Author's note: Hi again! Yeah, I know, this story is slowly going to an end. Sad, don't ya think? ;-) Not quite yet, though. Still some chapters left to enjoy! (Besides, there are always those new stories of mine…:-))

Disclaimer: I don't know what to write here. Everyone knows, don't you? It really is rather boring to write the same thing every single day, sometimes two times a day, today even three! That doesn't make me the owner, though… Yes! I said it!

Chapter 20

Being free was a good thing. A really, really good thing. The endless, blue skies, the birds hovering over him – he was as free as them. Actually, not quite. He just felt that way because… because of a lot of things. One: His brother was alive. Alive, breathing, trusting him. Two: He was out of prison. Three: …Well, actually it wasn't any reason number three. In fact, he wasn't free at all. He had escaped prison illegal. Every cop in Bayport was after him. Except Con Riley, of course. He and Frank had a little secret together. But the feeling? The feeling of breathing without any walls around him to lock him up? Indeed he felt free!

There was no way Frank could have escaped prison alone. But he had gotten out. How? Trust was in the least one of the keywords.

When Fenton had refused to check out on Mr. Chuck, Frank had been really frustrated. He knew Joe could be in danger. Why did his father still suspect him? He was in prison when Joe was kidnapped the second time. There was no reason to believe it wasn't the same person kidnapping his brother both times.

Sitting in the comfortable car seat, Frank let his thoughts flight. The whole "getting-out-of-prison-thing" had been a rather peculiarly affair. Con Riley was one of the most loyal, conscientious officers in the police force. Happily for Frank, that wasn't all. He was also like an uncle for both Hardy boys. Last, but not least, he trusted them. When Frank had told him about the situation, he had agreed to suffer from a temporary amnesia. With other words: He had "forgotten" to lock Frank's cell. He also found himself in desperate need for a coffee. Point was, the café was on the other side of the street. When he was away, Frank went to action. Getting out, he headed right for his car – which of course wasn't there. He was so used to always have the car right outside when he was on the station. This time, though, was an exception form the normal in more than one way. He hadn't thought about that problem. The only solution he came up with, was stealing a car. Or rather "borrow" his girlfriend Callie's. She lived right next to the police station, and he had an extra set of keys to her car.

And now, he was here. On his way to the house where Joe had almost died. Not his dream-destination, but if he could save Joe by doing it, it didn't matter. He was more than willing to do everything in his power to put things straight between himself and Joe once again.

F&J F&J F&J F&J F&J

"The Big One". His dream. His future. His dark conscience.

Things hadn't got the way he wanted them to. Joe Hardy was still alive. Frank was in prison, yes, but when Joe woke up, he wouldn't be any longer. But that was not going to ruin his revenge. He should get it anyway. Just this time, he should make it safer, more brutal. And instead of just Fenton, it should contain both boys too. They were, after all, the ones to destroy the whole plan. Especially Frank. He should suffer…

Ten years ago, he had betrayed his whole family. They were supposed to make the big coup, when he had arrived. Fenton. He had arrested him, sent him to prison. Still, that wasn't the worst. When he didn't arrive, his whole family were taken by… them. They were all killed. And they died believing he had betrayed him. The blood of their dead bodies screamed for revenge.

Mr. Chuck tossed and turned in his bed. He was going down there tonight. To "The Big One". Tonight, the new order was to be delivered to all his stupid customs. Yes, they really were stupid. To buy such thing? It killed both mind and money. To sell, on the other hand, was great. One day, he would be as rich as a millionaire, as powerful as a dictator. He was going to reign his own empire of crime. Crime, drugs, smuggling. He was going to be the next big American mafia. Reign America. Reign the world.

Power. Money. Revenge. Blood. Show no mercy – and the stage is yours.

F&J F&J F&J F&J F&J

'Don't breathe! Don't breathe! Oh no! There goes the first button…"

Joe Hardy stared down at the black button on the floor in front of him, his face showing an interesting shade of purple.

"Those nurses have to be really thin!" Clothed in a nurse coat sized extra extra small he felt himself having some serious problems breathing. But if to stop breathing for ten minutes or so was what he needed to do to get out – well, then he would do it. He had to take Mr. Chuck before something dreadful happened to Frank.

Sneaking out from the closet where he had found the clothes, Joe went down the hall, happy no one had seen him. He was really lucky about everyone believing he was still in coma. To be honest, he had to confess he didn't feel ecaxtely good, but it most certainly could have been a lot worse. He could handle it. What he couldn't deal with, was doing nothing.

'Oh no! First problem: A doctor!' Trying to make himself as small as possible (in the least the clothes helps him with that), Joe hoped the doctor would pass him without questions. Knowing his own luck, Joe wasn't too surprised when the man stopped in front of him, scanning him up and down.

"You are one of the apprentices, aren't you?" the voice didn't sound at all suspicious, just a little amused.

"Yeah, right, ecaxtely" Joe answered quickly, trying desperate to sound relaxed. The attempt wasn't too convincing, especially not accompanied by the purple colour on his face.

The middle-aged, brown-haired doctor tried unsuccessfully to hide a smile "Ehm… I think it might be some other coats on the first floor, just in case you should need to change. Not that it didn't suited you, just thought you should know…" Shooting Joe a wide grin, the doctor disappeared down the hall.

Demanding himself not to pull a deep breath of relief, Joe jumped into the elevator. Seconds later he was out – and free. The only thing he needed to do now, was taking down Mr. Chuck, lock him up and check on Frank. After that? Honestly, he thought a good night's sleep wouldn't be too bad…

I know this is kind of stagnant, but well, I couldn't ecaxtely skip it either. Next one, though…

Please review and stay safe and healthy!