And we've reached the end… Thank you SO MUCH to Helen, Polaris, Alicia, Calathiel, josie, MissMe113, Miss Fenway, pally, no1butjoe, Liz, amblewat, Iola, Amal, AZ Writer, ukfan101, Mischieftheblackwolf, penguincrazy, jabh, Cheryl, TraSan, franknjoe, BitterLee and Nomi for your comments. Every single review was greatly appreciated and many times it was your thoughts that made me smile on days that were not so happy. You guys rock. Hope you enjoy the conclusion.

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Happy Birthday

Chapter 30

"Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Frank,

Happy Birthday to you!"

As the festive song concluded, Frank glanced around at his family and friends gathered in a private room at Prito's restaurant to celebrate his twenty-fifth birthday. His eyes lingered on Joe and Vanessa a moment longer than the others. Leaning over the large chocolate cake, he silently made his wish and blew out the candles. Amid the clapping and laughter, Frank looked at the young couple once again, hoping birthday wishes really did come true.

After cutting the first slice of cake, Frank walked about the room, chatting with everyone and feeling so grateful that Gloria Sansom's plan to make him her final victim had been brought to a screeching halt. He shuddered thinking of what kind of birthday he'd be having otherwise.

Once the massive cake had been consumed, the presents were opened with Frank overcome at the generosity of those who loved him. By the time he was finished almost an hour later he had amassed a truckload of gifts including new computer programs and components and a few high-tech toys he had only dreamed about.

As everyone mingled, enjoying the food, drink and music, Frank sought out the one person he'd been trying to talk to all night, without much success. In the days since Frank had been released from the hospital, Callie had told him more than once, how Vanessa had been a pillar of strength, never leaving Callie's side and refusing to let her believe anything other than the happiest of endings.

Seeing Vanessa had just ended a conversation with Liz Webling and was now alone, Frank made his move, knowing Joe would be by her side in a heartbeat if he saw her standing by herself. Smiling as he approached, Frank discreetly nodded to an out of the way corner of the room. Vanessa willingly obliged, following him until he stopped and smiled at her gratefully.

"I just wanted to say thanks. Callie told me she would have completely fallen apart if not for you. Thanks for being there for her." Frank leaned in slightly and kissed her on the cheek, mindful of keeping a little distance between himself and Vanessa.

"She's been there for me more times than I can count this year. Me and Joe. Compared to what she's done for us – what you've both done for us – it doesn't even scratch the surface." Vanessa reached out and hugged Frank tightly. "I'm so glad you're okay, Frank."

"Hey, what's going on here?!" Joe gave his brother a playful slap on the back. "What, one woman isn't enough for you now? You want mine too? Getting pretty frisky there in your old age, eh, big brother?" he teased.

Frank glanced from Vanessa to Joe and back again, winking at her. "Somehow I don't think I could ever replace you, Joe."

"You got that right," Joe agreed with a mischievous smile. "I'm irreplaceable."

"Oh, please." Vanessa rolled her eyes as Frank chuckled to himself, and walked away to rejoin his guests.

A while later Frank passed by the table where he'd sat during dinner. He noticed a small present on the chair and leaned down to pick it up assuming it must have gotten missed in the commotion of opening all the other presents.

Instinctively, Frank knew he was being watched. Looking up, he gazed around the crowded room until his eyes came to rest on his younger brother. Joe was leaning against the opposite wall, staring at him with an expression Frank couldn't quite read, his blue eyes never wavering. Nodding in acknowledgement, Frank opened the card and read the note written in Joe's sloppy scrawl.

'Frank,

Somehow, I lost faith in myself, but you found it and gave it back to me. I found something you lost a while ago. It seems only fair that I give it back to you.

Happy Birthday, Big Brother.

Love, Joe'

Glancing up, Frank saw that Joe was still watching him intently, his face giving no clue as to what the cryptic message could mean. Tearing off the wrapping paper, Frank opened the box only to find another box inside – a velvet hinged box that could only contain some type of jewelry.

Slowly opening the lid, Frank looked at the heavy, gold ID bracelet, polished to such a brilliant shine it was almost blinding. Carefully, lifting it out of the box, he looked at the engraving fully expecting to see his name. However, as the simple word etched into the bracelet registered, Frank's heart caught in his throat and he found it difficult to swallow. A shiver ran down his spine and he looked up once more, this time frantically searching for his brother's face, unable to see clearly, his vision blurred with unshed tears. Blinking rapidly, Frank continued looking for Joe a moment longer with no success.

Temporarily giving up the search, Frank's eyes were drawn back to the bracelet and the single word inscribed on it. He could only stare, in shocked disbelief. 'You have no idea what this means, Joe. It's the most precious gift I will ever receive.'

Frank slipped the bracelet on his wrist. Other than his wedding ring, he never wore jewelry, but somehow the bracelet felt right. Right then and there, he promised himself it would never come off. The simple bracelet represented just as much to him as his cherished wedding ring.

"Oh, that's beautiful!" Callie exclaimed coming up beside him. "Who is it from?"

"Joe," Frank replied quietly.

"What does it say?" Callie asked, as she looked at the strangely beautiful Chinese symbols, the single word written in the ancient language of the martial art Frank had spent over half his life studying. When he replied, she detected an undercurrent of raw emotion in Frank's voice that he allowed very few people to hear.

"It...It says…" Frank closed his eyes swallowing hard, trying to steady his voice. "It says 'Trust'," he whispered. Looking up, he slowly scanned the room, his search for his brother fruitless.

"I think he went outside," Callie said softly, knowing exactly who Frank was looking for.

Nodding silently, Frank headed for the exit. Stepping outside the restaurant, Frank saw Joe off to the right, sitting on the curb looking up at the star-filled night sky. Walking over to his brother, Frank sat down next to him. "You okay?" he asked, wondering why Joe was outside all alone, knowing he usually reveled in being the center of attention at any party.

Joe smiled. "Fine. It was just getting a little…stuffy…in there."

"I know what you mean," Frank murmured, his gaze drawn to the bracelet.

"You like it?" Joe asked hesitantly. He'd been a little nervous about the gift he'd chosen, knowing Frank never wore jewelry. Joe had hoped it would mean enough to Frank that he might wear it for special occasions.

"Yeah." Frank held his arm out. The bracelet caught in the moonlight and shone brightly. "I like it a lot. Thanks."

"You're welcome," Joe responded, a little hitch in his voice.

"It sure beats a pair of socks," Frank said seriously.

Joe turned and looked at his brother and very slowly began to chuckle. This in turn, caused Frank to begin laughing and within seconds, the two brothers had tears of laughter streaming down their faces. It was several minutes before the laughter finally subsided as each time Frank or Joe would calm down, they'd look at the other one and erupt into howls of laughter again.

"Hey, I never got to thank you," Frank smiled.

"Thank me? For what?" Joe asked, puzzled.

"Saving me from that crazy woman."

"Frank, I didn't save you. Sam Peterson and his men and the EMT's – they're the ones you should be thanking," Joe said adamantly.

"Oh, really?" Frank challenged him. "That's not what Dad says. OR Sam. According to them, you're the one who figured out where I'd been taken and had Vanessa track down the address in record time. Dad said if you hadn't figured it all out so quickly…well let's just say I'd be celebrating my fifth birthday again instead of my twenty-fifth."

Joe shook his head. "I'd rather not say that, if it's all the same to you. I have no desire whatsoever to be the big brother."

Frank grinned at him. "Why? Are you afraid you'll end up with a kid brother like you?"

"You're lucky you have me!" Joe shot back, pretending to be offended. "Do you have any idea how bored you'd be without me in your life?"

Frank leaned back on his elbows, looking up at the night sky wistfully. "Ah…peace….quiet….I can only dream about it."

"Hey!" Joe punched him on the arm in protest and then turned serious for a moment. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why did you accept Gloria Sansom's invitation to have coffee that day?"

Frank shrugged. "I don't really know. I know she was using me as a stand in for her son. I guess I just felt sorry for her, you know?"

"But she was a psycho."

"Yes, but I didn't realize that at the time," Frank reminded him. "Apparently only you did and you weren't exactly sharing information that day."

"She probably used half of what you told her against you, making it that much easier for her to grab you and… just don't EVER do that again!" Joe admonished him. "You're the one who's supposed to get me out of trouble! I'm not sure I like that whole role reversal thing, so I'd just as soon not do it again."

"Okay, but you have to do me a favor in return," Frank said.

"What's that?"

"Next time you decide to talk yourself out of listening to your gut instincts…DON'T!"

Joe grinned. "You got it, partner!"

oooOOOooo

A few hours later, Frank was standing in the restaurant with Callie, Joe, Vanessa, Laura and Fenton, the party having ended and the presents now safely packed up, waiting to be transported home. As they stood chatting not quite ready to for the evening to end, Frank smiled noting that Joe was standing behind Vanessa, his arms wrapped securely around her waist. Vanessa had her fingers intertwined with Joe's and was leaning back against him contentedly.

"So," Joe smiled at his brother, looking happier than Frank could remember, "did you get everything you wished for?"

"I don't know," Frank responded mysteriously, glancing at Vanessa. "Did you get the test results back yet?"

Vanessa looked over her shoulder at Joe as their eyes locked on each other, momentarily shutting out the rest of the world. They beamed at one another, Joe pulling her just a little closer.

"Negative."

They said it in unison, as Joe hugged her tightly, hiding his face in her hair. Frank watched as Vanessa turned her head slightly and, running a hand through Joe's hair, she whispered something in his ear and then brushed her lips lightly against his cheek.

Frank glanced down at the gleaming ID bracelet adorning his wrist. "Yeah, Joe," he said softly. "All my wishes came true."

THE END