A/N: Okay, I had no idea the restraining order would draw such vehement – and opposite – reactions! LOL! But as Cheryl pointed out, the physical evidence points to Joe right now so the judge is erring on the side of caution in making sure he doesn't have access to Vanessa. And again as Cheryl mentioned, while Joe would have realized that if he were thinking clearly, at this time he wasn't so that's why he was just as surprised at the restraining order as some of you were. ;-)
Thank you very much for ALL the reviews! I appreciate each and every one of them and that you took the time to review at all.
Under The Influence
Chapter 7
Andrew stood and snapped his briefcase shut, waiting for Joe to move. Looking down he saw the look of shock and utter disbelief on the younger Hardy's face.
"Joe? It's over. You can go home now," Andrew prodded him.
Slowly, Joe looked up at his attorney, incredulous. "Did you know about the restraining order?" Joe demanded.
"Not specifically, but it would be standard procedure," Andrew replied, noticing the look of annoyance being directed their way by both the judge and bailiff. Reaching down he took Joe's arm, trying to nudge him to get up.
"No, Andrew!" Joe pulled his arm away. "I won't agree to that as a condition of bail! I have to see Vanessa!" Joe hissed angrily.
"You don't have a choice, Joe!" Andrew replied in a harsh whisper. "You either accept the conditions of bail – all of them – or you go to prison…now!"
"Mr. Worth, is there a problem?" The judge's voice clearly held a note of impatience.
"Yes!" "No!" Joe and Andrew replied simultaneously.
"No, Your Honor, there is no problem," Andrew said emphatically, quickly overriding Joe's affirmative reply as he physically pushed Joe away from the table towards the exit at the back of the courtroom.
Watching from his seat, Frank knew immediately there would be trouble from Joe when the judge mentioned the restraining order. He mentally kicked himself, knowing that if he had taken the time to think things through, he would have known Joe would be barred from seeing Vanessa and he would have been able to prepare his brother for it.
Seeing the obvious argument taking place between Joe and Andrew, but unable to hear what was being said, Frank began to rise from his seat. Patience was not Joe's strong suit and it didn't take a lot to set him off under the best of circumstances. Knowing this particular judge ran a no-nonsense courtroom, Frank was afraid if they didn't get Joe out of there as soon as possible, he'd say or do something to cause the judge to revoke his bail immediately.
Frank had made his way to the end of aisle and took a few steps towards the front of the room when he saw Andrew physically push Joe towards the exit. Meeting them at the small gate, Frank pushed it open, grabbed his brother's arm and pulled him out into the corridor where Callie, Laura and Fenton were already waiting for them.
Seeing the fire in Joe's eyes, Frank was somewhat relieved when Laura grabbed Joe and hugged him tightly, knowing it would calm him down at least temporarily. Automatically, Joe returned the hug, assuring his mother he was none the worse for wear.
Stepping back, Laura looked at her youngest son critically. "You look tired. You need to go home and rest," she ordered, obviously expecting no argument.
"You can come home with us, Joe," Fenton said, realizing Laura didn't grasp that Joe wouldn't be allowed to return to his apartment as it was still considered a crime scene. When Joe stared at the floor in silence, Fenton wondered if Joe was in such a state of shock that he actually thought he would be allowed to return home. 'He knows better than that.'
"Joe, you know you can't…" Fenton began gently.
"Yeah, I know," Joe mumbled avoiding all eye contact with his father.
"Shouldn't he at least be able to go and get some clothes?" Frank asked.
"Probably," Fenton said distractedly, concerned at Joe's sudden avoidance of him – and only him. "See if you can get in touch with Con or Collig and ask them," he requested of Frank as he took Joe by the arm and led him to a quiet corner.
"Joe? What's wrong?" he asked, when they were out of earshot of the others.
Shifting his weight, Joe simply shook his head and looked at the floor, the walls, out the window – anywhere to avoid having to look at his father.
"Joe. Look at me," Fenton said in a firm yet gentle voice.
Slowly Joe looked up and met his father's gaze, holding it only for a second or two before abruptly looking away. Completely baffled by his son's reaction, Fenton tried a different tack.
"Joe, have I done something to upset you? Make you angry?"
"What?!" Joe exclaimed, now looking directly at his father, horrified. "God, no, Dad!"
"Then why are you avoiding me?"
"I…I can't…face you right now," Joe choked out.
"Why? I don't understand," Fenton said, truly bewildered.
Joe hung his head shamefully. "I embarrassed you, Dad. Humiliated you. I…I'm so sorry."
Fenton found himself momentarily speechless, his mind spinning at Joe's words. "Whatever gave you that idea?" he finally asked.
"Oh, come on, Dad. You're one of the best private investigators in the world. Everyone in law enforcement looks up to you – respects you." Joe stopped knowing he'd stumble over his words if he didn't. "To have to see your own son arrested, put under an armed guard…having to go out and get bail for me! I'm no better than any other criminal you've put away. I'm sorry I let you down. You have every right to be ashamed of me," Joe finished quietly, resuming his inspection of the tile floor.
Anger, rage, sympathy, empathy, sadness…Fenton had never experienced such a gamut of emotions so quickly before in his life. Taking a deep breath, he placed a finger under Joe's chin and lifted his son's head, forcing Joe to look at him.
"Joe, I don't believe for one second that you voluntarily took drugs and I know there is no way you could ever hurt Vanessa – under any circumstances. I do believe you were framed and the police fell for it. And you are most certainly NOT a criminal. Taking all of that into consideration, not only am I not ashamed of you, I couldn't be more proud of the way you've handled yourself. I love you, Joe. I find it hard to believe you could ever do anything to humiliate or embarrass me."
"But…" Joe began, shocked but relieved at his father's reassurance.
"Joe, I don't know if it's because of me or in spite of me," Fenton smiled, "but you've grown into a fine young man any father would be proud of."
Joe returned the smile gratefully, finding himself uncharacteristically lost for words.
"Dad?" Frank's voice interrupted. "Con said Joe can go to the apartment now and pack some clothes. He's going to meet us there. Collig said it had to be done under police escort," Frank finished, the tone of his voice indicating exactly what he thought of that policy. "Do you want me to take you?" Frank asked his brother, not quite sure if Joe and Fenton needed more time to discuss whatever had been bothering Joe.
"Would you mind?" Joe asked almost apologetically.
"No problem, bro. Let's go."
oooOOOooo
Frank was thankful the ride to the apartment was short as Joe was obviously brooding about the restraining order and not in the mood to talk. Frank accompanied him into the apartment, but remained in the living room with Con, assuming Joe would want some privacy.
Stepping into the bedroom, Joe was stopped by the lingering scent of Vanessa as memories of happier days assaulted him. Sitting down heavily on the bed, Joe picked up the framed picture of himself and Vanessa that she kept on the nightstand, struck by how utterly happy and in love they looked. Was it even remotely possible that he really had been the one who attacked her? Gazing at the picture, Joe was surprised to see a lone tear splash across the glass.
"I'm sorry, Baby," he whispered, wiping it away. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."
Holding tightly to the picture, Joe stood up and moved to the closet. He took out a duffel bag identical to one Frank had, already packed with several changes of clothes, a shaving kit and other personal items which they kept ready at all times should they need to leave town on short notice for a case. Placing the duffel on his bed, Joe unzipped it and carefully laid the picture inside.
Moving almost without thinking, Joe walked to Vanessa's bureau. Picking up the various perfume bottles there, he sniffed each one until he found his favorite. Opening a few of the drawers, he rummaged around until he found his old Bayport High t-shirt that Vanessa insisted on wearing to bed every night. Closing his eyes, he held the shirt close to his face, inhaling deeply, before carefully rolling the bottle of perfume in the shirt. Returning to the bed, Joe put the shirt inside the duffel and hefted the bag onto his shoulder. His gaze swept the bedroom one final time as he wondered if he would ever return. Realizing his emotions were about to overwhelm him, Joe quickly left the room, making a beeline for the front door, deciding he didn't want to return unless Vanessa was by his side.
oooOOOooo
Once again, Frank found himself driving in painful silence. Joe hadn't said one word since leaving the apartment, except to thank the mailman they had encountered in the lobby. He had been filling the mailboxes when he saw Joe and simply handed him the day's mail. Joe had forced a smile and a thank you, throwing the mail inside his bag.
"It won't be long, Joe," Frank finally spoke, having grown weary of the strained silence. "We'll find the evidence we need to prove you didn't attack Vanessa. The restraining order will be lifted and you'll be seeing her before you know it."
"Even sooner," Joe replied cryptically, sending a chill of dread down Frank's spine.
"What do you mean 'even sooner'?" Frank asked warily.
"I want to see her – today." Joe turned to his older brother, his eyes begging for assistance. "Will you help me?"
"Were you listening to the judge, Joe? Do you know what will happen if you get caught violating that restraining order?" Frank reminded him.
"If you help me, I won't get caught," Joe said evenly.
"I can't believe you're asking me this!" Frank cried out. "One little mistake and you'll end up in prison!"
"I don't care, Frank! I need to see her – today!" Joe fired back, his anger rising.
"Well, I do care! Do you know what will happen to you in prison? Just take a minute and think about it!" Frank looked at his brother out of the corner of his eye, his heart sinking when he saw the familiar look of determination on Joe's face. 'He really doesn't care!'
"Fine," Joe said stonily, staring straight ahead. "I don't need your help. I can do it myself."
"Joe, you can't…" Frank began a last ditch effort to talk Joe out of it.
"I can and I will. And no one is going to stop me," Joe said forcefully, turning to look at his brother. "Not even you."
