Psychedelic Hollow

AU, Crossover. Sequel to Homecoming

PG-15

Joe scanned the crowd- it was a subdued lot, much more sedentary than what he was accustomed to but he couldn't expect too much energy in a wine bar 'n' pub- definitely not those raucous nightclubs that he had spent too many nights wasting his life and sleep hours away during the past few years when he was down in the doldrums. However, after his tumultuous emotions had settled down- after he sought help for his angry state- for nights of uproarious fun and dance, he would re-visit the pubs with an alcoholic limit on himself. Right then, due to the injuries he sustained in the previous case, the alcoholic limit had just plummeted down to a resounding "NO!" in his mind and none-too-oddly, in a voice that uncannily resembled Frank's.

If it wasn't for Frank's recommendation, Joe wouldn't even be there. There were times that the band wasn't playing when Joe almost dozed off. It was definitely the band that grudgingly convinced hyperactive people like him to sacrifice some of their Friday nights inside this mellowed place. Yah, Joe mused as he clapped after one amazing rendition of The Beatles, "Hey Jude". Callie's eyes shone with pride as some college girls cheered and whistled, obviously enamored with the band since they didn't seemed like the wine loving sort. Seeing his brother up on stage perched atop a high stool with a mike stand in front of him as he crooned the background vocals to sentimental, soft rock while strumming his guitar, Joe couldn't help but thought that the scene was a bit of an irony. He was the handsome and cool one with the dreams of joining a band some day but his brother, the tech nerd, was the Hardy Boy who would fulfill that ambition. After all, Frank, according to Callie, was the regular non-regular member of the three-men guitar band helmed by William Ranton, Frank's college roommate.

Ok. Frank's good-looking but I'm better looking, Joe thought, watching the band with a pouting face, In fact, if I do say so myself, I'm one darn hot looking guy in need of a thesaurus so I can better describe my 'good-lookingness' in better details. Man! Couldn't he wave me up to just jam one number or something with them? I can play the guitar too!

A slight twinge of jealousy carved a hollow in his chest as he spotted a pretty, brown-haired girl walking up to William during the brief few seconds' intermission to the next song. As usual, William, a lanky man with long, razor-sharp black hair curtaining his brown eyes while elongating his too thin and sharp face, would read the request slip, smile and then the band would play something different. The song would arrive, as Joe noticed because he sent one up himself anonymously, at the end of each set with the exception of one or two special and urgent requests slotted in the middle of the prepared numbers.

Callie leaned over the table, her glass of cocktail still full. Joe had been eying his friends' alcoholic drinks thirstily as he sipped his orange juice with some distaste. The injury sustained during their last case had forced him to abstain from certain regular aspects of his nights' entertainment- temporary, he hoped. But because his liver had been hurt (but healed extremely well) next to his spleen and half of his pancreas taken out, certain foods were anathema as dictated by his strict, draconian doctor and seconded by Frank and his parents- foods like alcohol. In fact, for this outing, Frank had been apprehensive as he didn't want to place Joe in "proximity of temptation" but desired for his little brother to come and idol-worship his guitar prowess. Thus, he had Biff act as babysitter, giving Biff, who had specially flown into Bayport from Arkansas for Frank's impending wedding with Callie, the okay to break Joe's arm if Joe even remotely touched anything alcoholic.

"He's really good, you know. This is what he does to break away from the realities of his chosen career."

"Well, he never told me… he told me he jams sometimes with a band but I never thought it was regular and professional… I thought he meant those aimless garage kind of stuff." Joe muttered, dourly impressed. He was feeling both proud and sour but he couldn't help it and wasn't going to apologize for his emotions. Frank would understand and Frank would, if he whined long enough, get him to play with the band some day. And then, one of his dreams would be fulfilled- he had many of those "dreams" and "ambitions", the most enduring one being becoming filthy rich. A filthy rich and devilishly handsome private investigator, a filthy rich and devilishly handsome rock star, a filthy rich and devilishly handsome professional football player-he was inherently blessed with the devilishly handsome part and had decided to go with the private investigator passion- time to do something about the filthy rich facet.

"Well, if it makes you feel better, you kinda knew about it, though you misunderstood the information, earlier than us. He told me he called you first and you laughed about it, asking him if the band plays songs like Do-Re-Mi while dressed as fairytale characters to kids. It's about a year ago- he accepted William's invitation for a guest spot and then, it became something he couldn't let go of. The applause keeps him playing though he's busy." Callie sipped her drink, her eyes dreamy.

"You can hardly hear him sing…but you can hear him croak!" Chet drawled, rather out of it already after only one drink- a diluted house-pour. The rotund good friend of the brothers then let out a high-pitched giggle before slumping down further on the comfortable armchair he was seated on. The place was cozy with low tables flanked by armchairs, lit by scant orange lights and a candle flame atop each table. Joe could really fall asleep in the setting easily. As it was, Chet's eyes were already half-closed

"Shut up!" Callie slapped Chet's hand, eliciting another round of giggles from the guy. "I won't be seeing him until our wedding day after this so all of you better keep quiet. He promised me a surprise."

"Oh, he's going to serenade to you?" Joe asked and Callie blushed before shrugging.

"Most likely… given the setting."

"Ow… that'll be so sweet. How about we throw a snake on stage to see if he freaks out halfway through the song? That will be a real test for him- get bitten by a snake or finish singing a song to Cal…Argh… hey, sister, you develop a mean right hook!" Biff yelped, rubbing the sore spot on his arm where Callie had punched him. Joe pointed to his husky good friend and laughed derisively.

"You're so weak, brother!"

"Yah… wait till she hits you!"

"I'll hit anyone who dares to badmouth my Frank! So you guys better watch your mouths and shut up!" Callie admonished them before staring at the stage admiringly again, with a huge grin on her face. Talk about a speedy change of facial expression. Joe caught Frank winking at Callie and saw Callie giving him a flying-kiss. Choking back on a sudden laugh, he nudged Biff and nodded towards Callie.

"She hadn't even married him and she's already a monster. I kinda pity my brother."

"Hah, don't let her hear you. So, how's life for you?"

Joe snorted, shaking the juice in his glass, "Life's as usual. Growing old. If it's not for Hallie, I think I'll go crazy."

"Ow… don't say that. You know, I wrote an email to Vanessa lately."

"You have?" Joe asked, trying to sound nonchalant. "What did she say?"

"Oh… she's experiencing new stuff in Hong Kong. Looks like Phil's brother is taking very good care of her. You know, if you want her back, I think you really have to go there and seek her out."

"To what end? So I can tell her I love her in Cantonese and hope she'll be so touch that I learnt another language just to romance her? We're not in high school anymore. She can do as she pleases."

"You're singing a pretty different tune from a week ago." Biff raised a questioning brow, "Met a new pretty girl?"

Joe stuck a tongue in his cheek, rather annoyed, "What does my change in philosophy has to do with another pretty girl?"

"The cure to losing love is having another love." Biff opined, a half-smile creeping up the side of his lips, "Or, in your case, many new loves."

"I'm not a teenager anymore… besides, I have Hallie to think about. If I look for someone else, she'll have to be someone who can love Hallie like her own." Joe wrinkled his nose disapprovingly as the band went into another number- a very slow ballad. They could benefit from his guitar tabs on faster-tempo rock songs.

"Your friend, Elle? The one you gushed about sometimes?"

"I don't gush about Elle…" Joe wagged a cautionary finger at Biff, "She has someone else and she isn't exactly the motherly sort."

"And what's the motherly sort? Vanessa?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Joe gulped down his orange juice and waved at the waitress to order a Pierre. Orange juice and water- the stuff he drank at pubs nowadays, when he could go to the pubs, of course, rather reflect his life now as opposed to wild parties, alcohol and getting pissed drunk for no reason. Not that he was resenting his fatherly responsibilities but at times, he really wanted someone to share the burden with. Sure, he had Laura, Fenton and Aunt Gertrude, who had just returned from her sabbatical in Europe, to share the load at home but he desperately wished for someone around to share the joys, the trials, the frustrations and heartaches of watching Hallie grow up - someone female, someone warm and someone soft. Someone he could hug at night and cuddle to sleep. Someone who he could baby and who would baby him. Someone he could love and who loved him back. Someone to fill the emptiness in his stomach that was more than just hunger.

Vanessa was becoming less and less like 'the someone'. He didn't think she loved him anymore. Besides, she was so far away. When the sun was setting down on him, it was rising up to greet her.

The love songs he was hearing now only cut the wound that Vanessa inflicted on his heart deeper. But for Frank, he would suffer it through. The waitress came with his water and he took several gulps, chewing on the ice for distraction.

"And now, for our last number, we have a special request by one of our band members. Frank, as you guys should know by now, is getting married to lovely Callie… Callie, wave and say 'Hi!'" William teased Callie from the stage and Joe could feel her cringing next to him, embarrassed. The entire room turned to the back and smiled at her, happy for the two of them. Frank was grinning widely and Joe draped an arm across Callie's shoulders, speaking from the corner of his lips.

"Hey, sis, wave, say 'Hi'!"

"Shut up!" Callie muttered but she managed to lift her right hand diffidently in acknowledgement of the pub regulars' blessings.

"And now, I shall relinquish my lead singing to Frank. If we sound terrible, please don't think it's me or us. It's him. But the things we do in the name of love." William joked, earning a brief look of ire from the dark-haired young man. However, without much ado, Frank leaned over and spoke into the microphone, his words jesting but his voice husky with emotions.

"Callie, may you remember this as we go cold turkey from each other until the wedding day. I hope I can survive but please, let me call you at least ten times in a day." He pleaded with puppy-dog's eyes and she giggled nervously, taking quick sips of her drink- awkward, blushing but in bliss.

Joe wondered just how tacky Frank could be. But the crowd loved the declarations of love. They whistled and clapped, showing their approval blatantly. Joe joined in the clamor as well, happy for his brother and very amused. Frank had grown much less inhibited during his absence. Maybe, without Joe, the outgoing clown of the Hardy Boys, Frank's character had to do some adjustments and it seemed like his brother had adapted very well.

The noise died down as the band strummed the gentle melody and chords. Joe was rather surprise at his brother's vocals- sure, Frank wasn't exactly a professional but he could hold a tune and the slightly hoarse quality of his voice had a rawness to it, a quality some people might find appealing. His love for Callie broadcasted to all not by the lyrics of the song but by the heartfelt manner in which he sang. Yet, Frank couldn't have picked a more apt song to mock Joe's sentiments that night as memories, dredged out by his conversation with Biff, blared in his mind. Looking away from his friends when his eyes grew misty, he quickly swiped the stray tears away as an old bitterness made its presence felt in the cavity of his stomach.

So, bro. You're getting married. Good for you! Me? I'll steer clear of the other species from now on, they're nothing but trouble.

*"I would die for you

Climb the highest mountain

Baby, there's nothing I wouldn't do…"

But you have to know, Frank. I went into marriage thinking that love will conquer all. I was willing to do everything it takes to keep us together. Somehow, it just isn't that enough. I love her so much but I hate her intensely for leaving. What's yours is yours, huh?

"I was standing

All alone against the world outside

You were searching

For a place to hide

Lost and lonely

Now you given me the will to survive

When we're hungry… Love will keep us alive…"

He puffed his cheeks before exhaling heavily; the imagined conversation with Frank left him feeling more depressed than before. It wasn't like he wanted to be a grouch when it came to love- he could remember clearly to a more innocent time when he embraced it with open arms and had such wild expectations of what it could bring and what it could do. With a side glance, he spotted teary-eyed Callie sniffing as she smiled at Frank. The love they had for each other communicated across the room and everyone present could feel its wings fluttering by. As the sweet aura of their coupling percolated the small, cozy establishment, so did it twined around Joe's melancholia, augmenting the forlornness inside of him which remained since Vanessa broke his heart years ago and then, shattered it further by leaving him and Hallie behind.

"When we're hungry… Love will keep us alive..."

He smiled, feigning mirth, raising a toast to Frank, congratulating him for casting another spell on Callie's soul. There was no way these two lovebirds wouldn't spend the rest of their lives together. Chasing his blues away, he wouldn't let self-indulgence into his woes mar his happiness for his brother- Frank and Callie more than deserved Joe's unadulterated blessings.

"When we're hungry… Love will keep us alive…"

But you know what? Joe mused poignantly as he failed to keep trudging into moroseness, It doesn't really keep us sane.

***

Nancy drove through the uptown section downtown Bayport where she had made a last minute room reservation with one of the two grander hotels in the small city. Right then, she had a sneaking suspicion that life was playing a satire on her. She had declined Frank's wedding invitation, citing work as a reason and while it was true, it wasn't entirely the whole truth. For a month, she had been working on a case and it had led her almost nowhere since her informer had vanished on her after turning over to purely vice without a conscience again. The skies must be splitting with laughter because, as events would turn out, her case led her to Bayport at a time so close to Frank's wedding with Callie. And she could foresee, as statistics from the past could readily lay testimony, that there was no way she could carry her investigations clandestinely from the Hardys and may even need their help. This was after all, their turf.

A little less close in the recent couple of years, Frank still kept her updated on his life via email and the occasional phone call. As for Joe, he had probably forgotten that he used to work on cases with a strawberry blond-haired girl from River Heights but Nancy was willing to bet that the name, Bess Marvin, would ring a bell in the undisputed playboy turned devoted father. How their lives had changed- she had thought that she and the Hardys, namely Frank, would still be good friends but distance and hectic work schedules had taken their tolls on the friendship. During college days, Frank could, on impulse, travel down to New York where she was studying just to have a cup of coffee with her. Yet, something happened, something she couldn't quite understand, and the closeness diminished in an instant. When she finally plucked the courage to ask Frank about it, maybe come to some closure or open new doors, his invitation card came and the idea was dropped like a hot potato.

A slight drizzle mist her windscreen and, with some irritation, she flicked the wipers' switch on and squint her eyes against the streetlamps' light reflected by the water droplets. Downtown Bayport should be easy to maneuver through and at 1:30 a.m. in the morning, the traffic was extremely smooth, due to its non-existence. Yet, she couldn't find the hotel and she was exhausted from the plane ride. Finally, she spotted a neon green arrow emblazoned with the hotel's name pointing into a corner that she had missed on her previous round traveling down the same stretch, and turned in. There were a few cars coming out from the basement car park as she drove in, blowing at her fringe in relief when she saw that the car park had quite a few vacant spots.

She stopped her car at a corner lot and was just about to step out when the invitation card slipped out of the back compartment of her tote bag. The thorn of an unanswered question pierced her heart again as she couldn't help but read the wedding details on the card for the umpteenth time. And for the umpteenth time, she had to contend with the fact that the name next to Frank's wasn't hers.

You never know what you really want until it's gone, do you, Drew?

Smiling sadly, she slotted it back into the compartment and climbed out of her rented red car to retrieve her luggage. A short distance after, she heard a familiar voice from behind and spun around, her heart leaping wildly with the glimpse of the achingly familiar dark brown hair and smiling eyes.

*Love will Keep Us Alive, The Eagles, Hell Freezes Over (1994)