Home Away From Home: Final Approach (1/2)
Jun. 17th, 2010 10:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
andverygingerTitle: Home Away From Home: Final Approach (1/2)
Fandom: Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys
Pairing: Frank/Callie. Frank/Nancy.
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: The characters Frank Hardy, Joe Hardy, Nancy Drew, and Callie Shaw are not mine, used here for entertainment purposes only.
Notes: I started writing this as a means to an end: A way to explore some events I referenced in an ND/HB mystery I've been working on, taking place after Frank and Nancy graduate university. The first story, "Columbus Day" (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3), took place during Nancy and Frank's freshman year. This one takes place in the fall of their senior year, as their undergrad experiences are winding down. There's one or two more filler stories that I may post, but those aren't coming together as I'd like. We'll have to see where our intrepid not-so-teen detectives take me next. =)
Posted without beta, so any mistakes you see now are my own.
As with the previous -- for Ely.
Callie Shaw sat opposite her longtime boyfriend, Frank Hardy, at one of their favorite restaurants, Mr. Pizza, nestled inside the freshly renovated Bayport Mall. It was Friday night, and the small hangout hummed with activity: Yellow light filtered through tinted glass lamps, giving the room a warm glow as patrons ate their meals and hovered near the counter. Behind her, a pop tune blared through jukebox speakers, eventually giving way to a guitar-laden blues tune she much preferred. She noted also that what had begun as a low murmur of conversation was slowly growing louder as the crowd grew. It wouldn’t be long before the volume would make conversation difficult, if not impossible. An impish gleam danced in her eyes as she propped her chin in her palm. “Well, Mister Hardy,” she drawled, “you’ve just completed your thesis and the last finals of your undergrad career. What are you going to do?”
Frank glanced up at her from the table, his fingers idly chipping away at the ice on the mug of microbrew before him. Amusement lit his dark eyes, a smile flickering across his lips. “Go home and sleep until graduation.”
“What? No trip to Disneyworld? Brett Favre would be disappointed.”
“Well, Mr. Favre has a job – for now, and it pays pretty well, too,” Frank replied, chuckling. “That’s something I need to work on.”
Callie furrowed her brow. While Frank was certainly the more introspective of the two brothers, he seemed more contemplative than usual. Then again, she thought, he’s been studying and writing for weeks. That could have something to do with it. She wondered if she shouldn’t have put off their date another day or two.
She also knew that he had already submitted his applications to various agencies throughout the States, including the Bayport Police Department. Given his experience, she doubted he would have any trouble getting a job once he completed his undergraduate degree. Surely it was just a matter of time? She watched as he continued to draw designs on the frosty glass. “Still haven’t heard from anyone?”
“Hm?” Frank blinked, refocusing his attention on her. “Oh, I –“
“Hey, Frank; Callie. How ya doin’?”
Looking up, both found the new owner of the restaurant, Mike Gallo, approaching their table. A tall, muscular man, Mike cut an imposing figure. The look was further amplified by the shaved head and heavy, Brooklyn accent the man brought with him to his adopted hometown. Still, he was generous to a fault and an extremely loyal friend.
Smiling, Callie was the first to respond. “Great, Mike. Frank here’s just finished his last final – ever. I’m still trying to figure out what’s got him so pensive this evening.”
“Hey, hey!” Mike exclaimed. He gave Frank’s shoulder a light shove. “Didn’t realize you were almost done, man. Congrats!”
Frank chuckled, taking the shove in the manner it was intended. “Thanks, Mike.”
“Glad to be done?” Gallo asked.
“More or less. I think I’ll feel better about it after I get a decent night’s sleep.” Shaking his head, Frank took a long draw from his mug. “Senior thesis kicked my ass.”
“I’ll bet it did.” Mike paused, brow furrowing. “Hey, that mean Drew’s gonna be done, too?”
Callie looked to Frank and almost held her breath. Like Callie, Nancy Drew had been a friend to both Frank and Joe for most of their lives. She shared the boys’ passion for trouble and often traveled with them to solve mysteries around the globe. In more recent times, she had become a semi-permanent fixture, spending long weekends with the Hardy family and forming an ad hoc study group with Frank as the two worked their way through criminal justice degrees. The shared campaigns – casework and classwork – resulted in a familiarity between the two Callie sometimes envied. A small part of her even thought that, since Nancy’s relationship with Ned had fizzled, there would be considerably more than friendship between the two detectives, were it not for her. She was just thankful that particular green monster didn’t appear often.
She watched as Frank blinked, nodding. “Yeah.” He sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair, then flipped his wrist to check the time. “I actually should have called her earlier. Today was her last final, too."
Placing her hand atop his on the table, Callie swallowed. “I’m sure she did fine,” she said. She forced a smile. “Maybe better than you, Hardy.”
“Oh, I’m sure she did.” Frank shook his head. “I’ll just have to call her when I get home.”
Mike grinned. “Well, tell her congrats for me. And tell her next time she comes, I got a new Chicago-style she’s gonna love.”
The dark-haired Hardy chuckled. “Will do, Mike.” He paused. “Say, how about one of those Chicago-styles here? Large. We’ll take the leftovers back to Joe.”
“You got it. On the house.” Frank started to protest, but was silenced by a glance from Mike. “Least I can do, Hardy.” With a wink and another grin, he disappeared through the doors to the kitchen.
“Chicago-style, huh?” Callie asked, arching a brow.
Dark eyes danced with mischief. “Figured I might rub it in a little. She’s been a little homesick.”
“That mean she’s going back to River Heights after graduation?”
“I don’t know. We’ve talked about it a little, but she’s not sure. The District offers some really good opportunities that she can’t get back home; she’s even looked into a couple of grad programs there.”
So Frank and Nancy had discussed their post-graduation plans with one another, Callie thought. She supposed it wasn’t quite so unusual, given their similar backgrounds and programs. Still, she could feel the slightest prick of anger straightening her spine and fought to keep her expression neutral. “But…?”
“But we’re both kinda burned out.” Frank shrugged. “On the other hand, we both have offers on the table from the feds, so…”
Callie blinked. She knew her surprise was evident on her features. “Wait – offers on the table? When did you hear back?”
“Got my letter on Wednesday.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“I was a little busy, Callie.”
Despite her attempts to keep it reined in, her anger flared, bubbling just below the surface. The logical side of her mind knew that it had been an agonizing week, filled with final drafts and late-night study sessions; her own class schedule kept her equally busy. Her emotional side, however, reeled with what it considered the “implications” of his actions. “But she already knows.” It was a statement, and not a question.
For his part, Frank had the sense to be properly embarrassed. His shame dampened the anger briefly. “Nan was on the phone when I –“
“Nan?”
He winced at her tone. “Look, Callie, Nancy was on the phone with me when I got the letter. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, okay? With everything that’s gone on this week, it completely slipped my mind.”
Frustration radiated off him in waves, and she knew he was sincere. And she wanted to accept his apology. Really, she did. They were both already stressed and tired, a combination that surely contributed to the irritability of the moment. But a small feeling of betrayal coiled in her stomach. All the times apart, spent with her; all the cases solved with her; and now all the possibilities discussed with her. Not for the first time, Callie felt excluded. Did he realize how it all sounded? How it felt?
“Callie --“ Frank reached across the table, attempting to take her hand.
She pulled back, shaking her head and pinching the bridge of her nose. Drawing in a few deep breaths, she managed to gather what was left of her self control. Now isn’t the time for this conversation, she thought. She needed time to analyze her thoughts, distance to determine whether it was the exhaustion or genuine concern that drove her anger.
“Frank…why don’t we take a raincheck?” Callie forced a smile. “I don’t think either one of us is thinking all that clearly, and I really don’t want to ruin your night. You worked hard for this, and you should enjoy it.”
“I’d kinda hoped we would enjoy it together,” he said.
“We will – just not tonight.” Rising, she slung her purse over her shoulder and fought the urge to run to her car. “Go on home. Feed your brother some Chicago-style pizza, and...make your phone call. I-I’ll talk to you tomorrow." She pecked him quickly on the cheek before turning and passing a confused Mike on her way out the door.
Fandom: Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys
Pairing: Frank/Callie. Frank/Nancy.
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: The characters Frank Hardy, Joe Hardy, Nancy Drew, and Callie Shaw are not mine, used here for entertainment purposes only.
Notes: I started writing this as a means to an end: A way to explore some events I referenced in an ND/HB mystery I've been working on, taking place after Frank and Nancy graduate university. The first story, "Columbus Day" (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3), took place during Nancy and Frank's freshman year. This one takes place in the fall of their senior year, as their undergrad experiences are winding down. There's one or two more filler stories that I may post, but those aren't coming together as I'd like. We'll have to see where our intrepid not-so-teen detectives take me next. =)
Posted without beta, so any mistakes you see now are my own.
As with the previous -- for Ely.
Callie Shaw sat opposite her longtime boyfriend, Frank Hardy, at one of their favorite restaurants, Mr. Pizza, nestled inside the freshly renovated Bayport Mall. It was Friday night, and the small hangout hummed with activity: Yellow light filtered through tinted glass lamps, giving the room a warm glow as patrons ate their meals and hovered near the counter. Behind her, a pop tune blared through jukebox speakers, eventually giving way to a guitar-laden blues tune she much preferred. She noted also that what had begun as a low murmur of conversation was slowly growing louder as the crowd grew. It wouldn’t be long before the volume would make conversation difficult, if not impossible. An impish gleam danced in her eyes as she propped her chin in her palm. “Well, Mister Hardy,” she drawled, “you’ve just completed your thesis and the last finals of your undergrad career. What are you going to do?”
Frank glanced up at her from the table, his fingers idly chipping away at the ice on the mug of microbrew before him. Amusement lit his dark eyes, a smile flickering across his lips. “Go home and sleep until graduation.”
“What? No trip to Disneyworld? Brett Favre would be disappointed.”
“Well, Mr. Favre has a job – for now, and it pays pretty well, too,” Frank replied, chuckling. “That’s something I need to work on.”
Callie furrowed her brow. While Frank was certainly the more introspective of the two brothers, he seemed more contemplative than usual. Then again, she thought, he’s been studying and writing for weeks. That could have something to do with it. She wondered if she shouldn’t have put off their date another day or two.
She also knew that he had already submitted his applications to various agencies throughout the States, including the Bayport Police Department. Given his experience, she doubted he would have any trouble getting a job once he completed his undergraduate degree. Surely it was just a matter of time? She watched as he continued to draw designs on the frosty glass. “Still haven’t heard from anyone?”
“Hm?” Frank blinked, refocusing his attention on her. “Oh, I –“
“Hey, Frank; Callie. How ya doin’?”
Looking up, both found the new owner of the restaurant, Mike Gallo, approaching their table. A tall, muscular man, Mike cut an imposing figure. The look was further amplified by the shaved head and heavy, Brooklyn accent the man brought with him to his adopted hometown. Still, he was generous to a fault and an extremely loyal friend.
Smiling, Callie was the first to respond. “Great, Mike. Frank here’s just finished his last final – ever. I’m still trying to figure out what’s got him so pensive this evening.”
“Hey, hey!” Mike exclaimed. He gave Frank’s shoulder a light shove. “Didn’t realize you were almost done, man. Congrats!”
Frank chuckled, taking the shove in the manner it was intended. “Thanks, Mike.”
“Glad to be done?” Gallo asked.
“More or less. I think I’ll feel better about it after I get a decent night’s sleep.” Shaking his head, Frank took a long draw from his mug. “Senior thesis kicked my ass.”
“I’ll bet it did.” Mike paused, brow furrowing. “Hey, that mean Drew’s gonna be done, too?”
Callie looked to Frank and almost held her breath. Like Callie, Nancy Drew had been a friend to both Frank and Joe for most of their lives. She shared the boys’ passion for trouble and often traveled with them to solve mysteries around the globe. In more recent times, she had become a semi-permanent fixture, spending long weekends with the Hardy family and forming an ad hoc study group with Frank as the two worked their way through criminal justice degrees. The shared campaigns – casework and classwork – resulted in a familiarity between the two Callie sometimes envied. A small part of her even thought that, since Nancy’s relationship with Ned had fizzled, there would be considerably more than friendship between the two detectives, were it not for her. She was just thankful that particular green monster didn’t appear often.
She watched as Frank blinked, nodding. “Yeah.” He sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair, then flipped his wrist to check the time. “I actually should have called her earlier. Today was her last final, too."
Placing her hand atop his on the table, Callie swallowed. “I’m sure she did fine,” she said. She forced a smile. “Maybe better than you, Hardy.”
“Oh, I’m sure she did.” Frank shook his head. “I’ll just have to call her when I get home.”
Mike grinned. “Well, tell her congrats for me. And tell her next time she comes, I got a new Chicago-style she’s gonna love.”
The dark-haired Hardy chuckled. “Will do, Mike.” He paused. “Say, how about one of those Chicago-styles here? Large. We’ll take the leftovers back to Joe.”
“You got it. On the house.” Frank started to protest, but was silenced by a glance from Mike. “Least I can do, Hardy.” With a wink and another grin, he disappeared through the doors to the kitchen.
“Chicago-style, huh?” Callie asked, arching a brow.
Dark eyes danced with mischief. “Figured I might rub it in a little. She’s been a little homesick.”
“That mean she’s going back to River Heights after graduation?”
“I don’t know. We’ve talked about it a little, but she’s not sure. The District offers some really good opportunities that she can’t get back home; she’s even looked into a couple of grad programs there.”
So Frank and Nancy had discussed their post-graduation plans with one another, Callie thought. She supposed it wasn’t quite so unusual, given their similar backgrounds and programs. Still, she could feel the slightest prick of anger straightening her spine and fought to keep her expression neutral. “But…?”
“But we’re both kinda burned out.” Frank shrugged. “On the other hand, we both have offers on the table from the feds, so…”
Callie blinked. She knew her surprise was evident on her features. “Wait – offers on the table? When did you hear back?”
“Got my letter on Wednesday.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“I was a little busy, Callie.”
Despite her attempts to keep it reined in, her anger flared, bubbling just below the surface. The logical side of her mind knew that it had been an agonizing week, filled with final drafts and late-night study sessions; her own class schedule kept her equally busy. Her emotional side, however, reeled with what it considered the “implications” of his actions. “But she already knows.” It was a statement, and not a question.
For his part, Frank had the sense to be properly embarrassed. His shame dampened the anger briefly. “Nan was on the phone when I –“
“Nan?”
He winced at her tone. “Look, Callie, Nancy was on the phone with me when I got the letter. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, okay? With everything that’s gone on this week, it completely slipped my mind.”
Frustration radiated off him in waves, and she knew he was sincere. And she wanted to accept his apology. Really, she did. They were both already stressed and tired, a combination that surely contributed to the irritability of the moment. But a small feeling of betrayal coiled in her stomach. All the times apart, spent with her; all the cases solved with her; and now all the possibilities discussed with her. Not for the first time, Callie felt excluded. Did he realize how it all sounded? How it felt?
“Callie --“ Frank reached across the table, attempting to take her hand.
She pulled back, shaking her head and pinching the bridge of her nose. Drawing in a few deep breaths, she managed to gather what was left of her self control. Now isn’t the time for this conversation, she thought. She needed time to analyze her thoughts, distance to determine whether it was the exhaustion or genuine concern that drove her anger.
“Frank…why don’t we take a raincheck?” Callie forced a smile. “I don’t think either one of us is thinking all that clearly, and I really don’t want to ruin your night. You worked hard for this, and you should enjoy it.”
“I’d kinda hoped we would enjoy it together,” he said.
“We will – just not tonight.” Rising, she slung her purse over her shoulder and fought the urge to run to her car. “Go on home. Feed your brother some Chicago-style pizza, and...make your phone call. I-I’ll talk to you tomorrow." She pecked him quickly on the cheek before turning and passing a confused Mike on her way out the door.
