A/N: I may add to this later. I always assumed I shipped Nancy & Ned but on further thought, I don't feel any passion there. Title from Robert Frost.
"Ned," said Nancy after one particularly boring party, "why is it that you always introduce me to your colleagues as a 'girl detective' when you would never dream of introducing Frank or Joe Hardy as a 'man detective'?" She said it very sweetly and she made her face stay neutral, nonthreatening, but Ned winced as though she'd struck him. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel.
"It can only mean two things," Nancy went on, calmly. "Either you're trying to fit in by giving the impression that you agree with their old-fashioned ideas about women, or you actually believe for yourself that a woman can't be a detective. And I must admit, Ned, that neither option endears you to me."
"How spineless do you think I am?" Ned protested.
"I know you aren't," Nancy told him. "Which leaves only the second option. You think I'm playing, passing the time until we're married."
"Isn't that what you're doing?" Ned's jaw was set. Nancy knew that look. She also knew that she was more stubborn than he was.
"No," she said. "I'm never going to fold up my brain and put it away in my hope chest for your sake."
"I thought you loved me."
"I did. I do."
"Which is it?"
"We have- we have grown into a very dear companionship," Nancy said carefully.
"Don't say it," he warned.
"I'm not sure you love me the way you think you do," she said, becoming frustrated.
"We've been together for so long," he said, and trailed off as if uncertain where he was going with that statement.
"Our futures are obviously not going to line up."
"Don't do this, Nancy. Don't be so stubborn. We can work this out."
"Will you promise to take my career seriously? Because I am first and foremost a detective. Giving that up would be like giving up an arm or a leg." There was a long pause. Ned parked the car in her driveway and sat there, still gripping the wheel.
"I don't know how to say goodbye to you," he whispered.
"Ned," she said, her voice breaking. He turned suddenly and pulled her close, hugging her almost too tightly.
"It's unthinkable. You're a constant. You're part of my life," he said into her neck.
"I know," she said miserably. "But it's better this way, now, while we are still friends."
Nancy had done many brave things in her life, but the bravest of them was this: she untangled herself from Ned's embrace. She gave him one last long look. She picked up her purse and stepped out of his car, free to face the future on her own terms.