Hi Everyone! Thanks for clicking, this is my first fanfic so... tell me what you think. Pls. r&r.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Hardy Boys, sadly enough.

The Hardy Boys in a completely different light... Enjoy.

"Joe, I can't believe you!" Frank said to his brother angrily. "It's not even the third month of school and you're already in trouble!" The two brothers were walking down the sidewalk to their home on Ever Grande from school and were only four blocks away.

"I know, I know," Joe mumbled in frustration. "But they get on my nerves all the time! I don't know how they do it but it just is! Besides we've got to look after each other."

"What? You know, you've got to learn to control yourself, Joe," Frank said, more gently this time.

"I'm fine. I've got it covered. You don't have to cover up for me anymore," Joe said, looking at his brother with heated defiance.

"I'm not the cover up guy," Frank said. "I just don't want you getting into deeper trouble than you are already in. Mom and dad have been wondering why your grades are slipping—"

"You don't have to make mistakes on purpose just to show them that I'm like you!" Joe spat. "I'm not expecting you to have to keep your grades lower than usual just because mine are going downhill and that's just—"

"Look, Joe, I'm only trying to help!" Frank said, stopping for a moment to catch his breath. The two had been arguing nonstop the whole time they'd been walking together. Joe stopped alongside his brother.

"I don't get you!" He cried out in exasperation. "I don't see how that's helping me!"

"You're the one who doesn't make sense, Joe!" Frank retorted. "The past two months and you've been in detention only twenty plus times! The only reason mom and dad never know anything about it is because they're too busy to notice and because Aunt Gertrude and I are the ones making excuses for you."

"Well, then, stop!" Joe screamed, not caring if the whole world heard what they were arguing about. "Stop pretending like you actually even care that I'm in trouble and that I need help. You're just using me to make you look better! Everyone knows that."

"Joe, that's not true." Frank argued back.

"Really?" Joe said angrily. "Know why I'm even doing all this?"

"It's not as if you're going to tell me," Frank said, turning away from Joe and walking ahead.

"It's because I want the world to know that I am not and can't be like you!" Joe cried out after him. Frank stopped in his tracks. "And I never wanted to!" Joe added and then watched as Frank continued walking after a long pause. After his brother disappeared around the corner, Joe cursed under his breath and kicked at a tree stump near him with rage.

"Aunt Gertrude," Frank called as he entered the Hardy residence. "I need to talk to you about something!" He flung his bag underneath the coat rack and went to the kitchen. There was a note on the table with Aunt Gertrude's hasty penmanship: Visiting a friend in New York. Sorry had to leave so sudden. Order out, money on the counter. Be back in a week or so. Love you boys, be good. Aunt Gertrude. Great, Frank thought. Now I have to be stuck alone with him for a week; Hopefully mom and dad will be here tomorrow night. The answering machine was blinking persistently so Frank walked over and reviewed the messages.

The message was from Mrs. Hardy. Beep. 'Hey, it's me. Just wanted to tell you boys that I'm still here in Washington and I won't be coming home for another two weeks. I can't wait to tell you boys how amazing the museum pieces that I've seen are. Your father wanted me to tell you that he's currently working on a case for a client in St. Louis so he won't be home for some time as well. Gertrude called me earlier and I hope you got her note. There's pocket money in your father's study if you boys need it. Have fun boys and no chaos until we get back. Okay, see you in two weeks!' Beep.

"Great, now mom and dad aren't going to be here either," Frank shook his head with annoyance. Just then the front door swung open and Joe strolled in.

"Aunt Gertrude!" Joe called, not seeing his brother as he walked into the living room.

"She's in New York," Frank answered the call. "She won't be back for another week." Joe nearly jumped at his brother's seemingly sudden appearance but then shrugged as if he didn't care.

"I thought you'd be at Chet's or Callie's or something," Joe said.

"Yeah, well, I'm not," Frank replied, without looking at him.

"You usually are when we have an argument."

"If that's what you call it..." Frank murmured.

"What about mom?" Joe asked, deciding to forget what they'd been talking about a few moments earlier.

"She's still looking at the artwork in the Smithsonian museum and she said she'll be there for another two weeks. She left a message." Frank summed up for him.

"Dad?" Joe flung himself onto the couch and sighed.

"He's not coming home yet either." Frank answered.

"Guess I'm stuck with you, huh?" Joe said snidely.

"Yep," Frank answered and went upstairs leaving Joe alone in the living room.

The younger Hardy reached for the phone and dialed a number.

'Hello?'

'Hey, it's Joe,' Joe spoke into the receiver.

'Oh, hey Joe, something wrong? You do know calls are for emergencies only, right?'

'Consider being stuck alone with your older brother for two whole weeks an emergency,' Joe commented. The person on the other line laughed.

'What can I do?'

'What's on schedule for today?'

'Nothing but a meet. Warren Docks. An hour past midnight.'

'That's earlier than usual.'

'Well, the Trumps have been around more than normal. We have to keep an eye out more.'

'That explains it. I think they've even gathered a few recruits at Bayport High.'

'Yeah. Some of them were from other gangs even.'

'Turncoats.' Joe sighed. 'None of them Keepers I hope?'

'Mostly Tags, 86s, and a couple Zingers. Luckily, none from our side.'

'Okay, thanks. I'll be seeing you tonight then?'

'Don't hold your breath, Joe. I wouldn't want to be out there anytime soon.'

Joe chuckled. 'Scared?'

'Nah. Just cautious. Trumps have a long history with the blues. They do pretty nasty things when they want really hurt someone.'

'Or when they're really bored.' Joe added with an angry sigh.

'That too,' the voice agreed seriously.

"Joe!" Frank called from upstairs.

Joe sighed heavily with irritation.

'Look, Zeke, I have to go.' Joe said.

'I'll tell the others you'll be coming.'

'Sure, thanks.' The younger Hardy hung the receiver and slumped against the sofa.

"Joe!" Frank's tone was becoming impatient.

"What is it?" Joe yelled, halfway up the stairs.

With annoyance openly expressed in the scowl on his face, Joe walked into the room that he shared with his brother

"What is it?" Joe demanded.

"Since when did you sleep with a baseball bat under your pillow?" Frank asked, holding a baseball bat outward.

Joe hid his surprise and glared at his brother.

"Since when did you start shoving your nose into my stuff?" Joe snapped and grabbed the bat from his brother.

"I don't understand what's gotten into you lately, Joe," Frank said.

"You don't understand anything." Joe muttered under his breath as he placed the bat under his pillow. Standing up again he looked at his brother. "The bat is just for emergencies."

"What emergencies, Joe?" Frank asked incredulously. "You think someone's going to attack you in your sleep?!"

"I'm just being cautious." Joe said, recalling what Zeke had said earlier.

"We've got an alarm system set up, floodlights in the yards! I don't know how anyone could possibly—"

"That's the thing, Frank, you don't know. You never know," Joe argued. There was a long uncomfortable pause.

"Know what?" Frank said, throwing his arms in the air angrily. "Do whatever you want. The only reason why I cared so much and why I 'shove my nose into your stuff' is because you're my brother and I don't want you getting hurt."

"Yeah, sure," Joe muttered as his brother turned away from him.

"I'm bushed," Frank mumbled. "Goodnight."

Joe didn't reply instead grabbed his pillows and blanket and marched down the stairs toward the sofa.