Aftermath takes place two months later.

After been cleared from all charges,Joe was finally able to move on from the heartache he sustained at the hands of the faradic family but one crucial problem remained; Sewell was still at large and had disappeared after he escaped from prison a week after he was arrested. This created a sense of unrest and uncertainty in Joe that he became restless as he was always at incessant state of unrest as if Sewell was watching him wherever he went. The physical wounds healed a long time ago but the mental wounds lingered like a parasite in the crevices of his sanity. Frank gave up most of his free time taking care of Joe and going with him on his physiotherapy and therapy. A few months in,he could walk without crutches but it was reduced to a limp. He still couldn't run or exert himself but his career had ended the day he was shot.

Frank always put Joe's needs above his own. Even now. He always helped Joe anyway he could. Losing his parents was hardest on Frank because he was the eldest. He tried to play the dual roles of his parents: he played the kind and warm embrace of his mother and the stern demeanour of his father's. The only role he forgot to play was the role of Joe's protective elder brother. Even Frank didn't realize it. The wedding was postponed for the September 13th which was five days away. Frank and his friends were helping Joe and Vanessa plan the wedding. It wasn't an extravagant wedding nor was it simple-it was sort-of in the middle.

"Joe,are you okay?" Frank asked him putting an arm on his shoulder

"Frank, mom and dad aren't here for my wedding. I missed their last moments. Its so unfair that you've been the last person for both of their deaths. Sewell is still at large. I don't know where he is or what he wants with me. Its been two freaking months. I can't do this. I'm so sorry, Frank.

He limped as fast as he could until he was near the window. He got on the chair.

Frank's eyes widened as he realized what Joe was going to do. "Joe,please. Don't do this. Whatever you're feeling right now, let me help you."

" Frank I can't do this. I'm a danger to everyone around me. The Mortons already have lost so much, I won't let them lose another child as well. You have lost so much as well. You don't need someone like me in your life."

"Joe,you're my brother and you'll always be my partner. that hasn't changed. Not now. Not ever. Get down from the window and please lets talk about this."

Frank moved closer to Joe,he was careful to keep his voice low so he won't startle him

"Joe" Frank was visibly tearing up.

Joe got down frrom the window ledge Frank ran over to him and hugged him tightly. "Joe,don't ever do that to me again. Understand? I don't know what I do if I lost you"

"I'm sorry Frank". Joe's said in a small voice

"Joe,promise me one thing."

"Whenever you feel like this, come talk to me. No matter what."

"I will." Joe promised. "Frank,I promise you that no matter what Sewell does. I won't give up. I'll keep fighting."

The doorbell rang and Frank went to open it.

"Nancy, what are you doing here?" Frank said,his tone a mixture of surprise and happiness. "I mean come on in."

"Frank, Its urgent. Can you and Joe help me out?"

"Nance, don't you know. I can't be detective". Joe's tone was soft but the words had a hint of sadness which wa completely lost to Frank's ears as Joe hobbled and sat on the sofa. He propped his crutches against the sofa.

"Nance, how can we help you?" Joe asked.

"Its Sewell. He captured Bess and would kill her if you didn't give the files"

"What? When did this happen?" Frank asked her, "what does he want with Joe?" he demanded, anger coursing through his veins.

Not realising anything and what happened two months ago, she snapped "Frank. What has Sewell done to you? My friend has been kidnapped, held against her will and you're angry. She admitted, I dont know what he wants with Joe?"

Joe didn't want to lose anyone else. He felt sorry that the Nancy and he friends have been caught in this.

"Nance, how does he know that you know us."

"Nance, what kind of job does he want me to do?"

"Joe you can't. He'll kill you. He'll finish what he'd started."

"Hold on a second, Frank. It will have to do. It may be our only chance at rescuing Bess."

"I'm not sacrificing my brother to that low-life nobody." He incensed.

"Stop it,Frank. We don't have time to listen to your prejudices. You may not care about Bess and George but they're my friends."

Frank was hurt by Nancy's accusations. "That's not true. Of course I care about them but I'm just been realistic."

"Bess is not a statistic. She's my friend. If you won't help her, then I'll ask Joe."

"Nancy. Frank's right. I can't believe I'm saying this but we can't go half-cocked without a plan. We may inadvertently put Bess's life in more danger. Instead of coming up with a plan, you too are acting like an old married couple."

Frank and Nancy stared at each other with raised eyebrows.

"Now what's our plan?" He addressed the both of them.

Taking a deep breath, "Joe,this Sewell guy has it out for you. If we can figure that part out then we're one step closer to finding Bess."

"Sewell hates me and I don't know why. But that won't deter me from finding out what."

"Frank, what do you think?"

"Joe you and I both know what he tried to do to you and me. But I hate to admit it, it may be our only chance of finding Bess."

Nancy looked apprehensive. "Joe are you sure you can carry this out?"

"Look, Nance. I'm not going to sit here and watch Sewell or anyone of his goons bully people I care about just to get to me. If he wants a war I'll give him war". Joe's blue eyes were blazing in anger.

"Nance did he say anything else"

" It makes no sense that he would call me up just to leave me high and dry"

"What if its a trap" Frank reasoned. "Think about it. He needs to get to Joe hurting everyone else he cares about in the process."

"I didn't even think about that." Nancy realised. "Joe has to go alone or Bess dies. He also told me that if I get the police involved, Bess dies"

He interrupted Frank because Joe knew he was going to refute. "We can't take any chances, Frank."

Conceding defeat and realising the others were right, Frank acquiesced. "Fine". "what if we..." Frank whispered the plan to Nancy and Joe.

The others agreed.

"Frank, you and I shall handle the printing and keep it somewhere safe. Joe will go and hand it over to him."

FGFGFG

An hour later,Joe went to the secluded location. He handed the manila folder over to the people. "Give him Bess". He ordered the others.

Bess was taken out by the arm roughly and Joe caught her as the goon pushed her forward. "Bess you're safe." Bess looked up and saw that it was Joe.

"Bess run. Get out of here". Joe's tone sounded so urgent that Bess knew not to argue with him and do what as he asked. She was terrified, her dark-blue dress was in tatters.

Sewell inspected the dossier and realised something. He pulled a gun and pointed it at Joe

"This dossier is not the original."

How did he figure that part out? Joe wondered. He was terrified because he wasn't who he once was. He wasn't same athletic person nor did he have any athletic prowess.

He stood closer to the Joe until they were in each other's faces. "Who told you to give me a copy of the dossier?"

There's no way in hell I'm telling you. Joe countered back.

Joe may sound like hes OOC but Sewell ruined his life so he knows what he's capable of.

This is my first time writing Nancy. So please forgive me if I didn't capture the essence of her personality.