Hey guys! (: Back with Chapter 4 of Allies and Enemies~ Sorry it took me a much longer time to finish this chapter than I thought but here it is! If y'all have time please give me some comments about what you'd like to see in this fanfic, whether it be villians they meet, love interest for Numbuh 8 [seems like it's 1 or 274 though right now], or more interaction between certain characters (: Thanks for the continuous support and hope you guys enjoy my fic!
Chapter 4: Confusion topped with an angry girlfriend
"So Numbuh 5 wanted to ask ya, why did you introduce yourself to the class as Talia Valkov instead of Talia Ustinov." Numbuh 5 joined Numbuh 8 on the outdoor terrace. They had just returned to the treehouse. Everyone was convinced that the Ice Cream Truck must have left the vicinity but Numbuh 8 still was not convinced. She leaned against the railing of the outdoor platform, looking out towards the neighbourhood.
"It's a long story Numbuh 5," said Numbuh 8 in response. The truth was that ever since she decided to go back to America, she thought it would be best to adopt the name Valkov as to avoid explaining her family situation to other people as well as have a fresh start but at the moment, this was the last thing on her mind. Numbuh 8 was annoyed. She was so sure that they would find something or at least some hint, as to what the connection was between the disappearing Ice Cream Trucks, the Delightful Children and what not.
"Hey," Numbuh 5 put a hand on Numbuh 8's shoulder, "Numbuh 5 knows that you're upset about the Ice Cream Truck lead and all but we'll get them, so don't worry about it."
"Hopefully..." said Numbuh 8.
"Anyways, let's go back in the treehouse and grab some ice cream or watch TV," said Numbuh 5 as she dragged Numbuh 8 into the treehouse.
"Kay," was the reply she got in return.
The two girls walked back into the treehouse to find that Numbuh 1 was waiting for them. His arms were folded and he looked serious.
"Numbuh 8, can I have a word with you?" said Numbuh 1.
"What's up Numbuh 1?" Numbuh 8 waited for him to respond.
The boy paused and looked at Numbuh 5. He raised an eyebrow.
"Alone if that is alright."
Numbuh 5 put up her hands up defensively, "Numbuh 5 gets the message, I'll be at the TV room with everyone else then, catch you two later." She walked away towards the TV room.
Numbuh 1 signaled to Numbuh 8 to follow him. The two walked to the Briefing Room.
"So? What's up then?" Numbuh 8 wasn't quite sure why her leader had asked to talk alone. Did she do something wrong? He looked stern.
"Well... um... you see..." The supposed serious demeanour that he had just held a few seconds ago suddenly crumbled away. Numbuh 1 was trying his best to keep cool but he was finding it extremely difficult. His left hand grabbed his right arm tightly and he turned his head away from Numbuh 8 but suddenly turned to look at her.
"What I wanted to say is that, I um... I..." he stopped. Her big emerald green eyes stared into his dark brown eyes. He stared back as if hypnotised by them.
"You wanted to say?" Numbuh 8 was confused.
Numbuh 1 snapped out of his trance as he heard her voice.
"Um...I wanted to apologise about the other day."
"Huh?" Numbuh 8's head tilted to one side. She blinked.
"Yesterday, I was really focused about the mission and wasn't thinking properly when you were talking about helping your parents move in but after thinking about it I got very confused because you know... you're just with your mom." He said this all very quickly.
Truth be told; when Numbuh 4 told himself that he needed to have a word with Numbuh 1 the other day, boy did he have a word with Numbuh 1.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU FORGOT?" shouted Numbuh 4 at Numbuh 1. Despite being the shortest member of Sector V, Numbuh 4 literally towered over Numbuh 1 in rage. However, Numbuh 1 was just as mad.
"Numbuh 4, stop shouting at me! Look, I already told you the second Numbuh 8 arrived, I DON'T REMEMBER HER," he retorted.
How was he even supposed to know that Numbuh 8 only lived with her mother when he didn't even remember her. Numbuh 4 scrunched his hair with both his hands in frustration. He didn't want to shout at Numbuh 1 but after seeing how Numbuh 8 was and talking to her about her situation, all he saw was red, even towards Numbuh 1. He huffed and folded his arms.
"I don't get it. Why does me and Numbuh 4 remember her but you don't?" said Numbuh 2 who was quite curious as to why the situation was how it was with Numbuh 1. It didn't make any sense.
"That's what I'd like to know too, Numbuh 2." It was honestly frustrating and it was getting more and more frustrating by the second for Numbuh 1.
"Well, you better at least say sorry to her," said Numbuh 4 sadly, he looked down towards the ground and said quietly, "she doesn't even have a mom or a dad now."
The room was silent.
"What did you say Numbuh 4?" uttered Numbuh 2.
"She told me that her mom's gone and some of her mom's friends adopted her. That's why she told Numbuh 1 that she had parents." He paused. "She probably wanted to talk about it."
Numbuh 1 and 2 didn't say anything. This was the first time they saw Numbuh 4 look so solemn. Numbuh 4 turned around and started walking away from the other two. He stopped.
"You have to remember her Numbuh 1, you can't keep lying to her forever, so hurry up and remember before she finds out."
And that was how it went.
"Oh..." was Numbuh 8's response. She couldn't put her finger on it but she felt that there was something odd with Numbuh 1. She shook her head.
"So... um... what did you mean by parents? Numbuh 8?" asked Numbuh 1 nervously.
Numbuh 8 opened her mouth, she was about to explain until suddenly they heard some shouts coming from somewhere within the treehouse.
"I'm telling you that you CAN'T go in there!" They heard Numbuh 2's voice along with another voice that was unfamiliar to Numbuh 8.
"Don't you tell me where I CAN and CAN'T go!"
Numbuh 1 knew that voice all too well and slapped his forehead.
"NIGEL UNO, GET YOUR BUTT HERE WHERE I CAN SEE YOU."
A somewhat chubby girl stomped into the briefing room in rage.
Numbuh 1 sighed into his hand, his girlfriend never had a sense of good timing with things it seemed.
"Hey Lizzie."
Lizzie stomped towards the two operatives, grabbed Numbuh 1 by the hem of his shirt and tugged.
"Don't you "hey, Lizzie" ME, Nigel Uno, have you forgotten what day it is today?" She tugged him to the point that their noses were almost touching. He laughed in a some what high-pitched tone nervously. Lizzie glared at him. They stayed like this until Numbuh 8 cleared her throat.
"Sorry to interrupt but who exactly are you... um Lizzie was it?" said Numbuh 8 who slowly walked towards Lizzie, her green eyes never leaving Lizzie's brown ones. Numbuh 8's eyes narrowed to slits.
She grabbed Numbuh 1's arm firmly and Lizzie gasped as Numbuh 8 pulled him out of her grip.
"I don't appreciate it when people shout at my friend," said Numbuh 8 softly as she pushed Numbuh 1 lightly so that he was now standing behind her. Lizzie was fuming. She tried to grab Numbuh 1 to pull him back over but each time Lizzie tried Numbuh 8 stood in her way. Lizzie's face turned red and she stamped on the ground.
"And who exactly are you?"
"I'm Talia Valkov a.k.a. Numbuh 8 of Sector V," said Numbuh 8.
"You still haven't explained to me who you are, Lizzie. Are you an acquaintance of Numbuh 1?" Numbuh 8's head tilted playfully to one side. Although she did not realise it at all, Numbuh 8 was seriously pushing Lizzie's buttons. Lizzie looked like she was going to burst.
"Did you just call me, an acquaintance of Nigel Uno?" Lizzie snarled and stepped forwards, her face looking up to Numbuh 8's face. Numbuh 8 was much taller than the small form of Lizzie. Numbuh 8 was unfazed by Lizzie. However, Numbuh 1 knew that look, if he did not step in then they would be in for some trouble.
"I will have you know that I am Nigel Uno's..." Numbuh 1 stepped out from behind Numbuh 8 and stepped between the two girls.
"Girlfriend." Numbuh 1 stated.
Numbuh 8 blinked and looked at Numbuh 1. Her eyebrows scrunched together.
"Say that again?"
Lizzie jumped in.
"I'm Nigie's girlfriend. What do you not understand when he says the word girlfriend."
Numbuh 8 replied with a simple, "I see." Her fists clenched tightly. She was trying her best to stay calm.
"Now if you'll excuse us," Lizzie said sternly while looking at Numbuh 1, "Nigie and I have a date to go to because it's our 3 months anniversary."
Numbuh 8 looked at Numbuh 1, although her face didn't show it, her eyes looked empty and cold. Numbuh 1 immediately felt bad.
"I'll head to the TV room to see the others then," Numbuh 8 walked away from the other two kids to leave the Briefing Room.
Numbuh 1 wanted to follow her but Lizzie started shouting at him again.
"Honestly, Nigie I thought you would have told everyone that we were together, not to mention your team mate. And what's with her being so rude to me anyways and that white hair? She looks like a grandma!"
Numbuh 8 stopped walking and stood still. She waited. Numbuh 1 looked at Lizzie nervously and was about to say something until Lizzie continued.
"And how could you, how COULD you forget that it's our 3 months anniversary today!" She kept going on and on.
Numbuh 8 exited the room and slammed the door behind her. Her eyes were closed and she took a deep breath, her right hand massaging her forehead. She heard wood creaking and looked up to notice that Numbuhs 2, 3, 4 and 5 were standing in front of her; probably eavesdropping.
She looked at the rest of the team.
"Are you serious?" Her hand pointing behind her back towards the Briefing Room.
"Sadly," replied Numbuh 2 flatly.
"I ought to beat up the crud out of that girl!" shouted Numbuh 4.
"Did you hear what she said about Numbuh 8? Why I oughtta..."
"Drop it Numbuh 4," said Numbuh 8, "she's not worth the time." Numbuh 8 walked away and sighed. She needed to clear her head.
"If anything, Numbuh 1 seems to approve of her behaviour showing as he didn't say anything," muttered Numbuh 8 as she walked away from the rest of Sector V.
"I'm going to go out to skate for a bit. If you guys need anything call me."
"But, but, but!" Numbuh 4 was about to go after her but Numbuh 5 put a hand on his shoulder and shook her head.
"Give the girl some space," she said softly to Numbuh 4.
"We should all talk to Numbuh 1 later, cause Numbuh 5 thinks that boy got things wrong."
"What, can I ask has Nigie gotten wrong?"
Numbuhs 2, 3, 4 and 5 turned to see Lizzie with her arms on her hips glaring at the team. Numbuh 1 was standing behind her, his head buried into his hand.
"Why you little..." said Numbuh 4, who wanted to beat up Lizzie on the spot but was interrupted by Numbuh 3 who grabbed him and put her sleeves on Numbuh 4's mouth muffling his voice.
"What did you say?" shouted Lizzie. That seemed to be only thing she was doing all day.
"He didn't say anything," said Numbuh 3 casually as she kept hold of Numbuh 4 who was trying to speak but was still muffled by her sleeves.
"Let's go Nigie, we have a date to go to anyways," and with that Lizzie grabbed Numbuh 1's hand and left the treehouse.
Numbuh 4 broke out of Numbuh 3's hold.
"What the heck was that?! How could Numbuh 1 let her of all people talk like that about Numbuh 8 and she's still so so cruddy annoying!" His hands gripped his hair tightly.
"Yeah... I mean Lizzie was shouting at Numbuh 1 until Numbuh 8 stepped in and he didn't do anything when she started saying those mean things about her," said Numbuh 2, who like everyone else was quite disappointed at their leader for doing nothing to defend Numbuh 8.
Meanwhile, Numbuh 8 herself was thinking exactly the same thing as she skated around the neighbourhood. Her head ached with the amount of things that bothered her today.
"Let's go guys, I honestly don't think the adults are here," was what he said.
"Girlfriend."
"Pshhhh," hissed out Numbuh 8.
"I'm Nigie's girlfriend. What do you not understand when he says the word girlfriend." was what she said.
"And what's with her being so rude to me anyways and that white hair? She looks like a grandma!"
She was not sure what she was more annoyed at; not finding the Ice Cream Truck, Nigel or Lizzie. At this moment, they all annoyed her. However, before she could continue debating on which of the three were more annoying, she heard that familiar sound again.
Da dun, da dun, da dun dun dee dun, da dun dun dun da dee dun.
Da dun, da dun, da dun dun dee dun, da dun dun dun da dee dun.
"Are you kidding me?!" Not one, but two ice cream trucks zoomed past her and she was determined not to lose them this time.