Cycles 1: Autumnus

by ulstergirl

A year after Nancy breaks up with Ned, he manages to find his way back into her life. Complete.

4. Chapter 4

"Oh, come on, Nan." Girl time for Bess was a good shopping trip, and she was already well loaded down with bags, while Nancy carried only a few.

"He said we're not going to sleep in the same bed anymore, so what would be the point?" Nancy didn't look away from the gown, though.

"It's Valentine's Day. I'm sure it'll be an exception."

Nancy shook her head. "He was serious. And buying this would just make me wish..."

"Wish what?"

"That it were easier to change his mind." Nancy tried not to imagine how she'd look in it, and how he'd probably respond. The gown would hit her about mid-thigh. It was silk, blush pink with darker lace trim and spaghetti straps. "Besides, I'm going to be staying in Brook's room, I'm sure."

"He hasn't wavered once?"

Nancy shrugged. "I've seen him twice between and nope, not a hint of it."

"He'll probably be dying for it, then."

Nancy punched Bess playfully in the arm. "Shut up."

"Buy it." Bess nodded at the gown. "It'll look great on you. And since you don't have those extra five pounds to lose before you wear it, you can even save it for your wedding. Cause who knows if it'll be on sale next week."

--

"Thanks for coming."

Nancy laughed when Ned took her into his arms and hugged her tight. "Like I had a choice," she teased him. "Who can turn down Emerson over Valentine's Day?"

"I know I've never been able to," Ned said.

When he released her, she leaned against her Mustang, snuggling her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket. "My bag's in the trunk. Is Brook lending a spare bed again?"

Nancy caught the look in Ned's eye, but he nodded. "Yeah, but I just saw her. She's not in her room right now."

"Thinking of a way to kill some time, Nickerson?"

"Oh, not kill it. Maybe lull it gently to sleep."

"It's a little early."

"Yeah, it is." He took her arm and led her away from her car.

"We have such a long weekend ahead of us."

"Yeah, well, I've got lots of activities planned to keep you busy, Drew."

"I can't wait," she said gently.

--

He noticed her looking at the edge of the pond. "Yeah, they've put up the barriers. You'd better not try to fall through again."

She smiled and turned to skate backwards, facing him. "I wouldn't dare, not with you here."

"You tried even with me here." He reached over and took her hand.

She looked down when she felt him touch the ring. "It's gorgeous, Ned."

"What have you figured out about it, Detective?"

She twirled so that his arm was wrapped around her waist as they skated side by side. "It's old," she said. "Some initials are carved on the inside, but I don't recognize them. You been frequenting pawn shops?"

He caught her sideways grin and mock-scowled at her. "That it?"

"The diamonds are a rarer cut," she said. "It looks... it looks specially made, except for those initials on the inside. And you had it sized bigger for me."

"You never met my great-grandfather, did you."

Nancy shook her head. "No, but I remember your great-grandmother."

"She died just about a year ago. Last Christmas."

Nancy's fingers closed over his. "Oh, I'm sorry, Ned."

He shrugged. "My great-grandfather gave her that ring. When she died, it came to me, with their initials still inside."

"So that's why." Nancy looked down at it. "Wow. Thanks. I mean, it meant a lot to me before, but now..."

He nodded. "He had it specially made for her. And it wouldn't be too difficult for me to have our initials carved in there too." She smiled, and he looked at her sideways. "What?" he asked.

"It sounds so romantic, but... I'm attached to it now."

Ned grinned. "Aww."

Nancy glanced at her watch. "Aren't we going to dinner soon?"

Ned curved his arm around her waist and patted her stomach. "You hungry?"

"A bit," she admitted.

"Even with this beautiful vista around us." He gestured around them, at the fairy lights in the bushes, the cottages on the far shore, the dark blue sky above them.

"A girl has to eat."

Ned heaved a tragic sigh. "Oh, all right. I have to run an errand first, if you don't mind."

Nancy laughed. "You, turning down immediate food? I'm shocked."

"Somehow, when I'm around you, everything else seems to matter a little less."

She patted his hand, which was still over her stomach. "Same here," she murmured.

--

"Right here," he said, directing her to drive up a path leading off the paved campus road.

Nancy squinted at the tree-lined darkness. "This seems familiar," she murmured.

"Yeah, you've been here before, but on foot," Ned admitted. "Now just..."

"Turn left," she said with him, twisting the steering wheel. The softly-lit cabin appeared in a clearing, right on the lakefront.

"Oh, so Michael is having you run an errand?" she asked, recognizing the house. Ned glanced around as Nancy parked her Mustang in the gravel pit.

"Something like that," he said. "Why don't you come in with me?"

Nancy glanced around, just as he had. "There are no other cars here," she said. "We're not meeting someone here for dinner." She smoothed a hand over her cashmere sweater and brushed off her camel-colored corduroy pants, stepped out of the car in her suede chocolate-colored boots.

"No, we're not meeting anyone here," Ned said. "But our reservation is soon so we'd better hurry."

Nancy stepped through the doorway of the house and sniffed. Then her lips curled in a smile. "Our reservations are here, aren't they."

"If the pledges did everything right..." Ned replied, laughing, and she followed him into the kitchen. An electric grill was set up on the stove, a pair of steaks still steaming on top. Ned checked the oven and found the baked potatoes. Nancy tipped back the lid on a pot simmering on the stove and found soup still warm inside.

"So how'd you get permission to use the President of Omega Chi's quarters?" Nancy asked, leaning against the counter, her arms crossed in front of her. "Assuming you have permission. Are we to be very careful while we're eating here?"

"Oh, I have permission," Ned said, grabbing an oven mitt to remove the potatoes. "After that pledge stunt..."

Nancy smiled. "You mean when you were supposed to be here decorating for a party and things got out of hand?"

"Yeah," Ned said ruefully. "A lot of the guys in my pledge class were thrown out over that. Thank God I had an alibi for it. Not that it wasn't funny to see Jeff's face when he got here."

"After that, you actually had pledges here again?" Nancy raised an eyebrow.

"I had Howie here supervising them," Ned admitted. "He did the steaks."

"Howie?" Nancy repeated, incredulous. "I didn't know he could cook."

"He's the best. We tell him that if he ever gets tired of basketball he should open his own restaurant."

Nancy and Ned stood looking at each other for a moment, spellbound, and then Nancy broke it, leaned over to the sink to wash her hands. "So how can I help?"

After their quickly assembled dinner was on the table, Ned poured Nancy a glass of wine, then sat down across from her. "So? Any good?"

Nancy looked around. " I have to admit, this place is immaculate, and I didn't expect it to be after that last party here."

Ned was cutting into his steak, but he paused to meet her eyes as he considered. "Oh. That party."

"Yeah. That party. The one where I almost got thrown in the lake."

Ned grinned. "Impromptu wet t-shirt contest."

"Yeah, well, when I come here I don't usually expect to be dripping wet in the freezing cold. That's just me, though."

Ned watched her over the candles as she took a bite of salad. "I'm glad you came."

Nancy swallowed and took a sip of wine. "I'm glad I did too," she said. "This is all very romantic, Nickerson. Much more than you taking me to some anonymous restaurant full of people."

"Oh? Only home-cooked meals for you from now on, huh." Ned took a sip of wine, a smile quirking his lips.

"You know what I mean," she said, her eyes dancing. "Your display of pledge-based power really turns me on."

"The pledges actually want to be assigned my dirty work," Ned said in a grandiose voice.

Nancy giggled. "All dirty laundry and car washes?"

Ned shrugged. "Basically, yeah. And dinner for two when supervised by Howie... hey, that's barely a chore at all."

--

"You sure Michael won't be using this as his love nest tonight?" Nancy asked as she crossed the living room carpet to the big-screen television.

Ned sat down on the couch and rested his arms on the back. "He's between girls right now, not that it means anything. But no, he shouldn't be back tonight. I know there are some videos here..."

Nancy opened a drawer. "So, you want to watch..." she leaned down and scrutinized the case of a tape. "Oh, God."

"What is it?"

"Um..."

"Please tell me it's not a tape labeled 'Michael killing some poor undergrad' or anything like that," Ned said, standing up.

Nancy turned to look at Ned, blush slowly creeping over her cheeks. "No. But I'd almost rather have seen that."

Ned whistled as he caught sight of the tapes. "Oh wow. Is that..."

Nancy nodded. "I've never seen so many in one place."

He reached down and tilted one so he could read the label better. "Oh. Man. You've never been upstairs here, have you."

Nancy shook her head. "No. Why?"

"No reason." Ned dropped the tape back into the drawer, then scrubbed his palm on his pants. "I'm sure there are some... normal videos somewhere in here."

After they had found an acceptable videotape, Nancy joined Ned on the couch and started to take off her boots, then paused. "Is it all right if I get comfortable here? When do we have to leave?"

Ned shrugged. "Whenever."

"When were you planning on leaving?"

He kept his gaze carefully trained on the television. "Sometime tomorrow."

"Oh." Nancy looked down at her boot again, fussed with it until her pulse stopped pounding in her ears. "So I'm going to leave you stranded here?"

"If you're going to leave."

Nancy's eyebrow rose. "Oh?"

Ned shrugged. "You don't have to. There's plenty of room here."

"Well..." Nancy tugged her boot back on. "In that case, I'm gonna go grab my suitcase real quick...?"

"That's fine," Ned said, turning to look at her finally. She thought she could read the tension in his face, and when he reached out for her hand and kissed it, she knew she could.

"I'll be right back," she said, trailing her fingertips down his cheek, loathe to break his gaze.

Nancy's mouth was suddenly dry as she put her overnight bag down beside her in the downstairs bathroom. If she had read him wrong, then she'd very well be sleeping in Brook's twin bed tonight. If not, then...

She took out the plastic bag and withdrew the gown, price tags still hanging on it. She cut those off and tugged off her boots and jeans and stood, considering, still in her sweater.

She could hedge her bets and walk out in her flannel long-sleeved-with-pants set. Or she could take a risk, possibly tick him off, by walking out wearing the silk gown.

On an impulse she opened the bathroom door and called for Ned.

"Just a sec," he called back, and in a moment he was standing there, trying to hide the fact that he was staring at the hem of her sweater, which barely covered her underwear.

"Which one should I wear?" she asked him, her pulse pounding in her ears, and gestured at her choices.

Ned stepped into the room behind her and put his arms around her. She could feel his breath against her skin, and as he pulled her back so that she was resting against his chest, she sighed and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, what was the question?" he murmured.

"I know what you said," she murmured. "I know we're not supposed to do anything..." She gasped sharply as his hands slipped under her sweater to rest on her bare abdomen, and tried to focus on anything other than his touch. "Um. I'm sorry. What?"

He lowered his head to her shoulder and breathed in her perfume. "You were saying something about not doing anything." He kissed the point where her neck met her shoulder.

"Yeah. Yeah. You said we shouldn't do anything because of what happened last time," she whispered, her voice trailing off into nothingness as his body swayed with hers. Every time his fingertips moved the tiniest inch, it was that harder for her to concentrate on coherent thought or speech.

Finally, after a silence punctuated only by her gasps, Ned shrugged. "Wear whatever you want," he said. Then he leaned in and placed his lips against her ear. "Or don't wear anything at all," he murmured softly, his hands sliding to her sides. Then he stepped away from her and left the room, and when Nancy slowly opened her eyes her own lone image greeted her in the mirror, her face warmed at his touch.

She dragged her sweater off and stood in her underwear, still trying to catch her breath. For a moment she thought about calling his bluff, walking out naked and watching his expression. At the last second her resolve failed and she pulled the nightgown over her head, tossed her discarded clothes into her bag, and left it at the foot of the stairs.

Ned had been building a fire in the hearth during her sartorial crisis, and he was bathed in its glow as she took him in. He looked up at her, and gave a mock-disappointed finger snap at seeing her in the gown.

"Oh, come on," Nancy murmured, joining him and pulling the blanket over her bare legs. "What would you have done if I had?"

"What do you think?" he responded, smiling.

She settled against him, her skin humming at his closeness. They drank a bottle of wine together, watching the movie, making comments and laughing with each other. Gradually Nancy felt herself relax. When the movie ended they flipped through channels and settled on another movie they had seen before, and Nancy slumped against his side, sighing happily.

"You tired?" he asked, his thumb stroking her bare shoulder.

Nancy shook her head and snuggled deeper into the blanket. "Just happy."

"Good," he said, his voice low. He kissed the top of her head.

--

Ned was in the bathroom brushing his teeth when Nancy idly opened the closet door. "Wow," she said, in such a tone that Ned came out of the bathroom, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth, and walked over to her.

"That's a..."

"Yeah," Ned cut her off.

She turned to look at him, one hand propped on her hip. "I can't help but think that there was a particular reason you brought me here tonight."

Ned walked over to the bathroom sink to wash out his mouth, then wiped it with the back of his hand and called to her, "Why, to show you a good time?"

"A very specific kind of time, at least," Nancy said, her eyes wandering over some other items in the closet. "Except I don't think we've ever discussed my feelings on bondage."

Ned started coughing violently, leaning against the doorway of the bathroom to recover himself. "Swallowed wrong," he explained as she shot him an amused glance.

Nancy closed the door of the closet and leaned against the door. "I can think of a few ways we could amuse ourselves," she murmured. "Even without toys."

Ned flipped off the light in the bathroom. "Oh?"

Nancy smiled, her face dimly illuminated by the lights around the frozen lake, as she slid forward, the soles of her bare feet smooth on the carpet. "A few," she repeated.

Ned reached down and pulled off his shirt, tossed it to the floor. "I'm intrigued."

She laughed. "That's my line."

"Well..." He reached down and twined his fingers between hers. "Tell me more, Detective."

She put her arm up around his shoulders and swayed with him, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Thanks," she murmured.

"For what?"

She pulled back and looked into his eyes. "I... it hurts to be sleeping apart from you. Like you don't... like you don't want me anymore."

He slipped his fingers over her cheek as they turned. "You know that's not true."

She smiled weakly. "You give me a little peck on the cheek and we go sleep in separate beds."

"Because I know that if you and I sleep together that it will be way too hard for me to stop," he whispered, tracing her cheek with his lips. "Because last time, don't you remember how close I was to being inside you..."

Nancy closed her eyes. "Yes," she murmured, her voice low.

He kissed her, then pulled back. "The roses are for you," he whispered.

She opened her eyes and saw the vase full of red roses standing on the dresser, and she led him by their entwined hands as she walked over to touch them. "They're gorgeous," she said.

Ned noticed the box standing just behind the vase and tried to slide it out of Nancy's sight, but she grabbed it and looked at the note taped to the front. "Magnum sized for the Big Nick," she read aloud, then showed it to Ned. "Know anything about this?"

He grabbed it and tossed it back onto the dresser. "It's a running joke in the frat. And I hate that nickname."

"It's suitable," she said, running a finger down his chest, then looking up to meet his eyes.

She traced her thumb over the side of his hand, then tilted her head back as he kissed her, the taste of wine still mingling in their mouths. "It's..." she trailed off as he kissed her again. "It's simple, actually," she finally managed.

"What is?" Ned asked, trailing kisses down her neck, putting his arms around her to hold her close to him. "It's late and we're drunk and..."

"And what?" she murmured, her eyes closed.

His mouth closed over hers again, and she made a startled murmur against his mouth as he gathered her gown in his hands and pulled it up, tugging it over her head when they broke apart.

"I love you," he whispered.

Nancy dragged a hand through her hair and closed her eyes, leaned into his embrace. "I love you too," she replied. Then she pulled back and blinked a few times before finding his eyes. "But..."

"But what?" he asked, letting his palms slide down her bare back, to her panties.

She tilted her head back and moaned. "Tell me the sheets are clean."

Once she was in bed, Ned smiled down at her. "Clean sheets," he affirmed.

Nancy reached for his hand. "Sleep here tonight."

He shook his head, glancing at the door. "I'll be on the couch, okay?"

"Ned, please," she whispered. "I don't want to sleep in here alone tonight."

"Nan," he whispered, trailing his fingers over her cheek. She kissed his fingertip. "Please don't do this."

He watched her expression sharpen to determined, and she sat up. "I don't normally do this," she said, her skin glowing as she kicked back the covers and folded her legs over the side. He drank in the sight of her bare skin as she leaned over and picked up her discarded nightgown. His view was cut short as she pulled the gown back over her head.

"You didn't even ask," she said, pouting, but her eyes were sparkling. "Now you have to. This always worked before."

He traced the drape of her gown with his gaze, his mouth dry. "Promise me."

"Promise you what?" she asked, leaning back, prone and gazing up at him from the mattress.

"That you won't do a damn thing I ask you to do," he said, gazing down at her.

"We'll be saints," she whispered.

--

His footsteps sounded on the stairs the next morning. Nancy wiped her mouth, licking her freshly brushed teeth, and jumped back into bed just before Ned entered the bedroom, a tray in his hands.

"Bacon, eggs, toast, coffee," he said, putting the tray on her lap with a flourish. "Am I a great short-order cook or what."

Nancy took in the spread and looked up at him, eyes sparkling. "Even with a rose."

"The weekend's not over," he pointed out, crawling back under the covers from the chill. "Go ahead."

She took a bite of the eggs and smiled at him. "This is perfect," she said gently.

He snatched a slice of bacon from her plate and took a bite. "Definitely."

"Didn't you eat?"

He shrugged. "I know how you eat in the morning. That's why I made plenty for you. Give me a bite of eggs."

She stabbed a bite and fed it to him. "I know the way you eat, too," she teased him. "And I'm gonna need twice as much to make you happy."

"I'll be fine," he said, leaning over to kiss her ear. "I'm pretty happy right now."

She took a sip of coffee and closed her eyes. "I'm set now," she said. "Leave me a slice of toast and I'll be your slave forever."

"I like that bargain," he said, taking the tray off her lap and placing it over his.

"It's so romantic to watch you eat my breakfast," she teased him, taking another sip.

"It's so romantic that you let me," he said, spearing a bite of eggs with a slice of bacon. "Definitely a promising beginning for the rest of our lives."

Nancy laughed. "Nice."

She finished her cup of coffee and crawled back under the covers, the comforter all the way up to her nose, while Ned finished her breakfast. He put the tray on the floor and looked at her.

"You leave me some toast, handsome?" Nancy asked without opening her eyes.

He crawled on top of her and lowered his face until his forehead was against hers. "Yup," he said.

Her blue eyes opened and met his brown ones. "Hey," she murmured.

"Give me some coffee," he growled to her, smiling.

She reached over the comforter and rubbed her belly. "It's all in here," she replied.

He sealed his mouth over hers and dipped his tongue inside her mouth, sliding over hers, tasting the coffee. She murmured against his lips and slid her hands up to run through his hair, and he pulled back. He kicked under the covers and gathered her gown in his hands again, pulling it up as he planted kisses down her throat, down the line of her torso, until he reached her belly button. She arched her spine, her breath shallow, her eyes closed.

"You said something about being my slave," he murmured into her skin.

"We're not drunk anymore," she breathed.

He hooked a finger around the side of her panties and she drew a breath sharply, her hand moving over the sheet.

"Ned..."

She felt his breath, warm through the silk, and bent her knees, opened her legs.

"Nan," he whispered as he pulled back to look at her. She lifted her torso off the mattress a few inches and pulled her nightgown off, tossed it over the side of the bed. Their eyes met, and he saw the quickness of her pulse in the slight movement of her breast.

"I love you so much," she whispered.

"I love you too," he replied, stroking her hair back from her face as he kissed her. When he trailed his lips down to her neck again, she tilted her head back, his fingers tracing vague circles over the skin of her hip.

"Nan," he whispered.

"Shh," she responded, her mouth falling open.

Just then her cell phone rang from the bedside table. They groaned simultaneously and Ned rolled off her. Nancy pulled the sheet up, reaching for the phone. "Hey Bess," she said.

Ned looked over at the alarm clock and rubbed his hand over his face.

"So you'll be here in about an hour," Nancy replied, glancing over at the alarm clock. "Yeah, I'm with Ned, we just had breakfast..."

Ned grinned.

Nancy chuckled. "Yeah, I can have a little brunch with you. That's fine. Meet me over at Theta Pi, okay? Yeah..."

Nancy clicked off the phone and turned to Ned. "I have to go to class," he said.

She reached for her nightgown and tugged it back over her head. "Okay," she replied. "Got the pledges coming back by to make this place sparkle?"

Ned shrugged and launched himself up to sitting. "Mike said it was mine for the weekend. He doesn't come by here that much anyway... or at least, I didn't think he did."

Nancy chuckled. "Looks like he might spend a lot more time here than you'd think."

"I'll meet you for a late lunch at the student center, okay? Say one?"

Nancy nodded and accepted the kiss Ned bent down to give her. He pulled back and Nancy grabbed his hand.

"Hey," she said, then closed her mouth.

"What?"

"Would you have skipped class if..."

Ned grinned. "What do you think?"

--

Nancy was running a comb through her wet hair when Bess elbowed her way into the room, lugging two enormous duffel bags. "Hey Nan," she greeted her friend, and shifted a bag off her shoulder onto the twin bed.

Nancy smiled. "Give me ten minutes and I'll be ready, I swear."

Bess gazed at Nancy with a speculative eye. "So you went to breakfast with Ned and then took a shower? What, did you two health freaks go jogging or something?" Bess chuckled.

Just then Brook knocked on their door. "Hey," she said. "Just wanted to say hi, I'm on my way to class. Glad to see you two up here for Valentine's." Her eyes sparkled. "Interested in doing charity valentines again?"

Nancy and Bess exchanged glances. "Sure," they chorused.

"Tell Ned he can spend all that money he didn't spend on you for dinner last night, on yours. I'm glad he told me that you might not be coming in last night, else I would have gotten worried some criminal had tapped you on the head and dragged you into the bushes." Brook smiled. "See you later, guys!"

Bess stared at Nancy, open-mouthed. Nancy was standing stock-still, her hand still dragging a comb through her wet hair.

"So you and Ned had a little-- sleepover last night?"

Nancy couldn't stop the small smile from curling her lips, or the blush that crept up her cheeks. "Yeah..."

Bess flopped down on the bed and hugged the pillow. "Did you wear that nightie?"

"Oh stop it," Nancy said, but she couldn't stop smiling. "Yeah."

Bess giggled. "Wow. So he really was dying for it, wasn't he."

Nancy reached over and plugged in her hair dryer. "We were good last night."

Bess snickered. "He may have been good last night. With that nightie, especially."

Nancy shot Bess a sideways glance. "Last night. This morning..."

Bess raised an eyebrow. "Did I interrupt something?"

"Breakfast in bed."

"You've got all the luck," Bess moaned.

--

"Bess, come on!"

Nancy gestured impatiently as Bess held up two bags of candy. "Which one?"

"I don't care! Let's go!"

Bess darted a glance between the two bags, then tossed one back onto the display. "All right. But breakfast was hours ago, Nan, and I can use the leftovers on my Valentine."

"What are you making?" Nancy asked, glancing over the wide assortment of craft supplies they had tossed into the cart.

Bess shrugged and handed her money over to the cashier. "Haven't decided yet."

After they left the drugstore, Nancy reached into the bag of candy Bess had selected and shifted the Mustang into gear. "Ned's meeting us in fifteen minutes at the student center."

Bess chuckled. "Maybe I should let you two eat alone."

Nancy caught their reflection in the plate glass front of a toy store. "Hang on," she said, her car screeching to a halt. "I'll be right back."

Twenty minutes later Nancy and Bess found Ned already seated at a table, taking the first bite of his lunch. "Hey Bess," Ned stood and greeted her. "Sorry, I was famished."

"It's all right," Nancy said. "Brook told us Theta Pi is doing the charity valentines again this year, so Bess and I were out shopping for ours."

"You gonna drop me a hint, Drew?"

Bess draped her coat over a chair to claim it and nodded at the lunch line. Nancy gestured for her to go ahead.

"No hint," Nancy said, grinning at him. "But I think you'll figure it out."

Ned darted a dramatic glance around, then leaned over conspiratorially and said "Is it going to be that little silk thing you wore last night?"

Nancy punched him on the arm. "Were you so sure I was going to stay last night that you told Brook not to wait up for me?"

Ned winced. "I don't think those were my exact words," he replied. "I might have said something about having a romantic evening planned..."

Nancy laughed. "It's all right," she said. "But now I understand why you were acting weird."

Bess returned to their table with a tray of food and a can of diet soda. "I notice you didn't try the fish sticks," she commented to Ned. "Is there something you know that I don't?"

Nancy left the table to serve her own tray. As she walked away, with Ned's attention still centered on Bess, he reached out to clasp her hand, then let them slip apart. Nancy smiled.

--

"We can't wear the same dress."

Nancy and Bess were sitting down in the common area with a few other Theta Pis who weren't upstairs planning their ensembles. Nancy had found a blue remote-controlled car in the toy store and had wedged a Barbie wearing a trenchcoat inside.

Bess took another handful of candy, then looked enviously at Nancy's valentine. "You have the best ideas," she said.

"I'm sure you'll come up with something," Nancy said, cutting out another red construction-paper heart to tape onto the car.

She saw a sudden, crafty gleam in her friend's eye. "You're right," she said.

Mindy was sitting across the table, painting characters onto an elaborate paper fan. "Are you sure you two aren't related?" she asked. "You could wear the same dress and go as twins to the dance."

Nancy and Bess exchanged glances, then dissolved into laughter. "You'd be surprised," Nancy said, recovering first. "If we were related I'd probably look nothing like her. George sure doesn't."

Bess took a sip of soda. "Look," she said. "You look great in the dress. You wear it. I'll wear the other one I brought along. Or I'll head over to the mall and find something."

Kristin glanced at her watch. "Bess, you have like five hours!"

"Maybe I should get a move on," she said. She stood up and stretched her legs. "Do you want me to help you set your hair before I go?"

Nancy waved her hand. "Nah," she said. "I'm not worried, you can do it when you get back. I ran into Dean Jarvis and he wants to see me, so I'll do that while you're gone."

"Anything bad?" Bess looked concerned.

"I hope not," Nancy said.

--

Dean Jarvis shook Nancy's hand and gestured for her to sit down. The building was nearly silent around them. Classes had been dismissed for the day and students were getting ready for the dance.

"You're at Wilder now, and yet you're still finding things here to occupy your time," Jarvis said, a gleam in his eye. "Journalism?"

Nancy nodded. "It seemed like a good fit," she said.

"And you've snatched up one of the most eligible bachelors on campus," he noted, nodding at the diamond gleaming on her finger.

"He'll be escorting me to the dance tonight," Nancy replied. "What's on your mind, Dean Jarvis?"

The dean interlaced his fingers and leaned back. "Cassie," he replied.

Nancy sat up in her chair, instantly alert. "Have the police found any more leads?"

Dean Jarvis shook his head. "You're investigating, aren't you."

Nancy nodded. "I haven't gotten very far," she said. "Between schoolwork and my work on the Wilder Times and..."

Dean Jarvis nodded. "Trust me, I understand. And I'd never want to keep you from your studies."

"She's okay, isn't she?" Nancy asked.

He shuffled through a few papers on his desk and found the one he was looking for. "Depends," he said. "She's a scholarship student, so I tried to keep an eye on her, even before-- this-- happened." He shrugged. "She was making very good grades before. Now, I'm afraid."

"She's not making good grades anymore?"

"Her attendance record is erratic. I've talked to her teachers and they say her performance is slipping. I understand that..." Jarvis peered at her from beneath his bushy eyebrows. "You may not want to volunteer this, but she's been a victim of assault before...?"

Nancy nodded. "The police have no record, but I heard it from her, and it's not that unusual for a woman to leave an assault like that unreported."

Dean Jarvis sighed and ran his hand over his head. "Don't I know it," he said. "Nancy, does her behavior suggest anything to you?"

Nancy shrugged. "You might not want to volunteer this, either, but do you know if she's taken advantage of any of the counseling offered through the university?"

The dean shook his head. "I don't think she has, but that doesn't mean she didn't have a therapist before she came here, someone in private practice not affiliated with the school."

Nancy crossed her legs. "Two things. She's not over it, and I wouldn't expect her to be over it, this fast, especially not without counseling." Nancy looked down. "Or else the person who attacked her is here. Which would explain her poor attendance. Maybe he's in one of her classes."

Dean Jarvis looked down at the list of classes she was taking. "It's possible," he said. "I know you're here to be with Ned, but Nancy, if it's possible, could you just have a conversation with her? See if maybe we're on the right track? I think Cassie could really do well here if we could get to the bottom of this."

Nancy reached out and shook his hand. "All right," she said. "I wish I could do more for you."

Dean Jarvis shrugged. "I wish I could do more for her," he said.

--

When Mindy answered her door, Nancy was taken aback. Mindy's hair was in curlers, her makeup half-applied. Nancy even suspected false eyelashes, but refrained from comment. Instead she held up the campus directory Mindy had let her borrow.

"Any luck?"

Nancy shook her head, and Mindy stood back to let her in. The room was an explosion of brocaded silk and strewn cosmetics. "I think she's out," Nancy said. "I'm not surprised, I didn't really expect to find her so close to time for the dance..." Nancy trailed off as she took in the room.

Mindy leaned over her vanity mirror and dabbed at her lips with some gloss. "You can borrow it again later, if you need," Mindy said. "I think Brook's is somewhere propping up an uneven table."

Nancy laughed. "Do you know Cassie?" she asked.

Mindy considered for a minute. "I think she might have been in one of my lab sections," she finally said. "But I'm really not sure. Doug comes to the Omega Chi frat parties, and I've seen him there, so I know what Cassie looks like."

Nancy leaned against Mindy's relatively uncluttered desk. "Maybe she'll be at the party tonight, then, if she comes to the Omega Chi mixers."

Mindy started looking through a cosmetics bag. "To be honest," she said, tossing its contents onto her covered bed, "I remember hearing about her being attacked. I don't think she's been out that much since then."

"Do you know anyone who knows her well?"

Mindy shrugged. "I say hi to Doug sometimes, but that's not really the same."

"Thanks," Nancy said, then backed out of her room.

Bess clutched dramatically at the unfastened dress hanging from her frame as Nancy opened the door of their shared room. "Oh, it's you," she said, then turned. "Zip me up?"

"It's gorgeous," Nancy said, obliging her friend. Once she had hooked the seam at the top, Bess turned around and curtsied. Her dress was copper, strapless, and hugged her all the way down to the fishtail train. She had paired the outfit with matching sandals, wrapped up her ankles.

"Thanks," Bess said, taking one last curler out of her hair and fluffing it with her fingers. "Aren't you going to get ready soon?"

Nancy pulled her sweater over her head and reached into the closet for her gown. "Yeah, I guess so," she said, mock-grudgingly. "Are the curlers plugged in?"

Bess ran her hand over the clear plastic dome. "They're ready," she said.

An hour later Nancy and Bess were waiting downstairs. Bess had claimed a place on the window seat, watching for her date to arrive, while Nancy paced the area between the couch and wall.

"Ned will get here," Kristin reassured her, misunderstanding her nervousness. "Especially with that rock on your finger. It's beautiful."

Nancy stopped pacing and smiled, lifted her hand so both she and Kristen could get a better look. "Thanks," she said. "It was his great-grandmother's."

A few of the other sisters were still waiting for their dates, and gathered around them, looking at Nancy's ring. "You're so lucky," one of them moaned.

Nancy smiled and checked her watch. "Yeah, but he won't be if he doesn't get here soon."

"You're gonna knock his socks off, Nan," Bess called, smiling. "We have good taste."

Nancy and Bess had both fallen in love with an ice-blue ballgown, made of gleaming metallic satin that flowed into an ankle-length skirt. Its overlay was a pale silver that shone when Nancy moved.

"Socks officially knocked off," Ned called from the doorway. He was holding a single white rose in his hand, and his eyes melted as she gazed into them. With an effort he broke their spell and turned to Bess. "Parker's right behind..."

"Right here," Parker said, stopping as he found Bess. A smile curved over his lips, and Nancy thought he looked adorable, standing considerably shorter than her six-foot-two and incredibly handsome fiancé.

Nancy walked over to Ned and accepted the rose in his hand, shivering slightly as their fingers brushed together. "Should I go put this in some water?"

"Well, I was kinda hoping you could help me out with a boutonniere," he joked, then smiled down at her. "You look gorgeous."

"Thanks," she replied softly, hooking her arm through his. "You don't look so bad yourself, Nickerson." Together they looked over at Parker, who was standing next to Bess, clearly overawed.

Ned leaned over and placed his mouth near Nancy's ear. "Maybe we should leave those two alone," he said.

"I think you have ulterior motives," she accused him, smiling, and kissed the corner of his mouth. "Let's go dance."

--

"Dance card?" asked one of the figures standing at the doorway of the gym. He was dressed as a gaudy Cupid, and probably freezing.

Nancy took pity on him and accepted the red heart-shaped card and attached pencil, strung so she could wear them on her wrist. "I think someone went a little overboard," she commented to Ned as they walked through a sudden flood of theme-colored balloons.

"That's why I couldn't get you a corsage," he said, pointing at the card now hanging from her slender wrist. "Though I can take care of that right now."

Jerry McEntee appeared at Nancy's elbow and gestured to her card. "Mind if I...?"

Nancy smiled, and it stretched into a grin as she heard Ned's mock-angry growl. "You'll pay for that later, Jerry."

"Oh, but it will be worth it," he said, winking theatrically at Nancy. "See you for the fourth dance, Nan."

"And who is this divine creature?" a dark-skinned guy asked as he walked up to them. His suit was immaculate and his hair shone.

Ned sighed dramatically. "Nan, this is Ray. Ray, this is my fiancée, Nancy," he said.

"Hi Ray," Nancy said, shaking his proffered hand. He gazed directly into her eyes and gave her a toothy grin, and Nancy smiled back.

"Ned does not know how to pronounce my name," Ray responded. "Maybe I can teach you, if you would give me the honor of a dance...?"

Ned tapped his foot as Ray signed his name on Nancy's card. "All right, but that's it," he said, patting Ray on the back. As Ray accosted another couple, Ned took her arm and led her through the crowd, to the tables set up near the stage.

"Who's Ray? A new pledge?"

Ned shook his head and pulled back a chair for her. "He's a flirt," he responded. "An exchange student from India. As part of my community service I was basically his big brother for a while. He's not a bad guy, but he never turns off the charm." Ned shook his head and chuckled.

Nancy spotted Ray weaving among couples, bestowing glowing looks on the girls, and laughed. "No, he doesn't, does he."

Ned spotted Bess and Parker and waved them over. Bess had taken the baby's breath out of Parker's more elaborate bouquet and artfully tangled a few sprigs in her hair. A matching dance card dangled from her wrist. "You must have a lot of single guys in Omega Chi," she commented, sitting down in the chair Parker pulled out for her. "My dance card is nearly full and I've been here five minutes."

"No wonder the girls on the committee thought it was a good idea, eh, Ned?" Parker asked, sitting down at the table.

Nancy looked back and forth between the guys. "Are you two on the committee?"

Ned nodded. "Yeah, but I'm also on clean-up. That's why last night was very romantic, and tonight..."

"Tonight, while Ned is regretting being assigned to stay here, you have the honor of being escorted, by me, to the Omega Chi Valentine's Mixer," Parker announced, glancing between the two girls, a wide grin on his face. "Speaking of, Nan, hand me your card, since I'm barely going to see my date at all tonight..."

Ned threw his hands up in the air and reached for Bess's as well. "I thought this was a Valentine's dance. How is this supposed to be romantic?"

Bess studied the card once Ned handed it back to her. "Why is there a gold star next to 10?"

Parker slumped in his chair. "That means you get to dance with a football player for the tenth dance."

"Really?" Bess's face lit up.

"Yeah, random drawing. Gold isn't me, though," Ned said. "Parker, did you take Nancy's tenth?"

"Yeah. I'll keep her straight, man," Parker said, extending his fist so Ned could knock his against it.

"Okay, guys, that's cute and everything, but where's the snack table?" Nancy asked.

Bess laughed. "That's my line, Nan. I'll come with you."

"Bring us back some punch," Ned called.

Nancy laughed at him over her shoulder. "This dress may be big but I don't keep a spare pair of arms in it," she called back.

"Dance cards," Bess said, gazing down at the heart attached to her wrist. "Never had one of these before."

"I hope it's not all night."

Bess shook her head. "I heard a cheerleader talking about it. It's just for specific dances. Once the band gets out here and starts playing, they'll announce when a numbered dance is coming up."

Nancy took a heart-shaped cookie as big as her palm and placed it on her plate. "That's good," she said. "If Ned's doing clean-up here tonight..." She gestured around them, at the elaborate decorations festooned around the gym, the balloons and soft lighting. "I don't see having any time alone with him until tomorrow."

"I'll see what I can do," Bess said, ladling herself some punch.

Ned found some of the Theta Pi sisters and filled their dance cards for when he would be away from Nancy, so after Ray had led her in an exuberant tango, Nancy stumbled away still beaming and found Ned just separating from Trish.

"I need some air," she laughed up at him.

"All right," he said, smiling at her. He grabbed some punch on the way and led her out to the breezeway of the gym, which was frigid from the air seeping in.

Nancy took a sip of the punch and gazed up into Ned's eyes. "Hey," she said softly.

"Hey," he replied.

"I haven't been alone with you all day," she said.

"I know." He laced his fingers between hers. "I don't really expect cleaning up to take too long, so maybe we can be-- alone-- at the dance back at the frat house."

Nancy gestured at the decorations again. "How? I mean, you may be fast, but..."

"At some things," he intoned, then leaned down and caught her mouth with his. Her eyelids fluttered down and she felt her heart rise at his kiss. "The committee's really big," he murmured, his face still close to hers. "Besides, it'll give you time to slip into something more comfortable."

She closed her eyes and emitted a low chuckle. "If this is a frat party where the dress code is lingerie..."

He kissed her temple and pulled back. "Not as far as I'm concerned."

She took a slow breath and a sip of her punch, waiting for her pulse to return to somewhere near normal. "Are you staying at Michael's tonight?"

Ned drained the rest of his punch and tossed the cup into a nearby trashcan. Just then they heard the next numbered song announced over the loudspeaker. "Football player dance," Ned said softly. "I have to go up to the stage."

She reached out and squeezed his hand before releasing it. "Okay," she replied quietly.

Nancy returned to the floor and watched as the lead singer of the band stumbled through an explanation of the colored stars, and Parker found her as Ned's color was called.

When Nancy saw the girl who jumped up to claim her fiancé, she felt warmth rise to her cheeks. "I'd bet my Mustang that was no accident," she said, her fist clenching as Denise took Ned's arm and smiled up at him.

Parker shrugged. "Oh, the cheerleader," he said dismissively.

"Don't you know who-- oh, never mind," Nancy said, putting her arms around Parker's neck as the band began the song. "Just do me a favor and don't swing me so I'm facing them."

"No problem," Parker said, smiling.

"Aren't you curious?"

Parker laughed. "I've had enough girlfriends to know when to be curious, and when not."

Nancy shrugged. "He is my fiancé," she said, reassuringly, then smacked Parker lightly as she watched him try to hold back his answering laughter.

"You and Ned are two of the most jealous people I've ever met," Parker said. "In a funny way, not in a scary way. It'll be good when you two get hitched and stop freaking out whenever a member of the same sex enters the room."

"I don't freak out now," Nancy protested. She fought the urge to glance over her shoulder. "It's just... before I went to Wilder and we broke up, I thought he was in love with her."

Parker shrugged. "As people go, she's not a bad one to fall in love with," he commented, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Her dad's loaded, she's a hottie, really athletic..."

Nancy shook her head at his teasing and turned them slightly so she could catch a glimpse of the couple. Ned was saying something to Denise, but when Nancy's gaze fell on him, he returned it with a look that made her knees weak.

"You okay?" Parker asked.

Nancy smiled slightly. "Now I am," she said.

As the next song began, Ned joined them, then a flushed and happy Bess. "Randy Miller is such a--" she squealed, then stopped, noticing Parker. "A darn nice guy," she finished lamely.

Nancy laughed, leaning back against the solid warmth of Ned's chest as he took her hand. "Good for you, Marvin."

"Could I tempt you with some cinnamon hearts?" Parker asked, shooting Bess a winning grin.

"Anytime," she said, slipping her arm into his.

--

Nancy checked her watch again. Five past midnight.

"I'm going to be partied out by the time this weekend's over," Bess called to her from the conga line. "Get over here, Drew, get partied out with me." She took a sip from her tumbler, keeping her other hand on the swaying waist of the guy in front of her.

"I didn't think it was possible for you to get partied out, Bess," Nancy called back. She smoothed a hand over her black leather miniskirt. Bess's "more comfortable" clothes had turned out to be a flapper dress covered in a thousand swaying tassels that caught the light with her movements. She had replaced the baby's breath in her hair with a red feather to match her dress.

"Go get a drink! Loosen up!" Bess giggled at something Parker whispered into her ear. "Plus, Parker's your escort right now, and he says so, too."

"Well, if Parker says it," Nancy said, grinning. She stepped away from the window seat, leaving two amorous couples to their own devices, and slipped into the kitchen.

Mike and Jan were at the table, her hands in his. The bartender of the evening was mixing a pitcher of margaritas, but the couple appeared unperturbed by the bass music throbbing through the walls and the excited hum of conversation.

From a hundred parties she'd attended at Omega Chi, Nancy knew where the brothers kept the good booze hidden, and she mixed herself a drink heavier on the coke than the liquor. As she stirred it with a neon straw she stayed bent over the counter, considering whether she should say anything to Mike.

"Hey," Jan called, making her decision for her.

Nancy took a large swallow of her drink. "Hey," she replied. "The dance was great."

"Did you two have a good time last night?" Jan's eyes were sparkling.

Nancy colored slightly. "Does everyone know about that?" she asked, leaning against one of the chairs at the table. "Yeah, we had a good time last night, but," she dropped her voice, "I think your president is a bit on the freaky side."

Mike laughed. "Ahh. First time staying in the presidential suite, eh."

Nancy looked back and forth between them. "I take it you two have."

Now it was Jan's turn to color slightly. "Yeah," she admitted. "Michael's studying for his postgraduate work, and plus, it's not like that place isn't gonna be Ned's next year..."

"Ned's running for Omega Chi president next year?"

Mike nodded. "Yeah," he said, then took a sip of his drink. "He hasn't officially announced it or anything, but once he does, there won't be any competition for it."

"Oh," Nancy said, then took a sip of her drink.

The controlled chaos of the crowd was a bit louder for a moment, and then Nancy felt a pair of arms circle her waist. "Hey," Ned murmured into her hair. He extended a fist to Mike, who returned it. "Hey Jan," he said. "You guys tired out from the dance?"

"We were just taking a breather," Jan replied, pushing back her chair.

Nancy was feeling the warmth of the alcohol expand in her chest as Ned reached down and plucked her drink from her unresisting fingers. He sniffed it, then took a sip. "Nah, I need something a little stronger than that," he commented, putting it on the table and heading to the cabinet as Mike and Jan headed back into the throng.

Nancy tossed back the remainder of her drink and extended her glass to Ned, who gave her a level glance before mixing her another. "You cool?" he asked.

"As ice," she replied, her lips curving up in a smile.

--

"She's gonna be okay."

"Yeah, I know."

"Are you going to?"

"We're going to the café down the block. You've got my number, right? In case she gets rowdy and needs to be escorted from the premises."

"I'm sure I could handle that."

"See you tomorrow for breakfast, if she's up for it."

Nancy cracked her eyelids, then moaned and shifted onto her side. Immediately she regretted the decision. "Bess?" she called out, weakly.

The light gave way to cooler darkness, and Nancy managed a small appreciative smile. Then the mattress shifted a little and she heard Bess say, "You okay?"

"I would be if the room would stop spinning."

"Give me your hand-- drink some of this." Bess wrapped Nancy's limp fingers around a glass of water. Nancy tried to push herself up and the world lurched.

"Oh God."

She saw Bess dart a glance at Ned. "Ned's here," she said. "Do you want me to stay too?"

Nancy managed a sip of water, then grimaced. "I thought you said you were going out."

"Not if you want me to stay."

Nancy waved a hand. "Go," she said. "Just because I'm an idiot, doesn't mean you should... I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Where am I?"

Ned spoke up. "My room," he said.

By memory she found the bedside table and placed the glass on it. "Okay," she murmured. "I'm just gonna... I'll be asleep."

The mattress dipped again as Bess stood up. "I've got my cell phone, if you need anything."

"Okay," Nancy mumbled, burying her face against the pillow.

The remaining sliver of light from the hallway receded but did not vanish, as Bess left the room. She heard Ned clear his throat.

"I'm gonna go find someone to bunk with," he said.

Nancy rubbed a hand over her face and opened her eyes. "Why?"

She heard Ned chuckle. "Because you are drunk off your ass right now."

"How did I get here?"

"What's the last thing you remember?"

She thought for a minute, then pulled back the covers. She was still in her leather miniskirt, still had on the fishnet stockings, but her lacy black bra was revealed by the absence of her red sweater. "Um. Thinking it was really hot downstairs?" she volunteered in a stricken voice.

"I'll help you out," he said, sitting down next to her on the bed. "You climbed up on the bar and took your sweater off and then swung it around my neck and started dancing."

Nancy groaned and turned her face into the pillow again. "Then what?" she asked, muffled.

"Then I threw you over my shoulder and carried you up here, and by the time I put you in bed you were out cold."

"I am so sorry..."

"The guys liked it. Said it was better than that accidental wet t-shirt contest."

"So it was just my bra, right?"

Ned snickered. "Not that many people saw, Nan. Even though everyone who was here tonight, even the ones upstairs, are gonna say they saw it."

Nancy covered her face with her hands. "Are you mad at me?" she asked.

He shrugged. "It was kinda hot," he admitted. "But I wasn't very sober then either. I just thought a change of location would be a good idea, but you weren't quite up for that."

She reached for his hand. "Stay with me."

"I shouldn't," he said, but he didn't move.

"Please," she said. She sat up, grimacing, and peeled off her skirt and pantyhose.

He breathed her name, then reached for the glass of water he'd drawn her and took a long gulp.

"I bet I taste like alcohol," she grimaced.

He leaned over and caught her mouth with his, and she tangled her fingers in his hair. The cool air in the room made her shiver, and she crawled into his lap, wrapping her legs around his waist. He slipped his arms around her.

"No, you don't taste like alcohol," he managed, as they broke for air.

"Close the door," she breathed into his ear.

He lifted her with him and slammed her back into the door to close it, and she met his gaze with startled eyes. They leaned in together again and kissed as he locked the door, and when they parted again she leaned her head against the wood and watched him shake his head, look away from her.

"I'm taking advantage of you," he said.

"I'm taking advantage of you," she corrected him, leaning forward to rest her forehead against his. "Stripping in your frat house..."

"God, it was hot," he said, his breath mingling with hers. He tilted his face and planted a kiss against the corner of her jaw. "They all cheered when I carried you upstairs."

She tilted her head and kissed him again, sighing as he pressed her into the door. "Yeah," she whispered. "Take me to bed."

--

"Feeling any better?" Parker was fighting to keep a straight face.

Nancy ordered a black coffee. "I'm feeling great, considering," she said, taking a sip of iced water in the meantime. "How are you doing?"

Bess shrugged. The pancake house was crowded for a Saturday morning, so she leaned in to talk to Nancy. "I didn't get a call from you last night."

"Ned took care of me." Nancy exchanged a look with her fiancé while Parker hooted with laughter.

"I'll bet he did. What, did the striptease continue?"

Bess punched Parker on the arm, while Nancy knitted her fingers together. "I got a little ahead of myself," she said. "And I'm sorry anyone saw that. Well, almost anyone."

"Thanks to you, ten underclassmen showed up at the door this morning asking to pledge."

Ned patted her shoulder. "Aww. Should have told them it was a one time only show."

After Bess had demolished an omelette as big as her plate and Nancy had forced down a piece of dry toast, the four of them separated, promising to meet at the valentine auction. Parker and Bess were talking about taking in some drama practice, but Nancy put her hand on Ned's arm and held him back.

"What is it, Nan?" he asked.

She looked up at him. "We need to talk."

"Good talk or bad talk?"

She shrugged. "Neither," she admitted. Then she glanced at her watch. "But after I try to find Cassie again. Don't you guys have practice soon?"

"Yeah," he said. "I can give you a ride back to Theta Pi and meet you later... is this so serious we can't talk about it over lunch?"

She smiled. "Even if it were I doubt that would kill your appetite," she teased him.

He drew her into his arms. "No," he said. "I think it could. But you're still wearing my ring so it can't be that bad." He kissed her forehead and pulled back. "We're okay, right?"

She nodded.

Despite the urgency, Nancy stood at the door of the sorority house, watching as Ned's taillights receded.

"Hey," Brook said when Nancy walked in. The brown-haired girl stuck a bookmark into her paperback and tossed her head. "I heard about how much fun you had at our brother house last night."

Nancy groaned and flopped down in the overstuffed recliner. "Where were you and Paul? I didn't see you two there. Or at the dance, I don't think."

Brook's gaze turned dreamy. "We did go to the dance for a little while. Paul took me to this cute little Italian restaurant, and, well, it was just a great night." She smiled.

"I'm glad."

Brook shot Nancy a mischievous glance, but her next words were innocent. "I have to finish up my valentine real quick," she said. "Yours is cute."

"Kristin let you see it?"

"I had to borrow some eyeliner from her," Brook explained. "Though I'm not quite sure what Ned will do with it after he wins it."

Nancy shrugged. "I know he'd like to play with the car."

Brook's smile widened. "Yeah," she said. "I'll catch you later."

"Can I just grab your campus directory real quick?"

Brook paused at the foot of the stairs. "There's one in the kitchen under the phone," she said. "It might even be mine."

--

"Cassie, you don't have to do this."

"I'm not," Cassie shot back. She huddled into her leather jacket. "I'm doing fine."

"You're doing so fine that your grades are dropping."

Cassie looked down at her feet. "I just need time," she mumbled.

Nancy tucked a strand of red-gold hair behind her ear. "I understand," she said, then regretted the phrase at the look in Cassie's eyes. "Look, we're just concerned about you. And we want to help, but you won't let us."

"I'm getting help," Cassie protested. Her eyes were misty. "Don't you think Doug asks me about it all the time? I can just see it in his face. He wants to help, too. I've started back seeing the shrink. But... why won't you just let me handle this?"

Nancy forced herself to take a deep breath before responding. "Because you can't."

"You don't know what you're dealing with," Cassie replied, then turned on her heel and walked away.

--

"They just built this," Ned said, gesturing at the concrete and glass patio at the back of the student center. Snowflakes were sliding down the glass, ending in transparent wet trails on the hard-packed powder. "Inhospitable weather patio." He put his tray down on a wooden bench, then gestured for her to join him.

"With skylights for the nice days?" she asked, gazing up.

He nodded. "That's the idea." He popped the tab on his soda and took a swig. "So what's up?"

She took a deep breath, then blurted out "Mike said you were running for Omega Chi president."

Ned finished his drink, then placed the can back on his tray. "Maybe," he said. "Nothing's final yet. I haven't made a decision." He chuckled. "A lot of the guys say I'm a shoo-in, and it might look good on my resume."

"Yeah, it might," she said, then fell quiet.

"It can't bug you that I was thinking about it."

She shrugged, then peered into his eyes, a hot anger rising into her throat. "Were you going to talk to me about it?"

"Of course," he said easily. "But I can count on one hand the number of times we've been together that I haven't been-- otherwise occupied."

"So let's talk about it."

Ned glanced up at the skylight, the snow gathered in the corners of the panes. "I have a feeling this isn't going to be talking."

"What does that mean?" Nancy pushed her food around on her plate, unable to bring herself to take a bite.

He reached over and touched her hand. "What are you doing next year, Nan?"

She stared into the whiteness beyond his shoulder. "Working on the newspaper. Planning our wedding. Studying, occasionally, I guess."

"What am I doing next year?"

"Playing sports, throwing frat parties, studying. Agreeing to whatever I decide about our wedding."

"There you go." He took a bite of his lunch.

She looked down. "Does what I think about it matter to you?"

"The wedding? Definitely. You're much better with color coordination than I am."

"Ned."

He sighed. "Did you honestly think I'd make a decision like that without your input?"

She shrugged. "I didn't ask you before I took on the job with the newspaper."

"And you didn't ask me before you started investigating mysteries, but you've been doing that since you learned how to talk. What you think is important to me, Nan. That ring wouldn't be on your finger if it weren't." He let his gaze rest on her face. "It's a year, Nan. Nine months. Then I'm graduated and someone else takes over."

She pouted slightly. "We're already so busy, I don't get to see you as often as I like..."

"Sometimes I think that's a good thing," he said. "Not having that many opportunities to tempt each other."

"But that's not the reason."

He shook his head. "No. It's not. I'd put up with the temptation. But I don't want to leave Emerson and you don't want to leave Wilder. We talked about this a long time ago, Nan, ages ago. We said we could survive it. For the most part we did."

"Except the year we wasted."

"It's done. It's forgotten."

"No, it's not." She took a long sip of her soda. Ned raised an eyebrow.

"As far as I'm concerned it is. We just went crazy a little while. Being a college freshman can do that. Remember how hard it was when I wasn't just over in Mapleton?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Are things easier now?"

She shifted the diamond so it sparkled in the weak sunlight. "Now they are."

He sighed. "Look, Nan, you are a gorgeous, independent, talented woman. You don't need me, not because you're pregnant or timid or dependent. If you need me, it's of your own free will. And I don't need you, not in any quantitative way, but... damn, it hurts to be away from you. It hurt to know you were seeing other people, worse than it did when we were still together and I had the security of knowing I was the one you'd come back to. I always knew I'd come back to you. I never doubted it."

"You never will," she said quietly.

"But you have to trust me."

"I do trust you."

He gestured broadly, and for the first time during their meal she saw a glint of real anger in his eyes. "Not if you could question whether I'd discuss my decision with you."

"That's not trust, that's-- just not knowing."

"Is that because in your place you wouldn't have considered it open for discussion?"

"I don't know."

"Yeah you do."

She shrugged impatiently. "I don't own you," she said.

"Then why were you angry?" he asked, his voice slow and dead level.

"I can't have it both ways," she mumbled. "I can't expect you to sit in your room and pine for me while I track down stories. You're not dependent on me; you said so. And I can't be dependent on you. Not now and maybe not ever."

"Maybe?" he laughed. "I don't own you and I don't want you dependent on me. That's not who you are."

"I'm still new at this," she reminded him. "I know you've been engaged before, but I never have."

He grinned. "To be fair, I'd have to be trying to kill you."

"You're not, right? Except with this food," she said, smiling slightly.

"Hey, it's not so bad," he returned. Then he reached for her hand again. "I know you and I'm not going to let your insecurities come between us."

"My insecurities?"

"I've been with you for years," he reminded her. He reached over and tapped her forehead lightly. "Tell me you're not thinking that I'm going to turn around one day and treat you the way you treated me a year ago. As payback."

"I thought you said that was all forgotten."

He nodded. "I've forgotten it. Have you?"

She shook her head. "No," she murmured.

"Am I the kind of person who would think that way?"

"I'm the kind of person who did," she said. "I am that person."

"You were," he corrected her. She lifted her hand at the wrist and he rested his fingertips against hers. "You were someone I barely recognized for a little while," he admitted.

"I didn't even recognize myself," she said, gazing down at their hands.

"Stop trying to make this about you, Drew," he said, smiling, emphasizing each word with a push of his fingers. "Stop trying to make this about payback and fairness and betrayal. We're settled up. All debts paid. We're even."

"We're even," she echoed him, faintly. Then she stared at him. "I don't want you being frat president. I don't want you having responsibility that will cut into our time together. I don't want you judging wet t-shirt contests and drinking until you're sick and being a model of modern debauchery to all the little freshmen. But, you will have access to that sweet apartment..."

"See?" he said, gesturing widely. "That's all you had to say."

--

"Lot twelve," Brook called out.

The valentine auction was well underway at the Theta Pi house. Nancy had wandered over to the refreshment table for some more lemonade, and she caught a glimpse of Ned waiting in the crowd. He smiled at her.

When Nancy glanced back up, Bess was modeling the valentine. Nancy knew it was hers by the number. But it didn't look the same, and Bess had a gleam in her eye.

"We have here a remote controlled blue car with wedding Barbie and Ken inside, and a cute sign on the back that says "Just Married," and even some little coke cans dangling off the back. Who would like to begin the bidding on this valentine?" Brook asked.

Nancy clapped a hand over her mouth and directed her ice-blue glare at the stage. Bess was shaking with silent laughter.

"I'm going to kill you," Nancy hissed, but she was smiling.

Once Ned had won the valentine, he came up behind Nancy and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You were right, that wasn't too hard," he murmured into her ear.

Nancy closed her eyes. "Well, it was going to be a bit less obvious," she whispered. "I think Bess had something to do with it."

"That's why she looked like she was about to laugh," he commented. He kept one arm around her waist and took a sip of her lemonade. "Thanks for the car."

"I thought you'd like it."

"You can keep the dolls, though."

"Bess can," Nancy corrected darkly. "She bought them. No wonder."

He kissed her ear. "I have to go," he said. "Coach Burnett wanted to see me about something. I'll meet you back here for dinner, right?"

She nodded, resting her hands lightly over his arms before she released him. "I'll be here."

"You'd better," he teased her mildly. "If you see any furtive guys or figures in black, please leave them to Lieutenant Easterling. Just for today."

"If you insist," she called back, and blew him a kiss.

--

"You sure you can handle them?" Bess asked, lugging the boots out of her closet.

"No," Nancy admitted, as she finished attaching the trim of her stocking to her garter belt. "Are they smooth enough to not pick my stockings?"

Bess ran her hand up the lining of the boots. "Yeah, you should be fine," she said. "I can't wait to see you try to dance in these."

Nancy laughed. "It's not like there's that much space to dance downstairs." She sat down on her bed and pulled the boots on. Her thigh-high stockings covered the exposed area above her knees and nearly seemed an afterthought.

"Black cashmere?"

Nancy nodded, and walked carefully over to her closet, where she found the sweaterdress and matching cardigan with the rhinestone clasp at the front. "Are you wearing yours?"

Bess shook her head and displayed a pleated denim miniskirt. "Good thing I brought my cowboy boots too," she said.

Nancy laughed. "Ever worn those on a horse?"

"You know I'm not interested in riding horses." Bess chuckled. As she pulled on her off-the-shoulder slit-sleeved hot pink top, she said, "Theta Pi is a dry house, right?"

"Yeah. We get to make our own fun tonight."

"That shouldn't be hard." Bess paused. "Would you freak out too much if I asked you... would you ask Ned if he'd lend me and Parker the key to the apartment?"

Nancy raised an eyebrow as she raked a hand through her hair, pulling it back to apply her makeup. "Things between you two moving that quick?"

"No, no," Bess reassured her. "But it has that giant TV. And, well, I don't want to give Parker the wrong idea. It's so hard to find somewhere neutral to be, you know?"

Nancy nodded. "Yeah. It is. But... yeah. I don't see why Ned wouldn't go for it."

"And if he's nervous, you two could come with us. Double date. We could order pizza."

Nancy lined her lips and smiled. "Sounds great, Bess. Pajama party."

"Just don't wear that nightie or I'm sure things will take a turn."

--

Ned groaned. "Okay, that's it. I'm shooting the DJ if I hear the Electric Slide one more time."

Nancy was laughing at the sight of Bess doing some country line-danced inspired rendition of the dance. She herself was finding the heels on the living room carpet a bit much. Ned brought her another cup of punch and she took a grateful sip.

"You agree with me, don't you?"

Nancy grinned. "But if he hadn't, we wouldn't be able to see this," she said, pointing at Bess.

"You're right," Ned said. He reached for her hand. "Pajama party?"

She glanced over at him and nodded. "If you're okay with that. It'll just be the four of us."

Ned shrugged. "Mind if I invite Mike and Jan, too?"

Nancy shook her head. "The whole point of this was to make sure Bess and Parker weren't put into some awkward situation," she said. "The more the merrier. But I don't want this to turn into some loud blowout."

He smiled. "It'll be like the cabin," he said. "Playing cards and watching movies."

She twisted the diamond around on her finger. "Where will we sleep?"

"There's plenty of bedrooms," he said, but her gaze stayed centered on him. "We'll figure it out later," he told her.

"Okay."

"But don't try to sway any decisions we might make," he warned her.

"And how would I do that?"

"By coming out of the bathroom in that little silk thing again." His hand tightened on hers.

"All right," she said, mock-reluctant, pouting. "Flannel it is. You know, Bess told me the same thing."

"She's right." He released her hand. "And now that that terrible song is over, let's dance."

--

"The pizza's gone," Bess called from the kitchen.

Mike was flipping through the channels. "He gets satellite here," he marveled again. "And this place sits empty most of the time."

Nancy and Ned glanced at each other. "I could make some cookies," she said.

"That would be great," Jan said. "Mike hasn't eaten for half an hour so I'm sure he'll be hungry soon."

"Oh really?" Mike responded, tossing down the remote and reaching over to tickle Jan. She shrieked, and Nancy looked away.

Parker reached over and picked up the remote. "Any good movies here?"

"No," the other four occupants of the room adamantly chorused, then looked at each other.

"That's why we went by the video store," Ned responded. "Speaking of, Bess, what did you pick out?"

Bess walked back into the living room carrying an oversized bowl full of buttered popcorn. "Well, what kind of mood are you guys in?"

Nancy pushed herself off the couch. "Be right back," she said, and walked into the kitchen. She ripped open a bag of preshaped dough and found a cookie sheet in the cabinet.

Ned pushed open the swinging door and walked in behind her. "Spies who fall in love or three idiots lost in the woods who run into a bear," he said.

"Sounds like the beginning of a joke," she commented, closing her eyes as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "What, did Bess cruise the cut-price aisle?"

"Told you you should have gone in with her," he said mildly, as she rested her arms over his. "At least I pick good movies."

"No, you pick movies that involve ocean liners exploding," she corrected him. "Besides, you were talking to me about something when she went inside."

"What was I talking to you about?" he murmured into her ear.

"See, I don't even remember what we were just talking about," she said, purring contentedly. "No idea."

"You inspire such confidence," he said, giving her a squeeze, then pulling back. "How long will these cookies take?"

"Ten minutes once they get into the oven," she said. "But if I want any, I'll have to make a second batch."

"Ha ha," he said. "Play your cards right and you might get some."

She stopped short and met his eyes. The silence between them stretched on, then was broken as Nancy opened the oven and shoved the cookie sheet in. She leaned against the countertop and crossed her arms.

"I don't have any cards left to play," she said softly.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean it that way."

"I know," she replied. "Maybe we could go out there and let Jan and Mike kick our butts at spades again."

Ned released a breath. "Yeah," he said. "We good?"

"Always," she answered, a faint smile on her face.

--

"He'll be in playoffs all next month?" Bess asked, washing the last of her cleanser off.

"Yeah," Nancy replied, tugging back the quilt on the twin bed. "I don't even know if I'm gonna see him until after that. How's Parker?"

Bess shrugged as she dried her face. "He's great to hang out with," she said. "And a total flirt. But I can't stop thinking about that guy in my class back at Wilder."

Nancy gave her friend a smile. "Maybe he can't stop thinking about you, either."

"I hope," Bess said, crawling into bed. "I hope he asked where I was this weekend and found out I was here."

"Did you tell anyone?" Nancy asked.

Bess grinned. "I made a point of telling a lot of people," she responded. "That I was visiting a good male friend this weekend."

"You sure that won't backfire?"

"He's a drama major, Nan." Bess plumped up the pillow behind her head and leaned back. "I'm providing him with a bit."

Nancy sighed and stared up at the ceiling. "There'll be plenty for us if Ned is here next year."

"At Emerson?"

"No. In this apartment."

"You said this was the president's apartment, right?" Bess asked. "I remember going to a few parties here, but no one ever saying 'Oh be careful, this is the president's place...'"

"Most of them don't take the option of living here, they want to live in the house with the guys," Nancy replied. "And if Ned runs for president, well, it would be a lot easier to come visit him here. At least the bed is three times as big. And there's a kitchen."

"What, you want to play house with him on the weekends?"

Nancy shrugged. "Yeah," she admitted.

"Seems like he's a bit more open to that than he was," Bess winked.

"Oh hush," Nancy responded, smiling. Then she sobered. "He'd be here but he'd be president of a frat house."

Bess propped her head on her elbow and looked over at Nancy. "Nan, I'm not seeing him turning this into Old School and wrestling topless chicks in the basement."

"Then why am I?" she asked.

"Maybe you secretly want him to?" Bess said slowly, then ducked as Nancy pulled the pillow out from under her head and tossed it at her. "I know you don't care for Michael."

Nancy shrugged. "Not really."

"And we have been at some pretty wild parties here."

"Yeah. I just wouldn't expect him to change that. And we did have fun."

"Do you not trust him?"

Nancy flipped over her remaining pillow and sighed. "I do," she said. "But it would take up some of his time. Time I want him to spend with me."

"Did you tell him that?"

"Yeah. And then I felt bad for saying anything."

"You would have felt ten times worse if you had kept your mouth shut."

"But he thinks I don't trust him."

Bess shrugged. "Maybe there's a guy out there who can judge wet t-shirt contests without his thoughts wandering," she said. "Then again, they wouldn't have to wander that far."

"We've dated other people before," Nancy said.

"But you two haven't been engaged to other people before," Bess said. "Except Jessica but that doesn't count."

Nancy smiled. "Yeah."

"I..." Bess paused. "Never mind."

"Go ahead."

"Why are you engaged to him if you don't trust him?" Bess asked quickly.

Nancy opened her arms. "Just because we're engaged doesn't mean we're married," she said. "We were never exclusive before, and now we are. But a lot of things have changed from before. I'm spending all my time at the paper, he's playing all those sports, and now he's talking about doing something else on top of all that."

"Do you think he'd make a good president?"

"Yeah," she admitted softly. "And it would look good on his resume, like he said. Leadership position. I just can't get away from this image of him surrounded by all these slutty sorority girls."

"Hey!" Bess protested. "As a non-slutty sorority girl..."

"Sorry," Nancy said, laughing. "Not you. But I know there are some here. I just can't help but think that they'll see the same qualities in him that make me love him so much, and," she shrugged.

"And that he'd actually fall for that?"

"He is susceptible to flattery and the odd drink," she said.

Bess shrugged. "Aren't we all," she said. "Aren't you?"

Nancy shook her head. "Not anymore," she said softly. Then she made a frustrated noise and threw back the blanket. "I need a glass of water," she said. "Want anything?"

"If there're any cookies left..." Bess smiled.

"Oh come on, I know we ate the last of them," Nancy said. "But I'll check anyway."

She crept downstairs, trying desperately to ignore the sounds of giggling from the master bedroom, where Mike and Jan were staying. Then she wondered briefly what Ned had done with the box that had been on the dresser.

Parker was curled up tight under a blanket on the loveseat. Ned had pulled the bed out of the couch and was sprawled across. She looked down at him quietly for a moment, then walked into the kitchen, wincing as the door creaked.

She was regarding the empty cookie sheet, the glass of water in her hand, as she heard the door creak again behind her. She turned and Ned was standing there.

"Couldn't sleep?"

"Haven't tried yet," she admitted. "Which sucks because Bess and I have to leave early tomorrow."

"I'm about to starve and I think we've eaten everything here," Ned grumbled. "Leaving too early for us to catch breakfast?"

She paused, studying him, a slight smile on her lips. "I think we could manage that," she said. "Bess never turns down a pancake house if she can help it."

"Feels weird to not be sleeping together," he said quietly.

"We're also both completely sober," she pointed out.

He met her eyes. "Did you think that was why...?"

"No," she admitted. "But you were right before. And I'm in my good-girl pajamas, and I know you and I aren't going to be seeing a lot of each other."

"Playoffs," he chimed in. "But we have the summer. That is, if you're spending summer at home this year."

She nodded. "And you'll regret it, Nickerson."

"Why would I regret that?" he asked, smiling. He took a few steps closer to her and stood in front of her.

"Because we're going to spend it all planning our wedding to the last detail," she said, grinning up at him.

"Oh, for a case somewhere warm and far away from bridal magazines," he said aloud, giving her a mock woeful look. "Maybe you could schedule a mystery in Fiji?"

She laughed. "I'll see what I can do."

He leaned down and kissed her. "Remind me to talk to you before you leave tomorrow."

"Okay," she said, watching him curiously. "About what Coach Burnett wanted to see you about?"

"Oh-- no, not that."

"What was that about?"

Ned leaned against the countertop, still facing her. "He wants to do something for Mike when we gradate. To show his appreciation for the work he did as my co-captain."

"That's nice," Nancy said softly. "Did he come up with that by himself?"

"Well, I may have said something..."

Nancy wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. "You're such a nice guy," he said softly.

"Yeah," he said, brushing her hair away from her forehead. "Right now I wish I wasn't."

"It's one of the reasons I love you," she said, tilting her head back for his kiss. "It might be damn frustrating but it's the reason Dad lets me go on vacations with you."

"Even though you're over eighteen?" He rested his cheek against hers.

"I trust Dad's judgement," she said. "He's always said you were a nice guy."

"Good for me, then," he said, kissing her lightly. "Go back to bed before I change my mind."