Chapter 3

"Frank, why didn't you tell me? Yes, I know because 'he told me not to', but don't give me that. Your brother's health is more important than his pride, and I know you know that but you need to get it through your thick brain. I know I should've known because I'm his mother but I was just so happy to get you both back alive and safe, well for the most part." Laura was ready to throw herself at her oldest son if he didn't respond like she wanted him to.

"Mom, I know you're furious that I didn't tell you but just listen to me. He said he didn't want you or dad to know because he knew you both would freak out. Dad would hunt the guy that hurt him and kill him and we would never see him again because you know how protective dad is and he would think it was his fault since he sent us undercover. The guy got killed because of what he did even though he deserved it. Listen, you and dad would have sent him to a hospital, but he didn't want to go to one. He's been to too many of them in his ENTIRE life because he's the youngest so enemies of Dad's are going to come after him more than me. You don't know how long I've hurt because he's hurt. Just seeing him in pain puts me in the exact same pain he's in. I even have wanted to change places with him to take just a little bit of the pain he's been in away even if it's just for a little bit. To just take some of his scars away because God knows he's got too many for a kid his age; I've got o many and I've got about a third of scars than he has. I didn't tell you because he needs respect right now, and if we don't trust him on his instincts, he's never going to tell us even if he's on his death bed. Just trust me on this, please," Laura was dumbstruck on what Frank had just said. She knew her boys were close but not that close. She didn't say anything to him when he went into his brother's room to check on him. She just stood there with her mouth wide open with about a million thoughts going through her head at once and was trying to make sense of all of them. Finally she very slowly made her way down the stairs.

Frank opened the door quietly just in case Joe was asleep, but he doubted it because of how loud he and Laura had just talked right outside his door. He was surprised that Joe was still asleep but smiled when he saw how peaceful he looked sleeping, just like nothing was wrong in his life. He knew he was exhausted and knew this was good for him. Making sure nothing was wrong with him, Frank headed out the door to go and find his Dad. He figured that he would be in the lab analyzing the stuff on that needle.

Walking down stairs in the kitchen, he found his mom and dad sitting very quietly, staring off into space.

"What's wrong Dad?" Frank asked noticing how worried they both were.

"Frank…um…we just found out that…," he never did finish. There were sounds of glass shattering, 'thumps', and Joe's scream.

Forgetting what they were saying, they all sprinted up the stairs to find Joe gone. It looked like a tornado had gone through his room; his mattress wasn't on the bed and his clothes everywhere, everything was not in its place.

They all stood in shock at the sight of Joe's room. Laura broke the silence by falling to the ground, sobbing into her hands. Fenton sat down next to her, putting his arms around her and trying to comfort her. Frank ran over to the window and looked out but saw nothing.

'Joe where have you gone,' Frank thought. Turning to his parents, he sunk right down next to them and sobbed as reality sunk in.

They had just gotten Joe and Frank back and they had just lost Joe again.

They finally broke apart and went their separate ways: Fenton to his office to call Con; Laura into her room to cry some more; Frank went into his room and prayed.

Frank kneeled down on the side of his bed like he'd down so many times before and prayed for his brother to come back home safely.

God,

Please watch over Joey. I know your getting sick of me praying like this but he's always getting in trouble and most of the time it's not his fault. Just here me and let him know I'll go to the ends of the Earth to find him. Just keep him safe.

Amen

In the Hardy house, it was quiet except for the thing that everybody was doing … praying for Joe's safety.