A/n: Told you Joe rambles a lot. Not even the dead characters are mine. drat it all.

Chapter 2

Joe Hardy jumped about 6 inches straight up at the unexpected voice. He never noticed he was no longer alone. (so much for all those lessons on being aware of your surroundings from both dad and the Navy) He drank in the sight of her, the ache in his heart that had finally began to dull after he met Vanessa suddenly returning with a vengeance. "Iola" he breathed softly.

He swiftly gathered her up in his arms and gave her quite possibly the most passionate kiss in all eternity. Wesley and Buttercup had nothing on him. Iola was not content to just be the recipient and her arms wasted no time entwining themselves around his neck and pulled him even closer. A very long moment went by before they surfaced for air. They sat down on the rock without relinquishing their hold on one another. Iola shifted slightly and laid her head on Joe's shoulder. He leaned in and breathed deep the scent of her. Fresh grass and crisp fall apples. Tears fell freely into her hair as long buried emotions rose to the surface.

They sat that way until the sun set, not saying a word. Joe was afraid to speak, thinking the illusion would shatter and he'd be left alone again. Eventually, the stars came out and the silence was broken.

"You're not dead." she said softly.

"I'm not?" he asked disbelievingly.

"Nope."

"But...I got shot."

"Yeap."

"Three times."

"Uh huh."

"It hurt."

"I know."

"okay Ms Smarty Pants if I am not dead then what are you doing here if not to lead me to the Pearly Gates?"

"No Pearly Gates for you Mister."

"Umm the 'Other Place'?" he gulped, going pale in the moonlight.

"Arrrgh. You. Are. Not. Dead." each word was punctuated by a stiff finger poking him in the chest.

"Dying?" with a faint tinge of hope coloring his small voice.

"Not this time."

"Then why are you here?" there was pain in his voice now, like he was afraid of the answer.

"You tell me. You conjured me up Hardy."

"Say wha?" he spluttered.

Patiently, Iola continued. "I am not a ghost. I am not an angel. I am, for lack of a better term, your subconscious manifesting itself in order to get you to wake the hell up and survive dammit!" Her patience was wearing pretty thin by now. "Apparently I am the only person who ever managed to knock some sense into you when it really mattered. Obviously lack of proximity has dulled that super power and you are no longer susceptible to my charms. "

Joe had nothing to say in return. He sat there, jaw dropped and stared at her like she had two heads.

They sat and stared at each other a few more minutes, Iola with her arms crossed and foot tapping, Joe still in shock. Finally he shook his head and said "I...miss...you" His voice broke as he softly spoke the words.

"I know."

"It was my fault."

"No. It wasn't."

"We chased him down, you know. Frank and I. But he wouldn't be taken alive to face justice." Joe spat bitterly.

"Thank you."

"But why are you here" he cried, his heart breaking.

"You have unfinished business. I am here to remind you of that. You must wake up and finish your life as it is meant to be. You owe me that."

Joe wasn't sure what to make of that statement. He cocked his head quizzically at her, an unspoken question.

"I died. You mustn't. My potential was wasted. I won't let you waste yours. Live. For me. In my memory and in my honor. Please, Joe. Do this one thing for me." Tears were streaming down her face as she whispered the last words although she never dropped her gaze. Wordlessly he held out his arms and she flew into his strong and tender embrace. The rest of the night passed, although Joe never felt the cold. He supposed that since this was his delusion/hallucination/dream/whatever he was in charge of the temperature.

Dawn slowly rose over the horizon. Iola had long since fallen asleep in his arms and he briefly tightened his embrace as he silently realized his time with her was up. She blinked open sleepy eyes and smiled up at him tenderly. "Are you ready to go back?" she asked.

"If I do I lose you all over again!"

"Not if you do as I ask and live. I will always be a part of you."

"The very best part of me."

"Well that goes without saying" she teased.

Joe pulled her into his lap as he held her so very close one last time. " I love you Iola Morton."

"I love you Joseph Hardy." She stood and stepped away from him. "Live a long and meaningful life. Stop the bad guys. Fall in love again without guilt. And next time? Tackle your brother so the bullets miss you." And then she was simply...gone.

Joseph Hardy sat at his Thinking Spot for a very long time before finally standing up, tears still wet on his face, and began walking towards home.

His next conscious act was fuzzily opening his eyes and staring into the face of his father. Joe smiled.

A/n: Up next, Dear ole dad. it's going to be sort of an epilogue to the series.