yet another chapter done ya'll. Sorry it took so long, I had trouble tying to figue out how I was going to do the airport. I am cursed with always having a stong start with stories and knowing where I want to end up but having no idea how to get there. Hopefully I can overcome this, becasue I really can't wait to see how this will end and what twists and turns I'll end up throwing in. As always R & R. Also feel free to correct gramer and speling - Kes Quest

How do You Say Goodbye – Chapter 8

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As George comes off the escalator, her eyes search the crowd of people. She sees her name being held by a man in his early 30s. He is of average height, has auburn hair, and green eyes. She recognizes him as her recruiter Gerry Van Derpool.

George has a smile on her face as she approaches Gerry. "The sign was a good idea. I'm not sure I would have been able to find you otherwise." Gerry gives a chuckle, "Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the county, and the crowd is to be expected. Not being able to greet people at the concourses forces everyone to gather here between the baggage claims."

George gives him a large smile. "I hope you don't mind, but I promised to meet two of my friends in the atrium for lunch." "Mind? I was going to suggest we go to Houlihan's for lunch. It's one of the restaurants in the atrium." He steers her towards the southern baggage claim. "We better get you bags first though or we'll end up spending hours with security explaining why you didn't claim your bags right away." They get her luggage and then head to the atrium.

The atrium is a circular area three stories high and has four separate entrances. There are shops and restaurants on the circumferences, as well as a currency exchange station. On the second and third floors are offices and conference rooms. About half of the atrium floor is taken up by large planters, blue chairs and loves seats, and end tables.

Gerry leads George towards the seating area. "Your friends are probably somewhere in this area. It's the best place to meet up." As they get closer George spots Bess, she is sitting in the lap of a young blond man. Should have known that she would have found a guy already. I'd give it a week. A smile escapes George's lips and she gives a soft chuckle. "What's so funny," asks Gerry. She shrugs and shakes her head. "Just my boy crazy cousin. Come on I'll introduce you."

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"I hope George shows up soon I'm hungry," complains Joe. "You're always hungry," Bess says. Joe starts to pout. "Hey that's not fair, I'm a growing boy. Besides I'm not the one whose stomach was growling just a minuet ago." Her face becomes beat read and she turns her head away from him.

Bess spots George and waves at her. George waves back, then Bess turns her attention back to Joe. "She's here." "You mean we can eat now, hurry," cries Joe. Bess giggles, "not quiet yet. We have to wait for Frank and Nancy to get back, remember?" "We could always call their cell and say we were tired of waiting and they should meet us at the restaurant." She gives him a look that says 'no.'

Joe glances in George's direction and notices she is only about ten feet away. "As much as I like having you on my lap…" He gives Bess's waist a squeeze to emphasize his point. "This is not how I want to greet your cousin." She gets up and offers him her hand. He manages to stand up with her help just as George reaches them.

Bess immediately flings her arms around George's neck. "Gees Bess, you act like you haven't seen me in month, not days," teases George. "It's been a long two days, and I think she's glad to see another friendly face," says Joe. A look of surprise consumes Georges face as she looks up to see his eyes sparkling with laughter. Once Bess releases her, she turns to face Joe. "Joe Hardy what in the world are you doing here?"

"Enjoying watching two beautiful women in a firm embrace," Joe quips. George puts on her best stern face. "Are girls the only thing you think about," she asks mockingly. "No, not the only thing, just the only thing worthy of my thoughts." He pauses then throws his arms open. "Now are you going to give me a hug or am I going to have to beg," he asks.

George starts to laugh and walks into Joe's arms. "Now that's better. It's just like old times," he says. George ends the hug and gestures to her companion. "Gerry, I would like to introduce you to my cousin Bess Marvin and an old friend of ours Joe Hardy." "It's nice to meet you," says Gerry as he shakes both Joe and Bess's hands.

"Are ya'll ready for lunch," Gerry asks. "Yes," proclaims Joe. "Joe, you know we can't go to lunch quite yet," reminds Bess. George glances quickly around then turns to Joe and asks, "Where are they?" Gerry looks confused, "I though you said you were meeting two friends." "I was," says George, "but Joe here wasn't one of them. Joe is kept on a leash by his brother, so naturally I was wondering where he and my other friend are."

"Leash," cries Joe. He hears laughter from behind him. "I don't think I've ever heard a more accurate description of our relationship," jokes Frank. "Is this gang up on Joe day," he wines. Bess links her arm with his. "Don't worry I'll protect you from George and Frank." "Some how that doesn't make me feel better," sighs Joe. Bess takes the opportunity to whack him on the back of his head.

"Ow," complains Joe as he rubs the back of his head. Nancy, Frank, George, and Gerry start to laugh. "It's a good thing you have a thick skull, little brother." Joe gives Franks a dirty look. George takes the opportunity to step forward and give Nancy and Frank both hugs.

"Frank, Nancy I would like to introduce you to Gerry Van Derpool. He is the UGA recruiter," says George. The three exchange handshakes. "Now that we are all here can we eat now," begs Joe. "Sure, any idea where to eat," asks Bess. "I was going to suggest Houlihan's," Gerry says. "Let's get going before Joe starves to death," teases Nancy.

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"Now will you tell me what's going on." asks a frustrated George. She, Nancy, and Bess have told the guys they needed to do some girl talk. So of course they ended up in the lady's room. Nancy gives George a half hearted smile. "Nothing is going one. We ran into Joe and Frank at Emory. They are also spending the week vacationing in Atlanta. We thought it might be fun if we actually got to spend an honest to goodness vacation together."

"Don't you lie to me Nancy Drew. I've known you since kindergarten, and I know when you are lying to me," fumes George. Nancy takes a seat in a vanity chair and does her best to avoid looking directly at George. "She's telling you the truth, George. Nothing is going on, honest." George turns to study her cousin's face, but Bess gives away nothing. I need to remember to tell Bess her acting is getting better.

"If nothing is going on why, Nancy, are you moping? Why is Frank giving you concerned glances every time he doesn't think you're looking?" Nancy's head snaps up. This isn't good; George can see straight threw me. Maybe going to lunch was a bad idea. What am I going to do? I can't tell her that I'm basically being put in protective custody once we leave the airport. Damn, think Drew think.

"Nan's miffed at Frank," explains Bess. "Oh," replies George as she cocks an eyebrow. Bess gives Nancy a secrete wink then starts to giggle. "Yeah, turns out Frank and Callie broke up." Bess allows for a dramatic pause as she watches her cousins face turn from skeptical to intrigued. "He never bothered to tell Nan, so she's been giving him the cold shoulder. He's keeps trying to apologies, but Nan keeps brushing him off."

Nancy's face turns bright red. Bess I'm going to kill you. There is no way George is going to by that's why I've been acting moppy. George ponders the new information, gives Bess a nod, and a mischievous smile creeps over her face. "That makes since, besides Bess and I, Frank is your best friend. That coupled with the fact that you are in love with him must have made you feel that his omission was a betrayal of trust and a rejection of you."

Now Nancy's ears turn red, but from anger instead of embarrassment. "I am NOT in love with Frank Hardy. He is simply a friend, a good friend. I'm mad at him simple because I told him a bout Ned, but apparently I'm not allowed to know about Callie. I mean I told Frank I was breaking it off with Ned even before I told you guys.

"He was my rock through those last few weeks. Allowing me to vent so I could come to the right decision, but heaven forbid he place as much trust in me as I have in him. He came up with the lames excuse too. He said that he went on a case right afterwards and couldn't get in touch with me, but he we exchanged half a dozen e-mails during those weeks. Couldn't get in touch with me, my ass."

George and Bess bend over because they are laughing so hard. Bess finally manages to catch her breath. "Defiantly love. George do you remember when she first meet Ned and he didn't tell her he had a girlfriend?" "Yup, he dumped her the next day, but Nan held it over his head for two months. Ned begged forgiveness every day during those two months before she finally agreed to go on a date with him."

"It's not the same. I was young and it was love at first sight. Plus he really shouldn't have been flirting wit me while he had a girlfriend," protest Nancy. "OK Nan, what ever you say. I don't want to get on your bad side, but I do have one more thing to add then I promise to drop the subject." Both George and Nancy turn to look at Bess.

"And what's that," Nancy asks. Bess gives George a secret hand signal. Georges nods back at her. "Well, we are pretty sure," Bess starts. "That with Frank, it was," continues George. "Love at first case," they finish together. Nancy lets out a grown as Bess and George return to fits of laughter.

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The group of six has finished lunch and is leaving Houlihan's. "Thanks for the suggestion, Gerry. Lunch was great," comments Bess as she pats her stomach. "I enjoyed listing to the pianist," says Nancy. "Yea, that was great," agrees George. Gerry smiles, "I'm glad you liked it. It's one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta."

Gerry looks at his watch then turns to George. "I hate to cut your reunion short, but we need to get going or we are going to be late for practice." "What deck are you parked in," asks Frank. "The south, you?" "North," says Joe, "I guess this means we'll have to say our goodbye here."

George hugs Frank, Joe, Bess, and then Nancy. "Have a good time at UGA," says Joe, "and try not to work to hard." "Well we can't all be on vacation," teases George. With that she and Gerry walk towards the southern baggage claim.

Bess turns to face her three remaining friends. "So where do you so pose we are to meet the limo?" Frank points to the taxi/limo sign behind her. "I'm pretty sure we just follow the signs," he tells her.

Bess folds her arms over her chest and pouts. "Are you mocking me, Hardy?" Frank looks her straight in the eye. "Never, that's Nancy's job," he says with a straight face. Joe drapes an arm over Bess's shoulder. "Pay no attention to Frank; he's just trying to impress Nancy."

Nancy blushes and Frank makes a fist. Joe leans over and whispers in Bess's ear, "see I was right." Bess lets out a giggle, puts an arm around his waist, and steers him in the direction of the limo. "Come on; let's get going before Frank does something rash. I don't relish the idea of convincing security that it was all in jest."

Frank gives Nancy a confused glance. "Since when did Bess become an intellectual," he asks. "Since she meet Brian the liberal arts major. He talked her into taking a creative writing class at the continuing education center. She dumped the guy but kept the class," replies Nancy as they follow behind Bess and Joe.

When the quartet emerges outside they find a chauffer holding a sign saying 'Mr. Grey.' "That must be us," states Nancy. The chauffer greets them as they approach. "Mr. Hardy," he asks addressing Frank. Frank gives a slight nod. "Please follow me." He leads the teen to a black stretch limo, and holds the door open for them.

There is already someone in the limo. It's a dark haired woman in her late 20s. She is wearing a royal purple suit with a white blouse. No one says a word until they have left the airport. "My name is Renee. I'm going to be your local contact. I'll be working undercover at Southern Vacations, as a travel agent."

"Um, I don't mean to be rude but where exactly are we going," asks Bess. Renee gives Bess a big smile. "We are headed towards Gatlinburg Tennessee." "Gatlinburg? Never heard of it," says Joe. "It's a small tourist town in southern Tennessee. Right know it's the last month of the ski season, and the start of white water rafting season. Gatlinburg is also famous for its shop," answers Renee.

"Shops," Bess's face lights up. "Yup, there are plenty of boutiques, antique stores, and folk art galleries," Renee says. "Oh, Nancy I can't wait," squeals Bess. "Just remember you have a job to do," scolds Nancy. "Your no fun," retorts Bess.

Renee waits a moment then continues. "You will be staying in two small ski lodges, and will have access to two rental cars. You will each be given a new identity to study during the six hour trip, but first we have to stop at a local boutique for the dress fittings."

Nancy looks confused, "what kind of dress fittings?" Renee gives the four of them a devious look. "You mean they didn't tell you," she asks. All four teens shake their heads no. Renee takes a deep breath. "Nancy you are getting fitted for a wedding gown, and Bess is being fitted for a bridesmaid dress."