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

Thank you: Wendylouwho10 who read over the story for me and made content suggestions, helped with the flow, and provided some spelling/grammar corrections. A big help, as always! Typos are mine and I discover them all the time. :-)

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is AU.

Author's Notes: This is a short chapter, but I think it ties the story up nicely... for now. ;-) So I'll take some space to thank those that read and reviewed. I went back through a few chapters and tried to collect the names of those who reviewed. If I left you off, my apologies! Keep reviewing! And yes, I have attempted to put everyone in alphabetical order. :D

AV, Barb, BellaBeau91, Butterbeer, Cherylann, curlingduck, DeanForver, drewben, IluvJoe, Joe's Fan, JoeNeal, KDesai, Kirrak, max2013, nicolelylewis, pen4lew, popalot, Sam, Shel, Sleuth, Tinks, SnowPrincess, SpostShadowMid9090, VVK, and the occasional Anonymous Guest Review - Thanks again everyone!

I have started on the next installment in the series but I'm only on chapter 5! And I don't post until the end of my story is in sight and I have to say that I'm only in the lead-up, not into the action part so the end isn't even on the horizon yet and I have to determine a title. ;-) Saying I will begin posting by Halloween is probably being overly optimistic so let's say by Thanksgiving as a (hopefully) realistic target. :-) Thanks again!

Chapter Thirty-Three

About two weeks later…

"Sure you don't want to make it a double date?" Frank asked with a laugh.

"Definitely sure," Joe said as he carefully made his way down the steps. He still wore his leg brace part of the time, but the doctor had okayed walking without it as well. Tonight he was going without the brace.

Frank smiled at his brother's back. He was glad that Joe and Vanessa were going out. It had been almost six months since Joe and Iola had broken up and while Joe and Vanessa had done things with the group, they hadn't really dated. He didn't count the time that Vanessa had shown up to the Valentine's dance. That was a public affair where Vanessa had danced with a lot of other guys and where they weren't a couple. This was different and he couldn't have been happier for his brother.

.**********.

When Joe drove into the Benders' driveway, Vanessa was already on the porch waiting. He didn't even have a chance to get out before Vanessa was opening the passenger door and climbing in. Her face was flushed and she smiled brightly at him. Joe couldn't help but laugh. "You know I can walk now. It's not a big deal to let me open the door for you."

Vanessa was still smiling. "I know, but I guess was just excited."

Joe looked to the porch and saw Andrea Bender smiling pleasantly and waving at them. He waved back. As he put the van into reverse, he casually asked, "Any reason you didn't want me speaking to your mother?" Vanessa blushed as Joe laughed. "Well, I guess that answers the question I had about whether your mom is nervous about us dating."

"Why would- Oh." Vanessa fell silent.

Joe glanced over to her. "You know I'd understand if she had concerns about us dating-"

"No, Joe. It's nothing like that." Vanessa paused. "In fact it's just the opposite."

"Okay, so now I'm confused."

"Mom knows I'm committed to doing work for ORT and some of it will be undercover work," Vanessa responded.

"Yeah, so how does that figure with our dating?"

Vanessa's voice was quiet as she responded. "Mom knows what's happened to you; what happened to you and Iola as well." Joe's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "She knows that if we're together, you'll do everything you can to protect me." She gave a small laugh. "I tell her I can protect myself, but as a mother, I know she actually feels better if we're together."

Joe pulled into the restaurant parking lot and put the van into park. When he shut the ignition off, he said, "You're mom's right. I'd do whatever it took to protect you."

"And I'd do the same for you," she whispered back.

Their eyes locked on each other until the spell was broken by a nearby car alarm going off. Joe looked to the vehicle with the flashing lights that soon cut off. "I guess that's our signal," he said as he got out of the car. As he walked around to assist Vanessa, he knew the night was going to be special.

.**********.

Two hours later, Joe pulled once again into the Bender driveway. Joe got out of the car and walked around to Vanessa who had already exited. "Just can't let me spoil you a little?" he teased.

"When you're completely healed, you can get the door for me…" Joe was laughing as she added, "sometimes."

He held out his arm and she took it. Together they walked up to stand on the porch. Joe had to admit he had butterflies in his stomach as he stood with her just to the side of the door. "When I dropped you off in February, we both agreed that if we kissed it would be because we both wanted it. Not because it was some sort of tradition or part of a mission." Joe stared into her eyes. "I know this is our first official date and if you don't want to kiss, I understand-"

"Joe?"

"Yes?" he asked with a smile as his arms encircled her waist and her hands traveled up his chest.

When her hands were clasped behind his head, she said, "Kiss me."

His head lowered as she turned hers to the side. The unspoken attraction between them burst into flame as he deepened the kiss and she moaned. It seemed like he was on fire and she was the first to break away from the kiss. Her hands left the back of his neck and traveled down to his chest as she took a step back. "Wow," she breathed.

"Definitely worth the wait," Joe said with a smile as he finally let go of her waist and stepped to the door.

As he put his hand on the knob to open the door, Vanessa asked, "So what was that smile on your face about two weeks ago?"

He knew she wouldn't have forgotten. His smile faded slightly as he turned back to her but kept his distance. "Months ago when I was feeling like no girl would ever love me; my mom told me there was a girl out there who wouldn't want to change me. One that would love me for who I was." Joe stared at her with a slight smile on his face. Her eyes watched him with wonder as he walked back over to put his arms around her waist once again. "Do you remember what you said to me two weeks ago?"

"I told you I didn't help Frank for recognition. I did it because of what you mean to me and for who you are," she said breathlessly as his lips neared hers once again.

He could see that she understood now the effect that her words had on him.

"For who you are," she whispered as his lips touched hers once again.