Author's Note: As always, thanks for reading! And a reminder that the author doesn't own the Hardy Boys - they are owned by Simon and Schuster and the Statemeyer Syndicate and will be returned when done. Thanks for letting her play in your playground. And thank you to all reviewers - I'm going to let her family know about them so they can see what you have to say!

Chapter Eleven

By copagirl

With Aaron on one side and Ken on the other, both boys had a tight grip on Vanessa. They dragged her towards the edge of the roof. Ken seemed a little nervous.

"Aaron, are you sure this is going to work?"

A sly smirk on his face, Aaron almost sneered. "Oh yeah, it's gonna work."

Vanessa struggled with all her might, but the two boys were just too strong.

Vanessa screamed as she was pushed over the side.

"Nooooooooo!" With that blood-curdling scream, Joe dropped his book bag and ran towards the school building. Joe didn't know what he could do, but knew he had to do something. If he tried to break Vanessa's fall, maybe…just maybe.

Then the impossible happened.

Dr. Warner heard a girl scream, he saw the blonde boy run towards the now falling girl. Then he saw something that made his heart beat with joy.

Vanessa felt the wind rushing through her as she fell. She heard Joe's tortured scream. Vanessa whispered her good-bye and love to Joe. Suddenly…she came to a stop.

Joe was frantic; he wasn't going to make it in time. Vanessa was going to fall to the ground and possibly die. Then, as Joe would later describe, it felt as if a hand pushed him forward.

Joe came to a halt; he looked up and saw Vanessa seemingly hanging in the air. Slowly, slowly she came down into his arms.

No one in the schoolyard said anything. The students and teachers, who had come running out, just stood and stared in awe. A low murmur began…whispers could be heard. The students began to crowd around Joe and Vanessa.

Dr. Warner took out his cell phone. "Alexander, I've found her."

Frank kept his eye on the roof; he saw Ken Franklin and Aaron Russell standing at the edge. Ken had a shocked expression on his face. Aaron had a satisfied look on his.

Thinking of what Mr. Gray had just told him, Frank scanned the area. He noticed an older gentleman standing next to a white BMW. The man was speaking on his cell phone. Taking out a photo that the Gray Man had given him, Frank studied the photo, then glanced back at the man.

No, it wasn't the same person. Unless he dyed his hair, but Frank didn't think so. Frank needed to speak with Carolyn.

Luckily for Carolyn, Dr. Warner hadn't seen her yet. Carolyn had gotten caught up in the rush, pushed along with the other students towards Joe and Vanessa. Trying to push her way out, Carolyn stumbled towards the front steps.

Principal Hayden came rushing over.

"Move aside please, move aside. I want everyone inside. Classes begin in five minutes."

They were reluctant to leave; it took Principal Hayden another ten minutes to get his students into the school. Finally, it was just Joe, still holding Vanessa in his arms, Frank and Callie, who stood by Joe, and Chet and Carolyn, who stayed on the steps.

"Can someone please tell me what happened?" Principal Hayden asked.

"Mr. Hayden, I saw Aaron Russell and Ken Franklin up on the roof. I'm sure Vanessa will tell you that they pushed her off the building," Frank replied.

Joe held tightly to Vanessa; he never wanted to let her go, ever again. Vanessa also had Joe in a tight grip, her face buried into his neck. She could feel someone, Callie she thought, gently rubbing her back.

"Miss Bender," Principal Hayden said softly. "Is this true?"

He had to lean close as Vanessa mumbled a yes.

"Let's get you inside and have the nurse look at you. Then I'm calling your mother."

"Mr. Hayden, may I…may I stay with Vanessa till her mother arrives?" Joe asked, his voice shaking with fear.

As he looked at Joe, Principal Hayden knew this must be hard for the young teen. He was well aware of Joe's history. Losing his first love in a car bomb, and now almost losing his new love.

"Of course, Joe. I'll let your teachers know why you're not in class. They can't very well argue with me, now can they?"

Joe smiled gratefully at this caring man. As Joe carried Vanessa inside, one by one Frank, Callie, Chet and Carolyn followed.

As Chet held the door open, Carolyn turned her head to smile up at him. As she did, Carolyn saw Dr. Warner standing across the street.

Chet was right, she had to talk to the Hardys.

*endofchapter*endofchapter*

Author's Note (or is that Poster's note?) - a reminder to read the author's profile and, as always, thanks for all the reviews you leave for her!