A/N:

Thank you so much BoomBoxHype for reviewing! I agree, my story (and my writing) isn't the best and honestly, it's just random things put together cos I don't really have an idea of what I'm doing but yes, I'm trying! :D Since there aren't many Wally x Abby fanfics out there, I just wanted to give them some more looovee hahaha! But, I'm so glad you think it's decent enough to read so I wanna thank you for reviewing and for supporting me! It means a lot to me :)

Anyway, this chapter is unedited (like all my other chapters lmao) so read at your own risk!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Codename: KND!


Chapter 9: Operation F.E.E.L.I.N.G.S

"Ya like someone?" Wally repeated in a loud scream, his brows curved and raised. Abby shushed him hurriedly.

"Would ya mind not screaming it for the whole world to hear?" she scolded him through a harsh whisper. She was starting to regret telling him about it when she wasn't all too sure either.

Her feelings were all over the place, but she did know that the tight clench in her stomach was none other than her worst enemy: jealousy.

And it had to be of Numbuh 4 and Numbuh 3, jus' great, she thought with a sigh.

Wally, meanwhile, was staring at Abby with a gaping jaw and eyes as round as lemons. He looked like he didn't know how to comprehend the situation. It was a few minutes later that a wobbly smirk came upon his face.

"So...ya like-like someone, eh?"

Seeing the smirk on his face and how unbothered he was, Abby's heart tightened painfully. A part of her wanted him to show some signs of being uncomfortable, but it was obviously wishful thinking. She turned to leave - she had to get out of there and fast. "Jus' forget Numbuh 5 told ya anything."

"Wait!" When she turned slightly, he blurted out, almost insensitively, "Who do ya like?" Abby froze, her eyes widening.

Oh, shoot, shoot! She cursed to herself. How's Numbuh 5 supposed to tell him that even she doesn't know?!

"Numbuh 5 likes a boy."

Wally stared at her with his lips pursed, unamused and she responded with a sheepish shrug.

"Well, it's the truth, baby."

"No, yer hidin' somethin', I can tell."

"Hiding what? Are ya saying Numbuh 5 likes a girl?" Abby asked, her arms now crossed over chest. Wally jolted and began shaking his head furiously, realising his mistake.

"N-no! That ain't what I was sayin'! I meant I could tell that you don't wanna tell me."

Abby let out a sigh, fumbling with her hands. "Well, I do want to tell ya, fool. Why else would I bring it up in the first place? You told me that I could talk to ya about anything if I wanted."

It was silent for a few seconds. Abby was busy staring at her Mary-Janes that she missed the flash of frustration that crossed Wally's eyes.

"...So?"

Abby jolted to reality. "Right, uh, Numbuh 5 won't tell ya who it is, but...she will tell ya that she's givin' up."

While she talked, they slowly moved towards Abby's spacious room that seemed to represent her personality all too well. They sat on her comfy red couch, side by side, with Wally's body angled towards hers.

"Givin' up?" he repeated, confused.

"Yeah. Numbuh 5 knows this crush won't go anywhere," she said, staring down at her lap. "She's always the forgotten one. She ain't ever a choice."

Wally stared at her, his mouth wide open and unable to say a word. Abby could clearly tell that he was shocked, but a different emotion, another look that she'd never seen before, crossed his eyes and caught her off-guard. She wanted to say something but shut her mouth right after because she wasn't sure if it was just her imagination.

"Roight," he said, his voice suddenly rough and she shot him a questioning look, which he ignored. He stared at a point in the ground and said, "Well, maybe ya should tell this kid how ya feel so he knows that ya like him."

Abby shook her head frantically as she stared at him. "Are ya crazy, foo!? Numbuh 5 can't tell him that she likes him!"

"Why not?" Wally asked, innocently, looking genuinely confused.

"Because," she said, dragging her dark gaze away from his jade eyes. "It's too complicated."

Wally let out an irritated sigh at her reluctance and leaned back into the couch. Abby looked at him, calmly but internally, she was slightly disappointed at the bored look on his face.

"Is it Numbuh 2?"

The sudden question caught her off-guard and her eyebrows pulled down into a confused furrow.

"What?"

Wally scratched his head, not meeting her eyes. "Do ya like Numbuh 2?" he repeated, his voice a little quieter than before. Abby glanced down to his lap to see his fists were clenched tightly, his knuckles turning a ghastly white.

"No, it's-" she was about to tell him that it wasn't, but even though Wally wasn't the smartest, he would be able to conclude that it was probably him if he ruled out Numbuh 1 and 2.

And there was no way she was going to risk that.

"-it's no one. Don't worry 'bout it, boy. I'm not ready to tell ya."

Abby could tell Wally was getting frustrated as the minutes ticked by. "Then why'd ya say anythin' if you weren't gonna tell me?"

"Because Numbuh 5 had been thinkin' about it and I wasn't ready to admit it," she said, trying to get him to see reason. "But sayin' it aloud made Numbuh 5 realise that it was true."

Wally's tense body had relaxed and his fists slowly unclenched. He sighed and looked up, a thoughtful expression on his face. A slow smile emerged on Abby's lips as she stared at him. His eyes slid to the right as if sensing her gaze on him, and he immediately caught her gaze, causing Abby to freeze. Her body began to panic, but she shot him a crooked, shaky smile, so unlike her usual calm demeanour.

Wally didn't seem to suspect anything, only responding with a tight-lipped smile of his own. "Ya shouldn't worry 'bout it, too much. I'm sure whoever this kid is, likes ya too."

She could tell that he was just saying all that to make her feel better, but it still made her happy in some ways. Wally was someone who rarely complimented anyone, so it was a big deal.

"Thanks, Wally," Abby said, softly. "Numbuh 5 ain't sure that's true, but it sure does mean a lot."

He rolled his eyes. "Stop doubtin' yourself and just tell 'im how ya feel!"

Abby smirked. "Oh yeah? Then why don't ya tell Numbuh 3 how you feel?"

Wally visibly froze at that remark.

"Cause," he said, shrugging nonchalantly though his face was the opposite. Abby could see him panicking as he was starting to fidget with his hands and feet, he was constantly swallowing, causing her to snort.

"Cos what, boy? You afraid?"

"No!" he yelled, defiantly. "I don't like Numbuh 3 like that, at all!"

Abby stared hard at him, the words that left his lips giving her slight relief even though she knew that it was nothing but a lie.

"Now you're gonna claim that she jus' owes you a 'quarter', huh? Numbuh 5 knows all your tricks, boy; you ain't foolin' nobody!"

A scoff left his lips and he shook his head, his mouth set in a thin, hard line. "I said, I don't like 'er like that!"

"Sure, ya don't."

"URGH. Aren't we supposed to talk about your crush, anyway?" Wally mumbled, grumpily.

Abby shrugged. "We were, but Numbuh 5 knows there ain't no point. If I'm gonna be honest, I don't know if this is an actual crush or just my imagination playin' up."

She didn't notice Wally staring at her from where he sat with his jaw clenched, his gaze unmoving before he laid down against the armrest. Abby was too focused on how ashamed she felt at having such feelings when she knew that Wally was Kuki's and Kuki was Wally's.

Do I even like him like that? Is it just my imagination? Am I that lonely, I'm convincin' myself I like somebody? Abby pondered, thoughtfully.

She hummed out loud. "Numbuh 5 don't think it's a real crush," she mumbled, mostly to herself. "And she ain't ever gonna tell him, either!"

Abby heard no movement or sound from beside her but kept talking, deeming Wally as silent probably because he was listening intently to her.

"Whaddya think, Wally? Do ya think Numbuh 5's doing the right thing?" she turned to see Wally nodding off, his head against the armrest of the couch. Abby clenched her teeth in irritation and took off her cap, slapping him repeatedly on the head.

He shot up quickly and scrunched up his face as he rubbed his head, lazily glaring at her. "What the crud are ya doin'?! I was just' takin' a nap!"

"I was still talking to ya, and you fell asleep on me!"

Wally rolled his eyes. "Oh, sorry, I thought you had finished," he said, uncaringly.

"You are unbelievable!" Abby didn't know if she was mad at him or not. She knew that Wally was the last person she should be talking to about something like this, but considering Nigel and Abby barely spoke to each other anymore; Wally was now the person she trusted the most.

"Alroight, alroight, I said I was sorry," Wally said, his tone now filling with regret. Seeing how Abby refused to look at him, she felt a tug on her arm. She turned her head and stared right into his guilt-stricken face.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, this time more genuine.

Abby shrugged a kind of sadness pooling within her. "It's okay. As Numbuh 5 said, she's the forgotten one."

Wally's eyes widened. "No, it ain't that, Abby. I'm-"

"Numbuh 5's jus' kiddin', fool! It's okay," she said, adding in a smile for effect. Wally furrowed his eyebrows, looking like he didn't believe her at all. Nowadays, it seemed as if he was the only one could see through her when before, no one ever noticed. She cleared her throat. "Anyway, I should probably go to bed."

Wally let out a resigned sigh and hopped off the couch. Hands shoved into his pockets; he turned around, his eyes covered by his bangs. But she could still see his piercing green eyes, looking regretfully into hers.

"I know I ain't the smartest or the brightest kid in Sector V, but I...I do care. You're Numbuh 5, the coolest and amazingest girl I know. Any boy would be cruddy stupid not to like ya back."

Unfortunately for Abby, her heart swelled up with warmth as his kind words processed in her mind, making it harder for her to deny and push her emotions away. He shot her a small smile as she stared at him, surprised.

"Thanks, Wally," she said, finally finding her voice. "But ya do know that amazingest isn't a word."

The smile on Wally's face vanished and was replaced with a slight frown as he scowled at a chuckling Abby.

"Whatevah," he mumbled, embarrassed as his cheeks turned a slight shade of red. "I'm nevah gonna try and make ya feel bettah ever again!"

"Yeah, yeah," Abby replied, a smile on her face. There was a comfortable silence between them as they looked at each other, both eyes holding secrets and feelings that they weren't sure of themselves.

Wally looked away, studying his shoes. "So, uh, are ya evah gonna tell me who ya like?" he asked, softly, his eyes glancing up at Abby, nervously. She laughed and shook her head.

"Na-uh! You can wish and hope all ya want, there's no way that's happenin'," she said with a tiny smile. Wally grinned and shrugged.

"Foine, then. I'm gonna tease ya with every boy ya talk to!"

"Go ahead! Numbuh 5 will be ready to slap ya all the way to Antarctica if ya do."

"Pfft, ya wouldn't!"

"Try me, baby."

Wally eyed her sceptically. He wasn't sure if she would or not, but he didn't want to take the chances.

"Well, uh, never mind, then," said Wally, letting out a sheepish laugh, turning to leave.

"Wait!"

He turned, an eyebrow raised. "Yeah, what?"

"This stays between us, okay?" she said, her tone urgent as she leaned forward; her bottom lip rolled in between her teeth.

Wally shrugged. "Eh, don't worry 'bout it! I can keep a secret." The grin on his face failed to reassure her.

She, plus everyone else on the team, knew he was horrible with secrets. And it was now that she was beginning to regret ever blurting anything out.

Suddenly, a random thought hit her. "Wait, weren't ya sceptical about Numbuh 3 likin' Numbuh 1? Have ya finally realised that she doesn't?"

He stared at her weirdly for a couple of seconds, wondering where that question suddenly came from. "Uh, yup, done all that," he said after a little pause.

Abby smiled encouragingly. "And have ya told her why you were so mad at her?"

"No, why would I do that?!" he exclaimed, his eyes practically bulging out.

"Because ya like her?"

"N-no...well, I've been busy, alroight!?"

"Doing what?" Abby challenged. He scoffed and spluttered out a response.

"W-with, stuff, ya know." Seeing the victorious grin on her face, he clenched his jaw. "Ya don't need to know!"

Abby snorted and rolled her eyes. "Whatever, ya gonna have to tell her one day, might as well be now," she advised. She wanted to help him as much as she could; she wanted him to be happy whether it be with anyone.

Wally nodded his head, looking as if he wanted to stray away from the topic and awkwardly looked around. "Well, um, I should probably go to sleep."

"Probably," she replied, softly. The silence suddenly turned awkward as no one made a move to leave or do anything. The two in the room refused to look the other in the eye as the silence engulfed them.

Abby glanced at Wally who rocked back and forth on his feet, hands still in his pockets. "Numbuh 5 thought you was gonna leave?"

"R-Roight!" he exclaimed, his voice suddenly an octave higher. "Yeah...yeah! I, uh, I'm gonna leave cos ya know...I gotta get up and stuff."

He awkwardly speed-walked out of her room, and as soon as he left, Abby let out a boisterous laugh.

That boy's so silly sometimes, she thought, shaking her head with a hint of a smile on her face. She settled into the couch, mulling over the events that had occurred. Though it was painful to talk to the boy she knew she was coming to like, it was a relief to let it out.

Wally was now a friend and a confidant.

-.-.-.-.-

Stupid cruddy boy and stupid cruddy crushes. Who in the crud does she even like?! Wally thought as he laid in bed that night.

For some reason, he couldn't sleep. All he could think of was the conversation with Abby earlier that night. At first, he didn't even process what or who she was talking about, so he didn't have a reaction or an opinion.

It was only when she kept talking about it that the frustration and annoyance began to rise within him.

He wasn't as kind as Abby - sure, he was happy for her, but he was too lazy and too angry to show it. Plus, a part of him didn't care and didn't want her to be happy with whoever it was. Why he was so bipolar, even he didn't know.

I'm just mad cos he could be a teen! Or worse - an adult, he thought, shuddering. I'm just lookin' out for her, is all.

Wally rolled around his boxing ring and clutched his hair. "ARGH, why is this buggin' me so cruddy much!?" he yelled to himself, his voice bouncing off the walls in his large room.

He was mad, particularly at the boy she liked. Abby was awesome, and yet, she thought she was the forgotten choice. So naturally, he had quickly concluded that the boy was a cruddy jerk - even more than he was.

Wally scoffed to himself. And that's sayin' somethin', he thought.

He was glad that they were done 'fighting' from before, but now, he could feel himself becoming angry again. What confused him was the fact that he wasn't just mad, anymore.

He was...bothered by it. He was upset.

Wally shot straight up, staring wide-eyed at the wall. "No, I ain't upset!" He yelled to himself.

Instantly, his shoulders hunched as his thoughts became clouded. I'm just mad that Abby won't tell me who she likes, he thought, exasperated. I'm happy for 'er, I am, but my priority is Kooks.

Even as he repeated that thought and laid back down, something nagged at the back of his mind.

-.-.-.-.-

"Oi, Numbuh 3," he whispered to her, as they sat near each other in the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. She turned to look at him, pausing from doing anything on her side of the controls.

"Yes, Wally?"

He glanced around to make sure no one was looking and leaned closer to her. Wally was going over what Abby had told him, and he wanted to prove to her that he could go through with whatever he set his mind to do.

"I-I-I, uh, I- um, wanted to tell ya somethin'. It-"

"Oh, hold on a sec, Wally!" Kuki turned and bent down to grab something from under her station. Wally was partly relieved she cut him off; unlike all the other times, he wasn't frantic or in a hurry to let her know.

Every time he was prepared to tell her, something would interrupt him. But the difference this time was that he didn't feel like he wanted or needed to tell her. That longing to express the need had gone.

He had no clue to why he wasn't feeling the tugging of his heart in his chest, or why his hands weren't clammy or sweaty. Wally shook his head.

I'm probably just used to bein' interrupted all the time! He said to himself as he waited for Kuki to turn around.

When she did, she handed him a rectangular box with wrapping paper and a pink bow. His face turned into a grimace as he stared at it.

"Pink?! Oh and lemme guess, another Rainbow Monkey?" he asked her, blankly.

She shook her head. "No! It's your birthday gift!"

"What?" he was confused. "My birthday isn't 'till December, Kuki!"

Kuki shrugged, a bright smile still on her face. "Count it as an early birthday present, then! Ooh and an early Christmas present!"

He was still flattered she got him something, but from experience, he knew not to expect much. Hesitantly, he pulled the ribbon off and ripped the wrapper away, and when it came apart, it revealed a brown teddy bear.

Wally snapped his head up to glare at Kuki who spread her arms out with a giggle. "Surprise!"

"Ya said it wasn't a Rainbow Monkey!"

"It's not! It's a teddy bear, see?"

"It's still girly," he growled under his breath. Wally then directed the glare at the teddy bear in his hands. That's when he heard the snicker from behind, and he whipped around to see Abby staring at them with a grin on her face.

"Shut up, will ya!" he yelled, and instantly, she burst into loud laughter.

"Na-uh! Numbuh 5 likes what she's seein'," she said joyously.

"Yeah, yeah whatevah," he mumbled before turning to Kuki. He forced a smile. "I ha-" seeing the puppy dog look she was giving him, he knew he wouldn't be able to insult the gift. Wally let out a sigh. "-I lurve it. Thanks."

"Yay!" He blushed when she squealed and hugged him, but it was more so because of the contact with a girl than anything else.

He was waiting for the usual sparks and how his mind would turn into nothing but mush. But, nothing of the sort happened.

What's happenin to me?! Feel somethin', stupid body! He thought angrily to himself. He tried staring at Kuki.

O-okay, well, uh, I like 'er smile, I like 'er eyes, I like 'er, he told himself, frantically trying to come up with as many reasons as possible. His eyes then glanced down at the teddy in his hands. "C'mon ya stupid teddy bear, help me, would ya?!" he mumbled to himself with urgency.

"Mumblin's not gonna do ya any good, Wally - you gotta actually speak to her," Abby teased, and it was then that he felt like he was going to burst into flames and he felt the sudden urge to jump out of the vehicle.

"That's-"

"Alright, Numbuh 4, enough chatting," Nigel said, standing up from his seat. He slammed his hands together and smirked. "We're here. So, let's go fighting some adult butts."

"UGH, can't it wait?! I'm in the middle of somethin' 'ere!"

Nigel snapped his head to look at Wally with wide eyes. "What? You love fighting adults, what's gotten into you?"

"Nothin'," Wally spat, scathingly.

Nigel eyed him suspiciously. "Then, come on Numbuh 4. The longer you wait, the less butt you'll be able to kick," he said, with a smirk. He then yelled, "Kids Next Door, BATTLE STATIONS!" raising his arms in the air before running out with his weapon.

As the others followed, racing out of the S.C.A.M.P.E.R, Wally took his time in getting out, raising the S.P.I.C.E.R II with no real motivation. The loud creaking and groaning caused him to slowly look up to see two familiar figures in the air.

Mr Wink and Mr Fibb had new technology now - robotic, tentacle-like arms came out from the chairs they sat on and flung around in the air, trying to attack anything in its midst.

"AHHH!" Kuki was instantly flung into the air by one of Mr Wink's and Mr Fibb's arms as soon as she made a move to attack it with her weapon, and Wally immediately sprung into action. He rushed towards her and knelt down next to her spread out body.

"Kuki! You alroight?" he helped her sit up, and she rubbed her head with a groan.

"Y-yeah, I'm okay, just a little-WALLY, LOOK OUT!"

Her scream caused him to turn his head, just in time as well, as one of the clawed robot arms went to snatch him up. Wally grabbed Kuki and rolled to the side before standing up and using S.P.I.C.E.R II on one of the arms.

It immediately began to fizz and crackle, violently swaying everywhere.

"W-woah!" Mr Fibb and Mr Wink yelled as one of the arms started to fail. "What are you doing, you pesky kid?!"

"Let go!" Abby yelled as one of the arms from behind snatched her up as she tried to race away. Abby struggled to get out, shaking and flail about, wildly.

"Abby!" Wally shouted, worried, his voice ringing in his ears. His jaw clenched and his lips pinched as Mr Fibbs and Mr Wink sneered at him from up top.

"Ha-ha! Mr Fibbs, do you not think the Kids Next Door stand no chance against us?"

"Yes, I agree with you, Mr Wink. We've already caught one of their members, but soon, we'll have them all."

Wally growled under his breath and aimed the hot sauce gun at them, even though he was nowhere near them to get a clear shot.

"Let 'er go!"

Hoagie chucked the S.C.A.M.P.P over to Wally. "This'll work better, Numbuh 4! We'll handle the other arms!" He instantly ran over to the S.C.A.M.P.E.R and brought out three S.P.I.C.E.R II guns for the rest of the members.

Wally chucked the hot sauce gun to the ground and aimed his new weapon at the arm that was gripping onto Abby tightly; it was swinging around as to stop him from shooting correctly.

"Oh, hold still ya crummy, clawed octopus!" he yelled, in irritation through gritted teeth. The others got up close and personal with the other arms that were controlled by the two adults up on top.

As they sprayed as much sauce as they could on the tentacles, they all began to give way and instantly, Mr Fibbs, and Mr Wink's chairs started to come closer to the ground.

While they were distracted, Wally fixed his target, and with a smirk, he shot, green lasers blasting through the gun and instantly frying the arm that held Abby. As soon as it shut down, the claw released a screaming Abby as she fell and, adrenaline kicking in, he ran over, arms held out in order to catch her.

She fell into his arms with a loud 'oof' and stared at Wally with wide eyes and heavy breaths. He stared down at her, worry etched across his features and as he put her down, she fixed her cap, avoiding his gaze.

"Ya alroight, Abby?" Wally asked, the tips of his ears red as he realised how frantic he had been. Abby gently smiled and nodded her head.

"Yeah. Thanks to you," she said. He stared at her for longer than he should have but immediately focused his attention over to the two adults groaning and moaning at their failure. Just as Wally went to march towards them, Abby stuck a hand out in front of his chest and turned to them, herself.

"Y'all need to get a reality check. We're the Kids Next Door, and y'all never be able to defeat us. Not in a billion years," Abby snapped before stalking over to the S.C.A.M.P.E.R.

Wally then stepped towards them with a devilish smirk and Mr Fibbs and Mr Wink gulped audibly as he raised the hot sauce gun in their faces. "Enjoy some free sauce, ya crummy losers!"

"N-no, please, have merc-" As soon as they began to talk, Wally fired the sauce all over their faces and in their mouth, causing them to scream painfully.

"IT BURRRRNS!"

-.-.-.-.-

"Well, that was certainly eventful," Nigel said, hands on his hips. "Well, we succeeded once again so well done, team! As usual."

Hoagie snorted as he read his comic. "But did you see the way Numbuh 4 got all freaked out when Numbuh 3 got attacked?"

Wally glowered at the boy sitting next to him. "I wasn't freaked out, alroight?" then under his breath, to himself mostly, said, "She wasn't the one I was worried 'bout."

Nigel sniggered at Wally's red face. "Wow, Numbuh 4, we didn't know you liked Numbuh 3 that much!"

"ARGH." Wally flung down his comic in vexation and leapt off the couch. "I don't like Numbuh 3!"

"Wally and Kuki sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-"

As they began singing in the background, Wally muttered angrily, "I'm gonna go do my homework." before storming off, leaving the two laughing boys behind.

As he went into his room, he plopped down onto the ground and stared at the mountains of homework that was due soon. He blew a raspberry at it but picked up a worksheet on History and stared at it, his jaw dropping open.

"AHHHH!" His scream echoed throughout the whole treehouse, and Abby jumped just as she passed by to get some soda from the kitchen. She poked her head into his room to see Wally making paper aeroplanes with his homework.

"You alright, Wally?"

"No," he answered, shortly.

"What's wrong? Mind tellin' Numbuh 5?"

He sat up and frowned at a sheet that was lying close to him. "I don't understand any of the homework we're supposed to do for Ms Thompson! She's tryna kill me, I swear!"

Abby rolled her eyes. "You're bein' dramatic. Lemme see your homework." She sat next to him and grabbed the sheet from his hand and skimmed it over. "Oh, this isn't too bad. Do ya want Numbuh 5 to help again?"

"Really? Ya don't mind, roight?"

She was taken aback by the silly question. "Mind? Why would Numbuh 5 mind? I'd love to help ya, fool."

He shot a broad smile at her and inched closer, peering over to see the questions she was pointing at and staring at her every time she tried to explain how to answer it and the events that occurred.

What was even more surprising for him, was that he didn't focus on what she was saying at all. Wally was too busy gawking at her. He wasn't doing it deliberately; it was just something he couldn't stop.

Oh, crud, what am I doin'? Well...I'm only starin' cos...cos...cos she's helpin' me! I have ta look at 'er, I ain't got no choice! He yelled in his mind. Ya know what, she reminds me of Kuki, that's why! Yeah...yeah, that's roight!

The thought faltered as Abby suddenly glanced at him - but her expression hadn't changed. She continued to explain whatever it was she was talking about, but Wally didn't care too much about History.

He was too busy gazing at her curiously, his head cocked. There was something about her that he had never noticed - he had never paid attention to her personally, until now.

Things were changing between them, but he didn't know how. Or why. Or what exactly was changing. He couldn't think about it much as all his thoughts were becoming jumbled.

His eyes dilated the more he looked at her. The way her lips moved with every word she uttered, the way she reached up and placed a strand of hair that had come loose from her plait, behind her ear.

The way the light from his room cast shadows of her eyelashes on her cheeks. They were long and dark and covered her dark eyes - eyes that held strong emotions and could consume a person just with the stories that they told.

Wally, for some reason, wanted to know every secret her eyes held.

"And that's pretty much it! Numbuh 5 hopes ya got all that, though," she said, smiling at him.

And that smile, wow, that's somethin' rare for sure! She's...she's amazin', he thought, suddenly dazed. It was when Abby waved a hand in his face that he blinked and jerked back.

"Huh, what happened?" he questioned, stupidly. Abby's shoulders slumped, and she looked at him, annoyed.

"Ya weren't listenin' to Numbuh 5, were ya?"

Wally let out a sheepish laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. "I-I was! I was just...thinkin'."

Ugh, what am I doin'!? Abby's just a friend, and...and...and why am I starin' at her!? he yelled on the inside as he forced a tight-lipped smile on the outside.

Abby narrowed her eyes at him but ruffled his hair gently. "Well if ya need any more help, then don't be afraid to come to me. Numbuh 5 would be happy to help as always."

Wally snorted. "HA! Afraid? Me?! Nevah," he said, picking up the sheet she had just explained to him. He stared at it, trying to remember what she had said - but he came up blank.

He could feel her gaze on the back of his head, and he cleared his throat. "Well, uh, I know what ta write for these questions! Thanks, for helpin' Abby."

Abby, on the other hand, didn't look like she believed him at all, standing behind him with her hands on her hips. He let out an embarrassed chuckle and waved her away.

"Anyway, ya should go, I gotta go write all those answers ya told me."

"Wa-"

He shut the door on her and let out a puff of air in relief as he leaned against it. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught one of the hamsters, who helped power the treehouse, try to sneak out with his soda can and Wally turned, leaping towards it.

It jumped and took on a defensive stance, holding the pop tabs of the soda near Wally's face.

"No, I don't wanna steal the can back or anythin'! I just...need ya advice, ya know?"

"Hmf?" The hamster squeaked back, looking confused.

"Can ya tell me what I should do? I...I ain't thinkin' 'bout the person I should be thinkin' 'bout! I don't know what's goin' on." His gaze focused on the hamster, prominent lines between his eyebrows.

"Tell m-ARHGUSDAF." Before he could finish his sentence, the hamster pulled the pop tab, spraying the soda all over Wally and causing him to fall backwards. The hamster chuckled, maliciously as it scurried away.

"UGH, why you cruddy furball, come back 'ere!" he yelled as he ran after the hamster. "I was gonna be nice to ya but you just took it too far! Ya better not come back and be stealin' my sodas again, you hear?!"