Operation: A.A.F.T.E.R.

Adults Against Father's Tyrannical Everlasting Rule

Chapter 2: Bittersweet Reunions

"So you're saying that Kuki is a model and Wally is a monster designer for a movie production company?" The sound of Hoagie's voice over the phone brought back a lot of memories.

"Yeah, and I talked to Kuki yesterday. I'm going over to her hotel today. Wanna come?" Abby studied the napkin from the night before.

"Sure, where's she staying?"

"The Rural Lion. Want me to pick you up or will you meet me there?"

"I'll come with you. Umm, did you find anything out about Nigel?" The line was silent. "Abby?"

"Yeah. I did. He's...uhh, he's in Britain." Her voice croaked a little, and her mouth was suddenly dry. Thinking about him was not what she wanted to do tight now.

"Oh. Probably won't see him any time soon then, huh?"

"Nope. So," she said, changing the subject. "Where do you live?"

"I'm at work right now. I'm going on my break – do you know how to get to the Boeing building?"

"Yeah, be there in 10. I've got a red Jeep." They hung up, and Abby sighed. "I hope he don't prod too much about Numbuh 1. He really was a great leader." She dialed the number for Wally's office, hoping he would pick up.

"'Ello, Wallabee Beatles, how may I help you?"

"Uhh, Wallabee? This is Abigail Lincoln. Do you remem–"

"Abigail? Abby? Really? Wow! Umm, how did you find this number?"

"I did some research. Movie monster designer, huh?" The smile on her face was obvious in her voice.

"Yeah, and business is booming! The technology we 'ave to work with is amazing!" His Australian accent was clear over the wires, and he seemed excited to talk to her.

"I was wondering if you could meet me and Hoagie at Kuki's hotel today. Feel up to it?"

"Where you guys at? Miami? Cali?"

"California. You?"

"New York. I'm almost finished with my stuff here, but I can't come today. Would the offer still be open tomorrow?"

"I'm not sure. Kuki's a model now, so she might not be he–"

"Kuki? A model?"

"Yeah, and Hoagie works at Boeing, about10 minutes from here. Oh! I need to go pick him up! Mind if I call you from my cell?"

"Sure."

Abby hung up, smiling to herself. Talking to her friends made her realise what she'd been missing most of her life. She ran out to her Jeep, and dialed Wally's office, pulling out of her driveway.

"Hello again."

"Hey. So I'll ask her today if she'll be here tomorrow, then I'll call ya back."

"Alroight. So, what about ol' Nigel? What's he up to?"

"Uhh...he lives in Britain now." She swallowed hard, knowing this conversation would have to happen eventually.

"You okay, Numbuh 5? Cause you don't sound very good all of a sudden," he was obviously concerned.

"Yeah, it's just...well, Nigel disappeared about 6 years ago. In Britain." There was utter silence on the other side. "Exactly."

"What're we gonna do about this?"

"Huh? What do you mean? We aren't going to do anything." Abby was confused. He reacted differently than she thought he would.

"Yes, we are. Think about it. It's Nigel Uno we're talking about. 'E doesn't just disappear. I mean, obviously something happened to him, roight?"

He had a point. "Yeah..." she said slowly. "If he did disappear, he wouldn't be gone for six years. Well, unless he was–"

"Don't even suggest that idea. 'E's not dead!" Wally sighed, frustrated. "Did you tell Hoagie or Kuki?"

"No – Hoagie wanted to know more about him, but I changed the subject. And I found out after I saw Kuki." There was an awkward pause. "I'm at Boeing, Wally."

"Yeah, yeah I'll think about it. Tell the others, okay? Get their input. And Abby, it was nice talking to you again."

"You too, Numbuh 4." The line clicked dead as he hung up, and someone was running to her Jeep.

"Abby! Abby, is that you?"

"Hey, Hoagie! I didn't recognize you – lost a lot of weight." She smiled and unlocked the door. He had shed his flight goggles, and his hat was poking out of his backpack.

"Yeah, I have. Got myself a girlfriend, too." He strapped in and tossed his bag in the back as she pulled out of the parking lot.

"Ya did? Cool, what's her name?"

"Mandy. We've been going steady for about a year and a half now."

"That's great! Umm, Hoagie? There's something I need to tell you..."

Later, at the Rural Lion Hotel...

"C'mon, Abby, tell me!"

"No, Hoagie, not till we're at Kuki's room!" She rolled her eyes and handed the note to the employee behind the desk.

"Yep, that's her handwriting alright. And she always uses a napkin. Follow me." He turned and led them to the elevator.

"How'd you know she always uses napkins?" asked Abby suspiciously.

"I've known her for awhile...and she always uses this hotel when she visits." He pressed the button that took them to the 5th floor.

"Where'd you meet?"

"College," he said, looking down at her. She eyed him, and he said quickly, "But don't worry, I'm just doing this job until I can get a good one." The elevator stopped, and they all stepped out. "Hey, guys," he addressed the bodyguards standing outside her door. "Got a note here from Miss Sanban."

The first one read it over then opened the door. "Thank you," said Abby. She went in, and Hoagie followed. "Woah. This is...spacious!"

"Yeah, well, I know Gary personally." Kuki stepped out of a room, and hugged her.

"Gary?"

"The guy behind the counter. We went to college together. He's a really sweet guy." She looked over at Hoagie. "Numbuh 2? Hey! You've lost weight!"

"Yeah..." he blushed. "How've you been?"

"Oh, can't complain. Well guys, come in! Sit down – can I get you anything?" They all sat down on the couch.

"No thanks," the other two said together.

"Are you gonna tell us now, Abbs?"

She sighed. "Yeah, I guess I probably should." She proceeded to tell them how she had done research on all of them, trying to find out what they were up to and where they were. She explained how Nigel was missing, and her friends looked sad. "So, Hoagie, Kuki, what should we do?"

"Wait – what about Numbuh 4?" Hoagie asked.

"He's okay...in New York right now. He works as a movie monster designer." Abby smiled.

"But does he know? About Nigel, I mean."

"Yeah, and he thinks we should do something, too."

"Well, yeah! We can't just leave him 'disappeared', can we?" Kuki took the news really well.

"But what are we going to do?" Abby was having a mental block.

"I think we should fly over there and look for him. But...what about Wally?"

"He wanted to know if he could come over tomorrow. You gonna be here then?"

"I'll be here all week. Well, unless we fly to England."

"I can pull some strings and get us some cheap tickets," offered Hoagie.

"That would be very helpful, Numbuh 2. You guys think of ideas for what we should do, I gotta call Wally." Abigail turned away and wandered into the other room. "Come on Wally, pick up!"

"'Ello, Wallabee Beatles, how may I help you?"

"Wally, it's me. Kuki'll be here all week. Are you sure you can come tomorrow?"

"Hi, Abby. Uhh, yeah. Just let me check with my boss. Hold on." She heard him put the receiver down. He came back moments later. "Hey, he said yes. The movie is almost done, and they don't need me for this part of it. When should I come over?"

"Whenever. We'll be there to pick you up. And I have a red Jeep, okay? Just call me and tell me when you're almost there so I can get the others. Go to LAX airport, okay?"

"Okay, sure. Anyway, thanks. And say hi to the others for me, okay?"

"Why don't you? They're just right here," she passed the phone to Kuki first.

"Wally? Hey! Oh, wow, it's good to hear your voice again!"

"So did you guys figure anything out?" Abby addressed Hoagie.

"Yeah, we think you should lead us on this mission," he said with a sly smile. "You always were the second in command."

She chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I was, wasn't I? Uhh, was that all you guys decided?"

"No, she wants research the subject of his disappearance – unless you did, that is."

"I didn't do much more than just finding out that he's gone."

"Yeah...uhh...what ever happened to Cree?"

"We lost touch a little while after our group split up."

"Your turn, Numbuh 2!" Kuki handed the cell phone over to Hoagie.

"Hey, Wally! How's it hangin'?" He got up and wandered around. "Yeah, and I've got a girlfriend now!"

"So what'd he say, Kuki?" asked Numbuh 5.

"He just wanted to know how I was."

"Oh...when you gonna research Nigel's disappearance?"

"As soon as I can. But I don't wanna be rude, so I'll wait till you guys are gone."

"No, that's okay, we need as much info as we can get.

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I had to redo this chapter, because someone pointed out that there are a lot of airports in CA. ::smacks head::