He had expected Joe to knock on his door and demand to explain it to him; to convince him that nothing was going on. But that didn’t happen. Joe didn’t try and tell him anything.

And into this silence, Frank read what he wanted.

When he finally came downstairs he did not even look at either of his brothers. He couldn’t. Even Joe’s horror filled eyes were lost on him as the usually protective brother just walked away.

"Get a ride with Biff", was all he said gruffly very relieved that neither his mother nor father were here to see this display. They would have had questions that Frank wasn’t ready to answer. Leave that up to Joe…to Will. It was not his place to confess.

Their parents had left at 7 that morning. Laura was flying west to give Fenton’s older sister, Gertrude a hand and Fenton had driven her to the airport himself, leaving Laura’s car for the boys to take to school.

Gertrude was a regular fixture in the household until recently. Two months ago she had gone to stay with her aging parents after their mother had broken her hip and needed surgery. But then a call came from Gertrude late last night asking if Laura could come out and stay for a few weeks to give her a hand as she had come down with a nasty case of Shingles.

Laura didn’t even need to think twice about it and the arrangements were quickly made for her to fly out early this morning and to cover her volunteer shifts.

"Frank?" Joe’s voice was small and unsure but the only evidence that his older brother gave of hearing was a brief stiffening of his back before he pushed open the door between the kitchen and living room and left.

A few moments later they heard their mother’s car being started and backed out of the driveway. Frank didn’t even bother to eat anything, he just wasn’t hungry.

* * *

William turned to his twin and smiled pleasantly, "Well someone’s a grumpy Gus this morning."

Joe didn’t say anything but got up from the table. He needed to phone Biff.

* * *

The rest of the day pretty much went the same way. Frank avoided Joe and William and did not even acknowledge them during lunch.

William was still sweet as pie and Joe really felt things couldn’t get much worst. But of course they always could…

* * *

Biff had been surprised when Joe called him that morning to see if he and Will could get a lift with him to school. At first he had thought Frank was sick or something but Joe had told him no, that Frank just couldn’t take them with him today. But as the day progressed he became very aware that there something going on between the brothers.

Although they rarely fought, when they did it was either a short livid flurry or a longer sulky, avoidance-type mess. And this was definitely option #2. So he didn’t press his best friend, figuring it would pass over by the next day. It usually did.

Their drive home was rather quiet with the only attempts at conversation being made by William until they were a block from the Hardy’s house and Biff asked, "Hey Joe, can you do me a big favour?"

"Sure…what?" in typical Joe Hardy fashion he had already agreed to do it without even finding out what ‘it’ was.

"We’re going up to my Grandma’s tomorrow evening for the weekend. Can you look after Sherlock for me? The usual, feed him, make sure he’s got water, let him to pee," Joe had watched the dog for Biff a couple times before and the bigger boy was confident it would be no problem.

And he was right. Joe loved that ole dog, "Sure no problem Biff. And thanks for the ride." Joe opened the door and stepped out on the sidewalk in front of his house, Will close behind.

"No prob", Biff called out, "talk to you later!"

As William followed his brother into the house, his mind was firmly fixed on Biff’s request. A small feral smile graced his lips as one thought kept coming to the forefront of his thoughts…that dog hated him.

* * *

Frank was in a quandary, he had no idea what to do. He wanted to tell his parents about Joe and William but at the same time he didn’t want to. The perceptive teen knew his parents would be devastated and he really had no idea how to start that conversation.

Hearing his brothers come home; he got up and closed his room door. He did not want to deal with them right now. Beneath his shock and horror, lay a barely contained anger and he knew that talking to the twins was beyond his ability…yet.

* * *

Joe stood outside Frank’s door, his hand poised to knock. But he couldn’t. All his own self doubts and insecurities made it too hard as his darkest fears were realized. Frank didn’t want him around anymore…

Lowering his head, Joe turned and walked quietly back to his own room…where William was waiting.

* * *

Fenton frowned after he hung up the phone. Laura was going to be gone for a week or two and this wasn’t really a good time…however…there was no choice.

Picking up the phone, the detective dialed a number and then waited. A few minutes later he heard the familiar voice of his personal pilot, and long time friend Jack Wayne, answer the phone.

"Hi Jack its Fenton," he started, "Can you fly me to Washington…tonight?"

After the phone call, he had two more things to do:

Call Con Riley and tell him he wouldn’t be able to work on his case for a couple of days; and tell his sons he was going out of town.

Unfortunately, he had no choice.

* * *

"Frank? Can I talk to you?" Fenton rapped lightly on the door before opening it. Frank looked up from a book he was reading and nodded, "Sure Dad."

Fenton came in and glanced around the room. Everything was in its rightful place, such a difference to the haphazard mess known at Joe’s room. Well the twins room now.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he peered into the dark brown ones that looked back at him from a desk chair across the room, "Frank I just got a phone call and I need to go to the Capital tonight. I have no choice. They need me to be there to testify at a trial tomorrow."

Frank just kept looking at his father and Fenton continued, "I know it’s kind of last moment but honestly I had no idea they were going to call me. I thought Sam’s testimony would be enough but apparently not. Son, I don’t have a choice." Sam Radley, another private investigator, was a close associate of Fenton’s. Both had their own agency but worked in close affiliation with one another, often on the same case.

"What are you asking me?" Frank asked not really sure what his father was trying to get at.

"Well, your mom is at Grandma’s so I am thinking of leaving you boys here on your own. You’re 16 now and I feel you’re mature enough for this kind of responsibility. But I need to know if you’re okay with it. This’ll be different then babysitting for a couple of hours or keeping an eye on your brother overnight during a camping trip. I mean its not just Joe anymore and I don’t know for sure if I’ll be back tomorrow night. This could be a couple days or more. I just don’t know."

Frank’s mind was wheeling. He was pleased that his father had trust in him to even consider this instead of farming them off to Chet’s place or asking Con Riley to hang around. This was him actually be left in charge, him.

In charge of the house, the car…his brothers. Thinking about Joe and Will strengthened his resolve. This would give him the precious time needed to figure out what to do.

‘That’s fine Dad, we’ll be okay", Frank said nodding his head.

"You’re sure Frank? I mean this is a big responsibility," Fenton hesitated but Frank quickly assured him, "No its okay Dad. Besides the Hooper’s are just a couple of blocks away."

Pleased at his son’s enthusiasm Fenton couldn’t help but feel a bit proud about the fine man he saw his child quickly turning into, "Well okay then. All that’s left to do is break the news to your brothers."

Getting up he gave his son a supportive smile, "Thanks son" and then went into the room next door. He made a mental note to let the Hooper’s know he’d be out of town confidant that they’d keep an eye on the happenings in the Hardy house. .

* * *

Mortified was the new word in Joe’s day. When his father broke the news that he was going out of town, mortified was the only word to describe how he felt.

Oh and abandoned.

His mother was gone, his father was leaving, Frank was treating him like he had the plague, his back was still sore from the fresh burns, and William was sitting on his own bed, grinning across at him. Yes, mortified was definitely the word.

Joe shook his head. He had no idea how he was going to make it until Monday.

* * *

William was very pleased. His mind was already racing through the endless possibilities that a couple of parentless days allowed him. In all his young life, he had never before had this kind of freedom. And he was almost drunk at the very thought.

He wished his two best buddies Peter and Doug could see him now! Boy would they be impressed.

Watching Joe’s face tune an interesting shade of grey, the older boy knew his sibling was thinking the same thoughts…although impressed was probably not the word he was using.

* * *

Fenton noticed the look on his son’s face and became instantly concerned, "Joe what’s wrong? Are you sick?"

Joe shook his head, "No" and then his haunted blue eyes sought his father’s and he had to ask, "Do you have to go?" He ignored the look that William shot him more terrified by what could happen if his father left, then how Will would retaliate if Joe could make him stay.

Torn, Fenton sat down next to his youngest son feeling guilty by the concern he saw on his son’s face but knowing he had no choice. He had to go, "I’m sorry Joe. I don’t have a choice."

Joe quietly murmured, "There’s always a choice."

"Excuse me?" His words were like ice as Fenton found his patience drawn thin.

Over the past month he had tried to be understanding, patient, and open to the withdrawn surly child his youngest son seemed to have become. But even a saint had his limits and Fenton was certainly no saint.

"Joseph if you have something to say please come right out and say it, but don’t hide behind snide little remarks. You know better then that. Unfortunately when a man is subpoenaed to testify in front of a judicial inquiry, he does not have the same freedom with his choices as young men, untroubled by a man’s world, have. "

Joe shriveled with each word as Fenton continued, "Yes, you are right, there is always a choice. But behind every choice is a consequence…and it is that consequence that makes the choice. Now, young man I expect you to listen to and not cause any trouble for Frank. He is in charge and I expect you to treat him with the respect that that station deserves. When I get back, he will be your big brother again but until then…he is in charge. Any questions?" Fenton took a deep shuddering breath, surprised by his own fervor.

Fenton regretted coming on so strong but if it forced Joe to snap out of it and stop behaving like a spoiled brat then it would be worth it. He found himself wishing that he would be more like his brother.

William was such a pleasant easy going kid; it was hard to believe he was raised in an orphanage.

Standing up Fenton sighed as Joe refused to look at him, "Son, it’s just for a few days...and I’ll let Biff’s folks know so you can go to them if you need anything. And Con already said he’d be by with a pizza and movie if I’m not back by Saturday night."

William cut in before Joe could correct Fenton, "Actually…Dad," he flashed a little smile when he said that and Fenton returned his warmly, "Biff’s folks are going to be away this weekend too. I heard Biff asking Joe to watch Sherlock."

Fenton frowned. The Hooper’s were going to be away? Maybe he should see if Con could hang out here or have the boys stay at the farm…but William continued on as if reading his mind, "But I wouldn’t worry about that. I mean we’re big boys and what could possibly happen? Don’t worry. Go, testify. We’ll take care of each other."

Joe opened his mouth to say something…anything to make his father stay and make him understand that nothing was what it seemed to be. But nothing came out. He had absolutely nothing to say.

Not one thing could the youngest boy think of that would make his father stay…make his father make everything all right again.

Not a damned thing.

So he shut his mouth, stared down at his hands and wondered if he should just stay at Biff’s this weekend. But then he immediately dismissed that idea. Because then Frank would be alone with William.

* * *

An hour later Fenton was gone leaving some money and instructions on what to do in case of an emergency.

His three sons watched him leave. Then Frank headed to the kitchen, grabbed three slices of the pizza their father had ordered before leaving, and went back up to his room. Joe sighed softly when he heard the sound of Frank’s door being closed.