Disclaimer: I do not own Trixie Belden or the Bob-Whites. No profit is being made from the use of these characters.

Misinformed

The restaurant where they were meeting Honey and Dan was within walking distance. Wistfully, Jim wished he was driving so they could have a few more minutes alone. He couldn't have ever imagined that he would fall so quickly for anyone. It was going to be torture to sit with his friends when all he wanted to do was whisk Trixie off to somewhere private. Not just for kissing, Jim thought as he grinned down at Trixie, her hand clasped in his. No, he wanted to know everything about her. All her likes and dislikes, her dreams, her plans. These all seemed very important to him, just as she was.

Trixie gazed back at Jim, wondering about that look in his eyes as he smiled at her. She couldn't help but smile back as butterflies filled her stomach. Biting her lip in consternation, she speculated whether he would tell Honey and Dan about their relationship. She knew they would both be happy about it, but was Jim ready to tell them? Was this relationship something he just wanted to explore before declaring it to his friends? Trixie had to admit that she wasn't ready yet to share the details of her relationship with Di or her brothers. That was because I don't want to share him just yet, she reasoned. Did Jim feel that way or was he making sure he wanted to be with her first? The thought so worried Trixie that a big frown fell across her face.

"What's wrong?" Jim asked, concern shading his green eyes.

"It's nothing really," she smiled awkwardly.

He stopped walking and peered down at her. "It has to be something or you wouldn't have looked so upset."

"I was just wondering what Dan or Honey know about us," she finished lamely, embarrassment flushing her cheeks.

"We don't have to keep it a secret from them," he pointed out. "They are helping us, remember?" Jim hesitated before continuing, "That's okay, isn't it?"

At Trixie's bright smile, he felt an overwhelming surge of relief. "That's good," he admitted, "because I've already told Dan."

"You did." Trixie's blue eyes grew round. "When?"

"Last night," he confessed with a grin, "and I thought he would never shut up." As Trixie giggled, he added, "I don't really mind his teasing. He knows I've got the most wonderful girl in the world."

"And I've got the most wonderful guy in the world," a pretty blush creeping across her face as she spoke.

As they started walking once again to the restaurant, Trixie felt a warm glow fill her insides. Jim had been happy to tell Dan about her. Very impatient for the secrets to be over, she quickened her pace, eager to hear the plan for catching the real thief.

Honey waved at the couple when they entered the restaurant. Dan shot Jim a smirk causing Trixie to blush once more. Noticing, Dan grinned broadly at the duo while Jim shook his head in a mock glare at his friend.

"Operation Lovebird has been successful, I see," Dan chuckled as Jim and Trixie took their seats.

"Operation what?" a wide-eyed Honey asked. "Have you two been holding out on me?"

"Shh, it's a secret," Dan whispered teasingly.

At Honey's persistent look, Jim picked up Trixie's hand and shook it at her. "Are you happy now?"

"Very," she answered smugly, "I knew it all along."

"Yeah, right," Dan snorted, "why did you kick me just then?"

"I always reserve the right to kick you, Mangan," Honey joked.

"All right you two, quit the comedy act," Jim said sternly but Trixie could see the twinkle in his eyes. Then focusing those eyes on Trixie, he added seriously, "We do have to keep this on tap for awhile."

Dan sighed, the good mood of his gone as he remembered just why they were really there. Someone was trying to cause problems for Trixie and judging by the troubled look in Jim's expression, it was causing problems for him as well.

They made small talk until their order arrived. As they ate, Dan and Jim explained everything to the two girls.

"So after the fundraiser, Jim is going to take control of any funds that have been donated," Dan said as he went over the details.

"What if there aren't any donations?" Honey questioned. "We just had a fundraiser. They aren't usually so close together."

"Oh, I think I have an uncle that can help us out there," Dan said, thinking of his uncle, Bill Regan. "He's sending a donation by me. I'll make sure it's in cash."

"We're going to give the thief ample opportunity to take the cash from my office," Jim added. "If he or she tries to frame Trixie again, it will all be on video."

"One good thing about this fundraiser, there's going to be dancing," Honey smiled, "and Brian is going to escort me."

"Brian is coming," Trixie said happily, looking forward to seeing them together. "Just don't tell him about our plans," she warned. "He's so overprotective that he'll ruin everything."

"He'll be much too concerned about Jim hanging all over you to worry about anything else," Dan joked.

"You forget, Dan, we'll be keeping everything a secret," Jim reminded him, taking in Trixie's pretty flushed cheeks.

"Just make sure you remember that when you're dancing," Dan laughed. "You two are going to dance, aren't you?"

As Honey laughed and Trixie shyly giggled, Jim felt his breath catch in his throat. There was nothing he could do but imagine holding Trixie close in his arms as they danced together.

The two weeks until the dance were almost over. Trixie had been delighted when Honey had insisted that Diana and Mart join them. She wanted them to get to know Jim before they officially started dating. Honey had even insisted on a new dress for Trixie.

"After all," Honey reasoned, "you're representing CAP. You've got to look your best."

When the red dress arrived earlier in the week, Diana exclaimed loudly over it. "Honey Wheeler has the most exquisite taste," Di proclaimed. "I wish she would pick out my dresses."

Trixie fingered the dress longingly. She would have loved to have attended the affair as Jim's girl. Instead, she would have to settle for fond glances and a few dances.

Now glancing at the clock on the wall, Trixie sighed. Hunger was eating at her stomach. Surprisingly, Jim had kept her busy and she was glad he took her work seriously. Now, however, lunch seemed like such a long time ago. Jim had left to attend a class and would be back shortly. She debated on whether to leave Jim a note or stay and wait for him. She was still undecided when Missy walked in.

"Are you still here?" Missy asked as she walked in and shut the door.

Clutching her fists tightly, Trixie tried to ignore the anger that was racing through her body. With as polite a voice as she could muster, Trixie said, "Jim should be back soon. He had a class this afternoon."

"Actually it's you I wanted to speak to," said Missy as she sat in Jim's chair. Looking carefully down at her fingernails, she splayed her fingers out before continuing. "I think you really need to be careful, Trixie."

"Careful?" Trixie asked. What could Missy be up to? she wondered.

Missy looked intently at Trixie. "Jim's a great guy. I'm sure you've noticed." Noting the tinge of red on Trixie's cheeks, she continued, "But he is just a guy."

"Jim's been very helpful to me," Trixie said.

"That's the way he is," Missy informed her, "and Dan, as well. In fact, I bet Dan has been just as helpful, hasn't he?"

"Dan's been super," she agreed, uncertain as to what Missy was implying.

"It's like this, Trixie," Missy said firmly, "Dan and Jim like to compete."

"Compete?" Trixie parroted another of Missy's words.

"For girls," Missy said with a shrug. "It's like a game to them. They put little bets on who will get the girl."

Trixie got a sick feeling that what Missy said was true. She couldn't help but recall some of the things Dan had said to Jim. Had she been a bet?

"Unfortunately, sometimes Jim falls for the girl," Missy explained. Softly and with great concern coating her voice, she added, "It never lasts long, Trixie. He just has a soft heart. Sooner or later though, he moves on to the next girl."

Trixie could feel her face go pale. She watched as Missy walked around to the front of the desk.

"Too bad Jim couldn't be more like Dan," Missy added. "Dan always lets the girls know he's only in it for fun." Trixie could recall thinking those same thoughts when she had first met Dan.

"I just thought I'd warn you, Trixie," Missy smiled sympathetically. "I understand, believe me. I thought I was Jim's only girl once. In time, I believe he'll settle down, and then I will be his only girl. He always comes back to me."

Trixie stood silently as Missy swept out of the room. Jim had said Missy and he had never dated. Other thoughts began to whirl in her mind. She knew from the beginning that Dan was just out for a little fun. Dan had been trying to cajole her into going out with him. Jim had only made a move after he had talked to Dan. He had insisted they keep their relationship a secret. Everything came to her in a rush. He told you how he and Missy had been flirting for years. It all seemed so plausible that she forgot about their scheme to trap Missy. Hot tears pricked the back of Trixie's eyes.

Balling her hands into tiny fists, Trixie quietly drew deep breaths to calm her thoughts. She just about had control of her emotions when Jim walked in. He frowned in concern when he saw the storm raging in her eyes.

"Trixie, sweetie, what is it?" he asked as he stepped closer to her.

Jim's soft words were almost Trixie's undoing. Biting her bottom lip to stop the trembling, Trixie looked mutely at him.

"Baby?" Jim reached out and caressed her arm. "What's happened?"

Flinching at his touch, she drew back and said, "I can't talk right now, Jim. I…I just can't."

Fleeing out the door, Trixie was gone before Jim could stop her. Not bothering to wait for the elevator, she ran down the stairs. As she burst into the street, the fresh air seemed to burn her weary heart as it beat heavily in her chest.

It was a few seconds before Jim reacted, so taken aback by Trixie's actions. Chasing after her, he was caught on the arm by someone else.

"Jim," Mr. Kramer stopped him, "where's the fire?"

"I need to check on Tr…something," Jim explained anxiously.

"Nonsense, my boy," Mr. Kramer insisted. "It can wait. I have a few things we have to discuss about the fundraiser tomorrow night."

"I'll be right back, Mr. Kramer," he promised as he ran down the stairs after Trixie. Try as he might, however, he didn't see her anywhere. Glumly, he gave up and went in search of Mr. Kramer. Whatever was bothering Trixie would have to wait until after their meeting.

Trixie gratefully caught the first bus she saw. It didn't matter to her where it was going. She just needed to be away. Away from Jim and his probing look. Away from Missy and her polite warnings. She got off at a downtown stop and wandered through the crowd. What was she going to say to Jim? What was he going to say to her? No matter how long or hard she thought those two questions kept repeating in her head.

Jim was frantic by the time he had finished his meeting. He had tried several times but Trixie would not answer her cell phone. Finally, he managed to reach Diana Lynch at the dorm.

"Have you seen Trixie?" he asked, not bothering to disguise the worry in his voice.

"No, I haven't," Diana replied. "Jim, what's wrong?"

"Trixie was upset about something," he explained. "She wouldn't talk to me. She just ran out of the office."

"Jim," she suggested, "let me try to talk to Trixie. She won't say anything if you push her."

"Well, do you know where she could be?" he asked, frantically rubbing his hand through his red hair. "Has she called?"

Diana answered slowly, not wanting to worry him anymore. "Let me check a few places. I promise to call when I find her, okay?"

"It'll have to be, I guess," he agreed reluctantly. "Tell her…," Jim hesitated, hating the fact that he couldn't say what he wanted, "tell her to please call me."

Promising Jim she would, Diana ended the conversation. Although she was worried about Trixie, she couldn't help but be intrigued by Jim's attitude. He sounded more like a boyfriend that a boss or even just a friend. And with Trixie running away like that, Di mused. Oh, man, Trixie is always jumping to conclusions.

Diana quickly called Trixie's cell phone. Leaving a message, she insisted that Trixie call her soon. She was about to search for her when Trixie walked into the dorm room they shared.

"Where have you been?" Di demanded. "I was so worried when you wouldn't answer your phone."

"Please, Di, don't Brian and Mart do enough worrying for the both of us," Trixie said dryly.

"Yeah, but this is me, your best friend," she reminded her. "You used to tell me everything."

"There's so much to tell," Trixie admitted, "and I'm just not ready to talk about it right now."

"Is it Jim? He called here, you know."

That was the one thing that got a reaction from Trixie, just as Diana had hoped it would.

Cursing the fact that she couldn't stop herself, Trixie asked, "What did he say?"

"He was really worried, Trix." Diana looked closely at her. "It seems you ran out on him without saying anything."

"He'll be fine," she shrugged.

"I don't think so," Diana disagreed. "In fact, it sounded like he was channeling Brian." When Trixie blushed at the mention of Jim's name, she couldn't help but ask, "Is something going on between you and Jim?"

"Not now," Trixie burst out bitterly. "I was stupid enough to think there was."

"Trixie, Jim sounded genuinely upset," Di said with concern. "Maybe it's just a misunderstanding."

"No," she denied emphatically, "it was spelled out to me plain and clear."

"Will you at least call him?" Diana suggested. "I told him I would but I'm sure he'd rather hear from you."

Trixie wished she had the courage to speak to Jim, but Missy's words still rang in her ears. The last thing she wanted to do was to start crying in front of Jim Frayne, not even over the phone.

"Just tell Jim that I'll see him tomorrow night," Trixie told her. That should give me plenty of time to prepare.

Jim had only felt mildly relieved when Diana had called him back. Trixie was safe. Something or someone had upset her, and try as he might, he could not figure it out. If it had been about the theft he was sure that she would have confided in him. Whatever it was, it had to have happened while he was gone. Everything had been fine when he had left for class. They had even managed to sneak a kiss away from the watchful eye of the camera.

So deep in thought was he that Jim didn't hear when Dan entered the apartment they shared. Jim could have stayed with his parents but he liked the independence of having his own place even if he had to share it. After meeting Trixie, Jim considered getting a place of his own. He wanted to be able to spend time alone with her and Dan had a habit of showing up at the wrong time. A habit, Jim guessed with a wry grin, that was intentional.

"Earth to Jim," Dan called out. "What planet are you on?"

"Hey," he said, coming out of his reverie, "did you see Trixie today?"

"No," Dan answered, and then asked, "why?"

"She was pretty upset about something," Jim said mystified. "Whatever it was, she wouldn't talk about it."

"Did you try later, after she calmed down?"

"She wouldn't even talk to me," he replied. "All I know is that when I came back from class, she looked like she was ready to bolt out the door."

"And did she?"

"Yeah, and I couldn't catch her."

"You could check the tapes," Dan suggested. "If anything happened in your office it would be on them."

"I thought about it," Jim said uneasily, "but I'd rather have Trixie tell me. I want her to trust me."

"Good and honorable Jim," Dan teased. "Get her alone tomorrow night. She'll tell you eventually. Girls can never keep a secret."

Jim had planned on taking Trixie home after the dance. Now he only hoped she would talk to him. The more he thought about it, the more he liked Dan's idea. It just might work, he smiled to himself. At least, he was going to keep trying until she told him the truth, one way or another.

Thanks again, Karen.