"Joe never got on the plane." She repeated. "He called me from the airport after he had gotten his boarding pass so I know he was there. I asked the gate agent to check on him. She said he did check in and get a boarding pass. She called Chicago and one of the agents there remembered seeing him. She said right before they started boarding, she saw him walking towards the restroom but she doesn't remember seeing him after that." Vanessa finished, her voice shaky.

"Maybe he went to get something to eat and lost track of time. O'Hare is a pretty big airport, Van. I've almost missed flights out of there myself a few times." Frank said, not sure if he was trying to reassure himself or Vanessa.

"There are only two more flights to Bayport tonight. He didn't check in for either one. They even paged him, Frank - twice. He didn't answer either of them."

Frank could hear the tears in Vanessa's voice and his heart broke realizing how terrified she must be.

"Listen, just sit tight, Van. I'll call Dad and we'll be there in half an hour, ok?"

"Ok. Frank?"

"Yes?"

"Wherever he is, he's alright…isn't he?" Vanessa asked, desperate for reassurance that Joe was indeed safe.

"I'm sure he is, Van." Frank lied, knowing something had to have happened to his younger brother. Joe would never leave Vanessa hanging like that, especially not after everything they had both been through recently. "We'll be there soon."

Frank hung up and started to dial his father, then stopped. He went to his briefcase and pulled out his cell phone. He and his father had been in an important meeting all afternoon and he had switched the ringer off, putting it on vibrate, and forgotten to switch it back when the meeting ended.

Looking at the display, Frank saw there was one voice mail message. He noticed his hand shaking slightly as he punched in the code to retrieve the message. Listening to his brother's voice his heart caught in his throat. Joe was speaking quickly and very quietly, but Frank could still make out the apprehension in his voice as he described what had happened. His eyes started to burn as he listened to Joe's final words; 'I love you, big brother.'

Saving the message, Frank left a hastily scribbled note for his wife, Callie, and grabbed his jacket. He was already dialing his father as he ran to his car and pulled out of the driveway.

"Fenton Hardy." His father answered.

"Dad, Joe is in trouble." Frank blurted out.

"What? How? His flight just got in. Vanessa is picking him up at the airport now." Fenton replied, confused.

"Vanessa just called me. He never got on the flight. And he called me earlier, Dad, but I had the ringer on my cell phone turned off so I never answered." His voice started to quiver, thinking that if only he had answered the phone his brother might be safe now. He took a deep breath to calm himself. He could not afford to panic.

"I'll explain everything when I get there but you have to trust me on this. Book us on a flight to Chicago tonight. If there aren't any more flights out tonight rent a plane and I'll fly us there. We have to get to Chicago as soon as possible. I think Joe is really in trouble, Dad."

Trusting his son knew what he was talking about Fenton complied immediately. "I'll be ready to go when you get here." He hung up the phone without saying goodbye and immediately began making arrangements to get them to Chicago that evening.

By the time Frank arrived, Fenton had an overnight bag by the front door and was explaining to his wife why he and Frank were suddenly leaving town.

Frank hugged his mother as his father explained that the few remaining flights to Chicago that night were overbooked. Rather than taking a chance on getting bumped, he had rented a small private plane that Frank could pilot himself. Frank found he was actually relieved at the news that he would have to fly. Sitting on a commercial airliner for two hours with nothing to do but worry about his little brother would surely drive him crazy.

Frank gave his cell phone to Fenton so he could listen to Joe's message. Frank's anxiety returned as he watched the expression on his fathers face change listening to Joe's hushed voice. When his father closed his eyes tightly, as if holding back tears, Frank knew he was listening to the very personal message Joe had left for his older brother.

"Mom, can you come to the airport with us?" Frank asked, turning his attention to Laura. "Vanessa is waiting for us there. She doesn't know about the message yet. It's probably not a good idea for her to drive once we tell her what's going on. And she might want to stay here with you tonight, in Joe's room." He concluded knowing Vanessa was still uncomfortable being alone, especially at night.

"Of course." She replied. "I think I'd like her here with me…until Joe comes home."

The three Hardy's climbed into Frank's car, all lost in thoughts of Joe and what might have happened to him. They soon arrived at the airport and hurried to the gate where Joe's flight had come in. Sitting all alone in the lounge area and looking very lost was Vanessa. When she saw Frank, she jumped up and ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. As Frank hugged her, he could feel her trembling. He wished he could easily reassure her that Joe was fine and would be home soon, but he knew she needed and wanted the truth. As anxious as he was to get started on the trip to Chicago, he stood and held Vanessa until she pulled away. Taking her hand he led her to a group of empty seats where they all sat down.

Vanessa looked at Frank and then his parents, not liking what she saw in their eyes. She looked back at Frank and asked a question she really didn't want him to answer.

"He's not all right…is he?" she said softly, referring to their earlier conversation.

"No, Van, I don't think he is." Frank replied, quietly, squeezing her hand. He briefly explained about Joe's message, leaving out some details, trying not to alarm her anymore than she already was. "Dad and I are flying out there now."

"I'm coming with you." She said, resolutely.

"I don't think that's such a good idea."

"I want to be there when you find him!" she cried. "I need to be there." Her voice trailed off.

"Frank is right, honey." Fenton said. "We honestly don't know what's going on. I can't, in good conscience, bring you into a situation like that. If I did and God forbid anything happened to you, Joe would never forgive me. I'd never forgive myself."

Laura reached out and took Vanessa's free hand. "Besides, I need you to stay with me - until I know my baby is home safe and sound." She said quietly. The two women looked at each other, tears in their eyes. "It really is best if you stay here with me, sweetie. You know that's what Joe would want."

Vanessa just nodded, trying to swallow the lump in her throat.

"We better get going." Fenton said to Frank as he stood up. He turned and hugged his wife and then Vanessa. Pulling back he looked into her eyes. "Don’t worry. We'll find him and bring him home."

Frank hugged his mother first and then Vanessa. She held him tightly, not really wanting to let go. "When you find him," she whispered to Frank, "tell him I love him."

"I will. First thing. I promise." He hugged her tightly. "Take care of Mom while we're gone, ok?"

She pulled back and gave Frank a shaky smile. "I will."

Vanessa felt an arm around her shoulder and let Laura lead her out of the airport. When they got to her jeep, she handed the keys to Laura. Vanessa climbed into the passenger seat and broke down in tears.

"Don't worry, sweetie. He'll be fine." Laura hugged her tightly wishing she could believe her own words. Deep inside, she began to prepare herself for the worst, at the same time praying she would get one more chance to tell her youngest son how much she loved him.