Summary: The death of former colleague leads Fenton Hardy to New York…but the real danger starts to come home as Frank and Joe begin to be targeted in a string of accidents. They are invited to play a dangerous game of chess, where each move mirrors a real life event. When Frank mysteriously disappears, Joe is left alone to play for the fate of them all.

Author's Notes: So I was trying to think if Frank or Joe would be the better chess player…Frank's definitely the strategic, methodical, think- what-the-other-guy's-thinking type of guy…but isn't what defenses, positions and strategies all what football (the sport Joe's great at) is all about? Anyway, I ultimately decided on Joe…argue with me if you'd like. It was my choice. =P

Checkmate

It was ten a.m. on an otherwise mediocre morning in Bayport. Seventeen year old, blonde, blue-eyed Joe Hardy knew it well. He had checked the blinking face of his clock twice that morning before realizing he had to get up. Brushing aside streaks of pale, blonde hair that flopped over his eyes, he ran downstairs for breakfast to be greeted with a slight snort of discontent from his elder brother, Frank.

Frank Hardy was about an inch taller, a year older and with darker hair than Joe. Frank waved Joe's evil glares aside, focusing instead, on the chessboard that was in front of him.

"What's that for?" Joe asked, stifling a yawn.

Frank didn't shift his eyes from the board and replied; "I found it here this morning. I figure dad must have left it here."

"God…I don't remember the last time I played chess." Joe mused, pulling the refrigerator door open and glancing inside at its contents.

"I do. It was the ninth grade. You were on the team…until you lost to Gordon Johnson." Frank answered, changing the position of the pawn and knight. "It was a shame really…you were pretty good at it."

"Did you find it all laid out like that?" Joe asked, pouring a glass of milk.

Frank nodded. "Yup."

"Well, then put it all back where you found it. Somebody was probably playing with it."

Frank shrugged, holding the king between his fingers. "You're right. I will."

Placing two pieces of bread in the toaster, Joe looked up to see Frank reading the morning paper.

"Guess what?"

Joe glanced up. "What?"

"Dad's getting an honor from the NYPD for helping with the Stone case."

Ken Stone was a forerunner in the Senate race; until it was uncovered he had been involved with two statutory rape cases, both of which ended up being dismissed. One of the girls, Kim Fields, threatened to go public with her story…a week later NYPD fished her remains out of the Hudson River. Stone was a top suspect until Fenton Hardy uncovered information about Edward Fields, Kim's ex-husband. The real brains behind the blackmail of Stone, who apparently served probation for six months for domestic violence. In a fit of jealousy, Fenton argued, Edward Fields must have murdered his wife. The case went to trial and Stone was acquitted.

The media had a field day. Reporters swarmed the house for weeks wanting an interview with the private investigator.

"I'm just happy the media blitz is over and we can all go back to our comfortable lives." Joe replied, flinging his arms up in the air.

Frank laughed. "Don't lie. You loved the attention."

Joe shrugged. "For a little while…but man it started to get to the point where we couldn't even go out for dinner without someone hounding us."

Frank shrugged. "Well, it's all over now."

"You know, I kind of feel kind of sorry for Fields though, imagine having your personal life splashed around like that…and now going to trial and possibly to jail now?" Joe mused, peeling the skin off an orange.

"I guess I feel sorry for him too. But still, I don't completely buy his innocent act. There's just something about him I don't trust. I think there's more to the case that he's not admitting to."

Joe shrugged. "Out of our hands now, big bro. Let the courts deal with her."

"Still," Frank started, "I can't help but get the feeling…"

"Woah there Mulder, don't get paranoid on me now." Joe replied with a short laugh, throwing an orange peel at Frank, who playfully swapped at Joe's arm in retaliation.

"Hey," Frank shouted suddenly, jumping off his seat, "we better get going. Callie told us to meet her in front of the matinee by noon, remember?" Frank told his younger brother, checking his watch. They had fifteen minutes to get to the theater.

The two brothers left the house, locking the doors behind them. Frank pulled out the keys to their father's truck from his pocket and slipped into the driver's seat. At five till noon the brothers met up with Callie Shaw, Frank's longtime girlfriend.

"So are you all still up for 'The Royal Tenebaums' or would you rather catch the new Star Wars flick?" Callie asked, slipping her arm around Frank's and slapping Joe on the shoulder, quite hard.

"Let's go in. I'm dying for some popcorn." She insisted, pulling Frank's arm.

Frank nodded. "All right," signaling Callie to go in ahead. Shrugging, she did. Whirling, Frank met his baby brother's eyes. "I'm not seeing the Star Wars movie, okay?"

"Why not?" Joe whined.

"I've never seen any of them yet and I don't plan to start."

Joe gave a pout and Frank laughed. "Not going to work, little brother. Let's go, maybe we can convince Callie to give us some of her raisinettes.

Joe snorted. "She won't."

Shrugging, Frank pushed Joe forward.

***

Exiting the theater two hours later, Frank stretched his stiff arms.

"Well…that was…"

"Not bad." Joe interjected, smiling.

Frank feigned a smile. "I'm ready for something a little more active, what about you, little brother?"

"I'm up for that. Let's check out the skate rink and then pick up a snack."

Callie shrugged. "Sounds okay to me."

The three agreed to leave their car parked by the theater since the rink was only a few blocks away. On a green light, the three prepared to cross an intersection when a black Cadillac shot a quick right turn and barreled down towards them. Without thinking, Frank shoved Callie away, who knocked into Joe, sending the two down onto the pavement. Looking up, Callie watched in horror as the driver accelerated towards Frank.