Don't own the Hardy Boys

Sorry it took awhile to write this chapter. I hate writer's block.

The Hardy Boys

(Heartless)

Sequel: A Friend in Need

Chapter 8

"Hey Joe," Frank said in a soft voice, noticing the fear and confusion in Joe's eyes. "I'm here. It's okay. You're safe."

Joe began to calm down a bit. That was all Joe needed to hear... his big brother was here, and everything would be okay.

"Joe!" Laura cried, rushing over to her youngest son's bedside. Her baby was awake, and Laura knew he was going to be okay.

"Joe, baby, you're awake." she called, trying to hold back tears. Laura squeezed her son's hand. "I love you so much."

There was a small stretch of silence in which she just rejoiced in having him back, but then she spoke up again.

"I'll get Dr. Bryce and your father," Laura said, giving Frank a hug before heading for the door.

Frank turned back to see Joe in tears. "It's okay, Joe. You're going to feel better soon."

It was killing him seeing, his little brother like this. "I promise you."

Dr. Bryce came into the room with Fenton and Laura right behind him.

"Well, welcome back, Joe!" the doctor said, greeting his patient.

"Joe," Fenton said, his voice cracking as he stood next to his wife, "It's so good to see those blue eyes of yours."

Feeling the need to have some physical contact with his baby boy, Fenton gently touched the side of Joe's face. "I love you too, son."

Joe began to get frustrated with the breathing tube, trying to speak.

"I think it's safe to remove the breathing tube," Dr. Bryce said, "In fact, I'd like to give you a full exam to see how you're doing."

"Joe, we will be right outside," Laura said, reassuring her son and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"We'll be back soon," Fenton added, giving Joe a kiss on the forehead as he and Laura made their way to the door.

"Joe, you're safe. I'll be right back," Frank said as he wiped his brother's tears. He felt like his soul was alive again, seeing his little brother awake. He could not explain it, though... an uneasy feeling had just come over him. There was a look of fear in Joe's eyes that told him something wasn't quite right.

"I'll give everyone the good news that you're awake."

Back in the waiting room, everyone waited anxiously for news on Joe.

"I told you Joe would be okay." Phil said, breaking into Frank's thoughts. He was sitting with Phil, Biff, and Chet. Callie had her arms around Vanessa Bender, comforting her. Vanessa was doing her best to be brave for Joe. They were all so relieved when Frank told them Joe was awake.

"Yeah, Joe's a tough guy," Biff added.

"Joe's a fighter," Chet replied, thinking of his friend.

About an hour later, Dr. Bryce came into the room. Before he could say anything, however, everyone stood up. "How's Joe?!"

"Joe is in stable condition," the doctor explained, "He's being moved out of the ICU and into a room. We still have to continue to watch Joe around the clock, just in case there are any complications, but he should be fine. We are giving him antibiotics to fight off any infection. We did take him off the ventilator, so he his breathing on his own."

"Is Joe going, to be alright?" Laura asked anxiously.

"Yes. However, he hasn't spoken yet. I've tried asking him questions, but he will not respond to me," Dr. Bryce said, looking at the concern faces around the room. He then to Fenton, Laura, and Frank. "I'm hoping he will talk to you."

"Is there something medically wrong with Joe?" Frank asked with concern for his little brother.

"I don't know why Joe isn't talking. That's why we need to continue to watch Joe around the clock." Dr. Bryce replied, looking at the young faces around the room, "I know you all want to see Joe right now, but I am asking for immediate family only. I don't want him overwhelmed. You can come back tomorrow during visiting hours to see Joe."

"Dr. Bryce," Fenton asked, concern for his son filling his chest, "Do you think Joe is well enough to travel?"

"We'll have to run some tests to make sure. I would like to get Joe up and moving around by morning." Dr. Bryce replied. "Hopefully, he will be talking by then."

Laura looked at Fenton, demanding, "Why do you want to know if Joe is well enough to travel?

"Laura, please, calm down," Fenton replied putting his hand on his wife's shoulders. "I'll explain "

He guided his wife to a chair. "I have a reason to believe Joe's life is in danger. We still don't know who attacked him. I do know, however, that it has to do with Heartless. There is no way Joe is well enough to defend himself. I'm going to do everything in my power to make Joe safe."

"Fenton, do whatever you have to do to make Joe safe," Laura said, letting Fenton's words sink in.

Frank knew something was wrong with Joe.

Heartless can't have you, Joe, Frank thought in his head. I won't lose you, little brother. They'll have to go through me first.

"Can we see Joe?" Frank asked anxiously, as all he wanted was to see his little brother.

"Yes, of course. I'll take you to him now," Dr. Bryce said.

Fenton, Laura, and Frank stepped into Joe's room along with Dr. Bryce.

"I'll give you some time alone with Joe," Dr. Bryce replied, "If you need me, I'll be just down the hall."

"Thank you, doctor," Fenton replied as Dr. Bryce left the room.

Joe was still hooked up to monitors and IV's. A white bandage was around his head. The swelling on his bruised face had gone down considerably, though he still looked rather injured. They could see tape supporting his broken ribs.

Frank's heart sank at the site of his little brother laying in his bed. He was motionless, with his blue eyes staring off like he was in some sort of trance. It was as if life was draining out of him.

Just like Heartless did to Tony.

What if Heartless had already started working on Joe? They were willing to use any tactic to reel in new recruits, Frank knew. Heartless used Tony's son to reel him in. Tony tried getting out by almost killing himself. It was either kill Joe, or kill himself.

What tactic would Heartless use to reel in Joe?

Frank knew the answer without even asking. It was Joe's heart. Joe would sacrifice himself in order to save a friend without a hesitation, but Frank knew he couldn't let him do that.

I won't lose you, little brother.

Feeling rage building up inside of him, Frank thought angrily, I promise you, little brother. I will be find the person who hurt you. Heartless will pay.

"Joe, Honey," Laura said, immediately going over to her son's bedside, "Dr. Bryce says you're not talking. If something is wrong, please tell us."

"Joe, let us know if you're okay," Fenton said, going in a panic because his son wasn't responding. "Son, please answer me."

"Come on, little brother," Frank said in a soothing voice, brushing a strain of blond hair out of Joe's eyes and pleading for him to respond. "It's okay. You're safe. No one is going to hurt you."

For the next few minutes, Laura, Fenton, and Frank all tried every possible way to get Joe to snap out of it. They didn't know what else to do.

Finally, Laura turned to Fenton, pleading in quivering voice. "What are we going to do?"

Fenton was at a loss for words. For the first time in his life, he didn't know what to do. It was killing him seeing his baby boy like this. Fenton felt guilt mixed with fear, sadness, and anger. Someone had hurt his baby boy, and there was nothing he could have done to prevent that. He silently cursed Heartless for doing this to his son. They would pay.

"Laura, I promise you, we'll find a way to get our Joe back."

"Dad, let me try," Fenton heard Frank say, breaking into his thoughts, "Give me some time alone with Joe."

"Okay." Fenton nodded in agreement. He knew that if anyone could get through to Joe, it was be Frank.

"Let's give Frank some room to help Joe. "

"Bring my baby back to me," Laura said, giving Frank a hug as she and Fenton stepped out into the hallway.

To be continued... Will update soon. Please Review. Thank you.