Chapter 14: The Not-so-Mission like Meeting

Sunset was becoming more evident to the little town of Gallagher, why the mere fact that the bell tolled five o'clock was proof of that. Though to be honest, this didn't seem to bother Hoagie even the lightest. Though really, how could it when he was seated on his comfy lounge chair, his smile ever apparent as his hand reached into the popcorn bowl, even his laughter was apparent and hearty as he remained attached to the big screen.

Though apparently, his attention proved not so perfect as his ears perked up at the sound of creeky hinges, his curiosity ever peaked as he wondered just who could it be coming in at this hour. His curiosity however, seemed to gradually fade however, replaced with a smile as he saw four familiar shadows enter the room.

"Tadaima", chirped the cheerful voices of Kuki and Alex in harmonious unison.

"Hey guys, welcome back", Hoagie cheerfully greeted as he got up from his seat on the chair. "You guys are home pretty early."

"Well we would've been here a bit earlier if Alex hadn't stopped ta' window shop", explained the ever blunt yet spunky voice belonging to Abigail, even as the mutant brunette gave her a disappointing glare.

"Oh come on; they had the Apocalypse arc of Utena, plus the movie on sale! I couldn't say no to that", Alex explained in a slightly whiny tone.

"I know what you mean", replied the plump boy in a genuinely understanding tone. "Oh say, Numbuh 4, did you get me my-"

"Got it", Wally immediately replied as he dumped a bag of fresh fish into his friend's arms, watching his face light up in delight.

"Thanks buddie", he gleefully replied, only to feel curiosity upon realizing that something seem out of place. "Hey, how come Numbuh 1's not with you guys?"

"Oh don't worry about; you'll find out soon enough baby", replied the spunky sounding black girl, much to the confusion forming upon her plump friend's face.

Things appeared quiet in the familiar surroundings of the tree house briefing room, a little too quiet for Hoagie's tastes. Then again, it had only been ten minutes; ten minutes of silence, ten minutes of waiting. Ten minutes of watching Wally's bored expression, ten minutes of watching Kuki humming happy tunes while kicking her feet back and forth before he finally had the nerve to speak.

"I don't even get it; why would you guys just come home without Numbuh 1", Hoagie asked his short friend.

"That's what I've been askin' fo' the past two hours; neither of them are givin' me a straight answer", Wally replied, his tone filled with obvious annoyance as he did so.

"Ooh, I know; maybe they want to throw Numbuh 1 a surprise birthday party", Kuki excitedly suggested.

"That's stupid; besides, Numbuh 1's birthday's not even until November", he explained in an annoyed fashion.

"Oh don't be silly; everybody knows you don't throw a surprise birthday party when someone's expecting it", the little Asian girl replied in a more sassy yet innocent tone, much to her blonde friend's dismay.

"Yeah, sure", he replied in a rather dismissive tone.

"My, how close on the mark you are Kuki-chan", replied a familiar voice which caused the three friends to turn and face the auditorium.

Sure enough, their vision became engulfed by Abigail standing atop the podium, a confident looking Alex right at her side, not that it did much to bemuse the trio's curiosity.

"Oh sure, now you pipe up; what the crud is goin' anyway", the blonde Aussie asked, his tone now bordering on anger.

"It's simple man; we're throwin' Numbuh 1 a surprise party", the spunky co-leader replied, much to the now surprised expression forming upon the Aussie's face.

"Wait, so we're actually throwing Numbuh 1 a surprise birthday party", the confused pilot asked in mild disbelief.

"No, just a regular surprise party" Abigail explained rather bluntly.

"Oh...well then what's the point of throwing him a surprise party if we're not even celebrating his birthday", the little Asian asked as her tone became one of bemusement.

"Yeah, but don't you think it would be nice if Numbuh 1 can actually look back on this day and have some decent memories?...Besides the one's with his dad", the motherly girl asked in her blunt tone, watching as their faces brightened with epiphany ever so slightly.

"She's right, that would be nice. And it would certainly beat having a grumpy Numbuh 1, count me in", Hoagie cheerfully stated.

"Yeah, me too", the short Aussie replied now with enthusiasm in his voice.

"Okay" Kuki excitedly remarked as it brought a smile to the black girl's face.

"Glad ta' see ya'll are on board", she coolly remarked. "Okay, now we only got a few hours ta' ready before Numbuh 1 gets home. You guys got any positions fo' yourselves in mind?"

"Oh, I call baking", Alex replied with excitement as she held her hand up in excited desperation.

"Ooh, I can be in charge of decorations", the plump boy enthusiastically replied.

"Ooh, I'll go to the video store and rent a couple of movies we can all enjoy", the short Aussie enthusiastically chimed in.

"Ooh, I want to be in charge of cooking", the little Asian girl cheerfully chirped, oblivious to the cringe worthy looking appearing upon her friend's faces.

"Ah...that's very sweet of ya' Numbuh 3, but Numbuh 5 thinks she's better off bein' in charge of cookin'", replied the nervous sounding black girl.

"Oh, but I can help Numbuh 5; besides, you know how much I enjoy cooking", the cheerful Asian girl said with such enthusiasm, enthusiasm reflective in both her tone, and her big violet eyes.

"This coming from someone who watches Sandra Lee", Hoagie quietly whispered to his Aussie friend.

"Well what about the rice balls I made last week? You guys all enjoyed them right", she sweetly asked, only to feel a tightness lurking in her chest upon hearing no immediate answer. "You guys did enjoy them...right?..."

"Well, yeah...if they were from Seshuan I would I have", the plump boy honestly explained rather nervously, not that it did much to calm the nerves of the ebony haired girl as her eyes now gleamed of nervousness, even as she turned to face Abigail.

"I'm a good chef...right Numbuh 5...", she asked her motherly friend.

Unfortunately for her, nervousness was the only feeling the black girl could feel emerging inside of her. Those big, innocent eyes looked so shiny, it was enough to make her cringe ever so before finally clearing her throat to speak.

"Kuki...Numbuh 5 doesn't know how ta' tell ya' this, so she's just gonna' let Alex blurt it out in the most obnoxious way possible...", said the nervous sounding Abigail as she allowed her curly haired friend stand in front of her, allowing her to clear her throat before she opened her mouth to speak.

"You suck at cooking", the mutant brunette said in as blunt a tone as possible for her, watching ever so observantly as she witnessed her ebony haired friend allow such words to sink in, her expression ever so crushed as it was shocked.

"I stink", asked Kuki, her mouth hanging open, her hands shaking, even her violet eyes glazing over in shock. "But...But I really enjoy cooking."

"And unfortunately honey, that's not a point in your favour", the mutant brunette bluntly explained.

"But...That's not possible...You guys never said anything", she explained as her tone became ever more high pitched.

"Trust me, I would've told you if these guys had given me a chance", the short Aussie replied with honesty.

"Sure, but would have said it nicely", asked a suspicious sounding Hoagie as he watched his friend search for an answer, only to get an exasperated expression he took in full stride.

"Well...That doesn't mean I should just give up!...I mean...I can still try", the little Asian girl retorted, her nervousness thinly veiled beneath the optimistic tone she attempted to convey.

"I don't think that's such a good idea Numbuh 3", the black girl wearily replied.

"Well why not", the nervous Asian girl asked.

"Because, do you remember the time you invited us to ya' family reunion, and ya' made that Coconut Udon Stirfy", she asked.

"Yeah", replied the violet eyed girl.

"How many compliments did you get", the now motherly sounding black girl asked.

"None", she meekly replied.

"And how many people almost got food poisionin'", she asked in a sharp yet still motherly sounding tone.

"Eleven", she replied as her tone turned regretful.

"And how many people forgot they were allergic ta' coconut", she asked in a rather sharp tone.

"One...But that one wasn't my fault", she explained, even as her blonde friend gave her a stingy glare.

"Oh sure, like it's my fault that I forgot about bein' allergic to coconut", Wally explained, his tone clear with anger.

"But you've known that since you were like four", the plump boy reminded his friend, watching his emerald eyes widen within seconds.

"Well, ya' can't expect me ta' remember everythin'",he stubbornly replied, crossing his arms as he remained oblivious to the the rather subtle face palm his plump friend was currently bestowing upon himself.

Though shortly after did they turn to see the darling eyes of their usually cheerful friend expanding, a few droplets forming as she began puckering her lower lip. Truthfully, it was a sight that could only form sadden looks upon their faces as they watched silently for mere seconds.

"Oh, it's okay Numbuh 3. If you want, you can help me set up the decorations", said the cheerful sounding Hoagie, placing his arm around his small friend as she looked up to meet his face, now with curiosity dancing in her eyes.

"Really", she asked her smiling friend.

"Sure, I'll even let you be in charge", the pudgy boy cheerfully replied as he gave her a reassuring wink, allowing for her face to light up almost instantly.

"Yay! Thanks Numbuh 2", Kuki happily chirped as her long sleeved arms engulfed the round boy in her grasp, the mere sight of his flustered reaction to her happiness enough to put a smile upon Abigail's face.

"Well, look's like we got over that bridge...Okay guys, we better get goin'. Knowin' Numbuh 1's dad, he'll be home befo' eight", the spunky black girl calmly observed.

"Well then what the hell are we standing around here for? There's a party to organize", the mutant brunette decreed, a determined yet psychotic motivation gleaming in her eyes as she said such words, allowing for rather odd looks to graze her friend's faces at such a notion.

By 6:00, the sun had already begun to say it's good-bye to the waking world for today. Though one might never know that from the army of smells which filled Sector V's kitchen space. Smells of tomato sauce spiked with a hint of cayenne, smells of boiling pasta and even simmering buffalo wings, it was truly an aroma Abigail felt proud to be in the centre of.

Why, she even took a tiny taste for the tomato sauce. Sure enough, a satisfied smile was the only thing visible upon her face before she put the lattle back in its resting place.

"Hey Alex, you done with that cake", asked a curious Abigail as she made her way over towards the back of the kitchen.

To her surprise however, stood a beautiful white cake covered in cream cheese frosting. Its detail was flawless, with lines, even small cream puffs everywhere, it almost looked professional enough to be a wedding cake. Though to be fair, that only seemed a fair judgement considering the designer in question; Alex herself. A small smile ever apparent as she continually squeezed frosting atop the cake, her min elsewhere as she hummed "I'll Find the Light" from Magic Knight Rayearth to herself.

"Ooh girl, you've certainly outdone yo' self this time", the spunky black commented, catching the attention of her friend as she did so.

"I'll say, this is looking great...Oh no, why is it lop siding itself on me", said a frustrated looking Alex as she took her squeezing device back towards the lopsided dollop atop the cake.

"Okay, up...up...Good! Now just a little bit more to the left", replied a familiar cheery sounding voice which peaked the duo's curiosity.

Yet shortly after they turned their attention to the lounge room did their mouths drop simultaneously. The room had been covered in fancy decorations, with pink and blue streamers atop the the ceiling, a rainbow coloured food buffet table lay smack dab in the middle of the room, even the chairs and TV had been beautifully draped in neon velveted blankets.

Truly, it was a sight o be hold. It's just too bad that Hoagie's face contained an expression of frustration rather than enjoyment as he attempted to take the "Happy Celebration" sign atop the ceiling wall, sighing as he found himself being stopped by the sounds of a bull horn.

"No Numbuh 2! I said a little more to the left, you're going too far over", said Kuki in a demanding tone, one which seemed to only garner an eye rolling from her plump friend as he turn to speak.

"You know, when I said you could be in charge of decorations, this isn't what I had in mind", replied the frustrated sounding Hoagie.

"But you have to follow the design accordingly! How is Numbuh 1 suppose to appreciate this if it's not drawn by a skilled eye", she asked in a sweet yet sassy sounding tone, showing him the crayon sketched design plan as she did.

"Yeah, just how is he suppose to appreciate crayon sketches", the plump boy sarcastically replied as he returned to his duty, allowing for the little girl to fume in frustration before sticking her nose up high into the air.

"Decorators; what can you do with them", she replied, her sassy tone ever present as her two friends stood there, their own faces widened in rather subtle surprise.

"Wow, and you guys say I'm a perfectionist", the mutant girl casually remarked.

"I'm back", replied a familiar Australian accented voice which caught the quartet's interest.

"Bout time; what took you so ling", asked a curious sounding Abigail as she watched Wally walk into the room, his expression a grumpy stare as he dumped a giant bag onto one of the velveted lounge chairs.

"Well I got ta' the video store on time, but than I had the cruddiest time tryin' ta' find all of the movies! They really gotta' orgamize that place better", Wally complained.

"That, or just make the system idiot proof", the sarcastic black girl whispered to her mutant friend, causing her to snicker ever so as she did.

""Oh Wally, did you get my-"

"Yeah, yeah. You sure Numbuh 1's gonna' wanna' watch that lovely dovey crud", he asked, all the while handing her a familiar looking Rainbow Monkey videotape.

"Well duh! What movie marathon would be complete without Rainbow Monkeys; Legend Aboard the Titanic", asked the little Asian, who remained too starry eyed to care that her blonde friend had been reduced to loud groaning at the very notion.

"Oh guys, I just thought up some new jokes to tell at the party! You want me to run them by you", asked a much more cheerful Hoagie as his feet touched the ground once more.

"Oh come on man; we get enough of yo' yack fests durin' the week", replied a frustrated sounding Abigail.

"Ah, but this is different Numbuh 5. This time, you're guaranteed to laugh your "guts" out", he explained, he even laughed a little despite the obvious groaned that escaped his female friend's mouth.

"Okay. So, why do they call this show Two and a Half Men? Because when you put them together "side" by "side", they make up "half" the running time", the plump boy happily retorted, howling in laughter at his own joke before coming to the realization that his laugh was all he could hear in the silent room of blank expressions.

"Huh, tough crowd...Okay, let me try another one-"

Yet suddenly before he knew it, fear overcame the plump pilot as he found himself in the clutches of a strange mechanical arm. He even screamed a little before finding himself face to face with the wall, the impact enough to make him slide down the wooden surface before meeting the ground with an exhausted groan.

"Numbuh 2", the quartet screamed in unison, their faces covered in concern as they rushed over towards their comrade and friend.

"Numbuh, you alright man", asked a concerned sounding Abigail.

"Oh, don't worry about me Numbuh 5. I'm as clean an spry as a whistle", the plump boy replied, even despite the obvious air headed quality in his tone.

"Yeah, but what about the scratch marks", asked a curious yet concerned sounding Wally.

"It's a flesh wound", he dizzily explained to his friend, all the while his mutant friend's face began to turn red with annoyance.

"Oh Hoagie-kun, you know you're only suppose to use that joke in context", replied an annoyed sounding Alex.

"Speaking of which, what is the context of this situation anyhow", she asked in a much more serious tone seconds later.

"That's what Numbuh 5 would like ta' know", replied a stern sounding Abigail.

Though surely enough, her thirst for knowledge was answered as the mechanical arm quickly slithered its way out of the tree house and through the crater, slithering back to reveal five familiar looking faces in an oddly familiar cockpit.

"Hello Kids Next Door. It seems you're leader is not here right now...How delightful...", said the sinister voices of none of than the Delightful Children, their sinister presence enough to gain a small scawf from the black girl's lips.

"Well, that figures", she bluntly remarked.
End chap.14