You're all probably wondering why you haven't seen any pranks yet. Well, I'm trying to keep Hoagie in character as much as possible and I thought he needed a sort of partner-in-crime. That's why I introduced 30C. I don't think Hoagie would intentionally play cruel jokes on his fellow team mates and you know how 30C is...By the way, I've also tried to keep 30C in character as much as I remember him from Operation: A.R.C.T.I.C. I hope you all enjoy, but don't let me forget to mention that I do not own KND.

Chaptuh 4

"Numbuh 30C?? What the hell are YOU doing here?" Numbuh 1 asked, not expecting to see him of all people.

"Well, hehe, the Moon Base did send me here to...uh...keep an eye on you, because...well...let's face it--you're completely screwed. Didn't you get the letter?" the taller boy asked, annoyed.

Nigel blinked and then he managed a, "W-well, s-s-ure w-we received y-your letter. I was just expecting someone else, that's all." The other team members exchanged nervous glances. And then, much to Numbuh 1's dismay, Numbuh 4 marched up to 30C and snapped, "Well, we don't allow traitors in this tree 'ouse, y' hear? So you'd better--"

"Hold it, Numbuh 4." Nigel put his hand up to silence him. "If the Moon Base has sent Numbuh 30C, then I don't think we have much of a choice."

"Well, I don't like it."

"I'm sorry, but that's too bad."

Numbuh 30C smirked, and then walked into the living room, abruptly dropping his two bags of luggage he was carrying. He looked around the room, nodding approvingly. Then the two girls caught his attention. Woohoo, jackpot! he thought silently as he checked them out from head-to-toe.

"It's good to see you all again. I know the last time we met--" he shot an impatient glance over at Numbuh 4, before continuing, "--it was under less 'pleasant' circumstances. But I'm hoping that we can just put all that behind us. So I brought a peace offering." He unzipped one of his bags and took out an insulated ice cooler. He motioned for everyone to come closer. When they circled around him, he showed them the contents of the ice cooler. Every KND member of Sector V oohed and ahhed as they stared at five perfect snow cones neatly arranged in a container. They seemed to sparkle and dazzle. Even Numbuh 4 had momentarily forgotten his anger as his mouth hung open, his glassy eyes transfixed on the blue-green snow-cone in the middle...

"Help yourselves," he offered, narrowly missing the chubby kid's swoop--was it Numbuh 2?--into the middle of the circle, causing everyone to growl and snap at him.

"Watch it, Numbuh 2!"

"Yeah, you almost broke my arm!"

Even Numbuh 5 could hardly control herself as she pushed Numbuh 2 out of the way and grabbed the red orange one.

That ought to ta keep 'em happy for awhile, Numbuh 30C thought smugly, somewhat relieved. But that short blonde one scares me. Boys like that, with the 'short man' syndrome...

"Thank you so much, Numbuh 30C," Numbuh 3 smiled at him.

"Yeah, this really IS the best snow cone I've ever tasted!" Numbuh 2 exclaimed.

"Yeah, they're not that bad, 'mate," Four agreed. He seemed to have lost his coldness toward 30C as he tasted the 'world's perfect snow cone.'

Everyone else nodded in agreement. Numbuh 30C waited impatiently until they were finally done and asked Nigel, "So, where am I sleeping?"

Hoagie said, "That'd be my room. I've put up an extra cot and made some room in my closet for your--"

"Yeah, yeah. Just show me where it is so I can unpack and take a nap." 30C yawned, and lifted his bags and followed Numbuh 2 down the hallway.

When the two were out of earshot, Numbuh 1 looked at his remaining team. "So, I guess he's not going to be too much of a problem, eh guys?"
"No complaints 'ere, 'mate!"

"None by me, eithuh!"

"Numbuh 5 likez him already!"

"Good, then if you're all happy, I'm happy."

"NIGEL UNO, WE HAD A DATE!" a familiar voice yelled through a bullhorn from outside. Everyone flinched and looked at each other. Lizzie. Numbuh 4 made a puking gesture with his finger before Nigel glared at him.

He smiled sheepishly at his team before saying, "Well, look who's outside. I guess that means--"

"NIGEL!"

He scurried off before he could finish his sentence.

"Women," Numbuh 4 muttered before he was smacked by Three and Five.

"'Ey! Watch who you're hitting!"

Meanwhile, in Hoagie's room, Numbuh 30C was settled in comfortably and was plopped down on his cot. He looked around in amazement at all of Hoagie's model airplanes and toys. "Wow, quite a fine collection of aviation stuff you got," he whistled, clearly impressed. Hoagie's face brightened at that and he said, "Thank you! Do you share an interest in--"

"Cut the chit chat. I'm going to take a nap and when I wake up have a nice, warm bath drawn for me." He was already asleep and snoring--very LOUDLY, mind you--before Hoagie could finish. Oh great. Not only is he rude and tactless, he's the world's loudest snorer. He quietly tiptoed out of his room to join the others.

Lizzie had clutched Nigel's hand and she was staring at him adoringly through her brown, magnified eyes. He looked back down at her and felt his heart pitter patter when she fluttered her eyelashes. They walked down the street, hand-in-hand, each carrying a pistachio flavored ice cream cone.

"Oh, the day's so beautiful, isn't it, Nigel?" she sighed dreamily. He forgot about what had happened earlier in the tree house and his mood was already brightened.

"It's beautiful now that you're in it."

She giggled and clutched him closer. "Oh, Nigey, you're such a romantic." Violins could be heard playing off in the distance as they entered the park and sat on a bench. He was looking at her.

"What're you thinking, Nigey?" she asked shyly.

"Can I give you a kiss?"

She giggled nervously, feeling butterflies swirl in her stomach. She didn't have to answer because his lips had already met hers.

When Numbuh 30C was convinced that his chubby roommate was gone, he quickly opened his eyes and got up from the bed. He quietly started rummaging through drawers, underneath the beds, in the closets. Let's see what this boy's hiding, he thought, amused when he found a polaroid of a dark skinned teenage girl walking down the street. Not bad, he thought, studying the picture before slipping it back under the mattress.

Then something interesting caught his eye. One of the floorboards was loose on the floor. He walked over and loosened it. Lifting it up, he saw some hidden Yipper comics. But there was something even further down there that was much more interesting. Some paper...maybe notes. He was about to reach down for them before the door suddenly opened and a voice demanded, "What do you think you're doing?"