Poster's Note: This is another Joe/Iola story - with a smattering of action and fun. – Will Joe realize his true feelings for Iola before it's too late? Please make sure to read the author's profile if you have never read a Copagirl story before. Thanks!

Paradigm

by Copagirl

Paradigm: A fundamental change in approach or assumptions.

Joe leaned forward on the bleacher bench where he sat and intently watched the young girl on the balance beam. She was petite and raven-haired, her pixie face set in concentration.

Standing in the middle of the beam, Iola Morton raised her arms before she gracefully tumbled backwards. Holding onto the beam she straightened her body then slowly raised her left hand using her right to balance herself. Her legs separated into a side split as she held her pose for two seconds before she stood upright. She then leapt to the end of the beam. Once she reached the end she back-flipped quickly three times to the other end of the beam. Not stopping, she jumped up and tucked her legs up as she executed a double flip before she landed on the mat.

Iola slowly rose to a standing position, hands raised in the air. Out of the corner of her eye she watched a small red light and waited for it to turn green. A second later as the crowd cheered, the light turned, and Iola let the smile she held back cross her face as she waved to the crowd.

Iola ran over to Callie and their coach both of whom gave her a hug. Looking out into the stands, she saw Joe where he stood next to her brother Chet; both cheered their approval. She turned and waited anxiously for her score.

9.9

The numbers flashed on the scoreboard, and Iola and Callie jumped with joy. Their coach smiled proudly at his two students; with Iola's score they won the team gold medal.

*paradigm*paradigm*

Joe stood outside with Frank, while they waited in the parking lot of the Bayport Recreational Center.

"Callie's floor routine was awesome," Joe commented.

"Yeah, it was. Iola's routine was pretty great also."

"It sure was," smiled Joe. "I don't know about you but I'm ready for some food!"

"You sound like Chet!" laughed Frank.

"Chet may eat a lot but he puts those calories to good use!"

"Yeah, he sure does play hard during our pick-up games. Are you and Chet going to try out for the football team this year?" asked Frank.

"I think so – especially with Biff egging us on." Joe stood up a little straighter. "Here they come!"

Frank turned and saw Chet, Iola and Callie waving goodbye to their parents before they started making their way towards the brothers.

"Hey Frank…I've got my driver's permit with me….how about letting me drive to Mr. Pizza?" Joe gave his brother the biggest grin.

"Um…no – In order for you to drive you need to have a licensed driver who is twenty-one years old. As far as I know…I'm not!"

"Party pooper….can you drive with the top down?"

"Sure, it's a clear night – why not?!" Frank laughed as Joe pumped his fist.

*paradigm*paradigm*

Callie and Iola had quickly changed into street clothes inside the Rec Center but still had their hair up. They also wore their gold medals, wanting to show them to the brothers. Frank gave Callie a hug and congratulated Iola.

"I don't know about you guys but watching my sister and Callie doing all that jumping around has made me really hungry!" lamented Chet as he rubbed his stomach.

"My brother the bottomless pit!" giggled Iola.

Chet playfully swiped at his sister but Iola was "saved" by Joe who scooped her up in his arms and walked two steps back. Iola squealed with delight and cowered away from Chet, hiding her face between Joe's neck and shoulder.

Chet's eyebrows shot up as he stood still, staring hard at Joe holding Iola. He knew that his sister had a major crush on the younger Hardy ever since the third grade – although Chet never knew that Iola fell for Joe long before that.

Becoming uncomfortable with Chet staring at him – his face a beet red – Joe quickly put Iola back on the ground and playfully swatted her arm before he ran to the car and climbed into it.

*paradigm*paradigm*

Frank was glad that he hadn't given into Joe's pleading to drive the car. As he neared the Mr. Pizza parking lot a black Camaro cut him off by swerving in front of him. Frank slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the back of the Camaro. The other driver honked the horn, and the Camaro's passengers howled with laughter; some jeered and made cat-calls as it sped into the parking lot.

"Who are those jerks?!" Callie leaned forward, an angry expression on her face.

"Is everyone okay?" asked Frank with concern.

Callie, Chet and Iola assured him that they were fine and not hurt. Frank put the car back in gear and drove slowly into the parking lot He saw the Camaro and parked away from it.

"We better get inside before Chet faints from hunger!" Iola teased her brother.

"Yeah – I don't think the two of you could carry me inside," laughed Chet.

"Carry you?! What makes you think we'd do that? We'd just leave you in the car!" retorted Joe.

Taking Callie's hand, Frank shook his head with laughter as he walked to the entrance of Mr. Pizza. Iola walked in between Chet and Joe, giggling as the two friends threw out one-liner zingers at each other. They went inside the restaurant and found their regular table filled with a rowdy bunch of teens. Joe recognized one of them as the driver of the Camaro.

"Those are the jerks who cut you off," he whispered to Frank.

"I see a table at the other end…we can steer clear of them," Frank led the way.

The group of friends sat down and a familiar person appeared.

"Hey guys – how was the meet?" Tony Prito, pad and pencil in hand, smiled at his friends.

"Hi Tony! I was wondering if you were working tonight," Frank returned the greeting.

"The meet was fantastic! You should have seen Iola!" Joe almost gushed. "She got a gold medal!"

Iola, who managed to sit next to Joe, leaned and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Joe – you're so sweet!"

Tony bit back his laughter when he saw Joe turn several shades of red.

"Don't forget about Callie – she and Iola both got gold medals," Frank said.

"Congratulations! The drinks are on me! So what kind of monster pizza do you want…" Tony paused. "Then I'll take Chet's order!"

"Ha-ha, don't quit your day job!" Chet rolled his eyes.

"Aww, Chet you know I'm just—"

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?! Put that back!"

Tony turned around and frowned. When he had seen the group of boys walk in he knew they were trouble. Two of the teens were at another table stealing slices of pizza.

"I'll be back, guys."

Sitting on the edge of his seat Joe watched as Tony approached the table. A family of four sat there; the father had risen, an angry expression on his face.

"My family and I are trying to enjoy a night out, please leave us alone!"

"Hey, Spike – should we leave them alone?" asked the dark-haired teen before he took a bite of the pizza slice.

"Naaah…we want to enjoy a night out too!" laughed Spike as he looked over at his other friends.

"Have your fun somewhere else!" Tony glared at the two teens. "I want you and your buddies to leave!"

Spike glanced back at his buddies then turned to face Tony as the rest of his group joined him.

Joe saw the rest of the gang get up and quickly shot out of his chair. Frank followed and managed to place a hand on his brother's shoulder, silently telling him to calm down. Chet also joined them.

Wanting to lend a hand, Iola and Callie helped the mother take her children away from the now dangerous situation.

The Hardys, Tony and Chet tensed when they heard the click of a switchblade opening. Spike smiled evilly as he tightly gripped the knife.

*endofchapter*endofchapter*