Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the book characters.
Thank you: Wendylouwho10 who read over the story for me and made content suggestions, helped with the flow, and provided some spelling/grammar corrections. Typos are mine and I discover them all the time. :-)
Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is blue spine-ish and AU. Timeline: Taken; Recovery; Retribution; Wild Pitch; and now this story. While you don't NEED to read the previous stories, things will be referenced and perhaps even some from my younger Hardys stories.
Author's Notes: IluvJoe's follow-up:"... will we get to see a love triangle ?" Not in this story. Everyone will have to wait and see how this story ends. ;-) And to mini: "...I think the pacing is a little slow..." Just know I didn't take this the wrong way. :-) I understand the love of the action, but I've always been a bit of a 'plodder.' I tend to like stories that provide a lot of back detail and so I tend to write that way. But I have to say when I reread stories, I often skip the background info and go to the action for the reread. :-) But I still remember the backstory even when I don't reread it. So, with that said, things will pick up a little... but it may still be a touch slow. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed! I do like reading them!
Chapter Six
As the alarm blared, Joe's arm flailed out to turn it off. After several smacks he was able to cut it off and then he rolled from his stomach onto his back. Blinking bleary eyes up at the popcorn ceiling that had a sprinkler right overhead, he remembered where he was and who he was with. Cautiously, he looked over and saw that Vanessa was on her side turned away from him. She was either still asleep or was just ignoring the alarm and him in an attempt to limit the strangeness of the situation. Whichever was the case, he was fine with it as there were sure to be plenty of embarrassing moments to come. He carefully got out of the bed and went over to his 'cover luggage' and pulled out a pair of shorts that were made for boxing/MMA along with a t-shirt. Johnson had said he would be sparring and learning most of the day so he might as well go ahead and dress for it. He cast one more glance over his shoulder and saw that Vanessa's eyes were still closed. "Vanessa," he called to her. Vanessa's eyes opened easily which told Joe she hadn't really been asleep.
"I know," she said. "Time to get up." She glanced to the clock. "I'll be dressed by the time you get out and then we can work on our hair together," she said with a smile.
"Sounds like a plan," Joe said as he smiled back. Then he headed into the bathroom for his shower.
Fifteen minutes later he opened the door. Just as she had said, Vanessa was dressed. She was looking at the id's that they were given. They had taken a picture of Joe after his haircut and used that for the photo on his license. The id's had been in their room last night though they hadn't looked at them very much. "I guess we should start using our cover names today so we get used to them," she said. "Valerie Duval and Jake Petrov."
Joe rubbed a dry towel over his head again. "Well, I guess they gave us names starting with the same sound to help out a little."
Vanessa put the licenses down and looked at Joe's hair and then the clock. "We've got ten minutes before Agent Johnson gets here. I think that's plenty of time to spike your hair. Let's get to it, Jake," Vanessa said as she stood up and moved to Joe's cover suitcase. "Ahh," she said as she pulled out a bottle of sculpting gel. "This should do nicely."
Joe couldn't help but eye the bottle skeptically, but proceeded to apply the product to his hair as she told him what to do. Her reasoning of 'you can't expect me to do your hair for you everyday' made sense. So between the gel and her hairdryer, Joe was ready when the knock sounded on the door.
Today it was Agent Williams who stood at the door. When Joe opened it, Angela Williams gave him an appraising look. "Well, you certainly look different than when I last saw you."
Deciding to go ahead and get into character a little more, Joe tilted his chin up a little and crossed his arms over his chest. "What else did you expect?" he responded somewhat belligerently.
Agent Williams chuckled slightly as she saw Vanessa standing behind Joe. "Nothing less, Jake. Nothing less."
A hint of a smile tilted the corners of Joe's mouth up. "We were expecting Agent Johnson."
"He'll be joining you later, but I'll be taking you down to breakfast in the cafeteria and answering any questions that you may have come up with since he saw you yesterday."
Vanessa closed the door to the room slipping the key in her pocket as the trio headed toward the elevator. "So how many days do we get here before we're moved to the Detroit area?" she asked as she moved up to walk beside Joe and just behind the agent.
With a glance over her shoulder, Williams said, "As long as Joe turns out to be as good as Frank told us, you'll be flying out by tomorrow night."
Joe stopped dead in his tracks. He had known the turnaround would be fast, but barely two days was a little faster than he expected.
Angela stopped and looked behind her at the pair who were at varying distances behind her. "Keo told you that we'd need to get you out there fast. This can't be a surprise to you. Plus, even after you get there, there will be some time for you and Vanessa to build your relationship as you won't be immediately asked to join the organization." That seemed to be all that the agent felt was necessary as she continued her walk to the elevator.
Vanessa stepped back and grabbed Joe's arm. "They won't send us if they don't think we can do it," she whispered loudly to him.
"I know," he said as he leaned over slightly. "But what if they evaluate me and I'm not good enough to go?"
Vanessa smirked up at him, "Then you have a really cool new haircut to show all your friends back home."
Joe was laughing as they entered the elevator that Williams was holding for them. "It's not fair that you don't have a matching one," he joked back.
"Mine would take a lot longer to grow back that yours."
"Yeah, I guess it would," he replied in kind. Then looking at the agent, he said, "So when do I get my evaluation?"
"We'll wait a couple of hours after you eat before we start that. In the meantime, I'll be answering your questions and I'll be quizzing you on your cover and giving you additional information that could be helpful."
"Sounds like a full morning," Joe said.
"With your training, it will be a full day," was the agent's succinct reply.
Joe watched the numbers light up in a descending pattern as the elevator went down. "Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to need a hot shower and some Icy Hot tonight?"
"It's probably just your instincts telling you the truth," Williams said with a smile.
"Great," Joe muttered as they exited the elevator.
In moments they entered the cafeteria which was already busy with various staff and agents. As the three entered the buffet line, Agent Williams cautioned Joe. "Now you can get whatever you want, but remember, you'll be getting an intense workout in just a few hours."
Joe looked longingly at the spread of food before him as Vanessa chuckled behind him. He turned and gave her a small scowl as he spooned some eggs on his plate along with some fresh fruit. He grabbed a container of yogurt and some toast. He put his food on the table and returned to the line to get a bowl of cereal and a glass of orange juice.
When he returned, Vanessa was staring at him. "And this is you going light?"
With a frown at his plate and then her, he replied, "At an all you can eat breakfast buffet? Yeah, this is definitely me going light. Did you see the waffles and the made to order omelets?" The frown returned to his face as he saw the omelet on her plate. He stabbed his fork into his eggs as he watched her cut into her omelet.
"So, what questions do you have for me?" Agent Williams asked once they had all gotten a few bites in.
"What's Frank's cover name?" Vanessa asked.
"David Winder," Williams said evenly.
"I still have problems believing that Frank was okay with me doing this," Joe said as he bit down on a piece of toast. However, he noticed a slight frown on the agent's face before it disappeared. But Joe was the son of Fenton Hardy and the look he had seen wasn't something to be ignored. Swallowing the toast he continued with his train of thought. "He does know that you're planning on sending me in doesn't he?"
Agent Williams put down her utensils as she prepared to answer.
"Agent Williams, he does know. Right?" Vanessa questioned as well.
"No."
Both Joe and Vanessa were quiet.
"Frank told his trainers about your fighting skills during his training and then the FBI already had data on your abilities to remain calm in stressful situations. It was ORT command that decided that you should be given the opportunity and to be honest this is a new program and we don't have anyone else trained to do this yet." Williams leaned forward. "Command feels that you paired with Vanessa and Frank have the best opportunity to get this mission completed."
Joe nodded at her. "Frank and I already know how the other thinks, how the other fights, and trust won't need to be built between us."
"Exactly," Williams said as she sat back.
Vanessa looked from Williams to Joe. "I can't believe you're all right with this."
Joe picked up his piece of toast again and said, "If it wasn't in those reports you read, I can tell you that I trust me watching Frank's back more than any ORT agent." Joe looked to Williams and said, "No offense intended."
"None taken," she replied glibly.
Turning back to Vanessa he continued, "Frank's usually the one that gets a little freaked out when he's not in control, but I have a touch of it too. At least where people I care about are concerned." He shrugged and said, "As long as they think I can handle the fighting side of it, I'm good." He glanced at Williams and added, "I'm good even if I'm a little sub-par if it means I can help Frank." Williams gave a slight nod of acknowledgement as Joe bit into the toast. When he glanced at Vanessa, she only shook her head as she began to cut up her omelet once again.
Two hours later the trio had finished going over the cover identities and discussing what was known about the computer system and how Vanessa and Frank would get the information. It was a three part process: getting into the system; plugging in the USB stick drive that was a mobile hotspot as well as an encoded program that would scan the hard drive and upload to ORT all the files it thought relative; and finally removing the drive and shutting down the system leaving no trace of tampering. Williams had indicated that the three of them could determine how and who would get the information. The 'when' was the sooner the better. Now that they were finished with Agent Williams they were going to the gym for Joe's MMA evaluation. Everything they had done so far was based on the assumption that he could handle himself in the ring. If he couldn't then they would have to pull Frank and start over.
Joe was slightly nervous as they entered one of ORT gym facilities. A lot was riding on this and he had no idea what Frank and his father had told them about his fighting abilities. His eyes scanned the facility and noted the exits and the fact that there were only a few agents in the room at the moment. With the space being as big as the floor of a high school gym, it made the area seem rather empty. He continued to follow the agent as she led them past several floor mats, a couple of boxing rings and finally to an octagon raised platform that had chain link fencing around it. They walked around it until they arrived at the steps and the door into the ring.
Waiting for them there was a man slightly taller than Joe with short sandy brown hair. Stepping forward, he said, "I'm Agent Jim Overman and you must be Joe Hardy and Vanessa Bender."
"That's correct," Joe responded as he leaned forward to shake Overman's hand. "Did you work with my brother?"
Overman chuckled. "Yes I did. I wouldn't want to get into a fight with him on the street. He definitely knows his karate and kept me on my toes."
Knowing how good his brother was, Joe became a little more nervous about sparring with this man. What if Frank gave him unrealistic expectations of Joe's abilities? Joe knew that his father had also talked to agents Williams and Johnson about his abilities. Still, he was a little hesitant as he said, "I'm not sure what Frank told you about my training, but I literally lasted about two months in karate before I stopped taking it." Then his face turned red as he continued. "Frank's shown me a few things recently as well as my mom who's been taking private lessons."
He could feel Vanessa staring at him as she repeated somewhat skeptically, "Your mom."
Joe cut his eyes to Vanessa and then back to Overman, "Yeah, my mom. Don't make any judgments until you meet her."
Overman laughed. "Actually, I don't think I'd want to face Laura Hardy in a street fight either. Frank told me she's quite good." He clapped Joe on the shoulder and moved closer to the ring. "Now don't worry. This beginning part is all about me getting a feel for your style, strengths, and weaknesses. Go ahead and take off your shirt and shoes. I have some headgear and gloves for you to wear while we spar. I don't want you going to Michigan looking too beat up. It would give the wrong impression." Overman turned and grabbed the items and gave them to Joe once he was ready.
Joe took a deep breath as he entered the enclosed area and Overman closed the door behind them.
"Okay, we're going to go with the more rational rules as I get a feel for your abilities. No hitting below the belt, no eye gouging, and no hitting the back of the head on a downed opponent. Overman then called out to someone. "Set the timer for five minutes."
Joe watched as a panel on the wall lit up with a clock and began counting down. So there was someone else monitoring the room that he couldn't see. This was probably being taped as well. Interesting. Overman stuck his fist out and Joe bumped it with his own and the two began circling each other.
.**********.
Vanessa watched them circle and then Joe punched at Overman and missed. Overman had moved out of the way easily. Overman took a swing of his own that missed and followed with a leg kick to the side of Joe's thigh. It wasn't enough to take Joe down but Vanessa was sure it hurt. Joe then went into a flurry of fast punches that had Overman backpedaling. Some of the punches connected and Vanessa could see that he was shaking off the effects. Overman countered with a combination of punches and kicks. This exchange of blows went took up most of the time allotted. At the one minute remaining mark, Overman did a roundhouse kick that caught the side of Joe's head and left him slightly stunned. Overman quickly moved in to attempt a two-legged takedown but Joe threw his legs out behind him in the sprawl defense. Overman went down to the mat with Joe in the upper position. The agent quickly rolled to his back before Joe could take a dominant position on his back. Williams and Vanessa watched as Joe moved to get on top of Overman in what MMA calls full mount, but Overman was too fast and Joe ended up in a full guard position.
Keeping her eyes on the match, Williams said, "The position you see in front of you is called full guard." She paused as she watched Joe rain down fists and elbows on Overman's head. Overman was blocking some of Joe's hits while getting a few jabs in to Joe's head and chest. "Joe is stuck between Overman's legs. You can see the agent has his legs wrapped around Joe keeping him from getting up or into a more advantageous position."
Looking at the abuse the man was taking on the mat, she asked, "It doesn't look like Overman's in a good position."
Williams laughed. "No, it doesn't look that way but it is. It's better than the alternative of Joe sitting on chest, possibly pinning his arms and pounding the heck out of him." Williams glanced to the clock and watched the seconds tick down. "And Overman knows that he only has to last until the buzzer," which sounded as she spoke.
Vanessa watched as Overman released Joe from the guard position and Joe reached down and gave him a hand up. An agent, or perhaps just one of the gym staff, came over with some water and towels and put them inside the ring. She was just going to move closer to see what Joe and Overman were talking about when Agent Williams spoke.
"He's quite a handsome young man."
Vanessa's brows drew together as she looked quizzically at Williams. "Excuse me?"
Williams nodded in Joe's direction. "Joe. He's an attractive young man."
"Um. Isn't this a little bit unprofessional?" Vanessa asked with a frown.
Agent Williams gave a small laugh and shook her head. "You're right, I'm not handling this well, but then we've never had agents as young as this new group that you are in." She looked at Joe and then back to Vanessa. "Since I've just made myself sound like a pervert, let me just go ahead and be straightforward as I'm obviously not good at going about this tactfully."
"Please do," Vanessa concurred.
"You've been with ORT since January and have had a complete physical and blood work-up. Joe has not. He'll get blood work done if he passes this eval with Overman. You're young and attractive and so is he. You'll be sharing a room and a bed."
Vanessa could feel her blood heating up.
"You're already on birth control-"
"But not for that reason," Vanessa said vehemently but softly.
"Nevertheless," Williams continued, "you don't have any STDs but we don't know about Joe. If the two of you decide to do something-"
"We're on a mission," Vanessa practically hissed. "We CAN be professional."
Williams' facial expression was serious. "Things happen, Vanessa. I just wanted you to know that if-" she raised her hand to forestall another protest from Vanessa. "IF something were to occur, there are condoms packed in your luggage."
Vanessa frowned at Agent Williams and crossed her arms over her chest. "And I'll be returning ALL of them to you when we complete this mission. And just so you know I don't sleep around and definitely not with a guy who has a girlfriend."
"I understand, Ms. Bender."
Vanessa had no idea what happened for the next fifteen to twenty minutes. She knew that Joe and Overman continued their sparring, but she couldn't get her mind off what Agent Williams had said. Finally, she looked at the agent and asked, "Are you going to have this talk with Joe too?"
"Actually, Agent Johnson was going to."
"Don't bother. I'll tell him myself," Vanessa said calmly with a touch of ice.
"There's no reason to be upset, Vanessa. We're just making sure that everyone is aware of what could happen."
Vanessa knew she was right, but it still felt weird and awkward. After taking a deep breath, she finally dropped her crossed arms to her sides. "I just don't understand. He has a girlfriend."
Agent Williams raised an eyebrow at the young girl. "And you've never known a boy who cheated on his girlfriend?"
"Of course I have," Vanessa said with exasperation. "But I wouldn't cheat with him. And for that matter, you obviously didn't read the FBI reports on Joe Hardy."
This time, Agent Williams frowned. "I have read them quite thoroughly."
Smirking at the agent, Vanessa turned her attention and her gaze back to the ring. "Then you must have read about a different Joe Hardy. Because the Joe Hardy that was willing to face an unknown fate in a basement to save Iola would never cheat on her."