Day 9: Potential car thieves make amazing boyfriends

Rating: PG – language, slight sexual innuendos

I'm particularly fond of this one for no good reason outside it's a little different than some of my other married, happy bliss. Not that this is sad; it's merely a different side of fluff.

"Hey there, stranger. Didn't think you were gonna make it."

Nancy scans the crowd and almost blushes when her eyes catch Bess rushing to her. "I'm full of surprises."

"Well, you look fabulous," Bess announces and passes her a drink. "Here. You'll need it."

"You look like you've had three of these already."

"Six, Nan, six. Have a little faith in me," Bess turns them away from two men approaching. "Look, Nance, there's not a decent man here. I have looked everywhere. It's like every decent man from here to Chicago was either carted off by aliens or is, sadly, already taken."

"Bess, I appreciate what you're doing, but I don't need-"

"I know. I know. You don't need a man, and you're right. But I want you to have one. Especially since the last three, uh, kinda, well," Bess hesitates.

"Went screaming into the night?" Nancy folds her arms. "You don't have to coddle me, Bess. I know what happened and honestly? I don't care. I know I'm a lot to handle. Things like that don't surprise me."

"There has to be a man out there somewhere."

"I'm sure someone will come along eventually. But if not?" Nancy shrugs. "I've got me, myself, and I, and we make quite the threesome."

"Nancy!"

She chuckles. "Just clarifying any confusion you had, Bess."

"I've got you loud and clear."

Nancy sips the wine. "I could give you more-oh my God!"

"What, Nancy? Nancy, what is it? What's going on?"

"That wind! Look at it!"

Bess breathes, "Nancy, you don't react like that over the wind unless it's a damn hurricane."

"Are you serious? Look at that wind! It's going to blow that tree over!"

"Yeah, so?"

"Yeah, so, my car is parked under that tree."

"Oh," Bess offers.

"Oh. Oh is right," Nancy rolls her eyes. "Excuse me. I'm moving my car before a freaking tree falls on it. 'Merry Christmas, Nancy. Here's your smashed car.'"

Nancy races from the house and across the gravel drive. She is nearly at her car when she sees the headlights flutter on and the car begin to move.

"That's my car! That's my car. Hey. Hey! That's my car! Get back here!"

Nancy chases after her car and nearly collides into the back bumper when it stops a short distance away. A tall figure emerges, and although it's dark, Nancy makes out a wide grin.

"Sorry. This your car?"

"Yes," Nancy gasps. "What were you doing? Stealing it?"

The man looks amused. "And I got out and talked to you? I'm sure I would make a rotten car thief, but even I know not to do that."

Nancy manages a smile. "Alright, I believe you, but what were you doing driving off in my car?"

"That tree over there?" he nods to the swaying tree. "It's about to fall over. I was moving all the nearby vehicles."

"My car was locked."

"I just hotwired it."

"You what?"

He shrugs. "It's not that hard. Nice car by the way. '78?"

Nancy nods slowly. "You hotwired my car?"

"I thought we covered this already."

"How do you even know how to do that?"

"Well, in between classes and football practice, I like to steal cars." Nancy gapes. "Hey, you have your hobbies; I have mine."

Nancy snorts. "Okay, well, in any case, thank you I guess. I appreciate the gesture. I'll, I'll, uh, see you inside?"

"Yes, you will," he smiles.

Nancy turns to head back inside the home. Something holds her place, and she knows it's now or never.

"Hey, would you like to maybe cut out and go get coffee or something?"

The young man looks surprised, and Nancy can't blame him. She did just accuse him of trying to steal her car, but there is something about him that intrigues her.

"You want to have coffee? With me? The brazen car thief?"

Did she mention the sparkle in his eyes?

"I have low standards."

"Ah, I see," he winks. "I think I can manage that. This party isn't exactly fun anyway."

Nancy groans. "I didn't even want to come. My friend dragged me here. I don't even know who's hosting."

The man shrugs. "Some rich inventor. I don't think anyone really likes him. Surprised no one's burned his place down."

Nancy nudges him. "Into arson as well?"

"I'm full of surprises. Besides, I hear he's a real ass. He probably deserves it."

"I'll know where to look then when I hear of the fire," Nancy chuckles. "My name's Nancy by the way. Nancy Drew."

He turns with a grin. "Ned Nickerson."