Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

"Personally, I think you're certifiable." Callie Shaw gave a slight shrug and patted Vanessa on the shoulder. "I mean, after what you've been through, I can't believe you came tonight."

Vanessa shrugged. She looked down at the dress she was wearing. A part of her cringed, wondering if this might have belonged to Emily, but she told herself it was just a dress. "After all Joe and I have been through, we deserve to ring in the New Year."

Callie leaned against Frank and nodded. "Well, I'll agree with you there." She was wearing a beaded flapper dress in soft green and a small beaded mask covered the upper part of her face. Frank was dressed as Bugsy Siegel, complete with zoot suit and Tommy gun.

Joe had found an old half mask in the attic and with a former vampire cape around his shoulders; he'd decided to go as the Phantom of the Opera. Frank shook his head; only Joe would find any humor in the costume choice after all that had happened.

Joe slung an arm around Vanessa's shoulders and picked out a grape from her plate of food. "Imagine that."

Callie looked at Frank and then glanced almost hesitantly at Joe and Vanessa. "You think he'll-?"

"Callie," said Frank. "Don't."

"No," said Vanessa. "In the end, he realized I wasn't Emily."

After the lights had come on and the police had discovered James was gone, they'd scoured the mansion and the grounds. They also learned that Damien Forsythe was missing as well.

While Frank had called all their friends to let them know Joe and Vanessa were okay, Joe and Vanessa had had a heated discussion with Fenton on whether they should go on to the New Year's Eve dance.

In the end, Fenton had compromised. Frank could see his father, sprawled in a metal chair up against one wall, not looking too happy. Joe followed his brother's gaze and shook his head. "I tried to tell him, chaperoning a high school dance is not the adventure he's used to."

Frank's brown eyes rested on the thin red welt on Joe's neck. "I can't believe you can be so flippant right now. God knows what would have happened if Byron had actually done some damage."

"Don't go borrowing trouble, Frank, we have our fair share of it already," said Joe.

"I wonder why," muttered Frank.

"Was that sarcasm I just heard," asked Joe.

"I'm glad you guys are okay." Chet was dressed as a medieval knight; instead of wearing his helmet, he'd stashed it in a corner of the high school gym.

Joe shrugged. "We're indestructible."

Vanessa reached back and slapped his hand. "You don't go borrowing trouble, either, Joe."

Joe arched an eyebrow. "I merely stated a fact. How is that borrowing trouble?"

Chet shrugged. "You'll end up summoning every super villain in every comic book."

"Hey, look!" came somebody's shout, pointing to the large television screen. "The ball's about to drop in Times Square."

"Ten," came the collective voices of several partygoers.

Joe wrapped his free arm around Vanessa's shoulders and pulled her close. "Van-"

"Nine."

Vanessa turned in his embrace and looked up at Joe. "Don't, Joe, it's over now. We're together and that's all that counts."

"Eight."

Callie leaned closer to Frank. "I'm glad things worked out."

"Seven."

Fenton heard someone clear her throat and looked up from his seat. "Laura!"

"It's not right, celebrating New Year's Eve alone at the house." Laura sat down in a metal chair next to him. She smiled and gave him a kiss. "I missed you."

"Six."

Partygoers started crowding around the television set, yelling louder with each dwindling number. "Five...Four...Three...Two..."

"One!"

"Happy New Year!"

Joe turned Vanessa around to face him. "I love you," he whispered and kissed her as the traditional music began to play.

*The End*

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency 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 original characters without express permission of the authors.