Disclaimer: Do I really have to repeat myself? It's getting old… Oh, well, I'm not taking any chances… Codename: Kids Next Door is not mine!

A/N: Wow, I'm updating today, too! This chapter is a bit short, because… well, it just is. Brace yourself, guys! It's getting serious now!

Warning: This chapter contains lots and lots of 3/4 fluff!

When love's not enough

Chapter 4

Back in the Treehouse, all the operatives spread out to go to their rooms for some well-deserved rest. Numbuh 1 thought it was best if he left the team alone for a few hours while they collected their thoughts, before holding the meeting about the Delightful Children From Down the Lane and their MindReader 3000. The organization was in danger now that they knew all Numbuh 4 knew about the Kids Next Door.

He walked into his room, slipping down on his chair in front of his computer. He needed to e-mail Numbuh 362 about this. He hoped she could do something about the situation, like changing a few passwords that Numbuh 4 was familiar with. Unfortunately, nothing could be done about what Numbuh 4 knew about the history of Kids Next Door and his fellow operatives. The Delightful Children would now know more about Sector V than ever, discovering certain fears and weaknesses they before didn't know about.

Meanwhile, Numbuh 4 lied down get some rest in his wrestling ring. He was exhausted, and not to mention furious with the Delightful Children for what they had done to him. He felt better now, knowing that he'd gotten his revenge upon them, with help form his team. Though he didn't feel that good. He knew that his enemies now had all the information about the Kids Next Door that he knew of. It was a creepy thought. They knew all about him now! They even knew about his crush on Numbuh 3, which for them was a weakness of his. They knew about his family now, too. They knew what he thought about his friends, knew what he'd been feeling about them over the time they'd been a team. They knew everything now!

Numbuh 4 groaned resigned, feeling rather helpless. They know my favorite food, my favorite TV shows, they even know what scares me, he thought. His eyes widened with fear as he suddenly realized they had all of his memories on their computer as well. He knew that they did, he just hadn't thought about it before now. All his humiliating moments where saved on it, too! He blushed to himself as a number of embarrassing images flew through his mind.

"Crud!" he muttered to himself, slapping his forehead with the palm of his hand. He suddenly started to fear that the Delightful Children would tell Numbuh 3 about his feelings for her, and they'd only screw everything up. What if Numbuh 3 wouldn't like to know? He started to think it probably was better if he took matters into his own hands by telling her about it himself. He raised his eyebrows, fearing her reaction. What if she likes me back? What if she feels the same way I do? Then everything would be okay. But if she didn't like him like that, if she'd reject him, he knew that he would never forgive himself for actually telling her.

"Numbuh 4?" Numbuh 3's voice called from his doorway. He flinched and got up, looking down at her from his wrestling ring.

"What is it?" he asked, wrinkling his forehead.

"I was wondering if you wanted to play video games with me," she replied, sending him an irresistible smile, her head cocked.

He really didn't want to play right now, he was in a terrible mood. But he felt like he couldn't say no to that oh so pretty face of hers. He bit his lip, debating the proposal within. Playing games with her would be a perfectly good explanation to spend time with her, listening to her sweet voice, looking at her beautiful face. Then again, he actually didn't want to spend time with her now. It was hard for him to explain it to himself why he didn't want to.

"Pleeeas," Numbuh 3 said, with an innocent grin. "Pretty please!"

Numbuh 4 sighed. "Alright, I'll play with ya," he said. "But only for a little while." He was feeling weak.

"Yay!" Numbuh 3 cheered, clapping her green sleeve-covered hands together enthusiastically.

Numbuh 4's bad side: I can't believe you actually agreed to play with her! You don't have time for this!

Numbuh 4's good side: Shut up! This is good for him! Let him enjoy his time with Kuki.

Numbuh 4 shook of his argument within and climbed down the ladder. He walked over to the Japanese girl, glancing at her pretty face. They walked upstairs together, talking about how they were going to beat each other in the game.

"I'll get ya this time!" Numbuh 4 assured her, smiling evilly.

"No way!" Numbuh 3 exclaimed, giggling. "I always win! You know that I'm a better player than you, Wally! I am the undefeated champion!"

"We'll see about that." Numbuh 4 grabbed his game controller as he reached the TV in the big lounge. They started to kick each others butts in a fighting game.

Numbuh 4 forgot about the whole experience with the MindReader as the time passed by. They were having a great time as usual, just beating each other up in the game. They were playing best out of 20 rounds. Numbuh 3 had won, by winning 13 rounds. Numbuh 4 had won 7 rounds.

Numbuh 3 got up, cheering. "Yay! See, I told you I'd win!"

Numbuh 4 muttered a few curse words under his breath.

Numbuh 4's good side: Don't feel too bad about it. At least she won, and she's happy. You like to see her this way, so why complain?

Numbuh 4's bad side: Are you nuts? You let her win, didn't you? You weak son of a bitch! You could have won this thing if you really wanted to! But no, you just had to let that goodie, goodie girl win!

Numbuh 4's good side: Oh, come on! It's not like it's the end of the world! So what if Kuki won? She deserved to.

Numbuh 4's bad side: Oh, shut the crud up!

"Wanna play something else?" Numbuh 3 asked, smiling at the Australian.

Numbuh 4's good side: Say yes!

"No, I'm a bit tired," Numbuh 4 replied, avoiding eye contact with her.

"Oh, come on, Numbuh 4!" Numbuh 3 pleaded. "I know you want to. Come on, just one more game?"

"No, I don't think so," Numbuh 4 muttered. "Sorry. We can play more later. Tomorrow, perhaps. Right now, I'm just very tired."

"Oh, okay," Numbuh 3 said, sounding a little disappointed. "But can we watch TV, then? You're not too tired to watch TV, are you?"

"No, that's alright," he said, smiling at her.

They watched TV together for a while, talking a little about the day and what they had experienced. Numbuh 3 told him about her "key mission" and how she did it. They laughed at the Delightful Children being so stupid. "It was kinda scary, though," Numbuh 3 said. "Especially when I had to run all the way back. I got so stressed."

"Yeah, I bet," Numbuh 4 replied, scratching the back of his head. "But at least you did it. Without you we wouldn't have been here right now."

"It's just because I'm so skinny, like a stick," she said, grabbing a hold of her skinny thighs.

"And that's a good thing, or else we'd still be stuck in that cell," he smiled. "The Delightful Children could have used the MindReader on you guys too, if it hadn't been for you. And believe me, you should be glad you didn't have to go through that. I know I am."

"Huh?" Numbuh 3 frowned at him. "You're glad I didn't get brought into that room?" She smiled.

"Yeah," he hesitatingly replied. "I-I'm glad you didn't have to go through that pain." It all came out so awkwardly. He swallowed down hard, his green eyes carefully gazing up at her beautiful face.

"Aw, how sweet of you!" She grabbed him and hugged him tightly. He turned pink, his face burning. He kinda wished he could stay like that forever, but on the other hand he felt very awkward. Maybe now was the right time to tell her about his true feelings for her? Or maybe not? It was driving him nuts! He had to get it out of his system soon, his crush was getting stronger by each day. If he didn't tell her soon, it would all just burst out of him.

Numbuh 4's good side: Stop making excuses for yourself, Wally! Tell her the truth! She's ready to handle it. Just look how she's clinging to you at this very moment!

Numbuh 4's bad side: Screw her! Go back to your room and get some sleep. I'm tired!

Numbuh 3 let go if him, smiling widely. "At least I know that you care about me, and that is so cute!"

"Err, yeah," Numbuh 4 muttered. "I care about ya… a lot…" He avoided eye contact for a second.

Maybe I should just tell her now, he thought. Everything's just perfect – we're alone up here, it's not too early, and the subject has come up, sorta. It's like she already knows. I don't think it would hurt to tell her. According to that hug, she feels just about the same way about me.

Numbuh 4's good side: Yes! Yes! Tell her!

Numbuh 4's bad side: Oh, shut up, you stupid little Mr.-I'm-so-nice-and-fluffy-in-my-gay-white-pajamas-dress-that-flows-so-angelicaly-around-me! He doesn't have to say anything! All he needs now is to rest. You must be going to his head! Leave the poor kid alone, he needs to sleep!

Numbuh 4's good side: I love you too, Bad Side… (Rolling eyes, sighing) Anyways. Wally, don't you dare walk out on this perfect moment! Tell her! She has to know! Do it! She'll be all over you by the end of the night, I'm sure of it! She must feel the same way!

Numbuh 4 looked back at Numbuh 3, carefully sending her a nervous smile. She returned the smile.

"Kuki…" he started. "I kinda… Well, there's something I've wanted to tell you. And it… uhm, I've tried to tell you before, but, well-"

Numbuh 4's bad side: Okay, now this crud is getting gross!

Numbuh 4 fumbled with his hands. Suddenly realizing how helpless and scared he looked doing that, he hid them behind his back. "I've never got the chance to tell you. I feel like it's important to like, tell you…"

"Okay, so what is it?" Numbuh 3 asked cheerfully, as always.

He gulped, then taking a deep breath. "I l-like y-you…" The words came very awkwardly, his face turning bright red. He closed his eyes, suddenly feeling stupid for telling her.

"Oh, I like you, too, Wally," Numbuh 3 replied.

Numbuh 4's jaw practically fell to his lap. "You what? You actually like me?"

"Yeah, silly – we're friends! Of course I like you!" She giggled.

"Yeah, I know we're friends, but I wasn't talking about that." He clenched his fists, searching for the right words. "I-I thought maybe you liked me-liked me." He was upset to find her laughing at what he had said.

"No!" she said, still laughing. "That's just weird! What made you think that I was in love with you?"

Numbuh 4 couldn't get out any words at all. He was glaring sheepishly at her, his mouth open with disappointment. It felt as if his heart was being ripped out of his chest. Then he got a grip, and shook his head. "Yeah, how stupid of me…"

"Wait!" She thought about it for a second, glaring out in the air. Then her face turned worried. She looked at Numbuh 4, who was trying to hide his face behind his blond bangs, head lowered. "Unless… you feel that way about me…" She stared at him for a few moments. "Do you?"

"No!" he lied, his disappointment turning into anger.

"Oh, good!" she exclaimed relieved. "I was actually worried you did. That would have been really weird." She let out a nervous giggle. Numbuh 4 didn't respond. She noticed how he was just sitting there in silence, as if he was… beating himself up. No! He'd just told her that he didn't feel that way about her. Unless he was lying…

Numbuh 4 got up, turning his back on Numbuh 3. He exhaled loudly and walked away. Ouch, that hurt! He walked quickly. He felt so stupid!

Numbuh 4's good side: Oops…

Numbuh 4's bad side: See, I told you so!

Numbuh 4 shook his head. He didn't want to listen to his consciousness right now. He was too sad. I did it, and I made a fool out of myself! I can't believe it! And the pain, it's so… painful. He felt like his heart was broken, ripped into pieces, sliced with a knife, leaving it to bleed from its open wounds. Tears gathered in his eyes as he thought about the humiliating experience. He felt like crying like a little baby about it, but then again he was not a baby!

He walked down the hall, after leaving the lounge. He thought about going down to his room, but he suddenly felt like he wouldn't be left in peace down there.

I have to get outta here! I need air. I need to get away from her! I don't think I can face her ever again. Oh, why did I tell her? This is the biggest mistake I've ever made!

He left the Treehouse, running down the street. It was raining now. The ground beneath him was wet. The water splashed up his shoes as he ran through a big puddle. He felt like beating something up. He stopped and screamed at the top of his lunges, clenching his fists. "CRUUUUUD!" Words could not describe his anger, his disappointment, his broken heart. He fell to his knees on the wet sidewalk and let out a choked sob. He then leaned down on his hands, bending his head in shame.

"Why did I tell her?" he sobbed. "Why, why, why, why, WHY? She thinks I'm an idiot…" His chin was shivering, tears once again gathering in his eyes. "I've had a crush on her for so long, and I blew it! I hate myself! I'm stupid! I've ruined out friendship forever now. She'll never look at me the same way."

His pants were getting soaked by lying on the wet ground. He didn't care. He sat up, placing his butt on the wet pavement. He sobbed loudly, letting a tear run down his already wet face. It was impossible to stop crying now. More tears made their way down his cheeks. He hid his face in his hands. He could never forgive himself for making this mistake…