Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Jodi sat back, shaken to the core. In her wildest dreams she’d never expected Joe’s fiancée to suddenly show up in her office and confront her! If it turned out Joe was the father of her child, she’d expected to meet Vanessa sooner or later but she’d assumed that would be at some point in the future. Trembling, Jodi rubbed her arms and stared at the spot where Vanessa had stood only a moment ago, trying to damp down the pang of jealousy she felt.

Vanessa was tall, blonde, gorgeous... ‘She could’ve been a model! No wonder Joe is so crazy about her!’ Jodi thought miserably.

Yet even as the thought flitted through her mind, Jodi knew she was wrong. Vanessa’s beauty was not the reason Joe was so in love with her. Yes, he was a flirt and loved beautiful women, but he was not superficial. Vanessa’s stunning good looks may have been the reason Joe had initially approached her and wanted to get to know her better, but Jodi understood Vanessa must have been something very special for Joe to fall so helplessly in love with her.

They’d been together since shortly after Jodi had fled Bayport. ‘Almost seven years…’ They were getting married in the fall. Along with that spark of jealousy, Jodi suddenly felt the pain of rejection yet again. What did Vanessa have that she didn’t? What was it that made Joe choose Vanessa as a lifelong partner, while wanting nothing more from Jodi than friendship?

Chewing on her lip, Jodi thought about calling Joe, telling him about Vanessa’s visit. Had Vanessa told him she was coming? Probably not. Jodi was certain Joe wouldn’t have wanted the two of them to meet unless it was absolutely necessary. So if she told Joe that Vanessa had come to see her, might it cause friction between them? Possibly…. If so, she might be able use that, manipulate it to her own advantage.

Obviously Vanessa was concerned about Joe and Jodi’s relationship; about the possibility they might share a son; that Jodi might still be interested in Joe. Concerned enough that Vanessa had come all the way to the city to see her about it. Did Vanessa really think Joe would up and leave her if he and Jodi did share a child?

Jodi thought about that for a moment, letting herself get her hopes up before realizing how ridiculous the idea was. No, it was obvious Vanessa was secure in her relationship with Joe; she didn’t believe for a second that he’d leave her for Jodi even if they did have a son together. But did she think Jodi might cause trouble between them? Try and manipulate Joe, get him to do what she wanted?

Jodi leaned forward on the desk, resting her chin in her palm thoughtfully and briefly considered it – very briefly. Almost immediately her eyes began to burn and her heart grew heavy. Yes, she could definitely cause some friction between them, but that would be it. Nothing but a minor blip in Joe and Vanessa’s relationship. They were completely and totally devoted to each other, she was certain of that. It was there in their eyes for anyone to see and clear in their voices when they talked about each other.

‘Soul mates…’ Jodi thought miserably as a tear slid from her eye. It was all she had ever wanted and something she had yet to find.

No, causing trouble between Joe and Vanessa would serve no purpose other than to antagonize Joe and probably ruin whatever friendship she had with him. She recalled how angry he’d gotten when he thought she was attacking Vanessa’s character on the phone the previous evening. And if he was her child’s father that was the last thing she wanted. She’d need to have a good relationship with Joe as well as Vanessa.

Thinking of Joe, she brushed away another tear. Exactly what did she feel for him? Until just a few days ago, she hadn’t thought about him in years except in passing. Back in high school she had loved him with all her heart – at least that’s what it had felt like then. That’s why she’d slept with him, hoping he’d see how much she loved him, how she could help him forget and move on….She had been so desperate for him to return that love, yet somewhere deep inside she knew he never would; not the way she wanted him to. She thought she had gotten over him, moved on herself until she found out they might have a child together. Admittedly she’d hoped that when she told him about her son – their son? – she’d find out he was single, unattached and still had feelings for her. Feelings that might be reawakened…

But those hopes had been shattered and Jodi now understood that the feelings she still had for Joe – whatever they were – she’d have to get over them and move on. Somehow she would have to find a way to live with the fact that she would never be more than a friend – and an old memory – to Joe Hardy. It was painfully clear that Joe was not going to leave Vanessa – not for her, not for a child they might share…. Not for anyone. Closing her eyes she thought back on the night she and Joe had shared one last time…and wondered if Vanessa knew just how lucky she really was.

******

Having no other choice, Joe had returned to his room at the bed and breakfast to do the one thing he was never very good at – wait. Then again, he wasn’t in the proper frame of mind to do much else anyway. As he sat staring out the window, his brother’s voice wreaked havoc with his mind.

“Do you have any idea what she’s going through, Joe? What she’s doing – for you?!”

Joe closed his eyes, willing the burning sensation to cease. He’d asked Vanessa to keep a secret, his secret, knowing she didn’t want to. But she agreed, for him, because that’s the way she was – always putting him and his feelings ahead of her own. ‘And this is how you repay her?’ he thought bitterly.

When had he become so wrapped up in finding this child that Vanessa and her feelings had suddenly taken a back seat? When had he made Jodi and the boy who might be their son a priority over Vanessa?

“She turned away from everyone and did something that terrified her to protect you! You and your damned secret! Whatever your big secret is, Joe, I sure hope it’s worth it.”

Opening his eyes, Joe stared at the white lace curtains swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. Was it worth it? Was finding this little boy – finding out if he was a father – worth what it was costing Vanessa?

Grabbing his cell phone off the night table, Joe flipped it open with shaking hands. Suddenly he needed to talk to Vanessa so badly it hurt. He listened to the phone ring once…twice…three times, his heart breaking. Wherever she was, Vanessa wasn’t picking up.

“Hey, Babe. It’s me. I just…I wanted…” his voice trembled and he drew a shaky breath. “I just wanted to hear your voice. Call me when you get a chance...please?” He stopped, silently begging Vanessa to forgive him. “I love you, Van…I love you.”

Disconnecting the call, Joe was plagued with guilt. All-encompassing, overwhelming; the kind of guilt he hadn’t felt since….He flinched, hearing the thunderous explosion as if it had just occurred and saw a giant fireball, its flames leaping into the clear blue sky….

He closed his eyes, unable to stop the memories. It was all coming back at warp speed and Joe felt powerless to stop it. Nor did he know how to deal with it. He felt lost, alone, much the same way he had so many years ago, when he’d turned to Jodi to try and forget. A huge lapse in judgment, born of a pain so deep he didn’t think he could live with it one more minute. A lapse in judgment that had, ironically, landed him here, trying desperately to deal with those very same feelings once again.

Joe hadn’t understood it at the time – the pain and guilt had been all-consuming – but he’d felt disconnected; separated from his family. The very people he’d loved and needed the most. Those very same feelings were surrounding him now, pressing down on him…smothering him. He took a deep breath, feeling the emptiness deep in his soul.

Back then Joe had distanced himself by choice, but now…now more than ever he wanted and needed the security his family’s love always afforded him. At least he’d learned that much over the past year – he could get through anything with the unconditional love of his parents, Frank and Vanessa. But this time he couldn’t have it. He’d made a promise, although at the time he didn’t realize what keeping that promise would cost him.

Despair clutched at his soul and Joe knew he needed that security, that connection to his family – NOW! Looking down at his cell phone, his fingers hovered over the keypad. He suddenly needed to talk to Frank with an urgency so intense he could feel it. Yet he wasn’t even sure they’d have an actual conversation or if he’d simply ramble as he so often did, making little sense even to himself. It was more the security of knowing Frank would be listening, ready to offer support, encouragement and most importantly unconditional love that Joe craved right now. He needed to sort out his thoughts, feelings and emotions before they drowned him and Frank was always the one person who could help him do that better than anyone.

Staring at the keypad, his finger barely brushed the number he had on speed dial for Frank’s cell phone. He needed to talk to his brother so badly it hurt. Joe hated the deceit, the half-truths, the cover-ups; he wanted to come clean with Frank, tell him everything, knowing Frank could help him navigate the minefield he’d created for himself. But something stopped him, something stronger than his own need to reconnect with his brother. He’d given Jodi his word he wouldn’t tell anyone but Vanessa. And he’d never broken his word for anyone – least of all himself.

Slowly closing the phone Joe felt as if he were drowning, slowly going under with no lifeline, drowning in a situation of his own making. Separated from his family he felt isolated, anxious…and the one feeling he hated more than anything in the world – alone.

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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.