Note: This story takes place in the summer when Frank and Callie are 21 and about to enter their junior year of college, and Joe and Vanessa are 20 and are entering their sophomore year. It follows the same universe as "First Encounters," "Alternate Plans," "The Secret Spaces," and the "Stages of Conviction," but it flashes back in time; thus, Joe and Callie are still at odds with one another and Joe is at a major crossroads in his life as he tries to grow up. I wanted to explore, in addition to the mystery, the following ideas: how Frank and Callie would have tried to deal with her trauma, how Joe and Callie came to work out their issues and become close friends, how Chet and Joe worked through their guilt and altered relationship, and, above all, how Joe learned to let go of Iola and commit to Vanessa.

I think of this story, other than the major Frank and Callie element, as a story of Joe maturing and letting go at this most difficult time in his life, where he makes a lot of mistakes but grows from them with the help of Frank, Callie, Vanessa, Chet, and Biff. It was fun to compare and contrast Joe and Vanessa to Frank and Callie, as both couples struggle very much in their own way to fight for their futures. None of them are the confident and secure people whom they grow into in my stories that take place in the future. Finally, I should also give a blanket warning that there is cursing in several chapters and suggestive adult scenarios, though, as usual, nothing is graphic.

The completed story is 35 chapters and I shall try to stick to a Thursday/ Sunday posting schedule- except for Chapter 1, because I am excited to post it! :) I love to hear what you think and all feedback is welcome. Thanks in advance to all who read, follow, and, especially, review! Hope you enjoy!

Civil Skirmishes

Chapter 1

"Van! Almost ready?" Twenty -year old blond, blue-eyed Joe Hardy called into the bedroom of the apartment of his girlfriend, Vanessa Bender. Both students at Bayport University, they were preparing to go on a week long trip to a few towns in Pennsylvania, several hours away, and they would be accompanied by Joe's older brother Frank and his girlfriend, Callie Shaw. Later, their friends Chet Morton and Biff Hooper would be joining up with them as well. As usual, he and Vanessa were running late.

Vanessa emerged from the room moments later, a sheepish grin on her pretty face. "I'm sorry," she said, looking frazzled. "I just never know how to pack! I either over-pack or under-pack, and I have no idea what's appropriate for the ball we need to attend." She ran a hand nervously through her long, ash-blonde hair and pleaded with him for understanding.

Joe walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "You would be gorgeous if you wore nothing," he assured her, looking into her blue-gray eyes. "Come to think of it, maybe that's not such a bad…"

"Stop!" Vanessa cut him off, laughing. "Not now! I still have to finish packing, babe, and so do you. Don't forget- part of this is research for the class I'm taking next semester. I wanted to get a little head start on the paper I know I'll be doing on ghost sightings in the Civil War. You have to admit that it's kind of a cool topic."

Joe rolled his eyes as he gave her a quick kiss. "Van, yeah. The topic is semi- interesting. But babe- it's only the end of June! You have two months to just chill and not think about school. Are you sure you want to do this now?"

Slowly, Vanessa pulled away from Joe and sighed before answering. "Come on, Joe. I've planned this since before school let out. You know it has to be now. They're commemorating the Battle of Gettysburg, and that was July 1, 2, and 3 in 1863. We HAVE to be there for these dates! I scheduled the tours and the ball, which was really hard to do, since it'll be so crowded. It looks really interesting. And after that, we'll still hopefully have a few days at Hershey Park and Lancaster. It's educational and fun at the same time, and it'll be so nice to spend time with the guys and Frank and Callie, too, right?" She raised her eyebrows.

Joe scowled. "I guess."

"What do you mean, 'you guess'?" Vanessa asked, perplexed. "Geez, Joe, if you had a problem with any of this, I wish you would have told me a long time ago." Her eyes reflected her hurt, and Joe felt bad at once. He reached for her hand, which Vanessa reluctantly took.

"I apologize," he said softly, and touched her cheek with his free hand. "Of course I'm happy to go, Van. Anything to get away with my favorite girl is good by me," he continued, sincerely. "Even if I have to dress up as a debonair union soldier, which will undoubtedly allow for blackmail pictures for the rest of my life, it'll be worth it for you." He winked at her and flashed his brightest smile.

Vanessa felt a smile start to tug at the corner of her mouth and she almost gave into his charms, but resisted. "Well, I'll be damned hot in my pretty petticoat and dress, I do declare," she answered with a terrible Southern drawl.

Joe shook his head and laughed. "And I'll be kicked out of the ball and hanged for apparently dating a woman in the Confederacy," he joked, receiving a smack on the arm from Vanessa. She led him to the bedroom and threw a pile of clothes at him. "Fold," she commanded, and he bowed slightly as he helped her get the finishing touches on her own wardrobe in order.

He smiled to himself as he listened to Vanessa talk, enjoying the ease of her companionship, the fact that her place was starting to feel as much as a home as his own apartment did. While Vanessa and her roommate kept the place decently in order, though, the apartment that he shared with his best friend, Biff, was, as his brother Frank often said, "suitable to be condemned." But it worked for them, neither one minding how messy the place got until they'd go on their once a month "ten minute tidy," and move on with their lives.

"I'm actually excited about the ball," she admitted to him as they continued to pack. "Callie and I studied a lot of the moves of the time period- don't worry; we'll show you guys before the dance- and we're renting the ballgowns from the dress shop. It's the same place we're renting your uniforms! Anyway, I gave them our sizes and sent pictures, and I can't wait to see what they pick out for us," she went on, cheerfully.

"Mmmm," Joe intoned as he tried to concentrate on the folding. "Well, I'm sure you'll look amazing, as always."

Vanessa stopped packing again and turned to him, suspicious. "So will Callie," she reminded him.

He shrugged. "Whatever."

"That's what this is about, huh?" Vanessa concluded, shaking her head. "Joe, you need to stop this, babe. Callie's my best friend. She's an amazing person, and…"

"And I don't have to like her," Joe replied, simply.

Vanessa sighed, frustrated. "Well, you kind of do," she reminded him. "Because your brother loves her, and so do I."

"You can love her all you want," Joe answered, not wanting to get into it, but knowing he had no choice. So, rather than prolong it, he just looked at her and decided to be direct. "But I don't have to. Look, Van," he went on, trying to be calm. "Callie's okay. We started getting along a little bit at the end of high school- you know that. And then a little bit better after our last case this summer. But she and Frank broke up for a year and a half- that's a long time- and they've only been back together since Christmas. And most of the time they've been apart- he's in New Jersey and she's in California. And she's heading back to California in six weeks. I don't trust it."

Vanessa put her hands on her hips. "You don't need to. You didn't talk to Callie that whole time; I did. She never stopped loving Frank, Joe."

"And YOU didn't have to deal with my brother being so upset all that time," he countered. "You didn't see him try to contact her and have her reject him. I never want to see him hurt like that again."

He crossed his arms.

Vanessa shook her head. "Look, Joe. Callie never said a word to me about why they broke up. But, you told me that Frank told you that he cheated on HER. It wasn't the opposite way around. She had every right to call it off with him. I would have."

Joe's mouth fell open before he found his voice. "He was sorry, Vanessa. He felt awful. He tried to make it up to her." He couldn't quite explain why his defenses were up. Maybe it was because of how many times he'd messed up with the women he cared about, even the ones he didn't, and he almost always managed to charm his way back into their good favor. But his brother, who had only cared for and been in love with one person his whole life, had made one mistake, and suffered a lot for it. He couldn't help but to blame Callie for putting him through it.

"Well, whoop-di-do," Vanessa went back at him. "If you cheated on me, I'd be out. I don't give a crap how bad you would feel about it. If you felt that bad, you wouldn't have done it."

Joe flushed and remained defensive of his brother, and he was not someone who backed down. But… he took a deep breath. This fight wasn't worth it. Vanessa was every bit as loyal and 'spirited' as he was, and he wouldn't win. Somehow, with her, only with her, winning wasn't always the most important thing. He wasn't used to that feeling, and it scared him a little what it might mean.

They'd been dating now almost two and a half years. It had taken him a long time to deal with the loss of his former girlfriend, and, after Iola's death, he had lashed out horribly, done really bad and self destructive things. Then he had finally met Vanessa, the physical and almost personality opposite of Iola, but equally as smart and beautiful. And slowly, on high alert, he had started to let his guard down, and found himself falling in love. And though that feeling still threw him, he cherished every moment of it, trying to overcome the biggest obstacle to love and commitment- himself- for Vanessa. He'd come a long way, because she had given him time and patience. And she continued to do so, as he worked on himself.

He threw the clothes on the bed, crossed the distance between them, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her deeply. When she pulled back, flushed and surprised, he smiled. "Good thing I'm smart enough not to cheat on the most beautiful and amazing woman in the world," he said softly. "I love you. Don't worry. I'll be nice to Callie. I don't know if Gettysburg could handle another war." He kissed her cheek.

Resigned, Vanessa rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you, too," she whispered. Then, mischievously, she met his eyes. "Bless your heart," she drawled.

Joe laughed. "I think you just told me to F*ck off," he joked, "but- my lady- a man such as myself is not so easily disparaged."

Vanessa giggled. "Come on, lover boy. We're late. And I can't wait to get this vacation started."

Joe smiled. "Pack some sexy pantaloons," he teased, and Vanessa rolled her eyes, blushing.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Brown-eyed, dark- haired 21 year old Frank Hardy glanced at his watch again as he waited with Callie on the swing of her front porch. Their bags were packed and stacked next to them, and he was trying not to get annoyed. This was late, even for Joe.

Callie rested her head against his shoulder, and adjusted her ponytail neatly, which held back her long, golden- blonde hair. She looked up at him, chocolate eyes twinkling as she held back a smile. "Honey, relax. We're not in a hurry. If we're late, so be it. I'm just happy to be with you."

Frank heard her words and found himself smiling. He quickly kissed her lips. "You're right," he admitted, looking into her eyes.

"I'm always right," she teased as she leaned her head up for another kiss, with which he readily complied.

"Yes, ma'am," he agreed, content. He stretched his lean 6'1" frame and then slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close again. At 5'3", she was petite, yet he always marveled at how well they fit together, how perfect she always felt in his arms. "I guess this will be fun, right?" he asked casually, looking out onto the well- manicured lawn.

"Of course!" Callie answered. "I've never been to any of these places, and it's always fun to take vacations. Especially with you," she added, softly.

Frank kissed her head and rubbed her shoulder. "I want this one to be amazing," he said after a few minutes. He shifted slightly so he could face her. "I feel like time with you just slips away so quickly," he began, voice tight. "I mean, I didn't see you for five months while you were in school, and then, when you got back in May, I was on a case with Joe. Then, when that ended, you were away with your parents. And you got back..."

"Yup. I know," Callie agreed. "You were on another case that Van and I accidentally got involved with. That wasn't fun."

Frank's eyes clouded over at the memory. A simple date with his brother and their girlfriends in Central Park had turned into a stakeout gone bad, and Callie had been hurt. Though her injuries weren't very serious, he couldn't stand to see her in pain, and it was a less than perfect way to have her back with him. Frank sighed and rubbed her cheek tenderly. "Eight days," he managed.

She looked at him quizzically.

"That's all the time I've seen you since you got back from school in May. Just eight days. And that kills me, Cal." He cleared his throat, unsure of himself. "Then, when we get back from this vacation, you'll have only one month until you head back to school. It's… it's just really hard not to be with you. That's all."

Callie stood slowly and offered him her hand. He stood next to her and pulled her close, enjoying the quiet moment of holding the woman he loved in his arms.

Callie buried her face in his chest and gently rubbed his back. It was several moments before she looked up. "Two more years. Just two more. Then I'll be here on the east coast again and home. With you."

"Home. I like that," he replied, softly. "Sure I can't convince you to transfer?"

She smiled against his chest again. "Junior year? I have a ton of credits already completed."

"Sure," he replied, stroking her neck gently. "Why not? I…"

"I can't," she answered, cuddling closer. "I have to finish this out. I have to prove to myself that I can do this. I can face it again, like I have the past two years." Her voice trembled the slightest amount, and he held her closer, instinctively. "Besides, who the heck transfers into Princeton? They're not exactly recruiting to get the word out about the school."

"John had better take care of you," he managed at last, trying to keep the edge out of his voice as he referred to her best friend, John Gellers.

"He will," she assured him. "He always does. At least we're in a really nice place now since Johnny got the role on that soap opera! And you'd better visit any time you can, okay? Because Christmas break is a long time away."

"Of course I will," he assured her. "And you come to see me if you can. I'll send you the ticket. I don't care what it costs."

"Well, if that's the case," she teased gently, "feel free to send expensive jewelry, handbags, whatever you're in the mood for."

"Whatever you want," he replied, seriously.

Very reluctantly, Callie backed away from his arms. "I was joking," she said, smiling softly. Then, she looked toward the street. "They ARE late," she admitted. "Hmm. Think your brother is avoiding me?" she asked, only half -teasing.

Frank's eyes darkened again. "Don't let Joe bother you, baby. He just- you know-" Frank tripped over his words.

"I know," she replied, surprising him. "He's protective of you. He thinks I'm going to hurt you."

"He means well, Cal."

"No, he doesn't," Callie replied in frustration. "Look, I like Joe. I like the fact that he has always been there for you. After Iola died," she paused a moment, reflective, "we had a moment of clarity there. Things were getting a lot better. But when we separated… well, he's never really come around since then. I thought we might have had a little breakthrough after the case this summer, but he clammed up again. I don't know what else to do."

"I told him," Frank replied quietly.

"Told him what?'" she asked, confused.

"What happened when we broke up. That it was me- not you." His eyes were downcast.

"You… you did?" she asked, shocked.

"You really never told anyone?" he asked, surprised.

"John. I told him. Obviously," she replied. "But you knew that. No. No one else."

"You're pretty incredible, you know that?" he asked, squeezing her hand, which he had reached for. "Thank you. You had every right to tell whoever you wanted."

"I didn't want to think about it," she replied quietly. "Anyway," she looked up, "that's done." She gave him a tight smile. "Forever."

"Absolutely," Frank agreed, not wanting to think of it, himself. It still hurt badly, almost two years later. And so much had happened since then. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"So why has Joe been so cold, then?" she asked him, finally.

"Baby, I don't know. But he's always been there for me, and he's always had my back. I really hope the two of you can work things out. We're not fifteen anymore. I want my two best friends to at least like each other." His words held a joking tone to them, but his eyes were serious.

"We both love you," Callie said, after a few minutes. "It's a start."

Frank smiled. "I don't want to waste any more time, honey. There's not enough of it with you to begin with."

"Well then," Callie whispered, standing on tiptoe and wrapping her arms around Frank's neck, "I guess we just better make the most of every minute we have together."

Frank pulled her close and leaned his head down towards her. Several minutes later, completely lost in an increasingly passionate kiss, he was ready to forget the whole trip and take Callie inside, immediately, when a loud "HONK" broke them apart.

"Come on, you two!" Joe's voice called out. "Act appropriately! Disgusting!"

They broke apart, both completely flushed, and trying to catch their breath and regain their composure, and Frank shook his head in disgust at his brother.

"Two hours late!" Frank called out, pointing to his watch, as Joe got out of the car, waved a quick hello to Callie, and went to grab their bags.

Twenty minutes later, their drive began. Noting that, at least for now, there was a relative peace, camaraderie, and fun conversation, Vanessa pulled down the visor in the front passenger seat and met Frank's eyes in the mirror. She winked at him and subtly crossed her fingers.

He smiled and crossed his own fingers back.

Maybe, just maybe, they might be able to avoid a war after all.