A/N: Normal typing Joe. Italics Frank's thoughts. I also know they may be OOC, but I figure everyone's personality probably changes a bit in times of grief.

Frank was always the rational one of the two of us. But now, to look at him, I seem sane by comparison. I know what he is going through, and I know that everyone grieves differently. But this isn't my brother in front of me. This is a shell.

Joe, why are you looking at me like that? You of all people should know what I'm feeling. You lost Iola.

Does he know I'm here? That I'm standing over him, watching him, wondering if I'm ever going to get my brother back? Nancy, when you left, I think you took Frank with you.

I broke a promise to her. She never knew it, but I made a promise not to let her die. I'd always kept it before, why not now? Nancy, why did it have to be you? Why not me? I wish it had been me.

"Joe, c'mon. Visiting hours are over." Mom looks around the door at me.

"Mom, he's just lying there. He doesn't even react to anything."

"I know. We just have to hope, Joe. Hope and pray."

Prayer? Prayer! Mom, please, how pathetic can you get? I prayed every night that nothing too serious would happen to my loved ones because of my choice to be an amateur detective. And those loved ones included Nancy. Where was God when she got shot?

I take one final glance at my brother, whose gaze is fixed on the hospital ceiling, just like this morning when we brought him in. I decide to try one final thing.

"Frank. Nancy's funeral is tomorrow. I think she'd have wanted you to be there, not stuck in the hospital, grieving."

Nancy? What about Nancy? Nancy, would you want me at your funeral? Do I want to be at your funeral, watching them put you in the ground? Do I?

Frank's eyes flicked to me for a brief moment, then away. But that moment lifted my hopes. My brother could still hear me. But was he listening, or were the words just waves of sound?

"Please, sir. Visiting hours have ended."

"Just one more moment. Please. I think I may be able to get through to him."

The nurse sighs. "One moment. That's all."

"Frank, I know you miss her. Everyone does. And I know, better than anyone, how much this is hurting you….you and Nancy were special. And I know that you think joining her may be a very good idea right now. But Frank…Nancy wouldn't want that. She'd want justice. You know that."

"Frank. Go after him." Yes. She did want me to go after him. To be the detective even while she lay there. But I couldn't, Nancy. I couldn't leave you. And I don't know if I can stand the see that guy again, even to send him to jail or death. I wanted to kill him when they brought him in, Nancy. That's the justice I wanted. A life for a life. Without the law.

"Frank, go after him."

"Frank, go after him. Get him in court."

Can I? Can I?

"Sir, you must leave now."

"Alright…" I walk out the door, but not before I notice that Frank's face is no longer devoid of expression. It seems he's waging an internal war. Go ahead, Frank. Fight what's keeping you a shell, come back to us. "Nancy would want it."