Thanks to my beautiful reviewers for being my inspiration. And gently threatening me to update! I actually really appreciate that- it sometimes is a review saying "Hey where are you?" that makes me update at the soonest possible time. Sorry it's been awhile. School is being overprotective of my time. It won't let me see anyone. It wants me to spend time only with itself and its best friend Homework.

But I have broken free of its tyrannical grip to bring you this chapter!

Huge thanks to Guest #1, Polar bear, Addie, ILoveMom, julia, max2013, ErinJordan, wolfgirl1221, Shani8, NancyAustin, j, PrincessSkywalkerOrgana, sparkles321, GJFH, Burnt Marshmellow, and Fiona Glenanne! For those who reviewed more than once to get my attention to update, you were successful and thanks for the extra motivation!

Hope you enjoy this chapter. I wrote you all a little poem at the end. It's pretty awesome.

Disclaimer: I do not own Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys!

Joe nervously ran his hand through his hair, checking his appearance in the mirror for the 23rd time. He examined the casual yet nice sweater and jeans.

Was it too casual? Did he look too nerdy?

A speedy glance at the clock told him he had to go or he was going to be late.

Joe quickly flattened his hair once again and shoved his cell phone into his pocket. Thank goodness Frank wasn't here to see him so nervous. His older brother was off with Nancy, probably making fumbling attempts to flirt.

Quickly Joe rushed out of the dorm, and headed to the downtown of the city the school was located in, making his way to the small Chinese restaurant he had picked out.

What if she hated Chinese food?! Joe had a surge of panic.

Once he arrived, he just had time to casually lean against a brick wall when he spotted Vanessa walking up the street.

She was even more beautiful than he had remembered.

His blue eyes locked on her grey ones.

"Hey," he said, all suave skills suddenly gone.

"Hey," Vanessa smiled shyly. "Thanks for inviting me to dinner."

She seemed almost bashful at the fact.

"You are more than welcome, madam," Joe gave a mischievous smile, social skills finally returning along with the ability to think of words. "I hope you like Chinese."

"I do," Vanessa smiled.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Joe grinned, offering her his arm. He felt tingles as her slender fingers rested against his arm.

"Ever the gentleman," Vanessa laughed as he escorted them to their reserved table.

"But no longer a partier gentleman," Joe told her seriously. "I've decided to give that up."

"Really?" Vanessa blinked.

"Really," Joe nodded.

"I think that's great," Vanessa smiled. She took a sip of tea from the small porcelain cup. "By the way, I really liked your friend Nancy. She seems like a great girl."

"Oh she is," Joe agreed immediately.

Was that jealousy that he saw in Vanessa's eyes at that statement? The thought pleased him, but he hastened to reassure her as well.

"Yeah, she's a great friend. She's also basically my brother's soul mate but they don't know it yet. I'm trying to help him out, coaching him on how to ask someone out and all that. Frank's a little… hesitant when it comes to girls." Joe grinned. Vanessa seemed to relax.

"Really? With you as his brother, I would have thought otherwise," she teased.

"He's beyond help, honestly. Nancy is just the girl to straighten him out though," Joe shook his head. "Sometimes I can't believe we're related. But what can I say? He's my best friend and teammate," he said a bit more seriously.

Vanessa smiled silently.

"What?" Joe asked, confused at the look on her face.

"I just think it's so great that you two are such good friends," she smiled.

"It is great," Joe said honestly. "But enough about me, I want to get to know you better!"

"There isn't much for me to say," Vanessa shrugged. "I'm just an ordinary girl."

"What?!" Joe frowned. "That isn't true! I barely know you and I already think…" he trailed off, suddenly aware of the words that had threatened to slip out of his mouth.

"You think I'm what?" Vanessa asked, leaning forward.

"No, nothing…" Joe shook his head.

"I want to know," Vanessa insisted. It was so hard to resist those beautiful grey eyes.

"I… I think you're one of the most amazing girls I've ever met," Joe admitted. "And not just because you're gorgeous." Here Vanessa blushed. "When I talked to you, you confronted me about partying, about what I was doing at a party like that. You told me I was above it. You looked through me and saw who I really was."

"Joe…" Vanessa took his hand, a soft smile on her lips.

"I want to get to know you, if you'll take me as a friend or…" Joe trailed off. It was too early. They barely knew each other.

"Then let me tell you about myself," Vanessa agreed. "Friends would be a good place to start, and then…" Her grey eyes met his. "We'll see."

Joe had a feeling that she wouldn't object to something more once they were ready.

And he honestly didn't care as long as he got to spend time with her.

Nancy stabbed the keypad at her door angrily.

What right did Frank Hardy have to tell her what she could and couldn't do?!

He was just concerned, another part of her whispered. The rational part. She pushed the thought away.

Nancy yanked the door open and entered into the room. The sight that met her made her blood run old.

Tessa was backed against a wall, crying, bright red blood standing out against her pale skin. Her blouse looked ripped, and her arms were covering her chest protectively. In front of her was a large man.

They both froze, the man turning to face the door.

"What the hell, Tessa! You told me she wasn't coming back until late!" the man yelled, backhanding Tessa.

"Hey!" Nancy dropped her bag and threw herself at the man. "Get away from her!" She attempted to pull him away from her friend, but the man was quicker on his feet than she had anticipated. Suddenly she was slammed against the dresser, her vision blurring for a moment.

"You're a tad bit feisty, but I'm not objecting," the man sneered, pinning her there. She could smell the alcohol on him. That made him more dangerous.

"Get the hell off of me," Nancy warned, her breath catching in her chest. She twisted out of his grip, delivering a quick kick to the back of the knee, bringing the man crashing down.

"Tessa, get out of here!" Nancy turned for a moment. "I can hold him for a little bit. But I don't want him to get away!"

"Nancy…" Tessa sobbed, her thin body shaking.

"Tessa, I said, get out of here! Call the police or get help!" Nancy ordered her, gasping as her leg was grabbed by the man. She kicked him, trying to get into a position where she could deliver a debilitating blow.

He wasn't making it easy, and the small room, wasn't helping either. Still, she managed to dodge his blind punches.

Use your surroundings to your advantage. The phrase from combat practice popped up.

Nancy rolled over one of the beds and grabbed her criminal psychology book. She swung on leg at the man's feet. When the he tripped, she raised the book and let it solidly connect with his head.

He fell to the ground limply and was still.

Nancy took a deep breath and let herself relax. Quickly she secured the man's hands together with some duct tape.

"Nancy!" Frank Hardy burst into the room, his dark eyes wide with fright. He stopped at the sight of the unconscious man on the ground, his gaze slowly lifting to meet Nancy's face.

"I'm okay," Nancy said shakily.

"Thank God," Frank said quietly, pulling her into a hug, to her surprise. "Tessa made it sound like you were fighting a losing battle."

Nancy relaxed into his embrace, her adrenaline fading and anger melting away slightly. How could she be mad when he obviously genuinely cared for her?

"Where is she?" Nancy pulled away.

"She's outside the door."

"I need to talk to her before we contact the police," Nancy said, grabbing a blanket from her bed. She brushed past Frank and hurried out the door.

Tessa was curled up by the door in the hall, which was thankfully empty.

"Tessa, are you okay?" Nancy wrapped the blanket around her thin shoulders. Tessa looked at her with tearful green eyes. Her face was a mess, blood dripping from her nose and a cut above her eyebrow.

"Nancy…" Tessa sobbed.

"Shhh. It's okay. Come on, let's get you inside." She helped the girl up. "Tessa, we're going to call the police, okay?"

"No…" Tessa protested weakly. "He's going to kill me…"

"No he's not. I promise you'll be safe," Nancy said quietly. "You can't let him get away with this!" Tessa was silent. "He's your boyfriend, isn't he?" Nancy asked. Tessa nodded, biting her lip. "Tessa, listen to me. You don't deserve this. You deserve so much better. Don't let him get away with treating you like that!"

"I'm scared," Tessa finally said quietly. "And I can't hate him. There have been times when he was so perfect…"

"I know sweetie, but this is not okay," Nancy gestured to the blood on her face. "Please. Let us call the police."

Tessa was quiet for a moment.

"Tessa, you knew I was coming back, didn't you? But you didn't tell him because you wanted help; is that what happened?" Nancy asked.

Tessa nodded silently.

"Then let us help you more. You don't have to tell me everything that's going on right now, but let's at least get you out of danger."

"Okay," Tessa said quietly.

"Thank you," Nancy pulled her into a careful hug. She then got up, walking over to Frank and talking to him quietly. Frank nodded.

"Alright, he's going to take care of everything. Let's get you to the bathroom to clean you up," Nancy came back to Tessa. "And then we're going to need to talk to the police. Do you think anything's broken? Do we need to go to the hospital?"

Tessa shook her head, leaning against Nancy as they walked down the hall.

Nancy pushed all thoughts of Frank out of her mind and directed all of her attention to Tessa. Frank would have to wait.

I wrote a poem to inspire you to review:

I would love a review please

I also really love certain types of cheese

Please tell me what you think, I'm down on my knees

I hope my cat never gets fleas

As you can tell, I am an awesome poet.