Author's Note: Well it looks like our favorite teen detectives are actually making progress on their case. I hope, for their sake, that they discover the truth about the Powerhouse experiments and BLACK WIDOW soon.
Disclaimer: NOT MINE! NOT MINE! NOT MINE!
Chapter 16- Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to Philly we go! (Monday)
"Bess have you heard from Nancy?"
Bess looked up from her Calculus assignment in annoyance, "For the last time George, no. The last time I talked to her she was angry at me for trying to break her and Michael up."
George sat back in her chair, "My dear cousin, I think she was more angry because she ended up in jail."
"Oh shut up," Bess hissed. Looking around she asked, "Why are we studying in the library? Wouldn't it have been much more comfortable in one of our dorm rooms?"
"Bess," George said, trying to keep her voice from becoming too condescending, "Will, you know, my boyfriend, is using my room to prepare some kind of art final. And your room is a complete mess."
"I guess," Bess muttered.
"I'm always right."
"But couldn't we have studied outside?"
"Too windy."
"The sorority house?"
"Too many girls giggling about nothing."
"The Pizza Dome?"
* * *
It was dark before the teen detectives started on their trip to Philadelphia. Most of them slept soundly, tired from the day's events. The only two not sleeping were Frank and Callie.
"So," Callie said, "I guess your dad has all the answers."
Frank, both hands on the wheel, replied, "Maybe, possibly."
Callie sighed and looked back out the windshield. Endless trees and bushes seemed to pass them by in a rush. The view began to make the girl's stomach turn so she looked away. Her gaze landed on the pictures Joe had found in Sweet's house. Neither brother had thought to put them away, instead they opted to leave them lying on top of the dashboard. Curiously, Callie picked them up. She looked back at Frank, realizing he hadn't seen her take them. She smiled at Frank's handsome physique, standing in front of some Japanese restaurant. She recognized the background of the second picture as NYU. Still smiling she looked at the third picture; suddenly the smile left her face.
"Frank," she attempted to keep her voice level, "when was this taken?"
Frank looked at the picture quickly then grinned recalling fond memories, "Oh that, it was taken a few years back. Joe and I were on case.."
"In Egypt," Callie finished for him, in a very cross tone.
"Yeah, so what's the prob-" Frank's voice trailed off as he realized why she was upset, "Oh."
"I can't believe you," Callie hissed, "we were still dating."
"Hey I only kissed Nancy because we were on a case," Frank lied.
"Don't lie to me Frank, I know you well enough to tell when you're lying."
"Alright so I kissed her, you happy? That was taken a long time ago, too long ago to count now."
"I always knew there had to be something going on between you two. Every time she came to visit you would go all Doe-eyed and get all nervous. I thought it was just my imagination but now," she waved the picture in front of his face.
"Hey I'm trying to drive. And just for the record I don't do the 'doe-eyed' thing."
"Yes you do," Callie said with a frown, "you did it when she met up with us in New York City."
"Look I would rather not talk about this anymore."
"Fine," Callie huffed and crossed her arms across her chest.
* * *
Joe, now driving, looked at the address in his hand. "Man, there is now way this place even exists. I've been up and down this street twice and I can't find the house."
"Joe I think you're holding it upside down," Callie announced.
"What?"
She took the piece of paper with an address hastily scribbled on it and promptly turned it right side up.
"Oh."
By then it was early morning. Frank had decided to catch up on some sleep and had switched places with his brother.
"Joe, you really need to be more observant," Chet told him.
"Stop it, now you're staring to sound like my mother."
"Joe quiet," Nancy hissed, "Frank is still sleeping."
"Well wake him up, we're here."
* * *
Yaline blinked in disbelief when she saw Joe Hardy standing at her door. "Joe, your dad told me you were coming. You've really grown." Looking past him she saw a crowd of teenagers, each looking like they were starved, "Oh, come in and have some breakfast, Vlores is making something in the kitchen. Just follow me." Yaline made a mental note of each person she allowed to enter her house. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Sweet.
* * *
About a half hour later everybody had finished stuffing themselves full of bacon and eggs.
"We should work on cases more often," Chet said, "We get fed more often."
Frank shifted in his seat uncomfortably, "Um, yeah, about being on a case…" he allowed his voice to trail off, almost afraid of what he might say should he continue.
"Well I think I'm going to clear the table," Nancy announced in an attempt to let the boys talk to Fenton in private. "Michael you want to help me."
"I do?" Michael asked. After receiving a look from Nancy he stood up quickly, "Yeah I want to."
"It's alright Nancy," Fenton told her, "If we are all working on cases that include the same people I guess it's better that you all know what's going on."
Nancy and Michael sat back down.
"First of all I would like to say that I think it is wonderful to see you again Sweet,"
Fenton looked into the eyes of the girl he never thought he would ever see again. He saw a look of surprise register in her eyes. "Yes even after all of the initial turmoil."
Yaline sighed, "Maybe we should start from the beginning…."
* * *
After a day of searching for answers, the teenagers, Yaline, Fenton, and Vlores retired to Yaline's house. Yaline had insisted that they all stay in her rather large house.
At the moment, Michael and Nancy were getting ready to fall into their bed and succumb to the pull of la la land.
"Nancy can I ask you something?" Michael asked as he pulled on a wife-beater.
"You just did," Nancy answered with a grin as she crawled into the king sized bed.
"Funny." Michael crawled into the bed with her, "No really, it's serious."
"Sure," Nancy settled her head against the soft pillows.
"Alright," Michael took a deep breath and began, "Well first I want you to know that I trust you and this question is coming out of insecurity-"
"Michael, slow down, just ask me."
"Well you remember the pictures at Sweet's house?"
"Yeah," Nancy answered warily.
"Well there was that one of you and Frank kissing and I realize that was before we met but I want, I need, to know if you are attracted to him in any way."
"Michael," Nancy sighed, "you're right, that was before we met. And yes, I did have an attraction to Frank but that was back then. I would be lying if I told you that my attraction to him wasn't strong but I can assure you that I am not attracted to him anymore."
Michael ran his fingers lazily up and down her bare arm. "You mean it?"
Nancy nodded.
Michael smiled, "I guess my insecurities are getting the best of me." He positioned himself so that he was looking directly into Nancy's eyes. "I love you."
"I love you," she murmured back.
He closed the gap between them and began to kiss her, softly at first, then more and more passionate. Finally they came up for air.
"Hmm, Frank."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The title for this one was odd but what can I say, I'm a big Disney fan. And there really was no point to bringing in George and Bess, they were just feeling neglected. As for the gap between Fenton explaining everything and Michael and Nancy's, ::ahem::, scene, it'll all be explained next chapter.
Thanks to…
Katie Janeway: I'm glad you liked my disclaimer for chapter 13. Sorry I didn't get around to thanking you before. And I'm glad you liked that last photo, I just couldn't help myself.
Snippets: Sure thing : )Mo and Someone too lazy too login: The way things are going the pairing might go that way.
Showstopper: Glad you found my story and had fun with it! I enjoyed writing Fenton and Vlores' interactions, he he.
Elya: Thanks for the idea. ::grins evilly::
Andy: Nope, not a joke.
Agent Goodnight-23: I was feeling kind of silly and wanted it to reflect in one of the characters. Poor Callie.
All others that I might have forgotten, I'm sorry, please don't hurt me.