He had called her house that morning, but Hannah informed him that she wasn't home. "She left bright and early, Ned. Try her cellphone."

He didn't expect her to answer - and she didn't. He listened to her voicemail and left her a message. Ned really hoped that Nancy would listen to it.

ND

Nancy checked her phone. She had three new voicemails. The first was from Frank, checking up on her latest mystery. Her dad left her one to tell her he'd be out of town a few more days. Then came the voice she dreaded to hear. Ned's.

"Hey, Nancy...it's me. Meet me by the pond in Emerson Park at two. You don't have to call back; I'm sure you're in the middle of a mystery right now. Just meet me there."

She sighed. Their relationship had been on the rocks ever since it began three years ago. Ned had been so patient with her, but he never really understood what solving these mysteries meant to her. They'd fight over her skipping dates, changing plans, and dragging him into dangerous situations; but it was never anything terribly serious.

Then she met Frank Hardy. Nancy had heard of him from her father, but that didn't prepare her for when she met him. They definitely had the chemistry, but neither of them were willing to go into a relationship. Nancy had Ned, and Frank had Callie back home. The more mysteries Nancy solved with Frank, the less she thought about Ned. Especially in Egypt. That had crossed the line, and Nancy's conscience caught up to her. She distanced herself from Frank, and began spending more time with Ned. To the outside, it looked perfect. That's what Nancy told herself anyways.

ND

Nancy drove her little convertible throught River Heights, then to Emerson College. She parked in front of Ned's dorm, then started to walk to the park.

Emerson Park was actually quite nice. There were running and bike paths, a duck pond, and a big gazebo in the middle of the pond. You had to either swim or rent a paddle boat to get to it. Nancy and Ned did it once. Nancy had to leave early though. The police needed her to identify a hit-and-run suspect.

Nancy checked her clock on her phone. 1:52. She walked along the path, then sat under a large shade tree. Right at two she saw Ned walking towards her. She stood up to greet him, but he yelled that there was no need to get up. He came over and leaned against the tree, then sat down in the grass next to her.

"Hey, Ned," she hated this silence. It filled her stomach with dread.

"How's your mystery going, Nancy?"

"I solved it today. Frank helped me out a bit." Ned glanced up at her when she mentioned his "rival," but other than that he was didn't seem too concerned.

"That's good to hear, Nan. How long did this one take?" He asked in a monotonous voice.

Nancy chewed on her lip as she thought. "It took five weeks. I almost thought I would never solve this one, but I finally did."

"You never give up, do you?" Ned asked. "That's one of the things I like about you, Nancy."

She gave a smile of relief, this conversation wasn't anything like she had been dreading.

He took a breath before continuing. "But, Nancy...maybe 'us' is something you need to give up on."

She looked at him in shock and disbelief. Nancy had thought a fight was coming on, not a break up. "But...why?"

"Nancy, don't deny that you knew it was coming. We've had our problems, fights, but you've always managed to get us back together. But this time...it's not going to work. Just give up on us."

Nancy looked at him. "Are you sure this is what you want Ned?"

He nodded.

"Ok, Ned. I give up. I'm not going to try to patch a doomed relationship."

He grabbed her hand. "Are you okay, Nancy?"

She nodded. "Actually...I am."

He looked at her one last time, then stood up and left her there under the tree.

And then she cried.

AN: Well, I hope you all liked this, but I don't know whether or not I should leave it as it is, or continue. If you have any ideas, please let me know! Please review!!!

Pinkey the Brain