Frank stood motionless in the bathroom. His brother had just walked out on him as if he was a complete stranger. If that is Joe and really not Ned Brenden. His head swam. It made no sense. If that was Joe, why would he deny him? Was he being watched? Was he controlled by some mysterious third player?

Pondering this, Frank began to walk down the hallway, not really interested in his destination. The idea of Joe being alive filled his entire being. He hadn't felt this way since he had married Callie ten years ago, not even when here little son Joseph was born. It was as if he was drunk on memories and hope for the future.

Suddenly, he realized that he had no idea where he was. The headquarters of Pacific Shipping was huge, housing several hundred offices belonging to various officials in charge of one aspect or another. He couldn't recall how many turns he had taken or how many staircases he had climbed. In front of him was an empty office, very orderly and almost unused. Despite this, it was very large, almost as large the one he had been in earlier when speaking to Ned/Joe. Frank was suddenly earthed as he realized that within this office might be the key to both mysteries, Joe and Pacific Shipping.

Glancing about, Frank walked into the office and took a seat in the large chair and pulled the files on top of the desk towards him. The first was labeled Somalia Relief Efforts and the second Potential Danger Zones. Intrigued, he pulled the first towards him and began to read. What he read amazed him. Fenton, Dave, and himself had always figured the assassination of the Somalian leader was a mere terrorist event. Instead, he began to read about the man's actions for three years and how he had been destroying the Somalian economy out of his own greed and desire for prestige. He also read about how the late man's spies had picked up Agent Steve and forced them to finish the operation early with a few loose ends.

For the second time that day, Frank's mind swirled. Who was behind Pacific Shipping? It certainly couldn't be the Assassins. Maybe this was the third player. As he thought, he didn't notice the door opening and the gasp of surprise.

Suddenly there was a knife at his throat. "Don't move," a low voice ordered. "You're surrounded."

Frank came back to himself. Besides the man holding the knife to his throat, four others were entering the room, guns drawn and pointed at him. Swearing mentally, Frank raised his hands in surrender.

A sixth man entered the room, and Frank instantly recognized him as Ned Brenden, or Joe, or whoever he was. He pulled out a cell phone and said into it, "We found one...don't know yet... to you, right...see you soon, bye."

Then he nodded to the man behind Frank, how removed the knife. The guns, however, stayed pointed at him. Ned said, "Mr. Hanes. So you are the leak. By that decision, you brought everything upon yourself." Frank wasn't sure, but he thought Ned looked slightly nauseous.

"Jeff, you take care of the details. The copter leaves in ten minutes." Ned Brenden left the room.

As he left, Frank thought one thing: his dad's lead definitely was correct.

Jeff Simmions stepped out from behind Frank, shaking his head. "You're a good guy, Frank. I can tell. This is just too bad."

Frank waited.

Then Jeff looked at him. "I need to know some things before we leave. I'd really prefer we do it the easy way. You don't even have to betray your organization, we're not asking for that. All I want to know is this: we you working alone on this?"

Frank considered. No, his only chance was Dave. It might go worse for him if the lie was discovered, but Dave was his only hope. "Yes I was."

Jeff sighed. "You know, if you did have a partner, it would make everything so much easier. Your partner, as of know, is completely ignorant. I swear we wouldn't even have to know who it was. We well allow to you write a note, privately, seal it, and send it to Rachel, the innocent secretary who works here to deliver. We, of course, would dictate the note, but the receiver would be completely innocent."

It sounded so good, and for a moment, Frank wanted to do just that. But then he thought, what if it is just a sham to give Dave away? "I worked alone," he repeated.

"Very well," Jeff said, "then follow me to the copter and don't do anything stupid. You are being watched from all angles, not just us five."

Ned flew the helicopter to the island, not speaking. This whole journey was breaking his heart. Frank sat, shackled to his seat, in the back, and there were three other guards. They didn't speak either.

He knew his actions today would take Fenton and Laura's remaining son from them forever, and he didn't think he could be the cause of that much pain. Yet to let Frank go would be to blow the entire agency and his own cover. But to not let Frank go would also result in either Frank's death or forcing him to turn coat. And Frank had so much more behind.

As they were about to land, Ned called Allison's cell phone. The pretty woman lived on the island as the head of the Assassin's eyes and ears. They spoke briefly, and she agreed to set her work aside to take Frank to his questioning. Unlike his own arrival, Frank was more than a hostage or stowaway; he was a known Network agent who knew who they were. He was dangerous and had to be deemed safe before he could be allowed freedom on the island.

Once she arrived, Ned simply handed the copter's keys and hurried away towards the house. He needed to talk to Melanie and tell her the truth.

A/N: Again, thanks for the reviews! They really gave me a nice end to my day! smiles and waves before burying self in chapter 13