Chapter 16

"Joseph?....Joey, can you hear me?" Victoria's seductive voice called out pulling Joe from his latest drug induced dream state. Joe had

tried to maintain his hold on "Iola" but the apparition had already faded back into his pained heart. Joe was still no where near back to

"reality" when he became aware of a much more mature femanine voice calling out to him, at first he thought it belonged to his mother,

but after a few more fuzzy moment he was finally able to cut through the haze and recognize the voice of the Viper". Joe tried to talk if only to tell her where to go, but his own voice once again refused to work. In fact the only sound which managed to escape his lips was

a murmur. 

"Mhmmm..."  

Victoria patted his muscular chest,noting that itwas begining to loose it's muscular mass. This would not do she decided. She wanted her "subject" to be in top physical form and made a mental note to have him begin an intensive weight training regiment to build his form back up. Of course this would begin only after his phycho shock therepy. Vicki was looking so forward to that part of the plan to witness first hand as Joe Hardy slowly and painfully loose all he held dear and surrender his life, atleast the part which made him happy

to her. That to her would be the ultimate revenge on the boy who caused her beloved to be reverted to a mere stranger, whom she has

come to detest. Vicki recalled the day when the body of Al Rousassa was stolen from the Morgue and replaced with a clone. The body had been severly damaged from the fall off the balcony of the Bayport Mall. Greg and the team of extremely well paid surgeons from the Lazaurus Clinic worked feverishly to "revive" the head of the Assassins under a distraught and enraged Victoria's constant guidence

however after a succesful yet Frankenstienish ressurection and physical recovery, Victoria was even more enraged at the fact that this man who sucessfully ran the deadliest organizations in the world was now a mere shadow of the man who she loved. From that point on Victoria had worked feverishly to set up the perfect plan to exact her revenge on Joe and everyone involved in her husbands "death".

Now her plan was well in motion and she had the delicious Joseph Hardy right where she wanted. She considered just slitting the young

man's throat but that would be to easy and far less satisfactory than the plans she had for the boy. Victoria smiled racking her perfectly

manicure nails across the boys chest as she stood up.  

Joe was strapped to a hospital table, his arms secured. Joe looked around still half out of it but aware of the fact that he could not move

at all. He could lift his head up a bit but that only caused his neck to strain. His vision was still blurry but he see the dark green eye's which watched him intensly. For a moment Joe's heart soared, he had hoped it was Charity's eyes which stared down on him. 

"Charity?" He managed to get out, his voice was weak but he was atleast finally able to talk a little, Joe figured whatever drug they had done to him to make him loose his voice must hopefully be wearing off. He heard a sudden burst of laughter. Then Joe remembered that it was Charity's Mother who now stood over him.  

"Hello sweetheart, nope not Charity hon but she will be joining us soon. Infact I think I have even better news for you. I am not going to kill her, after all she is my own beloved daughter, Infact Joey I am not even going to kill you providing my little experiment works." She

cooed in his ear. Her hand caressing his wavy blonde head. Joe turned to her a confused look on his handsome but pale face. Her laugh told him that she was perhaps just teetering over the edge. Where was Charity? What kind of sick plan did this mad woman have for the two of them, but most of all where the heck was Frank!! Joe was still asking himself this when something was stuck in his mouth and an order was given. An instant later all questions all thoughts and perhaps all else for that matter were totally forgotten as a jolt of electricity went surging through him. Causing his body jerk and his eyes to roll around in their sockets. Joe Hardy had never felt pain like this before, but somehow knew that Iola's cryptic words were now begining to make sense. "It will get alot worse before it gets better Joe!" Joe's screams were muffled by the object in his mouth. He could vaguely hear Victoria's own voice as she laughed at his pain. Tears began to reluctantly poor from Joe's eye's as he fought to keep the bile from chocking him. Finally he sagged limply back down on the bed, caked in sweat and heaving from the exertion but taking full advantage of the moment recover even momentarilly for he knew there would be more. This witch was just getting started. Joe's eyes started to flutter when he heard another voice. 

"Joe, Mother what have you been doing to him!!" Charity screamed, she had just been dragged into the room and secured to a chair.  

Joe hearing Charity scream, Joe strained his head to look search for her, finally their eyes met. He wanted to make sure she was ok, it was that unselfish concern for the safety of others which had won Joe the respect and devotion of many people. Unfortunatly it also got

him into even more trouble and awarded him so much painful moments. This was one of them.  

"Charity..." Joe called weakly. 

"Oh Joe!" Charity replied quietly, her lovely eye's now filled with tears. She wanted to run to her friend and ally and get them both out of there but she couldn't even budge her wrists were tied so tightly, besides her so called mother had left strict orders that her own child be kept sedated just enough to keep her dazed and under control. Charity was forced to sit there helplessly but that didn't mean she had to watch, Charity closed her eye's tightly. 

"Wonderful, my darling your here, now we can start this party" 

"Mother this is so sick! please let him go, havent you inflicted enough damage enough to him already?"

"Shh, dear Mommy is busy. Besides, you ungrateful child isn't this what you alway's wanted?" Charity looked at her mother in utter shock and confusion.  

"What the heck are you talking about mother!" Joe also looked at the demented woman weakly. 

"Why dear I am doing this for much more than revenge, silly girl I am looking for the perfect mate." She purred.  

Charity and Joe both continued to look at her incredulously.  

"No not for me sillies, although he is sweet, just a tad too young for my tastes. I wanted to suprise you later, honey but "SUPRISE!" I wanted to wait until your birthday but Joe here is a present for you..what?! Oh please, don't give me that look either of you. I know you are not going to believe this but I do want whats best for my children." 

"You really are a crazy old woman aren't you!?" Joe spat, he knew that it would earn him some more trouble but he at this point had just about given up caring. Victoria slapped him hard drawing blood from his already swollen lips. Carity cringed. Victoria unfazed turned her attention back to greg who stood by the machine attatched to Joe's body by a series of probes and wires.  

"I am not an old woman Joseph! watch your tongue, infact Greg please prep the patient for the next phase in his "treatment". I think he needs much more stimulation if we are going to convince him to join our cause. You Joseph should be honored, after all not just anyone

is chosen to be my son in law and the future parents of the next generation of Assassins!"

Chapter 17

Disclaimer: Hi guys, I hope you are enjoying the show. Oh yeah I am forced once again to remind you all that I am not the owner of these beloved Characters, well accept for the one's I invented in my sick warped little mind. tee hee lol. Oh and for all you faint of heart I must admit to some rather lewd language in my stories,so wash my mouth out with soap already and enjoy already. And remember how much I love and appreciate you all. bye, Christine. please feel free to send any comments to HardyboysgalpalC@aol.com or SillyAuntygshu@aol.com ok bye oh and try to be nice I bruise easily. Now on with the show!

Chapter Seventeen:

Joe Hardy was not sure he was hearing correctly, did Victoria Just say that He and Charity would be the parents of the next generation of Assassins?! Joe strained to catch the very same look of shock cross Charity's pretty face, her light red hair now hung in a disheveled mess but she was still quite a stunner. Bile again threatened to rise up in his throat, not because of the thought of being with Charity, but the very idea that he was not in a position to do anything to stop this mad woman and her ludicris plans. Joe's heart once again broke at his next thought, His family seemed to have accepted the stranger as their own and now he was totally alone, more so than he had ever felt in his whole young life perhaps accept for Charity, but of course she was also in quite a mess herself.

"Congradulations Mother! you have finally succeeded to fall completely over the edge of sanity haven't you?" Charity called out still reeling from the shock and the IV in her arm which continued to keep her subdued yet fully cognizant of the actions around her. This made her mother laugh as she pulled her hand back to once again deliver a slap to the young woman. Charities head fell backward toward the back of the chair. She tasted the saltiness of blood in her mouth.

"Enough ungrateful brat! There is just far too much work to be done now either be a good little girl and appreciate the gift you have been given, or I might just be forced to send you to bed with no supper again!" Victoria playfully spat. Charity knew the woman was serious and now totally demented. She also knew that she had to get both herself and Joe out of her clutches as soon as possible, getting out of the "Viper's Den " was bad enough, but escaping from a den full of Assassins, now that would seem almost impossible. Then again she had her own formidable skills and techniques which had more than once managed to turn the tide of survival to her favor add that to the almost uncanny luck and survival abilities of the youngest Hardy and their odds did appear to increase. Now if only she could get herself free and find a way to contact Frank Hardy, then there would definitly be a chance for all of them.

Given the circumstances Frank had trouble keeping his mind on the movie, especially when he realized that it was just the kind of film Joe would love. It was infact pretty darn good, however there was just too much going on to really concentrate on the screen, the only reason why the group didn't just leave earlier was simply because the abruptness of the action might cause some suspicion and alert any one most likely observing their every move. Frank actually chuckled softly to himself at the thought of the way Joe,the real one that was, would react right now. Joe was not only much more impatient than his older brother, heck more than most people in general, Frank deduced that he would have probably been climbing the walls by now. Frank had to thank the powers that be for instilling in him enough patience for the both of them. The dark haired boy also knew that his father meant business when he suggested that he might be getting sloppy, and that they needed to find a private,secure place for them to discuss the latest developments in the case. He was

Thankfull that the movie was a short one and soon the gang were on their way to Callie's house where Vanessa would be spending the night. Frank squeezed Callie's hand gently and gave her a kiss before she got out of the van. Paul went to give Vanessa a kiss as well but she somehow seemed to hold back. At first he appeared to be insulted, not sure whether to ask her if something was wrong.

"Wha..is it my breath babe?" He tried to Joke but inside he was a little taken aback by her actions. .

"No, I just don't alway's feel like kissing people Joe " The answered her head turned away from her date in the hope that he would not catch the look on her face.

"Um excuse me but I really thought that I was a little more to you than just people?" He exclaimed quietly, hoping that Frank or Callie didn't overhear, it was awkward enough for him. Paul also wondered if this girl figured it out that he was an imposter, but the apologetic look which Vanessa tried so desperately to hide told him that perhaps she hadn't reached that point but Paul suspected that it would be soon, and when that moment finally arrived, than he had better watch out, because Something also warned him that Vanessa Bender would be just as deadly as any assassins when it came to the welfare of her boyfriend or for that matter the fact that he was able to pull

off this farce as long as he did.

Vanessa Bender could not for the life of her understand the strange feelings which had come over her lately. Here she was with the boy that she supposedly loved most in her life and two of her best friends yet something was just not right, and it had been bothering her all evening. In fact it had been actually bothering her ever since Joe was finally rescued from the Wheighnright clinic and returned to the people who love and need him, especially herself. She had been as relieved as everyone else that he was back home where he had belonged, yet it was as though somehow he changed, as if he was a different person, Vanessa was not sure what to make of these feelings and thoughts, it was something she knew she would have to eventually deal with, but at the moment she just could not bring herself to return the kiss her boyfriend had given her earlier.

"Please Joe don't think anything of it hon, I am just fickle in my old age." She answered with a tired smile and a stiffled yawn.

"Hey, it's ok no sweat toots, But are you sure it wasn't my breath?" He teased again this time she giggled and shook her head.

"No mr. Clean, it was not your minty fresh breath, But I have to go in now, I promise next time I'll just have to kiss you twice romeo."

"Mmm...now that I can live with, it is something to definitly look forward to" Paul/Joe said as he walked her to the door. Callie rolled her eyes at the pair and turned to face an apologetic but somehow distracted Frank also staring after the other couple. Callie sighed rather impatiently causing Frank to turn to face her, She quickly tried to hide her disapointment.

"Hey," Frank began his hand gently laying on hers as she moved closer to his window.

"Yeah?..."

" Just wanted to tell you I love you, and that I hope you don't feel the same way about kissing" Frank said his cocoa eyes gazing into her now ecstatic green ones. In answer she leaned up and touched her lips to his in a long and meaningfull kiss which had stars twinkling in both of their eye's when their lips finally parted. "Yum..now that makes life worth living" He said breathlessly , She

was by now beaming with one of the most beautiful and honest smiles Frank Hardy had seen, Even Joe whose Sapphire eye's had the ability to seemingly light up a room, atleast that was before all this mess, could not possibly match the brilliance of Callie's smile at that moment. It gave Frank a much needed and appreciated distraction. He vaguely became aware of the passenger side door opening and the presence of someone getting in beside him in the van.

"Boy and they say I'm the Romeo in this family" Paul/Joe commented. This earned a blush from Callie and Frank and the moment to be broken. Frank looked at his girl friend one more time mouthing the words "I'll call you when I get home". They watched as she walked to the door and waited until she was safetly in the house before starting up the engine again. Paul's stomach began to suffer the now familiar pangs of guilt, knowing that the long awaited confrontation between himself and the Hardy family was about to take place. He was about to say speak but was quickly cut off by a stern look from Frank accompanied by a finger to the older boys lips.

"You have got to work on your timing Brat boy! " Frank said loudly hoping to change the subject. He could not be sure whether this boy was either the worst Assassin on record or some poor kid mixed in waaay over his head. Either that or he was simply just a dumbass. This frustrated the hell out of Frank, who was not sure whether he wanted to beat the truth out of this guy or wait to atleast explain his

part in all this not to mention a certain Network agent's involvement in this "case" . Frank turned his attention to the road and soon the van was pulling into the Hardy household. Frank's cell phone rang as he stopped the motor. Paul looked on curiously as Frank took the call and then hung up after glancing at the person beside him. Before he could ask what was going on, Frank shushed him again and motioned for him to follow.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:

"He did what!" Demanded a red faced Victoria Butler Roussasa who couldn't believe her ears. Her son had not called in as schedueled and the agent trailing him had just informed her that the boy had thrown up at the Drive- in. Victoria was not sure how to react, a part of her actually worried about her child but then again the sick part had already reared it's ugly head and she became furious that her own son would possibly mess up his assignment. Why didn't she assign one of her elite assassins to such a task. Oh yeah she finally recalled her reasons behind the choice. Victoria had noticed that the two boys shared a strong physical appearance and wanted to test both her son's loyalty and his natural abilities, and while some might question the choices she made, none would dare question her or for that matter challenge the leader of the Assassins also known as "The Viper" for extremely viable reasons. She had proven many times to be as deadly perhaps more so than her namesake, or namesnake rather. "Well, keep a close eye on him. Remember the Hardy Family are not to be trusted or underestimated at all do you understand me!!...good then get off the phone and do your Job, No I shall handle my own children thank you!" She said before slamming the phone down.

"AURGH!!! I can't even trust my own children not to betray me!! " She screamed. Her hands raced to the nearest neck and wrapped

her hands around them. At once the man began to struggle to breathe. His hands came up to his throat in an effort to protect himself. Finally the frustrated woman let go, letting the man drop to his knees gasping for air while coughing up blood. She stopped ranting and looked down at the man who was still trying to recover. "Oh get up you wimp! Jezus I am surrounded by total incompetents! Victoria exclaimed as she raced out of the room. Her hands flailing in all directions as her hysterical rantings hung thickly in the air..

"God someone had to stop that crazy biotch before she personally destroys the Assassins. " The unfortunate victim of Victoria's rage said. His hands still massaging his throat.

"Oh man either you are braver than you look or extremely dumb talking like that. " The woman beside him warned. Although Marcia Mcabe did feel the same way she also felt a surge of anger rise up. No one hurt her brother Ernie. No one. Except maybe her. But they didn't have time to sit around there nursing their wounds including their pride, for they had just been assighned to a very important new case. The boss wanted them to arrange the kidnapping of the young daughter of some business man who refused to have anything to with the Assassins or to back the Miller campaign. There was work to be done and people to hire The powers- that-be wanted Timothy Blake to pay and to pay big time!

"Hey lil bro you gonna be ok?" Marsha McCabe asked.

"Yeah, but I swear if anyone ever tries anything like that again, they will be so sorry!" Marsha's younger half brother Ernie Mcavoy

vowed, his eye's told his older sibling that he was deadly serious.

"Hey, if they did I promise to distroy them for you lil bro" She replied, Ernie frowned, the last thing he wanted was for her to fight his battles. But Ernie did have to admit to being lucky to have her on his side.

Fenton Hardy had been waiting in the dark for a while now, well not exactly in total darkness, the lantern he held provided just enough light to cast an eerie light upon the wall which seemed to dance like dancing ghosts. He had been waiting in the emergency tunnel that the Hardy family had built for just these occasions, He wondered how much longer he would have to wait for his "sons' to arrive and to

finally get to the bottom of the new mystery which had threatend to once again destroy their family. Or was the recent night-mare still

going strong when they all thought they had finally been able to wake up from the terror and heartache they all had suffered especially

His youngest child Joseph. Fenton's breath caught in his chest, was this for real?! Had the family been so willing to accept someone in

to their lives so easily, If so where was his child Where the hell was JOE!! What concerned Fenton Hardy just as much was how he was

going to break the news to his wife and sister, not to mention poor Vanessa. Finally Fenton hoped he would be able to contain his own

emotions and that famous hot headed temper as he confronted both the imposter who tried to steal his baby's life and the man who he

suspected knew full well that this night-mare was far from over. Fenton pulled out his cell phone and made two quick calls. One was to Frank, he gave his oldest child some very explicit instructions then hung up. Next Fenton Hardy put in a call to the man he now felt sure would provide atleast part of the answers they all sought. Fenton's legs were begining to cramp when he heard a noise in the distance.

he could make out a light farther up in the tunnel. The detective instinctively shut off his lantern and moved as close to the wall as he could. The circle of light grew bigger as it came closer. until whomever was holding it was just at the cave entrance.

"Dad? are you in there?" Frank's voice called out. Even as a whisper the sound echoed, his father cringed as he stepped out of the darkness.

"Well, It's about time son I was begining to get worried. You are positive you weren't followed of course" Fenton chided.

"Dad! I was trained by the best ya know! " Frank replied, trying to calm his obviously distraught father. Frank had never witnessed his dad this upset, but given the circumstances he not only completely understood why but felt just as upset as the man who looked like an older and more distinguished version of himself. Before Frank could even speak another word his dad had turned to confront the boy who had even the great detective Fenton Hardy fooled. Which only proved that the man was human. It also proved that even the most

astute and close knit families can easilly accept something that just isn't what it is supposed to be in the aftermath of trauma and heart

wrenching grief.

"um..excuse me but is it safe to talk in here?" Paul asked, he was aching to get this over with, His sister needed him and he needed this

family to help him. Paul knew that they would have no choice but to help him since it also meant getting their own back as well.

"Yes, and I do want to hear you talk young man but there is still someone who I believe needs to be present for this little party to begin.

"Dad don't you think we should hear his part of the story before anyone else arrives, incase they try to stop him from telling the truth?"

Fenton Hardy rubbed a finger across his chin. He was exausted and furious at the same time and wanted to get to his son back as soon

as possible. He nodded finally, gratefull that Frank was atleast thinking with a clear head. "Alright son" He said the last word dripping in sarcasm and emotion. "By all means please enlighten us with the truth and I must warn you to leave nothing out!"

Paul sighed deeply and began unravelling the truth, indeed leaving nothing out, including the fact that he was Charity's brother and that

she was also in the clutches of their murderous mother, who by now he suspected had fallen completely over the edge of sanity. Paul also admitted to the fact that he was genuinely sorry for any pain he might have caused them all, especially Mrs. Hardy who he came to think of as a seconed mother. Fenton and Frank sat silently listening to the young man before them, whose face was now streaked with tears. They tried to force the bile from rising as Paul recounted the grizzly murder of his own father and uncle and how the children as well as their cousin Marissa Chetwynde were forced to witness. Finally Paul came to the end of his story, leaving them all exausted and unsure over how to react. Fenton and Frank exchanged glances. Would they believe such a tragic story which would seem way too

outlandish to most people, but not to the Hardys who had already witnessed first hand some of the events which were described in full gory detail by Paul.

"Incredible, Now I've heard everything excpet for two things.. the first is your real name " Frank spoke finally after catching his breath.

"Paul Butler Rousassa " The boy replied "...And the other question I can guess must be Where is the real Joe Hardy" Frank opened his mouth to answer but a different voice broke the awkward silence.

"Perhaps I can answer that one" They all stopped as the small form of Aurthur Grey stepped out from the tunnel. Before anyone could stop him Frank ran to the man and wrapped his hands around the agents kneck.

"WHERE THE HELL IS MY BROTHER?!"

Chapter Nineteen:

"Frank! what are you doing, you're killing him!" Paul exclaimed, The eldest Hardy brother's head spun around slmost like the scene in the movie "The Exorcist", his voice now came out as a hiss as he continued the hold he had on the smaller man's neck.

"Stay out of this Paul! Your just lucky it isn't your neck with my hands around. " Frank warned, Arthur Grey was now begining to turn a

sickly bluish palor, his hands instinctively reaching up in an effort to free himself from the boys grip. Grey managed to meet eye's with Frank's father and choke out a plea for the man to please put a stop to this, Fenton marely shrugged. He knew he should step in and stop his usually calm son from doing something he will most likely regret, but this was also a good oportunity to get some answers. Fenton Hardy moved cloer to his son's and Arthur's side and leaned in, as Paul looked on with a clearly terrified look on his face as old horrific

images from his past came back to haunt him once again.

"Fenton!.." Grey managed to choke weakly. The man probably would have utilized the extensive self defense training he had received

since being recruited , but the young man choking him, it appears had also been well trained, by his dad probably. Besides that Frank had somehow managed to take him completely by suprise. Finally Fenton Hardy sighed and spoke looking directly into his son's familiar eye's, familiar because they were his own. However he was clearly addressing the struggling agent.

"Are you ready to talk Grey?!" Fenton demanded, his gaze never leaving his son's, Fenton was determined to get the answers he needed but it was also growing increasingly evident that Frank was not acting at all like himself, The detective's intuition as well as the concerned parent in him wondered if the boy was justifiably begining to unwravel. Fenton laid a hand on his oldest child's shoulder and gently asked his son to let go of the other man's neck. Finally after making the now half consciouse Grey nod weakly in agreement, when Fenton made him promise to tell them all he knew, Frank Hardy finally let go of the other man's kneck allowing him to fall to the ground limply. Fenton took his son in his arms and held him for a second as the boy recovered his wits about him. Arthur Grey lay panting on the cold cave floor as a shocked Paul looked on, feeing quite lucky that he was not the one who made the usually calm and controlled Frank Hardy loose it .

Charity saw the world in a fuzzy haze at the moment, In her drugged up state. The young woman had no idea exactly how long she had been her own Mother's prisoner. However she did fully realize the danger of the situation, especially for Joe. The same wierd dream kept playing over and over in her head. Had her Mother really declared that she planned to unite her and Joe for the sole purpose of producing the next generation of elite Assassins! As dramatic as that sounds, Charity was also very well aware that the demented woman she reluctantly called Mother, was not only deadly serious but would most likely stop at nothing to see one of her plan's come

to full fruition, especially given the woman's ego, not to mention the rapidly growing insanity, which Charity hoped was not hereditary.

She didn't have much time to concentrate her frazzled thoughts on much else as she felt the now all to familiar prick of a needle in her arm. However much to the woman's shock she had instantly begun to see things much clearer, except for the face of the person who had administered the "cure" which had already begun to bring her back to both reality and to her senses. A voice whispered in her ear

causing a surge her to both tense up and tingle with excitement and fear, as well as the need to "play possom" atleast until she fully recovered.

"Shh...I would be very careful reguarding any stupid moves Miss Rousassa." The voice suggested. Charity frowned at the name her so called "savior " had to reffered to her as.

"My name is Butler, thank you!" She quietly hissed. This caused the man to chuckle at the girls spirit. In fact he had been admiring her

for quite some time now, But the man whose voice now seemed so very familiar to the still reviving girl, had a job to do and it was one which had to go exactly as instructed for more than Charity's life, his life or for that matter the life of Joseph Hardy were at stake, The insane self imposed leader of the Assassins Guild was infact not even the biggest concern, although a deadly one, in her own right, but there was still another who had been calling the shots a lot longer than that demented woman, someone who had much bigger plans of revenge against the united states and the "free" world in general. These lives were merely a passing thought to the monster whom he had learned to both respect and fear more so perhaps than any other criminal master-mind. But non the less, the man known as Bryan had to get these kids out of there and fast because he also knew that something big was about to take place and from his latest briefing

the Network's top field agent had also discovered that the "Leader" was growing more and more leary of Vicky's lunacy, which had now evolved from an amusing and somewhat effective campaign to a potential threat to the continued success of the Assassin Guild's future

plans. Bryan was hoping to utilize both Charity and Joe's uncanny ability to survive and manage to find their way out of some rather sticky situations, But he had been informed by his contacts that it had better be soon of the whole situation could prove deadly for them all.

"I'll try and remember that, but for now miss Butler, I need you to help me get all our pretty little butts out of here, However we have to first get Joey back on his feet and ready for the fight of all our live's "

"A little dramatic but given the curcumstances and knowing my dear demented mother as I do, I am inclined to agree. But how? We were so happily informed by mommy dearest that Frank and the Hardy family have been completely fooled by my brother Paul's act, and they have stopped looking for him, I know my brother though and I could never believe that Paul would abandon me. I also believe that Frank Hardy is the same way, Hopefully Paul did the right thing and convinced Frank to help on their end. " Charity said with a surge of hope which made Bryan want so badly to believe that there was atleast a chance she could be correct. Bryan had been so deep under cover for so long he had almost begun to worry that there was perhaps nothing which could stop the Assassins. But now

that he heard her brave words and seen the determination in this beautiful young woman's Jade green eye's Bryan had once again allowed his own hope to build and soar.

Speaking of Joe Hardy, he had been taken back to his dark room which seemed more like a prison cell. His head was spinning so much that he could barely controll the terrible urge to vomit. He looked horrible, pale and thin, But atleast he was a live. Joe'd main concern was for Charity of course, as was his nature. He also wondered about his family, had they truely given up the search for him of had the

viper been wrong? Joe could not find much rest until he was certain that Frank atleast had realized that there was something wrong with the family picture and not stop until he found and rescue him.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Joe had been through so much in the last few months and in his young life in particular, however the one thing which could possibly destroy his will to live would have to be the fact that his beloved family had given up on him. Especially Frank. Joe also thought of his double with his arms around his girlfriend Vanessa. Joe recalled the scene outside the high School gym when Brad Miller forced himself on Vanessa insighting Joe to attack the jerk. The fact that he was punished but not that Miller creep, still bothered Joe, However this time was different. This time it was an imposter who could be holding his girl in his arms, kissing her lips,whispering sweet nothings in her ear. The very thought made Joe's blood boil and his heart ache. He knew that as attracted he was to Charity, no "living" person could ever come between him and the girl he came to love dearly. Joe tried to sleep to forget all his anguish for a while, actually hoping the powerfull drugs they fed him would help him rest, but his sad and lonely thoughts had now only become night-mares of paranoia and hurt. Finally the full effects of the drugs kicked in and Joe managed to slip into a deep sleep, one in which the devastated part of him actually hoped he would never awake from.

Marissa Chetwynde sat in the driveway of the Hardy home, wondering how she should proceed. Her cousin Paul had called her and asked the attorney to meet him at the Hardy home. Immediatly suspicious she took off for the Elm street residence. Marissa had been sitting in the drive way for a little while when her cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

On the other end, an obviously agitated Paul instructed her to go Mr. Pizza instead and tell the man in charge who she was and that she needed to use the ladies room. She tried to inquire further however the only reaction she received was a click and dead air. So after exhaling the frustrated breath of air in her lungs, Marissa started the engine and left. Per insructions she went to the Bayport Mall and parked in one of the spaces right up front of the restaurant,went in,and as directed, introduced herself to Mr. Prito who directed his oldest son Tony to take her to the rest rooms out back, which the handsome dark haired,olive skinned boy did. Tony being one of the Hardy's very best friends knew full well what his dad really meant and that this dark, beautifull woman was so much more than she let on. He also noticed how his father looked at the striking woman. Tony had not seen his dad look at another woman so appreciatively since his beloved Mom died. His heart tightened at how much he really missed his mother but it also felt suprisingly good to see his father finally taking what might be an interest in another woman. Tony pushed the thought away however as the need for urgency had taken over. Tony knew something huge was coming up and he also knew his good friends the Hardy's were atleast up to their eyeballs in the thick of things. Marissa observed the young man silently as he led her through a hidden door in the back of the storage room. They then went down some stairs and through yet another door which led to a tunnel suprisingly well lit. Soon the pair came to a bend where they could hear voices. As they turned around another bend they came upon a sight which shocked both of them. Frank Hardy had his arms wrapped around a man in a grey trench coat's kneck While Fenton Hardy and Paul or as Tony knew him as, Joe looked on. It took a second for Marissa to register the scene. Marissa let out a startled gasp and ran instinctively into the scene just as Frank finally released her "uncle".

"What the heck is going on here and why were you trying to kill my uncle?!" The woman exclaimed as the others looked up startled by her sudden appearance. The Grey man slumped to the dirt floor of the cavern.

"Rissa?!" Both Paul and Grey exclaimed. The Grey man's voice came out between gasps, as he struggled to gain his composure,his hand massaging his red kneck, he glared up at the hardy's then turned to give Marissa a grateful smile. The woman ran over to him to help him back on his feet, her lovely ebony face wore a look of deep concern and anger.

"Excuse me but If it's possible, I would like to know the answer to the pretty lady's question as well...unless you think I should stay out of it, that is.."Tony Prito spoke up glancing between Frank and his father,Tony was also clearly still a little startled by the sight of his best friend seemingly choking some one.

"Hi Tony, Thanks for your help, but I am not sure you should get mixed up in this.." Fenton began apologetically.

"With all due respect Mr. Hardy, I kinda already gave up that option the first time I helped Frank and Joe solve the "Applegate Treasure" mystery and it has been quite a while and far too many cases since for me to start worrying about getting involved, beside's If my best friends are in danger than the whole point is moot anyway. " Mr. Hardy opened his mouth to reply but his son interjected.

"Dad, He does have a point. Hello Tony, Miss Chetwynde, I was just choking the Grey Man here now if you please excuse me, I think we still have some answers which need to be answered." Frank said, his voice steady and without humor which made more than one of the people there shudder. A thought flashed through Tony's mind, one that he could not just erase nor deny. was Frank Hardy loosing his mind? No one could blame him if he did. Tony noticed how "Joe looked on but said nothing. Something was just not right with both of his friends.

"Joe?" Tony asked, the question took them by suprise. They had forgotten that Tony would have no Idea that this was not his friend but some imposter. Frank sighed and took Tony off to the side to explain. A few times Tony looked over at Paul and shook his head as if in shock. The young Italian's hands balled up into tight fists as he struggled to allow his best friend to continue. Tony would later think back to the situation and once again marvel at Frank's awesome abitlty to gain control of his emotions. Then again almost strangling a guy may not exactly qualify as an example of self control, However around the Hardy family for so long you begin to know when they are "role-playing" and when they are serious. Tony also knew that whatever was going on, however it effected them, the simple fact is that of all the Hardy family, Frank Hardy had perhaps the most reason but was the least likely to commit murder. Then again,after all he has been through, many had no doubt contemplated taking bets as to when the poor young man would finally snap.

"Excuse me boys, but I would like to be let in on this pow wow if you don't mind!"

"Marissa, what are you doing here?" Fenton and Grey asked simultaniously. They glared at each other. Frank and Tony stopped talking and turned to face the others.

"I was called by my cousin,asking me to meet him here." She answered, gesturing toward Paul. who just shrugged his shoulders. The puzzled look on his young face was both painfully similar to Joe's and obvious to the others in the cave that the boy had no idea what she was talking about.

"Rissa, I swear I never called you!...infact I was with Frank here all night." Paul pleaded with Frank for back up. Frank hesitated as if lost in thought, then his cocoa brown eye's widened.

"As A matter of fact he was with me for the most part. But if he didn't call you than who...." Frank began but a clicking noise all around them made the answer all too clear.

"Oh my God!" Was all that managed to escape from Marissa's pretty lips as the sounds of gunfire erupted. After the smoke finally had cleared Tony,Fenton,Frank,Marissa,Paul and the Grey Man were all sprawled lifeless on the cavern floor.