Homecoming Chapter 37 edited

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Hesitantly, Frank took the first step into Vanessa's room. He had heard muffled sobbing and he was sure, so did Simon. The anxiety bubbling inside was just too overwhelming and he had dashed to the source where the sadness poured from, all ready to pound Greg into mincemeat if necessary.

However, when he caught a glimpse of what had transpired, he stopped dead in his tracks by the entrance. A couple of seconds later, Simon skidded to a halt next to him as well.

Joe looked up at the both of them mirthlessly from where he was, kneeling down on the floor with a few new bruises, holding onto Vanessa whose back was facing them. Her body was shaking with the forcefulness of her sorrows. Frank's eyes strayed to the unconscious Greg lying on the floor next to them amongst the scatter of porcelain shards. The movements of breathing was noticeable still from the comatose form but Frank also saw that Greg's hair was damped with blood.

He walked gently over to Joe and Vanessa, laying a hand of comfort on the crying woman's shoulder. Joe stroked Vanessa's hair and updated his brother softly.

"I have called the police and ambulance just a while ago. You're early, bro."

Frank took one more look at Greg's form and for a fleeting instant, thought he saw his brother lying in the same position only that he was lifeless. Shaking his head, he sighed.

"Not early enough, it seems."

***

A month later

Joe stood by the entrance to her bedroom, leaning against the open door with one hand pressing on his stomach. He watched her silently as a multitude of confusing emotions squeezed his heart tightly- if he should speak, it would only be whimpers. It was difficult to look at her, though he was fixated. More daunting it would be to talk to her.

But she asked for him. He was supposed to bring her and Hallie out for dinner, as usual, to cheer her up. Hallie was always in high spirits when they were together, holding on to one each of their hands. Anyone walking past them would have mistaken them for a happy family but Joe knew Vanessa's smiles were only for Hallie, hardly for him.

Right now, she was sitting on the edge of her bed, facing the window, her supple back towards him. He could tell from her posture that she was holding something in her hands- a photo frame? Occasionally, she would dab at her eyes and the only thing that was keeping him from rushing over and love her the best he could was the barrier between their hearts- his was beating for her and hers for beating for a person who never was. Joe sucked in a deep breath when he noted those lustrous locks of ash blond hair was lifeless- split at the ends. Her depression was deeper than he initially understood and his worries for her deeper still. It had everything to do with Greg's confession. Greg didn't even ask for Vanessa or Hallie. When he woke up from his brief spell of coma, he admitted to everything.

Suddenly, a spasm cramped Joe's stomach. Caught unaware, he let out a small yelp. She turned around immediately and smiled tiredly when she saw him. He tried to return the gesture but all it resulted in was a grimace. Anxiety further shadowed the dark circles that bordered her gray eyes which, instead of dulled, was gleaming unnaturally.

"Are you all right?"

"Yah… don't come over… I can walk. It's just an old thing… funny… only about a month and a half and I'm calling it an old thing… how… well, you know…." Joe bit down on his lower lip, embarrassed by his mindless rambles. He gazed down on the floor for a brief moment to recollect his composure and thoughts before facing her again, grinning widely now that the pain was reduced to a merely annoying throb.

"Hallie's with Andrea downstairs. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes… come here…" Vanessa set the object she was holding aside, shifted her body a little and patted the space next to her. Joe made his way slowly to her bed and sat down gently, not wanting to rock her or cause impact to his own, disobeying body. Stealing a glance behind his shoulder, he realized, with some breaking of his heart, that she was holding on to her wedding photo with Greg- the acrylic covering was smudged with fingerprints and smeared tears. Again his mind had to wander- did she held their wedding photo and cried silently when she gave up on him?

"Joe… I just… well, I never thanked you properly for all that you've done… letting me cry on your shoulder, being strong enough for Hallie and me. You've gone beyond the call of duty for a friend…"

Slightly embittered fingers raked through soft blond hair. Joe felt his soul shriveled at the dreaded word- friend. They were once joined in body and spirit. Never should they part but, somehow, they did.

"I'm Hallie's dad. Least I can do." He tried to shrug it off. Vanessa's feelings were more important. He could always nurse his wounds later by doing what he always did- call Elle up and listen to her consolations masquerading as tactless barbs. Or he would always go over to Frank's apartment with the pretext of watching a football game together when in actual fact; he wanted his brother's objectivity and wisdom.

Ah, his brother. Despite all the help and support his brother had given him when he was trying to be there for Vanessa and having his heart broken everyday with the realization that it was perhaps never going to be, they hadn't had a talk. Later, Joe promised himself.  There's always later. After Frank's wedding of course. And his honeymoon. And then his post-honeymoon.

A tiny bit of guilt gnawed his chest- Frank had postponed his wedding to Callie because of the aftermath of the case. Callie understood, of course, but any fool could see that she was disappointed, being human after all and most importantly, a girl madly in love with Frank Hardy. It was no secret that she couldn't wait to tie him down so no other feminine hands could lay claim to him.

Vanessa touched his hand lightly, sending both electric and acid surging through his veins. She let out a small, nervous laugh and threw her hair back. "I didn't mean it that way, I'm sorry. Of course, with the history between us, we are more than just friends… but that's all we can be, Joe. More than just friends and yet, nothing more. Do you…do you understand?" She gazed deep into his eyes, imploring for him to comprehend her womanly, cryptic message.

He, for once, wasn't so dense. "Hey, don't worry. I never thought of anything more than well, more than just friends but nothing more. I mean, I totally understand. It's cool with me… you know…"

"Joe, I'm going to Hong Kong for at least a year."

"Wha??" Joe's blathers were interrupted by her sudden announcement. For a moment there, he had forgotten what and where Hong Kong was.

"Hong Kong. Phil's brother, Mike? He has an animation film there and a position all ready for me. They have a huge project for a series of anime that is slated to be the next big thing in the cartoon world of Asia. I…"

"Surely you want to think it over?" Joe clasped his other hand over hers, disbelief freezing his eyes such that they couldn't even blink, "I mean, a year? Hallie will have a difficult time adjusting to the culture there…"

"Which is why she's not going. She's staying with you. Laura and Fenton loved her dearly too and besides, it's not like I'm not coming back once in a while…Joe… it's only a year… maybe two but two maximum..."

A year or two. Joe thought sardonically. Then three, maybe four. Hey! I like it so much there I think I'm applying for PR. I may even not come back at all! You don't mind, do you? After all, it's not like we're married or anything!

"Ness, let me present you with a… a hypothesis…" Joe started slowly before he swallowed down his words with a big gulp. Inhaling in deeply, he willed for strength and courage to finish the crazy question that popped into his mind. "If I stay here in Bayport with Hallie, discounting the fact that you're willing to let me have her, and I stay here for a long, long time… will there be anything left here to give you a reason to not…" He pressed his lips into a thin, hesitant line. Now, that did it. There was always a risk of rejection tagged to any questions like this.

"… to not go?"

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled sadly. As she reached out to caress his left cheek with her free hand, he almost thought she was going to answer in the positive. Maybe he could lean forward and kiss her, let memories of the love they shared, that he still had, flood right back into her and then she would know she was going to miss out something great if she pack her bags and go.

"No, Joe. I thought you said you understood. I do love Greg. We have great moments and he… he was my rock for a very long time. I don't know why he did what he did but… but in my heart, the Greg I know is very different from the Greg they paint in the press; from the Greg you see. You deserve to be freed from all these baggage and start afresh too- perhaps I should rephrase what I said earlier- we will always be good friends."

He blinked several times into her face before turning away as his hands relaxed, loosening their grip over hers. The hand stroking his cheek fell helplessly down her side as well. Staring down on the parquet floor, taking in the scent of lavender oil in her room, Joe let her straightforward intentions of never patching up sink into his mind. Then he looked up and gave a goofy grin.

"Whoah. Load off my shoulders too. I mean, it's only a hypothesis and I'm glad things are cleared up. I'll always be great friend. You're right, I mean, I have something good going on with some girls too, yup, I have been dating for a while in Chicago and I may call some girls again… I mean, there's Melissa, she's real cute, you know… I think she has the loveliest black hair… wait… I mean red…forget it. I just want to say I totally understand. You have to go and find some solace from all these and it's a great opportunity, not to be passed up. Maybe you'll meet some guy who will love you the way you should be loved- the best love…. I understand… hey, I'm…" She let him blabber, knowing that he would rattle on when he needed to calm his nerves and sort out his thoughts sometimes. However, no self-heroic words could stop the sting that came to his eyes and nose. Abruptly, he turned away from Vanessa as his vision blurred and his features crumbled.

"No, I don't understand. I tried everything. I tried my best. I love you. And I don't understand." He whispered, reliving the morning when he woke up to find his family out of his life again. Abandoned. Rejected. Feeling crappier and more unwanted than dung.

"Joe… I'm sorry…" She touched his shoulder with aching tenderness, digging deeper into the festering wound in his heart.

His body shuddered once before his right palm flew to cover his quavering lips.