Is everyone still here? My life just got really crazy; how about yours?

Anyone have anything they want to happen before I wrap this story up because I'm almost there. I've already got a sequel brewing, and I'll have a proper timetable out so the releases are consistent. How often do you guys like your updates? I'll try to take your feedback on board!

As always I only own the rights to the ND/HB characters in my dreams.

Frank

Frank was normally a calm, rational person. At least, he liked to think he was. But nothing made him more agitated than the impending sense of danger. It made his skin prick and his palms grow damp. And as he glanced at his watch for the third time in five minutes, he realized someone was in danger. And, as Nancy was uncharacteristically late, he suspected it was her.

Joe detected his brother's increasing anxiety. "What's up?"

Frank sighed. "It's Nancy."

"Yeah. You're right. She's taking her sweet time."

"Nancy doesn't do that."

"I know. Bess, maybe but Nancy knows how important this is. Have you tried calling her?"

"Doing it now." Frank made a face as the call failed to connect."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing. She must have it switched off or-"

"-or she can't reach it for some reason." Joe looked worried. "Maybe it's broken?"

"I'm going to say it's switched off." Frank knew Joe could be right, but he couldn't even go there. Sure, the trio had been faced with dangerous situations more times than they could count, but it was all so personal now. And he just couldn't let anything happen to her. Not when he'd just found her. They hadn't even worked out who they were. Not really.

He wanted to grab her hand and pull her down beside him. He wanted to talk like they'd begun to on that night at her hotel. He wanted to tell her that what they did was important, but nothing was more important to him than her and if her life was going to be in danger… he'd give it up.

He'd give it up. Just like that. The sleuthing… the dangerous case. He'd found something more important and he just wanted to grasp it, hold it between his hands and never let go. He realized at that moment, as he worried for her safety, that Nancy was right for him and he had to do everything he could to get her back and keep her safe.

"Wherever you've gone, bro. Come back. We need a plan."

"Right. You go to Callie. We need to find out what Ted might be targeting here."

"And if it's her I'll keep her safe."

"Right." Frank nodded tautly. "And I'll check out the parking lot. See if Nancy is there. And I'll keep an eye out for anything else Ted might be wanting to blow up."

The brothers gave each other a look and parted quickly, so as to avoid the loaded words. Frank knew his heart was practically parting from his chest, and Joe was tormented by the same memories they shared every time someone talked about bombs. But they didn't have time for any of that sentimental crap. If ever there came a time to put their heads down, it was this.

Frank quickly exited into the cold of the lot outside.

"A brochure, sir?"

"Thanks." He accepted the brochure, brown eyes eagerly scanning the list of events and exhibits, but nothing jumped out at him. Instead, his gaze drifted over the top of the paper, capturing a white SUV entering the lot. At first glance, it wasn't especially remarkable, but as he looked again, he could see that the whole front of the hood was dented and chipped. The finish was jagged and worn from some high-speed impact. It should be in the shop. Not an art fair.

Frank's eyes narrowed. He ducked behind a coupe, trying to get closer.

He lost sight of the SUV as a young family alighted their vehicle, scrambling to assemble a stroller and warm outer layers for the small children crying out at the cold. As he exited their midst, he searched in vain for the out of place car.

"Looking for me?" a voice asked.

Frank heard the click and felt something cold against his back. It was the muzzle of a gun.

"Ted, this is a bad idea. There are heaps of people."

"That's why you're going to do exactly what I say."

Nancy

Nancy looked on helplessly as EMT's swarmed around Finn's prone form. She'd done her best to treat her colleagues as just that, and she'd written him off as another arrogant agent. But she'd been wrong. Of course, she had. Once again, her walls had blocked her off from what might have been a wonderful friendship and now… was it too late?

"Drew?" an agent asked. "Are you ready to go back to HQ?"

She glanced back at Finn. His normally healthy, ruddy face was a milky white, and he was being tended by to EMTs. She knew she'd only get in their way if she hurried over and asked her questions. All around them, they were framed the crumpled car. It was a sobering reminder that this was no ordinary case and the stakes had just become that much higher.

"No… no… I need to get to the art fair. Can you take me?"

"Sure. Hop in. Anything else?"

"Can I have your phone?" she waved her own ruined device. "Mine's messed up."

Using the agent's Samsung, she dialed Frank's number. Odd. He didn't pick up. That man loved his tech. When he wasn't browsing Reddit and the news, he was listening to podcasts. It was strange that he wasn't glued to his phone, waiting for her update.

She called Joe next. "I'm coming," she said. "I'll tell you everything when I get there."

The younger Hardy's voice was relieved as he replied, "great! I've got Callie here; I'm keeping an eye on her. But you might want to call Frank and tell him you're okay. He's worried as."

"That's weird. He won't pick up."

"Yeah… that's not right. Something's wrong, then. He was waiting for you to call. He wouldn't ghost you. You should have seen the guy. He was white as a sheet, thinking the worst."

Nancy suddenly worried the worst hadn't come.

Joe

Joe hung up the phone with Nancy and Callie saw his furrowed brow, instantly clued in that something was amiss.

"I've spent more time with you than I've ever wanted to, this week. And I can tell when something is wrong. So, spare me the bullshit, Joe," she warned. "What's going on?"

"I… don't actually know," he confessed. "But… can you lie low?"

"My art, Joe. I can't just duck out-"

"Callie! I need to find Frank. Go hide in the ladies, okay? Just… lie low. I'm worried someone is out to get you and Frank's gone AWOL. I can't be in two places at once!" Joe realized he was shouting as he dialed Frank's number, but he was sick of the confusion. He wanted pop tarts and beer and a game on the TV. This circus ride just wouldn't stop spinning him around and he was starting to feel sick. "Please. Pretty please behave for the first time in your life."

"Joe… no… I need an explanation."

"And you'll get one. Just not yet." And Joe did something he never thought he would. He planted both hands on her waist and began pushing her, despite her protestations. He tried to imagine he was moving a shopping cart through a parking lot, not the hourglass waist of his brother's ex!

"Joe!" she bellowed, as he pushed her towards the restrooms. "Stop!"

She struggled at first, but then made only feeble, flustered protests as the Hardy chivied her along in the direction of the ladies' restrooms.

"Just… powder your nose or something. I'll come and get you!" he told her. And then, he opened the door and jostled her inside.

He would have locked the door if he could, but he just needed a second. Time to regroup without her yelling and making a scene. As he whirled around, he thought he'd seen the back of the most annoying person in his life at that juncture. Then, he saw Ned Nickerson hurrying towards him.

"Did you just push Callie Shaw into the restroom?" the man asked.

"No time to explain. If you ever want a shot with Nancy- and I doubt you will, so don't help me if you think that'll be enough- but if you care about her, you'll guard that door."

"But-"

"It's sleuthing stuff. Thanks a heap."

As Joe jogged off toward the parking lot, he thought he was the only one being pushing people into rooms. But, across the building, Ted was shoving Frank into a janitor's closet and locking the door behind him.