Chapter 2
Nancy managed to drag herself out of bed the next morning and get ready for work. She wanted to get into the office early so that she could investigate since she didn't get around to it yesterday. Nancy hopped that she wouldn't have a client today.
"Hey Nance!" Bess greeted her cheerfully when Nancy walked in.
"Hi Bess. Do I have any clients today?" Nancy asked quietly. She was still upset from yesterday's events, but tried not to show it.
Bess looked on the computer. "Yeah, it's that Gabriella Kindle girl again. How was she?"
Tears filled Nancy's eyes again and she looked down. "Nan, what's wrong?" Bess asked.
"Ned's her fiancé." Nancy said softly. "But it's fine. I'm going to look for some clues or evidence or something. I'll see you later. Don't work to hard!" she finished, trying her best to act cheerful.
Bess looked sympathetic. "Okay Nancy. Give me a call if you need anything."
Nancy nodded and walked down to the closet that she never got to investigate yesterday, but yet again she was distracted. "Ned?" she called down the hallway.
Ned waved. He was standing in front of her office looking as handsome as ever. "Hi Nan. Um, I just wanted to talk to you before our appointment today."
Nancy smiled "Oh, okay. I thought I was late again." She said playfully.
They went into her office and sat down. Ned was the first to speak. "Nancy I just want to apologize for yesterday. Gabriella was out of line on some things and I said a lot that I didn't mean."" He told her gently.
Nancy was surprised. She was not expecting this. She had thought that maybe Gabriella had forced him into changing the color scheme back to pink and purple.
"Ned, you didn't do anything wrong. I probably shouldn't have butted in like I did. I don't know if you remember but…I don't really get along with cheerleaders." She responded playfully.
Ned laughed, but shook his head. "Nancy, I said that you weren't as important as Gabriella, and that isn't true. I care about you a lot, and I really want to be good friends with you."
"Ned, it's okay. I know you love her more than me. We broke up for a reason, and you found someone better-"
Ned cut her off "No Nancy, I didn't find someone better. I still lo- never mind." He flushed and turned away. "I probably should go."
Just when Ned was about to stand up Nancy said, "Wait Ned, what were you going to say?" she asked tentatively.
"Nancy, it was nothing. I shouldn't have came here. I'm sorry."
Nancy slammed her hands on the table. "I always hated it when you did that. You would start saying something and then wouldn't finish it. For all I know you could have been saying that you never wanted to see me again in your life." She yelled.
Now Ned looked irritated. "And I always hated it when you put words in my mouth. For your information I was about to say that I still love you!" Ned yelled back. Then realizing what he said, his eyes went wide and his face flushed. "I really have to go. I'll see you later, Nancy."
Ned stood up and walked out of the door right as Nancy called "I still love you too."
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15 minutes before Nancy's appointment with Ned and Gabriella, she was reviewing what she knew about the case so far. It wasn't much, and Nancy knew she had to be missing something.
The Wedding Embezzler
Money is stolen each week, for the past 6 weeks, a week before a wedding.
The amount of money taken out of the account differs- there is no pattern
Money is only embezzled ONCE a week no matter how many weddings there are- again there is no pattern
She groaned. The only thing Nancy was concerned about now was that Ned didn't hate her. After he left she realized that since they would never be able to be a couple again, she should take advantage of his offer and become friends with him.
After 5 more minutes of staring at her notes, someone knocked on her door. It was Gabriella and Ned.
"Hello!" Nancy greeted them. "Have a seat and we'll get to work."
Gabriella rolled her eyes "Nikki, I'm not at all happy with our wedding plans so far." She said meanly.
Nancy stopped herself from responding to that remark. "Okay, well what dare you not happy with?" she asked.
"Well, for starters, the desk said you are one of the best in the business and I am not at all happy with your work so far." Gabriella said in a stuck up voice.
Nancy rolled her eyes at Ned, and he chuckled. "What is so funny, babe?" Gabriella snapped.
Ned sighed. "Come on Gab, let's not go through this again. I was just remembering something about high school. No big deal."
"Oh, about your high school sweetheart? Why don't you just marry her Ned? It sure seems like you want to!" Gabriella yelled.
Yep, I would love to marry Nancy. Ned thought. Then he stopped himself from thinking about Nancy and turned back to Gabriella. "Gabriella, you know I love you, so why are you acting like this?" he said. "Nancy is a very good friend, and what happened in high school is in the past." he finished, not believing a word he said.
Meanwhile, Nancy's heart was breaking. Why do I have to love him so much? She thought. "Guys, why don't we finish up here? I have another client in an hour-"
Gabriella cut her off "I'm leaving! As of right now Ned Nickerson and I are not getting married, and it's all your fault Nikki!" she yelled before storming out of the room.
Ned stayed put, his head between his hands. "You better go after her Ned. I know you love her." Nancy said softly, faking a smile. "And if she doesn't forgive you, she doesn't know what she's missing. I'm so sorry that I caused all of this."
Ned stood up and gave Nancy a loose hug. Sparks flew and they both didn't want the moment to end. Ned reluctantly pulled away and said, "Thanks Nancy. This wasn't your fault so don't worry about it. I'll see you around." He bent down and gave her a light kiss on the lips.
Nancy smiled and waved goodbye. Maybe, just maybe, after this whole ordeal was over, he could be hers.
Author Note: I don't really like how this turned out, but I decided to post it anyway. Please review!