Hi everyone, sorry I havn't posted in three weeks- I've been really busy with school. Anyway, I have time off now, so here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy and please review:)
Oh, and this chapter has references to the ND Files story 'This Side of Evil', and does slightly give away the plot.
CHAPTER FOUR.
"The wheels on the -car- go round and round, round and round, round and round. The wheels on th-"
"Bess, will you quit it?!" George said in an exasperated voice from the drivers seat. "We've been on the road over two hours and all you've done is sing! It's driving me insane."
"Oh, don't be such a spoil sport," Bess said, folding her arms and looking crossly out the window at the southern Ontario countryside.
"We should be having fun, George. And singing is fun- right Nancy?" Bess asked, glancing over her shoulder to the backseat where Nancy and Ned were sitting as close as their seatbelts would allow, exchanging kisses and whispering in each others ears.
"What?" Nancy said guiltily, sitting up straight and looking at Bess.
"Oh, nothing," Bess grumbled.
"Hey, hey," Ned said, "This is supposed to be a fun vacation- not one where we all end up mad at each other on the second day of the trip. Now, everyone make up."
"Ned's right," Nancy said, squeezing his hand, "We all came on this trip because we're friends and we want to spend fun time together. Not snap at each other every five seconds."
George nodded. "I'm sorry, Bess. You can sing if you want- just, please, not too loud."
"Ok. I wont sing for a little while, or too loud," Bess answered. "And, Nancy, I'm sorry I snapped at you. I guess I was just frustrated- and, maybe a little jealous that you're sitting there making out with your boyfriend, we're on the way to see George's special friend, and I'm stuck with no one."
"Bess, I'm sure you'll find a guy in the next few days. You always do," Nancy added with a grin. "And in the meantime, Ned and I wont make out until we're alone. So- everyone happy?"
They all nodded, so Nancy sat back against the seat and settled for holding Ned's hand and watching out the window as they made their way up to Niagara Falls.
"Niagara Falls and hot guys, here we come!" Bess exclaimed a few hours later.
Nancy laughed. "Bess, how do you know what the boys look like?"
Bess closed her eyes and sighed. "I can feel it. I know that he is close."
George rolled her eyes as the four of them got out of the car, ready to pitch their tent. "Get real, Bess."
"I am," she insisteed, "Didn't you see the muscles on that guy who checked us into the campground?"
It wasn't a question anyone bothered answering, and they all started to pitch the tent. They'd decided to stay two nights in Niagara Falls, as there was a lot to see, and it was late afternoon already, so they wouldn't have much time that day.
"Hey, Nan," Ned said, pulling her aside when the tent was up, "You up for a romantic dinner tonight- just the two of us?"
Nancy smiled up at him and placed her hands on his hips. "That sounds great, but what about Bess and George?"
Ned shrugged. "There's lots of things for them to see. And by the looks of things, Bess already has a date," he said, gesturing to the entrance to the campground where Bess was already chatting up the young guy at the office.
Nancy laughed. "You're on, Nickerson," she said, leaning closer to him.
Ned pulled her into his arms and they remained standing in close embrace until George walked over to them, announcing that Bess had a date and that she was going along, too, as Mr Muscles (Tony) had a friend who he said would want to go with them.
"Well, that confirms it," Nancy murmered against Ned's chest. "We have the evening to ourselves."
Ned gave her a squeeze then let her go. "Sounds great."
"This look good?" Ned asked Nancy later that night. The two of them had walked around Clifton Hill and Falls Avenue for the last half hour, enyoying the lights and action of the area on a summer night.
They had just come accros the Red Chateau on main Street, a romantic European restaurant. "Sure does," Nancy agreed, smoothing her short black dress.
They entered the restaurant and were seated. Nancy reached across the table and squeezed Ned's hand. "This is great," she said with a smile.
Ned smiled back, squeezing her hand in return.
"So, any particular plans for the rest of the trip?" he asked when they had ordered.
"Well, I was thinking maybe we could go round and meet up with some of the people we met on old cases- you know there are people all around North America we can go and see. Starting with Pierre in Montreal, of course," she added with a grin.
Ned laughed. "Sounds good. I remember that case so clearly, you know. You taking off to confront Ashley on your own. And almost getting blinded in our hotel room." He shifted his chair so he was sitting next to her and put his arm around her. "God, Nancy. I was so worried about you. I'm always worried about you when you're on a case.'
Nancy lay her head on his shoulder. "Well, you're not the only one. Don't forget when the helicopter was taking off and you were almost left behind. Then when it exploded- you only just made it out of that one. Crushing me in the process," she added with a grin.
"What, you didn't want me landing on top of you?" Ned teased, pulling her closer. "Yeah, that was a pretty action filled case- especially with George getting kidnapped and all.."
Nancy shivered. That was something she didn't want to remember.
"Well, how about making this trip to Montreal memorable in a different way," Nancy said. "We could take another caleche ride, and hopefully in one piece this time," she said, referring to the car that had sent the horse into a panick the last time. "And maybe we can have a more uneventful trip to Olympic stadium. I'm sure George would like that. And, of course, Bess will want to check out the fashion, which I hear is pretty good there."
Ned nodded and pulled his chair back to it's previos position as their food arrived. "Sounds good to me."
They both enyoyed the dinner, and then split a delicious desert, leaving the restaurant at nine thirty.
"That was great," Nancy said as the two of them walked throught the warm night back to the center of town.
"I completely agree," Ned said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her.
Nancy returned the kiss, which was becoming increasingly more passionate as they stood amongst the bright lights and endless string of entertainment venues. Ned's hands slipped up and down her back, and Nancy sighed against his lips. When they finally broke apart, they both stood saring at each other for a moment, both trying to catch their breath.
"Wow," Nancy finally said.
Ned grinned and slid his arm round her waist as they made their way to the waterfront where the Falls were all lit up every colour of the rainbow, and hundreds of people were milling around along the riverfront.
As Nancy and Ned srolled among all the people on their way to where the car was parked, Nancy suddenly felt her detectives insticts prick up.
Opposite a string of hotel/casino high rises satnding over the Falls, was a group of abulances, TV crews, and police. A group of onlookers were staring at something over the river by the Horseshoe Falls. Grabbing Ned's hand, Nancy made her way quickly over to where the people were standng.
"Somebody help!" A lady suddenly screamed. "He's about to committ suicide- but not without taking others along with him!"