Sadly I dont own these characters.

Sorry for the late update. Hope you enjoy this chapter. I know i did. :)

Chapter 8: Reunited

Steadily working down in his laboratory Hoagie was lost in his work. He and Abby decided to go back to the tree house to get started on the modifications. They figured there was more space to work and a smaller chance for them to be bothered by anyone on campus. With Rachel deep in sleep it seemed more practical to do so. Parts were strung all over the place he continued working on his ultimate Gumzooka. Abby on the other hand tried looking for the necessary parts they would need to accomplish their modifications.

"Hmm… Abby don't know, this seems like a lot more work then Abby figured. Hoags how do you find anything in dis junk? Abby can't find a thing baby."

"Well there use to be a system… buuttt, I just grab whatever looks like will be useful to me at the time. Don't think to hard Abs, if I need anything I'll find it, just help me with getting the ammo. Having that will be kinda helpful when I need to test this baby out."

"Alright, that Abby can do sugah, Abby think we still have a good amount up in the supply room. Abby will grab that and be back soon."

Abby started heading up the winding stairs toward the first floor of the tree house. Leaving Hoagie's room she headed to the hallway, down the hall to another set of stairs just past her room. Two doors to the left of the entrance was the supply room. Abby stopped in front of a large metallic door with a keypad on the right of the wall. Abby entered her pin, with a cloud of dust coming from the door; it opened with a loud creak.

'Man, Abby thinks this place has seen better days. Wonder if we should fix dis place up or somthin? It sho would be nice to hang out here again, Abby had some good times in here. So, what is Abby looking fo again? Oh, right… right, some ammo for the Gumzooka. Abby still thinks Hoags is gone off the deep end that's fo sho. Mmm mmm mmm, that crazy ol fool. Let's see…'

Abby kept walking through the corridors; there were rows upon rows of different supplies. Abby looked up,'Dang Abby don't remember all dis, seems like we have a lot of stuff in here. Abby can't even see the ceiling. Now where are those gumballs?' Looking around she saw each row is labeled with a letter, 'Well that makes things easier…hmm Abby is at 'L', Abby needs to go down to the left a few mo.' Abby continued walking down the aisle looking for the supplies that she needed.

...

Having departed from Chad after hours of traveling, now nearing the evening, Nigel was a bit tired. Nigel made his way to his house. He continued walking until he came upon his tree house, stopping there he marveled at the site. 'Wow, not much has changed since my departure, I wonder if a new sector occupies this place now. Well, I guess there is only one way to find out, hopefully the adult alarm doesn't go off.' He began walking over to the mailbox, 'Hmm… doesn't seem that anyone has used this for quite some time, though it does look like it's been tampered with. I'll have to be cautious; maybe whoever is after me has already come by here.' Nigel punched in his pin, knowing only one other person knew of it. 'Wow, I'm surprised I still remember that and the fact that it still works. Let go surprise some KND operatives.'He smirks'I'm sure I can get in without being detected.'

Walking towards the stairs to his tree house, he prepared for the worse. Traversing slowly up the stairs to the first floor of his old hang out, he noticed the place was full of dust. The place was poorly lit, minus few lights and the super computer. Nigel hugged the wall, expecting the corners, making sure nobody spotted him. After looking around he deducted that nobody seemed to be in the immediate area.

'Blast it… this is odd, it was too easy to get in, and I met little to no resistance. Where is everyone? Has the KND been disbanded? What has happed? My friends are the okay?!'

Pacing in the corridor to the brief room, Nigel begins walking around.'Crap doesn't look like anything has been used in years, but if that's so why is the supercomputer on? Looking around, he looks down the hall; he spots a light in one of the rooms. Th…that looks like… Yes, its Hoagie's room, but why would his light is on? Judging from what I see, no one should be here.' He continued his investigation of the room, taking in the old site of his childhood.

...

Hoagie was finishing up a couple of his modifications, when he decided to take a break. Putting down his screwdriver and wiping his forehead…he sighs,'Well looks like that's done, wonder were Abby is at? She is taking longer than I expected. Guess I'll go check up on her…' Standing up and making his way to his room leading out to the hallway. Instead of going straight to the supply room, Hoagie heads to the kitchen.

Speaking aloud, "Man, I need a drink. I wonder if there are some sodas in the fridge. Also, it might be a good time to get some food; I don't think I've eaten all day." Listening to his stomach growl

A voice calls out from behind him. "Hello, is anyone there…?"

Startled, he closes the fridge and hides. Hearing footsteps walking into the kitchen, he peeks out. Seeing a guy who looked vaguely familiar…

'Haven't I seen this guy before? How did he get in here? What is he doing here?' Hoagie thought as he monitored him. 'Well, whoever he is, he could be an enemy; I have to plan this just right. If I don't Abby could be in trouble if he finds her here. Waiting… he waited till his back was turned then… he pounced.

...

Nigel looked was about to head to his old room, until he heard someone in the kitchen. Turning in that direction,'Hmm, so someone is here, might as well make myself known.' He calls out, "Hello, is anyone there…?" Sticking his head around in the kitchen, he sees no one. 'Well that's strange I could have sworn someone was here. Bloody hell, I hope I didn't scare them off. Guess I'll keep looking around…'

He felt a presence behind him, as he turns he sees someone flying through the air towards him. Eyes wide, he quickly steps back, dodging the oncoming punch. His attacker kept coming, punch after punch in quick succession, not giving Nigel a chance to attack. Pushing him back into the cabinet, he ducked under the jab sliding into the other room.

'Have to get out of this small area, he seems to have the upper hand, maybe I can gain some leverage in an open area.' Nigel contemplated

'Why is he running, I can't lose sight of him, he may be up to something.' Thought Hoagie

Following the strange man into the briefing room, Hoagie again went on the attack, running in with a high round house at his opponent. Nigel blocked the kick with his forearm. Grabbing his leg and twisting Hoagie, slamming him onto the floor. Quickly getting to his feet and barely missing a foot to the face. Jumping, he evaded a sweeping kick, into a back flip. Nigel saw an opening as Hoagie was in mid flip. Throwing an uppercut as he rushed over, landing a direct hit on Hoagies jaw. Hoagie staggered, momentarily dazed but he kept his defense tight. Years of boxing conditioned his body to stay in a defensive position. Nigel began a barrage of attacks, trying to get the best of his opponent.

'What is with this bloke? That last shot was pretty strong, but he seems to have taken it fairly well. I'll say this, he's very well trained. Let's see if he can keep up with me.' Nigel pondered

Hoagie smirked, 'Wow, that was some uppercut, if I hadn't seen it he would have taken my head clean off. He sure packs one hell of a punch; if I'm not careful I'm gonna end up getting my butt handed to me. Let's see what else he's got for me.'

As their fight dragged on, Nigel clearly having the upper hand, the two kept at it. Neither growing tired as they kept exchanging blows. The two men didn't take heed to the dark skinned woman coming down the stairs.

'Man, who knew looking for some gumballs would take like half the day. Abby swear who ever organized that room didn't know what they were doin. Abby had to go all tha way down to aisle 'B' cuz someone wanna put them in the ball section.' Shaking her head Abby continued walking, 'Well, at least Abby was able to finish the task, now to get them down to Hoagie.' Strolling down the hallway, Abby hears some noise in the main room.

"Yo, Hoagie! Abby done found the…"

The room becomes quiet, Abby stares at the two men before her. Quickly surveying the scene, she could tell they had been fighting. Dropping her supplies, and getting in a fighting stance, she calls out to Hoagie as she leaps over to him.

"Babe, please tell Abby why you left her out of a fight, knowing you would my help?"

"Well, my love it was hard to inform you when my life is in danger. Couldn't just say; "Hey Mr. Bad Guy, let me go inform my girlfriend so she can see me get my ass handed to me." "I doubt he would have agreed to that." Hoagie stated sarcastically waving his hands in the air, completely forgetting about his opponent.

As the two stood next to each other glaring, they heard a laugh, shocked that they forgot about their attacker.

Nigel laughed "Hahaha, well that doesn't seem like it would have been a very good idea indeed." He relaxed his stance only to fold his arms and smirk

"Hey who said you could put your two cents in? Any enemy of ours has no say in what we do." Hoagie huffed

Nigel had a huge grin, "Enemy? I'm in fact far from an enemy… Hoagie… and Abby I presume?" Looking at the two respectively

"Yeah and what of it sugah? Who are you? She said eyeing the young man

Rushing over hugged to two, much to their surprise… "It's me Nigel…."

...

Stunned the duo tried to process the events happening, could this really be Nigel in front of them? Abby stood contemplating the new she just received.

'No, no, no… it can't be… isn't this guy Rachel's boo thing? This just doesn't add up, I mean Abby knows Numbuh One went to space. Although this guy here is claiming to be Nigel. Ugh…Abby head is spinning baby.'

'Whoa, I can't believe it… it's really him… I...I… damn!' Hoagie mumbled

"Ni…Nigel? It can't be…How... He's in space…Abby don't…"

"Numbuh 1!" Hoagie returned the hug, with a bear hug "Unfreaking believable, you're really here! I can't believe it! Whooo!

Abby stood there stunned, slowly taking it all in. Tears threaten her eyes as a smile formed on her face. Watching the two men hug, she saw her two best friends again as 11 year olds.

'Well Abby aint gone question it too much…welcome home space cowboy' "Boy come over here and let Abby have a look at ya. Look at you with the glasses, the little ol beard, and the tallness… oh you know what I mean. Now give Abby a hug, will ya." Drawing him into a hug "Oh, boy you don't know how much Abby done missed you. Now Tell Abby how you got here sugah. Why'd ya show up now?"

Nigel exclaims, "Guys I can't believe it's you… man wow…. Well to answer you, Chad and I…"

"Chad?" They asked in unison

"Yes… Chad, Chad Dickerson…"
Hoagie shouts, "Wait, What? Chad was with you? But why?"

"Hold on a bloody minute, and let me explain. He and I drove down from Virginia Beach, when I landed there a couple of weeks ago. At that time I was alone just enjoying the scenery. It wasn't until recently, that he found me due to some unforeseen circumstances. As far as to why I'm here, I'm not really sure. I was sent to investigate a small disturbance, though I didn't know I'd be sent here of all places. I knew I would be coming to Earth and jumped at the opportunity. Being the only blasted human operative gets pretty lonely, besides Chad of course. Although Chad has other ideas as to why I was sent here. You can ask him if you please."

Hoagie whines, "Still what took ya so long? Why didn't you contact us?

Sighing he began, "Well… I couldn't, I wanted to believe me…gosh how I wanted to. Though my command wouldn't allow it, stating it would be far too much of a distraction. Either that or I would be tempted to return to my home world. To tell the truth I was darn well cut off from everything I knew. I was completely helpless, I mean it was and honor, but at what price? They put us through rigorous training day in, and day out. There were times I didn't think I would survive. If… If it wasn't for Chad…" He sighs "If it wasn't for him, I really don't think I would have made it… Sometimes I believe I owe him my life."

The couple looked at him wearily.

"Hey, I know what you're thinking… that he was a traitor and a deserter, but he did everything for the cause. The organization meant the world to him as much as it did to me. In a way really, we are… Kinda alike. Though I have to admit, it took me a while to believe the truth in his words. I will say on another note, space is amazing. Hoagie I'm sure you'd like it…" Nigel smirked.

"Damn, that's some deep shit, I don't know if I could have done it. More power to you buddy. All I can say is welcome home. Oh and killer moves, I'm pretty sure you could have beat me." He chuckles

"Mmm mmm baby, Abby just glad you're okay. Abby figured Chad wasn't so sour. But enough about that, Abby says lets finish up here and head back to campus. We have to regroup there anyway and Abby think our mission is about to change baby."

"What do you mean mission?" Nigel questions

"Well pal, it's like this we were sent to track down Chad and you, but seeing as you found us… That makes the mission null and void." Hoagie answers

"Why in the blazes are you guys searching for us? You know full well where I was. What's going on that you needed to look for me?

Abby responds, "That's what we are trying to figure out sugah. Someone is looking for ya, so we wanted to get to ya first. We kinda assumed that maybe you returned from God knows where."

"Blast! If that's the case, my command was right… Well who's in charge of this whole operation? Judging by your words, I can see that this isn't your call Abby."

The two glanced at each other.

"That would be…Rachel…"

...

Author's Notes: Again i apologize for the short chapter. Though i really hope you enjoyed it.