A/N: Okay, guys, this is the last chapter to this story because I really need to end this thing somewhere. Thank you to all of you that have stuck with me through this. It has been a little rough at times, I think, but I made it and that's all that counts, right? So on with the final chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own National Treasure
They all took their places at the dinning room table where dinner was normally eaten. Ben and Abi watched as Riley half-heartedly poked at his food with his fork, not really eating half of it. It all smelled delicious but he just didn't feel like eating it. He raised his gaze after a moment of rearranging the food on his plate to look at Ben and Abi.
"Why are you staring? You are creeping me out," he complained with a trademark whine.
"We are sorry, Riley," Abi was quick to apologize. "How do you feel today?"
"Fine."
That was his answer every day. In fact, Ben was certain that that was the first thing he said after he had been shot. Don't worry, Ben, I am fine. Ben wasn't quite sure why he did it. He just chalked it down as one of Riley's many odd traits. It wasn't going to change anytime soon either.
"Riley, we need to talk," Ben said starting out the conversation like Abi had to him. Maybe that way everything would go smoother. Surprisingly, Riley put down his fork and sighed softly, not meeting Ben's gaze.
"Yeah, I know."
"You do?" Ben asked, trying to hide his surprise. It wasn't like Riley to openly admit that they needed to talk. Usually he tried everything in his power to make him believe that they didn't need to talk.
"It's about those nightmares…" Riley started out slowly; hesitating slightly but Ben and Abi were quiet to silently will him on. "The one the other night was of that day. It just haunts me and it won't leave."
Another pause.
"But I had a second one that I didn't tell you about. Even after you came with the ice cream and then I fell back asleep."
Ben couldn't help feeling guilty. He had been sleeping how close to Riley last night and he still hadn't known that his friend was suffering. He should have stayed awake to make sure that he was going to be all right.
"What was it about?" Abi prompted gently.
"The same day, but it was different. The outcome wasn't the same," Riley swallowed hard and the pained look on his face couldn't be mistaken. "Ben was shot and not me."
"I said don't speak again."
The gun discharged and Riley flinched in anticipation of the bullet that was about to hit him, but it never came. Abi screamed and he opened his eyes to find that Ben had got in the path of the bullet. Ben had taken the shot for him.
"Ben!"
"Oh no, Ben!"
Riley was on the ground instantly beside his friend, trying desperately to see where the wound was and stop the bleeding. This couldn't be happening. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. Ben couldn't die. He just couldn't. Ben's hand managed to reach up and grab onto Riley's arm that was putting pressure to the wound. His eyes were clenched shut in pain, but he seemed to know that it was Riley beside him.
"Riley…"
"Ben, why did you do that? You shouldn't have done that," Riley said frantically, the panic was clear in his voice. Abi was kneeled beside Ben's head and looking at loss of what to do to help. It was Patrick that finally broke the moment and ultimately got them into action.
"We have to find a way out of here now and before it's too late for Ben," he said as he took Riley's place. "Look for a way out while I watch him. You and Abi, go!"
"But I…" Riley was not ready to leave Ben especially after what had happened, but Abi pulled him up from behind by a fist full of his hoddie.
"Come on, Riley, we have to look."
The same panic was also present in her voice as they ran into the next room and searched for another way out.
"This is hopeless," Riley said after a minute of looking. "This is all my fault," he added, but Abi refused to give up so easily.
"Hey, wait! I found something. Look at these shapes! They have to represent something," she said while pointing them out to Riley. They looked oddly familiar to him.
"The pipe! We need the pipe," he thought for a moment before running back over to Ben and Patrick. "Ben has the pipe!"
Patrick managed to fish the pipe out of one of Ben's coat pockets. "Hurry," he urged as he handed the pipe over. Abi took the pipe while Riley stayed by Ben to whisper, "Please, please don't leave me, Ben."
Abi grabbed Ben's hand underneath the table as Riley told his story and squeezed it comfortingly.
"Riley, I am fine though," Ben said, trying to cheer his friend up. "I am right here and I am fine."
"I know," Riley replied softly. "But, it was so real."
At that, Abi got up from her place at the table across from him and hurried over his side to give him a hug. He didn't really react to it, still having his gaze fixed firmly on the table. Ben wasn't sure how to reply. Luckily, Abi was good at this type of thing.
"We are all safe now. You don't have to worry about what could have been because it is all over and we are all going to be all right which is what really matters. If you start thinking about all the what ifs then you are going to drive yourself crazy."
"I know. I can't stop them," Riley replied. "But, thank you, Abi."
"No problem, Riley, but you need to eat so quit pushing your breakfast around. It is getting cold," she scolded, sounding like her usual self again. The comment made both Riley and Ben smile before she left to go back to work in the kitchen. Their was a small pause before Ben decided it was time to speak up and end his part of the conversation as well.
"She is right, you know," Ben commented.
"Of course she is right. She is Abi," Riley replied with a small snort. He started to finally eat his breakfast though.
"I am serious though. We all made it through and that is all that counts," Ben added.
"I know, but that doesn't help the nightmares any."
"Those will have to go away in time, I guess," Ben said. "I don't know if I will ever forget what happened that day and neither will you."
Riley silently agreed. "I am sorry, Ben, to be bothering you like this…"
"Riley, you are not a problem. Don't even get me started on that topic," Ben warned. "I'll tell you what….we can go to the movies or something like that later and get our minds off of things. How does that sound to you?"
Riley seemed to perk up at the idea of making Ben go to the movies with him. Usually the guy didn't want to watch anything that didn't have some historical value to it and couldn't often be dragged to the theater. "I get to pick the movie?" he asked, sounding hopeful.
"Yes, you can pick. I will convince Abi to come with us, too," Ben said.
"Convince me of what?" Abi asked, entering the dinning room once more with a curious look on her face.
"Going to the movies later," Ben said. "What do you think?"
"Sounds great!" Abi answered with a smile. It was a good idea for all of them. "With all the money we have, we could just go from movie to movie while we are there and see them all," she joked.
The three of them laughed at that, even though it was true. Maybe things were finally going to get back to normal again. Ben really hoped that they would.
Thanks again, everyone! I love all of your reviews