DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN CODENAME: KIDS NEXT DOOR

A/N: Aiight guys and gals, I know it's just a li'l early for Christmas, but I'm uploading this chapter now for a reason. As I mentioned in that one A/N in "The Saccharine Exposure" (for those of you who've read it), my goal with this story is to have it completely done by December. Starting December 1st, I'll upload 1 or 2 chapters a day in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The final chapter will be up at least a few days before then, so that people who are busy on/around Christmas day won't have to wait to finish the story. So, to sum up, my reason for uploading the first chapter a couple months in advance is so anyone who's interested in being alerted to when I start the process can go ahead and follow it now. Also, anyone who has any requests or anything can go ahead and PM me. :D

This story is canon with my in-the-works KND series, but it doesn't take place directly after TSE; there are 3 stories that take place in between. However, they're all pretty self-sufficient, as this is, so aside from references to some of my OCs, you don't need to know 'em to read this. I made this fic a standalone Christmas story on purpose, so people who aren't following me can enjoy it just the same. And for the sake of saying it, this will be the only time I post part of the series out of chronological order, to prevent confusion. :P

EDIT: Fixed the categories (they were Humor/Fantasy instead of Humor/Friendship... whoops)

NOW LOADING:
KIDS NEXT DOOR MISSION
OPERATION:
S.E.C.R.E.T. S.A.N.T.A.

SECTOR'S
ELATED
CHRISTMAS
REMINDS
EVERYONE
THAT
SILLY
ARGUMENTS
NOT
THE
ANSWER

CHAPTER 1: 'TIS (ALMOST) THE SEASON

KIDS NEXT DOOR MOONBASE

NOVEMBER 30

25 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS

Rachel giggled as Nigel finished his speech. "So, would you say Operation: C.A.M.P.S. was a success?"

His report on his last mission was more humorous than anything else, which was a nice break from the usual. He unintentionally broke into a monologue when she asked for a debrief, but she found it entertaining. Nigel just crossed his arms as he stared at her over the top of his sunglasses.

"Well, everyone came back alive, so I guess we can call it that."

She giggled again. Nigel managed to hold his serious face for another few seconds before his expression gave way to a warm smile, mirroring that of his Supreme Leader and close friend. They stood simply enjoying each other's company for a moment. When they heard Kuki's shrieking voice echo across the bridge, they looked over and watched the rest of his team approach.

"I'm so excited!"

"Yeah," Hoagie said, cleaning out his ear with his finger in hopes of the ringing from her sudden screech subsiding, "I can tell.."

Abby chuckled at him, and he grinned. She tilted her hat in an old-fashioned salute to Rachel as they reached the duo.

"Watcha so excited about?" Rachel inquired. Kuki was positively beaming, and it was infectious; even Wally was wearing a contented smirk.

"I saw my first Christmas commercial of the season today!" She squealed, barely able to contain her excitement. "It's officially Christmas time!"

"Eh, we're gettin' there," Wally said, "I'd sure like to see some snow before I get too excited."

Hoagie patted his blonde friend on the back. "Don't worry Numbuh 4, I saw the weather girl on the TV say this is gonna be one of the coldest winters our town has seen in years!"

"Really? Sweet!"

"Bleh," Abby frowned, pretending to shiver at Hoagie's statement, "Numbuh 5's not a fan of the cold. Especially those piercing, icy winds."

"But isn't that worth just the chance for snow?" Kuki asked, tilting her head a little in curiosity.

"Yeah, Numbuh 5," Hoagie added on, smirking mischievously, "would you really rather go to school than deal with a slight, refreshing breeze?"

She shot him a glare, though they were still grinning at one another.

"So, we're still having our usual Christmas day get-together and gift exchange this year, right?" Abby asked, the question turning everyone's attention to Nigel.

"Of course we are," Nigel said. His words caused the groups grins and smirks to widen into full smiles. "We'll all meet in the treehouse that afternoon, after we finish with our families. Once everyone's there, we'll get started, as usual."

"Yeah!" Wally exclaimed, pounding his hand with his other fist. "This year is gonna be the best!"

The Sector V operatives turned and headed for the hangar. Rachel turned and walked over to the railing to observe the extraordinary view of the Earth, but not before Nigel heard her sigh. He watched her withdrawal to her spot away from the rest.

She sighed again. She sniffed and frowned as her eyes fell to her feet, and leaned forward onto the railing.

"Numbuh 362?" Came the low voice from behind. "Rachel?"

She glanced over her shoulder at Nigel as he leaned on the rail next to her. He gazed out at the planet before him for a moment before turning his head in her direction.

"Oh, uh, Num... uh, Nigel," She stuttered, trying to regain her composure. "Is there something else-?"

"What's wrong, Rachel?"

She opened her mouth to defend that she was fine, but knew she couldn't deceive him this time. She took a deep breath, then put on a sincere but forced smile.

"It's nothing serious, Nigel. Really."

"Then what is it?" He asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern. She turned her gaze back to the Earth outside the glass dome. She stayed quiet for a moment, but he didn't press her for her answer, waiting patiently instead.

"My parents are going to be out of town for a few days," She finally spoke, her voice calm and a little hushed. "They'll be gone from the 23rd to the 28th. My dad had a last-minute business meeting come up... somewhere in Europe, I don't remember where. He wanted my mom to go with him so they could still spend Christmas together. Don't get me wrong, I hope they have a great time, but I'm stuck home with my older sister while they're gone. But I know she's planning on spending Christmas Eve and Christmas with her friends, so I'll either be stuck at home or here at work." She let out a derisive chuckle. "Still haven't decided which one is more appealing yet."

Nigel watched her empathically as she talked, nodding his head slightly as she finished. "That's... unfortunate," was all he could think to say at first. She nodded gloomily, and there was a slightly uncomfortable silence for a minute. Then an idea popped into his head, one which he was disappointed in himself for not thinking of earlier. "Hey!"

She was a little taken aback by his sudden outcry. "What?"

Nigel straightened up and stepped away from the railing, and she did the same. "Come spend Christmas with me! I mean, us! At the treehouse!" He said with a warm smile.

She stumbled over her words as she tried to think of what to say. "Are you sure?" She finally asked, "I mean, I'd hate to intrude..."

"Nonsense! And if you aren't doing anything... I mean, if you want to... my family would love to have you over Christmas morning. If you want."

Rachel's glumness began to dissipate. "Why, that's... that's an awfully generous offer, Nigel. I... I donno what to say."

"A simple 'yes' will suffice."

She was positively beaming by now.

"Yes."

"So Numbuh 362 is gonna be here for Christmas?" Abby asked in the C.O.O.L.B.U.S. on the way back to the treehouse.

"YAY!" Kuki shrieked, throwing her arms in the air. "The more the merrier! And she seems like she could use a break anyhow!"

"Yeah," Hoagie agreed from the cockpit, "She's always pretty busy, what with being the Supreme Leader and all. She shouldn't be working though the holidays."

"And she's a cool kid to have around anyways," Abby tacked on.

Wally mumbled something to himself. Everyone eyed him with a curious look.

"Do you have a problem with this, Numbuh 4?" Nigel asked suspiciously.

"Huh? OH!" Wally's eyes widened as he waved his hands side to side in front of him. "No, no, no, not like that! I like Numbuh 362! It's just, I'm gonna be a little pressed for money to get everyone gifts as it is."

"Now that you mention it, Numbuh 5 is a little low on funds too."

The compartment grew quiet as the rest seemed to come to the same conclusion.

"So, what?" asked a frustrated Wally. "We gonna assign who to get presents for or somethin'?"

"YES!" Kuki cried.

Hoagie raised an eyebrow at her. "Uh..."

"Aaah, Numbuh 5 gets it!"

"Well, Numbuh 2 doesn't. Care to explain?"

"Secret Santa, fool!"

"'Secret Santa'?" Wally repeated. "I don't get it."

"It's easy!" Kuki said cheerfully, directing everyone's attention to her. "We'll each write our names on a piece of paper, then we'll put those in a hat, and then we'll draw names! Whoever's name you get is who you get a present for!"

"What if I get my own name?"

"Then you draw again, silly!"

Abby smiled. "Numbuh 5's down for some covert Xmas operations."

"Yeah, me too!" Hoagie announced.

"Sounds good to me." Nigel agreed.

"Hm... I think I get it," Wally said, rubbing his chin. "Alright, let's do it!"

Kuki simply giggled.

"Secret Santa, huh?"

The five operatives stood assembled in front of the huge screen in the briefing room, on which the image of Rachel was displayed.

"Yep," Hoagie confirmed.

"Ha! Alright, sounds like fun. When will we pick names?"

"We've already got the names ready to draw!" Kuki said, pointing to Abby, who was holding her hat upside-down in her hand, similarly to how a magician holds his top hat before he pulls a rabbit out of it. "So whenever you wanna start, Numbuh 362!"

"Okay. I'll let you guys draw first."

Everyone in the group looked around at each other.

"Um... maybe we should go by number?"

"Alright, I'll go first then."

Nigel stepped up to the hat and stuck his hand in. He dug around for a few seconds before pulling out a small, folded up piece of paper. He backed away from the group as he unfolded the paper, and read it once he was sure no one else could see the name. He grinned, then tucked the paper away in his pocket.

Hoagie, who was already standing next to Abby on the opposite side of the others, reached in and took the first piece of paper on the top. He opened it and immediately burst into laughter. He stifled it as quickly as he could, hiding the paper in his pocket.

"Yay, my turn!" Numbuh 3 exclaimed as she enthusiastically skipped up to Abby and fished around as if she was looking for a particular one. She withdrew her hand (well, sleeve) and retreated to a spot behind Wally to read her pick. She giggled wildly as she concealed the name in her sleeve.

"Hmph, alright," Wally muttered to himself, still watching Kuki as he approached the hat. His tongue stuck out of the side of his mouth as he seemed to concentrate hard on judging which piece of paper was the right one for him. Satisfied, he plucked the one from the bottom and stepped away, eyeing the group suspiciously as he began to unfold it. Nigel and Hoagie exchanged glances, wondering if they should tell him that he had his back to the huge screen behind him. Luckily for him, Rachel cleared her throat. He looked at her over his shoulder as if he'd just noticed her there, and walked over to a spot where no one was behind him. He double-checked, then finished unfolding the paper. A sinister grin appeared on his face as he chuckled forebodingly.

Abby just shook her head as she grabbed one of the two remaining pieces, unfurling it in her free hand. She smirked and nodded to herself, but stayed quiet.

"Alright, Numbuh 362, here ya go." She grabbed the remaining piece of paper, walking up to the screen and donning her now-empty hat. She opened it facing the screen, and Rachel immediately began to giggle to herself. "Aaand that's it!" Abby announced, crumpling up Rachel's pick and tossing it away. "Everyone good to go?"

Everyone nodded and affirmed their approval.

"Then let the reindeer games begin!"