And thus passed the next fourteen years.

Frank Hardy followed his father's footsteps and became a PI, partnering his father. It had been a hard decision, knowing he would work without his first partner, Joe, but eventually enjoyed his life. He could never solve the case that Joe vanished on, which bothers him, but he has moved on now. He is now 32 and married to Callie Shaw and they have one child or six, named, of course, Joe.

Joe Hardy, after a few years of training, became an agent for Melanie and the group called the Assassins, although it was years before he became aware of there other name. He rose high and worked to improve the governments of third world countries in Asia and Africa, sometimes even using violence, but usually using words. Most of his time, however was spent in those third world countries helping improve the quality of life. At 31, his life as Joe Hardy had completely faded, and he is wholly Ned Brenden, even thinking himself as such. A year ago, he replaced Ruan as one of Melanie's most trusted assistants as well as her informal boyfriend.

And then the past, as it loves to do, came back to haunt the Hardy family.

"Frank, a minute if you please." Fenton Hardy, now nearing his 58th birthday, was still very spry, but as often as not, he was confining himself to the thinking part of cases, rather than the action.

Curious, Frank, how had been just about to leave Hardy Investigations to Callie's home cooked roast beef, paused and hurried back into his father's office. "What's new?" he asked.

His father motioned for him to sit down. "I finally put two and two together about the Assassin case the Grey Man gave us to work on last week. Do you remember it?"

Cocking his head, Frank thought briefly and then nodded, recalling. He replied, "Is it the one about the untimely death of the leader of Somalia? The one that Mr. Grey thought the Assassin's were behind?"

"Yes," Fenton said. "Except this time I figured out a bit more. The agent was careless. He left his underlining out to be picked up, and I traced the Assassin's money supply to a certain company called Pacific Shipping."

Frank considered this new lead. "Interesting. Do you think that this Pacific Shipping Company is just a front for the money supply of the Assassins?"

"I think so. In fact, I'm very sure about it."

His son nodded. "Then, permission for David and myself to begin a full scale investigation of Pacific Shipping tomorrow?" he said, referring to another agent of Hardy Investigations, a man who worked well as Frank's second.

Fenton smiled and said, "You don't need to ask that, Frank. That's an order."

The two Hardys laughed together and left the office, locking it securely before bidding one another goodbye and heading off to find their wives.

A/N: I know that the years passing bit was a little rough but it just wouldn't come out right. You're probably all in shock now about what I did to them, but let me know what you think, even if you don't like it. I can't change it if you don't tell me. But at any rate, the main part of the story is kicked off so hold for the ride!