OKAY this is the correct chapter fifteen. I don't know how I managed to post my first draft of this chapter but alas there it was. SO...sorry for the confusion and tell me what you think of the changes.

Chapter 15:

Joe woke up in a haze of confusion. He saw his girlfriend looking at him with worried eyes. They were in what appeared to be in an abandoned warehouse. This didn't look too good. Vanessa was chained to a pipe with an ankle shackle. He sat up and saw that he was tied more securely. His hands were handcuffed behind his back and he was shackled to the same pipe. Vanessa leaned down and kissed him. "Are you alright?"

"Where are we?"

Vanessa sighed. "Reno Nevada. I think."

Joe looked around. He could see piles of fertilizer. Four large yellow trucks were sitting in the middle of the floor. He wracked his brain. What are these guys planning?"

He glanced at Vanessa. She whispered. "I think they are making truck bombs. You know like the one in Oklahoma City."

Joe frowned. "But what is the target?"

Vanessa put her head against his shoulder. "I don't know, baby...I'm scared."

Joe wished he could put his arms around her. He tried to sooth her with his voice. "Don't be scared Van. Frank will find us."

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Frank Hardy was relieved that his father had chartered a plane from Boston so that he could fly straight to Reno after picking up Sam in New York. He was about two hours away from Reno and he was looking out at the sky. Hoping he could make sense of all this. Poor Nan...he felt horrible. These scum bags were going to pay for this. They killed a dear friend and after everything Callie had been through. Callie… every time he thought about her his heart broke. She seemed to be doing better as far as the trauma from the rape was concerned. She had been seeing a rape crisis counsellor ever since it happened. Frank had also been seeing her as well. Open communication and patience was the best way to get through the hard times. She stressed as long as they shared their feelings with each other and patience that things would eventually sort themselves out. Now that the rape had lost some of its sting. Frank had, for the last week or so, searched for signs from Callie.

Callie seemed sad all the time. Occasionally, he would see part of the Callie he used to know. But most of the time her eyes were filled with despair. Her eyes had lost its spark. Tonight when they parted he could feel her fear...but it wasn't a fear from the rape...Frank could tell it was because of fear of loss. But why? Frank scanned the control panel of the tiny plane. He could hear Sam and his father discussing the case. Probably hoping for his input but he wasn't focusing on what they were saying. Callie was the only thing on his mind. He tried to focus on the good times. He remembered their lunch hours at school with the gang. They all laughed and joked. Callie had been ill with the stomach flu. She had tried to eat her salad only to jump off her stool moments later and run towards the bathroom. Vanessa started to follow her but he had grabbed her by the wrist. He picked up his tray and Callie's and went to wait outside the bathroom that Callie had sought refuge. When she emerged she was pale. He had asked if she was okay and she nodded into his shoulder. They had an important exam the last period of the day and she did not want to miss it. He watched her like a hawk that day. She was very tired and nodded off in French. In Chemistry which was their last class he had to nudge her with his foot twice. That memory was bitter sweet because just that weekend Callie was raped by Andolini.

That whole weekend changed everything. When she left the hospital he remembered her fear and sadness. He saw the look of apprehension on her face as her doctor handed her the antibiotic to prevent infection and asked her to follow-up with her gynaecologist. The look of despair. Was she worried about what could happen or...Frank froze and gripped the plane's throttle. A realization finally dawning on him. 'Oh Callie why didn't you tell me?' The tears fell down his eyes as he finally realized that part of Callie's hell had been created by him.

Fenton and Sam had tried many times to get Frank to give him input on everything but had given up completely. Fenton could tell that Frank was in deep thought probably working through some things and did not need to be disturbed. Fenton stood up and stretched. He glanced over at his son and saw that he had tears on his face. He looked at Sam and they both stood up. Sam also had a pilots license and went over and said.

"Hey kiddo...why don't you let me take that for a bit. You haven't had a break." He sat down in the co pilot's chair.

Frank didn't really want to get up but knew that his father wasn't going to let him stay there either. He got up and stretched. "Hey dad...any coffee left?"

Fenton had already poured him a cup. Frank took it and downed a few sips without adding cream or sugar. That alone told Fenton how distraught Frank was.

"Did you hear anything we were saying?"

Frank sighed. "No not really. I was focusing on the skies."

Fenton raised an eyebrow. "Or a lovely lady or two?"

Frank almost laughed at his father's look of concern. Yes he missed Nancy, he loved Nancy but more like a sister. But this loss with Callie had cut him to the core. He realized that without the trauma of the rape that they would be discussing many life changing things. Like how could they support a child. With a painful realization Frank knew that he as well as the rest of his family would have gladly welcomed a grandchild into this world rather than the pain that Callie was currently in. Frank didn't blame Callie for not telling him. She was probably trying to protect him...knowing that he would be saddened at the news.

"Frank...what is it son?"

"I'm just...overwhelmed. Callie feels like she should be over what has happened to her and she is getting frustrated. I would be lying to you if I wasn't frustrated about all this. I mean...this creep comes in and throws our life out of control. I just wish we could have normal problems for once. You know..."

"Anything specific?" Fenton asked softly.

Frank looked at his father and didn't know what to do at this point. Part of him wanted to open up and tell him everything. But his father would obviously be disappointed. But he needed reassurance that everything was going to be alright. He was fairly certain of this...even if it wasn't true...it was still a fear. A fear that he needed to get out in the open. Frank couldn't look at his father but he spoke barely in a whisper. "Dad...I don't even know where to start."

Fenton was chilled to the bone. Whenever Frank started a conversation like that it was never a good sign. That meant that what ever he was going to reveal was going to be painful and Frank needed an opening. Fenton always provided the same one. "The beginning is always best Frank."

With tears in his eyes he said. "Was there ever a time when you knew something was wrong with Mom or someone else close to you but you couldn't put your finger on it at first. Then when you finally realize what it is...it almost kills you...tears your soul in two."

"Yes..." Fenton snuck a glance at Sam Radley. He had put on the head phones. He couldn't help but smile at his best friend. Sam knew that Frank needed to disclose this in private and was going to let him. He pushed forward trusting his instincts. "So what did you realize about Callie?"

Knowing there was no going back. "I haven't actually confirmed this...but dad...I just know. I know you picked up on it too. Callie wasn't afraid of my leaving tonight because she was worried about being raped again. She was worried about losing me. I know you heard what she said on the balcony."

Fenton smiled sadly at him. Then like the force of a freight train he realized what Frank was about to reveal to him. He put a supportave hand on his son's back as Frank bore out what was in his soul. About how Callie had been sick and tired the last week of school. How startled she had been with the antibiotics and the followup with her gynachologist. All insignificant apart but when you put them together you can only draw one conclusion. "Dad the trauma of her injuries must have been to great...I would rather have brought an early child into the world than have all this happen to her. She feels so guilty...she has felt this guilt the whole time and...I didn't realize." He took in a ragged breath and whispered. "I'm sorry if you are disappointed."

Fenton pulled his oldest son into his arms. "I'm not disappointed Frank...far from it. You have dealt with so much and you have handled it better than I could have. I have never been more proud of you. If you are certain of this and I can tell that you are. When you do confront Callie I know that you will know what to do. You will love her and support each other. She was scared son and was trying to protect you. Trying to protect you from the pain you are feeling now. It will be alright Frank. It will be alright."

Frank broke down and sobbed in his fathers arms. All the anger and sorrow that had built up since Callie's rape finally releasing. Fenton did the only thing he could which was comfort his grieving son.

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