Note: Thank you so much to those of you who have left reviews since the last chapter: SnowPrincess88 (chapter 15), Evergreendreamweaver, hbndgirl, Hero 76, max 2013, ulstergirl, and Paulina Ann- your feedback is very much appreciated! It seems as if fewer people read the last chapter than the norm, so, if you didn't read and would like to, the last chapter explains a lot about the actual mystery and connects the show to Cotnig. Thanks, as always, for reading, following, and especially reviewing. Hope you enjoy!

The Secret Spaces

Chapter 20

Joe finished texting Vanessa and arrived at Callie's room less than ten minutes after. Before he could enter, Vanessa stepped outside, tears in her eyes, and walked directly into Joe.

Immediately, he reached out for her and held onto her tightly. "You okay, baby?" he murmured to her, gently stroking her hair.

Vanessa nodded into his shoulder and then stepped back, reaching for his hand. She wiped tears away with the back of her other hand. "I can't believe Johnny's gone," she cried in a low voice.

"I know," he answered, squeezing her hand. "It's horrible. How's Callie doing?" he asked.

Vanessa laced her fingers through his. "She's very quiet. Resting a lot. I think she's still trying to come to terms with everything. She keeps looking for Frank."

"He'll be here soon," Joe assured her. "Think she's up to me talking to her for a few minutes?"

Vanessa nodded. "I think so. I didn't even tell her. I told her parents, and they said they'd be back in a half hour so you could have some time. They're concerned Callie isn't ready for any questions," she cautioned.

Joe sighed before answering. "I know. So is Frank. Maybe they're right. I certainly don't want to push her. I just want to see what she knows. We just landed a huge break in the case."

"Really?" Vanessa asked, surprised."That's great, babe. Do you think you'll find your dad soon?"

Joe slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Say a prayer, Van. We're going to try. In fact, we'll be leaving here fairly soon. I promise I'll be in touch as often as I can be… as long as you promise to rest and not worry. Keep Callie company." He touched her cheek. "I love you so much, Van. This nightmare has to end soon." He leaned in to kiss her slowly. "Come back in maybe 30 or 40 minutes, okay?"

"Okay," Vanessa agreed at last. "When I get back, you can leave." She gave him a quick kiss and headed to the cafeteria for a small lunch.

Joe headed into Callie's room and sucked in his breath. He hadn't even seen her since she'd been brought in, and he was reminded at once of all the trauma she'd been through. He'd been so wrapped up in his own fears over Vanessa, so out of control with his feelings dealing with Frank, so distracted by Johnny's place in all of this, so worried about his father, that he'd been unable to see her. He realized, as he had for the millionth time in his life, that he had no plan, but that he needed to not only talk to Callie, but also to see with his own eyes that she was okay. He walked over to the bed and was surprised when Callie opened her eyes at once. Despite the countless IVs and needles attached to her one arm, and the monitors attached to her chest and stomach, she looked better than he thought she would. "Hey," he said with a smile as he stood awkwardly by her bed.

"Hi," she said quietly, trying to smile, but not quite managing. "Sorry- I thought you were Frank."

He looked down at her and spoke. "Nah. You lucked out with the good looking brother," he teased.

Callie looked up at him, and he saw in her dark eyes uncertainty, fear, and pain… but a lot of strength. At once, he sighed. This was awkward, and he hated awkwardness. "Can you scoot over?" he asked her, and she looked at him questioningly. "Come on. I need to give you a hug."

Callie nodded and her eyes filled with tears. She moved over very slowly, and Joe almost stopped her when he saw the grimace on her face. When she had moved just enough, Joe sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. He kissed her forehead. "I'm glad you're okay, sis," he whispered to her.

Callie rested her head against his shoulder. "Thanks," she managed. "I needed that."

"I'm always good for a hug," he reminded her, backing off slightly but keeping one arm wrapped firmly around her shoulders. "How are you feeling?"

Callie looked up at him, and Joe felt an overwhelming need to protect her. She looked so vulnerable. He squeezed her shoulders.

"They have me hooked up to all these machines. I can't move too well," she said at last.

"Yeah, they're a pain," he said."But if they're saving your life, then okay, right?"

She nodded weakly.

"You have to work on keeping the little guy in there for a few more weeks," he replied.

"Or girl," she answered automatically.

"Little Joe," they said at the same time, and finally Callie laughed. Within seconds, though, it turned to tears as she covered her mouth to hide her quivering lips. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Don't be," he answered, comfortingly.

"I can't believe what happened," she went on in a quivering voice. "John…"

"I know," he assured her, and kissed her head. "I'm sorry, Cal. I know how much you loved him. He was your #3 guy, right?"

Callie let out a small chuckle despite herself. "Right."

"Frank is taking care of the… arrangements," he told her honestly, and she nodded slowly, numbly.

"Thanks for telling me," she breathed in a low voice. She met his eyes. "I think people are afraid I'm going to break or something. I see the doctors in and out and they don't say much; cops outside the room, but they don't come in. Vanessa and my parents and your mom won't tell me what's going on. I only saw Frank for a few minutes. And all of this within the three hours I've actually been half conscious. Will you tell me - for real- what's going on?"

Joe hesitated.

"Please, Joe," she implored him, her voice shaking. "All I know is that I was taken… what happened…" She was trembling a bit, and Joe rubbed her shoulder in comfort. "Why?"

He realized at once that she was right. Callie would have no idea about the case- all she knew was the hell she had gone through; the fact that her best friend was dead. He didn't want to scare her or cause her more heartache, but she deserved the truth. "Think you can focus for 15 or 20 minutes?"

"Yeah. Please," she begged.

Taking in a deep breath, he told her everything from his point of view, even when it got difficult and complicated. He stopped only when he realized he was going too quickly for Callie to concentrate, or when he sensed that she needed comfort, and hugged her a little tighter. Finally, he ended with why he was there now.

"God," she whispered. "That's … that's crazy. Your dad is missing? Oh, Joe. I had no idea."

Joe looked at her affectionately. Despite the horror she had been through and the pain that he saw she was still very much in, she was being incredibly strong. "We'll get him back," he added, and looked up when he saw Vanessa walk into the room. She hesitated, but Joe waved at her. "Come in, babe," he told her, and she did, sitting on the chair opposite Callie and across from Joe. "I just told Callie what's been happening."

When Vanessa raised her brows at him, Callie responded, "No, Van. I needed to know. Joe did me a favor."

Joe smiled at her. "Callie was just going to fill me in on what I don't know."

"Are you sure she's up for that?" Vanessa asked cautiously. Callie was pale and exhausted, and, though Vanessa knew Joe was doing what he thought was best, she wondered if this was too much. Callie hadn't been conscious long, and she had been under unbearable stress.

"Yes, 'she' is," Callie answered weakly. But even Joe saw the conversation was taking its toll, and his promise to his brother to take care of her echoed in his head.

"We can wait, Cal," he answered reassuringly. "It probably wouldn't help, and…"

"Stop," she interrupted. "Let me just get it out."

Vanessa met Joe's eyes, but nodded slowly. "Okay," she encouraged.

Callie spoke slowly and evenly, filling them in on what had happened after Vanessa had left the cabin. Joe found himself inadvertently holding her closer when he heard about what Cotnig had done to her and Johnny- how she had been kicked and Johnny punched and beaten; how hungry and thirsty and freezing they had been, having only one coat, which Johnny had insisted she wear; how Johnny had put aside his own pain to protect her, and how she had been so weak and bleeding and couldn't walk or think straight. At that point, she had to stop her story, pausing to collect herself, as if some memory was too unbearable to recall. Eventually, she told them how Cotnig had switched back and forth between their real names and the show names; how he had mentioned Fenton repeatedly, and they didn't know why. She told them how they'd been always so close to death, but somehow had survived. Finally, she ended with the man holding a gun on them. Then she suddenly stopped and got very quiet again.

Vanessa was brushing back tears and Joe was fighting fury. Why? Why had this happened- Johnny had died and Callie was still in very bad shape… for what?' "I'm so sorry, Cal," he managed, squeezing her shoulder. "You can stop there."

Callie looked back up, and Joe noticed how absolutely drained she looked, as if she couldn't keep her eyes open. "No," she finally added in a faint voice. She lowered her eyes again and continued. "The guy raised the gun and he went to fire. Johnny- he jumped in front of me. I remember just- screaming." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "When he went down, the guy looked shocked that he hadn't hit me. So he got distracted, but John… somehow got up and tackled him. Then there was a squabble and - I just know the gun went off."

Vanessa was crying openly now. "Oh, Cal," she managed.

"That's why when Frank told me that Johnny… didn't make it, I… I wasn't surprised." She was sobbing quietly now, and Joe felt terrible. "I thought we were both dying anyway out there. He- told me he thought he was dying, and… and... that it wasn't my fault. I just remember a camera flash or something -it was so horrible. There was blood all over- mine AND Johnny's and.. that guy's... he just tried to protect me, even then … and that's all I remember." By now, Callie was shaking, the trauma and realization that Johnny really was gone overwhelming her. "Joe- can... Frank come? Please?" She needed him now, more than ever.

Her voice had broken, her face's pallor had faded significantly, and she started shivering harder as the nightmare resurfaced again and the reality of her loss continued to hit her ceaselessly. How she could go on without Johnny was incomprehensible- she really loved him so much. God, he'd saved her- at least twice in her life, he'd been her hero. She'd lived once because of him; and now-again. She was taken back for a minute to...no. She had to stop. She really would die if she let her mind wander.

Despite what he had told her about it not being her fault, she knew it was. All she could envision was Johnny jumping to protect her; and, once he did, and had started bleeding badly and gasping for air, he had still held her, comforting HER, as they both prepared to die. She could still practically feel his arms around her, and it was unbearable. Other than Frank, he was the only man who had ever allowed her to feel totally safe and protected. Again, she was taken back there... "no," she whispered to herself. "Please."

And now he was gone- and it was her fault.

Joe sensed immediately that something was very wrong and instantly regretted having pushed her too far. He held her for a long minute. "Of course," he managed at last, voice tight. "Thanks, sis. You were amazing. Try to rest now. I'll get Frank." He kissed her cheek and slid off the bed, texting his brother immediately.

Five minutes later, Frank arrived. Joe waved him into the room and left with Vanessa.

Joe sat and stared straight ahead, arm around Vanessa, as he dealt with the impact of Callie's words. It broke his heart to have heard that story, but she had given him some very valuable information that he needed to think about. Still, the thought that his dear friend, his sister in a real sense, had been suffered so much, enraged him. He thought his fury couldn't have been worse than what he felt when he had heard Vanessa's story, but it had only grown worse with his father's absence; with Callie's gut wrenching tale. No one- no one- hurt his family. He was ready to get revenge, and he would stop at nothing.

In the meantime, Frank saw the look on Callie's now white face and wondered what the hell had happened. What had Joe told her?!

"Cal?" he asked, and slid into the bed, exactly where Joe had just been. Instinctively, he took her in his arms, scared when he felt her trembling. "It's okay, baby. I'm here. Shhh," he whispered. "You're safe. YOU ARE SAFE," he repeated, knowing she needed to hear those words. She felt so fragile, and he tried not to panic when he heard her moan softly in pain.

"I'm so sorry, baby," he told her, fighting his emotions. "I should never have sent Joe in."

"No," she whispered, cuddling close, her one free hand on her stomach by instinct. "Joe was fine. He's always honest. He's good to me," she mumbled, looking as if she would pass out at any moment. She didn't want to talk; could barely do so anyway. Joe really hadn't done anything wrong. She just felt hollow and desperately needed Frank. Just his presence, his arms around her, helped to fight the sickness she felt when she thought of what had happened- now and then. What if she fell asleep and was back there again? She was so scared.

"Let me get the doctor," he told her, alarmed, and went to move, but she then clung to him.

"No," she whimpered, and tried to move even closer to him, desperate to have him near despite her limited mobility. Usually, she was independent and strong. But right now she felt so depleted. She couldn't articulate her guilt and suffering over Johnny. She couldn't tell him accurately how scared she had been and the shame she felt over that. She was still scared. Her body ached horribly; still, even now, she felt the occasional ripping pain in her abdomen, her back spasming so badly she wanted to cry out; beg for relief. She was worried for her child and had no idea her prognosis or the baby's- no one had told her. But God- she couldn't even ask, exhausted beyond comprehension. All she could do was rely on the fact that Frank had always known her so well; would know what she needed. "Frank," she barely whispered. "Find your dad. But first, can you just hold me? Please. I need you." She buried her face in his chest. "Help," she managed, voice fading out quickly as her eyes closed.

Frank fought tears. This was not like his Callie at all. But he knew why- he wished to God he didn't, but he did. And he knew this moment was about so much more than it seemed. He couldn't even imagine the hell she had been through. Again. Still, he knew what do, as he tightened his hold and cradled her against him, rubbing her back gently and kissing her head softly. He was so anxious to hold her as well, not trusting that she was really okay until her could touch her. His heart ached for her. Slowly, he felt her stop trembling. She was sleeping within minutes. Her heart and blood pressure monitor, though, and the baby's, dipped unsteadily and swung wildly for several agonizing minutes before evening out again, so much so that a nurse entered the room and watched closely as well before being satisfied that Callie was stabilized and leaving.

He felt his heart pounding. She couldn't take this stress, as weak as she was. If she didn't take care of herself- if he lost her, and the baby- he didn't know if he could live. Johnny had seemed to be getting stronger, and then he had taken a sudden and rapid turn for the worse. What if-what if that happened to Callie? He felt a chill run through his body as he tried to fight his own slight shaking.

Joe walked in alone a few minutes later, something he would never ordinarily do. Frank and Callie were always very private with their relationship, and he knew he was interrupting a personal moment. Frank was holding Callie like he was afraid she was disappear if he let go.

Frank looked up, surprised but numbed, when Joe walked in. "She's really brave, Frank," he told his brother, motioning to Callie. "I'm sorry to interrupt," he went on softly, heartbroken at the look on Frank's face. "But we need to talk."

Frank just nodded as Joe related the story to him. Every bit of rage, pain, fear, and horror that he knew he, himself, had felt, he watched mirrored on his brother's face. "The flashing light, bro, that Cal described- that was important. That means that Annunziata wasn't alone. It was either Cotnig or Tobias with him. Callie would have recognized Cotnig, which means that now we have three divisions: Cotnig is by himself, Tobias is by himself, and David Cotnig is with Jonas. It's possible they were together at some points. Didn't Johnny tell you he'd been stabbed by someone who knew where to get him- to hurt him but keep him alive? A doctor would have known that. Maybe Tobias was there, then. In any case, one of those three groups is with Clara. Which one is he with? Because that is what we will run into when we find dad."

Before Frank could answer, his cell phone started buzzing. So did Joe's. Unwilling to release Callie yet, Frank motioned for Joe to get his phone.

"Hello?" he answered as he stepped into the hall.

Five minutes later, he returned, a determined look on his face. He met Frank's questioning gaze.

"They got a trace on Clara's phone- about two hours east of Bayport. We need to go- now."

Frank gently moved back from Callie, kissing her lips lightly. He knew her parents and Vanessa would be in momentarily.

"Let's go," he said gruffly to Joe. "Let's get dad. This is going to end here."

Joe, following his brother out of the room, nodded behind him. One way or another, Frank would be right. If he had anything to do with it, it sure as hell would end here.