Operation R.O.S.E.

A/N: I am SO sorry that it took so long for me to post this chapter! (Almost two months, OMG, so sorry) Well, better cut down on the excuses (I'll give you results, not excuses! I hope).

Disclaimer: I do not own KND nor the song 'I'm your angel' by Celine Dion with R.Kelly

No Mountains too high, for you to climb
All you have to do, is have some climbing faith, oh yeah

"I can't believe you just wouldn't trust Abby, Numbuh One, you disappoint Abby."

With that she turned on her heels and made way to the door. Numbuh One bowed his head down and looked at the floor of the wooden hut. Nothing felt worse than this. Second round of disappointment.

"Numbuh One, I'm sorry…" Numbuh 23 started but Numbuh One wouldn't hear it.

"Abby, don't…" Numbuh 23 tried to explain but Abby placed her hand on the door handle and pulled it open.

No rivers too wide, for you to make it across
All you have to do, is believe it when you pray

"No wait…" Numbuh One started.

"No, DUCK."

An invasion of huge orange pellets came flying into the room. Numbuh One narrowly missed an extremely large one headed his way. Abby back flipped into the corner of the room, where the orange pellets were not in range.Numbuh 23 dropped to a defensive position on the floor.

And then you will see, the morning will come
And everyday will be bright as the sun

"WHO ARE THEY?" Numbuh One shouted over the loud buzz of the machines that were firing the pellets at them.

"DON'T KNOW, BUT ABBY KNOWS ONE THING…"

"WHAT?"

"THEY WANT TO KILL US."

All of your fears, cast them on me
I just want you to see...

A FEW HOURS AGO

"Numbuh One… Numbuh One… Wake up…"

"Go away…"

Numbuh One swept a hand up as if to sweep a parasite away. The person caught his hand. Numbuh One opened his eyes. Numbuh 23 was standing by his bedside, clutching his hand tightly. They were in an uncomfortably close position. Numbuh 23 blushed and backed away.

I'll be your cloud up in the sky
I'll be your shoulder when you cry

"We need to leave now."

Numbuh One rubbed his eyes and dropped out of bed.

"Give me five minutes and I'll be down to join the rest of you."

He moved towards the door, shuffling his feet along the way.

"You know the way?"

Numbuh One stopped. He turned around and shook his head.

"I'll show you then."

I'll hear your voices when you call
I am your angel

"Where are they?" Numbuh 21 said impatiently.

"Calm down, Numbuh 21, I'm sure my cousin is very reliable, she wouldn't let him back out of it," Numbuh 22 soothed his leader.

Sure enough, Numbuh 23 entered the room and walked down the stairs, with Numbuh One tagging behind. She had her hair tucked neatly behind her ear and the rest tied up in a ponytail, as requested by Numbuh 21. Numbuh 21 was very strict about attire and attitude towards missions.

"Numbuh 23 reporting, Numbuh One is ready to go."

"Thank you, everyone, take the bikes waiting outside."

"Bikes?" Numbuh Four asked, "Don't you have those cool planes?"

Numbuh 23 blushed, "Those are from Lady Li."

"I see," Numbuh 21 said, "we need bikes to get past those rocky parts of the hills leading up to Dead Man's Lair.

Numbuhs 21-23 and 25 nodded. Numbuh One agreed and went out to the front door of the mansion. He saw eight bikes lying neatly against the wall. He took the red and black bike which had "#1" printed neatly on the top tube. Similarly there was a blue and brown bike with "#2", a green and black one with "#3", a orange and blue one with "#4". Lying on the other side of the wall were four black bikes with Numbuhs 21-23 on the top tube… except for Numbuh 23's… which was covered in what seems silver paint…

"I like to be unique."

Numbuh One turned and saw 23, a little blush creeping up her cheeks.

"We need to leave now," Numbuh 21 steered Numbuh 23 away from the operatives of Sector V. The two girls turned round the corner and engaged into a deep conversation.

Numbuh One shrugged and mounted his bike, although he would have preferred just blasting there with his rocket powered boots but that won't do cause he didn't know the way and leaving the rest behind is not a good idea.

"Let's go," Numbuh 22 said as he swung himself onto a black bike.

The gates of the mansion swung open as they left in a neat line.

AN HOUR LATER IN THE WOODEN HUT IN THE DEAD MAN'S LAIR

"That was a looooooong ride," Numbuh Two said, puffing a little. His cheeks were red from exhaustion.

"Here, have some water," Numbuh Four offered as he threw a bottle of mineral water over his head… and knocked Numbuh Two unconscious.

"Oops…"

"Whoever heard of a bottle of water as being murderous?" Numbuh 22 said amusingly.

"Let me handle that," Numbuh 25 spoke for the first time since they left the mansion.

"Numbuh One, we have to leave you here now, remember what we said, signal for help if she attacks."

"Numbuh 21, shouldn't one of us stay near the hut? Or even in the hut? There are some bags over there which one of us can hide in…" Numbuh 23 suggested.

"Operative Numbuh 23, you yourself had said yesterday when you came up with the plan that if one of us were to be found, Abby might be startled… and you stated that…"

"I know what I said, Numbuh 21, fine… I was just concerned. The nearest one of us will be Numbuh 22 and Numbuh Three, but still they will be too far away if Abby uses some kind of gun…"

"I will be safe," Numbuh One assured both of them. Besides, like Abby would attack me.

"Well, anyways, if you need help, we're here ok?" Numbuh 23 said with a little smile.

"Hush, we need to go now…" Numbuh 21 said. The seven of them left the hut and went into hiding.

"O boy…" Numbuh One said before settling himself against one of the walls, waiting for Abby to turn up.

And when all hope is gone, I'm here
No matter how far you are, I'm near

AFTER HALF AN HOUR OF WAITING…

A crack in the door signaled the arrival of the long awaited guest. She pushed the door open and stepped in with a small smile. She cut her hair? Abby's hair was hanging loosely around her shoulders, not like the long braid she used to fashion.

"Hello, Numbuh One, you still do trust Abby then?"

Numbuh One gulped before saying, "Of course."

"Ah… Abby thought you would come with some people to back up just in case you got injured. Thank you for not doubting, Numbuh One."

"Yes, sure, you're welcome."

"Now Abby needs to tell you something very important."

Abby pulled out a small hand-drawn map of a small training compound.

"What is this?"

"The KND's worst nightmare."


It makes no difference who you are
I am your angel
I'm your angel...

OUTSIDE

"Operative Numbuh 23, what do you see?" A voice from the handy 2x4 technology walkie talkie that doubled as a gum shooting device crackled.

"Target is producing a map, One receives and reads, they are talking, that's all for now."

"Keep me updated; we can't see a thing from the south."

"K."

Numbuh 23 laid pressed on the ground, watching intently as Numbuh One talked to Abby with a smile, something he had not done for a long time. Then, Numbuh 23 felt something tingling in her stomach. She shrugged it off at first then as the sensation got stronger, she realized what was wrong. Numbuh One and Abby were close friends from what she was seeing, and she didn't like that… Not one bit…

O no… Not this… I am seriously not being… JEALOUS…

Numbuh 23 remembered when Numbuh One had offered that tissue on board the plane. He had cared to when her cousin didn't even bother to. She was touched. Now, she had a growing anger building up inside…


I saw the teardrops, and I heard you cry
All you need is time, seek me and you shall find

IN THE HUT

"So, all these are parts of the technology Lady Li is using?" Numbuh One asked, looking at all the diagrams Abby had handed him.

"Yes."

Then Numbuh One got a little suspicious, "How did you get these?"

"Abby offered to work for Lady Li…"

"As a military strategist and intel?" Numbuh One finished off for her.

"Yes."

There was a moment of silence in the room. Numbuh One liked how this conversation had been working so far. He felt less guilty for allowing 86 to decommission such a fine operative.

"Abby, would you like to be Numbuh Five again?" Numbuh One asked, at last. Abby was taken by surprise and she let out a little smile. She took a step forward and gave Numbuh One a hearty hug.

"Of course," she said in reply.

Outside, Numbuh 23 saw everything. She glowered.

You have everything and you're still lonely
It doesn't have to be this way, let me show you a better day

OUTSIDE

"Numbuh 23, report, I repeat, Numbuh 23, report!" the voice over the talkie urged on. Numbuh 23 didn't answer, instead she stopped herself from looking at the pair in the hut. They are supposed to be here to talk business, not hug!

And then you will see, the morning will come
And all of your days will be bright as the sun

IN THE HUT

"Numbuh Five, we have to defeat Lady Li because the team defied 86 orders in giving up the search for you. They are after my blood," Numbuh One chuckled.

"You have Numbuh Five's support and help," Abby smiled, "but you have to see something."

Abby pulled out a gun from her pocket.

"It shoots anything from harmless bubbles to BBs to real bullets, even the cooks under Li's control uses these," Abby said as she pointed it to Numbuh One's chest.

"Show you…" Abby said as she squeezed the trigger.

OUTSIDE

Numbuh 23 heard everything Abby said. She knew that Abby had no intention of hurting Numbuh One but Numbuh 23 couldn't stand it no longer. She hated this Abby, she loathed her. Numbuh 23 pulled out her talkie.

"Numbuh 21, I'm going in," Numbuh 23 said. There was a pause before she added, "Abby has a gun."

"We'll cover you," came the reply. Numbuh 23 smirked. Too bad, Abby, it's just that you are up against me.

So all of your fears, just cast them on me
How can I make you see...

IN THE HUT

Numbuh Five blew some bubbles from the gun. Numbuh Five was smiling as she looked up at the bubbles. Her hair framed her face. The bubbles added to the mystical feeling, the magical feeling… Numbuh One stood, looking dreamily through the mirror of bubbles… and her…

Their time alone together was cut short when Numbuh 23 came crashing through the window and landing in battle position. She had a sticky gum gun poised at Abby.

"Numbuh 23, what are you doing?" Numbuh One shouted, stunned. Numbuh 23 didn't move an inch, her eyes still baring an angry expression at Abby.

"She had a gun, pointing at you, Numbuh One. Though you didn't raise a signal, we had to come in and make sure you're alright," Numbuh 23 said. Abby raised a brow, "So…"

She turned to face Numbuh One, "You didn't trust Abby after all."

Numbuh One looked hurt, yet he didn't speak. Numbuh 23 lowered her gum gun, she didn't expect Numbuh One to be hurt. She moved towards him.

"Numbuh One, I'm… I'm sorry… I didn't follow the plans…" Numbuh 23 stuttered.

"I can't believe you just wouldn't trust Abby, Numbuh One, you disappoint Abby."

With that she turned on her heels and made way to the door.

"Numbuh One, I'm sorry…" Numbuh 23 started but Numbuh One wouldn't hear it.

"Abby, don't…" Numbuh 23 tried to explain but Abby placed her hand on the door handle and pulled it open. That was when it all started to collapse…


I'll be your cloud up in the sky
I'll be your shoulder when you cry
I'll hear your voices when you call me
I am your angel

MOONBASE

"Kids Next Door decommissioning squad, listen up!"

"Yes, we are ready, mam!"

"Good, get on board, we NEED to get those fools once and for all."

"Yes, mam, ready, mam!"

"TEAM, MOVE OUT, Numbuh Five!"

"Yes, 86?" Numbuh Five slurred lazily.

"You come with us."

"Yes, fine, 86, but I have to be back here before the new movie comes out," Numbuh Five protested.

"Yeah, yeah, fine… Which new movie?" 86 suddenly got interested.

"The one with the pirates invading planet Mars with fish."

"Oooo! Buy me tickets to that too! Those are like SOLD OUT! How did you get tickets?"

"Local drugstore."

"What?"

"Long story, let's get to HK Base first."

"Right… TEAM MOVE OUT!"


And when all hope is gone, I'm here
No matter how far you are, I'm near
It makes no difference who you are
I am your angel
I'm your angel

TEN MINUTES LATER, IN THE HUT

"Numbuh 23, take the other end of the hut, there is a door out there, get out there and move!" Numbuh One shouted over the blaze of bright orange pellets. He jumped behind a table and pushed it down so it acted as a shield for Abby and he. Numbuh 23 was in the corner, safe.

"What about you two?"

"You need not worry…" Numbuh One told her.

"I won't go without you two…" she pleaded. Her eyes bore straight through him.

And when it's time to face the storm

"Don't do this, Numbuh 23, you're closest to the door. You can get out without getting hit… Abby and I are too far away."

"I won't go… I won't leave…" Numbuh 23 said stubbornly. Numbuh One knew he had to get 23 to safety. If he couldn't save all of them, might as well save one. The orange pellets thundered against the wooden table, creating little bumps against the smooth surface. This won't hold on for long…

He turned around to ask Abby for advice. She sat down and thought for a while before taking his hand and writing a word in his palm. Her finger slowly formed an invisible word in his palm. Numbuh One frowned for a while. Will it work?

"Try it," Abby said, giving him a pat on the shoulder.

O well… Numbuh Five is always right… Well... mostly…

Numbuh One shouted at Numbuh 23, "Are you staying here because you're worried for me? Well you shouldn't! I hate you! Why should you even care to wait? Just get out of here can you?"

Numbuh 23 stared in disbelieve.

"And you know why I want you to get out of here? Because I hate you a lot! You tried to kill my friends! You worked for the enemy! I hate traitors and you are one! I only needed you so you can tell us where to find Lady Li so we can find Abby! Now I found her, I don't need you anymore, LEAVE!"

Numbuh 23's lip quivered but she didn't leave

I'll be right by your side

Numbuh One paused for a while before continuing, "Numbuh 23, you don't understand do you? We made use of you! Just to get Abby! Do you think we actually cared? GET OUT!"


Grace will keep up safe and warm

"You're just being a fool here, 23. Why can't you just leave me alone? Save yourself or something, I don't want to see you anymore, GO!"


And I know we will survive

"So you lied to me?"

Numbuh One gulped, "Yes."

"On the plane, when you cared for me, that was a lie?"

"Yes."

"And… and…everything you did, everything you said was a lie?"

"Yes."

And that did it. Numbuh 23 burst into tears. She wiped her eyes with her hands. Then she gave Numbuh One one last hard glance. He struggled not to collapse under her gaze. She bit her lip and ran out, did a neat summersault to miss a couple of pellets and disappeared.

And when it seems as if your end is drawing near
Don't you dare give up the fight
Just put your trust beyond the sky...

"It's now you and me only, Abby," Numbuh One sighed. He didn't really know what to do. Co operation is what they need and that is exactly what he feared Abby wouldn't do.

"To get out of here alive, we need to co-operate," Numbuh One told her straight off. Abby looked at him for a while. Trust? Can we? He hadn't trusted Abby and what will make her trust him? Everything goes wrong every time…

Then, Abby nodded. Numbuh One smiled.


I'll be your cloud up in the sky
I'll be your shoulder when you cry
I'll hear your voices when you call me
I am your angel

"Listen, the window and the door are both too far from our reach. If we want to get out of here, we'll have to use our brains. What do you have on you?"

"A stick of gum, this gun, my badge and a change of clothes."

Numbuh One dropped into the state of deep thought. Abby held the table in place. She waited for him to come up with something sensible enough to be a plan. This is going to be long…

All of a sudden, Numbuh One stood up, "Abby, change into your extra set of clothes and lend me the clothes you are wearing now. Then, grab your gun and when I count to five, run out the door and don't look back."


And when all hope is gone, I'm here
No matter how far you are, I'm near
It makes no difference who you are

"But… Will you be safe?" Abby asked, worried.


I am your angel
I'm your angel

"Of course I will be," Numbuh One answered with a smile. He gave her a thumbs up sign and started counting, "One,"

Abby looked back at him one more time, they would be separated again. She didn't like that.

"Two."


I'll be your cloud up in the sky
I'll be your shoulder when you cry

"Three…"

Abby started to jog. A pellet burst through the window and flew past her. Not much time left.


I'll hear your voices when you call me
I am your angel
And when all hope is gone, I'm here
No matter how far you are, I'm near

"Four, ABBY GET OUT!"

She ran for the door. Numbuh One shouted something unintelligent. Abby didn't stop running. Keep running, those were your instructions. RUN! She ran as fast as she could, flying across the gentle slopes of the hills before finally stopping. It's safe now, I hope.

Abby collapsed onto the grassy ground. Her head was spinning and her body felt weak. She touched the back of her head. It was moist. Bleeding? O great…

And time stopped…


It makes no difference who you are
I am your angel
I'm your angel