The more I think and develop this story, the more I like it! It's becoming one of my fav stories that I've ever written, and believe me, that's a lot of stories. Maybe it's because it's my first story that's not been an anime. shrugs Whatever. Anyway, I'll stop babbling now, and let ya'll get started on this chapter. Enjoy!!!

Continuing Transmission

Numbuh 1 growled, frustrated, as he turned the page of the book he was reading. Sitting next to him on his bed was a huge pile of books, almost as tall as he was.

Placing the book down, he removed his sunglasses to rub his tired eyes. 'Stupid adult books,' he thought irritated. 'The print is too small and close together. How can anyone read those kind of books?'

But, after replacing his sunglasses on his face, he picked up the book again and started to reread the page he was on, in hopes to understand it.

Normally, Numbuh 1 wouldn't read books such as these. But he needed to. He was hoping that these books would help him with the problem he was having.

Ever since he had heard the other Kids talking about how bad a leader he was, he found all the books he could on about being a leader, hoping to improve, and become the kind of leader that they wanted and needed him to be.

Something was bothering him, though. If they didn't think that he was doing a good job as leader, why didn't they just tell him? Why couldn't they let him know if they wanted him to change so much?

Was it his fault? Had he done or said something wrong that made them afraid to confront him about problems that they wanted changed?

'It has to be,' he told himself. 'I must have done something to intimidate them from approaching me. So, how will I know what they want from me if they won't tell me?'

He sighed, closing the book gently. 'I do mess a lot of things up. No wonder they don't like me much. I want to make it up to them, I really do. But how can I when I don't know what they want from me?'

Looking at the book, his saddened expression quickly changed to one of anger. "Well, one thing's for sure," he said, "this book isn't helping at all!"

He threw it as hard as he could, and it flew until it hit the opposite wall, next to the door of his room, with a loud bang, and fell face down on the ground with a light thump.

The door creaked slightly as Numbuh 5 opened it. Poking her head in, she looked down at the floor, spying the book Numbuh 1 had just thrown. She raised an eyebrow in question, then looked over at the bed, where Numbuh 1 was shoving a stack of books into the garbage.

"Homework?" she asked, entering the room.

He looked up at her, about to tell her what he was really doing. He stopped, however, and instead said, "Yeah…Homework…"

She sat down next to him on the edge of his bed. "Numbuh 1, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"Well, ya haven't left yer room fow ova a week, and ya hardly eva eat anythin'. We don't see ya much 'round these days. What's goin' on?"

He looked at her. 'I could tell her,' he thought to himself. 'There's really no point in hiding it.'

"Nothing," he said. "Everything is alright."

"Are you sho?"

'Don't lie to her! Tell her the truth, Nigel!'

"Yes, I'm sure. Everything is fine."

She looked at him. She knew something was up, but she was no good at guessing. She would only know if Numbuh 1 told her. Since he was being stubborn, she had to wait.

Numbuh 1 cursed himself for not telling her how he really thought and felt. 'Some leader…You can't even tell one of your teammates how you really feel and what you're really thinking. Nice going, Nigel.'

There was an awkward silence among the two. After a while, Numbuh 1 cleared his throat to add some sound. "So, is there anything I can do for you, Numbuh 5?"

"Oh…Well, Numbuh 5 just come here ta tell ya that today is new comic book day at da comic shop."

"Right."

"And Numbuh 5 wanted ta ask ya if ya would buy Numbuh 5's magazines for her."

Numbuh 1 raised an eyebrow. "Don't you usually ask Numbuh 4 to do that for you?"

"Yeah, usually, but Numbuh 4 usually complains 'bout it all da time. At least if Numbuh 5 asks you, you won't make a big fuss 'bout it. Numbuh 5 knows ya betta den dat."

He smiled at her, then looked down at the bed. "While I appreciate the thought, I don't feel like going to the comic book store today."

"But ya love new comic book day. As far as Numbuh 5 knows, you've neva missed it."

"Yes, but I really don't feel like going today."

"But ya haven't been outta dis room all week! Dat's not a good thing, Numbuh 1."

"I…I know, but I have some things I need to work on, and…"

"Like what? Nothin's goin' on at the moment. Besides, when didja let a little work stop ya from going to da comic book store? Numbuh 5 thinks dat a little fresh air would be good for ya."

"Numbuh 5…"

"Comon, Numbuh 1. If ya just…"

"I said I'm not going!" he snapped.

Numbuh 5 looked at him, her eyes blinking with surprise. Then, she fell silent, looking down at the floor.

Realizing what he did, Numbuh 1 bit his tongue, wishing he hadn't said that. "I'm sorry," he said, removing his sunglasses and rubbing his eyes. "I didn't mean to yell at you like that. I was just…a little aggravated. I didn't mean to take it out on you."

"It's alright," she said. "Numbuh 5 shouldn't have prodded ya so much. If ya didn't wanna go, then Numbuh 5 shoulda just dropped it."

He replaced the sunglasses over his eyes. "Well, you were only doing so out of concern for me."

She nodded.

"May I ask you something?"

"What's dat?"

"Why?"

She looked at him. "What?"

"Why are you concerned? I mean, I don't want to sound rude or anything, but why do you care? The others haven't said anything. So why are you?"

The dark girl stiffened suddenly. She opened her mouth slightly to say something, but no words seemed to come out of her mouth. How was she supposed to say this?

Sensing her suddenly discomfort, Numbuh 1 decided to change the subject. "Listen, Numbuh 5, I haven't been sleeping much lately, and I'm kind of tired. I think I'm going to try catching up on some sleep, okay?"

"Sho thin'," she said, getting off the bed, and walked over to the door.

"Wake me if there's anything urgent, okay?"

"Sho." Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it, cursing herself for only now getting the courage to say what she wanted to tell Numbuh 1 when he wasn't there.

"Ya wanna know why Numbuh 5 cares, Numbuh 1?" she asked softly. "It's 'cuz yer always there for Numbuh 5 when she's feelin' down, and Numbuh 5 wants ta do da same for you."

Numbuh 5 sighed, staring at the table in front of the couch she sat on. She was in her room, alone with her thoughts. She folded her arms across her chest, trying to decide something.

"Numbuh 5?" a voice said, and she looked up to see Numbuh 1 standing at the door.

He approached her slowly. "Numbuh 5, is there anything wrong?"

She looked up at him, then back at the table. "Why would there be anythin' wrong?" she said.

"Well, I've noticed that you seemed a little…depressed lately. I was just wondering why."

She looked up at him again, then sighed. Might as well. "Numbuh 5's birthday is tomorra."

Numbuh 1 smiled at her. "I know. Happy Birthday."

She scoffed. "Yeah, if only it would be happy."

"Why? What's wrong with your birthday?"

"Numbuh 5's turning 11. Y'know, da official 'preteen' age."

She almost chuckled when Numbuh 1 shuddered slightly. He hated teenagers, and even though preteens weren't officially teenagers, they were almost there.

"Well, so? I mean, turning 11 wasn't that bad. When I…"

"Yer a guy, Numbuh 1. It's different for girls."

He raised an eyebrow in question. "Really? How so?"

"Girls gotta go through different changes. Physical and emotional stuff."

"Well, guys go through those too."

"Yeah, but girls go through it first 'cuz Numbuh 5's mama says we mature faster."

They both shuddered this time.

That's when Numbuh 1 looked at the table. "Is that a makeup kit?"

The dark girl nodded. "Numbuh 5's mama tell Numbuh 5 that, since she's becoming a preteen, Numbuh 5 should act like a young lady. She wants Numbuh 5 ta start wearin' makeup and stuff, like a 'young lady' is supposed ta do." She pushed the kit slightly with her foot. "But Numbuh 5 isn't sho if she wants to wear it, or if she's ready to act like a lady."

"Then don't wear the makeup."

She looked up at Numbuh 1. "Ya make it sound so simple."

"It is simple. If you don't want to wear makeup, then don't wear it. Your mother shouldn't force you to where it if you don't want to. And as for acting like a lady, that should be up to you. She shouldn't push you to act a certain way if you're not ready. That's your decision, and it should be nobody else's."

Numbuh 5 looked at him, slight astonishment in her eyes. Then, she chuckled softly. "How'd ya get to be such an expert at these kinda thin's?"

Numbuh 1 shrugged, walking to the door. "All I know is, makeup is a typical adult/teenager thing, and it's like they're using it to cover their problems. That's all it is, it's a cover-up that they use to hide their faces and themselves. People shouldn't hide themselves besides a false façade."

Halfway out, he stopped, looking at her over her shoulder. "Besides, if you did mature, we'd all miss the Numbuh 5 we used to know. And, if it's any consolation, I think you look just fine without makeup." And he left.

She sighed, pushing herself away from the door. "Yer Numbuh 5's best friend, Numbuh 1. Sometimes, though, Numbuh 5 wishes it would be more than dat."

Transmission Interrupted

Okay, I thought that was kinda cute. See? I told ya'll there was an importance to the age thing!! I dunno if this justifies it thou……………shrugs Well, if it doesn't I don't care. So, hope you enjoyed, please review!!!! (nicely!)