Disclaimer: I do not own Codename: Kids Next Door and I never will.

Epilogue! Then it's on to the last story. Enjoy!

Epilogue

The next two months were spent normally. They had to focus on their schoolwork and missions, but they still made time for each other. Celeste had broken up with Mitchell after a month, making Harry's day. No one mentioned Harry's birthday for most of the two months, even though they were always thinking about it.

Two days before his birthday they were gathered around the large television. Their conversation had been about a new toy and Kellie had said she wanted one for her birthday. That's where the room became awkward. Everyone kept sneaking glances at Harry, wondering how he was taking everything.

Finally, he said, "Don't worry about me. I'm going to be fine."

Celeste analysed him steadily. "You want us to believe that, but you're not sure yourself."

"How did you know?" Harry asked, smiling slightly.

"Because we've all been thinking the same thing," Melissa replied. "We don't know if we're going to be fine when we get decommissioned. I haven't talked to them about it, but I know they're thinking it."

Harry was about to reply, but then he saw Kellie's sad face and Thomas's protective look. It was best that they didn't say anymore.

Two days later, the tree-house was a mixed up place. They were celebrating Harry's birthday, but weren't very enthusiastic about it. The Decommissioning Squad could burst in any second. All of them kept glancing at the entrances and out the windows to check.

"They're coming!" Truman warned at exactly ten-thirty.

Harry was ambushed by his teammates. They all hugged him at the same time so hard he couldn't breathe. He had to make coughing noises to get them off. He wasn't spared any time because he was tackled by Thomas.

"I'm gonna miss you, man," he said.

"Thomas, are you crying?" Harry questioned in disbelief. Sure enough, the boy's eyes were brimmed with tears.

Thomas wiped his eyes hastily. "No, absolutely not. Only girls do that."

"Sure, sure," Harry teased, but then his expression softened. "I'm gonna miss you too."

Kellie pushed Thomas away and helped Harry up. She was whimpering uncontrollably until she burst into tears. She squished Harry, but this time he didn't care he could barely breathe.

"You were the best leader ever! Why do you have to be our enemy?" she sobbed.

Harry smiled, but tears were already in his eyes. "I don't have to be. I'll stay out of trouble."

Kellie grinned and squeezed him one more time before standing next to Thomas. Truman came up next, but didn't hug Harry. Instead, he shook his hand. He sniffled at the tears threatening to fall.

"You and the others saved me. I don't know what I'm going to do without you and the others," he admitted.

Truman was the youngest, meaning he'd be the last one left. Harry put a hand on his shoulder. "You don't need to rely on us anymore. You're your own person. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true."

Truman nodded and walked away. Melissa gave him a one-armed hug and smiled.

"I know you're not going to be our enemy," she reassured. She frowned. "But are you sure you're going to be fine?"

"I'm going to be having a worse time than you after I actually have my memories taken away. Less memories means less pain," he answered. "And you're going to be a great leader."

Melissa blushed. "Not as great as you."

She smiled and gestured for Celeste to come forward. They could hear the cries of the Decommissioning Squad. Kellie, Thomas, Truman and Melissa ran to the window to negotiate a bit more time, leaving Harry and Celeste alone.

Celeste didn't even try to stop her tears. They fell down her face as she embraced Harry tightly. She didn't stay there long, knowing she didn't have much time. She kept her hands on his shoulders and he saw her face was full of sadness and confusion.

"Sorry, I'm not sure what to say," she confessed. "All the others had heaps to say."

"Don't worry about it," he reassured.

"Well, I'll just take this chance."

He raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. He was eager to hear what she would say.

"Since you're not going to remember anything," she began, "I can say this."

She kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear, "I like-like you."

He staggered back in surprise. He was tempted to say the same, but he was just too shocked. Celeste's heartbroken glance didn't help anything. She joined the others at the window.

Thomas was having a fierce argument with the head of the Decommissioning Squad, Numbuh 18.22. He'd always had power of them, seeing who his mother was, but today that wasn't working. Kellie was sobbing and Melissa was trying to comfort her. Truman started aiding Thomas in the fight, but it was only adding fire to the battle. Celeste stayed quiet, deep in thought.

"Guys," said Harry, "I'm ready to go."

Everyone fell silent and all you could hear was Numbuh 18.22 ranting. They all hugged him again and he had to untangle himself to get out. He closed his eyes in the elevator, not wanting to see their faces.

Numbuh 18.22 was tapping her foot when he stepped out of the elevator. "About time! Stupid teenager!"

The Decommissioning Squad dragged him to the back and pushed him inside. The flight was quiet, surprisingly. He'd heard so many stories of the squad calling teenagers bad names and hitting them. He asked them about it, but was told to be quiet.

When they arrived at Moonbase, he was taken in through the entrance closest to the decommissioning chamber. The operatives there all stared at him, making him blush. That was the problem with being one of the best operatives in the Kids Next Door. When you turned thirteen, everyone found out.

He was led into the decommissioning chambers and he realised how sick he felt when he sat in the chair. He was going to forget forever. He didn't want that, but he had no choice. His fate was sealed and he was sure of it.

And that is why he was amazed when the young operative ran into the room and whispered in Numbuh 18.22's ear. Her eyes flickered between the leader and Harry. She left the room as fast as she had come in.

Numbuh 18.22 sent to her squad out of the room and power-walked to Harry. She took his hand and helped him off the seat.

"Congratulations, Numbuh 361. You have been accepted into the Teens Next Door."

OH COME ON, YOU SAW THAT COMING!

That was a longer epilogue than I thought. I thought it would be half of that. I left a few cliff-hangers in this with the TND and Celeste. Review! And feel free to ask any questions if you don't understand something. I can be a bit weird with my writing.