Me: okay, this is the last, longest, and most enjoyable chapter. Please tell me what you think. And if you don't want to know Numbuh 362's real name, don't read until AFTER you've seen op. I.T.
Chapter 7. A Night to Remember
Almost two weeks had passed since the first round of gifts had been dropped off.
The Kids Next Door had been running slowly since their leader had been struck down. Numbuh 86 had taken temporary command and she was doing her best. The sectors on Earth were managing well with their individual sector leaders, but they all missed their real global commander.
Numbuh 362 woke to the sound of someone softly playing a flute. It wasn't any specific song; it was more of a meditative twiddle. Numbuh 7! sat on the edge of the bed with a decorated wooden flute held to her lips. She opened one eye and saw that Numbuh 362 was stirring.
"Oh, kiwis!" Winnie squeaked, "I didn't mean to wake you marm. This is just the quietest place in the Moonbase at the moment." She said, stammering out her excuse.
"Don't worry about it, Winnie. Why aren't you back at your sector?" Numbuh 362 asked weakly.
"Well, I have been, but I came back here after a week…"
"What! A week? How long have I been asleep?"
"'Bout two weeks now. You've been missed terribly, marm. Take a look around you."
Numbuh 362 did, and saw that the room was filled with gift baskets, packages, and presents.
"We've all been flippin' out 'bout you, worryin' like crazy, ya know? But everyone will be so happy to hear you're awake!"
And in a flash, Numbuh 7! was out of the room. Shortly, Numbuh 86 joyfully announced the Numbuh 362 was alive and awake, which was followed by chorus of happy shouts and everyone headed toward the waiting room.
So many KND agents came to visit Numbuh 362 that it took all day to let them all see her (four was the most allowed in the room at a time). Operatives from every sector came up to see her.
The final four to visit her were Numbuhs 363, 86, 60, and 7!. Numbuh 363 went right up to Numbuh 362 when they entered the room and carefully hugged her.
"Oh, sir," Numbuh 86 said, "it's so great to see you awake again!"
"Yeah, it's about time you woke up, sleepy head," Numbuh 7! joked, and was rewarded with a quick slap for her impudence from Numbuh 86.
Numbuh 60 pulled his chair near the head of Numbuh 362's bed. "Sorry about your cheek, sir."
Numbuh 362 touched the bandage on the left side of her face. "You did this, eh? Don't worry, only stings a bit."
Numbuh 60 held her bandaged left hand in his two gloved ones. "I have some really good healing salves in my stash. Got rid of all the scars on one of my cadet's hand. Miraculous healing job."
"Sounds great, Patton." (which is Numbuh 60's actual name) Numbuh 362 answered.
"Can I sign your cast?" Numbuh 363 asked.
"Yeah, but if you write 'kick me' on it, I'll bite you." Numbuh 362 told her brother.
Numbuh 363 took out a marker from his pocket and scribbled a messy 'Get well soon – Numbuh 363' on the cast. The marker was passed around and at the end all four visitors had added their names on the cast.
"Well, it was nice seein' ya, marm. But we must be leaving." Numbuh 7! said as she stood up.
Numbuhs 86 and 363 followed her out the door. Numbuh 60 sat there a few extra seconds.
"There's just one last thing, sir." Numbuh 60 leaned over next to Numbuh 362's face and quickly kissed the spot he had clawed two weeks ago. He then stood up and left the room with a, "See you tomorrow!"
Numbuh 362 smiled as she fell asleep, happy and content.
She woke the next evening to Numbuh 363 tugging on her hospital gown, "Rachel, there's something outside for you. But we can't fit it in here, you'll have to get up."
Numbuh 362 yawned, "Just let me get dressed."
"I've got your clothes, sir." Numbuh 86 said, entering the room.
Numbuh 86 helped Numbuh 362 up and onto a crutch. They walked to the restroom and Numbuh 362 took her clothes in with her.
She came out a few minutes later in her full outfit. From her sandals, to the shining helmet on her head with twin samurai blades sticking out from the orange rectangle with her numbuh on it, she looked every inch the leader she was. She hobbled alongside Numbuh 86 as they strode out of the med lab and toward the dark dining hall.
"Did the lights burn out while I was sleeping?" Numbuh 362 asked.
"You'll see," Numbuh 86 told her.
They stood in front of the entrance and the lights went on at once with a group cry of, "Surprise!"
Numbuh 362's gape of wonder turned into a wide, open smile of joy as she looked at the scene around her. The enormous room was filled with Kids Next Door operatives from all over. The room was decorated with streamers of all colors flowing from the ceiling. Lanterns illuminated the room with lovely shades of red, blue, yellow, and green. Rows of tables were set up with plenty of food and a place at the head for herself. It was amazing!
"Want me to show you to your seat, sir?"
Numbuh 60 was on Numbuh 362's right side, offering his hand. Numbuh 362 smiled sheepishly, motioning to the sling on her right on her. Numbuh 60 laughed in embarrassment and said, "Silly me." He went to her left side, took her crutch, and let her lean on him as they walked to her spot at the table.
Numbuh 362 looked around the table at all the faces looking kindly back at her with smiling faces. She took hold of her root beer-filled goblet and stood.
"My fellow Kids Next Door, tonight we celebrate a great victory. Evil no longer poisons my dreams, and this is wonderful news. But not only has good triumphed over evil, a few of my operatives now know a battle is not won easily. You see, I learned earlier that whatever was done to me in my sleep, gave me strength to do to Father in my dreams. So while Father was trying to finally cut me off from all of you in the last battle, six operatives had to attack me while I was sleeping to help me. I suppose that's what you call tough love. To Numbuh 86, Numbuh 363, Numbuh 203, Numbuh 398, Numbuh 7, and Numbuh 60, let's toast!"
Glasses clanked against mugs and soda swished as everyone cheered and sipped from their cups.
Numbuh 362 continued, "I still have a long way to walk down the road to recovery. Though my body is weak, my voice will still command, for I am here again. When I first woke up from my first encounter with Father in my dream, I declared it was war. I fought long and hard, held on, and never gave up. It's because of that, as well as good friends and luck, that I stand before you today. I have won the war!"
The room rang with the group cheer of, "A toast to Numbuh 362! Rule long and well!" A chorus of clanking glasses filled the room, followed by the sound of kids drinking their soda.
"Now, let's eat!" Numbuh 362 shouted joyously.
Everyone tucked in ravenously at the food, but the kids closest to the head of the table offered Numbuh 362 food first. Sector V sat at one part of the table, happily laughing it up and feasting. Numbuh 4 sat next to Numbuh 3, who was making him try almost everything. They were both smiling and having a good time together. Numbuh 7! sat on Numbuh 4's other side, being thanked for the way she had helped. She dished out her version of the story with gusto. Numbuh 363 was talking and joking with his little buddies and Numbuh 86 was not being avoided for once as she shared her experience. Other medical specialists in the KND were asking the two doctors, Numbuh 203 and Numbuh 698, how they had done such a good job on Numbuh 362. Bianca, Numbuh 977, was also being crowded around to hear what she had to say. Numbuh 60 and Numbuh 362 sat next to each other as Numbuh 60 explained what had happened while Numbuh 362 was asleep.
Time passed by at a slow and happy pace that night. There was a talent portion where many operatives showed off their talents on stage. Numbuhs 5 and 7! performed a hilarious dialog. One operative whose sector was in the Amazon, demonstrated his talent with a bow and arrow, and even shot a bouquet of flowers at Numbuh 362. Sector T performed a funny skit that involved poking fun at Numbuh 86 and Numbuh 362, both of whom laughed uproariously at. Numbuh 10, beauty of the KND, sang 'Kiss Me' by Sixpence None the Richer. These were only a few performances on a long list of memorable acts.
As the night drew on, the time finally came to say goodbyes and good nights. After saying good night to practically everybody, Numbuh 362 finally began limping, with her crutch, toward her room with Numbuh 60 right next to her.
"Are you joining me tonight, Numbuh 60?" Numbuh 362 asked.
"Well, it's my last night here and it wouldn't be good if a villain snuck in during the night and found you," Numbuh 60 explained.
They walked in to Numbuh 362's quarters and Numbuh 362 walked off to get changed into her night ware, as did Numbuh 60. They came back shortly and Numbuh 362 told him to lie down on her large bed. Numbuh 60 took a pillow and did so. Numbuh 362 got on next, resting her head on his middle.
"It's nice to be home again," Numbuh 362 sighed in comfort.
"It's great to have you here again, sir." Numbuh 60 said.
"Numbuh 60, I wanted to thank you far all the help you've given me," Numbuh 362 told him.
"Oh, it's okay Numbuh 362, you—"
Numbuh 362 planted a thankful kiss on his cheek and settled back down.
"Good night, Patton."
Numbuh 60 looked down at the blond haired, amber eyed, strong, and spirited laying down on the same bed as him. A leader, a warrior, a lioness. A Battle Queen who ruled her warriors perfectly. No matter how you tried to describe it, she was still a young girl named Rachel, Numbuh 362.
"Good night, Rachel."
Both slept the most peacefully they ever would that night, together at the Moonbase.
Me: Well, that's it, my first complete fanfic. Maybe I'll try to update Dragonheart now; if I can find the journal I was writing it in. Please review no matter who you are. Just press that little button at the bottom and write what you thought about my fanfic. Pwease?
