Just an epilogue left after this! I know this chapter is a little short, but it was the right place to cut it.

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Chapter 21

Nancy kicked at the covers twisted around her legs. She'd been awake for over twenty four hours, so there was no reason for her insomnia, even if it was the middle of the day. But every time her eyes closed, all she could see was the haunted, pained look in Frank's eyes as he kneeled on the floor across from her. Punching her pillow in frustration, she tried to will herself to sleep. After another half hour of staring at the ceiling, she sat up, sighing.

Knowing there were still loose ends to tie up, Nancy got dressed in work clothes – professional with enough comfort to fight in. After checking the bedside clock she realized that there was only an hour until that night's show was supposed to start. Now is the perfect time to question Charlotte and Pinkston, and no games this time. She was tired of tiptoeing; it was time to get some answers out of them.

Making her way to the room designated as Charlotte's office, she slowed when she heard the older woman's shrill voice coming through the closed door.

"There have been people investigating the show! We are going to be found out!"

Another voice, quieter, calmer, answered her. "I know there are people investigating, my dear. I am the one who hired them." Nancy could only assume this was Mr. Pinkston.

"What happens when they come sniffing their way around us? We cannot afford people knowing about us! My entire reputation is at stake!" Charlotte shouted, sounding, if possible, even more upset.

"Relax. We haven't done anything wrong, and certainly not illegal. There is nothing to find out."

For some reason Charlotte seemed to hesitate at this. Nancy thought she almost sounded hurt when in a much quieter voice she responded, "Nothing to find out?"

"Now, you know that's not what I meant." Pinkston's voice was soothing.

What an odd thing to get upset about, Nancy thought. She realized that they weren't talking loud enough to hear clearly through the door anymore. Deciding that she had had enough waiting, Nancy chose this moment to open the door, expecting to find them in the act of plotting their next mood. Which is why her jaw dropped at what she saw.

She did catch them in the act, but not the act of plotting. She opened the door to find Charlotte wrapped in Pinkston's arms, his face seemingly glued to hers. She didn't want to keep watching, and they were still going, since somehow they hadn't heard her come in. But it was like a really horrible date – she just couldn't look away from the carnage. After what seemed like hours but in reality was probably only a few seconds, Charlotte looked up at her and broke away with a small shriek.

All of the clues pointing towards them clicked into place in Nancy's head. "You've been having an affair," she said as a statement, no question any longer.

Charlotte still looked horrified, so Pinkston was the one who responded. "Affair is such a dirty word. Neither of us is otherwise involved."

"Then why have you been sneaking around, and frankly, looking suspicious?" She put her hand on her hip, indignantly.

"It would look poorly on the company if our relationship were to become common knowledge. I am sure you can understand."

Nancy tried to reign in her repulsion as she watched him take her hand and start stroking it. She wasn't sure how to respond to this strange turn of events.

Noticing her hesitation, Pinkston continued, "You can't help who you love, you know, even if the situation inconveniences you. Someday you'll learn that for yourself."

Nancy suppressed a sigh. Enough with the cosmic intervention already, message received. "I suppose you're right. You're right about something else too – you aren't doing anything illegal, so I have no reason to mention this to anyone."

"Thank you, Amanda." It was the first thing that Charlotte had ever said to her that wasn't laced with condescension.

She smiled inwardly at the use of her cover name. That was probably the last time it would be used on this trip. They knew who she was, but she supposed it was habit. Turning to go out the door, she said, "Good luck with tonight's show. I'm sure it will go off beautifully." And, she meant it.

As Nancy exited the building, she heard a quiet chirping coming from her cell phone. Fumbling through her overstuffed purse, her fingers finally closed around the small object and she pulled it out triumphantly.

"Drew."

"Hey Nancy, it's Joe."

Panic momentarily seized her heart at the voice of the younger Hardy. "Is Frank okay?"

"Chill, Nan, he's fine. Awake and antsy and complaining of a bullet in his arm - " Nancy barely made out the sound of a smack and Frank saying that he was doing no such thing " – but really he's fine."

She breathed out slowly, forcing her body to calm down. "That is really good news."

"Yep. Anyway, he didn't want to wake you, but I promised I'd call."

Nancy hung up after telling him she'd be there soon. Her heart picked back up again. It was time to tell Frank how she feels.

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Nancy arrived at the hospital to find that the door to Frank's room was open. Taking a deep breath, she slowly walked through the doorway. Immediately Frank's eyes found hers, and she found she couldn't look away. He still didn't look exactly well, but he was full of life, he was Frank again.

Joe wasn't oblivious to the energy flying across the room. "Yeah, so I'm thirsty. I'm going to go get a soda." He left hastily after putting down his almost full can.

Nancy laughed. "Subtle."

Frank looked a little chagrined at that. "Well, you know Joe." He hesitated, then continued. "Look Nancy, I understand completely if you don't want to be…"

He trailed off when he saw Nancy quickly cross the room and sit facing him on his bed. Taking a steadying breath, she slid a hand onto his cheek. Frank sat there, unable to move. Whatever was about to happen, he didn't want to break the spell. Still, he couldn't help but do the honorable thing and make sure she knew what he was saying. "Really, if you don't want to - "

This time he was forcibly cut off by Nancy's mouth coming down onto his and stopping his words. She kissed him very gently. She had to make him understand through this kiss that she wanted him, everything about him. Her lips danced slowly over his, soft and sweet, never needing to make it something more.

Finally she pulled away, feeling anxious about his reaction. He took her hands, anchoring her to him. He looked at her for a long time, scrutinizing her, until she finally looked down at their hands. His looked so large compared to hers, engulfing them in his strong fingers.

When he spoke, he sounded amused. "You're not going to run away again, are you?"

Her relief bubbled out as a laugh. "Not this time. I think I realized what I was running from, and it wasn't you."

He raised an eyebrow, the unspoken question on his face.

She hesitated, then answered, "I gave up on relationships a while ago. I just end up hurting people, because my job is my life. I don't want that to happen to us."

Frank smiled at her and cupped her face tenderly, forcing her to look at him. "I know, I can understand that. But I can also promise you that I understand your life. I would never resent you for it like other people may have." He refrained from using Ned's name because he didn't want to be that petty, but he knew she would get what he was talking about.

She looked at him, almost uncharacteristically pleading. "Just promise me that you won't ever let it get that far. I need you to be honest with me."

"Just as long as you promise me the same thing. You may recall that my job is quite similar to yours, Drew."

He smiled at her, and she returned it. Simultaneously, they realized that they just might make this work after all.

Sliding his hand around to tangle in her hair, he pulled her to him, kissing her with all the promises he could manage.

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