"Ehem," Ian Kabra said. "Before that window melts from your stare, I would like to remind you of something."

This seemed to break the trance of Natalie Kabra. "Yes, dear brother?"

"If you can still remember, our plan is for me to "fall in love" with Amy Cahill. Not the other way around, with you and Dan. So, if you please, try to set your feelings aside before it does something…. unpleasant." Ian said slowly.

"W-what are you talking about?" Natalie blushed.

"Sister, you look so beautiful when you blush. But, unfortunately, stuttering is only for FLO's, like our poor American cousins."

Natalie rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Let's get out now. They're probably waiting for us."

"Sure. Can't wait to see Amy's face turn red again."

"Where'd you get the cool car?" Dan said.

"Where did those shots come from?" Amy asked.

"How did you escape the Cobras?" both of them said.

"She didn't escape us," said Ian Kabra.

"Far from it," Natalie added. "And last time I checked, my last name is Kabra, not Cobra."

Being a very observative person, Nellie noticed Natalie's eyes were not moving. They were fixed on a certain thing, as if the whole world doesn't matter anymore.

She traced her gaze and came face-to-face with Dan. And now that she looked more closely, she noticed that Dan's gaze is also fixed on her.

Now things are really gonna get interesting, she thought.

Ian Kabra also noticed this and elbowed Natalie in the ribs. He gave her a warning stare.

"You're staring at her too," Natalie hissed in his ear.

"But that's part of the plan, our plan!" Ian whispered back.

Natalie gave her trademark scowl and refused to talk to her brother.

Will she ever mature? When will she realize that this isn't a game? Our branch's reputation depends on us. And what does she do? She falls in love with a poor orphan. I can't believe it!, Ian thought.

Dan's trance broke, and he realized that he had been caught staring at the beautiful girl in front of her, the one with really smooth cinnamon skin, luscious black hair, and gorgeous eyes. He looked away, ashamed, for that girl is Natalie Kabra, one of their archenemies in the hunt for the 39 Clues. Amy tapped him on the shoulder.

Dan, why were you staring at Natalie Kabra?, her eyes said.

Amy, why were you staring at Ian Kabra?, he answered back.

Don't change the topic. Answer me.

You answer me.

Dan, do you like Natalie?!

At this, Dan's face turned an interesting shade of pink, and he looked away.

"Ehem!" said Alistair. "So, Ian, you were saying?"

"Oh, yes. Thank you, Mr. Oh," said Ian. "As I was saying, you survived the yakuza because of my handling of this sleek stun gun. And because I insisted on renting a swift precision car, not the beige Chevy Cobalt your babysitter wanted."

"Au pair," Dan corrected.

"Whatever!" Natalie exclaimed, still not looking at him in the eye. "In case you don't understand, you morons, we saved you."

"But why?" Dan said. "You hate us."

"I – " Natalie began.

"Yes, that's true," Ian interrupted.

She shot him a death glare and folded her arms.

"Ohh…kaaay," Nellie said carefully. She didn't want to get involved in their fight. "Get in the car, all of you."

"But – " Amy said, glancing reluctantly toward the Kabras.

"We'll have to move before the yakuza return," Nellie said. "I'll explain everything. Oh, and we squeezed your duffels in the trunk."

After she said the word "duffels", Dan immediately opened the back door.

"Uh-uh" said Nellie, blocking his path. "You and Natalie will sit at the front. Amy, Ian, and Alistair will sit at the back."

"What?!" Natalie and Dan shouted.

"Now, now, kiddos. You're the smallest and naughtiest among us all. So you should get the least space," Nellie said with a mischievous grin.

"But….but….but…." Natalie stammered.

"No way! I'm not gonna be seated with a Cobra!" Dan shouted.

A disappointed look slowly crept into Natalie's face. At this, Dan immediately felt guilty. He hadn't meant to say that.

"Daniel," said Ian. "I'm sure Amy will have a fun time here at the back, with me."

Amy paled.

"Besides, I'm sure Natalie would very much like to sit with you." Ian continued. "Don't you, sister?"

Natalie looked away. Dan said "Fine!", and they both got in, careful to make space between them. But this isn't possible, because they have to share one seat.

"Hurry up, guys! It's starting to get dark." Nellie said impatiently. She couldn't wait to make things exciting.

The rest of the group got in and they drove off into the distance.