Nancy wrinkled her nose as the first fat drops of rain fell onto the front walk, just before the quiet whoosh that ushered in a heavy downpour. She was perched on the big overstuffed couch in the living room, her knees on the seat cushion and her belly against the back cushion as she gazed out the window. She didn't expect Ned for a few hours, but her stomach was already jumping in anticipation, and no matter what she found to distract her, within a few minutes she was back here, looking out like a girl waiting for Christmas morning to arrive.
The comparison seemed appropriate, anyway. She missed Ned intensely. During her most recent case, in New York, they had stolen as many moments together as they could, and she had loved it. Going to Fox Lake by themselves, during a storm... well, that had definite possibilities too. She had packed several swimsuits, for a good cover if for no other reason.
Hannah Gruen, wrapped in a long rain slicker, stamped her wet feet on the front doormat and let herself in. When Nancy saw that Hannah was struggling under the weight of a wrapped parcel, she sprang over to help. "Expecting something?"
Nancy shook her head, smiling when she saw it was addressed to her. The return address was one she didn't recognize, in New York. "Maybe I left something behind at the hotel."
Hannah chuckled as she hung up her raincoat. "Want to help me with lunch after you open it?"
Nancy nodded, finding a pair of scissors. She heard Hannah humming to herself as she walked into the kitchen.
The box was full of packing peanuts, with a thick envelope on top. Nancy hesitated for a moment before she picked it up and lifted the flap. The thick paper inside bore a typed message.
Congratulations! Please find the enclosed Loving Cup—
Nancy dug in the packing peanuts and found a thick, sturdy metal handle under her fingertips. She tugged it up and, indeed, it was a silver loving cup. A few of them graced the shelves in her bedroom, thanks to past competitions she had won, but she honestly couldn't think of anything she had competed in that had promised a delayed prize. It had been ages, anyway; the last competition she hadn't even realized she had entered had involved being handed a tiara during a fraternity dance at Emerson.
The plaque read: Nancy Drew, A Stand-Up Girl
Nancy raised an eyebrow and returned her attention to the card.
Congratulations! Please find the enclosed Loving Cup, recognizing your participation in the Honey Trap Couples Competition.
Nancy's other eyebrow rose. She definitely had done no such thing.
We realize that your participation was inadvertent, but we had no choice but to reward your performance. Our vote was unanimous, and you and your partner should be proud of your stellar showing.
Nancy felt a red flush climb up her chest, up her neck. Honey Trap. That had been one of the clubs she and Ned had checked out, during her case in New York. No leads. And then...
You see, we have a security camera set up in the alley beside the club, for the couples who care to demonstrate that their sexual skill is above and beyond. As you and your partner did not officially enter the contest, technically you could not win it, but rest assured that if you could have, you would have.
Oh God. "Jesus Christ," Nancy barely mouthed, as the flush reached her cheeks. She'd had no idea. If the club advertised it, they hadn't done so in a very obvious way, but she and Ned had only been in the club maybe fifteen or twenty minutes and they hadn't been looking out for anything like that. Then they had walked out, a little tipsy from the drinks the bartender had made, or maybe a little more than tipsy.
Your encounter excelled in the following point categories:
-Permission asked and enthusiastic consent given
-Athletic ability needed to achieve position(s)
-Number of orgasms (judged)
-Generosity of (both) partner(s)
-Tenderness of interactions
-Obvious use of contraception where applicable
-Videoworthiness
-Style
-Sticking the dismount
One judge wishes to add full credit in the theoretical category "for just bein' a legit dirty-hot fuckfest," so let the record so state.
Nancy groaned quietly and covered her face with her hand, then cleared her throat and read the last few lines.
The next time you find yourself in NYC, bring this letter and drinks are on the house. Double for your partner. Because damn.
"A loving cup!"
Nancy, catching the double entendre as Hannah exclaimed it, stifled the immediately profane response that sprang to her lips and jerked the letter down, pressing its face against her thigh. "Yes," she breathed out, and forced a smile.
"I didn't know you'd entered a contest!" Hannah was wiping her hands on her apron.
"Me either," Nancy replied. She could feel that her face was still flushed a violently hot red, but Hannah's attention was still on the award. "It was a spur of the moment thing, apparently."
Hannah chuckled. "Well, you are a very talented girl," she said. "I know you won't be home for it, but mind helping me with the pie crust?"
Nancy considered finding an excuse to burn the letter, but she settled for tucking it against her skin, where she could be certain neither Hannah nor her father would somehow see it. By the time Ned pulled up in the driveway, she had almost convinced herself it was just a joke. It had to be.
Except. God, she could remember it, and...
Yeah.
Ned grinned at her when she opened the door to his knock, then glanced down in surprise when she handed him the loving cup. He read the inscription on the plaque, then glanced up at her, his expression quizzical.
"I'll explain in the car."
He opened her car door for her, then went around the car to get into the driver's seat, but didn't start the car. "Okay, I'll bite. Why is there a loving cup in the backseat?"
"Mostly so my dad doesn't see it yet."
Ned gestured briefly. "Has he forbidden you to win any more of them?"
"Technically, we both won it. Remember when we were in New York?"
"Yes. Very much. It was great."
Nancy chuckled darkly. "Well, the club we had just visited agreed." She handed over the note, now a bit crumpled and smoothed.
Ned burst into laughter as he read it, shaking his head. "Oh. Oh, that's nice. Wow."
Nancy shook her head, too. "I've never been so humiliated," she began, then paused. "Well, not in the past month, anyway."
Ned's laughter tapered off. "I'm sorry. I am. I—ah, shit, I would say that you should have your lawyer contact them..."
Their gazes met, and then Nancy couldn't help it. She chuckled, and then they were both laughing until their eyes were streaming. No, she really couldn't have her lawyer contact them.
"I'll call them," Ned promised. "Make sure that they destroy it. I mean, it feels a little illegal...?"
Nancy shrugged. "It—the venue was our choice," she replied. "It's reasonable for them to have a security camera on the property. We fucked up."
"Yes we did," Ned replied solemnly, and then they were both laughing again.
Once he had recovered, he turned the key in the ignition. "Finally. I'll be able to get my Eagle Scout award."
Nancy turned her head quickly, brow furrowed. "You already are an Eagle Scout."
"It would make me a level two Eagle Scout. Which I think technically is a rung on Six Sigma."
"Sure, Jack Donaghy." Nancy snorted. "Besides, how the hell could this possibly be related to an Eagle Scout award?"
"Demonstrating selflessness. Being recognized by an impartial party for services rendered. Athletic prowess. Invoking a deity in said service."
"Several times," Nancy remembered, with a shake of her head.
"Using safer techniques to perform said service."
Nancy could feel herself blushing again, and covered her face with her hands. "We did it in an alley and it's recorded," she moaned.
"And commemorated," Ned added, quiet laughter in his voice. "Besides, we didn't 'do it.' We had a 'legit dirty-hot fuckfest.'"
"You're never gonna forget that, are you."
"No. No, not at all. In fact, I think we should celebrate."
"I can imagine how you might want us to celebrate."
Ned glanced over. "You in?"
"I think that's my line," Nancy replied, and dissolved into laughter as Ned sent a mock scathing glance her way.
"Like you ever have to ask if I'm in."
"True," Nancy laughed, ending in a hiccup. "Oh damn, I've missed you. All of you."
"Every," Ned glanced over with a smoldering look, "single, inch of me."
Nancy couldn't help laughing again. "You really do deserve double. I'm still not sure how I managed to get so lucky, to score an incredible guy like you."
He reached over, and they briefly clasped hands, their fingers interlacing. "I love you too," he said. "And we'll need a lot of practice if we're gonna win this damn thing for real next year."
Nancy practically howled in shocked outrage. "What?"
"I said we'd need to practice. Maybe we just won't enter."
"Or... we won't mention what exactly we're practicing to win."
Ned grinned broadly. "See, you and me? So in sync, it's scary."
Nancy laughed again, then quieted as their gazes locked. "I love you too."