As they sat outside and removed their skis and bindings, Callie silently nudged her husband. Frank glanced up at her and then looked in the direction she indicated, nodding his understanding. "Why don’t you two go inside and let them know we’re here," Frank suggested, looking at Callie and Vanessa, "while Joe and I take care of the skis."

"Sounds good to me," Vanessa agreed. Standing up next to Joe, she rubbed her nose against his cheek before gracing him with a kiss.

"Hey, that’s cold!" he laughed, rubbing a gloved finger on the end of her nose. "You better get inside and warm up," he advised, accepting the skis and poles she offered him.

Watching her follow Callie into the restaurant, he turned and fell into step beside his brother. As they neared the end of the paved pathway, a shuttle bus pulled to a stop in front of them.

"Hold these a sec," Frank requested, offering both his and Callie’s skis and poles to Joe, as he climbed onto the bus and held a hushed conversation with the driver. A moment later, he stepped off followed by the driver.

The middle-aged man walked around to the back of the bus, beckoning them to come with him. Opening the storage area, he took the four sets of skis and poles and stowed them inside.

"Thanks," Frank said, offering his hand.

"Not a problem. They let me know ahead of time at the lodge to expect you," he responded, shaking Frank’s hand. "Enjoy the rest of your day," he waved, getting back on the bus and closing the door to wait in relative warmth for any straggling passengers.

"Okay, let’s get inside. I’m freezing." Frank’s forward momentum was abruptly halted as Joe grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop.

"You…you arranged that ahead of time?" Joe asked, a little in awe. "Just so she wouldn’t have to get on a bus today?"

"Callie and I hashed out the details together last night…things we definitely wanted to include, and things we wanted to avoid," Frank shrugged as if it was no big deal. "Our skis go back on the shuttle bus and we go back in a cab. Now, whaddya say we get inside. I’m starting to get frostbite – and I’m starving." Frank slung an arm about his brother’s shoulders as they walked back to the restaurant.

*****

Having snagged one of the best tables in the restaurant, by one of the floor-to-ceiling windows with a dazzling view of the imposing mountains and spectacular valley below, the group enjoyed an extra-long, leisurely lunch. After steaming cups of cider and some enthusiastic dessert swapping, Frank, Joe, Vanessa and Callie took the lift up to the top of the highest mountain peak.

As if in deference to the dramatic three-hundred-sixty degree view, conversations came to an abrupt halt as the riders disembarked and scattered about the platform. Just as Callie had predicted, when the clouds parted, the magnificent view became even more breathtaking.

Feeling Frank’s arms wrap about her waist, Callie leaned back against him contentedly. ‘Three whole days and they’ve managed to stay out of trouble,’ she mused to herself with a smile. ‘Aside from that little mix-up with the laptop, they’ve managed to avoid anything even remotely resembling a mystery… It’s a miracle!’

"Penny for your thoughts," Frank whispered in her ear, following it up with a kiss on her cheek.

"Mmmm….just thinking about how nice this feels," Callie replied, pulling his arms tighter around her. She did not want to jinx the remainder of their vacation by voicing her thoughts aloud! "I think it’s working," she observed, glancing to her left.

Following her line of sight, Frank saw Joe and Vanessa on the opposite side of the platform gazing off into the distance. Cuddling close together, they would periodically exchange soft kisses and whispered conversation, oblivious to everyone else around them.

"They seem really happy," Frank agreed. "When we get back to the cabin tonight, remind me to thank you properly for planning all this," he said huskily, nuzzling her neck.

"My pleasure," Callie replied, just as Frank silenced her with a kiss.

After taking in the view from all sides, with Frank recording it all on his digital camera, they finally returned to the lift for the ride back down the mountain. As the car slowly made it’s way back to the overlook, Callie and Vanessa began discussing all the cute shops they had seen during their drive through town en route to the resort. Both readily agreed they’d like to return for a day of souvenir shopping and made plans to do so the following day.

"Booooring," Joe rolled his eyes at the mere suggestion of ‘wasting’ a precious vacation day on something as mundane as shopping.

"I think the girls can manage without us," Frank chuckled. "Although that means we will be left all alone to fend for ourselves. Guess we’ll have to find something to amuse ourselves, little brother."

As Joe pondered that thought, his eyes suddenly lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Uh-oh…" Vanessa grinned at Frank. "He just thought of something. I’d start worrying if I were you."

"I’m way ahead of you," Frank replied looking at his younger brother dubiously. "What exactly is going through that warped little brain of yours, Joe?"

"Heli-skiing!" Joe said excitedly. "I saw it advertised at the lodge!"

"Are you crazy?!" Frank exclaimed, his eyes wide in disbelief. "I don’t want to die young, thanks anyway."

"What’s heli-skiing?" Callie asked guardedly. "And is it something I really want my husband doing?"

"It’s skiing for people who have a death wish!" Frank replied, eyeing his brother warningly.

Ignoring Frank’s dire predictions of the consequences of heli-skiing, Joe’s irrepressible enthusiasm took over as he explained. "It’s like extreme skiing. You start at the very top of the mountain – as high up as you can get and still be on solid ground! You can only get to the peak by helicopter."

"Hence the name," Frank interrupted.

"And the drops can be anywhere from 1,500 to 6,000 vertical feet – straight down!" Joe enthused, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Only the very best skiers are even allowed to attempt it!"

Vanessa looked at him in shock, her mouth agape. "You jump out of a helicopter onto the mountain and just…go?"

"Oh man, I wish!" Joe lamented. "No, the helicopter lands and you go from there. But the whole point is to ski on the steepest, most vertical runs you can find! What a rush!" he finished, literally bouncing from one foot to the other in anticipation.

Vanessa looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. "I have one question…WHY?"

"Because it’s fun!" Joe replied, grinning from ear to ear, ignoring the fact that the others were looking at him as if he should be committed.

"Frank, you’re a great skier. You can do the double black diamonds with your eyes closed and your hands tied behind your back!" Joe begged his brother. "You’ll have a blast!"

Frank crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head adamantly. "Uh-uh. No way. I’m not insane…unlike some people we know."

"Come on, don’t be a weenie," Joe retorted, knowing exactly what buttons to push to get Frank to agree.

"Are you challenging me, baby brother?" Frank narrowed his eyes, emphasizing the word baby.

"Oh, great, here we go," Callie muttered to Vanessa.

"Is it me or did the testosterone level just jump about a thousand percent?" Vanessa asked sarcastically.

"You bet I am," Joe responded to his brother’s accusation, knowing full well a challenge was the only way he’d get Frank to go. "I bet I can do more runs than you, and I’ll even spot you one run, old man."

"You’re on," Frank replied. "We’ll sign up as soon as we get back to the lodge."

"Frank, can I make a request?" Vanessa asked, eyeing Joe with a resigned sigh.

"Sure, what?"

"Don’t let him kill himself," she said, as the car smoothly came to a stop at the bottom of the tracks. "I’ve already put a deposit on my wedding dress and I can’t get it back."

Joe blushed, but chuckled along with the others as they disembarked from the car. While the girls headed inside to use the restroom, Frank asked the maitre d’ to call a cab for them. Returning to the walkway that encircled the restaurant, he watched Joe turn and rest his forearms against the rail as he gazed out at the incredible sight of towering mountain peaks and deep snow-covered valleys.

"How’re you doing?" Frank asked, leaning back against the rail, facing the opposite direction of Joe, and watching his brother carefully.

Joe thought for a moment before answering honestly. "I’m okay as long as I don’t think too much."

"Haven’t you heard? You’re not allowed to think when you’re on vacation," Frank informed him.

"Well, then I guess that solves that problem," Joe grinned. The smile lasted only seconds before it disappeared completely.

"You look like you’re thinking," Frank commented, hoping Joe would take the opportunity Frank had given, to open up about what was bothering him.

Joe squinted out into the bright sunlight and frowned. "What time are our dinner reservations for?"

"Seven, I think. Why?" Frank replied, sensing the question was not an attempt to change the subject, but rather had a great deal to do with whatever was troubling Joe.

Joe’s mood seemed to have changed in the blink of an eye from happy and joking, to quiet and troubled, to what was now solemn and heartbreakingly sad.

"She could see his watch," Joe said quietly, cryptically. "It had a luminous dial."

Frank suddenly got a chill and felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Whatever it was Joe had to get off his chest was going to be very difficult to hear…

"When I talked to Dr. Jennings last week, she told me," Joe continued referring to Vanessa’s therapist. "Vanessa could see his watch," he repeated in a soft, haunted voice. "She knows exactly what time it was when it started…how long it took before he…finished…" Joe drew in a shaky breath. "She said it was important that Vanessa not be alone at that time today."

Frank shivered at the image that popped, unbidden and unwanted, into his mind. Feeling a little queasy, he shook his head – hard – hoping that would dislodge it. This was one of those little details he’d had no desire to hear. Pushing the sickening scene away, he focused all his attention on Joe.

Reaching out he placed a firm hand on Joe’s shoulder and squeezed hard. "What time?" he asked softly.

"Five thirty two," Joe answered in a whisper.

Frank could see Joe squeezing his eyes shut behind his sunglasses. "You let me worry about it, okay? Neither one of you will be alone – I promise."

Joe turned towards his brother, grateful Frank couldn’t see his eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you," he choked out.

Frank nodded and patted him on the back. Looking over Joe’s shoulder, Frank saw Callie and Vanessa heading their way. "Here come the girls," he said and moved to intercept them, giving Joe the time he needed to pull himself together.

*****

Upon returning to the lodge, the rest of the afternoon was spent making the most of the snowmobiles Callie had reserved for them. By the time they arrived back at the cabin the sun was just disappearing behind the mountains as night began to close in.

As they had been off and on all afternoon, Frank, Callie and Vanessa were once again teasing Joe about his chosen activity for the following day. Glancing at her cell phone on the counter as she walked towards the kitchen, Vanessa noticed the flashing display, indicating someone had called while they were out. Picking up the phone, she pushed a button and stared at the caller identification. The joking and teasing ceased as the others noticed Vanessa hadn’t moved.

"Van?" Joe said softly, moving closer to her.

Vanessa looked at him. "Dr. Jackson’s office called," she said, her voice a mixture of hopefulness and trepidation. She stared at the phone again, making no move to retrieve the message.

Frank instinctively moved closer to Joe, fearing Joe’s reaction should the news not be what they were all hoping for. Feeling Frank’s presence, Joe blindly reached back as his subconscious told him he would need the stability only physical contact with his brother could provide. Joe latched onto Frank’s arm and held on tight, completely unaware of his actions. He hadn’t needed to feel that kind of safety and security from his brother since he was a very small child.

Surprised and slightly taken aback, Frank glanced down at Joe’s hand gripping his arm. Subtly, he moved Joe’s hand so it was now securely ensconced in his own. That one gesture brought home the fact that should Vanessa be in the minutely small percentage of people who initially tested positive for HIV on their final screening, the impact it had on Joe would be catastrophic. The thought struck him with terrifying force.

Quickly recovering from the initial shock, Frank squeezed Joe’s hand tightly, not really sure Joe was even aware of it. ‘I’m right here, little brother. You’re not alone.’

Exchanging a glance with Callie, he saw the hope in her eyes fighting to overcome the fear that her best friend might very well be about to receive a death sentence. He also saw the clock on the wall.

‘Five thirty two. Life couldn’t possibly be that cruel… could it?’ Frank was suddenly chilled to the bone.

Pressing a button to retrieve the message, Vanessa closed her eyes and put the phone to her ear, holding Joe’s hand tightly.