Chapter 1

This is my first fic, and I'm only thirteen, so please be gentle!

Please let me know what you think.

Seventeen year-old Joe Hardy stared thoughtfully at the catalogue in his hand. He sighed and threw it on the bed. He had no idea what to get Frank.

It was three days until Christmas, and for the last week Joe had been struggling his way through last-minute Christmas shopping. He had bought presents for everyone he needed to buy for. Everyone except Frank.

Frank has everything he needs, Joe thought. Or does he?

Sighing, he changed, got into bed and turned the light off.

Frank smiled as he tore off a piece of cellotape and applied it to the wrapping paper covering a small box. The box contained a pair of expensive ruby earrings, bought specially for Callie Shaw, Frank's steady girlfriend, by Frank Hardy himself.

It had taken Frank months to save up for them. He was sure Callie would love them.

He attached the last piece of tape to the package and placed it aside.

He reached for the last gift. Joe's gift. He smiled fondly as he thought about his younger brother.

Although a year apart, the brothers were very close.

At a first glance, it wouldn't occur to anyone that they were brothers. In fact, it was their dissimilarity that made them a great team.

Blonde haired, blue eyed Joe, was 6', muscular, and excelled on the sports field. His keen sense of humour was what made him popular amongst his friends. He was outgoing, stubborn, and was known for his impetuousness. It was his impulsive attitude that got him into many dangerous situations.

Frank on the other hand, stood an inch taller than his brother, and had dark hair and warm brown eyes. He was studious, level-headed, and always assessed situations, unlike Joe, who would rush in headlong without thinking. It was Frank who usually pulled Joe out of his sticky circumstances.

Frank had bought Joe an expensive new watch. It wasn't just a watch though, it doubled as a compass. Very handy, Frank had thought, considering the numerous times Joe has been lost or disorientated.

Frank had also gone the little bit extra though. He had gotten the watch/compass engraved.

With love, little brother.

From Frank

He cut a piece of wrapping paper off the roll and spread it out on the floor. He placed the little box with the watch in it, in the middle and carefully wrapped it.

"Merry Christmas, little brother," he whispered.