She forced her eyes open. Someone was leaning over her. She blinked a few times. The person came into focus. It was Ned. She moistened her lips. She softly asked, "Ned, what are you doing here?"

"I’m here for you."

"Where am I?"

"In the hospital. Do you remember what happened?"

"I was shot." Nancy looked at Ned. "Someone shot me."

"You were, but that’s in the past now. All that matters right now is that you’re all right."

"Ned, what are you doing here?" Nancy asked again, realizing he was supposed to be at home.

"Frank called me. He figured I’d want to be here with you. I’m glad I am."

"I’m glad you’re here too."

Ned took hold of her left hand and squeezed it. He said, "You know, I’m sorry about what happened. It’s my fault things have been different between us."

"I’m sorry too," Nancy said. "We should have talked. Running off on the case didn’t help matters."

"We need to talk thinks out that are bothering us. We can’t keep things bottled up."

"You’re right." Nancy felt her eyes closing.

"Get some rest," Ned said softly.

"Okay," Nancy murmured. She felt Ned kiss her.

Before she fell asleep, she heard Ned say, "I love you, Nancy."

* * * * *

Sunlight streaming through the window woke Nancy. She blinked against the brightness turning her head away from the window. She saw Ned asleep in a chair beside her bed. He had his jacket covering him.

She wondered what time it was. She looked down to the end of the bed. Her right arm was in a sling. She tried to move her arm, but stopped when an intense pain shot through her shoulder.

There was a soft tapping on the door. She watched the door open and saw a head poke around the corner. It was Frank. She motioned him to come in. Frank entered the room with Joe right behind him. They both moved over to the bed, giving her a gentle hug and a kiss on the cheek.

When they pulled back, Frank quietly asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Sore, but I’m feeling better."

"I have to admit you’re looking better," Frank admitted.

Nancy looked at Frank and Joe. "Did you catch Matt?"

Frank and Joe nodded. Joe said, "He was out cold with on punch."

"One punch?"

"With one punch." Joe smiled. "After he fired his fun, we charged at him. I only hit him once after we got the gun away from him."

"You don’t have to worry about Matt or Ashley," Frank said. "Both of them are in police custody."

"Both of them?" She was surprised, but also glad they wouldn’t be able to hurt anyone else.

"Yes," Frank said. "Ashley broke down at the station last night and told the police everything. They wrote the notes to Debbie. They also stole the guns and hid them in the school."

"Did Ashley say why they took the guns to school?"

"Ashley claims it was to get even with the people that hurt them," Frank said. "They started with Debbie since she broke up with Matt. Ashley claimed the list included people who had hurt her."

"Did Matt say how he knew who I was?"

"Matt claimed he had been in Chicago and read about your wedding in the newspaper. He knew who you were. He felt you were a threat to his plan and had to be taken care of."

"So, he threw me into the drinking fountain trying to scare me off," Nancy concluded.

"He may have tried, but he didn’t succeed."

Nancy sighed. "I’m just glad this case is over."

"So am I."

All three of them looked and saw Ned was awake. Nancy said, "Oh, Ned. I’m sorry if we woke you."

"It’s all right." Ned stood up and moved over to the bed. He took Nancy’s left hand in both of his and looked at Frank and Joe. "Is this case really over?"

"It is. Ashley told the police the entire plan and is going to testify against Matt," Frank said.

"How much trouble is Ashley in?" Nancy asked.

"She might get a lighter sentence because she’s testifying against Matt, but who knows," Joe answered.

"I’m just glad it’s over," Nancy said.

"Now things can return to normal," Frank said.

"What’s normal?" Ned asked.

"Not our lives," Nancy said.

"That’s for sure," Joe added.

Frank looked at his watch and then Nancy. "We have to go. We got a call before coming over. We have a case waiting back home."

"I understand," Nancy said.

"I wish we could’ve spent more time together," Frank said.

"Our paths will cross again. They always do."

"Take care, Nancy." Frank gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"I will. You take care too," Nancy said as Joe gave her a hug and a kiss.

"Thanks for helping Nancy," Ned said. "I’m glad you were here."

"You’re welcome," Frank said. "We’ll talk to you later."

"Bye," Nancy and Ned said as the Hardy’s left the room.

Once they were alone, Nancy looked at Ned as he sat on the edge of the bed beside her. She looked at him and realized how much she loved him. She didn’t know what she would do without him.

She realized Ned was staring at her. She asked, "What are you looking at?"

"You." Ned leaned over and gave her a kiss. Ned continued when they broke apart. "I’m one lucky guy."

"You sure are. And I’m glad you’re my lucky guy."

Ned kissed her again. Nancy was glad they had talked. She knew they could work things out. She knew once their problems were solved, things would only get better. She knew they could handle anything as long as they took care of it together.

Nancy reached for Ned’s face with her left hand. She touched his cheek. "Ned, I love you."

"I love you, Nancy."

Ned kissed her again. Nancy knew things would be all right between them. Everything was going to be fine.

-The End-