Sorry about the delay guys. Packing ofr college, killed the side of my car against a stone wall, you know how life goes.
Wow. I did it. I wrote an entire story that a considerable amount of you have liked, and I have to thank you all for reading, reviewing, and the amazing patronage. You asked questions, kept telling me I stayed in character (as you now know is a big thing to me), and it's challenged me to keep impressing you and coming up with better clues. The sequel is likely, but it won't be on the site until AFTER NT2 is released (I want to see it first, lol, plus I still have a whole storyline and clues to create). So, I plan to post it during my winter break, probably early January (if all goes well). It may take longer than that, though, so be patient and you'll get a story just as good or better than this in the future!

Thanks again for everything, and enjoy the epilogue!

- Dis/Claimer –

REVIEWERS

x) YoSafBridge - No, I'm not in a hospital bed, but i did sideswipe a stone wall and get in trouble lol. Plus, packing for college is not as easy and fun as it's made out to be. Sorry the update took so long, but thanks for being patient! I know I'll see you in the sequel when it's up! Thanks for everything, especially reviewing! Glad you liked the story! Always enjoy it!

x) lanmwolf - Hey, you think of anything, let me know, lol. Thanks for reviewing and continue to enjoy the story now that it's complete!

x) Miss Pookamonga - Thank you for that awesome review, lol. I know I'll be seeing you in the sequel too, haha. And no, the church was in NYC because that's where they met on the ship, Ben jumps, meets Ian, they end up in the church... and the clue was at Wall Street and Broadway. Besides, there's probably more than one Trinity Church, lol. I attend one myself! Trinity Luthern Evangelical Church, lol. And Roanoke is actually a big possibility for the sequel. I was thining of it as part of the story origianlly, maybe it might be a bigger thing though now that I've read more on it... who knows, lol. But yes. I will probably involve Roanoke somehow. Thanks again for a great review; I wish you had found the story sooner too! Enjoy it til the sequel's up!

x) breakaway01 - Oh yes, bring on your suggestions when you think of them, lol. And thanks for being such a patriot to the story! I'll see you in the sequel, lol! Thanks for everything!!! Enjoy the epilogue!

x) Sairahiniel - LoL, I've been found out. Yeah, it's from the Mummy. I was a HUGE Egypt freak before Pirates, lol. Well, I hope I resolve your cliff hanger here, maybe leave you with a smile til the sequel's up. Thanks for always reviewing, and I hope you like the epilgoue!

x) Thuraya Known - You, my friend, had what was called my targeted effect experience for that chapter, lol. You felt how I wanted you to throught the whole chapter! Success! I'm sorry for any suffering lol. But, I hope this makes you feel a little better and happier and excited for the sequel! Thanks for reviewing as always, and see you in the next story!

x) Pinkey The Brain - Agreed, Jo left lots unexplained, but did you hear about hte detecive novel she's tackling now? Anyhoo, thank you for all your reviews and the time you spent reading this story. It means a lot! I can't wait for you to read the sequel, but for now, let me know what you think of the epilogue. Thanks again!!!

x) Fizzy Fitz - Thank you s much! I hope you come to read the sequel and will say the same! Enjoy the epilogue, and thanks for reviewing!!!

x) geek'd - Haha, lots of ppl thought I almost killed Riley. Intended affect. Don't feel supid, lol. And don't worry. I'm already cooking up several bad guys, so yeah... and thanks for the suggestions! Some others suggested Amelia Airhart, so I'm gonna read up on her when I get the chance. Thanks for sticking with it, and enjoy the epilogue! See you in the sequel!

x) FallenAngelFreddie - Well, if you think of anything let me know! Enjoy the epilogue, see you in the sequel, thanks for reviewing, and good luck with your story, too! If you'd like help or ever need a beta, let me know!

x) Solitude of Texas - No, no, Riley's fine, lol. He just fell back asleep. I'll let you breathe easier at the end of the epilogue, though. Thanks for all your great reviews, and I hope to see you in the sequel! and if you have an other sequel suggestions, let me know!

x) The-Pirate-Lass - And you shall have your sequel, lol (even if there is a wait). If you think of any ideas, let me know, but if not, let me know if you start that Riley story lol. Thanks for all your reviews, and enjoy the epilogue! see you in the sequel!

x) Dimonah Tralon - Epilogue's here! Hope you come back for the sequel, too! Thanks for all the reviews and enjoy the finale! LoL..

x) ChezTerrabonne - I'm cooking up several bad guys already lol. I had never heard of John Swift's Silver Mines, but I looked it up and it sounded neat! Other ppl suggest Amelia Airhart, too, so I might look into that. Thanks for the suggestions, reviews, and enjoy the epiloge!Hope to see you for the sequel!

x) astronomylover - Riley and Carolyn are in the sequel, lol, and I hope to see you there, too, to read it! Thanks for al your patronage and reviews, and I hope you like the epilogue! Thank you so much!!!!

x) HeroOfTheCastleMarble - Yet another fan of the opening part, lol. Lots of ppl liked it, and I'm glad you did too, but the epilogue is now here! I hope you like it as much as the rest of the story! Thanks for all the reviewing you did, and I hope to see you in the sequel!

x) daisyduke80 - Riley's okay, lol. No disorder. Thank you for all the time you've spent with the story, and I hope you stick with the sequel, too! Thanks again, enjoy the epilogue, and see you in the sequel!

x) The Randomist - LoL, I had a heck of a time with this chapter title, but I thought it was clever when I thought of it... And yes, Roanoke Island's been popular. I had thought about using it, and now I'm reading more and more about it, so it might be bigger that origianlly planned. Thanks ofr all your patronage and reviews; I can't wait to see you in the sequel! Enjoy the epilogue til then!

x) Norma Jean - Wow. I've been with you through how many stories now? lol... Glad you liked the opening to that last chapter, too. Lots of ppl did. And the suggestions were awesome; I was thinking about Lewis and Clark, so you might get some of that in the next story! Til then, enjoy the epilogue, and I know I'll see you in the sequel, lol!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

. Epilogue .

Zorro narrowed his eyes behind his black mask, determination scorching his opponent. He tilted his hat forward slightly with one hand as the other enclosed the handle of a sword at his side. He maintained intense, crucial eye contact. His opposition gave a sly smile. Nefertiti, Queen of Egypt, stood straight, revealing her own weapon: a long polished wooden rod.

Zorro left his menacing hunch in confusion, lifting an eyebrow.

"A stick?" He blinked a few times. "You intend to defeat Zorro with a stick?"

Nefertiti spun it like a windmill between them, making Zorro feel the need to take several quick steps back. Suddenly however, the rod flew out of Nefertiti's grasp. Zorro fell to the floor on his stomach as it soared over him, hitting hard into a golden Egyptian statue behind him. He looked back at the statue with a look of terror as if she had just committed a serious crime. Nefertiti swallowed as he quickly jumped to his feet, but then, the door opened. Zorro and Nefertiti looked up.

"What are you two doing?" Ben asked. "Riley? Well aren't you cute... What are you supposed to be? The Masked Bandit?"

"Zorro," Riley said flatly, taking some offense. He walked up to Ben who was holding Alex. "What about you? The Hulk's Dad?"

Ben gave him a level stare as he let Riley take Alex from him. "Frankenstein and the Third Musketeer."

Riley rolled his eyes, looking at the small boy in a Musketeer costume. "Of course. Where are the other two?"

"Outside," Ben told him, looking around the cleared area of Riley's large bedroom. "What are you two up here doing with a pool stick and… is that my machete?"

Riley hid the sword inside his cape the best he could while holding Alex.

"No…"

"We were just rehearsing," Carolyn said, walking over to pick up the pool stick. She tickled Alex's arm as she passed, getting a smile out of him. Laughing at his adorable expression, she moved some of the black hair from her wig out of her face, trying to hold on the gold band with a small serpent atop it at the same time.

"Rehearsing?" Ben asked skeptically as Carolyn walked over to a mirror to adjust her Egyptian attire and jewelry. "You two are performing a magic show, not a duel."

"Well we were rehearsing," Riley said, straightening his hat, "until she threw a stick at me and hit Betsy instead." He looked back at the golden Egyptian statue with concern. Carolyn laughed from across the room.

"I actually think I hit Bill more than I did Betsy."

"You what?" Riley fled over to his statues, checking for any scratches or damage. Carolyn smiled over her shoulder at Ben who shook his head.

"I will be so glad when you move out and take those things with you," he said.

"Who said I'm moving out? Tell Dad that Uncle Riley could never leave you! I've still got a lot to teach your brother and sister, let alone you…"

Another comment Ben chose to ignore. "Look, there are thirty-one Spidermen, pirates, cowboys, princesses, witches, scarecrows, Supermen, Musketeers, ghosts, and a cow out in the backyard beating a giant pumpkin piñata to pieces right now waiting for their magic tricks, so I suggest you get down there before they come up here."

Riley sighed, passing Alex to a cooing Carolyn. "What possessed you to give Abigail the go ahead to let a pack of first graders have a Halloween slumber party here? Huh?! First graders, Ben!"

"We have the biggest house," Ben replied simply, "and we didn't have a party for Charlie and Sally for their birthday last week."

"So it's more of a Halloween slumber birthday party?"

"Halloween slumber birthday costume party," Ben corrected as the three of them left Riley's bedroom and headed downstairs.

Riley nodded. "Right. I forgot."

x x x

"For the LAST TIME!!!" Riley shouted at the giggling first graders, "Zorro is NOT a MAGICIAN!!!" From the back of the group, Carolyn herself laughed.

"Just one more!" Sally shouted from the front row, her large feathered hat falling over her eyes. "Pleeeeeeease?"

Suddenly, all of the children put on their big eyes and whined in unison, "Pleeeeeeeease?"

Riley sighed from atop his box, looking at all of them with narrow eyes. "Now that's not fair," he said, pointing at them. "Cut the cute or I'm hexing every single one of you."

"You can't do that," a large pirate boy said.

"Oh yes I can," Riley said back in a bout of immaturity. "It's Halloween and I'm a magician, so try me."

"One more!" someone else called out. The rest broke out into whiny pleads and shouts. Riley heaved a sigh, looking back at Carolyn. She did a poor job of hiding her smile. He suddenly had the perfect trick to finish off the little show.

"Fine! Fine," he said, pulling on a spooky facade. "Before I end my presentation of illusion and dark art and send you to the Tent of Terror for the night," – he pointed at a giant tent set up on the other side of the yard they would be spending the night in with a huge movie projector – "I will do one more trick for you. But! It will be no trick, for it will really occur…"

He scanned their faces, all attentive with awe or fear. He smiled inwardly.

"For this illusion, I require a willing audience member," he said. Hands shot in the air that he did not want, so he said further, "Preferably an Ancient Egyptian Queen around my height and age who thinks she has avoided embarrassment and is about to be sadly mistaken."

The kids followed Riley's cunning eyes back to a surprised Carolyn. Riley's smile grew as he bowed deeply.

"Cleopa-"

"Nefertiti," she corrected him for the eighth time that night.

"Nefertiti," he announced dramatically. "If you would be so kind."

Against her will, Carolyn walked around the first graders with a peeking smile. Riley raised his eyebrow at her somewhat suggestively as she approached, stepping right up to him on the box. Slowly, his eyes shifted from Carolyn to the kids.

"And now! You shall all witness the greatest disappearing act in the world. Ready?"

The children nodded enthusiastically.

"All right then." Riley turned to Carolyn, raising his hands dramatically. Just as he was to bellow out a collection of unknown words, a loud roll of thunder sounded overhead. They all looked skyward slowly as rain began to pour down in buckets. The costumed kids went running for the house while Riley just stared up at the sky. Carolyn sighed.

"I told you it was going to rain."

"Yesterday," he mumbled. He got defensive at her look. "Well it could have changed in twenty-four hours!"

"You were only hoping it would," she said, stepping down from the box in the sopping grass. Riley followed, miserably soaked through his costume already.

"Yeah, that's true," he admitted.

As the rain fell harder and ran everyone indoors, Riley and Carolyn simply walked in as if it did not affect them in the least bit. Abigail fled from the Tent of Terror in an oriental robe with Alex, Ben, and the first graders' teacher, Miss Legion. They ran passed Riley and Carolyn before the two of them stepped onto the porch, lazily stopping in the doorway with sour faces.

"This is going to be a great night," Carolyn said, thickly sarcastic.

Riley nodded, biting his lips. "First graders."

"Thirty-one first graders."

"In costumes…"

"With candy…"

"And plastic weapons…"

"And monster movies…"

"Afraid of the storm…"

Carolyn turned to him as Ben, Abigail, and Miss Legion struggled to dry off the frantic children. Her smile was sly.

"But they don't have their own bedroom upstairs."

Riley's ears perked up. Carolyn smiled as he turned to her with bright eyes, bringing his arms around her waist.

"With a mini fridge…"

"And a private fireplace…"

"And bathroom…"

"With a heated spa…"

Riley groaned. "Uhh… laying in a warm hot tub right now sounds perfect." He rested his forehead against hers in exhaustion, looking her in the eye. "I'd love to get away from all these screaming kids for the night. I'm going to get all the flack for it raining, you do know that, right?"

"Probably." Riley cut her giggle short with a kiss that made up her mind; she was more than ready to change into a swimsuit and soak for the night after another long day of party preparation with him, and-

THUNK

The kiss ended abrubtly.

"Ow! Geez…"

Carolyn looked up in confusion as Riley rubbed the back of his head. However, her eyes went wide at the sight of what had hit him with recognition. Then, from over the heads of thirty-one soaked and restless first graders, Abigail's voice penetrated the air.

"What happened to my doorframe?!"

. The End .

LAST NOTES:

Thanks again to all REVIEWERS and READERS!!!

Any sequel ideas? Feel free to PM or email me ANYTIME.

I AM working on sequel stuff. Don't ever doubt that.

Look for my soon-to-come oneshot, 'Win A Date With Riley Poole'

THANK YOU!!!!!

8.25.07