Hardy Detective Agency featuring Hardy Boys Fan Fiction

Frank wasn’t sure how long his thoughts had wandered, if it had been only seconds or much longer. Joe’s ‘confession’ had been startling, so much more than Frank had been expecting, and Frank had to remind himself that Joe had only done what Frank asked – he opened the door and let Frank walk through it. And now Frank had to find a way to deal with not only his own roiling emotions, but also Joe’s tenuous grasp on the situation. He couldn’t help but wonder just how Joe had been able to keep all this inside, hidden from everyone, without completely losing his mind.

“Frank?”

Frank looked up, almost startled at the sound of Joe’s voice. Seeing the look in Joe’s eyes – a mixture of relief, pain and fear – Frank realized he now had to somehow become the rock-solid older brother Joe was depending on, the one who had offered strength and wisdom and was now feeling hopelessly lost himself. Frank tried to respond, found his voice wouldn’t cooperate and gave a rough “Yeah?”

“These past few days, ever since Jodi came to see me…it’s like I’ve been living it all over again, you know? And it’s not just the memories.” Joe swallowed hard, nervously fiddling with the key ring again. “I can feel it – all of it, every single thing. It’s like I’m reliving it over and over again and I don’t know how to make it stop.” He looked at Frank hopelessly. “I’m scared. What if Luke is mine? What if he’s my son? I’ll do right by him if he is, but I just…I just…” Joe’s voice caught in his throat and when he spoke again, Frank could clearly hear the scared little boy. “I don’t want to be reminded of the darkest night of my life every time I Iook at my son… And there’s no way…no way I can live with that kind of pain for the rest of my life.”

Frank stood up and slowly walked towards his brother, scared to death and hoping it didn’t show on his face. For the past twenty-four hours he’d been concerned about how things would change if Luke were Joe’s son. It would be awkward at first, there would definitely be some anxious moments and probably more than a little tension when Fenton and Laura found out they were grandparents. It might put a temporary strain on Joe’s relationship with Vanessa, but Frank had no doubts they’d work it out. Vanessa was fiercely protective of Joe and completely devoted to him. As Joe continued to clutch the key chain, fingering a tiny picture frame dangling from it, Frank glanced at it and wondered if Joe even realized what he was doing – it was a picture of Vanessa. A picture that Joe had been holding, almost caressing, since Frank had returned with the soda…and he had an epiphany.

‘Vanessa…’

Joe had credited Frank and the indefinable bond they shared for saving his life that night, and maybe it had prevented Joe from taking that painful final step that night, but it had been Vanessa who had truly saved Joe. It had taken a long time but she had brought the old Joe Hardy back to life, with patience and encouragement and love – unconditional love. She infused him with laughter and humor and the passion for life that had died along with Iola Morton…. Vanessa had succeeded in helping Joe banish those brutally dark memories and emotions, the very same ones that had been reawakened the minute Jodi Renault walked back into his life. The very same memories and emotions Joe was now terrified he might have to face every day for the rest of his life.

Franks eyes narrowed slightly and flashed with anger at Jodi. Joe was right about one thing – if Luke was his son, he was going to have a very hard time dealing with the reminders of that time in his life every time he saw the boy, and there really wasn’t anything Frank could say or do to change that. He’d begged Joe to let him in, to let him help. Joe had taken a leap of faith and done just that, and now Frank had no idea how to hold up his end of the deal. He felt a growing sense of unease at being unable to keep his promise; he couldn’t erase Joe’s memories from that night, couldn’t erase what had happened or the possible consequences of it…

Frank feared he’d spoken too soon, assuring Joe he was there and he could help when it hit him. He couldn’t change the past or what the outcome might be, but there was one thing he could do, the one thing he’d been doing for Joe his whole life.

‘I can make damn sure he knows he’s not alone in this anymore,’ he thought with conviction. While it seemed a surprisingly ‘simple’ solution to the problem, Frank knew it wasn’t; and he knew he couldn’t do it alone. He needed to get Joe back to Bayport, back to Vanessa…and as far away from Jodi as possible, at least for the time being. He was sure that once Joe was home the despair, the overwhelming feeling of helplessness and isolation, would lessen dramatically. It was only a first small step in what could conceivably turn into a very long and treacherous road for Joe if it turned out that Luke really was his son.

‘One hurdle at a time,’ Frank reminded himself, trying not to borrow trouble where none might exist. ‘Get him home, get him back to Vanessa, make sure he knows we’re there for him, that no matter what happens he’s not alone…’

Frank looked at his watch and frowned. It was late…too late to start back to Bayport tonight; they wouldn’t get home until the middle of the night. They could leave first thing in the morning and be home by lunchtime, but would Joe go for it? Joe had been desperate to meet Luke, to talk to him, hoping for some hint of whether or not the boy was his, but Joe really hadn’t spent any time at all with Luke today. And Jodi would be arriving soon, if she wasn’t with Luke already. Would Joe want to stay here and get to know Luke? Spend time with Jodi?

Frank was certain that was the worst possible thing he could do, but how would Joe see it? If Jodi got to him, Frank feared she’d play on Joe’s crushing sense of guilt and easily convince him to stay. She’d obviously had no trouble manipulating Joe into doing what she wanted up to this point, why would this be any different? Convinced the best place for Joe to be right now was home, with Vanessa, Frank took a deep breath and mentally crossed his fingers.

“Listen, Joe, I think the best thing to do is—” A loud banging on the door caused him to jump and he cursed under his breath. Who could it be at this hour?

Joe’s face reflected the same question as he moved to the door and looked out the peephole. Joe stiffened for barely a second then his shoulders slumped and Frank knew who was on the other side of the door. He could see Joe’s hand shaking slightly as he reached forward and turned the knob, slowly pulling the door open. A very angry Jodi Renault was standing on the other side.

“I need to talk to you,” she said to Joe, her voice hard. Her eyes flickered briefly over Frank before she added, “Alone.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Joe,” Frank countered immediately. He moved swiftly, putting himself between Jodi and his brother, his steady gaze never wavering from Jodi.

Joe sighed and let his forehead rest against the door for a moment. “It’s okay, Frank,” Joe assured him tiredly, holding up a hand when Frank tried to protest. “Really, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Joe jerked his head slightly, a silent request for Frank to retreat back into the room.

Frank held his ground for a moment, his gut instinct saying this was not a good idea. When Joe nudged him, he gave Jodi one final glare before turning his back on her and nailing Joe with a no-nonsense look. “Make sure you are.”

*****

Joe followed Jodi as she stalked away, a feeling of dread growing inside him. He briefly regretted opening up to his brother…he’d spent the past three days shutting down, systematically turning off his all feelings, and one moment of truth with Frank had reawakened all of them. As dark and lonely as it had been, Joe thought it was so much easier to feel nothing at all when Jodi suddenly whirled around, anger pouring off her.

“I can’t believe you told him!” she yelled.

Joe stumbled back a step, shocked by the absolute hatred in her voice. “I – I didn’t,” he stammered.

“You swore you wouldn’t tell anyone but Vanessa!” she continued, her voice rising quickly.

“I told you I wouldn’t say a word and I didn’t!”

“You lied to me, Joe! Damn it, I trusted you and you turned around and told your brother!” She waved a hand back towards their room, almost spitting out the word ‘brother’ as if it was poison. Joe flinched at the venom in her voice.

“I didn’t tell him anything!” Joe finally yelled, a spark of anger replacing the shock.

“Then how the hell did he find out?!” Jodi spat out, refusing to back down.

“What, you don’t believe me? You think I’m lying?!” Joe demanded.

“Yes,” she hissed at him.

Joe stared, momentarily speechless at the accusation and then exploded, the spark turning into a full-blown fire. “He’s a freakin’ detective, Jodi! And a damn good one! Why is it so hard to believe he put two and two together and figured it out all by himself?”

Jodi stared at him for a second, her eyes hard. “It’s not...but who gave him the two and two to begin with?” she challenged, her voice low and angry.

Joe looked at her and realized he was seeing a side of her he’d never known before. “I-did-not-tell-him,” he gritted out through clenched teeth, stabbing his finger in her direction with each word. When Jodi gave a soft snort and rolled her eyes, something in Joe snapped. Throwing his hands up in defeat, he shook his head and laughed bitterly. “You know what, just forget it. You’ve already made up your mind and nothing I can say or do will change it. Fine. Whatever. Believe whatever you want, Jodi. I’m done.” Joe turned to leave, suddenly needing to get away from Jodi. The events of the past few hours were pressing down on him, closing in and threatening to crush him. He tried to fight back the feelings of absolute helplessness and despair, suddenly craving the sanctuary of Vanessa’s arms, of her unconditional love, more than he ever had before.

“Wait!” Jodi cried out hurrying to catch him. “Joe! Wait!” She grabbed his arm and yanked him to a stop. “Where are you going?” she asked breathlessly.

Joe turned to look at her, amazed at how she could change moods so quickly. Gone was the anger and rage that had flared in her eyes, replaced with the look of utter helplessness Joe had never been able to resist…until now. “You hired me to find your son and I did. My job is done. I’m going home to my fiancé,” he replied coldly, pulling his arm from her grasp.

“Joe, please…” Jodi pleaded. Her eyes reflected panic as if she realized she’d pushed Joe too far this time. “Stay. We could spend time with Luke. Get to know him…together,” she smiled, tentatively reaching for him again. “You still haven’t been tested yet and if he is your son—”

“If,” Joe cut her off, stepping back out of her reach. “That’s the key word here – IF he’s my son. We don’t know that for sure yet; another reason I need to get home as soon as possible. Besides, if I stay here and get to know him…start to bond with him and it turns out he’s not my son…” Joe stopped for a second, unable to speak over the lump in his throat. “It wouldn’t be fair to complicate his life any more than it already is…” he finished. ‘Or mine…’

Joe drew in a shaky breath, determined not to let Jodi see how close he was to completely falling apart. “I’ll call you as soon as I get the test results.”

“But you don’t have to go! You could get tested right here!” Jodi cried out, obviously grasping at straws now. She snagged the sleeve of Joe’s jacket as if she could forcibly hold him back.

“Jodi, let it go…” Joe said softly tugging his arm away. He saw in her eyes how desperately she wanted him to stay; just as desperately as he wanted to leave. “Let me go…”

Ignoring the tears in her eyes, he turned and walked away.

*****

The door to the room flew open with such force it hit the wall and then slammed shut again. Frank looked up, startled to see Joe back so soon – and so angry. Recalling his own phone conversation with Jodi that morning – a morning that felt as if it had happened a lifetime ago – he easily figured out exactly what Jodi wanted to talk to Joe about.

“I told her you didn’t tell me anything,” Frank said.

Joe froze for a moment but didn’t meet Frank’s eyes. “Yeah, well she didn’t believe you.” He sat down heavily and leaned forward, his head in his hands. Frank could practically see the anger draining off him, leaving an empty shell in its place.

Frank stood motionless until he could tamp down his own anger simmering deep inside and then sat on the bed next to Joe, wordlessly reaching out and rubbing his brother’s back comfortingly.

“God, I can’t believe this,” he heard Joe mumble, a slight hitch in his voice. “I ignored Vanessa, shut you out, alienated God knows who else…for what?” Joe lifted his head and stared at Frank, his blue eyes filled with a kind of guilt Frank hadn’t seen in years. “She thinks I told you everything.”

“But you didn’t. You know that. You kept your word—”

“She flat out told me she thinks I’m lying to her.”

“You can’t control what she thinks, Joe. You told her the truth. If she doesn’t believe you that’s her problem, not yours. Her choice….You can’t feel guilty for the choices she makes!” A heavy silence hung between them for a few moments and then Frank was surprised to see a flicker of anger return to Joe’s eyes.

“Yeah,” Joe nodded slowly. “You’re right.”

Frank sensed if he had any chance of convincing Joe that they should return to Bayport as soon as possible, it was now. “So you want to leave in the morning?” he asked in what he hoped was a casual tone, afraid if Joe realized he wanted to leave first thing in the morning, Joe would find a reason to stay.

“No,” Joe replied, his voice hard.

Frank sighed and he looked at the floor; he knew that tone.

“I want to leave now.”

Frank’s head shot up and he stared at Joe in disbelief. “What?”

“I know it’s late,” Joe continued, grabbing his duffle bag and haphazardly stuffing clothes into it. “But I want to go…now.” He stopped for a moment, his shoulders slumping and then he turned and looked at Frank.

Frank almost gasped at the look in his brother’s eyes. He wasn’t sure because he’d never really seen it before, not this bad anyway, but he thought it might be the look of a man who couldn’t take one more hit…one more disappointment…without giving up completely.

Joe turned away again. “I need to get home,” he said, his voice much softer now and if Frank wasn’t mistaken, it was shaking. “I need to see Vanessa…tonight….”

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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.