Whoo boy this one was a long one. But it was worth it. Get ready for some heavy introspection fangirls! And in case you didn't know, I still don't own the Kids Next Door. But if they were real I'd hug each and every one of them.

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The blank ceiling was the only thing he could face for the next night and day. Racking his brain for answers that weren't there. Why was this so difficult? Why did it still hurt? He felt so empty and alone. He couldn't share his suffering with the others. This was his problem so he had to rely on only himself to solve it. This wasn't the mission he could use his friends to help him conquer, just an inner pain that wouldn't go away.

They wouldn't understand anyway. They had never been in love before. They had no knowledge of the joy of having someone need you in that way. To make things worse they had all disliked Lizzie from the start, so how could he talk to them without an unbiased reply? No, this was his pain to wallow in alone. He could have expected it was coming. He was struggling to keep two different loves in his heart at once. First, and inevitably above all, the Kids Next Door; his love for protecting the youth and defending they ways of children from the oppression of the adult world. The love of that responsibility, knowing that so much was depending on him. It made him feel wonderfully important. It was that same love that drew him to Lizzie. A girl from the outside who showered him with attention, who wanted him to need her as much as she needed him. That's why the breakup hurt so much; he had let her down by breaking her heart. And by letting down one girl, he felt as if he was letting down all the children of the world because he wasn't strong enough to handle a double commitment.

It was this commitment to never fail that made him stay with her for so long. Even after the now infamous "Boyfriend Helmet Incident." While the others saw him as crazy and had even suspected that some of the helmet had managed to fuse with his brain, he had always felt that Lizzie had only used the helmet on him because of how he had treated her at the carnival in front of his friends. Dating her for so long but telling them that he and she weren't on a "date" date must have upset her greatly. He was the one at fault for betraying her trust, which was the only reason he could think of for her to use such a dreadful device on him. He suspected all she wanted was insurance they were still a couple. The extremeness of her solution was only reflective of how much he had wronged her. After breaking free of the mind- bending influence, he had chosen to stay with her to make up for the trust she had lost of him. But in his attempt to regain her trust he had in turn betrayed his friends. Left there dangling and damaged, wondering why their leader who they were trying to save would chose to go out for ice cream with his manipulator rather then see if his companions where safe. He was a fool to think that a few measly pints of Rutti-Tutti Supreme could properly apologize to them. He never did explain himself, never could, they would never understand.

Eventually the event was forgiven under the mutual passage of time. However, Numbuhs 4 and 5 carried bitterness towards him the longest. Numbuh 4 he could understand, but for Numbuh 5, carrying a grudge was a bit uncharacteristic of her. She usually let things wash right off. Only during a battle had he ever seen her so cold. But eventually she too decided to let things drop and everything returned to normal. That is, unless Lizzie was around. There from then on was always a tension between her and them. And Numbuh 1 always found himself in the middle being pulled apart.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Numbuh 1, we having lunch now. You want any?"

Numbuh 1 turned his head to the closed door nearest his bed.

"No Numbuh 3," he called back, "I'm not hungry right now."

The door opened a crack as the inky- haired girl timidly peeked in. Her almond eyes hinting with concern.

"You sure?" She smiled. "It's Mac and Cheese!"

He lifted an eyebrow for a second. Then resumed his obscured sky gazing, his mouth an impassive line.

"Yes, I'm sure."

Numbuh 3 nodded and walked away, leaving the door slightly ajar. Behind her Numbuh 5 passed the open doorway looking in. She paused, backed track and quietly entered the room.

"How long yo gonna be in this funk fo'?" She asked standing over him.

He remained mute, staring off into space. She sat down next to him on the bed.

"C'mon, you been hold up in here for two days now. Ain't you over Lizzie yet? The way you been actin' make it seem like she the one who dumped you."

He still didn't answer. Her eyes were deep with worry. She knew what he was like when he fell into these lapses of an overblown sense of responsibility. Just as he was doing now he would isolate himself from the others, take things into his own hands and end up going for days without food or sleep, mentally self-flagellating himself until he felt he had atoned. Looking down into his dark eyes, half-hidden behind his sunglasses, she saw all his sorrow, guilt and fear floating at the surface of something much more vast and depthful. His were eyes that held the wisdom and maturity of someone twice his age but also the insecurities akin to any ten- year old boy. Those small orbs so intense and focused, always thinking, analyzing everything. Endless as the reach of the sky and deeper then the deepest ocean, eyes that you could stare into and get lost in. Eyes quickly covered by dark sunglasses, hiding from the only person who could divulge their mysteries.

Numbuh 5 smiled softly and gently placed her hand on her leader's shoulder.

"You didn't do anything wrong."

The pale boy let out a long sigh and rolled over away from his friend. Laying on his side, hugging himself, looking sad and pathetic. The dark girl grunted, placing her hands on her hips. This was no way for a leader to be acting and they both knew it. He just needed a reminder. She leaned over a quickly flicked his ear.

"Ow!" He yelped, sitting up, holding his stinging lobe. He turned to Numbuh 5 with an angry glare. "What was that for?"

She frowned at him.

"Somebody had to snap you out of it."

He looked to her, still rubbing his ear, mouth twisted in a look of confusion. She poked him in the chest, her face stern but caring.

"Look, you can't keep yo self locked in here worrying all day. Yo gonna hafta let it go."

He lowered his gaze, fidgeting with his hands.

"It's not that easy."

She playfully punched him in the arm.

"Stop bein' so melodramatic. Lizzie'll find anotha' guy. Somebody who has the time fo' her to obsess over him. So stop worryin'. You got ta think about what's important now."

Numbuh 1 put his hand to his head, shaking it thoughtfully.

"Yes, yes of course." He muttered, "The missions."

"No." Numbuh 5 threw up her hands in frustration. He looked at her with raised eyebrow. She looked to his befuddled face and smiled. "You."

He put his hand to his chest, a bit surprised. She still had an amused grin on as she placed her arm around him chummily.

"Numbuh 5 don' wanna see you stressin' yo' self sick, Especially ova' someone like Lizzie."

He thought a moment about what his friend was telling him. His stare connected with the sympathetic twinkle in her eye. Reading her expression he felt the genuine concern she had for him, pure and gentle, with nothing to gain but the satisfaction of helping a friend. His overwhelming guilt faded away into a much milder humility upon realizing how irrational he had been acting.

"I suppose I have been overreacting just a bit." He smiled a little, "After all, she did seem to take it well in the end." He paused, his frown returning. "I hope."

His dark-skinned companion's face shifted to a questioning glare. Readably confused as to why he would doubt himself.

"I think she may have been in a bit of shock."

She smiled understandingly.

"Well she did have the hots fo' you. An' Numbuh 5 guess olla us hatin' her never really helped eitha'."

"No," Numbuh 1 shook his head, "It was a warning from the start. I couldn't juggle both her and you guys. I just wish it didn't have to take her showing up during a battle for me to realize it." He paused a moment, lost in thought. "It was getting in the way, why didn't I see it before?"

Numbuh 5 leaned forward, flipping her wrist, never losing her positive smile.

"Ahh, love makes us do crazy thangs." She brushed the statement off like it was a universal wisdom everyone knew. Numbuh 1 liked that no matter how much Numbuh 5 knew she never shoved it in your face, never gloated, just let it flow like water for anyone who wanted to drink. He knew she had great pride, it radiated off her but never overpowering, never imposing. Everything about her was natural, even the strange way she always seemed to know what he was thinking. It was in this camaraderie that there was no separation between Numbuh 1 and Nigel Uno. He could be both and neither. She still treated him with the kindness and respect that he never truly felt with his other teammates who mostly saw him as their leader, or even Lizzie who only saw him as her boyfriend. --- 'Well, not anymore.' He reminded himself. No. With Numbuh 5 things where different. With her comforting hand on his shoulder and her understanding words he, for the moment, felt complete.

A red light and blaring siren suddenly flooded the room. Numbuh 1 leapt up from his bed and ran to the computer consol, Numbuh 5 close behind him.

"It's an incoming alert." He stated, quickly scanning the glowing screen.

"What kind?" She asked, her tone becoming more serious. Numbuh 1 adjusted his glasses as he finished reading the message.

"It's a level 6." He replied.

"Then what are we waitin' fo'?" Five shouted ready to hop into action. "Let's go!"

"I'm not sure." He stared at the screen, doubt in his voice. Numbuh 5 gave him a reassuring pat on the back.

"Aw, c'mon. A mission'll be the best thing for you right now."

He looked up at her sensible smile and all doubt melted away. It was a time for business, a time for duty, a time to put all personal demons aside and save the day for the innocent children of the world.

"Alright." He stated with the determination she was expecting for him. "Alert the others and meet me in the briefing room in five minutes." He slammed his fist into his open palm. She saluted with a grin and rushed out of the room, her braid whipping behind her. He turned back to the screen, the light from the computer reflecting off his shades. He smirked with a firm grin.

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It only took fifteen minutes for the five pint-sized operatives to get ready and into their school bus jet plane speeding off to another mission. Numbuh 1 sat in his big plush chair, keeping a close eye on the buildings passing underneath the zooming aircraft. Next to him, Numbuh 2 kept the ship steady at the controls, a look of disbelief on his round face.

"Wow, adults planning on turning chocolate into brussel sprouts." The pilot shook his head mournfully, "No wonder IHQ made it sound so urgent."

"Actually Numbuh 2," the leader responded, "This information was a tip from an anonymous source."

"Well I don't care if it came from the cruddy pope," Numbuh 4 turned from his seat. "Any grown-up plottin' ta turn chocolate inta veggies has ta be stopped!"

Numbuh 3 turned to Numbuh 1, her eyes glimmering with curiosity.

"Is it really possible to turn chocolate into brussel sprouts Numbuh 1?"

The bald commander rubbed his chin thinking.

"I'm not sure Numbuh 3, but it's worth a look. Any threat to kids snacks means a job for the Kids Next Door!"

He looked off into the distance and noticed the large building coming towards them. His face serious, he gave the order.

"There's the factory. Land here Numbuh 2."

The yellow aircraft landed in the unusually empty parking lot beside the large gray and brown structure and five ready forms scattered out. Makeshift weapons in hand.

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Numbuh 5 peered through the window carefully hoisted up on Numbuh 2's shoulders.

"What's goin' on in there?" Numbuh 4 whispered.

There was a long pause as she scanned the interior.

"Nothin'."

"What do you mean 'nothing'?" Numbuh 1 demanded.

She looked down at their confused faces gazing up at her.

"Numbuh 5 means nothin'. Nobody's in there."

"Are you serious?" Numbuh 1 questioned, stepping up on Numbuh 4's head to get a better look inside. Just as Numbuh 5 had reported the factory was empty. All the machines where turned off and the lights were out. Although the machines looked recently used and cared for there was no sign of any workers or any attempts to turn chocolate into any kind of healthy vegetable.

"I don't understand," the leader frowned, "This place is supposed to be swarming with adults."

"Numbuh 5 say yo anonymous source was a dud."

"Though it is a Sunday." Numbuh 3 pointed out. "Maybe they having lunch. Oh! You think they having Mac and Cheese?"

Numbuhs 1 and 5 hopped off their perches and headed for the main entrance.

"Still, we can't leave until we have proof that something is going on here." Numbuh 1 dictated.

The quintet entered the empty building and carefully looked around. Inspecting every machine and shadow for any sign of malicious deed. Aside from the intruders themselves, there wasn't any hint of a living soul inside. This development was greatly unsettling to Numbuh 1.

"No sign of any veggies 'ere." Reported Numbuh 4.

Numbuh 2 examined a nearby vat of melted chocolate, concluding by dipping his fingers into the warm, sweet goo.

"The machines all check out." He stated, sticking his candy-coated digits into his mouth. "MMMMMM --- and the chocolate tastes great!"

Numbuh 1 chewed his lower lip, resting his chin on his fist. Stroking his jaw with his thumb as he thought.

"Hmmmm--- something's wrong about this situation."

As he spoke, a round shadow zipped behind him. No one noticed it as it vanished into the shadows of the larger machines.

"I want one more sweep over the area." He continued. "Keep your eyes open for anything odd. I don't want us to miss anything."

Two chubby hands protruded from the shadows and pressed against a giant plaster statue of a chocolate bunny. The statue toppled forward silently. The fivesome in its growing shadow did not realize what was coming until Numbuh 1 turned to see the falling form. But it was too little too late. As it crashed down upon them, his world faded to black.

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[To Be Continued]