Note: Thank you SnowPrincess88 for your reviews on chapters 6-7, and East Blue, Paulina Ann, ulstergirl, max2013, hbndgirl, Hero 76, and Caranath for your reviews on the last chapter. All of your comments are much appreciated.

The Secret Spaces

Chapter 10

"I don't think water has ever tasted so good," Vanessa said as she finished her second full bottle. There were only 9 of everything- bottles, sandwiches, and apples- in total, and they had decided to try to ration them, not knowing when more would be coming. But she couldn't help drinking and eating now. She was biting into her second sandwich as well.

Callie actually felt some color start to return to her face and her headache diminished significantly as she drank water and bit into the apple. She was temporarily giddy about it.

The three remained in relative silence, each relieved to be getting even this slightest bit of nourishment.

After a half an hour had gone by, the threat of the scarred man's words came rushing back to them all. Johnny put aside the two sandwiches and apples he had left and spoke. "You know what I'm wondering?" he asked the girls. Answering his own question, he went on. "I'm wondering what the hell Part 2 is that we are supposedly being prepared for."

Callie's mouth went dry as she pulled Johnny's coat around her again. It was still so cold. They were standing in a back corner of the room.

"What are you gonna do, Johnny?" she asked.

"Nothing by myself," he said, simply. "I… I think I know what has to happen, but I need to talk it over with you- make sure we're all on board."

The girls nodded.

Johnny took a deep breath. He hated this choice- who would be better off? The person let go or the people here? He had long ago known that he would protect Callie whenever Frank was not there to do so. He had met Callie protecting her, and he was fiercely protective of her heart. Over the years, Frank, especially, but also Joe, had become good friends, and he had grown to care very much about vivacious, spirited, adorable Vanessa, and would never want to see harm come to her. He hated himself for saying it- but it was the only choice.

"You have to go, Vanessa," he said, turning to her. "There's no other way."

Vanessa gasped. She wasn't sure if she was angry or relieved; happy or upset. The one thing she did know, though, was that she was absolutely terrified.

"Listen to me," he said gently, and wrapped an arm around her waist as he looked into her eyes. "Please."

"Okay," Vanessa whispered. She met Callie's terror-filled eyes for an instant. She forced her gaze back to Johnny.

"I don't know what's out there, Van. I… I don't know where we are. But I do know several things, okay? I know that Callie would never make it-she wouldn't have a chance." He felt Callie trembling next to him and took her hand. "She's very weak now because of the pregnancy and what we've been through, and she's been roughed up pretty badly." He turned momentarily to Callie, who couldn't meet his eyes, and took a brief moment to release her hand and wrap the other arm around her. "I need you to support me here," he whispered in her ear.

She nodded.

Turning back to Vanessa, he smiled, gently, and continued. "I have to protect Callie here as best I can. Plus, I'm not going to get very far, either, with a wound like this that I hope like hell isn't getting infected. That's one pain in the ass... or leg, I guess," he tried to joke, "that I don't need now."

"I guess that makes sense," Vanessa answered, trying to be brave.

"And Van-" Johnny went on, "You are strong. And smart. And capable. Remember when we were watching my show once and you knew all about the astronomy and camping even though I supposedly did?" He squeezed her shoulder. "You know how to camp. You know basics of the outdoors. And my girl Callie over there- she doesn't. And neither do I."

Vanessa took a deep breath, trying to be calm.

"But I would go in an instant- a second- I promise you- If I thought I could get help fastest. And if Callie wasn't pregnant, and I wasn't hurt, I swear to you I would never endanger you. Please believe me. You are the best hope to get us all rescued. And if you can just rescue yourself," he reached over and touched her cheek, "then do it, Van. At least one of us will make it out. I know you can do this."

Vanessa burst into tears, and Johnny pulled her into a hug as Callie went to the other side of her and rubbed her back. "He's right," she said soothingly.

After a few minutes, Vanessa stepped out of Johnny's arms and nodded, resigned. Callie looked at her sister in law, hoping her eyes didn't betray her confident words. "You are Joe Hardy's wife," she said, forcing a smile. "So it makes perfect sense that you would be the one on this crazy adventure. And you'll be okay, because he's taught you well. And you'd better be- he loves you like crazy and I know you'll make it back to him."

Johnny limped painfully away from her and went to the table, picking up a few items. "You take the food that you have left. You take the jacket you're wearing now. And you take this." He handed her the knife he had hidden, covered in his blood. Vanessa recoiled, but he slipped it into her coat pocket. "Please, you might need it. And it will offer you some protection."

"Okay," she mouthed.

The door opened at that moment, and the scarred man came in. "Your decision, Detective? I assume you knew I wasn't kidding."

"Vanessa," Johnny said.

He saw the rage in the man's eyes, and immediately knew what he had to do. "Ms. Copeland," he corrected through clenched teeth. He didn't know why this lunatic kept referring to everyone by their tv personas or why the girls were supposed to represent them on the show, but if helped to avoid his wrath, it was simple enough to do.

The man smiled. "Interesting choice," he said. "Is that because you think HER husband-" he pointed at Callie, "your detective friend- will show up and save the day?"

Johnny didn't know how to respond, not sure if he meant the fictional detective friend or Frank. "I… I don't know."

"Hmmm," the man said. "I suppose that may happen anyway. Wouldn't it be interesting if he died trying to save her? Hell of an exciting episode."

Johnny heard Callie gasp, and motioned for her to keep quiet.

"She may go," the man said, pointing at Vanessa. "Someone will be here in 5 minutes to escort her out." He turned and left.

"You will be okay," Johnny said again, hugging her. "I'm so sorry for all of this, honey."

Vanessa gave his hand a final squeeze before she turned to Callie. A thousand unspoken words hung between them. Vanessa went to her and held Callie tightly. "I'll be okay- I promise I'll do my best to get help."

"I know you will," Callie whispered.

"I hate to leave you here. I hate it," she sobbed into Callie's hair. "You better take care of yourself and that precious baby," she added. "Because I still plan on being the best damned aunt ever."

Callie nodded, unable to speak.

"I love you so much," she said quietly to Callie. "My sister."

"I love you, too, Van," Callie answered, and pulled away slowly, eyes bright with tears. "You got this, girl. Kick some ass out there, okay?"

Vanessa nodded and gave Callie a kiss on the cheek.

"Time to go." The door opened and the large man who had attacked her beckoned her forward. She left the room and didn't look back. It was ass kicking time.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Joe looked at Frank, realizing how exhausted he looked. "Frank? You need some rest, man."

Frank shot Joe a stern look. "You're kidding, right?" he asked.

"I'm actually not," Joe answered, and rested his hand gently on Frank's back. "We have every available cop and FBI agent on the case right now. We should get the list of names from Johnny's show and hopefully a completed script for the first episode of the new season within the next few hours. I still need to think about where the girls could possibly be, but again- Collig and dad are working on it, too. Please," he encouraged his brother. "Let's go back to mom and dad's. Get a few hours of shut-eye. I swear to you I will wake you up the second I hear any news. And if there is no news," he finished up, "then I'll wake you up in a few hours anyway. I promise," he emphasized.

Joe led Frank to his car and motioned for him to get in, which Frank, hesitating, did at last. He stared out the window for a few minutes, eyes heavy. "I just wish we could do something, now. I can't stand this waiting."

Joe gave a small laugh as he started to drive. "Now we're in trouble. You're sounding like me," he teased.

But he sensed the tension in Frank's shoulders, noticed the despairing look come over his face again. He heard Frank take in a shaky breath and saw him surreptitiously wipe his eyes.

"It'll be okay," he said, empathetically. "Hang in there."

Frank's eyes were downcast. "You know what Cal and I were talking about last week?" he queried, out of the blue.

"No. What?" Joe asked as he drove. At least Frank was talking.

"She was so excited about the trip to Bermuda that we were all going to for your anniversary." He was referring to the surprise trip Joe and Van had planned for all of them, deciding to start a tradition of spending "family time" together as they were getting older. "She was talking about all of the places we could revisit, and how cool it would be to do it with the baby." His voice was shaking, and he didn't even care if Joe heard it.

Joe focused on the road, fighting his own tears again. "We're going to take that trip, Frank. Don't worry."

"She's been kind of upset lately," Frank went on, aimlessly. "Have you noticed?"

"No," Joe answered, honestly. "She's been pretty normal to me- I mean, as normal as Callie can get," he kidded.

"That's good," Frank replied, not taking the bait. "I...I think she was worried about how a baby would change our relationship. But," he cleared his throat. "I never asked her about it, you know? I thought that if I pretended I had it all planned out, was totally confident, that she would be, too. I shouldn't have done that. I'm scared to death to be a father."

Joe was shocked by Frank's candor, but also touched by it. "I understand," he said, as they approached their former home.

"But I'm also excited, Joe. It's the best thing that could have happened to me. What if… what if I don't get the chance now?" He fought his tears again. "How did this start?" he asked, voice breaking.

Joe pulled into the driveway and shut off the engine. He reached over to squeeze his brother's hand. "I don't know," he said quietly. "But I sure as hell plan on ending it. Get some sleep, Frank," Joe encouraged as he got out of the car and walked with Frank to the front door. He gave him a quick hug. "In a few hours, I ... I just FEEL it...we're gonna get a break in this case."

"I hope so," Frank responded, desolate. He felt terrible-exhausted, sick with guilt and worry, and unfocused. He knew that he should be comforting Joe, who, he knew, was scared, too, for Vanessa and who must also have felt pretty hopeless. But for once in his life, he just couldn't do it effectively. What could he say to make it better? Nothing. And it would come out hollow and inauthentic if he even tried. His stomach was in knots every time he imagined what could be happening. The enormity of the fact that every minute he wasted, every decision he did or did not make, would play into whether his wife lived or died was unbearable. And then there was Vanessa and Johnny. At least, thank God, Johnny was there if he couldn't be. Maybe with him Callie and Van would have a chance- maybe. If... no. He couldn't think anymore.

It was too much to process. He turned quickly to his brother, managing only, "Thanks, Joe. I don't know what I would do if I had to go through this alone."

Joe smiled sadly, noting how overwrought with worry Frank was. "Well that, big brother, will never happen. Remember that. They'll be okay." He gave an encouraging squeeze to Frank's arm and then he watched Frank climb the stairs, praying silently that his words would come true.