Hey ya'll there's finally a mystery. Sorry the build up took so long and I will probably throw in one or two more. As always feel free to corect gramer and spelling.

How do You Say Goodbye – Chapter 5

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Nancy and Frank are walking towards the student center. He glances over at her. "What did you think about the lecture," he asks. "It was pretty good. I'm starting to think linguistics might be a better major for me then journalism."

Frank stops and turns to face Nancy. "You really want to have a career studying how Ebonics split off of American English instead of being an investigative reporter?" She gives him a big smile. "When you put it that way then no." She pauses before continuing, "I wasn't thinking of becoming a reporter. I want to work for the FBI." "And you think a linguistics major has a better chance than a journalism major," he says as he continues her line of thought.

Nancy nods and Frank starts to laughs. "It figures," he says, "that we would be trying to get into the same agency, Drew." His laughing eyes hold hers. "I don't think your choice of major matter much, though. Our places at the academy are being held remember."

Nancy's face turns read and she starts walking away. Frank follows her. "I want to get in because I meet all of the requirements. Not because I once did Agent Burr a favor." The two continue in silence for a while.

"So is the Network really going to let you go work for the FBI?" Frank shrugs, "Joe and I didn't exactly have a choice when we joined, so my loyalty is not to them. Besides they have always needed people inside the other agencies, so hopefully they'll let me. Joe wants to follow in Dad's footsteps, by joining the NYPD. So hopefully they won't have a problem with that either."

"You mean to tell me that the two inseparable brothers are going different ways? I find that hard to believe." Frank gives Nancy a mischievous smile. "I can't be my brother's keeper for ever. I figure this should make him grow up." She laughs, "Joe Hardy grow up, now that's something I would like to see."

They are almost at the outdoor patio. Nancy takes a deep breath then asks, "How's Callie?" Frank flinches, "she's fine." He pauses then adds, "She dumped me for a guy she met at school." He looks at Nancy and sees a look of betrayal on her face. "It happened two weeks ago. And then I was undercover on a case so I couldn't call or e-mail you," he adds quickly. It was mostly true, he had gone undercover.

Nancy reaches over and takes Franks hand. "Then Callie Shaw is the biggest idiot in the world," she says fiercely. Frank gives a small chuckle then squeezes Nancy's hand. "Thanks," he says softly. She just gives him a big smile.

"Now where do you think Joe and Bess are," asks Nancy. "Well knowing my little brother, I bet their in the cafeteria," Frank jokes. "They better not be eating lunch without us, or I'll have yet another reason to kill Bess." He laughs, "well we won't know if we don't go in. So shall we?" "Yes."

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"Thanks Joe I needed that," says Bess. The two of them are walking towards the cafeteria's exit. "Helping damsels in distress is a Hardy specialty." She starts to laugh, "you are so full of it."

Just then Nancy and Frank walk through the door. "See, Nan, I told you we'd find them here." They walk up to Bess and Joe. "Should have known Joe would not pass up an opportunity for a meal," Nancy jokes.

Joe pouts, "I'll have you know that it was just a small snack before lunch." Nancy and Frank look at each other and start shaking their heads at the same time. Bess starts to laugh again, "just like old times."

"Speaking of old times why don't the four of us go out to lunch and catch up," states Joe. "Sounds like a good idea to me," says Nancy with a smile. "If we go off campus lets drop one car off. Atlanta's traffic is horrendous."

Frank looks at Nancy. "Joe and I can follow you back to your hotel then take our car for lunch." "So the only thing left is to decide where to go," she says as she turns to look at Bess. "Got any ideas?"

Bess's eyes light up, "How about the Underground? There are suppose to be a lot of shops and restaurants there. Then afterwards we could go to the Coca-Cola museum." Joe raises an eyebrow at Bess. "How do you know all that?" She reaches into her purse and pulls out two brochures, one for the Underground and one for the Coca-Cola museum.

Frank drapes an arm across Joe's shoulder. "Well it looks like we have a plan. Let's go." The four friends walk out of the cafeteria.

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Nancy parks her car in the garage. She and Bess get out. The boys are waiting in their car. Bess climbs in the back seat, while Nancy comes around to the driver's door. She knocks on the window.

Frank rolls the window down. "What's up?" Nancy smiles at him, "I want to get my camera out of our room. I'll only be about ten minutes, O.K." "Sure," he replies, "I'll just drive around to the front to make it easier for you." "Thanks." Then she walks to the stairs.

On Nancy's way up to her room, her thoughts drift to Frank. I wonder what happened with Callie. Does it mater, he's available now. She tries to push the last thought to the back of her mind. He'll tell me when he's ready she thinks confidently. We don't keep secrets. As she puts the key in the door she thinks, what about the flowers? Again she pushes a thought into the back of her mind, and then opens the door.

There is a man in a grey suit sitting in a chair watching TV. He reaches for the remote and turn off the TV. Then he focuses his attention on Nancy. "Ah, Miss Drew, do come in I've been waiting for you."

Nancy's mind races, what is he doing here? What does he want? I haven't shut the door. I could just turn around and run. As if reading her mind the man pulls a gun. "Now Miss Drew I would really hate it if I had to shoot you, so why don't you be a good girl and come in." He starts to advance on her. "Oh, and please shut the door." Nancy complies.

Frank, Joe, and Bess know I'm up here. When I don't come down they'll know something is wrong and will come for me. I just need to buy them time. Nancy is shown to one of the beds. She takes a set. "What can I do for you Mr. …" The man lets out a laugh and says "I'm from the Network. You may call me Grey Man."

Nancy looks confused, "The Hardys'contact?" Grey Man nods, "and now yours." Anger now flashes in Nancy's eyes. "What do you mean by that? I'm not a member of your organization." He sighs and puts his gun away.

"You're being recruited. We've had out eye on you for quite a while now. We were going to wait until you were close to graduating from college, but there has been a complication." Nancy watches as he walks back over to the chair and has a seat. He smiles at her. "What complication," she asks through clenched teeth. How dare he break into my room, hold me at gun point, and expect me to join his secret organization.

Grey Man's smile falters and he looks straight into her angry eyes. "We know about the flowers, and have an idea of who is sending them." He holds up his hand to keep her from interrupting. "You have many enemies, Nancy. Some small and insignificant, but others are large and powerful. We believe that one of these powerful people is sending you the flowers with the help of friends."

Nancy's heart jumps into her throat. She swallows trying to suppress her surprise and fear. "What does that have to do with me joining?" Grey Man runs his fingers through his hair. "The police will not be able to stop them. We look out for our own. When you join, we will be able to go after him with all of our resources."

Nancy can't help but notice how he used the term when and not if. "And if I say no," she asks. "Then we can't protect you and most likely you'll be dead in the next few weeks." Grey Man gets up and walks towards the door. "I'll be back tomorrow for you to sign the paperwork. Until then I will leave you to think about the situation."

"What if they try to get me before tomorrow," asks Nancy desperately trying to get answers. Grey Man turns to face her and gives her his first genuine smile. "I believe you ran into tow of my best operatives, today. I'm sure you will be safe in their company. Oh, and Nancy don't tell anyone we had this conversation." He turns and walks out the door.

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Frank looks at his watch. Where can she be? "Nan sure is taking her sweet time," comments Joe from the back seat. "I wonder if something happened to her," says Frank under his breath. He hopes Joe doesn't here it, but he does. "I'm sure everything is fine. It is not like we are on a case," says Joe trying to calm his brother down.

"I agree with Joe," says Bess. She is sitting beside him and has leaned over the passenger seat to talk to Frank. Frank turns his head to look at Bess. "All the same I would feel better if I checked up on her. What's the room number?" She answers, "406."

Frank gets out of the car. "I'll be right back." Joe and Bess both look at each other and roll their eyes. "What," Frank asks. "Nothing," says Joe. Bess playfully punches Joe in the arm. "We're just glad you and Nancy are getting back to normal," says Bess. Frank ignores them and walks into the hotel lobby. Joe and Bess both double over in fits of laughter.

As Frank gets out of the elevator, he sees a man in a grey suit retreat into the stair well. There's something familiar about that guy, but I just can't place him. Frank shrugs all thoughts of the man in grey out of his head, and continues down the corridor to room 406.

Frank knocks on the door. "Nancy?" There is no response. He knocks again. "Nancy, are you O.K.?" This time he hears footsteps, and then the door opens. "Hey," he says when he sees her. "Everything is alright?" She gives him a waning smile. "Everything is fine; I just got a phone call from my Dad is all. I got the camera so let's go," she adds as she closes the door behind her.

Frank knew Nancy was lying, but decided now was not the time to press her. He also thought he saw fear in her eyes. I'll give her some time then we'll talk about whatever is bothering her.

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Bess collapses onto her bed. "This is going to be the best vacation ever." Nancy laughs at her friend. "I'll admit, today was a lot of fun." She places two black and white photographs on the dresser. "I can't believe you and Joe talked us into doing Old Time Photos."

Bess gets up off the bed and spick up one of the photographs. It shows Joe standing up with a smug look on his face wearing only cowboy boots and a ten gallon hat. Bess is kneeling beside him wearing a solon girls dress holding the hat in front of Joe's privates. She is looking up at Joe with a smile on her face. "I don't know Nan; I think this came out great." Nancy smirked at her friend. "It figures you two would find the most suggestive pose."

Bess pouts, "It's not my fault the lady behind the counter mistook us for two loving couples." She puts down the photo of her and Joe and picks up the other one. She continues, "besides, I think Frank makes a good gangster and you his floozy." The photo shows Frank in a three piece pinstripe suit seated at a table. On the table is a Tommy Gun, and he has a bottle of whiskey in one hand. Nancy is sitting in his lap wearing a flapper's dress.

Nancy reaches for the photo in Bess's hand. She successfully dodges. "Bess you will give me back that photo if you know what's good for you," Nancy says playfully. Bess sticks out her tongue at Nancy, "make me." With that Nancy and Bess start a mock battle complete with tickle torture.

Nancy is the victor and places the photo back on the dresser. She turns to look at Bess. "You never did tell me what George said." "Oh Nan, I was having so much fu with Jo... I mean the Hardys it slipped my mind," Bess said with a weak smile. Hardys right you only had eyes for Joe. Nancy gives Bess a small smile. Bess looks somewhat relived. "Well she called to say that the interview went very well. So well in fact that she has been invited to spend this week practicing with the UGA team."

"That's great. She would have to fly into Atlanta right?" Nancy sits down on her bed and brings one knee up to her chin. Bess is so excited she jumps off the bed and starts pacing and making wild arm movements. "She flies in around noon tomorrow. She wants us to have lunch with her at the airport."

Nancy's smile vanishes for a moment. Tomorrow. The Grey Man will be back tomorrow. "I'm going to go ahead and take a shower now," says Bess interrupting Nancy's thoughts. "Good idea you wouldn't want to miss breakfast with your gg," she teased. Bess blushes and goes into the bathroom.

Nancy gets up from the bed a picks up the photo of her and Frank. Today was a lot of fun, but what about tomorrow? Tomorrow was a Monday. She had come to loath and fear that day. But they are in Riverheights, right? Surly there will be no flowers tomorrow. Then she remembers the Grey Man saying she was dealing with a professional. She shuttersand makes her way back to the bed.

Nancy places the photo on the night stand. She slides into the bed and shuts her eyes. Her last thoughts are, at least I'm in the hands of his best operatives. She falls asleep with a faint smile on her lips.