A/N: Wow, I just came back from vacation to more reviews and followers. Thanks to everyone for their feedback and comments! I'll try to update as regularly as possible, but with school work coming up it might slow down a bit - I'll do my best to keep updates regular though :)

And to KennaC - No comment :P

Nancy studied the map showing the skiing and snowboarding areas surrounding the main lodge. There were five large zones, each one with their own specific slopes, and 3 smaller ones located less centrally to the lodge. After a brief discussion with the other four, they all agreed to return to the area that Frank and Joe had investigated that morning - since the vandalism was minor, they guessed all of the slopes would be open during the night. It would probably be less busy than the main areas, too, which was a definite plus.

They made their way over to the chair lift for the slopes, a small distance from the lodge. Nancy sighed in contentment as she looked around. Although it was dark outside, the bright lights lit up the area and reflected off the white snow covering the ground. It was beautiful, despite the sabotage and murder that now stained the resort's history.

Only three people could sit on a chair lift at a time, which meant they would have to split up. George slid up into the line first, and Bess immediately seized her chance. "Joe, come with me and George!"

Joe was already moving to take the place beside Bess in line, leaving Nancy and Frank together behind them. Nancy shot Frank a questioning glance – he had noticed the weird atmosphere between Bess and Joe too. Resolving to discuss it once Bess and Joe were out of hearing, Nancy moved the conversation back to the case while they waited.

"How is Mr. White planning on containing the news?" Nancy asked Frank and Joe as they got in line. "A place this famous, something like a murder would be disastrous for business."

"They're covering it up, making sure no one leaks it to the press. Joe and I already got the treatment when we took on the case, signing that we wouldn't reveal any information we found to anyone except either Mr. White," Frank explained.

"This place is famous, though, and a lot of well-respected people come here on vacation. If the press did get wind of all the troubles that's been going on, business could crash dramatically," Nancy said. "But does that mean you can clear the Whites from the suspect list?"

Frank smiled slightly. She had noticed it, too. "I know what you mean," he said. "Everything about this case seems just the slightest bit off. The danger isn't hurting their business in a big way, and they don't seem appropriately concerned about the damage done."

"Actually," Joe said, cutting in, "They called us in because apparently someone gave them a glowing recommendation of us, and they decided it would be better than bringing the police in. They didn't tell us who though."

Their conversation was interrupted when they realized it was time to get on. Bess, Joe, and George moved up and sat down, starting the steady ascent. Frank and Nancy followed them up, and as soon as they sat down they simultaneously turned and opened their mouth to speak.

"Do you think-"

"Have you noticed-"

Nancy laughed, and gestured that he should go first, already fairly certain of what he was going to say.

"Have you noticed anything weird going on between Bess and Joe lately?" Frank asked.

"Funny you should mention," Nancy said with a wry smile. "I was just about to ask that."

"There's something different about those two, more different than normal anyway," he mused. The two scrutinized them from the back, trying to determine what the cause was. As they watched, Bess spoke and Joe immediately unwrapped his scarf to replace it around Bess' neck as George watched the skiers below.

Frank's mouth dropped. No way... "Nance, when was the last time Bess had a boyfriend?"

Nancy thought back, but couldn't remember Bess ever getting serious about any guy, although she'd definitely flirted around with a number. "I can't remember. You're not suggesting...?" she asked carefully. She turned her attention back to the two blondes, Joe now having slung his arm casually around Bess' back. "Okay, I'll admit it definitely looks like they're dating, but Bess was flirting with a guy at the resort this morning. She was even trying to set either me or George up with his brother."

"But that weird feeling I keep getting from them only started at supper, when they came back from getting food... and – wait. She was trying to set you two up?"

"Yeah, why?" Nancy asked confused. "She's been doing that a lot lately, it's actually getting pretty annoying," she added with a snort. "And having George around only brings the attention off me half the time."

Frank was blown away. "Is Ned okay with this?" he asked incredulously. He could tell Ned had been mildly jealous of the time Nancy spent with him when they were working, although Nancy was not the unfaithful type; there was no way he would be okay with Bess going around and setting her up randomly.

"I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be. It's been a while since I last saw him," Nancy shrugged nonchalantly, oblivious to Frank's confusion.

"So you two aren't...?" Frank started hesitantly.

"Oh gosh. I told you, didn't I?" Nancy asked, her eyes wide as realization set in. She groaned, explaining, "I forgot to bring it up when it happened, and then I just forgot about it altogether. Me and Ned split up about 9 months ago. We're still friends, and we keep in touch, but we don't see each other regularly anymore."

"I'm sorry," Frank said, automatically. His curiosity was burning in the back of his mind. Nine months?!

"It wasn't anything-" Nancy began, then stopped, sensing the silent question. "It was because of my detective work, that's all. He just wasn't happy when I kept running off to danger while he waited and worried. In the end, it just worked out better for the both of us."

Frank cleared his throat and decided to return to their original conversation, not wanting to push Nancy into explaining if she didn't want to. "Back to my brother..." he started.

AaA

George watched the people below them, their snow suits standing out completely against the white snow in the bright light from the light posts. Her cousin was plotting something, and she had a feeling a certain Hardy was helping her with it. She mentally apologized to Nancy for whatever her cousin was going to do. She sighed, wondering if Bess actually believed she was being subtle when they got in line for the chair lift. Knowing her cousin, she wouldn't put it past her.

Bess was more focused on her whispered conversation with Joe than what George was doing beside them. She snuggled closer to him, enjoying the warmth of his arm and his scarf immensely in the cold winter night. He really was a perfect gentleman at times. "What do you think they're doing?" she asked, head bent close to his.

"I just hope they're not talking about the case anymore," he snorted. "Sadly, I don't have that much hope."

"Fortunately for you," Bess said conspiratorially, "I happened to find the perfect opportunity while I was in the rental shop."

"Oh?" Joe asked with interest. "And what might this 'perfect opportunity' be?"

"It involves dancing," she warned him, "and I have a feeling both you and Frank are going to need to find some formal wear for the occasion."

"Now I'm intrigued," he said. "What have you come up with this time, Bess Marvin?"

Bess had barely been able to contain her excitement when she saw the poster in the shop. It was the perfect thing she needed to get Frank and Nancy to move past the 'just friends' stage. A Winter Ball, the poster proclaimed, followed by the pictures of dancing couples and a gorgeous ball room that Bess assumed was located in the old hotel. She explained it all to Joe, enjoying the smile that was growing on his face.

"It couldn't be more romantic," Bess sighed happily. "The dress, the music, the dancing... we just need to think of a plausible reason to go."

"That's true," Joe agreed frowning. "Knowing Frank and Nancy, even if the case isn't progressing quickly they'll just be more eager to find out what's going on - even getting them to go skiing while on a case was a surprise. They probably wouldn't have been as keen if this wasn't the slope where the sabotage has been happening."

The two fell to silence for the first time since they'd gotten on to the lift, much to George's relief. She was just looking forward to a night of hard skiing before retiring to their cabin and getting some much needed rest before tomorrow. Unfortunately, the silence lasted all of five seconds before her cousin began talking again.

"I've got it!" Bess said to Joe, pleased. "And it's not even a lie. Nancy wants to know more about her murderer and Frank and you are trying to find a saboteur, so the ball is the perfect place for all of us to be. It's a huge event – most of the people at the resort will be here, meaning-"

"Both murderer and saboteur could be among them," Joe finished with a grin. "Perfect."

Suddenly, both of their trains of thoughts were derailed when they heard a shout from Frank behind them.

AaA

"They have to be dating. It's the only possible explanation for everything that's been going on," Frank said.

"That's why they were acting so weird in line for the chair lift! And all those little looks they've been sharing, plus that air of a secret they're giving off," Nancy said in understanding.

They paused for a moment so that Frank could lift the safety bar up again. They hadn't reached the sign instructing them to do so yet, but it was close enough that neither of them cared. It was still a distance from the top of the hill, and from the ground, and Nancy shifted back slightly in her seat. She shivered, hoping they would get off the lift soon so she could warm up. If I could just get my coat done up fully...but I can't hold get a hold of the zipper with these gloves on!

Frank noticed her dilemma, wishing he had brought something warmer he could lend her. "I can hold your gloves, if you want," he offered, trying to help out anyway he could.

"Thanks," Nancy said in relief. "This has got to be the most exasperating thing."

Frank chuckled, and held a hand out for her glove. Taking it off, Nancy reached over to hand it to him. And promptly dropped it off the chair lift.

"oH MY GOD, I am SO sorry!" Frank shouted, cheeks crimson. "I thought- I didn't-" he spluttered, leaning over like maybe he could still catch the falling glove.

Nancy tried to contain herself, but the sight of the normally cool, calm, and collected Frank Hardy spluttering in embarrassment was too funny. She burst out laughing, Frank still apologizing in complete mortification. The three in front of them had turned around, probably worried something was wrong. Her laughter assured them that nothing unusual was happening, and they turned back to face the front, almost ready to get off.

"Don't worry about it, Frank, really," she said with a barely suppressed smile. "I packed an extra pair in my luggage, so I can use that later. Really, it's totally okay. That was probably my fault more than anything else, honestly." She was almost as embarrassed as Frank was. She knew they were on a moving ski lift, and she knew she should have been more careful, so if anyone was to blame it was definitely her.

Frank wanted to fall off the ski lift. He couldn't believe he had done that. He could not believe that he had done that. But he couldn't just let her freeze without a glove on, either. "At least let me help you out for now," he said apologetically.

Nancy was momentarily confused until Frank took off his left glove with extreme care, put it in his pocket, and placed their now bare hands into his empty pocket together to keep them warm. There was still a reddish tinge to his cheeks, to Nancy's amusement, but she felt a warmth in her own face that indicated she probably looked the same. Okay, I have to admit it. If I knew not having gloves meant getting Frank Hardy's hand as a substitute, I might not have packed those extra gloves in my trunk, she thought to herself only slightly guiltily.

He opened his mouth to speak, but before they could speak a sudden jolt shook them as the chair lift came to a grinding halt. Nancy's heart leapt into her throat as she and Frank slid forward, past where the safety bar would have stopped them. Okay, I didn't literally mean I wanted to fall off the ski lift! Frank thought in a panic.

He immediately grabbed his side of the chair and let go of Nancy's hand, moving to replace it around her waist instead and drawing her close to him as she instinctively wrapped her arms around him. They held each other closely, waiting as the chair slowly subsided its rocking before coming to a safe stop.

Nancy knew she was fine now, and in no danger of falling off, but she had to admit that she probably held onto him a bit longer than necessary - make that a lot longer than necessary, actually - before giving him some room and switching one hand to her own side of the chair. Her hand, though, still cold without its glove, remained securely in his even though they no longer needed to fear falling off.

She looked down carefully, and her heart almost stopped. If Frank hadn't moved fast enough, or if either of them had simply lost their grip, they would've fallen almost 30 feet to the ground below. The probably wouldn't have died, due to the soft snow on the ground, but a broken leg would probably have been inevitable at the very least. Before her heart had resumed its normal pace, though, Frank and Nancy were suddenly plunged into darkness.

AaA

Bess and Joe were almost dying in curiosity. All they could tell was that Frank had messed up somehow, judging by his shout and Nancy's laughter. Luckily, it seemed to be going well and Bess and Joe decided they should avoid ruining a moment by watching them from their chair. It would be more than a little obvious if Frank and Nancy happened to look up at them and found them turned around. That didn't mean they didn't desperately want to see what was going on, though.

In the end, maybe it would have been better if they had been watching. At least that way, they would have already been holding on to the chair back when the lift suddenly stopped. Bess yelped and George gave a gasp but Joe was more focused on the control booth in front of him. If he could just get a glimpse of something, or someone, they could have a major breakthrough in the case.

There were no sudden screams, no loud thunks, and nothing to indicate anyone had actually fallen off, thankfully. But before Joe could assess more than that of the situation, the lights kicked out.

The only light source they had was from the moon, the stars, and the small glow that came from the direction of the main lodge. It took a few moments, but before long the backup lights kicked in, likely powered by a generator, and they were able to see other again. Bess, Joe and George all turned to look at each other, George voicing all of their thoughts: "We're gonna be here for awhile, aren't we?"

AaA

Frank and Nancy sat together in companionable silence, holding hands but giving each other a bit of space. They knew that they would be stuck there a while, at least 30 minutes, before the lift got working again. If they were lucky, it might only take 20 minutes, but either way they would be freezing cold until they got off.

Nancy decided to put the safety bar back down, just in case it started moving again, but didn't move over enough to accommodate for the divisor in the middle - instead of moving over to the other side of the chair, she was just pushed closer to Frank's side. "Oops, sorry," she said, moving to remedy her mistake. "I forgot about the divisor there."

"Don't worry about it. We'll be warmer together anyway, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest," Frank replied casually.

"Well, if you put it like that..." Nancy said with a smile. She snuggled in closer and decided to just enjoy being there, and not think about anything except the stars, the snow, and the warmth from Frank's side as he held her close to him. And, of course, the mystery they had on hand. "This is the work of your saboteur, then?" she stated.

"Gotta be. And this time, with so many people involved, I doubt there's anyway they're going to be able to keep the press from finding out. The only question is how much the reporters will get in the way of our investigation," Frank frowned. "The fact that this is even happening to people at all makes me question our suspicion of the White brothers."

Nancy nodded in agreement. "Before now, it made at least some sense - no actual damage was being done to the resort or its customers, but whoever did it seemed to have a good idea of how the machinery used here works. Most people wouldn't think it's a big deal to damage some of the machines that were vandalized, simply because they never see them being used."

"Exactly. Behind the scenes kind of stuff that you'd need to have insider information to know. First things first, let's get a list of the employees here. If we know who's working on the slopes, we'll at least have a better idea of who's capable of the vandalism other than the people hiring us to solve the case. We don't want to accuse them without evidence of any kind, or our reputation will really be called into question."

"And meanwhile, I think we need to have Bess take a look at the damage from the mechanical point of view and let George get on with her research."

The two smiled, glad to have a plan at the very least even if they did feel like they were in the dark about something. Working together, they'd find the answer, and they knew that for a fact.

They enjoyed the feeling of the other against them and waited, until finally the chair lift started up again and a loud whoop came from Joe as he pumped his fist in excitement. They would finally be able to get onto solid ground, a fact Nancy was thankful for until she realized she'd have to let go of Frank.

They cautiously raised the safety bar again, hoping that this time they would complete the trip fully, and separated slightly so they wouldn't fall over each other getting off. Within a few seconds, they were on their skis standing in a group with the other three.

"I hate to just go back down there after waiting in the air for so long, but we need to check out what happened," Bess said. "I, for one, am more than a little curious as to why the lift suddenly just shut down. There's no way it was an accident."

They completed the run closest to the chair lift, skiing and snowboarding down the path to make their way to the control booth where they had lined up. They found a bizarre sight: the chair lift itself looked fine, and there was no evidence of tampering visible to any of them after examination. The lift operator, on the other hand, was unconscious, surrounded by medical personnel in the small booth.

"Okay, what's going on?" Joe demanded.