Joe had almost fallen asleep when he became aware of his brother’s trembling. Looking up into the darkness, he could barely discern the other boy’s face.

“You okay?” he called up softly to his brother.

He saw Frank glance down at him, then smile. “Cold,” the older boy responded. “Otherwise, I guess as okay as could be expected, given the circumstances.”

Joe nodded his head. He found his brother’s hand and began rubbing it briskly to help bring some warmth back into the older boy.

“Thanks,” Frank said gratefully, “but I’m all-over cold, I’m not sure how warming just my hand will help.”

Joe looked up and smiled. He didn’t say anything as he continued to rub the hand he was holding.

“I thought you fell asleep,” Frank continued after a moment.

Having finished with Frank’s right hand, Joe next found his brother’s left hand and proceeded to warm it up as well.

“Nah,” he responded at length. “Too cold.”

“Yeah,” Frank responded.

When Joe had finished with both hands, he scooted slightly away from the older boy. Frank looked up in surprise.

“Come on,” Joe ordered. “It’s your turn to be completely inside and my turn to sit up against the rock.”

“Joe-” Frank began to protest, but was cut off by Joe immediately.

“Now.” The blond boy stated firmly. “You’re all blue. I’ve had plenty of time to warm up. You haven’t. Now move.”

The dark-haired boy started to argue but realized that he was longing to be warmer. Gratefully, he allowed Joe to switch places with him, curling up against the blond boy’s muscular chest.

They sat there in silence, the cold air stinging their faces, pinching their toes.

“It must be about Christmas, now,” Frank said suddenly.

Joe looked down at his brother and said, “Merry Christmas, then.”

“There’s nothing merry about it,” Frank countered miserably. “It’s Christmas day and we’re out in the middle of who-knows-where, cold and alone, with no provisions, no matches, and no idea of when help will arrive.”

Joe didn’t say anything, just held his brother closer. Up above, the clouds began to break, revealing a scattering of pinpricks of light.

“Christmas is a time to be with family; a day of bright lights and presents under a tree.” Frank continued dejectedly.

The older boy fell silent as he tucked his head back against his brother’s chest and listened to his heart.

“You’re right, Frank,” Joe replied at last, “that we’re cold and alone and in a pretty desperate situation. But I disagree that there’s nothing merry about this Christmas.”

Frank twisted his head up and regarded his brother silently.

“You said Christmas is a time to be with family; well, we’re together Frank, and that is more than enough for me right now. And you mentioned bright lights.” Here Joe pointed to the stars up above. “And those lights are bright enough to be seen a billion miles away.”

“We don’t have a tree,” the boy continued, “but a rock should do just nicely.”

Joe suddenly looked down at his brother and smiled. “And wouldn’t you know, I just happen to have your present in my pocket.”

Frank struggled to sit up straighter. “You what?”

“I have your present, right here,” Joe responded, releasing one arm from around his brother to dig around in the interior pockets of his coat. “Those goons failed to search us when they nabbed us, so it’s safe. I didn’t have time to wrap it of course.”

“But Joe,” Frank cried in dismay, “I don’t have anything to give you.”

“Frank,” Joe said solemnly, his blue eyes serious. “This isn’t about me- I’m the one who thinks this is a merry Christmas anyway. You’re the one who needs to celebrate Christmas; it doesn’t matter if there’s no present for me.”

Frank stared at his brother, uncertain of what to say. Suddenly he found his hand closing around a small, slim notebook of some sort.

“Here Frank,” Joe said with a smile, “Merry Christmas.”

Frank looked at his brother, stunned. Here they were, almost certain to freeze to death on this cold Christmas morning, and Joe wanted to wish him a Merry Christmas. Not only that, he actually had a gift for Frank too.

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.