Author's Note: It's about timeI got another story up, huh? But I had a lot going on: a niece and nephew were born, I'm trying to get enrolled in school, quitting my job, and I was participating in my local March of Dimes Walk.

Everyone may not agree with this story. But since when have I written anything that everyone has agreed on? LOL! This story takes place about eight months after Frank and Nancy's wedding. Frank is 23, Nancy is 22, and Joe is 21. I really hope that you do enjoy this and as always, let me know what you think, good or bad.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Twenty-one year old blonde-haired, blue-eyed Joe Hardy was on a roll. And a good one at that. It was on of the few times that he could proudly call himself a winner. All he could say was that Lady Luck was definitely on his side.

Joe had decided a couple of days ago that he needed a break from everything–his brother, his classes, his cases, everything about Bayport. So two days ago he boarded a plane and made his way to Sin City–Las Vegas, Nevada. And he had to admit that it was a good idea. Sure, he could have easily went to Atlantic City, but where was the fun in that? Where was the adventure?

But what was bad is that he didn't tell anyone where he was going. He was sure that they were worried about him, but a part of him didn't really care. Everyone had their own thing going for them now. Nancy and Frank had each other and it seemed as if nothing else really mattered to them. Of course, they had went through a lot to get to where they were now and he couldn't blame them. They still cared for him and always checked in with him, but they had their own lives to worry about now.

When Joe first arrived in Las Vegas, he didn't really intend to gamble. He just wanted to get away from everything and be by himself. He had even told himself that he would just lock himself in his hotel room and stay away from everything. But when he looked out his window and saw the hustle and bustle outside, he knew it wouldn't be long before he joined them as well. Besides, they was he figured it, life was just a big gamble anyway. So what if he lost a little money while he was here. That's what was expected of people when they showed up here.

He withdrew one hundred dollars from his checking account and decided to hit the slots. If he didn't win, oh well. He was having a good time and just relaxing. And if he won, well that just made things a little more interesting.

Joe had walked around the Saraphina Casino for a while until he made his way to the quarter slots. He found an empty seat and he had been playing it for an hour. He had to admit that he was doing fairly well, too. He had already won fifty dollars which is more than he thought he would. He looked at his watch to see that it was fifteen minutes till midnight.

I'll just play one more time, Joe thought to himself. He put three more quarters in the slot and pulled the lever. He smiled to himself when he won twenty-five more dollars. It wasn't much, but at least it was more money in his pocket.

Yep, he thought as he collected the money in his cup. Lady Luck has definitely been on my side tonight.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Joe's eyes fluttered open as the first rays of sunlight flashed over his handsome face. He looked at the watch on his wrist and saw that it was seven o'clock. Way too early to get up, he thought miserably. He had stayed up too long the night before. In fact, he didn't even remember getting into his room and going to sleep.

Joe turned over in his bed and felt something right beside him. He opened his eyes to slits to see that a person was lying right beside him.

"That's weird." he said aloud to himself.

Joe opened his eyes all the way to see that it was a woman. He totally didn't remember this. Was he in the wrong room by mistake?

Joe sat up in the bed and immediately regretted the idea. He could now see that the woman's eyes were open and she was staring blankly at the ceiling. He looked at her chest to see that blood was everywhere. He jumped out of the bed in a panic and then noticed his own hands covered in blood.

"What is happening here?" he asked.

Joe then spotted a large butcher knife lying on the floor beside his bed. He could feel himself starting to get sick. He had no idea what was going on here. He thought that maybe someone was trying to play a joke on him. He reached over and felt for a pulse on the woman's neck, but found no sign of one.

"Oh, God." he said. He reached for the bedside phone and didn't even worry about the blood that he was putting all over it. He dialed 911 and an operator answered on the first ring.

"911–what's your emergency?" she asked.

"I need to report a murder." Joe said, almost in a daze.

"Excuse me, sir? Did you say that you needed to report a murder?" she asked in a slow voice.

"Yes." Joe said. "A woman's been murdered in my hotel room. And I think I may have done it."

"Sir, you need to tell me right where you are." She said.

"Saraphina Hotel." Joe said. "Room 817."

"I'm sending a unit out right now. I need you to remain in your room until they get there." The woman said and hung up the phone.

Joe sat on the recliner chair and just stared at the woman's body. He felt like everything inside of him had turned to ice. He couldn't move and could hardly even breathe. He closed his eyes and tried to remember everything from the previous night, but nothing was coming to him. He knew he had played the slots for a while in the downstairs casino, but everything after that was a complete blur.

But Joe did know one thing: A woman had been murdered in his room and right now he looked like the most likely suspect.

Joe didn't know how long it was before he heard a knock on his hotel door.

"Las Vegas Police! Open up!" ordered a gruff voice.

Joe went to the door and opened it slowly to see a two officers with their hands on their guns.

"Did you report a murder, sir?" The tall, well-built officer asked.

Joe nodded his head and stepped back to let the officers in. They took one look at the woman and then turned to face Joe. The same officer who spoke to Joe pulled out a pair if handcuffs.

"Sir, I need you to face the wall and put your hands behind your back." he said.

Joe didn't offer any resistance.

"Sir, you are under arrest on the charge of murder. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law..."

Joe tuned out the rest of what the officer was saying. The only thing he could think was that Lady Luck was not on his side anymore.

Author's Note: Yes, here is another one. I'm sorry that this chapter is so short, but at least it get you started on what should come. I know this chapter focuses on Joe, but don't worry–Frank and Nancy will be on soon. Just let me know what you think!