Disclaimer: I'm not an owner of National Treasure; if I was d'you think I'd be writing fanfictions?

A/N: I'm back again! This storyline comes from a conversation Ben and Riley had towards the end of my first National Treasure fic Three Sides when Riley mentions about how he went missing when he was thirteen and doesn't remember anything about it (for full context and better understanding of conversation and this fic you should read Three Sides). I spent a fair while planning out and thinking through the basics of what happened in this missing period of time before I even sat at my pc to type this so there shouldn't be any plot shifts or anything so that's good, although I will soon need another new notebook with the rate my note-making is going at (I last bought one last Wednesday). Also keep in mind that this is a different kind of style to Three Sides so I'm bound to struggle at points and updates will be more irregular but any and all (constructive) criticism would be very much appreciated. And, of course, a huge thank you to LoremIpsum for suggesting I run with this idea because otherwise I would have just left it. ¦D

When I was Thirteen…

Chapter One: Behind My Back

Song: It's My Life by Bon Jovi

Friendship is a mutual agreement that is held between two people. It contains unspoken rules and complicated moments of distress, worry and feared betrayal. The very best of friendships can ride these out and last a lifetime. Anything less is doomed to fail, especially when those involved are wracked in doubt. – Anon.

Riley reluctantly turned off the engine of his beloved Ferrari. Adventure and treasure was all well and good but nothing in the world could compare to the reassuring purr of his beautiful car's magnificent engine.

He looked up at the huge mansion where his two best friends lived.

It had been two months since he'd driven Ben back to Mount Rushmore and coaxed his friend out of a subconsciously-self-induced mutism. Talking through what had happened four weeks before that hadn't been easy for Riley, sometimes he still had the odd nightmare about the whole thing, but it had got Ben talking which was the whole purpose of it.

Luckily, Abigail had allowed Ben to move back in with her pretty much straight away and there were no real troubles between the couple. Mind you, Riley wasn't sure if they were a couple anymore or if they were just two friends looking out for each other; like roomies, but with a huge mansion estate instead of a flat.

Riley's visit wasn't random or anything; despite what everyone thought he didn't live at their place although he had more contact with them now than he'd had after the Templar treasure. Tonight was the night he'd been invited around for dinner; Abigail's treat. It was going to be great with the three of them talking about something not to do with treasure for once and just enjoying a nice meal together.

"Abigail! Ben!" he stepped into the main lobby and descended the stairs looking around; the problem with a big house was it was easy to lose someone in there. Riley knew from experience and couldn't go to any non-major room without a guide. "The guest of honour's here!"

"Riley!" Abigail came from the doorway opposite the bottom of the stairs and practically ran into his arms.

"Hey!" his broken cry caused her to jump back.

"Oh my God!" Her arm remained on his shoulder as he clasped at his side. The bullet wound had healed over leaving a nice patch of sensitive scar tissue and if he, or in this case Abigail, wasn't careful it would shoot a bolt of pain through him. "I'm so sorry!"

"It's alright." He managed to keep the mild pain from entering his voice although it sounded strained. "So, where's the human decrypter?"

"He's upstairs, in the study I think." Abigail pointed out the hallway to the right of the top of the stairs and almost immediately Riley made his way in the direction she indicated. "He said he wasn't to be disturbed under any circumstances."

"Meaning he's catching up on the old zee's." an innocent smile spread across his face as he continued. "And you know when that happens he's just asking for a Riley-style wake up call." He chuckled at Abigail's disapproving look. "I'll be gentle, don't worry."

Minutes later he'd navigated the complicated corridors and found Ben's study. It was a huge room filled with row upon row of books stacked in bookshelves that stretched from the floor to the ceiling and Riley failed to see how any one person had enough time in their life to read that many books. Then again if they were the right books…

Sure enough Ben was sat in his comfortable armchair, his head leaning back and a newspaper on the floor having fallen from his hand; silent snores came from the historian as he slumbered peacefully. It would almost be a shame to wake him up roughly. Almost.

Riley picked up the paper and placed it on the small table beside Ben. The guy's sleep tended to vary in deepness, once Riley had only to stand in the doorway doing nothing but breathing in a barely audible manner before he'd managed to wake Ben up, but this time there was no doubt it was deep because he was still in the chair. Riley was just considering what to yell enthusiastically in the historian's ear when the newspaper caused him to pause.

He'd only seen it in passing but there was something achingly familiar about the headline.

It wasn't a recent paper though, dated around fourteen years ago, so it couldn't have been one he'd read the other day. Beneath it there was an accompanying picture of a few people that were also familiar to him.

Carefully he picked it up and began to read the article.

Why did Ben have this?

Ben was vaguely aware of someone gripping his shoulder and shaking him, probably in an attempt to wake him. He didn't want to wake up just yet though; he was comfortable and warm in his chair. If he woke up he'd only have to move somewhere else and he was content in his comfort.

"Ben."

Riley? What was he doing in the study? Ben had some vague recollection about Abigail mentioning him coming over to dinner some time soon but that wasn't today. Was it?

"Ben!" the shaking got a bit more violent and Ben wearily opened his eyes. "Abigail says dinner's ready."

"Riley?" the boy didn't look terribly happy, greeting Ben's awakening with a distinct frown; he should have realised then that something was up.

"Welcome to the land of the living." And he slammed a newspaper onto Ben's chest before quickly striding out the room.

Ben rubbed his chest with confusion and lifted the paper. What was that about?

His eyes moved down to the paper and as he read through it his confusion turned immediately to worry.

--

YOUNG BOY STILL MISSING DESPITE THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF LOCAL AREA

Reported missing four days ago, no one has seen or heard from local boy Riley J. Poole, 13, and there are grave concerns for his safety.

Another day of investigation into the disappearance of the lad began with little hope as the police renewed their appeal for any witnesses to the boy's last movements.

His parents also released a statement begging anyone with information about their son to come forward.

'We are filled with fear as each day we walk past his empty room.' His father, Richard Poole, read to the press. 'We beg anyone out there with any possible information to come forward, even if they think it could be nothing, and help us find our son and put an end to our worry.

'It's not just my wife and I who have lost our son but our other children have lost their brother and we beg you Riley, if you can see this, please come home.'

--

Riley had seen this?

"Shit!"

Not knowing his way around the house really didn't help Riley make a dramatic exit when he wasn't concentrating on the way he was going. It's amazing how lost someone can get when they storm off in anger.

Why did Ben have that article?

Riley had only mentioned his disappearance in passing when they were at Mount Rushmore, he didn't expect Ben to go and investigate it. He'd even said he didn't remember anything about it and he didn't, he really really didn't. Why didn't Ben realise that it was something to be left alone?

"Riley!" he could hear Ben running up behind him but he didn't stop or turn. "Riley!" A hand on his shoulder turned him round and he was facing his supposed 'best friend'. "The article. I can explain."

"Go on then." Riley crossed his arms hoping the historian had a convincing argument.

"It's just…when you said…" he was taking breaths between every few words. Riley must have gone pretty far pretty quickly because Ben wasn't exactly out of shape. "…about running away. Well, I got curious."

"Curious?" Riley considered it a moment before nodding "Well, I suppose it is my own fault." Ben's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Your fault?"

"Yeah. I should've realised I couldn't mention something personal like that without you thinking that you had the right to go behind my back and look further into it." Ben frowned at Riley's sarcasm.

"Riley, I did not go behind your back."

"You didn't tell me about it, Ben. You probably weren't planning to either." Riley had raised his voice and was practically shouting. "I'd say that was behind my back."

"I think you may be jumping to conclusions, Riley. It's just an article." Ben looked slightly upset but didn't he realise how betrayed this made Riley feel?

"But that's it just it. You weren't going to leave it at just an article," Ben opened his mouth to argue but Riley cut him off. "And don't say you were because we both know you weren't, because you can't. You never can." He strode over to Ben and poked him in the chest. "Everything we have today, the money, the mansion, the fame, all of it is because you can't let anything be 'just an article'. I mean the Templar Treasure wasn't 'just an article' and your great-grandfather's protection of the city of gold wasn't 'just an article'." Riley drew back. "You may have convinced yourself that that's all it is for now, but you and I both know that won't last."

Silence fell between them and Riley knew he had won. Ben couldn't just leave things as is; that's why he'd looked for that article. He probably hadn't meant to offend Riley but the fact that he kept it from him suggested that maybe he knew it would.

"You're right." Ben sounded dejected and beaten when he finally spoke but looked Riley in the eye with sure-fire determination. "But you said that you don't remember anything about it."

"And?"

"And I was wondering why you couldn't remember."

"I probably had a very good reason, Ben." Riley could tell it was just concern on his friend's part but his past was really none of Ben's business.

"Which is exactly why I was looking for the article." Ben's voice was rising and so was his anger. Riley's mind flashed back to when Ben had shouted at him while they were looking for the Templar Treasure; he'd gone on to apologise but both of them knew that wasn't going to happen; this wasn't an act.

"It was a long time ago. It doesn't matter anymore."

"Yes it does, Riley." Ben strode over to him and looked like he was trying not to shake some sense into the boy. "Whether it was fourteen years ago or twenty years ago it matters. Because everything you've ever done has made you the annoyingly stubborn person you are today."

"So I'm annoying, am I?"

"Don't try and change the subject, Riley!" Ben was shouting now, his face turning red with frustration.

Riley stared at Ben as silence descended upon them again. He had a point; Riley had changed after that week; he didn't mingle well with people and that was why his mom had signed him up for computer club, so he could meet new people. And because he went to computer club, he'd discovered his ability for computers which had led him to his windowless cubicle where Ben had found him. If not for that week he wouldn't be here now.

"I just want to know what happened so I can better understand you."

Ben looked back at him and Riley could see the glint of determination in his eye which usually made him crumble and agree; it was the exact same glint Ben had had when deciding to kidnap the President. If Riley didn't know any better he'd swear Ben thought this was another treasure hunt with the prize being the Missing Week of Riley Poole's Life instead of gold.

Riley dropped his gaze; there was a part of him that wondered about it but there was something deep in his gut that told him if he tried to remember or ever found out he would regret for the rest of his life; he didn't remember anything and he was fairly certain there was a horribly painful reason for that. If he was to find out what happened it could get really messy and change who he was all over again.

And Riley liked who he was.

He looked back up at Ben. He'd calmed down now and was patiently waiting for an answer but his face fell when Riley turned and walked away.

"What about Dinner?" he sounded defeated and Riley struggled to keep walking.

If he kept going Riley knew it would be a long time before they'd be seeing each other. If he didn't turn back round right now and agree to it then he'd lose his best friend for a long time and there would be no turning back the clocks and going back to the way things were.

But if he kept going it would be the end of Ben's inquisitive investigation; his friend would realise it was intrusive and totally wrong and he'd leave it alone.

That was why Riley didn't turn back.

Riley had had enough. There obviously wasn't anyone who wanted him around here enough to try and stop him, so he was going.

It had been an idle threat he'd made when he was feeling low and upset and which he hadn't really meant at the time but now he'd decided to go ahead with it. Maybe then his family would appreciate him. How did the saying go?

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Yeah, well, his family would realise how great he was and come crawling on their knees to beg him to come home but he'd have none of it. He'd stay away and only come back if certain changes were made.

It wasn't easy being the youngest of three kids, especially when plenty of people kept measuring you up to their standards. He'd lost count of the amounts of times he'd been watched with hopeful eyes as his Phys. Ed. teachers read the family name and asked that accursed question.

'You're not Joseph Poole's younger brother, are you?'

And the same in any academic class, but with his sister Anabell.

Riley wasn't stupid, wasn't even just plain average, but he was forever living in the shadow of his brother and sister and he'd had enough.

There had been a book in the school library which talked about how kids all over the world lived on the streets and Riley didn't see why, if they could do it, he couldn't.

The day he'd chosen was a Friday because they might not notice his disappearance at the weekend and it gave him the chance to come back if he chickened out and no one would be any the wiser. When it came, the young boy ran home where he emptied the entire contents of his school bag onto his bed. He then proceeded to stuff it with clothes, pyjamas and underwear; he may be going to live on the street but that didn't mean he had to be dirty.

Mom yelled at him to be careful as he thundered down the stairs and rushed out the door.

"Dinner will be at five." She called as he slammed the door shut behind him.

Walking along the sidewalk felt so liberating. He didn't answer to anyone now; no bed times, no school, he was truly free.

He was passing an alley near the end of his street when he heard someone call out. Instinctively he ducked behind some boxes.

From his hiding place he couldn't see what was going on but he heard angry hushed voices from within the alley. Riley tried to calm his breathing, worried he'd be found in his hiding place.

"I'll kill you before I let that happen." Growled a deep voice and there was some scuffling as whoever was there began fighting. It stopped when there was a loud bang which made Riley jump and a man landed with a deadening thud in his view to the side of the boxes.

Riley really tried not to, like really really tried, but he screamed as he saw the hole in the man's head oozing with blood and the cold, dead look in his eyes which were staring straight up at the clouded sky. He was dead!

He was dead and he'd nearly landed right on top of Riley and that thought only made the boy scream louder.

There was more shuffling and a burly bearded man came round the side of the boxes with a gun in his hand. He looked so menacing and snarled at the boy who couldn't stop screaming.

"C'mere!" the man growled and reached out for him with his free hand, grabbing him by the scruff of his neck. Riley wailed as he smelt the alcohol on the man's breath and saw the anger crackling in his eyes. "Shut up!" and he bashed the boy round the face with his gun instantly knocking him out.

Why did he run away from home?

Riley jerked awake with a scream.

The clock on the other side of the room said it was only half seven and he groaned.

It took him a while to calm himself down and stop himself from shaking uncontrollably. He wiped a hand across his forehead and realised he was sweating too. He had to keep telling himself it was only a dream, repeating it over and over inside his head; except, of course he knew it wasn't just a dream, it was far too real and far too familiar.

He sighed. Once he'd got back home after leaving Ben's place he'd crashed on the couch exhausted; ever since he'd left the hospital two months ago, he was sleeping more or less as soon as he laid down pretty much anywhere, and would sometimes end up having hours and hours of sleep while other times, like now, he'd barely get twenty minutes.

There was nothing for it. Reaching across for his cell phone he rubbed at his eyes in an attempt to wake himself up a bit more and he pressed the speed dial number he needed. When he heard it ringing he placed it against his ear and waited.

"Riley." Ben's voice was hurried as though worried Riley would hang up any moment. "Listen. I'm real-"

"I'm in." there was a pause.

"What?"

"I'm in." He sighed. He was so going to regret doing this. "But I still hate you."