Fall Thievery

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or any of the book characters.I do have some OCs though that are mine.

Rating/Setting: Rating is K+. Setting is pre-Blue Spine as the boys are in 5th and 6th grades.

Author's Notes: Final chapter in this little story. Moving on to Valentine's next. ;-D Thanks for reading and to those of you that reviewed!

Chapter Three

Halloween was finally here and even though the holiday meant an end to their free trips at Triple H, the Hardy boys were excited that the night of the Morton's party had finally arrived.

Joe looked at himself in the mirror over his dresser. One day. One day, I'll really fit the part, Joe said to himself. He was looking at himself in his costume for the party. While it was what he ordered, and he was happy with it, he just wasn't happy with himself. Giving himself a smirk in the mirror, he said out loud, "Yep, I'll look the part in high school." With that, he picked up his over-sized costume hammer and turned with a flourish making his red cape billow behind him.

Frank took one last look in the mirror and nodded his approval. If he could stay away from Joe, no one would even know who he was. Pulling the mask over his face, he pressed a few buttons that made the eyes of the mask light up as well as the circle on his chest.

The brothers stepped into the hallway at the same time. It was also the first time to see the other in their costume. Both smiled at the other although Joe couldn't see Frank's smile for the mask.

Joe looked at Frank's Iron Man costume and quipped, "Wouldn't it have been more appropriate for you to go as Tony Stark? After all, he's the geek behind Iron Man."

Joe's teasing didn't bother Frank because in actuality, he would have liked to go as Tony Stark. However, he wasn't old enough to grow a goatee. Perhaps when they were in high school he would go as the eccentric but genius billionaire.

Frank looked over Joe's Thor costume and thought it fit his brother well for personality. Joe was impulsive and had a quick temper just as the Norse god had in the movies. With Joe's blonde hair, blue eyes, and personality, it was perfect fit. It would have been easy for Frank to throw back a tease at Joe regarding his height or lack of muscles to go with the costume. However, Frank didn't do that. He only laughed at Joe's tease and then moved forward to ruffle Joe's hair.

At the hair ruffle, Joe cried out in mock anger, "Don't make me use the hammer!"

Both boys laughed as they turned for the steps. Jokingly, Joe said, "I think we should dress up like Thor and Iron Man again when we're in high school.

"Sure thing," Frank replied, already planning his goatee. Then his thoughts left future costumes and returned to the night. "So, who do you think Iola plans on dressing up as?"

Feigning indifference, Joe said, "I don't know. Do you?"

Smiling behind his mask, Frank said, "Nope, but Chet said it was good."

When Frank and Joe got out of the car at the Morton farm, Frank hurried away so that no one would see him with Joe. He was determined to remain anonymous for at least a short while. However, he did want to see what Iola was wearing. Chet had told him that Mrs. Morton had found out from Mrs. Hardy what Joe's costume was. Chet said that Iola was intent on wearing something to match Joe's costume if she could. Now that Frank knew that Joe was Thor, he couldn't wait to see what Iola had done. He didn't have long to wait.

Joe walked toward the back of the farmhouse where the bonfire was going full force sending flames up into the night sky and creating a myriad of dark shadows and hidden areas for the Halloween gathering. In contrast to the play of light and dark, the table set up with snacks and treats was surrounded by laughing kids in costumes. Without even thinking, Joe's eyes searched for a certain someone. His brows drew together as he frowned when he didn't see her. He jumped suddenly when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Iola laughed softly when Joe spun with his costume hammer at the ready.

The hammer fell to his side as Joe realized it was Iola who had snuck up on him. He was getting ready to apologize when he saw her costume. She was Lady Sif from Thor. Looking at her suspiciously, he said, "Did you know?"

It was her turn to look sheepish as she responded, "Yeah, Mom found out for me."

Joe found that he wasn't irritated or annoyed that his mom had told about his costume and he wasn't upset that Iola had dressed to match him somewhat. Lady Sif wasn't Thor's love interest but his comrade in arms. He could definitely see Iola that way. And he thought she looked pretty with her dark hair pulled back in a braid. The dark fitted clothes didn't hug her body too tightly and the sword she carried looked very realistic. Nope, he didn't mind at all.

Iola's eyes had searched for the Hardy car from the moment people began to arrive. When she saw it, she had moved into place planning to surprise 'her Thor.' And she had. When he had spun around, she had laughed, but then all she could do was look at him. He didn't have the muscles yet to really look like Thor but she knew one day he would. As it was, his blonde hair and blue eyes fit the role perfectly. And the look in his eyes when he turned, well, she knew he would have used that hammer – costume or not- if it had been someone attacking. Yes, he fit the part of a good-looking super hero. After all, he had already come to her rescue once this school year.

Looking past Joe to the gathering of friends, Iola said, "Are you ready to party, Thor?"

Glancing over his shoulder, he laughed and said, "Only if Loki isn't around."

Laughing with him, she reached out her hand. Her eyes didn't leave his as his hand stretched to meet hers and they walked together toward the fire.

Author's Note: And yes, I have to admit that I totally wrote this whole story just to have Joe dress as Thor, because, you know I WILL write a story down the line with them in high school dressing up. ;-) And I so totally see Frank and Joe as Liam and Chris Hemsworth. Except for Liam's blue eyes, I think they are very Frank/Joe with Liam even being a bit taller than Chris who plays Thor. And if you don't know who I'm talking about, you should Google them. Anyway, thanks for reading!