Tasha wasn't surprised when she never heard from Rafe the next day... or the day after that...

Or the day after that.

She held out the tiniest bit of hope that maybe, just maybe he would contact her so she wouldn't seem desperate in her attempts at reaching him, but alas she was left empty handed after three days had passed and she finally grew the courage to text Rafe herself.

She held her phone thoughtfully in her hands as Nate drove down a bumpy road. "Watch it, Nate!"

"Hey, at least I have my license!"

"You won't much longer if you continue to drive like an ape!" Tasha replied back, shaking her head as she thought of what she could say to Rafe that wouldn't sound entirely awkward.

Hey.

Hey? No, ew, far too chill.

Rafe, it's Tasha...?

Way too forward.

Tasha sighed deeply as she began to write out her message.

Hey Rafe! It's Tasha. I just wanted to thank you for seeing me on my birthday. I know you're a busy man, so the fact that you'd take time out of your busy schedule for moi is very heartwarming. I hope we'll see each other again soon.

Tasha bit the bullet, hitting send immediately after typing and shoving her phone into her jean short pockets. No turning back now.

A day went by and Tasha still hadn't heard from Rafe. Her hopes of maybe getting to know him better vanished as the time passed, so when her phone rang that night, she answered it without any care who was on the other line.

"Hello?" Tasha asked unenthusiastically. A chuckle could be heard from the other line.

"I thought you'd be overjoyed to hear from me."

Tasha's heart nearly leapt from her chest as she realized Rafe was the one talking to her. "R-rafe?! I didn't — ehm — Hi." Hi?! Jesus Christ, Tasha.

"Hi." Rafe chuckled and she could just feel the smug smile he was wearing in that moment. "What are you doing right now?"

Totally not waiting for you to text me back. "Oh, um, y'know — looking for more clues for treasure, as per usual."

"I never understood why you continue to stick with Sam Drake and his little brother. You're better than they are."

"That almost sounds like a compliment." Tasha teased. "They're like family to me. I wouldn't be here without them."

"What would you say if I told you I know where the treasure is?"

"I'd say bullshit."

Rafe chuckled. "I'm serious."

"I'd say how fast can you get to Santa Monica."

Another chuckle. "I'll see you tomorrow, sweetheart."

Rafe hung up, and Tasha immediately ran down the hall and barged through Sam and Nate's hotel room door.

"What is it? Who do I have to kill now?" Sam asked at the intrusion.

"I just got a call from Rafe! He says he knows where the treasure is! You know what that means?!" Tasha was ecstatic as she paced the room.

"Woah, woah, Tasha! Slow down, alright?" Nate grabbed onto her shoulders. "What did Rafe say exactly?"

"Just that he has the location of the treasure and I guess he'll be here tomorrow?" Tasha hummed, pushing Nate's hands gently off her shoulder.

"We don't need his help." Nate groaned. "He's a prick."

"Language, Nate." Tasha teased. "C'mon! We could use his help. He has the money that we don't have to get us places."

"You just want to spend time with him." Sam interjected with a smirk.

"Maybe, but tell me I'm wrong, Sam."

"You're not. He has money, and he knows his stuff. Not as well as us but he could bring us an advantage."

Nate mumbled something, before sighing. "Fine. I'm not sharing a room with him."

"You're such a child." Tasha ran her fingers through her knotted hair. "I'll bunk with him, alright? It doesn't matter."

"Oh, I'm sure you'd loooove to bunk with Rafe." Sam teased, pinching Tasha's cheek.

"Staaaahp." Tasha whined, pushing Sam away. "I've shared with you two plenty enough."

"That's different." Nathan replied.

"Yeah, we aren't jumping your bones. Not for a lack of trying on my end but—" Sam got a hard smack on the back of the head from Tasha. "Hey!"

Tasha shook her head, but smiled at the two brothers. Them and Sully were the closest thing to family she had left, and she was happy she was able to be with them nearly every second of every day.

She only hoped that Nate could get along with Rafe and vice versa. The two never saw eye to eye on much. But still, Tasha held out hope the two could get along.

Besides, Rafe would only be there for a couple of days...

Right?

•••

A/N: IM AWARE THERE WERENT CELL PHONES YET BUT IDC I COULDNT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE SO HERE YOU GO LOL PLEASE COMMENT IDEAS FOR WHEN RAFE COMES AND JOINS TASHA ON THIS JOURNEY FOR TREASURE (this is before the prison) and like any advice or ideas for how he'd act and talk with her would be helpful...!