I have no excuses. I promised this would be finished in a timely manner and I made a liar out of myself. I'm truly sorry, and I understand if people have moved on from this story. To any of you who are still around, I hope this extremely late chapter doesn't disappoint too much.

Much love!

~Amy

Special thanks to JackieJacks for encouraging me to get back to it.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. I do own three empty wine bottles filled with flowers.

Chapter 12

"You look… Wow. There are no words."

"Stop it."

"No, I mean it. This is a whole new look for you."

"It is not. I'm basically wearing the same thing as yesterday."

"And do I detect a hint of aftershave?" Joe frowned. "Are you sure your arm is okay? How did you do all of this by yourself?"

Frank rolled his eyes and glanced around his apartment to make sure he had everything he needed. The one time his brother had to get overprotective, he was running late to one of the most important dates of his life. He had been planning this date with Nancy since he was a teenager. Sure, it had mutated over the years, changing as he did. But the core of it always remained the same – being with Nancy on a warm, starlit night with good food and nice music and…

He mentally shook himself. Now was not the time to be daydreaming. He was about to be in his very own fantasy. That is, as soon as he could get Joe to leave him alone.

"I'm fine. I should be telling Mom that I'm moving back here any day now."

"Just waiting to get up the courage, huh?" Joe smirked at him.

Frank ran his fingers through his hair. It was a couple inches longer than he preferred, and definitely needed a trim. "Something like that. Thanks for stopping by, but I've really got to go."

"Yes, of course. Go woo your woman."

"I'll see you later," he said as he rushed out the door. "Lock up when you leave, if you could."

"Hey Frank?"

He turned to face his younger brother who stood watching him from the doorway.

"Yeah?"

"It's going to be great. Just enjoy yourself and don't try too hard."

Frank pushed a grin through his nerves at the person who knew him best. "Thanks."

"Get out of here. Your lady awaits."

A few minutes later, Frank Hardy was the one rendered speechless when the door to his parents' house opened.

"I take it that your gaping mouth is a good thing?" Nancy asked with a laugh.

Frank was rooted to his place, unable to do anything other than take in the sight of the girl in front of him. She was wearing a small, midnight blue dress with thick straps and a V-shaped neckline. The slick fabric clung to her body down to her hips, where it flared out into a skirt that landed just above the knee. Her hair was pulled back into a simple clip, a few wisps brushing her face.

"Oh, Nancy, you look…." Frank said before trailing off. He realized midsentence that anything he could end the statement would sound trite. Nothing would accurately express what he truly felt at that moment.

He shrugged, a lop-sided smile on his face. "Insert adjective that defies meaning."

Being in a profession of mostly men had given Nancy the attitude of fitting in and keeping up. She wasn't used to compliments about being feminine and wasn't exactly sure how to respond.

Feeling self-conscious, Nancy tapped him on the shoulder with her silver clutch purse. "Not so bad yourself, Hardy."

"Ready?"

Nancy took in his appearance as he stood on his own front step. His standard button-down with rolled up sleeves was in place, but this time it was tucked in and paired with black trousers. His face was freshly shaven, and she inhaled the faint spicy sent coming from his skin. The light spilling onto the porch from inside the house made his dark eyes appear brighter as they focused on her face. His warm expression made her heart jump.

"Yes." She knew she was ready for more than just the date. She was ready for everything that came with it. Frank's answering smile told her that he understood.

The car ride to the restaurant was quiet with both of them lost in their own thoughts and memories. Frank's car was just as practical as Nancy remembered, and the thought made her smile.

"What?" he asked, noticing her small grin.

"Nothing. Just having a good time."

Frank laughed. "Already? I guess I'm doing something right."

The restaurant he had chosen was one of the nicer ones in Bayport, though definitely not the most expensive. He had a feeling that Nancy would have been uncomfortable instead of impressed with the splendor. Taking a recommendation from Joe, he pulled up to La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant and within minutes they were seated a table he had reserved.

The room was dimly lit, a candle on each table. Nancy couldn't stop herself from watching the flickering light play across Frank's strong features. She felt like pinching herself, knowing that she was finally out with him.

"This is nice, Frank. Thank y – " Nancy began as she reached for his hand, but she was unable to get the final word out as a young man made a beeline for them.

"Frank Hardy!" he almost bellowed as he made it over to their table.

Frank shot Nancy an apologetic look before standing and shaking the shorter guy's outstretched hand. "Tony, it's been a while. How are things?"

Tony clasped Frank's hand with both of his before stretching out his arms, indicating the large room. "Great. Business is doing well, as you can see."

"Business? You mean this is your place?" Frank couldn't stop the surprise from coloring his voice.

Tony clapped him on the back. "I've come a long way since Mr. Pizza, huh?"

"I'll say."

"So who's this lovely lady?" Tony asked, directing his attention to Nancy.

"Oh, this is Nancy Drew. Nancy, Tony Prito, an old friend from high school."

"Nice to meet you, Tony," she said politely, taking his outstretched hand.

Tony turned to Frank. "So this is the Nancy Drew? The one that had Callie all in a twist in high school?"

Feeling very uncomfortable, Frank ran his hand through his hair. "Um…"

"Have you heard from her lately?" Tony continued. "I hear she's shacking up with some business man in California."

"Well, good for her, I guess." Frank said, unsure of what kind of response Tony was looking for, if any. He truly only wished good things for Callie, even if he didn't particularly enjoy talking about her.

Nancy just leaned her chin on her clasped hands, taking in the scene playing out in front of her. It had been a while since she'd seen Frank look so awkward, and she wasn't sure if jumping in on her part would make things better or worse.

"Tony, it's great to see you, and we'll have to catch up soon. If you'll excuse me, I'm a little busy at the moment." Frank not-so-inconspicuously nodded his head towards Nancy and she stifled a laugh.

Tony winked at Frank. "Oh, absolutely. Just give me a call. I hear Phil's in town. We should all grab a beer sometime."

"Definitely." Frank said as he sat back down. He looked up at his date with chagrin on his face. "I'm sorry about that. Tonight was supposed to be just about you."

"It's okay, Frank. He seems like a nice guy."

"He is, just a little… boisterous."

Reaching across to take his warm hand, Nancy smiled at him. Except this time, she was interrupted by a ringing phone. She dropped his hand and reached for her clutch, digging through the little purse as if it were four times its size.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll just reject the call. Now, where is it?" A few seconds and a couple glares from nearby tables later and the ringing finally stopped. It hadn't escaped Frank's notice that Nancy had very briefly frowned at the number before ending the call.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Never better."

Frank knew her well enough to identify the expression that flashed across her features, contradicting her reassurances. He also knew that if he wanted to perfect night he envisioned then he should keep his concerns to himself.

"Alright then, where were we?"

Nancy couldn't stop herself from wondering why she'd be getting a call from work. She'd completed the necessary paperwork to take a short leave from her duties. Every part of her screamed to answer the phone, but she couldn't do that to Frank.

"I think we were right about here," she said, sliding her hand across the table to catch his. Her breath caught briefly at the warm contact.

"Ready to order?"

The abrupt appearance of the waiter made both of them jump. Frank gestured towards Nancy.

"Um, I don't know," she said, realizing that they hadn't even had a chance to look at the menu. She figured that just about anything Italian would be fine with her. "Whatever is today's special."

"I'll have the same," Frank said without hesitation.

"Very good, sir," the waiter said, almost comically formal, before disappearing as suddenly as he had arrived.

"What's the special?" Frank asked.

Nancy laughed. "I have no idea."

The special turned out to be spaghetti and shrimp in a meat sauce. Frank wasn't thrilled about having to eat one of the world's messiest foods in front of the love of his life on their first date, but she had already dug enthusiastically into her meal. He debated cutting it up to avoid slurping, but decided that he would look juvenile across from Nancy. She somehow made eating spaghetti seem elegant.

Nancy's phone rang only twice more before she eventually turned it off. Each time the frown etched into her forehead deepened a little more. Each time she assured him that it was nothing, that she'd call them in the morning. Frank couldn't help feeling like with each missed call her mind traveled farther away from him.

Despite the interruptions, conversation over dinner flowed easily, the couple exchanging stories from their experiences working in espionage. The ease of it all wasn't necessarily a surprise, but it was definitely a relief to Frank.

He had even almost made it all the way through his spaghetti without an incident. As he was on the last couple bites, he looked up from the food to see Nancy staring at him. Normally he wouldn't have minded, the feel of her eyes tracing him both electrifying and soothing at the same time. But this expression wasn't one of tenderness. It was filled with what looked like pity.

"What? What did I do?" he asked quickly. He followed her gaze down to the front of his blue shirt where a large glob of spaghetti sauce was quickly soaking into his shirt.

"Here, I'll get it," she said, leaning over to him with her napkin.

"No, it's fine," he tried to say, but she was already dabbing at the fabric. She looked up into his face with a small grin.

"I don't mind the opportunity," she said, her dabs slowing almost into a caress.

"For what?"

"To be close to you."

Frank couldn't stop himself any longer. He'd been trying to be respectful, polite, all the things a first date should be. He knew that people on first dates don't grope each other. They don't make out over dinner. So many impulses that he'd been controlling in the last hour broke free with her touch.

He brought his hand up to brush her face. Except, he wasn't looking to see where his hand was going. Nor did he account for the glass of water in the way. That is, until he felt himself knock into something and heard Nancy squeak.

She pulled back quickly, and he was mortified to see a dark, wet mark spreading down the front of her dress.

"Oh, Nan, I'm so sorry – " he began, but she cut him off.

"It's fine, really. Just water – not a big deal." She had turned her dabbing skills on herself, trying to soak up some of the excess water.

Frank sat back, reflecting on his evening. Nothing had really gone according to plan. Maybe it was time to cut his losses and try again another day.

"You want to get out of here?"

Nancy shot him a sad smile. "Yeah, dry clothes would be nice."

Luckily, Frank had cash with him. He counted out enough to cover dinner and the tip and chucked the bills on the table. Within minutes they were back in his car, headed for home.

On the front step, Frank paused before opening the door.

"I'm sorry, Nancy."

"Why?" She looked genuinely confused.

Frank turned around and shoved his fingers into his hair, suddenly very agitated. "Because this whole night was ruined. Because it wasn't perfect, like you deserve."

Nancy tugged on his strong good arm until he turned around to face her again. "Frank. None of those things were your fault. What mattered to me was…" she trailed off. Frank watched in distress as her face paled.

"Hold that thought," she said, opening the door and dashing inside.

"Nancy?" he called, following her inside, but she was already up the stairs and closing the door to the bathroom.

Frank sat on the couch feeling utterly defeated. What better way to end the evening than with the girl of his dreams sick in the bathroom.

"Where's the fire?" Joe asked, coming out from the kitchen. He was taking aback by the look of utter despair on Frank's face when he lifted his head.

"I blew it."

Joe sat on the coffee table in front of his brother. "What are you talking about?"

Frank just shook his head, unable to bear recounting all the disastrous events of the evening.

"Do me a favor?" he asked instead.

"Anything, bro. You know that." Joe sensed that it was not the time to start joking about the kind of favors he could be implying.

"Go see if she's okay." Frank's voice was laced with regret and concern, tinged with depression.

"Shouldn't you be the one to do that?" Joe asked, taking a swig from his soda before offering it to Frank, who waved it away without a word.

"I don't think she'll want to see me anytime soon."

"Man, you've got to tell me about this date."

"Later. I've just got to know that she's okay."

"Sure, of course," he said, standing up and passing the cup to his brother. "But I think you're being too hard on yourself. Nancy's the one chick that actually prefers you to me, and I doubt that will be changing anytime soon."

"Ha ha," Frank uttered, clearly not amused.

Joe smirked to himself, realizing how to break Frank out of his funk. "Although, there was this thing up in my bedroom a few days ago. She made me promise not to tell…"

Joe thought he had never seen his brother move so quickly. He was just lucky that he had anticipated the pillow heading towards his head.

Even though I took a break from this story, I did participate in NaNoWriMo this year and ended up finishing an original manuscript. I desperately need someone to critique it. If you are at all interested, message me. Thanks!

Thanks for reading!