A/N: Sorry, but I'm telling you in advance that there is no Joe/Vanessa interaction in this chapter.

For Andrea Bender, pain was like a storm.

Like the hurricanes that sometimes struck the east coast, it was a gale force of aches and sharp, inconstant piercing bolts of agony that threatened to topple her iron will, her determination. The sickness had crept up upon her, stealing her vitality, zapping her enthusiasm for anything but rest.

Andrea could not rest. Sometimes it seemed to her that her people placed more value on perceptions then actualities. To the alert observer, it was obvious that Mayor Bender should be in her death bed, not meeting with officials and carrying on business as usual. The old woman was stubborn however, and if she was determined to pretend as though nothing was wrong with her, her court would, at least on the surface, take this at face value.

Even if the strain soaked her candle with gasoline and lit it at both ends.

Still, there were days when she could almost convince herself that things were as they should be. When she broke through the wall of her pain; to the eye of the storm. It never failed to remind her with the occasional ache that the shackles were still in place, if the chains had been temporarily lengthened. These were good days.

Fortunately for Andrea, today was a good day for pains, if a bad day for anything else. She was not yet aware that it was a bad day, at this moment she was actually in a pretty good mood. It was fated not to stay that way, however, and as usual these days, Brand was the bearer of bad news.

As was custom, Andrea ignored the intrusion of the court messenger who whispered into her bodyguard's ear. The large man nodded quietly and dismissed the messenger, waiting until the boy had left before clearing his throat politely.

Andrea looked up, expectantly.

"Andrea, Frank Hardy humbly requests to speak with you," he announced in booming baritone.

Andrea grunted. "Frank Hardy never humbly requests anything without strings attached."

"On the contrary Mayor Bender, I am simply here to speak to you, no strings attached." Andrea looked past a startled Brand who clutched for his pistol only to realize that a very amused Frank Hardy was holding it out to him. The guard snatched it away but Andrea ushered him out of her office before he could inflict any sort of revenge on the man.

"Mr. Hardy." Andrea waved towards the chair across from her. Frank took a seat, assessing his surroundings and the frail looking woman in front of him.

He wasn't sure what to say. So he lied. "You're looking well--"

"Cut the crap Frank. What is your business here?"

Frank sighed. "I assume you know where he is Andrea."

"And what makes you think that?" she rasped.

"Because Joe isn't stupid enough to go chasing after his ex without some sort of...persuasion first."

"How do you know he's chasing after Vanessa?"

"Andrea--listen I don't have time for this, all I want to know is where you sent Joe."

"I'm sorry, I can't give you that information Frank."

"And why not?" he snapped. The woman sighed.

"Because I don't know where Joe went. I sent him after my daughter who is God knows where. I heard he was the best bounty hunter in this region--"

"Joe is not a bounty hunter--"

"Have you spoken to your brother since the breakup of the Network, Mr. Hardy."

"Of course--"

"Have you seen your brother since you went to Trenton...in person?"

"Well..."

"I do believe that answers the majority of your questions then, doesn't it Mr. Hardy?"

"But I still don't know where Joe is!" Andrea rose painfully from her chair and placed her palms on her desk.

"Frank, no one knows where Joe is except for Joe...and hopefully Vanessa."

***

Lady Alexandra smiled faintly. If she were to get what she wanted--namely power--she would have to do something about it. From past experiences, Mayor Bender had been most unreasonable, so she would just have to take matters into her own hands.

"I have a new task for both of you," she said to the two men in front of her.

If they were wolves, their ears might have cocked forward in interest.

"A man left Bayport several months ago, on an... errand for Mayor Bender. He was a guest in the house for a short time, and his hasty departure was...quite rude. I wish you to find this man and ensure he does not trouble Bayport with his rudeness ever again."

"And does this condemned man have a name?" Reiko asked serenely.

"Indeed he does. Hardy--"

Jaeger perked up. "Hardy. Joseph Hardy?"

Lady Alexandra frowned. "You know this man?"

Jaeger's eyes flickered dangerously. "A passing acquaintance. Forgive my interruption."

Lady Alexandra looked at him strangely, but shook her head. "As you said, Joseph Hardy. He is not to be underestimated. He is reputed to be quite skilled."

"With respect, Milady, so are we." Reiko answered quietly.

"Indeed." Lady Alexandra turned to leave, but paused deliberately, hiding her mouth with one perfect hand. "Oh...one more thing, a trifle really. He may be found in the company of a girl, one who is revered and...protected by Bayport law. If anything were to happen to this girl, it would be a deep blow to Mayor Bender...but accidents do happen, in the barbaric world outside of Bayport."

Jaeger and Reiko looked at one another, a look of understanding passing silently between them.

Lady Alexandra made her way out of the room, speaking without turning. "Dreadful accidents, my friends."

The two smiled grimly at each other. It was a look that said perhaps these two were not so far removed from wolves, after all.