I'm back and I've got a new chapter. I want to state that for the purpose of my story the last supper mystery (Process of Elimination) took place the previus fall, roughly six month before this story. Also I own all the SMs and I'm in the middle of rereading them (well with the exception of Nightmare in NewOrealns I almost didn't get through it orignally) so expect me to drop hints about the other cases they've worked on together. I'm ashamed to admit that once I got hooked on the SMs, I gave away all my ND files and HB casefiles so I can't really mention any of those cases. As always thankyou for the reviews, more please. Also It's fine to point out spelling and gramatical errors, I have aboslutely no idea when it comes to that (I'm a mathematician for a reason). Thanks

How do You Say Goodbye – Chapter 4

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Frank! Nancy almost drops her cell phone. He can't be here can he, she asks herself. A voice answers her, look at the message Nan. It says want company not want to talk. He is here. Nancy sighs, your right, its not like I haven't run into him in odder places. There is a pause then the voice in her head continues. So what is your reply going to be?

Nancy looks down at her cell phone. Frank's message is still on the screen. She presses the O.K. button to move to the next screen. Would you like to send a reply? yes no She moves the curser to the yes and clicks O.K., a blank screen appears. Well what are you going to send? Nancy chooses not to answer the voice in her head. Instead she types the word yes into her cell and presses the send button.

As Nancy waits, her thoughts drift to her first kiss with Frank. She could almost feel the blistering cold and how it seamed to melt away when he had taken her into his arms and kissed her. That's were you first acknowledged that the ping in your hear for Frank would never go away, accused the voice. Nancy answers I chose Ned and he chose Callie. True, but the ping grew every time you ran into him. Until finally you were in love with two men.

Before Nancy could reply she hears someone take the seat next to her. She turns her head to see Frank's smiling face. She notices that his smile does not reach his eyes. "Drew, I never figured you for Linguistics major," says Frank in a mocking tone. His smile finally reaches his eyes.

Nancy puts on her sternest looking face and points an accusing finger at Frank. "Contrary to popular belief, you don't know everything about me Hardy." He raises his hands in self defense, "O.K., O.K. I'm sorry Nan." Nancy could not contain herself any longer and she burst into laughter, and then Frank joins in.

Frank composes himself first. "So Nan, I don't suppose that you came to Emory by yourself." She gives him a smile, "I came with Bess. She got a phone call from George and was suppose to come right back to keep me company. Right before I got your message, Bess text me. She said she had meet gorgeous guy and to meet her at the student union after the lecture." Nancy is surprised to find she was a little angry, and hoped she had not let it slip into her voice.

Nancy notices that Franks smile gets even larger. "You know something don't you," she asks. "Well if it is any consultation I don't think Bess had much of a choice." Nancy could tell by the tone he used he has picked up that she was a little miffed. She raises an eyebrow at him. "Now why would you say that?" "Simple, I left Joe outside to chase a beautiful blond on a cell phone. He declared he would be spending the next hour with her. You know how persuasive he can be." Franks brown eyes are sparkling with merriment.

"So you think he found Bess and persuaded her to go with him," Nancy asks. Frank nods his head. "That would mean she knew you were here and didn't tell me." Nancy shakes her head and jokingly says, "I'll kill her."

Frank puts a mocked restraining hand on Nancy's shoulder. "Now before you do that Nan, I'm sure my dear little brother is to blame for that one too. I mean he didn't bother to tell me you were here. He is always telling me how much more fun, for him, it is to run into you by surprise then by intention." She starts to laugh again. "That dose sound like something Joe might do, but Bess isn't off the hook."

Just then a man walks up to the podium and clears his throat, drawing everyone's attention. Frank and Nancy both turn to face the speaker. He starts by welcoming everyone.

Nancy can not concentrate on the opening speech. It's good to see him again. Yes the voice answers, I've missed him. I've? Of course I've, haven't you noticed you are talking to yourself? She chooses to ignore the voices comment. There was something different in his eyes. They betrayed him chimes the voice. But, what did they betray? The voice replies I'm not going to tell you. I'm sure the great detective can figure it out. Nancy thought for a moment then it came to her. There was sadness and apprehension there. Yes says the voice. She waits for more, but when nothing else follows she decides to focus all her attention on the lecturer.

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Bess and Joe are sitting at an out door table across from each other. Both have a drink in their hands. "So what's new in Riverheights?" Joe leans across the table and cocks an eyebrow and gives Bess his most winning smile. "More importantly seeing anyone new?"

Bess's smile wavers and she looks down at her hands. "I haven't gotten passed a second date since Anthony," she says quietly. Joe places his hand over one of hers. "Bess, I'm sorry I wasn't thinking. I know how it is to lose someone you care about." Joe pauses unsure of what to do next.

Bess raises her head and locks her blue eyes on Joe's. She notices that his eyes are full of concern and genuine understanding. They seem to say, trust me. Bess leans back in her chair studying Joe. "How do you do it? How do you move on," she asks quietly. Joe's heart breaks, he would give anything to take away her pain.

Bess you are one of the rare pure souls in this world, you didn't dissever this pain. Joe squeezes her hand. "It takes a while, but the pain will lesson. I don't think it will ever go away." Joe closes his eyes, Iola. "Try to remember the good times, and block out the bad. Don't rush things, take all the time you need to greave." Joe opens his eyes back up and looks at Bess. "Most importantly surround yourself with good friends." He smiles and gives her hand another squeeze.

Joe can see tears start to form in her eyes. He walks around the table and kneels down next to her. He raises a hand to Bess's cheek. He forces her to look at him. "It's O.K. Bess, I'm here." Bess blinks a few times then throughs her arms around his neck and starts crying into his chest. Joe strokes her blond hair and occasionally murmurs "I'm here, I'm right here." I'm so sorry my beautiful Bess. I can't take the pain away, but I can hold you as long as you need me to. Iola give me the strength to help Bess through this.

Finally Bess pulls away from Joe. She takes a moment to compose herself. She gives him a tentative smile. "Thanks Joe, I really needed it." Joe brushes a strand of hair out of Bess's eyes, and tucks it behind her ear. "I will always be there for you," says Joe huskily. "Always, all you have to do is ask. Do you believe me?" Bess nods her head.

Joe takes a step back. "Good. Now I think you've earned a treat," he says with a mischievous glint in his eye. "What do you say we find the cafeteria and see if they have cake?" Bess immediately stands up and glares at Joe, all sadness gone replaces by furry. "I can't eat cake. What about my diet," she wines. Ah, this is more like it. I love teasing her, it's so easy.

God she's even more beautiful when she's angry. "I promise not to tell anyone you cheated. Plus, I can always think of something to do to help take the pounds off," Joe says seductively. "That is if you think it will help." He puts his arm around Bess's waist and pulls her close to emphasize his point.

Bess extracts herself from Joe's arm. "Now, don't get ahead of yourself Hardy," she says sternly. She looks over to see Joe pouting and starts to laugh. She changes her mind. "A piece of cake does sound good, as long as you are treating." Joe replaces hi pout with a signature grin. "Now what kind of gentleman would I be if I let a lady pay?"

Bess stands back to get a better look at him. After a few moments of study she says, "Since when are you a gentleman, Joe Hardy?" Joe's grin gets even wider as he says, "Always my dear lady, Always." He then gives her an elaborate bow, and offers his arm. "Shall we go?" Bess starts to laugh again, "I would go anywhere with you." I hope that's true, Bess. I really do.

The two walk arm in arm into the student center looking for the cafeteria.