A/N: So, my computer has finally died. Which is unfortunate because that means it will be harder for me to update. I'm going to try and get as many chapters done as possible today while I'm at work so I can post them throughout the week, so wish me luck! Huge gigantic thanks to everyone for reading and to those of you who left reviews.

Quintessential Bliss

Chapter Three

Joe drove slowly past the car parked on the street and then pulled into the driveway, "unbelievable," he muttered under his breath. Climbing out of his car he walked over to meet the driver of the second car. "How is it that you left the airport after I did and you're still here before me?" Joe asked the Gray Man when he climbed out of his nondescript government car.

"I'm part of a top secret government branch for a reason Joe," the man said in way of response. "How do you think she'll react?" He nodded his head toward the house in front of them.

"Well, considering she probably noticed your car as soon as you pulled up and you sat there for whatever amount of time staring at her house…I'd say she's probably already got it all figured out. That's the only reason you're still standing because if she didn't know what you were doing here you'd be flat on your back enjoying a nice view of the stars right now." Joe smiled at the Gray Man's bland expression.

"I'd almost forgotten how sarcastic and irritating you can be," he said and turned and walked toward the house.

Joe laughed and followed the man up to his brother's house. He knocked on the door and it was quickly opened, "Joe." Nancy said with a smile.

"Hey Nan, can we come in?"

"Of course," she opened the door wider and led them all into the living room.

"You've probably already got this figured out, but the quiet, boring man on my left is the Gray Man and he's here to make our lives infinitely harder than they need to be." Joe jerked his thumb in the agent's direction.

"I've heard a lot about you," he said and shook Nancy's hand.

"Same here," Nancy replied.

"Joe thinks you probably already know why I'm here," the agent said.

"It's not every day a government agent pulls into my driveway an hour after Frank has flown off on an emergency case," she motioned for everyone to take a seat. "Now, tell me why we're going to California."

Frank let out a low whistle as he pulled up to the gated community and waited for the guard to come check him in. He double checked his map and the address Callie had given him, wondering if he had somehow gotten the wrong place.

"Name please," the guard said pleasantly. Frank tried not to smirk at the man's well tailored uniform with matching hat.

"Frank Hardy, here to see Callie Shaw," Frank replied and handed over his ID.

"Oh yes, Ms. Shaw is expecting you. Do you know which way to go from here?" the guard smiled and revealed a row of perfectly white shining teeth. He handed Frank back his ID and he tucked it back into his wallet.

"Um," Frank began brilliantly, "straight and to the left?"

"That's correct!" the man said in excitement, as if Frank had just answered the million dollar question. "Ms. Shaw's house is the white one with navy blue shutters." The man's face suddenly fell. It was such a dramatic change from pure cheer to sadness that Frank blinked. "It's a shame what happened to her fiancé."

"Yeah," Frank agreed and shifted in his car to get a better look at the man. "Do you know what happened?"

"He works down in the city, it's not safe there," the man replied and shook his head. "Not safe at all, anything can happen down in the city."

"What about the hospital? He should have been safe in the hospital," Frank pointed out.

"Never can be too sure," the guard replied. "You never know, he probably just got some wild hair and went on a trip with his friends or something. Men are entitled to do that, you know." The man's face brightened again into a huge smile. "You know how ladies are, always overreacting."

"Overreacting?" Frank said in surprise. "Callie's fiancé went missing from the hospital after being brutally beaten."

The guard laughed, shocking Frank even more, "He isn't missing. Ten bucks says he shows up in a day or two with a suntan and tales about a boy's weekend."

Frank had never met Callie's fiancé but he was pretty sure she'd never date someone who would do something so…inconsiderate and honestly, kind of crazy.

"Well, you have a nice visit now," the guard smiled again and started to open the gate.

"Okay, thank you," Frank replied absently, his mind on the bizarre conversation. He waited patiently for the gate to open the rest of the way. He drove slowly down the residential street, his mouth falling open in shock. He had no idea Callie lived in such a nice neighborhood. A few minutes later Frank realized that almost every house looked exactly the same. Huge two story homes with beautifully manicured lawns, one after another after another. Pulling into Callie's driveway he suddenly understood the importance of what color shutters she had. Every house on her street was either white or beige, the only difference being their color of shutter. Red, blue, yellow…it was bizarre. The only out of place and different thing about the street was the For Sale sign on the house across from Callie's with a bold lettered sign that said SOLD on it.

Laughing slightly at the Stepford Wives feeling of the place Frank climbed out of his car and headed toward Callie's front door.

"Frank!" Callie cried as soon as she opened the door. She threw her arms around him in a big hug, "Thank you so much for coming. I'm so sorry to have called you like that."

"Callie, it's okay. What's the point of having a private detective ex if you can't call on him when you need him?" Frank smiled and followed Callie into the house. Frank was relieved to find that the Stepford Wives vibe didn't seem to apply to the inside of Callie's house. The furniture was warm and inviting and there were framed pictures on the walls; the house had that lived in feel.

Callie let out a strained laugh, "I guess that's true." Frank took a good look at her and noticed the circles under her eyes from lack of sleep and the lines of fatigue and worry that creased her forehead.

"Why don't we sit down and you can tell me everything," Frank suggested.

"I should show you your room first, let you get settled in," Callie said and ran a shaky hand through her hair.

"That stuff can wait," Frank said and led her to the couch.

Callie sat down slowly and gripped her hands together in her lap. "I didn't think I'd ever have to deal with this again…" her voice trailed off and she shot Frank a horrified look. "Oh Frank, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for that to sound so rude and you flew all the way out here to help me. It's just…I love Charlie so much and…I just thought that the sitting at home wondering if the man I love is going to make it back alive…I thought all of that was over."

Frank smiled gently, "Its okay Callie."

Callie sighed, "I guess I'll start from the beginning."

"That works," Frank replied and settled in for the story.

However, before Callie could start the doorbell rang and they both stood up to see who it was. Frank hung back in the entryway while Callie went to the door.

"Mrs. Zuckerman," Callie said when she opened the door.

"Good evening Callie, I brought you an apple pie," the woman held it out for Callie to take and her eyes landed on Frank. "You must be Frank."

"Frank, this is Beatrice Zuckerman, Mrs. Zuckerman this is Frank Hardy," Callie introduced them.

Frank walked forward and held out a hand, "It's nice to meet you Mrs. Zuckerman."

"A pleasure," she replied primly and gazed at Frank intently. "What hotel are you staying at, Mr. Hardy? I can recommend a few that are out of the city and have splendid accommodations and security."

"Oh, he'll be staying here with me," Callie replied quickly.

Beatrice clucked her tongue in disapproval, "Really?" She arched an eyebrow and took another study of Frank before turning to face Callie. "And what do you think your Charles would think of you having a man stay here when he wasn't around?"

"Frank is an old friend," Callie replied coolly. She placed a hand on the door handle, "Thank you for the pie."

"Oh well," Mrs. Zuckerman looked as if she clearly hadn't been finished. "How long will Mr. Hardy be staying with you?"

"Until Charlie is found," Frank said before Callie could speak.

"Found?" Mrs. Zuckerman looked surprised. "Charlie isn't missing."

"He isn't?" Frank asked. "Well, where is he then?"

"Why, he's with my husband," Mrs. Zuckerman replied and laughed as if she had told a marvelous joke.

On the other side of the country Nancy Drew was also laughing, "Are you serious?" she asked the Gray Man.

"I'm always serious," he replied.

"Me and Joe?" She looked at him and started laughing again. She got up and walked toward the fireplace. "Joe?" She dissolved into fits of giggles.

"Wow, that's really flattering Nan," Joe said sarcastically but he was smiling too.

"It's just…so crazy," Nancy sighed and sat back down.

"Tell me about it," Joe agreed and looked at the non-smiling agent.

"Does this mean you'll agree to do it?" The Gray Man asked.

Joe exchanged a look with Nancy, "I can't speak for Nancy but my answer is: hell yes."

Nancy laughed, "It's just…too bizarre. I have to say yes too."

"Good," The Gray Man stood. "I have some things for you to make your story more believable. I have a package in the car and this," he opened his jacket and pulled out a small jeweler's box. "Your rings." He handed a simple silver band to Joe and then a gaudy diamond to Nancy.

"What is that? The Hope Diamond?" Joe's eyes were big as he eyed Nancy's ring.

"The neighborhood you're moving to is very upper crust," The Gray Man responded. He looked from Joe and then back to Nancy. "Well, aside from the fact that the two of you obviously don't belong together, I'd say that makes the two of you married. Unofficially of course."

"It better be unofficial or Vanessa will claw my eyes out," Nancy said and smiled at Joe.

"And Frank wouldn't be too happy about it either," Joe replied.

"Well, let me grab that package out of my car," the Gray Man turned to leave but stopped near the front door. He turned and for the first time smiled, "Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Livingston on your marriage."

Joe could swear he heard the man laugh as he stepped out of the house and into the night.