Note: Wow. Thank you so much for all of the lovely reviews on the last chapter. That was a real treat for an older story of mine! There are only two more chapters after this. Thank you again to Drumboy100, hbndgirl, LaurieQ, Erin Jordan, and max2013 for your reviews on chapter 6.

Fly Away

Chapter 7

December 30

Several days later, Callie found herself in Vanessa's bedroom, where Vanessa was trying on her dress for the following evening. As she whirled in front of the mirror for Callie's benefit, Callie couldn't help but to smile. If there was one bright moment of sunshine in the entire holiday season, it was Vanessa's infectious laughter and enthusiasm for the following evening. If happiness really could shine through, then Vanessa must be walking on air, Callie thought to herself. Vanessa looked so beautiful and carefree, and Callie was desperate to remember was that feeling was like.

"Callie?"

Hearing her voice, Callie looked at Vanessa. "What? I'm sorry. I guess my mind was somewhere else."

Sitting down next to Callie, Vanessa gave her a small hug. "I'm really sorry that everything's been so rough for you. Don't you worry—Frank and Joe will solve the case."

"How do you know that?" Callie asked, dejected.

"Because I do," Vanessa responded. "As sure as there are death and taxes, there is the assurance that the Hardy boys will solve their cases."

Despite herself, Callie laughed. "A little melodramatic, Van, don't you think?!"

Seeing Callie smile lifted Vanessa's spirits dramatically. "Yes!" she said, and stood up, playfully pulling Callie with her and dancing with her around the bed. "But still—it cheered you up, right?!"

"Right," Callie replied, catching her breath and laughing. No matter how bad things seemed to get, being around Vanessa was like a breath of fresh air. She was a true rarity in the world, and Callie was so glad that Vanessa had found her way into Joe Hardy's life. They really were perfect for one another.

Still, once she settled down again, Callie lay back on Vanessa's bed and sighed.

"Now what's the matter, babes?" Vanessa asked. "The messages are becoming less frequent, the party is tomorrow, and you have a boyfriend who absolutely adores you! What's there to be sad about?"

"Come on, Vanessa," Callie said quietly. "I know that you …and Joe… and Frank… all know something about this case that you're not telling me. I'd like to know what it is. I think I deserve to know if I'm in danger."

Suddenly, Vanessa's smile fell and she sighed. "Callie—I can't tell you. All I can tell you is that Frank is going nuts to make sure that you don't need to know what he found out…and that there's nothing he won't do to protect you."

Sitting up, Callie shook her head, her blonde hair flying around her pretty face. "That's just—stupid!" Callie declared in exasperation. "I'm not a little child. I don't need to be sheltered and protected. I'm a grown woman and I deserve to know what's going on!"

After a long pause, Vanessa shook her head. "I'm sorry, Callie. I…I can't."

"Whatever!" Callie yelled, and stood up, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Why are you so upset?" Vanessa asked, startled. She hadn't expected this strong of a reaction, although she could more than sympathize with Callie's predicament. Still, she agreed with Frank—Callie couldn't know.

"You know why?" Callie shouted back, tears spilling onto her cheeks. "Because I hate being lied to!" And then, suddenly, all of Callie's words came out in a torrent of emotions that she didn't know that she had been suppressing for so long. "And because no one trusts me to take care of myself!"

"That' not it!" Vanessa countered, but she was instantly silenced by Callie.

"And you know what else?" Callie continued, wringing her hands nervously. "I KNOW I'm being watched, and Frank and Joe can't even help me—in their own house! It doesn't make sense. And that's not all."

Suddenly quieted, Callie sank to the ground of Vanessa's bedroom and sputtered out her next words. "I feel like a failure because I let Frank down about this trip," she admitted with a shaky voice. "And tomorrow… tomorrow Frank expects to see me with my new necklace and bracelet. But I sold the bracelet, Van…" she said, looking up, "so that I could afford the watch for Frank. And… I'm so tired! I can't work any more, but I don't want to ask for help, you know?"

Listening to Callie, Vanessa was shocked. "Wow," was all she could manage. "I had no idea! You sold the bracelet for the watch?!"

"Yeah," Callie responded, weakly.

"How Gift of the Magi-ish," Vanessa commented, eliciting a small smile from Callie.

"Well, I do know one thing for sure," Callie said, shakily standing up.

"What's that?" Vanessa inquired.

"If no one will solve this case, then I will! At least it will give me something to focus on!" And with that, Callie turned and left the room, leaving Vanessa staring after her, mouth-open.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

That evening Vanessa sat at the Hardy home, watching Frank pace nervously back and forth.

"Frank! Stop!" she and Joe said simultaneously, before linking fingers and saying, "Jinx!"

"It's not funny," Frank growled. "I should have told her. I mean… it was stupid not to. Who knows where she is now?"

"I'm sure she's fine," Joe reassured his brother.

"You know, all of this aggravation was so unnecessary," Frank sighed. "I should have done more about the messages so she wouldn't be so worried!" he added in frustration.

"You can only do so much," Joe said consolingly.

"But I need her here tonight!" Frank responded. "Tonight—you know as well as I do…."

"I know," Vanessa replied. "AND I KNOW Callie. She'll get here."

"But..." Frank began.

"No 'But's'," Vanessa interjected.

"Maybe she WILL solve the case," Joe said. "She's bright."

"Maybe," Frank responded dejectedly. "If anything happens to her …"

"Nothing will happen," Joe replied.

As if on cue, there was a knocking at the front door. Running to answer it, Frank threw open the door and was almost weak with relief when he saw Callie. Scooping her into his arms, he held her tightly for a moment before letting her go. "Where have you BEEN?" he asked, more out of worry than anger.

Pulling back from him, Callie breathed deeply. "Solving the case," she responded.

"What?!" Frank asked, stunned.

Reaching for his hand, Callie led Frank into the living room, where she was immediately greeted by Joe and Vanessa, who also looked surprised to see her.

"What's up?" Joe asked, trying to be light-hearted, but greatly relieved at Callie's presence.

Walking into the center of the room, she motioned for everyone to come around her. "I don't know what you've been hiding from me, and I don't even know that it's important," Callie said evenly. However, the flush in her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her excitement. "BUT… even though I'm not sure why these messages were delivered to me, I think I've solved the case- and it's very important."

Joe cast a dubious look at her. "Okay- shoot,' he said.

"Look at the clues," Callie answered, and whipped out the notepad again.

Two hands clasping or gripped together. Says "Two hands."

A picture of a helicopter- says "Over Air."

Magazine cutout- a lot of people. Words- "Many possibilities."

Pictures of dollar bills- ominous warning—"You'll pay."

Several stones. Rocks. Says "Over Years."

Pictures of stars together with odd message: "Next nights."

"Enthralling events." Some picture of a brochure… name undisclosed.

Picture. Girl terrified? Message states "Anxiously waiting." Ominous.

"New yelling." Picture of a microphone.

A picture of a novel. Says "Great Expectations."

NEW

A picture of a fire. Says "Explosions- air."

Finally, a path of some sort. Says, "Long runway."

"I totally don't get it," Vanessa replied.

"Don't you see?" Callie said excitedly, looking up.

"No," Joe said, point blank.

"All the clues!" Callie said in exasperation. " I think someone is trying to get YOUR attention through me. Tomorrow night!"

"What about it?" asked Vanessa.

Taking a moment to look up, Callie asserted dramatically and certainly, "There's going to be a big explosion at the Bayport Air Force Base New Year's Gala—and we have to stop it before it happens!"