Joe's relationship to older brother

[Nikky]

I was asking this in the German forum and it was quite interesting to read the thoughts and answers, so I thought I'd pass this question to you.

We were discussing the Joe-Adam relationship regarding the series as well as Fanfic. I often wondered what sort of bond Joe and Adam had. It wasn't exactely fatherly from Adam's side, but given the years that seperated them, it wasn't much of an easy relationship as it was between Joe and Hoss.

I often felt surprised when I read in several fanfic about Adam making Joe's life miserable (or rather Joe blaming him to do so), or Joe being a spoilt brat who hated his oldest brother heartily because he was such a know-it-all. I can't seem to find a hint of it in the series. There's almost always a certain tension between the two brothers in the stories. I guess you'll find them now and then in the series, but there is also tension between Adam and Hoss (She walks in Beauty, The Courtship). And yet, these two never seem to argue as much as Joe and Adam.

Two of my absolute favourite moments in the show include the "confession" sequence in The Quality of Mercy (love it when Joe so readily spills the words to Adam), and the "comfort" scene in My Brother's Keeper, when Joe grabs Adams arm so tightly and calls out his name.

So, what is your favourite moment between Joe and Adam?
How would you describe their relationship?