FINALLY, I have something to give you guys for this story. You should feel very grateful, getting this AND a one-shot all in one day, because I hate this chapter.

Ugh, this chapter was a pain. Consequently, it's not as interesting as it could be. I swear to you that the next chapter will be filled with so much "interesting" that your insides will pop. Or something.

But there are some reasons that I DO like this chapter. I like the Hoagie/Kuki friendship. That's something we don't get to see very often, and it makes me sad. Sure, Abby and Kuki are friends, but I'm sure that she's friends with Hoagie, too. I wanted them to have a moment for themselves. And there are other reasons that I won't describe because I have class in 20 minutes.

So I hope you enjoy this, even though it's not the greatest thing ever times a million. Maybe you'll like it, I don't know.

Disclaimer: If I owned Codename: Kids Next Door, I'd buy Bill Gates. Just kidding. And I don't.

Have a lovely week!

Love, Sadie

--

Drip. Drip. Drip.

The room had a leak in it that was threatening to drive Kuki crazy. It wasn't the water itself; it was the heartbeat-like pattern that just kept going, slowly pounding its way into her skull and reminding her that she was in here and that the minutes were slowly going by in sync with the water. Tick. Tick. Drip. Drip.

Hoagie was in the next room over, and the two rooms were connected by a large window. It was easy to communicate, but almost impossible to escape. The large iron doors were barred and chained, and the stone walls would have needed dynamite in order to obliterate. There were patches of moss that gave the room an earthy smell, one that was unpleasant and rather disgusting.

Kuki turned with a frustrated glare at the sleeping boy and finally threw a pebble at his head. It bounced off and he jumped to his feet, looking around wildly and groggily. When his conditions registered with his senses, his face settled into a mask of disappointment and he sighed, plopping back down onto the floor and looking around glumly.

"What'd you do that for?" he mumbled, looking thoroughly dejected at their current state. While they hadn't been harmed, it was apparent that they were needed for some motive that had yet to be discovered. And that idea was no less scary than the idea that they could be harmed.

Kuki edged over to the window and peeked through it, her eyes wide and terrified. "Talk to me, please," she whispered, with her thin fingers gripping the edge of the window with such force that they turned a pale, cold white. Hoagie studied her for a moment before moving over next to the window and sitting beside it.

The two were quiet for a long moment, before Hoagie murmured, "We're going to get out of here just fine."

Her lips were numb as she whispered back. "But how do you know?" She wanted to trust him, wanted to believe him, but the room was so dark and cold and intimidating. It leeched off of her courage and left her with a hole inside her, a hole that was rapidly filling with nothing but terror.

It was another long while before Hoagie responded, but when he did, his voice was filled with conviction. "Because the others will come and get us. They always do." It was easy for Kuki to hear the belief in his voice, and to know that he truly felt it, but she couldn't quite grasp the feeling like he could. Her breath was shaky and it rattled her ribs.

"Do they even know where we are?" she breathed out, reaching through the window and grabbing his hand. His fingers curled around hers and squeezed tightly, and it took a long time for both of them to speak again, for they were too wrapped up in the silent emotional comfort that they were trying to get from one another. Kuki had never appreciated the aviator boy so much before.

His face was dimpled as he attempted his famous grin. The effort was entirely valiant, but fell short of just a few muscles, and his smile came out looking somewhat weak. "Kuki, who's left in Sector V?"

The question confused her. Did they erase his memory or something? "Numbuh One and Numbuh Four and Numbuh Five."

"Exactly." He tried again to capture his conviction, and this time, it was easier to believe him. "You know Wally's going to tear apart the world to find you."

A small flame brushed over Kuki's cheeks like a spreading wildfire. Her eyes had dropped to the floor in a shy embarrassment, and it was unclear if she was embarrassed because of Hoagie's statement, or because it was Hoagie who made it. It was humiliating that whatever was happening between them, it was obvious to everyone. If something was even happening.

"And you," she whispered in return, to take the attention away from her. One of her hands hurriedly moved to brush her hair out of her face. "Y-you're his best friend." They both paused for a moment as footsteps sounded outside in the hall, but then as the footsteps retreated, their eyes met again.

Hoagie gave her another grin, clearly trying to build her up. "Yeah, but ten Yipper cards says he's not thinking about me." The tiny laugh that Kuki gave was worth the small chatter; even in the dismal room, they were able to keep finding ways to make each other laugh. They were going to make it out. They were going to be strong.

Weakly, Kuki tried to tease him back. "W-well, I know who Abby's looking for." It was comical, the way he blushed, as though his face was trying to paint itself with scarlet. She only laughed softly, shaking her head and gripping his hand tighter. His responding tightening grip was just enough to keep her anchored to her courage.

"Let's agree to change the subject," Hoagie whispered amusedly, glancing toward the door. Kuki nodded, and then began to whisper softly about home, reminding him about their treehouse and the best rooms inside of it. Hoagie told her of his planes and his newest inventions, and Kuki listened in awe as he described his view from the sky.

As the afternoon wore on, they continued to weave together stories, describing their favorite memories in the deepest hopes that these would not be the last memories they would ever create.

--

Nicco looked up from the blueprints and scowled as a sharp knock interrupted his planning. "What?" His voice was a bark, and Eli looked suspicious as he edged his way into the room. For all that Eli was bigger than Nicco, and assuredly more strong, he couldn't help but feel intimidated by the devious man.

"We got the two." Eli tried to piece together what Nicco was planning, but it was apparent that only Nicco knew what Nicco was doing. It was a shame that he wouldn't let them in on the specifics of his plans; he would only leave them with the phrase "divide and conquer," again and again. Okay, so they had divided the kids. Now what?

Nicco slowly stood and nodded. "Plan an all-out attack on the treehouse. We'll take this Sector quickly and efficiently."

"Sir." Eli grimaced at the clear dismissal, but continued to stand there. "Why did we take those two? Why not take the two best fighters, the blonde and the other girl?"

Nicco sighed.

He often did that, when talking to them. It was a sigh that was supposed to signify that he was frustrated with them, with their ignorance. It made Eli feel like he was being looked down on, and he often very much disliked it when Nicco sighed at him like that. With a look of the utmost patience, Nicco explained it as though talking to a child.

"Why do you think they're the best fighters, Eli?" His eyes turned to the window in the room, looking out across the city. "Every single fighter that has ever made good history has had someone to fight for."

Finally, Eli began to see Nicco's train of thought. "So we take away what they fight for, and shake them into making a mistake?"

"I knew you had some brains in there," Nicco smiled slowly, a serpent-like smile that gave Eli the chills. "Now go. Tell the others. We attack in an hour."

"Yes, sir."

--

"It was the teenagers!" Nigel declared, slamming his fist into the table. He was tense, angry, and frustrated, and Wally and Abby had edged away from his obvious rage.

"Why would they take those two?" Abby questioned softly, her feet resting on the table and her hands folded as she thought. She was the one who was maintaining a cool head throughout the situation, and Wally hated her for it. His own mind was rushing with millions of thoughts; thoughts of anxiety, thoughts of anger, thoughts of the ultimate revenge.

The rage made it clear to him what their purpose was. "They're tryin' to scare us," he spat, feeling his blood run hot inside of him. "They think they can shake us up."

Nigel was pacing very slowly, and his face was thoughtful. "They're probably going to attack soon." Turning to them, his voice became authoritative. "Numbuh Four, go find our missing operatives. I don't care if you track them or find them yourself, but we need them. Numbuh Five and I will hold them off until then."

"No cruddy way you two can handle them by yourselves!" Wally shot to his feet, looking horrified and furious. "They're kill ya!"

"That was an order." The weight of the situation was heavy in Nigel's voice. "We can't beat them with just three of us. Okay? We need all of us. Go find them."

The two locked eyes for a long period of time, an a silent conversation took place. Wally had to trust them, had to have faith in their abilities to take care of themselves. Finally, he lowered his eyes and nodded, subdued. "Alright. I'll be back soon with them. Swear it." Without another word, he sprinted out of the room.

"You really think we can hold them off?" Abby's tone was the only thing that betrayed her fear as she dared question her leader. She had seen them fight.

Nigel shrugged, looking more tired than he ever had in the times that Abby could ever remember. "We have to, don't we?" His gaze leveled with her own. "We will."