Disclaimer: I do not own Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys or any characters affiliated. I do, however, own the original plotline they find themselves in and any original characters of my own making.

To Protect and Serve

Hello again, everyone! Chapter 6 has only been up for a few days and here I am, starting the next chapter. It's pretty unusual for me to do so. Generally, I wait until the reviews have basically stopped for the current chapter until beginning the next one, so I can gauge all the feedback and continue accordingly. But, like you, I want to see what happens with this story, so here I am.

A Hint: Pay attention to what Nancy saw in her "vision" last chapter. It may help you figure out the answers to the questions you all keep asking me! ;-) More answers will come in this chapter, and very soon, we shall see some serious emotional and physical action.

NOTICE: I've changed the chapter titles on the drop-down list for your convenience. It should be easier now to keep track of the passing of time because from now on, I won't be going day by day. The journey took three parts, the first night one part, and the first day three parts because those are critical times, both for information and character development and plot. But, now we're going to pick it up a bit. And though the whole point of Witness Protection is the be AWAY FROM THE ACTION... I'm getting antsy, so look sharp. ;-)

Thank you so much for reading! Enjoy!

-rosa

Chapter Seven: Day 9

A week passed tensely in Phoenix.

The Hardy boys went about their new, less exciting lives day by day, and usually had dinner with Nancy. But, she was farther away from them emotionally than she had been. She made small talk and forced smiles, but spent most of her time working. She made sure that their rooms and car were continually swept for bugs, was in constant contact with the FBI HQ, and managed the shifts of her agents like clockwork. Every Monday, she came in and made breakfast for the guys before they woke up, and still stayed to chat, but would brook no conversation about herself or Krutin. On the weekend, she disappeared into FBI headquarters, leaving them free to use the car and in the care of two agents each.

After a few days of this, Frank confided to Joe what Nancy had told him about Ned. Joe was puzzled. Confiding in Frank should have been a release for Nancy, but instead, she was locking up and receding into her work. Joe recalled the theory he'd developed in the movie theatre with uncertainty-- it conflicted with what Nancy had told Frank and seemed more surreal and terrible each time he thought of it. For this reason, he did not share his hunch with Frank, who was increasingly dejected by Nancy's distance.

After speaking with their parents again, very briefly, Nancy took the guys to work. Fenton Hardy reported that there was no activity linked to Krutin in New York that anyone could report. He also said that the general public, including extended family and friends, honestly believed that Frank and Joe had died in the line of duty.

Since it was raining, the gym was particularly busy, Joe noted one Sunday. He found himself running around constantly, spotting guys, fixing equipment, giving instructions... by the time the clock got around to his 11:00 am judo class, he was already tired. But, right before 11, he noticed Nancy come into the gym, letting the cute Agent Anderson take her place at dispatch. Of course, Joe was a little disappointed to see the flirty Asian leave, but he got the feeling that Agent Bombay--better known as Bomb-- had a little thing for Andy. So, with much reluctance, he let that idea go.

Joe went to the intercom and announced that judo class was starting soon. And, with amusement, he saw that Nancy was planning to come in and take his class today! He almost laughed. Even 10 years ago, Nancy had been an extreme proficient at judo; her skill had helped the Hardys out of some sticky situations. He was almost excited to show Nancy that he too had mastered the technique; he even toyed with the idea of bringing her out and sparring... but, no, it might bring too much attention to them.

He greeted her when she got to the door. "Hey, Al! Come to learn the great art of judo from a master?"

She grinned, and socked him lightly in the arm. "Only so I can beat you up, Core."

As the class assembled, Joe thought back a couple years... she had nailed him with some of her judo moves! Once, he and Frank and spotted her and Bess across the street and decided to try-- as they often did-- to get the best of the detective. Joe snuck up and snatched her purse, and she'd chased him down and kicked him good before she realized it was him. But, the picture of her standing over him and yanking her purse out of his hand reminded Joe of seeing her face in the movie character... which then reminded him of his.. theory.

So, as the class went on, he noticed something he'd rarely seen in Nancy ten years ago. With every kick, every punch her eyes darkened with pent-up anger. Her moves were fierce and quick and serious, though unnoticed by most others. She was in the back of the room. But Joe could see her. He recognized the fury in her eyes, the power behind her movement--in her mind, she was facing a real enemy. But, despite it all, she still shot Joe approving grins when he demonstrated a move.

When class was over, everyone was out of breath and retreated to the showers or the cantene, but Nancy went elsewhere. Still watching Joe, she took a spot at a punching bag, despite still being out of breath from judo. She put on gloves and stretched for a moment, Then, after taking a stance and bouncing on her toes for a moment, arms drawn in close, Nancy began to unleash on the punching bag. Joe's eyebrows shot up. Something was seriously bothering her. And, as he was under her protection, Joe figured it couldn't bode well for him either.

He checked the gym, the crowd had thinned as people left for lunch. Satisfied, he walked up to Nancy, listening to the steady thump of her blows. He took a deep breath, fingering Iola's keys in his pocket.

"What's eating you, Al?" he asked casually, watching her with appreciation. The Bureau obviously took combat training seriously.

"Oh... just this guy at work."

She was referring to Krutin no doubt. But she obviously couldn't say that.

"What about him?"

"I can't figure him out!" she answered through a grimace, throwing a killer right hook. Joe watched her, smile fading.

He chose his next words carefully. Nancy was on assignment to keep them in hiding yet she was still chasing after Krutin, it seemed. Why was she so invested? The one that got away syndrome?

"Do you need to figure him out, Al?"

Punch. "Yes." The word was forced through the crevices in between her teeth. She threw a kick that sent the bag swinging. Joe's movie theatre revelation flashed through his mind, and spurred him to action.

He grabbed the spinning punching bag, held it still, and looked Nancy straight in the eye.

"Nate's dead, isn't he."

Nancy stopped bouncing, and her face paled. Her hands dropped by her side, still clenched. She looked around cautiously, to ascertain if anyone was within earshot. Satisfied, she turned back to him grimly.

"Why don't you take your lunch break, Core," she mumbled half-heartedly. "Let's get out of here."

XXX

Frank stepped out of Greg's Gadgets, planning to ask Joe to join him at the KFC across the street, but stopped in his tracks. Joe was leading Nancy quickly out of the gym by the arm. When Joe opened her door, she turned, and Frank saw her face was pale and tight. Joe's manner was impatient, his expression intense. He fairly jumped into the car after her. Frank saw Nancy give a slight wave to left of the lot where JJ was parked, then, Joe gave her another expressive look, let his hand linger on her arm, then they drove off.

Frank stared, swallowing betrayal as he frantically tried to make out the situation. He thought about waving, but something kept him still.

It coudn't be an emergency about their covers or Krutin. Nancy or JJ would have come to get him or brief him.

It couldn't be a family emergency for either of them... obviously... and both seemed to be in good health, even if Nancy had been a bit pale.

Though neither looked especially happy, it didn't look like they had had some kind of argument.

Obviously, they were going out to lunch together. But.. Nancy wasn't driving. Joe had opened her door. Joe had given her a long, intense look and let his hand linger on her arm. She seemed upset over something, and she'd turned to him. She didn't recoil from his touch or falter in his gaze.

I'm not going to overreact. I'm going to be mature about this...

Frank tried to stifle the childish questions from surfacing, but he failed. He felt too much not to wonder, not to be hurt. He didn't know what was going on, what they were leaving to discuss, why they chose to leave him out of it... and it was killing him.

Joe, what are you doing?

Nan... why Joe and not me?

Why did you both leave me here?

"It's nothing," he told himself bravely, turning back and walking into the store, gulping down the lump in his throat. "Nothing at all."

XXX

Joe and Nancy drove in silence. He tried to think like an FBI Agent before he stopped at a restaurant. Nancy would want privacy; she'd want to be sure that there'd be no chance of being overheard by anyone--stranger or otherwise. So, he took her through a drive-thru, then parked their car in an empty lot and locked the doors, and rolled up the windows. He left the air on for them both. She'd been on the phone for a moment, speaking in gibberish code, he presumed. She hung up, as he was getting settled.

"The car was just swept for bugs, so we're good," she said quietly. She nibbled at her food for Joe's sake.

Joe watched her as he ate. "JJ and the rest will wonder what's going on. Or did you tell them something when you were on the phone?"

Nancy stared straight ahead, expressionless. "I don't answer to them, Corey. But yes, I told them you left something at the apartment and I was going with you for surveillance. So, it might be a good idea to swing by there for show, in case they tell Andy we're coming."

"It can wait," Joe answered her softly.

She was silent for a moment. Then, she turned and met Joe's eyes. Joe was a little stunned to see tears trying to pool there.

"I should have known you would figure it out."

He touched her hand. "How could I not, Al? I went through the same thing when... she died." Iola. "For the past week, I've watched you, and I've seen myself."

Nancy did not reply. She was staring straight ahead again, fiddling with her left ring finger.

"Al...what happened? Why did you lie to Frank the other night?"

Her teary eyes suddenly flashed. "Nothing I said was a lie!" she whispered defensively.

"Nate left me...Four years ago. I was a new agent, working in the Organized Crime unit. I was never in town and most times, I couldn't safely speak on the phone. He hated it and he left me. It was sudden. Unexpected. One day, he just disappeared from my life. BAM! Just like that. At first, I thought there was no reason for it; he just left. But I knew it was my fault... my work... drove him away."

Joe thought about it... it was true. She had said "left" and been deliberately vague. So it couldn't be called a lie.

"Okay. You didn't lie. But why not just tell him the truth? Why not just tell both of us the truth? We're both your friends; we would have been there for you! God, Alice, I understand!" He grabbed her shoulder in a last-ditch effort to connect. His eyes fell on her scar.

"No!" she cried, jerking out from underneath his hand. "You don't understand! It was my fault!"

Stunned, Joe dropped his hand. And as he listened, Joe began to understand why Nancy Drew could find no peace in her dreams.

XXX

Frank chose to man the register after his lonely lunch break, as the desk had a clear view of the door.

I trust them both, he kept trying to tell himself as he took bills and made change. There's nothing to worry about.

The car pulled back into the lot over an hour after they'd left. Nancy was driving now, and she pulled up in front of the gym to drop Joe off. He got out of the car, and walked around to her side. For a moment, she refused to roll down the window, but after he knocked on it, she relented. The window came down, revealing her face flushed and eyes bloodshot. Joe was leaning in close, talking animatedly. She was stubbornly looking away. Finally, Joe jerked open the car door and knelt on the pavement, taking her hands as he spoke. Frank saw his brother throw a hand in his direction. Nancy shook her head. Finally, Joe stood, still gripping her hands. He spoke another moment, then backed away. Nancy shut her own door, rolled up her window, and drove away.

Frank watched as his brother raked his hands through his short hair in frustration of some kind. Joe took a deep breath, then jogged back into the gym.

"Hey, man, I'm not going to wait on you forever!" a disgruntled customer mumbled.

"Oh, sorry." Frank tore his eyes away from the parking lot, stretching out his clenched fists to scan the order.

XXX

Get it together, Drew.

Nancy had stoically gone through the Big Mac/Burger King ritual, and was sitting in her own temporary office at the Phoenix headquarters.

Come on. You can do it.

She was still reeling from her encounter with Joe... but she had work to do. She couldn't let her personal life interfere anymore with the job at hand. So, after a few deep breaths and some reapplied makeup, she called Andy for a status report.

"Go-Go, Bomb, and JJ report that all has gone well today. Nothing suspicious after you and Corey came by, nothing suspicious before then... Right now, Go-Go is watching the lot, Bomb's in the gym, and JJ stepped into the Tech store. Hourly reports have been all-clear."

Hm... no questions. She didn't even sound curious about the sudden and rather hasty appearance of Nancy and "Corey" at the apartment complex. Both had been swallowing a flood of emotions when they arrived.

Nancy smiled--either Andy really wasn't concerned or she knew better than to question her superior. Either way, Agent Drew wasn't going to complain.

"All right. Good. I'm hoping to move them down to level 2 eventually, if the Robinson activity stays low. But for now, tell the boys to keep it up. And you too--thanks for watching base today."

"No problem, Red. Later!"

"Bye."

Am I being to paranoid? Nancy wondered. But she decided against that. Of course everything would stay quiet after barely a week. Krutin couldn't tack them down that fast. Besides, she didn't want Frank and Joe or her agents getting complacent--though the odds of that were pretty low.

She rose from her office, instictively locked it behind her, then meandered down the hall to where she knew Ray was holed up. She was trying to finish her profile so Nan and the team back in Bayport could use it in trying to track down Krutin or at least try to predict his movements.

Nancy's hand paused over the door--Reid had said something about Rachel throwing chairs at people who interrupted her--however, as Nancy was her superior on this operation, odds are Ray wouldn't being throwing things at her. So, that in mind, Nancy knocked smartly, then entered. An instant later, from a corner of dark room dully lit by a laptop's glow, she heard, "NO COFFEE!" A stapler went high, gripped menacingly.

"Federal Agent! Hold your fire!" Nancy called with a grin. "Ray, it's me."

The stapler clattered to the ground as Ray stumbled to her feet. "Oh, hey, Drew. Sorry. Come on in!"

Nancy shook her head, amused. "Can I turn on the light?"

The older black woman looked at the light switch with wariness. "I suppose so. I'm actually just finishing up."

That brought a sigh of relief from her superior. Nancy could definitely use a fifth agent in the field over Frank and Joe. "Does anything pop out at you that might help predict his movements? How far do you think Corey and Jake are on his list of priorities?"

Instantly, Ray was Special Agent, Dr. Rachel Matthews. "I spoke with some other agents who'd guarded people on Krutin's hot list. The quickest he or a hitman have ever attacked or attempted to attack a target was a month. And in that particular case, the hitman was careless, and the situation was averted. There was an ADA from Philidelphia that went into the WPP after trying to prosecute him-- in 47 days, Krutin tracked her down and executed her in a driveby. However, our two guys, Corey and Jake, actually infilitrated the Russians deeper than any other detectives... aside from yourself. I imagine they are fairly high up on the list. The lack of activity on Krutin's part makes me a little nervous for them."

Nancy frowned. "How nervous?"

"I'd say that it will take two more weeks for the Russians to find them, if they're trying. More than likely, Krutin himself will be close by to rectify the situation. So, I'd say have the team on high alert for a month, and if nothing happens for four or five weeks, you can lower them to level 2. If we get that far with no suspicious activity, I'd say that Krutin can't find us. But not until such a time."

Nancy nodded. It seemed consistent with her instincts.

"Here's a copy of my profile. I just finished the last round of editing and such. That's a rough copy, and not authorized, but I know you would rather have it now than later. When it's approved by the commisioner, I'll give you the published copy."

"Thanks, Ray," Nancy said, taking the thick document from her. "Now. I absolutely insist that you take the next two days off. We can manage surveillance without you for that time." At her protests, Nancy continud on firmly. "If I hear that you stepped foot into headquarters, I'll make you partners with Bombay on the next assignment."

At first, Ray's mouth opened, but she closed it again quickly. "Fine, you win. But I'm taking Corey and Jake's file home with me. I've been a bit out of touch for the past week."

"All right. Now, get thee to a spa or something!"

"Thanks, Drew."

Nancy promptly left with Krutin's profile under her arm. She stopped by the codebreaking office, and stuck her head in. "Any luck with the Krutin email?"

A young, rather nerdy guy looked up from a computer and shook his head. "We're running the message through several different code algorithms, and so far, nothing plausible has come up. We'll be in touch, Agent Drew."

"Thanks, guys."

She thought about stopping by to check on Reed, to see if he had intercepted any more information... but she decided against it. The man had to be a borderline clarvoyant... after her intense discussion with Joe, Reed would see right through her.

XXX

Around seven-thirty that night, Nancy appeared at their door wearing a dress and a tentative smile.

"Hey, Al, great dress!" Joe said appreciatively, pulling her in by the hand.

Frank's eyebrow shot up at the gesture, and he felt his heart twist when Joe and Nancy shared an exclusive, secretive glance; Joe was concerned, Nancy, determined. But, it passed as quickly as it happened.

"You guys are taking me swing dancing! And you have 20 minutes to get ready. There will be food there. Come on, let's go!"

She was actually excited. And despite every suspicion whirling in his chest, Frank grinned. "Is this... okay?" he asked, referring to their WPP status.

"Yeah, I got it all covered." Translation: the other agents will be all over us.

"Sweet!" Joe cried, rushing off to get ready, smiling intensely at Nancy.

Frank was left alone with her for a moment. She looked him right in the face, and smiled a little. The same cautious smile that had made his knees shake for the past week and a half... heck for the past 10 years!

He thought about asking her about her lunch with Joe... but she seemed so different tonight, so... innocent... he didn't want to crack the unfinished bridge by walking over it too soon. Besides... he was afraid of what she might confess to him. Either of two possible responses was horrible.

Frank... Joe and I... that one was particularly gut-wrenching. But the second possiblilty had flaws as well.

Frank... I trusted Joe with something with which I could not trust you. In a way, this was almost more painful.

So, Frank chose to ignore the subject for the moment, deciding to trust them and bury the anxiety for tomorrow. After doing so, he found himself boyishly nervous in front of the woman for which he'd pined for so long.

"Well, Ali... I'm going to uh... go get ready... so... just a few minutes... ok?"

"Ok, Jake," she said patiently, smiling... shyly, even.

Feeling teenage desires swimming in his stomach, Frank fled to his room.

XXX

A half hour later, Frank was watching Joe expertly lead Nancy around the dance floor for the first dance. Normally, the sight of his brother and Nancy dancing or being affectionate was an endearing sight... tonight, though, he found it rather unnerving. But, he had no claim on Nancy. And neither really made any remarks or acted in such a way to suggest they were forming a romantic relationship... but love, after all, is irrational.

The entire team of agents, minus Ray who was on her forced vacation, was there tonight. Pop was out in the lot, monitoring who came and went through video feed and his own observation, and the others were scattered around the ballroom, out of earshot but always within sight.

When they returned to their table, Nancy was actually laughing. "Where did you learn to dance, Core? I didn't expect you to be so experienced!"

Joe looked offended. "Why, Al, I'm crushed! But, you should know that being a proficient dancer, I've learned, is killer ammo on the ladies. They just can't resist me."

She laughed again, and Frank felt some of his tension dissolve away. But, he was a little intimidated... he himself was grossly inexperienced in the area of swing dancing. She had only just sat down when another man no one recognized approached and asked her for the next number.

Frank felt every muscle in his body freeze with instant alarm, but his mouth went dry. Nancy appeared guarded at first, but in the end, paused, as if waiting on something, then shrugged and nodded, slowly giving her hand to him.

When they'd begun to dance, Joe whirled on Frank.

"What the hell, man?"

Frank bit his lip, grinding his back teeth together. "Can it, Core."

Joe waved off the burr, leaning over in his chair angrily. "She's not going to wait on you forever!"

Frank chuckled mirthlessly. "You're the second person to say that to me today. I don't want to hear it."

His tone would brook no reply... from anyone other than Joe.

Joe grabbed his arm, his grip numbing and serious. "Jake. If you don't go for her, we'll all lose her."

The image of them sitting closely in the car flashed through Frank's mind, hardening him to the concern the remark would have evoked. "I said I don't want to hear it," he hissed again, low and dangeorus.

Joe silenced, frustrated and hurt. Frank's eyes landed on Nancy, watching her skirt flare elegantly out around her. They were close enough to where he could almost read their lips.

Where... you...the scar? it appeared her partner was asking, his eyes on her forehead.

Her smile diminished, but her reply was casual. Long story... fell was all Frank could make out before he twirled her. And Frank doubted it was true.

Later in the evening, Nancy had danced with Joe several other times and had a few other partners. Joe had made a point to be engaged for every song, twirling and spinning women into giggles and blushes.

Frank remained at the table, declining the few brave offers he'd recieved. Finally, during a slower song when neither was engaged, Nancy ventured to ask him, "Why aren't you dancing?"

Frank swallowed his lingering anger at Joe and himself and even Nancy, and responded quietly... "I'm not a very good swing dancer."

Nancy's smile was slow, unsure. "Come on," she said softly, standing. "The song is slow and half-way over. You can do it." Her bare and slender, gun-calloused hand awaited him.

His uncertainties crumbled into her palm.

They walked across the dance floor, stopping in a clear corner.

"Ok, the basic step is slow, slow, quick-quick, slow, slow, quick-quick slow." She demonstrated, and he fell into step with her, holding both of her hands in his own.

They did the basic step for a few moments, until Nancy smiled and whispered, "I don't move unless you move me."

He returned the smile, and turned her under his arm. She expertly fell back into step when she came around.

"How did you learn to do this?" he inquired, eyes carefully following her feet.

He felt a tremor in her hands. "Long ago," she answered finally.

With Ned. Frank couldn't decide whether or not to despise Ned for leaving Nancy or thank him for it. Either way, the matter was untouchable tonight.

He turned her to the left, sending her into a free spin he'd watched Joe perform. Her smile slowly returned.

"How are you enjoying your job?"

He laughed scratchily. "It's a nice change from my old job. Greg's place is small enough to where there's not much stress and usually not much to do. Greg himself is pretty laid back."

"Good."

Slow, slow, quick-quick, slow...

Frank turned her again, then pulled her back in for a recovery. This time, his hand landed on the small of her back, pulling her closer. Her hand landed softly on his shoulder, her eyes on his face.

"How do you like your job?" he blurted impetuously, breathily.

Nancy met his eyes, her gaze unwavering. He thought he saw something in her eyes, but it fell behind her brown contacts.

"At the moment, I'm liking it just fine."

XXX

When they left, Frank drove. Nancy sat beside him in the front, and Joe immediately fell asleep in the backseat... or at least, faked it admirably. The silence in the car was comfortable. And something strange happened along the way.

Nancy dozed off.

It was the first time Frank had witnessed her sleep this whole trip... probably the first time in several years.

Back in their youth, she'd appeared childlike and peaceful when sleeping. Now, as she dozed, her eyebrows were knit tightly--making her scar appear jagged-- and her lips were white.

"What plagues you, Ali?" Frank whispered to her, allowing his hand to hover dangerously close above her own... but in the end, it fell back on the wheel. When they arrived home, he was loathe to wake her.

"Ali... we're back."

Her eyes snapped open, already alert from her shallow sleep.

"Ok." Her followed her eyes to the car clock-- after midnight. She sighed. "I'm going to head to my apartment, check my email and stuff, then go to bed."

He left the car reluctantly, hurrying over to open her door and hand her from the vehicle. She smiled softly at the gesture, nodding her appreciation. He then pounded on Joe's window, startling him from his sleep. At first, Joe's eyes flashed with resentment, but Frank smiled his forgiveness for their somewhat fight earlier in the evening. Joe rolled his eyes, and hobbled from the car, sleepily.

"Goodnight guys," Nancy said when they reached their respective apartments. "I'll come make breakfast for you in the morning. You won't even know I'm there."

Doubtful, Joe thought, glancing at his intent brother. "'Night, Al," he said, giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek, before quickly retiring into their suite and closing the door behind him.

Frank and Nancy were silent for a moment, knowing they were being watched and aware of the heat between them.

Finally, Nancy sighed. "Goodnight, Jake. It was wonderful."

He nodded quietly, taking her hand in his own. He brought it close to his mouth, and murmured, "Sweet dreams, Ali," without actually kissing it. She seemed to wait for a moment, then smiled softly, retreating into her apartment.

Frank stood at the door for a long moment, then shot a helpless glance to the clouded sky before turning in.

XXX

In her room, Nancy swallowed all the conflicting feelings, her mind whirling. Her conversation with Joe, her intense dance with Frank, his breath on her hand... she pushed them away, and fell into the chair before her computer.

She opened her secure connection, and entered her email, decoding the encryption as she opened each message. When she saw one from a familiar ISP, her grip around the mouse tightened.

When she opened the email, her face paled.

XXX

Thanks for reading; please review.

-rosa