hardy boys fan fiction
FEBRUARY FLIRTATIONS
hardy boys nancy drew fan fiction
by
Aspen & Evergreen
Chapter 2
hardy boys fan fiction
THE CHAPTERS
Frank paused for a second, his eyebrows elevating. This was a surprising request. “Sure, Jeremy – what’s wrong? We’d be glad to lend a hand if you need it.”
Laura’s ears pricked up as she heard Frank’s words – and Jeremy’s name. She had a soft spot for the young rookie police officer who had been instrumental in protecting her from an attacker last fall – and who had been injured, doing it. She paused in her cleanup of the dining room table to listen to the conversation – at least, Frank’s side of it.
“Could I come over and explain, instead of telling you over the phone?” Jeremy asked diffidently. “I mean...I’d rather talk about this in person. If you’re not doing anything, that is.”
“We aren’t,” Frank replied. “We just finished dinner, so now’s a good time. Neither Joe nor I are going out. But are you sure you want to drive in the snow if you don’t have to? It’s been coming down pretty hard...”
“I’m sure.” Jeremy hesitated a moment before continuing. “It’s not that bad out – I mean, I’ve driven in worse.” He paused again. “I’ll be over in about half an hour,” he finally said. “If you’re sure that’s all right, I mean.”
Frank tried to stifle his sigh. “It’s fine, Jeremy,” he repeated patiently. “Come on over. Just drive carefully.”
Jeremy disconnected, and Frank returned to his task of helping Laura clear the dinner dishes off the table. She raised enquiring eyebrows at her older son, who grinned, shaking his head.
“That was Jeremy Isaacs,” he reported. “How’s that guy ever manage to arrest anybody?” he asked rhetorically. “He seems so...shy!”
“Maybe he doesn’t have to arrest anyone very often,” Laura laughed. “Or maybe he’s a little more authoritative with suspects. I take it he’s coming over?”
“Yeah. He says he has a problem he needs help with. He didn’t give me any clue as to what it was about, though. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what it is when he gets here.”
“Do you think he’s in trouble at work, or something like that?” Laura asked. “He’s a good officer – I can’t imagine it could be anything like that.”
“And it’s not likely that he’d come to us about a work problem anyway,” Frank agreed.
“Maybe he needs some help on a case, or saw something suspicious that he doesn’t quite know how to bring up to Collig,” Joe suggested, scraping plates into the garbage disposal. “You know, sometimes it’s easier to get an outside opinion before you approach the boss, right?”
“Not exactly standard procedure,” Frank frowned, “and I can’t see Jeremy not following procedure!”
“Is he married? Maybe it’s girl trouble!” Bella chirped, and Frank jumped, not having heard her approach.
He raised a skeptical eyebrow. “It sounded more serious than that,” he chided his cousin. “I doubt it has anything to do with girls.”
“He’s probably beating them off with bats anyway – or rather, with his baton,” Laura said with a mischievous smile. “He’s a good-looking young man, even if he IS awfully shy. And girls love a man in a uniform – just ask me!” She exchanged a knowing look with Bella, who giggled and nodded enthusiastically.
The two boys groaned, and Joe threw a dishtowel at his mother. “Moooooooom!” he protested, “My innocent ears!”
She made a scoffing noise. “Innocent ears? Your ears haven’t been innocent since you were in the sixth grade!”
“She’s got you there, bro.”
“Well, um...then think of Tinkerbelle’s innocent ears!” Joe tried again.
Bella smacked her tall cousin on the shoulder and, laughing, disappeared upstairs to get ready for her date.
Joe groaned again, muttered ‘Girls,” and went into the family room, where he flopped onto the couch and picked up the TV remote.
Frank, smirking, finished loading the dishwasher and then settled down beside his brother to await Jeremy’s arrival.
Two cars slowed in front of the Hardy residence almost simultaneously; Tony parked on the street, courteously allowing Jeremy to pull into the driveway. The two young men trudged together through the deepening snow up to the front door, eyeing each other curiously. Tony reached for the doorbell just as Frank opened the door.
“Hey, Tony – and Jeremy. Come in out of the snow. Do you two know each other? I didn’t think so. Jeremy, this is Tony Prito, a good friend of ours; Tony, this is Officer Jeremy Isaacs – also a friend.”
They shook hands politely, murmuring variations of ‘Pleased to meet you,’ and stamped snow off their shoes. Frank took Jeremy’s coat and hung it in the front hall closet. Tony kept his, but unzipped it.
“Ton, Bella will be down in a minute,” Frank told him. “Come on into the family room, both of you. How’re you doing, Jeremy?”
“Uh...I’m okay,” Jeremy mumbled, his freckled face turning slightly pink.
“Hi Jeremy, Tony,” Joe greeted them, waving negligently from the sofa. “Sit down; game’s on. Knicks and Celtics!”
The two newcomers sat, Jeremy appearing grateful for the distraction of the basketball game. They watched for a few minutes, united in their hopes for a New York victory.
“Here I am!” Bella was practically bouncing as she entered the room. “Hi, Tony,” she added in a seductive tone, and fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously.
“Bella mia,” he replied, and got to his feet. “You look charming – as always.”
“Jeez, Tony, you just saw her a couple hours ago!” Joe muttered, but Bella’s reaction was one of elation.
Her delighted giggles filled the room. “Isn’t he just the sweetest thing?” she appealed to her cousins, who both rolled their eyes long-sufferingly. “Hi, I’m Bella Scarpetti,” she said to Jeremy, who hastily stood up and extended his hand.
“Hi. I’m – um, I’m Jeremy Isaacs. Nice to meet you.”
“She’s our cousin, visiting from New York City,” Joe explained. “and she thinks she’s cute, but she’s really a little brat.”
“What? I am not! You take that back!” Bella advanced on him, scowling fiercely. Joe, laughing, pretended to cower away from the little blonde’s attack. Frank and Jeremy watched, grinning broadly.
“Caro, ignore him.” Tony held her back. “I’ll beat him up for you later.”
“Why, when I can beat him up now?” she demanded and lunged again.
“You and who else, Prito? I’m sorry, Tink – that you’re a brat. I mean, I’m sorry you’re not a brat...ouch!” Joe rubbed his bicep and gave up the game. “I loooove you, Tinkerbelle,” he cooed, and patted her curls teasingly.
“I love you too, and watch yourself; I have a REALLY long memory. Come on, Tony, I want to say goodbye to Aunt Laura before we leave.” Bella removed herself from Joe’s reach and tugged Tony from the room, heading in the direction of the kitchen.
“So...” Frank settled back in his chair, muting the sound on the television, and Joe sat down on the couch next to Jeremy. “What’s up, then? What’s the problem?”
Jeremy was blushing again. He looked down at his hands and fidgeted with the band on his wristwatch, then took a deep breath. “You and Joe – you have girlfriends, right?”
Frank nodded, mystified by what seemed a total non sequitur. “Yes, we both do.”
“I need...uh, you see, the problem is...well....” Jeremy was staring at his hands as if he held the secrets of the universe cupped in his palms. “I don’t know how – I can’t seem to – HOW DO YOU TALK TO GIRLS?” he suddenly burst out, the exclamation almost bouncing off the walls of the quiet room.
Frank blinked, taken aback. He opened his mouth and then shut it again, suspecting he resembled a goldfish, and sent a cautious glance Joe’s way. Joe looked equally thunderstruck. Frank was almost positive he heard a stifled gasp of laughter from the direction of the kitchen.
“I’m – going to get us some coffee or something. I’ll be right back,” Joe said, and getting to his feet, hastily left the room.
“You want us to tell you how to talk to girls? Why us?” Frank managed at last. “I man, why us, especially?”
Jeremy flushed miserably. “Ummm....”
“Let’s wait until Joe gets back,” Frank suggested, and turned the basketball game on again.
Out in the kitchen, Bella was dancing with excitement. “I told you! I told you!” she hissed to Tony and Laura. “I SAID it was a girl, didn’t I? Didn’t I?” As Joe came in, she turned to him. “I was right! Wasn’t I?”
“Forgive my girlfriend,” Tony grinned. “She was dropped on her head as a baby.”
“I was not!” Bella sputtered. “But I was right – admit it!”
“All right, you were right,” Joe sighed. “Tony, take her away. I’ve got to get back in there!” He leaned against the table, covering his mouth to stifle his laughter.
“We’re going to be late for the movie, il mio amore,” Tony said. “Let’s go.”
“All right, but I want to hear every single little detail when I get home!” Bella insisted. “Aunt Laura, listen in so you can tell me; the boys won’t get any of it right!”
“I’ll do my best, honey,” Laura said, blue eyes twinkling. She shooed the young couple out the back door, then turned to her younger son. “Joe, go back and tell Frank and Jeremy that there will be coffee or hot cocoa and cookies in a few minutes.” She grinned at him. “And make sure Jeremy speaks up nice and loud when he tells you what’s going on, if I don’t happen to be in there.”
“Mom, you’re going to listen in?” Joe was both amused and a little shocked.
“Darned right I am; didn’t you hear Bella’s orders? If I hadn’t learned to be in a position to overhear things long ago, I’d never know what was going on in this house!” his mother laughed softly.
“Jeez...the things you never know about your parents...” With a few incredulous backward glances, Joe went to the family room and announced that there would be refreshments forthcoming.
Frank and Jeremy were apparently immersed in the basketball game again. Frank once more turned down the volume on the television set as his brother sat down.
“Okay—” Frank waited, but Jeremy was again apparently fascinated by his wristwatch. “Jeremy,” he said carefully, “I’m not real sure why you think we can help – but we’ll try, you know that. Tell us what the problem is, okay? Is it girls in general? Or one in particular you can’t talk to?”
The redheaded police officer finally looked up. “I’m sorry to spring it on you like this,” he apologized. “I know it’s...um...kinda presumptuous of me. But you two always seem so – I’ve seen you with your girlfriends, and...and you seem so at ease with them. And I really need some pointers.”
The Hardys waited patiently as Jeremy stammered and stumbled through his explanation. Laura quietly came in with a tray and offered steaming cups; Joe carefully did not catch his mother’s eye.
“Thanks, Mrs. Hardy – I’ll take cocoa. I’ve had enough coffee to float the Titanic today!” Jeremy said with a grateful smile. He took a gulp of cocoa, pulled in a deep breath, and continued. “Anyway – yeah, it’s one particular girl. Woman – well, in her twenties, around my age, you know? She works at the precinct, in Records, and her name’s Amber. She’s civilian, not a cop. She’s really pretty....Um, anyway – I see her sometimes when I hand in reports for filing, or fetch files for review, things like that. I know she’s not seeing anyone, because...um, because I asked someone else I worked with, and they said she got over a messy relationship about a year ago, and hasn’t bothered trying to date anyone since then.”
“Okay, so what’s the problem?” Joe asked.
Jeremy gave him an exasperated look. “It’s me. I’ve TRIED talking to her, you know, tried to start up a conversation – but every time I try to say anything, my brain shuts down and I can’t get anything out that makes any sense! Whatever I have in mind sounds stupid in my head, so I just end up saying ‘Hi, I have more records for filing,’ or ‘Can you get me case file whatever, and...” He sighed dejectedly. “It’s just no use.”
“Oh. Hmmm.”
“The annual Policemen’s Ball is coming up in two months – in April – and I’d really like to ask her to go to it with me – but I can’t even talk to her, let alone ask her out on a date! I was thinking about it – and I remembered you guys had steady girlfriends, and—” he broke off momentarily, then forged ahead, “and obviously your friends have steady girlfriends, like Tony, there, and your cousin Bella. So anyway,” he concluded, “I figured you guys know how to talk to women, and maybe you could give me some pointers. Or...something. I mean, you seemed to be able to talk with Bella...of course, she’s your cousin, so that’s different....”
Frank was nearly strangling with the need to laugh, and Joe didn’t look much better. With heroic self-control, the elder Hardy managed to bite back his chortles and schooled his features into what he hoped was an encouraging smile. He dared not meet Joe’s eyes, or even look at Laura, who had unobtrusively returned from the kitchen and quietly seated herself in a corner.
“Can you talk to other girls, and it’s just Amber you can’t?” Joe asked.
“Well, I talk to other cops, and some of them are women,” Jeremy said rather defensively. “I don’t have any trouble talking to witnesses or perps or the Assistant DA’s, or other records clerks So yeah, I guess it’s just Amber, mostly.”
“Maybe it’s just a confidence thing,” Frank suggested, feeling rather out of his depth. “I mean, I don’t consciously talk to Megan any certain way, I just...do it! I can say whatever pops into my head, you know?” One look at Jeremy, however, informed Frank that Jeremy did not know, and he wracked his brain for a solution, wondering if Jeremy had dated in high school or college.
“What you want,” Joe cut in decisively, “is for Amber to notice you as a person instead of just another cop that she fetches files for – right?”
“Right.”
“You need a hook. Something that makes you stand out from the rest of the cops asking for files, that makes her interested in you.”
“You mean other than the fact that I practically swallow my tongue and fall over my feet when I talk to her?” Jeremy asked dryly.
“Yeah, other than that.”
“Well,” Jeremy said in exasperation, “that’s why I’m here! I’m looking for advice, guys, and you’re IT!”
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Disclaimer
The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.