Disclaimer: I do not own Codename: Kids Next Door and I never will.

Yes, I updated this quickly. I think I got carried away while writing the last part of the chapter, but enjoy. xD

Chapter Ten – Do You?

"Lizzie, you're not supposed to be here."

After much contemplating, Lizzie had decided to go to the mountains. She'd had enough of being blackmailed and wanted to set things straight. She was in charge of her own life. What these people were doing was obviously bad and she needed to end it. It was for her safety, Harry's group's safety and the safety of everyone in town.

"I know, but this has to stop."

The blonde girl scoffed. "You aren't the boss of me, Miss Devine."

"Now, Anne-Marie, that's no way to treat Miss Devine," the old man scolded, walking towards them. "She's done a lot of work for us. Isn't that right, Nixon?"

The boy didn't even turn around when he said, "Yep."

"But she wants to leave, Father!" Anne-Marie argued, trying to stress the importance of the situation.

"And she won't," said Father. "Your gun will make sure of that."

Anne-Marie smirked, remembering her weapon. "Exactly. Miss Devine is too chicken to actually do anything about it."

"I can turn you into the authorities."

"There's no point in telling us that. We'll just pull a runner," stated Anne-Marie, her smug smile not faltering for a second.

Lizzie scowled. "They'll search for you."

Anne-Marie shook her head. "Nope. Apparently, we don't exist anymore."

"What?" choked Lizzie. What was this girl talking about? Of course she existed. She was standing right in front of her.

"Never mind, just go and keep observing," commanded Father, waving his hand to dismiss her. "If you don't, I will send Anne-Marie and her gun."

Lizzie looked like she wanted to say more, but spun one hundred and eighty degrees and stomped out the door instead. Anne-Marie wiped her hands, satisfied.

"Well, that's done. She probably won't rebel again," she assumed.

"Hey, I found it!" Nixon declared.

"Finally!"

Anne-Marie and Father joined Nixon at the control panel. Most of their days at the base were spent trying to find Sector 22's headquarters. They had easily found out that it wasn't anywhere above the surface, so they started looking underground. It was hard because of all the interferences, such as insects, dirt and tree roots. It was a great accomplishment to find it.

Nixon moved out of the way so the other two could see. They had set up an underground camera, which they nicknamed 'The Ladybug' because that was the form it took. It was currently looking at a silver door with gold paint saying 'Teens Next Door – Sector 22' over it. The narrow walkway was dark brown wood. They couldn't see anything else besides dirt.

"Well," began Father, "can't you get in any further?"

Nixon shook his head. "The defence systems are excellent. No one and nothing can get in without a DNA sample. Not even a bug."

Anne-Marie pouted like a five year old girl. "No fair. I wanted to see my Harry again."

Nixon rolled his eyes while Father said, "You will soon. It won't even be an hour before they're right here on our doorstep."

"Yes, then he's all mine," Anne-Marie said, giving a wide smile.

Thomas was miserable. He had been kidnapped and taken to a newly built prison. At the time he'd been angry with his captors and himself, but not sad. All those hours ago, he had been working out a way to free himself. He had heard the door open as he was inspecting the bars. He had heard someone scream and he had instantly known it was Kellie.

That had been ages ago and they still hadn't spoken. This wasn't normal for them. They would normally be at each other's throats. He would be telling her she was an idiot for trying to rescue him and she would be defending herself, saying she only did it for him.

It was the completely different now, and all he could think of was the tension between them. They were both in the same cell, not that they had a choice. There was only one. They both stayed on opposite sides, sneaking side glances at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking.

"T-Thomas?"

Thomas almost jumped when Kellie spoke. "Yeah?"

"Are you mad at me?" she asked, her voice soft.

"I'm not angry, but I'm not exactly thrilled either," he replied.

An awkward silence followed. She obviously didn't know how to reply to such an answer. Now he was freaking out. She knew how to reply to everything, even if she just bawled her eyes out. Now she was silent, and it scared him.

"Why did you do it?" he asked.

Kellie gave him a look of surprise and confusion. "Why did I do what?"

"Come after me," Thomas answered. "The others weren't with you and I don't know what happened."

"I came by myself," started Kellie, tucking her knees under her chin. "There was a ransom note on Harry's door that said you were being held here. You were the bait. Harry said we should wait until the next day, since he believed you wouldn't be hurt unless we did something to the enemy. Celeste went back to her house and the rest of us went back to the headquarters. When I was in bed, I couldn't stop thinking about... Everything. I put on this outfit, went down to the Weapon Room, and then to the kitchen escape tunnel. Harry and Melissa almost caught me, but I managed to get out. I came here and found the entrance to the air vent. I went inside, but I was caught."

"Well, that tells me how you did it. But why did you do it?" Thomas asked.

A tear slid down Kellie's cheek. "Because you're my friend."

"But you disobeyed orders for this. You're gonna get into trouble," Thomas pointed out.

"I know."

"If it was any of the others-"

"But it wasn't any of the others. It was you."

Thomas took a moment to register that sentence, but all it did was confuse him. Why was he so special? They had both known the others since they were little, with the exception of Truman. Didn't she love them all equally? He knew she was extraordinary to him. He couldn't deny that. Even when he stopped lying to himself he was puzzled.

He decided to just man up and ask.

"Kellie, do you like me?"

Kellie, who had scooted closer to Thomas, looked up at him. She had started to cry and her face was going red. She dropped her gaze and started playing with her nails. He felt a lump in his throat. He was stupid to ask such an embarrassing question.

"No, I don't."

Thomas felt his heart turn cold. Aside from becoming the greatest football player in the world, his greatest wish was for Kellie to love him back. That dream was now shattered.

"The concept of 'liking' is light. I don't like you."

Thomas tried not to cringe. Did she really have to rub it in?

"I love you."

Thomas was at a loss for words. His eyes widened and butterflies filled his stomach. He could have sworn he was dreaming. Kellie Beatles, his teammate, childhood friend and longest love, was telling him that she loved him.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when Kellie said, "Don't worry. You don't have to do anything about it. I guess I'll get over it. Maybe."

"It's okay," Thomas reassured.

"No, it's not!" Kellie protested, tears running down her face.

"Kellie, listen to me!" Thomas had to shout over cries. "I love you too."

Kellie's expression first showed bewilderment, but then she beamed. According to Thomas, she was beautiful, and nothing could ever change that. He thought this as she gave him a large embrace, which lasted for a good minute.

When they let go, he whispered, "You really are an idiot for coming, you know?"

She tried to look offended, but she couldn't stop the grin from showing through. "I know."

You were expecting them to get together at the very end and share a passionate kiss, weren't you, WEREN'T YOU? I swear, I've been reading and watching too much romance/comedy manga and anime lately. So, review! :D