Author's note: Hi everyone! I know this may seem a little impossible, but we are actually halfway through the story with this chapter! (Unless some of the characters have other plans of course ;-)) The only explanation I can offer you, is: Nothing is as it seems AT ALL! Really, believe me…

Also, I want to say I am going to change picture for this book. Please don't get confused!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the Hardy boys-stories.

Chapter 3 – A last farewell

Bubbling laughter stuck in his stomach. 'Hold in, hold in, don't break. He can't see you laugh!'

The black-clothed guard standing in Joe Hardy's cell fought to stay serious. Happily, the balaclava hidden most of his face. With a contract lying on the table in front of him, Joe didn't seem to be happy at all. Torn between betraying Vanessa and his brother, it wasn't too surprising. But even though the guard had known it the whole time, he loved seeing his prisoner so desperate.

He didn't saw at himself as an evil person. Not at all, in fact. Wasn't he just helping Joe Hardy? In the least, he helped the ones that wanted him broken. It was a well-known fact that everyone should be as helpful to each other as possible. If he chose to be helpful to the mysterious black-haired man who had asked him to join in with this crazy project instead of helping Joe – did it matter? Or perhaps he helped both of them on the same time?

The guard stared at the blonde-haired boy in front of him. He was rather tall, rather muscular, but nothing compared to himself. With his seven feet tall frame and boxing diploma, he could take down everyone. (In the least he liked to think so) Besides, he knew every of this man's secret tricks. He knew his strengths and weaknesses as his own pocket. Joe Hardy was righthanded, preferred karate over boxing, had a deadly uppercut, a rather sheepish left-hand swing stroke and was more flexible than himself. What he himself hadn't in flexibility, though, he most certainly had in pure muscle power. If Joe would be so stupid to try an attack, it was no way he could win. He didn't know his enemy. His enemy, nevertheless, could write a ten-volume biography about him. Not a good starting point.

Looking at the other guard, a medium high man with a rather big stomach, he silently begged for some understanding. He couldn't be in the room much longer before breaking.

The other man, dressed completely in black as himself, gave a small nod. He had understood. "Mr. Hardy?" Turning to their victim, he made his voice as dark as possible "I need you to sign now. If not, Frank will die. You have 30 seconds left. Please hurry."

For a moment, Joe just stared at him. The highest of the guards begun to believe he would calm himself down, when a sudden outburst made him jump. Not that he was surprised, this was Joe Hardy after all. "30 seconds? 30 seconds?! No way! Do you know what you are asking me about? Huh? Silence? As I thought. Of course you don't know."

The guard felt the small bubbles of laughter pop in his stomach like popcorn. He loved to see Joe so desperate. This was the revenge for all the times Joe had done… well, for all he had done. It was pretty much through the years. Finally, he would get revenge. He knew how much it cost him to choose between Vanessa and Frank. He loved Vanessa over everything on earth, but there was absolutely no way he could do anything to hurt his brother. He would have to choose Frank. But, oh, how much it was going to hurt him!

"Listen up, I don't sign until I have seen Frank!" Joe's voice was determined, that kind of determined that meant he would never, ever give up. The guard knew it. To deal with the famous "Joe-Hardy-Stubbornness" was literally impossible. It was clearly the other guard knew too, because all he gave was a loud sight and a sourly "Okay."

F&J F&J F&J F&J F&J

"Frank!" Joe rushed to the door and hugged his brother tightly as soon as he entered. He had persuaded the guards to let them talk alone.

"Uhm… Please Joe… I really can't breathe…" Frank's voice was strained, and Joe quickly let him go. Shooting his brother a teasing smile, Frank added "But yes, I am really flattered to know you love me so much, dear little brother."

Joe just rolled his eyes. After checking one last time they really were alone, he started speaking "Frank, we really need to come up with a plan. You see, they have made me choose between…"

Frank cut him off "Yes, I know all about that."

Joe looked slightly surprised, but Frank didn't give him any time to question "Who are you gonna choose?"

The question was asked so straight forward Joe was taken fully aback. Frank was supposed to say "Of course you can't choose, so therefore, we are going to escape together." If not, he would tell him to choose Vanessa and forget all about him. Not that Joe would do anything like that, but he would still try to convince him. "Ehm… I mean, I can't choose. We need to escape, Frank."

To Joe's surprise, Frank looked a little embarrassed and uncertain "Actually, we can't."

"Why?" Joe felt something tie inside his stomach.

"Because… You know, there are many of them. More than we can ever outdo. Sorry. I am afraid you have to choose, little brother."

"What? I can't! I can't choose between you! You know I can't, Frank." All Joe received was a sad glance and an even sadder "You have to."

Feeling himself on the verge of hopelessness, Joe sat down, hands in head. Finally looking up, he asked silently "What do you want me to do, Frank?"

"I don't know." The frown on Frank's forehead grew deeper as he seemed to be in deep thoughts "Of course you have to choose Vanessa if you think that's the right thing to do. I just can't help but think about… About my wife. Callie. She… I don't know how she will take it. Considered they would kill you anyway… Like, well, I just don't know. Do as you wish. I can't force you to anything."

"So…" Joe's voice was unnaturally soft "You want me to… you know, marry that… ehm… someone?"

Frank didn't answer, but the silence was clearly meant as a yes.

"Okay" Joe pulled a deep breath. He knew Frank was right, but still, something felt awfully wrong. His brother telling him to marry a maniac to save his own skin? Not like Frank at all. "I suppose you are right, Frank. I will… marry her. Unless, of course, I get a chance to escape. I hope so. Really, really hope so. Actually, I don't think I have ever wished something so hard in my whole life before…"

Joe felt something like a sob tickle his throat. And something awfully close to tears burned in his eyes… Why? Why did he always get into trouble? Trouble? No, disasters! Tragedies. Real, great Shakespearean tragedies. On a stage – okay. Fascinating. Heart wrenching. Real life? "Help!"

"Just do me one last favour, okay?" Joe's voice was soft, almost tender "When you see Vanessa tell her… Tell her I love her. Love her more than anything in the world. Say her I will never, ever, ever forget her. She will always be in my heart even if… If I will never see her again… And… Please tell her… to forget me…"

Joe's voice broke. Was this farewell – for ever?

Okay, so then we were halfway through! If anyone of you are some kind of "real-life-Hardy-boys", perhaps you know what's going on? If not, I doubt it. Especially since even Joe is lost! But with some crazy conspiration theories… You never know, perhaps someone of you can stumble upon some kind of truth? Anyway: Please leave a review! I love to read them, and they keep my inspiration up and writing blocks away! ;-)