Advice

Riley was twenty-one, but he could easily pass for sixteen. Ben was thirty-two and could just as easily pass for near forty. Was it any wonder that people occasionally wondered if they were father and son?

Abigail, on the other hand, seemed ageless. The first word that had come to mind when they had walked into her office was 'professional,' followed very closely by 'skeptical,' which was then followed by 'goodbye.' Riley hadn't even thought about her age until Ben mentioned age difference as one of the problems between him and her. Upon which he had promptly looked up Abigail in the national archives staff to find she was twenty-nine.

Three years. Big deal. There were eleven between him and Ben, and that certainly didn't hinder their ability to communicate any.

That was what Riley was trying to get Ben to understand. He wasn't having much luck. "Come on, Ben. So you're three years older, so what?"

"So I'm not sure if I can do this right, that's what!"

Riley nearly rolled his eyes for the third time in the last minute, but stopped himself – too much eye rolling was sure to give him a headache. So instead he began patiently, "Ben. You didn't even pause when the Charlotte got blown up. You jumped feet first off a dock after your worst enemy told you to. You didn't even hesitate to go out on a rickety wooden walkway after you'd nearly gotten killed. For Pete's sake – Ben, all you have to do is say something! Is that so hard?"

"It might be." Ben looked distinctly uncomfortable.

Riley suddenly snapped up to look at him more closely. "You're afraid to!" he announced triumphantly.

Ben jerked up so fast it was a surprise he didn't hurt himself. "What – Of course not!"

"Then do it already!" Riley exclaimed in exasperation. "The worst that can happen is being told no, you should be used to that." He added mischievously, "Unless you want me to –"

"No, thank you." Ben grabbed his coat and hurriedly pulled it on, then grabbed a small box off the table. "All right, you've convinced me. I'll be back in fifteen minutes, just don't go anywhere."

"Don't count on it." Riley sprawled cheerfully on the couch as the door closed behind Ben. I wonder how Abigail will like being called Mrs. Gates…