I am so, so sorry for the delay in posting this story. Life has been very busy! This story follows "Make a Wish" and "Classified Secrets".Thus, even though you can certainly read this story in isolation, the plots build upon one another. WARNING-- there is a serious subplot regarding Callie, and Joe is still dealing with the repercussions of choosing Vanessa over Iola. The story is completed, so don't worry about a lack of updates. It has 30 chapters, FYI. I hope that you all enjoy it!

Where Troubles Melt

Chapter 1

"Well, you did it, bro!" exclaimed blonde, seventeen- year -old Joe Hardy to his older brother, Frank. "Can you believe it? Four long years and now it's all over. What will you do with all your time now that you're a big, bad college man?" He gave Frank a series of quick pats on his shoulder in congratulations.

The boys had just walked through the door of their home in Bayport after returning from the graduation ceremony at the high school. Frank, an accomplished senior, had won a number of awards and scholarships, and was on practically a full scholarship to Princeton University in nearby New Jersey. Joe knew that in a few short months, his dark-haired older brother would be leaving him behind to start life anew. Deep down, Joe was worried about losing the bond that he shared with his brother. They were more than brothers; they were best friends and partners in their investigative pursuits, and Joe had no idea what he would do without having Frank immediately nearby. However, he saw no reason to let Frank know that.

Frank just laughed at his brother's teasing. "Gee, Joe, I have no idea. I guess I'll relax, hang out, and finally get some peace and quiet away from you!" The sparkle in Frank's eyes indicated to Joe that he was only kidding, and he smiled in return.

"Yeah, yeah. Well, now I'll be a senior, so Bayport High better watch out!" Joe said, thinking of all the fun he'd be having next year in school. He'd managed to plan his schedule so that he was taking fairly easy, but interesting, courses next year. Despite facing a year without Frank, Joe planned to have a lot of fun. He counted on spending the year with his girlfriend, Vanessa Bender, his buddies, and his sports. With any luck, he'd be able to win some sort of scholarship to college for sports. He might never be a Princeton man, but he'd certainly make his parents and his brother proud of him.

Frank's voice brought him back to reality. "Joe, I have no doubt that Bayport High ought to watch out for you. I can just imagine what you'll be up to next year!" Frank finally removed his graduation gown and placed it neatly over the back of the kitchen chair. He then pulled out the chair and sat down. Joe sat next to him.

Frank looked over to his brother and shook his head. He, himself, couldn't believe that high school was over. It had certainly been a long and interesting ride. He had always enjoyed academics and managed to do quite well, but he loved sports and detective work just as much, both of which he had spent the past years dedicated to. He and Joe had managed to get involved in everything from finding lost kittens to chasing international terrorists to averting disaster and disarming bombs, both of which had been the scenario in their last case. Somehow, he couldn't get used to the idea of his normal life being any different, but he knew it was finally time to move on. And, although he was a bit nervous, Frank was also excited about the opportunities that lay before him.

"So, Joe, gonna miss me?" Frank asked, playfully.

"Nah," Joe replied, indignantly. "Besides, I'm sure you'll come visit a lot. Plus, without you, I'll be the real star of the baseball and football team. I've gotten rid of my competition!"

Frank rolled his eyes. "Of course. I had forgotten for a moment how selfless and humble you were. Forgive me."

Joe was about to respond when his parents and his Aunt Gertrude, who lived with them, came walking through the door. As usual, his aunt was chatting a mile a minute as she plopped herself down between the brothers.

"Frank!" she exclaimed, excitedly. "I was just telling your father what a WONDERFUL ceremony that was. I hollered out your name as soon as I saw you. I said 'that's my nephew' and everyone within earshot all the way around could hear me cheering!"

Frank suppressed a smile. "I'm sure they could, Aunt Gertrude."

"And do you know what else?" She continued without leaving Frank time to respond. "I also yelled for your friends. I met a lovely woman- what was her name? Oh, never mind- and I said 'that's my nephew's friend Phil, and that's Tony, and there's his girlfriend, Callie' and they were all so impressed with how many friends you had."

Joe snorted out loud, and his voice dripped with sarcasm. "Frank has friends? I didn't know that!"

"Joseph! That is inappropriate! This is your brother's graduation day. I mean, you're making a liar out of me. Tell him- tell your brother how loudly I was supporting him!"

"Gertrude," Fenton Hardy, the boys' father, cut in. "You were, indeed, quite vociferous. Somehow, I think Frank knows that. However, maybe we ought to let him have some breathing room now. I mean, we just got home…"

"Of course!" she replied. Then, just as suddenly, she yelled at Frank. "Frank Hardy! You left the house looking so handsome in your suit, and now look at you. What am I to do with you? I'll be right back!" With that, she headed into the other room.

All four Hardys looked at each other in amazement. Aunt Gertrude seemed to be a maelstrom blowing in with fury and exiting just as quickly. She was truly a wonder. Frank looked down at his navy blue suit and conservative tie and, at first, had no idea what it was to which his Aunt was referring. Then, he saw it. Joe had left his fleece baseball jacket on the back of the chair he was now sitting on. As was typical of Joe, it was crumpled into a ball and he hadn't bothered to remove all of the little pilfered cotton balls on it. Now, Frank' suit jacket was covered in these little white balls.

"Nice going, Joe," Frank said quietly to his brother, loud enough for him to hear but for his parents to miss.

"Oh, honey, maybe you should change. Be careful about leaving things lying around in the future, okay?" Laura Hardy spoke directly to Frank.

"Sorry," Frank mumbled, covering for his brother. Joe smiled. That was one of the things he would miss most about his brother—who would get him out of trouble in the future?

Fifteen minutes later, Frank was fully cleaned off with the service of Aunt Gertrude's lint brush. Joe laughed as his Aunt fussed affectionately, if somewhat irritatingly, over his brother.

Fenton, sensing that Frank was growing frustrated, interrupted. "So, son, have you any plans for this evening? We could all go out to dinner."

Frank looked up at his father. "Actually, Dad, I'm going to the Shaws'. Callie and I are going to dinner with her parents, but thanks for asking." Frank realized his mom was disappointed by the look on her face. "But, um, we could come over here later and have dessert or something," he added quickly.

Laura looked happier. "Oh, that'd be lovely! It'd be nice to see Callie as well."

Joe couldn't help but to add, "Tell Callie she definitely needs to eat some desert!"

Frank sighed in frustration. "You now, Joe, that really isn't necessary. Callie hasn't been feeling well lately—she's tired a lot. That's why she lost weight." Frank held back any further comment. Notoriously, Joe and his long-time girlfriend argued over silly things, but after their latest case, they seemed to be getting along better. And, Frank really was concerned about her. Callie happened to be beautiful, but Frank loved her for her good nature, impetuousness, and intelligence. He could really care less about how she looked. However, even he had noticed that, in recent months, she had a noticeable weight loss, and, although she kept insisting that she was fine, he wanted to make sure.

Joe felt bad almost immediately. "Sorry. I didn't mean anything. I hope she's feeling better."

"Yeah, me too. Don't you say a word to her about it, either, or I'll kick your…"

"Frank!" Fenton's strategic interruption startled Frank.

"Yes, Dad?"

"How IS Callie? I mean, you two are pretty serious. Has she decided where she's going to school yet?"

Frank paused. "Well, she got in everywhere she applied." He smiled, feeling proud of his girlfriend. People always misjudged her since she was pretty and popular. Few realized that she was right at the top of the class. He continued. "She was seriously considering Stanford and UCLA, but she may stick around here."

"UCLA?" Joe barged in. "Wow! You'd definitely break up then! That's all the way across the country. You'd never make that work."

Frank felt himself getting angry. "Look, Joe, we WILL make it work, okay? No matter what she decides to do. When you love someone, you find ways to be together. You know," he said, rising from the table, "Callie and I are a lot more serious than you think. We're more serious than a lot of people think! Excuse me. I have to get ready to go out."

Frank left the table and headed upstairs, leaving Joe staring, open-mouthed, at him.

"Geez," he muttered. "What's with him?"

Fenton sat next to Joe and put his arm around his son. "He'll be okay, Joe. He's probably just upset about leaving Callie, and your words touched a chord with him. Give him a little time. And- well, try to be a little more sensitive, okay? Put yourself in his position. How would you feel if something happened where you couldn't be with Vanessa?"

Joe sighed. He heard a phone ring in the distance. Suddenly it stopped. Frank must have picked it up. Turning to his father, Joe said, "You're right. I'll go apologize. I wonder what he meant about being more serious than we know about?"

"He's probably blowing off steam. Leave him be."

"Probably." Joe smiled at his dad, and then, taking a deep breath, he went to speak to his brother before he headed off to Callie's. Hearing Frank's voice on the phone, Joe waited for the conversation to finish. He hadn't intended on listening in; that just sort of happened.

"Yeah, I know," Frank replied into the receiver, laughing. Then, his tone changed. "Listen, I really want to do this. I'd like your help in picking it out. Cost is no object, really. My college money is mine now that I have all these scholarships."

Now, Joe was curious. He looked into Frank's bedroom, and saw him lying on his bed, talking. "Yeah, man. I want it to be really special. I mean, we've been together for four years. I just want it to really say "I love you', you know? I want to surprise her. I don't think she'll expect it at all."

Joe's eyes widened.

"I am totally sure. I guess it's time to go ring shopping! Won't everyone be surprised?!"

Joe gasped and covered his mouth in disbelief. Frank was getting engaged.