Author's Name:  Red

Title of Story:  Shared Sorrow

Type of Story:  AU

Rating of Story:  PG-15

Characters in Story:  J, F, Fe, L, Ca, V, OC’s

Warnings:  Some angst… then a little more angst… and then some angst… Did I mention the angst????

Critiques: No, thank you. I seek out critiques privately.

Plot Blurb:  The Hardy family hadn’t seen Laura’s sister Carole, or her husband Jeff in eighteen years – ever since a catastrophe involving Joe caused them to sever all ties.  Now Jeff Cutter has shown up on their doorstep, begging for Fenton’s help.  Can the Hardys put aside their anger and resentment long enough to offer aid?  And what will this do to Joe?

Splash Page:  Fenton Hardy slipped an arm around his wife and smiled to himself.   The year had started off with a slight bump, but nothing compared to the beginning of the previous year.  Vanessa's final blood test had been negative, lifting a heavy weight from his heart.  She and Joe were planning what he was sure would be the wedding of the century.  The smile grew a little bigger and he didn't even realize he'd let out a contented sigh until he felt his wife's eyes on him.

"What?" he asked, warily.

"What are you so happy about?" Laura queried in reply.

Fenton shrugged and grinned, looking amazingly like his younger son.  "Life is good," he announced, enjoying the sound of Laura's soft laughter.

'It doesn't get much better than this,' he thought, pulling Laura a little closer.

"Fenton?  Laura?"

The voice stopped Fenton Hardy dead in his tracks. He hadn’t heard it in over seventeen years, but he recognized it immediately.  Still, he stood there for a moment, certain he'd imagined it.  Surely that man wouldn't be foolish enough to come back, not after what he'd done.  The sound of shuffling feet and nervous, shallow breathing convinced Fenton that he wasn't imagining it - the worst nightmare of his life was about to return with a vengeance.

Special Notes:  JD, thank you for putting words in Laura’s mouth and for the Plot Blurb! J

Stormwatcher and Joe, your passing suggestions gave life to two potentially very average scenes!  Thanks!!