Disclaimer: I do not own The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew or the DJ Delilah. I am just a fan. This story is AU. The Hardy boys and Nancy Drew were not childhood friends. This is a version of their meeting.

Note: I would like to say a special thank you to ariandula for being a wonderful beta reader. She has a talented eye and good sense of character.

When Frank Met Nancy

-The announcement.

Frank

I click the shutdown tab on my laptop and glance over at Joe. He looks stunned too. Maybe this is not as bad as I think it is.

"So, Dad hired a junior investigator to give him a hand with cases." No, it doesn't sound any better when I say it out loud.

Joe leans back on the couch beside me. We met at my place for our weekly Skype with Dad to keep him up-to-date on our FBI lives. We had started the session flying high as we had completed a tough missing person case that had been thrown our way. Joe claims it was a type of hazing. I cannot totally discredit the idea.

Joe hops up and starts walking around my small living room/kitchen/dining room. I had not changed it much in the two years since Callie and I broke up. The walls were still yellow with white trim, but now my furniture was a yard sale mismatch. The couch is different shades of brown, the table is a wooden mess that wobbles and the easy chair is not easy to sit in.

He stops and turns toward me. "You don't think Dad is angry we went to the FBI instead of joining the agency, do you?" I can see the guilt in his eyes.

"No. If he had problems with it he would have told us. Besides, he was a police officer before he was an investigator. We're still following in his footsteps." We are just taking a longer way around. I know working for the FBI is right for me, but I worry about Joe. He may have just followed me into it; he's not exactly one for rules.

"Maybe it is all like he said then. He met her while speaking at her graduation from UMD. She helped him with a case. He decided to offer her a job." Joe shrugged. "There's nothing strange about that."

"There is plenty strange. She is strange. I mean, a complete stranger." Are we supposed to trust our father's safety and livelihood to some unknown person? That is not happening. I boot up my laptop. Joe crashes down beside me making the springs on the old speckled brown couch squeak and shake.

"He has probably already run a background check on her," he points out. I know he's right. Dad is not reckless. But still, it wouldn't hurt to take a little look. When he sees me logging into the databases, he laughs. "Call me when you hit anything. I'll make popcorn and hope your microwave doesn't explode."

I barely notice him leave the couch. I have hits on this Nancy Elizabeth Drew much sooner than I thought I would, but I'm not impressed by the first few articles. Anyone can get lucky a time or two. I hit pay dirt when I find a black and white photograph of her. "She's a kid!" I shout. Joe rushes over for a look.

"That's not a kid, Frank" he pats me on my shoulder. "That's a woman. Maybe you should get our more…" He slides down beside me.

I enlarge the photo. "She looks so scrawny, like a strong wind could knock her over." Joe starts reading over my shoulder.

"She is from the windy city, Frank. I don't think that is much of a problem for her." Joe is laughing at me. "Are we a bit jealous of the mighty UMD graduate?"

"That just tells us she's smart," I point out.

"Smarter than you?" Joe chuckles. "Didn't you get rejected from that grad program?" I ignore his pointless taunt and study the photo.

She is tall, I grant you, but very willowy. Her hair is back in some sort of twist and she's wearing a business suit. She is probably trying to look professional, but comes across as doe-like instead. What is she going to do if someone tries to get rough with her? She is supposed to protect my father?

"One good throw would break her in two."

"One good throw would break anyone in two." Joe points out. "How about we take a quick trip home to see the delicate new addition ourselves?"

Why does he get calmer while I get more agitated? Is that a fair division of labor? Joe stretches his arms over his head, reminding me how tired we both are.

"Finally, a good idea." I declare as Joe snorts.

Nancy

Someone is in the office with me.

Fenton left early so he could be home for his sons' visit. I had locked the front door, dimmed down the lights and was at my little desk finishing a summary of some background checks we were doing for a client when I heard footsteps down the hallway. The noise is coming from the direction of Fenton's office. Maybe he forgot something? He would have called to me if he had returned. I turn off my computer screen, kick off my heels and move towards my office door. I am really glad I am wearing practical navy slacks and a white button up. It will make moving quickly and quietly easier. I slip the door open and move towards Fenton's office.

I peek through his doorway first and don't see any intruders. The alarm hasn't gone off, but that does not necessarily mean anything. I move into his office and take a quick look around. Fenton's office is the antithesis of mine. It is spacious and richly decorated with leather chairs and tasteful accessories, thanks to his lovely wife, Laura. The walls feature built-in cherry bookcases and mementos from his days as a police officer. His cherry desk gleams in the dim evening light from his window. His computer still looks off. The plush leather seat is pushed back from his desk. I creep forward to see if his papers have been disturbed. As I begin to move I feel someone coming up behind me. "Ex-"

As a hand touches my shoulder, I grab the arm, shift my weight and throw my intruder over in a classic karate yaritama. Thank you, Sensei! Lying on the green carpet at my feet is a tall, lean man with brown hair and angry brown eyes. He is wearing jeans and a blue t-shirt. Wait-make that oddly familiar and angry brown eyes. I know I have seen this guy somewhere before.

I spin as I hear laughter behind me. In the doorway is another tall man, only with blond hair and blue eyes. His white t-shirt has a red stain on the front and jeans are faded. He doesn't seem to be moving in to back up his friend. In fact, he is holding his sides now and laughing harder.

I shift my gaze to Brown Eyes who is climbing up off the floor. "You're a big help, Joe." His voice is deep and more than little tense.

Wait a minute! "Joe?" I parrot. I know where I have seen them before. Their photos on are Fenton's desk. I just assaulted my boss' sons. I can feel the color creeping up my face. "Oh, boy. That would make you Frank?" I smile weakly at him.

Joe comes forward. "You must be Nancy. Don't mind my brother. A strong wind can knock him over." For some reason this sends him into another fit of laughter.

Brown Eyes is not laughing. Have I been here long enough to collect unemployment?