Took longer then I thought it would. Hope ya'll will like it. Don't know how often I will be able to update now, have to go job hunting.

How to Say Goodbye 6

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Bess stirs as the alarm goes off. What's that noise? Slowly shoe opens her eyes and is greeted by an unfamiliar room. Where am I? Oh right, in a hotel in Atlanta. She gets out of bed and turns off the alarm. Nancy is no where in sight, but Bess can hear water running. She must be in the shower.

Bess goes to the closet where she has hung all her clothes. She picks out a light brown skirt and a short sleeved low cut topThe shirt was mostly light pink with light brown and purple paisleys. She adds to the outfit a pair of light pink sandals. She lays the outfit on her bed and moves to the dresser.

She picks up the photo of herself and Joe, and smiles. I don't think I'm ever going to b able to look at this with a straight face. She can almost see Joe standing in front of her in nothing but cowboy boots and his boxer; that were covered in hearts, Harleys, and the words 'love machine'. She let out a soft chuckle and sets the picture back down.

Bess pulls the top drawer open. It contains her hair products and her make-up. She arranges all the products then gets to work. Doing her hair and make-up is a well rehearsed routine that allows her mind to wander.

Yesterday was so much fun. Images of lunch, getting photographed, being in the museum, and then dinner flash through Bess's head. She smiles; I loved getting to taste all those different kinds of sodas. I can't believe Joe mixed all those drinks to create 'sweet danger'. Then he got me to try it, I still have the aftertaste.

Joe is such a goof ball. I still can't behaved he danced with the Coca-Cola robot. Bess starts to laugh. Her had slips and she new has mascara on her check. Great I can't believe I just did that. She starts to wipe the mascara off. This is your entire fault, Hardy, for consuming my thoughts.

Bess replays her conversation with Joe, on the patio, in her head. Why can't I lie to you? I've done all I could to mask the pain from George and Nancy. George needs to concentrate on getting her scholarship, this could be her last chance. If she feels she needs to take care of me I know she would blow off the chance just to stay by my side. Nancy needs to be able to put 100 of herself into her cases. If she is worried about me she'll be distracted and in her line of work distractions get one killed.

I've protected them by lying, but with you Joe the thought never crossed my mind. We've always understood each other, haven't we? When ever you get too worked up it is me who calms you down and vice versa (as long as George isn't around). Why can't I lie to you? Is it because we share the same pain? No, it is more than that. We are the same always looking for a new adventure both with our hearts and with our lives. What is the saying? Two sides of the same coin.

Bess drops her brush. The last thought scares her. She bends down and picks up the brush. She puts it back in the drawer with all the other stuff. She gets dressed, and then looks herself over in the mirror. She sighs, this is ridiculous there is no way Joe Hardy is my soulmate. He is just a good friend who I like to flirt with.

Nancy comes out of the bathroom dressed in a white skirt and a lime green short sleeved knit top. "Bathroom's free," she says as she walks towards the closet to retrieve her white sandals. "Thanks," says Bess as she shuts the bathroom door.

When Bess comes out of the bathroom, she goes back over to the dresser to get her lipstick. She puts it on, and smiles at her reflection in the glass. She puts the lipstick in her purse and turns to face Nancy. "Shall we go?" Nancy nods her head, and both girls walk out of the room.

On their way to the elevator Bess and Nancy spot a bellboy caring a bouquet of flowers. Bess glances at Nancy. Her fists are clenched and her body is stiff. Please don't let it be for Nan. That is the last thing she needs now.

Attempting to sound calm, Nancy addresses the bellboy. "Excuse me; I was wondering if those flowers are for room 406?" He looks at the two girls. "No, they are for room 417," he says. Bess lets out the breath she didn't know she was holding. Thank you for small favors.

Nancy and Bess continue to the elevator in silence. They are the only ones in the car when it starts down. Nancy's fists are still clenched and her eyes are unfocused. Bess takes one of Nancy's hands and brings it up to chest level. Then Bess wraps both her hands around Nancy's fist.

"Nan," says Bess softly, "I know we've had this conversation before, but here me out. Tell the Hardys what's going on, they might be able to help." Nancy's eyes regain their focus, and she turns to Bess. "There are absolutely no clues to work with, Bess. So there is nothing they could do to help," says Nancy sadly. "Promise me you won't tell them." Bess sighs in defeat, "I promise."

Both of Nancy's hands unclench, and she gives Bess a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks," says Nancy as she squeezes Bess's hand. Bess shrugs, drops Nancy's hand, and says "what are friends for". Just then the doors open and the girls step out into the lobby, where the Hardys are waiting to take them to breakfast.

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Frank, Joe, Bess, and Nancy are walking into the girls hotel lobby after returning from breakfast. Bess gives Joe her best smile. "I'm glad you two decided to accompany us to the airport to see George." He grins back at Bess, "Well you know us Hardys. We can never say no to a beautiful woman." Nancy and Frank roll their eyes, while Bess turns a bright shade of red.

"Cool down Casanova," Frank says with a smile. He turns to Nancy and says teasingly. "Now why did we have to come back here, again?" She gives him a small smile and a wink. "We wouldn't have had to come back if someone hadn't spilled my coffee right onto my lap. All while trying to flirt with out waitress," she says in mock anger.

Joe's face turns slightly pink. "Hey! I said I was sorry, Nan" Nancy and Frank both start laughing. Frank puts his arm around his brother's shoulder. "She knows, little brother, she just wants to give you a hard time." He turns his head to look at Nancy. "You better hurry and get changed if you want to get any sightseeing in before we head over to the airport."

Nancy smiles at Frank, then she turns to Bess. "Bess I'm going to need your fashion expertise to put an outfit together fast." Bess gives Nancy a fake solute, "Bess Marvin fashion deva at your service." The four friends have a good laugh, then Nancy and Bess head up to their room.

"Nan, what places did you want to visit today," asks Bess as she opens the door to their room. "I was thinking it might be fun to go to centennial …." She trails off when she gets a good look at the room. Behind her she hears Nancy gasp.

The room is full of flowers. There looks to be 10 assorted bouquets arranged throughout the room. The beds are covered in white daises. Nancy pushes her way past Bess. Nancy's eyes search the room for the tell tale not. She finds it written on the dresser mirror.

You can't escape the game. Don't worry then end of the game is soon. Below the mirror are five pictures of Nancy, taken the previous week. "Nan, what did you find," Bess asks in a shaky voice. Nancy does not answer her; instead she sits on her bed with her eyes still transfixed on the mirror.

Bess walks towards the dresser to see what has Nancy so rattled. When Bess sees the pictures her face goes white. Promise or no Promise I'm telling the Hardys. Bess gets her phone out and calls Frank. When she finishes the call she sits down and wraps her arms around Nancy's still frame.

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Frank and Joe are sitting on a couch in the hotel lobby. Frank is reading a Newspaper and Joe is checking out girls. Joe spots a group of teenage girls and gives a low whistle of his appreciation. Frank looks up from his paper, "Didn't you tell me last night that you were going to stay with Bess all week? First the waitress then these girls, I feel sorry for Bess."

Franks phone starts to ring. Joe mumbles "saved by the bell." Frank answers the phone, "Hardy." "Come up to our room now," Bess's voice sounds panicky. "What's wrong? Is Nancy OK," he asks anxiously. Bess's voice takes on a defeated tone, "no." Before he could question her more she hangs up.

Frank stands up and walks briskly to the elevators. Joe catches him as the doors open. "What's going on bro?" Frank looks over at Joe, "something is wrong with Nancy. Bess didn't tell me anything more than that." Joe shakes his head. Franks becomes lost in his worn memories of Nancy. He is reliving every murder attempt that he has rescued her from. Please let Bess be overacting, I mean it's not like we are on a case. What kind of trouble could she be in?

Finally the elevator stops on the fourth floor, and the door open. Frank and Joe get to the girls room in record time. The door is ajar so they push it open the rest of the way. Joe whistles and then says, "Somebody has a pursuant admirer."

At Joe's comment, Bess looks up, pats Nancy on the back, and stands up. She walks over to the boys. "Frank look after Nan while I teach your brother some manners." Joe gives Bess a pained look, "what did I do?" Instead of answering she pulls him out of the room and shuts the door behind them.

Frank walks over to Nancy. "Nan, what's going on? Bess calls me in a panic and I find you sitting in a room full of flowers?" Nancy looks up at him, her eyes are full of tears threatening to fall, and then she points at the dresser.

Frank approaches the dresser. He reads the note but it does not concern him as much as the pictures. The first one is of her getting out of her car. The next shows her shopping with Bess. The third is of Nancy at the police station with a bouquet of flowers. The fourth shows her having dinner with her father. The last picture is of Nancy sleeping peacefully in hr bed.

Frank wants to pick them up, but knows that the police would want to finger print them. "I don't think there will be any finger prints, he's never left them before," Nancy says quietly. Frank turns around at the sound of her voice. Nance you're breaking my heart. How could you not tell me you were being stalked?

Frank walks over to the bed Nancy is on and kneels down. He brings his right hand up to her check and forces her to look at him. "This isn't the first time then," he asks knowing the answer. Why didn't you tell me? She shakily answers, "No, not the first nor the second or third." Frank takes a deep breath to keep from yelling at her in frustration.

"How long has this been going on?" Nancy tries to turn away from Frank but he gently forces her face back to him. Don't shut me out Nance, let me help you. "How long," he repeats.

"Two months," answers a male voice. Both Nancy and Frank stand up and turn to face the intruder. Frank balls his hands into fists and unconsciously takes a step in front of Nancy as if to protect her.

"What are you doing here," Frank asks his vice dripping with malice. "Calm yourself Mr. Hardy, I was coming to talk with Miss Drew," says the Grey Man. "Your presence here is not unexpected though, and truth be told it saves me the effort of tracking you down," he says with as smirk.

Frank's eyes narrow as he remembers the man he saw yesterday. "You were here yesterday weren't you?" "Very astute of you Hardy. Yes, I had a proposition for Mrs. Drew and gave her a day to consider," says the Grey Man as he walks further into the room. For the first time Frank notices the briefcase. Frank goes over the Grey Man's words silently. His eyes go wide in panic; he wants to bring Nancy into the Network.

Frank feels Nancy's hand on his shoulder. "It's OK Frank. I was expecting him." He turns to look at her. "You can't possibly be thinking of joining." She gives him a small smile and sweeps her hand over the room. "I don't have much of a choice, Frank. Neither the police nor I have any idea who is behind the threats, and they keep getting worse. The Grey Man said he had an idea of who is behind the incidents. The Network is forbidden to help unless I'm part of the agency."

"There has to be another way Nance. If Joe and I work with you surely we will find who is responsible and be able to put them away." Nancy sighs, "The Grey Man believes it to be someone powerful that I've put away before. I don't want you and Joe to put you lives in danger because of me." Frank takes her hand, "it's too late, we are involved now."

While Frank and Nancy have been talking, the Grey Man has walked over to a small table. He moves two vases of flowers out of the way and places his briefcase on the desk. He starts pulling out items and arranging them on the table. He picks up what looks like a PDA, and turns his attention to the two teens.

"Excuses me, Miss Drew shall we get started," asks the Grey Man. Nancy gives Franks hand a squeeze, "It will be fine. After all being a member hasn't really hurt you has it?" Before Frank can answer that she approaches the Grey Man. "What do you need me to do?"

The Grey Man hands her the PDA. "The contract needs to be signed, just scroll down to the bottom and sign." Nancy does as she is told. Next Grey Man gets out a small device and attaches it to the PDA. He jesters Nancy to give him the PDA and he hands her the device. "This is an electronic finger printer, you put one finger at a time on the glass and it will scan your fingerprint into the PDA."

The Grey Man fingerprints Nancy's right hand first then the left. When they finish she hand the device back to the Grey Mann. He detaches it and plugs in another device. "Sit down, Miss Drew. I need to get a retinal scan. It will be easier if you are sitting," he says. Nancy sits in one of the chairs and waits further instruction. "Hold this up to your right eye. Try not to blink." After a minute the Grey Man takes the retinal scanner back and puts it away. "You're done with the paper work. Welcome to the Network Miss Drew." Nancy just nods her head.

"What did you need to see me for," Frank growls. The Grey Man turns to Frank and gives him a smile. "We have a new assignment for you Mr. Hardy. For Miss Drew's safety we are going to relocate her until this person is caught. Of course she will be needing bodyguards."

Frank nods his head in understanding, "and you want be to be one of them." Nancy's eyes flash with anger, "I can take care of my self." "I am well aware of that Miss Drew, however in the current circumstance, I believe bodyguards are necessary." "What about Bess and Joe," asks Nancy. "Miss Marvin and Mr. Hardy will be your other bodyguards. Mr. Hardy because he is another agent, Miss Marvin because we believe you will try to slip out of our custody if she doesn't accompany you."

"Also, both of you will be assuming new identities. I'll need to take a photo of you both, so we can make you fake I.D.s," says the Grey Man. "You will go to the airport as planed, but a limo will pick you up and take you to a secure location. I will have your new I.D.s ready by that time." The Grey Man gets a digital camera out of the briefcase. "Now Miss Drew if you would please back up against the wall, good. Now your turn Mr. Hardy."

The Grey Man packs up his briefcase and starts to the door. As he opens it he turns to face Frank and Nancy. Nancy looks concerned and nervous. Frank looks worried. "Don't concern yourselves with the details kids. We will set everything up then you will get a second honeymoon." With that he winks and them both and walks out of the room.

Nancy and Frank both look at each other and say, "Second honeymoon!"