I know I was terrible with the last chapter. I promise everyone that this chapter will more than make up for the ending of the last one.

6. Hope

Nancy turned from the opening and let out a moan of despair. She had always loved Frank, but had never thought he would leave. Now, as she faced the fact that he was really gone, she clung to every last memory she had with him.

"Nan, are you all right?"

"Yeah." Nancy mumbled.

"We have to do something, or we won't make it another ten minutes."

Nancy stood up with a new resolve. Frank may be gone, but he won't have died in vain. Nancy would personally see to it that his murderer was brought to justice. And as far as she was concerned, Shrikster was that murderer.

Joe made his way to the front of the helicopter, followed closely by Nancy. Shrikster was still struggling and lashing out however he could. Nancy was at the end of her patience with the man. From out of nowhere Nancy hit the man with a swift right hook.

"Wow." Joe was shocked by Nancy's quick attack.

"At least we don't have to deal with him for a while." Nancy stated flatly as Shrikster's head rolled to one side.

Nancy and Joe unhooked the still unconscious Shrikster from his seat and dragged him back to the opening. Nancy then went back to the front and took the controls, guideing the aircraft down so that it would land in the water as gently as possible. As she steered the craft Joe used the radio to send out mayday signals. As the helicopter sank lower and lower in the sky Nancy and Joe prepared themselves to abandon the craft. The only choice they had was to jump into the water below.

Frank sank deep into the freezing cold water. The shock of the cold stunned his body momentarily before his need for air kicked in. Frank swam to the surface with all his might. All the while his only thought was Nancy with tears streaming down her face. Frank knew he had to get back to her, somehow. But if he didn't find a way out of the water soon he was going to freeze to death.

Suddenly, in the distance, Frank saw a motor boat speeding in his direction. Franticly waving his arms and shouting, Frank prayed that the boat would see him. Finally the craft slowed in the water until it was drifting beside Frank.

"Need some help?" a familiar voice called down. Nick Dumont was staring down over the side of the boat. He had a grim but relieved look on his face.

"Okay, so how did you find me?" Frank asked through chattering teeth. Frank wasn't exactly overjoyed to see Nick but seeing him was better then freezing to death.

Nick let out a deep chuckle as he reached down for Frank's hand. "Same way you found out about me. The police called me as soon as they hung up from your call. You aren't the only one with police connections you know. And since your pilot was unfamiliar with the area the ferry company had to give him directions, so we knew his destination. We simply hid at the island until you were in the air, then we followed you. Half of the force is out in these waters."

Once Frank was sitting down on one of the boat seats Nick handed him a thick blanket. Gratefully, Frank took the blanket and wrapped tightly inside it. He felt like a giant popsicle.

"We have to get to Nancy and my brother. The helicopter was out of control and the ready to go down when I fell."

"Don't worry. We had police boats positioned every five miles in the four directions. When we realized that you were headed in this direction every boat was ordered to this area. If the copter goes down, someone will be there. Just settle back and relax."

Despite his worry and discomfort Frank did as ordered. He had no choice but to wait and hope that Nancy was still alright. Frank took small comfort in the fact that at least he was warm and safe.

Moments later a two way radio squawked to life. A static muffled voice announced that a downed copter had been found. The three survivors were pulled from the water and being returned to the island.

Frank let out a sigh and leaned his head back. He was going to see Nancy again. As far as Frank was concerned, the time would not pass fast enough. Frank settled into his seat as the driver turned the boat around to meet Nancy and Joe at the island.

Nancy was sitting on the dock staring at the water. She had just been dropped off at the island with Joe. However, she couldn't bring herself to leave the water's edge. Somehow she felt she was closer to Frank that way.

In the distance Nancy saw a boat as it moved swiftly through the water. The driver seemed to be making his way toward the island. Nancy sighed, guessing that the driver was Nick. She watched as the boat docked and several people climbed off, Nick among them.

"Nancy we need to talk." Nick said quietly. "But first, I think there is someone who wants to see you."

Nancy followed Nick's gaze and gasped. Frank Hardy was climbing onto the dock. Suddenly Nancy took off at a run, straight for Frank. Frank, looking up just as Nancy reached him, swept her into a giant hug.

Nick turned and walked away while Frank and Nancy embraced on the dock. It was obvious that the two were absolutely in love. Nick began making his way to the house. His feelings couldn't get in the way of his job. He still had to make sure that nothing happened to Nancy, or the Hardys.

By the time Nancy and Frank had made their way to the house, Nick and Joe were on the porch comfortably relaxing. Joe looked up and smiled. Nancy and Frank were still hand in hand.

"Nick told me what happened. He has a lot to tell us." Joe explained as Nancy and Frank sat down. Joe reached over and gave his brother a long hug, overjoyed that he was alive and well.

"I guess I do owe all of you an explanation. I am a spy. My cousin, Nicoletta, hired me to investigate the people of her household, looking for an informant dealing with the gang Nancy helped put in jail. The necklace Nancy recovered for my cousin was the greatest prize the gang could ever imagine. The only ones who knew about the plan to move the necklace were my aunt, Nicoletta, and her household. Someone in the house told the gang everything, even who was responsible for finding the necklace. When Nicoletta found out that you were in danger I was told my priority was to keep you safe."

"Where does Shrikster come into this?" Frank asked.

"I think he worked for the gang, but was small time. My guess is that he bought buildings and worked out deals, sort of like a middle man, and then the gang used the buildings and fulfilled the deals. He did anything that involved being seen in public."

"Do you think he will turn the leader in?" Nancy wondered.

"It's hard to say. He has no criminal record. Any time he does in jail will be for today's actions. And I can't positively say that he will get a long sentence."

The group sat for some time thinking about the day's events. Dusk was settling and everyone was exhausted. Nancy and Frank were sitting together and staring up at the sky as the first stars of night appeared. Joe was leaned back in one of the deck chairs and Nick was standing at the railing.

"Well, I think I'm ready for some sleep. We have got an early start if we are going to find Walker. We do have something of an advantage. He thinks everyone is dead. Maybe we can use that. Your rooms are still free for your use." Without looking directly at Nancy, Nick said goodnight and made his way inside.

"Maybe we should all go to sleep." Joe suggested.

Nancy and Frank agreed and the three went inside to their rooms. Nancy was ready for a long night's rest as she crawled into bed. Nancy reached over and shut the lamp on her bed stand off then snuggled under the soft blankets.

The house was soon dark. Everyone was asleep when a sudden scream pierced the night.