Title: Resort to Ruin

Rating: K+, unless the case drives it higher

Disclaimer: If I wrote it, it wouldn't be published because it would be locked in endless revision.

Pairings: Frank/Nancy, with mentions of Ned/Nancy

Summary: Fresh off solving the Dehlia Draycott case, Nancy accepts the offer she got from Frank and Joe to work with them undercover. She just hadn't expected what that cover would be, and things are going to be awkward while they try and track down who might be behind an elaborate blackmail scheme at an exclusive resort.

Author's Note: I left the Retro Boys and Girls series open to this sequel. Then I struggled to find a case, but I was staring futilely at Far from Home, plagued by dark ideas for a different AU, and said... I need something lighter.

So shameless stuff here, much more blatantly Frank/Nancy slanted than my usual efforts, but I wanted something fun.


Clumsy Covers

"No," Frank objected immediately, which Joe knew he would and only made the whole thing that much better. "We need a different cover. That... It won't work."

"Why?" Joe asked, leaning back in his chair. As much as he loved his brother, there were few things in life as enjoyable as watching Frank squirm, and squirm he was, completely unnerved by Joe's simple suggestion. "You don't still think girls have cooties, do you?"

Frank rolled his eyes. "As I recall, Joe, I was over that long before you were. You still had an aversion to them until puberty hit and you started liking their... um... assets."

"Well, I like the tops more," Joe said, and Frank reached over to hit him. He grinned, knowing he'd really won if Frank was resorting to violence. Sometimes he was just too darn easy. "Nothing to be ashamed of, unless of course... you're not the kind of guy who appreciates the curves of the female form, in which case, you have some explaining to do because I thought for sure—"

"Joe—"

"And that would just make it even less awkward for you to—"

"Nancy is not going undercover as my girlfriend," Frank interrupted. "It's not about me not liking girls—and I do—quit looking at me like that, you jerk—or even that I don't—you know I went out with Callie and I think she's interested in more—but none of that matters. It's just—it's a dumb cover. We need a better one."

"On such short notice?" Joe snorted. "Yeah, right. We need something people will buy, and your girlfriend is something they'll believe. Some random girl who knows us just showing up and butting her nose in? Not gonna fly."

Frank ran a hand over his face. "You are only doing this to mess with me, and no, Joe, it is not happening. I'll talk to Dad. He can help us with a better cover, because Nancy is not going to pretend to be my girlfriend."

"You haven't even asked her," Joe said, giving Frank a long, hard stare. "She agreed to come without even asking what her cover would have to be—she'll do it. She's weird like that."

"She has a boyfriend."

"What, that Corky kid? He was twelve."

Frank rolled his eyes. "Did you miss the other guy? Tall, jealous, mostly quiet? Name of Ned? That one is her boyfriend. Asking her to pretend to be my girlfriend is just wrong, and I'm not doing it. We are finding her another cover. End of discussion."

Joe just watched his brother leave the room, smiling to himself. He would bet their father wouldn't have any better suggestion—not on this kind of notice—and he couldn't wait to see Frank try and explain this to Nancy.


"Frank!" Nancy cried, waving to him as soon as she spotted the two teens on the other side of the baggage claim. She flushed a little, wishing she'd been a little less loud. She hadn't thought she'd hear from the Hardys again, not for a long time after their time in LA, but Frank had offered her a new case just when she needed it, and she couldn't help being grateful. "I'm so glad to see you."

Frank came up to her and smiled. "Nancy."

Joe rolled his eyes. "Seriously. I thought this was the age of PDAs. At least give her a hug, Frank. That's not against the rules."

Frank glared at his brother, but Joe nudged him with his elbow. He stumbled forward, and as awkward as it was, Nancy finished the movement for him. She stepped into his embrace, giving him the hug that Joe suggested.

"It really is good to see you. I didn't get a chance to talk to you after the hospital, and I was still worried," Nancy told him. Frank was kind of red now. "And I wanted to tell you about how I wrapped up the case, since you were so interested in it."

"I am," Frank agreed. "I mean—we are."

"You are such a dork," Joe said. "Here, I'll be the gentleman and take your bag for you, Nance. Frank over here is a little flustered right now. Must be having you nearby again."

"What?"

Frank shook his head, reaching over to hit his brother. Nancy frowned, and Frank sighed. "Joe is just making my life miserable right now. It's not—well, we were a little hard-pressed to find a good reason why we were bringing in someone new. It's not that we don't need you—there are so many places that only the female guests and staff can get to because it's a spa and resort—but even Dad couldn't come up with anything better than Joe's idea of... having you pretend you're here to see us."

"I am," Nancy said, not sure what the issue was.

"He means to see him. As in... for the next few days, at least, you get to be his sweetheart," Joe said, almost getting swatted by his brother again. He dodged, grinning like a fool. He was definitely enjoying Frank's discomfort.

Frank stopped, letting Joe get a few feet ahead of them. "I'm sorry about this, Nancy. I know you have someone back home. I didn't mean to get you involved like this, but with things escalating so quickly—"

"It's fine," Nancy said, though she had to admit, her stomach had a few butterflies in it. She'd mostly ignored it before, but Frank's smile had gotten her through that first awful day at school. She'd looked for him at lunch but ended up with Inga, Trish, and Corky instead. She figured Frank was busy investigating at the time, and that—well, that was the dangerous part, wasn't it? Frank was cute, nice, and he liked mysteries.

Frank forced a smile. He swallowed. "We could be being watched now, so..."

He held out his hand, looking nervous, and Nancy gave him a reassuring smile before taking his hand in hers. It was surprisingly easy to do.


"So... Tell me about the case," Nancy said, and Frank hoped his palms weren't sweating. At least he wasn't pulling her suitcase along. Not that Nancy packed anything on the heavy side—just the one bag—but he would have been sure to do something dumb for sure. This was hard enough as it was without grossing Nancy out.

Then again—she'd hung out with Corky, so she couldn't be that squeamish.

"Well, as we said before, a client of Dad's wanted us to look into this resort and spa. See, a bunch of his clients have had mysterious accidents or been the victim of crimes after leaving the resort. Dad thinks that they're being blackmailed for things they do at the resort and when they fail to pay, they get a warning."

"Nothing like a close call to make someone think a blackmailer is serious," Nancy agreed. "Are the clients rich?"

"Most are, but what these people seem to be after more is influence. A certain senator's indiscretion with a girl not much older than you was being used to try and get him to vote against a certain bill," Frank explained. "He was ruined by the scandal. That one I don't mind so much, but Dad's friend..."

"He was a good cop, and what they wanted from him was the 'loss' of certain key evidence," Joe said, balling his fists. "And then..."

"He was attacked. We don't know if he will come out of the coma," Frank finished, looking at Nancy. "They could have killed him, and his wasn't the only near fatal accident."

Nancy nodded. "I can see why you'd be eager to end this quickly."

"Well, and that's the thing," Frank said, still uncomfortable with the cover they'd given Nancy. "We we're not even sure how they're getting their information, and there is apparently a long waiting list to get in, which is why we had to rush you in here. We've only got our rooms for a couple more days, and if we don't find something before then..."

"Then your dad could end up being the one blackmailed?"

Frank nodded, but Joe hit him. Rubbing his arm, he sighed. "I admit, it's unlikely—since Dad wouldn't do anything he could be blackmailed for, but that's what we thought about his friend, too. More likely, they'll arrange an accident for one of us... or our mom."

Nancy winced. Frank knew that would hit her a little hard, since she didn't have a mom, and that made him feel like a jerk for saying it, though it was true. He did think if anyone got targeted, it would be their mom first.

"I'll do what I can to help," Nancy agreed. "Where do we start?"

"I'm going to work some Hardy charm on a certain waitress," Joe said with a grin, making Frank roll his eyes. "You two lovebirds can go establish your cover."

Frank glared at his brother. "You're not helping."

Joe shrugged. "You're the one that said you thought that the more 'romantic' areas of the resort were probably a hot spot because of the potential blackmail material there. Cheating, kinks, all sorts of pillow talk..."

"I hate you," Frank muttered under his breath. He turned to Nancy. "Don't worry. He's exaggerating. I don't think there's anything to be gained by—"

"He means there's nothing dangerous about a tunnel of love ride, right?"

Frank tried to remind himself that he really did love his brother. It wasn't easy. If Joe didn't knock it off soon, he wouldn't have to worry about someone from the resort hurting him. Frank would do that himself.