Survival Instincts

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the book characters.

Thank you: Wendylouwho10 as always for being my sounding board and flow checker. ;-D Typos and grammar errors are mine.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Continues my "Taken" series. This one comes after "Debts." Setting started out as kinda blue spine with a touch of Casefiles and is now very AU. F/20 J/18.

Summary: Next in the "Taken" series after "Debts." F/20 J/18. What was pitched as a babysitting assignment at a week-long country club survival camp with little risk turns into a cathartic experience for Joe as he faces old wounds. Vanessa and Frank are along for the ride and face their own concerns as the assignment turns out to be more than babysitting.

Author's Notes: I'll list the story sequence here but it won't appear again until the next story:

Taken
Recovery
Retribution
Wild Pitch
Undercover Trouble: Covert Contention (yeah, I don't know, just got kinda wordy there)
For Who You Are
Mission Parameters
Debts
Survival Instincts

Chapter One

Frank, Joe, and Vanessa stopped their chatting as they checked in at the reception area of the non-descript ORT office on the outskirts of NYC.

"We have an appointment with Agent Johnson," Frank said with a smile as he leaned against the counter.

"He's expecting you: sixth floor, conference room 646," came the pleasant response.

"Thanks, Shannon," Joe said as the group turned for the elevator.

"No problem. Your father is already there," she responded.

"Dad?" Frank asked with a quizzical look.

"Yes, he arrived about an hour ago."

The three exchanged glances as they entered the elevator. None of them had known that Fenton would be attending. It added an unexpected dimension to the meeting. Discussion was at a minimum as they exited the confirmed space and headed the short distance down the corridor.

Agent Keo Johnson stood as the trio entered. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice," he said with a smile.

"It was no trouble," Vanessa replied with a glance at a rather quiet Fenton Hardy.

"What brings you here, dad?" Joe asked as he pulled a chair out for Vanessa and seated himself.

"Agent Johnson just wanted me to be in on the loop on this potential assignment since it isn't a regular one." Fenton's tone was calm but there was an edge to it that indicated that there was more going on than met the eye.

Frank hadn't missed the slight emphasis that his father had placed on the word 'potential' which meant his father wasn't certain of it. "Is there a problem?"

Before Fenton could say more, Johnson said, "Let me tell you what the assignment is. That will give you a better idea of questions to ask." Everyone nodded. "Another agency has requested the use of some ORT agents fitting specific criteria. That criterion is that the agents be skilled fighters, marksmen, problem-solvers who are college age."

"So that could be us," Vanessa said. "Why do they need those skills with that age requirement?"

"And what agency is this?" Frank asked sensing that this could be the problem his father was having.

"The agency name isn't important but the reason they need that age requirement is because they need some college students babysat over spring break." Johnson only paused for a moment. "The agency has a deep undercover operative whose cover is in jeopardy just as he is finishing his mission. These students are his children and could be used against him if his cover is blown."

"Why not just secret them away to a safe house until the end of the mission?" Joe asked as his gaze traveled between Johnson and his father.

"It was considered, but the risk is considered low and the kids don't know exactly what their father is involved in," Johnson answered.

"Ahhh," Vanessa looked at Johnson. "They're trying to keep the kids in the dark in order to help keep his cover for future missions."

"Short answer: yes."

"What would we be doing during this babysitting?" Frank probed further.

"Jeffrey and Brianna Zane will be attending a survival camp in northwestern VA. They're students at UVA and the camp is popular during spring break. Frank, you'd be going in as a student instructor helping out during break to earn some extra cash. Joe and Vanessa will go in as dating college students who just wanted to do this for fun," Johnson informed them looking at each in turn.

Frank looked with some concern at his brother before he answered. "I'm not sure that—"

Joe broke in. His gaze firmly locked on Johnson as he asked, "Survival camp? What kind of survival?"

Johnson didn't break the gaze. "It's really a country club type facility catering to rich students who want to say they've done a survival camp. It's nothing in-depth but kind of an introduction to a number of things including self-defense, learning to shoot, and outdoor survival."

"That's a lot to cover in a week," Joe said as he relaxed in his seat somewhat.

"Like I said, it's an introduction to people who have probably never even camped out." Johnson broke the visual lock he had with Joe to look at all of them. "You'd just be keeping a close eye on them and IF something happened, Joe and Vanessa would be in charge of getting them out of the camp while Frank would assist the agents there in protecting the other campers."

"Wait. Other agents?" Frank asked. "If there are other agents there, why do they need us?"

"Remember they're trying to keep Zane's cover," Johnson said.

"But there are other agents there," Frank continued. He noticed that for the first time Johnson looked uncomfortable. "Why are there other agents there?"

"Yes, why?" Fenton spoke for the first time. "Does it have something to do with that agency?"

Johnson drew a deep breath and let it out. "The agency uses that camp at times to train their own black ops agents when it's not open to the public."

Joe laughed, "A black op training camp in plain sight. I bet the camp is run by the agency."

Johnson nodded.

"What agency? And don't give me the 'it's not important' line again." Fenton's voice now had a tone that made his sons take note as it meant that he was seriously ticked.

"Network," Johnson said as he looked at Fenton.

Fenton let out a curse that would have had their Aunt Gertrude lecturing them for a week. "I don't want my sons or Vanessa involved with them, Agent Johnson."

Johnson threw his hands up in the air and leaned back in his chair causing it to roll slightly back. "It's babysitting, Fenton! Low risk."

Fenton crossed his arms over his chest. "Since when has the Network ever told you everything? If so, they were more honest with you than with me."

"Um, what's the Network?" Vanessa asked.

This time it was Fenton who answered. "They're a black ops government group who specializes in counter-terrorism, infiltration, and possibly assassination."

"How do you know them, dad?" Frank asked now that the agency name was out and it was obvious their father knew it.

"They've contracted me twice. Both times when you boys were little. The work was too dangerous for a man supporting a wife and two young children."

"What did you do?" Joe asked in curiosity.

"I went undercover for a couple of months each time to gain information. That's all I'll say. The rest is classified."

The room went silent as the three digested the information and Johnson assessed what he should say next.

"The Network needs our assistance. I won't force them to do the job, but if they don't there isn't another group that would fit in this well and quickly since it is just next week," Johnson said as he looked to Fenton.

Fenton glared at Johnson for a moment and turned the waiting three. "I won't tell you not to go but I will tell you to watch your backs and be on alert. The Network never tells you everything and sometimes the results can be painful." Fenton's tone softened and it was obvious that he had experienced this pain.

"If you'd give us a few minutes?" Frank asked the two older men who then left the room quietly. Once the door closed he said, "I vote no."

"Because of me or dad?" Joe asked as he swiveled his chair to look at his brother. "Because if it's me, then that's the wrong reason."

"Joe, it's a survival camp! Some of that… stuff is going to bring back painful memories for you."

Joe's tone was slightly sarcastic as he responded, "I KNOW it's a survival camp but there's nothing—"

"I vote yes." Vanessa said from the other side of Joe. Both boys turned to look at her. "What? Forget that I was in the room or just not thinking I had a vote?"

"Why?" Frank asked ignoring Vanessa's joking.

"Didn't you hear Johnson? We're the only ones."

"There are other agents there," Frank responded.

"But we'd be the best ones to get them out as well as not be noticed by anyone attacking. No one would suspect us," was her counter.

"I vote with Vanessa," Joe said as he spun back to his brother. "I can handle it and we're the only ones. Do you have a counter argument beside the other agents there?"

Frank shook his head no. "I don't. And to be honest, my main concern was you. But you've proven that you can handle just about anything."

Joe smiled. "Let's make Johnson happy."

"And dad less than happy," Frank added as he went to the door.