Disclaimer: Nope. Nope. Nope. KND belongs to Mr. Warburton, not me. I really need to learn to write more creative disclaimers...

A/N: Okay, here comes the third chapter. You can probably guess that I'm trying to drag this story out as much as possible, but I really feel that it's necessary. I don't know why--I just do. As far as my attempted fluff (you flatter me, soraoathkeeper), I'm doing my best, but I don't want to rush anything. I dunno. But for those of you who aren't too crazy about the accents and such, never fear! This chapter is a little less accent-ish than the other two. So sit back and enjoy the flight! (Wow, that was cheesy...)

Operation: AUSTRALIA

Chapter Three:

By Jingoes! It's Ridgie Didge Air Travel!

(Wow! A Real Air Plane!)

I'm really getting a kick outta these chapter titles...

There was no telling just how much was inside, not to mention the overwhelming weight and tacky flower print, but it would work. Besides, she could always buy another one. Packing suitcases wasn't exactly her area of expertise. Abigail Lincoln looked down at her luggage bag in disgust and began to contemplate on how she was going to get it down the stairs.

"Yo! Abby! 'You done yet? Dad's gonna leave for the airport without you if you don't move your butt!"

"Aw, pipe down, Cree, I'm almost done!" Abigail continued to look down at her lumpy suitcase. Once bright pink with yellow flowers, it had been her favorite bag when she was younger. Now, she had grown, and flowers weren't exactly her idea of traveling in style. She groaned and shoved a few extra pairs of underwear into one of the bulging compartments just for good measure. You could never have too much underwear. A couple of magazines and a stack of CDs later, she felt fully packed and prepared.

"Come ON, Abby! Put your rear in gear already!" Her father's voice resonated up the stairway and she mentally flinched. When would adults learn how stupid those 'motivational phrases' sounded? If she hadn't been running so late, she would have considered slowing down, just to annoy him for the sake of it.

Ever since Number Four had told them about the big trip to Australia she had been excited. Not like Number Three or One, more of a patient anticipating sort of excitement. Abby didn't travel often with her family, and being the youngest made things even more difficult. She could have never asked for a more welcomed opportunity to get away from Cree over the summer. Although her sister had miraculously managed to secure a part-time summer job at the local drug store, Cree had still managed to find enough time to hang around the house and leech off Abby for house chores and such. Finally she'd be able to get away!

"If you don't hurry up, I'M going to take your ticket and go to Australia instead!" Cree's voice shrilled up to the second floor. Abby smiled to herself—if only her oblivious older sibling knew...if she had any idea just what kind of a trip Sector V was actually going on, she'd never let them go. Sure, it was a "vacation", as Number One liked to call it, but Abby was smart enough to know by now anything Number One considered to be a "vacation" involved piles of paperwork and KND official business. Chances were he was going to make a push to visit the Australian KND base, whether the rest of them wanted too or not. But she'd be ready.... oh, he'd be sorry. She cast a sideways glance at her suitcase and grinned. It was about time Number One got the rest and relaxation he deserved.

"Abby, are you okay up there?" Her father's voice called again. "Do you need any help with the suitcase, and the carry-on, and the travel papers..."

"Naw, I'm fine, Dad," she called back and began to drag her ridiculously heavy and tacky suitcase down the stairs, the handle scraping the back of her heel mercilessly as she trudged into the kitchen. "Let's get going," she remarked and grabbed an iced donut off the kitchen countertop.

Cree watched Abby over the top off her magazine from the table, her eyes narrowing. "For a little trip, you sure are packing a lot..." she began subtly and took a sip from her grey coffee mug.

"You should know better than anyone how much luggage a girl needs, sis." Abby answered coolly, hastily chewing down the donut. "Besides, it's not a little trip—I am goin' like, halfway across the world," she added and took a long gulp from the milk carton.

"Ew, that's so gross! How many times has Dad told you not to drink from the carton?!" Cree commented in disapproval and returned behind her magazine. "You kids are so stupid sometimes."

"Yeah, whateva'. Now you be good for Dad while I'm gone, y'hear?" Abby replied mockingly and dragged her suitcase to the door, her father fumbling through his pockets for the car keys.

Cree rolled her eyes. "Like you need to tell me that. I'd worry more about yourself if I were you."

"Then it's pretty good that you aren't, huh?" Abby laughed as she left the house behind her father, still dragging her suitcase down the porch steps.

Airports are boring. Airports are cruddy. Airports are stupid. Airports are for losers. Airports are lame. Airports are pathetic. Airports are—

"Hi, Number Four! Am I too early? I wanted to make sure mom dropped me off at the airport on time," Number Three called from across the waiting room and skipped through the door dragging a little pale blue bag on wheels, her floppy sleeves sailing through the air in a good-natured wave.

"Eh? Naw, you're not too early. Actually, you're the first one here," Number Four replied and dismissed all of his previous negative thoughts. But I still can't stand these ruddy airports...

"Wow..." Number Three dragged her bag up to the wooden bench where Number Four was sitting and gazed around at the waiting room in awe. "I haven't been to an airport in a looong time. Not since we flew over from Japan." She grinned and hopped onto the bench next to Number Four. "Aren't airports great?"

"...Yeah, they sure are..." he found himself answering. Okay, so they weren't that bad. Suddenly he felt a light tap on his shoulder and quickly turned around. "Number One! When'd you get 'ere?"

Number One peered down at his digital wristwatch. "At 7 o'clock sharp, just like you said." He wheeled his own red denim bag over to the side of the bench and studied the waiting room, all the while maintaining an emotionless expression. "I'll have to admit, I agree with Number Two that public air travel just isn't as good as our own vehicles."

"Yeah, but loike ah said, I don' think me uncle would be too crazy about us flyin' in ourselves. Besides, he doesn't know about the Kids Next Door or any o' that."

Number Three nodded in agreement. "Don't forget about the little cups of orange juice they give you at the beginning of the flight! That's my favoritest part!" (A/N: I've only been on a plane once, but that was the part I remembered best. You can't beat free orange juice!)

"If you wanted orange juice, I would've gotten some for you," Number Two interrupted and walked up behind Number One. Tommy was close behind carrying Number Two's suitcase with a great deal of difficulty. "But you know, this is kind of a good thing—at least I won't be piloting this time," he continued and took the dingy brown suitcase from Tommy.

Number One checked his watch again and glanced over at the doorway. "Where's Number Five? She's usually on time."

"I'm sure she's okay! She's probably doing some last-minute packing," Number Three answered and happily swung her feet from atop the bench.

"Numbah Five has arrived," Abby called and ran up behind Numbers Two and One, dragging her suitcase behind her. "Dad got stuck in some 'o dat traffic on the way, so we were runnin' a little late."

"How's Cree?" One inquired and lowered his glasses.

"'Doesn't suspect a thang," Five replied with a grin. "Man, teenagers can be so stupid."

Number One then turned to Tommy and put his hands behind his back. "And Tommy, will you be able to keep watch over the tree house while we are gone?"

Tommy held up his hand in a salute and grinned. "You can count on me, Number One! I'll be the bestest tree house watcher ever!" Still grinning, he then turned to face Number Two. "You better bring me back a super-awesome souvenir!"

"Don't worry, I wouldn't forget," Hoagie answered and pushed his bag up against the bench. "Just behave for mom, okay?"

"Okay!" Tommy waved. He turned and jogged away from the group, rounding the first corner on the right as he departed.

Number One smiled and began to rummage through his bags until he withdrew his passport. "I think the tree house is in good hands with your brother, Number Two."

"Yeah, he's kinda goofy, but I taught him how to manage the defense system well." Number Two began to wistfully glance at the snack bar across the waiting room. "But we'll have to change the initiation password when we come back." He leaned over the back of the bench and tapped Four on the shoulder. "Hey, do you think the snack bar carries chili dogs? I'm starving!"

Number Four grinned. "Good idea. Let's grab somthin' ta eat before we leave."

Number Three continued to swing her feet. "I'll watch the bags! Is that okay?"

"Sure," he answered and began to walk over to the snack bar with Numbers Two and One. Number Five walked around to the front of the bench and sat next to Three, pulling her own suitcase up next to the pile.

"How come you didn' go with them, Numbuh Three?" Five asked, reclining on the bench, her hat covering her eyes.

Number Three shrugged. "I want to save room for the little orange juice on the plane!"

"Orange juice...?"

She had been sitting there for almost a half an hour. When was he going to show up? Her question was quickly answered when Tommy Gilligan ran around the corner and knocked into her, sending them both toppling over a cardboard display of bright yellow flight brochures.

"Hey, what gives?!" She glared and rubbed her head.

Tommy shrugged and caught his breath. "Next time you should be more clear with your directions, Mushi. I've been looking all over for you—there's a buhmillion flight brochure stands all over the airport. You could've told me which one you'd be waiting at!" He paused and pulled out a rumpled booklet from his pocket. "Do you have your passport?

Mushi sighed and pulled out her own passport. "It's been forever since I've used this, but mom says it's still valid."

"What about the tickets? I couldn't afford one and mom was already suspicious about the money I spent on the passport," Tommy sighed and began to pick up the brochure display and stack the pamphlets.

Mushi grinned and whipped out two tickets. "I bet you didn't know that Skunky Scout Camp is off in Gwinnett, Georgia." Her grin widened and she handed him his ticket. "Mom bought tickets there for me and Kuki, but when Kuki told mom about the Australia trip we had to exchange them. I just did a little persuading and voila!"

Tommy cast her a doubtful look and studied his ticket. "I dunno...that's kinda shady, Mushi. I've got a bad feeling about this, especially since we're traveling alone without adults..."

Mushi crossed her floppy sleeves and stomped her foot. "And you call yourself a boy! You make me sick! Aren't you supposed to be working alone anyways? Where's your sense of adventure! Sheesh, what a wimp!"

"I am not a wimp! I just don't think this is such a good id—" he was cut off as Mushi shoved him behind the brochure display and covered his mouth with her sleeve. A tall woman with a strong southern accent strolled by talking on her cell phone.

"Are you sure you can't schedule this earlier? I've got plans today!" The woman paused and listened to the reply on the other end. "You think I want to do this?! I can't stand children, never mind five of them," She nervously ran her manicured hand through her cheaply streaked blonde hair. "It'll be worth it though, you know it will. No one's ever managed to pull it off before."

Tommy and Mushi exchanged nervous glances from behind the display, neither of them daring to breathe. This woman didn't sound like the type of person they'd want to be caught eavesdropping on.

"Of course they'll help! What child doesn't like rai—oh, hold on, my battery's low. I'll have to call you back later." She blew a loud kiss into the receiver. "Ciao!" The woman folded her leopard-print cell phone shut and snapped it into a pouch in her pocketbook, then checked her opulent-looking watch. "I'd better get going anyways. First impressions are always the most important." With that said, she trotted away, her heels clicking against the tiled floor.

Tommy let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, that was some quick thinking." He turned to Mushi and scratched the back of his head. "That was close, we were almost caught."

"Too close; we can't have any adults finding us on this trip! We'll have to be more careful." Mushi replied and pulled Tommy to his feet. "Let's go find our flight. The quicker we get out of here, the better."

Tommy brushed himself off and frowned. "People are going to ask questions though. What are we going to tell them? It's not everyday two little kids travel alone by air."

Mushi stopped for a second and leaned up against her small yellow polka-dotted bag in thought. "We could say we're brother and sister?"

Tommy shook his head. "No, we don't look anything alike."

"Cousins?"

"Same thing."

"Boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"Uh...I don't think so." Tommy answered, turning slightly pink and hastily averted his attention to a large group of elementary students lined up in a queue carrying instrument cases.

"I know!" Mushi cried and pointed a floppy finger at the students. "Let's pretend we're traveling as students to perform in Australia, like those students are!"

"But we can't play instruments!" Tommy protested.

Mushi groaned and slapped her forehead. "We don't have to, stupid! We're just pretending! They look about our age, and they're going on the same flight. Besides, it's better than pretending to be dating. What's there to lose?"

Tommy sighed and picked up his hand-me-down suitcase. "You win. Lead the way."

"Man, these airport chili dogs ROCK!" Number Two declared and stuffed the remaining half of his snack into his mouth with zeal.

Number Five flinched and raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure it's a good idea to be eatin' dat before the flight, Numbuh Two?"

Number Two shrugged and wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. "I don't know, but we'll find out."

"Man, remind me not to sit in front of you, okay?"

The group laughed and Number Two sheepishly grinned behind the napkin. The flight wasn't scheduled to take off for another twenty minutes, so Number Four had convinced Five and Three to come over to the snack bar after they took care of tagging their luggage.

Number One checked his watch again and took a sip of his milk shake. "You mentioned your uncle's name is 'Skip', Number Four. What does he look like? It's important to know for when we get off the plane so we'll be able to find him."

"Uh..." Number Four looked up from his soda. "Ah haven't seen 'im since last summa' so Ah can't remember too well...he's kinda tall, and he's got this stupid bandana he loikes to tie around his head—makes 'im think he's cool." He swished the soda around in the can for a moment before continuing. "But he might send me gram ta meet us instead."

"Ooh! What's your grandmum like, Number Four?! Is she nice? Does she bake cookies?!" Number Three exclaimed and leaned over the table.

Four grimaced. "Ah you kiddin'?! We neva' let gram within' a 'undred meters of the stove."

"Cakes then? Does she bake cakes?!"

"...No." Four answered firmly. "Me gram doesn't cook, Numbah Three."

"Either way, that doesn't change the fact that—oh, hello...do you need something?" Number One asked as he looked up at the tall woman standing next to the snack bar table. She was wearing a crisp navy blue suit and high heel shoes; her hair had obviously been streaked blonde by an amateur and her hands were neatly manicured.

The woman glanced down at a pad of paper in her hand, then back at the group, her gaze falling upon Number Four. "You must be Wallace Beatles," she said with an over-friendly smile, her teeth perfectly straight and white and her accent faintly Australian. "My name's Phyllis Sympkins. Your uncle, Skipper, sent me to meet you at the airport. I'm his secretary."

"Secretary? Ah didn' know Skip had a secretary!" Four exclaimed. ta think of it, Ah don't even know what me uncle does for a job."

Phyllis flashed another blindingly white smile. "It's not my place to discuss your uncle's business." She replied curtly and gestured over to the pile of suitcases, folding up her notepad. "We should get ready to board the plane. Our flight will be leaving soon."

Number Three tugged on the woman's sleeve, her free hand dragging along her suitcase. "Will we get free orange juice?"

"Huh? Oh, uh, yes, of course you will," Phyllis answered and picked Number Three off her arm. "Don't you worry your pretty little head about that."

Number Four still wasn't convinced. "How do we know my uncle sent you? This could be a trick!" He glared untrustingly and drained the contents of his soda.

The woman frowned in confusion and began to dig through her pocketbook. "If you'd like, I can show you my ID..." she held up a piece of paper with her picture on it and a large, almost illegible signature at the bottom.

Number Four took the paper and scanned it over. "Yup, that's me uncle's handwriting all roight. He's the only person Ah know who puts little swirlies over his 'i's." He handed the paper back to Phyllis and grabbed his suitcase by the handle, casting her another dirty glare. "Fine...but I won't loike it."

Number Five shrugged and began to saunter off towards the queue. "Well, let's do what the lady sez and get ourselves some seats," she called and tipped her hat. Number Three waved her floppy sleeves in agreement and skipped after her, Four shuffling a short distance behind. Numbers Two and One nodded and followed suit, walking by a large group of elementary students.

Mushi and Tommy peeked out from the queue of students, blending in perfectly. "Hey, wasn't that the lady who was talking on the phone earlier? I thought she was southern, not Australian," Tommy asked apprehensively.

Mushi nodded, her face grim. "Yeah...but what's she doing with my sister and the others?!"

"I don't know, but she's going on the same flight as us, so I have a feeling we'll find out soon enough," Tommy replied nervously and looked over his shoulder at the rest of the students in the line.

"I'm not so sure I want to, Tommy. She gave me the creeps." Mushi commented and returned to the line.

"Yay! I told you there would be free orange juice, Number Four!"

"Yeah, well...don't go making a big deal over it."

Number Three smiled happily and took her cup from the air hostess, turning her attention to the window. Number Four grinned to himself—he was the one who had asked the air hostess to give Number Three the juice in the first place. Just in case.

Number Five watched on with an amused grin in her seat on the other side of Number Four. "Gee, how come I didn't get one, Numbuh Four?" She asked with a smirk. Number Four turned red and suddenly became absorbed in counting the loose threads on his sleeve.

Number Two leaned over the back of Number Five's seat and grinned. "Man, public air travel doesn't even come close to our own!" Number One abruptly nudged Two in the shoulder and warningly glanced at Phyllis, who was sitting on his right. Two hastily silenced.

"Man, why did I end up sittin' in front of you?" Number Five laughed. "I thought we went ova' this already! You betta' keep dat chilli dog o' your where it belongs!"

"Don't worry, Number Five," Two remarked assuringly. "I bet you didn't know they give you barf bags on the plane, did you?"

Number Three giggled and Five slapped her forehead. "That was way more than I needed to know."

"All right, team. I think we need to discuss a few things." It wasn't until about an hour after the flight took off that Number One spoke. He had been silent ever since Phyllis had shown up, but at the moment she was asleep, her head against the window and her streaked hair hanging in her face.

Number Two looked up from his comic. "What's up, Number One? Get it?! Up? Airplane?!"

"This is no time to joke, Number Two," One replied and gestured to Phyllis' sleeping figure on his right. "She's thrown quite a kink into our plans. Number Four, are you sure you don't recall this woman being involved with your uncle before?"

"Naw, he's neva' had much luck with girls," Four remarked and removed his headphones.

Number One lowered his voice and cautiously peered over his sunglasses. "Not like that; if this adult plans on following us then she's sadly mistaken. There's no way we're going to lead her to the Australian Kids Next Door station. We've got to figure out a way to get rid of her—we can't have her learning too much."

Number Five leaned over the back of her seat and nodded in agreement. "Man, there's somethin' about that lady I don't like. She jus' gives me the creeps."

"I dunno," Three interjected. "I think she's kinda nice."

Number Four stubbornly crossed his arms. "Not me! Uncle Skip's not loike this; he wouldn't send some cruddy lady to help us on the plane. Ah think she's up ta somethin'."

"That's what I think. But for the time being, we should simply remain on our guard," One replied quietly. "There's a chance that she might simply be...well, a little too nice for her own good. Until we learn more about her and your uncle, Number Four, I say we keep a low profile and address each other by our actual names. That way she won't get suspicious."

"I agree. If we're not careful we could land ourselves in a lot of trouble," Two laughed. "Land? Airplane?"

Number Five shook her head and returned to her magazine. It was going to be a long summer....

A/N: Since Mushi and Tommy aren't major characters, it's tricky for me to write them in character and I think I made Mushi a little too tough. But I kind of like her that way. Also, there are a few things to clear up. Firstly, I have absolutely no idea what Gwinnett Georgia is like. Secondly, please hate my original character! I am usually very cautious about adding original characters to my stories, but I felt "Phyllis Symkins" was necessary. Not only that, but I've only flown on an airplane twice (there and back), so this chappie was pretty skimpy on the details. Heh...but wait until they get to Australia...that's where the fun begins. I've been researching for this...

Plus, keep in mind this is one of my first attempts at throwing in some fluff, but I really don't have any couples (other than Three and Four) established. I mean, 3/4ness is to be expected, we all know that. But I'm still teetering between 1/5 and 2/5. Also, if anyone supports Mushi/Tommy, let me know! Special points (who's counting?!) to Stripified, Numbuh 158, bucksfan7, Jill, Numbah34, and soraoathkeeper for figuring their identities out...though it was really obvious. And to all who's intestines I chewed upon, you can have them back. Sorry!