DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN CODENAME: KIDS NEXT DOOR

A/N: Man, writer's block has been kicking my butt here lately. I have the big picture planned out, I just keep getting bogged down with the details. This always happens. lol Ah well, guess I'll just keep working on that, eh?

Oh, and, AdventurousDame424: your comment made me laugh. I'm glad someone picked up on that. ;)

CHAPTER 4: NERVES

A distant rumbling had drawn Abby's gaze to the open window, but Kuki forced her to face forward again.

"Stay still!" the Asian girl commanded.

Abby huffed. Despite her avid protests (and physical resistance), she had been subdued by Kuki, and subsequently had to endure whatever girly shenanigans Kuki had in store. Judging by her eagerness, Abby suspected that Kuki had wanted to girlify her hair for quite some time. Still, she took comfort in the thought that it couldn't possibly be any worse than the time Lizzie tried to take over as their leader.

"Ow! Hey, watch it!" Abby knew her protests were in vain, but she refused to suffer in silence. It was bad enough that Kuki had taken her hat (and was currently wearing it as a sort of trophy), but she had to look ridiculous. Unfortunately, Kuki wouldn't let her see a mirror until she was finished.

Fanny didn't seem to be faring any better. She no longer appeared fearful, though she still looked uneasy. She was also completely silent; despite all of Rachel's pulling and tugging and whatnot, she hadn't made a sound since her initial protests. While the two hairdresser-wannabes didn't seem to notice, Abby couldn't help but sneak a peek over at the redhead every now and then.

"Fanny, do you ever brush your hair?" Rachel asked, her voice exaggerating the effort she was exerting.

"I do!" Fanny defended, and then quietly added, "Sometimes..."

"Well, you should try and remember to brush it more often."

Fanny considered this advice for a moment. "I guess I could try... But it's not exactly a priority when I'm workin'."

"I hear that!" Kuki exclaimed, tilting her head upward so she could see them. "I hate those long missions where my hair gets all messy! Takes too long to fix up afterwards. It can't be easy for you, what with chasing down every kid who doesn't want to be decommissioned and helping run Moonbase and stuff."

Fanny shrugged a little. Kuki waited for an answer for a moment, before realizing it wasn't coming.

Rachel picked up the conversation. "It's not always bad on the Moonbase. Sometimes I'll make it all the way to lunch without screaming at somebody." She, Kuki, and Abby laughed. Fanny joined in with a nervous chuckle after a second; no one seemed to notice the delay.

"So what's it like?" Kuki asked. "Being the Supreme Leader. I've never really heard you talk about it."

Rachel took a deep breath, and then let it out slowly. "It's crazy. I never have a nice, easy day. It seems like almost every Sector in the world goes straight to the Supreme Leader for guidance on everything. Sometimes I don't know why I bother giving them leaders when they just come to me for everything anyway!"

Fanny looked up at Rachel, whose speech was growing faster and more intense. "And outside of that, Numbuh 65.3 loves to make sure I'm shoulder deep in paperwork at all times! You'd think I'd have someone to help me with that, but nooooo! Everyone else is suddenly busy and leaving the room! An-and on the bridge, there's-"

"Oookaaay!" Kuki interrupted loudly, deciding to speak up before Rachel ripped any of Fanny's hair out. "Crazy job makes crazy girl. Got it!"

Rachel sighed. "It's just too much sometimes. A lot of the time, actually."

Kuki looked down at Abby's hair, using the hat to cover her frown.

"Well, Abby thinks yah do a great job."

Rachel didn't look up, but her smile gradually returned. "Thanks, Abigail. I don't regret my decision to take the position, but I do miss the simpler days at times."

"Bein' a spy was simpluh?"

"Well, it was less paperwork."

"So... What, do yah not wanna be Supreme Leaduh anymo'?"

"Can you just step down as Supreme Leader?" Kuki asked. "I mean... Just... Out of curiosity."

Rachel hesitated. "It's never been done before. At least, not without leaving the Kids Next Door..."

Fanny twisted around, looking up at her leader with wide eyes. "What?! No, you can't!"

Rachel stared down at Fanny for a long moment. "Of course not. I wouldn't... I couldn't just leave."

As words failed them all, another silence befell the group.

Gunfire. Explosions. Roaring. Groaning. Yelling.

Despite the pandemonium filling their ears, the boys were unphased. The light from the TV illuminated their determined, transfixed stares in the otherwise dark room. And... they were mashing buttons... and... well, Hoagie's mouth was hanging open a little. They weren't saying anything...

The crashing of thunder could be heard, much louder than before.

...Actually, it couldn't be heard over the TV. The zombie conquering completely drowned it out.

Right, this isn't much of a scene. We'll check back later.

Abby decided to break the silence. "So, whatcha gonna do then, Rach?"

Rachel froze for a second, before allowing her arms to fall to her sides. "I don't know... Maybe I shouldn't do anything at all."

"That ain't gonna help out anybody. If you ain't happy, then you gotta make a change."

"That's a nice philosophy, Abigail, but I'm in charge of the organization that keeps this insane world stable and safe for kids. I can't just walk away."

Abby turned her head to look straight at Rachel. "Look, girl. Don't take this the wrong way, but you ain't irreplaceable. You'll hafta step down from bein' Supreme Leaduh eventually. An' when that time comes, someone else will be there to take yo' place. They ain't gonna live up to you, but they'll do alright."

"But... how would-?"

"Stop with the worryin'! Just tag onea your top op'ratives or somethin'."

Rachel dropped her gaze down the Fanny's hair, and muttered to herself, "Hmm... Tag..."

Another silence began to set in. Kuki wasn't going to have it.

"Well, this hasn't been the cheeriest slumber party so far... But it will be! I'm gonna go get some popcorn!"

Abby looked up at her. "Uh, you fo'gettin' somethin'? Abby ain't sittin' here like this all night!"

"Oh, relax! I'm done. But don't look in the mirror until I get back!"

"I'll come with you!" Rachel exclaimed, seemingly back to her earlier pep. "I'm finished as well!"

And so, the two departed for the kitchen, leaving Abby and Fanny staring at each other.

"Well," Fanny said, putting on a weak smile, "that escalated quickly."

Abby continued to stare. Fanny quietly cleared her throat, and looked around the room. The pink wallpaper was less than surprising, although Rainbow Monkey wallpaper would have been fitting as well. Or flowers. Anything one would define as "girly," really.

She looked back. Abby was still staring.

There was a collection of Rainbow Monkeys drawings on the wall nearby. This girl really liked Rainbow Monkeys, didn't she? Maybe they did have some things in common. Fanny really did love Rainbow Monkeys herself. She even managed a smile.

She looked back at Abby. Still staring.

A Rainbow Monkey in the corner of the room caught her attention. It was yellow, and wore an orange hoodie. Wait, an orange hoodie? She hadn't seen that Rainbow Monkey before. What kind was it?

Was Abby still staring? Man, her poker face was relentless.

"What?" Fanny almost cringed at her own question; it sounded much more abrasive than she had intended.

Abby held her stare for a few seconds longer.

"You look ridiculous."

Silence.

"Aye. Probably as ridiculous as you."

Silence.

Continued silence.

Then, laughter. A lot of it.

"Why... what are you laughing at?" Fanny asked, her laughing fit subsiding.

"Heh heh... You, girl!"

"Me? Why me?"

"'Cause Abby don't get you! Numbuh 86 is all hard and tough and mean, but Fanny is this skiddish li'l mouse of a girl? What gives? What's wrong with you?"

Fanny looked away. She knew she wouldn't get away without answering; not without the question coming back later. What could she say, though?

"I... uh... I guess... I just don't... want to mess up."

Abby cocked an eyebrow. Before she could say anything, Kuki and Rachel returned, each with a large bowl of popcorn.

"Sooo, you two ready to see how you look?" Kuki asked, closing her door with her foot.

"I think we've agreed that we look ridiculous," Abby said, crossing her arms.

"If by, 'ridiculous' you mean, 'totally amazing,' then yes!" Kuki set down her bowl of popcorn, and helped Abby to her feet. "C'mon, I wanna see your face!"

Rachel extended a hand to Fanny. It took a moment, but a reassuring nod from the blonde convinced her to accept it. Rachel guided her over to the mirror, next to Abby.

"Whoooaaa…"

A/N: Right, this wasn't my best chapter, but I was letting it bog me down waaay too much, so I kinda rushed it out. I'll admit it. Still, everything important is there.

And don't worry, the boys will get distracted later. ;)

- Marty