A/N: I really have nothing to say. ... oh wait! I must apologize for the next few chapters because they are basically Christmas and New Year chapters. Yeah, they're late.

-madier1095: For now.

-yougotburned: Thank you

-CallMeSweetie: They might. I really haven't thought about what to do with them.

-Rachpop15: Phew, thanks for not totally killing him. We'll put him in a breather until we need him again.

-numbuh 8 knd: He has slipped into the story... I think... that depends on who we're talking about. If we're talking about the same person then yes he will be seen more and more especially in the upcoming chapters. :D

Codename Kids Next Door: Operation U.N.I.T.E.

Unprepared

Night

Introduces

Teens

Exclusively

Chapter 26
Winter Break Part I

Abby was looking forward to winter break. Yeah it was time away from her friends and more time around Cree, but it was time where she could think. She said her goodbyes in the middle of a snowball fight by her house. Kuki was royally whooping Wally and Hoagie.

"I could use some help, Abby," she said while hitting Hoagie in the face with wet snow.

Abby chuckled. "I think you got it covered."

"And it wouldn't be fair havin both you and Lincoln on the same team!" interjected Wally. Kuki stuck her tongue out and hit Wally in the face as well.

"Well, I wish I could stay, but Abby's gotta get goin soon."

"Your family's heading to Paris already?"

"Yeah. Abby's parents are waiting in the car. I stopped by to give you your Christmas presents," Abby said, holding out a wrapped package. Kuki squeaked and took the gift.

"Thank you, Abby!" Kuki broke open the wrapping paper and revealed a rainbow monkey cell phone cover.

Wally twisted his face in mild disgust. "Rainbow dorkies?"

"OH! It's so CUTE!" proclaimed Kuki.

"I had a feelin you would like it."

Kuki checked herself, realizing that what she just did was rather… childish. "Oh… um…"

"It's cool, girl. I like rainbow monkeys too."

Kuki's eyes went wide. "You do?"

Hoagie and Wally looked at her in disbelief. "You do?" they asked.

"Of course." Abby smirked at the guys' dumbfounded faces and pulled out two wrapped gifts for them. That mostly knocked them out of their stupor.

Wally savagely ripped the paper away and revealed a perfectly shaped piece of hard candy. It almost looked like a gem. Taking a lick, Wally fell back a little and smacked his lips.

"That's amazing! Is that raspberry? Where'd you get this?"

"I know a guy," Abby chuckled. Hoagie was less conspicuous in opening his gift. It was much bigger than the others and less sturdy. Brushing away the wrappings, it unfolded to reveal a brown leather aviator helmet. It was small and worn and seemed used, but it felt so… right. Hoagie lost his breath.

A flash and a shout from a room. He felt weird. His head was bare, revealing messy brown locks. It felt weird, like something was missing. Suddenly there was nothing… nothing except a few—kids?

"What's going on here?"

"C'mon, Hoagie, Oi'll take ya home," said one of the kids. He seemed sad.

"Uh, sure kid. Are there any chili dogs around here?"

"Where'd you get this?"

"Um, I just found it. You told me you liked planes so… I thought it would be a nice collectors item or somethin," explained Abby. If only I could tell you Hoagie. You deserve to know. It fell off after your decommissioning.

Hoagie grinned and tossed the aviator cap between his hands. "It's cool Abbs. I just wish I had something to give you… all—give you all. Yeah… that's what I meant…"

"Well, you all can exchange gifts while Abby's away, but ya'll don't have to get me anything." Reuniting the group was gift enough.

"We'll miss you Abby," sighed Kuki as she gave her friend a hug.

"I'll miss ya guys too. Merry Christmas." Wally pounded fists with Abby and Hoagie… Hoagie just stood there.

"You ok Hoagie?"

"Uh, yeah…"

Abby smiled and held out her arms. "C'mon, it ain't gonna kill ya to give me a goodbye hug."

"Um…" but before he could argue, Abby was already squeezing him.

"See ya after break," she said and waved. "Merry Christmas."

Abby reflected on her goodbye to the others. How many times had she said goodbye to them? She said goodbye when she was tagged for Soopreme Leader. She said goodbye when she was "decommissioned." She silently said goodbye to each of them as she watched their decommissionings from a closed location.

That was the hardest one of all, knowing that they would never recognize her face again. She decided then that it would be better for her to let them lead their own lives, partly because she was too busy in the Teens Next Door to actually do much to revive friendships with them.

She had thought that with times so desperate, their team would be reconciled once again. Boy was I wrong. The question remained. Why? Why couldn't she tell them? Why couldn't she recomission them? Why couldn't she have her old friends back?

It just doesn't make sense. Why would he want to keep their memories away from them? He was their friend too…

"Abigail, are you feeling alright darling?" her mother questioned. Abby had been staring out of the airplane window. Looking up, she did her best to smile in assurance.

"I'm fine Mom."

"Alright."

Cree looked Abby up and down, suspicion clearly defined in her eyes. Abby noticed this and did her best to act cool.

"Ya need something, Sis?"

"No. Do you… Sis?"

"I'm good." Abby folded her arms behind her head and looked up at the ceiling. The latest reports show a decrease in missing operatives. It's like the whole process has slowed. Plus Rachel introduced me to a new kid that just "moved" here. That's the sixth one this week; the fourteenth one in the last two months. Something big is going down. More teenagers are showing up while more kids are disappearing. What is going on?

A/N: Well there you have it. 2/5-ness plus some more plot additions. Please send in your opinions about this chapter.