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Disclaimer: You know the drill...I'm tired of typing it.
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Mike Fitzgerald was angry at himself. He knew it was stupid for him to go out in public, especially a small town like River Heights. Now, everyone was looking for him. Which meant that he needed to leave.
But there were a couple of bright sides, he thought to himself. He got to see Nancy and he got to hurt her fiancé. That was the best part of all.
Frank was so determined to get me, to end the nightmare for his true love, Fitz thought. But he had better use better judgement than that next time.
But I can make it all end for Nancy, too, Fitz smiled as he got into his Jeep
Just not the way that they wanted it to end.
Fitz started his Jeep and began the drive back to Chicago.
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Two Days Later...
"Are you sure that you have to leave, honey?" Carson asked his daughter.
"I really need to get back to work." Nancy said. "Besides, Fitz hasn't showed up or tried anything for two days. Frank thinks he may have went back to Chicago."
"But you have no proof that he went back to Chicago. You're just guessing." Carson said.
"True. But we have no poof that he is still here, either." Nancy said.
"I would feel a lot better if you would just stay in River Heights." Carson argued.
"Dad, I can't. I already told you that I wouldn't do that." Nancy said.
Carson stared at Nancy for a moment and finally sighed. "Just call me as soon as you get back home."
"I will." Nancy hugged her father and gave him a kiss.
Carson turned to Frank and Joe. "You keep your eye on Nancy and let me know if anything happens."
"We will, Mr. Drew." Frank said, shaking his hand.
"And you be careful, Frank. "Carson said. "I don't think my daughter can take it if you end up in the hospital again."
Frank put his hand on his ribs and gave Carson a rueful smile. "Believe me, I have no intention of doing that again."
"You watch out for your brother, Joe." Carson said.
Joe smiled at his brother. "I will, Mr. Drew. I have to keep him in tip-top shape if he plans on marrying Nancy in a couple of weeks."
Nancy smiled at her father. "Just think, Dad. The next time we're in town, you'll be walking me down the aisle."
Carson smiled back at her. "I love you, honey."
"I love you, too, Dad." Nancy said and gave him another hug.
Hannah came out the door with a basket. "I can't let you leave without some goodies." she said.
Nancy smiled at Hannah and gave her a big hug. "You always know how to take care of me, Hannah."
Joe took the basket from Hannah and peeked inside. "Thanks, Hannah."
"We better hit the road before Joe takes care of that basket." Frank said.
They said their good-byes and they were soon on their way back to Chicago. They rode in silence for about thirty minutes before Nancy spoke up.
"What if we're wrong?" she asked.
"We're not." Frank said.
"But what if we are? I mean, what if this is what he wanted us to think and we're going back to Chicago when we should be staying in River Heights?" Nancy asked.
"He wouldn't stay in River Heights." Joe said from the backseat. "Everyone was looking for him. They had his picture posted in every newspaper and every store window in River Heights."
"I know." Nancy said. "I'm just playing the 'what if' game."
"Well, stop." Frank said. "It will only drive you crazy."
Nancy nodded and they drove the rest of the way in silence. But she still couldn't help thinking what if?
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When they got back to the apartment, Nancy checked the messages on their answering machine. Two were from Ashley just checking in, one was from Frank's boss, and another was from Andy, who was checking in for Ashley.
"Hey, Frank! Call the station." she said. "I'm going to go take a shower."
"Does anyone want something to eat?" Joe asked.
"How can you eat?" Nancy asked. "You ate a third of that basket on the way here."
"Hey, I'm still growing." Joe said. "So, Chinese?"
"Sure." Nancy said. "Just try to save some for us on your way back with it."
She heard Joe chuckle as she closed the door to the bathroom.
When she emerged from the shower fifteen minutes later, she saw that Frank was on the phone. Five minutes later, Joe walked in the door with the food.
"So what did he want?" Nancy asked when Frank finally hung up the phone.
"He wanted to know what was going on in the investigation and then gripe at me for getting myself hurt." Frank explained.
Nancy brought three sodas into the living room. "Was he mad at you?"
"Nah, not really." Frank said as he helped himself to some lo-mein noodles. "He just wants to be kept in the loop."
"Well, I need to get over to the office as soon as I'm done eating." Nancy said. "I'm pretty sure that Ashley's ready to ring my neck."
"I need to get to station and do some paperwork. I'm starting to let it get behind." Frank said.
"And I guess that leaves me to my own devices." Joe said.
"You could always go with Nancy." Frank said.
Nancy sent him a warning look.
"Or not." Frank said and put a bite of chicken in his mouth.
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Fitz stared up at the Chicago Tribune offices and smiled. He knew that Nancy was back in town. He had watched her go to her apartment along with the brothers.
And if he knew her, and he did, she would be coming to the office today.
He had finally made up his mind. It couldn't wait any longer. It had to be tonight.
But there was still one thing that he needed to do first.
He whistled a tune as he walked into the building.
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Author's Note: Well, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. As usual, leave your reviews for me because I love to read them. Any kind of criticism is welcome.