The cold air and his brother's encouragement seemed to revive Joe. His eyes opened slowly as the sound of sirens came closer. Then he remembered Chet and Devon. He struggled to sit up. Frank looked at him in concern. "Take it easy, Joe. You had me worried when I finally got in the garage and saw you passed out."

"How are Chet and Devon?"

Frank glanced behind him where Con and another officer were checking the two teens. "They're alive. Which is more than they would be if you hadn't heard the engine running. Can you believe Avery is insisting he didn't know they were in there?"

Joe couldn't help but smile. "I guess it's a good thing I insisted we come here first, huh?"

Frank didn't say anything at first. Instead he watched as paramedics knelt beside their friends. Then he nodded. "Yeah it's a good thing you did. But you know what this means don't you?"

Joe shook his head. Frank looked back at him, his face grim. "We get to visit the ER waiting room again."

*****

"So, Rex moved here to Bayport about a year after the murders?" Frank asked Mr. and Mrs. Marshand later at the hospital. Chet and Joe had been treated and released soon after they had arrived at the hospital. The doctor had decided to admit Devon because of the combination of the deadly mixture of gas with the drug overdose she'd received the night before. Now everyone including Fenton Hardy and the Marshands were gathered in Devon's hospital room.

"Yes, I don't know why we didn't piece things together right then. He hadn't been gone a week when Devon came out of her comatose state."

"So her subconscious realized she was safe with him gone." Joe shook his head. "So if he was here in Bayport, who was following her in Austin and who was responsible for the accident that killed DeLaney?"

Ginger Marshand lovingly clasped Devon's hand. The teenager smiled at her before answering Joe. "He was. He paid someone still in Austin to follow me and cause little accidents after he made a visit and discovered I was starting to remember a little about that night. He was afraid I would eventually realize he was the one who killed them. When the pranks weren't working to his satisfaction, he decided to finish the job." Devon grew somber. "Only it was 'Laney behind the wheel instead."

Chet tenderly caressed her cheek as he noticed the look on her face. She flashed him a quick dismal smile of gratitude. Tears filled her eyes. "If only I had remembered everything right away 'Laney might still be alive."

"If only David had gone straight to the police when Leeann discovered the missing money maybe no one would have died." Ginger suggested. "Oh, Devon, we can't deal with if only’s. I'm just glad you are okay."

"I'm fine, thanks to Chet. If he hadn't seen past my whole 'Ice Princess' exterior, I wouldn't have had him or Frank and Joe in my corner. You guys did more than save my life. You showed me what friendship is all about."

Devon's grandfather shook each boy's hand. "I don't know how to thank you boys enough. You'll all have to come visit Devon in Austin."

Chet looked at him sharply. "In Austin?"

Ginger smiled. "Of course. There's no reason why Devon can't come home with us now. Maybe we can finally move on with our lives now that Avery is in jail."

Frank was watching Devon during this time. Her eyes were downcast; she refused to look at anyone. But Frank was almost sure he saw a couple of tears slide down her cheeks. Joe meanwhile, was looking at Chet. His best friend looked stricken with the thought of having to say goodbye to the girl he loved.

Chet stood and awkwardly brushed his lips against hers. "Um, I forgot I need to give Con my statement. I'll see you later."

"Chet?" Devon called to him but he didn't respond as he left the room. She looked to Frank and Joe. "I know he's already given the police his statement. He's upset isn't he? Will you two go check on him?"

Frank promised and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry about Chet. We'll take care of him."

Joe squeezed her hand. "Yeah, as long as I don't have to carry him again. We'll make sure he's okay. We'll see you later. It was nice meeting you both, Mr. and Mrs. Marshand."

The brothers found Chet at the end of the hall, staring out the large Plexiglas window. He had tears in his eyes. Frank clasped his shoulder. "Are you okay, Chet?"

The larger teen shook his head. "I lost all that weight for nothing."

Joe shook his head. "That's not true, Chet. You look great and I don't know if could have pulled you out of that garage otherwise."

Chet turned to look at them. "No, that's not what I mean. I'm glad I lost the weight but it wasn't something I really HAD to do. I started out losing the weight hoping that if I lost enough, Devon would notice me and give me the time of day. But when she did finally notice me it wasn't because of the pounds I'd lost. It was me showing an interest in her even when she pushed me away. It didn't matter to her what I looked like but what I did that made her open up and trust me"

"That's because your heart is the biggest thing about you." Frank informed him gently. "And don't even think about losing weight there, Buddy."

"I can't believe she's going to leave. I mean, I'm happy for her. I'm glad she doesn't have to be afraid any more and that the person who took away the people she loved most is in jail. It just never occurred to me that when that happened she'd go back to Austin. I guess I just didn't want to consider the possibility. I don't know if I can say goodbye to her."

"So don't."

The three boys turned at the sound of Devon's voice. She was wearing a robe over her hospital gown and stopped at the waiting room. She leaned against one of the chairs and motioned Chet toward her. The two detectives were forgotten as Chet rushed to her and embraced her. Both Chet and Devon were crying at this point. With a grin at each other, Frank and Joe left to give the young couple some privacy.

"Devon, I know things have been crazy these past few days but I really do care about you. I don't think we should let a few thousand miles stop these feelings we are just starting to develop. I'll do whatever it takes - write, call, visit, whatever it takes to keep us together."

"How about coming to Austin with me?"

Chet pulled away and stared at her. "What?"

Devon smiled. "When I go to Austin to testify at Uncle..." She grimaced. "At HIS trial, I want you to come with me. I'll need my first and best friend by my side."

Chet had heard Avery was going to be extradited back to Austin to stand trial for the three murders. Chet was glad because he knew in Texas, Avery would stand a better chance at getting the death penalty. And of course Devon would have to testify as to what had happened that night two years ago.

"Of course I'll be there for you. I would never let you go through that alone. But what do you mean when you go to Austin to testify. Won't you already be there?"

Devon shook her head. "No, Chet. I love my grandparents and I'm really glad to learn they didn't think I was crazy. They are the only family I have left and it will hurt to tell them goodbye but Chet, I can't go back to Austin."

"Devon?" Chet stared at her bewildered.

She placed a finger on his lips. "I just explained it to them and now I'll explain it to you. If I go back to Austin, I will be starting completely over. I'll be going back to a school where I know no one and no one knows me. You've shown me how to make friends; I could probably make friends there thanks to you. But with everything that has happened, I don't know if I have the energy to do that. I know I don't have the desire. I like it here. For the first time in seventeen years, I don't feel like I'm stuck in DeLaney's shadow and I don't feel like I'm on the outside looking in. I've finally found a place where I can belong. I'm not about to leave that behind. Or to leave you behind."

Chet hugged her. "Are your grandparents okay with this?"

Devon smiled. "They don't really have much choice. I'm an emancipated adult, remember? I can choose to live anywhere I want. But yeah, I think they understand. They'll miss me but they really want me to be happy. And they know that here is where I'm happiest. Grandpa is going to help me find a place to live as soon as the doctor's spring me. So I guess you're stuck with the 'Ice Princess' if you'll have me."

Chet kissed her tenderly. When he pulled away he smiled at her. "I guess we're stuck with each other. But anyone who wants to call you names from now on will have to answer to me."

Devon kissed him back and held him tight. "My hero."

THE END