This is not the immediate followup to Abandoned Love that a couple of you have asked for. However, It does pick up about a year after that story ends. But the focal points are quite different. There are definitely some surprises in store. Please feel free to offer your reviews/PM and give your input.

Beyond here lies nothin

-1-

Joe Hardy looked across his office desk at his wife with an amused look. Iola had stopped by the downtown Bayport office of the Hardy Agency to visit her husband and express her frustration at recent news she had received regarding their upcoming trip.

Iola and Joe Hardy had planned to take their niece, Maddie on a trip to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, among other attractions along the way. Iola agreed to take Maddie at the request of her mother and best friend. Callie, Maddie and Aimee had returned from Pennsylvania to take up residence back in Bayport about a year ago. During that time, Maddie and Callie's relationship grew very strong. Unlike the relationship that the youth had with her father.

Iola had received a call from her brother, Chet. He had heard about the trip and requested to go along. There had been a growing strain between Iola and her brother in recent months. Mainly because Chet had taken little initiative to improve his relationship with his oldest daughter during that time. He had still been prioritizing his financial security over everything. The communication that went on between Chet and his estranged wife, Callie was also lacking. Something that pained Iola to see. She had secretly hoped that her brother and best friend would work on their marriage and do their best to mend things. She knew that this was not all Chet's doing. Callie had grown very close to Aimee in recent months. While not living together, they still seemed to spend a good deal of time with one another.

Callie had asked Iola to take Maddie on the trip to perhaps give some space to the relationship that she and her daughter had. While things had improved dramatically since they lived on Long Island, Callie didn't want to have any kind of overload develop. She and Maddie were doing well, and she wanted it to stay that way. But she knew that Maddie had grown more distant from her father. It had reached a point where she chose to not exercise visits with her father all that much over the last few months. Callie had hopes that Iola could possibly help Maddie refocus and give her father a chance.

Iola sat in her chair, still expressing a peevish look. Joe had been trying to put a positive spin on things.

"Baby, I am not sure what you are so upset over. I mean wasn't the intended purpose to get Maddie more receptive to hanging with Chet?" Iola rolled her eyes and forced a curt smile.

"Well, yes. But I didn't exactly want to have them both in the same place for a full ten days. The relationship is strained. I was hoping to be able to have a series of frank aunt and niece chats with her about it. She does pretty good at listening to me when it's a one on one thing. But throwing Chet in the mix is going to make that difficult and the tension will be higher from the start." Joe nodded his concession to these facts.

"But, at least he has taken some initiative here. Which is why I think we should not discourage it by telling him not to come." Iola nodded quickly. She was not wanting to argue that which was obvious.

"Well, obviously I agree. I would be quite the hypocrite to tell him no after I have spent several months telling him to pull his head out of his backside." Joe took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair.

"You know, I am so sorry about the way things turned out the way they did. I am also a bit saddened by it. Chet used to be a great guy. I remember back when it was different. When we were growing up. And then when we founded the agency. We really had something then. Chet was fun to be around. He was always helpful and focused on things when it came to the cases we worked. More than all of that, he was a great friend. Then it all changed."

"With the help of a pile of money getting dumped into his and Cal's laps." Iola lamented. "How many times I wish they had never seen that money." Joe nodded soberly.

"I quite agree. I know it has often bothered dad, too. He views himself as a bit of the enabler when it came to that happening. His objective, as you well know, was to get you and Cal out of that hollow for a while. But had no clue he would be giving them the chance to pull in millions in reward." Iola shook her head.

"He didn't know they were going to get that much cash. And those stolen jewels obviously needed to be conveyed out of that place as soon as possible. Your dad isn't to blame for what they did with that money. I mean turning it into more money was a fine thing… I thought. But the way it changed them both and how it affected their relationship does make me sad."

"Well, at least Callie has been more self-aware of the damage it can do. And separated herself from it." Iola raised an eyebrow at her husband and cringed a bit.

"I wouldn't quite go that far, hun. I mean she does have over $30 million at her disposal." Joe nodded rapidly then looked at her.

"Well, I knew that. I just mean that she doesn't seem to make it her life as much as she used to. When she moved back here she got a pretty humble sized house out there on Ridge Road. She could have bought a mansion up in Bayport Hills. And she was smart enough not to let Aimee move in with her…yet." Joe looked down a bit uncomfortable having introduced Callie's lover's name into the conversation. He had never been excited about their relationship. But it was more perhaps because he knew that Iola had been intimate with them both.

"Cal is taking her time there." Iola said. "I am fairly surprised that she hasn't moved in with Cal yet. But I give credit where it's due. Callie has really given priority to the kids." Joe sat back up in his chair and looked down at his cluttered desk.

"Well, hopefully I can get a few of these matters wrapped up before we do have to leave. I am..." His words were cut off by the office door opening and a woman in her mid-twenties with dark hair walked in.

"Hi Joe..." She started, then noticed Iola. "Uhm, Mr. Hardy, I have a few things that need to be signed if you could." She pressed a smile to her face and looked at Iola. "Hello, Mrs. Hardy." Iola watched as she shapely young woman walked around the side of the desk to hand Joe some papers.

"Hello, Vanessa." Iola said without much enthusiasm. She didn't really know Joe's office assistant that well. But did dislike the way she looked. She had returned from Pennsylvania a year ago to find Joe had hired a personal assistant for the work in the office. She was a little irritated that her husband had chosen such an attractive young woman for the task.

Joe's eyes shifted to Vanessa, and then the papers. He quickly glanced across the desk to Iola.

"Thank you, Vanessa. I can take a look at those and sign them in a few." He looked up at her to signify that he was in the middle of something and would address things later.

"Oh, yes, sir. Just buzz me when you have them signed and I can get them into the mail for you." She smiled and paused before Iola. "So nice to see you again, Mrs. Hardy." Iola forced a smile and nodded. Vanessa left the room.

Iola looked across the table to her husband. He looked back at her, with a bit of discomfort.

"You ok, babe?" He asked and cleared his throat. Iola nodded and studied her husband's body language.

"They better question might be are you ok, sweetheart? I mean that I hope your girl Friday didn't get your pulse rate up too high." She quipped, knowing she was showing her jealously a bit. Joe looked back over the desk and smiled.

"Well, not as fast as my pulse gets with you, baby." Iola let out a chuckle and shook her head with a smile.

"Well, glad to know us older gals still take priority." Joe knew that Iola was not overly fond of Vanessa because she was quite attractive.

"You know it." He said and cleared his throat and looked from side to side. "So, you said Chet would be hitting town tomorrow?" Iola nodded.

"Yes. I told him he could stay out at the farm. Or a hotel." Joe perked an eyebrow.

"He must be on your bad side, girl. No invite to the very house he bought for us?" Iola shook her head.

"I just thought it best. I mean he can go stay with mom and dad. But they aren't likely to give him a warm and fuzzy reception either." Joe nodded.

"Yeah, I know your parents aren't too thrilled with him. Plus, their condo is on the small side. They also have Carly and Ellie with them so the guest room is full. Guess he might go out to the farm." Iola grunted.

"Not sure, hun. Mom hasn't been out there to clean the place in over two years. I am sure it is in disarray." Joe shrugged.

"Guess he will let us know. Anyway, try to formulate as best a plan as you can for keeping the peace. I would like this to be a happy trip." Iola took a deep breath and looked at her husband with a smirk.

"I will just wave my magic wand, babe."

77 Ridge Road on the outskirts of Bayport. A four bedroom log home that sat on 35 mostly wooded acres. The home that Callie Morton purchased when she moved back to Bayport.

Maddie sat across the kitchen table from her mom. The early afternoon sun shone through the large windows. Callie sat quietly looking out the window. She was sipping tea and watching the many birds eating from the feeders that Callie had placed around the back yard. She had been enjoying the view and peacefulness of the setting. But she knew her daughter was going to have her say after having learned her father would be joining her Aunt Iola, Uncle Joe and herself on their trip to South Dakota.

"Mom." Maddie repeated as she came back to consciousness. Callie set her cup down and turned to her daughter.

"Yes, baby?" She replied with a warm smile. The smile diffused her daughter's anxious expression for a moment.

"Well, I, Uhm…" Maddie searched for words. Callie took a long breath.

"You are, understandably apprehensive about your dad going on the trip with you? Is that right?" Maddie's eyes shifted a bit and then met her mother's. She nodded.

"Yeah. I am not sure I want him to go." Callie nodded her understanding.

"Baby girl, you know I only want what's best for you. Well, I hope you know more now, than maybe you did a year or so ago." She paused as she watched the youth give a slight nod. "Your dad loves you a lot. This I do know...but...he tends to not always be able to show it. Not like he once did." Maddie absorbed this, and certainly couldn't argue the point.

"True." She replied. Resisting the urge to say something snide about her father. Maddie had once viewed both her mother and father with near equal disdain. But since her mother had been shot the year before, she had definitely seen a change in how her mother addressed herself as a parent. The fact that they did not all live together any longer did not really bother her much. She did feel that her dad did not give her enough attention when she did spend time with her. His preoccupation with his friends and associates. The importance he put on ensuring he had enough money seemed to have taken all of the time from him. And as a result also seemed to make him a less happy person. At least that is how she saw it.

"Your dad is making an effort here. I would really like it if you could give him this chance and that you all could have some quality time on this trip."

"But, why can't you come?" Maddie asked with a bit of pleading in her tone. Callie took another sip of tea and raised her eyebrows.

"If you want my honest answer, it's because we really haven't reached a point where we can get along well enough to spend ten days together. I think our relationship is more civil than it was before we moved out. But you need to take small steps, baby. There is a lot of water under that bridge. We both need to fix ourselves a good deal more before we could ever consider any scenario of reconciliation." Maddie gave her mom a wry smile.

"Mom, I know that one is a long shot. And honestly, I am not ready for that to happen anyway. If it does, ok. If you choose to one day live with Aimee, I am ok with that, too. I like her a lot." Callie's eyes twinkled at her daughter. She often considered her eldest well beyond her years. She smiled at her daughter. Barely fourteen, it seemed that Maddie had developed both mentally and physically at an advanced rate. Sometimes she thought she was looking in a mirror when she looked at Maddie. If it wasn't for her daughter being just a few inches shorter and of course no visible wrinkles, the average person would be hard pressed to know the they were mother and daughter and not older and younger sisters. At least it was something Iola had mentioned recently.

"Well, young lady, I wouldn't worry about either happening for some time." Maddie smiled a bit as she looked off to the side.

"I just know you and Aimee are very close, and it's ok with me..." Callie raised her hand.

"Yes, we are close. And I would be lying to you if I said that Aimee wasn't very special to me. But with anything that is special, you can't be in a rush. When I first met her, I swear all kinds of things went through my mind. I had never met someone that made me feel...but what I mean is that I am in no rush to live with anyone other than you and your sisters. You guys are part of me and I love you so much." She paused as she watched Maddie turn a little red.

"I love you, too." Callie placed her hand on her daughters and smiled.

"So, for now let's just do what we do best. Be there for each other. Take things slow and try to realize what is important in life."

"Like you going back to work?" Maddie asked with excitement. Callie had finally qualified and renewed her investigator license and intended to go back to work as a private investigator. She nodded.

"Well, yes. I am pretty excited to get back into the swing of it."

"Are you going to work with Uncle Joe?"

"Well, baby, the offer has been extended. I could also apply to the police department..." Callie said thoughtfully. But this was not her desired choice. She wanted to work as a private investigator either on her own, or at the Hardy Agency which was owned by dear friends, Fenton and Joe Hardy. "But when I decided what direction to take, you will be the first to know!" Maddie smiled to her mom.

"Good. I think it will be so cool that you will be doing that. I just want to make sure you don't do anything...well...too dangerous." She said as her face faded to a look of concern. She was all too aware of what dangers there were in that line of business. Having almost lost her mother last year when she investigated a child kidnapping in Pennsylvania and was shot by the kidnapper." Callie ran her hand along her daughter's cheek.

"Don't worry, baby. Your momma is going to start with some pretty mellow cases. So you won't have to worry." The last thing Callie wanted was for her daughter to have serious fears that she would ever get critically injured again.

"I hope so." She sighed. The youth looked out the window. "But I guess getting back to the other subject..." She paused and furrowed her brow. "I guess I will do my best to…" Callie knew her daughter was experiencing some natural anxiety about the idea of ten days with her dad.

"It's going to be alright. Auntie and uncle are both there for you, too. I think your dad is making a real attempt to go in the right direction here. I think he deserves a chance. None of us are perfect, baby. You gave me a chance, and well, things got better with us. I think your dad deserves an equal chance. I know he hasn't made the same progress as you and I. But he also hasn't spent as much time with you. Remember when we came here from Pennsylvania and you wouldn't leave me very much? You were pretty worried for me. I think if your dad and I were to have exchanged roles at that time, I bet you and he would have a better relationship now." She paused and thought about what she had said and gave her a quick smile. "I don't mean I want your dad to get shot so you can give him equal time. No, I think you can give him the chance to take the steps. And well, if he doesn't, then you can at least make a judgment based on having given an equal opportunity." Maddie sighed. Sometimes she wished her mother wouldn't defend her dad. But deep down she knew her mother was right. She nodded.

"Ok, I am going to do my best." Callie returned a simple smile.

"That's all I can ask, baby. You are growing by leaps and bounds. I would like to think your dad would want an equal chance to know his daughter better before she became of age. "

The unmarked dark blue police car cruised along the western outer road running parallel to the railroad tracks. The two inhabitants of the vehicle sat in silence for several minutes. The car finally turned near a battered mailbox and on to a long dirt drive. The car threw up the long settled dust into a cloud as it sped along the straightaway. Finally, the car slowed to a halt before a large clapboard farmhouse. It sat in eerie silence. It had been years since it last had occupants.

The car doors slammed shut as the two stepped out. The wind was blowing and the dilapidated porch swing gave an eerie squeaking sound as it banged against the side wall of the house. The nearby doors on one of the barns swung back and forth in the wind. The larger of the two men. A man in his thirties with receding blonde hair stood in the front yard and absorbed the scene with a sober expression. He swallowed hard as the haunting scene permeated through him. His companion, who was thinner and dark haired stepped forward to join him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Wow, Chet. You sure you want to stay here, pal? The place sure has changed." The blonde man took a slow deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"It hasn't changed, Frank…I have." He said softly, still seeming transfixed on the lifeless scene.