Adult-FanFiction.org : Books

Discoveries	By : vinsmouse Category: G through L > Hardy Boys Series Views: 2987 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own The Hardy Boys, not making any money, just cheap thrills.

Chapter List
- 1-Discoveries
- 2-Two
- 3-three
- 4-Four
- 5-Five
- 6-Six
- 7-Seven
- 8-Eight
- 9-Nine
- 10-Ten
- 11-Eleven
- 12-Twelve
- 13-Thirteen
- 14-Fourteen
- 15-Fifteen
- 16-Sixteen
- 17-Seventeen
- 18-Eighteen
- 14
- 15
- 16
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hardy Boys, not making any money, just cheap thrills.
Warnings: Angst, Slash, Violence
Rating: FRT
Discoveries
Chapter 15
Through narrowed eyes, Frank watched the motorcycle pull away. Suddenly a hand clamped on his shoulder, making him jump. Damn it Hardy, pay attention! he cursed himself as he turned his head. "Hey Dad, ready to head back?"
Fenton smiled, "After you tell me what's going on?"
"Going on?" Frank asked, his expression as innocent as he could make it.
Fenton's smile widened, "Yes Frank, what were you watching?"
Frank sighed, "You noticed that, huh?"
"Well I am a detective," Fenton teased. A weak chuckle was his only reply, at first, just as he was about to become more insistent that Frank answer him, his son began to talk.
"I saw a motorcycle down the street. I think it might have been Biff," he reluctantly admitted.
"Damn," Fenton sighed. "Why do you think it was Biff?" Though he trusted Frank's abilities and judgement, he couldn't ignore the possibility that the worry over his brother might be affecting him.
Frank considered the question carefully, "I'm not sure, but I do know that Biff has a motorcycle and the guy was staring pretty hard at the hospital."
"Still, that's not very conclusive."
"No, it's not," Frank had to agree. "But, he did take off as soon as he realized I was watching him."
Fenton frowned, "That is suspicious and even if it wasn't Biff, it won't hurt to err on the side of caution. You know what this means..."
"Joe isn't going to like it."
"I know, but I don't see what choice we have." Fenton shook his head, it angered and saddened him that, at least until Biff's trial was over, Joe would be the one to suffer the most.
Frank glanced up and down the street, never letting his awareness falter as they talked. "What about Dale? He has a job, he can't just walk away from it."
"Actually I had an idea that might mean he won't have to worry about his job."
Frank shot his father a puzzled look, what could he possibly have in mind.
Fenton smiled, it was always nice to be able to keep a step ahead of his sons. Something that was becoming more difficult with each passing year. "I noticed that, in spite of his fear for Joe, Dale kept a level head during the search for your brother."
"He did," Frank acknowledged.
"I've also seen some of the pictures he's taken, he's very good. I don't know if he'd be interested in becoming a detective, but it could be handy to have a photographer on staff. I know I've had cases where I really needed photographic evidence, which I lost because I'm not a professional."
"But dad, Joe is a photographer too."
"True, however, if you and he are working a case of your own, he might not be available. It won't hurt to make the offer, and if he wants to become a detective as well, I'll offer him an apprenticeship."
"It'd be a lot easier for him to join Joe in a safe house," Frank admitted. "God knows it'd be easier to get Joe to agree to a safe house if Dale could be with him."
Fenton nodded, "What do you say we go see your brother and talk to Dale?"
The sound of the door opening, had Dale on his feet, ready to protect Joe from whatever threat might be coming into the room. He sighed softly, relieved when he saw who it was. "Mr. Hardy, Frank," he greeted.
Fenton smiled, though he wouldn't have chosen for one of his sons to be gay, he could at least take comfort in knowing that Joe had found someone who truly loved him, "Hello Dale." Moving into the room, he sat down next to the bed, giving his son a small smile. "How are you feeling Joe?"
"I feel fine Dad, when can I go home?"
Frank chuckled, typical Joe, anytime he was in the hospital, the minute he woke up he wanted to go home. "You don't want to go home today Joe."
Joe looked puzzled, "I don't?"
"Nope," Frank replied, making sure to keep his face serious.
"Why not?"
"Why else Joe? They're serving tuna casserole for lunch, you wouldn't want to miss that," he teased.
A look of horror crossed Joe's face, "You have to get me out of here Dad, please." He'd had tuna casserole, once, and he'd sworn he'd never eat it again. The thought of the horrible dish he remembered coming from a hospital cafeteria was a horror he didn't want to think about.
Fenton laughed, "Frank's teasing you Joe, they're serving chicken soup and peanut butter sandwiches for lunch."
Joe glared at Frank, "Very funny big brother." Turning back to his father, he returned to his original question, "But seriously Dad, when do I get to go home?"
The smile left Fenton's face, "Actually Joe I need to talk to you about that."
Joe was instantly alert, sitting up a little more in the bed. "What's wrong?"
Dale frowned, he'd seen the look exchanged between Fenton and Frank. Unsure of what it meant, but certain that Joe wouldn't like it, he did the only thing he could. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he picked up Joe's hand, silently offering his support.
"We think Biff may be watching the hospital and I want you to go into a safe house until after the trial." Fenton matter-of-factly explained, mentally bracing himself for the objections to come.
Joe sighed, he should have known. "What about Dale?"
Fenton exchanged a concerned glance with his oldest, this wasn't like Joe. Where was the vehement protest? The assertion that he wasn't a child and could take care of himself? "He can stay with you," he replied, letting his concerns go, for now.
"I want to Joe, but I don't see how I can," Dale jumped in. "I'd have to leave every day for work, Biff could easily follow me back to the safe house."
"Not if you weren't going to work," Fenton pointed out before Joe could reply.
Dale looked at him, stunned at the suggestion. "They won't give me that much time off, I'd lose my job."
"Actually Dale, I have an offer for you that will negate that problem."
"Go on."
"I noticed, when Joe was missing, you kept your cool. You stayed back, let us and the police handle the investigation..."
"I'm not a detective, I would have been in the way and might have destroyed a clue accidentally," Dale interrupted. He didn't want Joe to think, for even a second, that he didn't care enough to help look for him.
"I know Dale, and that's my point. I can't tell you how many investigations I've seen, over the years, hampered by well-meaning friends and family of a victim. The fact that you were able to stay calm and keep your head, in spite of your fears for Joe, says a lot about you. It also brings me to what I'd like to offer you. I understand you're a pretty good photographer?"
"Yes sir," Dale proudly replied. They could think he was conceited if they liked, but he knew he was good with a camera.
"I'm not, and there are times, quite often, when I need photographic evidence for a case. Evidence I've been known to botch because of my lack of skill as a photographer. I want to offer you a position as a photographer for me, and if you're interested in learning, an detective apprenticeship."
Dale's jaw dropped, "Are you serious?"
"Very," Fenton replied with a smile.
Dale looked down at Joe, "What do you think?"
"It's up to you, it would be nice to work with you again."
"If I take the offer, I'd be able to stay at the safe house with Joe the whole time?" Dale asked.
"Yes," Fenton confirmed, "but you shouldn't accept the offer for that reason only."
"No, I mean I'm interested," he quickly clarified, wiping the disappointed look from Joe's face. "I just wanted to make sure I understood everything. I'll take it," he added with a smile.
Fenton smiled, reaching for his hand, he shook it. "Welcome aboard son."
"Thank you sir, I'll make sure you don't regret it."
"I'm sure I won't," Fenton nodded. "I'll just go get everything ready," with that he left the room.
Frank sat down in the chair his father had vacated. "You okay Joe?"
"Yeah, why?"
Frank sighed, "It's not like you to accept a safe house."
Joe shrugged, "Did you want me to argue?"
"No, but I was prepared for it, so was Dad." Frank wasn't going to lie to his brother, their relationship was too important for him to risk it on a lie. "You want to talk about it?"
"Talk about what?"
"Whatever's bothering you enough that you'll let Dad hide you in a safehouse, without argument."
Joe blew out a frustrated breath, "You'd think you'd be glad I wasn't arguing."
Frank sighed, "I am glad Joe, but I'm worried too."
"Maybe I'm just growing up, maturing," Joe suggested. He hated worrying his family, but he didn't want them to know just how scared he was. He doubted that he would ever forget the things Biff had done to him, the feel of his...stop it Joe! Don't think about it, don't remember, he admonished himself.
"Joe," Dale gently called his name, the growing silence was beginning to worry him. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," Joe snapped. "I wish everybody would stop asking me that," he growled.
Dale took a firm grasp on Joe's chin, turning his face to him. "We're just worried Joe, there's no reason for you to bite my head off."
Joe nodded, "I'm sorry, you're right."
Lowering his head, Dale brushed his lover's lips in a gentle kiss. "You're forgiven," he smiled, "just don't let it happen again."
Joe smiled, "Yes sir."
"Now, are you going to answer your brother's questions?" Dale frowned when, rather than answering, Joe simply turned his head away. "Joe, baby please talk to me, to us."
"Look there's nothing wrong, okay...it's like I said, I'm just growing up, realizing that sometimes it's better to play it safe."
Dale wasn't sure what to make of that, maybe Joe was being truthful, but he had the feeling there was more to it than that. Deciding to drop it for now, he turned the conversation to lighter topics, allowing them all a respite from their worries.
- 14
- 15
- 16
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Discoveries