FIRST MISSION

The deal had been struck almost a week ago. Numbuhs 1 through 5 had spent the last few days doing simulations, practicing gymnastics and stealth movements, and combat maneuvers. Numbuh 2 had focused his attention on learning about the arsenal of weapons, armor and vehicles at their disposal, calibrating them for combat use and getting a feel for how they could be used.

Numbuh 4 and Numbuh 5 had worked together, practicing martial arts, and to an extent they included Numbuh 3 in hand-to-hand combat with empty hands or with makeshift weapons. Numbuh 4 was considerably better at in-fighting than anyone, but he worked hard to pass on some of his knowledge. Numbuh 3 and Numbuh 5 had also focused on gymnastics and acrobatics. Numbuh 4 had participated in that as much as he could, but he was a little too heavily built to be as flexible or as freewheeling as the two girls.

Numbuh 3 also devoted a great deal of time to acting, trying to get into the rhythm of adopting different facial expressions and voices; then training to be able to alter her voice and mood to play many different people. It was so she would be able to keep a person's focus on her and hold it for extended periods.

Numbuh 1 meanwhile was trying to get into the mood of directing everyone's activities. The art of Leading was surprisingly easy for him, though why that was he couldn't say. Strangely, everyone found it easy to adopt the codename numbuhs and felt comfortable being addressed as a "Numbuh ", and this was even stranger.

After nearly a week of constant drilling, research and practice the team was assembled in the common meeting room to receive their first assignment. There was a long, low table with five chairs placed around, one at the head with a large flat-screen monitor behind it, and two chairs on either side of the table's length. They sat much the same way they had when they first entered the facility and met with their superiors: Numbuh 1 occupied the head seat, with Numbuhs 3 and 4 off to his right and Numbuhs 2 and 5 to his left.

A buzz of static came over the monitor, and Numbuh 1 swiveled his chair around to listen and observe the incoming message.

It was the monotone quintet.

"Welcome Numbuhs 1 through 5 of the DAFDTL – we have an important assignment that concerns your entire team…"

(The screen switches to a city block of downtown New York near one of the public elementary schools.)

"Our intelligence confirms that the Kids Next Door have established a foot hold in this area. Their group has conscripted bullies, thugs and even drug peddlers to generate funds and begin recruiting more kids to join their ranks. Your mission is simple: neutralize the Kids Next Door Operatives in this area by any means necessary and then proceed to evacuate before they can send reinforcements. You need do no more than disarm and secure them with restraints and our detainment teams will take care of the rest.

"Numbuh 1, you and Numbuh 2 will take position here (a bright dot lights up atop one of the buildings that overlooks the square) and direct Numbuhs 4 and 5 to detain each squad of Kids. Numbuh 3 will be in charge of reconnaissance and on the lookout for any incoming reinforcements.

"Numbuh 4, as combat leader you will be expected to take the initiative in detaining the enemy, Numbuh 5 we recommend you work to get around the targets unseen and attack from the rear."

"This concludes your mission parameters, are there any questions."

None.

"Proceed to the hangar, we have a helicopter to take you to the target zone, Numbuh 2 you will be responsible for getting the team in and out."

"End Transmission…"

Numbuh 1 was a little nervous about this. After all it was his first mission, and he was expected to direct four people and himself through a public square to detain children belonging to a global terrorist organization, and by the tone of his superiors it sounded quite likely that he would be expecting the terrorists to reinforce. Not for the first or last time, Numbuh 1 was beginning to wish he'd just stayed in his office back at Gallagher Elementary; mild-mannered Mr. Uno.

The 'helicopter' that had been provided was a military vehicle no doubt, but it was well disguised with a coat of white and a broad blue stripe that made it look something like a helicopter for a news team or radio station. The team loaded into the vehicle, everyone dressed in black jumpsuits and girdled with body armor. Everyone also had a two-way communicator attached to the ear to allow them to stay in contact during the operation.

Numbuh 1 looked around at his teammates:

Numbuh 2 looked a little unsure of their ability to stay low profile, but confident in his abilities to fly this machine and his task ahead.

Numbuh 3 was kinda jittery and looked like she might as likely jump for joy or shriek in apprehensive nervousness.

Numbuh 4 had a big grin on his face as he slipped gloves over his hands. Apparently the idea of beating up terrorists, even if they were kids, didn't faze him.

Numbuh 5 kept her cool expression as she tied a black mask around her face and attached several grappling tools and harnesses to her waist.

Numbuh 2 received clearance from the control tower and proceeded into the heart of the city, trying to stay relatively high up so as not to attract unnecessary attention. He set the helicopter down on the roof of a short, broad-roofed building with it's own landing pad and a great big "For Lease" banner draped down the side. Numbuhs 4 and 5 exited quickly, looking around to make sure that no one had spotted them. Numbuh 2 carried equipment out of the aircraft with Numbuhs 1 and 3 and set up an observation post at the edge of the roof. He switched on his monitors and began receiving video feed from the tiny cameras on everyone's headpiece, then switched to a satellite image of the immediate vicinity. There appeared multiple blinking dots, indicating meeting places for Kids Next Door terrorist squads.

Numbuh 1 called the rest of the team over to observe, strangely he felt cool and composed, like he had done similar operations before. Everyone else seemed to have the shared feeling as eue to his or her calm demeanor.

"All right team, we have a total of (quick count mumbling one… two… three…)…

"Fifteen total cells that need to be broken up and detained. So, Numbuh 3, proceed along the roof tops and keep up surveillance to make sure we have no surprises, and I'll try and do the same from here…"

Numbuh 3 gave a quick bob of the head to say she understood.

"Numbuh 4, proceed from the lobby of this building to each of these alley ways, find these Kids Next Door and apprehend them. And be careful, if these are terrorists they may have a lot of fire power…"

Numbuh 4 grinned and massaged his knuckles. "Wouldn't be any fun if they didn't."

"Numbuh 5, proceed along with Numbuh 4, but remain on the rooftops and in any bit of sheltered area that prevents you from being seen. Give aid when commencing detainment, but try to come at them from where they won't be expecting."

"Sure thang." She replied in her hip, street lingo.

"Numbuh 2 and I will stay here and direct your movements, if you ever need assistance in direction or in fighting, alert us and I'll provide you with whatever aid I can. Now then team… BATTLE STATIONS!"

Numbuh 1 brought himself down a moment, unsure as to why he had used that cry to rally his team, the rest of the team however proceeded with their instructions, though they too were amazed at how familiar the phrase sounded.

It took a good three hours to complete the mission. It mostly followed the same pattern. Numbuh 4, dressed in black pants and a black cloak walked down an alleyway and found several kids between 10 and 12 loitering behind a dumpster, discussing plans very secretively, then growing defensive the moment he appeared. He'd ask what they were up to; they'd accuse him of being an adult spy. Then he and Numbuh 5, either one of them making the first move or both of them working together would plunge into the thick of the gang, disabling and disarming them of their makeshift weapons in a matter of seconds. Some of those kids really wanted to cause some damage, as the two combatants and two observers inferred from the many weapons that the kids were carrying.

Numbuh 3 had some misgivings about what they were doing, especially since it was children, but she gave up trying to convince the others after the final gang was beaten and a squad of flying machines flew in to reinforce the Kids Next Door.

Numbuh 1 was overall, very pleased with his team's performance. None had sustained any injury or caused any real physical damage to their enemies or left a mess of the city block.

Following the last fight, Numbuhs 3, 4 and 5 proceeded back to the main building and loaded up in the helicopter with Numbuhs 1 and 2.

That night after returning to base, disassembling their gear and writing up their reports to the DAFDTL (over which Numbuh 4 gave a great fuss), the team celebrated their first successful mission with a night out to a fancy restaurant in the city.

The whole team dressed up in fancy suits and dresses provided in their wardrobes by the DAFDTL and ate and drank merrily. Numbuh 2 and Numbuh 4 scarfed down great quantities of meats and cheese, while Numbuhs 1 and 5 at a little more politely, and Numbuh 3 refused to partake in any of the many seafood and meat dishes that seemed to just disappear as soon appear in front of Numbuhs 2 and 4.

The team toasted with a rich white wine, "And to many more successes to come," as Numbuh 1 so eloquently spoke.

After dinner most of the team decided to catch a cab and return to headquarters, but Numbuh 4 (who said he'd never been to NYC) said that he was going to stay out a little later and cruise around. Take in some of the sites.

Numbuh 3 was interested and went with him.

"I have to admit they do look pretty sweet together," Numbuh 5 stated as she watched the two walking away down the avenue.

"Strange, but the way they act you'd almost think they were old friends," added Numbuh 1.

"I was just thinking that too," remarked Numbuh 2.

Numbuh 3 and Numbuh 4 walked on for hours, talking about the mission and the whole "fighting terror" thing that they were a part of, until finally in the middle of Central Park Numbuh 3 made them stop and rest on the bench.

"Only problem is I don't know if I'll be able to get up again," Numbuh 4 teased and Numbuh 3 laughed.

"So where did you grow up Numbuh 4?" she asked sweetly.

"I was born in Australia and lived outside Canberra until I was about four years old, then my dad's company transferred him to Cleveland, and I've lived there pretty much ever since."

"You live in Cleveland?" she was stunned. "I've lived there since I was two, but I don't remember ever having met you before."

Numbuh 4 was also shocked. "Really? You live in Cleveland? I'm surprised I never met you either. Huh… Well what are you doing now Numbuh 3? Besides making the world safe for democracy."

She giggled again and blushed slightly; she was really enjoying his company. "I'm going to MUO, I'm training to become a nurse…"

Here again Numbuh 4's eyes went wide. "MUO! That's where I'm going. Well to the School of Physical Therapy that is."

"No Way!" Numbuh 3 was stunned. "If I had known I would've come over to meet you at some point."

Numbuh 4 blushed at this comment and Numbuh 3 lightly placed her hand over her mouth. She knew she had a knack for acting flirtatious around a cute guy, but this was even more than what was typical by her standards of flirting. Yet it felt as though that was the way she was supposed to talk to Numbuh 4, almost like there was a set protocol for how the two made conversation.

"Hey thanks by the way," Numbuh 4 broke the awkward silence, "…you know for… for spotting those Kids Next Door goons that were coming in behind me and Numbuh 5, you really got us out of trouble there."

"You're welcome." She smiled warmly, and felt herself smiling inside as well.

"So tell me, what do you want to do with Physical Therapy? Private practice or sports trainer?"

"Well sort of both I guess. I wanna open a private practice where I can also teach martial arts. That's what I did most of my freshman year in Australia. Studied P-T all day and trained all night and on the weekends. But yeah I guess I'd probably focus on being a Sports Physical Therapist."

"Wow… I studied abroad too; I went to Japan and lived with my grandparents. I got to take courses on traditional medicine at the college in Tokyo, they taught me how to control a person's energy flow, and how to do acupuncture to relieve the pain of bruises and broken bones and all kinds of stuff. And now all the other students back at school call me the Witch Doctor."

"Cool. So you wanna work in a Traditional Eastern Medicine clinic or something like that?"

"Oh no, I took that mostly just for fun, but who know, it could come in handy someday. Might even impress a few people if I can get it to work really well. But I'm looking into nursing in pediatrics."

"I bet you could go and be a full doctor if you wanted."

"No I don't think so. I wouldn't have the patience for it, and I wouldn't get to be very close to the patients either. No nursing will be more fun, I still get to use all that fun medical lingo and do a few small medical procedures and I get to actually take time to get to know the patient."

Numbuh 4 nodded and smiled as he watched Numbuh 3. He found his eyes wandering between her mouth and her eyes. The mouth moving along without fault in the language and the eyes drooping slightly with fatigue from all they'd been through that day. Wally felt the strangest thing when he was near this girl. There was physical attraction sure, I mean she had a fine figure, a beautiful face, a charming voice and personality and she seemed very sweet. But Wally felt more than that. This girl wasn't just beautiful – something about her just felt 'right'. Wally didn't know how to describe it to himself, it just felt right to be near her.

Kuki found herself slowing down her speech as her eyes became locked with Numbuh 4's. She was feeling an attachment to this boy that she couldn't recall having ever felt with anyone before. All she knew was that she liked it, and she liked him. Sure he seemed a little head-strong and a little savage the way he was able to pick a fight with those kids, but he had an underlying kindness that she could readily detect. This boy had a tough shell, but she was beginning to peal around it and find a soft, sweet inside.

Numbuh 3's eyes started to get heavier, and she felt a pull, like a magnet in her face that was drawing her closer to Numbuh 4. She found her own actions somewhat startling; she had never been so forward with anyone. And though she liked this boy a lot she couldn't tell what it was that was drawing her lips to him at this moment – it was something within that was forcing her to act, something that she neither knew how to control, nor wished to stop or slow down.

Numbuh 4 was feeling a similar sensation as they drew closer. Sure he was inwardly thrilled at the prospect of kissing Numbuh 3, but Wally Beatles wasn't the kind of guy who would on the spur of the moment just kiss a girl he'd met only a few days ago; it just wasn't in his character. No there was something deeper than his conscious self that was making him do this. It wasn't something primal, he had good control over his hormones, but it was like he was performing an action that he'd practiced. Almost like the kung fu forms, a set pattern that he'd trained so many times it was second nature to him.

When their lips met, Numbuh 3 still had her eyes slightly open, but she allowed them to close steadily, and she felt a tingling sensation running from her lips, down the front of her neck, through her chest and to the base of her abdominals, and it felt as though a tiny spring of pleasure was welling up inside her.

Numbuh 4 had had his eyes closed already, and he felt an electric shock run down his front, bathing his chest with a tingling sensation that carried around his ribs to his shoulder blades and traveled back up his spine until it met with the base of his skull and held him steady to keep drinking in this pleasing electric current.

Neither brought a hand to the other's face, neither pressed harder or drew away. The two young lovers sat there; totally transfixed by the pleasurable sensation they were receiving from one another. It only lasted a few seconds, but to the two of them it felt as though it had stretched into its own little window of infinity, never waxing and never waning. Yet the pleasure remained the same from the first moment to the last.

When they both parted, severing that intimate fusion of their bodies, Numbuh 3 still had her eyes closed. Numbuh 4, out of habit of staying alert from all his training, had opened his eyes to see her puckering lips slowly draw back into her flawless face, and felt the gentle wind of a small sigh as it slowly escaped her lips and seemed to cause a quiver to run through her whole frame. He felt his own body act like a mirror to her own, and a similar quiver ran from his core out to his fingers and toes.

Numbuh 3 blinked her eyes open and saw that she and Numbuh 4 were still so close that their noses were almost brushing together. Her eyes grew a little wider as she moved her gaze from his lips up to his eyes. She found two beautiful green orbs, glimmering as they reflected the light from the lamppost above the bench. She wanted to feel that pleasure again, but at the same time she wasn't sure what had caused her to partake of such a pleasure in the first place. She settled her dilemma by tilting her head forward and resting sideways on his shoulder.

It felt unusually comfortable, this position, as she gently breathed in his scent and allowed her eyes to close. It was as if she were ready to fall asleep sitting on that bench with his shoulder as a pillow to hold her vertical. Without thinking, he slowly turned his head until he had his nose fitting snuggly on top of her scalp and his lips flat against her temple. He slowly drew in the scent of her hair and slid his hand across her back and up to her far shoulder. And while he did this, her hands slid, in an almost serpent-like movement around his waist.

A cold wind blew down the path, stirring the autumn leaves that had collected along the path but not yet been raked. The two shivered and drew each other in tighter. Numbuh 3 couldn't believe what she was doing and neither could Numbuh 4. They both felt so at peace, so comfortable and safe in this position that neither of them wanted to do anything that might break the mood.

Numbuh 4 didn't know why he was so comfortable with this girl in his arms, and Numbuh 3 felt much the same. Neither could recall having had a close relationship before, certainly never anything with this level of intimacy. Yet the familiarity of this position was such that it felt as though they had been in it a hundred times before.

Finally, after it seemed the two had been holding one another for many seasons without pause, Numbuh 4 withdrew his arm and moved his head off of Numbuh 3's temple, and she slowly lifted her head from his shoulder, a small crease had formed on her face where her skin had pressed against the seam in his jacket. Numbuh 4 gave a sheepish grin when he saw this.

"We should probably be going home… it's getting late."

"Yeah, yeah it is getting kinda late. Let's, uh, let's keep walking through the park and we'll get a cab when we get to the other side."

The two walked out together. Though Numbuh 4 held Numbuh 3 around the shoulder to keep her warm (for she wasn't wearing very much dress) it was a little awkward for both of them. An entire evening together of getting to know about each other, sharing feelings and hopes and dreams it had seemed that they were starting to make a real connection with a new person. Yet this physical connection that both had felt with such fluency had left them both in a state of confusion. How was it that they had connected so intimately, with such ease? Surely they'd never met before or been friends until first becoming introduced a few days ago, what facilitated this unspoken bond that they were sharing?

Though both Numbuh 3 and Numbuh 4 were pleased to be in each other's company, they were both beginning to sense that there was something more to the situation than what was being explained.

The DAFDTL knew something about them and their three teammates; something from a long time ago that was allowing them to work together as well as they did. And Numbuh 3 and 4 intended to find out what it was…

Author's Note: it may be a few days before i can update, so you have time to let me know what you think of the story. Thank you all so much for the reviews and keep 'em coming and I'll do the same for my chapters...