Author's Note: This was an idea that got into my head and I had to write it out. I hope you all enjoy it. :) Reviews are like warm brownies with ice cream for my muse.

Rating: Teen to be safe

Warnings: A hint of non-explicit adult themes, nothing graphic, in later chapters.

Ben Cartwright was having a normal day. Morning had dawned over the Ponderosa bright and clear. Birds sang sweetly, the sun shone merrily, and two of his three sons were eating breakfast without any sense of hurry. For once there seemed to be no extra work to catch up on, and they had no chores weighing on them. Ben cocked his head at his oldest.

"Adam, when did Little Joe get back from Reno? I know you were waiting up for him."

The dark haired man shifted slightly. "Well, truth is he still hadn't gotten home when I went to bed, about midnight. It was raining pretty hard though." He hastened to add. "He was probably delayed a bit. Cochise was in the stable when I fed Sport, so he made it home okay."

Ben relaxed. His youngest son had begged to be trusted with a large cattle sale by himself. Ben had had serious misgivings and had even suggested sending one of the other boys with Joe, but Adam and Hoss seemed to think he could handle it. If Ben was honest with himself, he knew it wasn't the contract he was worried about; it was the fact his youngest-trouble prone- son hanging about a city like Reno without supervision. He knew he was being overprotective, and in the end allowed Little Joe to go ahead. It seemed there had been no trouble if Little Joe made it back on time.

"Alright. I was getting concerned; it isn't like Joe to miss breakfast." He smiled and took a sip of coffee. Hoss paused in filling his large frame long enough to look toward the stairs in mild curiosity.

"That's right, Pa. No matter how late he is in town, he's always down for breakfast."

Adam smiled at his brother slightly. "What are you so anxious for him to be here for? That means there's more for you!" Ben and Adam chuckled at the indignant look on Hoss's face, which turned into uproarious laughter when he tried to protest and fell off his chair. Hop Sing popped his head out of the kitchen and, satisfied they were not laughing at his food, went back to preparing a warm breakfast for the hands.

"Alright, alright, simmer down. We don't want to wake Little Joe." Ben tried to calm his sons down, his stern manner somewhat softened by the fact he kept chuckling.

"No need, Pa. I'm awake." The soft voice startled Hoss and Adam into silence, looking at their normally peppy and upbeat little brother. He was strangely pale, with dark circles under his eyes. He gave a faint ghost of his normal smile and sat down in his usual chair. He served himself some food and ate mechanically, not meeting his father's eyes.

"So, did the sale go well? Ben prodded. Joe nodded, producing a letter from his shirt pocket.

"Sold every last one of them. Here's the contract; I already put the draft in the bank on my way home."

Ben smiled, pleased. "Well done, Joseph. Well done."

Adam and Hoss congratulated Little Joe as well, and he thanked them, but Adam could tell something was missing. Even as tired as Joe had to be, he would normally be flaunting his success at his brothers in that smug, cocky, yet slightly insecure way he had, as if he was seeking approval in between his satisfied self compliments. But today, Joe hadn't spoken more than twice, and seemed to have his mind on other things. Sensing his little brother didn't want to talk, Adam smoothly changed the subject to the strays that got out of the north pasture. Ben and Hoss instantly joined in the conversation, leaving Little Joe to his silence and his eggs.

A little later, Adam stood, quietly watching the rain fall through the barn door. Morning chores were barely done when the sky had opened up in a torrential rain. The entire ranch was caught off guard and taken cover where they could. Adam and Little Joe, who had been feeding the horses, wound up seeking shelter in the barn. The oldest Cartwright watched his youngest brother out of the corner of his eye. Little Joe had been quiet all day, and even a bit short tempered. Ben had noticed as well, from the way he furrowed his brow.

"Little Joe?" Adam asked conversationally, offhandedly. "Everything go alright in Reno?"

"I sold the cattle, didn't I?" Little Joe answered, fiercely.

"Yes, yes you did." Adam said consolingly. "I was just wondering if you had any side adventures. Meet anyone interesting." He was still watching Little Joe out of the corner of his eye. Joe had stiffened up and his jaw was clenched. "A pretty girl, perhaps?" He said lightly, almost teasingly.

"Why don't you ask what you really want to? Did I get in trouble? Because of course I have to have got in trouble." Joe exploded, surprising Adam. Swallowing his first angry words, Adam spoke calmly.

"Well, did you?" He instantly regretted that choice of words, and was immediately paid for that decision by Little Joe's angry outburst.

"Just because you are the oldest doesn't mean you know everything about me. Your precious college education doesn't make you better than me!" Joe spat. "Why can't you admit I did as good a job in Reno as you could have done?" Joe slammed a fist against the doorframe.

"Joe, I wasn't looking for an argument, I was merely asking how your trip went." Adam tried to calm his brother down. He had seen Little Joe in these moods before. Something was wrong and Joe was acting like a wounded and frightened animal, lashing out at anyone that got too close. Adam had noticed how easily Joe had deflected the question of trouble amid his angry blustering.

"Oh, you weren't looking for an argument, huh? Well, you got one. I am sick and tired of everyone on this ranch acting like I can't take care of myself."

"Joe, calm down. There is no need to yell." Adam said softly, knowing with a certainty now that something was really, truly wrong with Little Joe. He reached out gently, trying to steady his brother, who was shaking like a leaf. Little Joe stopped mid-tirade and shrank back.

Adam froze. He had never seen Little Joe draw away from him in fear. In play, yes, in anger, definitely, but never in fear. Little Joe truly looked like he was frightened of Adam.

"Little Joe…" Adam tried to reach him again. This time Little Joe did not draw back, but his eyes were still tinged with fear. Adam gently put his hand on his brother's shoulder. Joe was shaking, not in anger as he assumed, but fright.

"Don't!" Little Joe choked out, backing away from Adam again.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Joe. You don't need to be scared." Adam said, concern flowing through him like water. Something then snapped in Joe's eyes, and he stopped backing away. He even assumed some of his usual cockiness.

"Sorry, Adam. I didn't mean to snap at you. It was a long trip, and I got a lot of jawing about being the youngest guy at the sale. I guess it just bottled up in me, that's all." Joe nodded toward the door. "Rain's let up. We better go see what else Pa wants us to do today."

Adam gave his brother a searching look, but the younger man gave no indication of any of his previous fear or anger.

"Yes…good idea. Hold up a minute." He put a hand out to still his brother. "Why did you back away from me?"

Joe froze, then gave a sickly smile. "You had a funny look in your eyes, and I had just yelled at you pretty bad. I didn't want to get cuffed."

"I wouldn't have…" Adam protested, but Joe just laughed. "Didn't want to take the chance." He said, brushing past his oldest brother and heading up to the house.

Adam knew that Joe was lying to him. He knew something, or someone, had gotten to him in Reno. Something had happened, something that hurt him. Adam also knew that if he pressed Joe, Joe would react with the intensity of dynamite, and every bit as dangerous. Until he knew what was going on, he would let Little Joe alone.

He followed his brother into the house slowly, hoping that there would be no more episodes from his brother.