Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Joe was feeling downhearted. It was the day of the “Big Game,” but he was feeling anything but happy. When Coach Burns found out that Joe had a mild concussion, he immediately benched him. Joe had tried to convince the coach that he was fine, even going so far as telling Coach Burns that he had numerous concussions before this one! From the expression on the coach’s face, Joe thought that probably wasn’t his best argument.

As he suited up, Joe glanced over at Mark Dawson. Mark was a sophomore and played wide receiver. He had been two years ahead of Joe at Bayport High. Mark had been the star quarterback then, but when he entered college, he had wanted to try out for a different playing position. Coach Burns knew about Mark’s status as a quarterback in high school, which was why he chose him to take over for Joe.

Watching his fellow teammates, seeing the excitement on their faces gave Joe’s spirits a lift. He decided that if he couldn’t play, the least he could do was give his support. Joe walked over to Mark, and held out his hand to the tall red-head.

“Good luck, Mark! Have a great game!”

“Thanks Hardy – that Oklahoma team is going to be hard to beat!”

“They are tough but I think we’ll give them a good work-out!”

“Definitely! They’re going to have to work hard to win this title!”

*****

The roar of the crowd was deafening, Joe wondered how Mark could be heard over the noise. There was a minute and four seconds left in the fourth quarter and the game was tied, 7-7. Both teams were making things difficult for each other.

Throughout the game, Joe had been jumping up and down, screaming and yelling encouraging remarks. Now sitting on the bench, his body tensed as he watched Mark make an attempt for a touchdown. Then the unthinkable happened: although the offensive linemen were doing their job, one Oklahoma player managed to break through.

Coach Burns ran out into the field, Mark Dawson lay on the ground and was not moving. Two medical personal followed behind the coach. The crowd cheered a few minutes later when Mark was helped up and he limped his way off the field.

“Joe, looks like you get to play after all,” said Coach Burns.

Joe glanced at the clock; it had stopped with fifteen seconds left in the game. He jogged out onto the field; the Cougars were at the thirty yard line. As he entered the huddle, Joe knew exactly what to do.

The Bayport team got into position. Joe could barely hear himself as he shouted out the cadence. The center snapped the ball, Joe handed off the ball to his running back…but as the Oklahoma players made their moves on the running back, no one noticed that the ball wasn’t in sight.

Joe untucked the ball from where he had concealed it in the crook of his arm; he sighted his tight end and threw the ball. There was a deafening roar from the crowd as the football sailed through the air. The referee blew his whistle, his arms up in the air…touchdown!

The Bayport Cougars had won!

*****

Joe left the celebration early. Vanessa was resting at the hotel and he wanted to be with her. He stayed long enough to find out how Mark was doing and to check on Todd Butler. Joe also got permission from Coach Burns to stay at the same hotel as his parents. That night, he would be sharing a room with Frank.

The next morning, Todd and Connie joined the Hardys for breakfast.

“Mr. Hardy, I wanted to thank you for trying to help. I’m just sorry that my cousin caused so much harm.”

“I’m glad that Steven will be getting the help he needs and not going to jail!”

“I wanted to thank you for that also! Stevie really is a good person – he just - I know it’s not an excuse, but – “

“Going to prison wasn’t going to do him any good.”

“So Coach, rumor has it that you’re going to be staying in San Antonio.” Joe smiled at Todd and Connie.

“Actually Joe,” replied Connie. “I’ll be transferring to Bayport in another month. The company is going to be opening a La Quinta and they need an experienced manager.”

Taking Connie’s hand, Todd smiled shyly. “Connie and I are going to start over…I found out that she’s never stopped thinking about me and I’ve…well…”

*****

Back at home, Joe stared at an order form. A University alumnus had given a sizable gift to the football team. Mr. Alexander Paul thought the Cougar team deserved something more than a trophy. The players were going to receive a championship ring just like the pro teams.

Joe knew that some of the players were going to give their rings to their girlfriends. Joe had thought about giving his to Vanessa but she already had his letterman jacket.

Joe smiled when he saw his tall, leggy girlfriend walk out of the Arts building.

“Is that the brochure?”

“Yes it is.”

“Let me see what it’s going to look like!”

Joe gave her the brochure; as Vanessa looked at the picture….

“Vanessa – can I ask you something?”

“Sure, you can ask me almost anything!”

Joe laughed and then explained what he wanted to do.

That evening during dinner, Joe told his family about the gift that Mr. Paul was donating. Fenton and Frank sat up, their eyes shining with pride.

“Oh that’s wonderful!” Laura exclaimed, happy for her son.

“Some of the guys are going to give their rings to their girlfriends. I was thinking of giving mine to my favorite girl.”

Laura reached out and patted Joe’s hand. “I’m sure Vanessa is going to love that!”

“Actually Mom – I can say that Vanessa is one of my favorites, but…”

Laura noticed that Joe had been fiddling with a tiny silver band.

“I won’t be getting the ring until next semester, so this will have to do for now.”

With a shy smile, Joe took Laura’s hand and slipped the silver band on her forefinger.

“Oh!” Laura gasped; she blinked back tears as she stood to give Joe a hug.

“To the best Mom anyone could have!”

As Laura hugged Joe, Frank let out a groan and turned to Fenton. “You do realize that he’s ruined any gift we give Mom, don’t you?”

“I don’t understand, how did he do that?”

“Dad, look at her! Joe turned her to much! Do you honestly believe we can get that kind of response with any gift we might give Mom!”

Fenton stared over at his wife and son, watching as she wiped away her tears, hugging and kissing Joe’s cheek.

“Rats, you’re right – he did! You also realize that he’s never going to let us forget this moment either.”

“Yeah, that brat.”

“But you can’t help loving the kid!” Fenton said with a smile.

The End

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Disclaimer

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.