Author's Name: Red

Title of Story: At All Costs

Type of Story: AU

Rating of Story: PG-15

Characters in Story: J, F, Ca, V, Fe, L, OC

Critique:  No

Warnings: More angst than should be legally allowed in any one story. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!

Plot Blurb: The Hardys return to Chicago for the trial of Keith Rashman. As Joe is forced to relive the horror in agonizing detail, Frank’s intense hatred grows daily. Will he find an outlet for his burning need for revenge or will it drive him to do something that will change his life forever?

Splash Page: "I can’t do this, Frank, I can’t!" Joe was obviously panicking, distressed at both Handling’s enjoyment of his painful ordeal and Laura’s hasty retreat from the courtroom.

"You can, Joe." Frank caught his brother’s arm as Joe tried to turn away. "You can do this, I know you can."

"No…" Joe replied, anguished.

"Yes," Frank said forcefully, knowing the case against Rashman would probably fall apart completely if Joe didn’t testify. He could be back on the streets and gunning for Joe before they even made it back to Bayport. "Listen to me. When you get back up on that stand you look at me – ME – and no one else. Right here," Frank pointed to his own deep brown eyes for emphasis. "Don’t look at anyone else. Don’t even blink. You pretend we’re sitting on top of that jungle gym in the park just talking – like we did all summer."

Joe shook his head vigorously. "It won’t work. I know it won’t."

"It will if you believe it will," Frank replied with conviction.

Joe stared at his brother. "You…you really think so?" He asked afraid to get his hopes up, yet convinced he couldn’t get through it any other way.

"Absolutely. It’ll just be you and me, alone, talking. Don’t look at Handling or Dad or Mom…especially not Rashman… just me." Frank saw hope warring with doubt in his brother’s eyes and took a deep breath. "You trust me, don’t you?"

"Absolutely," Joe replied without hesitation.

"Then do what I’m asking and everything will be fine," Frank assured him, hoping he was right. Reaching out he squeezed Joe’s shoulder tightly. "I promise."

Special Notes: If you don’t care for angst but want to know the verdict, you only need to read the final chapter. As always, thanks, Joe! J

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boy 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.