Thanks to Wendylouwho10! As always for checking my story for flow and content! Typos and grammar errors are mine as usual. ;-)

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the book characters.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. This a stand alone and one of my favorites that I have written. You could view it as Casefiles but you'll see it diverges quickly.

Chapter Two

Christmas Eve five years ago… at the Morton Farm… Frank

"So how is married life treating you, Chet?" Frank asked with a smile as he looked at his childhood best friend. Well, best friend after his brother.

"Well, we've only been married a month but I'd say that she's treating me fine," Chet said with a grin.

"You'd better say that," Julia Morton added with a smack to his shoulder. "If you say anything different I'll refuse to cook you any more bacon."

Chet placed a hand over his heart and feigned shock. "Such words are grounds for divorce!"

"That's right, Julia," Frank said with a laugh. "No one is allowed to threaten Chet's bacon supply." The three of them laughed. "But seriously, you both look like marriage is really agreeing with you."

"Thanks, Frank." Chet motioned Julia away and then stepped closer to Frank. "And how about you old friend?"

Frank looked to other side of the room where Callie Hardy stood with Liz Webling. His silence spoke volumes.

"When will the divorce be final?"

"This week," Frank said with a grim laugh. "Christmas week and New Year's just aren't a good time for Frank Hardy it seems."

"There's no chance?"

"None," Frank said with a wistful tone. "I drink too much and too often according to her. I'm gone too much and when I come back she complains that I'm too quiet. Seems I can't do anything to please her." His eyes followed her as she walked over to talk with Biff Hooper. Another blue-eyed blonde… The sound of the Mortons' piano sounded through the room as a group began singing 'I'll be Home for Christmas.' The melancholy Christmas standard struck a painful chord in Frank's heart. Pianos and Joe's death were tied together in his mind and he just couldn't handle that this night above all others. "You know, maybe I should leave now," Frank said emotionally as he turned away from Chet.

Chet reached out to stay his friend and then he let his hand drop as Frank left the party.

The Caretaker paused the melody of time. The look in Frank's eyes and the matching one in Callie Hardy's told him that feelings were still there. Was this the moment? Should he alter time here so that Frank stayed at the party and talked to Callie? He closed his eyes and thought. No. Too much uncertainty here. The change needs to occur earlier in the timeline for Frank, but what of Vanessa?

Christmas Eve five years ago… at the top of the Empire State Building… Vanessa

"I don't know how you managed this!" Vanessa said excitedly as she gazed out over the bright and colorful city lights.

"Well, I called in a few favors and I have to say that it's worth it to see your face," Chris Hall said with a grin as he moved behind Vanessa and pulled her back against his chest. He rested his chin on top of her head which was no small feat considering her height but at 6'5" he was able to do it.

Vanessa reached her hands up to the arms that were wrapped around her. "Thank you," she breathed as she leaned back into him. "You know I've lived in the city for years now, but I never came up here before." She shrugged in his embrace. "Guess I didn't see much reason."

They were silent for a bit and then Chris said, "Have you thought about what I asked?"

Vanessa was quiet. "This reminds me of An Affair to Remember. Did you plan it that way?"

"Not really. I wanted you to say yes when I asked you yesterday. I had already set this up and thought we could celebrate our new engagement up here. But instead, I'm still waiting for an answer."

Vanessa pushed away from him and turned to face him. "You know why I needed time."

Chris nodded. "Joe." It was all he said; it was all he needed to say.

"Joe," she replied and closed her eyes.

"I should have asked you at Thanksgiving or maybe during the summer. This time of the year just brings up bad memories for you, but I was hoping that we could make some new happier ones together."

A number of her friends had told her that she and Joe had only been dating a year and that he wouldn't want her to stop her life because of his death. They told her that it had been five years and it was time to move on. They were right but they were also wrong. She and Joe had been secretly talking about getting married. They had talked about future plans. But what happened that Christmas Eve five years previously changed her… forever. But he wouldn't have wanted me to be alone. With eyes brimming with tears that had to do more with a past love than her current one, Vanessa whispered, "Yes."

The moment looked like a movie scene as the two embraced and kissed; but the Caretaker had seen where this relationship went after just two years. No, this wasn't the time or the place. And the Caretaker worked his magic again.

Christmas Eve nine years earlier…Vanessa…

Andrea Bender brought a mug of hot chocolate to her daughter as she sat in the curtained living room of the farmhouse. With the curtains drawn and the lights turned low, it was a dark and dreary atmosphere. With a false gaiety, Andrea asked, "Would you like to watch something? I'm sure we can find something fun." She carefully sat down on the couch with her daughter.

Vanessa stared down into the mug, her faced bathed in shadows. "I checked and It's a Wonderful Life is playing on three stations. I just don't think I'm in the mood for that kind of holiday movie," she said in a monotone. "No angel is going to come change my life." She put down the mug and stood. "I'm going up to my room and pack some more. I can't wait to move; there's nothing left for me here."

Andrea watched her daughter go as she shed silent tears.

Christmas Eve nine years earlier…Frank…

Frank and Callie Shaw stood together in the late afternoon shadows in the cemetery.

"He was just nineteen," Frank said softly as Callie hugged his arm and laid her head against his shoulder. "It shouldn't have happened. I shouldn't have asked him-"

"Frank," Callie broke in. "You can't keep doing this to yourself. It was an accident."

Frank pulled away from her and knelt on the grave sobbing. He ran a hand over the stone that read 'Joseph Hardy – Beloved Son and Brother.' "It shouldn't have happened. It shouldn't have happened," Frank whispered with emotion.

The Caretaker didn't need to see anymore. It was now obvious where he had to go change the melody and mend two broken souls.