Bright Lights danced across the black sky as a long black stretch limousine pulled to a stop outside a theater.
Fans standing nearby began to scream and snapped multiple pictures.
Inside, a young actor named Cruise Higgens turned to his two companions "Thanks for coming, guys."
Frank Hardy shrugged "No problem."
"Hey." Joe Hardy added "I always wanted to walk the red carpet!"
Frank shook his head and rolled his eyes.
Cruise chuckled "You may need sunglasses. You ready to meet the crowd?"
"Definitely." The brothers nodded.
Cruise opened the door to the Limo and stepped out. The screaming instantly raised about fifteen degrees.
The camera flashes were constant... and dizzying.
"Can't see!" Joe gasped "Did someone mention sunglasses?"
Cruise reached into his pocket and handed the blond Hardy a pair "Here you go."
"Thanks."
The crowd was screaming and begging for autographs from the movie star.
Cruise Higgens stood Five foot eight. His slick, jet black hair and baby blue eyes made him quite the 'Lady Killer'.
"Do we go in?" Frank asked "I think I'm starting to see starts. And not just movie stars either."
Cruise laughed "Not yet. We've got to wait for Morgan."
Morgan Fletcher was Cruise's Fiancee as well as his co-star.
"I think that's her." Joe said, pointing to a white Limo that was coming up the road.
"Sure is!" Cruise smiled brightly "Hey, guys. She's got a couple of friends with her. Would you mind being escorts?"
Joe straightened his leather jacket "Escort a girl that's friends with a movie star? No problem!"
Frank groaned. Joe was a helpless flirt. No doubt about it.
No matter the situation, if there was a girl involved he was there!
"We'd be happy to." Frank said, more casual.
The white Limo pulled to a stop and the door opened to reveal a girl with carrot colored curls and dazzling green eyes.
Cruise rushed forward and offered her his arm "Shall we?"
Morgan nodded "Of course." she smiled at Frank and Joe "Hi."
Joe flashed her one of his million-dollar smiles "Hi."
Frank elbowed him "Engaged."
Joe rolled his eyes "Duh!"
Cruise took Morgan's hand and helped her out "Shall we?"
"Mm-hm." Morgan nodded then she turned to Frank and Joe "My friends are in the limo."
Joe straightened his jacket "Alright."
Frank shook his head and approached the vehicle "May I?" he asked, holding his hand out for the next girl, not exactly paying attention.
A soft chuckle caught his attention "Frank? What are you doing here?"
His head snapped in the direction of the person and his eyes widened "Nancy!"
Nancy Drew laughed her blue eyes sparkling "Hi."
"What are you doing here?" Frank asked.
"Visiting a friend." Nancy answered, nodding towards Morgan "You?"
"Same as you." He said "Except we're with Cruise."
Joe cleared his throat "Hello. Little brother feeling neglected."
Nancy laughed and finished stepping out of the limo "Hi Joe." she said, giving him a quick hug.
Joe grinned "Good to see you again." he thought a second "Hey... is Bess here?"
"Mm-hm." She nodded "She's still in the back. George couldn't make it."
"Okay." Joe quickly ran over to the Limo door and did a sweeping bow "My lady."
Bess giggled as she accepted his hand "Hi Joe."
Nancy looked up at Frank and shook her head "Helpless flirts."
Frank chuckled "No kidding."
Nancy smiled to herself. There was that oh-so familiar feeling she got whenever she saw him.
Almost since the first time they'd met, just the sight of him made her heart skip a beat. His soft brown eyes and easy smile sent shivers up her spine.
"So..." Frank said, breaking the silence "Are you on a case?"
"Not this time." Nancy answered "Surprising, right?" they both chuckled "And you?"
"Nope." Frank shook his head "Surprising right?"
They both laughed again then a long moment of silence followed. Well... as quiet as it could possibly be at a movie premier.
Frank nodded towards Cruise and Morgan "They're great together, huh?"
"Yeah." Nancy responded, then they lapsed into another round of silence.
Frank was killing his mind trying to think of something to say. Why couldn't they be on a case? That always made conversation easy. But when they just happen to run into each other, finding something to say to the pretty titian haired detective was difficult.
"Can you believe those two?" Bess whispered to Joe "They meet up after... a year and a half?"
Joe nodded "Yeah, and they aren't even talking." he winked at her "At least the cat hasn't caught my tongue."
Bess giggled "I don't think it ever could, Joseph Hardy,"
Just then, a squeal of tires was heard from around the corner. The screaming fans mainly drowning it out.
Nancy's eyebrows furrowed and she glanced up at Frank. He had the same expression.
Just then, her gaze flicked to Morgan who was still standing near the limo talking to some fans.
"Nancy." Frank said, grabbing her elbow "Look!"
A large black car came speeding up the road, the back door slightly ajar.
"Morgan!" Nancy shouted as she started to run forward "Get away from the road!"
Morgan looked at her confused then looked to see what Nancy was talking about.
About that time, the car screeched to a halt, a man in black with a ski mask leapt out, grabbed Morgan and pulled her into the car. And that fast, the car took off again.
Nancy shot towards Morgan's limo that was still idling at the end of the runway.
"I'm driving!" Frank called as he skid around the front of the vehicle.
"Okay." Nancy leapt into the passenger seat as Frank slid in behind the steering wheel.
Joe managed to jump into the back just as Frank floored the gas pedal.
Frank managed to keep the limo a few yards behind the black car, which was kind of difficult in the New York traffic.
"Is anyone else having major flashbacks?" Joe asked as he was tossed around in the back seat.
Frank snorted "Yup."
Nancy chuckled slightly "Same city. Same vehicle. Same driver. Same time of year just about." she grabbed onto her door handle as Frank yanked the limo around a curve.
"What I wouldn't give for a jeep." Frank mumbled. "Or anything smaller."
"Even our van!" Joe shouted as he was tossed to the floor "Hey! Where's the seat belts on this thing?"
"Were did it go?" Frank asked, mainly to himself.
Nancy looked around quickly then pointed "It just turned off by that fountain... Frank look out!"
Frank yanked the steering wheel to the right just as a large truck went speeding past them, it's horn blaring.
The Limo skid across the road. The sound of squealing tires sounded all around til the vehicle was suddenly jolted to a stop by a light pole.
Frank slowly released the steering wheel then turned to look at Nancy "Are you alright?"
"Yeah." she nodded, catching her breath "Are you?"
"Yeah."
"Nobody cares about Joe." The younger Hardy said as he sat up from the floor board "And I'm the one that was getting tossed around in this giant aluminum can!"
Nancy shook her head then looked back out the windshield.
There was no way to find the car now. It was gone, and the Limo wasn't going anywhere either.
She leaned back into her seat and looked over at Frank "Now I'm on a case."
He nodded "I think we both are."
"I don't understand!" Cruise shouted as he paced his hotel room "Who would do this? And why?"
"That's what we're going to find out." Nancy said reassuringly.
"You've got the best detectives on the force!" Bess said exuberantly "They used to be teen detectives, but they've kind out grown that title."
"Hey!" Joe whined "I'm only one year out of the teen range. I still consider myself young and charming."
"Of course you do."
Frank shook his head from where he was waiting with the phone. He had called in the license plate number to the vehicle that had taken Morgan. Just then, he straightened up "Yes?"
Nancy leaned against the wall and whispered quietly "The owner of the car reported the vehicle stolen at five this afternoon. It was recovered from a ditch about an hour ago."
Frank glanced at her amused "Okay. Thanks." then he hung up "Good guess. But the car was reported stolen at seven."
She shrugged "Close."
"Alright, Cruise." Frank said, turning to the actor "I need you to think. And really think. Is there anyone that would want to get Morgan out of the way for any reason?"
Cruise sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs "Not that I know of. Everyone always loved her!"
"What about someone trying to get at you?" Nancy asked "It's not exactly a secret that you two are in love."
"I can't think of anyone." Cruise answered.
"What about that person that Morgan got the part in the next movie instead of her?" Bess suggested "Gossip says she was mad."
"Bonnie James?" Cruise thought a second "She was pretty upset. But I don't think capable of kidnapping. Besides, the kidnapper was a man."
"People have accomplices." Frank pointed out "Who knows who was driving."
"Right."
"I think we'd better have a talk with Bonnie." Nancy said "Does she live around here?"
"Yeah. She's Morgan's understudy for the next film." Cruise said "They were going to start shooting this Friday. You'll be able to find her on the set. I can take you there."
"Friday?" Nancy nodded "Day after tomorrow? Sounds good."
"Yeah." Cruise walked towards the room door "They wanted to get some shooting in before the Holidays. If you guys don't mind, I'm exhausted." he opened his door "I really just... want to be alone."
Frank nodded in understanding "Sure." then he walked out, the others following.
Right before Nancy left she sent the movie star a reassuring smile "We'll find her. I promise."
He put on the best smile he could muster "I hope so, Nancy. Thanks."
"So, it's the Drew-Hardy team again." Joe said as they walked down the hall "With some Martin assistance."
"I guess so." Nancy said softly "Our room is just a few floor up, so..."
Frank nodded "Yeah. Ours is just a few doors down from here."
Bess giggled "Wow. I works to have friends that are movie stars and dating!"
Nancy smiled "Want to meet for breakfast? We can catch up on the past year and a half."
"Sure." Frank answered with a grin "Make it seven?"
"Make it eight!" Joe retorted.
"Yeah! Make it eight!" Bess begged "Or... you two can go ahead and meet at seven then we'll join you at eight."
Nancy stared at her friend for a long moment.
"Sounds good." Frank said "See you tomorrow."
"Yeah." Nancy nodded "See ya." then she and Bess walked away.
Joe elbowed Frank in the ribs "Oooh. This could get interesting."
"What are you talking about?" Frank asked, his eyebrows lowering.
"Here we are in New York City. And we run into Nancy Drew." Joe responded "And you just happen to be unattached."
Frank groaned "Joe! I am not interesting in Nancy!"
"Uh-huh." Joe crossed his arms "You could have fooled me. Honestly, when you and Callie broke up you seemed more relieved than distressed."
"We didn't break up, we separated." Frank retorted "And besides, Nancy is dating Ned. Remember?" then he turned and stalked towards their room.
"Or is she?" Joe said to himself.
As soon as the girls reached their room, Bess put in a call to her cousin, George Fayne while Nancy went to get ready for bed.
She was brushing her hair when she heard Bess talking.
"Guess who's here." Bess said "Yes! The Hardys! Joe and Frank!.. yeah, I know... I know... I can't wait to see what happens either... I know!... There's always been the former relationship excuse, but now... Yeah... Okay... talk to you later, George... See you when you get here...bye."
"What was that all about?" Nancy asked as she walked over to her bed.
"Oh, nothing." Bess answered as she returned the phone to it's cradle "Soooooo, Nancy. And thoughts on running into the Hardy Boys? Mainly... Frank?"
Nancy glanced at her briefly "It's good to see them again. Both of them."
"Aw! Come on, Nan!" Bess huffed "You know what I mean?"
Unfortunately, she did know what Bess meant.
She had always been attracted to Frank Hardy. He was so smart and kind and always seemed to listen. Not to mention he was terribly good looking. Tall and strong. Everything a girl could possibly want in a guy.
"And he can read your mind." Bess said, as if she knew Nancy's thoughts.
"He's got a girlfriend." Nancy pointed out "And besides, anything that may have happened between me and Frank was just... silly teenager stuff. It's over." she slid between her blankets "Good night."
Bess shook her head "Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn." then she flicked out the light and climbed into her own bed. It wasn't long til her soft snores could be heard.
Nancy sighed and rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling.
Truth was, seeing Frank again had brought back all those feelings she'd kept contained for so long. She'd normally been able to maintain her distance or keep anything from happening because of Ned. About a year ago she and Ned had gone their separate ways, but even with Ned, there'd been a couple of times when their resolve had slipped away. Like that time in Colorado... and Egypt.
She groaned as she rolled back onto her side. She didn't have Ned as an excuse to keep her distance anymore. So what could she possibly do to keep from falling for Frank Hardy all over again?
(Okay, I'm trying a mystery! And... I could probably use some help. I'm not too good at clues, so if anyone's got a suggestion let me know! By the way, yes I LOVE Nancy and Frank. They're just tooo perfect together! Sorry Ned-Nancy lovers. Well, enjoy! Laterz!)