~Chapter 5~

Barry and Fanny were sitting in a small boat that was drifting slowly through the Tunnel of Love. The lights were low and there was soft violin music just audible over the splashing of the water. Everything was red, pink and romantic. They were smiling at each other. He gently placed his hand over hers, and she didn't pull hers away…

Suddenly there was a distant shout "Help…Help"

"What was that," Barry asked.

"That's Eggy," Fanny said. "He's in trouble. You should go save him."

"ME? Ain't YOU the butt-kicking KND operative here?"

"No, I'm not," Fanny sighed and leaned back in her seat. "You're dreaming, you stupid boy. I'm just your subconscious, trying to alert you to the fact that you have a humongous crush on Fanny Fullbright."

"WHAT? Get out of here!"

"Oh, puh-leeze," Subconcious-Fanny made a gesture encompassing herself and the whole pink and fluffy Tunnel of Love. "You've been dreaming sappy stuff like this every night for weeks now, you just never remember it when you wake up. And what about school? Every time you're in the yard, you scan it to see where Fanny is and follow her around with your eyes."

"Yes! Because I want to keep away from her. I've broken into her house, and hidden under her bed once, for crying out loud."

"You always sit as close to her as you dare in the cafeteria - and steal glances at her, when she's not looking."

"I. Need. To. Keep. An. Eye. On. Her"

"Oh, I bet you do," Subconscious-Fanny smirked and started to hum "Fanny and Barry sitting in a tree" under her breath.

"Okay, all right," Barry admitted, "Maybe I do like her… a little." He sighed. "But what's the use? She's like … a super-cool KND operative, who eats Teen Ninjas for breakfast, and I'm just … me."

"Gee, I dunno," Subconcious-Fanny said, "Maybe you should try talking to her at some point. But meanwhile, your friend Eggy needs you, so you gotta wake up." And then she reached over and pushed him out of the boat.

Barry fell, fell, fell … and landed in his bunk.

He lay for a minute and stared up in the bunk above him. Did he really have a crush on Fanny Fullbright? That was crazy … yet the more he thought about it, he knew it was true.

Then he became aware of the faint cries from the dark forest outside.

"Help! … Help!"

"Eggy," he whispered. "Oh, crud!"

XXX

Less than a minute later, Barry and Kyle were running as fast as they could through the moonlit forest toward Eggy's shouting. Suddenly the forest opened in front of them in a moonlit clearing. Eggy's shouts came from a tall sentinel on the othere side. Then they saw the dark four-legged shadow prowling under the tree and immediately threw themselves behind the nearest treetrunk.

"Tha – tha – that's a co-co-co .." Kyle stuttered and started to shake.

Barry put his hand over Kyle's mouth. "Quiet," he hissed, trying to calm his own frantic breathing. His mind was racing; how the CRUD could they get rid of that cat?

His ankle felt stuck in something; Ms Greens bandage with the Native ointment had come loose and snagged around a branch. Annoyed he reached down and ripped it off, caught a whiff of the horrible smell … and froze as an idea popped up in his mind.

He quickly rubbed some extra ointment on the bandage, curled it up to a ball and threw it into the clearing in front of the cougar.

Barry and Kyle watched with barred breath, as the dark silhouette of the cat dabbed closer and sniffed.

Then it recoiled with a violent sneeze and bolted into the night.

Barry and Kyle waited for a minute. Then they slowly advanced over to the tall tree where Egbert was hiding.

"All right, Eggy," Barry shouted up towards the dark tree. "You can come down now, the cougar's gone."

There was a short silence. Then Egbert's voice came down from somewhere above them.

"Guys," he said shakily "I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"

"What?" Barry and Kyle looked at each other. That didn't sound like Eggy at all.

"You just saved my life," Eggy's voice broke. It sounded like he was doing his best not to cry. "And I was such a jerk! I called you cowards … and sissies … and idiots … and you're not… 'cause you're my friends …you're brave.. and loyal … and smart …and …and.."

"Come on, Eggy, that's not true," Kyle said slowly. "I'm a complete coward."

"Yeah," Barry said. He too was getting a bit worried about their leader's sanity, "And I can be a real jerk sometimes too."

"NO, YOU CAN'T"

"Yes, I can!"

"Oh … all right," it came a bit hesitantly from the sentinel. "But I'm still a huge dumbass!"

"No, you're not, Eggy. You're the one with all the brilliant plans, remember?" Barry flattered. "Say, why don't you come on down, then we'll go pick up the tools and go find that treehouse and get the Yipper cards. What do you say?"

There was another silence. Then there was movement up in the sentinel, and suddenly Eggy separated from the shadows and jumped down on the ground in front of them.

"All right, guys," he said, strangled a sniffle and gave a smile, "I think I've found the path to the treehouse over there. Let's get to work."

XXX

Numbuh Thirteen's log, 11:15 PM

Once again my amazing tracking abilities have shown their worth. Having boldly escaped the ferocious cougar I was attacked by a teenager while sneaking through the wood, so I am clearly close to the missing treehouse. I managed to subdue him, but I can see flashlights among the trees, so they're obviously searching for me. I have hidden in a large tree and will stay here until … ooh …ooooh …falling now ..

CRACK

CRUNCH

THUD

… On second thought … I think I will stay on the ground … and rest for a while…yeah…

Numbuh Thirteen out.

Whew, Eggy got off the hook - but what awaits in the old treehouse? And will they see Numbuh 13 again?

It took a while to get this chapter done, I have been more busy than usual the last couple of months, renovating an old house. On the other hand I have managed to work out a few issues with the rest of the story, so it all evens out I guess.

I'm more comfortable with writing dialogue than descriptions of scenery. I hope it is possible to get a picture of the setting anyway. If not, do let me know, as well as if you have anything else to say about this chapter, good or bad.

Wish you a nice summer

Ulathon