Treasure Protectors

Chapter 1

To say that treasure hunting took over the next 15 years of Alex's life would be an understatement. From such a young age Ben had filled his sister's head with stories of them finding the Templar Treasure and that both believed they would find it. Alex had romanticized a version of her being a successful treasure hunter who traveled the world looking for clues. For a while it had just been them two working on the riddle. Well, them and some of Ben's friends from his classes at Georgetown. Ben hadn't trusted them enough to give them the full truth on the treasure, and they had always thought the extra research was worth more than an actual treasure. That was until they met Ian. Ian was the money to Ben's brain and he was so quickly included in the hunt that Alex didn't think standards existed.

Ian knew enough about history, he at least could keep up with Ben's theories, sometimes going all glazed-eyes while listening. Ian was a nice enough guy. Seeing as him and Ben were attached at the hip, Alex became a sister figure to him. She cared for him the way she would've cared for an older brother who hid things from her in "her best interest". At this point in the hunt the Gates siblings were so desperate to find the next clue Alex wouldn't have disputed Ben if he hired a circus clown to help.

Alex knew her history, that would never be up for debate but with Ben as the official expert she didn't have much to do but provide reinforcement. She had decided to get a part time job when she realized that spending everyday of every week with Ben and Ian got too intense. Plus, she figured she could use the extra cash, if only to get away from the testosterone filled environment that had become her home.

So, she found herself working at the Royal Diner almost 60 hours a week to keep herself occupied

A group on teenagers had just thrown a napkin at her head as she sighed and closed her eyes. Everyday she dealt with different kinds of customers. Unfortunately for her, today was the obnoxious university students. Giving her temper 3 seconds to calm down she turned with a smile.

"Can I get you anything else?" She asked with a fake smile plastered on her face.

"More." One of the kids said, shaking his milkshake cup. His friends snickered at his response as she smiled and took the glass.

"It'll get that for you." As she turned her fake smile fell if her face as she reached the register. Alex and her coworkers had created their own form of communication, one of which Alex utilized daily.

"Give me another mudslide." Alex called out as she leaned on the counter. She quickly added the item to the receipt.

"Want me to put something in it?" The chef asked as he grinned at Alex's surprised face.

"No." She said slowly, watching as Tyler, the front line cook, started laughing. She wasn't ignorant to what usually happened to rude customers

"I should've guessed." He said. "You're too nice." He trailed off as he handed her a new milkshake.

She shrugged. "It's no big deal." The bell rang and Alex turned to see who had walked in, grabbing a few menus.

"Ben!" She called out as she recognized her brother, along Ian, both of whom gave her a small smile and wave.

"How can I help you guys?" She asked from the teen's table as she passed over them. "Here's your shake." The teen thanked her before the group erupted in laughs. As a service worker all Alex could do was smile while she took the empty plates and glasses.

"The burger." Ben replied as Alex stood over their table. She raised her eyebrows at Ben's unenthusiastic tone. Usually him and Ian came down to the diner in good spirits, usually after a few too, but she hadn't seen them this uncharacteristically glum