Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Cassandra turned as the door opened and Kent O'Reilly finally came out. She'd had time to grab a quick snack and even change into something a little cleaner than the shorts and tank top she'd been wearing.

"Ah, Cassandra, my dear, might I have a cup of tea?"

"Of course, Doctor, come into the kitchen and I'll fix it for you." Casi led him down to the back of the castle where the huge kitchen was. As she set about fixing his tea, she glanced over at him. "Well?"

O'Reilly sighed and settled into an old ladderback chair. "He's suffering from a mild concussion and various bruises. I'd really rather he didn't sleep but if someone stays with him he should be okay."

Casi set the steaming cup of tea in front of him. "I will."

Kent looked up at her. "Husband?"

Casi shook her head, then blushed. "Not yet," she said with a faint smile.

Kent smiled back and sipped his tea.

"So, it's just a concussion?" Casi sat down with a can of soda and popped the tab.

"Were you expecting something else, girl?"

Casi wrapped her hands around the ice-cold can and stared at the wood grain pattern of the table. "His speech was slurred, eyes dilated. I thought---"

Kent arched a bushy snowwhite eyebrow. "Those are the most common signs of a concussion, Cassandra."

"And his hand?"

"Cut wasn't deep, didn't need stitches, but I wrapped it up. I'll leave a topical antibiotic ointment for when the bandages need changing." He noticed her frown. "If you're really concerned, take him to the hospital."

Casi shook her head. "No. I guess I'm just worried. Thanks, Doctor."

"Thanks for the tea, lass. Now I'd best be going."

Casi nodded and got to her feet as he stood up and she walked with him to the front door. Quietly, she closed the doors behind him and sighed. Should she take him to the hospital? she wondered. Doctor O'Reilly was a good doctor but he didn't carry an MRI unit around in his car.

Ethan came down the hall. "Well?"

"He said it was just a concussion."

Ethan nodded. "He'll be okay. Probably his usual annoying self in the morning."

"Probably." Casi ran up the stairs. She checked on Joe, who appeared to be sleeping peacefully, then headed for her own room. She wasn't a doctor, she told herself. First-aid and CPR classes didn't count. She closed the door to her room and leaned against it, hugging herself tightly. Something was wrong. She knew it.

***

"Sit down, James. You've been hoverin' around that telephone for the last hour."

"She said she'd call."

"She'll call." Roy Connelly turned back to his window. "Why'd you tell her?"

Jaime shrugged. "She's something of a troubleshooter herself, Roy."

"Maybe we should just ask her for help."

"No." Jaime took a deep breath. "I don't want her hurt." He turned to face Roy. "I don't want her in this."

Roy glanced at him, puzzled. "But she already is. She knows Raven. She's dealt with the woman before."

"I said no."

The phone rang just then and Jaime snatched it up. "Hello?....So, what did he say?....Casi, if the doctor.....Undetectable? That's ridiculous...Still, Casi, I think you've been watching too many Bond movies---" Jaime winced and yanked the receiver from his ear, surprised. "She hung up on me."

"What did she say?"

Jaime slowly hung up the phone. "The doctor thinks it's a mild concussion. She disagrees. She said there are certain drugs that are undetectable once in the bloodstream."

Roy shrugged. "It's possible."

Jaime shot him a glare. "Don't help."

Roy sighed. "Go on."

"That's it. She thinks MacKensey's symptoms are drug-induced."

Roy stepped around his desk and sat down. "I'm curious, James. How long has she been a.....troubleshooter?"

"Eleven years. From the time I first met her."

Roy shook his head. "But that's impossible. That would make her, what, thirteen, fourteen, at the time? No one lets a child get involved in dangerous situations."

"Casi's never been one you 'let' do anything. She does it whether you want her to or not."

Roy frowned. "Amazing. Are her brothers like that?"

"No. Neither is her sister. Casi's one of a kind." McConnaughhay started for the door. "I think I'll go home."

"James."

Roy's tone stopped him with his hand on the doorknob, an uneasiness settling in his stomach. "What?"

"I was only joking before. You're right, she can't get involved."

Jaime thought of all the times she had involved herself in things she shouldn't have, including his father's illfated affair. A sadness passed over him and he focused on the brass doorknob in his hand. "That....won't be the way it will happen, " he said sadly. "She will."

"We can't let that happen. At all costs, we can't."

***

The room was cool and dark when he opened his eyes. He sighed softly, realizing the pain was gone. He noticed the peculiar sensation that swept over him as if he'd forgotten what it was like to be without pain. Some distance away, he saw a lightening of the darkness, like a door was open, letting in the faintest light from the hall. As his eyes adjusted, he saw someone curled up on the chaise lounge by his bed, her breathing deep and even.

His heart clenched and he swallowed hard. God, he loved her.....She was a pretty enough girl, what was her name? Joe went ice-cold remembering Bryce sagging against him, blood-soaked blouse sticking to her, dead in seconds. Lilith would do that to Casi, too, without a twinge of remorse. Even in the darkness, he could see her silhouetted against the white pillow. He stretched out his hand to touch that soft auburn hair then suddenly jerked his hand back. He loved her but he couldn't bear it if she died because of him.

Joe swallowed hard and sat up slowly,carefully, relaxing when there was no pain. His right hand felt stiff and he could feel the gauze wrapped over the wound. He swallowed again and realized he was thirsty and hungry but first....which way was the bathroom? But before he moved a muscle, he sneezed.

"Joe?" Casi's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Yeah."

"Gesundheit."

"Uh, thanks."

Casi reached over and switched on the bedside lamp. "How do you feel?"

"Much better. I just need a toilet, then about three hamburgers, two servings of French fries and a Coke the size of the Goodyear blimp."

"In precisely that order?"

Joe grinned, noticing her hair hung loose in shiny soft waves. "You could say that."

"Uh-huh. Something tells me you better get to the bathroom before you explode."

"Right." Joe pushed himself to his feet to find he was clad in silk boxers and nothing else. "Uh---"

"Ethan undressed you after the doctor left." Casi was glad the light was dim and hoped she wasn't blushing. "He said you usually don't wear boxers."

Joe grunted. "Surely, you haven't forgotten last year."

Casi could feel the heat on her face, she was blushing now. "How could I forget that?"

Joe couldn't help but grin. "Ahh...couldn't forget...hmm."

"Don't even think it. Bathroom." Casi shed the quilt, revealing a set of boxer pajamas covered in cats.

Joe arched an eyebrow. "Wearing Cat's clothes now?"

"That was beyond lousy. Will ham sandwiches, potato chips and can of root beer suffice?"

"Only if you share it with me." Joe gave himself a mental kick. He needed to distance himself from her, not get closer. Tomorrow, he promised. What was sharing a midnight snack, anyway?

"Joe?"

"Yeah?"

"Bathroom. Before you get all excited and pee on yourself."

"Hah. I'll have you know I haven't done that since I was two."

"Meet me in the kitchen when you're done."

"Right. Just one thing."

"What?"

"Which way is the bathroom again?"

Casi just groaned.

***

Casi walked into the dark kitchen, flipping on the light, and then jumped. "Ian! You scared the life out of me."

Ian jumped, spilling water all down his old White Lion T-shirt. "Aw, damn, I was almost done." He grabbed a dish towel and tried to sop up the water soaking his shirt.

"Why were you standing here in the dark, drinking water?"

"I was thirsty. And it wasn't dark two seconds ago. Moon must have went behind a cloud." Ian gave up on his shirt and got another glass of water. "So, why are you up?"

"Hungry, thirsty. And yes, I need a light."

"Grouchy, are we?"

"Tired."

"How's Joe?"

"I'm fine."

Ian jumped, spilling water again. It slid down the already wet shirt and into his boxers. "Shit! That's cold."

Joe bit back a grin. "Hello to you too, Ian."

Ian grunted. "Now I need to go change." He walked out of the kitchen, then poked his head back in. "Oh, hey, Joe, good to see you up and around. Damn, that was cold water." He added, leaving.

Joe shook his head, grinning and joined Casi at the counter. "Okay, where's the food?"

Casi snorted. "Be patient. I'm no genie."

"Well, hey, I'm no astronaut, so we're even." He headed for the refrigerator. "I assume everything's in here?"

"Well, yeah. Except the bread."

Joe rolled his eyes. "I kind of figured---"

"And the potato chips. And the knife, and---"

"Casi." He peeked over the refrigerator door.

Casi grinned. "Is there a problem," she asked sweetly.

Joe couldn't help but smile. "Never with you."

Casi ducked her head, busying herself with getting plates and knives. Suddenly, she felt cool arms wrap around her. She closed her eyes and leaned back, just loving the strength of those arms. Joe had his eyes closed too, afraid she'd see the regret he was trying to hide. He shouldn't do this...He swallowed hard. He was only going to break her heart....

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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.