Notes:
HEY guys (: I'm back with Chapter 2! I re-read chapter 1 on fanfiction and realised that I had a few typos e.g. accidentally hitting the 7 instead of 8 ): PLEASE FORGIVE ME. Since it's summer holidays I'm going to try my best and aim to write a chapter every 1 - 2 weeks. (If I don't do this again I hope you guys can forgive me) There are times when I find it hard to write down the scenes that are in my head because either 1. I'm not sure how to explain it and English isn't very good. ):
But ANYWAYS here's Chapter 2 and hope you all enjoy! ^^
Chapter 2: No turning back
Numbuh 8 entered the briefing room.
"Hey, Numbuh 8!" Numbuh 3 waved towards Numbuh 8 who walked towards her and took a seat next to her.
"So, what's the situation Numbuh 1?" "Yeah, what's up?" The team was curious as to what their latest mission would be. "Well team, some of you may have noticed but lately there has been a lot of activity concerning the Ice Cream Men. As you know, they still never stop to let any kids get any ice cream but this time they seem to be doing some extra dirty work for the Delightful Children From Down The Lane." There were murmurs between the other five members. The holographic projector turned on, showing a map of the neighbourhood, there were several blips on the map. "As seen on the map, these are the locations that they've hit, thanks to some operatives from the Moon Base, we were able to discover several things that have been stolen. However, we have not been able to find a connection between any of the missing items." A list of items popped onto the hologram, slowly scrolling down for the others to read. "Honour students homework, suits and dresses, ribbons and ties... wires?" read Numbuh 8 aloud.
"It doesn't make any sense! What is all of this crud for?" screamed Numbuh 4, scratching his head. "That's what we need to find out. For some reason the trucks seem to disappear whenever an operative is in pursuit. We have to be on the look out, who knows what those Delightfuls are up to," replied Numbuh 1. "Until any of us can find one of those ice cream trucks, follow them and figure out where they go, all we can do is wait. This will be our top priority mission for a while. Any questions?" Everyone shook their heads.
Numbuh 1 looked at his hard copy of the list of missing items, a hand rubbing his chin. He could not understand why on earth anyone let alone the Delightful Children would want any of these items. Did they not have enough suits or dresses and what not?
"Hey Numbuh 1? If there's nothing else for today then I'm going to head home first, I told my parents that I'd go help them unpack since we just moved here and all," said Numbuh 8 with a strong emphasis on the word parents.
"Sure, go for it!" said Numbuh 1, still looking at the list .
She stiffened. "You're not going to ask?"
"Ask? Oh, you don't need to worry about the treehouse or anything Numbuh 8, just go!" His hand motioning for her to go.
"Um, yeah, I'll catch you later Numbuh 1, later guys." Numbuh 8 turned away from Numbuh 1. She frowned and then walked out of the treehouse. This went unnoticed by everyone except Numbuh 4 who tapped Numbuh 2 and whispered to him before running off to follow Numbuh 8.
Numbuh 2 walked up to Numbuh 1, "Hey Numbuh 1! What were you and Numbuh 8 talking about?"
"Oh nothing special, she just wanted to go home to help her parents unpack and stuff." Numbuh 1 waved his hand as he said this.
"Her parents?" replied Numbuh 2, eyebrows raised.
"Yes, her parents Numbuh 2. Who else would I be talking about?" Numbuh 1 stared at Numbuh 2, his head bent down, looking at him in the eye.
"But Numbuh 1... you know Numbuh 8 is really sensitive when people say the p word."
"What on earth are you talking about Numbuh 2?!" Numbuh 1 threw the paper aside. He became both annoyed and impatient from not understanding what Numbuh 2 meant.
"Numbuh 8's dad left her family when she was a baby, she's just with her mom."
"Oh..." His voice fell but then, "Then why would she say parents?! How would I know that?"
"BECAUSE Numbuh 1, she's our best friend... YOUR best friend. We knew this since Kindergarten! Why didn't you ask her?"
"I don't remember all of this! I don't remember her being my best friend or anything! I mean hardly remember her and I don't know. I just... I just don't know Hoagie. "
Meanwhile, Numbuh 8 was skating back towards her new home.
"Numbuh 8! Wait up!" She turned around to see Numbuh 4 running at full speed, trying to catch up to her. She skidded to a stop. When he finally reached her, he bent down arms on his knees panting heavily. The poor boy, he had not expect her to skate so far away from the treehouse, then again even if Numbuh 8, who was quite tall for her age, had walked, her long legs would have probably brought her much further away from the treehouse, than the Aussie would have expected.
"You okay?" Numbuh 8 patted her friend on the back.
"That's what..." Numbuh 4 took a deep breath, "What I wanted to ask you."
Numbuh 8 was surprised, she raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you ask that? Of course I'm okay, Wally," but Numbuh 4 knew better.
"I saw your face earlier on you know," he was serious, "I saw how you looked after you and Numbuh 1 talked, so talk to me. What's up?"
Her face fell. Numbuh 8 looked at Numbuh 4, although other people thought that Numbuh 4 was well... a bit dim, Numbuh 8 knew that Numbuh 4 would not stop asking her if she was alright until she gave him a decent answer.
"Got time to talk?"
He grinned, "Got all the time in the world."
The two the walked together.
"You remember the reason why I left during Kindergarten? To go back to Russia?"
He thought, "You said it was family stuff but you never really said why, why."
"It was family stuff. I just wasn't ready to share at the time. It's hard to talk about it." She gulped. Thinking about the things that she went through the past few years, amongst the things that were happening more recently.
"Do you remember my mom?"
Numbuh 4 chuckled, "Of course I do, she was super nice, letting us have fun, watch TV at your place..."
"She's gone." Numbuh 8 choked out.
"What?"
"She's... gone Numbuh 4,"
"Gone where?"
Tears were threatening to fall down her face but she pushed the feelings back. It was hard. Her chest tightened and it felt hard to breathe. Thinking about what had happened was already painful. Saying it was even worse. Numbuh 8 turned away from Numbuh 4.
"She's dead, Wally."
Numbuh 4 did not know what to say.
"What? But why? Talia..." It was a lot for Numbuh 4's brain to process. He remembered Mrs. Ustinov as she was one of the few adults that he did not mind, in fact he kind of liked her because of the way she treated kids. She would welcome Numbuh 8 and others; Numbuhs 1, 2 even 86 and himself to her home, let them watch TV, read them stories, made them brownies. What could he say to make Numbuh 8 feel better, he had never experienced what Numbuh 8 what going through and he was not known for being the best comforter either.
"She died of cancer... it's a kind of disease and the doctors said that they couldn't help her." Numbuh 8 urged herself to explain the situation. At least in her mind, if there was anyone she could explain things to it was Wallybee Beatles; Wally, one of her best friends during her Kindergarten days, her team mate and friend now. Numbuh 8 didn't need someone to understand, just listening was enough, at least someone would know her situation if anything.
"When my mom found out she had cancer, we decided to go back to go back to Russia. She missed it a lot over there and she wanted to spend whatever time she had left there. "
Numbuh 8 stopped walking.
"That's the long story short."
Numbuh 4 looked at the ground and then he looked up at her, looking at her in the eye.
"Are you... okay?" It was all he could muster. It was the only thing that he could say.
Numbuh 8 sighed. She sniffled a bit and turned to Numbuh 4.
"I will be," she looked at him, "so don't worry about me."
Numbuh 4 was still worried about her but he let it slide.
"So um... how is this related to Numbuh 1?
"I told him that I was going to go home to help my parents unpack cause of moving here. "
Numbuh 4 was beyond confused."Parents? But I thought you said..."
"Adoptive parents. They were friends with my mom... What bothered me I guess was that he didn't ask me about it, like he forgot that my dad left my family and it was just me and my mom and stuff."
"Oh..." He was going to need a talk with Numbuh 1. "I'm pretty sure he was um... you know... focusing on the mission and stuff... Numbuh 1 is like that you know and he's just super serious with his missions and all."
"I guess... anyways, we're here."
They stopped in front of a small two story house.
"You better go back, the others are probably going to get worried about you if you're gone for too long," said Numbuh 8 as she waved towards Numbuh 4 to hurry back to the treehouse.
"I'll catch up with you later on today, or tomorrow at school, it'll be my first day in Gallagher Elementary."
Every kid who lived in the neighbourhood went to Gallagher Elementary.
"So maybe we'll probably have class together! That's awesome! Anyways, I'm going to head back to the treehouse and Numbuh 8, you know I don't ever really do this at all and stuff and you know but," Numbuh 4 did what no kid who knew him would expect from him but he gave Numbuh 8 a quick hug.
"Look, I know you haven't been here in a while but, now that you're back, your best friend is here for ya Talia," He gave her a thumbs up and then rushed off back to the treehouse, leaving Numbuh 8 alone outside her home. Although not many people knew, Numbuh 8 knew that inside, what appeared to be an impulsive and arrogant kid, Numbuh 4 was actually a big softie who cared a lot about all of his friends. Numbuh 8 shook her head. That boy. She entered her home then placed her helmet on a bench which was next to the front entrance, leaned her skateboard on it and slipped her shoes off. She called out.
"Auntie Zhanna? Uncle Val?"
"In here honey!" called woman's voice. Numbuh 8 walked into her kitchen, a sweet scent of chocolate and vanilla wafting in the air.
"Uncle Valentin and I already unpacked most of the things, we left your boxes in your room so that you could sort things out when you have time dear, how was your day with your friends?"
Unlike many adults, Numbuh 8's adoptive parents, Mr. and Mrs. Valkov, also known as Auntie Zhanna and Uncle Val short for Valentin were a quiet and kind pair.
"It was good, I'm glad I got to meet up with them, at least now I know who I can meet up with tomorrow for class." Numbuh 8 sniffed the sweet, sweet air. She loved cookies, being a baker herself and just being a person who loved food, the smell of freshly baked goods were would always make her day.
"What are the cookies for?" she asked curiously.
"Oh, I thought it would be nice to make some to thank to our new neighbours, they helped us move some of our boxes, honey, I got a bit carried away though so there will be some leftovers for us," Mrs. Valkov pointed towards some cookies that were already sitting in a tray as she was taking out another tray from the oven.
"Can you bring those over? You can have these ones once they've cooled down and you come back."
"Sure, Auntie Zhanna," Numbuh 8 took the tray of cooled down cookies, it was hard for her not to take one because they just smelt amazing to her. As if reading her mind.
"You better not take any from there! You have your own batch here, Talia," said Mrs. Valkov knowingly.
Numbuh 8 pouted,"Yes, Auntie Zhanna. Be back soon!"
Numbuh 8 slipped her shoes back on and left the house, a tray of cookies in hand. As their house was located in the corner, they only had one neighbour. She reached the front porch of her neighbour's home, shocked. In front of Numbuh 8, was a huge house. It was not a mansion like that, that belonged to the Delightful Children From Down The Lane and Father, but for a house, it was pretty big in her books. She gulped. Big houses were always quite intimidating her. Not because of the size, but because of the type of people she was going to meet. Her mum, nor Mr. and Mrs. Valkov were very well off, not that they were poor, but they definitely weren't as well off as other families. Numbuh 8 took a deep breath then walked towards her new neighbours door. She was about to knock until she heard someone call her name.
"Numbuh 8!" she turned around, flabbergasted at who she saw.
"Numbuh 274, sir!" Numbuh 8 saluted, nearly dropping the tray of cookies but caught her balance and stood upright.
"At ease, Numbuh 8," in front of her stood the person who was known as the best Kids Next Door operative, Numbuh 274. The Supreme Leader of the KND walked up towards her.
"What are you doing here and are those... cookies?"
"Um.. yah they're cookies... for my new neighbours, Auntie Zhanna asked me to bring them over, why are you here?"
He dropped the bomb.
"I live here."
She blinked.
"Say that again?"
"Um... I live here? This is my home Numbuh 8."
It took Numbuh 8 a moment to process what he said.
Her finger pointed towards him "You..." then towards the gigantic home,"Live here?"
He nodded.
"I see." She nodded as well. In all her time knowing Numbuh 274, she never realised that he was, in her head she insisted on saying, very very well off, when deep down she was thinking more along the lines of rich. It made a lot of sense though, seeing as he constantly had a lot of extra curricular activities such as football and his violin classes. Someone needed to be paid for teaching him. Although it wasn't anything personal, Numbuh 8 was always more weary of people who's family had a lot of money, possibly because of how some of the richer kids in Kindergarten were not very kind to her, bullying her and teasing her about the clothes she wore or about things such as how lame her toys were and what not. She shook her head. Just a load of bad memories.
"I guess we're neighbours then huh?"
Numbuh 274 scratched the back of his head,"I guess so." He grinned at her. "I'm not doing anything right now since I just finished paper work at Moon Base and my parents don't have any other plans for me today. Got time to catch up for a bit? It's not often that I get time to just relax."
Numbuh 8 smiled at him,"Why not."
They both then sat by the side walk, Numbuh 8 passed the tray of cookies to Numbuh 274.
"Better save some for your parents too right?"
"Can't hurt to have one or two though," replied Numbuh 274 as he grabbed a cookie, he grabbed another and offered it to her.
She pouted, "Auntie Zhanna said I have my own batch and that I shouldn't take any of yours, if anything, if I have one I might end up eating all of them."
The boys face scrunched up, pretending to be serious he said in a firm voice, "Numbuh 8, as Supreme Leader of the KND I order you to take this cookie! Besides," he munched his own cookie, "It's not fun eating cookies alone."
Numbuh 8 laughed at him before taking the cookie.
"So, how was meeting the Sector V today? Everything alright?" asked Numbuh 274.
In response, Numbuh 8 nibbled on her cookie. She swallowed. "Honestly, it's been a bit of a dream come true, as cheesy as it sounds. I never expected to find them again and I wouldn't have if you didn't help me."
"It's what I do," said Numbuh 274. He frowned slightly, a frown that Numbuh 8 spotted immediately.
She had just finished her cookie, her head tilted downwards, lost in thought. She already knew why he was frowning. She swallowed again. She looked at Numbuh 274 with a stern look on her face. As he finished his cookie, Numbuh 274 noticed the look on her face.
"What's with that face?"
"Can I be honest with you, Chad?"
The blonde boy looked at her.
"What's up?"
"You're doing it again."
Numbuh 274 knew what she meant. She was referring to him saying the phrase, "It's what I do."
Numbuh 8 had only been in the KND for a few months, but within those few months she was able to become close friends with Numbuh 274 and they had often referred to each other by their first names; only when other KND operatives were not around of course. He wasn't exactly sure how their friendship became so tight.
Maybe it was the way he saw her improve so quickly in terms of her potential of being a great KND operative or maybe it was how she always had every and any operatives back in a mission no matter what the situation. As Supreme Leader of the KND, he respected and valued her a lot for many reasons. However, Numbuh 8 was not just a good KND operative, she was a good friend as well. She cared about pretty much all kids to the point that she maybe worried a little bit too much. Many kids in the organisation could vouch for that.
For instance, when Numbuh 274 had too much paper work she would stay back to help him out, even miss out on a mission just so he could have an earlier night as well as taking some stress off his shoulders. At times, she even brought him lunch just because she was worried that he hadn't eaten. However, these weren't the aspects that moved Numbuh 274. No. The one thing that Numbuh 274 appreciated the most from Numbuh 8 was the fact that he was the one person who would not judge him or expect anything from him. Not many kids realised it but being Supreme Leader can be hard some times and it was not easy keeping a mask of always being alright in front of everyone. Everyone, not just kids but especially his parents just expected Numbuh 274 to be perfect.
Perfect. All the operatives within the KND expected him to somehow have the power and knowledge to solve every and any problem, at any point of the day, week, month, heck year. It was a round the clock job for him. Although Numbuh 362 had a small idea of the pressures he had to endure, no one really noticed or seemed to understand until Numbuh 8 came along.
"You shouldn't do that you know?" Is what she said to him at the time. "I know, I know, you're the best, it's what you do and all of that. But in general and especially when something goes wrong, you give yourself so much pressure, you beat yourself up and it doesn't do anyone any good, especially not yourself. You don't have to do things by yourself all the time. Just because you're Supreme Leader, doesn't mean you have to solve everyone's problems or... or what I'm trying to say is that you don't need to be perfect, Chad. We all make mistakes and you know what? It's okay. We make mistakes, so we learn how not to make them. We always have room to improve so stop giving me that, it's what I do mumbo jumbo and stuff and just be you. Complain a little bit here and there and just relax a bit. Don't forget, you're a kid too."
That's what she said to him and although he never admitted it, it meant a lot to him. So, as a friend, he really cared a lot about her. However, nearly every day for the last two weeks, Numbuh 274 had been mentally beating himself up because of what happened during his last mission with Numbuh 8. He had made one of the biggest mistakes of his life. He was frowning because he of all people had let her down.
"It's what I do." It's as in protecting other kids. Yet he was unable to protect her from Father of all people.
"I can't help it!" he shouted out loud. Numbuh 8 didn't move.
"Look at yourself, Talia. Look at your hair, it's like that and we all know that it's my fault!" He slammed his fist onto the sidewalk and immediately regretted it. Pain shot through his knuckles where it had impacted with concrete. He winced. Numbuh 8 was calm, she quickly untied her signature paisley bandana and reached for his hand. To her slight annoyance he pulled it away from her.
"Talia..."
"Stop being a baby."
Numbuh 274 felt a pair of hands grab his injured hand; it was bleeding. Numbuh 8 sighed. She started tying her bandana around it.
"Before you say anything else," her voice was firm, "One, I told you before it's not your fault, so stop thinking that way, if it's anyone's fault it's Father's, two, don't do that again and three for being Supreme Leader of the KND sometimes you can be so dumb." Her bandana was now neatly tied on Numbuh 274's hand. He was silent.
"Don't forget to clean it properly when you're in your home later and stuff," He was still silent.
"Hey!" he looked at her, she was smiling at him and he just could not understand why. No matter what happened to her, this girl just always seemed happy. She punched his arm lightly.
"We'll get Father the next time round, so stop being a stuck in the mud and all. If anything I like my hair," she flicked her head, her hair flowed to the side.
"It's cool like this. It makes me unique you know," she stuck her tongue at playfully at Numbuh 274. He let out a small laugh. This girl. She never failed to surprise him.
"I'll make it up to you some how," was his reply. He paused for a moment and then.
"You sure you want to be here?"
"What do you mean?" Numbuh 8 was confused.
"I know you know want to help but after what happened... I'm just worried about you, Talia. At least in Russia you're safe and you don't need to see or deal with him anymore!"
"No!" she exclaimed back. "Look, Chad, I'm really happy here you know. I get to see my old friends, start fresh and look I even have the awesomest neighbour!" She looked at him.
"Anyways, I don't just need to do this, I have to do this. After what he did to me, I just have to."
"That's the thing though... you don't you know that right? Other operatives can handle it." Numbuh 274 was persistent.
She sighed for the um-teeth time that day.
"I don't know... Just something in my gut tells me that there's something I need to do here and I need to do it myself okay?"
Numbuh 274 let out a small "Okay..." He knew how stubborn Numbuh 8 could be.
Numbuh 8 looked at her watch, it was getting late.
"Hey, I need to head home now, need to sleep early as well cause it's first day of school tomorrow."
The two stood up.
"I'll see you soon, Chad."
"See you soon Talia, take care of yourself and if you need me just call yah? And tell your Auntie Zhanna thanks for the cookies."
He waved goodbye and saw her walking away. He turned around to head home.
"Hey Chad?" He suddenly felt a pair of arms embrace him from behind.
"You're the best."
She gave him a little squeeze. She let go of him and then rushed home. Unbeknownst to Numbuh 8, Numbuh 274 face was completely red.