Hardy Boys - More Than Just The Fun Uncle

A Father's Arms

Frank sped wildly through the streets of Bayport, uncertain of whether it was his car or his heart's beating that was faster. More than once he got angry shouts and loud honks from the people in vehicles around him, but he didn't care. More important things waited at the end of this drive.

The dark haired Hardy found himself applying more pressure to the accelerator as he remembered everything Chet told him. His thoughts, however, were interrupted when a gentle but firm hand rested itself on Frank's shoulder and he glanced momentarily over to the right to find his father's dark eyes staring back at him. He lifted his foot gently off of the pedal and had to restrain himself to keep it that way.

Even though Frank had slowed his speed considerably, it was a miracle that he didn't get pulled over.

"It's okay, Van." Callie's soothing voice could be heard trying to comfort Frank's distraught sister-in-law. "Andrea's been found. She's alright."

"But what about your little girl?" Frank heard Vanessa sniffle and stifle a sob. "What about Joe?"

Callie's voice could then be heard whispering comforting words to her friend, but they were so quiet that Frank could only guess what they were.

Presently, they pulled into the Morton driveway where the heavy form of Chet could be seen waving from the porch. Frank pulled the vehicle to stop, threw the gear into park and was immediately beside his old chum.

"Where is she?" He asked and was surprised to see that Vanessa had decided to ask the same question at the same time.

Chet motioned for them to come inside his parents home. "Mom just got her to eat something. She seems a little underweight, but otherwise fine."

The four followed Chet in through the front door and then into the living room where Frank could see a small form huddled next to Mrs. Morton on the couch. Upon their entering, Andrea lifted her head. Her eyes widened and she jumped off the couch.

"Andrea!" Vanessa surged forward and enveloped her daughter in a warm embrace. It was short lived, however. To Frank's utter astonishment, as soon as the hug was over, his young niece abandoned her mother altogether and ran to him! He bent down to the young girl's level as she wrapped her arms tightly around him. Unsure of how else to react, Frank returned the embrace. After a short while, he tried to end it, but Andrea would not let go. She clung so tightly to him that in order to stand again, he had to lift her with him.

Vanessa's face contorted with confusion and hurt. "Andrea? What's wrong?" She began, but Fenton stepped up to give an explanation for his granddaughter's seemingly bizarre behavior.

"It's okay, Vanessa." He said, wrapping a comforting arm around the perplexed mother who was surely wondering why her daughter would want Frank instead of her. "Andrea's been through a lot. Let her be."

"But-but why is-is she-"

"She's scared, Dear." The seasoned detective said. "She wants to feel secure and protected."

Vanessa shook her head. "But I can protect her. I'm her mother!"

Fenton tried to explain to his youngest son's wife, though he was uncertain of how she would receive it. "She doesn't want to be in the arms of her mother right now. She wants to be in the arms of a man - the arms of her daddy."

"Frank's not her dad!" Vanessa reasoned.

Fenton heaved a small sigh. "No, but right now he's the closest she's got."

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Joe tried still to break free of the handcuffs that continued to chafe his already blistered and bleeding wrists, but any attempt fell just short of hopeless. Unless by some key - or miracle - he would not be getting out of them. Perhaps if he had been at full strength, Joe could have found a way to bust the pipe he was attached to, but the young Hardy found that his legs were getting weaker and he could barely stand when he tried. Soon the ability was lost to him altogether.

Now he sat, defeated and helpless. His young niece still applied pressure to the knife wound, but it continued to bleed. His clothes were stained red with blood. The pain, which had been nearly unbearable to begin with, was slowly fading to a dull sting. While he was glad of the lessening pain, Joe knew that it probably wasn't a good thing.

"Uncle Joe!"

Joe snapped his eyes open at the shout. "Huh? Kitty?"

Kitty's blue eyes were laced with concern. Not for the first time, Joe found himself restraining a comment that he would say to his brother in a time like this. It was so hard when this little girl looked so much like Frank!

"You almost fell asleep." Kitty said.

Joe shook his head to clear it, then flashed his smile. "Did I? Guess I stayed out too late partying."

His humor was lost on the girl, much like he knew it would have been lost on Frank. She just stared at him before applying more pressure to his wounded side, causing Joe to wince and let out a small groan.

"He should have been back by now!" The young Hardy quieted himself upon hearing Devin's voice shout from somewhere outside the door.

"Do you think something's happened to him?" Came the voice of Gibbs.

There was a momentary silence before an answer was given. "It's hard to say. Feds might have snatched him, though I can't quite figure out how they would have traced him. Leads me to believe we've been ditched. Flick took the van and left us to be hunted down by Hardy's family."

An angry grunt could be heard. Joe guessed it came from Gibbs who was next to speak. "If that little Hardy brat is found, we're compromised!"

"We'll have to pack things up." Devin said. "If Flick comes back without her, we'll want to be ready to leave immediately. If Flick doesn't come back at all... let's just say we'll have quite a bit of work ahead of us."