She sighed. She certainly hoped whatever Chief Collig had wanted was important, considering the fact that Frank was missing his daughter's arrival in Bayport. Vanessa smiled, thinking about how animated both Frank and Joe became when they talked about Laurie, the little girl that Nancy had been raising alone in California. She'd never seen either one so excited about anything in her entire life. Especially Joe. Listening to him proudly tell stories about his niece had shown Vanessa an entire new side to Joe. A softer, more paternal side. She'd been in love with Joe Hardy ever since she'd transferred into Bayport High School years ago. This just made him even more appealing. A Joe that might actually be ready to settle down. Hmmm...

"Vanessa?" a familiar voice broke into her thoughts. She turned slightly and her gray-blue eyes widened in surprise. Nancy Drew was standing about a foot away from her. Clutching one hand was a small girl, with blue eyes and dark, wavy brown hair. Vanessa saw what Joe had meant. There could be no denying that this little girl belonged to Frank Hardy. With the exception of the blue eyes, she was a perfect little miniature of her father.

"Nancy!" Vanessa exclaimed. "I'm so sorry. I was for watching for you guys to come through the gate. Really, I was. My mind wandered off, I guess." She took a step forward, unsure of what to do next. Should she offer to shake her hand? Hug her? Maybe explain why she was here? Yeah, that would be a good place to start, she decided.

"So," Nancy began. "Are you here with Joe?" She glanced around the waiting area. "Or maybe here for us?"

Vanessa smiled. "I'm your welcome wagon," she replied. "Frank had every intention of coming to pick you guys up today, but Chief Collig called both him and Joe in this morning to consult on a case. He swore it was an emergency. Laura offered to meet the two of you, but I thought maybe you might want to get settled in a little before you have to face her, so I ran some interference and volunteered to come get you instead." Vanessa's face reddened as she realized the implication of what she'd just said.

"Oh, I didn't mean...um, uh, oh that didn't come out right," Vanessa moaned. "I didn't mean that you didn't want to face Laura. Like you'd done something wrong or...Okay, I'm getting in deeper here aren't I?"

Nancy grinned. "No, I know exactly what you mean, Vanessa. I did do something wrong - major mistake - and the closer this move has gotten, the more nervous I've become about facing Mr. and Mrs. Hardy. So, I really appreciate the fact that you're the one who came to pick us up." Releasing Laurie's hand, she impulsively threw her arms around Vanessa. "Thanks. It means a lot to me that you're here. That's one more friendship I may be able to reestablish."

Vanessa relaxed. Any nervousness she had felt earlier had disappeared in Nancy's hug. Quickly returning the hug, she spoke. "Sure. Happy to help." She pulled away and met Nancy's eyes. "Besides, I owe you one. You sent Joe back my way. I'm grateful for that."

Nancy shrugged as she took Laurie's hand back in hers. "Well, considering that I was the problem that ultimately sent him to Los Angeles, it was the least I could do." She squeezed her daughter's hand.

"Where's my daddy?" Laurie asked, sensing the opportunity to interrupt her mother's conversation. "I thought my daddy was coming to see me." Her large blue eyes settled on Vanessa and she frowned. "Have you seen him? He's about this big," she stood on her tiptoes and stretched her hand as high as she could reach, "and looks like me."

Vanessa laughed. "And this must be Laurie." She knelt down to introduce herself to the little girl. "Hi! I'm Vanessa. I've heard a lot about you."

"I haven't heard about you," Laurie responded warily. She glanced up at her mother, unsure of what to make of this new stranger.

Nancy smiled. "Laurie, this is Vanessa Bender. She is your Uncle Joe's girlfriend. You're probably going to see a lot of Vanessa now that we're living in Bayport."

Laurie brightened at the words "Uncle Joe". "You know my Uncle Joe?" she asked.

"I sure do," Vanessa said, smiling. "I know him and your dad. In fact, they're the ones who sent me to bring you and your mom home. They had to be somewhere today, but your dad promised me that he'd come over to your new house as soon as he got done with his work.

"Ok," Laurie chirped. "We should go home now then. That way he can find us when he gets done working. Right, Mommy?" She tugged on Nancy's hand.

"Right," Nancy said. "Well, Vanessa, if you don't mind keeping an eye on Laurie for a minute, I'll go see about getting our luggage."

"Not a problem," Vanessa said. "Is that ok with you Laurie?"

Laurie eyed her mother for a moment and shrugged. "Ok." She watched her mother's retreating figure for a minute before turning to Vanessa. Still eyeing her warily, she asked. "You're a good guy, right?"

"A good guy?" Vanessa asked. "I guess I am. Why?"

"You're not bad, like Uncle Greg was?"

Vanessa suddenly understood why Laurie seemed so leery of her. Joe had explained what happened earlier that year in Los Angeles with Nancy's roommate and the young woman Joe had been dating. How they'd been the masterminds behind an adoption agency that both scammed potential parents and bought and sold, rather than legitimately adopting out, infants. From what Joe had told her, Greg had nearly gotten away, and had tried to take Laurie with him.

"No, I'm definitely not bad like Greg. In fact, I used to help your dad and Uncle Joe catch the bad guys. Just like your mom did." Vanessa smiled at the little girl.

"Really?" Laurie's eyes lit up with interest. "Wow! Was it fun?"

"Sometimes," Vanessa said with a laugh. Laurie reached out and took one of Vanessa's hands.

"That's cool!" she said. "I think I like you Vanessa!"

Vanessa laughed again. "That's great, Laurie. You know what? I think I like you too!" Laurie's face broke out into a grin.

Nancy arrived, luggage in tow, several minutes later to find Laurie sitting in Vanessa's lap, telling her new friend all about her trip to River Heights. Nancy shook her head. It still never failed to amaze her at how quickly Laurie was able to wrap someone she'd just met around her little finger. It must be that outgoing personality.

"Are we ready?" she asked. Vanessa and Laurie looked up.

"Yup," Laurie cried, jumping out of Vanessa's lap. "Let's go home so I can see my daddy!"