Author's Note:

Hello again, everyone! I hope that your week has gone well. Now that the action is over, the story is just about done. There will be one more chapter after this and then the epilogue! I still have a few things to clear up before the end. So, consider this the penultimate chapter (hopefully). This has been such an awesome journey and I really hate to see it end but I have a feeling that you won't be mad when the end finally does come. Anyway, be forewarned, there is a LOT of hugging in this chapter! Lol! But I guess that comes with the territory when the bad stuff is finally over. Thank you to everyone who left a review for the last chapter! I know that some of you were itching to have Ned rot in jail but I always intended for him to die. Being the character that he was, I knew he wouldn't let up afterwards. It was just bittersweet that Nancy was the one to do him in along with Frank. And yes, Drumboy100, Nancy isn't the princess to let the man save her although she does appreciate it. And sorry, I wasn't planning on having an R rated epilogue. But then again you never know what I might do in the end. Candylou, you are right that Joe was the hero of the last chapter. He made quite a save, didn't he? Katnissta, the action was fun, wasn't it? But you will get your other wish soon enough! Thanks to max2013, ErinJordan, Rose12, and the anonymous reviewer for the great reviews as well! I have kept you from the story long enough, so I will let you go. Enjoy and don't forget to leave your mark! Until next time, have a great weekend!

Chapter Sixteen

Joe sighed as he plopped down next to Frank and Nancy. The two were quiet and didn't notice Joe until he said something. "So," he started, "I guess you two owe me big time for saving you, huh?"

Frank and Nancy slowly looked over at Joe, their faces still masked in fatigue. "We owe you?" Frank asked incredulously.

"Yep," Joe said, looking proud of himself. "I'd say free babysitting until CJ is old enough and poopy diaper changes every time you're over. That should even us out."

"Uh, huh," his brother said. "So, you're saying we owe you that for saving our lives even though there have been countless times where I've saved your ass from something over the years."

"Oh, right," Joe muttered but he soon lightened up. "You do owe me because you never saved me from a cliff before. By the way, Nancy, you need to stop doing that. One of these days, we won't be there to save you."

"I will never understand you two," Nancy replied, shaking her head. "Do you really keep track of how many times you save each other's lives?"

The Hardy brothers looked at each other than back at her. "Yes," they said simultaneously.

"You might want to get used to it," Joe said leaning over. He winked at her.

"Yeah," replied Vanessa who stood over the three of them, her arms folded in front of her. "Get used to them being completely brainless and macho at the same time, all for the sake of brotherly love. There are times even I don't understand why I joined this crazy family."

"Van!" Joe cried.

"Oh, you know what I mean," she stated, giving him a look that shut his mouth quickly. "Believe me, Nancy, you're never going to get used to it."

"Are you all done?" asked Fenton, rolling his eyes. SAC Dearing came up behind him, looking stern. "I think we need some questions answered."

"Like where is this Ned Nickerson?" asked Dearing. Agent Hayworth stood beside him looking anxious.

"He's at the bottom," replied Frank.

"He fell," Nancy said. Neither of them elaborated as to how it happened and by the looks on their faces, the others knew they wouldn't get an explanation any time soon. Dearing pursed his lips and nodded his head.

"Okay," he said awkwardly. "Well, I'm glad to see that you all are okay." He turned to Joe. "Good job. I guess having you here wasn't such a bad idea after all."

"Uh, thanks," Joe stammered. "I think."

Nancy shivered in the cold even though Frank held her close. The adrenaline from earlier was gone and the cold was finally getting to her bare arms and feet. Feeling her shiver, Frank took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around her.

"Let's get back to the villa," Dearing stated after watching them. "It's a little cold out here and I think we can continue this later. I'll have some of our people go down and retrieve the body when the sun comes up."

Joe got up off the ground and dusted himself off. He held out his hand to Frank and helped him up. The moment he was stable, Frank gave his brother a hug.

"Thank you," he whispered into his ear. "I'm glad to see you're okay."

"Anytime, Frank," Joe replied with a smile. The brothers turned toward Nancy who was slow to get up. Joe went over to help her and hugged her tightly. "It's good to see you again, Nan. I missed you."

"I missed you too, Joe," she smiled. Fenton, Laura, and Vanessa all came in as well in a family hug. SAC Dearing and Hayworth walked away, giving the family privacy. When they were ready to go back to the villa, Nancy took a step and winced in pain as her leg gave out.

"Woah," Frank and Joe both replied, catching her before she fell.

"Oh, here, Nancy," Joe replied picking up her shoe. "This might help you a little better."

"Thanks, Joe," she smiled, "but the other one is down at the bottom of the ravine. I think my ankle was twisted when…nevermind. It's nothing. I can handle it."

"Like hell," Frank replied, swooping her up in his arms, newlywed style. Fenton laughed and walked away with Laura while Joe shook his head.

"Showoff," Joe muttered. He took Vanessa's hand and the two followed his parents.

Nancy wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at Frank. "Is this a sign of the future?" she asked with a smirk.

"I don't know," he smiled back. "Maybe."

"But not in this," she said, looking at the tattered remains of the gown. "Just having it on makes me feel like he's still touching me."

"I can remedy that for you," Frank wiggled his eyebrows. Nancy laughed.

"And what would your family think?" she replied, lowering her voice.

"Right," Frank nodded. "Not the right moment."

"No," she smiled, shaking her head. Nancy looked longingly into his eyes. The two had been waiting for months and now that they were together, neither one of them wanted to go back to the villa with the rest of their family. Nancy leaned in and the two finally kissed without a care in the world.

"Are you coming or not?" Joe cried from the trees. Frank and Nancy stopped and burst out laughing.

"I guess we should go before Grouchy comes back, huh?" Frank laughed.

"I heard that," Joe mumbled.

Frank shook his head and stepped into the trees leaving the cliff and Ned far behind.

"It's just a sprain," the paramedic replied after looking at Nancy's ankle. "It'll heal in time. Just no more falling off cliffs."

"Believe me," Nancy laughed, "that is the furthest thing for my mind right now."

"I still want to take you to the hospital, just in case," the paramedic said, putting away extra bandages. "Even though the antidote seemed to work, the doctors might want to make sure that the poison is completely out of your system before letting you go home."

"Okay," she said, her shoulders slumping. "Do I really have to?"

"Yes," Frank replied from the edge of the ambulance. Another paramedic was looking at the gash on the side of his head, trying to stop the bleeding. Frank was also having a hard time sitting up since they hadn't had the time to check out his ribs.

"You're going to need stitches, sir," the paramedic announced while trying to put a bandage on. Frank waved him off and slowly got off the bumper.

"I'm fine," he said. "It'll stop on its own."

"Get your ass back in that ambulance, Frank Hardy," replied Laura, her hands on her hips. Nancy stifled a laugh by holding her hand over her mouth. "You just told Nancy she needed to go to the hospital and there's basically nothing wrong with her. You, on the other hand, need stitches and from the way you're carrying yourself, I'd imagine you have several bruised or broken ribs. So if you don't get back in there, I will have them strap you down to a gurney and you can go to the hospital on your own instead of with Nancy. Am I clear, Frank?"

"Crystal," he nodded, clearing his throat and stepping back. He heard laughing and looked over at Joe who was standing nearby with Vanessa.

"And you shouldn't talk, Joseph Hardy!" Laura cried, whirling around to face her youngest son. She narrowed her eyes and walked up to him. "Do you need to join them, too?"

"No, Mom," Joe stiffened bowing his head.

"I can make it necessary," his mother warned. "Between you and Stacy, you two should be a hospital after that explosion. I'm sure your father will be hearing about you from the fire chief when we get back so I suggest you clam up, Joe."

"Yes, Mom," Joe looked away. Vanessa snickered behind him. Fenton was hiding his own smile, watching his wife parent their sons.

Nancy watched the whole exchange between mother and sons. She remembered very well how the brothers hated being in a hospital when it came to their own health. Grinning, Nancy shook her head but then noticed Brenda being escorted out of the villa and was headed toward the police car nearby. She quickly rose and tried to get off the ambulance only to be stopped by Frank and Fenton.

"Where do you think you're going?" the elder Hardy replied.

"I'll be right back," she protested. Nancy sat down on the edge of the vehicle and eased herself onto her bare feet. "There's something I have to do."

"Do you need some help?" Frank asked, concerned as she took a step and hobbled.

"Nope, I got this," Nancy stated, smiling. "I'm not helpless, you know."

"No, you're not," laughed Fenton.

Nancy didn't have to go very far as the FBI agent and Brenda were walking by. The former reporter stopped in her tracks once she saw Nancy coming toward her. When she stopped in front of Brenda, Nancy didn't say anything. The two women just stared at each other before Nancy suddenly reached out and gave Brenda a hug, wrapping her arms around the surprised woman.

"Thank you," Nancy whispered. She said something else before turning back toward the Hardys, all of whom were just as shocked as Brenda. Nancy didn't say anything as she tried to step up into the ambulance again. Frank ended up helping her then climbed in himself, following his mother's orders. He wasn't about to admit it but his mother was right. He needed a doctor. Within minutes the ambulance drove off, Nancy and Frank sitting together on the bench inside. She snuggled once more into the crook of his arm and closed her eyes. Although the trip was short, they were both fast asleep by the time they arrived at the hospital, the weight of the world finally off their shoulders.

Late the next morning, the Hardys and their friends gathered around the table at a local restaurant. The FBI were gracious enough to put them in a hotel for the night plus gave them all a change of clothes. Frank and Nancy were admitted to the hospital overnight but were expected to be released sometime that day. Jack was the only one missing as he decided to get the planes fueled and ready for the return home.

The group was loud and energetic, excited to be going home after the ordeal they just went through. The FBI took their statements and released them so they were all free to go.

"Okay," Joe piped up, "you have to explain something to me."

"As usual," muttered Sam, resounding in a chorus of laughter from those around them.

"Ha ha, very funny," Joe said, giving him a look. "No, I just want to know why you were all dressed up as if you were going to a party. I mean, Nancy was in a wedding dress, for crying out loud. Ned wasn't actually crazy enough to want to marry her in the middle of the mountains, was he?"

"You had to ask, Joe," Fenton said, rolling his eyes.

"I was just curious, that's all," Joe said, holding up his hands. He was just relieved that his family was okay.

Fenton sighed. He really didn't want to explain everything all over again after telling the FBI the night before. He was saved from saying anything more when Sam's phone rang.

"Hey, Frank!" he cried into the phone. The table got quiet and listened as best they could. "Yeah, he's right here."

Sam handed the phone to Fenton who looked a little concerned.

"Everything all right?" he asked when he took the phone. He listened to what Frank said as the others waited. "Well, that's great! You coming to join us then?...That's understandable. How long?...That's fine, Frank. We'll see you soon then."

Fenton hung up and quietly resumed his meal even though the rest of the table sat waiting to hear what Frank said. Joe looked at him until Fenton put down his fork.

"Dad?"

"What?"

"What do you mean 'what?'" Joe said. "What just happened?"

"Oh, that," Fenton looked up in thought. "Yeah, Frank and Nancy were just released from the hospital."

"We got that part, Dad," Joe said, irritated. "Are they on their way here? The hospital is only two blocks from the restaurant."

"Uh, no," his father said. "They're leaving."

"Already?" Laura asked. "Without us?"

"Frank is taking a much needed vacation," Fenton stated.

"A vacation?" Joe asked confused. "Since when does Frank take a vacation?"

"He'll be back," Fenton replied nonchalantly. "In a few weeks, I guess. He didn't say."

"A few weeks!" cried Joe. "What the hell, Dad?"

"His business, not mine," Fenton said, giving Joe a stern look. "I suggest that you mind your own for now and respect Frank's."

"Where are they going?" Laura asked.

"Home."

Several hours later, Frank and Nancy landed in the small airfield outside River Heights. Jack had flown them from Colorado, then would head to New York on his own. After thanking him, the couple waited for a taxi. Since neither of them had a change of clothes, the two were quite the sight in the scrubs and tennis shoes that the hospital gave them that morning.

Frank kissed her hand as they waited quietly, neither one of them wanting to ruin the moment they were sharing. The taxi arrived and soon they were heading into River Heights. Nancy hadn't called Hannah and asked Hayworth and Fenton not to say anything. She wanted to make it a surprise for Hannah. Clasping Frank's hand tightly as they rode through the streets of River Heights, Nancy reveled in her home town. It barely changed, if at all, since she left six months before even though she changed a lot.

"Stop the car!" Nancy suddenly cried, startling Frank. He looked over at her as the driver pulled the vehicle over. Nancy looked at Frank. "I'll be right back. Wait here."

"Okay," he nodded. He was slightly confused until he saw the reason why she stopped the car so suddenly.

"So, how's Dean doing?" Bess asked George after setting down her latte. The two girls were sitting outside a coffee shop, enjoying the pleasant late afternoon weather. It was warm but cloudy with a hint of rain in the air.

"He's fine," George blushed, looking down at the scone in front of her. "He's coming to visit once his finals are over."

"You've said that," Bess laughed, eyeing the scone as well. "Numerous times, in fact. One would get the impression that you were excited for him to visit. Do I hear wedding bells in the future?"

George turned a deep shade of pink and looked away. Even though they'd only been dating for five months, she felt as if they were meant to be. Then something struck her as odd. A taxi pulled up to the curb and a familiar face stepped out of the car. George did a double take, watching an old friend come slowly toward her with a slight limp .

"Am I seeing things, Bess?" she asked her cousin.

"Hmm?" Bess muttered, her mouth full of the scone that George neglected. She looked up at her cousin and noticed her staring at something. Bess turned to look and almost choked on the scone. She squealed loudly, the other patrons giving her a look. "Oh, my God! Nancy!"

Bess rushed over to her friend, embracing her the moment she was close. George was slightly slower in greeting, still standing over by their table.

"When did you get in? Oh, my gosh, it has been too long! How did everything turn out?" Bess rambled then took in Nancy herself. "Oh, dear Lord, what are you wearing?"

"Scrubs," Nancy answered nonchalantly.

"What? Did you become a nurse or something?" Bess asked confused. George finally came over. She didn't say anything but Nancy was still worried that her best friend would yell at her again for leaving. Surprising her, George pulled Nancy close and hugged her tightly.

"I'm so sorry for what I said the last time we were together," George replied. "But I was being truthful. You should never have left Frank."

"What makes you think I did?" Nancy smirked.

"Huh?"

Nancy turned toward the taxi just as Frank got out and came around to greet them, a large smile spread across his face. Bess' and George's mouths dropped open in shock then they searched around to see if any other Hardys were around.

"It's just Frank, guys," Nancy replied, giggling. He walked up to the girls, giving them both hugs. Bess noticed his scrubs as well as the bandage on his head and raised an eyebrow.

"You two look like you were in a battle or something," George stated, concerned.

"Close to it," Frank laughed. He wrapped his arm around Nancy's waste, pulling her close, a move not ignored by the two cousins. The taxi honked at them. "We should get going, Nan, before we lose our taxi."

"We have to get together soon!" Bess cried, watching the two get back in the car. "Girls night out!"

"Okay, Bess!" Nancy waved. "Oh, and don't call Hannah. We want to surprise her!"

The taxi drove off leaving Bess and George to their thoughts. They gave each a knowing look. They both heard the bells but it wasn't for George.

Hannah sighed. She was sitting in a chair next to the phone all night, waiting for someone to call. She had even picked it up several times to make sure the dial tone was still there. Her cell phone sat on the table next to her, as silent as the landline. Hannah wondered if Nancy was okay or if something bad had happened to her. She had been freaking out ever since the day before when Nancy's usual phone call never came. Hannah didn't think she could make it through another funeral if anything did happen. Still, why hadn't anyone called? She would have thought at least Agent Hayworth would call but the agent was now in Colorado on an investigation.

Rising from the chair, Hannah stretched and took her empty coffee mug to the kitchen. As she passed the living room, she stopped at one of the pictures of Nancy and Carson sitting on an end table. It showed the happier times before everything went crazy. Before Carson was… Shaking her head, Hannah left the room only to stop again in the foyer. The house held so many memories but it was too large in her opinion. At least for her, anyway. It needed a family. Not a widowed housekeeper with no children of her own. Nancy was more her daughter than anything and if she was really was gone, the house was more empty than ever.

Hannah went into the kitchen and noticed the time. It was almost five in the afternoon, the time when Nancy would have usually called. At precisely five, no phone rang but the front door opened though Hannah didn't hear it. She was just putting away a few dishes from the sink when she heard something in the other room.

"Hi, Hannah," a familiar voice softly replied. She turned around to see Nancy standing next to the breakfast nook. Hannah heard another sound and saw Frank walking in from the foyer. She thought it was strange that the two were wearing scrubs but she didn't care. Rushing over to Nancy, Hannah hugged her tightly.

"Oh, you scared me to death!" she cried. Hannah motioned for Frank and he came over, giving her a hug too. She smiled at him knowingly and laughed. "So, you're finally together, huh?"

"Nothing gets past you, does it, Hannah?" Frank laughed. He cried out when Hannah hit him in the arm. Nancy stifled a laugh. "Ow! What was that for?"

"For taking so long!" she cried then smiled. "Oh, it's so good to have you home!"

Hannah hugged Nancy again, not wanting to let go. She didn't care about anything anymore. Nancy was finally home and that was all that mattered.