Biff tackled William and snagged the pillow before they both landed on the floor, hard.  Recovering first, William made a mad dash for the door, slipping and sliding as he went with Biff in hot pursuit.

He could not let William get away!

* * *

Frank let out a big sigh of relief.  Finally he was free of “Stella” as the nurse removed the IV from his hand and put a small bandage on it.

His father and Chief Collig were standing a few feet away and he went over to him but before he could say anything, he heard a loud yell.

Frank’s face lost all color as he realized that the shout had come from Joe’s room.  His heart constricted as he knew instantly what was wrong…William.

The room door crashed open and a Dracula clad person came flying out of the room slipping in his haste to make the corner but collecting himself before he could fall.

Frank wasn’t fooled for a moment as he only needed a second to recognize the person behind the costume and his worst fears were confirmed.

Oh my god…Joe!  The dark haired boy was already in motion as he saw Biff Hooper come thundering from the room. The brief look at Biff’s face that Frank got sent chills down his spine as he sidestepped Biff to get into the room.

He had to check his brother. 

Biff could take care of Will.

Behind him he heard the nurse calling for a code blue as the heart rate monitor in Joe’s room flat lined!

But when Frank stepped inside the room he wasn’t prepared for the sight that met his eyes.

“Joe”, he whispered.

* * *

Fenton Hardy stared in shock as Dracula came racing out of his youngest son’s room. 

Then Frank was moving towards the door and heard the nurse yelling.  But his eyes were fixed on the Dracula and then they widened as he saw Biff come tearing out of the room with murder in his eyes.

Dracula bumped Fenton as he ran by but the stunned detective did not stop him. His mind refused to process what his eyes were seeing… he was emotionally frozen.
But then as Biff charged past, Fenton snapped out of it and reached out and snagged the blond boy’s arm bringing him to an abrupt stop.

“What are you doing?”  The older man demanded as Biff lurched his arm away angrily.

“That’s William!” he shouted as he started to take off again only pausing long enough to yell furiously at Fenton, “Touch me again and you're a dead man!” and then he was running knowing he had lost valuable time but refusing to give up. 

He needed to catch William.

* * *

“Find William…find him now!”  Ezra Collig barked to the nearest officer before turning to Fenton and demanding, “What the hell is wrong with you Fenton? “

Fenton just stared numbly at his old friend.  There was no way he could explain it.  That was all he knew.

* * *

After Biff left, the teens huddled together near Mateo’s car while their parents spoke in low tones among themselves standing a bit closer to the hospital entrance.

John Morton sighed wearily, he was having a horrible time thinking that something like this could happen and they had had no idea what was going on.  As if reading his thoughts, Ross Hooper spoke up, “I cannot believe that this was going on only a couple blocks from my house and I had no idea.  Hell I see Joe almost as often as I see my own son!”

The others agreed.

“It makes me heart sick to think that all the signs were there and we ignored them… assuming that their father would have picked up on it”, Catherine Morton said thinking of how sullen and withdrawn Joe had become and that while she noticed it, she had never said anything.  She figured it was just something he was going through and that his family was handling it.

“From now on I think I am going to pay a little more attention to my gut instinct and not just assume that someone else is handling it”, Mr. Hooper announced.  Georgia Hooper moved in next to her husband and smiled proudly as he wrapped a brawny arm around her.

“I think we owe it to those boys…and to our own kids to do that.  Each and every one of us”, Aldo Prito said in a heavily accented voice.

Just then the front doors of the hospital swung open and someone dressed in a costume came racing by.

“Now that’s something you don’t see everyday”, Tony commented as he stepped closer to his brother and then they heard Biff yelling, “STOP HIM…STOP HIM…!”

Immediately the parking lot was a flurry of activity as the group of teenaged boys took after Dracula.  They did not need to ask why Biff was chasing him… they just knew.

It had to be William.

* * *

Frank's eyes went wide as he saw Joe standing unsteadily in between the two beds. His IV's had been ripped out again and the heart monitor leads had been pulled away, leaving the machine flat lining.  It's sound screaming.

There was blood dripping down Joe's hand…

Shocked Frank stood there for a moment before his gaze reached his brother’s face and froze on the look in Joe’s eyes.

They were wild.

“Joe”, he said softly as he fought back his own rising panic and moved towards his brother, terrified that Joe was going to fall and hurt himself more.

Behind him the door banged open and a blond haired nurse came rushing in, stopping when she saw the patient on his feet and not in cardiac arrest, calling over her shoulder she cancelled the code blue.

Joe held up his hand as if to ward Frank off as he backed away from his brother.

“No…” the word was haunted and pain filled and it ripped straight into Frank’s gut. He knew that William had done something but as of yet, he had no idea what and the possibilities were staggering.

“It’s okay Joe…you’re okay now”, Frank fought to keep the panic from his voice as he saw Joe did not recognize him.  He swallowed the lump in his throat.

Joe had backed up as far as he could and Frank had no idea how he was managing to stay on his feet as he was wavering so badly. 

“Please no…” the younger boy whispered his voice barely audible above the steady whine of the monitor.  The nurse had not moved yet to turn it off afraid that she might scare the distressed teen more.

“Little brother…its okay….please let me help you,” Frank continued to cajole as he slowly got a bit closer.

But then Joe gasped and Frank felt like a hole had been punched through his heart, “Please…don’t…hurt…m-me…”

Hot tears stung Frank’s face and he closed his eyes and swallowed hard fighting to keep his own turmoil inside… the terrified words mirrored the memory almost 10 years old…

…please don’t hurt me…Frankie…I’m sorry…I’ll be more careful… 

---why would I hurt you Joey?...

…’cause that’s what big brother’s do…

Opening his eyes, Frank stared straight into the traumatized blue ones that were watching him and he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion, “Baby... I would never hurt you.”

* * *

Around Joe the world swam. It was a sickening place of horrible noises and pain.

William’s voice…

Suffocation…

The pain of living…

And now as he saw colors in his room, he was unable to focus on them.  The colors took shapes and he saw someone looming over him.

William…

Panic gripped him and he begged…

There was nothing left.

...Baby...I would never hurt you…

The shape became someone.  Someone Joe recognized.

 “Frank…” the word is breathless and then Joe collapsed into the familiar embrace as Frank held him in his arms, rocking him, comforting him.

And Joe sobbed.

There was nothing left.

* * *

“Frank…”

Frank was already moving when he saw the glimmer of recognition on his brother’s face and they sunk down to the floor together, his arms wrapped protectively around Joe.

“Shh” he whispered as he held his brother fiercely and let his own tears wet the top of Joe’s head, “its okay now…it’s okay…shh”

Behind him the nurse turned the monitor off.

* * *

Infuriated, Biff slammed his fist into the side of the brick hospital.

He had lost William!

How in the world was he going to tell Joe?

And then a horrible thought hit him worst then the pain in his bleeding hand…Joe…

Biff didn’t even know if his friend was all right…he had never stopped to check.

Hastily tying a handkerchief around his hand, Biff bolted back into the hospital.

* * *

William ran.  He had gotten away!

Things had gotten hairy when he raced out of the hospital and right into the midst of the Hardy’s friends but their momentary shock had been enough to give him the edge he had needed.

And he was fast. 

Like Joe…he was very fast.

Laughing aloud in the cold Halloween darkness, he kept running.

He was free.

But that was something Joe would never be.

* * *

Ezra Collig was furious.  William had escaped.

Cursing under his breath, he shook his head, dismissing the police officer that had been standing guard outside William’s room. 

He was angered that the deranged teen had gotten by his man who had no explanation better then, “I don’t know what happened”, to back him up.

Ezra would love to suspend the man but he didn’t.  Not this time but he told his officer to pray to god his moment of inattentiveness didn’t cost them more then William.

The officer, a red haired man, muttered under his breath as he walked away about that “blond haired little piece of shit” and what he was going to do if he ever got his hands on him again. 

The cop did not like being redressed by his superior… no, not at all.

“Riley”, Collig barked into the mike, “Get to the hospital, now.”

There was only one man he trusted implicitly to make sure William did not get access to Joe Hardy again….

And he called him.

Behind him, Fenton Hardy sat in a hard plastic chair in the waiting room.  He kept staring at his hands wondering when the hell it had all gone so wrong.

So very…very wrong.

* * *

Frank heard the nurse clear her throat and knew she wanted to get Joe back in bed but he was reluctant to let him go.  He had never seen Joe so terrified before and it had shaken him up badly.

He still had no idea what William had done but as he continued to try and soothe his brother, he knew that Joe was in no shape to tell him.  The younger boy had not stopped shaking or sobbing yet.

“We really must get him back in his bed”, the blond nurse finally said as she glanced at her watch. 

Frank knew she was right but he still hated to do it. Right now Joe was safe. He could hold him and he could protect him but once they moved he would have to let him go again.

The nurse moved to take Joe from him and Frank felt his brother flinch and move even further into his chest.

“No…please…” Joe’s voice was barely a whisper and still thick with fear. Frank moved to stop the nurse when she went to grab Joe’s arm again.

“Stop”, he said his voice sharper then he had intended but he hated to hear such terror in his brother’s voice.  Joe jumped at his tone and he gently reassured him before looking back at the nurse, “Just give me a moment and I’ll help him.”

The nurse scowled as she glanced at her watch again, “I really don’t have time for this right now. I do have other patients.”

Frank winced at her tone not really wanting to get on the bad side of someone whom he depended on to take care of his brother, “I’m sorry he’s just still very upset.”

Frowning she tapped her foot impatiently until Frank started to move.  He hugged Joe to him to keep from jarring the younger boy too much as he tried to stand.

But he couldn’t.  It as too difficult and Joe moaned as Frank inadvertently jostled him.

“Shh sorry”, he said knowing he would need help but not actually wanting to ask this nurse.  Frank couldn’t figure out why but he did not want to ask her assistance for anything.  He just didn’t like her impatient way.

And this surprised him as he had never had any problem with any of the staff at Bayport Memorial before.

However as he felt the younger boy in his arms briefly stiffen in his arms and moan again, Frank knew he had no choice.  They needed help.

But as he opened his mouth to ask, the room door opened wide and the broad figure of Biff Hooper was framed in the doorway momentarily before he was kneeling in front of Frank and Joe.

“Joe”, he said huskily hardly able to believe his own eyes that his friend was still alive.

“Biff”, Frank was relived.  He would rather have his friend help them, “Help me get him onto the bed.”

The nurse turned down the sheets in anticipation.

He never needed to ask twice as the brawny teen deftly slid a powerful arm beneath Joe’s legs while the other slipped behind his back, mindful of the damage and ignoring any pain in his own hand. The younger boy struggled weakly, “No…” and instantly Biff froze, his blue eyes holding Frank’s gaze.

The dark haired boy saw the concern and questions on his friend’s face.  Giving Biff a reassuring smile he spoke to Joe, his voice low but soothing, “its okay kiddo… it’s only Biff.  He’s going to help me get you back into bed…”  Frank paused before finishing knowing how his next words would affect their friend, “he… he won’t hurt you.”

Biff closed his eyes to try and get some sort of control over his raging emotions.  Reopening them, he offered Joe a comforting smile when he saw the younger boy turn his head to look at him. 

His breath caught as he saw the open, terrified look that still resided there, “I’m so sorry...”  Biff’s voice trailed off as he saw Frank give his head a little shake, he did not want Biff talking about William in front of Joe, right now.  Not when he could feel what a fragile grip his younger brother had everything.

Joe stared at him for a moment and Biff was hurt not to see recognition on his best friend’s face. Instead he saw a kind of resignation as the younger nodded his head just slightly and then closed his eyes.  That was all the conformation that Biff needed as he carefully lifted his friend up and then held him as Frank stood up.

Wincing as the bruise on his tailbone protested, Frank bit his lip and helped Biff maneuver Joe on the bed.  As soon as he was lowered onto the bed, Joe closed his eyes and was asleep.

The nurse sighed impatiently as she began to bandage his hands which were still bleeding from where the IV’s had been ripped out.

Muttering under her breath, the nurse finished with Joe’s hands and moved to reconnect the IV.  Frank and Biff watched her silently but as the older Hardy started to ask the blond haired youth what had happened, his ears picked up what the nurse was saying and he froze for a second, an intense anger washing over him…

“…if you don’t stop pulling out your IV’s, I’m going to have you restrained…”

Frank’s face went white and before Biff even knew what he was going to do, the older boy leapt towards the nurse and pushed her away from his brother.  No one was going to be doing any such thing to Joe… not if he had any strength in his body to stop them.

“Get away from my brother”, he yelled heartedly as images of finding Joe bound and gagged in the closet assaulted him. 

“Excuse me?”  The nurse said glaring at the flushed young man standing in front of her.

“No one is going to be restraining my brother… no one!!” 

The nurse retorted, angered that he would tell her what she could or could not do, “This is the second time we’ve had to do this for him.  If tying him down is the only way to make sure he doesn’t do it again… we’ll do it!”

Before Frank could say anything a deep voice from the door responded, “We will do no such thing.”

Turning the three saw Dr. Greenland in the doorway. His face was grim and his eyes hard as he had been standing there long enough to hear the exchange between his patient’s brother and his patient’s nurse, “This child will not be restrained… tied or in any other way confined to his bed.  Is that understood?”

His tone brooked no nonsense but still the nurse started to protest however the doctor cut her off, “is that understood, Nurse Kelly?”

The nurse glared daggers at Frank before moving past him towards the door.

“Fine”, she said hotly and then left the room before anyone could say anything else.

Dr. Greenland stepped over to the bed to finish reconnecting Joe’s IV and chest leads.

“What happened?” he demanded as his chocolate brown eyes glanced first at Biff and then Frank.

Frank turned towards his friend, interested to hear what had happened as well.  Beneath them, Joe was still asleep, his frazzled nerves seeking the solace of the darkness.

“I’m sorry Frank”, Biff apologized feeling he has failed the other boy’s confidence, “I was in the bathroom when Will snuck in. When I came out he had a pillow over his head and was smothering Joe. I took off after him but…” his voice faltered angrily as he thought about Frank’s father.  He wanted to tell him what had happened but not now.  That could wait for later.  The older Hardy looked like he was emotionally ready to collapse and Biff decided to tell him the more intricate details later, “but he got away from me.  The guys tried to help catch him but he’s too fast.”

William tried to smother him… Frank sighed and leaned heavily against the other bed.  No wonder Joe was so hysterical. 

“Is he going to be okay?”  He finally asked the doctor who was gently checking the injuries on Joe’s back.

Dr. Greenland cast the exhausted teen a smile before turning back to Joe, “Yes.  The antibiotics we’re giving him are powerful and as the infection is reduced, your brother will start to feel a lot better. He’s still got a fever but it is slowly coming down.  I’m sure you’ll see a marked improvement in him over the next 24 hours.”

The evident relief on both their faces made the doctor chuckle as he indicated Biff, “Your friend can stay for a little while longer, after he gets that hand looked at, “ Frank glanced at Biff noticing the injury for the first time, “as long as you guys can keep this guy”, he glanced at Joe, “in his bed.”

“We will”, both teens chorused.

“Good”, the doctor said and then he wrote something on Joe’s chart and underlined it.  Winking he turned to leave knowing he’d left his patient in good hands.  Frank was still officially a patient and would be staying in the room overnight and Dr. G knew that he would keep a good eye on his brother… if what he had seen so far was any indication.

As soon as the door was closed, Frank moved to the foot of Joe’s bed and picked up the chart. He was curious about what the doctor had written.

A lump formed his throat as he looked up at Biff through bright eyes, determined that even as emotionally racked as he was, he wasn’t going to cry.

“What’s it say?”  Biff asked softly not wanting to wake Joe.

Frank swallowed the lump and read it, “ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRAINTS.”  It was written in large letters and underlined twice… no restraints.

The doctor understood.

* * *

Joe had never been so afraid in his life.  As he clung to Frank it was something he could never explain.  Maybe it was because he was injured and knew he did not have the strength…but it was more likely because even in the safety of the hospital… in the confines of his own bed… with his best friend only a few feet away, William had still gotten to him.

And he had almost died.

He had felt the cold hand of darkness on his body pressing him into the bed and had known his time was moments away….

Whatever it was, he was terrified beyond reason and he refused to relinquish the one last thing he could cling to…Frank.

So when he felt the nurse touch him, he recoiled, feeling like he had been burned unable to accept that she wanted to help him.

“Stop”

He jumped, the forcefulness in his brother’s voice startling him…. he forced himself to focus on the steady sound of his brothers’ heart beating though his hospital gown. It was comforting as his mind was racing with half images of delusion and memory mixed into such a jumble he had not idea which were true and which were not.

Joe heard someone else and then felt himself being moved… and he panicked.  It was only Frank’s comforting presence that kept him from screaming.  His brother reassured him but Joe was still hesitant.

His whole world had been narrowed down to him and Frank and although the name sounded familiar, he could accept who Biff was.  But he did let himself be moved…

And then it just got too hard.  He was too tired and once he was settled back onto the bed, he immediately fell into an exhausted fevered sleep. 

The last thing he remembered was the nurse muttering something but he paid no attention to what she was saying.  Honestly right now, he did not care.

* * *

Officer Con Riley narrowed his eyes as he watched Fenton Hardy sitting next to the nurse’s station. When he had gotten to the hospital he had been surprised to see the great detective wasn’t in his sons’ room, comforting them.

Collig had brought him up to speed on what had happened at the hospital and Con was appalled.  William had almost succeeded in killing Joe right under their noses and then it was Fenton himself that hooked Biff Hooper up and gave the twin the precious seconds he needed to get away.

He wished he could just shake the other man and make him break out of whatever stupor he was in. But he couldn’t.  The best he could do was make sure that Will did not get close enough to Joe to hurt him again and to wonder what was going on in Fenton Hardy’s head. 

That was all.

So settling down next to the room door Con kept a vigilant watch over his charges.  No one was going to get by him.

* * *

Fenton Hardy watched Con Riley station himself at Joe’s door.  He watched Biff Hooper shoot him a nasty look as he left an hour later.  He watched the doctors and nurses as they periodically came and went in and out of Joe’s room.

He watched everything.

Just as he had watched William run away.

Closing his eyes he leaned his head back against the wall.

He desperately just wanted to take his sons home and make everything go away…

To make everything to be okay.

That’s what Daddy’s were supposed to do.

* * *

The next time Joe opened his eyes the room was bathed in darkness except for the little light that was on over his bed.  He had no idea what time it was but figured it must be late.  It felt late.

Taking stock of his situation, he realized that although he was very sore, tired and still felt a bit sick, he actually felt better then he had in a couple of days.  And this surprised him.

Glancing across the room he saw his brother in the other bed.

Once again Joe was besought with guilt and worry and started to get out of bed to check on Frank.  However this time his older brother heard him and was off his bed and at his side before he could do more then push himself up.

“Easy”, Frank said as gently pushed his brother back down, “you don’t need to get up.”

“You ‘kay?”  Joe asked surprised at how weak his voice sounded and how much effort it had taken to even try to get up.

“Yeah I’m fine.  It’s you I’m worried about”, Frank smiled as he reached out and gently stroked his brother’s hair.  Joe flinched and he stopped.

“I’m sorry”, the younger boy immediately apologized when he saw the hurt look on Frank’s face but instantly that look was replaced by something else.  Compassion and understanding.  Frank smiled gently, “its okay Joe.  You have nothing to be sorry for…. Nothing.”

Joe closed his eyes wearily.  He wished that was true.

“What’s wrong?” Frank asked instantly concerned.

“What isn’t”, Joe replied tiredly.

“Biff’s went home a couple of hours ago.  Luckily enough he didn’t break any bones but his knuckles are going to be sore for a while”, Frank said to his brother when Joe didn’t elaborate on his comment.

Joe looked at his brother, confused, “Biff?”

Frank looked a bit alarmed and he spoke guardedly, “Yeah he helped me get you back in bed.”  The older boy didn’t go into the details wondering if Joe remembered William’s attack at all since he didn’t seem to remember Biff being there.

Joe felt like he was going to be sick. He had thought it was a dream.

“Joe, are you okay?”  Frank crouched down in front of Joe and as much as he wanted to reach out to comfort his brother physically he knew he’d have to be patient.  He couldn’t rush it.

“I thought it was a dream”, Joe finally said as a lone tear tracked down his cheek.

“Oh”, Frank didn’t know what else to say for a moment.

“Where is he?” Joe finally asked afraid of the answer.  They both knew who he was talking about.

“He got away”, Frank hated to tell him but Joe needed to know the truth.  He needed to know so he could keep his guard up.

Joe gave an involuntary shudder as he remembered snatches of what had happened earlier, “He was here.”

“Yes”, Frank admitted.  He was watching his brother very carefully as above their heads he could see the heart monitor rising a bit, “I’m so sorry little brother…I never should have left you.  But Dad and the Chief wanted to talk to me and Biff was here…”  Frank sighed, “Not that it was Biff’s fault either.  He was in the bathroom.  Thank god he came out when he did.”

Joe didn’t say anything.  Did William molest Joe… I just don’t want to talk about it in front of Joe…He remembered hearing Frank and Biff talking and his face went pale.

“I think I’m going to be sick”, he managed before he started to retch.  Frank grabbed the bucket and helped his brother lean over it as he threw up.

“Do you want me to get the nurse?”  Frank asked as he watched his brother, unconcealed worry on his handsome face but Joe managed to shake his head although that cost him and he groaned in pain.

“N-no”, he managed as he finished throwing up, “J-just help me…sit up…”  Joe did not want to lie down anymore.  He needed to sit up.  Vomiting with cracked ribs was not all it was ‘cracked’ up to be.

Gently Frank helped ease him up, relieved when Joe didn’t flinch this time as he touched him.

Joe was still pale and shaky and Frank reached for the call button but his brother stopped him, “Frank…” 

“Yes?”  Frank paused wondering what his brother was going to ask.  He could see that whatever it was, Joe was having a hard time asking because the younger boy fiddled with his sheet as he took a couple of deep breaths as if trying to work up the courage.

“Did Will…did he…”  Joe’s voice trailed off as he began to cry softly.

Alarmed, Frank sat on the bed with him, “Joe what is it?” 

“I’m tired of crying….I don’t want to feel like this anymore…”

The older boy’s heart broke as he could see the anguish so unconcealed on his brother’s face even as he pressed gently, “Like what baby?”

Joe whispered as he dropped his gaze to his hands, “Dirty.”  His heart was pounding in his chest as he remembered snatches of what happened…half recollections of Frank being there...someone fiddling with his boxers...an uncomfortable caress...and of Frank being there... voices that spoke only in a jumbled mess of words… ...someone fiddling with his boxers…

Before Frank could say anything the room door opened and a nurse came into the room.  She had been alerted by the patient’s rising heart rate that something might be wrong.

Seeing a distraught Joe sitting up on his bed with Frank sitting next to it she shook her head, “I’m sorry”, she said looking at Frank, “but you’re going to need to leave… you’re upsetting my patient.”

Frank started to protest but Joe beat him to it, “No please”, he begged the nurse, “I need…” he felt himself starting to shake at the thought that Frank wouldn’t be allowed to stay, “I need him with me…please.”

The nurse frowned as she pointed to the heart monitor, “I don’t like you getting upset.”

“Its not him that’s the problem, “Joe admitted before trying to smile at the nurse, “Please… It’ll be all right.”

The nurse regarded the two brothers for a moment before she sighed, “Okay but if you get anymore upset, I will need him to leave.”

“Thank you”, Joe said sincerely relaxing a little bit as Frank shot him a grateful smile.

After the nurse left, Frank turned to Joe and asked, “No William did not molest you.”

Joe didn’t look convinced and Frank then asked him, “What do you remember?”  He knew it would be painful for Joe but he needed to know what his brother remembered so he would know how to help him.

Joe took another deep breath trying to calm down before he said anything.  He was mindful of the monitor and the nurse’s threat.  Finally he spoke quietly, “I remember you being there.”

Frank looked crushed and closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and saying quietly, “I had kind of hoped you wouldn’t remember that.”

Joe started crying again not understanding why his brother would wish that, “Why?  Why would you hope that?”

Frank tried to keep the hatred that he felt towards William out of his voice but he couldn’t keep the pain, "Because there was nothing I could do to stop it!  He made me watch while he beat you...burned you...cut you...and then he wanted me to watch as he...he...he 'raped' you...Joe for god's sake I am your brother...your big brother. I'm supposed to protect you.  But when it really mattered...where was I?  A spectator strapped into the front row seat!"

Joe was horrified and Frank continued, "And then when you thought Will was me...no Joe, I had really hoped you wouldn't remember..."

…its okay baby brother, Frank's here now...Frank loves you and in a few moments you’ll know just how much…Joe felt his body being moved on the bed…

Joe stared at him in open shock as all he can say is, "Then...it...wasn't...you?"

Frank choked on the words, "No baby brother...it could never be me."

And then Joe was grabbing him in a fierce hug as he let out all his fears and pain over what he thought had happened and Frank let him hold on until Joe was ready to let go. They needed this… both of them.

When the nurse came back in to check on them Frank was just settling Joe down on the bed.  Emotionally drained, the younger boy had fallen asleep.

She smiled as she checked his vitals and made a notation on his chart.  Out of the corner of her eye she could see the older boy brushing the hair back from his brother’s face gently.  It warmed her heart.

Giving him another smile she silently left the room.

Frank placed a soft kiss on his brother’s forehead as he whispered, "You have no idea what you mean to me kiddo...no idea at all." but Joe was still asleep and never answered him.

* * *

Fenton Hardy hung up the phone and stared at the receiver for a long time. He couldn’t believe he had only just now thought about phoning Laura and letting her know what had happened.

Of course she had immediately wanted to fly home and he hesitated to call Jack at such an unorthodox time.  But then considering what was happening right now, everything was unorthodox.

His friend and personal pilot agreed without a moment’s hesitation to go and get her.  Fenton had toyed with the idea of flying to get her himself, as he was an accomplished pilot in his own right, but decided against it given the tumultuous state that he was currently in.

Hurry Laura, he thought to himself, I need your help.

* * *

Joe pushed William away from the bully before the knife could do any harm, “You can’t kill him…I won’t let you!”

“Why not…you let me kill Mommy”, William fired the remark and watched it hit home.  Joe turned even paler then he already was as his hands gripped the crutches so tightly his knuckles turned white.

William continued, “And what about your precious big brother…Frankie?  How do you think he’d feel about his coward of a brother?  Eh?  Sweetie?”

“Leave Frank out of this…and d-don’t call me sweetie”, Joe managed through a dry throat as he vaguely wondered if his eyes turned as dark when he got angry as the ones that were watching him now.

“Why not?  Does it bother you?  Why because our mother used to call you that…sweetie…oh sweetie...” William continued to taunt watching the emotions play across Joe’s face, “and why should I leave Frank out of this?”

And then as William spoke the next part, Joe felt as if he would never breathe again…

“After all he’s my brother too…now.”

Joe was assaulted with a barrage of images from his past but in his place was his brother.  It was Frank locked in the closet, gagged and bound…Frank hiding burns and bruises…Frank begging William for breath…Frank…Frank…Frank…

Haunted blue eyes locked onto the mocking ones watching him as he said quietly, “No William.  Please.  I will do anything you want…anything.  But leave Frank out of this.”

And in making his offer, Joe gave away his life.

Gasping Joe opened his eyes.  It was just a dream… just a dream… or was it a memory? 

The distraught boy couldn’t distinguish anymore.

Glancing over he saw that Frank was asleep on the bed across from him.  His brother was lying so that he could see Joe as soon as he opened his eyes.

In the shadows of the room, the older boy looked younger then his 16 years and Joe felt his eyes burn with unshed tears as he thought about his dream…memory… He loved his big brother more then he thought possible and taking a deep resigning sigh, he knew he would do it again.  If it kept Frank safe.

Yes, Joe would do anything… anything to leave Frank out of this.

He saw the black eye and once again felt like he had failed.  He had failed to protect him after all.

Joe heard the door open and wondered what time it was.

A nurse came in to check on them and smiled when she saw the blue eyes watching her.  He vaguely remembered another nurse, a blond haired one, giving Frank a hard time and was glad that it was not her.

“How are you feeling?”  She asked softly so not to disturb Frank.

“Fine”, Joe said automatically and she gave a little laugh, “Somehow I doubt that.”

“What time is it?”  Joe asked as he tried to distract himself from what she was doing.  Although he had been given pain medication, it still hurt.

“Almost 6 am”, she said sympathizing when she saw him wince, “I’ll be back in about 30 minutes to give you a shot of morphine.”

“Morphine?”  Joe said in surprise.  Yes he was in some pain but he didn’t’ think it was enough for such a powerful drug.

The nurse gave him a knowing look, “Oh honey, I have to cleanse the burns on your back and redress them.  Unfortunately it is going to be quite painful so we give you morphine to help beforehand.”

“Oh”, Joe said suddenly dreading it. 

Giving him a gentle pat on the hand, she finished, “Don’t worry. It’ll be okay.  Now why don’t you try and get some more sleep?  You’re body could really use it.”

“What’s wrong with me?”  Joe was suddenly aware that while he felt miserable and hurt everywhere, he had no idea just how damaged he was.

“The burns on your back had become badly infected”, the nurse said a bit surprised that the kid did not know, “you’ve gotten 2 cracks ribs, a sprained knee, lacerations to the back and a long one to the chest…” Joe looked down in surprise not really remembering Will cutting him, “other then that you were badly dehydrated and in shock when you were brought in.”

“Oh” was all Joe could say.  No wonder he felt so miserable.

“Yeah ‘oh’”, a voice said from the other bed making the nurse turn.  Frank was awake.

“Sorry to wake you up”, Joe said as the nurse gave his IV one more check and then left the room.

“No problem.  I can’t sleep in these beds very well anyway”, Frank admitted as he sat up on his bed and stretched. He smiled when he saw Joe staring at him, “What’s wrong?  And no comments about my wardrobe…”

Joe still didn’t say anything for another moment and Frank was starting to get worried when Joe sighed and asked, “What happened to your eye?”

Frank touched the bruised eye and spoke thoughtfully, "My conscience."

Joe didn’t follow what he saying, “your conscience?"

Frank chuckled, "Yeah it came back to me packaged as Biff's right hook."

The younger boy was horrified but Frank quickly assured him it is okay, “It’s okay Joe.  You might even say I deserved it.”

When Joe continued looking at him Frank elaborated, “I…I owe you an apology… well the first of many anyway.  I thought that there was something going on between you and William… you know something…”  He saw Joe’s face pale and knew he didn’t have to spell it out, “and Biff just helped remind me of a couple of things.”

Joe closed his eyes for a moment and when he reopened them, Frank was crouching down in front of him, “I’m so sorry kiddo… I don’t how I could have ever thought anything like that.”

“You thought that because that is what William wanted you to think Frank”, Joe said sagely, his voice sounding tired and heavy, “he’s very good at doing things like that.  Trust me…I know.”

“It’s still not right”, Frank insisted, “I know you would never do anything like that but for some reason I seemed to forget it.  I think it was because I was jealous.”

Joe was incredulous, “Jealous?  Of what?  William?  Oh Frank…”

“I know… I know…” Frank felt even worst when he thought about it now that he knew what was actually going on.  And then scrutinizing Joe carefully, he decided to ask him the burning question that had been on his mind from the moment he realized what was going on, “Joe can I ask you something?”

Joe was still in disbelief that Frank could ever be jealous of William and just nodded, “Sure.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”  Joe wasn’t sure what Frank was asking.  But then as he saw his brother’s eyes rove over his bandaged back and settle on the purple bruises Joe knew had to be on his neck, he realized what his brother was asking, “Oh that.”

Frank didn’t say anything and thought he was prepared for anything that Joe might say but he wasn’t.

Wide blue eyes, clear and innocent, looked into the darker turmoil filled ones of Frank...

"Because it was all I could do."

Frank shook his head, "I don't understand what you mean Joe" and Joe gave him the most incredulous look. Understanding dawned on the older boy.

Horrified, Frank broke down, "No Joe...please don't say it...don't say you did it for me... that you let him do this to you for me…not that."

Joe tried to explain, “Dad once told me that behind every choice is a consequence…and it is that consequence that makes the choice…  Well Frank for me there was no choice… No matter what… I couldn’t let this happen to you.”

Frank was stunned that Joe had let William do this… for him.

Joe finished quietly, his blue eyes burning intensely as they watched the emotions on his brother’s face, “Frank that is what brothers do…. you taught me that."

“Oh Joe”, Frank wiped the tears from his face overwhelmed at what Joe had done for him… what he was willing to do for him.  And people think I would go to great lengths for Joe… they have no idea, Frank thought before he reached to stroke his brother’s hair.  But then he stopped.

Joe saw this and understood.  He took Frank’s hand in his own and gently squeezed it.

Frank snorted softly, “Oh little brother… when did you start listening to me?”

The younger boy gave a little laugh before becoming serious and saying quietly, “Oh big brother… I hear everything you say.”

Frank laid his arm across the back of Joe’s shoulders above the bandages and gave him a gentle little squeeze, “Just promise me one thing okay?”

“Okay”, Joe would promise Frank anything… and Frank knew that.  He also knew a Joe promise was not one to be taken lightly.

“Promise me that you’ll never do anything like this again.”

He felt Joe give a little shiver beneath his arm as he started to argue, “Frank I can’t make that kind of promise… you can’t ask me to!”

“Yes you can… and yes I can”, Frank said firmly, “I promise that I will always be there for you… to help you stand when your legs no longer have the strength… but I need you to promise me that you will always be there as well…”

Joe started to argue but Frank silenced him as he finished, “as my heart.  Please Joe, I might be your strength but you are my heart… and what good is strength without heart?”

The younger boy was stunned.  He knew that he needed Frank that seemed to be made blindingly apparent almost every day, but the idea that he gave Frank something back… well he was stunned.

Unable to trust his voice Joe just nodded.  He would do that.

And together – they would not be broken.

United we stand… divided we fall.

“I promise”, with those two words Frank finally felt that he could protect his brother from everything… including William if he ever came back again.

And with those words, Joe gave Frank his trust.

Sacred… unfaltering… blind…

Trust.

Later after the nurse finished dressing Joe’s back and the younger boy had succumbed to exhaustion and drifted back to sleep, Frank pulled the chair up next to his bed and watched him while he slept.

The road would be rocky as he knew that the demons William had inflicted upon Joe were cruel and would be relentless, however, he would be there every step of the way.

William would not win.

He could never have Joe.

Never.

* * *

Fenton Hardy opened the door and stood there quietly as he watched his older son dozing lightly in a chair next to his youngest son’s bed.

I will make this right, he vowed, what had been broken… will be fixed. If it is the last thing that I ever do… I will make this right.

* * *

Laura Hardy jumped out of the taxi and hurried to the house.  She had wanted to go straight to the hospital but decided to drop off her bags first and grab a change of clothes for the boys.  She figured they were going to need them.

As she stepped up to the door she heard someone behind her.

“Hardy Residence?” she turned with the door key still in her hand and saw a flower delivery man right behind her.

“Yes?” she said wondering what this was all about, “I’m Laura Hardy.”

“Then these are for you”, the flower delivery man handed a beautiful brightly colored display and was back in his vehicle before she could say anything.

Confused, Laura saw the small card and opened it just as her sister-in-law Gertrude caught up to her.  Fenton’s older sister had insisted on coming back with her as soon as she found out, realizing the family was going to need all hands on deck to help put their house of cards together again.

“Who’s it from?”  The older woman demanded gruffly but Laura shook her head.

“I don’t know the card doesn’t say.”

Gertrude took the card from her and read it, “To my sweetie”

“Hmmm”, the older woman harrumphed, “that doesn’t make any sense at all. Are you sure they are for you?”

Laura just shook her head, “I don’t know Gert, it didn’t say.  The flower delivery man just asked if this was the Hardy Residence and then said this was for us.”

“Who knows”, Gert said dismissing it, “nice flowers anyway.”

“Yeah”, Laura said slowly as she sniffed one of them.  It was a bright red, fringed flower that had a very pretty smell, “I wonder what kind they are?”

“Don’t know.  Maybe Frank can look it up on the internet later.  They’re very nice.  Be nice in one of the flower beds out back,” Gertrude said and then tapped the door impatiently, “Come on Laura let’s get this stuff dropped off and get over to the hospital before Fenton starts to worry.”

Nodding her head in agreement, Laura unlocked the front door and then placed the flowers on the coffee table in the living room.

She really wanted to get to the hospital.

* * *

Across the street, hidden in bushes out of sight of the police car that was keeping an eye on the house in case he came back, William smiled.

She loved them… but he had thought she would.

After all who doesn’t like Sweet Williams… they are a very beautiful flower….

With one final look over his shoulder at the house on the corner of Elm and High Streets, William Hardy left.

He had places to go and things to do.  Bayport was nice but the weather had definitely gotten a bit chilly.

“So long Sweetie!”  He called over his shoulder, “So long…”

The END

Well I hope you enjoyed my little yarn…and special thanks to Stacey and Sherry without whom I can honestly say this story would have never been written…

Love Mellon_Nim*

* Elfish for “my friend”…