Did I mention that you all are the best? I'm not sure, so I'll just point it out again! This story is getting some amazing support and thank you all for that! (and putting up with me bribing you for reviews)

This chapter has it all: Romance, action, conflict... It's only missing some cute Nick/Zoe/Lizzy scenes.

Hope you enjoy! Please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys

"I hope the kids are doing okay," Nancy looked worriedly out the window of the car. "I haven't really left them with someone else before."

"How did you manage looking after all of them by yourself?" Frank asked. Nancy laughed softly.

"It wasn't easy. Nick's in kindergarten, so it was mostly the younger two. But I had to do it somehow," she shrugged. "Turn here."

They arrived at the dingy apartment complex, parking in front. Nancy hopped out.

"He shouldn't be here, since it's mid-day," she explained to Frank, letting herself in and beginning to climb up the stairs. Frank glanced at the stained walls, and tried not to breath too much of the smoky air.

"Helen used to live there," Nancy gestured at a door sadly before continuing upward. "Here we are," she said at the third flight.

"Nancy, if he's here..." Frank began. Nancy glanced at him, as if daring him to make a mistake. "Just be careful," Frank finished lamely.

"You too," Nancy said, suddenly nervous. She unlocked the door and stepped in, with Frank close behind.

The apartment was empty.

Nancy breathed a sigh of relief, taking in the familiar tiny apartment.

Suddenly memories of what had happened there began to assault her.

Nick crying as Tom yelled at him. The feeling of broken glass shattering over her as Tom threw a cup at the wall right above her. Zoe peeking out of the bedroom where she had hidden when Tom had gone into one of his drunken rages. Tom slapping Nick, raising his fist to hit Lizzy... The memories flooded back to her, and with a sense of panic, she realized couldn't stop them from coming. Being slammed against the wall, the feeling of Tom's heavy boot connecting with her chest, her arm exploding in pain as it broke, his fist glancing off her jaw... More and more came... She struggled to pull herself out of them. It was if now that she was safe, the true terribleness of the situation had finally sunk in.

"Nancy." Frank came behind her and touched her shoulder. She winced at his touch, raising an arm to protect her face instinctively.

Frank stepped back, face filled with self loathing.

"Nancy, I'm sorry... I..."

Instantly Nancy snapped out of her reverie.

It was over. She and her kids were never going to be under Tom again, she was going to be able to be financially independent,, and she was ready to move on. Seeing the apartment, remembering what had happened was fine. Now that she was faced with the reality of it, she was ready to move on.

It was time to put this behind her.

That meant taking a risk, trying out another relationship, not be scared of what could go wrong and letting that inhibit her. She knew she could trust Frank. That's what you thought with Tom... Nancy pushed the thought out of her head. She couldn't live a life where she didn't trust anybody, so it was better just to take a risk. And she had a feeling Frank wouldn't disappoint her.

Nancy glanced at Frank, who was looking like he could punch himself. But does he like me back? She wasn't sure if she could handle heartbreak on top of everything that was going on already.

"Nancy, really, I'm sorry..." He was standing back, giving her space, thinking that she was scared of him.

"No Frank, I'm sorry." Nancy turned and smiled. Frank, even through his self loathing, felt his heart skip a beat at the beauty of her smile. She looked like the old Nancy had used to know, energetic and happy. But there was also a hint of wisdom and experience in her appearance that came with going through challenges. He thought she was more beautiful than ever. But she needs...

Before Frank could finish his thought of She needs space, not your love, Nancy moved towards him and wrapped her arms around him. He felt a rush of adrenaline as her head rested against his shoulder. Nancy looked up at him with bright blue eyes, full of uncertainty.

"Nancy, would you... I mean... Well, I'm trying to figure out how not to make this sound juvenile, but would you go out with me?" Frank asked softly. Nancy's eyes widened. "I mean, maybe it's too soon, and if you don't want to, I definitely understand..." Frank trailed off, afraid that what he had just said was inappropriate and insensitive under the circumstances. All he could think about was how he wanted this amazing woman beside him.

"Frank, stop second guessing yourself. Yes, I would love to go out with you." Nancy beamed. Then suddenly doubt filled her face and she pulled back. Frank was flooded with the fear that he had scared her again somehow.

"Wait, Frank... Are you just... I mean, you've really helped me out, but..." Nancy stopped. Frank realized that Nancy was worried he was just asking her out to help her.

"Nancy, I'm not doing this for any other reason than the fact that I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you," Frank said in a low voice.

Nancy felt a shiver of excitement travel up her spine at those words. But she quickly stomped on it in order to remain rational.

"Frank it might be hard... The kids and I have a lot of baggage with us..." Nancy warned him. "I'm still technically married."

"Nancy, I want to be with you. I don't care about Tom, or any of that. Of course we can wait for a divorce if you want, but I just don't want to lose you again. Ever since I met you..." Frank trailed off, his dark eyes rich with emotion. Nancy simply leaned against him and let him wrap an arm around her, feeling that thrill rush up her back again at his touch. "We can take it slow."

"Do you think the kids will be okay with me dating you?" Frank asked after a moment.

Nancy felt a leap of joy at the fact that he had already thought about her children. His sensitivity was one of the things that she loved best about him.

"I already thought about it, and I think they'll be okay with it. It might take a little bit for the to get used to it, but they already like you."

"How about we have our first date as a picnic with them?" Frank suggested.

"Frank, there's snow on the ground outside," Nancy laughed.

"Doesn't matter," Frank declared, giddy with happiness. Nancy smiled and slipped out of his embrace.

"Let me grab our stuff and let's get out of here."

Nancy felt like she was floating as she walked down the stairs with Frank. The realization of what had just happened was beginning to sink in.

She knew it would be hard. After being in such a dysfunctional relationship, she would have a hard time dating so soon. There were a lot of scars healing for her and her children.

Nancy stepped out of the apartment complex door, into the cold winter air.

"Here, I'll drive the car up closer," Frank said, putting down his box and jogging off to move the car so that they wouldn't have to carry the large boxes very far.

Nancy waited in the cool air, savoring the silent falling snow.

Suddenly movement caught her eye, but before she could respond, she had been slammed against the brick wall of the complex.

"Nancy, where were you?!" Tom roared at her, holding her against the wall. Nancy felt fear clawing at her chest, her head ringing. "What the hell were you doing? Did you think you could just leave? You're my wife!"

Nancy tried to twist out of his grip, but found herself pinned. The aching in her head was threatening to drown out everything else, and she found it difficult to focus. Still she got a solid kick in on his shin, and she heard him gasp with pain. Quickly she twisted her body so that she slipped around him, pulling his arm into a painful position. He let go, but quickly grabbed the front of her shirt and pinned her against the wall again.

"You slut. You thought you could just leave me, didn't you? Whore!"He grabbed her shoulders and slammed her against the wall again, hard. "I thought you might come here, and now you're coming with me." As her head connected with the bricks, Nancy's vision dimmed and swam, and she fought to remain conscious. However she recognized the smell of alcohol on Tom all too well. "You're coming with me. Where are the kids?" Tom growled, pulling out a knife. Nancy froze, her heart sinking. She knew she would be able to fight him off, but unarmed, the presence of a knife sunk her chances.

"Nancy!"

"Don't come any closer, or, she'll pay for it," Tom said, holding the knife to Nancy's throat. She met Frank's eyes. His face was pale with fear, and his dark eyes flashed with anger. "You bastard, trying to steal my wife!" Tom shouted angrily. Nancy was overcome with nausea, and the world swam for a second, the pounding in her head rising again.

Suddenly she had an idea.

Moaning, she let herself fall limp against Tom, away from the knife. The knife moved away from her neck as Tom caught her. Quickly she twisted to kick the knife out of his hand, taking advantage of his surprise, and it flew into the snow. Seeing that he was going to lose the battle, Tom shoved Nancy away and sprinted off.

Nancy tried to get up, but found that her head was spinning.

"Nancy, are you okay?" Suddenly Frank was beside her, his voice holding a note of franticness.

"I'm okay," she mumbled. Frank's strong arm helped her into a sitting position. Nancy was relieved to find that the dizziness had faded and she was able to focus more clearly. Wincing she fingered the bump on the back of her head.

"Hold on, Nancy, I'll call an ambulance," Frank said, brown eyes filled with concern.

"Frank, don't, I'm alright now. I just got knocked on the head a little bit," Nancy managed a smile for his sake. "I'm fine. Where'd Tom go?"

The question momentarily distracted Frank from being worried, his expression clouding with anger.

"He got away."

"You didn't go after him?!" Nancy jerked upward then winced as the pain in her head increased.

I didn't want to leave you to follow him, I thought you fainted!"

Nancy saw the concern in his eyes and relaxed a little bit. Well, that was just how Frank was. Guiltily she wondered if they were in reverse positions whether she would have done the same thing.

"Don't worry, this just made his case worse for him, we can get him for assault and he broke the restraining order," Frank said grimly. "But I'm taking you to the ER to get your head checked out."

"Frank..." Nancy protested, trying to ignore her aching head.

"Head injuries are tricky things. Please Nancy," Frank pleaded. Nancy rolled her eyes.

"Okay fine, you can stop giving me that puppy dog look now." She sighed and rested her head gently against her hand, still slightly annoyed that Frank hadn't gone after Tom. This meant that her psycho husband was still out there. But it was hard to remain mad at Frank when he was looking so worried. And if they were going to make their relationship work, that meant she had to be willing to work things through with him.

"Good acting on pretending to faint. I really thought you had passed out," Frank commented. Nancy shrugged, then winced and gently fingered the bump on the back of her head.

"It was a trick I used to use all the time. I don't faint, Hardy."

OH MY GOSH NANCY AND FRANK ARE FINALLY TOGETHER! Thank goodness... I don't know how much longer of them both liking each other but holding back I could survive. I felt like they will work out because they're older and more mature now.

Finale coming up soon! We're almost there!

Please Review!