An ancient looking lone warehouse stood perched near the side of the abandoned road. A perfect hideaway for a criminal.

Frank Hardy sighed for about the millionth time as his younger brother Joe began listing all the girls he had dated in his life. It had been a long day and they were finishing it off with an overnight stakeout.

It had been Joe's idea to play a game of 20 Questions to pass the time. And of course Frank got stuck asking the first question.

"Brenda, Amy, Jill, Donna, Parker, Luna, and finally my current girlfriend, Vanessa." Joe finished.

"Wow Joe, you just listed around 50 girls. It probably would have been easier to say you dated every girl in Bayport. You wouldn't have had to waste your voice" Frank commented.

"Very Funny Frank." Joe snarled. "You know what, I'm sick of this game."

Alas, a classic Joe move. Always being impatient and wanting his way. But Frank loved him anyway.

Reaching into the glove compartment of their car, the older boy, pulled out a book that he had been hoping to read. It was a book on criminal psychology.

Opening the book, Frank could smell the 'brand new book smell' as he flipped to the first chapter. Settling back, he forgot about the world around him and became engrossed in his book.

After about 10 minutes he could feel as if someone was staring at him. Frank in the passenger seat, and promptly found Joe staring back at him from the driver's seat.

"Hey Frank..." The younger boy quipped. "Can we go get something to eat? I feel like I am going to die of hunger."

"Only for a few minutes." Frank replied.

With a start of the engine, Joe began driving to a nearby drugstore they had passed on the way to the abandoned warehouse. When they reached it, Joe parked the car and ran inside leaving Frank in the car.

When Joe returned, Frank could feel his heart stop as he realized what Joe was carrying - a bottle of coke, a cup of coffee, 4 bags of chip, and a handful of chocolate bars. There was no way that Frank was staying in a car for the whole night with a hyper Joe. That was like insane!

Joe came cradling his purchases in his arms like it was a baby. He then put his food in the backseat, and began driving the car back to the warehouse.

With Joe driving back to the warehouse, Frank relaxed slightly at the sudden silence in the car. With Joe around, he never got many of those.

"Hey Frank, Do you think that Iola's still mad at me for getting a new girlfriend? "Joe said solemnly.

His sudden question brought more silence upon the elder boy.

"I think she would have wanted you to be happy." He replied.

Frank realized the question was because Joe had bought Oreos, which were her favorite snack. It killed him to figure out that life wasn't fair. The happiest people had to endure the most pain, but for the fact they hid behind a mask of no emotions.

It had always been Joe who had gotten hurt on their missions. He had always been a target for everything.

He had covered his feelings so long over his dead girlfriend; it was only a matter of time before he broke.

A lone tear slipped down Joe's cheek as old memories resurfaced. He had wondered when the torture would end. The feeling that you were at least partially responsible for the death of a love one.

Glancing over at Frank, they shared a weak smile. Joe knew that eventually he would feel better, and that the time would come. Though he knew until then, he had his best friend, brother, and partner to help him get through it.