 Ned and friends often coincidentally have college or fraternity events near locales where Nancy, Bess and George are sleuthing, and are included in the action.Ned evidently admires and cares for Nancy, and he often expresses his concern for her safety throughout the series, and also expresses the wish to someday marry her, as mentioned in The Clue in the Old Album and The Scarlet Slipper Mystery.Ned is presented as Nancy's boyfriend in this series, as well; however, unlike the original series, it is mentioned that they have been dating since high school.