Waves lapped at the sandy shore, mesmerizing Samuel Drake with their unreliable rhythm. The noise of the larger waves crashing farther out at sea drowned out their murmur. The sun set behind them, causing a brilliant gold shimmer to light up the ocean. It was paradise; Sam would have found it easy, effortless, to waste the rest of his life sitting in front of that view. A cold beer in his hand and his family at his side...nothing could be better.

He crossed one leg over the other and sank back farther into his chair under the Drake's gazebo. He and Sully were silent, there was no need to talk and nothing in particular to talk about. Cassie Drake laid on her back in the sand in front of them, holding a book above her face and reading furiously. She didn't care that her hair was full of sand, or that the breeze was getting a bit chilly. Sam stared at her for a moment and smiled to himself.

"What's so amusing?" Sully asked in a low voice. He had glanced over at the right time to see the older Drake's expression change.

"Remind you of anyone?" Sam asked, nodding towards his niece. Sully chuckled.

"I remember so many nights when I thought I would have to rip a book out of Nate's hands, just so that he would go to bed," he replied. "It appears to be a genetic trait."

"I know you guys are talking about me." Nothing about Cassie's position or expression changed as she called them out.

"What? No, never!" Sam said. "Honestly, I forgot you were even here."

"Yeah, right." She turned a page and her fingers slipped. The book fell, smacking her in the face, and she gave a small cry of alarm. Sam and Sully burst out laughing, much to her chagrin.

"Dammit, stop laughing," she wined, flipping through the pages to find her spot.

"What did I tell you," Sam said through his laughter, turning to look at Sully.

"A spitting image," was Sully's reply.

"Hey, butterfingers, want some ice cream?" Nathan was approaching them, cradling several bowls in his hands. "We're done cleaning up. Elena'll be out in a minute with a couple more bowls." He handed one to a disgruntled Cassie and a second to Sam, before settling down in a chair next to him. "What'd I miss?"

"Victor and I were just commenting on your daughter's remarkable resemblance to you."

"Oh, man, Cassie, I'm so sorry," Nathan said. "I never meant for this to happen." Cassie snorted with her mouth full of ice cream.

"It's almost frightening," Sully added. "Gave me flashbacks to when you were her age."

"I didn't turn out that bad, Dad," Cassie said. "I mean, I'm definitely smarter and cooler than you."

"Wow, really?" Nathan said, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll take credit for that." Elena grinned at Cassie. She had come out of the house just after Nathan, and now she sat down in the last empty chair. Sam and Sully chimed in with their agreement. Nathan just shook his head.

"Seriously? You're talking to the guy who found how many ancient cities? Like four?" he said with a fake indignance. "You think I did that with just luck?" The other four exchanged looks and all of them said,

"Yep."

"Yes."

Nathan threw his head back and groaned, while his family erupted into laughter.

**********

As it grew dark outside, one by one the family turned in for bed. Eventually Sam and Sully were the only two left, sipping on the last bit of their beers.

"Hey, Victor, I've been meaning to ask you," Sam began.

"Oh, hell, no." Sully settled deeper into his seat, groaning slightly as he spoke.

"What? I haven't even said what it is yet."

"Do you need to?" Sully took a swig from his bottle, draining the last few drops.

"I heard about this job-" Sam started, but Sully cut him off.

"Goddammit, Sam, I'm too old for that crap."

"Oh, so am I, but here we are," Sam said. "Listen. Friend of mine sent me the intel. I've worked with him before; he's clean. Abandoned house, no security...we just have to be in Bangkok by next week."

"You sound too damn sure about this. You already decide to take it?"

"I think I am. Come with me. It'll be the smoothest thing we've ever pulled off and I want the world's best smuggler at my side. And the money on the line...we could make our retirement a little more comfortable, if you know what I'm saying." He held up his hand and rubbed his thumb against his first couple fingers. Sully looked doubtful.

"When are you going to slow down and live the simple life?" he asked, shaking his head.

"Who knows. I've still got some life left in me," Sam shrugged. "So, you in?" He could see a familiar glint in Sully's eyes. The rational side of the old man was fighting a losing battle.

"What the hell. One last time."

**********

"Drive, fucking drive, Sullivan!" Sam shouted as he leapt into their open-topped jeep. They both slammed their doors shut and Sully had it running within a split second. Neither of them bothered with seat-belts. Sully shifted and floored it, and both of them were thrown back against their seats. The jeep's tires spun, trying to get traction on the road and scattering gravel everywhere. The traction warning on the dashboard flashed persistently but neither of them noticed it.

As they sped off, Sam gripped the jeep's roll cage tightly and twisted to look behind them. Several other vehicles already pursued them at dangerous speeds.

"They're following us!" Sam roared. "Does this thing go faster?"

"Only if you wanna die in a wreck, instead of a prison!" Sully barked back, but he leaned more weight onto the gas pedal. For a split second, Sam worried that Sully might punch right through the floor of the jeep.

"Goddammit, Sam, you said this job was safe!"

"I didn't know that anyone else was after it!"

The jeep careened around a bend in the road and Sully slammed on the brakes and wrenched the wheel to the left to avoid skidding off the road. They felt the back tires drifting and the jeep threatened to roll, but by some miracle it stayed right-side-up. When it straightened again, Sully shot it forward. Sam glanced back, and adrenaline shot through him at the sight of the other vehicles still close behind. They heard several guns fire and the bullets pinged off the jeep's exterior.

"We're never getting that insurance deposit back."

"I told you we needed guns!" Sully shouted.

"What for, Victor, what for?" The annoyance in Sam's voice rang clear. "We just need to get our asses out of here!"

More gun shots rang out, and one of their back tires blew. Sam cried out in surprised as he felt the whole back end of the vehicle drop. The jeep veered to the side, and Sully frantically tried to keep it from ramming into the buildings that lined the street.

It all happened too fast. The jeep lost momentum at an alarming rate. Sully, preoccupied with keeping them on the road, didn't noticed the military-grade truck coming at them from the left. Only Sam saw it plowing towards them, and he didn't have time to warn Sully before it slammed unswervingly into the side of the jeep.

**********