HDA - Classified Secrets by Cherylann Rivers Introduction

This is the last chapter of the story. It's a bit long, so please bare with it! I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you all so much for all of the support throughout the writing of this. It made all the difference in the world!

Cheryl

A little over a week later…

Part 1

Joe Hardy took a deep breath and checked his appearance in the mirror one last time before heading out of his car. He couldn’t believe that a little over a week ago, such a devastating event had taken place. The United States was now trying to hunt down its attackers, but the leads were more promising now than ever. There would certainly be no more Meningitis attacks, and it appeared as though the attack in Disney World, although so horrific, was not nearly the atrocity that it could have been. Now, as he looked around him, he was struck by the serene atmosphere of Bayport, and he had never been so glad to come home.

Walking up to his destination, Joe couldn’t help but to smile softly to himself. It was Prom night, and here he was, all donned in a new tuxedo, and getting ready to party the night away. Yet, if anyone had asked him a short time ago what he had envisioned his Prom to be like, THIS never would have been it.

Nervously, he looked down at the corsage in his hands, and thought about his former dilemma about whom he had been planning to ask to go- Iola or Vanessa. Joe shook his head. What was I thinking? That took a lot of nerve. I should be lucky that either of them would go with ME. Still, now Prom night was before him, and his choice was made.

Walking slowly to the familiar door, he knocked twice, waiting for his date. He knew that the prom would be awkward for him, as both Vanessa and Iola were going. Still, he had to make an appearance, and he knew that he had made the right choice. He could deal with everything else later. With a silent prayer, Joe just hoped for an evening at the Prom without any drama or fireworks. Laughing to himself, he thought, I’ve seen too many fireworks already!

Slowly the door opened, and Joe smiled. The young woman before him wore her hair up with tendrils curling around her face, framing it beautifully. She wore a black satin, strapless gown with long gloves to match, and around her neck was a simple strand of pearls. Despite the traumatic events of the last few weeks, she looked like she had stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine. "Wow. You look… stunning," Joe said to her, sincerely. He had never seen her look more beautiful. He hesitated a moment. "I just wish that…"

"I know," she replied, meeting his eyes. "Me, too."

"Here," Joe replied, surprised that he didn’t feel as awkward as he thought he would. He handed her the flowers. "I brought this for you. It’s…."

"Thanks," she replied. "Really, that’s very sweet." With a smile, she asked, "Ready to go?"

"You bet."

Joe reached for her hand, and she gave it a gentle squeeze.

With that gesture, Joe Hardy and Callie Shaw headed for the Prom.

Part 2

When they arrived, Joe turned to Callie before he got out of the car. "Cal? I really am sorry that Frank couldn’t make it tonight. I mean, the doctor told him to take it easy, and, although he probably could have tried to come, it…."

"Joe?" Callie interrupted. "It’s fine. I mean, I’ll miss him, obviously. This was supposed to be our night. BUT, I’d much rather have him healthy than to risk it all for an evening out."

Joe looked closely at Callie. He couldn’t swear to it, but he thought that Callie’s voice had faltered on the word "healthy." He shook his head for a moment. Callie looked gorgeous, but Joe couldn’t help but to notice how thin she’d gotten, which he assumed was from stress. He felt so terrible about what had transpired between them. Callie had been more than gracious in her forgiveness, but she still was quieter than he was used to seeing her. Again, he assumed this was also from what had gone on between them, although Callie denied it.

"Are you okay, Callie? I mean, are you sure you’re not still mad?" He looked at her, and tried to make a joke about what was weighing heavily on is mind. "Because, you know, I already have two girls who aren’t crazy about me at the moment."

Callie swallowed the lump in her throat, and looked out the window for a moment. She had so much on her mind. The doctor’s words kept replaying in her mind, and the thought that she could be sick—really, seriously ill- was more than she could bear. Somehow, she managed to keep all of these issues to herself. She needed time to deal with the possibilities before she could talk about them with others. She still hadn’t made an appointment to see anyone- she needed to wait, at least until graduation. In horror, she admitted that she really didn’t want to know. Instinctively, she reached to the back of her head. Lightly, she touched it. The bump was still there. She fought back tears.

"Callie?" Joe repeated, concerned.

Callie got a hold of herself and turned to Joe. "W.. what? Oh, I’m sorry." She smiled bravely at him. "No, Joe, I’m not mad at you. Now, we better go in and stop the rumors before they begin to start!" She tried to laugh, and was surprised when she couldn’t. It sounded flat. "Are you- going to be okay with Van and Iola? Can you deal with all of this tonight?"

Joe bit his lip. THAT was a very good question. "Well, it was good that we all decided to go as friends, so there are no dates around. I.. I need to talk to both of them, but… they’re both wonderful, you know? They are incredible people, and somehow, no matter what happens, I think it’ll be all right. Don’t you?" Joe realized he needed reassurance, and felt embarrassed asking Callie.

She didn’t disappoint him. "Actually, Joe, I do think it’ll work out. No." She paused. " I know it will."

Joe smiled, and went around to the other side of the car, letting Callie out. On impulse, he hugged her tightly. "You’re okay, Shaw, you know that?"

"Oh, geez." She replied, looking at the ground. She then looked into his eyes, and smiled, gently. "You know, little Hardy, you ought to be careful. You might have people start to think that we actually get along. Can you imagine?" She had a teasing tone to her voice.

"You’re right," he replied, in mock seriousness. "Start moving, ugly."

Callie laughed. "That’s more like it, stupid."

Joe began to feel better, as he and Callie entered the building

Part 3

Once inside, Joe and Callie split up. She went to sit at the table where they’d all be eating, and he noticed that, right away, a few seniors came up to her and hugged her in greeting. Joe noticed that a few had puzzled expressions on their faces. Joe felt badly thinking about how many times Callie would have to explain that Frank wasn’t there, but he smiled to himself, knowing what was in store.

Immediately, he caught sight of Iola, and he froze. She was talking with Phil Cohen, a friend of theirs, and their heads were close together. He watched, stunned, as Phil gave her a kiss on the cheek. What was going on?!

At that moment, Iola looked up with a smile, which immediately fell when she saw Joe. He watched as she excused herself, and walked slowly up to him. He couldn’t help but to notice how pretty she looked. Although she wasn’t totally acclimated to school at all at this point, everyone had insisted that she come tonight anyway. She was wearing a baby blue two piece dress. The top came just below the waistline of the skirt, which flared out, and accentuated her petite frame. She wore her hair back in a simple bun, and she just looked.… lovely.

Fighting back his curiosity and fear, he told her so. "Hey," he said, softly, "You look terrific."

Iola smiled up at him, finally. "Thanks, you too."

"Oh," Joe stammered, trying to make a joke, "I always look good."

Iola rolled her eyes, but laughed anyway. "Of course. I had forgotten." Suddenly, she became serious again. "Joe? Can we- go outside and talk for a minute?" Her eyes held sadness to them that Joe immediately recognized. He began to feel the same and fought back the lump in his throat. "Sure. Let’s go."

Once outside, Joe began to chitchat, having no idea what to say. "So, how’s…"

"Don’t Joe." Iola looked up at him, and Joe saw the expression on her face. He felt himself getting upset, but stopped when he looked at Iola. The pain was written on her face, but she was smiling for his benefit, so bravely. He couldn’t believe her strength as he listened to the words that he knew were inevitable.

She took his hand. "Joe. Oh, baby, there’s so much I could say to you, and you to me. I know that. But I’d like to keep it simple, if that’s okay."

Joe instinctively reached out to her, and gently touched her face with his hand. She leaned her face against it, and then reached up and removed it, gently kissing his hand before still holding tightly to it.

She sighed, but continued smiling. "Joe. So much has happened. This is what I want to tell you. The whole time I was away from you, I had to deal with so much. Some days I blamed you for everything."

Joe winced, and Iola saw his expression, but continued. "But I don’t any longer, Joe. What happened was an accident, and just as often as I questioned you, I always held out hope that you would save me. And you did, Joe. You’ve been my hero so many times."

Now Iola’s lips quivered a bit, but she remained resolute. "I love you so much. I always will. Even if we grow apart and get old and marry other people," she grinned softly, "you will always be my first love. There is no one more wonderful than you."

Joe couldn’t speak.

Iola continued. "But we can’t be together now, Joe, and you know it as well as I do. I.. I need to concentrate on me right now. I always believed that you have to be whole to love someone else. I’m not whole right now, honey. I need to work on a lot of issues. Plus…" she hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Plus, let’s face it. You’re in love with someone else."

Joe trembled, and felt tears form in his eyes. A tear slipped from the corner of his eye, which Iola, trembling herself, gently wiped away. "I’m not mad," she whispered. "I know you love me, too. It’s just in a different way. And you know what else?"

Joe took Iola into his arms and held her tightly. He felt so terrible, but he knew this had been coming. The thought of hurting her again was unfathomable. "Iola.." he whispered.

"I wasn’t done," she said, into his shoulder. She pulled back.

"Oh," he choked out.

Her strength amazed him. "I am going to need you to love me, AS A FRIEND, and to help me through this very difficult time. I like Vanessa, Joe. I can’t be with anyone right now."

Suddenly a question hit him. "What about Phil?"

Iola looked perplexed, but then burst out laughing. "Joseph! Phil is my friend. I like him. He’s slow and steady—no danger. I like that. But, no, honey- I need myself. I can do without a relationship right now."

Joe met her eyes. He was so overwhelmed by emotions. He tilted her face to his, and tenderly kissed her, one last time. As they parted, he said, totally earnestly to her, "I do love you."

She hugged him tightly, and then pulled back. "And I love you. Now." She inhaled deeply, and put on a brave front. "Go tell that to your girlfriend, and tell her it’s not platonic."

Joe felt relief wash over him. He squeezed her hand. "I will. Thank you." With a kiss on her forehead, he bounded indoors, eager to see Vanessa.

Iola, left alone, felt her face crumple, as she dissolved into tears. Sobbing quietly to herself, she realized, as Vanessa once did, that if you really love someone, then you do what is best for them- with you or without you. With trembling fingers, she touched her forehead where Joe had just kissed her, and hoped to keep that feeling of warmth. She asked God for the strength to keep her feelings at bay. She gazed at the starry sky, and knew, despite her pain, that she had done the right thing. She felt comforted.

Part 4

Callie Shaw, meanwhile, had excused herself from her group of friends and had gone to the lobby to be by herself. Joe had been so nice this evening, but she couldn’t get herself into the party mode. When Frank had called to tell her that he couldn’t make it, she had been sorely disappointed, but she hoped that she had hidden that well. Then, when Frank had suggested that she go with Joe, she had laughed. Then, she realized that he had been serious. Now, here she was, at her Prom, without her long-time love. Callie desperately fought back tears. She was so scared to think about her health but, try as she might, she couldn’t forget it. Although she had rested, she had been unable to gain the weight back, and she continued to be tired and weak. And, once this week, she had gotten another migraine headache.

Callie rested her head in her hands. She simply wanted to go home. Being here, alone, with all her worries, was worse than anything. She glanced momentarily at the clock on the wall. Since the doctor’s announcement, You might have Cancer, time seemed so precious and fleeting, and she was aware of each second. Slowly, she closed her eyes.

At once, she felt an arm around her, and she jumped. She turned quickly, and her jaw dropped open. There was Frank, looking so handsome all dressed up. He had a large bouquet of roses in his free arm, and he kissed her cheek.

Callie covered her mouth with her hand in shock, and finally managed, "F.. Frank?"

Frank just laughed. "I hope so, unless I have a twin somewhere I don’t know about! Here- these are for you." With that, he handed her the roses.

Callie felt tears well in her eyes, and Frank was surprised at her reaction. Gently, he wrapped an arm around her guided her to a more secluded area, where they could have some privacy. "Are you okay?" he finally asked her.

"Yes," she whispered, and then met his eyes. "What are you doing here?! The doctor..."

"Said I had to rest for a week, which I did. I’ll have a little limp, but, if you’ll take me, I’m yours." He smiled. Callie felt her heart melt as she looked at him. "I wanted to surprise you," he continued. "This is our time. Did you honestly think I’d send you with my brother?! Although, I have to admit, you did it! Wow." At once he looked into her eyes, and Callie couldn’t move. Gently, he removed the roses from her hand, and placed them on the floor. Then, he enveloped Callie in his arms and whispered, tenderly "You look so incredibly beautiful. I hope that you know how much tonight- and how much the last four years- have meant to me. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

Callie couldn’t help it. She felt tears form in her eyes at Frank’s last words. "Oh, Frank…" she whispered.

Frank pulled back a moment. "Cal? Is everything okay? That wasn’t exactly the reaction I thought I’d get."

Callie met his eyes, and was instantly taken by how handsome he was. She felt her heart pounding, and was overwhelmed. Not thinking, she reacted by instinct. She clung to him tightly at once, and buried her face in his chest. She was relieved when Frank didn’t ask her questions, but just held her. She felt his hand gently stoking the back of her neck, and dreaded the thought that he might feel her mass. Still, she needed him at that moment and, although she couldn’t tell him why exactly then, she was overcome with love for him.

Finally, she pulled back, but was instantly drawn in again when Frank pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. After what seemed like a long time, she finally looked up at him and caught her breath.

"Frank?" she asked, softly.

"Mmm?" He muttered, still looking into her eyes.

"Can we just- go home? I didn’t need the Prom, really. I just needed to be with you. I.. I think we should say our goodbye to high school the same way we said hello." She smiled weakly.

Frank laughed. "Well, okay! Popcorn, Blockbuster video, and soda it is, then." He had to smile, thinking about his Friday night routine with Callie that had come to be their favorite day of the week. "I think we’re a bit overdressed for it, though, don’t you think?"

Callie laughed through her tears. "Not necessarily. I need a little normalcy. Besides, we could rent a big fairytale flick and feel like we’re living in it!"

Frank groaned. "I think we’ve had it with fairytales for a while, baby."

Callie smiled softly. "True." Trying to get a hold of her emotions, she gently touched his cheek. "Frank? No matter what happens to me…"

"What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled.

She ignored him. "No matter what happens, I love you – so much. Thank you for a wonderful four years."

Frank met her gaze. He tipped an invisible champagne glass. "And here’s to four more- at least. We have all the time in the world to be together. I love you, too, Callie. More than you know."

Callie, touched by his words, and overcome with their irony, could only reply, "I hope so, Frank."

With an arm wrapped securely around her waist, Frank led Callie through the lobby and on towards home- the only real security and certainty she had left in the world..

Part 5

Joe ran into the lobby, and through the doors, eager to see Vanessa, at long last. He was saddened by his conversation with Iola, but he knew that she had been right. He WOULD be there for here, too. He had just come to realize that sometimes, when you idealized a situation, the reality never quite lived up to it. He had dreamed about his reunion with Iola for so long, and upon her return, the situation had turned out to be just that- an unfeasible dream. He knew in his heart that he would remain close to Iola forever, but he also knew that he could no longer dent his feeling for Vanessa.

Finally, he saw her. Standing in the distance, she looked breathtaking to him. She wore a long black form-fitting gown, and her long ash-blonde hair was worn straight and down. He took a moment to take in the sight. Then, slowly, he made his way towards her, arriving a few moments later.

"Van?" He spoke softly to her, and she turned around.

"Oh. Hey." She replied hesitantly, unsure of what was happening. Vanessa couldn’t help but to notice how good Joe looked. He rarely dressed up, but when he did, he was a sight to behold.

"Can we… talk? If you have a few minutes, I mean."

"Sure." Vanessa took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure she was up for this.

They walked slowly over to a corner of the room, where there were less people. Joe pulled out a seat for Vanessa by the table, and sat down next to her. "Vanessa- you look - wonderful tonight."

Vanessa blushed. "Well, thanks," she responded. Smiling, she added, "I hope you noticed that I went for simplicity this evening. No ball gowns or made up looks. I’ve had enough of that ‘Princess’ line to last a lifetime!"

Joe laughed back, relieved. "Well, simplicity never looked so good!"

"Thanks. You look great, too."

Joe met her eyes. "Van- there’s a lot wanted to say. I… I acted like a real jerk to you, and there’s absolutely no reason that you should want to be with me." Joe paused, taking her hand in his. He hadn’t expected this to be so hard. "When I almost lost you, it was- it was one of the most horrible feelings I’ve ever had in my life. I promise to never let you down again. That is- if you’ll take me back. I’m truly sorry."

Vanessa held her emotions in check, and replied evenly, "What about Iola?"

Joe squeezed her hand. "She’s a wonderful girl, and I’ll always care about her, and love her in some way. But, it’s over. We talked. She knows that…" He paused, then continued, "That I’m in love with you."

Vanessa removed her hand from Joe’s, and spoke to him. "Joe, you were a jerk. I mean, dump good old Vanessa when something else comes along, even if the excuse was fairly understandable. I trusted you. I told you didn’t have to make a choice, and I even helped Iola. There’s nothing else I could have done for you, and you let me down. I thought you were a better person than that. I can’t get past that."

"Oh," Joe stammered, shocked at Vanessa’s reaction. He tried not to get upset, but he could feel the color rising in his cheeks. She was absolutely correct about everything, and he knew it. He had blown it. He looked at the floor.

"You were thoughtless, careless, and just plain mean."

"Mmm hmm." Joe could not meet her eyes.

"Which is why..." She paused.

After a few moments, Joe finally looked up.

"Which is why you’re going to have to try awfully hard to make this up to me!" She smiling, laughing through the tears that were now in her eyes.

Joe couldn’t believe it. Instinctively, he smiled back. "You mean.."

"I mean exactly what I say. You better not blow it this time. I only give second chances to pretty special people."

Joe reached over and hugged her tightly. Relief flooded over him. "Thank you, baby. I promise that I’ll never be a jerk again. Well, intentionally anyway."

He pulled away, and kissed her cheek. "I love you."

Vanessa laughed again. "Yeah, well, you should! I love you, too."

Joe grinned. "I guess you could say I’m your Prince Charming, eh?"

Groaning, Vanessa replied, "Don’t even joke."

"Would you like to dance?" He asked her, as a slow song began to play across the room.

"It’d be my pleasure. Besides, you might not be a prince, but you can still treat me like a queen!" Vanessa replied.

That night, under the stars, many people’s lives began to change. A new story book had opened, and chapters were beginning to be written. Joe and Vanessa danced the night away, relieved to have found each other again at last, and believing strongly in happily ever after. Iola Morton gazed into the sky, and began to see that fairytales did not always come true. Still, she knew that somewhere out there, the lights would guide her home, and make her whole again. And, finally, Frank and Callie, far away from the ‘magical’ night of their lives, realized that it is not the story of one’s life, but the characters in it, that play the most important roles. Frank, relieved to have Callie safe, held her close, and shared tender stories and secrets meant only for her. Callie, nestled in Frank’s arms, realized that some secrets couldn’t be shared, and could only pray for a happy ending.

They all wondered where the next chapter in their lives would take them…..

The end.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation, The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow them without express permission of the authors.