"Your chariot awaits," he teased. "Let’s go."

Having seen the boat arrive, the EMT’s hustled down the pier with a stretcher and were waiting as the foursome disembarked, with Joe complaining loudly that he was perfectly capable of walking to the ambulance. However after a stern look from his father, some hovering by Frank and a little cajoling and a few well placed kisses from Vanessa, Joe finally took a seat on the stretcher, rolling his eyes as the medics strapped him in securely.

He was rolled to the waiting ambulance and quickly placed inside, with Vanessa climbing in behind him, refusing to leave his side. One of the EMT’s joined him while the other waited by the back door of the vehicle looking at a wet and disheveled Fenton Hardy expectantly.

"Um, I think they’re waiting for you to get in, too," Frank nudged his father.

"Me?" Fenton asked, surprised. "There’s nothing wrong with me that some dry clothes and a hot cup of coffee won’t cure!"

"Excuse me, Dad, but you did take a rather long dip in the freezing, filthy water too," Joe called out from inside the ambulance. "You wouldn’t want me to tell Mom that you refused to get checked out, do you?"

Fenton swore he could see the mischievous twinkle in Joe’s blue eyes even at this distance. "Blackmailed by my own son," Fenton griped. Admitting defeat, he climbed into the ambulance and took a seat on the bench next to Vanessa. "Frank, can you grab my duffel bag out of the trunk? At least I’ll have some dry clothes to change into," he muttered, pulling the wet blanket around him a little tighter.

A moment later Frank popped his head in the back of the vehicle and handed Fenton the bag. "I’ll meet you at the hospital," he waved, chuckling at the sight of Joe and Fenton looking like a pair of drowned rats.

*****

Seated in the waiting room Vanessa looked at her watch and sighed. Upon arriving at the emergency room, Joe and Fenton were hustled into exam rooms while Vanessa was left to fill out paperwork and cool her heels in the waiting area. Frank had arrived a few minutes later and hovered at the receptionist’s desk until he was told it would be a while before either Joe or Fenton were seen since they weren’t "bleeding to death".

Rather than sit and wait, Frank had elected to take the subway back to the garage to pick up Joe’s car – and the extra set of clothes he knew Joe kept in the trunk. That had been well over an hour ago and Vanessa hadn’t heard a word about either Joe or Fenton since. Leaning her head back against the wall, she closed her eyes and smiled, grateful that Joe was safe.

"Vanessa?"

She opened her eyes and looked up at Fenton Hardy. "Did they tell you anything about Joe?" she asked anxiously.

"They’re still running some tests, but they seem fairly confident he won’t have to stay overnight," he replied, taking a seat beside her. "While we’re waiting I’d like to talk to you."

"Oh," Vanessa shifted uneasily. "Okay."

Fenton smiled, thinking how much she reminded him of Joe whenever he thought he was about to get in trouble for something but he wasn’t quite sure what. Reaching out, he took her hand in his and squeezed it gently.

"What happened between Joe and I had nothing at all to do with you," he began.

Vanessa sat up a little straighter, her eyes widening in surprise. "How did you know?" she stammered.

"I’d like to think I can read people pretty well," he winked. "And I know you think the tension between Joe and I was somehow your fault. It wasn’t, honey."

"But if I hadn’t insisted Joe help Kara, that never would have happened," Vanessa pointed out.

"If you hadn’t insisted Joe help Kara, an innocent woman would have gone to prison," Fenton corrected her. "You stuck up for a friend. You believed in her and tried to help her."

"But it caused trouble between you and Joe," Vanessa said, her voice filled with regret.

"No, it didn’t," Fenton smiled at the young woman he already considered a daughter. "We did that all by ourselves. We’re too much alike sometimes. Stubborn and pig-headed with a short fuse and a long temper," he patted her hand reassuringly. "Don’t worry, honey, it had nothing to do with you."

"So, you’re not angry with me?" Vanessa asked tentatively, still having a little trouble believing Fenton Hardy didn’t hate her. "Or Joe?"

"Angry? No, not at all," Fenton replied. "In fact I couldn’t be more proud – and grateful – that you’re going to be my daughter-in-law. You make Joe very happy and that makes me very happy." He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the cheek.

"Thank you," Vanessa whispered, her eyes shining brightly.

"You’re very welcome," Fenton replied with a smile.

"Mr. Hardy?"

Fenton and Vanessa turned to see a woman dressed in scrubs and a white lab coat.

"Dr. Cochran," Fenton stood and addressed, the tall, stocky doctor who had treated him. "This is Joe’s fiancée, Vanessa Bender." He introduced Vanessa, putting an arm around her shoulder. "How is Joe?"

Seeing Frank come in Fenton waved him over as the doctor began her response. "Well, he swallowed a pretty good amount of sea water and as I’m sure you know, it’s not the cleanest in the world. He’s also suffering from mild hypothermia and has some abrasions on his wrists from the ropes. Given his medical history, I’ve prescribed an antibiotic to ward off any infection." Seeing Vanessa’s worried frown, she smiled. "The good news is the precautionary x-rays showed no sign of skull fracture and Joe is not exhibiting any signs of concussion. I think if you take him home, put him to bed and keep him warm, he’ll be good as new in a day or two."

"Thank you," Fenton said, relieved. "Can Vanessa take him some dry clothes to change into?" He nodded at the small duffel bag Frank was holding.

"Certainly. He’s in exam room three," she pointed towards the doors to the E.R. "I’ll let them know you’ll be coming in." she offered and returned to the emergency room.

As Vanessa reached for the bag, Frank pulled it back slightly. "Uh, would you mind if I brought it to him?" Frank asked. "I need to talk to him…alone."

"Sure," Vanessa responded.

"Thanks," Frank replied. Turning, he strode quickly to the emergency room. Pushing the doors open, he walked down the corridor, dodging nurses and orderlies, looking for exam room three.

*****

Joe sat on the end of the exam table and pulled the insulated blanket tighter around him. Swinging his feet back and forth, Joe thought back over the past few days and shook his head, disgusted with himself. He’d thought nothing of putting Frank in the middle of his battle of wills with Fenton. In fact, he’d purposely manipulated his brother and used Frank’s accommodating nature to avoid taking responsibility for his own actions.

‘You need to grow up, Hardy!’ he berated himself. ‘And you can start by apologizing to Frank as soon as you see him.’

"I’d knock but that’s kinda hard to do on a curtain," Frank’s voice floated into the tiny room from the hallway. A second later his head appeared between the edge of the curtain and the doorframe.

"Frank!" Joe spun around, thinking he should be hearing the theme from The Twilight Zone at the timing of Frank’s sudden appearance.

"How’re you feeling?" Frank smiled, coming into the room. "I brought you some dry clothes," he said offering Joe the duffel bag.

"Oh, man, you’re a life saver!" Joe exclaimed, eager to get out of the paper thin hospital gown. Joe reached out and took the bag, grabbing Frank’s forearm with his other hand. He held it tightly, looking up at his older brother in earnest.

"Frank, I owe you an apology," he blurted out, determined to keep the promise he’d just made to himself. "I put you in the middle – between me and Dad – and that wasn’t right. I knew if I pouted and whined enough, you’d take care of my problems for me. I acted like a spoiled brat…and I’m sorry."

Frank stared at his brother, a little shocked at the admission. He’d intended to come in here and lovingly but firmly tell Joe he needed to grow up a little and be more aware of the toll his and Fenton’s disputes took on him. Frank bit his lip to hide a smile, proud of the fact that Joe had apparently figured it out on his own.

"You’re right," Frank agreed, crossing his arms over his chest. "You did act like a spoiled brat. And you did use me just so you could avoid hashing things out with Dad yourself. I don’t like being put in the middle like that, Joe. Not by you or Dad." Seeing the look of shame in his brother’s eyes, Frank sighed inwardly, his resolve to teach Joe a lesson rapidly slipping away. ‘Don’t give in so fast!’ he told himself, knowing it would do no good. ‘Let him sweat it out a little longer. It’ll be good for him. It builds character…’

"I know I screwed up, Frank. And I’m sorry…really sorry…" Joe stared at his brother, his eyes begging forgiveness. "I promise I’ll be more aware of your feelings," Joe continued, hating it when Frank was angry with him and willing to do anything to make things right with his brother. "And I’ll never, ever put you in the middle again – I swear!" Joe said desperately.

"Let’s not get carried away," Frank chuckled, certain it would happen again, although confident it wouldn’t be nearly as often. "Apology accepted. Now get dressed so we can get out of here," Frank turned to leave.

"Thanks, bro," Joe said gratefully, admiration for his brother clearly heard in his voice. "You know the whole time I was tied up in that footlocker, I knew you’d come through for me," he continued, not about to let the opportunity for a little humor get away.

"Oh, really?" Frank turned and looked at Joe questioningly.

"Yeah, I knew you’d save my butt, again," Joe grinned. "If for no other reason than the sheer excitement I bring to your life!"

Frank stared at his younger brother and shook his head in disbelief. "And who’d want a life of peace and quiet when they could have YOU!"

"Exactly!" Joe beamed, hopping off the table and opening the duffel bag.

"I’ll wait out here," Frank chuckled, silently acknowledging the truth of Joe’s words.

"Hey, Dad hasn’t called Chief Peterson yet has he?" Joe asked. "I mean it, I want to take down Hahn myself!"

"Not yet. He’s waiting to talk to you first. Once we know what we’re dealing with, then we can come up with a plan," Frank responded.

"Not necessary," Joe appeared from behind the curtain, dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, smiling broadly. "I already have a plan! Let’s go!" He took off down the corridor.

"He’s got a plan," Frank muttered trailing behind. "God help us all."