Disclaimer: I don't own Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys and I am making no profit whatsoever from writing this story.
A/N: Thanks to the people who reviewed; it really means a lot to me to know that people are reading. Special thanks to the people who gave me good reviews; it really really means a lot to know that my writing isn't a pile of cybercrap. (That was a joke.) Also, all the stuff in italics in this chapter is flashbacks. (You, being literate people (hopefully), could probably figure that out, but I wanted to say it just in case.) Oh yeah, don't forget to review! Thanks!
A/N: Phew! It took me forever to edit this thing. I never realized it was so hard to have some parts left-aligned and some centered! Anyway, sorry if it doesn't look all that great. I did what I could before I had the thought that my computer hates me and is deliberately sabotaging my fanfiction. I then resisted the urge to smash it with a rubber mallet... But you didn't need to know about that. Anyway, read and review!
Nancy fled from the station feeling like the queen of all idiots. Why did she have to fall apart when she looked at Frank Hardy? Why couldn't she keep her cool in front of him? And most of all, why did she have to argue the point with his brother right in front of him and the head of the River Heights police force? She was mortified. She had spent the last year rehearsing what she would say to him at a freak meeting like this, and none of her rehearsals had ended with her choking out a 'nice to see you' around a huge lump in her throat! Inserting the key into the ignition of her blue Mustang convertible, she rested her head on the steering wheel to calm down.
She sat up, wiped her eyes, and chided herself. She couldn't let a little meeting with Frank affect her. She was a successful private detective and she didn't need him. Not only that, but she had spent the last nine months purging all traces of him from her life, and she was annoyed that it was all undone, just like that. Yes, that was it, she was annoyed. Not hurt, not angry, just annoyed. And that was it. Making a mental vow that she would stop thinking about Frank Hardy, she maneuvered her car out of the parking lot and onto the highway. And she put up the top. It looked like it was going to rain.
As Nancy's car pulled into her driveway, she was glad she'd put the top up. She wrapped her father's papers in a plastic grocery bag she found in the backseat. It would not do for her to have to go back to the police station to get copies! When she opened the door, torrential rain assaulted her, soaking her clothes in seconds. She ran up to the front door and yanked it open. Her father greeted her from the kitchen and she kicked of her wet shoes and handed him the file. He thanked her, and she retreated upstairs to get out of her wet clothes.
Nancy appeared minutes later wearing a soft blue robe and slippers. Carson chuckled. Nancy said, "Is there something wrong with our phone? Upstairs I saw we had six phone messages and they were all hang-ups."
Carson's smile turned into a frown. "I know. We've gotten two more hang-up calls since I've been home. Probably just prank calls, but..."
"But you never know." Nancy finished for him. She sat down, looking pensive.
"Is there something else?" Carson asked. She was acting a bit unusual.
Nancy sighed unhappily, and the whole story of her meeting with the Hardys came tumbling out. "... and then Joe and I got in this big fight about whether or not-" She was interrupted by a loud rumble of thunder. She hadn't noticed that the pouring rain had become a full-fledged thunderstorm. The thunder subsided, and Nancy yawned. She hadn't realized how tired she was. "Listen, can we talk about this in the morning?" she asked her father. "Or better yet, let's not talk about it ever again."
Carson smiled. "Whatever you want."
Nancy hugged him. "Thanks, Dad."
She went upstairs and climbed into bed before realizing she wasn't going to be able to sleep. So much for that whole 'I will never think about Frank Hardy again' thing.
Nancy had first realized how she felt about Frank in the beginning of summer. She couldn't stop thinking about him... his handsome features, his warm smile, and most of all, his deep, dark, intelligent eyes that made her feel weak when she looked into them. She was ecstatic when he and Joe came to River Heights to help her with a case. Her boyfriend, Ned, hadn't been nearly as happy.
Nancy sighed. Breaking it off with Ned had been one of the hardest things she had ever done. It wasn't that she didn't love him- she did- but he wasn't "the one." It sounded cliché, but Nancy just didn't love him like he deserved to be loved, and she had told him that.
"Ned, it's just that, well, you need someone normal, who can focus on you before she focuses on thieves and terrorists..."
Nancy trailed off as she realized how stupid and callous that sounded. She tried again.
"I mean, someone who can focus on you and what a great guy you are."
Well, that sounded a little better, but why couldn't she stop using the term "focus?"
She tried one last time.
"We just aren't right for each other. Even if you don't see it now-"
Ned had stopped her there.
"Is there someone else?" he asked quietly.
She nodded dumbly.
"Frank?"
Another nod.
Ned managed something between a sigh and a laugh. "I knew this was going to happen."
Nancy thought he was being sarcastic, but then she realized he was
completely sincere.
"Ned, I'm sorry. I really am." Nancy said miserably.
Ned nodded. "I know."
How could he be so understanding? It was just making her feel guiltier.
Ned seemed to sense that she was on the verge of tears.
"Hey, Nan. It's okay. If you're in love with Frank, go for it."
Nancy was sure he was being sarcastic now.
Even now, she still wasn't sure if that had been sarcasm.
Nancy looked up at him with a pained expression on her face. "Ned, please don't-"
Ned's lips were tight. Not like he was angry, like he was resigned.
Resigned to the fact that she'd made her choice.
"Thanks for understanding." she whispered.
"No problem." he replied easily. He started to walk away, but Nancy grabbed his hand.
"You'll find the right person, Ned. I'm sorry I couldn't be her." Ned squeezed her hand.
"Thanks." he said, as if she had done him a favor.
This time she let him walk away.
A loud rumble of thunder shook the house. She looked out the window. The dark, wet, stormy weather reflected her mood. She had thought Frank loved her.
About three weeks after Ned had walked away, Nancy stood on the porch, admiring the clear night sky. She shivered happily as the warm night air blew around her. She enjoyed the stillness, as though she was the only person on earth.
The night was almost perfect.
Then she heard soft footsteps behind her. (Turns out she wasn't the only person on earth.) She turned her head to see Frank Hardy. He joined her at the railing without saying a word. As he looked at the stars, all Nancy saw was him.
"Frank?" she murmured.
He turned, and his dark eyes stared into her blue ones, drawing them closer and closer...
"Mmm?"
Nancy's arms encircled his neck, and she brought her lips to his. Although the kiss was gentle, Nancy saw stars. Her body burned where it was touching him, but it was the most wonderful feeling in the world. Frank slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest. A wave of euphoria raced through her.
Now the night was perfect.
Nancy closed her eyes, trying to relive that night. It was probably the best night of her life. One of the few perfect times she would have with Frank. If only he hadn't-
The lights went off. Nancy was almost glad, as the power outage had distracted her from her more recent, painful memories of Frank. She didn't go downstairs to get a flashlight; she was just going to bed and her father was probably asleep anyway.
She lay down and watched the lightning through her window. (Lightning-watching is beautiful and surprisingly entertaining, believe it or not.) After a few minutes, she closed her eyes, only to have them pop open when the phone rang a few seconds later. Nancy picked it up in the middle of the ring.
"Hello?" Nancy asked reflexively.
"Nancy Drew?" a raspy voice came over the line.
"Yes?"
"I'm so glad I caught you at home. I've been calling all day." the voice said in a harsh whisper. Its tone was menacing.
Nancy felt a stab of panic. "Who is this?" she asked guardedly.
The voice ignored her question, but its next words sent a chill up her spine. "Don't you hate it when the lights go out?"