Disclaimer: This story is the product of a challenge to write something outside of the fandoms that I'm a part of, so please be kind! A HUGE thank you to drumboy100 for both challenging me to do this and for being the beta.
The story is very loosely inspired by the game Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon. I have taken some liberties with characters, backstories and events. This is also going to be a very short series, a few parts at most.

"What do you want me to say, Nancy?" Frank Hardy ran his fingers through his thick, brown hair, gazing at his girlfriend pleadingly. "He's my brother and he felt excluded."
"I get that, Frank, I really do…"
"But..?" Frank quirked an eyebrow, knowing Nancy all too well.
"But you know what the issue is, Frank. This was supposed to be a weekend for us to spend time with Kenzie, which is why we didn't tell Joe about it."
"I'm sure it won't be long until he's met some pretty girl who will spend the rest of the weekend occupying his time."
"And if they see each other first? It's a very small train," she raised her brows in challenge, "you know as well as anyone that Joe is still a sore spot for her."
Frank rubbed his neck, avoiding looking into her eyes. He knew better than anyone the history between those two, having heard it from both his brother and through Nancy's retelling. Yet, when Joe had shown up on the platform an hour ago, his eyes filled with betrayal, Frank had given in and apologized. He knew he would have to tell his brother the real reason he hadn't been invited on the trip, but wasn't quite sure how. For once, Frank Hardy had no right answers.
"I'll tell him the truth," he finally replied, "make sure he has a chance to steer clear of her."
Nancy let out a deep sigh, knowing she was defeated. "Fine, but this better work, Frank."
A mischievous grin spread across Frank's lips, as he drew her into his arms and planted a soft, loving kiss on her lips. Just as she began to soften, there was an insistent knock on the compartment door, shattering the mood. With a groan Nancy pushed herself away. "If that is your brother take him to the dining car while I go and talk to Kenzie."
"Yes, ma'm," Frank hurried to obey, sliding the door open just enough to slip through, before closing it again.
Once outside, he was met with Joe's sheepish grin. "Nancy's mad, isn't she? Even though I should be the one mad at you two for planning a mystery vacation with friends without inviting me."
The edge of bitterness in his voice was hard to miss and Frank couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He had never before excluded his brother out of anything, unless he and Nancy wanted time alone. Of course, they had a good reason for not inviting him this time, but not telling him about the trip at all had been a terrible way to handle the situation.
With a wry smile, Frank clapped a hand to his brother's shoulder and led him off in the direction of the dining car. "She'll get over it. There is something I need to talk to you about, though."
Joe knew better than to ask. He knew perfectly well Frank wouldn't tell him anything until they had reached their destination, it was exactly the way he'd been since they were children.
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, suddenly feeling guilty about crashing the trip. It was exactly the kind of impulsive thing he had become known for. In the midst of his own hurt feelings, he hadn't even stopped to consider the reasons why.
The sudden, loud chatter or the dining car brought his thoughts to a halt. The overhead lights had been dimmed, no doubt to give the car more of a bar vibe. The place was packed, it seemed nearly every passenger on the train had flocked to enjoy the drinks and lively atmosphere.
"Why don't you find us a table," Frank suggested, leaning closer to make himself heard over the crowd, "I'll go get us some drinks, the usual?"
But Joe wasn't listening. Something else had caught his attention across the car. He stood frozen in a moment of horror and confusion, his mind reeling and trying to grasp what he was seeing.
He swallowed hard. He had spent the past three years of his life trying to get away from this one, particular regret, and now it was staring him straight in the face. Makenzie Brooks; the one that got away. Or perhaps the one he had pushed away. His mind racing, his palms suddenly sweaty, the packed train car seemed to grow smaller with each passing second. His eyes closed, the images of the first time they'd met flashing before his eyes.

She was new, she had to be. There was no way they had lived in the same town for long and he was just now noticing her. He watched as the girl scrunched her nose, her lips pursing slightly. She wasn't his type, her nose buried in a book, her hair pulled up in a classic ponytail; but there was something about her, something that kept him staring at her from across the courtyard.
"Put your tongue back in your mouth, Joe Hardy!" the unmistakable voice of Nancy Drew teased from behind, causing him to jump involuntarily, as if caught doing something he shouldn't have been.
"I'm not- I wasn't-" Joe stumbled over his words, irritated at his own obviousness.
Nancy giggled. "Come, I'll introduce you."
Before he could protest, Nancy had dragged him by the arm across the courtyard and towards the blond mystery looked up as they approached, adjusting the glasses that had slipped down her nose and Joe felt his knees buckle. Her green eyes sparkled in the sunlight as she smiled and greeted Nancy.
"How are you settling in?" Nancy asked conversationally, no doubt enjoying the torture she was subjecting him to.
The girl shrugged. "It's better than I expected, the people here are really nice." Her eyes wandered to Joe curiously. "Let me guess, Joe Hardy, right?"
Taken aback, Joe's eyes widened for a moment, causing the girl to smirk. "You've heard of me?"
Nancy grinned wickedly. "It would seem your reputation precedes you, Joe."
The girl smiled warmly and extended her hand across the table. "Makenzie Brooks."
As Joe grasped her hand, a warmth spread through his fingers unlike anything he had ever felt, sending him tumbling headfirst into a torturous, four year long, secret roller coaster ride of emotions that could only end one way…

In the blink of an eye the image was gone, replaced by the lively crowd of the dining car. Frank's hand was on his shoulder, his voice in Joe's ear. "Come on, let's go find a seat and I'll tell you everything you probably already know."
Joe blinked, his thoughts still a blur. Shakily, he weaved his way through the crowd towards the bar, wanting to walk up to her yet hoping she wouldn't notice him. So many nights he had dreamed of this reunion, dreaded it even, sure it would never happen and now it was right here, within his reach. The moment the bartender set the glass down in front of him, Joe downed the whiskey in one shot and closed his eyes tightly, fighting the memory of those last, painful moments they'd spent together three years ago.
"This is why we didn't invite you," Frank began cautiously, "the third ticket was for Kenzie. I should have told you about the trip and explained everything, I just couldn't find the words for some reason."
Joe chuckled, devoid of any humor. "That doesn't sound at all like you, Frank."
"I'm sorry, Joe, I really am."
Joe drew a breath, letting it out a moment later. "Don't apologize, I'm the one who crashed your trip," a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, "some detective I am; I really should have put two and two together. Maybe they're right when they call you the smart one."
A quiet chuckle erupted from Frank's lips, the tense mood instantly lifted. "Nancy was supposed to keep her occupied while I talked to you, guess she slipped out of her tight grasp."
A strange look passed Joe's face, his neck craning to glance in Kenzie's direction. "She seems to have that talent…"
The look on Joe's face screamed he longed to talk to her, longed to make things right. Frank thought about it for a moment; considered every possible outcome, considered just how mad Nancy would be at him.
"Why don't you just go talk to her?"
Joe's eyes filled with concentration and Frank knew he too was considering all the possible outcomes. It wasn't something that happened often due to his impulsive nature, but when it did Joe was meticulous and thorough in his assessment.
A few, silent moments later, Joe shook his head, tearing his eyes away from Kenzie. "It's not fair of me to ambush her like this," he stood up, finishing his second drink and setting the glass back down on the bar. "I'm heading back to my compartment, maybe finish up some of the paperwork for our last case so you don't always have to."
"Who are you and what have you done with the real Joe Hardy?" Frank chuckled.
"Don't make me change my mind," he rolled his eyes and flashed his brother a crooked smile, before disappearing into the crowd.