Disclaimer: I don't own KND

AN: sorry I didn't update in a while. School's so hard! Ugh, I hate it. I'd rather be on the computer all day writing stories for you guys (and I actually do mean that). This was a little harder than Numbuh 5 because Numbuh 86's character is quite complex and there's no real mythology to go by.

I look at the kid in the chair and sigh as I prepare to push the button. It's just not fair! It really isn't, but it's what must be done. We are Kids Next Door operatives and nothing- absolutely nothing- gets in the way of kicking teenage butt! Except maybe, when the teenage butt you're kicking is your best friend.

Yeah, yeah, I know what you're going to say next! Oh my gosh! Mean and crabby ole Numbuh 86 is being nice! Contrary to popular belief, I am a nice person. Yes, I am an active feminist and a pain in the arse and will continue to be so until the day I am decommissioned and forever longer. But that doesn't mean a girl can't have feelings, you know.

When they originally were in the process of selecting a new decommissioning officer, they had in mind the perfect person: Someone who would tolerate nothing, have no sentiments, no regrets, and had a strong sense of what was best for the greater picture. And back then, I fit those requirements perfectly. Back in my original field days, I was on fire, capturing teenager after teenager with no remorse whatsoever. And boy did I have that temper. I still do, but that temper's what got all those little junior operatives under me quaking in their shoes. Nothing could stop Fanny Fulbright, daughter of Mr. Boss.

But all of that changes when you decommission your friend. I mean, it's one thing decommissioning someone that lives halfway across the globe. but when you decommission someone who's been there for you every step of the way – it's hard, especially when her name is Emily. Emily was a dear friend of mine, a distant relative I believe actually. I remember when we were little, she used to baby-sit Abigail, Cree, Nigel, and me. And then she turned thirteen.

I spent weeks and weeks in an everlasting kid version of a PMS. It really messed me up. I spent hours on end yelling and shouting orders at junior officers. Many of my bosses said I'd finally cracked, but I still went on yelling and shouting. It earned me the reputation as an enforcer.

I'd spent every night in Numbuh 362's office talking to her, with her trying to console me. She was like a big sister to me. And there next door would always be Patton, banging on the wall, telling us to shut up about our cruddy girl stuff.

And then I made her cry.

I made Kuki Sanban cry.

And it was the worst day of my life.

I was given the part time job of training new recruits at the Arctic base while still doing decommissioning and there I met a new bunch- the future of Sectors X and V. I was still recovering from the Emily incident, and I always had the then Sector V at my side. So I was comfortable training those from that general area.

I remember first seeing said girl. She was a bit scrawny and her shirt was so large compared to her that it was able to cover her entire body, but I saw the twinkle in her eyes that defined her as a KND officer.

Then one day, I saw a boy making fun of her. He was a bit short with blonde hair and he was wearing an orange hoodie and jeans. He was saying "Stupid girl! Whad'ya do wrong now?"

I'd been having a bad day, and it was not getting any better. So, with a fuming face, I marched right up to them. I would've done everything right, except I'd done something very, very wrong.

"KUKI! GET UP! SHOW THAT STUPID BOY WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF AND DO NOT LET HIM BOSS YOU AROUND! DO YOU HEAR ME, GIRL? GET UP AND TELL HIM OFF! WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING ON THE GROUND? ARE YOU GOING TO START CRYING? ARE YA?" The girl was scared to death by my tone of voice and started bawling right in front of me, but I kept on yelling. "DON'T YOU CRY ON ME, GIRL! KND OPERATIVES DO NOT CRY! THEY SHOW NO EMO-" slap.

"Don't eva lay a hand on any of mah friends, lady," came the well known Australian accent.

I took a breath in realization of what I'd just done. I'd made a little girl cry. I'd made a little girl cry. I'd made a little girl cry.

Patton grabbed my elbow and led me to his office. We had a talk about self control.

"What was wrong back there?"

"I don't know."

"You've never acted like this before! I mean, you were always shouting at the boys, not the girls. Why now?" He smirked, "Have you finally realized that boys are better than girls."

This was not the time to joke.

"Oh, shut up, Patton! You don't' have to go through every day attempting to have no regrets, making sure your life is perfect so nothing can mess it up! It's hard when you're father it Mr. Friggin' Boss!" I gasped. That was the first time I'd told anybody. Not even Rachel and Emily knew.

"Oh." Was all he said. And he gave me a giant hug. But not to let go before I pushed him away, slightly smiling. We never said a word about this conversation after that.

The board let me off training bases for a while. They said I needed to recuperate. I thought I wouldn't be recuperating for a while. I was devastated. I had gone soft after that, but that also had been a mistake. Junior officers took advantage of my post to get free candy bits and more power. They took every opportune moment to make me be nice to them.

Then the board said I had to toughen up. They said that there was no one out there in the KND who was as good as me when it came to retrieving teenagers. If I didn't regain my attitude, I would lose my job and be decommissioned from the KND- even at this early age.

I couldn't bear for that to happen. So I put on a fake act of mean. After about a month, I got over the Kuki incident and became myself again, but I couldn't bear yelling at another operative ever again- recruit or not. But if I didn't I would lose my job. I just had to face it. And thus I hid my face in shame.

I let my hair fall down to my shoulders, parting it at the side so as to cover my eyes. I couldn't bear to look directly at anyone like that, as was and is my solution to the problem.

And so I stand here today, as I look at the kid in the chair and prepare to push the button. It's just not fair! It really isn't, but it's what must be done- even if it is your best friend. One last time, I look away. Goodbye Patton.

And that's it for today! Next up will be Numbuh 274 and after that… remember the person from Chapter 1? You'll finally be able to realize who she is… and what she wants with the KND. And after that chapter is the final chapter in the series, which will feature … nah, it'd give away too much. Hope you enjoyed!