A/N: Short, pointless tag to "The Mystery of the Hollywood Phantom" episode. Kind of spoilery.

Disclaimer: These characters are not mine and I am making no profits from this story.

"Hey, where are you going?"

Successfully cornered, Frank Hardy stopped in his tracks and closed his eyes briefly. Nancy Drew. The last person he wanted to talk to at the moment.

If she wasn't so exasperating, you wouldn't like her so much, remember?

He opened his eyes to face the titian-haired detective who had materialized in front of him so quickly. "I'm going for a drive. I'm sure there's more to Los Angeles than the studios and this hotel." he answered shortly. "If that's all right with you."

"No it isn't." she replied maddeningly. "You didn't ask me."

Frank was stunned by the nerve of her. "Oh! I didn't know I needed to clear it with you first!" he answered hotly. What right did she have to tell him what to do? Heck, what right did she even have to talk to him? Shouldn't she be out flirting with second-rate movie stars? It was like he'd said to Joe last night.

"Just where does she get off, Joe? After all I've done for her! I got kicked out of the tour helping her follow her stupid hunch-"

"Well, she was actually right about that."

"-I've been nothing but a perfect gentleman the entire time I've known her-"

"Yeah, to her face..."

"-And then, I risk life and limb to save her skin! I run to her side when she needs me! I jump over cars, people, with no thought for my own safety! I tackle the possibly-armed masked thug who's been manhandling her to the ground! And then some two-bit TV actor-"

"You love Robert Wagner."

"-Comes along and lands one decent punch, and all the sudden he's the hero of the day!"

"You're a hero, Frank."

"Don't patronize me, Joe! I just don't think it's too much to ask that the girl acknowledge what I'm trying to do for her!"

"And just what ARE you trying to do for her?"

"I'm trying to help her! But she's so infuriating, Joe!"

"More like, you like her, and you're trying to impress her."

"No, I hate her, and I'm just trying to protect her."

"Maybe she doesn't need protecting."

"She did today, didn't she?"

"You didn't ask me if I wanted to go with you." Nancy said quietly.

That haughty, exasperating tone was suddenly gone from her voice, and it brought Frank back to the present. His eyes met hers, and a spark seemed to pass between them. Finally, he smiled. "If you'd like to." he allowed with a nod.

Nancy maintained eye contact. "What I'd like to do is thank you." she said in a low, honest voice, and Frank suddenly knew he hadn't been overlooked.

"For what?" he asked. He hoped she wasn't putting him on, setting him up for a burn in that way she had of doing. He wanted her to say it.

"For saving my life." she replied simply before leaning in and pressing her lips to his. After a short, tender moment the kiss broke and she whispered, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." he murmured instantly, and he was almost shocked by the sudden disappearance of all the bad feelings he'd harbored for her. She was welcome, and he knew that despite her stubborn attitude he would come to her aid any time. Their faces were still only inches apart, and Frank was tempted to close the gap once more.

"Hey there. Well, where we off to?" Joe popped up out of nowhere, causing Nancy to look away from him, blushing.

Frank cleared his throat, attempting to stifle his annoyance at the unexpected interruption. "We're going to take a drive."

Joe grinned at Frank, clearly knowing he had ruined a 'moment'. "Sweet."

Frank took Nancy's hand unabashedly as the trio left the hotel lobby. "Oh, and little brother?"

"Yeah?"

"You'd better take the backseat."

A/N: What do you think?