It all seemed to happen in slow motion to Jason, but that did not stop him from rushing to his brother's side. Adam was grabbing the side of his leg in pain when Jason made it over to the trampoline. The rest of the teenagers waited anxiously as Jason assessed the situation.

"Adam? Are you all right?" Jason asked in a worried tone. He reached out to touch his brother on the arm, but Adam leashed out at his older brother.

"Leave me alone Jason!" Adam angrily remarked. Even though it felt like a knife had just went through his thigh, his anger at his older brother masked the pain.

Jason stepped back in bewilderment. He watched as his younger brother slowly sat up, reached into his jean pocket and pulled out a broken medicine bottle. Adam slammed the pieces of the bottle down on the trampoline, scattering a few small white pills with it. Then he looked over at Jason with fury in his eyes. He wanted to let his older brother have it royally, but not in front of an audience. Chuck ran into the house and soon returned with a plastic baggie. He quickly picked up the white pills that were scattered on the trampoline and placed them into the baggie.

"Thanks Chuck," Adam replied as Chuck handed him the baggie.

"Are you all right Adam?" Alyssa called out. Tears were in her eyes and Adam could tell that she was upset by the tone of her voice.

"Yeah. I just busted this medicine bottle when I landed and I think it jabbed me. But I will live," Adam said, turning to face her. Joe and Frank were standing beside her in total confusion. Then Adam moved to get off the trampoline. Jason was about to help his brother down when he noticed the look on Adam's face.

But as Adam put his full weight on his feet, his leg gave out from under him. Jason reacted with lightning speed and broke Adam's fall. Frank and Joe rushed over to help steady Adam, but by the time they reached the Kramer brothers, Jason had the scene under control.

"Let's go and check that cut to make sure it is not going to need any stitches," Jason said calmly as he led Adam into the Cooper house. "You guys just wait here. I am sure that he is fine."

With that, Frank and Joe walked back over to Alyssa. She knew Adam was fine, but she still had this worried look on her face. Chuck shot her a glance and walked over to join her.

Frank was totally confused. He was protective of his younger brother. As a matter of fact, he often smothered Joe with his protectiveness. But Jason was extremely cautious over Adam.

He was just on a trampoline like many other kids across the United States. Why would Jason make a deal of that? Also, why would he have a bottle of pills in his pocket? Was there something wrong with Adam that the Kramers were keeping secret?

Joe had about the same thoughts. However, he felt sorry for Adam because he knew what it was like to have a set of eyes watch and evaluate every move that was made. Joe wanted to break free of Frank's protectiveness at times, but at other times, it was Frank who he called on when things got rough. He looked over at Frank and could tell that his older brother was in deep thought. Then there was the exchange of glances between Alyssa and Chuck. He felt like something was being kept from him, but he was not sure.

Frank was about to ask Alyssa and Chuck about things when Jason walked back outside.

"He is fine. Just a small cut he said. He is going to put some medicine on it and put a Band-Aid on it," Jason commented as he looked at the small group.

"Are things okay?" Alyssa asked.

"Oh, yeah. Things are fine. I am sorry about this guys. I should not have startled him," Jason replied sheepishly. "It is just we have been through a lot this past year with things and I do love my brother. Maybe I baby him too much, but as I said, it has been a rough year."

"It's okay Jason. I am the same way with this brat right here," Frank said, walking over to Jason and putting his hand on his shoulder. "An older brother's job is never done." Jason grinned at the comment as did Chuck and Alyssa. Joe just smirked at his brother's statement, but chose to not fight that battle today.

Adam soon joined hobbled out of the door to join the group. He assured everyone he was fine, just a little scraped up.

"I know, why don't we go down to the pier and get some food and see what is going on? Frank and Joe would probably like to soak up some California culture," Chuck said with a big grin on his face.

"You just want food," Adam quipped.

"I am insulted that you would think that all I think about was food," Chuck said, crossing his arms. Adam just rolled his eyes along with Jason and Alyssa.

"This pier sounds like a place to check out. I am with Chuck," Frank said, holding his hand up.

"Same here," Joe seconded.

"The guests have spoken and their wishes are my commands," Chuck said as the walked toward the van.

"Then that means that Chuck is buying!" Adam called out. Chuck looked back at Adam and then opened his empty wallet.

"I guess that means that we are all buying for Chuck," Alyssa laughed as Adam carried her to the Trans Am. Chuck just turned red and got into the back of the van and called out, "Just for that I am riding with the nicer people." Then he shut the sliding door shut. Adam and Alyssa laughed at Chuck.

"Riding with us?" Adam called over to Joe.

"If you want me to?" Joe said. He thought Adam and Alyssa wanted some private time. But Adam waved him over, so Joe Hardy jumped into the backseat while his older brother Frank joined Chuck and Jason in the van.

After traveling through the countryside and through the small town of Emerald Beach, the teenagers found themselves at the pier, the local hangout. Even though it was around six in the evening when they arrived at the establishment, several cars were parked outside and the sounds of music could be heard.

When they walked in, the pier was buzzing with several people on the dance floor and in the many booths that lined the small wooden building. Jason and Chuck led the group to their favorite booth that overlooked the ocean that was almost right outside their window. Frank marveled at the high tide slamming up against the rocks in the distance while Joe was too busy checking out the girls playing volleyball on the beach nearby. The sun was setting and darkness was starting to settle in, but that did not take away from Joe's spectator watching. Chuck also sat beside him.

"Now you can see why I always sit here," Chuck whispered to the younger Hardy as they passed the menus over to Frank and Joe. Jason scooted over to make room for Adam as he wheeled Alyssa to the head of the table.

After ordering burgers and fries, the Hardy boys filled the group in on their many adventures and their beloved Bayport. The stories were enjoyed by all. Then Chuck and Alyssa shared some stories about the Kramers as Adam and Jason blushed. They were so into their conversation they never realized that darkness had moved in.

"So do you miss your girlfriends back east yet after seeing some real California girls?" Chuck asked with a sly grin.

"Yeah, do you have any pictures of them on you?" Alyssa asked right behind Chuck.

Frank and Joe pulled out their wallets and showed the Emerald Beach teenagers their pictures of Callie and Iola.

"Wow! That Callie looks like a strong girl. I bet she keeps you on a short leash!' Chuck remarked looking at the picture of the emerald green-eyed girl with medium length reddish hair.

"You bet she does!" Joe chimed in.

"I don't think I would be saying anything there little brother. Should I report to Iola that you were checking out other girls just an hour ago?" Frank quipped back.

"Let's just keep that to ourselves," Joe said sheepishly.

"Oh, Joe. She is so beautiful. I love her long black hair and she has the most beautiful skin color," Alyssa remarked looking at the picture as she passed it around.

"They are pretty catches," Adam said as he saw both pictures. He could see why Joe was attracted to Iola. Alyssa and Iola had some similar features.

"Hey, where is Kara? I just happened to realize that I didn't see her," Chuck asked.

"She is out of town with her parents this weekend. They went up to San Francisco," Jason answered. He pulled out his wallet and showed the Hardys a picture of Kara.

"She is a knock out Jason!" Frank said. She had about the same features as Callie except with blond with blue eyes. They had this feisty look. The same feisty look that attracted him to Callie.

"All this talk has my bones ready to move," Adam called out. "Please excuse me a minute." Adam got up and walked over to the jukebox.

"Oh boy, AC/DC again!" Jason quipped. But Adam just grinned as Slaughter's "Days Gone By" filled the room. While Alyssa loved Bon Jovi, Adam had discovered this song and had her listen to it over the phone when she was away getting surgery. He reached down to Alyssa like a true gentleman. Alyssa turned red and reached her arms up. Adam pulled her up and carried her to the dance floor.

Frank and Joe both watched the young couple. Neither one of them could believe just how much they did not let Alyssa's handicap hold them back from activities that other couples did. Alyssa looked like she was dancing on her own to the naked eye.

"That is just a truly amazing sight," Frank remarked.

"I know. Alyssa was the first girl to ever catch his attention. They let nothing stop them, that is for sure," Jason said with a smile.

"If you don't mind me asking, how long has she been paralyzed?" Joe asked.

Chuck and Jason squirmed at first. They knew that Adam wanted to keep his condition a secret, but Alyssa would have gladly answered the question herself. So Jason explained that it was due to a car accident, but left out many of the details. Instead, he focused on her latest surgery and hopes for walking again. Then the discussion switched back to their cases, much to Jason and Chuck's relief. They were so into their stories, they did not notice that Adam and Alyssa had secretly and quietly sneaked out to the beach, with the dark of night as their cover.

Adam carried Alyssa to the beach and laid her down in the soft sand.

"Sorry, I have been about ready to die without being with you--- alone," Adam said quietly. Alyssa didn't answer him, but gently sat up and leaned up against him as she watched the waves. "I missed you so much when you went to for your surgery. I am glad you had it, but I just missed you so much."

He leaned in and kissed her passionately. It was like the couple was transported back in time to the many times that they parked at Orchard Lake. But this time, they didn't care if anyone saw them. They missed each other's touch so much; that it was like the world was stopping around them. Adam just wanted to hold Alyssa in his arms forever and never let her go. Adam caressed her soft face in his hand. The young couple then watched the waves of the ocean roll in and slam against the rocks, cheek to cheek.

After sitting there, just holding each other for several minutes, Alyssa said, " Adam, we had better get back in there. It is getting late and I will need to get back home. Physical therapy in the morning!"

"It is a miracle that Jason has not came with a search party yet," Adam said with an irritated tone.

"Adam, you know that he just cares about you," Alyssa corrected him. "And I am glad that he does look out for you."

"I know, but I just wish he wouldn't do it in front of Frank and Joe."

"Adam, even though Frank and Joe are here, Jason is still your brother. I can assure you that Frank and Joe are the same about each other. You should be blessed to have a brother to care for you the way he does."

Adam felt the guilt pain shoot right through him. He knew Alyssa was right, but he still wished that Jason would at least back off until Frank and Joe left.

The silence proved that Alyssa was right. She smiled and kissed her boyfriend affectionately on the cheek. "Go and get my chariot please!"

"Sure thing," Adam said as he kissed her one last time and walked back towards the path to the restaurant area.

Adam walked onto the path that led between some bushy plants. He did not see the dark shadow that moved behind him. Before he could react, a pair of strong hands grabbed him from behind and tried to drag him to the ground. Caught off guard, Adam fell back and hit the sand hard with a thud. But he knew he had to get his senses together quickly. He felt the hand try to put a cloth near his face. Not liking the idea of that, Adam leashed out with an elbow to the shadow's stomach area. He heard his assailant make a small grunt, but the stomach was like hitting a sack of flour. Adam continued to fight off the attacker, but the attacker was much stronger than the younger Kramer was. When Adam realized he was in trouble, he did the only thing he knew to do.

"JAAAAAAASOOOOOONNNNNNNNNN! SOMEONE! HELLLLPPPPPPP!" he shouted over and over as he kept up the fight. He heard Alyssa cry out. He hated alarming her, but he knew she could not help him. Adam only hoped that Jason or someone would hear his cries of help before his attacker completely took control.

Mistaken Identity