Hardy Boys - More Than Just The Fun Uncle

Strong Daddies Cry

"Oh Joe," Frank said quietly as he eased his brother to the ground. Fenton dropped to Joe's other side and lifted his bloody shirt to search for the wound. He found it and began applying pressure, drawing a groan from between Joe's chapped lips.

"Talk to him, Frank." The old detective ordered. "Keep him awake and calm."

Frank nodded before looking down into his brother's pallor face. "Stay with me, okay? Are you awake?"

Joe took a sharp breath in and his eyelids batted, then opened fully, revealing those clear blue orbs that had been thought lost forever. It was clear how hard it was for him to do even simple things such as these. "'m 'wake." He slurred, but he still seemed fairly coherent. "You 'wake?"

Frank furrowed his brow. Perhaps Joe wasn't quite as sensible as he'd first thought. "What? Of course I'm awake. Why shouldn't I be?"

Joe's head shook slowly left and right. At first Frank was afraid that his brother might be falling into unconsciousness, but after finishing, Joe met his gaze again. "Past yer bedtime."

Joe then gave a little smirk - a ghost of the bright smile that everybody had grown to know and love. But the smirk did wonders to Frank's own spirits. Just moments ago, he feared that he'd never see Joe's smile again.

"I'd sure like to be in bed right now, but you always seem to find ways to keep me out of it." Frank smiled. He just had to keep Joe talking. Keep him awake until the paramedics could take over.

"Can't let you... miss out on.. fun." Joe's eyes started to laze and his head began to sink closer to the ground. Frank began to panic. He had to find something to say to keep Joe talking! What did he like? What could pique his interests?

"Right! Missing out on fun! Just like I almost missed that late night dance at the Morton's when we were in high school. Remember that Joe?" Frank dearly hoped that this would work. "Remember the fun we had?"

Joe smiled and his eyes seemed to light up again. "Were such idiots."

Frank chuckled. "Yeah, you were."

The younger Hardy gave his best impression of an offended look, but his eyes still held laughter. "Never saw you dance... quite like that 'efore. Like a monkey... who got his... b'nanna stol'n."

"Well at least I didn't go around and flirt with every girl I came across." Frank quipped.

Joe smiled. "Got prettiest girl th'r... to dance with me... five times."

"Only because you relentlessly bothered her until she said yes... five times." Though the circumstances were far from ideal, Frank had to admit that he was enjoying this talk. It was like they were teenagers again. The only concern they had being who they would escort to the next dance or party. The terror of the present situation was momentarily lost on the brothers.

"Can't say... she didn't enjoy it." Joe closed his eyes. Frank almost panicked, but then he saw his brother's grin widen. "She did... m'rry me 'fter all."

Frank nodded, though he knew Joe couldn't see it with his eyes closed. "Always knew you'd find true love, little brother. I just never thought you'd be lucky enough to find someone with Vanessa's patience. It's no easy job to be looking after you. I should know. I sympathize with your poor wife."