Hardy Boys Fan Fiction at the HDA - Brain Child

The car swerved suddenly as Joe pulled on the wheel with more force than he intended. His bad mood was becoming increasingly worse as he headed for his apartment. Between exhaustion, a sneaking suspicion that something was just—wrong – with this case, and the desire to see Vanessa just to make sure that she was okay, he found he could care less about his driving skills. Besides, he KNEW he had to speak with – or to- his brother, and diplomacy had never been one of his strong suits. This was already turning out to be a very bad day.

“Take it easy!” Frank scolded, his hand gripping the door handle so hard that his knuckles turned white. “Slow down!” He gaped at Joe in disbelief.

With that, Joe slammed on the brakes, almost sending both of them flying as the car went into a tailspin. Luckily enough, they had been next to one of Bayport’s parks on the way back, which was relatively quiet and isolated. Joe had purposefully picked this route home not only because it was a shortcut, but also because he figured that if he had to kill Frank, it was a pretty decent place to dispose of the body. Stopping suddenly, Joe put the car in park and faced his brother. “Slow enough for you?!” He asked, realizing how angry he sounded and unable to control his temper any longer.

“What the hell are you DOING?!” Frank responded, totally stunned and utterly confused.

Eyes flashing, Joe couldn’t help himself and he didn’t care to mince words. Looking at his brother, he realized one thing right away—Frank really HAD no idea about what was going on. A brief moment of sympathy crossed his mind but disappeared almost instantaneously when he remembered that he was less than ten minutes away from home, which meant Vanessa—and Callie.

“You know, Frank, you can be a real idiot sometimes. As your BROTHER, I have the right to tell you that. As your FRIEND, I am telling you that.” He crossed his arms and stared at his older brother.

Taken totally off guard, Frank sat next to him, his mouth literally hanging open waiting for whatever it was that Joe had to say. Frank barely had time to process Joe’s seemingly irrational behavior before Joe unleashed his tirade.

“You know, you’re really blowing it, big time!” Joe practically shouted.

“What?! The case? What are you talking about?!” Frank had no clue what was going on. Despite Joe recognizing that, he went on.

“Not the case, Frank! Get a clue! I KNOW about Nancy, and I KNOW that Callie does, too. I had a feeling that we shouldn’t have asked for her help on this case! But OOOHHH NNOOOOO…” Joe drew out the words, gesticulating with his hands to emphasize his point, “You didn’t listen. “She’s valuable, Joe. She can keep her eye on things for us,” he continued, mimicking Frank. “Well, I KNOW what she kept her eyes on, and if I wasn’t so tired right now, I’d punch you in the head!” Now Joe knew he was being ridiculous, but his anger was overtaking his logic. “You are totally screwing up your life----not to mention Callie’s—and Nancy and Ned’s, not that I care so much about them, by acting the way you do. GOD! If you were going to cheat, at least don’t get caught!”” Joe sighed dramatically. “I’d NEVER cheat on Vanessa, and if I didn’t love her anymore for some idiotic reason, then I would at least respect her enough to call it off before I did anything!” Now he couldn’t control himself. “You know, I really ought to kick your---“

“Shut up!” Frank shouted, breaking his normally calm and even facade. His face was pale, but Joe saw red creeping into Frank’s cheeks, and he knew there was trouble. It took a LOT to piss Frank off, but once that happened, it also took even more effort to calm him down. Joe could count on one hand the number of times he’d seen Frank this angry. Still, he was ready. Mentally he was already calculating the excuse he’d have to give Vanessa for what he—what both of them—would look like when they actually arrived back.

Frank went on, fire in his eyes as he unbuckled his seatbelt and whirled towards his brother. “Just shut up!” He repeated, glaring. After letting loose a string of expletives about Joe’s comments, the likes of which made Joe, who could outdo almost anyone in that department, blush, Frank motioned with one hand, “Get out of the car—now!”

“Fine!” Joe snapped back, and pushed open his door. Within seconds, Frank was standing in front of him, hands raised in front of him.

“You’re seriously going to fight me?” Joe couldn’t believe it. The last time he’d actually fought with Frank had been years ago, when they had been kids.

“Gee,” Frank responded sarcastically. “I don’t think it’ll be much of a fight since you’re so sure that you can ‘kick my ass’.”

At once, Joe realized that Frank wasn’t kidding, nor was he in control of his emotions, something so rare that it was almost unbelievable. Seeing his brother so wound up threw Joe for a loop.

“Uh…” He stammered, knowing he sounded like an idiot, even to himself.

“You started this, Joe,” Frank shot back, furious. “I’ll finish it.”

Closing his eyes for just a moment, Joe inwardly cursed and thought about how insane this whole thing really was. He’d wanted to talk to Frank, not fight with him.

“Well? …” Frank cut in, interrupting Joe’s thoughts and egging him on.

Joe found himself caught between shock and disbelief at how this whole thing had gotten out of control. Immediately he also thought that it would be Frank’s black belt and controlled, methodical fighting against his own sheer brute force. Even he wondered who’d come out on top in that one! Looking at his big brother, whom he’d always idolized and respected above anyone else, Joe felt his resolve quickly waning. After all, hadn’t he brooched the subject to help his brother, not to hurt him? Swallowing his pride and actually feeling a little bad that he’d infuriated his brother to the point where they were about to fight, he decided, slowly, to take the high road. Lowering his own hands, which he’d raised defensively, he took a deep breath before responding, “Okay. I’m—sorry. Truce?”

Frank immediately realized the adrenaline in his body as it slowed down, and he felt himself snap back to reality. Looking at his raised fists and feeling every muscle in his body on edge, he felt ashamed at once. What had happened? There was nothing that Joe could do to bring him to this—nothing, no matter how annoying or pesky Joe could occasionally be—that would make him want to fight the brother whom he’d spent his life trying to protect. Unable to meet his brother’s eyes, Frank turned around, wordlessly, and stared at the park before him.

Several minutes passed before Joe approached Frank, giving him time to calm down. Placing a hand on his shoulder, Joe asked, humbly, “Are we okay?”

Frank let out a shaky breath and nodded at his brother. “Yeah.” Continuing slowly, Frank found that he was searching for the right words to begin. Finally, he did. “Joe, what was that all about? What were you saying? You know WHAT about Nancy? And what does Callie have to do with anything? I didn’t like what you were implying…” He stopped, unsure of how to continue.

“Are you being serious?” Joe queried, incredulous. “You really don’t know?”

“No, I don’t,” Frank responded evenly. “But since you’re so upset about whatever it is, I’d like you to tell me.” All hostility had left his eyes, leaving only a strong desire to get to the bottom of Joe’s accusations.

Looking at Frank, Joe believed him. How Frank DIDN’T know, he wasn’t sure... but it was his job to tell him.

“Listen, Frank,” Joe began, deciding that being direct was the only way to go. “When we were all at the hospital waiting for news about Charlotte, I saw Ned and Callie. Ned left right away, but he looked pretty upset, and Callie looked awful.”

Immediately Frank’s thoughts jumped to Callie’s odd behavior at the hospital. Obviously, Joe knew the source of it but, rather than prod him on, he decided to listen; he knew it was somehow important to. Nodding, he indicated for Joe to go on.

He did. “Vanessa and I had just arrived, but apparently Callie had gone to find you and was told that you were with Nancy reviewing some information upstairs. When she saw you, she told me that she saw you kiss Nancy. Add to that the sheer bad luck that Ned also happened to appear at that moment, and BOTH of them saw it. They’re both really upset,” Joe added, noting how his understatement had its desired effect. Finishing, he noted, “And Callie, Frank—she had no clue about your history with Nancy and she’s totally devastated.”

It took Frank a moment to process the information. With a start, he blurted out, “Nothing happened, Joe!”

Shocked, Joe replied, “It obviously did.”

“It did NOT!” Frank’s response was so vehement that Joe was taken aback. “I did NOT kiss Nancy. It just—it didn’t happen!”

“Well, Frank…” Joe searched for the right words. “Maybe it did; maybe it didn’t. The point is that both Ned and Callie THINK it happened, so you better try to clear that up before this gets any worse! And like I said, Callie had no clue about your past with Nancy.”

Frank looked so shocked that Joe actually felt sorry for him; still, he did not expect to hear the next words that Frank uttered.

“WHAT history?!” he asked, genuinely confused.

“FRANK!!!!” Joe sighed in exasperation. “Look, even I know that you and Nancy have had some things happen in the past. I have no desire to know exactly what.” He held up a hand as Frank went to speak, effectively cutting him off. “And even if you deny it, there’s clearly still something between the two of you now. Admit it! It’s as clear as day and it … annoys me… to no end.”

Frank stood silent a few minutes, processing all that Joe had said. Finally, he spoke. The sadness in his eyes stopped any anger that Joe had felt. “Joe,” Frank said softly, barely able to meet Joe’s eyes. “I… I guess I never thought of Nancy and I having a ‘history.’ Maybe…” Joe felt bad, watching his brother fumble for words…” Maybe some things DID happen—a long time ago—but they’re in the past.” Meeting Joe’s eyes, finally, he continued, “They really are. I consider Nancy a friend, and I asked her here because she’s a great detective, and I really did think she could help. And I am telling you the truth that I didn’t kiss Nancy. But…” Frank paused, taking a shaky breath, “It did ALMOST happen, and I guess that’s just as bad. Thanks, Joe. I… I get it.” Frank turned his head slightly, averting his brother’s eyes.

Joe sucked in his breath. He hadn’t expected Frank’s reaction. Although he and Frank were as close as brothers could get, the one area that they never really spoke about was their personal relationships. For Frank, it had always been Callie. His brother had always been private by nature, and he had especially been protective over Callie. And Joe knew that for himself, it could have been any number of girls. Those girls he had jokingly discussed with his brother, never in a derogatory way, but just in “guy” talk. But Vanessa… and Iola… they were off limits. Maybe that was why this discussion was so hard…

Shaking off the awkwardness, Joe knew he had done the right thing, as … odd.., as it felt.

Finally, Frank turned again towards him. He looked so sad, and Joe simply felt terrible. “I guess Callie’s really upset.” It was a statement, not a question. Finally, he managed a small smile. “I guess we’d better get home so I can deal with this, huh?”

Joe returned the smile. “Yeah—I’ll be with Vanessa, thanks. You and Callie should take a nice, long walk somewhere other than--- anywhere within hearing distance of me!”

“Just one question, though,” Frank stated as he walked around to the passenger side of the car and got in. Waiting for Joe to start the engine, he went on. “How did you get involved in all of this? I mean, normally you try to stay out of stuff like this.”

Joe sighed and grinned ruefully. “By default.”

Seeing Frank’s confused expression, Joe let out a small laugh, and then spoke. “I was ganged up on by Vanessa and Callie. It wasn’t pleasant.” He shuddered at the memory. Seeing Frank’s serious expression, Joe continued, “Don’t worry—I defended you,” he reassured him. “I HAD to. I was outnumbered by team Callie and team Vanessa. Not a pleasant place to be. I was on your team by default, like I said.”

“Team Frank?” Frank asked, raising an eyebrow.

Joe laughed. “No, team “GUY.” We’re all lumped together sometimes.”

Frank smiled. “So—you really think I can work this out with Callie?” He couldn’t believe he was asking for Joe’s advice about this intensely personal situation.

“Well, “Joe said pointedly, the smile slowly fading as he focused on the road home, “I think you need to decide what YOU want first. It’s only fair. For everyone. “Joe knew it was hard for Frank to talk to him about this, and he was actually honored by Frank’s opening up to him. Still, he had to add, “But for the record, I’m “Team Callie” all the way.”

Frank sighed. “Hurry up, Joe. Let’s go back,” he said quietly. “The girls are waiting.”

He did not know that they were not the only ones in waiting…

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The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.