I want to thank everyone for reading and reviewing my last chapter. This has to be my second favorite chapter of this story. I've also hidden an Easter egg in here. PM me or review. I hope you like it?

Iola's Treasure Chapter 25

Frank took in the devastation in front of him as the rain continued to pour down. Barmet Island, a beautiful place with lots of trees, greenery and animals, was no more; Frank couldn't believe his eyes. Everything that God, or Mother Nature had created thousands of years ago had been completely ripped apart by a bunch of greedy, selfish people in a matter of weeks.

The devastated look on his brother's face was proof enough that these people didn't give a damn who got hurt as a result of their greed. And all for what? Those coins. Those damn coins!

Frank began to rub Joe's back saying, "I'm so sorry, little brother." It was all he could think of to say or do at the moment. He couldn't think of anything else to say. There had to be something, anything, that would give his brother some peace and comfort, but at the moment Frank's mind was completely blank.

What can I say to make Joe feel better?

How do I fix this? How were you supposed to put an island back together? I'm his big brother; I'm supposed to be able to do anything. God, what do I do?!

Suddenly Joe let out a gut-wrenching scream that scared the hell out of Frank.

"Iola… Iola… No!"

Joe grabbed a hold of his chest, gasping. "It hurts! Frank, make it stop!" Joe fell to his knees in pain, sinking into the muddy sand.

"Joe!"

"Make it stop Frank, it hurts!"

"Is it your heart?!" Frank asked anxiously.

"Yes!" Joe screamed. "Iola... No!"

Not caring about getting mud all over himself, Frank picked Joe up and held him tight to his chest without another word. He could feel Joe's whole body shaking uncontrollably.

Joe welcomed his brother's embrace and threw his arms around him. "She's gone Frank! She's really d... ead ...Iola...is dead. She's never coming back!"

"It hurts! Frank, my heart hurts! Make it stop!"

"Shh... It's okay," Frank whispered soothingly in Joe's ear. "I've got you." He quickly blinked away tears from his own eyes.

"He's falling apart on me! God, please not now, not now!" As if matters couldn't get any worse, he looked up to see Douglas and Underwood towering over them soaked from head to toe and they looked ready to kill.

Damn!

"What the hell's the matter with him?!" Douglas demanded. A clap of thunder rumbled above their heads.

Attempting to shield his eyes from the rain, Frank fired back. "He's in shock!" Deep down, he knew that had to be it, his brother was simply in shock by the destruction of the island.

"My brother's been dealing with the loss of his girlfriend for a while now. This island was very special to them". His voice grew angrier as he went on to explain. "His biggest fear was that if you destroyed the island his girlfriend would be gone forever! Thanks to you his fear just became reality!" Frank nodded towards the destruction of Barmet Island in front of them.

"Iola…Iola…no….no!" Joe proceeded to cry out Iola's name in his brother's arms.

"Well, this is just great!" Underwood threw his hands up in the air in exasperation at the situation.

He started ranting and pacing back and forward. "Your plan is turning out great, Albert! Let's get Fenton Hardy's brats to find that damn vault, you said! They'll be perfect for the task, you said! Now that we have them here," Underwood stopped abruptly, turning to face Douglas while stabbing a finger in Joe's direction. "This one decides to take a trip to la-la land!"

"Let's just leave blonde here so he can scream his little heart out over his dead girlfriend; he's no good to us now! We'll take his brother; he's the smart one anyway!"

"No!" Frank shook his head. "I won't leave Joe! We're a package deal. You can't have one brother without the other! That's the way it works! You want those coins so badly; take the map and go find them yourselves!"

"I WON'T LEAVE JOE!"

"Albert, do something!" Underwood shouted, as the sky rumbled with thunder. "We don't have time for this! There's a hurricane coming towards the island! We have to find that vault now!"

"Richard, shut up!" Douglas thundered.

The big man wiped the rainwater off of his angry face. He bent down to the muddy ground meeting Frank at eye level.

"You listen to me. I don't give a damn about you, or your brother and his dead lady friend! Nothing is going to stand in my way of getting what I want. I want those coins! I want them now!"

"I killed my father without a second thought. I will not hesitate to do the same to you." The big man's eyes trailed down to the distraught younger Hardy crying in his brother's arms. He looked back up at Frank, grabbing his chin, giving him an icy stare that nearly stopped the boy's heart. "Get your brother to snap out of it or I will."

"Do I need to remind you I still have your friend on my yacht? His life is also in your hands!"

Frank's eyes locked onto Douglas' with an intensity that some might have found intimidating, but not Douglas. Showing Douglas that he himself, refused to be intimidated, Frank jerked his chin out of his grip and promised, "You touch either one of them and I'll kill you".

Thinking of Chet and Joe, Frank took a deep, calming breath and then said. "Just back away and let me handle Joe."

"Get to it." Douglas said in a no nonsense tone as he rose to his feet. Frank watched the two crooks back away, refusing to move more than a few feet as yet another clap of thunder sounded above them.

Blocking everything else from his mind, Frank put all his focus on Joe.

"Joe" He pulled him back a bit to get a good look at him. "I know Iola is gone. I'm so sorry."

"It's time to let her go."

"I can't, Frank..." Tears mingled with rain began to trickle down Joe's cheeks as his voice trailed off as he thought of Iola. "I don't know how. I'll never love anyone like I loved her."

"You're right. You'll never love anyone like you did Iola, because she was your first love. That's special". Frank wiped the rainwater off his face as he looked at the destroyed island in front of them. "Like this island, it's just a piece of land with dirt and trees; there's nothing special about it now. But, what is special, are all the memories that you have of her on this island."

"Little brother, I know this is painful for you, but you need to let Iola go. Let her rest in peace." Frank paused for a moment then added, "I promise you the pain in your heart will go away."

"Someday when you least expect it and the timing is right, you will find love again. That love will be fresh, new and exciting. She will be someone you'll want to spend the rest of your life with. Leave some room in your heart for her."

"Can you do that?"

"I'll try." Joe just nodded as he began processing his brother's words.

"I hate to interrupt this little heart warming moment," Douglas interrupted sarcastically. Another clap of thunder boomed over their heads. "Can we get on with the treasure hunt!?"

"Yes, before the hurricane hits!" Underwood commented impatiently in between breaths. Now the rain had everyone soaked from head to toe.

The sudden outburst brought Frank's attention back to his surroundings. Douglas and Underwood were once again standing right behind them. Clearly patience wasn't in their vocabulary.

Frank saw a flash of anger ignite in Joe's blue eyes. It was as if someone had flipped a switch inside of him; all at once Joe jumped to his feet, whirling around to face the two smirking men. Releasing his anger, he began puffing up his chest as his breathing got heavy and ragged.

"You did this! Look at this place!" He pointed a muddy finger at the destruction behind him.

"You murdered your own father!"

"You almost killed me!"

"You hurt Hattie! And you've destroyed an island that has been here for years! All for those damn coins!"

"Yes, we did." Douglas pulled a handgun out of his back pocket without a second thought, aiming the gun right at Joe's head. "I could kill you right now!"

"No!" Frank jumped to his feet, stepping between Joe and the gun as he shielded his brother. As quickly as possible Frank got their attention off his brother and pulled it onto himself. "Let's go find your treasure!"

"That's more like it!" Douglas replied, shoving his gun into his back pocket. Taking the map out of the black bag, he gave it to Frank. "Get going."

"Treasure" The word flashed in Joe's head. He started scanning the island. He glanced from the bulldozer to the uprooted trees, scanning until his eyes fell on a wooded area that hadn't been touched by the machines.

Suddenly he felt a strange feeling in his heart. He couldn't explain it but it felt good. It was like something, or maybe someone was telling him to go check it out. His blue eyes grew huge as he thought, "Iola" He took off running towards to the wooded area.

Joe!" Frank called out.

He took of running once again slipping and sliding all the way through the muddy beach heading in the direction in which Joe had gone. "If we ever get off this damn island I may end up killing him myself."

"Not this again." Underwood growled.

"Shut up!" Douglas bellowed as they took off after the boys. "I am going to kill those kids!"

Frank reached the wooded area where he found Joe kneeling in the mud, scanning the area around a tree. He ran over to him, shouting so he could be heard above the storm.

"Joe, will you quit running off like that!?"

Oblivious to his brother, Joe continued scanning the tree.

"Joe, are you listening to me! What are you doing?!" Frank grabbed him by the shoulders, forcing Joe to look at him. Joe looked up as the rain continued to run off of him.

"I found it Frank!"

"You found what?"

Joe pointed at the tree trunk. "Do you see it?"

Frank looked in the direction Joe was pointing. It was difficult to read but there on the trunk was a rough carving of what looked like two sets of initials: J.H. LOVES I.M. with a jagged heart framing it.

"This was our camp site." Joe said excitedly. "I remember Frank. I remember everything about that camping trip. After you and Chet went on that hike with Mr. Morton…

(Flashback)

"Joe?"

Said the voice of ten year old Iola Morton. Her long raven hair was pulled back in a ponytail; her outfit of the day consisted of a flannel blue shirt paired with jeans and hiking boots.

"I'm sorry you're missing the hike."

She sat down next to a ten year old Joe Hardy. He was sitting with his back against a tree trunk; his right foot bandaged and propped up on a backpack.

Iola thought he looked cute with his tousled blonde hair and wearing a blue sweatshirt the same shade as his eyes. She couldn't help but notice they were red and puffy. She knew he had been crying and felt bad that he was missing the hike.

"What are you doing here?" Joe grumbled. "How come you didn't go hiking with your Dad?"

"I'm tired." Iola answered, brushing some dirt off the front of her shirt. "I can go hiking anytime." She shrugged it off as if it was no big deal.

"I'm here to cheer you up." She started twisting her ponytail with her finger.

Joe wasn't so sure he liked that idea. "Iola just go away!"

"No." Iola firmly stated. "You're hurt."

"Please leave me alone."

"Why?"

"Cause you're a girl."

"So, you're a boy." Iola planted her hands on her hips. "I can do anything boys can do. I can fish, climb trees, play baseball and go hiking!"

"But that's boys stuff." Joe argued. "Girls are supposed to play with dolls and have tea parties."

"Well I don't". Iola argued back. "Besides, dolls and tea parties are for six year olds!"

"If you haven't noticed, I'm practically a woman."

"No you're not."

"Joe Hardy, you be nice to me!"

"Okay, sorry." Joe fought the urge to roll his eyes. What was her problem anyway?

He asked curiously, "Why do you like fishing, climb trees, baseball and stuff?"

"Cause it's fun!"

"But that's stuff I like."

Iola moved closer to Joe batting her eyes at him. "I know."

Joe just pulled back giving her a strange look. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I like you." She commented sweetly. "I think you're a nice boy, Joe Hardy." With that she gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Why'd...you do that?" Joe's eyes widened as he could feel himself blushing, he slowly touched his cheek where she'd kissed it. He looked over at his father to see if he'd been watching, but no he hadn't been; he was too busy grilling hot dogs. Some detective you are? Dad help!

"I told you, silly." Iola giggled. "I like you. That's what you do when you like someone."

"Don't you like me Joe?"

"W- What?" The boy stuttered. "I don't know." He looked down at his sweatshirt and began to fidget with the hem as he his face went beet red.

"Maybe" He finally admitted. "I think you're a nice girl."

Then he said all seriousness. "But if you tell Frank or Chet, I'll deny everything."

"This will be our secret." Iola ran her finger along her mouth, zipping her lips. Then she changed the subject.

"Do you like movies Joe?"

"Yeah."

"That new Treasure Island movie will be playing at the theater next weekend." Iola began, "Dad's going to take me and Chet."

"Yeah I know. Frank and I were planning on seeing it."

"You could come with us...if you want to." Iola shook her head. "It won't be like a date or anything."

Joe thought about it. "Um… Okay I guess."

"Good." Iola smiled. It's a date!

"Speaking of Treasure Island," Joe said, pulling a book from his back pocket. "This is my favorite book. My mom reads it to me and Frank. Sometimes Frank will read it to me. And sometimes I'll go find a quiet place to sit and read it myself."

"It looks worn out." Iola commented.

"I know. I read it a lot."

"Why did you bring it with you?"

"Before we left for the camping trip I overheard my mom telling Frank that she was going to throw the book away, because the pages were falling out. So I brought it with me just in case she goes looking for it".

"Now I have to hide it some place where she can't find it." Joe said.

Iola thought about this little dilemma. "I have an idea!" Joe watched as she jumped to her feet and ran to her tent.

A few minutes later she came back with a brown tin lunch box with the characters from the movie The Goonies on the front.

She opened it up. "Put your book in here."

"Is that Chet's lunch box?"

Yes." Iola said with a sly grin. "He won't miss it."

Joe placed his book inside it. Then Iola took a heart shaped locket from around her neck, adding it to the box before closing it.

"This island will be like our own Treasure Island. We'll bury our treasures in this lunch box here and someday we'll come back and find them."

"This will be our secret." Iola zipped her lips. "You have to promise not to tell anyone."

"Not even Frank?" Joe didn't like that idea. The two brothers had made a vow to never keep secrets between them; what Iola was asking him to do was wrong in Joe's book.

"Yes, even Frank." Iola simply replied. "Please Joe." She pouted, batting her eyes at him.

Joe didn't understand what was happening. Maybe at ten years old you weren't supposed to understand these things, but something about the way she was looking at him made his heart feel funny. And he liked it.

He thought about this for a moment, I hope Frank will understand. "Okay." Then a smile slid across his face; he zipped his lips. "This will be our secret…"

A clap of thunder boomed over head as Frank began processing all Joe had said about the camping trip. It was an incredible story of how his and Iola's love began.

Frank shook his head giving his brother his full attention. "We carved our initials into this tree." Joe explained pointing to the two initials J.H. LOVES I.M. with a jagged heart inside it.

He then placed his hands on the ground beneath the tree and began digging into the muddy sand. He kept digging through the sand until he hit resistance.

"Frank! I found it!" Joe exclaimed, as he pulled out a brown tin lunch box, quickly wiping the mud off of it.

Opening it and peering inside he saw a worn out paperback copy of Joe's favorite book, Treasure Island.

Taking the old book out of the box, Joe opened the front cover. Inside it he found Iola's heart shaped locket. Gently opening the locket Joe found a picture of two ten year old kids; Joe Hardy and Iola Morton.

Iola's Treasure!