Sorry it took so long to update. I have had some sick children and I have a new job. Please please read and review. I have to thank my beta reader. xlilyx. She is awesome.

Chapter 12:

Fenton Hardy was very interested in seeing what was in the house of 'Tony Morris'. He was looking through his binoculars. No one was going in or out of the house. It seemed deserted. The local law enforcement agency was working on the best course of action to infiltrate the Key West cell, but Fenton surmised that this wasn't where all the action was. This location may not even have much information. If it did people would come in and out of it more frequently.

They had been watching the house for about a month now. Frank and Callie had graduated with honors and were enroute to visit Boston College for the week and Fenton was here trying to figure out how to get into this damn house.

His partner, Sam Radley, came into the room. Fenton raised his eyebrows. "Anything new?"

"Not a thing and that is what bothers me."

Sam grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Would you like to know something fascinating?"

Fenton glared at his partner. "What?"

"Apparently, Mr. Morris hires a maid service to clean once a month. The maids will arrive tomorrow."

Fenton breathed. "Finally."

"Did you still want to go to Boston tonight?"

Fenton nodded. "I trust you, Sam…I have to be there for my son and Callie."

Frank was standing near the balcony of the Shaw's efficiency suite. A room with two beds were in the front room. A small kitchen was in the middle along with a bathroom. A living area with a fold out bed was in the back. Frank and his mother were staying in the connecting suite just next door. He didn't like leaving Callie alone for very long. Frank went and joined her on the balcony. She was looking out towards the evening sky but Frank was sure that her mind was elsewhere. He walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders soothingly.

"What are you thinking about?"

Callie felt her eyes burn with tears of happiness and frustration. Happiness because she could hear in his voice how much he loved her. Frustration because she wanted everything back to normal. She had been thinking about there senior prom and other wonderful memories. Callie sighed. She would do anything to erase her fear and continue her relationship with Frank just as it had been.

"The past…before…"

Frank put his arms around her. She continued. "I want everything back the way it was, Frank. I'm tired of being afraid of everything and everyone. I trust you…I love you…so why on earth can't I get past all this? I remember how I felt every time I was with you and…I just…don't understand how I can get so confused. Will it ever be the same? I want my life back. Our life back."

Frank kissed her hair. "I know…and it is okay to feel scared, frustrated, and confused. Callie, you are never going to forget this. Neither will I. But the pain will get better in time."

Callie whispered. "How long will you wait though? You deserve to be loved completely. Someone who can give you their mind…heart…and…" she swallowed… "body. Right now I can't…what if I still can't ten years from now?"

She was crying openly now and had turned and buried her face in his chest. "My heart says I love you…every time it beats its for you, Frank. But my head…I'm so scared and sometimes the simplest touch makes me cringe. It just isn't fair to you." This was it…one more loss wasn't going to kill her. She tried to pull herself away. But Frank held her tightly and she realized with the force of a tidal wave that she didn't feel the fear she had been feeling. She still couldn't look at him. Why would he want to look at her anyway?

Frank let her cry for a moment. He wanted to answer and not send her any mixed signals.

"Callie…honey…look at me."

She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. He smiled down at her and answered her. "I know how much you love me. I feel it right here…" He placed her hand on his chest. "Loving someone isn't just about being together physically. It's about what we are doing now. Comforting each other being there for one another. I don't need to be physically connected to you to know how much you love me. If you can't bring yourself to be more physical that is okay."

"But your needs, Frank…"

He continued to look in her eyes. "All I need is you, Callie…I love you…only you…and I will wait forever if that is as long as it takes."

Her tears fell down her cheeks. "I don't deserve you."

He pulled her close to him. "Of course you do."

Laura Hardy was watching her son and his girlfriend both sad and proud. Frank was so sensitive of her needs but she was also sad…why did they have to go through this at all? This was supposed to be a carefree time for them. They should go and have fun and live a little. Granted Frank often acted older than he was but still. The sadness in Callie's eyes was just overwhelming.

Her husband had arraigned for a rental car to be picked up at the airport. Callie was going to drive her car to Boston College when school started.

The first order of business had been to meet with the Volley Ball coach and athletic director. They had listened to Callie's situation with interest and was very eager to assist in her recovery. The director had suggested that Frank sign on as a personal trainer for the team. Since he had first aid experience it wouldn't be a problem. They had been so accommodating.

A knock at her door stopped her thoughts cold. Sarah Shaw looked up from the television. "I'll get that."

She opened the door and smiled. "Well this is a surprise…"

Laura Hardy looked in the doorway and saw Robert Shaw and… "Fenton!"

She jumped up out of her chair and hurried to her husband. "You're here? What about the case?"

"Sam is still there. I had to come Laura."

"I'm glad you did."

He looked out at the balcony and saw Callie in Frank's arms. She was obviously crying. "How are they doing?"

Laura smiled sadly. "Alright considering. We made several arraignments so that it would be easier for Frank to stay with Callie as much as possible."

Robert Shaw looked at his wife with worry in his eyes. "What about Callie? Is she still having those nightmares?"

"Surprisingly enough I haven't heard her awaken once with a nightmare since we have been here."

"Really?"

Laura smiled ruefully. "Really…"

Fenton and Robert looked at there wives intently. Fenton raised his eyebrows. "I sense a but."

Laura raised her eyebrows. Fenton drew his own conclusions. "The connecting door…"

"So who does the wandering?" Robert asked.

Sarah sighed. "You know it was Callie…George. Frank wouldn't have come into her room unless he heard trouble. I suspect Callie got spooked our first night here and went straight to Frank for protection."