A/n: this is a REALLY short chapter. Born out of necessity. I'll explain at the end.

Chapter Thirteen

The next few days flew by uneventfully. Fenton was still very weak and slept most of the time, but now that he had regained consciousness it was easier to convince their mother to spend the night at home instead of the hospital. Joe had been released after 2 days, having gotten the good news from the dermatologist that while the scarring would be extensive, no skin grafts would be needed. His throat was recovering nicely, and yet he seemed to remain uncharacteristically silent most of the time. Instead of going back to his apartment, which had long been cleared as a crime scene, he took over Laura's watch at Fenton's bedside most nights. During the day he and Frank spent their time putting the office back together and re wiring the security system. By unspoken agreement no mention was made of the things weighing most heavily on the two men. Frank returned to his thrice weekly sessions with Dr. Suitland but resisted bringing Joe along.

Now that the danger was past, each man resumed their earlier behavior. Frank was loathe to tell Joe about Mike and Joe reneged on his earlier promise to let Frank have his little secret. He began teasing Frank mercilessly, never realizing that his pointed comments were hitting much closer to the mark than Frank was comfortable with.

"Fraaaannnnnk" Joe whined one afternoon as they gathered broken bits of furniture and scattered bits of paper in their father's office. "Resistance is Futile. You know you can't withstand my charms forever." Joe laughed and grunted simultaneously under the weight of an overturned filing cabinet that he was setting right. He stopped, grimacing a little as his back protested. His back was still very sore and tender and he tired easily, but was not going to let Frank be stuck with all the cleaning up. After all, at least a third of the mess was the direct result of his attempts to engage the Mazzola Brothers (May they so NOT rest in peace) and prevent them from getting away. He thought by treating the whole thing as a joke he could get Frank to loosen up a little and see that Joe was not worried about any fallout.

Trouble was, Frank was still feeling extreme guilt and couldn't treat his betrayal as anything less than a cardinal sin. He refused to discuss his feelings with his father, thinking he had done enough damage already. Joe was just happy to have at least a hint of their former easygoing banter back and forth be the main method of communication so he only pouted a little when Frank remained tight lipped before clapping his brother on the shoulder and saying "Dude, I am famished. Let's get outta here and find some grub." Frank didn't need much persuasion and before too long they were back at Five Guys splitting an order of fries and tackling their own huge burgers. It was easy to pretend.. at least until they went their separate ways.

But Frank's easygoing manner abandoned him as soon as he got in the car to head towards his therapist's office. He was ushered into the inner sanctum on time and after shaking hands refused the offer of something to drink. "How's your father doing, Frank?" the doctor asked.

Frank took a deep breath, then exhaled it slowly before replying "Much better, thanks. He should be released in a day or so but will be under strict orders to avoid any overexertion. Mom already has had us remodel the office back into a sickroom."

The doctor nodded, pleased that the news continued to get better regarding Fenton. His pleasure did not last as the session went downhill fast. Frank had resumed his earlier insistence that Joe not be brought in, and expressed misgivings about having told his father anything as well, blaming himself at least partially for the recent heart attack. No amount of persuasion, cajoling or gentle admonishment on Dr Suitland's part made any difference. At the end of the session, as Frank stood up, he said "Next week then?" and was surprised when the Psychologist said. "No, Frank, I don't think so. I can't help you if you refuse to be helped. Until you let go of this guilt and self recrimination, you cannot get past this. And since you refuse to let me or anyone else share the burden with you, there is nothing more to be said or done." Dr Suitland smiled sadly. Frank was about to become his first true failure as a professional therapist. The thought saddened him and for decidedly non professional reasons.

"Of course my door is always open, so if you ever decide to come clean, call me. I'll be here."

Frank only nodded and thanked the doctor for all he had tried to do. As he left, he felt rather relieved. No more pressure to face what he could not bear to face. He could just tell Joe that the subject would be forever not open for discussion and if didn't like that tough shit. He would consider it payback for running out on him all those years ago. Frank was actually willing to risk the possibility of losing his brother over this rather than the certainty of doing so if Joe ever learned the truth.

A few days later, Mary buzzed Dr Suitland's office. "Doctor, Mr. Hardy is here to see you." The Doctor replied "Send him right in! Do I have any conflict? If so please cancel for me and reschedule." Mary acknowledged the request before hanging up. The Psychologist could not suppress the grin that had spread over his face. Finally Frank Hardy had seen reason!

But when he opened the door, it was not Frank that stood there, but Joe. And Joe was looking like he had just lost his best friend. He said not a word, but walked in and immediately sat in the chair he had always sat in before. "I've lost my Big Brother." he said, in a broken voice that was choked with tears.

Dr Suitland brought another chair over and settled it directly in front of Joe's bowed head. "Tell me."

Joe unleashed a torrent of words, emotions, sobs and hysterical ranting that left him shaking with fatigue and mentally drained, and the doctor in front of him worried about his mental health and sanity.

He stood up, reached across his desk and buzzed his Receptionist. "Mary, please call the other Mr. Hardy and tell him to get his ass in here. Use those exact words and also tell him if he doesn't he will find himself in a world of hurt because your next set of orders will be to call his father and I don't give a damn about doctor/patient confidentiality. Thank you."

Joe had raised his head and a look of alarm had passed over his face. Dr S. raised a hand. He was angrier than Joe had ever seen even his father get when dealing with idiot clients or law enforcement. "No Joe, the time for subtlety is long over due. It is time for an intervention. I should have forced the issue weeks ago. Your brother has no right to put your mental health at risk just to assuage his own misplaced and asinine guilt."

When Mary buzzed 20 minutes later with the news that the other one was here, Dr Suitland got up and opened the door to his inner office personally. Frank noted 2 things straight off. First, Dr Suitland was looking downright pissed and it was directed solely at him. And second, Joe was also in the room, looking devastated, alone and broken. He came in and was about to rush to his brother's side, when he was grabbed firmly by the arm.

"See what your damned stubbornness has done? Your brother, the one whom you claim to love sooo much and care about more than your own self, is dying of a broken heart here. All because YOU don't have enough faith in the love HE bears YOU."

He let go of Frank's arm, then swiftly walked over to his desk. "You will spill your guts, right here and right now. I don't care if this costs me my license. Because if you do not. I will." Dr Suitland sat down heavily in his leather desk chair, and crossed his arms, glaring at Frank.

A/n: Yes this is crazy chaotic and I bet you are feeling like WTF happened. 1st, Frank doesn't wanna talk to me, but Joe won't shut up. so i am finding myself trying to capture Joe without losing any impetus. . 2nd, my original goal, to have this wrapped up by easter.. ain't gonna happen. that deadline has been moved to end of May. 3rd, I hate leaving people hanging for more than a few days but I am telling you right now this is going to be the last update for at least a week, and probably more like 2. I can't give the story the justice it deserves this week, so all i am going to do, if anything, is rough draft. I will polish and edit once DH is settled and at his new duty station. I hope everyone forgives the long lag before the next chapter and that you will understand why I am taking the time to do it right. Thanks!