"Don't worry about it, Numbuh 3." Abby shoved some things into her pack. "Numbuh 5 just needs some time off, that's all."
"But you won't be here for the Rainbow Monkey Love-a-thon!" The long-haired Japanese girl gazed at her with big, mournful eyes. "Who am I going to have for my special friend?"
"Aw girl, you know Numbuh 5 hates that show anyway." Abby rolled her eyes. A sly grin spread on her face. "Why don't ya ask Numbuh 4? Maybe he'll help you out with that."
"Oh, silly!" Kuki patted Abby's red cap. "Numbuh 4 never watches Rainbow Monkey shows! Anyway, the Rainbow Monkey Love-a-thon requires that you and your special friend give great loveable Rainbow Monkey hugs every twenty minutes."
"Just ask him." Abby turned back to her packing, still grinning.
"Where are you going, anyway?" Kuki bounced after her friend.
"I told you already, I can't really tell you where I'm going." Numbuh 2 glanced anxiously at the things in his hands. "Hey, Numbuh 4, do you think I should bring the zytho-plastin-frequency-modulator, or just take the brick?"
"Well, why can't you tell me?" Wally set down the huge suitcase he was carrying. "Do you trust me or what?" He took a quick look. "Take the brick. There's not much room."
"I… well… Of course I trust you, Numbuh 4." Hoagie dropped in the brick. "But, it's just that… well… I mean… this trip is kinda supposed to be secret."
"You're taking a vacation and it's supposed to be secret?" Numbuh 4 tried to tug the case shut, but failed miserably. "Whose cruddy idea was that?!"
"Um…" Hoagie jumped onto the suitcase lid and sat there as Wally zipped it shut. "Well, see, Numbuh 362 said that enemies, like Cree or Father, might try to attack us if they knew where we were. So she said we should keep it secret!"
"But I wouldn't tell those guys!" Numbuh 4 spread out his arms defensively. "I'd punch their lights out if any of 'em came sniffing around here!"
Numbuh 2 didn't answer. Wally watched him hoist up the heavy suitcase and stagger a few steps forward.
"Why'd 362 suggest a vacation in the first place?" He asked.
"I think I am entitled to know why two members of my sector have suddenly been granted a leave of absence." Nigel's bald head gleamed blue in the glare of the teletran message system, and the blonde head of 362 reflected in his sunglasses.
"You're not really cleared for that information, but you'll find out soon enough, so I might as well tell you." The Supreme leader glared back at him with a stony gaze equal to his own. "Kids Next Door tactical command is preparing a major offensive against the teenagers. We think it better if Numbuh 5 is not involved, given her connection to the ninjas."
"Numbuh 5 has shown the greatest devotion and commitment in opposing her sister." Numbuh 1 shot back. "Moreover, she is the only member of my sector who stands a chance against Cree!"
"She has also foiled at least one of our attack plans against the teenagers." 362 raised an eyebrow. "Do you recall her behavior with the unpoppable zit?"
"Well, yes, but…"
"Also." 362 continued, without waiting for 1's answer. "I have received a report that Numbuh 5 may have come very close to actually joining the Teen Ninjas."
"What!" Numbuh 1's glasses slipped. "Who sent in that report? None of our sources here at the treehouse have any record of such behavior…'
"The source of the report is classified." 362 tucked a stray piece of hair into her helmet. "To be honest, I'm not even sure where it came from. But the evidence is solid. Remember the time when Numbuh 5 left your sector for a prolonged period of time, only to be picked up from a suspected teen installation, with a chronic case of chicken pox and no further explanation of what she had been doing?"
Numbuh 1 shifted his feet uneasily. "Many of the facts regarding that case are uncertain, numbuh 362; and Numbuh 5's devotion to the KND…"
"Has been called into question." 362 glared at him. "And until it has been resolved, I'm putting her on temporary leave."
"And Numbuh 2? You can't be serious!" Numbuh 1 pleaded with the screen. "You're ridding me of half my team! And why does he need a vacation?"
"Oh, that's easy to explain." Numbuh 362 picked up a paper. "His relation to the enemy is well-documented."
"But Numbuh 5!" Kuki wailed. "If you don't wear my Rainbow Monkey's Best Friends necklace, then you won't have anything to remember me by!"
Abby rolled her eyes. "All right, all right. Numbuh 5'll wear the stupid thing. Just stop your cryin' about it already."
"Yay!" Kuki skipped over to Abby and drew the necklace over her head, fastening the clasp. "There you go!" She grabbed hold of Abby's shoulders and twirled her around. "Now lemme see!"
Abby shook her head wearily and looked down at the chincey trinket. It was essentially a rainbow monkey, in plastic glitter on a plastic chain. Its arms were spread wide in what was evidently meant to be an embrace.
"There! Now you look all pretty!" Kuki picked out another similar one and clicked it into the other's arms. "And I have one too! Now, whenever we look at them, we can remember each other! Won't that be fun?"
"Yeah, whatever, sister." Abby touched the pendant with a small smile. "At least it'll give Numbuh 5 something to show the folks at the resort." She broke the two apart. "Thanks anyway."
"You're welcome!" Kuki glanced around brightly. "Want me to help with your pack?"
"Thanks, Numbuh 5's got it." Abby shouldered her knapsack. "Guess I better get moving."
"I think that's the last of it." Hoagie gazed about the room in satisfaction.
"Finally!" Wally collapsed onto the bed, shaped, strangely enough, like an airplane cockpit. "Why do you have so much cuddy junk anyway?"
"Hey!" Hoagie glared at him. "I just wanna make sure I have everything I need, that's all. A seasoned adventurer knows to be prepared for every possible eventuality."
Wally snorted. "Right. You should have enough in there to handle a flock of carnivorous wombats."
Hoagie gave him a strange look.
"What?" Wally asked.
"Uh, nothing, Numbuh 4." Hoagie turned to his suitcases and picked up two of them. "Anyway, I'm definitely gonna have enough stuff to keep me at the top of my game on this mis—on this vacation."
"You're not really goin' are ya?" Wally began to look a little distressed. "I mean, ya ain't gonna be gone long, right?"
"Oh, no, not long at all… Well, actually, probably pretty long… No, on second thought, it shouldn't…" Hoagie stopped. "Um, to be honest, I don't know."
"Aaaaw man!" Wally punched the bed. "You realize, don't ya, that while you're gone, I'm gonna be stuck here with that cruddy girl?"
"For Pete's sake, Numbuh 4," Hoagie rolled his eyes. "It's not prison or anything. Try and get her to play some video games. Anyway, Numbuh 1'll be here."
"Huh!" Wally sat up and folded his arms. "Numbuh 1 hardly does anything outside of the mission room. It's gonna be booooring with just him and Numbuh 3 here."
"I'm sorry, Numbuh 4." Hoagie shrugged helplessly. "I need to take this vacation. It's important, the future of Kids Next Door may depend on it!"
"Huh?" Wally looked at his friend, confused.
"Uh, I mean…" Hoagie panicked slightly. "Hey, Numbuh 4! Could you help me with these suitcases?"
"Oh, sure thing Numbuh 2!" Wally hopped off the bed, the incident forgotten.
Numbuh 1 stepped out of the briefing room, rubbing his chin. A noise made him look up.
Numbuh 2 and Numbuh 4 came out of one door. Each of them carried several large and bulky suitcases. Out of the other came Numbuh 5, wearing a light knapsack, closely trailed by Numbuh 3.
"Make sure you send me lotsa postcards, and letters, and packages, and ooh! Numbuh 5! See if you can get some of those nifty flattened coins they make at visitor centers!"
"Right, Numbuh 3. Numbuh 5'll be sure to do that." Abby didn't even turn around. "Hey, Numbuh 2! Looks like you got a lotta luggage there, brother! How you gonna carry it all?"
"Oh yeah." Hoagie let the suitcases fall to the floor and grabbed one of Wally's. He reached under the handle and pressed a button. Four arms unfolded from the bundle and grabbed the other parcels, and some wheels popped out of the bottom.
"That should carry me to the bus stop." Hoagie looked at his invention with pride.
"An' why couldn't we use that earlier?" Wally rubbed his sore back.
"It wouldn't have the same dramatic effect." Hoagie replied, nose in the air. He glanced at Abby. "I've got another one, if you want to use it, Numbuh 5."
"Uh, thanks, Numbuh 2." Abby looked the machine skeptically. "But Numbuh 5 thinks she'll just carry her own stuff. It ain't that far to the bus stop."
Hoagie shrugged. "Works for me."
"Have a good vacation, both of you." Nigel walked down the steps to join them. "Believe me, you've deserved it after all you've done for the KND."
"Glad to hear it." Abby hoisted up her pack higher. "Cause Numbuh 5 ain't comin' back for nuthin! She's headed for some relaxation!"
"Uh, yeah, relaxation." Hoagie seemed a little less enthusiastic. "Say, Numbuh 1, are you sure you don't need us for anything? I mean, you know how to operate the base security and all the flyers while I'm gone?"
Nigel waved dismissively. "Now, don't worry, Numbuh 2, Numbuhs 3 and 4 and I will take care of everything while you're gone. You both just make sure you enjoy a good time off."
"Right." Hoagie rubbed the back of his neck. "Time off. That's what we're doing. Heh. Ow!"
Abby had smacked him with her hat. "Will you quit gabbin, fool? You and me gotta catch the 7:30 bus if we wanna get to the train on time, and Numbuh 5 ain't planning to delay things any more than they is already."
"Yes." Numbuh 1 nodded. "It's high time the both of you were on your way."
"Ohhhhhhhh!" Numbuh 3 wrapped Abby in an enormous hug. "Hurry back, Numbuh 5! And make sure to look at your Rainbow monkey necklace every day, so we can remember each other!"
Number 5 patted the girl on the head. "Numbuh 5'll remember, Numbuh 3. Now, could you get offa Numbuh 5? This is kinda embarressin'"
Wally snorted. "Girls. Always gotta be so sentimental about leavin'. Not us boys. We're better about these things, right, Numbuh 2?"
"Sure, Numbuh 4." Hoagie nodded, sniffing a little. "We hate all these long goodbyes."
"It's time for the both of you to go." Numbuh 1 waited for Abby to get out of Kuki's grip, then led them to the door. "Hope the resort is lots of fun." He shook Abby's hand. "Have a good time, Numbuh 5."
Abby nodded, her eyes veiled. "I sure will, Numbuh 1. You have a good time, too, and don't worry about us none." She paused as Hoagie came up.
Nigel shook Hoagie's hand. "Have a good time at flight camp, Hoagie." He locked eyes with his old friend. "Whatever you do there."
Hoagie gulped anxiously and looked at Abby. She made no sign.
"Remember." Nigel continued. "If you need anything, anything at all, let me know."
"R…r…right Numbuh 1." Hoagie nodded. "Sure thing." He stammered a little. "Um… actually, Numbuh 1, I was thinking…"
"C'mon, fool, we gonna be late for the bus!" Abby grabbed Hoagie's arm and pulled him out the door.
The three remaining operatives stood at the door, watching Numbuh 5 drag Numbuh 2 down the street.
Kuki spoke first. "That was really weird." She said.
"No, that was stupid." Abby berated Hoagie as they went down the sidewalk. "Another two seconds and you woulda totally blown the whole thing. Numbuh 5 had to get you outta there before you lost it."
"But Numbuh 5!" Hoagie pleaded with her. "Why can't we tell Numbuh 1? He's our leader, after all! He has a right to know these things!"
"Numbuh 1 is an operative of KND, an' he would do the same thing in our position." Abby reminded "Remember the time we was all pretendin' to like that Delightful who was here, and we had to keep Numbuh 4 out of it, because he would never would be able to pretend liking him?"
"Yeah." Numbuh 2 admitted. "I remember."
"Well this is about the same thing." Numbuh 5 stopped and turned to face him. "If Numbuh 1 knew what we was doin', he might be happier about it, but he also wouldn't be able to keep up as good a story that we was gone on vacation, and Numbuh 3 and 4 really wouldn't be able to."
"I guess." Hoagie grumbled. "But I still say its different. Last time we were trying to trick enemies, this time we're tricking friends."
"It ain't tricking." Numbuh 5 raised an eyebrow. "It's called spying."
"I don't see how that's different." Numbuh 2 huffed. "How come you're so good at this, anyway?"
"Cause Numbuh 5 does this all the time at home." Abby turned to the road. "C'mon, our bus's here."
There was a blast of hot air, a roar of jets, and a flash of yellow as the KND transport COOLBUS skidded to a landing. The doors slid open with a little ding, revealing Numbuh 86.
"Everything in order, Numbuh 5?" The global tactical officer gave them a hard look.
"Perfectly in order, Numbuh 86." Abby climbed on board, followed closely by Hoagie. "The rest'a the sector thinks Numbuh 5 and Numbuh 2 have left on vacation."
"Very good." 86 nodded.
"Still don't see why we couldn't tell them about it." Hoagie grumbled, taking a seat.
"For the last time, Numbuh 2." Abby threw an exasperated glance at him. "It's safer this way. What Numbuh 1 don't know won't hurt him."
Numbuh Three burst into the control room. "Hi, Numbuh 1!" She bounced up to the silent leader. "What you doing here in the control room? I thought there weren't any more missions today!"
"You never know what might turn up, Numbuh 3." Nigel turned from the radar panel. "What are you doing here?"
Kuki shrugged. "After Numbuh 2 left, Numbuh 4 went in his room and he won't come out, not even for a Snuggly-wuffy-Rainbow Monkey! I tried to talk to him, but Numbuh 4 was all like: 'bah, go away, cruddy girl.' So I came to see what you were doing." She smiled brightly. "Hey!" She picked up a sticky sucker from the desk. "I thought you liked Cherry, Numbuh 1. Why do you have this Burpleberry one?" She poked at it. "Ewwwww! It's all covered with hairy stuff? What's it doing here?"
"A good question, Numbuh Three." Numbuh One nodded. "A good question."
Keep up with the reviews! They are they lifeblood of my writing! Thank you to everyone who has so far!
I will try to update this on a weekly basis, but I'm not promising anything. There are a number of ways I want to go with this, and I hope to have a lot of characters involved by the end.