TAKING TO TASK

CHAPTER ONE

"BEGINNINGS"

"Coochie, coochie coo!" Joe Hardy stared down at his baby niece whom he held in his arms and grinned as her little face wrinkled up for a moment then a hint of a smile appeared on her face. "Aren't you just the cutest little thing? Don't you love your Uncle Joe? Don't you? Oooh, yes, you love your Uncle Joe."

Frank Hardy, the baby's father, stared at his brother with something akin to amusement on his face and he shook his head. Brown eyes sparkled with merriment as uncle and niece bonded and he leaned back against the wall behind him, watching them.

Who would have thought a baby would turn the great Joe Hardy into such a mushball anyway? Frank thought with an inner laugh. Laid low by a six pound four ounce baby!

"Joe Hardy, quit baby-talking the baby," Laura Hardy ordered a moment later. Frank's mother – the baby's grandmother – stood to one side, watching her youngest son with affection.

"I don't know, Mom," Frank said to his mother. "Baby-talk is about all he's ever been capable of. At least now he's talking to his intellectual equal."

"Ha," Joe said succinctly as he stood, baby still in his arms and wandered down the hallway. Frank heard his parting words – spoken to the baby. "Don't mind them, Diana my love, I know you love me."

Frank smiled and turned to his mother. It felt strange being back home after two years – two years when he had no memory of this life and was living another life entirely.

The Hardys stayed in St. Louis during the two months it took for Diana to gain enough weight to leave the hospital after her premature birth when her mother died. Frank agreed to move back in with his parents on a temporary basis only – he planned on getting out on his own again as soon as he could manage it. For now, he was going to need his mom's help with the baby. What he knew about taking care of one he could fit into a very small thimble.

"When's Nancy coming?" Laura asked Frank, interrupting his thoughts.

"This afternoon," Frank smiled at his mother as he thought of his friend.

Back when they were younger they were always attracted to each other but also always attached – Frank to his then girlfriend Callie and Nancy to her then boyfriend Ned. Now, two years later, Frank's girlfriend was dead – killed in an explosion when Frank lost his memory and Ned, who could no longer handle Nancy's devotion to her detective career.

Now they were both free – and tentatively wanting to pursue a relationship with each other.

And both agreed to take it slow, which was why Nancy was not moving to Bayport but visiting. Frank looked forward to seeing her again – he always loved seeing her, talking over cases, taking walks… sometimes not saying anything at all but just spending time with each other.

And Diana adored Nancy, that was obvious in the hospital the last time Nancy saw the baby.

"You're happy about that, aren't you?" Laura asked Frank. Frank nodded, smiling a little sheepishly as he admitted it.

"Very much," he said. "I know I just lost Diana… Miriam… but…"

He sighed and looked away. It brought out feelings of guilt, as always, when he thought of his deceased wife, killed by her own father. Frank knew he had not loved her as she wanted, knew that he would have left her after the baby was born and taken the baby if he could. She had lied to him about his identity – but she had loved him.

"You've always had feelings for Nancy," Laura said softly. "Anyone who looked at you could see that. You and she have that connection between you – and you understand each other as well."

"Well, true," Frank shrugged.

"You'd better go rescue your daughter from her Uncle. He's probably teaching her coochie-coochie-coo…"

Frank shuddered and laughed. "Yeah, I think I'll go do that. It's Daddy's turn."

"You two are going to spoil her rotten you know," Laura commented.

"Like you and dad aren't?" Frank laughed again. "Between you two and Joe it's a wonder that I ever get to see her!"

"Grandparents prerogative," Laura beamed.

"Grandparents revenge, more like," Frank muttered.

He walked down the hallway though and rescued his daughter from his brother, sending Joe scooting with a slap to the back.

"There you are!" Frank saw Nancy as she appeared out of the terminal and into the baggage claim area at the airport and he walked forward, carefully hugging her with one arm while he held onto Diana's baby carrier with the other. The baby slept peacefully in her carrier, ignoring all of the hustle and bustle around. Frank had allowed several older couples a look at the infant, and a certain amount of oohing and coohing went on around him.

"Hello," Nancy smiled and she returned Frank's hug. They stopped and stared at each other for a moment, hearts pattering along within their chests and Nancy hugged Frank again, then, suddenly, their lips met.

"Hello," Nancy said softly again. Arm-in-arm they went to get Nancy's bag off of the baggage carousel and walked out to the parking garage to get Frank's car.

"Let me see," Nancy motioned to the baby. "Isn't she adorable? She's getting bigger."

"She eats like a horse," Frank agreed. "No, she's doing well. The doctor said she's coming along nicely, no harm was done from the premature birth."

"I'm so glad for you," Nancy smiled as she swept the car carrier up into her arms to get a better look at Diana. "Look at those hands? Aren't they cute? They're so tiny!"

"Strong too," Frank said. "Watch out, she has an unhealthy obsession with hair. Joe can tell you stories already."

Nancy laughed. They secured the car seat into the car and got in to drive back to the Hardy house.

Frank was euphoric. Here he was with his daughter and his best friend in the same place. Nancy and he were on their way to a new relationship – something he had wanted for a long time but hadn't dared to attempt.

"How's Joe?" Nancy asked.

"Good," Frank said. "He's great. And he's completely in love."

"With Vanessa?" Nancy stared at him.

"No," Frank said. "Well, yeah with Vanessa. But he's totally lost his heart – to Diana. I'm surprised I ever get to see her."

Nancy laughed. "I take it he's playing the uncle role to the hilt?"

"And then some," Frank agreed. "And then some."

Nancy's blue eyes sparkled. "I can see it."

"Me too," Frank said. "Frequently."

The drive went quietly for a bit as they basked in each other's presence. Frank knew he was far happier than he had been in years and, once more, felt just the slightest guilt for it. He shouldn't be guilty. It wasn't his fault what Diana and her father decided.

They finally arrived back at the Hardy home and Frank let Nancy get Diana's carrier while he got her suitcase. Once inside, Nancy took Diana from the carrier and held the sleeping baby in her arms while rocking in a rocking chair and Frank put Nancy's bag in the guest room.

"She's sleeping in my room for now," Frank explained to his girlfriend. "It's easier when she needs fed at night."

"That's a good idea," Nancy said. "How are your parents?"

"Dad left this morning for a big case in Washington and my mom's great. Spoiling her granddaughter, too."

"Nan!" Joe came into the living room, holding a huge bowl of ice cream. "Hey!"

"Sssh, lout!" Frank ordered. "The baby is sleeping."

"Oooh, sorry!" Joe grinned. "Oops."

The doorbell rang and Joe pivoted on his heel to go and answer it. He opened the door to find two men in suits standing on the doorstep.

"Frank Hardy?" one of them asked.

"Nope," Joe said. "Joe Hardy. Frank?"

Frank went to the door. "May I help you?" he asked.

"Frank Hardy, I'm Special Agent Forbes, this is Special Agent Donahue," one of the men said. They both held up badges and let Frank study them. "We need you to come with us."