Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to leave me such kind words on my last stories. This story is the last one in my little 'mini-series' of "Make a Wish," "Classified Secrets" and "Where Troubles Melt." Until "Fire and Ice," it was also my favorite—so I hope that you enjoy it as well! You do not need to read any of the others in order to understand this one—just some scenes are alluded to. The storyis completed and is 30 chapters long. I will update in a timely fashion. Hope ya like it!
Capital Pursuits
Chapter 1
"Frank! Heads up!"
Eighteen- year old Frank Hardy had only seconds to turn around as the football came flying towards him and slammed into the back of his neck.
"Ow!" Frank complained, immediately reaching back to rub the sore spot on his neck. He shot his brother, Joe, who was a year younger, a dirty look.
He had been innocently sitting on the lawn in his backyard getting ready to set-up a makeshift picnic for him, his girlfriend, Callie, Joe, and Joe's girlfriend, Vanessa. It was a beautiful summer day, and he had been all set to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Recently, he and Joe had finished solving another case, and he was finally ready to set aside all investigative work and have a great summer before heading to Princeton University in the fall. He wanted to spend as much time relaxing as was humanly possible.
All of a sudden, he heard laughter in the distance, as he watched his brother try to suppress a smile. Vanessa, with whom Joe had been tossing the football, covered her mouth as well.
"What's so funny?" he asked again, rolling his neck back to loosen it up. Already, he could feel it begin to stiffen.
"Are you okay, Frank?" Vanessa finally had the presence of mind to ask.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks for asking, Vanessa. It's more than some people would do," Frank added, staring pointedly at his brother.
Finally, Joe couldn't help it. He burst out laughing, and then jogged over to his older brother and plopped down next to him. "Frank," he said with a smile, "You DO know that "heads up" means "watch out", right? I mean, you're not really supposed to put your head up!" Joe's blue eyes twinkled as he teased his brother
Frank blushed. "Well, next time, just say 'watch out', then," he finally conceded.
"Sure thing, big brother," Joe said, patting his brother on the back. "But now, I think we could use more soda."
Frank stared at the ground and noticed what his brother was referring to. After the football had hit Frank, it had bounced over and made the cups of soda, which Frank had just finished setting out, its next target.
"I think you ought to go and get the napkins," he said at last to Joe. "I mean, this is YOUR fault."
"No, it's not. It's Vanessa's. SHE didn't catch the football." He glanced over at Vanessa and gave her a quick wink. He knew that Vanessa would realize he was only kidding. Somehow, being around his tall, pretty blonde girlfriend always put him in a more relaxed mood. Very few people knew how to take his sense of humor all of the time. Vanessa, fortunately, did.
"Oh, really, Joe Hardy? I think all that detective work has finally gotten to you and you've lost your mind." She grinned at him. "However, I will assist you in getting the napkins—and more soda, too, from the looks of it." She stood up, and offered Joe her hand. "Coming?"
Joe laughed. "You need assistance with napkins and soda? Geez!" he replied. "Women-- look how weak they are!"
That got a good punch on the arm from Vanessa.
"Hey!" he protested.
Vanessa narrowed her eyes. "Come along, Joseph. I was going to say that YOU need assistance with the supplies. I'll supervise," she said, with a smug smile. "After all, poor little old weak me might not be able to handle such a big project."
Frank laughed, as Joe groaned. "I guess I'll be back in a few minutes, then," he said to Frank, and followed Vanessa into the house.
On the way in, Joe and Vanessa bumped into Callie, who was making her way outside, carrying sandwiches on a plate.
"Mmmmm," Joe said, grabbing for one. Callie instantly smacked his hand away with a playful shove.
"Not yet, buddy," she said with a smile. "If Frank and I can wait, you can, too! Why are you coming inside, anyway?" she asked.
"Long story," Vanessa said with a wink, and continued into the kitchen with Joe.
Callie ventured outside, and placed the sandwich platter on the picnic blanket on the ground. Then, she turned to her boyfriend. "Hey, handsome," she said to him with a smile as she sat down next to him.
Frank put an arm around her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Hey, beautiful," he replied, and pulled her into a hug. He held her a moment longer than necessary, and took an instant to appreciate the time. He and Callie had been together for almost four years, and had been through a lot together. Recently, she had been very ill, but fortunately, she was going to be all right. Despite her fatigue and daily radiation treatments for cancer, Callie remained positive and upbeat, never letting her illness slow her down. He knew it would be months before she would be totally cured, but she would be, and that was the best news he could ever think of. She was looking healthier and more beautiful every day, and he couldn't imagine being without her. It was that thought that brought him back to reality.
Releasing Callie, he asked her, "So, have you decided what college you're going to yet?" He knew Callie had been seriously considering going to Stanford, and secretly Frank was hoping she wouldn't go there, since it was all the way across the country from Princeton.
Callie sighed, but smiled, as she helped Frank spread out the dishes and the silverware. She was about to respond when she noticed the sticky spot on the blanket. "What happened to the soda and the blanket?" she asked him.
"Joe happened to it," Frank said, rolling his eyes as he related the story to her.
Callie laughed as she listened to Frank. "Well that explains it!" she giggled. "Poor baby! Are you okay?" she asked him, teasingly.
"I'll make it," Frank replied.
"That's good to know," Callie responded, laughing. "Anyway, about college…"
"What about college?" Joe asked, as he plopped next to Frank and Callie, carrying soda and napkins. Vanessa sat down next to him.
"See what he can do under direct instruction and supervision?" Vanessa said, feigning seriousness.
"Yeah, he's trainable. Like a dog," Frank replied equally seriously.
"Hey!" Joe again protested. "Your mockery- it hurts me. Doesn't anyone care about my feelings?!" he asked, pretending to be offended.
"No!" The group responded simultaneously, and then dissolved into laughter.
Joe sighed, accepting their teasing. He was trying to appreciate every moment he had left with his brother and friends before Frank and Callie went off to college.
"So, Cal? What is it? I think Hawaii is a nice choice for college," he said to her, as he dug into potato chips,
"You just want to get rid of me!" Callie said.
"Well…" Joe teased her.
Callie tossed some chips at him playfully, and then became more thoughtful. "I don't know," she mused. "I have a lot of options. Wherever I go, I'd have to find a doctor locally—at least, for a few months."
Joe nodded. That was nothing to tease Callie about. In their last case, he had learned what a remarkably strong person she was and, although he loved to joke around with her, and they certainly could get on each other's nerves, he would always support her, especially when it came to her health.
Then, Callie grinned. "A doctor, Joe. For my illness, NOT my pregnancy," she said with a twinkle in her soft brown eyes. "My car is looking great these days, by the way. Thanks!"
"Mine, too," Frank added with a smile, taking a bite of his sandwich.
Joe groaned, recalling the serious communication problem he had with Callie and Frank on their last case, which resulted in his making amends to them by washing their cars all the time. THAT was one thing he wouldn't miss when they went away to school. "Point made," he said at last.
"You know," Callie continued, "There are a few schools that I am considering, though, around here. I think I want to do something with reporting or writing or … law, even… and there are several schools in the D.C. area that I'd like to check out."
Frank couldn't help but to smile, thinking that Callie might stay relatively close to him. They hadn't really discussed what they would do if they went to different colleges, although Frank knew he wanted to do his best to stay together with Callie. Scratch that, he thought to himself. I WILL stay together with her. Turning to her, he asked, "Oh, yeah?" trying to sound nonchalant. "Which ones?"
"I don't know," Callie said. "I've been accepted to Georgetown and American. It's too bad I haven't had a chance to check them out, yet," she added.
Frank was surprised. "Cal! What other schools have you been accepted to?!" He couldn't believe it. Callie was very smart, and once in a while she'd mention a top school that she'd been accepted to. It seemed like everywhere she applied, she got in.
"Hmmm…" Callie said, eyes sparkling. "It's a secret," she laughed.
"Why?" Vanessa interjected.
"Why is it a secret?" Callie asked. "It's not, really. I was just kidding. BUT…" she paused, "I WOULD like to check out some of those schools."
"So why don't we?" Joe asked. "I mean, come on! It's summer vacation!!! Washington D.C. is supposed to be great for its parks, its clubs, and its sports arenas," he said.
Vanessa rolled her eyes. "And its colleges, government institutions, and museums," she cut in.
Joe smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, that too, I guess."
Frank laughed at his brother. "Well," he began, addressing the group. "Joe's actually right about something. Why DON'T we go? We can stay for a week or so and check out the sites. There are a lot of museums I'd like to see," he said, thoughtfully.
"And I can see the colleges!" Callie added.
"And I can check out the sports facilities!" Joe smiled.
Vanessa stared at Joe and shook her head, and then turned to the group. "And I can check out the guys!" she said.
"Whatever!" Joe said, taken aback. Then, he squinted at her. "You're gonna pay for that!" he said, and reached out to grab her. Vanessa, laughing, cried out, "I don't think so!" and began to run away from him. Frank and Callie laughed as they watched Joe chase his girlfriend.
"So, you really want to do this?!" Callie asked, turning to Frank.
"Yeah, I really do," he said with a smile, and leaned over to give her a kiss.
"Well, we're off to Washington, D.C., then," Callie said softly to him, giving him a quick hug. "IF we can catch Joe!"
Frank and Callie smiled as they heard Joe and Vanessa dissolve into laughter in the distance.
"Here's to a successful trip," Frank said to Callie, tipping his soda glass to hers.
"Cheers!" she responded.
Together, they began to plan their trip.
