Adding the Network: Chapter Three

-NDHB-

Joe Hardy angrily sighed. He had called every snitch he had in Washington and no one was talking. Joe knew they knew something, but they were scared. Very scared, he thought. How could Ned have gotten this scary? He always seemed like a great guy.

From the doorway, Bess watched Joe hang up the phone and sigh. He looked like he was about ready to kill someone. "Anything I can help with?" she asked.

"We think Ned will take him to D.C. based on information from informants. Informants who won't help anymore than that. What do you think Bess?" he questioned.

"He'd want someplace where he could be alone. But, it would also be right under our noses. He thinks he knows Nancy; that he can beat her because of that," she explained. "I wonder how he became this blind. It's…fascinating actually. Did he ever seem this unobservant before?"

"When he didn't see what was going on with Nancy and Frank…well maybe he did," Joe corrected himself.

"Oh, he noticed. That may have triggered whatever happened. He has problems letting go of things. Nancy is a perfect example of this. He didn't want Frank to beat him and win Nancy; so, they both had to die. It'll be the same thing with this other couple," she said. "They hurt him. A blow to his pride, yeah, that'll set him off. He wants control over everything." She paused as if thinking and continued, "He'll be someplace where he can control everything. It'll be close to Nancy and Frank: he might even try for them again. It will be easier for him to get to Michaela too."

"Wow. Ned with control issues after anyone who has ever done anything to screw his plans," Joe simplified.

Bess agreed, "Yep. The biggest thing for him right now is control."

"So, how bad is it?" George asked, coming into the room.

"Well, he probably won't give up until Nancy, Frank, and Michaela are dead so, it's very bad," Bess replied.

George spoke again, "I'm meeting Kip for lunch so I can talk to him then if you want, Joe."

Joe answered, "That would be great. Thanks, George. I think I'm going to keep trying to get information from these idiots in D.C. Do you think I should pull in political contacts?"

Bess thought about it for a while, "I think he'd want control, so if they're pushovers…"

-NDHB-

Nancy and Frank were settling into the house. It felt natural; they both had to admit.

The plan was to act like they had just moved in and were sightseeing. It was a pretty well thought out plan, as they both hardly knew their way around. Both just had to wait for their Network update. "Do you think she'll be here soon?" Nancy asked.

Frank joined her and Michaela on the couch. "I have no idea." Just as he finished talking, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it."

Frank opened the door and stared. The woman standing there had blue eyes and shortish strawberry blonde hair that was too familiar.

He was staring at an older version of Nancy.

Glancing back to see if Nancy was near, he asked, "Yes?"

"Can I talk to Nancy?" the woman questioned.

Because Frank knew Nancy would want to know-but against his better judgment-he stepped aside. "Come on in. She's in the family room."

Agent Pierce followed Carson's wishes, "You should be there too, Frank." She was expecting to see hatred on Nancy's face when she entered the room. So when Nancy just stared, Elizabeth Pierce was surprised.

She can't be, Nancy thought. I must be imagining things. To try to prove herself correct, Nancy whispered, "Mom?"

"Hello, Nancy," she answered. "Do you want the explanation?"

Nancy's eyes searched Frank's face. He was telling her it was her decision. He wanted her to make it by herself. But, he has to know my curiosity will make me want to know… "Okay, tell me," she agreed.

"My name is Special Agent Elizabeth Pierce. I work with the Network," she began. "I was about to get out when I learned a big hit had been put out on you and Carson to get to me. I realized it was too dangerous for me to stay; so, the Network helped me 'die.' I'm sorry, Nancy. It was the only way I could protect you."

Frank watched Nancy digest this new revelation. She looked sad, terribly sad. "Does Dad know?" she asked.

"Yes, I told him." she paused to think before she divulged a big secret, "Nancy, Frank, you both need to now…um, this Michaela thing…it was planned. If you want, you can adopt her as Nancy and Frank Hardy today."

Frank stepped up at this point in the discussion, "Nancy do you want to adopt her?"

She looked at Frank. He was telling her that if she wanted it, she could have it. She could adopt Michaela. Just like she wanted.

"Okay," it was said somewhat coldly but the tone was directed toward Agent Pierce, not the idea.

-NDHB-

Melinda glanced over at Sophia. They were standing in the yard. It was almost time for the escape. It's weird how quickly this got going. It's only been a day, she thought. Sophia might be completely crazy but, at least they were getting out of here.

Just then, Sophia gave the signal.

Jill hit Mary to cause a distraction as Sophia paid off the guard, who handed Sophia two uniforms.

Both escapees quickly changed into the guard uniforms and waltzed through the gates to the cars. Sophia paid off another guard who gave them a car. "You drive," was the first thing Sophia said all day.

Melinda slid into the car and started it. She drove off quickly. "Where to? Don't we have to pick up Ned?"

"He's meeting us when he gets out. Head toward D.C," Sophia instructed.

"Why Washington? What's there we need to meet?" Melinda questioned.

"Look, no talking. Just drive," commanded the angry woman.

-NDHB-

Ned walked out of the prison. Escaping was just too easy.

All you have to do is bribe some guards and you can waltz right out. These people are idiots. Ned hopped on board the bus.

No one questioned him. He was in total control. Life is great!

-NDHB-

After a quiet day of sightseeing on Nancy's part, Frank and Nancy lay in bed. "Nan, you understand why she had to do it, right?" Frank asked.

Nancy turned so she could look at him. She admitted, "Yeah I understand. It's just…I wish she could have been there to see me grow up. She should have been a mother."

"Nancy-" he tried but she cut him off.

"I know, 'she was protecting me,'" she said.

Frank tried to calm her down, "Nan, she was trying. She was doing what she thought was best. You turned into a wonderful woman even without her there."

"What if I have to make a similar choice, Frank?" Nancy worried, "What would I do? Could I leave you?"

"You could make that choice, Nancy. But, won't have to: I won't let them get to you or Michaela," he kissed her forehead softly, pulled her closer and they drifted off to sleep.

-NDHB-

Edited: 27 December 2008…ladybug1115