AN:Hello everyone! This is my first story that I have actually ever written, so forgive me for any unchecked errors that the story may contain. Constructive criticism is welcome, just be nice, okay? I'm new at this. Onto the story!

Disclaimer: I own nothing of National Treasure. The only thing I own are the characters that came into this story that were of my own making. Enjoy!

I usually meet with my brother twice a month for lunch. As siblings we have always been generally close. For the last month, however, I have neither seen, nor heard from Ben. That's why I was so glad when he called and asked me to meet him for lunch. As a little sister, I get worried-he's the "normal" one in the family, and if you knew my family you would understand what I am saying.

We both sat in a booth in the back of the café around the corner from where I work. Both of us ordered and were eating our food, lest I was. Ben was just pushing his around his plate using his fork. He was debating telling me whatever it was that had spurred his irrepressible excitement when he first called me. I couldn't handle it any longer, he was driving me insane. I put down the spoon I was using and spoke, "What is it Ben?"

He gave me that excited, hesitant smirk that suggested he was really passionate about whatever it was.

"Ben?" I was smiling at him. His passion was semi-infectious. He looked up at me and exhaled sharply while leaning in closely.

"I think I've found it."

"Found what?"

"I believe I've located the Charlotte...well the general area of the Charlotte at least."

"Ben, what are you talking about?" I was confused. He was a little annoyed. Ben tried to sound as sane and mature as possible while explaining it all to me.

"The Charlotte. You know," he handed me a small scrap of paper, that was very dated and wrinkled. I carefully opened it to read the words on the page and at the same time, to hear them being read back to me. "The secret lies with Charlotte."

I know I had a blank stare on my face. It took a while for everything he said to register. When it finally did, I was skeptical.

"The treasure, Ben? Again?" I sighed. I thought he had given up on that. His smile that had so vibrantly relayed his enthusiasm was disappearing. I didn't mean the words to sting, but he had to know that this whole treasure thing wasn't healthy.

"Oh Jane, not you too. I thought you would be excited about this. It's one more clue. One step closer."

"No Ben, it's one more disappointment. There is no guarantee. I thought you would understand that by now." I could see the hurt in his eyes, so I tried to switch tones. "I am excited about this. It's always fun to go out and explore these places, not knowing what is going to come out of it, but that's just it, Ben. You've invested your whole life in this, not knowing what is going to come out of it." I sighed. "So where is this Charlotte?"

He rubbed his eyes then looked at me. "That would be Anartica."

"Anartica?! Geez Ben you aren't kidding around." We both went silent for a time. Then I spoke. "You know dad won't fund another trip." Ben nodded. "You and I both don't have the money. You don't have a team put together." At that he raised his hand to silence me.

"It's all taken care of. You don't have to worry about anything...or dad knowing anything." I looked at him skeptically, he continued on, "Really Jane. It's all taken care of. I've gotten a team setup that are awaiting the word go. Everything has been paid for. We are good to go."

My eyes must have buggered out of my sockets.

"We? Oh no, no, no. Ben I can't go. I have a job, remember. I'm one of the weird insane lots from the Gates family." He was thinking hard. I could tell he really wanted me go and in truth, I really wanted to go. I knew Ben, how he was, how infectious his passion for this treasure, for this history was. Every summer, while I was on my break from college, he and I would go "treasure hunting." It was always so much fun, but things were different now. I had responsibilities and couldn't just shirk them away.

"Don't you have some unused vacation time coming up? What is it? Two-weeks paid I think it is?" I gave Ben an annoyed look. "Come on," he said more deeply, "I can't do this without you." I rolled my eyes. "Besides, you'll see some great scenery."

"Yeah, snow Ben. Miles of snow. It's really cold."

"So are you in?" I pinched my bridge of nose.

"I guess, but only on one condition." The smile returned to Ben's face.

"Name it."

"Dad doesn't hear a word of it."