CHAPTER 4

Frank let out a sigh as he sat back with his feet resting on the recliner. Friday had finally arrived. For the first time he understood why Joe loved the weekends during the school year. The end of the school year was fast approaching and Frank had been getting his classes ready for their finals. He had been giving them a test at the end of each week.

He was a little discerned that his freshman class was doing better than his senior class. He had to smile thinking how Tyler was at the top of his freshman class. Although Tyler had dark hair and hazel eyes the young teen reminded Frank of Joe. Tyler's personality was just like his younger brother…easy-going, quick to make friends and always helping anyone in trouble.

Suppressing a yawn Frank turned his attention to school work he had brought home. His senior class had been assigned to write an essay about the colonization of Bayport. He planned to read a few then start getting dinner ready. Mackenzie was still at the school with the choir preparing for the end of school year assembly. Frank was in the middle of reading an essay when his cell phone rang. He grinned happily as Secret Agent Man played.

"Joe, Dad and I were talking about you the other night!"

"I knew I should have called your landline…I can't surprise you when my ringtone tells you it's me!" laughed Joe. "Oh and hello, big brother."

"Hello little brother – how are you and Vanessa these days?"

"Van is perfect as usual and I'm doing good."

Frank frowned; he could sense that something was troubling Joe. He may have sounded cheerful but somehow it seemed forced. "What's up Joe?"

"What…? Nothing, I'm fine…"

"Joe…come on, I can hear it in your voice. Something is bothering you." Frank paused, waiting anxiously for Joe to say something. "Joe…you know you can tell me anything," he said in a soft tone, wondering if something bad had happened on his brother's last case.

"I'm just…I'm just tired, Frank. Tired and…and I miss you…I miss Mom and Dad…I miss Aunt Gertrude," Joe replied in a low voice, almost whispering his answer.

"I miss you too…Hey, summer vacation is coming up and for once Mac and I aren't teaching summer school! Maybe we could get together…go visit you and Vanessa in D.C." Frank spoke excitedly.

Joe could almost see Frank's excitement, the wide grin on his brother's face. "That sounds like a plan…I'm due some vacation days. Days…weeks – I'm due some vacation weeks!"

His students papers forgotten, Frank kept talking with Joe, getting him caught up with news about their family and friends. Telling Joe about his wife and how much he loved married life…about his students and how he knew that they had never been that bad towards their teachers. Frank completely lost track of time. He had just finished the call with Joe when Mackenzie walked in.

"Hi honey, I'm home!"

Frank suddenly realized he hadn't made dinner but he didn't care. Tonight they were going out…Joe's call was cause for a celebration.

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Joe laughed as he shut his cell phone. He and Frank had been talking for such a long time he used up the rest of his phone's battery power. Placing the phone on the nightstand, Joe scooted back, getting more comfortable on his bed. He leaned against the headboard with his hands behind his head and a silly grin on his face as he stared at the ceiling.

Vanessa walked in to tell him dinner was ready. "I take it you had a nice talk with Frank."

"Yeah it was like old times. We were really connected, you know what I mean?"

Vanessa sat next to Joe. She knew that for the past few months he was afraid that he and Frank were drifting apart. She gently caressed his face, giving him a small smile."Yes I do and I'm happy for you. I told you that you were worrying over nothing."

"Frank and I were going to work out a time for us to vacation together but I was thinking…Hammond's already given me some time off and I've got a lot of comp time I haven't used…think you could get some time off? I mean like really soon?"

"I'm the head of the department; I can take off whenever I want to…besides, we don't have anything major on the agenda. When do you want to leave?"

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Frank was walking down the aisle between his students' desks. The only sound in the room was that of pens scratching on paper and Frank's footsteps. He was returning to his desk when he heard three quick knocks as the door to the classroom opened.

"Sheesh Frank, it's Friday and you're giving them a test?" Joe leaned against the doorframe, a huge grin on his face.

Frank stared at his blonde-haired little brother with a look of shock and disbelief on his face. A smile began to slowly form.

"Oh my God! Joe!"

The students in the classroom stared in wonder as the brothers moved to meet each other. They watched as the two men hugged each other fiercely.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your class but I just couldn't wait for school to let out," Joe said when he finally pulled away.

"That's okay…don't apologize. Class, I'd like you to meet my brother Joe. Joe, this is my freshman class."

"Is this the brother who works for the government, Mr. H?" asked Tyler.

"The one and only," replied Frank with pride.

"Vanessa is waiting for me in the car; we're on our way to see Mom and Dad. Before I leave though, I'm going to walk up and down the hallway. I noticed that Mrs. Stern is still teaching here. I want to see if she's going to give me detention for walking in the hallway without a pass!" Joe gave Frank a wink and the classroom erupted with laughter as he walked out the door.

"Joe, behave – I work here now!" Frank yelled out.

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Fenton was feeling bored. He had returned from Washington, D.C after giving a lecture to new recruits in the Justice Department. He didn't have any new clients and thankfully no one was threatening the U.S. government. He listened to Laura in the kitchen humming a tune. He knew she was happy now that they knew that Joe was safely back at home. His mission was a success and he was safe and sound. Fenton thought he heard a car door slam but dismissed it. A few seconds later the doorbell rang.

'I hope that's not a salesman,' thought Fenton as he went to answer the door.

"Excuse me sir, but does a Fenton Hardy live here?"

"Joe…Vanessa…what are you…come in, come in! Laura…Laura, come look who's here!"

Curious at the tone of Fenton's voice, Laura hurried out of the kitchen and gasped in surprise.

"My baby…my baby…my baby is back home!" she cried, tears of happiness in her eyes.

"Why do females cry when they're happy?" Joe wondered aloud as his mother hugged him tightly. He and Vanessa found themselves being hugged by both Fenton and Laura at the same time.

"I guess I've been away a little too long."

"Hammond didn't tell me you were working on a case here."

"I'm not working on anything, Dad…I'm actually on vacation."

"Does Frank know you're here…? Vanessa have you seen your mother?" asked Laura.

"Frank knows, I had to go see him before coming here," answered Joe.

"And I called my mother last night so she knows Joe and I are here. We're visiting her later this evening," said Vanessa.

"Why don't we all go out to dinner? Vanessa, call Andrea and tell her I insist she join us," Fenton decreed.

"Do you have a place to stay, because you can always stay here." Laura looked hopefully at Joe.

"Well, Andrea did offer us a room, but Vanessa and I had already decided to stay here."

*endofchapter*

Authors Note: Please read the author's profile for this story. The author, copagirl, passed away in 2013. I am posting these stories up with the permission of her family, who want her to be remembered as well. Lola was a long-time member of the Hardy Detective Agency and we miss her soooooo much! Love you Lola!

Thanks to those of you leaving feedback! I know copagirl would love all of it.