Once all the agents were gone Rachel grabbed a leash and handed it to Nigel.
Rachel: Just hold on to him for a second, I need both of my hands to get down from the ladder.
Nigel(Holding the leash) No problem.
Rachel took the ladder rungs one at a time her hands gripping the sides of the ladder.
Nigel(Petting Salt and Pepper) Don't worry, I'm not going to let her return you to the pound.
Once Rachel was down she grabbed Salt and Peppers leash and they walked in the rain back to Rachel's house.
Rachel(Handing Nigel the leash) Just hold him for a second I have to get the tub ready, he's filthy and drenched.
Nigel: All right but I'm not sure how long I can hold him back.
Sensing that he had to stay on the porch Salt and Pepper laid down on all fours and let the rain hit him.
Nigel: I hate the rain too, it always seems to get you drenched from head to toe.
Salt and Pepper barked at Nigel like he understood him and Rachel ran back down the stairs and picked Salt and Pepper up by lifting him onto her arms.
Rachel: If I get a speck of mud in this house my parents would bug like there was no tomorrow.
Nigel(Taking his shoes and socks off) my clothes aren't muddy, just drenched.
Rachel: Throw them on the floor in the basement, I'll dry them while I was mine because his B-A-T-H may not go too well.
Nigel did as he was told and went back upstairs as Rachel called it Salt and Pepper kept shaking himself off as Rachel kept putting soap on him.
Rachel: Sweetie we need to wash you, your the filthiest thing I ever met.
Salt and Pepper growled as he laid down in the tub to let Rachel scrub his back.
Nigel: Good boy, after this we'll show you around the house.
Rachel: Nigel I appreciate you doing this project with me, I mean the other operatives have grown to hate me over the years.
Nigel(Sarcastic) Your kidding me, I never noticed that.
Rachel pursed her lips and stared at Nigel.
Nigel: it's because you picked up Numbah 82's attitude Rache, I mean Fanny's not really liked by the others is she?
Rachel(Putting doggy shampoo in Salt and Pepper's fur) Hoagie does, in fact their dating.
Nigel: When she finds out that Abby and him are spending a lot of time together, she's going to bug out.
Rachel: Well she's going to have to deal with it, I mean she's not a part of your sector is she?
Nigel: No but you just reccently became one.
Rachel: If I didn't join in on this project the couples would have been two couples and one loner.
Nigel: Good point.
Rachel(Smiling at Salt and Pepper) We're done now stand still while I get you a towel and blowdry that fur of yours.
Salt and Pepper's claws clicked in the tub as he paced waiting for Rachel to get him a towel.
Nigel: So why did you pick me?
Rachel: Honestly I want to pass this project, and you heard Kuki Wally's a deadbeat dad, and Hoagies just not smart enough to care for a baby.
Nigel: I'm glad to see where I stand in your project plans.
Rachel(Throwing the towel over Salt and Pepper) This could also give us a chance to get to know each other better.
Nigel: We talk, I mean I'm always there when you need a shoulder to cry on.
Rachel: Just forget I mentioned it.
Nigel's POV: Man you are so dumb, she's coming on to you in her own way.
Rachel: All right Salt and Pepper your going to hear a lot of loud noise but don't worry, it's going to dry my little puppy.
Nigel's POV: She wants to get to know the real Nigel Uno, the Nigel Uno you hide from the other agents.
Nigel: Rachel are you and Matt having problems?
Rachel(Turning the blowdryer on) Sorry Nigel I can't hear you.
After Salt and Pepper was dry Rachel looked at Nigel.
Rachel: What were you saying?
Nigel: Are you and Matt having problems?, is that why your freaked out by my agents?
Rachel: I'm not freaked out by them Nigel, but they have to learn to be adult sometime.
Nigel: So about you and Matt?
Rachel(Glumly) Besides rumors flying that he's cheating on me, we're fine and dandy.
Nigel: What rumors?
Rachel: The ones they say in the treehouse, or in school, they say that Mushi Sanaban is seeing him behind my back.
A knock was on the door as Salt and Peppers ears perked up and he ran to the door barking.
Rachel: I'll be right there.
Nigel: Because my offer's always on the table when you need it Rache, I'm more than just a shoulder to cry on.
Rachel: I know that, your also a great friend.
When Rachel opened the door she found her boyfriend Matt Shepard waiting.
Matt: Hey baby, so are you alone?
Rachel: No I'm here with Nigel, I hope you don't mind.
Matt: Actually I do, Nigel threatens me.
Rachel: Threatens you how?
Matt: I don't know, I just think he's more than a friend to you.
Nigel(Walking up) Ohh hey Matt how's it going?
Matt(Shocked) Where are your clothes?
Rachel(Pointing to the basement) Drying, I mean that's not dry stuff coming from the sky is it?
Matt: Why didn't you make him wear wet clothes?
Rachel: And give him pneumonia I think not.
Matt: So you'd rather have a half naked teen in your house?
Rachel: Yea I guess I would, I trust Nigel not to do anything.
Matt: Well I don't, go get his clothes right now.
Rachel: Excuse you but you don't own me, you don't have mom and dad written across your forehead.
Matt(Walking up to her dangerously) Rachel I thought we learned our lesson about not talking back to me.
Mushi walked up with her sweater and bra off as Matt advanced her.
Mushi: I thought we were going to Make Out Creek.
Matt(Anger rising) Just go wait in the car Moosh, I'll be there in a second.
Mushi: Tsh fine just to let you know I'm not a cheap date.
Matt(Screaming) Just go to the damn car.
Mushi ran off as Matt cornered Rachel against a wall and smiled.
Matt(Pinning her arms to the wall) I'll say again go get his clothes and tell him to leave.
Rachel(Her pride rising) And I'll say again you don't own me, you don't have mom and dad written across your forehead.
Matt was about to punch Rachel until she ran under his arm and he ran after her.
Nigel(Standing in front of Rachel) You've got your uncheap date waiting for you, and now you can't deny it.
Rachel: So how long has it been going on?
Matt: Since you and me, see I need two girls all the time, I need another girl by my side to stick with me when girls like you come along.
Rachel(Smiling) I can't wait to hear this one, but girl's like me?
Matt: Yea the kind of girls who invite their friends in the house and offer to dry their clothes.
Rachel: Ohh you must mean the chivalrous, sensetive, cute, funny girls, the kind of girls guys spend their whole life looking for.
Matt: No I mean the stupid girls, the girls who won't believe rumors, and will stay up till 12:00 waiting for a call.
Rachel(Shoving Matt out) The clock's ticking Matt, and your uncheap whore's waiting for you.
Rachel slammed the door in his face and locked the door as Salt and Pepper and Nigel looked at her as she ran to the living room bawling.
Nigel(Walking up to her) Rache you don't need him, people like that in your life, what you need-
Rachel(Sniffling) What I need is Haggen Daaz, a pizza with everything, and Diet Coke.
Nigel(Picking up the phone) I'm on it.
Rachel sniffled some more as Salt and Pepper licked her face hoping to make her happy.
Rachel(Hugging him) I guess this is what it's like to have a kid, somebody who'll do anything in the world to make their parents happy.
Salt and Pepper nuzzled Rachel with his head as she giggled and he laid his head on her lap whining at her.
Rachel(Petting his head) All right, all right I'm better now.
Nigel: The pizza's on the way, the ice creams in the kitchen and the soda's coming with the pizza.
Rachel: Thanks Nigel, do you think we could talk?
Salt and Pepper perked his ears up and jumped from Rachel's lap and curled up on the rug, allowing Rachel to stand up.
Nigel: What's up Rache?
Rachel(Leading Nigel to the kitchen) I really need that ice cream before we talk.
Nigel: All right Ice cream it is.
Rachel saw two bowls waiting as she motioned for Nigel to sit next to her.
Nigel(Pulling up a char) So what's up?
Rachel(Scarfing down the ice cream) There's another reason I chose you for the project.
Nigel: Really?
Rachel(Nodding) yea see I want you and me to start dating, I mean your the only boy who understands me.
Nigel: Well we've been friends since pre K, I understand how you would want me to date-
Rachel placed her hand over Nigel's mouth and then leaned in as Nigel did the same and they kissed which to Rachel felt like magic.
Nigel(Slowly coming out of the kiss) That was unexpected.
Rachel(Laughing) Yea, so whta do you say to dinner tonight, and then tomorrow we can go to the school dance together?
Nigel: Sure Rache, and the truth is I feel the same way about you.
Rachel: I figured when you asked about Matt and I, You never ask about my boyfiends Nigel I usually just dump them onto your lap.
Nigel: Yea I guess I should have waited for you to tell me you two were having problems.
Rachel: I just hope you can handle dating a Fanny clone.
Nigel(Laughing) I'm sure I can.
Rachel(Hugging him) Good because I'm getting tired of boys leaving me.
Nigel(Sitting on her lap) I'll never leave you Rache.
Rachel: I've heard that one before.
Nigel: But I mean it.
Rachel(Kissing him) So you'll spend the night?
Nigel: If you want me to.
What happens the next day read part 3 Kuki and Wally's First Strike and reply to part 2