Disclaimer: I do not own the Hardy Boys, sometimes I wish I at least knew them like in real life, that would be cool, any ways I also don't own Annalise, who comes into the story later, she is owned by Mystic Tenchi, sorry if I put Xenu earlier she is another character that Mystic Tenchi owns. I do however own the idea, Alice, Tony, Carter, and anyone else you don't recognize.

Frank

Chapter 4

"So what's with you and Alice," Cart asked.

We were in the boys locker room, after some flag football, getting out of our gym cloths. Carter had not been able to participate due to his broken wrist.

"Nothing," I replied quickly, gosh why am I blushing?

"That's not what I've heard, Hardy." Carter grinned, kind of wickedly.

"And what have you heard?" I asked.

"Hey Frank, there's someone out here that needs to talk to you!" The coach yelled.

"Coming, coach," I put on a shirt, and walked out. "Alice!"

"Sorry, I really need to talk to you." She gave an apologetic smile. "Come on."

Some freshman looked at us, they giggled, and Alice just smiled at them.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked.

"I need to show you something." She replied.

"Where's Joe, shouldn't we wait for him too?"

"Flirting with Annalise." She pulled me out onto the football field.

"Annalise?" I questioned.

"She's my cousin; she's been going to school here for about a year, now." Alice replied, she handed me a bag labeled 'evidence'. "It was in my bag when I got home from work."

I looked over it, surprised. I mean I knew her mom died when she was young but murdered? Maybe this was a case that the adults should have taken?

"Mom was a detective." Her voice cracked slightly. "And she was going after some guys who were using steroids in water and readily giving it to teenagers, who would end up in the hospital only days later. They found out and killed my mother."

"So revenge," another motive, I thought to myself

"Frank, listen to me you know I couldn't hurt anyone, I don't want anyone to get hurt anymore. I don't want what happened to my mother to happen to someone's child."

"What about Carter?" I asked.

"He asked for it, and he was ticking me off." She brushed her hair back. "Look I hired you both."

"What?"

"I found out about ATAC, complete accident. I hacked into the files and sent them some stuff about Rockers World."

"You," I was stunned.

Alice nodded. "Did you like the song?"

"Uh," Probably a dumb reply but it was the only thing that would come out.

"The song, 'catch me'?" She asked, looking some what impatient, but still beautiful.

I thought back to the mission disc, the song had been very beautiful along with the person who had sung it, well the voice had been.

"Oh, yes, you wrote it?"

Alice nodded again. "Sang it too, I'm glad you liked it. Umm, yeah, Annalise needed help with her homework, so she'll be at the house today."

"And your aunt?" I asked, suddenly quiet comfortable in front of her.

Alice looked down at her feet. "Out at work," She gently kicked the ground. "You can think of me as a suspect all you want, Frank, but the truth is, and I miss my mom."

I didn't say anything waiting for her to continue.

"I was only five when she was killed, but she was the only parent that was around enough. My dad's always been a busy man. My aunt came to live with us, after mom died, but these last five years, she's been really busy, so I'm home alone most of the time. We use to move every year, I've never even had close friends." A tear feel from her dark brown eye.

"You've been in Bayport for a year." I pointed out.

"Which is good, mom grew up here," She gave a small smile. "In fact, she was an amateur detective here, your dad probably knew her."

"She's your inspiration?"

She nodded, then we heard the bell for the next class, I turned to go, but Alice grabbed my hand. I felt like electricity had just hit me.

"Frank, uh," Alice paused, 'I know what they're saying and I'm sorry."

I knew I was blushing, but Alice was just smiling.

"We...We'd better go..." I stuttered.

"Yes," She replied "By the way, I uh just think of me as another friend."

"As a friend?" I questioned what if I wanted to be more then friends?

"That way you won't stutter when you talk to me." Alice smiled, and lent out her hand, she'd released mine earlier. "Deal?"

"Deal." I took her hand and shook it.

All the res t of the school day I tried to keep my mind off Alice. It was harder then I thought it would be. After all I had started to hear the rumors. I wasn't liking them, what they said about Alice, what they said about me.

"Way to go, Hardy, Alice is hot!"

"Shut up!" I growled.

Joe noticed I was edgy and stepped in.

"Just leave him alone." Joe told him.

Alice walked up carrying an arm load of books. Joe rushed to help her.

"Let me help, Miss McKoy."

"Oh, thanks Joe, but please just call me Alice."

"Very well then, Alice." Joe gave her a smile. "Do you have any plans after school today?"

"Actually I'm having some friends over, Joe." Alice smiled. "Since it is Friday."

"And one of those people happens to be me, Joe." Annalise walked up.

Annalise was a good looking young woman, and I could see why Joe thought so highly of her. Her hair is chestnut brown, her eyes are dark like chocolate. If I hadn't know any better I would have said Annalise and Alice were sisters. They both have the same facial features as well as the same eye color.

"Great!" Joe smiled, and shifted the books to under his arm, one arm around Annalise.

"Joe!" Anna yelled. "Not in public."

"Don't they look cute Frank?" Alice asked a smile on her face.

"Uh sure," I replied smiling back at her.

"Well Anna, shall we go?"

"Frank, I want to accompany Anna and Alice home." Joe replied.

"On your bike," Anna's eyes shown, I could tell she was excited.

"Oh dear, Anna loves motorcycles." Alice whispered.

"And you don't?" I asked.

"I..well." Alice blushed, she looked very pretty. "Promise not to tell dad."

"Promise," I replied as we walked out of the school.

"I have a license and even my own." She grinned.

This girl was amazing, I did not take her as the type to ride.

"Well since Joe is giving Anna a ride."

"Frank are you offering to take me home on your own bike." She smiled sweetly at me.

I couldn't get any words out, I was tongue tied.

"Well can I take that as a yes, Frank?" She had wrapped her arm around mine.

I nodded, I knew I was blushing.

"Well then let's go already." Joe and Anna were already on Joe's bike.

"Alright then, let's go."