Okay,

1. I just read over my fanfic and I was like, WOW. I HATE THIS. I wrote the majority of this late at night. So, I realize that it is HORRIBLY written. For that, I apologize. And I realize that the first part of Chapter 7 was a little bit weak.

2. To Guest: Sorry honey, I get to write whatever I want. I know most fics are Joe-in-peril, but the whole boulder situation was something I've been wanting to do for a long time. Joe is perfect to pick on, though I do love it when he can kick butt. So, I understand, but if you're going to be ego-centric and rude, constructive criticism is pretty much lost on me. Nice try darlin.

3. Thanks so much to all of my positive reviewers, and thank you for constructive criticism, I do take that into account.

4. Short update today. I hope it's more well-written. I also apologize for all the mistakes I didn't pick up in the chapters until later. Such as "because his hand were behind his back". Oy...

5. I hate the disclaimer. I don't own Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys. Grrrrr.

Enjoyyyy! ;)

Nancy scrambled out from underneath the massive rock, bruised and scraped, but fine. Quickly, she helped Frank push the boulder off of Joe.

Immediately she gasped, covering her mouth. His leg was covered with blood, and she thought she saw bone protruding. Joe's eyes were squeezed shut, his face pale.

Frank fell to his knees beside Joe, meeting Nancy's horrified eyes. "We need to stop the bleeding and get him to safety. Now."

Stripping off her jacket, Nancy knelt and applied gentle pressure to Joe's leg. She could see now that he was unconscious from the pain. "Frank, we can't take him anywhere. We don't even know where to go. See if you can find the horses and take one. Riding is the only way you'll be able to cover ground effectively, or fast."

"Are you sure?" Frank looked nervous.

Nancy nodded emphatically. "I'll be able to take care of him here for a little while, but not for too long. Go!"

She saw Frank's mental battle as to what he should do. "Okay," Frank nodded. He started to turn, then hesitated.

Tears sprang to Nancy's eyes. Suddenly she realized that the chances were slim that she'd ever see him again. They had no idea where the gang had gone, and if he found them, he could be killed. Even if he pulled everything off successfully, they were in the middle of nowhere. There was no guarantee that he'd make it.

A drop of water hit her nose, and she looked up. The sky was dangerously dark with clouds. "Frank… keep a careful eye on the weather. If it starts to rain, find shelter somewhere. Please don't try to keep going in the middle of a storm, especially if you - " Nancy pleaded, but in the middle of her sentence Frank knelt and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Nancy, everything is going to be okay," he said steadily, looking into her eyes.

She started shaking. Now wasn't the time to be scared. Drew, buck up! Nancy mentally scolded herself, but worry for Frank crowded her mind. Maybe I'll never get to tell him… Nancy, stop thinking like that. Now's not the time for that, either.

It began to rain, but neither moved. Frank had an unreadable expression on his face – a mixture of sadness and concern beneath reassuring confidence. "I'll be okay if you promise me that you'll be okay. Nancy, I'm not going to leave you guys out here alone. I'm going for help. We're survivors, Nan. We don't go down easy. Stay safe. I'll be back soon."

Spur of the moment, Nancy reached out and hugged Frank. He wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace, rubbing her soaked back as she leaned her head on his wet sweater. She felt a pang of regret. Frank was being a comforting friend, not knowing just how much more this embrace meant to her.

"You better keep that promise, Hardy," she managed a smile, stepping back. Rain streamed off her red hair, strands of it sticking to her face.

Thunder cracked in the distance. "I will," Frank smiled back. He turned and broke into a jog, his feet sloshing in the mud. Nancy watched him until he rounded the corner. Never once did he look back.

Breaking down, Nancy sat down against the canyon wall in the pouring rain, tears streaming down her face, wondering why she just couldn't find her courage.

Nancy, you idiot! Just tell the dude you love him!

Thoughts?