Joe was released from the Camden Hospital early the next morning and the four Hardys made the three hour trip back to Bayport in almost complete silence with Frank wondering how to get Joe and his father to bond and Laura wondering why the two couldn’t see how much alike they were.

Joe’s silence was the most prominent because he was usually the one to start, if not maintain, a constant litany whenever they went on a trip.

Fenton wore a scowl because he knew he was responsible for Joe’s semi-depressed state. Of course, Axemeyer had been the catalyst for the conflict but that didn’t alter the fact that his and Joe’s relationship was more precarious than he had wanted to admit.

When they arrived home Joe went straight to his room without comment. After his confession yesterday he was ashamed to look at his father. It wasn’t his dad’s fault he felt this way. His dad tried hard to be a good father. Wasn’t he always available when Joe needed to talk to him even if it was over the phone? Hadn’t his dad dropped whatever he was working on and rushed home every time he found out Joe had been injured?

“He’s not a bad father,” said Joe, unaware his dad had followed him upstairs and into his room. “I’m a bad son.”

“Don’t you ever say that again!” thundered Fenton angrily from behind him.

Joe spun around in surprise as his mom and Frank rushed into the room to see what was wrong now. “Out!” Fenton ordered the two of them.

“But...”

“Out!” Fenton repeated the order cutting off Laura’s objection. “This is between Joe and myself.”

Laura bit her bottom lip and nodded. She left the room and Frank threw Joe a sympathetic look before following her. Fenton closed the door behind them then turned back to Joe who was standing facing him with his eyes glued to the floor.

“You’re not perfect,” Fenton began. “But neither am I. You are, however, a wonderful son. I am very proud of you.”

“No, I’m not,” Joe denied with a shake of his head. “If I were more like Frank...” he began but his dad walked over and grabbed his arms tight, forcing Joe to look at him.

“If you were more like Frank, you wouldn’t be who you are,” Fenton told him. “I may not show it the way I should, but I do love you.”

“I know you do,” Joe said. “I just...” he broke off, not wanting to say something that he shouldn’t.

“You just wish we had more in common,” Fenton said, finishing for him. “So do I,” he confessed. “I guess that’s why I don’t spend much time with you. I was afraid that if we did then you wouldn’t love me anymore.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Joe said in confusion.

“Doesn’t it?” asked Fenton with a grimace. “I thought once you figured out we had nothing in common then you wouldn’t want me for a father.”

“Dad,” Joe said with a shake of his head. “Frank and I don’t have much in common either.”

“Don’t be silly,” Fenton replied. “You two are so alike it’s almost like you are twins. You may look different but that’s about it. That’s why you shouldn’t want to be more like him.”

“Dad, you’ve got it wrong. Frank and I go together so well because we are so different,” Joe insisted. “I thought...” he paused, unsure how to continue.

“You thought what?” asked Fenton.

“I thought the reason you never spent any time with me was because I was such a disappointment,” Joe said softly.

“That is the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard!” roared Fenton. Had he really made his son feel that way? “Joe, I would love to be able to get to know you better. I want to go places with you and do things with you but every time we do get together it always ends up with one of us yelling.”

“Because neither of us think we are what the other wants?” suggested Joe.

Fenton gave a derisive laugh. “You’re very intuitive, you know that?” he asked Joe, touching his cheek affectionately. “I do love you more than you will ever know.”

“Then prove it,” Joe begged. “Let’s do something. Just the two of us. Please?” he added this last softly.

“What do you want to do?” asked Fenton, agreeing at once. “Anything you want.”

“I don’t care what we do,” Joe said. “I just want some time alone with you.”

“That’s what I really want too,“ Fenton said as the phone rang. A few seconds later Laura rapped on Joe’s door.

“Honey, it’s the White House,” Laura said through the door.

Fenton opened the door and took the receiver from her. Saddened, Joe joined his brother in the doorway and watched his dad listen to what was being said on the hall phone. “Yes, Sir,” acknowledged Fenton. “That does sound serious.” He was silent for a brief moment more. “I’m afraid I won’t be,” he said. “Might I suggest Sam Radley? He is a very good detective and we have worked together many times.” Another moment of silence. “No, Sir,” Fenton denied, looking up at his youngest son. “I don’t have another case at the present. What I do have is a family and a son I have promised to spend the next two weeks with. I’m sorry, you will just have to find someone else,” he said once again before hanging up.

“You mean that?” Joe asked in delighted surprise as his dad came over to join him and Frank.

“I just told the secretary of state that, didn’t I?” Fenton countered with a smile.

“So, where are you two headed?” asked Frank, grinning. He had been praying for Joe and his dad to get closer and now it looked like they finally were going too.

Fenton thought for a minute then looked at Joe and grinned. “Road trip,” he decided. “Two weeks of doing whatever we want, wherever we want.”

“It’ll never last,” Joe shook his head sadly. How many times had he and Frank gone on vacation only to be pulled into a case?

“Sure it will,” Fenton promised. “After all, we are going incognito.” Joe lifted a brow in question. Fenton’s grin widened. “I think we can get away with fake IDs and a change of hair color for two weeks.”

“Dad, you’re the greatest!” Joe shouted and hugged him tight as Frank and his mom exchanged matching expressions of relief and delight.

End.

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.