"Jason got taken to Social Services, but Dad’s working on getting him and the twins back," Joe said. Frank said morosely, but didn’t comment. "And, oh, yeah! We have an Uncle Matt now!" Joe grinned, knowing what Frank’s reaction.

"What?" Frank gave Joe a weird look.

"Uncle Matt! Aunt Gertrude’s fiancée! She’s getting married!" Joe’s grin got wider at his brother’s reaction.

"WHAT?" He nearly shouted. Joe laughed, and explained everything to his brother. Frank shook his head in wonder, and said, "Of all things…" Just then, he yawned really big. Joe smiled at his brother, and said,

"You should get some sleep! I’ll be back, bro!" Joe smiled at his brother again, and then left the room. Frank watched him leave, and within minutes, was sound asleep.

(One week later)

"Joe!" Joe heard his name being called as he went down the buffet line in the hospital’s cafeteria. He grimaced at the gunk on his plate that was supposed to be macaroni and cheese.

"I wonder if this is real cheese or rubber?" he wondered as he turned around. He was surprised to see Callie there. She had tears running down her face, and Joe’s heart immediately went cold. "Callie! What’s wrong?" He dropped his try on a table and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Is Frank okay? Did something happen?" he asked frantically. Callie sniffled, and then sighed.

"Frank’s fine, I think. But, oh Joe!" she burst into fresh tears, and Joe gathered her up and hugged her tightly.

"Callie, what’s wrong?" he asked her again, more gently this time.

"Joe, I just got a call from my dad. His—he got a promotion. We’re going to move, Joe!" She sobbed again. Joe felt tears well up in his eyes. Though he didn’t always get along with Callie, she was a good friend, and he knew how much she meant to Frank. He hugged Callie back tightly, and then released her.

"Oh, Cal..." he said softly, wiping away her tears. "We’ll miss you, that’s for sure." He hugged her again. Then, he smiled tenderly at her. "But, think of it this way, Cal. This is a new beginning for you and your dad. We’ll miss you, of course. We’ll miss you VERY much. But, you can go down to Texas and tell them that you have many friends up north who will kick their butts if they don’t treat you right!" Callie had to smile at that, and she looked at Joe.

"Thanks, Joe. But, now, I better go tell your brother…" her voice wavered as she wiped her tears.

"Bye Sweets," Joe whispered. Giving her hand one last squeeze, Joe let her go, and watched her walk away. He turned back to his tray, and realized he had lost his appetite. With a heavy heart, he threw his food away, and went to take a walk.

********************

"Knock, knock. Can I come in?" Callie asked Frank. He was sitting up, reading a computer magazine he had probably read a million times already. Truth was, he was bored out of his mind, and he wanted some company.

"Cal! Hey, baby! What’s up?" he asked, flashing her a heart-stopping grin. Callie tried to smile, but, she just couldn’t make it, and she broke out into sobs.

"Oh, Frank! I—It’s final! I’m moving!" She cried out, tears streaming from her face. Frank’s face immediately went slack, and he closed his eyes tightly. Both were silent for a few minutes. Finally, Frank spoke.

"When do you leave?" he asked softly, his eyes still tightly shut. Callie gulped back some more sobs, and replied,

"Tomorrow…the movers from my Dad’s company will pack everything up and send it down for us. Dad wants us down there, to get settled before I start school…I’ll be going to University of Texas." Frank opened his eyes. They were tear-filled, and red, full of pain. Very slowly, even though it hurt to just move, he opened up his arms, and Callie ran to hug him. They sat there for a long time, just holding each other, not moving, not wishing to talk. Finally, Frank pulled back, and looked at Callie, smoothing her hair back from her face. She was still crying.

"No," he whispered softly, gently catching a tear. "Don’t cry, baby. I love you. I’ll always love you. Remember that. Maybe…maybe this just wasn’t meant to be…but, the years I spent with you, I will never forget…and I will never forget you. I love you, sweetheart…I love you so much." Frank finished, trying his hardest not to cry again. Callie looked at him, with unshed tears in her eyes.

"I love you too, Frank. I’ll never forget you either…" She hugged him tightly, one last time. Even though it was left unsaid, they both knew that they were breaking up. Then, she slowly got off the bed. Frank still tightly clutched her hand. "Bye, Frank Hardy," she whispered. And then, she spun around, and left. Frank looked after her, and finally let his tears fall.

"Bye, Cal…" he whispered into the air. He sat back, and stared into space, remembering every time that he had shared with Callie. Tears continued to fall at a steady pace. Half and hour later, the door opened, and in came Joe. Joe looked at his older brother. Frank didn’t notice him for a moment, and then turned around to look at him. Without any words, and gestures, nothing, Joe knew what his brother needed. He went up to him, and hugged him tightly.

********************

(One Month Later)

"Joe! Jason! Joe! Jason!" Jason and Joe heard the chants as they faced their backs to the audience. In the two minutes before their act was to start, Joe reflected back to what had happened. Frank had been treated and released from the hospital, pronounced as being fully recovered. He was still a little upset with Callie leaving, but, slowly, day by day, he was recovering. His dad and Chief Collig had managed to pull a few strings, and Jason was back with them now, though on a trial period. Unfortunately, they couldn’t have the twins, but, they were working on making the family one again. Jason had come back to them, ecstatic on being home, and full of stories of the ‘nasty smelling woman who held me too tight!’. Now, they were at the mall’s talent show, ready to charm the world! Just then, the music turned around, and Joe and Jason started.

"Yo, yo, yo, my name is Joe.

I solve mysteries with my big bro

I got a lil bro

As well as two sisters,

All of ‘em are mischievous lil critters!" Joe sang to the beat of the music. They crowd cheered loudly. Then, Jason started.

"Yo, yo, yo, my name is Jase.

My big bros are teachin’ me to chase.

I pack a mean wallop

With my mighty lil fist

But I always know how to give a sweet kiss." The crowd continued cheering, all of them laughing at the cute little by. Then, Joe started again.

"We got another bro,

Who’s the oldest of us all.

He’s also the one with a serious flaw.

He cannot rap, even for his life,

But all of us love him with all our might." Then Joe and Jason started together.

"That’s us, as well as our family.

If you ever need to investigate a serious crime,

A murder, kidnapping, or even a threatening valentine,

Then call us; we’re the Hardy bros,

We’re on call morning, day, and night." They both finished and took deep bows among cheers, whistles, and applause from the crowd. They walked off the stage hand in hand, grinning. Twenty minutes later, all performances were finished and it was time to announce the winner.

"And the winner is…" The MC said, followed by a drum roll. "Joe and Jason Hardy, for the rap song about their family!" With cheers and whistles from the crowd, Joe and Jason went up to the stage to get their award. Joe handed the award to Jason, then called Frank up to the stage. Joe took the mic, and said,

"I wanted to thank my big brother for everything he’s ever done for me! Thanks Frank!" Frank and Joe shared a private, special smile as the crowd cheered again. Then, Frank and Joe lifted Jason onto their shoulders, and Jason held the trophy up high

"That’s what we are…" Frank thought to himself. "One big, happy family!"

The End!