Disclaimer: I do not own Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys or any of the related characters. I just like to take them out to play. I make no money from this.

Sequencing Note: The short Interference & Intercourse could actually serve as a prologue to this story, which unlike my last two has no prologue. My problem was that while that short is rated M, this story is rated T, so I didn't try it. For those so inclined, though, I&I does immediately precede the beginning of this full-length story.

I&I should not be confused with Interludes of Intimacy (IofI) which is the companion mature outtakes for this story.

Happy reading!

Chapter 1: Licenses & Lingering

"It's not here," Nancy Drew said as she began putting the clothes back into the bottom drawer of the dresser.

"Damn it! It's not here either."

Frank Hardy, Nancy's fiancé, had just finished tearing everything out of the headboard of the bed. He moved to the center of the guest bedroom of his parents' home looking puzzled and irritated. His mocha brown eyes scanned the room.

Despite his obvious upset, Nancy found her thoughts wandering. Frank's dark hair was still damp from the quick shower they had shared after his father, Fenton, had come up to knock on Frank's bedroom door this morning, announcing that Pastor Eckles had arrived. Nancy stifled a giggle at the memory of the morning's antics. It would be a long while before they lived down the last couple of days.

"I'm sure I put it in the dresser drawer. You didn't find it?" Frank asked.

Nancy moved to his side and took his hand. "You looked and I looked and I don't think we both would have missed it, honey. I even took all the clothes out of each drawer. It isn't in the dresser. It has to be somewhere else."

"Maybe one of the side tables?"

Each went to a side table and looked but the search didn't take long. They both came up empty-handed.

Nancy snapped her fingers. "Your pocket! Maybe you left it there and only thought you put it away."

"I already checked," Frank said. "You didn't happen to put it in Dad's lockbox, did you?"

"No."

"Shit."

Frank ran his hands back through his hair and laced his fingers together at the back of his head. The well-defined muscles on his shoulders and chest were evident even through the white t-shirt he was wearing as he stretched back in an attempt to relieve some tension.

Again, Nancy moved to his side, rubbing his broad shoulders gently. "Relax, honey. It isn't the end of the world. I'm sure we can get a replacement somehow."

The pastor had arrived to plan the double wedding ceremony they would be sharing with Frank's brother and his fiancée in just three days. His first request had been for the marriage licenses so he could file the necessary legal paperwork with the New York Department of Health after the ceremony. Unfortunately, Frank and Nancy's marriage license was now missing in action.

She felt some of the tension leave Frank's shoulders as he gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "Yeah, we'll go down to the clerk's office, drop another forty bucks and then find the original. Isn't that the way it works?"

He turned and Nancy wrapped her arms around his narrow waist as he pulled her tight against his chest. They stood that way for several seconds. Frank sighed and let her go.

"I suppose we should go down and let Pastor Eckles know the problem," Frank said in resignation. "I'm starting to think I'm losing my mind. It's a good thing you're in charge of the wedding bands, sweetheart. You put them in Dad's lockbox, right?"

Nancy nodded. "Safe and sound in your dad's office."

But as Frank took her hand and led the way out of the bedroom, she made a mental note to check with Fenton and make sure. She figured it couldn't hurt to be absolutely certain that the rings hadn't mysteriously disappeared like their marriage license. She shook herself. She was letting her over-active mystery radar take over. She chided herself silently in her head, no mysteries allowed this week!

They joined the others in the backyard at the gazebo, where the ceremony would take place. Frank's brother, Joe, was sitting in the swing with his fiancée, Vanessa Bender.

With his wavy, golden hair, mischievous blue eyes, and blocky, line-backer build, Joe was about as different from Nancy's tall, lean and darkly handsome fiancé as he could get. The brothers were often teased that they didn't look like they were related at all.

Joe's fiancée was a tall, willowy ash blonde with blue-gray eyes and fine, porcelain features. Vanessa was beautiful and her delicate build was the perfect balance to Joe's bulky good looks.

Vanessa stood with Joe and they descended the steps to join the group standing just outside the gazebo.

"Did you find it?" Van asked.

Frank shook his head. "We tore the room apart, but no luck. I can't figure out what the heck could have happened to it."

"You'll just have to go get a certified copy," Laura Hardy said. "Pastor Eckles said you could give it to him at the rehearsal, right, Pastor?"

Frank and Joe's mother was a pretty, petite blonde with periwinkle blue eyes. It was easy to see where Joe got his coloring and with Fenton Hardy standing next to his wife, it was obvious where the younger Hardy boy got his build as well. Like his brother, Frank was an interesting and unique blend of his parents' attributes, equally as handsome but in an entirely different way. Seeing the family together it became evident they were all related.

"I don't suppose Andrea and I could go to the clerk's office and pick up the copy?" Nancy's father, Carson Drew, asked.

Nancy smiled gratefully at her father and Vanessa's mother, Andrea, who stood next to him nodding hopefully. Tall and distinguished, with dark hair just beginning to gray at the temples and blue eyes that were vivid in a darkly-tanned face, her father looked more relaxed and content than Nancy ever remembered him being. She knew there were many reasons why, but she was convinced that the beautiful, older version of Vanessa that currently had her arm tucked through his was a big part of Carson Drew's obvious happiness.

"I'm afraid they are rather particular about the couple collecting the marriage license personally," Pastor Eckles said with a smile and turned to Frank and Nancy. "If you get it sometime before Friday that should be fine."

"We'll do it today, sir," Frank said.

"Hang on," Joe said. "You and Nan promised you'd help us at the house today. I'm gonna need you, bro."

Van took Joe's arm and must have pinched him because he gave a surprised yelp.

"Hey, what was that for?" Joe asked, glaring at his fiancée.

With a stern glance, Van said, "I'm sure there will be plenty of time for the furniture moving after Frank and Nan get back from the clerk's office, hon. We'll make a trip or two with the smaller items for the kitchen in the meantime."

"Thanks, Van," Frank said. "We'll get back as soon as we can to help out."

The pastor gave a satisfied nod. "With that settled let's get to the real purpose of my visit this morning. I must say, this is a lovely setting for a wedding ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Hardy. I have some splendid ideas for the ceremony logistics, but of course it all depends on what our two couples want..."

nhnhnhnhnhnh

"Joe, I need your help."

His fiancée stood in front of him and as he often did, Joe Hardy wondered why she put up with him. Any time now, he expected her to come to her senses and tell him to take a hike. Especially when she was glaring at him, as she was right now. But in all fairness, he had been helping her most of the day.

"Come on, babe. I spent all morning lugging boxes into the kitchen for your dinner party tonight. And then, for the last several hours, I have about broken my back with Frank to lug in all this heavy furniture. I'm bushed. Can't I just sit for a little bit?"

Van's glare turned into a cute little pout that made Joe want to stand up and kiss her even though he was exhausted.

"Please, Joe? I just need you to help me with the extension table. After that I promise to let you rest. Nan was a huge help in the kitchen this afternoon, but we forgot to get the leaves in the table and I can't do that by myself."

With a sigh, Joe hauled himself to his feet. It was worth the effort when Van's face broke out into a breathtaking smile. Even more so when she put her hands on his shoulders and leaned in to give him a warm kiss.

"Thank you, hon!"

Less than an hour later Joe finished setting the table and walked into the kitchen where Vanessa was taking the lasagna out of the oven. She set the bubbling pan of pasta, cheese and meat sauce on the stove. As soon as it was out of her oven-mitted hands Joe wrapped his arms around her.

"Are we done yet, babe?"

"I just need to throw the garlic bread into the oven and dress the salad, but I won't do either until everyone arrives."

"I'll take that as a 'yes.' Which is good because I really need a shower. Care to join me?" Joe wagged his eyebrows at her.

Van threw the oven mitts onto the counter and turned around to fix him with a stern gaze. "Our guests will be coming in just under half an hour."

Joe shrugged. "So?"

Van took his hand and led him out of the kitchen and toward the bathroom. The coy little smile on her face was a promise that made Joe's heart rate skyrocket.

"So... we'll have to make it quick."

How did he get so lucky?

nhnhnhnhnhnh

Frank turned off the shower and opened the curtain to find Nancy standing at the vanity. She was wearing different clothes than when he'd gotten into the shower ten minutes earlier, having traded the casual shorts and shirt outfit for a blue sundress. The dress hugged her figure nicely and the color made her blue eyes pop. He smiled appreciatively.

She was squinting into an almost-clear streak swiped through the fog on the mirror and fussing with her reddish-blonde hair. He chuckled as he toweled off.

"Your hair looks fine, sweetheart. Quit messing with it."

Nancy caught his eye in the mirror and then turned to face him. Her blatantly appraising gaze catapulted his thoughts into dangerous territory. He wrapped the towel around his waist and stepped out of the tub, which put him close enough to reach out and encircle her in his arms.

Pulling away, Nancy shook her head as she turned back toward the mirror.

"No. If you start that we're going to be late to dinner."

"Actually, I think you started it, looking at me like that," he teased, moving behind her and nuzzling her neck.

He liked her new hair style – the short hair on the left side of her head provided easy access to the nape of her neck, while the hair on the right side still fell in silky soft waves to her shoulder. He knew she didn't care for the funky style she'd been forced into after losing half her hair to fire a few weeks ago, but it really was attractive on her.

"Frank Hardy, behave yourself. After all the teasing you've taken from your bother and father over the last day about our active sex life, I would think you'd cool it."

"Mmm, hard to cool it when you're around, sweetheart," he murmured against her neck. Her squirming and soft, intermittent giggles only served to encourage him. She put up with his attention for a couple more minutes before protesting again.

"Frank, please," Nancy's voice was breathless. "I really don't want to be late, especially tonight."

With a sigh, he let her go. "We'd only be a little late. Joe and Van won't care."

"But it would be rude – not only to Joe and Van but also to Callie and Sam," Nancy said as she attempted to gather her hair on top of her head.

Frank opened the bathroom door and moved out into the bedroom to dress.

"Is that why you're so nervous? Because Callie and Sam are going to be at dinner tonight?" he asked as he put on underwear.

"Yes. I've only met Callie once and I haven't met Sam at all. I want to make a good impression." Nancy appeared in the bathroom door, her attempt to put up her hair apparently abandoned.

Frank pulled on his khaki shorts as he responded, "Cal and Sam are friends, Nan, not potential employers or something. You need to relax."

Nancy walked to the bed and sat down, fingering her abandoned outfit from earlier. "I know. I guess I'm just trying too hard. I... I feel kind of awkward around Callie – around all of your friends, really, but especially Callie. I mean, she told me she broke it off with you because of me. I feel guilty and I'm just not sure how to act."

He sighed. The reception Nancy had been getting from his group of high school friends had been less than friendly but he figured it would pass. He hadn't realized just how much it was bothering Nancy.

Grabbing his shirt off the dresser, he walked over and tossed it on the bed. He put his hands on her shoulders, leaning down so he could look into her eyes. She had the most beautiful eyes. He took a deep breath and mentally refocused on their discussion – no small task given how good she smelled.

"Callie and I haven't dated in over two years, sweetheart," he said. "It's practically ancient history. Besides, she's happily married to Sam. More importantly, soon we will be happily married to each other. As for my other friends… they'll come around. I know they will. You need to relax and just be yourself. I mean, I'm crazy about you so I can't imagine they won't at least... like you."

She looked up at him and he lost his focus as she whispered, "I love you so much."

The soft smile that curved her full mouth was an invitation he couldn't resist. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers, intending just a brief, comforting kiss. Unfortunately, as often happened when he was close to her, he lost track of what he had planned.

Her hands rested lightly on his shoulders as she returned the kiss. He fell into it, literally and figuratively, pushing her back onto the bed and following her down. His hand slid up her thigh, pushing her dress out of the way as he went.

"Frank, we need to go," Nancy murmured, even as one hand trailed down his chest to allow her fingers to trace the waistline of his shorts.

Tugging at her panties, Frank smiled at the surrender he recognized in her face.

"Yes, we do. So stop fighting it and let's make love. Then we can get on with our evening."

Her responding smile was self-deprecating. "You know I can't say 'no' this time of month."

Dipping his head, he stopped with his lips just centimeters away from hers, their breath mingling as their noses brushed.

He whispered, "I was counting on it."

nhnhnhnhnhnh

"Joe, would you please go get the door?" Vanessa asked as she put the garlic bread in the oven.

"Sure, babe."

Joe whistled as he walked out of the kitchen and Vanessa chuckled to herself. For someone who was exhausted from moving furniture, he'd certainly had a lot of energy half an hour ago.

Vanessa retrieved the tossed salad from the refrigerator and set it on the counter, glancing around the cozy kitchen to make sure everything was tidy before going out to greet their guests.

The kitchen door opened into the dining room, which was continuous to the living room through an open archway. She caught sight of her best friend, Callie Shaw-Kempfer, who had just come in the front door and was giving Joe a quick peck on the cheek.

Joe and Callie seemed to get along much better these days than they had in the past. Of course, it likely had a lot to do with the fact that Callie and Joe's brother were no longer a couple. Vanessa didn't care why, it was just a huge relief that the animosity had dissipated.

"Callie, it's so good to see you!" Van met her friend part way across the living room and embraced her as she noted the pretty green halter-top dress she was wearing. "You didn't need to dress up for us, but you look beautiful. Is that new? You're going to have to take me shopping, girl!"

Callie's smile seemed tight and she waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, this old thing. I just threw it on."

Callie's husband, Sam, chuckled. "It's brand new, don't let her fool you."

Vanessa noted with interest the deep blush that crept up Callie's cheeks. She patted her friend's arm. "Well, it's beautiful, anyway. I'm so glad you could come tonight."

Turning to grip Sam's hand in a warm shake, Vanessa gave him a light kiss on the cheek. She was forever grateful that Callie had met him. He was thoughtful and sweet and he absolutely adored her. Sam was a couple inches shorter than Joe but just as broad through the chest, with blond hair cropped close to his head. He had a classically-handsome face, with chiseled features, and his muscular, bulky build complemented Callie's slim figure. They made a striking couple.

Vanessa took Callie's hand and led her back toward the kitchen. "I need to dress the salad and check on the garlic bread. Come keep me company."

Callie followed willingly. When the kitchen door swung shut behind them, Callie asked, "So, are Frank and Nancy coming?"

"They should be here shortly," Vanessa said.

"I thought Sam and I were late," Callie said, leaning against the counter, arms crossed. "Odd that Frank wouldn't be here yet. He used to get so irritated with me when I would hold us up."

"I'm sure they'll be along soon," Vanessa said, hoping to steer the conversation away from the uncomfortable topic and wondering why Callie was bringing it up at all. "It's been crazy around the Hardy household with all the preparations for the wedding. Frank and Nan probably got held up by something or other in relation to that. They were helping us get some essentials moved to the house most of today. Things are starting to take shape around here, don't you think?"

"Mhmm," Callie murmured. "You should have called. Sam and I were in town. We could have come over to help."

"I know, but I'm sure you want to spend some time with your folks, too," Vanessa said. "I know your mom misses you."

"Speaking of mothers," Callie said as Van opened the oven to check the garlic bread. "I saw yours today at the mall with a very handsome man and they seemed quite friendly. You didn't tell me she had a new beau."

Closing the oven door, Van turned to face her friend, eyes alight. "That was Carson. He and Mom have been seeing each other pretty regularly for the last several weeks."

"Is he new to Bayport?" Callie asked. "He didn't look at all familiar."

Vanessa wondered why she hadn't just come right out and told Callie that Carson was Nancy's father. She was being silly.

"Actually, he's Nancy's father. He and Joe's dad have been close friends for years. He's been making frequent business trips to DC lately and what with the wedding and Nan being here he's been around Bayport quite a bit."

"Nancy's father? So, the Drews are kind of... conquering Bayport, huh?" Callie gave a stilted laugh and cast an uncomfortable glance at Vanessa. "That was catty, wasn't it? I don't know what's wrong with me, Van. It shouldn't bother me this much…"

Vanessa gazed at her friend sympathetically. She hadn't realized just how difficult this would be for her. She and Frank had seemed fine with the change in their relationship whenever they'd run into each other over the last couple years. Of course, that was before Nancy and Frank got together.

"We've been through this, Cal. I thought you were ok with how everything turned out. You even talked to Nancy about it."

"I know, I know," Callie said quietly as she began pacing, arms wrapped around herself. "And the truth is that even if Frank wanted me back he couldn't have me. I love Sam. He's the man that Frank could never be."

"Sam is a great guy – and you two have been really happy together. So what's wrong?"

"I don't know. I guess part of me was satisfied to think Frank was alone. It felt like... retribution of sorts. I mean, how often did he leave me alone so he could go running off with Joe and... and her, supposedly to solve some case?" Callie shook her head, her smile self-deprecating and apologetic. "Geez, that sounds petty, especially when I say it out loud. It's just getting to me, especially with the wedding only a few days away."

Vanessa took the garlic bread out of the oven to give herself time to think. Since Callie married Sam over a year ago, Vanessa had assumed that she was over her relationship with Frank. Obviously, there were some lingering hard feelings there that she had not recognized before now. Thinking back, she realized there were times Callie would make snippy remarks about Frank. Vanessa had always laughed them off but maybe she should have paid closer attention.

"I'm sorry I put you in this position, Cal. When I went along with the double ceremony I didn't even think about it. And Joe wanted it so badly."

You did, too, Vanessa thought to herself. It had been a huge relief when the wedding plans had changed. She adored Frank and over the last couple months she had found she truly liked and admired Nancy. That she and Joe would say their marriage vows in the same ceremony where Nancy and Frank said theirs just felt right.

"I don't know how you stand it, Vanessa. Take one Hardy brother and you get them both. They're like a package deal. That was part of the problem between Frank and me – by far not the only problem, but definitely a big part of it. It's probably why Joe was always undermining me."

The bitter edge to Callie's voice caught Van by surprise. It also served to irritate her.

"I think you're probably right... about it being a big part of the problem between you and Frank, I mean. But I'll tell you what I don't understand, Callie. You've known them far longer than I have. Going into the relationship with Frank you had to have known how close he and his brother were. Did you honestly think that was going to change?"

Callie's face fell. "You're angry with me."

Vanessa sighed. "I'm not angry. Just... frustrated. And I don't know how to fix it. You're my best friend, but Frank is going to be my brother-in-law and I am not going to bad-mouth him with you."

The sound of the doorbell interrupted their conversation.

"It sounds like Nancy and Frank are here," Vanessa said. "Are you going to be alright tonight or should I make an excuse for you to bow out gracefully? I could tell everyone you have a blinding headache…"

Callie physically shook herself and smiled ruefully. "I'm really sorry, Vanessa. I'm fine... it will be fine."

After a critical survey of her friend, who seemed to have shaken the worst of the sour mood and was smiling bravely, Vanessa nodded. "Good. Would you dress the salad with the Italian dressing in the fridge and then put it on the table while I slice the garlic bread?"

It only took Callie a couple minutes to finish the salad, and she was headed out of the kitchen. Vanessa hurried to cut the garlic bread and put it into a lined bread basket. She wanted to join the others and make sure that the conversation stayed friendly.

NH

A/N: I wanted to make sure to express my sincere gratitude to my betas on this story – JackieJacks and SnowPrincess – you are the BEST! Without you, this story would not be nearly as error-free and cohesive as it is. THANK YOU!

Don't forget to push the little review button – I would truly appreciate the feedback!