Operation: WITNESS

Wandering

Innocent pre-

Teens

Never

Even

Shared

Seeking friendship

By Ahhelga

Chapter 17- Abby's Confession

Hello, all! And sorry it took so long for me to update! I was just SO BUSY! Ok...Sorry, made some stupid rules about not using paragraphs! Paragraphs, off all things! So I got pissed. I didn't do anything about it, but I did... oh well... here's the chapter to keep you enjoyed. Hope the PARAGRAPHS don't bother you!

Rated for violence, cussing, and kissing scenes...

Disclaimer:...

(asterisks)

Nigel hurried off, grabbing one of the last of the 2x4 technology in the weapons bin. Clutching the SPANKLER, he rushed towards the exit and left the rest behind.

It took a while for the rest to let what Nigel just did sink in. They all glanced at each other and blinked.

Simultaneously, they yelled, "Numbuh 1! Wait up!"

From the outside, they heard Nigel call, "Well, why don't you just hurry up?!"

The rest sighed. Hoagie rushed and called out, "Coming!" While, both Keiko and Wally stayed behind them, slowing walking, Wally holding a new weapon Hoagie created before Keiko arrived. It (called the G.L.I.D.E.R.-Gun. Like. Instrument. Deemed for. Entering others'. Rumps. [A/N: And to you sick minded people, shame on you!]), made Wally's hands sweat.

Keiko, on the other hand, was unarmed. She refused to come with gadgets and that sort. It was a simple mission to visit Abby, right? Well, everyone knew that was wrong.

The hospital was not too far. It was just down a couple of streets, a little past Kuki's old home.

(asterisks-switch scene)

The four had already talked to the secretary, and was now next to Abby's parents. Her mother looked like a mess, as opposed to her father who looked like he just had a shower. Thank the Lord! At least, he had common sense.

Nigel was talking with the parents, Hoagie staring at his feet, and Keiko pacing back and forth around the room, making the others nervous. Wally looked up at her and noticed her face was in deep thought. Everyone else's was in sadness. Her face was so sincere, not that he was thinking that everyone wasn't but she really showed it.

They were allowed to pass, but Nigel wished to be alone with Abby for a moment. He stepped inside, leaving everyone staring at him, especially her parents.

Abby, blanketed by the turquoise color of the thin blanket and large shirt, was resting, her eyes covered by her hat. Must've been odd... did they take it off during surgery?

Nigel slowly walked to the side of her bed and kneeled, clawing her hand as an eagle, eager. He bent his head.

"Nu—Abby..." he began. "I know you can't hear me...but I know you're alive... You can't see the tears rolling down my face, you can't see right now... You're in too much pain... I-I wish you could hear me... I remember, after Numbuh 3 left, you, aside from Numbuh 4, had been most worried. I had been least. This disappointed me so much that I broke up with Lizzie. You remember that day, right? I could still see your smiling face...

"Lizzie, so helpless, she loved me, and sure, I loved her at one point. I always had suspected you were jealous of her, and that made me think. And the more I thought...the more I began to develop feelings for you.

"Well after that feeling began to fully bloom, and Numbuh 3 left, I thought it was my perfect chance to break up with Lizzie, cheer you up. I hoped you would tell me your feelings then. But you didn't. We began to fight. I had a feeling you were mad at me for something. I didn't know why, but you were just very moody about that stuff. You either were very loud or very quiet. Either way, it didn't please me. Then...we met Keiko. I saw the spark in your eyes. Both of you hit it off like that! I was happy again.

"I'm sure you can't return your feelings now, you're too much in pain to respond... I--!"

"I love you too..." interrupted a voice.

Nigel looked up. Abby's eyes were wet from tears, not hidden under the cap, for it was off her head. She gave a smile small at him and slowly wiped off the tear drop that was rushing down his cheek.

"Abby!" He exclaimed.

"Why do sound so surprised to see Numbuh 5 awake?" She asked.

"Uh, well, you know, the hit and I thought you were asleep and uh... I feel stupid..." He replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

She chuckled before giving a response, "Didn't you hear? I was healed! Just gotta stay 'ere a day or so to fully recover. I took a nap before you came in and I sort of woke up when you started... Let's just say curiosity got the best of Numbuh 5..."

Nigel blushed, and seeing him blush made Abby blush too. They exchanged their joy to see each other and had small talk. It wasn't long afterwards where the subject ended up to the shooting.

"Oh, Numbuh 5, you missed a lot!" Nigel exclaimed. "Well there was this letter and..."

Abby smiled as she hugged him, closing her eyes, imagining what will happen and continued to listen. She was holding it back until he finished. Hopefully, he won't switch subjects immediately; she hated to bring up the subject once more.

"...And so, I decided I should bring the team to see you..."

Abby put her hat back on, to cover the sincerity in her eyes with what she was about to say. She turned to him, not as joyous as before. She sighed smoothly.

"Nigel... I have to tell you something about the shooting..."

He looked at her and stopped.

"Well, this is really just confusing to me. And, I should tell you a few things about Keiko before I tell you this...

"Keiko, mysterious, huh? She's just the perfect addition to our group, yes, but couldn't come on to the squad, isn't that right? Now, I love her like she was my sister, and the reason I hit it off with her quickly, and the others I'm sure, is that... well, how could I put this? Ever heard of a program called the Witness Protection Program? No need to answer... Well, they take in people, families, anyone who has, let's say, 'rattled out a snake'. They turn in bad people. But in doing this, it endangers them. So, what the government does is take them in and save them from gettin' killed. They change their identity and everything! Well... Kuki was part of it... She's now Keiko. Helping us. And now, a few guys are out to get her and—never mind...

"Sure, it's an unbelievable story. And you don't even have to believe me! Just promise me this: Don't tell ANYONE else... Only I know, and for reasons I can't tell you.... So... do you promise?" She finally finished, closing her eyes.

"Abby?"

"Hm?"

"Abby?"

"HM?"

"Abigail!"

"Huh?!" She had awoken, from her imagination. Abby, still hugging Nigel. She couldn't let it out.

"Numbuh 5? Are you ok? What were you going to tell me?" Nigel looked into her eyes.

Abby sighed and looked down. She couldn't do it.

"Nothing... Please, send in Keiko, immediately..." she replied.

Nigel nodded and called in Keiko. He walked out and let her in. Keiko had a smile on her face, and an expression slightly surprised at Abby awoken. She sat in the chair next to the bed, beside Abby's hand. Abby slowly put her hand on Keiko's and sighed.

Keiko asked surprised, "Yes?"

Keiko and Abby looked at their hands. The latter looking up at Keiko now, sighing.

"Please, stop pretending. I know who you are Kuki."

(asterisks)

Ahhelga: Wow, I'm so sorry once again for not updating in a long time! Keep the reviews coming! This is probably one of my favorite chapters out of the story! But yeah...

Rika: (rolls eyes) You forgot the second announcement.

Ahhelga: Oh yes! Ok, now that I'm going to be on vacation in a few days (yes, vacation, most Southern California schools are screwed up, so don't ask), I will be updating more often! Whee!

Rika: Whoop-dee-doo... You'll be cooped up in this hot apartment, you realize that...?

Ahhelga: (lowers head) You're right... damn it...

That's me

Ahhelga

AKA Pauline