Chapter Eight

Frank looked at his phone, contemplating if he should still answer it as Joe told him to. Although he still didn't fully understand why Callie was so insistent on getting a hold of him, he knew that Joe was right in the end. He had to talk to her and get it over with. He strolled outside as he answered the phone.

"Hello, Callie," Frank replied. He heard her take a breath on the other end as if she were caught off guard when he answered.

"Frank, I…" Callie started. "I didn't think you would ever take my call."

"Well, I did," Frank replied. "Is there something that you want?"

"I wanted to apologize to you," Callie replied slowly. Frank opened his mouth in shock as she continued. "I feel I did you wrong. I did myself wrong too but…"

"Callie, stop," he interrupted. "Just stop."

She got quiet as if ready to listen. Frank took a deep breath and prepared himself for what he was about to say to her. He wasn't even sure how she was going to react but he knew had to say something.

"It's me who should be apologizing," Frank began. He heard her sniffle but she didn't say anything. "I should be thanking you for finally doing what I didn't have the heart or the guts to do. You know as well as I do that we were no longer on the same page when you moved to Boston."

"You're not mad at me then?" Callie asked innocently.

"I am not mad at you for anything," Frank said gently. "I'm mad at myself for not letting us go sooner. I loved you and I still do now but the love that I have for you is more…"

"Platonic."

"Yes, exactly," Frank sighed. "I know that at first, it was a shock that we broke up but I've been thinking it over these past few weeks and especially within the last 24 hours. We should have done this a while back."

"But what I did to you was heartless," Callie whimpered. "I feel awful."

"And what was that?"

"I…I met another man," she sighed. Frank closed his eyes and pursed his lips at the revelation. He had a feeling that was the case but he never expressed it to her before. "He was wonderful and caring and actually wanted to be there with me. He was something that I needed for so long and missed getting from you. I still love you very much but Ned was just a great guy. And…Frank, are you still there?"

"I'm here," Frank replied softly. He sat down on a bench outside the hospital, a slight breeze ruffling his hair. "How did you meet him?"

"Well, we met about seven months ago," Callie began, her confidence gaining. "I was out at the Bull and Finch Pub, having a few drinks with some coworkers. We were laughing it up when the waitress came by with an order of our drinks. She said that it was compliments of a few gentlemen at the bar. He was one of them. At first, it didn't seem like he wanted to be there but we started talking about what we did for a living, trying to get to know one another. He was an insurance agent from Chicago in town for a conference. He then started talking about his girlfriend and how much he looked forward to seeing her when he returned home. He was a little nervous though because he planned to propose to her once he got home. I'll admit, I was jealous because that was something I wanted so much from you but yet deep down, I knew that it was never going to happen between us. I expressed that to him too and he said that I should never give up on you. He was really sweet.

"Before he returned to his hotel, we exchanged phone numbers even though we both knew that there would be nothing more than friendship between the two of us. It wasn't long after he left that I received a text saying that she said yes. But he soon started to get a little discouraged about her. He called one afternoon all upset that she left him for a job on the night they were to reveal their engagement to their families. He was so upset and I felt bad for him so I thought hey, just invite him over to Boston again.

"After that, he started visiting once a month. Then it turned into several times a month when he told me he left his fiancée. He told me she never gave him any attention anymore and she was constantly busy with one thing or another. I honestly felt sorry for him and I started meeting him in different places; New York, Washington, Boston and mostly weekend trips. Then about a month ago, he told me he was falling in love with me and wanted to be with me. I couldn't believe it but I felt heavy over the thought of you. I couldn't move anymore into a relationship with Ned without ending it with you. We had been together for so long that I still felt something for you but I knew it was time for us to finally end it."

Frank sat there, taking in everything Callie was saying to him. He felt something nagging at him but in that moment, he couldn't quite place it. He sighed and broke his silence.

"Did you…"

"No," Callie answered quickly. "We were just friends for the longest time and I never did anything with him that would hurt the integrity of our own relationship as friends. I couldn't live with myself knowing I had cheated on you. Even after I called you, I couldn't go through with it. I knew I wasn't ready to really move on from you."

Three Weeks Earlier…

Callie and Ned walked hand in hand into the hotel in New York City. The day before, she called Frank to tell him they were over but she still felt as if she had done a bad thing in leaving him. Ned, though, tried his best to cheer her up and make her happy by just being with her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ned asked softly, interrupting her thoughts.

"What?" Callie answered before shaking her head to clear it. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Just thinking about him, that's all. We're so close to home that I should have just told him in person."

"It was good that you did over the phone, Callie," Ned replied, bringing her closer to him. "You said it yourself that it's been over for a while. He should have stepped up a long time ago."

"I know but Fr…"

"Nope. We're not going there, remember?" Ned interrupted, putting his finger across her lips to silence her. "The less you speak of whatever his name is, the better. I never speak of Nan, do I?"

"You just did," Callie giggled.

"Oh, you're right." Ned laughed. "I did, didn't it? Well, no more of that."

The pair walked over to the elevator and stepped in to go up to their room. She never once questioned Ned's weird insistence on using someone else's name to check into his hotels. He always told her it was just fun to pretend once in a while. Somehow, though, Callie got the feeling that there was more to the story than what Ned was telling her.

As the elevator doors were closing, Callie caught glimpse of a woman in the lobby who was staring right at them. Although she didn't say anything to Ned, who never noticed the woman, Callie had a strange feeling that she knew her. The reddish blond hair and intense blue eyes were familiar but a name to the face was lost to Callie.

"Ned?"

"Hmm?" Ned strangely had a step in his gait as they walked toward their hotel room.

"I…I think I'm going to go to take a hot bath tonight," Callie stammered, looking at the ground. "I'm not really feeling well at the moment."

"Is everything okay?" Ned asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I just…need more time."

"Seriously?" Ned's demeanor changed. He looked at her as if she grew another head. "I mean I understand that you're still getting over this guy but come on. I have been over her for a while and I told you I want to be with you. You mean more to me than she ever did and I want you to know that I love you."

"You have been so wonderful to me, Ned," Callie replied softly, her lips quivering. "But I need more time to get over Frank. He was so good to me and we had been together quite a long time. Can you at least give me that?"

Ned got quiet and Callie could have sworn that his face grew pale at the mention of Frank's name. But the moment passed and Ned smiled though it seemed phony.

"Maybe you should have visited him," he replied. "Where did you say you were from?"

"Bayport," Callie said. "Is there something wrong?"

"Nah, I'm good." Ned leaned over and gently kissed her forehead. He turned back toward the elevator before adding "I'm going to get a drink downstairs and leave you alone. I'll be back later on, if that's okay."

"Yeah," Callie replied, a little confused though she didn't say anything more. She watched him disappear into the elevator without another word before entering their hotel room. She knew Ned was upset with her for changing her mind to what they had planned that night and she contemplated following him to talk to him. The memory of Frank made her change her mind as she began undressing for her bath. As she lowered herself into the hot, bubbly water, Callie began to cry at the realization that she was alone when she thought her life was going in a good direction for once. She felt abandoned by the one person she thought would understand why she still hesitated to be with him.

"The next morning, he was gone," Callie replied. "No note. No reason. He just left and I haven't heard from him since. He also stiffed me with the bill for the hotel. I had to call my parents to help with it."

Frank sighed, angry that someone would do something like this to a woman like Callie. She was smart, beautiful and one of the most caring people he had the pleasure of knowing. Then it dawned on him. The name Callie mentioned was as familiar as his own and Frank knew that this was no coincidence.

"Callie, what did you say his name was?"

"Ned," she said, her sniffling subsiding. "Why?"

"You said he was from Chicago, right?"

"Yeah."

"His name wouldn't happen to be Ned Nickerson, would it?" He heard Callie suck in a breath at the mention of Ned's last name.

"How…how did you know that?"

"Callie, you said he never really mentioned his 'ex' or what she did for a living?"

"No, not really." Callie paused in thought. "Actually, he said she traveled a lot and only called her by her nickname…"

"Nan."

"Frank, you're scaring me now. How did you know that?"

"Callie, Nan is short for Nancy."

"The woman in the lobby."

"Huh?"

"Frank, I saw a woman in the lobby of the hotel three weeks ago," Callie replied quickly. "I couldn't quite place her until you mentioned her name. Oh, my God, Frank. You have to believe me. I had no idea that she was his ex-girlfriend. It never dawned on me even when he mentioned being from Chicago. I guess I was just so desperate to have someone like him in my life that I blocked everything I ever knew about her. Oh, God. I can't believe I fell for that."

"Callie, calm down," Frank said gently. He could tell she was getting upset over the whole thing and believed her when she said she didn't know. "It's not your fault. Ned should never have pursued you knowing he was breaking someone else's heart at the same time. It's going to be hard for me not to beat the living crap out of him though."

"What do you mean? Is he there?"

"Yes," Frank answered after a slight hesitation. "He came here to take Nancy home."

"But, why?" Callie asked, her voice cracking. "He told me that they were no longer together. He said that almost six months ago."

Frank looked at the ground, not knowing what to say. He really didn't want to tell Callie about the reason Ned was in Arizona because he thought she might become a little more distraught than she already was. Frank sighed, knowing what he had to do.

"Callie, he said he was here to take Nancy home in order to plan their wedding." Frank waited to see what she would say before he said anything more.

"That's not possible," Callie said softly, almost too low for Frank to hear her. "You mean, he lied to me?"

Frank rubbed a hand across his forehead. His heart hurt knowing what both Callie and Nancy were going through at that moment. He knew Nancy had to have seen the pair together at the hotel three weeks ago which sent her on a trip to Arizona to get away. Plus he had a feeling that Ned knew that he was Callie's ex when she mentioned him on their final night together. Frank just didn't know if he was going to be able to control his anger if he saw Ned in the next few minutes. He sighed . "Where are you at right now?"

"I'm at my parent's house for a few days. I needed some time to think." She sniffled loudly. "Why?"

"I want you to go see Vanessa. I know it's late there but I think that you need to be around someone who can just listen and be a shoulder to cry on. Will you do that for me?"

"Yes," Callie sniffled.

"Don't worry about anything, Callie," Frank replied. "Has he tried to contact you at all in the past few weeks?"

"No, not once," she stated. Callie started to cry again, her sniffling louder than before. "He…he just left. Oh, God, Frank. What have I done?"

"Call Vanessa, right now. I'm going to get off the phone and I'll call you later. Okay?"

"Okay." Callie sniffled. "I'm so sorry, Frank. I really am."

"I know you are but you're not the one who should be apologizing. I'll see you later."

"Oh, Frank?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

After ending the call, Frank shook his head in disbelief that Ned had lied to not only Nancy but to Callie as well. What he really wanted to do was to break the man in half. Before he went back into the hospital, Frank decided to send a text to Vanessa, letting her know that Callie would be calling her. Since Joe was fine in most regards, Vanessa decided to stay back in New York since she really could not afford to take off work. Once everything was clear with Vanessa and Callie, Frank walked back toward the entrance only to stop when he saw the one person he needed to confront. Ned was flanked by two security guards as they escorted him out of the building. As he continued approaching the three men, Frank's fists kept clenching and unclenching at this sides. Seeing the possibility of a fight break out in front of them, the security guards clustered near Ned who eyes went wide as he saw the look on Frank's face.

"Hardy!" yelled a voice as Joe closed the door to Nancy's room. Joe turned toward the voice to see an angry Ned walking towards him. "I thought Nancy didn't want to see anyone yet here you are, coming out of her room. I demand to see her now!"

"Like you have any right to demand anything at the moment," Joe remarked, standing his ground. He surprised himself by not wailing on the man even though he really wanted to.

"Get out of my way, Hardy!"

"Sir!" cried a nurse who was walking up behind them. "Visiting hours are now over so I have to ask you to respect this hospital by leaving and returning in the morning to visit. If you cannot abide by this, I will have you escorted out of the building."

"Why aren't you doing your job?" Ned yelled, folding his arms in front of him. "You've all been telling me that Nancy doesn't want to see anyone and now you're telling me that visiting hours are over? If he is allowed to see her, then I demand the same respect!"

"Mr. Hardy, why are you out of bed?" the nurse asked sternly, looking over at Joe. As Ned rolled his eyes, the nurse winked at Joe and smiled slightly before turning her attention back to Ned. "As for you, Mr. Nickerson, is it? We were following her wishes and did not allow visitors into her room. Since Mr. Hardy is a patient at this hospital, he is able to visit her beyond the visiting hours however we do frown upon patients getting out of their beds even for that. Now, if you don't leave, Mr. Nickerson, I am going to call security. Then you will not be able to return at all while Ms. Drew is staying with us. Are we clear?"

"Well, I'm not leaving until I see Nancy," Ned said defiantly. Joe stood just outside his room to make sure Ned didn't try anything, keeping his silence as he listened to the angry man. "I've been waiting here all this time to see my fiancée. The least you people can give me is five minutes with her."

"Sir, I cannot allow that," the nurse stated, putting her hands on her hips. She looked over at another nurse who in turn picked up the phone and began speaking into it. "She needs her rest. Mr. Hardy needs his. It has been a long day for them as I'm sure you know. So, please, I am asking you to leave one last time before security arrives."

"Read my lips, lady," Ned yelled. "I. Am. Not. Leaving. She is practically my wife so I have every right to see her even after hours!"

"She asked you to leave, Ned," replied a strong voice. Joe, the nurse, and Ned all turned to see Nancy standing at the door. Joe was about to say something when Nancy held her hand up to stop him. Nancy stood calmly in the door, her head held high.

"I am not leaving, Nancy, until you talk to me," Ned demanded. He reminded Joe of a spoiled toddler and waited for the man to stomp his foot in a tantrum. "We are not done talking."

"Yes, we are," Nancy said, never wavering. "I've said my peace and we are done."

She took his hand and opened the palm, dropping the diamond ring. Ned stared down at it then looked back up at her, his eyes flaming red.

"We are not done, Nancy," he replied through gritted teeth. He squeezed the ring into his hand, the knuckles turning white. "We were meant to be together and you know it."

"Get out."

"No."

Before anyone knew it, Nancy whirled around and landed a right hook square into his jaw, knocking him backward into the wall. Joe's mouth dropped open in shock as Ned was stunned for a split second before anger reached his face once more. Two security guards stepped up before he was able to do anything more. He looked at the two guards before rolling his eyes and straightening himself.

"Fine, Nancy," Ned sneered. "But mark my words, you're going to regret this."

With that, Ned turned away and stormed down the hall, the two guards flanking him as he left. The nurse turned toward her patients and ordered them back to bed before Joe could congratulate Nancy for standing up to Ned. When both doors finally closed, silence prevailed once more in the quiet hospital except for the occasional beep of a machine. The nurse sighed as she walked back around the nurses' station, plopping down into the chair.

"God, I'm too old for this shit."

Author's Note

I know, I know. It has been forever since I posted anything on this story and this one is sooo long (it was worth it). I have had some major brain cramps over the summer plus the fact that I was juggling a five year old and an infant at the same time. Now that school is back in session, peace has once again prevailed in my house. Except of course when the baby decides she wants to be a little pistol (still love her tho!). Anyway, I am truly sorry that it took me so long to get this out. I hope that you enjoyed it and I look forward to hearing what you have to say. I am tho going to respond to a few comments that I read about the previous chapter, particularly to RadiantEyes. In all honesty, I really don't know the character of Callie too well as I did not read the Hardy Boys Case Files. I figure she's a pretty stand up person which is why I wrote the scene between her and Frank the way I did. This story is more bashing Ned because, in case you didn't read my profile, I really don't like him as a character. He was stiff and dull in my opinion. After reading Nancy Drew Files #24 Till Death Do Us Part (tell me if I'm wrong, it's been a while), I have never really cared for the character of Ned. Well, that being said, I hope this chapter clears up a few things especially in regards to Callie. Don't forget to review and I will do my best not to wait another 6 months to get the next chapter or so out! Have a good week!