A/N: Sorry if things were confusing in the last chapter. Fenton was attempting to pay for Frank's college even though they weren't really speaking as a way to control Frank which is why Frank changed colleges. I promise to write a story with a nice Fenton sometime soon.

I just want to note there will be occasional references to homophobia.

Frank was exhausted and stressed beyond belief. He desperately wanted to talk to Joe, but Joe was (rightfully) upset with him. He should have done something sooner. He should have challenged his story. He hesitated, picking up his phone, wondering if he should call Chief Collig. He rarely talked to the man, but he figured Joe and Chief still might be in touch.

Chief answered on the third ring. "Hello, Chief Collig speaking."

"Hey… it's Frank."

"Hey, Frank. Long-time no see. I was actually just watching the news. I saw Joe's partner was missing. I was about to give him a call. How are you guys getting on?"

"Um…" Frank sighed, deciding it was time to come clean. "I'm… we're not doing well. We - I don't know if he's told you but we haven't really spoken in about five years. It's mostly my fault - my father kicked him out but said he ran away and didn't want to talk to us… and I just believed him…"

"And you're calling me because you want to know which side of the story is true," Chief summarized.

"No - I mean… Not really. I believe Joe. I just…"

Chief sighed. "His side is true, unfortunately. Fenton kicked him out right before graduation. From what Joe told me, Fenton disowned him. He actually wondered if someone killed Fenton and took his place but I told him that was a bit far-fetched, especially since I doubted anyone would want to do that."

Frank froze. "Wait. Say that last part again?"

"He said that it felt like someone had killed Fenton and taken his place because that's how different he was acting - but like I told him, that doesn't usually happen. I may make an appearance; I'm going to call Joe. Frank…" the Chief paused. "I'm not denying Fenton's part in this, but you hurt your brother badly. He said he tried to call you several times after your father disowned him but you never answered the phone. And you never answered any of his letters. I was just wondering about that?"

"... He called?" Frank asked, frowning.

"I'm coming up there," the chief responded. "We need to have a good long talk. Keep him safe," he said firmly.

"If he lets me," Frank said to dead air, realizing the Chief had already ended his phone call. Why hadn't the Chief told any of this before? He guessed it was to preserve Joe's privacy, but he had a million questions, especially about the idea that someone had killed Fenton and taken his place.

He and Joe met outside the police station that morning. He was surprised when it was Joe's idea, and he was even more surprised to see Chief Collig.

"Thanks for coming," Joe responded. Frank carefully listened for a moment, not revealing his location yet. "I… I can't tell you how much it means that you never stopped supporting me, Chief, even when everyone else in my family did."

That made sense to Frank and it hit him like a bullet to the heart. He couldn't believe it. Of course that was how Joe saw it, because how could he not? Frank had all but basically abandoned him in his eyes, even though he had never gotten any of the phone calls or the letters -

Fenton. It had to be. Maybe? Had Frank just been oblivious? He doubted it, but he couldn't deny his own actions in the matter, he had been far from a perfect brother. His throat was suddenly dry, but he approached Joe anyway. He'd made many mistakes the last five years.

"Hey, Joe," he said quietly.

"Hey. Chief said we should order something in," Joe said apprehensively. They walked back to the Chief's hotel room. Frank hated to admit it, but Chief Collig had acted far more like family than anyone had.

"Probably a good idea," he said with a nod. He made his way over to their hotel room. He remained calm, but he felt like throwing his hands up in the air. The hotel room was one of the nicest he'd seen in awhile, and he wondered how much money the chief made now. It didn't really matter.

They sat down.

"Alright," the chief said. "It's time you two need to talk. I know it will be painful, and I'm sorry. But I think in doing so, we can uncover the clues to your partner's disappearance, Joe."

Joe nodded, and Frank looked to see his face ash. How could he have been such an asshole to his brother?

Joe

"I'm laying the ground rules for this conversation. No yelling, no personal attacks. What's done is done; we can't change any of that. We're focused on getting information that may help save Charlie." He got out his paper to take notes. "Joe, you wanted to start?"

Joe swallowed. "Frank, was your real reason to visit me to warn me?"

"Yes. I had Chet track you down because I didn't know if you'd be comfortable with me doing so, and if that was the case, I didn't want to have any of your information so that would make you feel better. It's um, a bit too late for that now, but that was my intent at the time."

Joe raised an eyebrow. "I… I think what happened during the first few months after I was disowned is very key here. I don't know why… but I can't shake it. Otherwise why target me specifically? I think you're right, he took Charlie because he looks like me." He showed Frank a picture.

Frank nodded. He could see what Joe meant. While they weren't twins, anyone who hadn't seen Joe in awhile could easily assume he was him. "I'm happy to answer any questions you need an answer too, Joe. And - I'm sorry I didn't come sooner."

Joe just nodded. He wanted to say that it was okay, but it wasn't okay. Frank had five years to clear the air and he hadn't. Though if Fenton had been manipulating him… that might make it more okay. "What did Fenton tell you about why I left?"

"He said you ran away." Frank remembered the night vividly. "He said you hated me, and I tried to call you, but nothing went through. I tried to leave messages; nothing. Then my phone was stolen and I had to get a new one…"

"Wait," Joe said. "Say that again?"

"My phone was stolen and I had to get a new one." That had always bothered him. He was normally extremely careful with his possessions so what had happened? "I tried to reach you though."

Joe's eyes narrowed. "Fenton. I bet anything. My phone was stolen around the same time also."

"...Why wouldn't he want us to talk to each other?"

"Do you remember your theory, Joe?" Collig asked.

"Yeah… That my dad had been killed and replaced by someone else? I mean I still think it's possible. I just… for dad to forget my age, graduation…" Joe's thoughts drifted off. "Now that I know he was trying to separate Frank and I…" He hesitated. "Why didn't you try more? Or stay around Bayport?"

"Bayport hurt too much - did I ever tell you about the fight Fenton and I had?"

Joe shook his head.

"It was right after your graduation. He was bragging to one of his buddies that he'd smacked you around because you got back late…"

Flashback

"Yeah, kid's a real pain in the ass you know? At least Frank is responsible. But Joe should be starting to get more responsible, I smacked him good a few times."

"Remember, you're not supposed to smack him anywhere visible," the other person said in the room. "That's what gets questions asked."

"What do you think I am, stupid? I wasn't born yesterday."

"You might as well have been. Now pay attention and let's talk about this case."

"That was when I left my cool and lost Bayport. I tried to contact you but you were over eighteen at that point and Dad told me you filed a restraining order. I should have questioned it, but I just… left. I should have done more… or verified with Collig… or… something… and I'm sorry for saying your degree was stupid. It's not. It's valuable. I just wasn't thinking clearly."

Joe was beginning to understand his brother more. While his brother's actions still stung, he felt like his brother at least had tried, and he understood all too well about Fenton's actions, except - "That doesn't make sense though. Dad never hit me. So why was he bragging to someone that he had?"

"Something's wrong here," Frank said. He swallowed. "I know apologies are useless without actions, Joe. but I do care about you and I'm sorry I didn't do more. I understand totally if you want me out of your life after this, but if you let me… both Chet and I worked for the CIA. I want to help find Charlie."

"I still don't trust you," Joe said fully, "But I want to bring Charlie home. And if that means working with you, I'm willing to do it."

The chief broke in. "I hear what you say, Joe, and I'm wondering if they are keeping him because they think he's you."

"In that case," Joe said gravely, "He could be killed if anyone thinks he's me. Great. I guess I better talk to my boss…"