Heyyy, did you guys really think that was the last of me? I will probably still be writing this story on my deathbed… actually that's what I'm doing now *sighs*. Oh and HAPPY 2017! May it be waaaaay better than 2016 for all of us. Anyone do anything fun for Christmas/New Year's Eve or have any New Year's resolutions? Let me know in the reviews!

Speaking of reviews…

InTheImprovementOfHerMind: LOL yes what you just described about Mandie's grandmother and Uncle John is totally what I can see going down. Adrian and George both have a lot going on with their characters making them not what they seem to be, but there's still more to be revealed about that. And I've been thinking a looot about the Jim/John/Elizabeth backstory and have so many ideas that could constitute a whole other story so I'm trying to limit what part of their story I want to add to this one. Thanks for the kind compliment now get to posting for your story!

MandieFan, mandiefan, Missy Manda: Thanks for the reviews guys! And although Joe would gladly save the day for Mandie, she does it pretty often on her own, just not in the best way sometimes lol.

moniquebowman: Pshhh no need to apologize! And yes I agree SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN. Like ghostwriters take over for original writers all the time, and e-books would be relatively inexpensive so there really is no excuse. I feel like without a conclusion, the series is such a big question mark for so many of the Mandie readers of what happened to the characters and storylines and we need closure, dammit! Anyway, before I start ranting too, thank you for loyally sticking by and reviewing!

mandiefan: Omg I read your review a long time ago and completely forgot it and now reading it again I am the tiniest bit excited.

For all of you that didn't see their review it states that: There are notes saying who she was to be married to etc. They are hoping to someday gather up the sketches for future books and publish something. There's no planned ending but just plans for future books. they ask to patient because there may be a long wait until anything comes out.

Like I really want this to happen but at the same time I feel like I'll get my hopes up too high and be devastated if it doesn't happen. But honestly, we've all waited this long so I'm sure we can all tough this out together. And if they don't make the future books RELEASE the notes!

Thanks for letting us know, mandiefan! You're the real MVP.

Fireflylover, Missy Manda, kkluvzmusic, PrincessLeiaD, Guest, Annefan: Thanks for the reviews! And yes, Annefan, it's never safe to completely trust sketchy characters.

Finally, my late New Year's gift for y'all: the ever so anticipated reunion between Mandie and Joe. Hope it lives up to expectation.

The hallway opened up to Mandie's right and left, and she stalled only for a second before sprinting down the left. This is a small house, she reasoned to herself, recalling when she and Polly visited it before. She should have no trouble finding her way out, and then she would run and seek help and be free at last. Her heart already began soaring at the thought as she frantically turned a corner, and found a door a couple feet away. Wooden planks were nailed across the top upper half, presumably to cover up a window, meaning that the door led outside. Mandie excitedly grabbed at the door knob, yanking it open haphazardly, promptly exposing herself to a storm of chilly winds.

She clenched her teeth against the cold, taking in the darkening sky for a moment. It must have been past 5 o'clock. There wouldn't be as many people or carriages about, but she certainly couldn't remain standing there. Mandie wrapped her arms around herself as she once more ventured through the alleyway of previous attackings, her thin gingham dress flailing about. Only a minute in, and she was fervently craving the coat she took off in the photography shop. The wind was so harsh she was forced to squint her eyes to the point she couldn't see anything.

And then she heard her name.

"Mandie!" It sounded like a girl's voice, and Mandie forced her eyes open and look around. She heard the yell again, now louder and closer, and she started to circle around.

"I'm here!" She called out.

Her heart filled with immeasurable relief when Polly's anxious face appeared. "Mandie," she cried out again, turning her head to the side. "She's over here!"

Mandie watched as a group of men-police officers she realized in a daze-swarmed the two girls. She was hardly aware of anything as Polly enveloped her in a bone crushing hug, and one of the officers seemed to be to talking to her.

"Miss? Could you please hand over the gun?" Mandie looked at him in confusion before looking at her hand. She was still holding Adrian's gun. In the midst of placing it in the officer's outstretched hand, her vision started to blur. Not again, she thought to herself before passing out, Polly yelping in the background.

"You're awake!" Polly leaped up from Mandie's desk where she appeared to be doing homework and scurried to Mandie's side. "How are you feeling?"

Mandie blinked rapidly as she sat up in bed, grasping the sheets. She was in her room, but it wasn't a ruined mess like she had last seen it. Everything was tidied up and the room was in an even neater state than it was before.

"I'm fine?" She replied, but it came off as more of a question. "Polly, how did I get here?"

The brunette seemed to either not hear her question or ignored it. "You were passed out for more than a day! I didn't know it was possible to sleep for so long. I honestly believed you would never wake up."

"Polly."

She cocked her head to the side. "Oh, well, we first took you to the hospital because you looked absolutely awful." She paused. "You don't look that much better now. Anyway, you spent the night there, and the doctors said you were going to be alright and that you needed adequate rest and food. Then we brought you back to your room because your grandmother requested it on the phone. She should be arriving tomorrow morning along with your mother and uncle, and Celia too, I think."

Mandie rubbed her forehead, slowly trying to understand. "I was at the hospital… but how did I get there?"

"You don't remember?" Mandie shook her head. "Do you remember running away together from Adrian?"

"Yes… I went to the photography shop and you went to the library." Mandie's eyes widened. "George was there at the photoshop! He kidnapped me! Polly, his name's not George Stuart-He's George Rushton! He wanted to blackmail my grandmother for money." She pushed the covers aside and struggled to her feet. "Where are the police? I need to tell them!"

Polly blocked her way. "Mandie, they already know everything! They caught George whatever his name is and that awful partner of his. They arrested Adrian, too. Can you believe they were all working together?"

"No!" Her panicked outburst took Polly aback, and Mandie clarified. "Adrian was trying to help me. Because of him I was able to escape. They can't imprison an innocent man!"

She side stepped Polly and immediately went to her closet, picking out the first dress she saw and throwing it onto the bed. Halfway through unbuttoning her night dress she felt a sharp pain in her right wrist, and had to stop, exclaiming, "Ow!"

Polly, who had been peering at her like she was evaluating her mental state, pointed out, "Your wrist is sprained, did I not mention that?"

Mandie frowned as she rubbed it. "No, you did not. If it is sprained why did the doctors not set a cast on it?"

She shrugged. Before Mandie could interrogate her any further on what exactly the doctors said, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" Polly called out. Mandie froze.

"Polly," she spluttered. "I'm not decent!"

Before the door could open she grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around herself. Luckily, it was Mrs. Thomason, carrying a picnic basket. She smiled once she saw Mandie.

"Mandie, I'm pleased to see you awake and with the color back in your cheeks. How do feel?"

"I'm doing much better now, thanks ma'am," she replied with a strained smile. All she could think about was Adrian being in jail and getting him out.

"I must say, I am horrified by the ordeal you went through. Both you girls." She turned to address Polly as well. "Heaven forbid anything like this occur again, but you girls must promise me that you'll contact me or any of the school personnel if you ever feel in danger." Her stern tone softened. "I won't lecture you now because I can see that you are still recovering. I brought some food, courtesy of our cafeteria." She set the basket down on Mandie's desk. "Also, there is a gentleman by the name of Joe Woodard here who insists on seeing you."

Suddenly, every thought process in Mandie's mind shut down. "Joe?" She repeated, staring at the woman, sure that she heard her wrong.

"Yes, would you like me to send him in?" Mrs. Thomason then lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Now, you know this is against school policy, but I understand that he must want to make sure you are alright, and as long as Miss Cornwallis stays in the room as a chaperone…" She looked to Polly for confirmation, and so did Mandie, but her look comprised of irritation.

"You did not tell me Joe was coming here too!"

"I did not know he was!"

Mrs. Thomason glanced back and forth between the two girls with raised eyebrows. "Do you want me to send him away?"

"No!" They both spoke at the same time, and then proceeded to stare each other down.

"I will retrieve him then." Mrs. Thomason glanced back at them one last time before leaving the room.

"You better not be lying to me again," Mandie whispered, as the door was still open. Polly huffed, but Mandie ignored her-she was feeling jittery and it was very jarring to her weary body that had only just woken up ten minutes ago. The moment she heard that Joe was there, a whole range of emotions cycled throughout her and she couldn't make sense of any of it.

And she didn't have time to.

"Mandie." She turned away from Polly, and towards the source of the deep voice. One moment, Joe was standing there in her doorway, his brown hair disheveled, a look of utter relief and worry lining his face all at once, and the next, she was pressed against his warm, hard chest and his arms were wrapped around her. For a fleeting moment, she went still, unable to react. Then, just like that, Mandie felt everything inside of her release. She buried her face in him, and he was stroking her hair, and she resolved that she would never be leaving this position, where it was warm and safe and smelled like trees...

And then a throat cleared. "I'm going to leave, but Mandie, I just wanted to let you know that I ended up finishing our project by myself, and had to also present it by myself."

"Mmmf mf mmfffm mfffm."

"What?"

Very reluctantly, Mandie withdrew from Joe's embrace and faced Polly. "Thank you. I promise I will make it up to you… later."

She pursed her lips. "I will hold you to that." She appeared to have already gathered her things, donning a coat and a bag around her shoulder.

Ever the gentlemen, Joe apologized for not greeting Polly before. "I didn't know you would be in here." He discreetly sent Mandie an inquiring look and she signaled that she would explain later. "How are you?"

"Oh, I am very fine." Polly directed him a coquettish smile, and Mandie stifled a groan. It was either one of her flirtatious smiles or 'I want something' smile, or even a combination of both, Mandie couldn't tell. She just wanted it far away from Joe.

Her prayers must have been heard, because soon after Polly bid them a good night and had one foot outside the room before Mandie realized something.

"Wait! Mrs. Thomason expects you to be our chaperone. What if she sees you leaving?"

"I'll be careful," Polly said with an air of arrogance. She then shut the door behind her, effectively preventing any further conversation.

Normally, she wouldn't trust Polly with such a task (it was Polly, for God's sake) but Mandie had just gone through some not very normal experiences. She turned her attention back to Joe, brimming with questions. As she faced him, though, the words seemed to get caught in her throat.

Joe beat her to it.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you're alright." He looked as if he were going to hug her again. "You are alright?" He questioned, searching her face for confirmation.

Mandie found her voice. "Yes, I am. Why-how did you get here? Did my family tell you what happened to me?"

"No, it was complete coincidence. I had some free time off from school and my friend was coming here so I came with to surprise you. I was on my way to your school's office to ask where your room was when I recognized Mary Lou." He ran a hand through his hair restlessly. "She came up to me and told me you had been kidnapped and were unconscious ever since being rescued."

"Not anymore. I'm awake and alive." Mandie smiled, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Who did this to you?"

"I'll explain everything later, Joe." She grabbed her clothes from her bed and headed towards her bathroom. "Right now, I need to change and go to the jailhouse."

"The jailhouse? Are you going there to give your account of the kidnapping?"

"No… Not exactly."

Mandie hung her clothes on the bathroom door, and when she turned to close it, he materialized in front of her.

"Then why?"

Mandie internally recoiled. She knew Joe expected every detail, just as she had always given it to him after getting into another 'adventure' that he hadn't been a part of. But she hadn't begun to sort out what had happened herself, let alone how to tell someone else, and she feared he would try to stop her from doing what she was about to do if she did tell him. On the other hand, if she simply told him she was going to exonerate Adrian, a person she knew Joe clearly disliked, he would also oppose to it.

"It wouldn't matter anyway," he declared, bringing Mandie out of her reverie. She looked up in surprise, meeting his gaze. "It's almost 11 o'clock; the officers on your case most likely went home already." His gaze became even more intent on hers. "And visiting hours for the prisoners are over."

"Oh," Mandie said quietly, averting her eyes. "I did not realize it was that late. I still should change my clothes though, if you don't mind waiting."

She discarded the blanket she was still wearing onto her bed, then quickly realized her error.

"Look away! I'm not decent!"

Darting for the bathroom, she glimpsed the startled expression on Joe's face before promptly slamming the door shut behind her.

As she leaned against the door, Mandie couldn't even bring herself to be too embarrassed. At least now we're even, she thought to herself, recalling when she walked upon him shirtless. She looked up to see her reflection in the mirror and grimaced. There were dark bags under her eyes, and a large bandage almost swallowed her entire left cheek, which she realized must have been what Joe was scrutinizing earlier. She brought her fingers to it and winced at the immediate sting.

As Mandie stripped off her nightgown she realized how dirty she felt and decided she desperately needed a bath. Just a short one, she thought as she twisted the tub's faucet, hoping Joe wouldn't notice how long she was taking. Then again, she also wanted to stall for more time before having to face him again.

Some time later (Mandie wasn't sure how long), she was washed up and clothed. Mentally, she didn't feel any better but at least she had rid of the grime clinging to her body. She exhaled deeply before pushing the bathroom door open and walking out.

Joe was sitting at her desk with one of her history textbooks in front of him, mindlessly flicking through the pages. He looked exceedingly disinterested.

"Don't read that dreadful book. It even puts our teacher to sleep."

Mandie observed him register her presence and stand up. Before he could say anything, she started to apologize.

"Sorry for taking so long," she said.

"It's fine." He was looking at her cheek again, the bluish, purplish bruise now visible, with a faint scar running across it. Mandie was forced to the throw the bandage away when the bath water loosened it.

"Do you want to explain how that happened now?" He asked softly.

Mandie bit her lip. "Could we talk about that later? I'm still tired and…"

Joe nodded. "I understand. It's late, and I'm not allowed to be here anyway."

Mandie felt a jolt of panic.

"No, I want you to stay. What I meant was, I don't want to discuss what happened to me, or anything related to it," she worded carefully.

"I see." Even though he presented an understanding face, Mandie detected the confusion and hurt underneath it, and seeked to distract him.

"Why don't you eat with me? I'm starving." She didn't realize she was until she said it, and suddenly the ache in her stomach veered towards unbearable. "Please?" She placed her hand on his.

Joe smiled briefly. "Sure." He withdrew his hand and pulled out the chair at her desk for her.

"You can bring Celia's chair over here," she told him. After they both were seated at her desk, they cleared away Mandie's book (Joe admitted he actually had not been reading it) and began to unpack the picnic basket Mrs. Thomason had brought.

"Goodness, there is so much food in here," Mandie remarked as she picked up yet another apple and set it besides three others.

Joe raised an eyebrow. "Is it any good, though? College food is notoriously terrible."

Mandie mused as she buttered a roll of bread. "It's decent, I suppose. Nothing compared to Aunt Lou's meals, of course." She stopped to laugh, her voice full of teasing. "What are you asking for? You would eat it anyway."

He also laughed. "I can't deny that." He unwrapped a biscuit and took a bite, and she tilted her head.

"So? Is my school's cooking better than yours?"

He leaned back in his chair, making an exaggerated show of thinking it over. "Maybe. I think trying more food is necessary. Just to be completely sure," he added, flashing a grin.

"By all means, help yourself." She pushed the basket towards him, unable to stop the smile widening on her face. It had been a while since something had elicited such a genuine smile from her.

Joe placed his hand on the basket, halting its movement. "You should eat, too. When was the last time you ate?"

Mandie took her time to thoroughly chew and swallow the piece of bread in her mouth before answering. "I don't know, really," she said at last. "There are a lot of things I don't remember, but they're coming back to me."

Joe was silent, which was unusual for someone who was always straightforward with her. She wondered if he was restraining himself from asking what was coming back to her, about what she had been through. Part of her wanted to unload every emotion and every moment, to confide in him and know what he thought of it all. The other part of her, the part that won out, worried about how he would handle it.

Side by side, they ate quietly for a moment, both deep in their own thoughts. When the gnawing ache in her stomach was finally satiated, Mandie stood up and went to wash her hands. She returned and perched on the edge of her bed, waiting for Joe to finish. His back was in her direct opposite view, and she watched him stand up and take off his heavy brown jacket before stretching his arms out. The same ones he had held her with before, pulling her into an embrace more intimate than any other she had shared with him. With curiosity, she noted their lean, muscular shape and tan complexion, and suddenly blurted out a question.

"Do you have time to exercise at your school?"

Joe dropped his arms and turned around, and Mandie berated herself for breaking the silence with such a random question. To her relief, he replied straightforwardly.

"I try to when I can. I think I told you in my last letter, didn't I, that I play tennis every weekend with a couple of other students, and we're actually planning to ask the school if we can start an official team."

"That sounds great, Joe. I hope they approve." She let out a frustrated sigh. "Unfortunately, I never got your letter. I didn't receive any mail this past week, actually, but I thought maybe no one had written to me. Now I'm sure it all got lost."

"That's strange," he said, leaning against her desk and crossing his arms. "Did you ask your school's mailing services?"

"I asked Mrs. Thomason, and she only received Celia's mail. I suppose it's just another-"

"Mystery," he finished. Mandie pursed her lips.

"Yes."

Joe shifted. "You know, whenever you say that word, I think 'Here we go again'. And I always tried to hide it, but this worry seizes me. Then you're telling me all about it, everything you saw and did, who or what you suspect, and, Mandie, you're so passionate." His lips curving into a small smile, he gazed at her deeply, and Mandie's heart began to skitter. "I feel so lucky, because in those moments, I get to come along with you on those adventures, even if I wasn't actually there. Your determination to see every mystery out, though very misguided at times, is honestly inspiring to watch. But now," he faltered. "All I feel is worried, and I can't hide it."

A lump rose in Mandie's throat and the world appeared fuzzy. "I had no idea."

She truly didn't. In all their years of friendship, it was only recently that she had analyzed what Joe meant to her. She never considered what she was to him; his marriage proposals were something to dismiss and his unwavering loyalty always expected. Deep down, she may have never allowed herself to question what lay behind his actions because then she would be forced to examine what kind of feelings were driving hers.

Swallowing roughly, Mandie pushed herself off her bed. "Joe, I don't want you to be worried. That's the very reason why I'm not telling you anything, because I don't you to get upset, or worry about me. What happened is over, and those men are in jail. I just want to get back to feeling like myself, plain old Mandie." She hesitated. "I'm scared if I tell you what happened, you'll start to treat me differently, like I'm some helpless, delicate girl." Her mouth twisted into a frown at the thought.

Joe shook his head slowly, making his way towards her. "Don't worry about me-what matters is you. I would never want to make you feel that way, and if I ever do, please tell me. Better yet, ban me from Aunt Lou's chocolate cakes," he urged, the stubborn tone of his voice carrying even throughout his joke.

"Well, I wouldn't go that far." Mandie wavered, affected not only by his words but also by the new proximity between them. "I'm happy that we settled that all out."

"Me too."

For a moment, neither of them moved, eyes locked on one another's. Mandie was the one to glance away, on account of suddenly feeling rather silly, and also nervous of what would happen if she didn't.

"Oh, I still need to tell you about Polly. You would not believe it, Joe."

She began to describe the projects the two girls were assigned to work on together, and how Polly mysteriously knew so much information about certain people and Mandie herself, all while trying to avoid Adrian's name and mentioning Polly's attack in the alley as well as the actual kidnapping. However, as Mandie racked her mind for more to share, she realized that those exclusions didn't allow for much to said. Instead, the conversation shifted to her school life, and then to Joe's. He briefly expressed frustration over having to work doubly as hard as other students who received a much more advanced education growing up, but was confident all the effort would be worth it in the end. They exchanged stories about teachers and friends, and while describing the friend who he had come with to Charleston, Joe glanced over at the mantel clock on Mandie's bedside table.

When he finally ended their conversation, stating that Andrew, who he was staying with, was probably expecting him, Mandie wasn't surprised. As they both stood up, her hands grew clammy. She breathed in and out, trying to escape the distorted state hedging in on her mind.

"Mandie?"

She grabbed onto Joe's hand in a desperate plea. "Please don't go."

Mandie steeled herself as she explained. "He's come in here before. I don't when or how or how many times. It would be fine if Celia were here, but she won't be here until tomorrow and… I don't think I can sleep alone."

"Then you won't," he said firmly. "I'll walk you to Mary Lou's dorm. Can you stay with her for the night? Or with Polly?"

"Mary Lou lives at home. She and her family are most likely sleeping now." Mandie grimaced at her next option. "Polly's roommate is April Snow. If you remember, she and I don't get on well. I wouldn't put it past her to chop off all my hair, or worse, while I slept."

"Is there anyone else you know who would let you spend the night?"

Mandie stared at the wooden floor, suddenly irritated with herself. "No."

Their first year at college, she and Celia weren't able to make any friends beyond Mary Lou due to rumors being spread about their conceitedness, and although the matter was resolved and Mandie had started chatting with several girls this year, they all remained only acquaintances so far. She tried to think of anyone she had become good enough friends with to ask such a favor but to no avail.

Joe sighed. "Only Andrew and his father are at their home, and they don't have a phone installed yet. I would bring you with me..."

"But it wouldn't be proper for me, or for them to house a lady they don't know," she pointed out. He nodded, appearing frustrated.

At this point, Mandie didn't give a fig about properness, but she wasn't sure what Andrew and his father's attitude would be, and whether they would turn her away (though from Joe's description of their wealth, she could assume they were strict about their image and adhering to upper class societal rules).

Her eyes returned to the floor. She couldn't bear it any longer. She had to ask.

"Maybe you could stay?" The question came out hesitant, and she spoke her next words with more hopefulness. "You could sleep in Celia's bed, I'm sure she wouldn't mind, and then leave early in the morning so no one would see you."

Mandie's heart began to thud as silence stretched on. I shouldn't have asked that. Heat rose rapidly in her cheeks. "I'm sorry, that was a really silly idea. Forget I said anything."

Feeling extremely foolish, Mandie turned away, but Joe stepped in front of her.

"Mandie, look at me."

Still embarrassed, she took a moment before allowing herself to do so. Warm, comforting brown eyes met hers.

"I'm here for you," he said gently, threading his fingers through hers.

Overcome with gratefulness, she simply nodded. "Thank you, Joe."

A glance over at her desk reminded Mandie of the food that still remained there, and she mentioned needing to clean up, and soon they were both throwing away coverings and storing away the food they hadn't eaten.

A short while later, Mandie was back in her bed, quickly drained by the short day she had. Although she insisted that Celia wouldn't mind, Joe had opted to sleep on the floor in between the two beds. Mandie had layered some blankets for him to sleep on and lent two of her fluffiest pillows, pointing out she had so many she wouldn't miss them. Joe cracked a smile, remarking that the setup was ten times more comfortable than his bed at college.

He seemed to fall asleep the moment Mandie turned the light out at her bedside table. She made out the faint outline of his body in the dark, reflecting on their conversations and how it felt like for him to just be there. With a twinge, she remembered Adrian being falsely implicated, spending an undeserved night in jail.

Tomorrow morning, she assured herself. First thing she would do was visit the jailhouse.

Ooooh kay I decided to end it there even though I had planned to include more scenes because otherwise it would never end lol. Since my winter break is ending soon and I will be thrusted back into pre-med life, I'm honestly not sure when I will be able to update again; it could be really quickly or really late. Until then!

~N-N-L