Again – thank you for the reviews! I do not own the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew.
~*~*~*~*~
The man waited patiently for his phone call to go through.
"This had better be good." The voice said before he had a chance to react.
"Sir, there is a meeting planned between the DIA and CIA about your current position. I haven't found out if they know where you are but I will keep you posted about the meetings results." The man whispered, fear and loathing in his voice.
"Did you get the information on the CIA agents?"
"Yes sir. Frank and Joe Hardy. I will fax you the information promptly."
"Make sure you are not caught."
"Yes sir."
"Keep me posted."
With that, the call was disconnected.
~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, Nancy was back in her office, gathering her files for the meeting with the Hardys. She was dressed in a pale blue blouse with a black skirt. She knew the shirt enhanced the color of her eyes, which were also accented with make-up. She hadn't been able to help herself.
No, it wasn't for Frank's benefit. She kept telling herself over and over. It's to make you feel confident. So what if you look damn good?
Nancy smiled to herself. She wasn't a vain person; she just knew when it was the truth. As she zipped up her bag, a low whistle sounded from the door. She rolled her eyes as her partner leaned against the door jam.
"And here I thought they were just friends," Cody said, his voice slightly cold. Nancy narrowed her eyes. Cody seemed surprisingly tense despite his nonchalant attitude.
"They are," Nancy said, walking past him. She shut her office door, pushing him aside. "What's your problem Brooks?"
"I've never seen you dress up like that for any other meeting. Listen, I think you should sit this one out. I'll bring you back the case notes." Cody said, his voice unemotional.
Nancy's jaw dropped.
"Excuse me? Are you mad?" Nancy asked once she regained her composure. Cody just stood there, blocking her way. "Cody, move. Stop messing around."
"I'll make a scene if I have to Drew. You aren't going to that meeting. Eddie can take your place." Cody said as he motioned for the other agent to join them. Eddie walked up and stood beside Cody.
"You think you can replace me with Eddie?" Nancy asked, shock and hurt on her face. She looked at Eddie. "No offense meant Eddie, but I have a higher authority than you. This is my case."
"None taken," Eddie answered, no emotion on his own face.
"And I'm the senior agent. I get final say of who goes and who stays." Cody replied. Nancy straightened up as if she had been slapped. A few agents were starting to watch the exchange.
"Do not push me on this Agent Brooks," Nancy said slowly. Cody's eyes widened. Nancy hadn't called him that since she first started at the DIA.
"I'm trying to look out for you Nan," He said softly, using her nickname.
"Frank and Joe are on our side," Nancy said, glaring at Cody. "What is it you have against that? Against them? We're all on the same team here."
"You don't know that for sure. Somewhere in this agency or in theirs is a snitch. It could be anyone," Cody said, getting in Nancy's face. "Or have you forgotten that?"
Nancy didn't step down.
"Listen here, Cody Brooks," She hissed, "Frank and Joe Hardy are some of the best agents this country has got. There isn't anything they wouldn't do for it and they are the last two men in this country that would sell anyone out. I am going to that meeting. I don't care if you pull Eddie into but so help me, you are not leaving me out."
Nancy pushed past a stunned Cody and headed towards the elevators.
"She's not going to make it easy, is she sir?" Eddie asked, watching Nancy's retreat. Cody ran a hand over his face and sighed. Being the "big brother" figure hadn't worked. Cody was worried about Nancy's attachment to the Hardys and was worried it would cloud her judgment if she found out about Frank.
"No, she certainly is not. Though I suppose I deserved that – she does know them better than any dossier could. I'll just have to watch her closely. And keep my eye on Hardy." Cody said, heading towards the elevator.
"Shouldn't you tell her about Agent Hardy's involvement?" Eddie asked, following the senior agent.
"Not yet. I want to talk to him first. Like I said, I'm watching him."
"Sir, I hope I'm not prying, but have you got romantic feelings for Agent Drew? Because that could cloud your own judgment – 'fly off the handle' kind of thing," Eddie asked. Cody glanced at Eddie for a moment then burst out laughing. Eddie's face turned red.
"You crack me up Kirkpatrick. Afraid I'm competition?"
Eddie's face only got redder.
"No, Agent Drew is the sister I never had. That just makes her more important because I don't want her getting into trouble," Cody said, reaching for his car keys. "No more about it."
"Yes, sir."
~*~*~*~*~
The ride to McLean was a tense and silent one. Nancy kept her gaze out the passenger window and watched the city disappear into the country-side. She was still seething.
The nerve! She thought, clenching her fist in her lap. How can Cody even think the Hardys had anything to do with what happened on the yacht. They didn't even know I was there!
Cody didn't think it would be a good idea to say anything considering how angry she was at the moment. So he kept the silence.
Eddie sat in the back seat, also quiet.
After a while, the CIA building loomed in front of them. They pulled into the visitor parking lot and wordlessly headed to the front doors.
Nancy reached the receptionist first and gave her a smile.
"Hello, my name is Nancy Drew, this is my partner, Cody Brooks and this is Eddie Kirkpatrick. We're from the DIA and have an appointment with agents Frank and Joe Hardy." Nancy said, showing the woman her badge and stepping aside so Cody and Eddie could do the same.
After looking over the badges and confirming their identification, the receptionist picked up a phone and dialed a number.
"Agent Hardy, this is Janet down at the front desk. The agents from the DIA are here to see you." The woman said. After a moment of listening to the other end, a slight blush entered the woman's cheeks and she thanked 'Agent Hardy' and hung up.
Must have been Joe. Nancy thought with a smile. Only Joe can make all women blush just by talking to them.
The woman handed back their badges and motioned to a couple of seats.
"Agent Joe Hardy will be down to fetch you in a moment. Please have a seat."
Point for Nancy. Nancy thought, thanking the woman and heading towards the bench. She sat down and smoothed out her skirt, ignoring Cody as he sat down next to her.
"Am I going to get the cold shoulder all day?" Cody asked, readjusting his black hat.
"After that stunt you tried to pull at the office? You're lucky you still have your teeth," Nancy whispered.
"Look, I'm sorry. I –" Cody started but was interrupted.
"Nancy!" Came a call from across the lobby. Cody looked and recognized the young man he had run into at the hospital in Italy. Cody sized him up again. The guy was definitely an attention getter. Every woman in the lobby was looking at him and he had a big grin on his face. If Cody thought he could trust him, he probably could have liked the guy. However, Cody kept a distance while Joe Hardy gave his partner a big hug.
"Joe, it's good to see you. I'd like to introduce my partner, Cody Brooks and Agent Eddie Kirkpatrick." Nancy said after being released. Joe stuck out his hand.
"Nice to see you again Agent Brooks," Joe said. Cody shook his hand, crooked smile on his face and eyes squinting slightly.
"Hardy," He replied.
Joe looked at Eddie and immediately felt on edge. Something about the other man made Joe want to stand guard. Joe smiled anyway and shook his hand then stepped back and turned to Nancy.
"We are all set up in one of the conference rooms. I think it'll just be the five of us for now. Once we outline what we've come across – which I think you'll find interesting – we'll set a course of action and get the full teams in on it." He said, leading the way towards the elevators.
Nancy just nodded and felt her heart rate start to increase.
Professional. She reminded herself as the doors opened.
~*~*~*~*~
Frank was in his office when he heard the elevator doors open and heard Joe's voice followed by a feminine laugh. He would recognize that laugh anywhere.
It's a meeting Hardy, Frank told himself. Time to be professional. No thinking about the Cairo from the past. Serious case. Nancy in danger. Focus.
Frank shook his head and noticed his hands were a little shaky. He laughed and shook his head. He was as nervous as a teenager about to ask a girl out for the first time.
This is NANCY. Fellow detective and government agent. Frank thought again. Picking up the rest of his stuff, he headed towards the conference room.
However, when he stepped in and saw her, every sane thought about keeping it professional flew from his mind. She was gorgeous.
Crap. Frank thought.
She was dressed in a light blue blouse with black jacket, snug-fitting black skirt that accentuated her curves and tall heels that showed off her toned calves. Her strawberry-blond hair was down and styled to highlight her face.
She was smiling and laughing at something Joe had been saying. Next to her, the guy with the cowboy hat was taking in his surroundings. His eyes landed on Frank and Frank was surprised to see they were cold and mean.
Just then, Joe spoke up.
"Right on time big brother," Joe said with a big smile on his face. He hadn't missed Frank's initial reaction to seeing Nancy. Frank saw Nancy square her shoulders before she turned around. As their eyes met, Nancy gave a tentative smile.
"Frank," She said. Frank couldn't help but notice how blue her eyes were. With a big grin he stepped to her and lifted her in his arms. Nancy laughed as he swung her around once and set her down.
"Hi Drew. Welcome to the party." Frank said, giving her a big hug.
"It's really good to see you Hardy." Nancy said, wrapping her arms around Frank's neck. She closed her eyes and relished his hold. As usual, the embrace was a few seconds longer than necessary before they stepped back. "I would like to introduce you to my partner, Cody Brooks and Agent Eddie Kirkpatrick."
Frank's smile faltered a little but he turned to the two other men. If he didn't know better, both looked like they wanted to take him out right then and there. He couldn't fathom the reason why. Hostility rolled off Cody Brooks in waves. Eddie Kirkpatrick was just creepy.
"We've met," Cody said, squeezing Frank's hand once and promptly letting go. Nancy narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything.
"Cody, good to see you again," Frank said. A looked passed in Cody's eyes that Frank didn't like but he let it go.
"Let's get started shall we?" Joe said, breaking up the staring contest between Frank and Cody. He was positive Nancy's partner wanted nothing more than to punch Frank.
Could he be jealous? Joe thought. Nah, Nancy said they were just partners. Unless, that's only how she feels. I'll have to ask Frank what he said to alienate the guy.
Nancy smiled at Joe.
"Quick question first," Nancy said, looking at Joe with a gleam in her eye. "What exactly did you say to make Janet blush? She's at least 45-years-old and married. I saw the ring!"
Joe laughed.
"I simply said that she was a doll for making sure we were safe from someone trying to get us," Joe said, a grin breaking through.
"Same old Joe," Frank muttered good-naturedly.
"Well, since we aren't here to get you," Nancy said, shooting a glance at Cody. Frank and Joe exchanged a look but didn't say anything. "Let's get started."
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