Finding Dad Rewrite 01

By Robin Gurl

Episode: The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Meet Dracula Parts 1 and 2

Notes: I have two versions of this. I will add the first one as a chapter to this story. This one isn't my favorite of the two of them which is why it's a chapter to the better one. These may never be updated, readers just asked me to post my HB fics and they are all re-writes off the 70s TV Series. These aren't "original" as in plot unless I say so. (Yes I have been known to go off on a tangent and make an entire fic off a small piece of information :3) Yes, this is just an excuse to "torture" Joe Hardy but it's alright if you read the books they do it as well :) just no one notices it, hehe.

THIS DOES NOT RUN WITH PART 1. THEY ARE THE SAME STORY JUST WRITTEN DIFFERENTLY.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea to re-write! :3

Neither Nancy nor Frank knew what to think when Joe reappeared from Fenton Hardy's room. Nancy had personally never seen Joe cry before nor did he look like the type who would- but there he was. It was obvious the youngest Hardy had shed some tears. Frank had seen Joe cry many times just not out in public- it was against his tough guy act that he knew Joe failed horribly at pulling off.

"Joe?" He asked carefully. He reached out and gripped Joe's shoulder steadying him. "Are you alright?"

"Frank…" Suddenly Joe didn't look 17 anymore. He looked like a scared kid. His blue eyes widened and quickly filled with tears, a few spilled running down his cheeks. Realizing what was happening he turned his head away with embarrassment.

Frank sighed and rubbed his brother's back. Out of nowhere Joe turned around and did something unexpected, he wrapped his arms around Frank's neck and buried his face in his brother's shoulder. The unmistakeable sound of sobbing was heard. "It'll be alright. Dad's tougher than that, Joe. You know it!" What he said did little to calm the shaking form in his arms. Frank looked over Joe's head to see Nancy staring at them, her eyes looked wet. At first he was going to silently warn her to not even think of making a joke about this but after seeing her reaction to Joe's emotional explosion he figured it was safe to say nothing horrible was going to come from it later. "C'mon, let's go back to the hotel." Joe didn't move and Frank hugged his younger brother to him one last time then Joe pulled away slowly his eyes were red and his skin was paler than before.

"C'mon," Frank whispered again noticing how Joe had grabbed one of his hands – something they hadn't done since they were kids and Joe was afraid of the dark. They'd walk around Joe's room once every night with the lights off and two flashlights to reassure Joe that there were no ghosts in his room. It was the only way Frank would get Joe into his own bed for at least half the night. They always wound up in one of the others beds by morning curled close together. Frank squeezed the smaller hand and nodded to Nancy who began to thank the Monk. "It'll be alright, Joe. I promise."

Once at the van, Frank opened the door and helped his brother in before climbing in the passenger seat. Joe leaned forward and sleepily laid his head down on the back of Frank's seat. This made Frank smile slightly at least Joe was going to be to sleepy to stay up and worry.

"Hey, ready to go back?" Nancy asked as she climbed in. Joe pulled away and went back to his seat not saying a word in return. She glanced at Frank questionally and he gave her a slight shrug. The young female detective laid back in her seat and crossed her arms before sighing. "I'm so tired."

The conversation was quite dull the entire way back to the hotel. When the van pulled up Nancy got out and gave Frank a quick hug then reached back and touched Joe's knee comfortingly. Joe didn't respond but Nancy knew he wasn't going to.

"We'll see you in the morning," Frank replied climbing out of the drivers seat and going over to the passenger door. He opened it and reached in grabbing Joe's arm helping his brother out of the van. Joe leaned against him almost limply and let out a soft sniffle. Frank's arm tightened around Joe's waist as he waved to Nancy then headed towards the stairs to go up to their room.

Up in their hotel room Frank helped his brother sit down on one of the beds. "You're just tired, Joe. Don't worry, Dad'll be fine." This time Joe didn't fight when the covers were turned down for him. He just laid down and closed his eyes.

Frank covered his brother up then sighed before looking out the window nearest to him. The darkness wasn't comforting and there was an atmosphere that said neither of them was going to get any sleep unless something was done. They hadn't done this since they were younger but what else was there to do? Joe needed comfort- the young hardy had not eaten in two days nor slept very well. Frank sat down on the edge of the bed Joe was lying on. He gently ran his fingers through his brother's blonde hair pushing some of it away from his eyes.

Pasted from file:/C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Robin%\My%20Documents\