Chapter 1

Joe Hardy sat at a booth in the Bay Cafe, waiting for his brother Frank to show up. A waitress came over and asked Joe if he wanted anything to drink and Joe asked for a lemonade. It was a hot summer day outside and that was his favorite drink in the summer.

Another fifteen minutes passed and his brother still had not shown up. He heard the front door of the cafe open and he looked up hoping to see his brother. Instead he saw a teenage girl walk in. She stood at the door waiting to be seated and one of the waitresses walked over to her and brought her to the booth in front of Joe. Joe could not help but stare at her. The waitress asked the girl if she wanted a drink and the girl quickly skimmed the menu and asked for a lemonade. Joe smiled when she asked for that. The waitress left to get her and the girl looked up and saw Joe staring at her. They both looked at each other for a few seconds and Joe finally realized he was staring at her and looked away.

Joe looked back at the girl a few minutes later and saw her looking out the window of the cafe. She seemed a bit nervous, and looked back inside. Joe could not stop staring at her. He found her to be one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen. She had curly chocolate brown hair, with nice hazel eyes and looked about to be around five foot six inches. Maybe I should introduce myself? Joe thought to himself.

The girl looked back in Joe's direction and saw him starring at her. She smiled at him and waved. Joe smiled and waved back. They were interrupted by the waitress coming back to Joe's table.

"Sir would you like to order now?" The waitress asked.

"Sure. I think I will have the chicken club with french fries please." Joe said

"Sure thing, sir. It will be out shortly." The waitress said and went to the girl's table. "Do you know what you would like to eat miss?"

I will have the chicken club with french fries please." She said and looked back at Joe who was smiling at her. The waitress noticed the two staring at each other. She best down and whispered in the girls ear. "Would you like to join him?"

The girl was shocked and looked up at the waitress. The girl nodded yes. "Ok hold on for one second." With that the waitress went back to Joe's table. Joe closed his eyes thinking he was in trouble. "She wants you to join her." The waitress said and smiled, then headed back into the kitchen to place their orders.

Joe looked at the waitress as she left and back to the girl. He could feel his face getting warm. He smiled at her and got up from his table, grabbed his coat and his drink and went over to the girl.

"Mind if I join you?" Joe asked.

"No, go right ahead." She said back to him. "What' your name?" She asked.

"Joe Hardy. What's yours?" He asked sitting down.

"Michaela Hart. Its nice to meet you Joe." She said.

"Its nice to meet you to Michaela. That's a very pretty name." Joe said smiling. "Are you new here?" He asked.

"I guess you could say that. How about you? Have you been here long?" Michaela asked.

"All my life." Joe responded.

"So, were you waiting for someone?" She asked.

"Yes. I was waiting for my brother. We were supposed to meet for lunch. But he must have forgot." Joe said frowning.

"That's cool. What's his name?" Michaela asked curiously.

"His name is Frank." He paused when the waitress brought their food over and they started eating. "So. What brings a girl like you to Bayport?" Joe asked taking another bite of his sandwich.

Michaela looked up, surprised by the question. "Sorry was that a bad question?" Joe said.

"Oh. No it was not. Ummm....I really should not say." She said looking at Joe and taking a bite of her sandwich.

"Ok, that's fine. Is everything alright?" Joe asked.

Michaela put down her sandwich. "Not really. The truth is, I should not be here Joe. And if I told anyone why they would be in danger." She said quietly.

"What do you mean?" Joe said starting to get worried.

"What I mean is, that there are people searching for me. And I should not even be here right now. I think I had better leave." She said nervously.

"Wait a second. I want to help you, if you will let me." Joe said.

Michaela looked at Joe and then at the floor. "Joe, I was told that I was never to be allowed in public, in front of anyone. But I left because I wanted to see what it was like outside. I have been kept away from civilization for my entire life. And I finally left, yesterday. And I really need to get back." She said starting to get up.

Joe sat there really confused and then got up to face her. "Why is it dangerous? You can tell me. Please." Joe said to her.

She looked into his eyes realizing she could trust him. But she feared telling him the truth would put him in danger. "Listen Joe, I would tell you, but I can't. I am sorry. I...." She paused and looked out the window and saw someone staring at her. "Oh no! I need to leave."

Joe looked out the window and saw the man watching them. His hand went into his pocket and he ran into the cafe. He ran over towards Michaela who was now really scared.

"We must leave now!" The man demanded.

"Why?" Joe asked.

"That is none of your business sir. This is a personal matter. Michaela come with me." The man tried to grab Michaela and Joe stepped in between them.

"She is not going anywhere." Joe said as calmly as possible.

"Move or I will make you move." The man said pulling out a gun and aiming it at Joe's head.

Everyone in the Cafe, noticed this and screamed. Everyone ran out of the Cafe leaving Joe, Michaela and the man alone. There were some people who watched from the windows.

"Now let me take Michaela and no one gets hurt." The man said in a harsh voice.

"Leave him alone, please. Jason get away from him." Michaela said trying to push the guy away from Joe, but the man simply pushed her away and she fell to the floor.

Joe then lunged out at Jason and he punched him in the face, which caused Jason to fall backwards. Joe helped Michaela up and they started running for the back exit.

Michaela looked back and saw Jason getting up and aiming his gun towards them. And just as Joe reached the exit with Michaela he turned and also saw the man aiming, and Joe knocked Michaela out of the way and a gun shot went off.

Michaela who was on the floor heard the shot and was terrified. She crawled over towards Joe who was also on the floor, face down. She shook his shoulder and he turned his head towards her. She noticed he was in a tremendous amount of pain and when he turned over he had blood on the front of his shirt.

Michaela was now furious. She looked back at where Jason was and saw him making his way towards them. She put out her left hand towards Jason and yelled. "Stay Away!" But instead of stopping he kept coming and Michaela focused all her energy and pictured him sailing into the back wall.

And not less than a second after that Jason was hurled through the air and crashed against the wall. The on lookers from the window gasped, and Michaela new she was in trouble.

Michaela looked back at Joe who had seen Jason fly through the air and was really confused by what happened. Then he winced in pain grabbing his stomach.

Michaela put her hand over Joe's wound. "I am so sorry Joe." She kept her hand over the wound and closed her eyes and was in deep concentration. A few seconds later she lifted her hand off the wound and lifted Joe's shirt. She was relieved to see that the wound had closed up. She looked at Joe who was more than confused than ever. She leaned close to him and whispered. "Now you know!"

Chapter 2

They both held eye contact for a few seconds, and then Joe looked down at his shirt. What was there, seemed impossible. It was covered with a tremendous amount of blood. Joe grabbed his shirt and lifted it. He saw a hole, from the bullet that had hit him, but yet when he lifted his shirt up, there was no hole to be found. He was terribly confused at this point. He had nearly died and he couldn't believe he was still there. Alive!

"I have seen a lot of things in my life, but this, this tops it all off. What happened?" He said looking up at Michaela.

"I healed you." She whispered. "I have to go. The people saw me." She said getting up and heading towards the exit.

Joe sat on the floor, trying to absorb everything that has happened. When he saw her get up, a few seconds later he got up to go after her. He looked towards the back of the room and saw the man that had shot him lying on the floor unconscious. "Michaela! Wait." He yelled as he ran up to her.

"I can't Joe, I need to get out of here." She said grabbing her coat and started for the door. "It's not safe for me or you, here. I have to leave. For your safety and mine Joe." She said and left the cafe, and the people that had witnessed the event stood shocked, as Michaela walked out. Joe ran after her, and the crowd gasped at Joe's blood stained shirt, but he did not care.

"Then I am coming with you." He said grabbing her arm and quickly turned back, when he heard a shot fired from inside the cafe. He saw Jason making his way towards the exit.

"Damn!" Joe muttered under his breath. He took Michaela by the arm and lead her to his truck he had parked across the street. The crossed the street and both got into the truck and Joe started the engine. Joe could hear sirens in the distance, but did not care. He pulled out quickly and headed down the street. In his mirror he saw Jason running towards a parked car and jumped in. He pulled out after Joe and Michaela.

"What the hell?!" Joe muttered. "He is coming after us! I can't believe it." Joe said turning on to a back road. "He looked back in the mirror and took a double take. There was someone else with Jason. "Who is with him?" Joe asked Michaela.

Michaela turned around to see the car chasing after them. "I can't tell." She said squinting. "Whoever it is, he means business. He has a machine gun!" She said, scared. "Keep driving Joe. I am going to try something!!!" She said and open her window and leaned out.

"What do you think you are doing!? He has a gun! Get in!" Joe yelled as she leaned out of her window. He tried to pull her in, with his right hand, but couldn't do that and drive at the same time so he grabbed the steering wheel.

"Don't worry Joe!" She yelled. "I will be fine." She was still leaning out of the window.

"Hold on, I am making a sharp turn here!" Joe yelled and they pulled onto a dirt road. They drove over a pot hole causing Michaela to hit her head on the window frame.

"Watch for the potholes, please!" She said. She was waiting for an opportunity to either disarm or somehow get away from Jason and his friend, as they followed the two onto the dirt road. She looked ahead and saw the perfect opportunity. "Joe! Get as far ahead of them as possible!" She yelled as bullets starting pouring upon them.

"Get in here!" Joe yelled, fearing she would be shot.

"Just keep going!" Michaela yelled back to him. She was truly scared she would soon be hit, but didn't care. All she cared about was Joe's safety.

The man in the other car, with the machine gun had stopped shooting at them, taking careful aim towards the times, but before he could shoot at them, Michaela had used her power to send the gun sprawling to the ground. But she had been a little to late. The man had his finger on the trigger and when she had used her power to send the gun flying, he had pulled the trigger sending bullets right towards her. She tried to protect herself, but was unable to. She had been hit by one of the bullet, and it grazed her arm.

She yelled out in pain, but kept her focus on what she had to do.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" Joe yelled to her, now really worried.

"I am hit, but not bad. Keep driving." She said back.

She turned her head toward and saw that her opportunity to stop the others was coming! They soon passed the large branch that was lying on the ground and with her power she managed to moved the thick branch into the path of the oncoming car. They did not have the chance to do anything, the car soon hit the branch and it went onto a hill and toppled over on its side. Michaela was still leaned out the window shocked at what she had just done, but was happy.

"Joe heard the crash and turned around. "Wow." He whispered. He saw one of the men climb out of the car and get out a cell phone, and quickly spoke into it and then hung up.

Joe quickly lost sight of the men and they turned on to another road. Michaela, shortly after climbed back into the truck. Joe turned to her and saw that her arm was bloody.

"You okay?" He asked her, as he grabbed handed her a towel, he had in his car, from his previous day of swimming. "Here use this to cover it." HE said slowing the truck down to a stop, on the quiet road. "He went to take the towel to cover it, but when his hand touched the wound, it closed up!

"What the hell happened!?" He asked in complete shock.

"I have no idea! Do you have powers? To do things?" She asked really confused.

No shock his head. "No, definitely not. We don't have the capability to do that kind of stuff." He said, to her.

"Are you sure because you just did." She quietly said to him.

"I really..." He stopped when he heard the sound of squealing tires behind him. He turned and saw another car quickly coming down the road. "Crap, its Jason, with another friend." Joe said and pressed his foot on the gas. "Hold on!" He yelled, as the speedometer went passed sixty!

They were coming up to a bridge up ahead, as Joe and Michaela heard several gunshots. Michaela turned and saw them aiming for the tires. After several attempts, they had hit their targets. They had blown out the two back tires, of Joe's truck, just as they made their way onto the bridge. Joe brought his truck to a hault, and looked over at Michaela. "Come on!" He said and got out of his truck, followed by Michaela. They started running over the bridge, only to be stopped by another oncoming car, that stopped in front of them. Joe was going to yell for help, but the man in the other automobile, had gotten out of the car and had a gun in his hands.

"How many people are after you?" Joe asked Michaela.

"I have no idea." She whispered.

They were both trapped at the center of the bridge. They slowly backed up, and looked over the side. Below was water over a hundred feet below them.

Joe thought of jumping, but the fall would probably kill them both. He turned to Michaela and she turned to him. They both had a look of panic on their faces. On both sides of them, Jason and his pals, were making their way towards them.

"We have to jump!" Michaela whispered to Joe.

"We would never make that jump." Joe answered back.

"Yes we will. If you trust me." She smiled.

Instead of replying Joe grabbed her close and brought his head close to hers and gave a quick kiss her on her lips. He brought his head back. "Of course I trust you!" He said, to her and smiled.

They grabbed hands and jumped of the bridge into the dark waters below!

Chapter 3

Joe quickly surfaced the water. He had landed with a soft thud. He looked up at the bridge, he should of hit harder than he had! He thought to himself. He saw Jason, and his friends leaving the bridge. Joe turned to look for Michaela. He saw no sign of her.

"Michaela!?" He yelled several times. He got no response and went under water hoping to find her. He went below the dark and murky surface and spotted nothing. He came up for air and quickly dived back under. He looked around for several more seconds until he spotted a body in the water. He swam as fast as possible over to it, and it was Michaela. He grabbed her around the waste and surfaced again! He held onto her with one arm and swam with the other. He went as fast as possible and a minute later, he dragged Michaela's body to shore and placed it down. Her lips, instead of a pinkish color had gotten a light blue tint to them.

"Come on Michaela!" He yelled and breathed into her mouth. He then pushed on her stomach several times and repeated this several times, but nothing seemed to work. He kept the process going for several minutes, but it was no use. He stopped and checked for a pulse. There was none to be found.

He sat beside her for a brief moment, and an idea came to his mind. "You did this for me! So it better work for you!" He said, placing his hands over her stomach. He paused beside her holding his hands over her chest and he looked down at her. "What did you do to me?" He whispered. He thought a moment and then he just closed his eyes. He focused on Michaela and only her. For some reason, he felt this strong growth of power inside him. He opened his eyes, and looked down. He saw a small glow coming from his hands. He stared down wide eyed, and shortly after Michaela began spitting up water. He removed his hands from her chest and helped her sit up. She continued to cough for another minute or so, and it finally began to die down. Joe hung on to her, until she calmed down.

"What happened?" She gasped between breaths.

"We jumped off the bridge, and you didn't surface the water. I found you and brought you to shore. You weren't breathing, and I did the same thing you did to me." He said quietly, still getting over his own shock, of what he had just done.

She looked up at him, and then back down again. "I don't understand. You said you couldn't do what I did." She whispered.

"Yeah I know." He said quietly. "I don't understand it myself." He paused. "We need to get you somewhere. Let's go back to the bridge. I saw the guys leave so we are safe. I will call my brother, and he can come and get us. Okay?" Joe asked her.

"Sure." She said. They both started heading towards the bridge. "What did you do when we jumped?" Joe asked.

"I made it so you would land softly, so you would be okay. I just....I just did nothing." She whispered.

He turned to her again. "It's okay Joe." She whispered.

"No, no it's not. You could have died. Especially since I have no idea what I have done." Joe said and gave her a hug. "Well, I am still here. Thanks to you." She said.

"Yeah, which I am very thankful to that." He said. "How did you get your powers?" Joe asked. "I mean, how is it possible that I have them. " He said.

"I don't know Joe. I have had them all my life. Maybe you have and just realized it." She said quietly.

Joe let her go. "I wonder what my family will think, if they found out I mean." He wondered.

"I don't know Joe. I really don't." She said as they walked.

"What did your parents think?" Joe asked.

She stopped walking and Joe stopped when she did. She looked up at him. "I have never met them. My mother died when I was born. I was told my Dad, just left. So I don't know what they would think." She said softly.

"I am so sorry, I didn't know. I have a big mouth." He said sharply to himself.

"Don't worry about it Joe. You could not have known." She said.

Joe nodded, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and they both went up to the bridge.

Ten minutes later they reached the truck. Michaela and Joe both got inside and Joe dialed a number on his cell phone. After a few minutes someone answered.

"Hello? Hardy Residence."

"Frank is that you?" Joe asked quickly.

"Yeah, it's me. What's up?" Frank asked.

"You missed our little lunch date." Joe asked.

Joe heard a gasp on the other end. "Don't worry about it Frank. It's not that big of a deal." Joe said with a chuckle.

"It's not that Joe. You're on the news!" Frank said.

Joe's eyes went wide and Michaela gave him a questioning look.

"What!? What are they saying?" Joe asked.

"Oh my....This has got to be bull. They were saying that a young man, someone identified as Joe Hardy was shot today at the Bay Cafe, and was miracoulsly healed by a young girl." Frank said and then laughed. "Who would come up with this crap?" Frank said.

"Frank, you are lucky you didn't come to lunch today, uh...because its true." Joe said looking out the window of his truck. There was a small moment of silence on the other end of the line and then a laugh. "Joe, what did you eat? You're joking right?" Frank asked.

"I wish I was, but I was shot just over an hour or so ago, and there is a girl sitting next to me, who saved my life. Frank, we were under attack, and some guys shot out my two back tires, we even jumped off the bridge, the one on Hill road. and we need you to come and get us!" Joe said quickly.

Frank was silent on the other end. "Have you gone insane?" Frank asked.

"Nope, but can you please pick us up, before these guys come and pick us up." Joe urged.

"Fine, but either of you hurt? That jump is, well....really big. Should I call for an ambulance?" Frank asked, getting nervous.

"That's the least of your worries. Listen, just get here and I will fill you in when you come! okay?" Joe asked.

"Sure, Your are still on the bridge right?" Frank asked.

"Yeah, we are sitting ducks on this bridge so hurry your rump up, and come get us!" Joe yelled and sighed. "Sorry, just nervous." He said.

"I can tell.....I will be there in a few." Frank said and hung up the phone.

Joe did the same and looked at Michaela. "My brother thinks I am wacko." He told her.

"Don't worry about it Joe. I have a feeling he will soon find out the truth about you and I." She said.

"Yeah." Joe said.

They both sat there for a few more minutes, and they heard some motion behind them. Both Joe and Michaela turned and saw a gray van heading in their direction. Joe squinted. "I think that's him." He said unsure. "Let's wait." He told her.

Michaela turned around and saw another van heading in their direction. "Joe, here is another one." She whispered.

Joe turned and saw the other van. Both were gray. "Shoot! One of them is my brother and the other isn't! They are both stopping. Joe turned around and saw the van in the back, and a person had got out, and started running towards the truck. It was Frank!

Joe turned and faced forward. Another person was getting out of the car in front of them.

"Damn it!" Joe said. He got out of the truck and ducked down. "Frank get down!" He yelled and Frank ducked down behind the truck.

"What the hell is going on?!" He yelled at his brother.

"Don't know, but we are going to find out. Michaela! Come out my side of the truck!" Joe yelled and Michaela popped out the drivers side a few seconds later. She got on the ground and crawled to Joe. She peered over Joe's shoulder and saw someone Joe's age across from him. "Are you Frank?" She asked.

"Yep. The one and only." He said. "Who are you?"

"Michaela Hart." She yelled back.

"Nice to meet you." Frank yelled. "Come on, we need to get out of here!"

"No kidding!" Joe yelled. Joe stood up peering over the truck and saw the guy was carrying a gun and was about thirty yards away.

Joe popped open the tailgate to his truck and looked for something as a weapon. Michaela came up beside him. She noticed a set out hand weights in the back of it, and grabbed them.

Joe starred at her. "What are you planning to do with those?" Joe asked. "He is to far away for you to hit him." He said.

"Wanna bet." She said. Frank just starred at the two, and Michaela stood up. "It's Jason." She yelled.

"Get down!" Frank yelled at her.

Instead she tossed both hand weights up in the air. Jason was taking aim of Michaela. Suddenly both of the weights went flying through the air and smashed into Jason's face knocking him to the ground, causing a stray bullet to be shot. Frank jumped up hoping to shove Michaela out of harms way. Just as Jason was hit, Frank grabbed Michaela. They both fell to the ground. Joe who was on the other side of the truck could not see the other two. Michaela regained her footing and stood up. Joe stood where he was and he saw Michaela starring down at Frank. Joe quickly ran around to the other side of the truck and saw Frank lying face down on the ground. Joe ran to his side, and knelt down beside him. He gently turned Frank over and Frank had a huge blood stain spreading on the front of his shirt. Joe gasped in horror at the site. He looked up at Michaela. "Can you save him?!" Joe asked terrified. Michaela came and knelt by Joe. She lifted Franks shirt and found the wound. She placed her hands over it and tried to concentrate. She sat there for nearly a minute which seemed like a eternity to Joe. She placed her hands down harder, but had no luck. She lifted her hands which were now covered in blood.

"I can't do it. You have to!" She said, and Joe gave her a worried expression.

"I can't though. I don't know how!" He sobbed, and tears started falling down his cheeks.

Michaela looked Joe in the face. "You need to or he will die!"

Chapter 4

Frank lay still on the ground motionless! It was up to Joe, to save him.

"Come on Joe! You can do it." Michaela whispered to him. She took his hands and carefully placed them over Frank's wound. "Now concentrate very hard!" She said softly still holding his hands down.

Joe turned to her and she gave him a reassuring look. He turned back to Frank's body. As far as Joe could tell, his breathing was slowing rapidly. Joe closed his eyes and focused hard on healing Frank. While doing this Joe felt a surge of energy flow through him. Followed by a flow of images. They were of him and Frank. The first couple were of Frank and Joe as children, they were playing detective, and their father was the bad guy. The next image was of Frank's eighth birthday party, and Joe gave him a detective notebook. The images seemed go fly by faster. The next few were of the Hardy's in their teen years. It showed an explosion and Frank stopping Joe from getting killed. Then it showed Frank saving Joe from falling over a ledge. It showed a lot of the good times followed by some of the bad times they had gone through. The next several images were Frank saving Joe, and Joe saving Frank from danger. Joe opened his eyes. He realized that his life just flew by him. He looked down at Frank, and removed his hand from the wound. It had closed up. "Thank you so much." Joe whispered. Frank was slowly regaining consciousness, and he started coughing. Joe sat him up.

Michaela looked down the street, and saw that Jason was getting back up. "We need to get out of here!" She yelled.

Frank and Joe both looked back in the direction, of where Jason was and knew she was right. Jason was getting up and searching for his gun.

"Come on Frank." Joe said lifting Frank off the ground. Joe wrapped an arm around his unsteady brother and helped him towards their van. Michaela ran ahead of them and opened up the back door for Frank to climb into. Both Frank and Joe popped into the back seat.

"Michaela, can you drive?" Joe asked her.

Michaela gave him an uneasy stare. "I don't know Joe. Never have." She replied. She looked back and saw Jason running towards them. "But it's a good time to learn!" She yelled and popped into the front driver's seat. She started the engine and stepped on the gas pedal. The van shot forward.

"Slow down!" Joe yelled.

"How?" She screamed.

"Ease up on the gas!" Joe said.

She did as she was told and they drove off the bridge and onto another road. "This is cool." Michaela said. "How do I stop though?" She asked.

Joe gave a chuckle. "You press down on the brake. The other pedal." Joe said and she did so. The van skidded to a stop, throwing Joe against the seat. "Next time, slowly press the brake." Joe said.

"Okay, I got it!" She said, and pressed the gas pedal. "Where should I go?" She asked.

"Take a left up at this next turn." Joe said. "But make sure you stop at the stop sign, and make sure there is no traffic coming!" Joe warned.

"Sure thing Joe." She said.

Joe turned to Frank. Frank looked like he was completely out of it. Frank was starring at his shirt, and saw that it was covered in blood. He then looked over at Joe's and it also had some blood on it. Frank just closed his eyes, and slumped down in his seat. He turned and looked out the window. He didn't want Joe to see him, in the state he was in. Frank felt tears sting his eyes and slowly fall down his cheeks. "You okay?" Joe whispered to Frank. He just shrugged.

Frank wiped his eyes and turned and faced Joe. "What just happened?" He asked. "I mean, wasn't I shot? Was that my imagination?" Frank paused, when he realized he was rambling. "Joe, please tell me what happened today!" Frank begged him. "If you don't, I am going to go crazy." Frank said.

Joe took a deep breath and filled Frank in on the days events. About Michaela saving Joe, then Joe some how healing one of Michaela's cuts, and then him saving Michaela, leading up to saving Frank. "Frank I barely understand it myself. I don't want to believe it either." Joe whispered. Frank just sat there starring at the chair in front of him. "You know what. When I healed you Frank, our lives flashed before my eyes. It was amazing, but it was also scary. I saw these images, of you and me. Some good, some bad. It was.....I don't know how to explain it. All I know is, that you and I have been through to much for our lives to end now." Joe said quietly. Frank smiled.

"Take a right at this road." Joe told Michaela. "Our house is on the right, and its the third one." Joe said.

"Sure thing." She said.

Frank grabbed Joe around the neck and ran his hand through Joe's hair. "Hey! Watch the hair buddy." Joe laughed. "So are you like a super hero?" Frank asked Joe.

Joe laughed. "I wish. Maybe Michaela is. She is the reason I'm still here." Joe said and patted Michaela on the shoulder.

"I don't think do Joe." She giggled.

Joe leaned back. "Hey! Maybe we are like the X-men. You know. There's Cyclops who shoots these rays from his eyes. Then there's Storm, who can create storms....I mean, its really cool." Joe laughed at what he just said.

"Who would you be Joe?" Frank asked.

Joe turned to Frank. "Hm... Don't know. What do you think Michaela?" Joe asked her as they pulled up the Hardy's driveway.

Michaela parked the car and turned around. She laughed.

"What?" Joe smiled.

"How about...." She paused and looked at Joe. "Never mind." She laughed.

"Come on. Tell me!" Joe said.

"Maybe later." She said.

"Okay then. Frank, if you had a power what would you want?" Joe asked.

"Well, that's a hard one. I think I want to be like Cyclops. You know, the rays that comes out of his eyes. That would be so cool." Frank said. "You have been reading to many comic books Joe. So have I." Frank laughed.

"No way." Joe said playfully shoving his brother's shoulder.

"Joe, how did you save me?" Frank asked seriously.

"I really don't know. Here, let me see your arm. You know that cut you got yesterday, while doing lawn work. You cut your arm on the branch. Let me see the cut. I will demonstrate." Joe said.

Frank gave Joe an uneasy stare. "Okay." Frank said and he pulled up his sleeve, exposing a cut on his wrist. Joe put his fingers over the cut, and it closed. "Wow! You should be called magic boy, or something." Frank asked looking at his wrist. The cut was gone.

"How about Majestic?" Michaela suggested.

Joe looked up and gave her a funny look. "I don't think so." Joe laughed.

"I wonder what this means. I mean, you can heal, so can she. What about me?" Frank said. Maybe I should try some tings, who knows maybe I can shoot these death rays from my eyes like Cyclops." Frank joked.

"Maybe Frank. Just maybe." Joe joked.

"Are you guys ever going to go into your house?" Michaela asked.

"Yep, come on." Joe said and opened his door and looked at his house. "I thought I would never see this place again." Joe whispered. He opened Michaela's door, and invited her in. She accepted. Frank came around and wrapped an arm around Joe's shoulders.

"Well, you are here Joe, for that I am thankful." Frank said. He let go of Joe and went and grabbed a football that was on the ground, and tossed it at Joe. Joe caught it. He threw it back to Frank. Frank then tossed it to Michaela, who grabbed it.

"I love football." She said. "Joe, go long!" She yelled. Joe smiled at her and ran to the other side of the yard.

Michaela threw the ball, and Frank intercepted it. He laughed at Joe. "I thought you were the big football player Joe?" Frank joked. Joe placed his hands on his hips.

"Very funny." Joe said and ran at Frank and tackled him to the ground. They rolled over one another for the ball. Joe got it and got up! "Got it!" He yelled and tossed it to Michaela. The ball stopped in mid air. Joe looked stunned for a second, and then who looked at Michaela, who was starring at the ball. "Michaela! Don't!" Joe yelled, and interrupted Michaela's thoughts and the ball went back to Joe. Joe caught it.

"I didn't Joe!" She yelled.

"What do you mean? I didn't do it, then who could have?" Joe asked to himself. He turned around and looked at Frank who was still lying on the ground. He was in shock from what just happened. Joe turned around to Michaela. "Are you sure it wasn't you?" He asked again.

"I am positive Joe." She said.

Joe turned to Frank again, and he saw Frank laying on the grass with his eyes closed. Joe walked up beside his brother and knelt by Frank. "Was that you?" Joe whispered.

Frank slowly opened his eyes. "I don't know." He said quietly.

Joe thought for a moment. "Frank. Watch this ball, when I throw it in the air, and try to stop it." Joe ordered and tossed the ball in the air. Both Michaela and Joe kept an eye on the ball, and it started to fall to the ground. The ball stopped about a foot from the ground. It floated in the air. Joe turned to Frank, and saw him looking at the ball. Frank then took his eyes off the ball and it fell to the ground.

"What the hell!?" Frank whispered. "That's impossible." He said.

"No it's not Frank. Michaela can do it to." Joe whispered.

Michaela went and picked up the football, and held it in her right hand. She watched Frank the entire time, and the ball lifted off her hand and over to Joe. Joe caught the ball and he knelt down next to Frank.

"Guess you are like us." Joe whispered. He held his hand out and helped Frank to his feet.

"I guess I am." Frank smiled. "Come on, let's play." Frank said and ran away from Joe, and waited for Joe to throw the ball.

Joe gave Michaela a worried look. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Come on! I don't have all day!" Frank yelled.

Joe smiled and he threw the ball at Frank.

They continued to play football for over an hour, till it started to get dark.

"Maybe we should go inside." Joe suggested.

"Yeah, come on!" Frank agreed and grabbed the ball and started up the front steps.

Joe turned to Michaela. "Come on!" He said.

"Are you sure its okay?" She asked him, a little nervous.

"Of course it is." He said and went and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and led her inside the house.

They were greeted by Fenton Hardy, the Boys father.

"Hi Boys. How you doing?" Their father asked, skimming through a file he had in his hands.

"We are just great Dad." Frank answered cheerfully.

Fenton gave a chuckle and looked up. He saw Michaela. "Who may you be young lady?" He asked closing the file.

"I am Michaela Hart. I met your son today." She said shaking his hand.

"Oh. That's nice. Are you new here?" He asked her.

"Yeah, guess you can say that." She smiled.

"Dad, could Michaela stay for dinner?" Joe asked.

"Sure, I don't see why not." Fenton answered.

"Great. Want to come to my room?" Joe asked Michaela and before she could answer he pulled her up the stairs, and into his room.

"Well it was nice meeting you!" Fenton yelled as they took off.

"Nice meeting you to!" Michaela yelled from the stairs.

Fenton smiled. He looked over at Frank and saw an odd look on his son's face. "Son, are you okay?" He asked.

"Hmm. Oh, yeah I was just thinking." Frank answered.

"About what?" Fenton asked.

"What happened today." Frank said.

"What happened?"

"Oh, nothing important." Frank answered.

Frank was about to walk away, but his father grabbed his arm. "Frank, I need to talk to you!" Fenton said.

Frank stopped. "About what Dad?"

"About Joe! It's time you knew the truth!"

Chapter 5

Frank turned and faced his father. Does he know!? What's he going to do!? Did he see what happened?! Frank closed his eyes, fearing what his father was about to tell him. Does he know what happened today?! Did he see the news?! A million thoughts raced through Franks mind.

"Come with me Frank." Fenton Hardy said, and walked into the living room and sat on the sofa. Frank followed him, and saw in the chair across from him.

Frank looked down at his shirt, and noticed that it still had blood on it. His father had not noticed. Frank got up and ran out of the room, as quick as possible. "Be right back!" He yelled.

A couple minutes later Frank came running back down the stairs. "Sorry about that dad." He said, and sat back down, wearing a fresh clean shirt.

Fenton nodded, and Frank noticed a nervous look on his father's face.

"You okay Dad?" Frank asked quietly.

"I am afraid not son. Your mother and I have been discussing something for a long time now. Something about Joe. Something we have been wanting to tell you boys for several years, but we wanted to wait for the right time." Fenton said, and paused.

Frank's eyes widened. "Is he okay? Is there anything wrong with him?" Frank started quickly, but Fenton put a hand up and stopped him.

"He is just fine. This matter is about all of us." Fenton started again. "I really don't know how to put this, but Joe was adopted when he was a baby. I know we should have said this sooner, but we didn't know how to." Fenton said, looking at Frank's shocked face. "What about me dad? Am I adopted to?" Frank asked quietly.

"No, son you are not. Only Joe. This may be hard to explain, but when you were born you had a twin brother. He ended up dying, and you survived. Laura and I decided to take Joe in. His family had left him. They were nowhere to be found." Fenton said.

Frank started shaking his head. "That's not possible." He whispered to himself. Frank got up and started pacing in front of his father.

"Son, I am sorry we have kept this from you for so long." He said, and got up. Frank's back was turned away from his Father.

"Frank, please turn around." Fenton said. His only response was a shake of his head.

Frank's mind was racing. His brother is adopted, he had a brother, who had died when he was born. Frank felt a lump form in his throat. He wiped his eyes with his fingers.

"Are you going to tell Joe?" Frank asked, his voice a little shaky.

Fenton stared at his son, who's back was still turned to him. "Soon. I will soon." He said softly.

Frank turned around to his Father. "You need to tell him now! Don't wait any longer. You have waited seventeen years dad. You have to tell him!" Frank yelled.

"Tell who what?" Joe said coming down the stairs, with Michaela.

Fenton turned to Joe. "Nothing son." He said quickly.

Frank stood in disgust. "Tell him now!" Frank yelled at his Father.

"Don't tell me what to do Frank!" Fenton yelled back at his son. "You don't know what its like having to go through this Frank!" Fenton turned away from his son. He had never yelled at either of them before or even raised his voice.

Joe stood in shock. "What's going on?" Joe asked.

Neither Frank nor Fenton spoke. Frank stood staring at his father waiting for a response. "Fine! You won't tell him, then I will!" Frank said sharply.

Fenton looked at his son with wide eyes.

"Joe! You were adopted when you were a little baby. I actually had a twin brother who died when he was born and..." Frank started and Fenton stepped in front of him and slapped him across the face. Frank fell backwards to the floor, and felt his right cheek. He glared up at his father, who had a shocked expression. He turned to Joe, who was more shocked at what Frank had said. "Is it true dad?" He asked in a calm voice.

Fenton backed away from Frank and went to the window. Frank then stood up, and faced his brother. "Its true Joe! He just told me." Frank said.

Michaela stood beside Joe the entire time, and she turned to him. "Are you all right?" She whispered.

Joe just stood there and he showed no emotion, none what so ever. He turned to her. "I don't know." He whispered.

Frank suddenly burst out of the room and ran up the stairs, and into his room.

The three left in the living room heard his door slam.

Joe turned to Michaela. "I will be right back. I am going to go see Frank." He whispered and left the living room and headed up to his brothers room. He stopped outside his brothers door, and listened carefully. He thought he could hear someone crying. Joe carefully opened up Frank's door and saw Frank laying face down on his bed. "Frank?" He whispered. "Frank, are you okay?" He asked.

Franks head was down on the pillow. He just shook his head in response.

"Frank, please don't do this to me." Joe whispered and he sat on the bed next to Frank. Frank quickly sat up, with his back turned to Joe. He wiped his face with his sleeve, of his shirt. He slowly turned to Joe and faced him. Joe was shocked to see a red mark on Franks right cheek.

"You okay?" Joe asked again.

Instead of an answer Frank just moved next to Joe, and hugged him. Frank buried his head into Joe's shoulder. Joe held his older brother. Joe didn't know what made his brother more upset. Him being adopted or their Father slapping him. Joe knew he should be upset, but he wasn't. Everything was happening to them so fast.

"I can't believe it." Frank whispered. "I can't believe he didn't tell us sooner." Frank paused and looked at Joe.

"What exactly did he tell you down there?" Joe asked.

Frank didn't want to tell Joe, but he knew he had to. "He told me, that him and mum have been talking about something lately. Something that involves you. He said that when I was born, that I had a twin brother, and that he had died at birth. Then later on, they found you. They adopted you, when you were a baby. He made it seem like they adopted you to replace my twin." Frank whispered. Frank jumped off his bed and grabbed a baseball that was on his shelf and smashed it through his window, breaking the window and smashing it to bits. Joe had never seen his brother act this way and it really scared him. Joe got up and walked over to his brother, and put a hand on his shoulder. Frank didn't turn around. Joe felt his brother start shaking. Frank turned around and grabbed his brother and started crying again. Joe felt just as bad as Frank, but he didn't know what to think. Joe just rubbed Franks back, and he took a deep breathe. "Shouldn't I be in your condition and you in mine?" Joe joked. Frank gave a small laugh.

Frank released Joe. "It's just that this is to much to handle. I mean, what dad told us, what I did, you healing me, and...." Frank paused.

"And Dad hitting you." Joe whispered. "I have never seen him do that, and talk the way he did to you." Joe stated. "It really scared me to." He whispered.

"Yeah. Me too." Frank said. "I probably, pushed him. I mean, he said he was going to tell you soon. But that made me so angry." Frank said.

"I understand. Listen, will you be okay?" Joe asked him.

"Shouldn't I ask you that?" Frank joked. "Yeah I will be fine. Don't worry." Frank said and lay back on his bed and closed his eyes.

"Okay then. I am going to go and get Michaela. We will be in my room again. Want to join us?" Joe asked.

"No that's okay. Go have fun." Frank said.

"Okay then, you know where I am if you need me." Joe said and walked towards Franks door, and out it. Joe poked his head in once again. "Frank?"

"Yeah?" He asked, still staring at the ceiling.

"Thanks buddy." Joe said.

Frank smiled. "For what?" He asked.

"For telling me the truth, when Dad didn't." Joe whispered and left.

Frank still lay on his bed. "Your welcome Joe." He whispered.

Michaela still stood in the living room, waiting for Joe. Fenton still stood in the living room facing the window.

"Mr. Hardy. Are you alright?" She asked softly playing with one of her brown curls.

He turned to her and nodded. "I am sorry that you had to see that. I promised my wife that I would tell them. Now it has probably ruined our lives." He said looking down.

Michaela walked over to him. "No it hasn't. You did what you thought was right and I am sure that they will understand. They seem like smart guys and I am sure that everything will be fine." She said reassuringly.

Fenton looked at the girl in front of him, and smiled. "I hope so." He said softly. "Okay, I need to talk about something else. How did you meet Joe?" Fenton asked sitting down on the couch.

"Oh! Well, we met at a cafe out of town. I was alone and he came and sat with me. He seems like a very nice person." She smiled and sat across from him on a chair.

"He is. He is very special." Fenton said.

"You must be very proud of him." She said. "He seems like a very cheerful and funny person." She said.

"Yeah he is. He and Frank are different. He has always been the jokester and Frank the serious one." Fenton said. "Those two have been through a lot together. I would just hate, to see all of that get ruined now." Fenton said.

"Nothing will be ruined Dad." Someone said from behind.

Michaela and Fenton turned and saw Joe standing in the doorway.

Michaela jumped up and gave him a hug. "You okay?" She whispered.

"I am fine, don't worry." He said looking at his Father. "Don't worry Dad, I am not like Frank, as you said we are different." He said and whispered. "More than you will believe." He said to himself. "Any ways, I understand what you did Dad, so don't worry about it." Joe said with a small smile. "Want to go to my room?" Joe asked looking at Michaela, who had an arm wrapped around Joe, and her head resting on his shoulder.

She could feel a slight tremble coming from him, and it turned to a shaking. She started to get worried about Joe.

"Hey, how about we make dinner Joe?" She suggested. She looked at Mr. Hardy. "Could we, please make dinner. I make a great chicken scampi, its my own recipe." She said, with a huge smile.

Fenton stood rather shocked at their reactions. "Well...sure I don't see why not." He said calmly.

"Great. You won't regret it!" She said and ran into the kitchen pulling Joe with her.

She had Joe sit on a chair at the kitchen table. She sat in front of him, after placing a chair, in front of him. She took his hands in his and looked at him.

"You lied Joe. You are upset! Why didn't you tell him?" She asked in a concerned tone.

"I don't want to show him. How upset I truly am. I mean, look at Frank. He is in pieces over this, and I don't want my family to worry about us. So I thought if I were strong, then it would be better." He said looking into her eye. "It hurts so much, Michaela." He whispered, and he blinked away tears and looked away from her.

"Joe, you don't need to be strong for me. Just let it out. It always helped me. And I didn't have anyone to talk to. You do. Don't give up that chance Joe." She begged him.

He gave a tearful smile, while he was staring at the floor. She came closer to him, and pulled her chair along with her. They were both knee to knee.

"Why?" Joe whispered.

"Well..." Michaela started and then gave up. She took his face in her hands and kissed him on his lips.

"Not again!" Someone said from the room.

Michaela let go of a surprised Joe. And she saw Frank standing behind Joe. Joe had not even turned. Instead he just grabbed Michaela and kissed her again.

Michaela fell off her chair and onto the floor, on her knees, but Joe still kissed her. He didn't let go, instead he went to the floor with her. She kissed him back.

Joe let go of her. "I would do anything for you." He whispered, as he put his forehead against hers.

Frank stood in the doorway. "Looks like you have found someone else." Frank whispered.

"What?" Both Joe and Michaela asked.

"Nothing, sorry." Frank said. "One request though. When I am around. Don't kiss!" Frank said and they laughed.

"Okay, shall we start dinner?" Michaela asked.

"Yes!" Both Frank and Joe said in unison.

"Alright then. I will get the pots and pans, while I tell you boys what I need for ingredients. Okay?" She asked.

"Sure thing." Joe said, and leaned towards his brother. "Boys?" He asked, and gave his brother a playful shove.

"I heard that Joe!" Michaela smiled at him and Joe blew her a kiss in response.

"Very sweet!" She said.

"So are you!" Joe responded.

"Knock it off you two. What do we need Michaela?" Frank asked her.

"I need butter, garlic, fresh parsley, chicken stalk, lemon, white wine, corn starch, then for the rest, angel hair pasta, and chicken! I will find the rest. You can't finds out my secret!" She said as she grabbed the pots and pans, and the boys raced to get the ingredients.

With in a minute, the boys had all the ingredients on the table.

"Wow, this is great. Now, you two go do something, and tell your Dad it will be twenty minutes!" She said.

"Oh, I have to leave you." Joe said and hugged her around the waste as she grabbed a few on the ingredients.

"Sorry to say Joe. But you must." She laughed and he kissed her on the cheek, from behind and she turned her head and kissed him back.

"Alright love birds, lets leave the little chef, to do her work." Frank said, jokingly.

"Fine." Joe whispered and kissed her one last time.

Joe let her go and Frank grabbed Joe by the arm and pulled him by the arm, out of the kitchen. They walked through the living room and the boys saw their Father reading the news paper on the couch. "Boys, your mother called and said she would be late tonight." He said quickly as they ran bye him.

"Okay Dad!" Joe yelled as Frank led him up the stairs.

They both went into Joe's bedroom and Joe sat in front of his computer on his desk chair. Frank sat on the bed across from him.

"So, I take it you really like her Joe." Frank grinned.

"I guess I do." Joe said.

"Well, from the looks of things. You do. You two were all over each other." Frank said laying down on Joe's bed.

Joe laughed. "Joe, would you do anything for me? You said you would do anything for her. You have never said that to me." Frank told him.

"Of course I would Frank. You of all people should know that." Joe said, getting up and sitting beside Frank.

"You aren't going to leave are you? I have this weird feeling that you are." Frank said. He got up and sat face to face with Joe.

Joe didn't answer, because the question shocked him. "Please answer me Joe." Frank begged.

"I can't Frank, because I don't know." Joe whispered.

"What!? You can't Joe. Please don't leave. Please don't leave me." Frank said grabbing Joe in a hug. He started crying and once buried his head in Joe's shoulder. "I need you Joe." He whispered, picking his head up and resting it on Joe's shoulder.

Joe felt like he had been punched in the stomach. He felt tears fall down his cheeks. "Frank, I don't know what is going to happen. Please don't ask me anything that You or I may later, or soon regret." Joe whispered.

"Is it because of Michaela?" Frank asked him.

"What!?" Joe yelled. "Frank, don't bring her into the picture. I like her. Yes. But I would need a better reason than that to leave home."

Frank nodded and released Joe. "Frank, everyone has to leave sometime. I am not sure when I will. Don't worry about it. I mean, for me to leave now, it would have to be something really bad." He said.

"Okay. Sorry." Frank said and got off Joe's bed. "But, she doesn't replace me right?" Frank turned and faced Joe.

"No one ever will Frank." Joe said. "We are brothers, and always will be, so don't get upset or anything." Joe said softly.

"Okay, change subject. Tell me the truth Joe! I mean, you have to be angry at him, or something. I would." Frank said quickly.

Joe didn't know the answer to that question. "In a way I think I am. But I understand his point of wanting to wait to tell us. I am so confused right now Frank. Maybe it would be better to talk about it with Mom, to." Joe said.

"I understand. But it still angers me, that I had a twin, and no one told me. But I see your point." Frank said, nodding his head. "How can you handle all of this Joe? I mean, look at you! I am upset, you aren't." Frank told him.

"Well, I don't know Frank. I..." Joe paused.

"Dinner!" Michaela yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

"Wow, that was quick." Frank said, looking at the clock. "Only fifteen minutes. Come on." Frank said and ran out of Joe's room.

"Okay..." Joe said and ran after him.

Five minutes later they were all at the kitchen table. Fenton and Michaela on one side and Joe and Frank on the other.

"This is fabulous." Fenton commented.

"I agree." Frank said.

"I think its great. Where'd you learn to cook like this?" Joe asked, taking another bite of the pasta.

Michaela looked up. "Well, I kind of taught myself, with the help of a friend." She said taking a bite. "This is one of my favorite meals." She said.

"It's mine now." Joe said, eating more.

"Thanks Joe." Michaela smiled. "Oh....drinks. What can I get you all to drink?" She said jumping up.

"I will come with you." Joe said, and went into the kitchen. "I know what they have." He said and she followed.

Joe closed the kitchen door in back of them. He grabbed her and gave her a quick kiss. "You make things a lot calmer here." He said as he let go of her. "Thanks." He whispered.

She smiled. "No problem Joe." She said.

They quickly got each of the drinks for them, and she put them on a tray that was on the table.

She carefully lifted the tray not spilling a drop. She started to walk towards the door, but tripped over a foot stool that was in front of it. One of the drinks slipped off the tray and started falling towards the floor.

Michaela, stopped it, a few inches before it hit the floor, keeping the liquid contained. She slowly lifter the glass back up, while holding the tray with both hands. She placed it back down safely, on top of the tray. "Phew, that was close." she said.

"Yeah it was." Joe said in relief.

They heard a noise behind them, of a door closing, and hey turned and saw Mrs. Hardy standing in the backdoor staring at Michaela, in gaping shock. She had seen them!