To The Shore

by EveryDayArtist

Chapter One

Frank Hardy labored up the stairs to his apartment, past the chipped and faded walls of what was once 'eggshell' white and suddenly wished that he had taken the elevator after all. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy exercise or couldn't handle the climb to the third floor, but he'd bought more than he should've and the plastic bags were weighing him down. Thanks Doc, a balanced diet is just what my back and my wallet needed. The athletic twenty-five year old fumbled with his key and a carton of milk, scowling as the small silver object danced on its ring just out of reach. With a sigh he straightened from depositing his bags in front of his door and froze. The scene would have seemed normal to most people but Frank saw things most people didn't.

His door was locked.

Hallway was empty.

But light was spilling out from under the door and he knew he hadn't left it on.

Silently setting down his load, he examined the lock. It was a neat job but there were faint traces where the lock pick had been; barely noticeable if you weren't looking for them. Taking a deep breath he slowly inserted the key into the lock and vaguely wished he had bought that gun after all. Opening the door swiftly and silently he swept his gaze over the room and felt his heart stop.

The young man sprawled on the couch was athletic, tanned and completely disheveled; he appeared to have toppled onto the couch and lay with one arm and leg hanging over the edge. Frank stumbled in and stood over him, shocked and completely at a loss of anything to say or do as he stared at the napping intruder. The young man's face slowly came to life as he woke and saw Frank. Twin blue orbs locked with Frank's chocolate colored eyes and a quirky smile twitched at the edge of his mouth.

"Hey, 'sup?"

Frank stood in stunned silence at the words and tried to wrap his head around what he was seeing. At his dumbfounded face the intruder smiled fully, and as he sat up Frank finally found his voice.

"What are you doing here?"

The man leaned back against the couch and cocked his head to one side, looking up with a face that Frank was so, so used to seeing from behind stray locks of longer wavy hair.

"It's been six years and all you can say is 'what are you doing here'? No, 'I've missed you', or 'sorry we lost touch'? I'd settle for 'how are you'-"

"Joe, what the hell are you doing here?"

Joe Hardy stood up and stretched his muscular frame. "I broke into your apartment. Nice place by the way."

"We're-How did you-"

"Find you?" Joe smiled at his brother and shrugged. "How do you think? The same way I do anything and everything."

Frank stood still and fished for the correct feeling for this occasion. For one split second he wanted to punch his brother in the face; then of course was his impulsive need to kick him out the door. It was funny how much someone can remember in one instant; how irritated they can get with the slightest nudge. However, that was no doubt adrenaline talking and he settled for the first emotion he had felt upon seeing his baby brother: Joy. Fighting a laugh he shook his head. "So…basically dumb luck?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

And just like that, the irritation was completely gone. Frank laughed as he pulled his brother into a bear hug and Joe smiled, squeezing him tightly. They ended up arms length from each other, clasping at the elbows and grinning at one another.

"You horrible so-n-so!"

"I know, I know… It's been a while-"

"Six years!"

"Hey, it's not like you haven't been doing well for yourself. Janice said you seem to be keeping pretty busy."

Frank laughed. "You were checking out the neighbors? No, you know what, of course you were. Joe, we're in the heart of New York City-how'd you find me?"

"You assume that I came here looking for you… Okay, fine, maybe I did. It took a while but then I heard about this amateur detective living in the neighborhood and thought he sounded familiar." Joe cocked his head to the side again, this time quizzically. "Why are you still an amateur?"

Frank smiled wearily; trust Joe to drag up the one thing I didn't want to talk about almost immediately. "It's complicated… Why didn't you just come and say hello? Why the breaking and entering?"

"I was bored." Joe shrugged. "Needless to say, I haven't had much to do since I got back to the states."

"I knew you went out of country!" Frank muttered. "If you were still in the States I knew I would have found you. Sheesh, what did you get yourself into?"

Joe sighed and ran a hand through his short hair, smiling slightly in defeat. "Look… you first, 'kay?"

"Me first? Are you serious-you disappeared! I think you owe me an explanation!" Frank crossed his arms and stared firmly at the young man in front of him. Joe stared calmly back, appraising his older brother. Frank was now close to six-three, his hair was a little longer than it once was. He had gained some muscle and it suited him. His face was mature and his deep eyes were no longer in the least insecure, he was fully confident in himself. Either that or he was a hell of a better actor than Joe remembered. Joe bit back another sigh and realized sooner or later Frank was going to have his way. He'd just hoped it would be later rather than sooner.

"Look…It's a really long story and is going to make you really annoyed and probably even make you angry and I some how managed to talk myself into facing you and I think I need to hear your side first… Please, bro?"

The older Hardy hesitated. He had waited for six years to find out why his little brother had left. All he wanted was to shake Joe and yell at him and finally find out where he had gone and why he abandoned him. He took in his brother's appearance, Joe looked nervous and drained; he was skinnier than Frank remembered and his stance wavered slightly. Frank had waited six years…he could wait a few more seconds. "Okay, fine. After you vanished I spent about a month looking for you. Chet and the others helped and I think Dad was asking around a lot too… everyone was really worried…" He looked sharply at his brother. "Have you seen mom and dad yet?"

"Visited before coming here. Who do you think told me where to start looking for you? Just the vague area though, I, ah, think mom's gonna be getting a slow revenge for leaving."

Frank hid a smile and continued. "After we got your letter, everyone somehow convinced me to get on with my life. It's weird but keeping up with my schoolwork became insanely easy and college just flew by. Cases… didn't show up as much as they used to and they just weren't any fun. I may occasionally get a few mysteries solved but it's not my life anymore and, I gotta say, getting my teaching certificate was way easier than I expected."

Joe plopped down on the couch with a little grin. "Teaching certificate?"

"For High School mathematics, yes."

Joe laughed pulled his legs up to his chest, smirking over his knees at Frank. "…Yeah, somehow I see that working for you… You'd make a heck of a teacher."

"Thanks…" Frank sighed and ran a hand through his hair. This was the part he had been dreading. "Also…Callie and I…we…"

"Got married?" At Frank's stare, Joe shrugged. "Wedding ring dude, kind of a dead giveaway…"

Frank looked down at the ring on his finger, sometimes he totally forgot. "Right… I really wanted you to be there but it seemed unfair to Callie to keep putting it off…" Frank sighed again. "Actually, she would have waited some more but the last thing I wanted was for her to think she didn't matter or—It was after your letters stopped." Frank thought he saw something flicker in Joe's eyes, but then it was gone. "I wanted you there, but Cal and I decided it was something we both wanted so badly. So, we got married."

Joe smile turned fond. "Bro, I'm not mad, I promise. I gave up all right to be mad when I dropped off the face of the earth. I'll bet she was absolutely glowing during the wedding. I'm sad I had to miss it though… Who was your best man?"

"Chet." Frank smiled at Joe's knowing chuckle. "Um… Also, you should know-"

Joe smiled slightly. "That you're a da-addy?"

Frank joined him on the couch, groaning. "I'm not even gonna ask-"

"Baby pictures on Mom's mantel, kid looks like you, I certainly don't have kids, wasn't hard to figure out. Dude, you are rusty."

"…It was a huge shock, I can tell you. We'd agreed that we're way too young for kids and we were going to wait for a few years. Then we got drunk at a party and suddenly it's the next day and she's freaking out about her pregnancy test…"

Joe snickered into his hand and Frank rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I'm sure you saw photos of our son as well. We met him through one of the charities Callie works with and, well, we fell in love with him; so we started fostering him but his situation was so bad and since we ended up having Emily, that's the baby, we decided to give him a real home. You're going to love him." Frank's face lit up and he smiled excitedly. "He's ten and actually reminds me of you. So, in conclusion, I've settled down to a simple, boring life as a father and husband, I have a simple, normal job and live in Bayport with my family roughly five blocks away from mom and dad. Enough about me; your turn. You are the one who disappeared."

Joe sighed again and went to run his hand through his hair but stopped. Frank guessed that the haircut was a recent thing; his brother didn't seem comfortable not coming in contact with the shaggy mess he used to have. Of course, Frank was a little weirded out by it too; it was far too stiff and serious for it to work on Joe.

"It's pretty complicated… Promise you won't freak out?" The younger Hardy winced at the stony look he received "Well, alright then, I deserved that; story time I guess. Okay… It started about when-

"Franklin Hardy…"

Joe leapt up and cheered louder than anyone else in the crowded auditorium as his older brother got up to accept his diploma. Laughing, Joe sat back down to fidget through the rest of the ceremony. As soon as possible Joe was hurrying through the parking lot toward his brother; Frank pulled away from his long time girlfriend, Callie Shaw, in time to stop him and his little brother from falling to the ground as Joe hugged him a little too enthusiastically, practically tackling him.

"Haha, congrats big brother!"

"I'm just glad it's over…" Frank grinned. "You still have one more year though… Poor, poor Joe…"

Callie laughed at Joe's immature tongue pointing and pulled at her gown. "I can't wait to get out of this… I have to go meet my family but we're still on for tonight right?"

"Midnight, at Chet's." Frank confirmed. "See you there." He pecked his girlfriend on the cheek as she rushed off to meet her excited mother and father. He turned to Joe. "You're still coming right?"

"Wouldn't miss it. Gotta see all you geezers off." Joe dodged his brother's hand and pointed. "There's mom and dad…"

The younger Hardy wandered behind his brother, letting the distance between him and the family lengthen. He was going to really miss Frank. It wasn't really even summer, well not proper summer, and he was already going off for seminars and classes halfway across the country. He had three weeks with his brother and then…

Life without Frank always there felt wrong. As unhealthy and co-dependent as that sounded and, hell, it probably was, it was nonetheless exactly how the teen felt. Joe kicked at a piece of liter bad-temperedly. It was only for a little while. He was applying to the same college… Then they were going to open that detective firm. That had been the plan any way. So much for that. With a sigh Joe stooped and picked up the liter, moving over to a metal trashcan. He really had to stop this whole dependency on Frank thing…

"You seem down Joe."

The young man jerked and looked up to see the most unassuming, plain and ordinary looking man you'll ever see and promptly forget two minutes later. The Gray Man smiled at Joe's surprise. "Congratulations on Frank's graduation by the way."

"Fantastic, what are you doing here Gray?"

The man chuckled. "You don't sound pleased to see me…"

"When you show up I usually end up getting shot at or blown up or something…so what's up? You need Frank and me to bail you out on something again?"

"No." Gray said calmly. "I'm not here for Frank. Just you."

The boy looked reasonably shocked and Gray managed a smile, he knew it sounded odd, Frank and Joe were a bit of a package deal. "There…is an assignment coming up. I can't tell you anything about it until you're onboard but it is very crucial to the safety of our country and I think you fit the bill."

"Why me?" Joe had reason to be skeptical. He and Gray had never been friendly; in fact, Frank and Joe were a constant source of irritation to both Gray and the government agency he represented, the Network.

"There's a certain amount of on the spot creative thinking that'll be needed, also a great amount of physical strength and skill. And I know that you can be trusted."

"I'm seventeen, a minor, isn't this… Illegal? Unless there's some guidelines about recruiting people into crazy, secret government agencies."

Gray chuckled. "Since when has that stopped you? You'll be eighteen soon enough so then it will be completely up to you. I need your answer by your own graduation next year. You have my number." Without further ado he turned to leave.

Joe grabbed the sleeve of his gray tweed jacket. "Wait! That's it? You're not going to tell me anything else?!"

"I can't Joseph…" Gray looked at him hard. "I know you're interested; the amount of people you can help with this is enormous. I know that's what you want…" His gaze softened slightly. "I know that we've been at odds before, but from day one you've impressed me with your enthusiasm. You have a level of courage that's hard to come by these days, and damn it I'm not going to pass up the chance to utilize it. You have time to think it over; you know how to reach me. And Joe? Don't tell anyone, even Frank."

With that the man walked away. Joe stared after him for a long moment then went to join his family…

"Gray." Frank scowled at his fists and shook his head. "I should have known…I can't believe you actually listened to him."

Joe shrugged. "Trust me, I thought it out thoroughly. It was a chance to do good and I snagged it. Sue me."

Frank sighed. "I wondered why you seemed so…distracted around then. Shoulda' seen something like that coming…"

Joe snorted. "Sure, whatever you say Superman." There was a trace amount of fond amusement in his voice; his brother's desire to control everything was kind of funny sometimes. "It was a tricky decision I'll admit… But then I realized that this was a great opportunity to be able to learn some new skills and get to annoy Gray all the time."

Frank looked incredulous. "That's all it took? Jeez, Joe, come on, it was only going to be a year…"

"I found your schedule; with your major on it." Joe sighed and looked away. "A week and a half before the ceremony. I knew you wanted to be a teacher even back then. I knew that I couldn't…do anything but detective work so…"

Frank felt his chest tighten. "I see."

"S'not a big deal." Joe said. "Obviously we're both doing okay. I forgave you a long time ago for breaking the promise we made when you made when you were eight." The younger man grinned evilly. "Besides, you got married. I think you've been punished enough."

"Jerk…" Frank grinned but his dark eyes took in his brother as the younger man shifted slightly and bit back a yawn. He noticed shadows under his eyes. "Have you been sleeping well?"

"Welcome back, mother hen. I'm just a little tired from searching for a hotel."

Frank's face was full of concern. "You don't have a place to stay?"

Joe shrugged evasively and Frank's older brother mentality kicked in. He stood. "Where's your stuff?"

Joe nodded to a well-worn backpack in the corner. "I've been packing light."

"You're staying here." Frank hauled him up. "No buts. Go and grab some of my pjs and take a nap, use the bed. I've got more errands to run but when I'm done we can go get dinner."

Joe shook his head. "Frank…"

"I said no buts. Stuff for showers is in the closet in the hall if you need it. Just rest up… We have a lot of talking to do later."

Joe watched him leave before walking into the small bedroom and picking up the pjs Frank had set out for him. To his surprise they fit him, the shoulders even sagging a little. I lost weight after all, Joe thought sardonically, not bothering to pull back the covers and sinking into the mattress with a content sigh. The clothes and bed smelled like Frank and there was picture of the two of them and some friends on the bedside table that made Joe smile. He stared at it until his eyelids flickered shut and he dozed off. For the first time in a very, very long time he felt safe.

Frank sat in his car for a long moment, trying to relax. Seeing Joe after all this time felt so strange; so… normal. He had thought he was okay, that everything was fine in his life but seeing Joe again had reminded him;

Life without his baby brother was hell.

It was an unfair statement. He had wonderful parents, a beautiful wife, two adorable children, a great education, a home, friends, more than enough to live on. Needing one little brother in order to be happy was irrational.

And here, he was supposed to be the rational one…

Joe was just getting out of the shower, feeling refreshed and much less tired, when the doorbell rang. He paused what he was doing, slowly walking to the door before opening it and peering out. "Wassa' matter Frank? Forget your-oh. You are definitely not Frank."

A teenage girl, probably seventeen at the most, was staring up at him with huge eyes. She blushed, stammering. "Um, I was supposed to give these to Frank." She held up a tray of cookies. "M-Mom baked too many."

Joe couldn't understand why she was reacting that way, until he remembered that he was dressed in just a pair of low cut jeans and nothing else; his skin and hair still quite damp and glistening slightly.

"Man, I'm sorry…" The man let a towel drape over his chest and took the tray, wincing. "Seriously, I'm used to a dorm setting…you know…all guys…sorry."

"I…ah…" The girl tried to think of a response.

"My, my, Joe, that's forward, even for you." Frank grinned as he walked up, arms full of bags. He looked from the beet red girl to his slightly frazzled brother. "Player."

Rolling his eyes, the younger man grabbed a few bags. "You're a moron."

"Takes one to know one." Frank grinned yet again and smiled at the girl as he headed inside. "Sorry Allie, I gotta get my brother decent and get some food in him. Nice to see you again and thank your mom for me, okay?"

"Y-Yeah." She flushed even harder and ran off.

Joe gritted his teeth and glared at his brother as Frank shut the door, laughing uncontrollably. "It's not that funny."

"Yes it is! The look on her face…" Frank was dying, he really was. "What happened to Mr. Smooth?"

"Mr. Smooth is kinda out of practice." Joe finished toweling off his hair and wandered back to the bedroom to finish dressing. "Speaking of girls, how's 'Nessa?"

"Engaged, remember Brian Collins?"

"Well, I'll be… That computer dude on the soccer team? Good for her."

Frank cocked an eyebrow as he finished putting things away. "You're awfully relaxed about your ex getting married."

"Well, I have no right to comment after disappearing for six years." Joe wandered back in; a t-shirt slung over one arm. "Dang, I'm going to have a lot of catching up to do."

With a hand on his arm, Frank stopped him from pulling on his shirt and stared at him intensely. Joe followed his gaze and sighed. Silently, Frank traced over the scars that dotted his brother's torso and back, before looking up into his brother's weary eyes. The younger man flinched as he opened his mouth, giving the older Hardy pause. Alright Joe. I'll wait.

"So, how does pizza sound?"

The relief in Joe's eyes was glaring. "Heavenly. Lead the way."

I've revamped this story, so there are some small changes for returning readers. I know this was a lot of talk and not much plot but it gets it out of the way. And thus ends the exposition chapter of doom.

-EveryDayArtist