To The Shore
by EveryDayArtist
Chapter Three
Four police cars flashed their lights in the cooling evening air as the smoking remains of the squad car lay like some sort of twisted sculpture in the middle of the road. Frank and Joe leapt from their car and began to jog toward the scene, spotting Nancy running to talk to the officers on the scene.
"The car is totaled…" Joe shook his head as they neared the scene.
"I know; this doesn't look good." Frank looked from the wreck to the ambulances. "Seems someone made it out alive."
"Small favors." Blue eyes narrowed, the younger Hardy fiddled with something under his jacket and Frank felt a jolt of shock because it was stupid but was Joe armed?!
A police officer looked up and spotted them, beginning to wave them off when Nancy intervened. "They're with me." The woman took a calming breath as they ducked under the tape and looked over the scene with tired eyes. She turned back to the ambulance and the shell-shocked man seated in the back. "Sir, are you well enough to tell me what happened?"
"Yes ma'am." Con Reilly grinned shakily at Frank over her shoulder. "Hey, should have figured you'd get involved with all th-Joe!" Ignoring the irritated paramedic who grabbed at him, Con stood up and pulled Joe into a crushing hug. The young man swallowed and hugged back tightly, smiling weakly.
"Hey Con, long time no see."
"Are you kidding me?" The man pulled away to look at him. "Yes, Joe, I'd say six years is a long time. Son, do you have any idea how much everyone's missed you?"
"I'm starting to but let's get caught up later. What happened here?"
The detective sighed and rubbed at his face. "We were bringing Jack in for questioning. It wasn't looking good, boys; his prints were all over one of the cars and we found a jacket that he admitted to owning in the drivers seat of a recovered vehicle. Mike-" He stuttered, trying not to look at the sheet-covered form near the other ambulance. "Detective Brown, was driving and we'd just turned that corner when one of the tires blew out and we went skidding into that other vehicle and the car just… I'm sorry, I don't remember much after that. They say I've got a concussion and Mike-Mike is dead and…" He slumped forward and buried his head in his hands.
Frank moved to sit next to him and put a hand on his shoulder as Nancy looked at the paramedic. The woman sighed. "He's got a concussion and a few bruised ribs. I want him to go to the hospital, soon, but he's refusing to leave..."
"Con, come on." Frank helped him up into the ambulance, trying to talk him down as Nancy and Joe wandered a ways away, looking at the car. Nancy was getting sick of this case and now that there was a body count to deal with… For months she'd been looking into these thefts; digging through files and dealing with uncooperative LEOs and generally running herself ragged and nothing to show for it. And now, out of the blue, the two men she trusted more than anyone had appeared, one as though from the dead, and for the first time she thought maybe they could do this. Unless the fact that we're not kids anymore gets in the way. Frank's a civilian and Joe… The woman looked at her friend.
"Joe, can you legally be here?"
The younger Hardy laughed a little sardonically but pulled his badge out and looked it over. "I think so. I mean, sometimes the lines are a little blurry but as far as I know, I think I actually outrank you." He sounded contemplative; obviously he'd really never considered it.
Nancy raised an eyebrow. "And your jurisdiction? Is…what, the whole USA?"
Joe grinned brightly. "Yeah, we'll go with that. That'll work; let's keep this simple."
Nancy stared after him for a long moment before shaking her head and moving to the car. "Stupid semi-quasi government departments…"
"Sorry, did you say something?"
The woman sighed heavily and murmured, "Nothing, nothing…" Ignoring the little smile she received, she surveyed the wreck for a long moment. "Things aren't looking too good for your friend here…"
"He's not a part of this." Frank was firm as he joined them, his eyes hard. "I don't care about what this looks like. Jack isn't a criminal."
"Then why grab him from the police?"
Joe shrugged. "To set him up? Maybe Frank's right about this Slagel guy."
"Maybe." Nancy sounded less than convinced. "In any case, we need to find him."
"We should start with Slagel." Frank insisted. "I don't think we can-"
He was cut off as Joe swore and stepped behind him, Nancy turning around to follow his gaze. On the edge of the crime scene a young woman was pushing past a few bystanders and ducking under the tape. She flashed a badge and looked around the scene scathingly before catching sight of the three friends and narrowing her eyes. Frank twisted around to look at his brother.
"I take it you know her?"
"Hardy!"
Joe flinched, as Nancy looked the woman over. She was short, thin and olive-skinned; her long brown hair pulled back in a braid and her clothes dark and expensive looking. Her eyes seemed to want to bore through Joe as she stomped over; the young man straightening and taking a deep breath as if preparing for a battle.
"Frank, Nancy, meet Agent McGregor."
With a sigh, the woman held a hand out to Nancy. "You must be Agent Drew. Lauren McGregor. And you can only be the brother."
Frank shook her hand and looked her over curiously. "How do you and Joe…"
"We work in the same unit of the Network. I've been assigned to this case. And you" She took a step toward Joe and glared. "You are supposed to be on leave."
"I am. This is what I do in my free time; I lurk around crime scenes." The younger Hardy clapped her on the shoulder. "And quite frankly, it's none of your damn business."
"It is my business when you're inserting yourself in my case."
Nancy decided it was time to step in. "I'm sorry, your case?"
Lauren looked somewhat sympathetic but her tone did not change. "We've taken over, Agent Drew. This is Network territory now, just be glad we beat out the CIA."
"What?" Nancy froze, her blood boiling. "Excuse me?"
The other woman gave her a look of understanding. "I'm sorry Drew, it's above my pay grade. Talk to my supervisor."
"Read me in." Joe insisted.
"Hell no."
"I'm here and involved, I can run point-"
"Hardy, you are on medical leave, I am not-"
"Medical leave?" Frank froze and stared at his brother. "You never said—WHY are you on medical leave?"
Hesitating, Joe held up his hands. "Later. Somewhere else."
"No. Here and now. I am sick of these secrets and brush offs, I want to know everything." Both Hardys stared off, Nancy and Lauren watching silently.
Joe cursed to himself. This was why he didn't want Frank to know. It brought up questions that he wasn't ready to answer; to hell with regulation, if that was all he'd tell his brother in a flash. But no, he couldn't tell him yet because the moment he did… "You-you won't like what you hear..."
Frank frowned at his brother. Joe was staring over the brunet's shoulder with a look that Frank remembered from dozens of times the younger man had been confronted by their parents; avoiding eye contact and trying to think up some sort of escape route like a cornered animal. Then the blue eyes slipped and they stared at each-other, the older brother trying to convey all of his fear and frustration in that gaze and the resistance in Joe's face flickered for a moment. Taking a deep breath, Frank took a step forward and continued to lock eyes with Joe. "Why are you on medical leave?"
His voice was softer this time, no more anger evident, just deep concern. Joe hesitated.
"Joseph Hardy, do not answer that."
All four young people turned at the new voice, Joe and Lauren unconsciously straightening. The Gray Man was even more disheveled than Frank remembered; he strode over, grey overcoat fluttering slightly over his rumpled suit. His salt and pepper hair was thinning a bit and his face was drawn but those bleached, blue-gray eyes were as bright as ever. Nancy could almost see the older Hardy's hackles rise as the man joined them but in the interest of keeping the peace she stepped between them.
"Agent Gray, it's been years."
The man's lips twitched. "Indeed, Agent Drew. I'm glad the FBI seems to be treating you well, I just regret they got to you first."
"Can't reel in everyone I suppose." Voice flinty, Frank tried to get around Nancy but was jerked back by a hand on his arm.
Joe clutched at his brother tightly and looked at his boss with a cautious eye. "This must be a big deal if you're getting involved personally. Sure you can't read us in?"
"No." Gray's voice was flat and he looked from Nancy to Frank. "I understand you have a personal interest here Frank, I do. And Agent Drew, I am not trying to step on your toes here but this is bigger than you understand right now. As for you," He turned to Joe. "I told you to lay low and take a break."
"I haven't 'worked' for a year now." Joe insisted, trying to catch the man's eyes. "I'm going stir crazy and I honestly think-"
"Joe." The man finally looked up and locked eyes with the agitated younger man. "Go home and spend some time with your family. That's an order, I don't want you any where near this case."
"Art, please…"
"See ya 'round, kids."
With that the man stomped off. Joe seemed to struggle not to scream at him and resorted to flipping him the bird before turning to the other Network agent, who raised her arms quickly.
"Oh hell no."
"McGregor…"
"Hardy, no." Lauren nodded at the tape. "Go. Now."
Nancy put a hand on both Hardys' arms pulling them away. "Come on guys." She got them out of earshot before continuing. "I'll let you both know what I find. Head back to Bayport and I'll come as soon as I can."
"Watch yourself." Joe muttered. "She's insane."
Nancy's lip twitched. "Will do." She pulled him in for another hug, breathing in deeply and squeezing. "I'm so glad you're back."
Joe hugged back and smiled into her hair. "Yeah, me too."
She turned to the older man and they hugged quickly. "Take care of yourselves."
"Always." Frank pulled away and nodded. "Try to get back to us soon."
As the Hardys made their way back to the car they were silent, Joe shooting his brother nervous looks and Frank staring ahead fixatedly. Once they reached the car Joe cleared his throat and stared out of the windshield. "I think I have some contacts that I can try for more info on why this case is so important."
Frank didn't say anything as they drove and Joe slumped in his seat. "Listen…"
Without warning Frank pulled the car off to the side of the road. They rolled into a parking lot and the older man leapt from the car before all but hauling his little brother from the passenger seat.
Joe stumbled as Frank shoved him forward roughly. "Okay, we need to talk."
The blond closed his eyes nervously. "Frank…"
"No. Joe, you left. I lost you for six years." He ran a hand through his hair in frustration and began pacing. "I didn't know if you were dead or hurt or—and now you just show up and try to act like that's fine. But you won't look me in the eye and you're on medical leave and you're covered in scars and I want to know why you won't talk to me!"
"Because I'm here, I'm okay!" Joe threw out his arms. "I don't get why we have to drag it up if it's over! Look, I'm sorry, is that what you want to hear? I'm sorry that I scared you, I'm sorry I lied, I'm sorry that I can't tell you everything!" He deflated slightly. "Frank, I'm sorry but if I had told you, you would have tried to stop me."
"Of course I would have!" Joe actually took a step back as Frank snarled at him. "Joe, these people are dangerous! They're brutal and lethal and they'll screw you over!"
"Frank, I've been one of them for six years, I think I know what they're like."
"Why?!"
Joe winced at the raw pain in his brother's voice. Frank pushed on, swallowing hard. "Why did you just leave?"
"…It was a purpose." Joe slumped. "Frank, senior year screwed me up…but it was also something brand new. I was learning who I was without you. And this is who I am." His own eyes grew flinty. "Hell, you were doing fine on your end, didn't feel the need to barge in."
"I…I thought you were dead…" Frank seemed to deflate in on himself. "When the letters stopped I…"
Taking a deep breath, Joe lurched forward and pulled his brother into a hug. "If I could have contacted you, I would have. …I was in a bad place for a while, Frank. That's why I'm here. ...A job... It went bad." Joe's voice broke slightly. "It went really bad." He put his head on the brunet's shoulder. "I needed a break."
Frank clung to his brother and blinked back tears. "I just want to know why…"
"If I promise to tell you," Joe pulled away. "Will you give me some time?" Sensing the older man's hesitation he squeezed his arm. "I'm not going anywhere. I just need to steel myself a little."
"Dammit, Joe." Frank sighed and rubbed at his face. "Alright. But you've only got a certain amount of time before I go break Gray's face. Speaking of which, Art? You gave him a nickname?!"
Joe shrugged. "I dunno, got tired of 'Gray Man'. If it makes you feel any better, he's not talking to me right now."
"You two are not friends?"
"I know, freaks me out too."
They stood there sizing each other up. Frank rolled his eyes as Joe pouted with that puppy-dog eyed look that used to get him out of trouble. "So, ready to go home?"
"Hells yeah."
They were about to walk back to the car when there was the recognizable sound of screeching tires. Both men turned as a dark truck loomed out of nowhere, barreling towards them at an intense speed. Frank reacted out of some long dormant instinct and tackled his little brother, shoving them both out of the path of the oncoming vehicle.
Joe grabbed his arm as the truck zoomed past and pulled Frank up. "It's coming back!"
They ran for a nearby building, the truck making a reckless U-turn and coming after them again. Both Hardys stumbled through the doorway of the small diner just as the truck careened over the sidewalk before heading down the street to the cries of startled pedestrians.
Several men and women stared in surprise at the sight of a couple of young men sprawled on the floor of the diner, the older one with a single arm wrapped protectively around the waist of the younger one who was grasping at something in his jacket. Frank and Joe blinked up at the waitress who was looking down at them with her mouth open. Breathing heavily, Joe smiled. "Um…hi. So how about some coffee?"
Minutes later they were seated in a booth, Frank scowling at a hole in his shirt while Joe was fussed over by the motherly waitress. She dabbed at the scrape on his forehead and 'tt'd'. "Look at you, scratching up such a pretty face."
"I'm fine." Joe 'shoo'ed her off and looked at Frank. "What the hell?"
"I know." The older man rubbed at his eyes tiredly. "I haven't been attacked with a car for a while; for almost six years actually. You've been here for mere hours and already broke that streak..."
"You'll get back into the swing of things." Joe sipped at his coffee and rolled his shoulder experimentally. "So, you hinted at some sleep?"
"We were almost killed and you're just gonna move on?"
"I sent the plates to a buddy. Not much else to do right now." Joe shrugged. "It kinda takes more to rattle me than that."
Frank sighed fondly and finished his coffee. "We'll head back to the apartment and get some rest. I'll tell Callie to expect us tomorrow."
"Awesome. But, um, first we should order some of that pie… I, ah, I'm really hungry."
Frank laughed and accepted a new mug of the warm brew. "Some things never change…"
Arthur Gray looked up from his files at the sound of the door opening as Lauren stopped in the doorway and sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Hi, make yourself at home, Boss."
Gray waved a hand distractedly. "Haven't booked a room yet. You have the ballistics report?"
Throwing him a manila envelope, she flopped on the second bed and pulled her hair from the tight braid, ruffling it and pushing it from her face. "So… You were kinda short with Hardy back there."
"He shouldn't be here." The man looked up and cocked an eyebrow at her. "And you're one to talk."
"Mm, yeah." Lauren fell back and kicked her shoes off. "But you two are actually friends. I hate the guy."
"True."
Gray stared into space for a while, his brain on overtime, "They're not going to give in so easily. Any of them."
"So what do we do?"
"Let's wait and see what they do." Snapping the file closed, the man stood and pulled on his coat. "If they manage to work around us, maybe Joe is ready for duty again after all."
"Hmm." Lauren wriggled up to the pillows of the bed, stretching out. "So what's the deal with his brother?"
"Don't even think about it, he's married."
"Damn it." She mumbled into the pillow. "The good looking ones always are taken."
"Good night Lori."
"G'night Boss."
Gray sighed into the cold night air; this was going to be interesting.
Having the boys mad at each other is actually pretty painful to write, hopefully I can resolve the tension a bit soon. And here's the necessary disclaimer, although Lauren is my character she is no more than a secondary character here to add some depth and will not be a love interest or main character. I don't come on here to read about OCs and I know most of you feel the same and I am going to respect that.
