found herself rocketing out of it into… some golden area if her eyes could be trusted?

Koki and Uzuki were just in front of Shiki, and she was so thankful to see that Neku’s parents had made it out, but then she was desperately looking behind her to see if Neku was there. Shiki didn’t have to look far. As she continued to glide on the water that was finally starting to slow down, she felt a hand slip into hers on her right side: a hand that Shiki had never been so glad to feel in her life. And the seamstress knew that if she hadn’t been afraid of finding more booby traps, she might have tried to tackle hug him right then.

Finally, the two of them got to their feet and took in the City of Gold, and it truly was a marvelous sight. Don’t get Shiki wrong. But she still didn’t really think it was worth everything that had happened to get here. And she thought she’d probably appreciate it more in the morning, when she was looking at it with the press and police, surely. Right now, she just wanted to sleep…

And Neku seemed to understand that sentiment, bless him, because he and his parents took care of most things for the moment: like finding an exit and calling said police to get them out of here.

…Though, unfortunately, the latter didn’t end up happening right away. Surely because Neku had told them about Shiba and because it wasn’t every day one found a City of Gold, after all.

But the police had been so kind as to get Shiki some coffee, and she was feeling much rejuvenated now, as she sat on a railing and talked to Neku who stood below her.

“I really do want to give us another try, Shiki… But I’ll always be me. I’ll still jump to assumptions, and that sort of thing.”

“That’s not a bad thing when it comes to figuring out puzzles, and whatnot. But with people… you still need to ask, Neku. Yes, you know I’d love to go to a dance with you know… but it still feels nice to be asked and cherished that way, you know? To not feel taken for granted?”

“I think I get it…” Neku smirked up at her. “So, how’s this as an example of me asking? Shiki Misaki, will you marry me?”

Shiki gasped. She was pretty smart, herself (book smarts and in reading Neku) and she had not seen this one coming. And yes, Neku was pretty suave at times, but damn had he knocked this one out of the park. Shiki didn’t think he’d been planning this when they’d been together before. So that meant he must have decided this recently: during the up and down rollercoaster when they found their way to each other again, and that somehow made it all the more special to her.

“I think you get an A+, you genius, you,” Shiki said, before pulling on Neku’s collar to bring him in for a sweet kiss. But when they broke apart, he still seemed confused, proving that even geniuses needed help sometimes. Somehow, the thought thrilled her. “And yes, I’ll marry you.” This time, it was Neku who kissed Shiki. And was it hot in here or was it her?

She was definitely seeing fireworks with him again… though part of that might have had to do with some of the policeman setting some off in their excitement in seeing the City of Gold. But the couple were none the wiser of that, and continued on happily kissing to the news of their engagement.

Author's Note: For BlueRosesBurnBlue/Liz, as I’ve been meaning to get this story to you for, like, two years now. I am SO sorry it took so long. I guess now it can be like a Christmas gift to you?

I also meant to get this story done for NeShiki Day back in August. But better late than never, I suppose:)

I may do more in this universe in the future, perhaps. This was actually a lot of fun!

[ericac318]

Another Treasure Hunt

Summary:

Tasha and Jess’ roommate Elsie has a slight history with Riley Poole. What will that history mean when Mr. Poole shows up during their treasure hunt? I couldn't help myself after seeing Riley on the new series.

Chapter 6

After thirty minutes on the road, Riley and Elsie reached a dock where there was one boat sitting unclaimed.

“I guess everyone else got a pretty good headstart,” Elsie stated as she followed Riley onto the one boat left behind. “How do we find the others?” she inquired as she watched him navigate down the river, confidently.

Riley pointed ahead at something which was invisible to Elsie’s eyes, “Most people don’t know this but boats leave back a trail when they move across rivers like the Mississippi. We’re going to follow it until the trail goes cold,” he shared.

“Is that something you learned from Ben or is this one of your little treasure troves of knowledge?” she inquired, genuinely as she sat back, enjoying watching him in his element.

He glanced back at her, his face wearing a prideful expression, “This one is all me, baby. I wouldn’t get too relaxed if I were you. Billie is no idiot. She probably has people stationed all over the river,” he added as a warning, causing her to grasp her weapon, readying it for confrontation.

After another thirty minutes, and a very uncomfortable spot littered with fog, Riley pulled their boat onto land.

“The trail ends here,” he shared as he got out before reaching his hand out to her, “We’ll be on foot from here. Stay sharp,” he instructed as he moved into the jungle of the Mississippi, reaching his hand back to take hers in his own.

Riley and Elsie walked through the swamplands of Mississippi until they heard someone else and moved quickly to a spot of supposed safety.

“Don’t do anything foolish,” Riley instructed as he saw Elsie peek around the tree to see who was in their midst.

She caught a glimpse of a man she didn’t know before she whispered to Riley, “There’s a man and he is definitely not someone associated with my group. I think I can distract him long enough for you to take care of him,” she added as she moved out of the safety of the trees with her arms raised.

“Excuse me!” Elsie shouted, “Can you help me? I’m lost and I don’t know how to get back to my group. I was with my college science class when I got separated from them. Have you seen anyone in the area?” she inquired while Riley admired her ability to come up with a quick excuse to explain her presence in the area.

Riley had his gun trained on the stranger as he watched the man respond, “I highly doubt that any college class would be here, even for a science class.”

Before Riley could fire, the man shot off a bullet that landed in Elsie’s shoulder. Riley shot the man in the head, but he was too late as he rushed out of their hiding spot to be by her side.

“Are you alright?” Riley asked, his voice filled with panic as he lowered himself down to her level

Elsie took a deep breath, gasping as she pulled off her sweater to put pressure on the wound in her shoulder, “I’m alright. We can keep going. The bullet went straight through,” she shared as she grasped onto his hand to stand back up and continue moving through the forest to where Jess had gone.

Riley shook his head as he took on her weight to guide her through the swamplands until they reached a familiar face.

“Ethan!” Elsie exclaimed as she saw Jess’s friend who she thought should be her boyfriend making his way towards them, “Is Jess ok?”

Ethan nodded, “She’s ok for now,” he replied, “Billie is the only one with her. Everyone else on her team is dead,” he shared as he saw the blood-soaked cloth on her shoulder, “Are you alright?”

“I will be,” Elsie replied, “What’s your plan? I know you’ve got some idea of how to handle this mess,” she added as Riley continued putting pressure on her shoulder.

Ethan nodded, “I already called for help. The FBI should be here any second. I would say that you should follow me into the action, but I think Riley should get you to a doctor. You’re losing a lot of blood,” he stated, matter-of-factly.

Riley raised his brow as he looked at her wound, “Babe, I want to help you help your friends, but he’s right. You’re losing blood much faster than your body can handle. Can we please turn back?”

Elsie took a deep breath before she nodded, “Yes, we don’t have a choice. I’m feeling more and more light-headed as we move forward so I’ll be no help to anyone,” she directed her attention to Ethan, “Are you going to go back in? I’ll feel much better if you do,” she added as she felt herself depending on Riley more and more.

Ethan nodded, “Yes, I’ll go in with the good guys. You two should get back to the docks. I promise that everything will be ok,” he added with the confidence Elsie needed to see for her to agree.

“Thank you,” Riley mouthed to Ethan as he turned back, carrying most of Elsie’s weight back to their boat.

Riley and Elsie reached the docks within thirty minutes of the meeting, Ethan. Agents were already en route to meet Ethan while others had stayed behind to help with medical emergencies.

Riley pulled an almost unconscious Elsie off of their boat to the nearest agent, “She was shot in the shoulder,” he began explaining, “The bullet went straight through but it must have hit something important because the bleeding hasn’t stopped,” he shared as the agent took her from him and moved her to the triage area.

After a few minutes, the agent spoke, “You’re right. She was hit and it went straight through but she lost a significant amount of blood which means that the bullet hit an artery,” he shared, but Riley had a feeling the agent had more to say.

“Is there something else?” Riley questioned as she grasped Elsie’s hand in his own, no longer caring about the treasure or anything else.

Before the agent could respond, Jess and the others returned to the dock.

“Did you find the treasure?” Riley asked as she stood by Elsie’s side, holding onto her hand tightly.

Jess nodded as she wiped the sweat from her brow, “How did you two get here? Is Elsie ok?”

Riley replied, “Tasha reached out and Elsie insisted that we be here, but she was shot before we could get to you guys.”

The agent interrupted their reunion, “Mr. Poole, Elsie is pregnant. That’s why her body reacted so strongly to the injury. Don’t worry,” he reassured the newly panicked father-to-be, “She and the baby are doing just fine.”

Riley glanced down at his fiance, “You would be expecting our first child while we’re out hunting for a treasure that we have no business finding,” he whispered as he noticed her eyes starting to open.

“I’m pregnant?” Elsie asked as she looked into Riley’s eyes, her own wide with surprise.

Riley nodded, “You are. And, your friends found the Pan American treasure,” he leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead, “I’d call today a great day all around.”

His happiness caused Elsie to smile, no longer worrying about any of the other logistics involved in their news, “You’re right, baby,” she stated as she pulled his face down to hers in a passionate kiss.

The End

[sweetjedi]

@ivorydragoness44 what up, sista sistah!

reblog ONLY if prev is a mutual, i want to see how far this post can go

say in the tags what part of tumblr you’re on i’m so curious so see how this goes

[memory-and-sky]

i need to write a transgender riley poole fanfiction. a oneshot or something. please tell me you guys can see it too

he’s so t-boy coded for those who have eyes to see