Did you enjoy the Nancy/Frank? There's more to come! Thanks again to all my reviewers, ya'll are the greatest!

Both series: Disclaimed!

Frank mentally cursed himself.

Why?

His breath echoed in his lungs as he jogged.

Why?

Tripping over a root, he grabbed a tree trunk for balance, panting.

Why?!

Kicking at the root angrily, Frank leaned against the tree harder. Why couldn't he just come right out and tell her?

Nan, I love you. I hope I can keep my promise to come back to you. I lied. I don't know if everything will be okay. But even if it kills me, I'll do everything I can to make sure YOU'LL be okay.

Sighing, he jogged on, his teeth clenched in determination. The sky was still pouring down rain. Thunder crashed. His heart wrenched as he thought of Joe, injured and without help in the downpour. I'll get you out of it too, Joe. If it's the last thing I do.

The next few hours were filled with water, mud, thunder, lightning, no sense of direction, and lots of desperate thinking and wishing. Frank hoped and prayed they'd make it out alive.

It was late afternoon, and Frank was dog-tired. He'd been trying to keep up a steady jog for a few hours now. He hadn't eaten for almost 48 hours. At least there was plenty of water to be found…

"Nice to know I won't die of thirst," Frank gave a hoarse laugh, speaking for the first time since his goodbye with Nancy. The sound of his own voice was comforting in the wild, hostile weather. "And if I get out and hook up with a rescue crew, I've gotten a good shower. It won't even look like I've basically been through… for lack of more couth words, all hell."

Glancing down, he saw his shirt and jeans were torn and muddy. Scratch the whole looking good part.

Making his way slowly through a briar patch, he saw a valley through the trees. Squinting through the rain, he made out the dark figures of some horses, and a few pitched tents.

Yes! I found them!

Oh no.

This meant that he'd have to ride. Great.

Suddenly there was a sharp crack overhead, and something crashed into his head. Pain. Ground.

Blackness.

Joe's mind came into focus again. Someone was calling his name.

"Joe, wake up. Joe," Nancy's voice drifted, sounding faded and echo-filled in his blurred brain.

Slitting his eyes open, he saw firelight flickering on Nancy's face. She was peering intently at him. When she saw him open his eyes, she smiled. "Hey."

"Hi," Joe croaked. Pain registered and he hissed, gritting his teeth. "I've got a compound fracture, don't I?"

"From first appearances, yes. I'd also guess more bones in your leg are broken. Frank left to get help."

Nodding, Joe gazed at his surroundings. They were in a small cave that Nancy must have found. A fire burned brightly on his left, and he felt warm, but slightly damp. And his leg hurt like he didn't think was possible. Also, he was a little light-headed.

"I should never have taken you guys out here," Nancy gave a shaky sigh. Scooting over beside Joe, she leaned back against the cave wall.

"This isn't your fault, Nancy. I swear."

She gave a small laugh that had no hint of humor in it. "What makes you think so?"

"Well, for one, you've never tried to kill us or expressed any desire to do so," Joe began counting off on his fingers, and Nancy cracked a smile. "You don't belong to any brutal gangs last I checked, and you only wanted to have a fun time with us while we were in River Heights."

"I know, I just feel so guilty," Nancy looked down.

"No reason to be. Buck up, Drew! We're in the middle of a mystery! Besides, we needed to learn how to ride horses. And it's especially good for Frank. I'm pretty sure he's afraid of horses," Joe chuckled.

Nancy's eyes widened. What?

"See if you can take one of the horses back. Riding is the only way you'll be able to cover ground effectively, or fast."

"Are you sure?" Frank looked nervous.

She face-palmed. "Oh brilliant, Nancy."

I think I'll say this is my thoughts about each predicament:

Nancy's: Stay strong, and good job on the FAIL! ;)

Joe's: Don't pass out again please, keep cool, be funny, and okay if you pass out again it MIGHT be okay...

Franks: AAH!