Cracking one eye open, Joe was blinded by light. Opening both eyes slightly, Joe warily turned to his left and found himself staring into the grill and headlights of the SUV. By some miracle, it had stopped just inches from his door without making contact. Exhaling with relief, Joe leaned his head back against the seat.

"Thank you." He whispered to the small silver angel dangling from the rearview mirror.

The day he brought his new car home, Vanessa had given him the small guardian angel, and asked him to keep it in the car, insisting as long as the angel was watching over him, he’d always come home to her.

"Hey!" A voice called from outside. "You okay in there?"

Pressing a button, Joe rolled down the window. "Yeah, fine." He replied to the police officer, who appeared to be even younger than he was.

"Ok, don’t move. I need to talk to you, but I want to make sure all the injured are being taken care of."

Joe nodded his agreement, content to sit and let his racing heart return to normal. It was almost ten minutes later when the SUV slowly backed away and Joe was able to get out of his car and survey the chaos.

Cars were strewn everywhere. On sidewalks, on curbs, blocking the intersection. It appeared to Joe that there weren’t any major crashes and prayed no one had been seriously injured.

"Was anyone hurt?" Joe asked, leaning against his car, as the same young officer reappeared beside him.

"Only some minor cuts, bumps and bruises. A lot of the cars are pretty beat up though."

"Did you catch the guy?" Joe asked hopefully.

"Well, I caught one of them." He said dryly, arching an eyebrow at Joe.

"ME?!" Joe squeaked, incredulous.

"Yes, you." The officer replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

"But…I was chasing a suspect!" Joe cried out.

"A suspect?!" The young man repeated, obviously amused. "What are you, part of the Dynamic Duo, or something?"

Sighing, Joe started to reach for his wallet.

"Hold it!" The officer said, suddenly becoming all business again, his hand resting on the butt of his gun.

"I’m just getting some ID." Joe told him calmly.

"Just do it very slowly." The officer warned.

As instructed, Joe slowly pulled his wallet out of a back pocket and handed it over. Keeping a hand on his gun, the officer flipped it open and inspected the contents.

"Joseph Hardy." He murmured. "Are you…"

"His son." Joe replied, knowing exactly what the question was going to be.

"Following in his footsteps?" He asked amiably, handing the wallet back to Joe.

"Uh-huh. My brother and I joined his practice when we graduated from college and got our PI licenses."

"I’ve heard about you guys." The officer nodded with a smile. "What I wouldn’t give to work on a case with Fenton Hardy." He continued almost awestruck.

"Stay on the force long enough and you probably will eventually." Joe smiled. He knew how the young man felt. Even after all these years, Joe was still sometimes a little awed himself watching his father work.

"So who were you chasing? Oh, I’m Ken Hitchcock by the way." He said extending his hand.

Joe spent the next few minutes explaining the case the Hardy’s were working on and how he had ended up in a high-speed chase through the city streets of Bayport.

"Well, I understand your wanting to catch the guy, but the higher ups don’t even want us chasing suspects at high rates of speed, especially through crowded city streets. You definitely shouldn’t be doing it." Hitchcock warned Joe.

"I know, but the…" Joe bit back what he really wanted to say, "…the guy went after my brother!" Suddenly realizing he had left Frank all alone, Joe straightened up and reached for the door handle. "Do you need anything else from me? Can I go now?" he asked anxiously.

"Uh, I’m afraid there is one more thing. But you can wait in the car." A few moments later, he leaned down through the open window. "Here you go." Ken said pleasantly, handing Joe a piece of paper.

"Gee, thanks." Joe muttered, tossing the paper on the seat next to him. Now thoroughly disgusted, Joe started his car and headed back to Frank’s house.

*****

Pulling into Frank’s driveway, Joe saw his father’s car. "Just peachy." He grumbled, knowing he’d now have to face the wrath of not only Frank, but his father as well, for taking off by himself. Ever since coming home from Chicago, his family seemed very reluctant to even let him out of their sight.

As if he were headed for the gallows, Joe got out of his car and very slowly walked across the lawn, up the porch steps and quietly entered his brother’s house. Peeking around the open doorway into the living room, Joe saw Fenton and Frank look up, staring at him with matching expressions of worry that quickly turned to relief.

"Are you all right?!" Fenton cried out, jumping up from the couch and rushing to Joe’s side, inspecting his son for any new injuries.

"I’m fine, Dad." Joe assured him.

"You’re sure?" Frank asked, striding across the room and studying his younger brother carefully

"Yup. Not a scratch."

"Positive?" Frank pressed. "You’re not hurt?"

"Nope." Joe smiled.

"Good." Frank exhaled loudly. "NOW WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!?!" He yelled.

Joe rapidly took several steps backwards, wanting to put some distance between himself and his enraged brother, all thoughts of yelling at Frank for leaving the security of his house suddenly gone.

"I was thinking I wanted to catch the guy who used you for target practice!" Joe replied defensively, moving sideways so he was now standing behind Fenton, peering over his father’s shoulder.

Fenton stood silently, suddenly reminded of his sons’ childhood. Even as a child Frank had always taken the time to care for all his possessions be it toys, clothes, video games... Joe on the other hand, had always lived life in the minute, not worrying about possessions, leaving broken and lost toys in his wake. Many times Joe would sneak Frank’s toys to play with, ones that had been specifically off limits to him, only to end up breaking them. When his older brother found out, Joe would always hide behind his father as Frank reprimanded him, insisting Joe replace the now useless item with money from his piggy bank.

‘Some things never change.’ Fenton thought wryly, glancing back at Joe hiding behind him.

"Are you crazy?! Why couldn’t you wait five seconds for me to get in the car with you?" Frank raged on, the conflicting emotions of worry for his brother and relief that he was safe colliding head on inside him. He gave no thought to the fact that if he hadn’t gone back out to his car after Joe had initially left, all this probably would have been avoided.

"I didn’t think…"

"You never think!" Frank cried out, instantly regretting what he’d said as everyone became silent.

Joe stared at Frank, momentarily hurt by the words, until he saw the expression in his brother’s eyes – fear and terror.

"Joe, I’m sorry." Frank said hoarsely, unable to believe what he’d said.

All their lives, Frank had been pegged as the ‘smart’ one and Joe as the ‘dumb jock’, something he knew hurt Joe deeply although Joe would never admit it. Frank lost count of the number of times he had defended his brother’s intelligence, sometimes physically, throughout their junior high and high school years.

"No, Frank, you’re right. I’m the one who needs to apologize." Joe said sincerely, understanding how frightened his brother had been. "I didn’t think. I saw the guy getting away and I was afraid if I didn’t catch him, he’d be free to come after you again. I’m sorry I scared you. I should have waited for you."

Frank stared at his brother, a hint of anguish still visible in his eyes. "Just…wait for me the next time, okay?" Frank said quietly. "And…you know I didn’t mean that."

"I know. And I will wait next time. Promise." Joe smiled apologetically.

"So why did you come back to begin with?" Frank asked, glad that Joe had indeed returned to his house after initially leaving for home.

"Callie works near one of the florists Vanessa is thinking about using for the wedding. She picked up some brochures the other day and Van asked me to bring them home. I got all the way to the end of the street before I realized I had forgotten them, so I came back to get them." He walked over to the end table and picked up an envelope with his name on it. Opening it, he looked inside and saw the brochures Callie had picked up.

Tossing the envelope back on the table, Joe turned to his father, realizing his father must have been just as frantic about him as Frank had been. "I’m sorry I worried you, too, Dad."

"I’m just grateful you’re all right." Fenton squeezed his shoulder.

Seeing how relieved his father was that he hadn’t been hurt, Joe decided to take advantage of the opportunity. He offered the folded piece of paper Officer Hitchcock had given him to Fenton and said solemnly, "Business expense."

Eyeing his youngest son warily, Fenton took the proffered paper and unfolded it. After reading it, he gazed back at Joe and arched an eyebrow. "It’s a speeding ticket."

"Right." Joe confirmed. "I got it while I was chasing the guy who tried to kidnap Frank. So it’s a business expense." He finished matter-of-factly, trying to ignore his older brother’s snickering.

Fenton returned his gaze to the ticket, trying to hide an amused smile. Refolding the paper, he handed it back to Joe. "Nice try. But I don’t think so."

No longer able to contain himself, Frank burst out laughing at the crestfallen look on Joe’s face, earning him an icy glare from his brother.

"But, Dad, I got it in the line of duty." Joe said earnestly.

Fenton crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head, thankful that he was one of the few who were immune to Joe’s charm. "Nope."

Joe looked at the ticket in disgust. "Will Hardy and Sons Investigations at least kick in for part of my new higher insurance premium?" He tried half-heartedly.

"Uh-uh." Fenton replied now thoroughly amused.

Joe thought a moment then looked at his father, flashing his most potent smile. "So how about a raise?"

Fenton stared at him, momentarily rendered speechless, before joining Frank who was now doubled over with laughter.

"I don’t see what’s so funny." Joe mumbled, sliding into a chair with disgust, when he was struck with a new idea. "Dad’s right." He said looking at Frank with superiority. "The company shouldn’t have to foot the bill. YOU should pay the ticket."

"Me?!" Frank sputtered. "Why should I pay for your speeding ticket?"

"If you had stayed in the house like you were supposed to, I never would have had to chase the guy and I never would have gotten a ticket." Joe explained patiently.

"I think he’s got a point." Fenton joined in, unable to resist fanning the flames.

"Dad!" Frank looked at him in shock.

"Well, it makes sense." Fenton said seriously, hiding his amusement. "He’s right. You weren’t supposed to be outside alone. You agreed. You chose to go back out to your car, making yourself a target. Joe had no choice but to try and catch the person who took pot shots at you."

"What?! You can’t be serious!!" Frank exclaimed.

"I’m not." Fenton laughed out loud. "The agency will pay for half your ticket." He said to Joe, who was not at all mollified.

"Oh, all right." Frank sighed in exasperation. "I’ll pay for half of the other half." When Joe simply grunted in response, Frank tried to cheer him up. "At least try and look on the bright side, Joe. You came back with yourself and your car in one piece." Frank grinned at his brother. "Sounds like you both could have been totaled."

"Yeah, you’re right." Joe replied. He then looked at Frank and Fenton, smiling like the cat that ate the canary. "I came back with something else, too."

"We’re all ears." Fenton replied.

"A description of the car and a partial plate. And it hit a couple of parked cars at the corner of Main and Grethem Streets downtown. Maybe there’s some evidence there we can use, too." He told them his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Fenton was already dialing the phone before Joe had even finished speaking. "Con? Fenton. Joe has a partial plate and a description of the car he was chasing. He also said it hit some parked cars at the corner of Main Street and Grethem. Hold on, I’ll put him on." Fenton handed the phone to Joe who methodically began telling Con Riley everything he could remember.

"This could be just the break we need." Frank said to Fenton quietly so as not to disturb Joe.

"I certainly hope so. Especially now that we know you are a target." Fenton replied solemnly.

The two fell silent listening to Joe describe the chase, the car, the minor accident it was involved in and concluding with the driver causing chaos in order to escape capture.