Take A Chance On Me

Chapter 12

Carson's face went beet red from realisation that he himself had put his daughter in danger. His only daughter, one of the very few people that keep him sane in this world. He thought he could trust the boy. The boy that had been apart of his life for 7 years now. Admittedly, he didn't like Nancy dating Ned Nickerson but it was his daughters choice who she dated and over time he became fond of the boy. Carson personally preferred his daughter to date that great Frank Hardy boy. Respectable, handsome, genuine, always cared for Nancy. Joe was the same but there was more of a connection with Frank he found. They could finish each other's sentences.

'I'm deeply sorry for putting all your lives in danger. This is all my fault.' Carson sighed with disappointment. Nancy embraced her father in a hug.

'Dad this is no ones fault except for Ned's. You didn't pull the trigger, he did. He cheated on me and thought he could get away with it. Breaking up with him was the best decision of my life, it finally pushed Frank and I together. It took us how long to get together?' Nancy looked at her partner pointedly.

'Too long,' Laura and Carson said in unison. Laura and Frank were watching from the side helping Nancy to break the news to her father.

'How will we find Ned? He must still be in the city?' Laura questioned. The four adults looked at each other, not really knowing how to answer. Unknowingly, all four had turned to walk into Fenton's room. He wasn't in a crucial state anymore and was just in recovery; still in didn't put anyone's mind at ease. Nancy saw Frank's clenched hands and put her own around his and quickly his grip loosened and interlocked hers.

Slowly but surely Joe was coming down the hall. He was still in pain but was mobile thankfully. No one had told him yet of what they had found out. Laura thought it was best to tell the youngest Hardy in person. She knew that he wouldn't take it lightly. Joe was very vocal to her about his mistrust of Ned Nickerson but knew better then to make a fuss to Nancy. He had told Frank about his mistrust and the brunette knew to trust his brothers instinct. If they were was anything the brothers had between each other it was trust and loyalty.

'What did I miss?' Joe asked as he slowly made it through the door. Frank and Nancy spun around fast.

'Joe we think you should sit down.' Laura had stated.

'Why? What's going on?' Joe looked around the room confused. Carson sighed heavily and folded his arms.

'Son you're going to have to sit down for this. Frank and Nancy discovered something last night on the security camera.' The elder male gestured to his daughter as Joe slowly sat down confused.

'I reviewed the footage of the shooting last night outside the restaurant and it looks like the person that shot your father was Ned and I have a hunch that that monster shot you as well.' Nancy held onto the blond male's hands, seeing the rage fill his eyes. He suddenly exploded.

'I TOLD YOU! I TOLD ALL OF YOU NOT TO TRUST HIM! I TOLD ALL OF YOU THAT HE SHOULDN'T BE APART OF OUR LIVES!' Joe started screaming and yelling at the top of his lungs. Frank held onto his younger brother in a bear hug. Hushing him in his ear, Frank knew Joe would calm down any moment, he just needed to say what was needed. Joe leaned into his brothers chest, listening out for his heartbeat, slowing down his breathing and slowly calming down. Behind them both, the Hardy Boys could hear Nancy pipe up.

'So you guys never trusted him? Why didn't you let me know? We didn't have to be in this situation if I knew none of you trusted him.' Nancy deflated. The elder brother detached one arm from his brother and gestured his girlfriend over. Frank towered over both of his younger counterparts and his arms easily wrapped around both, even around his younger brother who was almost as muscular.

The brunet could feel a wet patch slowly form on his shirt and slow breathing on his neck. This wasn't the first time the three had found themselves in this position. This was what they liked to call their safe circle; they knew that if they did this that they were safe and in one piece. Frank kissed Nancy's head and let go of his brother. He turned her head up so they were looking in to each other's eyes. 

'Baby, we knew you were an independent person and could make your own decisions. We would usually just insert ourselves into your cases so you would have some support and help. It was Joe who had a hunch to not trust him, I, on the other hand, didn't like him because he didn't realise and appreciate what an absolute catch he had. Sometimes we need to come to the realisation ourselves like how it tooks me how many years to finally admit that I was in love with you?'

'5. It was 5 years,' Carson, Laura and Joe all said in unison. Frank looked at the others pointedly. 

'Anyway, we need a way to finally put this dickhead away in jail over some late lunch because I bet you a juice box Joe is hungry for a cheeseburger.' Frank smirked hoping that it boosted Nancy's mood.

'That's unfair! Joe is always hungry for a cheeseburger,' Joe's stomach agreed with Nancy's statement. Giggles filled the room. The Hardy's and Nancy kissed Fenton on the forehead; Carson held onto his hands for a few moments.

Staying in the cafeteria for a few hours, they finally agreed on a game plan. Something that wouldn't put everyone in danger (mainly Laura) and they would have back up. Frank's main concern was getting Ned without putting Laura in danger (he knew Nancy could handle herself but that didn't help with the nagging feeling of always wanting to protect her); Nancy's main concern was Laura and the danger she was willing to put herself into (of course Frank as well but he could handle his own. That still didn't take the nagging feeling away). Carson was concerned about the couple but mostly Laura (of course he was concerned about his own daughter mostly but knew she could handle herself. Still that still didn't cease the nagging feeling.) Joe as well was concerned about his mother. She was the last target Ned was going before going for his brother (of course he was concerned about his brother and best friends wellbeing but knew they could handle themselves. Yet the nagging feeling wouldn't diminish).

The plan was set in place. Now all they could do was wait.