Summer
Author's Note: Inspired by the fact that I am now out of school for summer! I've never written anyone other than Frank and Joe from the Hardy Boys stories and I haven't read an entire Hardy Boys story, please correct me if I get something terribly wrong.
Disclaimer: The author of this story (me) does not own the respective characters. She intends no copyright infringement.
-NDHB-
It was the close of another case.
Nancy Drew sat with her best friends Bess Marvin and George Fayne in a booth at the little diner on campus. They came here whenever they could, but college courses were challenging them all and with finals just now over, they finally had time to get together.
"It feels like it's been forever since we've eaten together," blond, blue-eyed Bess commented.
"Yeah," George, the opposite of her cousin Bess in every way, agreed, "It has been awhile. At least three weeks. So, Bess, Nan, what have you guys been up to?"
"Well," Nancy started, pushing her shoulder length strawberry blond hair behind her ear, "I finished the case campus security asked me to help on: the dorm break-ins. That's why I asked you out to celebrate."
Nancy was an amateur detective and she and her best friends Bess and George had helped solve many mysteries worldwide. Sometimes, they met up with other people who enjoyed a good mystery just as much: like the Hardy brothers.
"That's great, Nan," congratulated Bess.
George added, "We knew you could solve it. You can solve anything."
Nancy shook her head in modesty, "Oh, please. No one can solve everything. This was a simple case. I had them set up a fake dorm room for a sting, and purposely baited everyone by telling them my dad had decided to get me new stuff. It was a matter of setting the trap."
"Sounds simple enough," Bess agreed. The group of friends paused as the waitress brought over their orders. With murmured "thank-you"'s they quickly began to eat. Bess was the first to take a breath and she broached a new topic, "So, what are your plans over the summer?"
"Well," George-the athlete of the group-explained, "I'm helping at a soccer camp in Baja California. I'm glad I took la clase de español as my foreign language now."
"That sounds like fun," Nancy commented. "What will you have to do?"
"Oh, I'm a coach. I get a team of girls and we practice soccer from sun up to sun down every day," clarified George.
Bess was ever the girly-girl as she remarked, "Eww…why would you want to practice that much soccer? And in Mexico? Be sure to drink lots of water. What about you, Nan?"
"Oh, I don't know yet. The plan was to spend time with Michael. I was going to meet his family, but now that we've broken up…I'll probably visit Dad and Hannah," Nancy answered. "Dad has a new girlfriend he wants me to meet."
"If you don't have any other plans…the girl I've met-the one coming here next year that I told you about-wants me to come visit. Can you come with me, Nan?" Bess questioned. Bess hated to travel alone.
"I guess," Nancy was reluctant. "What do you know about her exactly, Bess?" As far as Nancy knew, Bess had never met this girl in person.
Bess sighed, "Not much. But, I met her through the school's secure site so it should be pretty safe. Plus, she lives in this little town near New York I've, personally, always wanted to visit. I mean is it fair if Frank and Joe get to come to River Heights, but we can never go to Bayport?"
"Bayport!" George exclaimed. "Oh, I wish I could join you! What's the girl's name; you could always run her past Frank or Joe."
"Vanessa Bender. I think she's Joe's Vanessa," Bess added.
"I can come with you," agreed Nancy. "How about if we surprise the Hardy boys? Do you think Vanessa would be up for that?"
"Nancy, you have the best ideas. I'll call Vanessa and set everything up. I can't wait to see Frank and Joe's faces," laughed Bess.
-NDHB-
"Van," Joe complained, "You hardly know this girl." Joe Hardy and his girlfriend were sitting on her front porch steps and she had just told him she was inviting some girls she had communicated with online to visit.
Joe was an amateur detective with his brother Frank and knew first hand how little you could trust people.
"Joe," Vanessa Bender, Joe's ash-blond girlfriend, argued, "She is going to show me around Wilder when I go at the end of summer. I need someone I know there. You need to be nice to both of them."
"Both of them!" Joe shouted. "You can't invite two strange girls over-especially when your mom is out of town."
Vanessa sighed, "Joe, relax. My mom has worked with one of the girl's father on numerous occasions. I think everyone will get along great. My mom doesn't care if I have them over as long as your parents agree to be on the lookout for me."
"Well, Mom and Dad would never agree to that," argued Joe.
"They already have," Van smiled. "They even told me to bring them to Frank's welcome home party. Joe, look, I'm a big girl. Once you meet them, I'm sure you won't have any problem with them staying over."
"I don't mean to sound so mean," he reminded her, "I just don't want you to get hurt."
Vanessa leaned down the steps to give him a kiss. "I know. And, it's sweet that you care so much; but you can relax. My mom would not let complete strangers stay with me. The only reason they are is because she has met the one girl."
"Okay, okay," Joe conceded. "I'll be on my best behavior. So, what's the plan for tonight?"
"I thought we could go swimming for a bit and then grab a pizza and come back here to watch movies. It's supposed to rain later tonight," she explained.
Joe agreed, "Sounds good. Let's go then."
-NDHB-
Nancy and Bess sat at baggage claim waiting for Vanessa Bender and their luggage. "This plan is crazy," Bess suddenly remarked. "I mean the only people who don't know we're coming are Frank and Joe."
Nancy grinned, "It's not crazy. That just makes it all the more fun. Imagine Joe's face when he realizes everyone but him knew we were coming. Imagine it when he finds out it was us he was worried about killing his girlfriend."
"That'll be nice," said Bess. The buzzer on the luggage train buzzed and Bess hopped up from her seat. "Here come our bags."
"And there is Vanessa," stated Nancy. "I'll get our bags if you wave her over."
The girls separated with Bess quickly hugging Vanessa. "It is so good to finally meet you!"
"You too," Vanessa agreed, "even though it seems like I already know you."
"This is Nancy Drew," Bess introduced as Nancy joined them with the bags.
Nancy quickly handed Bess her bags and carry-on as Nancy shrugged her own carry-on over her shoulder. "Hi, Vanessa. I've heard so much about you from Joe and Bess," Nancy greeted.
"I love your guys' luggage," remarked Vanessa. "The bright pink suits you, Bess. And the bright blue is so you, Nancy."
"Thanks," the girls replied in unison. Bess added, "My cousin George has a neon orange set. We all got them when we went to collage. We'll have to find you some nice matching luggage too, if you're going to join our group."
Vanessa laughed, "It's strange you should mention new luggage. My mom got me some like yours in lime green."
"See, you'll fit right in with us," Nancy affirmed. All three girls were laughing as they headed for Vanessa's car.
The visitors quickly stored their baggage in Van's trunk. Bess called shotgun and Nancy piled in the back. "When is Frank's welcome home party?" inquired Bess.
"It's tonight," Vanessa replied, "at seven. Mrs. Hardy wants us to arrive about ten minutes late so we can surprise Frank and Joe. Isn't it the weirdest coincidence that Bess and I met on the Wilder site?"
"It is weird," Nancy agreed. "But, then again, I've run into the Hardy boys in some pretty weird situations. Our two groups just seem to find each other."
It was true they ran into each other in the strangest places. Bess nodded, "Paris, Amsterdam, and a ship in the middle of the Atlantic ocean waiting for the Titanic to be raised, just to name a few. It'll be great to see them again."
"Yes," confirmed Nancy, "I can't wait. It's been almost…wow! Did you realize we haven't seen them since collage started?"
"Everyone's been busy," supplied Vanessa. "Frank's in the city with collage and Joe's been working really hard doing duel enrollment. They stayed here for spring and Christmas break to relax and catch up with each other. Then, of course, they helped the police with a few mysteries. I think they'll be happy to see you. Frank doesn't have a girlfriend."
"Hey, Nancy isn't seeing anyone either," Bess jumped on the topic. She always thought there was a spark between her two good friends. At one point, she had interrupted a kiss between Nancy and Frank.
"Guys, Frank and I are just friends," Nancy reminded them.
Bess and Vanessa shook their heads. "Joe's told me Frank likes you as more than a friend. What am I saying? I sound like we're back in sixth grade. He likes you likes you," chuckled Vanessa.
"And there was a kiss I know I interrupted in Egypt," added Bess.
Van glanced in the rearview mirror to see Nancy's face. She was a lovely shade of red. "A kiss Bess? Really? Do tell," Vanessa requested.
Nancy waved her hands in surrender, "Okay, I get it. Truth: there was always someone waiting back home, so it couldn't go anywhere. We decided to be friends and that's all."
"You know neither of you has anyone holding you back now?" Bess questioned. "You could give it a shot…"
"Long distance…" Nancy's voice provided all her skepticism on that idea.
"So just flirt and see where it goes. It's not like you have to agree to be in a committed relationship. You could…I don't know…have a semi-committed relationship where you date but see other people if you want," encouraged Bess.
Nancy waved off that idea, "I don't want our friendship to turn into a friends-with-benefits thing. And you can't be semi-committed in a relationship."
Vanessa shared, "I think if anyone could make a long distance relationship work, it would be you two. You said yourself you always seem to run into each other. In romantic places like Paris…"
"Nothing happened in Paris," objected Nancy.
"Frank did save you from a snake in New Orleans." Bess reminded her, "Where, I might add, you were a tad jealous over Faye. I have it on good authority that Frank has been jealous of guys that flirt with you on cases. You two danced at the 'Raise the Titanic Dance' where Frank escorted you," Bess sighed. "That was so romantic. Dancing under the stars…"
Nancy was still wary, "If it didn't work out…"
"Since when have you had a bad break up?" scoffed Bess. She knew Ned and Nancy still talked every once in a while. "You guys could agree on a trial period. No hard feelings; if you decide long distance isn't your thing."
"Yeah like that would work. One of us would want more and the other would want out," Nancy rationalized. "Someone would end up hurt."
"From Joe and Bess's stories, it sounds like the two of you care about each other enough that there is not a single way it could turn out bad. I think the two of you can make it work," Vanessa hypothesized.
"This is probably a moot point," stated Nancy. "Frank and I haven't seen each other in a year; he probably doesn't have the same feelings for me anymore."
The car lapsed into silence: each girl alone with her thoughts. Bess worried over what she was going to wear. After all, Frank and Joe had many male friends she had to impress. I wonder if any of them are cute and single, she thought. I'll have to ask Vanessa.
Vanessa concentrated on the road, but part of her mind still wandered away from that. I hope Joe likes this surprise. And I hope he's not mad I made him worry over nothing, she wished.
Nancy remembered the last time she had talked to Frank. It had been through IM a few days before her trip. They tried to talk every once in a while; sometimes on the phone, but they mostly communicated through e-mail and IM. My feelings are only stronger for him. He is part of why Ned and I broke up and why Michael and I broke up, Nancy noted.
Ned hated that she wanted to spread her wings and go to Wilder University instead of Emerson. He had commented that it sounded like she wanted permission to date other men. Nancy knew by "other men" he meant Frank Hardy. Ned always could see there was something going on, she remarked.
Michael had been so much like her. He had lost his mom when he was young and he loved a good mystery. That, Nancy decided, was the problem. I compared him to the other man I cared about that liked mysteries and he couldn't measure up. Damn, Drew, you know better than to compare anyone to Frank. You are not to compare men to each other.
Nancy broke the silence, "I'm afraid that he doesn't like me as much as I like him. Or that he only likes me as a friend."
Vanessa and Bess both caught the worried tone and glanced to see Nancy's face. It did betray her emotions, Nancy was nervous. "Well," Bess enlightened her, "the only way to find out is to go for it. We'll hurt him if he hurts you."
"Joe will help too," Vanessa insisted. "Oh, here we are. Come on, let's get settled and then we can discuss ways to make Frank crazy."
"Speaking of making guys crazy," Bess requested, "do Frank and Joe have any cute, single, straight friends I should meet?"
NDHB
Joe paced back and forth in the entranceway. "Why isn't she here yet?" he demanded.
"Joseph Hardy, the girl is not even ten minutes late," Gertrude Hardy admonished. "Maybe she had problems with traffic or finding a place to park on this block. I swear, every person in this town drove over here and parked in front of the house today."
It was 7:07 in the evening and Frank Hardy's welcome home celebration was just getting started. Many of Frank and Joe's friends had arrived early at the house to help set up and to see Frank before the rest of the town descended.
Chet Morton and Biff Hooper along with Tony Prito, who had purchased Mr. Pizza when it went under and turned it into "Tony's Little Italy", were bringing the food-pizza provided free of charge by Tony. Phil Cohen and Frank were helping Laura Hardy set out drink coolers.
"Joe," Frank called, "Vanessa will be here. Quit worrying and help Phil and me set up these drinks."
"Yeah, sure," replied Joe. "It's just…she doesn't really know these girls she invited over. What if they killed her and then robbed her blind?"
Fenton, Laura, and Gertrude had a hard time keeping the smiles off their faces. "I'm sure these are nice, respectable girls, Joe," his mother informed him. "Andrea told me she knew one of the young women a little and had worked with her father when Andrea had a bit of trouble with a stalker."
"Yeah, yeah," Joe muttered.
Frank and the other boys laughed. "Joe," Biff suggested, "forget that Van's not here and come meet Phil's girlfriend. Then, you need to say 'hi' to Tony's girl and help convince Frank to give this Nancy girl you're always talking about a chance. He needs a new girl. Maybe you know someone you can hook me or Chet up with because we need girls too?"
"I don't need Joe to hook me up with someone," Chet argued. "I can get dates by myself thank you very much."
"Well then Joe can hook me up with someone," replied Biff. "All the girls I meet hate sports and sweat. I need someone who likes to be active. Know anyone like that, Joe?"
"Actually…" Frank started.
"My cousin George is like that," a girl's voice came from the side of the house. All the boys turned in that direction to see three beautiful young women heading toward them. All three wore skirts and tank tops with sandals, but they made the outfits look elegant.
"Bess, Nancy," Joe exclaimed, "What are you doing here!"
"Well, they are not killing me and robbing me blind, if that's what you're still worried about," Vanessa replied tartly. "They seem perfectly civil to me."
The girls and everyone but Joe laughed as Joe himself turned red. "I'm sorry. I wouldn't have thought that if you told me you were having Bess and Nancy over. And, Bess, Nancy, I'm sorry I thought you wanted to rob and kill Van." He reached toward Bess and enveloped her in a hug, "It's good to see you guys." He also hugged Nancy and gave Vanessa a kiss.
Frank hugged both Bess and Nancy, staying a few seconds longer than necessary in Nancy's embrace. "It is," Frank agreed. "I don't think you've met any of our friends?"
"Nope," reminded Bess, "You guys always come to River Heights. This is our first trip to Bayport. Introduce us?"
Frank gestured to the bubbly blond and stunning redhead, "Guys these are Bess Marvin and Nancy Drew. Bess, Nan, our friends, Tony Prito-" he pointed out the young Italian man- "Chet Morton-" another young man, this one just slightly overweight- "Biff Hooper-" the athletic one Bess would set George up with later- "and Phil Cohen." He was wiry, the look that screams computer geek.
"Hi," Nancy greeted. "It's great to finally meet all of you."
Bess added, "Frank and Joe have mentioned you all a lot before. Vanessa's told us some stories as well."
"Nothing too bad, I hope," Chet questioned. "And if it was, I shall remind you whatever it was, was Joe's fault."
"Hey," Joe interjected, "you can't blame me for everything!"
"Oh, yes we can," Biff replied. "So who is George?"
"George is my cousin," explained Bess. "She's helping at a soccer camp in Mexico this summer or she would be here. She really wanted to meet all of you. She said it's not fair that Frank and Joe get to come to River Heights, but we never come to Bayport."
"Really? What is she doing at the camp?" asked Chet.
The large group soon split into smaller groups. Chet, Bess, and Biff wandered toward the drinks and pizza discussing George, soccer, and food. Vanessa and Joe headed for the porch to spend some time alone, leaving Phil, Nancy, and Frank in the driveway. "So, my girlfriend should be showing up soon. Unless she got lost. She's driving in today from Boston."
"Phil met her at MIT," Frank explained. "Both he and Van are great with computers."
"What are you taking up?" Nancy queried.
Phil admitted, "I'm hoping to get a job designing new computer hardware. What about you? I bet it involves mysteries."
Nancy laughed, "Yes, of course. I'm hoping to work in investigative journalism. I've written a few things for my local paper that have been picked up by the Associated Press, actually."
"That's great," Phil congratulated. "So, everyone wants to know if you have a boyfriend."
"Phil," Frank admonished.
"It's fine," Nancy chuckled. "My boyfriend and I broke up before school ended. We had a difference of opinion over a segment we were working on that spiraled out of control."
"Everyone here is going to try to set you up with Frank," warned Phil as he turned to the young woman that had just arrived. "This is my girlfriend Kathie. Kathie, this is my best friend Frank and his friend Nancy Drew."
The three young people shook hands in greeting; then, Phil and Kathie went to meet the other young people at the party. Nancy turned to Frank, "Bess and Vanessa already tried to set us up."
Frank grinned, "Joe's been getting on to me to ask you out properly. He says we have chemistry, but that you're too good for me and I need to get you now before everyone else comes to their senses."
"I am too good for you," joked Nancy.
They easily switched into the discussion of cases, a topic where both were equally at ease.
As they discussed Nancy's plans for the rest of her stay, a young woman with blond hair and pretty brown eyes joined them. Frank turned to glance at her, "Nancy," he introduced, "this is Callie Shaw, Callie this is Nancy Drew."
"Hi," Callie greeted. Nancy nodded her head and both women shook hands. They sized each other up, noting that they appeared as different as night and day. "So, Frank has told us you're majoring in journalism? I am as well."
"Really?" Nancy questioned, "What school are you attending?" Nancy was curious about Frank's ex-girlfriend. They had never met, but she knew from Joe that Callie liked to help out on cases.
Joe did not like her helping, so he complained to Nancy about it. Nancy had often wondered if Frank liked women of a certain body type, but it seemed he picked them based on brains.
"I'm at Washington University in St. Louis. They have a great program there," explained Callie. She was also curious about the woman that Frank had spent so much vacation time with. Callie knew Frank would like to ask Nancy out; they had broken up quiet amicably when they decided to go to separate collages. The spark had left their relationship.
Nancy agreed, "I looked at going there, but I wanted someplace closer to home. A classmate of mine, Brenda Carlton, is attending there."
"Yes," Callie answered, "she was in my creative writing class. Blond hair, blue eyes and a bit of a snob?"
"That's Brenda," concurred Joe as he joined the small group with Vanessa, Bess and Chet. "She actually reminds me of Liz Webling."
Callie giggled, "That's what I was going to say."
"You have problems with Liz intruding on your cases, too, Joe?" questioned Bess, "because Brenda has been a thorn in Nan's side since we were eight." Brenda Carlton's father owned the local paper and she was always following Nancy to try to steal a scoop for an article. On one case, she had followed Nancy to Philadelphia and almost blown her cover.
The young adults enjoyed the rest of the evening together. They joked and teased as they got to know each other better.
Bess convinced Chet to take her out to lunch tomorrow so they could get to know each other better, privately, and Joe and Vanessa scheduled a date as well. They set Frank up as Nancy's tour guide for the day in hopes to get them to admit their feelings to each other.
"I had fun, Mrs. Hardy," Nancy thanked the older woman for inviting them. "I'm glad I could make it."
"It was good to see you again," Laura Hardy replied. "I'll have to have one of my sons invite you over again, so I can get to know you better."
Everyone gave goodbye hugs and headed for their various modes of transportation. Vanessa, Bess and Nancy entered Vanessa's car; Chet and Biff had driven from "Tony's Little Italy" together so Biff was going to drive Chet back to get his car; and Tony and his girlfriend climbed on her motorcycle. The Hardy brothers waved them off before heading inside.
"So, Frank," Joe started his interrogation, "it was good to see Nancy again wasn't it?"
Frank had known this was coming so he prepared himself already. "It was good to see Bess and Nancy," he evenly replied.
"Come on, Frank, you know you want to ask Nancy out. Tomorrow would be the perfect opportunity. You could take her for a picnic at the beach as a nice romantic dinner. I think you should use this to your advantage," encouraged Joe. Joe had talked to Vanessa this afternoon at length about what the girls had previously discussed on the drive from the airport.
"Joe," Frank sighed, "can we drop this? Nancy is just my friend, and that's how she wants it to stay. Even if I wanted more, she has said that she just wants to be friends."
Joe shook his head, "I have it on good authority: Ms. Drew feels that same way about you; and we all know you want more than just friendship with her. Nancy is too afraid to make the next move, and I think you should. You and Nancy would be great together, Frank."
"How about we talk about this in the morning," Frank proposed. "I don't think I can handle this kind of discussion this late at night."
-NDHB-
The next morning, Vanessa and her guests met Callie and Phil's girlfriend Kathie as well as Tony's girlfriend Rebecca at the mall. The girls shopped for two hours and then headed to the beach where they met up with the boys.
Immediately, they split off into pairs and as Biff was helping at football training it was evenly split: Vanessa and Joe, Bess and Chet, Phil and Kathie, Tony and Rebecca, Callie and her new boyfriend John, to leave Nancy and Frank alone.
"They plan very well," Nancy commented.
Frank agreed, "Yeah, they do. So what do you want to do for the rest of the day?"
"No idea," Nancy replied. "I've never been here before. What is there to do?"
"Well," Frank thought aloud, "Joe is taking Van to the pool. Chet wanted to show Bess around Old Town Bayport, they have a lot of shops she'll like. And Phil, Tony and Callie are going to the movies with their significant others after they play around here for a bit. Last night, Joe suggested a romantic picnic dinner on the beach."
Nancy shook her head, "None of those ideas grab me. But, we will need to find something to eat for lunch."
"There's a pretty good sandwich place nearby," decided Frank.
"Lead the way," agreed Nancy. Nancy and Frank headed away from the beach, waving to Callie and John as they passed by. Nancy had always been comfortable with Frank in large groups, but when they were alone she could feel the butterflies start in her stomach. It was not an unpleasant feeling; actually, Nancy rather enjoyed it.
Frank did not feel butterflies, but he was nervous. When he saw Nancy in his hometown, he could not stop his mind from running away with him.
He imagined them married and running their own detective agency. At the beach, he half expected a dog and children to accompany them. Perhaps it was his dreams showing, but it made him nervous either way.
"Here it is," he announced, holding the door for Nancy to enter first. They quickly placed their orders at the counter and found a booth looking out the window at the town. They sipped their drinks in silence; Nancy watched the pedestrians as they window shopped or scurried around town. As always is was comfortable and when the order number was called, Frank stood without a glance at Nancy to grab their food.
He set her plate in front of her and picked up his own sandwich. "This is great," Nancy commented after sampling her first bite.
"Yeah," concurred Frank, "they have the best sandwiches on this side of town."
"So, Bess wants to give your friend Biff George's number and e-mail," Nancy stated. "Do you think they would get along?"
"Sure; they both love sports, after all. Biff wants to teach high school after he plays a little professional football. A few teams are already looking at him. What about George? What is she studying to do?" he questioned.
Nancy replied, "George is going into sports medicine and physical therapy. I think they could be good friends if nothing else."
"My mom wants me to invite you to Thanksgiving next year, maybe we could introduce them then," suggested Frank. "If you guys want to come that is."
"I would love to have Thanksgiving here. If things go well today we may be back before that with Bess," Nancy reminded him.
"Bess and Chet," Frank remarked, "now that is a relationship I did not see coming. No offense, but Chet just does not seem to be Bess's type."
"No, I understand," laughed Nancy, "that was my first thought as well. Bess, however, really seems to like him. What is he going to do with his life? He was Iola's sister, right?"
"Yeah, he was," Frank tried to hide the note of sadness he knew his voice took on whenever he talked about Iola. Joe and Iola had been dating for a while when Iola was killed in a car bomb meant for Frank and Joe. It had nearly destroyed Joe. "Chet actually joined the Army. Joe keeps asking him when the training is going to catch up with him. He's in the Rangers."
"Really?" The surprise was well deserved, as Chet seemed like the jokester of the group and the least fit of the bunch. "And he hasn't been shipped out to Iraq?"
"He leaves in a few weeks. He just finished training," Frank explained. "What is Bess taking up?"
"Bess is undecided still," Nancy enlightened him, "She really enjoyed a psychology class she took last semester. George and I think it would be good if she helped others with eating disorders, since she could understand it so well. She started a support group on campus, and seemed to like that."
"Yeah," remembered Frank, "You told me about that. How is she handling it?"
Nancy smiled, "Really well right now. She had some problems during finals, I think. But that could have been stress. I know I wasn't eating like I was supposed to with all the late night studying."
Frank agreed, "Yeah. Stress and late night studying do not a good combination make. She and Chet might make a good couple. Balance each other out or something."
Nancy nodded as she stood and gathered their trash. Another thing she did not have to ask about. Each person seemed to have their assigned task and they stuck to it. Frank again held the door for Nancy to exit first and then started toward the park. "As you tour guide today, I think you should see some of Joe and my favorite hang out spots. What do you think?" he inquired.
"Why not? I'd love to see all Bayport has to offer," flirted Nancy. She blushed as she realized what she had in fact said. Why do I have to act like this around him? He just wants to be friends so control yourself, Drew, she demanded.
After a long conversation with Joe this morning, where Joe called all of their male friends and Callie's new boyfriend John to help him, Frank was slightly more convinced that he should ask Nancy out. Frank wanted to, and truthfully, he knew Nancy was a major factor in his breakup with Callie. He had feelings for Nancy. I love showing her my home, he thought. I want her to feel as if this could be her home one day. Just suck up the courage and tell her you need to talk, Hardy, he instructed.
The pair was silent as they made their way through the small park in the town center. Without thinking, Nancy looped her arm through Frank's. It felt like the most natural thing in the world for her to do that and it did not faze Frank as he felt the same way. You're going to need to talk to him, Nancy kept reminding herself. Do not let yourself get carried away with these emotions.
By the end of the tour, Nancy had seen every landmark Bayport had to offer as well as buildings important to the Hardy's. Frank had taken her by his father's office as well as his old high school. At the end of the tour they ended up back at the beach. "You didn't get a chance to see it this morning," Frank explained. "Plus, it's better at sunset or sunrise."
"The beach is always prettier at sunrise or sunset, just like the mountains," Nancy agreed. She used Frank as a support as she slipped her sandals off her feet and they promptly began their walk along the beach.
Frank headed toward one of the jetties where they could sit without getting sandy.
Joe was correct when he said the beach was perfect for a romantic picnic; however, Frank was not planning on that yet. He planned to talk to Nancy about their relationship, the whole complicated mess that it had turned into, and to resolve some issues in it while he shared one of his favorite places in Bayport with her.
The pair climbed to the top of a small cliff that overlooked the sea. "Wow," Nancy whispered when she turned around. "It's beautiful."
"Yes," Frank replied just as quietly. "This is one of my favorite spots in Bayport."
They stood together at the edge of the cliff overlooking that beautiful sea as the sun sank further beyond the horizon. The setting sun painted the sky in pinks and oranges as the stars came out further up in the blackness. For miles, you could see nothing but the water as you gazed into forever.
"Why?" Nancy asked.
Frank glanced over at her. Nancy never had to explain any question she posed to him. Nancy wanted to know why he liked this place so much. "You're so close to reality, but you can never tell here. It's peaceful and you can think," he answered. "Like being in a different world."
She nodded, the hair that had escaped her ponytail swinging down to cover her eyes. Frank reached over and gently brushed it back behind her ear. He took the leap, "I think we need to talk, Nancy."
"Yes, we do. Are you sure you want to have this talk here, Frank?" she attempted to stall.
"I am," Frank responded, "I definitely want to have this talk here. Nancy…we've known each other for so long now. When we first met, I still thought girls had cooties. Then, we grew up and didn't see each other for years. The next thing I know, we both have someone always waiting at home for us."
Again, Nancy bobbed her head in affirmation, "But, there is no one waiting at home for us now."
"No. Which is why," he requested with nerves inching into his voice, "I think it's time for us to have our chance."
"Frank," her voice held caution to both of them, "I know how I feel about you. I do…but, we're so young and are going to be living so far apart…I don't want to mess up our friendship."
"I understand, Nancy," he was disappointed, but he would not press the subject. He did not want to risk their friendship anymore than she did. Nancy had always been one of the most important people in his life.
Nancy could see the hurt in his eyes and felt an unsurprising tightness in her own chest and throat; her eyes watered. She cleared her throat, but when she spoke her voice was still choked with unshed tears, "Frank…I want us to work so badly. If there was a way we could date and guarantee our friendship, I would jump at the chance; there isn't. I'm sorry."
Frank pulled her into his arms, "I am too."
-NDHB-
Frank dropped Nancy off at Vanessa's house later that night. After she closed the door behind her, she slumped against it too tired to stand. The tears she had been holding back since the talk earlier that evening finally poured unchecked down her face. Nancy curled into herself and let the tears come.
Having heard the doors open, Vanessa and Bess expected Nancy to come directly into the living room and inform them that she and Frank were now a couple.
Joe had told Vanessa while Chet had spoken to Bess about his conversation with Frank earlier. Frank was going to speak to Nancy about his feelings for her. So, when it had been a few minutes and Nancy had not shown up, Vanessa and Bess glanced at each other with apprehension.
Both young women hurried to the foyer where they encountered a sight seldom seen. Nancy Drew, sitting on the floor, curled into a ball, sobbing. "Oh, honey," Vanessa whispered dropping beside her.
Bess also lowered herself to the floor. She and Vanessa hugged Nancy between them. "Do you want to tell us what happened, Nan?" Bess inquired. "What did Frank say? Van and I'll go kill him right now, if you want."
Nancy shook her head trying to speak through the sobs, "He…go out. …No…oh, God! ...hurt him…"
"Nancy," Vanessa commanded, "you need to calm down. You're going to hyperventilate. Take a deep breath; that's a good girl…ok?" She patted Nancy on the back gently. "Can you tell us what happened?"
Nancy remained silent, shame at her outburst on her face. Pulling away from Vanessa and Bess's comforting hands, she dashed up the stairs to the bedroom where she locked the door and collapsed, sobbing again, on the bed. Nancy hated herself for hurting Frank like that: she had hurt herself too. All through town, Nancy had thought she would want a relationship with Frank.
When he had proposed them dating, all the doubts had flooded back to her mind. The only answer she could come up with was no, even though she managed to hurt them both in the process.
Back in the entranceway, Vanessa and Bess were staring at each other. "What just happened?" Bess finally spit out.
Vanessa shrugged, "I'm calling Joe. Come on we can use the speaker phone in my mom's office." She quickly led the way to her mother's private space and dialed the Hardy number.
Joe answered on the first ring, "Frank just got home, Van. He looks like someone was killed. What the Hell happened?"
"Bess is here with me on speakerphone," Vanessa stated. "We don't know what happened. I called you to find out because Nancy was sobbing so hard I was afraid she was going to pass out."
"She was," Bess reinforced, "I've never seen her cry like this before. Not even when her dog died."
Joe sighed, "I'll try talking to Frank. You guys need to make sure Nancy is okay."
Joe hung up the phone and turned to go to Frank's room. He would not have to look far to find his brother, however, as Frank was standing right behind him. "What happened, Frank?" he quietly questioned.
Frank hung his head, "It's really not the best time, Joe."
"No," Joe moved a hand to stop Frank from walking away, "you made Nancy cry. Whatever the Hell you did: fix it. Nancy Drew does not break down crying like that. You need to fix this."
"I didn't do anything to make her cry, Joe," his reply was still quiet.
Joe shook his head, "I'm sorry I told you to take a chance. You could have told me you didn't feel that way about her, Frank. I would have dropped it. You didn't have to go-"
He was interrupted as Frank whirled around again, "I didn't do anything," his voice had a sharp edge to it now, "Nancy was the one who said she didn't want a relationship. Can I go now?"
Joe dropped his hand away and silently watched as Frank stormed out of the room. Nancy had been the one to hurt his brother.
And Frank was badly hurting.
Why wouldn't Nancy say yes? he wondered. I thought Vanessa said Nancy liked him. Joe quickly decided he needed to call Van and Bess back before they tried to approach Nancy.
Vanessa picked up on the first ring also, "Joe, I thought you were going to talk to Frank?"
"I already did," Joe replied. "Nancy was the one who said no."
"What?" came Bess's shriek. "But, Nancy was all set to give it a shot. That's what she told us after the party, right, Van?"
"She sounded like she really wanted to give a relationship between them a shot," Vanessa agreed.
"Well, she changed her mind," stated Joe. "She also hurt Frank, badly. We need to fix this."
Bess admitted, "It won't be easy."
"Yes, it will," Vanessa argued. "Nancy does want a relationship; she just got scared. We need to get her to admit that to Frank."
"No," Joe disputed, "we need to stay out of this. Let them work it out, it's Frank and Nancy…they will work it out. Our butting in is what got them into this situation in the first place."
-NDHB-
Nancy awoke the next morning late. It was eleven o'clock by the time she was dressed and downstairs for breakfast.
On the counter she found a short note in Bess's bubbly handwriting. "Van and I are meeting Joe and Chet for a double date," she read aloud. "If you feel better, we can talk when we get home. Love ya lots, Bess. Yeah, I love ya lots too, Bess. But, I think this is something I need to fix with Frank first."
After she had finished crying last night, Nancy had sat up until two in the morning writing everything down. She thought better if she could see those thoughts on paper. The most predominant thought that popped up repeatedly was "I love him."
It was her reason for almost everything else on the list and the main point onto itself.
She had a fresh energy today because she was going to fix this. Last night during the talk, she was thinking too much; what she needed to do was feel. Later when she sat on the bed, with the occasional tear streaking down her face, she had felt.
Frank really wanted this relationship and Nancy was going to give it to him.
Deciding to skip breakfast, she grabbed the spare keys and sprinted outside. When she hit the yard, Nancy realized she had no way to get into town. Still determined to make everything right, however, Nancy hurried back to the house and found Biff's number. Bess had written it down so George could call him later.
She dialed quickly and was relieved when he finally picked up. "Biff Hooper."
"Biff? It's Nancy Drew," she greeted. "I don't know if you've heard what happened last night, but I could really use a ride to the Hardy's house. Could you come and pick me up? I really need to talk to Frank."
"Umm," Biff muttered, "Nancy, I don't think talking to Frank right now is a good idea. After last night…you said it was important, but if you hurt him anymore…"
Nancy started again, "I want to talk to Frank so I can apologize for last night and ask him if he would be willing to give a relationship a chance. I need a ride over there now because I have no idea when Vanessa and Bess will be back and if I don't go now, I'm going to lose all this courage I've spent the night building up. So, can you give me a ride?"
"Hang on, I'm calling Chet." Biff explained, "He's at his parents and is closer to you than I am. I'll get him to give you a ride."
"Chet's on a date with Bess and Vanessa and Joe," Nancy told him. "Can you come and get me or not?"
"Give me fifteen minutes," he decided, hanging up.
Nancy slumped into the kitchen chair nearest her body. She didn't know if she could make it fifteen minutes without panicking. She pulled her list out of her pocket and began to slowly read it to herself. When she finished the first time, she reread it. Sixteen agonizing minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
Nancy jumped out of the chair and did not bother to stop to pick it up from where it had fallen. She raced to the door and barreled past a stunned Biff to his car. "Let's go," she commanded.
Biff started the car and quickly drove to the Hardy's. He kept one eye on the road and one eye on Nancy as she continually tapped her fingers on her knees and bounced her legs up and down.
She was a ball of nervous energy ready to jump at the slightest chance, and she was scaring Biff a bit. He decided talking would help him keep himself calm, "Mr. and Mrs. Hardy as well as Gertrude are out for lunch and some shopping in the city."
Nancy did not bother to reply as she had thrown open the door and bolted from the car.
They had reached the Hardy's residence.
She rang the doorbell and considered pounding on the door when Biff caught up. "You seriously need to calm down," he stated grabbing her hand as she went for the bell again. "Take a few deep breaths or something."
It was only seconds later that Frank opened the door. It was a strange sight that greeted him. His friend Biff was physically restraining Nancy. Biff had Nancy's arms pinned to her sides and he had lifted her off her feet. "Hey," he nervously greeted.
Nancy froze in her struggles to escape Biff, so it was up to Biff to explain their unexpected presence, "Nancy called me about half an hour ago. She said she needed to talk to you immediately, but she kinda freaked out on me. I'm gonna let you take care of her, okay?" He did not wait for a response as he set Nancy on her feet and headed back to his car.
"Are you okay, Nan?" Frank asked as he noted her for the first time. She was pale and shaky.
Nancy jerkily nodded her head, "I need to talk to you."
"Biff said," Frank reminded her. "Here, come on in and sit down. Now you're scaring me, Nan. What's going on? Is everyone okay? You need to talk to me about…" He waited for her to fill in the blank as he gently deposited her on the sofa. Frank took a seat next to her.
"Last night," it was a whisper coming out of her mouth. She cleared her throat and started again, her voice steady and strong now, "I wanted to apologize for last night. I…well, I didn't react the way I wanted to."
"How did you want to react, Nancy?" Frank questioned, hope tingeing his voice. He had understood that she was thinking when she should have been feeling as he often had the same problem when it came to her, so he did not question her on the meaning of her words.
Nancy took a deep breath, "I wanted to say… 'I love you, Frank'."
Frank smiled, "Nan, I love you too."
"Also, I would love to go on a real," continued Nancy, "proper date with you. I want…I want a real relationship with…you, Frank. Even if it has to be long distance, I'm willing to try, if it means I get to be with you. And, I don't think it will mess up our friendship. I don't think we're going to break up-you should probably know that-and can you find a way to shut me up because-"
Frank laughed as he covered her mouth with his own, effectively shutting her up. "Sometime, Drew, you talk too much. And, so you know, I don't think we're going to break up either. How about if I feed you lunch and we watch a movie?"
"That sounds like a plan, Hardy," Nancy agreed.
-NDHB-
After a call from Biff, who sounded like he was pretty worried about something, Joe, Vanessa, Chet, and Bess were not sure what to expect when they arrived at the Hardy home. Certainly, it was not what they found as they all thought Frank and Nancy were still fighting with each other.
Curled on the sofa, with the end credits of a movie rolling on the screen, Frank and Nancy were asleep in each other's arms. The remnants of lunch sat on the coffee table and one of them had pulled the blanket up to cover them both. "Aww," the girls whispered together at the sight.
"Finally," Joe cheered and gave Vanessa a celebratory kiss.
"I bet neither of them slept well last night," Chet remarked as he gave Bess a swift peck on the lips in celebration too. "We should leave them alone for now. Let them rest. Then, we can grill them for details over dinner."
"I bet Biff knows something." Vanessa decided, "I'm going to call him for an explanation."
"I'm going to give George a call and leave her a message," Bess said. "There is no way I'm waiting until tonight to call with this kind of information. This is so great!"
Chet nodded his agreement with Bess's assessment of the situation, "I'll start calling Phil if you call Tony, Joe. Who wants to be the one to tell Callie?"
"We'll leave that to Tony," Joe settled on one person. "I'll tell him to approach the subject carefully and make sure John is there as well as Rebecca, so he has a safety net if she explodes."
Vanessa shook her head at her boyfriend's foolishness, "Callie is going to think this is great."
The four young people hurried to the kitchen to begin there designated calls. Nancy whispered, "Are they gone?" peeking out from under half closed eyelids.
Frank chuckled as he kissed her, "You are crazy, you know that?"
"Hey," Nancy defended herself, "it got both of us out of telling them."
-NDHB-
A/N: In my opinion, I have outdone myself with this even if it was for no reason. My favorite line was "For miles, you could see nothing but the water as you gazed into forever." And my sister agreed, but her opinion is not as important as all of yours because she doesn't read Nancy Drew, so please tell me what you think. PS: Tony's Little Italy is a real pizza place near where I live- best pizza in Alabama and it's still not that great.
Edited: 27 December 2008…ladybug1115