Frank and Nancy headed back to his place. They walked slowly enjoying each others company.
Frank sighed." I finally get you to myself."
Nancy chuckled." Feeling a little overcrowded?" She smiled and wrapped her arms around him." Thanks for being a good sport. I know Dad wasn't part of the plan."
Frank smiled." You weren't part of the plan for this weekend either. I'm not complaining." He stated softly and bent and kissed her.
It was not too late. Frank wondered if she wanted to do anything. He was perfectly happy staying in, but he wanted her to enjoy herself . She was naturally more socially outgoing than he was usually.
"Mmm, what are you thinking?" Nancy asked as she returned the kiss.
"We can go out if you want or just hang around." Frank offered. He would let her decide, but he was hoping for staying home he thought as he kissed her again deepening the kiss until his head was spinning.
Nancy fell into the kiss for a moment. She drew back reluctantly." Is there anyone back at your place tonight?"
Frank smiled and shook his head." Gun mentioned that he was visiting with his sister tonight."
Nancy smiled as she groaned against his lips. " Mmm... does the fireplace at your house work?"
It took Frank a moment to realize she had asked him a question.
"Uh huh..." He drew back catching his breath." We'll need to get some firewood." He answered as he bent in and kissed her again.
Nancy grinned at him." Perfect lets go.". She took his hand and hurried down the street.
"Sounds good." She said replying against his lips as she kissed him again."Let's stay home since Gun is gone. A nice fire and a nice bottle of wine sounds good?"
It was 9PM, so they'd have to hurry. Frank led them quickly to a small wine shop and they perused the shelves.
" I'll go grab some snacks. Why don't you pick out some wine?" Frank suggested.
Nancy laughed." Strawberries, crackers and cheese." She smiled giving him a lecherous grin.
Frank snorted and turned red as he remembered what she had done with him and food.
She laughed as he went toward the fruit section looking for berries. She grabbed some wine and came around the corner looking for Frank.
" Nancy?" A familiar , but unwanted voice called in surprise.
Nancy looked up and sucked in her breath. Standing in the aisle was Ned Nickerson, the last person she expected to see.
Ned approached warily . Nancy steeled herself because their last encounter had not been pleasant. She knew once Ned saw Frank, this could get unpleasant. That was something she wanted to avoid.
She doubted Ned was going to be as gracious to Frank as Callie had been to her.
"Nan..." Frank called lightly as he came searching for her.
Ned sucked in a harsh breath as he recognized Frank's voice.
"You're here with..." Ned started angrily .
Frank came around the corner and stopped dead at the sight in front of him. Frank took in the sight. Nan looked none too happy. Ned looked like he wanted to hit something.
Frank stepped closer to Nan." Ned." He said quietly.
Ned did not miss the warning in Frank's voice. He meant to protect her from him if needed. Ned saw red for a minute. The bastard who had weaved in and out of their relationship had finally won. The taste was bitter.
" What the hell is he doing here?" Ned shot at Nancy.
Before Nancy could think to reply Frank did it for her. "I go here to Harvard Med." Frank stated cooly. His voice held a hint of smug satisfaction to it.
Nancy's eyebrows went up in surprise. Nancy knew going to Harvard gave Frank bragging rights. He just never used them. It was unlike him to do so. She also knew exactly why he had done so. He wanted to rub Ned's nose in it.
BU Medical was fine school. It just wasn't Harvard. Frank knew Ned was extremely competitive. He also knew Ned wouldn't miss the dig.
They both stood there like two cocks posturing for a hen. Nancy was worried that it might lead to trouble. More than that she was annoyed that they were both being, so male. She was not territory to be claimed. Frank had been furious when he learned what Ned had done. Ned had always considered Frank the competition.
Before anyone could react the scene shifted comically. " Neddie ?" came loudly from the front of the shop.
A clearly drunk girl approached Ned and gave him a big kiss on the lips.
"Neddie?" Nancy mumbled barely audible trying hard not to burst into giggles.
She became aware of Nancy and Frank staring at her uncertainly. " Neddie who are your friends?" She slurred as she fumbled crashing into Frank almost knocking him over."Youuu're cuute." She mumbled
Frank grabbed her before she fell over and helped right her. He leaned her back against Ned who placed an arm around her to steady her.
Nancy was trying very hard not to laugh as she looked at Ned. Her voice was filled with amusement." Hi, I'm Nancy Drew and this is Frank Hardy." Nancy offered her hand.
"Oh! You're the ex aren't you?" Holly yelled across the small store.
Holly was unaware of the scene she was causing as Ned mouthed apologies at them.
Nancy laughed quietly." Yes, that's me. " Nancy agreed.
Ned looked like he was torn between fury and amusement. Amusement won as Ned started laughing too." This is my girlfriend Holly. Holly this is Nancy and Frank." He repeated.
"She's pretty Neddie. Don't you think Fraaank!" She slurred loudly looking at Frank.
Frank was trying very hard not to laugh and failing. " Yes, she is very pretty." Frank agreed quietly chuckling as he put an arm around her. The whole situation was so absurd Nancy couldn't help it she burst out laughing. Frank discretely covered his laugh with a cough and dared to look at Ned.
Frank was grateful. Running into Ned could have ruined the whole evening. What could have been a very bad situation had turned into a comedy skit.
Ned was trying to move Holly out of the store. He stopped and stared at the two of them for a minute. There was a rightness in the picture, even though part of him hated that it was so. Ned stopped as he saw them at the register. He turned and offered Frank his hand. Frank started surprised for a minute and then grabbed it and shook it.
"I'll see you around Nancy Drew." Then kissed her on the cheek. Nancy looked very quickly at Frank, who simply nodded to assure her that he was OK with it.