Hi everyone! Okay just want to start by saying I am so sorry for the very delayed update of about 3 weeks...I've had a lot going on with rehearsals, a drama performance exam last night and such....

Anyway here is the new chapter, thankyou to my reviewers who have been very patient in awaiting this (writer's block also doens'nt help). I've also noticed a few new readers lurking and adding this to their favourite's or alerts without reviewing...I won't name, names....yet. So do review as these chapter's take a lot of time to write...thankyou and enjoy! x

'I have reached a decision Numbuh one…' Numbuh infinity breathed, everyone looking to him with baited breath, when the door burst open. Turning in surprise, the operatives looked to see Hoagie, Kuki and Wally all in the doorway gasping for breath.

'Ya…can't…get rid of Numbuh one…' Numbuh four panted, 'he's a great operative and getting rid of him would be ya worst mistake.'

'Wally's right, Numbuh one has always done his best for the team-yeah he may have over-worked us and acted like a complete jerk at times, but he still means well,' Kuki added.

'Not your best persuasion girl,' Abby remarked looking back to her friend. 'But they're right, without Numbuh one, a lot of the successful missions we've had may not exist. Numbuh five has been in Sector V with a lot of operatives as Numbuh five's sure you know, and she can tell you that he is one of the most honourable operatives Numbuh five has ever worked with. But more than that he's one of her best friends, it hurt for Numbuh five to see him go the last time when he thought it was what he wanted…but now she won't stand to see him go when he doesn't want too…that isn't something you could ever ask of her.'

'You're defensive of Numbuh one,' Numbuh infinity noted smoothly, Abby tensing slightly, when her muscles relaxed as she nodded.

'Yeah…because he's saved Numbuh five's neck a lot…but never before has she seen him as determined to help her…as he was a couple of weeks back. She's grateful of what Numbuh one did for her, and she doesn't want him to leave again.' Looking over to her, Numbuh one didn't allow his emotions to overcome him, refraining from placing his arm on her shoulder.

Glancing from operative to operative, Numbuh infinity seemed satisfied with Abby's response, though Numbuh five felt the eyes of her fellow operatives on her. Noting how her cheeks burned she then lowered her cap slightly, looking to Nigel who smiled at her encouragingly.

'I look at all of you, and it amazes me…when I came here today I didn't expect such a…difficulty in returning Numbuh one to the Galactic Kids Next Door base. However I was proven wrong.'

'Numbuh five doesn't think that Sector V's team is by far that predictable…' Abby remarked folding her arms.

'As I said before we were joined by your other team-mates…I have made my decision.'

'Well don't just keep us waitin' on it…cause then we got time to argue with ya if ya don't let him stay,' Numbuh four said impatiently.

'Very well. Numbuh one…' Numbuh infinity said turning to the British orientated operative, 'you may return to your former position with the Kid's Next Door if you so wish…'

'Thankyou,' Nigel sighed in relief, Abby looking to the operative in confusion.

'What made you give in so easily?'

'Your display of fondness for one another is an example of how a true team is formed; held and never broken…that is why.' Watching Numbuh infinity carefully, Abby noted his flawlessly composed features, giving away no hint of what he was truly thinking. Yet it was Numbuh 313 who interrupted the relaxed atmosphere that had now entered the room.

'But you can't simply let him off the hook like that. He broke the rules, he did things which were reckless and could have cost the Galactic Kid's Next Door dearly and…'

'He helped in seeing that one of his friends was safe before he allowed himself to be treated. Nigel never did seem to settle in the Galactic Kid's Next Door, but he has understood where he belongs and fought for it, with his team who never left his side to begin with. That is why he may stay…'

'Yeah now shut up Numbuh 313 you're getting on my nerves,' Chad remarked irritably,

'Oh and your so innocent,'

'One more word and you'll wish that you had an adult backing you up,' the blonde teen threatened, 313 flinching slightly, despite his attempt to cover it up.

'Don't get yourself into trouble on my account,' Nigel suggested, Chad turning to him with a slight grin, though he tried to keep his tone serious.

'It wouldn't be the first time…'

'Numbuh one,' Numbuh infinity now remarked seriously, 'you know the rules of the Galactic Kid's Next Door upon departure…it is up to Numbuh five to reinstate you as a full time operative for the Kid's Next Door.'

'I understand, and can only hope that she and the others will have me back,'

'Course we will silly! Why do you think we've been arguing your return for the past…five minutes?' Kuki replied, Nigel unable to suppress a smile at her light-hearted view of the situation.

'Well naturally that would be up to Operative Number Five as the Supreme Leader of the Kid's Next Door.'

'Thankyou, but Numbuh five thinks we all know what she'll be doing,' Abby grinned, Numbuh infinity nodding to her.

'Of course. Though I would like to add something before I depart…you are by far one of the strongest teams that have been recorded in the Kid's Next Door as field operatives. The amount you have faced –some of which have been reckless attempts but still successful- leads me to believe that you will ultimately be the only ones that can ever stop Father.'

'Your faith in them over the Galactic Kid's Next Door is honestly a mistake,' Numbuh 313 muttered bitterly, Chad silencing him with a furious glare and a balled fist.

'Numbuh 313, tell me what makes a good operative,' Numbuh infinity requested now drawing his attention to the outspoken operative.

'The way he respects the rules, follows them without fail, and never steps out of line.'

'No.' Numbuh infinity turning back after his brief statement too look at Nigel. 'What makes a good operative is not his knowledge, his ability to stay in line…but the risks and daring attitude that is sometimes needed within our missions. Fierce determination to do whats right or to correct something done wrong is something of benefit…' he continued beginning to pace, Numbuh's one, two, three, four and five watching and listening intently, Abby having her hat still tilted forward, with the sunglasses resting on the brim. 'What makes a good operative is his willingness to admit he has gone wrong and accept the help that his team offer…to have a team that you know you can rely on is what makes you who you are. Am I right?'

'Yes,' Nigel nodded, 'I understand sir.'

'Then I have no more to say. Numbuh 274, 313, let's go.'

'Yes sir,' they responded, Numbuh 313 sounding more begrudged.

'Numbuh infinity,' Abby said suddenly as they turned to leave, catching her arm slightly and pausing as she bit her lip in order to silence her pain.

'Yes Numbuh five?'

'Thanks.'

'You're right Operative Numbuh Five. You are far from predictable,' he smiled, 'though I would advise you rest further before restarting missions again…'

'See?! Even he agrees with me!' Kuki said exasperated, Wally looking up to her and shaking his head, though Numbuh infinity merely smiled.

'Your friends have a right to worry, Numbuh five, Numbuh one, be careful of your injuries…lead by example,' he reminded them.

'Goodbye,' Nigel concluded, the five operatives watching the other three leaving swiftly when Chad lent back in.

'Hey Numbuh one, keep this,' he grinned tossing Nigel a case.

'What's this?'

'Open it later,' Chad remarked,

'Hey, keep out of trouble,' he grinned, Chad laughing at the idea.

'Yeah, yeah, that's like me telling you not to do anything reckless or stupid…not going to happen…though I think Numbuh 313's gonna have a lot to ask too'

Nigel assuring him he would and watching as the last of Chad's blonde hair disappeared from sight.

'So…' Numbuh five grinned as they were left alone, 'you're here to stay…'

'If you'll have me,' Nigel responded with a weak smiled, Abby glancing at Numbuh's two, three and four who were also grinning, before looking back to Numbuh one with a smile.

'Well Numbuh five's only got one thing to say to you. Welcome back…Numbuh one.'

Putting his arms around her waist, careful of her tender wounds where her sister had struck her so hard, Nigel held her in his embrace. Pausing in surprise at this sudden gesture of affection, Abby let her hat fall forward as she put her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Though their moment was interrupted as Numbuh 86 came bustling in. 'What happened? Numbuh five, is their anything that is required to be done…?' she asked looking from one to the other.

'No…well actually you can do Numbuh five a favour and call a meeting up at the moon base. Numbuh five wants every operative there.'

'Yes Numbuh five, when do you want the meeting to take place though?'

'Tomorrow at least…Numbuh five doesn't feel like trying a journey to the moon base, and she highly doubts her team will let her.'

'She ain't wrong there,' Numbuh four added, Numbuh 86 rounding on him.

'QUIET! Do not speak over your Sector's leader…'

'Numbuh 86, if Numbuh five wants to have a go at one of her team-mates –which she doesn't- she would do it herself...So do you mind?'

'Sorry…Numbuh five…'

'Right, Numbuh five will see you at the moon base tomorrow. Midday, don't be late.'

'Yes sir,' Numbuh 86 nodded leaving the room.

'So anyone want a pizza?' Numbuh four offered clearly glad of Numbuh 86's departure.

'Definitely,' they all agreed smiling, the group going back through the tree house with no doubts or worries present in their minds…however both Nigel and Abby were left with inner thoughts of the last few days that they had experienced…from the day they were reunited to this point as Numbuh one became part of the team again.

'Oh by the way Numbuh one, we returned the R.O.A.D.S.T.A.R. to the garage.'

'I never took it out?' Nigel remarked in confusion

'That was Numbuh five…'

'You drove the R.O.A.D.S.T.A.R.?'

'Sorry…but Numbuh five needed something fast to get to you, and it was the best thing she could think of…'

'No, don't say sorry, it just surprised me…'

'Yeah well this girl likes to travel fast where possible,' Abby grinned.

'Then why do ya insist we take the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. so much?' Numbuh four asked folding his arms.

'It's easier to communicate when you're all in one vehicle,' Numbuh two said thoughtfully.

'Don't worry Numbuh four, Numbuh five promises next time we're on a mission where we can do it…we'll take the G.A.R.G.O.Y.L.E.C.Y.C.L.E.'s'

'Ya know, suddenly I wish we had a mission,' Wally grinned, making them laugh as they ordered their pizza.

Later that evening as they sat in Numbuh five's room, Abby brought up the night that she had awoken. 'You remember how you told Numbuh five that you'd always be there for her?'

'Yes…?'

'Did that mean you had no intentions of leaving?'

'Not unless you guys didn't want me to return, I just didn't want to say anything in case trying to stay here proved more difficult than I thought.'

'Then it's a good job you've got a team like us behind you,' Abby replied smirking.

'You know, since I left…you were all on my mind all the time…I couldn't let go of the feeling I'd made the worst mistake in my life.'

'Which you quickly corrected,' Abby reminded him,

'Yeah though it felt like an eternity…I'm only sorry I didn't call for you all when I arrived back…'

'You were following orders…' Abby responded looking down slightly, 'you were just doing what you thought was right.'

'…and look what it caused,' he breathed lifting her chin so that she would look at him, 'you got so badly hurt…'

'Cree and Numbuh five had that fight coming for a long time…what Cree did to you just added to Numbuh five's anger.'

'I'm just glad we got to you before…before Cree could really do some damage.'

'Same…if you'd fallen into Father's clutches…'

'I know,' he nodded. 'So tell me…why did you insist upon fighting on your own so much?'

'You heard about that?'

'Yeah…and saw some of it…'

'How?'

'The Galactic Kid's Next Door monitors a lot of the trouble on earth…that's how they inform the moon base so easily.'

'Numbuh five had already lost one friend…it may have just been through a transfer…but she didn't want to lose any of her other operatives. It just seemed more bearable fighting alone…because it made Numbuh five forget, just for that time…that you'd gone.'

'Not a mistake I will ever make again…'

'Numbuh five's glad…' she smiled, her happiness at his rejoining the team unhidden…and certainly not unspoken…

So what's coming up next for the team? How will Cree have been during this time after leaving the battle, when will Maurice resurface? and how will Father have reacted?? That and some Christmas themes all coming up with a touch of romance.

Please review and I will update soon!

~x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x