Epilogue: Two Words
"Number One, are you okay? Number One, report."
He had no idea of the time or how long it had been since he'd left DexLabs or sat laughing in an all-night diner eating a burger and enough French fries for four people or of anything, really, except for the feel of Chad's arms around his waist as he leaned back against the taller teen. Chad's head rested on his shoulder and save for Number Two's urgent voice interrupting the moment, Nigel Uno was perfectly content.
"Took 'em long enough," grumbled Chad in disapproval.
"I'm sure Ben had something to do with any delays," he replied as Chad's hold tightened possessively.
The blond pressed a small kiss against his neck. "I have to thank him."
"So do I." Grinning, Number One finally activated his comm unit. "Number One here, Number Two."
"Are you okay? Do you need assistance? I can send back-up." He sounded frantic, as if he'd just woken up and realized Nigel was missing.
"I'm fine," promised Nigel. "Never better, in fact. I'll let you know when I'm back in quarters and I'll meet with you tomorrow."
"You're sure?" pressed Hoagie, speaking not as a KND operative but as a friend.
"Very. Thank you."
"All right," was the skeptical reply. "See you tomorrow, Number One."
"What time is it?" wondered Chad.
Nigel closed his eyes and leaned back, snuggling close again. "I'm sure it's on my comm unit but I don't really care."
His wrist was lifted and turned as Chad checked the time before lacing their fingers together.
"All right, what time is it?"
"Two AM and change."
"Must have been some party."
"Sorry you missed it?"
"Not in the slightest." He sighed, knowing that despite his comfort and content, he needed to get back to DexLabs and his quarters and get some sleep. Recognizing as much, Chad finally said,
"Come on. I'll get you back. Can you get the hover board back to Dexter for me?"
"Of course. And if anyone asks, I wrestled it away from you."
"You won't be lying."
Progress was delayed as they both laughed themselves breathless. They were exhausted and stiff and aching and it took a few minutes for them to actually get moving. They had been sitting on a hill overlooking Downtown, both of them anxious for a spot where they could talk and act freely. Nigel got the feeling they would be seeing a lot of this little patch of trees and flowers in the future.
"Where will you go?"
Leaning over, Chad activated the hover board. "There's a Teen Ninja safe house under the Kwik-E-Mart we passed on the way to the diner. I've been staying there."
Nigel felt a pang, having once been in one of the Teen Ninja bases. It hadn't struck him as particularly clean or comfortable. "You're sure? You could . . ."
A brilliant smile was his reward for trying to suggest Chad stay with him. "I need to check in with them anyway. Nigel, we have got to maintain our cover. Your position as Supreme Leader could be compromised, not to mention your safety. This is not going to be easy but . . . it'll be easier now that you know."
"I'll do anything I can to help."
Chad sparked to this. "Really?"
"Of course!"
A little hum escaped Chad's throat and paired with the suggestive look in his eyes, Nigel knew he was going to like whatever followed. Pulling him in close once again, 274 whispered right in his ear,
"Then leave your window unlocked when you go to bed tonight."
Nigel smiled and felt a rush of heat to his face. He was glad it was dark so Chad wouldn't see him blush so furiously and he felt his whole body tense with anticipation.
"I can do that," he said, and sealed the promise with a kiss.
()()()()()()()()()()
"Would you excuse us, please? I need to speak to Commander Tennyson in private."
Ben, Edd, Eddy, Bubbles, and Nazz - most of whom were wearing replica Nigel Uno sunglasses - had been so engrossed in their gossip and post-party debriefing that they hadn't noticed the arrival of the Kids Next Door Supreme Leader. The lively conversation was quashed immediately as they took in their friend's bearing. There was a distinct, business-like air about Number One, and his demeanor and posture would tolerate no nonsense today. Feet planted firmly, arms crossed, glasses on, he wore a stern expression and his mouth was pressed in a tight line as he regarded his target. Duly impressed and not about to tangle with Nigel when he was clearly on the warpath, the teens slipped out of the booth in the cafeteria where they had met for coffee, glancing back as they left Ben 10 to his fate.
For a long moment the two young men were silent as Nigel made sure they wouldn't be overheard. Leaning forward, he said tightly, "Last night I told you we'd be having words."
Ben sat and waited in silence, uncertain as to where this was going to go.
"I have exactly two words for you, Commander," snapped Number One, and Ben braced for impact. Nigel's demeanor never changed as he said, "Thank you."
Ben blinked, realizing he was being teased most royally. In that instant, though his posture remained the same, Nigel's whole attitude turned from flinty to jubilant. Ben fought to keep from laughing out loud and his friend was in exactly the same condition. He gestured in wordless inquiry, biting his lip expectantly. The Supreme Leader nodded and hugged himself tighter.
"Mission accomplished?" asked Ben softly, sensing his friend was about to bust out singing.
Nigel struggled to contain his excitement and to find a means of expressing himself. "Accomplished, fulfilled, thrilled - I don't know if there are enough words to describe what I'm feeling."
"The private dining room off the main entrance in five minutes. Tell me about it over some pie."
"Make it three minutes. I can't wait so long."
()()()()()()()()()()
"We done good, Dex."
Test tube in hand, an array of containers filled with acids and bases spread out on the table before him, the redhead looked up from where he was attempting - unsuccessfully so far - to make a decent vinaigrette to go on the salad with tonight's dinner. He glanced at Ben before glaring at the bottles of vinegar, dissatisfied with the lot of them.
"No, Ben, we did well."
"That, too," he agreed.
"Wine or champagne?" he asked, holding up two bottles.
"Wine."
Two more bottles were displayed. "Red or white?"
"Red."
"You don't care in the least, do you?"
"Nope."
With a growl Dexter plunked the vinegars down and turned to the overabundance of oils available to him, knowing he was outmatched. Giving in to his culinary frustrations, he demanded, "Why can't I cook when I can science?"
"Cooking is an art," said Ben, enjoying the show.
"And I'm a scientist and not an artist. Well said, my love. That explains everything." He pulled off his goggles and pushed the beakers and racks of test tubes away. "Blossom can make the dressing."
"En how."
He started putting the bottles away, bustling about the kitchen. "And speaking of Blossom, were you ever going to tell me she applied to be Nigel's girlfriend?"
"Nope."
Dexter gave him a look. Ben was completely unaffected and unrepentant.
"Hey, my mom didn't raise a fool." Before Dexter could argue, his phone pinged as a text arrived. Ben smiled as he read it. "Number Five," he reported, knowing he could easily distract Dexter's squall of temper. "She says she owes me some chili fries. We had a bet about me finding Nigel a date."
"And you won. Do any of them know?"
"No. Nigel gave them some song and dance about privacy and security which . . . given the situation really isn't a song and dance routine at all. But after Lizzie, Sector V's really not interested in who so long as Nigel is happy."
"That's good." He paused, turning to look at his boyfriend. "Is he?"
Ben grinned. "Deliriously."
Dexter nodded thoughtfully. "I know the feeling."
"Yeah, me too."