Frank closed his eyes and tried not to imagine her dead, staring eyes, the utter whiteness of her decomposing flesh, the stench…This is a nightmare, he thought numbly. I wanna wake up right now. Whoever she was, or whether she was indeed Tessa McCaffrey, they couldn’t tell. The parasites had greedily feasted on her face beyond recognition.

"Frank?"

"Son?" Frank’s eyes flew open. Fenton Hardy placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine, Dad," Frank said flatly, his eyes blank. He knew he shouldn’t feel guilty so why was he feeling so rotten now?

"There’s nothing you could have done to save her, son. You didn’t even know her."

"I know, Dad." Maybe I’m feeling guilty because we’re the ones who found her. Yes, I think that’s probably it. He deeply felt sorry for her. Did Craig know her? Or did Tessa do it all by herself and take the real Tessa’s place? Or did Craig help her? Frank felt really tired. He desperately wanted it all to end. But not like this. Not when he felt so helpless, so useless…he couldn’t bear that the only solace he could offer her, whose remains lay in that horrid plastic bag, was just the finding of her body, of what remained of her.

Wait. There WAS something he could do. Something he could still do. "The killer, Dad. We have to find her."

"How are you feeling?" Vanessa asked softly, rubbing Joe’s back gently.

"Sick," Joe mumbled, his voice muffled. He groaned softly as another wave of nausea washed over him and despite the seriousness of the situation Vanessa barely managed to suppress an amused smile as Joe doubled over and vomited. Vanessa didn’t dare look at the damage he’d done to the poor bush he’d gotten sick on.

Her amusement turned into worry when Joe heaved again, the smell of sickness mingling with the lingering stench of decay. She glanced over her shoulder at the group of police officers, all looking serious and tense as they inspected every inch of the crime scene. She had gotten over her hysterics just as soon the cops arrived, but Joe started to get sick right after they dug up the body.

"God, I feel sick," Joe groaned, his pasty face slick with sweat. Though he had braced himself for whatever gruesome sight that had made Vanessa scream, but the thing that the police excavated from the unmarked grave was too much for him. That, plus the stench, played a cruel joke on his already roiling stomach and as a result, here he was, puking his guts out.

"Why don’t you sit down for a while," Vanessa suggested, taking his arm. She led him slowly to a clearing quite a distance away but not so far that they had gone out of sight. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Frank talking to his father and Chief Collig. An officer was squatting in front of the big gaping hole they had made and was slowly scavenging the ground, groping here and there, digging through the earth. Vanessa swallowed hard. It all seemed surreal to her. Before she moved to Bayport, she had led quite a normal life, but now that all changed.

She made Joe sit down. Joe bowed his head and propped his elbows on his knees.

"How? How could she do something like this?" Joe whispered, his voice full of pain. "How could anyone do something like this?"

"It’s terrible," Vanessa agreed, feeling a lump rise in her throat. She could still hear the thwack her shovel made when it hit the earth, as if it had hit something soft but solid. She could still remember prodding the soft moist earth with her foot and when she saw it-Vanessa shuddered, feeling a little sick herself. She was never going to forget this night, ever.

Joe raised his head, his face ghostly pale in the moonlight, his eyes haunted. "Some people are just sick."

"Like you." Both of them turned to see Frank approaching, his face tight and pale. "Are you okay now, Joe? Coz I need to go to the station with the police. Someone has to make the report-"

Joe shook his head. "You go, Frank. I don’t feel like going anywhere right now."

Frank nodded in understanding but he was still reluctant. "Are you sure you’ll be safe here? By yourselves?"

"Don’t worry, Frank. A couple of officers will stay behind for a while to comb up everything. It is a crime scene after all," Fenton Hardy said as he came up behind Frank. "Joe, you’re okay?"

"I’m okay, Dad," Joe replied with a tight smile. "Have the police found anything yet?"

"We’re going to try to ID the body ASAP and we’ve also conducted a search for her all over the city. But so far no one has reported seeing anyone matching Tessa’s description."

"What makes you think she hasn’t left town yet?" Vanessa asked, concerned. There was a killer at loose and to think that she was still in town sent chills down her back.

"Chief Collig said the force had a standard plan for setting up road blocks-every exit and entrance into town is under surveillance. No one saw her leave." Yet, Joe thought. God, will this ever end? He groaned inwardly, burying his face in his hands.

"I’ll see you later," Frank said. But before he left, he reached down and squeezed Joe’s shoulder reassuringly. "Hang on in there, bro. We’ll find her." Frank gave Vanessa a knowing look. Vanessa nodded numbly. Joe watched as Frank went off to join their father who would accompany him to the station.

"What a night." Joe’s voice sounded loud in the eerie silence.

Vanessa nodded numbly. There was nothing else she could say. They sat together in silence, staring at the beautiful display of lights below. Everything looks so small from up here, she thought. She could see cars moving slowly up and down the streets, the colorful neon lights, and the ceaseless activity. She couldn’t help thinking of the all the people down there. Do they know what’s going on up here? Do they have any idea that we’re looking down at them right now? Somehow the view didn’t look all that beautiful anymore.

How could you, Tessa? Joe thought, his heart aching as he pictured her beautiful face, smiling at him, tutoring him like any good teacher will, hanging out with him…They had fun together. And he had liked her. Suddenly Joe felt disgusted with himself. A sudden sigh made him glance at the person next to him. Vanessa was staring into space, looking miles away. I wonder what she’s thinking, he wondered. Could she be thinking the same thing?

"Vanessa-"

"Joe-"

They burst into soft chuckles. Joe just nodded his head. "Go on. Say what you want to say."

Vanessa shook her head. "No, why don’t you say it first." They stared at each other for a long time, each lost in their own thoughts, not knowing that they were actually sharing them.

"Let’s say it together," Joe suggested finally. He squatted nearer to Vanessa and turned to face her. Vanessa did the same.

"On the count of three-1,2-" Joe held up his fingers, counting them one by one.

"3!!!"

They opened their mouths at the same time.

"I’m sorry," they said in a chorus. They stared at each other in amazement. Vanessa was the first to break into a smile. Joe began to smile shyly too. And soon they were both laughing until tears came out from their eyes. Tears of happiness because they had finally said it. Tears of relief because they discovered they still had feelings for each other.

But Vanessa stopped laughing suddenly, a thoughtful look suddenly replacing the utter relief on her face. She reached out tentatively and when Joe didn’t move away, she laid her soft hand on his cheek.

"I missed you," she said tenderly. Joe reached up and covered her hand with his. He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them even more tenderly, sending little flutters down Vanessa’s heart.

"I missed you too," he whispered huskily. He stared into her eyes and when he saw the love, the longing in those familiar blue-gray orbs, Joe felt like crying. He had been blind. Vanessa was not perfect but neither was he. Slowly he leaned forward and kissed her. Then his eyes went wide and quickly he drew his lips away.

Breathless, Vanessa frantically reached out for him. "What’s the matter, Joe?"

"Um, did I, uh, did I taste of puke?" Joe asked hesitantly.

Vanessa stared at him in amazement. And utter relief. She had thought Joe had drawn away because he thought the kiss was a mistake and for one second she had felt totally crushed. His honest, innocent question really took her breath away. "Oh Joe…"

She shook her head in amusement. "Well, yeah-" She grinned as Joe’s face turned into a mask of horror. "But I love you all the same. Wanna kiss me again?"

Joe broke into a grin. "Do I?" Oh boy, he thought ruefully. I can’t believe I’m doing this. He leaned forward again but stopped when Vanessa suddenly put a hand on his chest.

"Wait a second. Close your eyes." Joe obeyed.

"Say ‘aaaaahhh’." Joe obeyed.

Then Joe felt something being put in his mouth. Joe’s eyes flew open when his taste buds recognized what it was. Mint? "Now close your mouth and kiss me."

"Your wish is my command, my lady." Stifling a laugh, he obliged. They shared a passionate kiss, after so long, under the twinkling blanket of the Milky Way, a kiss made sweeter for all had been forgiven, a special kiss symbolizing a new beginning for both of them. A kiss they would remember for all their lives.

After spending 2 hours lodging the report, answering endless questions, discussing the case with his father and doing all other things at the station, Frank had tiredly dragged himself home. As exhausted as he was, he refused Fenton’s offer to send him home, opting to go back on foot instead. Frank Hardy needed to think and sort his thoughts together.

After saying goodnight to his mother, careful not to let her see his appearance, Frank climbed up the stairs wearily. Tomorrow was another long day, and Frank could bet his life that tonight was going to be a very long night. He needed a long, hot shower, needed to wash away all the dirt, the sweat but most important of all, he needed to get rid of the stench that had clung to him all night long, the stench of death.

Frank was positive he would have nightmares that night. It was impossible not to dream after seeing such a gruesome sight and he was definitely not looking forward to sleeping. But he felt so tired…

I’ll just lie down for a while before I take my shower, he thought, feeling a little bit guilty when he looked at his bed. It looked so inviting, but his mom had just changed the sheets…Frank looked down at himself. His clothes were soiled with dirt and boy, did he stink. But then he decided he was too exhausted to care.

Frank lay down on his comfortable bed, and after a while, rolled onto his stomach, burying his face into his pillow, breathing in the sweet-smelling, freshly-laundered scent. Frank could feel himself drifting off to sleep. Five more seconds, he thought tiredly. Five more seconds and I’ll hit the shower.

Five, Frank counted and still on his stomach, bent his back into an arc, stretching his tired muscles.

Four. Frank rolled onto his back and slung an arm over his eyes, trying to erase the image of her dead eyes out of his mind.

Three. Frank prayed that God would spare him the nightmares for the night; he couldn’t take any more of it.

Two. Frank rolled back onto his stomach, feeling the cool satin of his pillow against his cheek.

One. Frank slid his hands under his pillow his head was resting on to hug it to hug it to his face like he always did.

SNAP!!!!!!!!!

Instantly Frank felt excruciating pain shoot up his hands, his arms up to his neck. Gasping loudly, he tried desperately to ride out the sudden pain but it was too much. His fingers, his hands, his arms…they were all on fire. Frank writhed in agony, feeling a warm stickiness run down his fingers, drenching the clean sheet.