Author's Note: This story builds on a chapter I posted previously under the title "All the Difference." I've tried to keep the mystery simple in the classic Nancy Drew tradition, but I've added some fluff. Probably too much, because my favorite part of things is the conversations & interactions between characters rather than the Action. We all know Nancy gets the bad guy in the end. I'm more interested in how friendships and romantic relationships play out in the meantime. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 1: All the Difference

"Ned," said Nancy after one particularly boring dinner party, "why is it that you always introduce me to your colleagues as a 'girl detective'? You would never introduce Frank or Joe Hardy as a 'man detective.'" She said it carefully, keeping her face and her voice neutral, but Ned winced as though she had struck him. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel of his BMW.

"It can only mean two things," Nancy went on, calmly. "Either you're trying to fit in by giving the impression that you agree with their old-fashioned ideas about women's work, or you actually believe for yourself that a woman can't be a real detective. And neither of those options is exactly endearing you to me."

"How spineless do you think I am?" Ned protested. "I would never belittle you in order to fit in."

"I know," Nancy told him. "But that leaves only the second option. You're just indulging me, letting me play detective until we're married."

"Nancy, I am doing very well at work. Your father thinks I'll make partner within a few years. My wife won't need to work," Ned said. His jaw was set. Nancy knew that look. She also knew that she was more stubborn than he was.

"Good for her. I hope she is happy."

"Don't do this, Nan."

"Ned, we both know I'm not going to be that smiling little wife greeting you at the door in an apron every evening. I love what I do. I'm never going to fold up my brain and put it away in my hope chest for your sake or anyone else's."

"We've been together for so long," he said, trailing off as if uncertain where to go with that statement.

"I know," she said miserably.

"I thought you loved me."

"I did. I do."

"Which is it?"

"I'm not sure you even love me the way you think you do. We don't have any passion, Ned. We have- we have grown into a dear companionship," Nancy said carefully.

"Don't you dare say we can be friends," Ned warned.

"What do you want me to say? Our futures are obviously not going to line up," she said, becoming frustrated.

"We can work this out. Give it another chance."

"Can you promise to take my career seriously? Because I am a detective, I am always going to be a detective. Giving that up would be like giving up an arm or a leg."

Ned parked the car in her driveway and sat there, still gripping the wheel. There was a long silence in which he would not meet her eyes. She could tell by the way he held himself that he was fighting tears.

"I don't know how to say goodbye to you," he whispered finally.

"Ned," she said, her voice breaking. He turned suddenly and pulled her close, hugging her almost too tightly.

"It's unthinkable. You're a constant. You're part of my life," he said into her neck. She could feel the wetness of his tears there and she leaned her cheek against his head, letting her own tears dampen his dark hair.

"I know, Ned. But it's better this way, now, before we make vows we can't keep."

Nancy had done many brave things in her life, but the bravest of them was this: she untangled herself from Ned's embrace. She slipped his ring off her finger and put it gently into his hand. She took a deep breath, gave him one last long look, and stepped out of his car, free to face the future on her own terms.