Author Note: I do not own nor claim the song Hurt by Christina Aguilera.

~CWA

Chapter 3- Hidden Talent:

"Kowalski," Skipper barked, "How is the machine coming along?"

"Not well, I'm afraid. These hands take some getting used to!"

Kowalski let out a frustrating groan and threw up his hands.

"Take a break, agent," Skipper said in annoyance. He knew Kowalski was working hard though.

Kowalski meekly nodded and drank a glass of water. They were all still getting used to their human bodies. It was very strange and foreign to them. Kowalski was very frustrated that he wasn't able to pick up the pieces the right way. The pieces were much smaller now that he was much bigger. He was slowly banging his head on the table. Private looked at him worriedly, but everyone else ignored him.

Rico was sighing and Skipper was observing everyone with a keen eye. Private started to watch Lunacorns on the 'telly.'

"Alright men, hit the sack!"

They all saluted, "Yes Skipper."

They were all soon fast asleep on the beds.

Charlie:

"Goodnight, Charlie," Emma called.

"Night," I called back.

Emma and I shared an apartment. It wasn't too much though. It was simple with a living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms.

Emma's bedroom was the most girly thing I've ever seen. There was tan carpet and pink walls with a purple trim at the top. Her walls were covered with Lunacorn posters- which I swear is unhealthy for a seventeen year old. Her bed was fairly large with white sheets, pink blankets, and purple pillows. Of course, there is also a lot of stuffed animals everywhere. Her dresser was wooden- since I said there was no way I would allow her to get a pink one. Too much pink is a terrible thing indeed.

My bedroom was a bit more…simple… The carpet was black and I had red walls that had black designs on them. My dresser was dark wood and I had many photos in frames on it and on my walls. My favorite photo was the one of me, Emma, my father, Emma's dad, and Emma's mom before they passed away… My bed was also large with black sheets, red blankets, and black pillows. I didn't have many things besides the dresser, clothes in the closet, and the photos. Ah well.

I plopped down on the bed in my PJ's (gray shorts and a black tank top).

I hated this. Today was the day that I knew I would regret. I know this because I know Emma. She looked at me knowingly.

"Charlie," she called into the kitchen of the café, "You know what you have to do. You lost the bet!"

I sighed.

"I know!"

Yesterday we had a bet. See, we weren't getting many new customers lately so Emma betted me that if someone new showed up yesterday then today I would have to get on the stage. I was unconcerned until those guys showed up. Well, I didn't mind that they showed up. That one with spiked hair was kind of cute…

Third Person:

Skipper woke everyone up early the next morning, so that Kowalski could work on the machine more, which he did so. Rico was sharpening knives he found in the room's kitchen. He needed some type of weapon, and it would have to do since he couldn't find any explosives…maybe Charlie might have some…Rico shook his head. Private was watching Lunacorns to Skipper's horror. Skipper was banging his head against the wall.

"Make….it….stop…" Skipper said, referring to Private's and the Lunacorns singing for the past half hour. Kowalski's stomach growled. They all looked at him. He rubbed his neck sheepishly.

"Well, we did skip breakfast…."

Skipper nodded, and soon all of their stomachs growled.

"Well," Skipper said, "That settles it. We need breakfast, the question is…from where?"

Private smiled, "We could go back to that nice bakery. Emma's so nice…"

Rico smiled when he thought of Charlie, and he made noises, '….and Charlie…'

Skipper and the others raised an eyebrow, another thing they have yet to get used to. They didn't understand what Rico said, but it made him blush with all of their stares. Skipper shook his head,

"That's not a bad idea, Private."

The group entered Evelyn's Café with a smile. Mostly, the smile was on Private. He smiled even larger when he saw Emma. Emma looked at them from her place at the counter. She raised an eyebrow, but smiled.

"Back for more? Is our food that good?"

Of course, Emma did remember them. Not names, but she did remember the guy that 'saved' her from Charlie. They walked to the counter. Private nodded,

"Yeah."

Emma chuckled, "I'll have to let Charlie know that her cooking is addicting."

Emma glanced at the clock, and sighed. "As soon as she shows up that is…"

Suddenly, the doors to the café flung opened. Charlie came rushing in, or rather crashing in. She had a smile on her face as she zoomed into the café, on roller skates and rockets. The rockets were attached to the sides of the roller skates. She made them herself.

Charlie was very speedy as she zoomed the through the doors and hit the crates that were behind the counter. She managed to jump over the counter, but didn't except the crates behind it. She smiled slightly and the flame of the rockets died down. She shrugged as everyone was looking at her. The customers sighed and chuckled, but went back to what they were doing.

"I made it."

Emma chuckled, "Rockets? Again?"

Charlie smirked, "No one can have enough 'boom.'"

Rico smiled brightly and Kowalski covered a laugh with a cough. Private gave a knowing look to Rico, who blushed slightly. Rico walked forward and pulled Charlie up roughly.

"Whoa," Charlie said, "you are strong."

Rico looked at the floor in shame, thinking he did something wrong.

Charlie smiled slightly, "It's fine. Aren't you guys the dudes from yesterday? The one that 'saved' Emma?"

Private nodded, "Yes ma'am. I'm Private, this is Skipper, Kowalski…and Rico."

Rico smiled brightly and Charlie smiled slightly back at him.

The guys ordered, and took the same table they had yesterday. Emma brought them the food Charlie made. Then, it was time for her break. She hung up her apron on a hook and sat an empty table. Private looked at her sadly, she looked lonely. She was just sitting there, with a small bag of pretzels and a water bottle.

"Emma,"

Emma looked up to Private, "Yeah?"

"Why don't you join us on your break?"

Emma smiled, "Are you sure that's okay?"

Private nodded, and ignored the looks of the others. Emma smiled brightly and went over to their table. She took a seat beside Private and Skipper. Across from them, sat Kowalski and Rico. Skipper took a bite of his breakfast.

"This is really good."

Emma smiled, "Thanks. Charlie and I may own the place, but we still do lots of the work. That's why Charlie is head chief; she may not be the only chief. There's one other, but he doesn't show up very often. Charlie makes the food the best," Emma chuckled, "When she doesn't blow up the kitchen that is."

Rico perked up. Kowalski took that as a signal, "She blows up the kitchen?"

"She's not a bad cook. She just tries to speed up the cooking using explosives."

"Why?"

Emma looked at Skipper sadly.

"Understand these two things: One, we just met you, so don't except to learn everything. Two, Charlie keeps to herself, and that includes why she uses explosives. Of Course, I know, but I am her best friend, and have been for many years…"

"Which is surprising considering the fact you watch Lunacorns…."

They turned to see Charlie standing there. She had her apron off and her hands were on her hips. On her face, she bared a sly smirk. Emma pouted and blushed heavily. Rico, Kowalski, and Skipper were laughing. Private put a hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay…." He whispered in her ear, "I watch it too…"

Emma perked up and Charlie briefly wondered what Private said. Charlie was chuckling.

"Emma said that you blew up the kitchen?"

Charlie looked proudly at Skipper, "Yes, but I don't mean to, most of the time. It's a habit."

Kowalski looked at her confused, "It's a habit to blow up the kitchen?"

"Yep."

"Remember the bet Charlie," Emma said with a large smile.

Charlie groaned slightly. Private and the others raised an eyebrow. Emma chuckled.

"She lost a bet and today, in the café, it's Hidden Talent night. A night when the customers can play their instruments, sing, or recite their poetry. Charlie lost a bet, and as a result, she has to go up and…SING!"

"You sing," Private asked. Charlie sighed.
"I did. I also play, but," she shrugged, "I don't do it often. I prefer the action, not this."
"You still lost," Emma pointed out, "so you have to. Speaking of, I'm the announcer."

Emma got up and went onto the stage. Luckily, the guys were close up to the stage. Charlie had her head down as Rico looked at her curiously.

The guys didn't really notice it, but as they were eating earlier, there were people on the stage. Emma was at the microphone now though.
"Well, that was fantastic! Good job on that flute. Now, I see some new faces…I'm Emma, one of the owners of this fine establishment and you're about to meet the next owner too… Next up is Charlie! She's the other owner and head cook. She'll be singing and playing the piano! Go Charlie!"

Charlie felt her eye twitch. She grumpily made her way to the stage. She grabbed moved the microphone closer to the piano.
"Just for the record, I don't do this often. This song is called Hurt. I wrote it a long time ago…."

She started to play. Rico's eyes widened when she started to sing.

"Seems like it was yesterday when I saw your face.

You told me how proud you were, but I walked away.

If I only I knew, what I know today.

I would hold you in my arms!

I would take the pain away,

Thank you for all you've done,

Fogive all your mistakes!

There's nothing I wouldn't do,

To hear your voice again.

Sometimes I want to call you,

But I know you won't be there!

I'm sorry for, blaming you, for everything, I just couldn't do.

And I've hurt myself, but hurting you…."

Emma smiled in triumph as the guys looked at Charlie shell-shocked. Charlie may not seem like it, but she had a fantastic singing voice.

"Some days I feel broke inside, but I won't admit.

Sometimes I just want to hide, 'cause it's you I miss.

You know it's hard to say goddbye, when it comes to this…

Would you tell me I was wrong?

Would you help me understand?

Are you looking down upon me?

Are you proud of who I am?

There's nothing I wouldn't do,

To have just one more chance,

To look into your eyes,

And see you looking back…

I'm sorry for blaming you for everything I just couldn't do,

And I've hurt myself…."

Rico looked at her a bit sadly. Even he could tell that this song was passionate and meant a lot to her. It also meant that she lost someone that she cared about.

"If I had just one more day, I would tell you how much

I've missed you since you've been away…

Oh it's dangerous…

It's so out of line to try and turn back time…"

The music slowed down and she was barely singing.

"I'm sorry for blaming you for everything I just couldn't do,

And I've hurt myself….by hurting you…."
Charlie stopped singing and playing. The café clapped and Rico whistled (or tried to). Charlie got up, bowed slightly, and quickly left the stage. She waved goodbye to the guys and left.

Emma looked at the clock and sighed, "Well, it's time to get back to work. Bye guys!"

Emma left.

"Ya know," Charlie said later that day as she stirred some batter, "those guys aren't that bad…"

"Yep."