"Whatcha doin’?" he mumbled.

"Just enjoying the view," she replied, then leaned down and planted a feather-light kiss on his cheek.

"Can I have another one?" Joe requested, as she began to pull away.

She happily fulfilled his request and then resumed watching him. "How are you feeling?"

"My brain says get up, but my body says play dead." Joe rolled onto his back and began to stretch out, immediately regretting it. "Ooooow…ow…ow…" he moaned, recoiling into a ball. "Okay, that hurt," he complained, wrapping his arms about his stomach.

Sliding down under the covers, Vanessa put her arms around him and gently pulled him close. "Then why don’t we just hang out here today. You can rest and let me take care of you."

‘Wow, that was easier than I thought!’ Joe grinned.

"What’s so funny?" Vanessa asked warily.

"Not a thing. I was just thinking what a good idea that is," Joe fibbed. Closing his eyes, he sighed softly, happy to lie there and enjoy the feeling of Vanessa’s arms around him.

Content that the day was starting out to his liking, Joe was now torn between reveling in Vanessa’s undivided attention, or convincing her to go downstairs and get him a cup of coffee. He sniffed the air searching for the familiar aroma and then wrinkled his nose in disappointment.

‘No coffee?’ he groused to himself, having quickly gotten used to Frank and Callie having breakfast all prepared by the time he and Vanessa got up. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, he frowned. Something wasn’t right.

"Frank and Callie up yet?" Joe asked, looking at Vanessa.

"I haven’t heard anything," she shrugged. "Maybe they’re sleeping in today."

"Maybe," Joe mumbled. He leaned back against Vanessa and closed his eyes again, determined to do nothing more strenuous than enjoy all the attention she was showering on him.

Several minutes later, Joe sighed heavily, acknowledging the fact that he wouldn’t be able to relax until he knew for sure Frank and Callie really were just sleeping in. From the time they were small children, Frank had always followed a daily routine. He modified it, adapting to lifestyle changes as he grew older, but he rarely deviated from it for any reason. Joe had long ago accepted this as one of his brother’s endearing quirks, at times wishing some of Frank’s discipline would rub off on him. Knowing he would continue to worry until he knew for sure, Joe opened his eyes and reluctantly unwrapped Vanessa’s arms from around him.

"Want me to come with you?" Vanessa asked, knowing exactly where he was going.

"Nah," Joe waved her off as he climbed out of bed. "I’m sure you’re right and they’re just sleeping late. No sense both of us making fools of ourselves."

Grabbing a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, Joe disappeared into the bathroom. Emerging washed and dressed a few moments later, he saw Vanessa had also gotten up and was pulling a sweater over her head.

"I’ll get breakfast started," she said, passing him on the way to the bathroom.

"Thanks," Joe grabbed her for a quick kiss and then went in search of his brother.

*****

Frank paced the considerable length of the bedroom suite, each step feeding the growing panic inside him. He knew he was slowly losing control and had no idea how to stop it. He’d never felt like this before, so utterly helpless. Everything about the situation was out of his control. He knew the man who had Callie was the same one who had tried to kill him and Joe the day before, but that was all he knew. No name, no background information…nothing he could use to his advantage.

Helpless…out of control…it hadn’t been this bad even when Joe was missing in Chicago. He’d at least had a few leads then, and his father to share the burden with. And it was Joe who was missing, not Callie…

Frank stopped abruptly and stared out the glass doors of the balcony at the stunning view of the mountains. Should he even bother calling the Gray Man? Would he even care? Frank knew Arthur Gray wouldn’t even consider letting him have the disc as bait to bargain for Callie’s life, but would he help with some kind of rescue operation? Would the kidnappers know he’d asked for help? Was he willing to risk Callie’s life that they wouldn’t?

‘No. Can’t take that chance…’ Frank shook his head and resumed pacing. ‘Can’t risk it. I’ve gotta get her back on my own…’

Hearing a noise from down the hall, Frank stopped and stared at the closed bedroom door. Joe and Vanessa were up. He knew Joe would soon come looking for him, as he and Callie never slept this late. Frozen in place, he listened to the heavy footsteps getting closer and closer, finally coming to a stop right outside the door.

‘Go away!’ Frank mentally yelled at his brother.

There was a knock on the door followed by Joe’s muffled voice. "Frank? Cal? You guys up?"

The words echoed in Frank’s head, reinforcing his irrational belief that he could handle everything on his own. Frank remained silent.

Joe knocked again, louder this time. "Frank?"

Frank held his breath, willing Joe to leave. He watched as the doorknob slowly turned, unleashing the fear he’d so far been able to suppress. Lunging for door, Frank pulled it open just enough to stick his head out.

"Hey, Joe. Can you keep it down? Callie isn’t feeling well," he lied, hoping he was at least halfway convincing. ‘I’m willingly lying to Joe…’ he thought miserably. ‘Never thought it could happen…’

Joe took one look at his brother and knew immediately his nagging suspicions that something was wrong were right on the mark. He also knew that whatever it was had Frank absolutely terrified. He decided to play along for the moment, hoping Frank was distracted enough to let something slip.

"Sorry to hear that," Joe replied, sounding concerned. Standing on his toes, Joe tried peer over Frank’s shoulder into the room. Frank countered his every move, constantly shifting to block his view. "What’s wrong with her?"

"She just…you know…she just doesn’t feel too good," Frank repeated, nervously. "Why don’t you and Van go out for the day? Have some fun. I’ll stay here with Callie."

Noting the way Frank’s anxiety increased by the second, Joe decided to call his bluff.

"That’s okay," Joe shrugged. "Between the skiing, being strung up by my thumbs, beaten senseless and almost burned to a crisp, I’m not feeling so hot myself. We’ll stay here and keep you guys company."

"No!" Frank cried out, letting his guard down for a second. That was all Joe needed. Shoving his way past Frank, Joe strode into the empty room. He looked around the bedroom and then proceeded to check the bathroom and even the closet before returning to face Frank.

"Where is she?" he asked gently.

"Gone," Frank replied miserably. Sinking onto the bed, Frank dropped his head into his hands, his shoulders slumping forward.

Joe stared at his brother for a moment, reminded how heavily he’d depended on Frank in the past year. Many times, Frank was the only thing that had held him together. Frank had given him hope when he needed it and a hand to hold onto when all Joe really wanted to do was crawl into the black hole of depression and let it swallow him up. When Joe found himself wallowing in self-pity, certain he deserved every horrible thing that had happened to him, Frank refused to listen to him, instead giving Joe a dose of tough love and an attitude adjustment.

Many times Joe had lashed out at Frank with angry words, releasing all his pent up fears on his brother…his brother who stood tall and took everything Joe needed to release, never once retaliating, despite how justified it may have been at the time. Joe had never said it out loud, but he was convinced Frank had saved his sanity, and the one time Joe was so mired in darkness he couldn’t see one ray of light, he was certain Frank had saved his life…

Knowing he’d never be able to repay Frank for what he’d done, Joe resolved to at least offer the same kind of unconditional love and support he’d received when he needed it the most.

Joe sat down on the bed beside Frank and gently laid a hand on his back. "What do you mean, gone?"

Frank looked up at Joe, his eyes filled with despair. "They grabbed her, Joe. Just grabbed her and took her away and I never heard a thing! How could I sleep through that?! How could I not know something was wrong? Why didn’t I check the damn locks myself?" Frank demanded. He stared at Joe a moment longer as if expecting an answer and then dropped his head in shame.

Joe tried to follow Frank’s cryptic words and disjointed thoughts, coming to the conclusion Callie had been kidnapped – sometime during the night – most likely by the same men who had grabbed him and Frank the day before. Assuming Frank had been just as exhausted as he was, Joe didn’t find it at all surprising that Frank went to bed before Callie and probably collapsed into a sleep so deep the cabin could have blown up around him and he wouldn’t have noticed. Joe also knew the overwhelming guilt he’d feel if he were in Frank’s shoes right now.

"The goons who grabbed us? They took Callie last night?" Joe asked, wanting to confirm his theories before doing anything else.

Frank nodded silently in reply.

"Have they called you with any kind of ransom demand?" Joe continued, knowing exactly what the men would want in exchange for Callie.

"A little while ago. They want the disc," Frank looked up briefly, hoping against hope that Joe might have a solution to an impossible situation. He quickly dismissed the thought, staring at the floor disconsolately. "The guy said I should contact Gray and persuade him to give me the disc. He’s going to call me back at this afternoon to make sure I have it and then he’ll tell me where to deliver it." He looked up again. "Gray will never give up that disc; not for anyone."

Unfortunately, Joe knew he was right. Arthur Gray saw nothing wrong with sacrificing one life to save many – or in this case to save the latest advancement in waging war. Undeterred, Joe was certain that, if they put their heads together, he and Frank could come up with some way to rescue Callie – with or without Gray’s help.

"We’ll find her," Joe assured him confidently. He was about to continue when Frank’s vehement reply stopped him cold.

"NO!" Frank cried out. "You have to stay out of it, Joe! Please…they’ll kill her," he pleaded, grabbing Joe’s arm. "…no cops, no feds…not even your brother. No one but you or she dies. That’s what he said," Frank repeated the threat. "Please, Joe…I have to do this alone or she’ll die."

Joe’s heart broke at the look on Frank’s face, the tone in his voice, the overwhelming pressure of feeling that his every move would be a factor in deciding whether Callie lived or died. Seeing his normally unflappable brother on the verge of collapse at the thought of Joe’s presence getting Callie killed, Joe decided to back off, confer with Vanessa and regroup. No way was he letting his brother deal with this alone.

"Whatever you say," Joe agreed. He got up and walked to the door. "Just let me know if you change your mind." Joe walked out and closed the door behind him.

Halfway down the hall, he met up with Vanessa and quickly explained what happened.

"You mean you told Frank you’d stay out of it…and he believed you?" Vanessa asked, her eyes wide in shock.

"Yeah…shows you just how shook up he is," Joe shook his head sadly.

"You’re not really going to stay out of it are you?" Vanessa asked rhetorically.