Hey you guys! I'm new here on the Fanfiction website so I'm not quite sure how to do all this stuff. Anyways, here's part one of a short two-part fanfiction! Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew.

Rated T for implied death.

DON'T WORRY, NO CHARACTER DEATH! Trust me! I hate those. Part 2 coming soon.

Mechanic Romance

Joe Hardy dashed to the car and jumped into the passenger's seat, buckling his seatbelt. "Sorry for keeping you waiting, bro," he flashed a non-repentant grin.

Frank snorted and rolled his eyes. "Strange. I somehow doubt it," he retorted, pulling out of the hotel parking lot. They were on their way to meet Nancy, Bess, and George. During a shared case that had taken up the past two weeks, Nancy's car had suffered a sabotage job. Bess had recently fixed it, and they were all due to go out for pizza to celebrate the end of the case. Nancy had agreed to drive there ahead of time and reserve seats, and Bess and George would come together in George's car.

"You're right. I'm not." Joe admitted. "You know, just had to finish making myself look dashing. Not that I don't look gorgeous all the time…"

Some sort of cross between a cough, choke, and laugh burst from the elder of the two. The younger glared and pretended to be offended. "What?" Joe said defensively.

Frank kept his face deadpan. "What? I didn't say anything. Did I say something?"

Not caring about the possibility of a wreck, Joe playfully punched Frank in the arm. "Hey, you'd do the same thing!"

"Under what circumstance?"

"Not telling, genius."

Joe smirked, looking pleased with himself. Frank decided to try and take a little bit of wind out of the sails. "Look little bro, sorry to burst your bubble, but I already know everything." He improvised smoothly. Joe's face took on a cross between "shock" and "horror".

"What?! You didn't tell her anything, right? Because if you did, it won't be a surprise anymore!" Joe pleaded desperately. Frank smiled smugly. Mission accomplished.

"Joe, there's something I should tell you…"

"Spit it out," came the half-growled response.

Frank let the silence continue for a few suspenseful moments and then couldn't help it. He burst out laughing. "I needed to tell you that I have no idea what you're talking about. But your panicked comments have shed some considerable light! Thanks a bunch!"

"Frank!" Joe howled in disbelief. "You have no idea how much you scared me! Don't do that!"

"Sorry," Frank lied, still chuckling. "So. Is it Bess? Finally going to ask her out?"

Resignedly, Joe nodded. "You got it. And by the way," he added, his eyes flashing with mischief, "it's about time you asked Nancy!"

"Already did," Frank answered nonchalantly. They pulled up to a red light and he rolled the windows down, enjoying the summer evening.

Suspicious, Joe stared. "And?"

He smiled. "It was a yes!"

Joe gave a war whoop that startled the people in the car beside them. "Yes! My nerdy older brother finally has a date!"

Blushing a little, Frank accelerated as the light turned green, trying to ignore the stares from the people. "As do you…" he countered.

Grinning from ear to ear, Joe leaned his arm on the door. "At least it's not my first time asking someone!"

"Hey! This isn't my first date!" Frank protested, turning left.

"First time asking, though. If I recall correctly, when you were with Callie she mentioned that she'd had to ask you the first time because you took so long."

Frank winced at the mention of Callie. It had been only two months since they had broken up, and he didn't feel ready to talk about her. They hadn't parted in anger, which was good. But sometimes a kind breakup hurt worse. Oh well, he consoled himself. At least he had Nancy now. He smiled a little.

Suddenly his phone started ringing. Checking the road, he glanced down at the caller ID. George Fayne, it read. Frank smiled and picked up. "Hello?"

"Frank, are you driving?" George demanded, her voice sounding clipped and strained. He heard someone crying in the background and snapped to full attention.

Nancy. Not Nancy! His heart pounded rapidly. "Yes. George, what happened?" he asked tensely, Joe staring at him, a silent question on his face.

"Hand the phone to Joe," George instructed. "Now."

"George, I…" Frank hesitated.

"Now, Frank Hardy!"

He quickly obeyed. Joe turned pale and Frank knew he was thinking about Bess. Quickly, his younger brother held the phone to his ear. "Is Bess okay? Oh, thank God. So what hap – what?! How? The case is over! The car was fixed! There shouldn't have been any problem!" Joe gasped.

Car?! Frank's stomach churned, but he kept himself composed. Barely. Joe listened for a few more minutes then covered the mouthpiece. "Take us to the hospital," he said, then turned back to his conversation with George. This did not help Frank's state of being. Joe! Just tell me which one it is already! If Bess is okay and George is on the phone with you, what if it's Nancy?! Why is George talking to you and not me anyhow?! He screamed inwardly. Frank knew he was speeding, but this way they would get to the hospital in two minutes.

"Okay, George," Joe was saying. "Yeah, we're almost there. See you in a few." Hanging up, he handed the phone back to Frank. It was thirty seconds flat until they parked.

Jumping out and slamming the car door behind him, Frank wheeled on his brother. "Joe. What. Happened?"

Joe averted his gaze and swallowed hard. "It's Nancy. Her car blew up on the way to the pizza place."

Frank's heart stopped. His head swam and he sank down on the curb, staring at the ground, his eyes wide with horror. Nausea gripped him. No. This can't be happening.

Joe was saying something, but Frank couldn't make sense of the words. He choked a sob and his head fell into his hands. Despair filled him. Disbelief. Raging terror that made him feel like he was going insane. Nancy was dead. She must be.