Chapter 16: Unconditional Love

Rachel and Nigel instantaneously helped each other up, careful of the stray bullets flying in their direction. Serena and Aiden were providing them cover fire but there was only so much the two could do. It was a tight situation to be put in, but much more manageable compared to earlier.

"You two come over here to get some cover!" Aiden yelled out to them.

Noting the boys suggestion, they ran behind the chamber and met up with Serena and Aiden. As they both took a breather, both of them couldn't help but glare at each other. It was at this point did Nigel notice something different about his companion.

Nigel examined his blonde commander and was nearly appalled. Her face looked badly bruised and her face was scratched up. He knew that she was beaten by the Hasayans, but he didn't realize how serious it was until he got a closer look at her. His mind was consumed with anger...how could they do such a thing to a girl like Rachel. He gently brought a hand up and ran it across her face.

"Rachel, what have they done to you?"

She glared at him with her deep chocolate eyes. He was deeply concerned about her, but thoughts like that could compromise their mission. Plus she was more concerned about him if anything, "Don't worry, it's only superficial. It'll heal up in no time anyway. Besides I'm more worried about you than anything!"

Nigel only sighed, "I'm fine Rachel, don't worry about it"

Two rifles were shoved in their faces, giving them a rude awakening back to reality.

"Here take these guns." Aiden quickly said before returning back fire at the enemy.

They both loaded their guns and peeked out. Oh man...

What they saw was not good, not good at all.

Sector V and around several dozen allied soldiers ran down the halls, taking out any Hasayan soldiers that got in their way. Just minutes ago, by some act of divine intervention, they managed to overwhelm the guards at the entrance, but at a hefty cost. The battle up above however, was still intensifying, but at least now they were inside the base, one step closer to rescuing Rachel, Nigel, and Serena.

Luckily for them, they were crossing a large hallway that seemed to be clear of any enemies. It had occurred to them that it was very possible that the Hasayan's were diverting all their forces to defending the base, leaving only a small amount inside the actual facility itself. Still, the operatives walked cautiously, constantly keeping their aiming sights in front of their faces.

Navigating the large group through the vast military complex was Numbuh 2. By hacking one of the computer systems they had encountered near the entrance, he was able to download a full map of the facility.

Despite their exceptional pace, Kuki couldn't help but feel that they were taking far too long."Numbuh 2 hurry up! Rachel, Serena, and Nigel are in danger!" Very uncharacteristic of her to shout out something like that, a big indication that they were running out time.

Abby took this strange behavior as sort of a warning; If Kuki was acting like this, something must be wrong "Yeah Numbuh 2, you locate them yet?"

Numbuh 2 rubbed the back of his head. "Um... it's a pretty big base..." He pointed on the tablet, "give me some time yeah?" All of them let out a large outburst.

"Are you kidding me Numbuh 2, you can't even..." a ringer on his tablet suddenly went off, causing him to look at it's screen. There was a beacon call coming from a large room, causing him to divert all his attention back to the tablet, "According to my data, the signal is coming directly from Numbuh 1, this is also appears to be the room where the Hasayans conduct experiments and stuff", Hoagie looked oddly at his tablet. "Strange, does Numbuh 1 have a distress beacon on him or something? How come it didn't go off earlier too?"

Abby was puzzled, "Um... I don't know? Why do you ask?" Hoagie turned his back to Numbuh 5. "Because unless he has something that has it's own power source or something that can broadcast a strong frequency that could be picked up by my equipment, it'd be impossible to get readings from him."

Interesting she thought, but a question she didn't have time to contemplate. Realizing that getting to that room would take awhile, Abby took charge. They needed to pick up the pace if they had any chance of rescuing their friends. "Well can we pick up the pace then?! They'll be sending in more reinforcements in our direction soon."

The small platoon listened to her suggestions and walked faster as they divulged closer and closer to their intended target.

Locked down in a vicious fight, the four fought with a sense of desperation. When Nigel looked out behind the corner of their cover, he spotted that they were basically surrounded. Instead of only a dozen enemy soldiers, it looked like they had multiplied by nearly five fold. And if that wasn't bad enough, all the entrances were still flooding with batches of fresh reinforcements.

Aiden was beginning to accept the reality of their situation. He loaded the last clip into his pistol and popped his last rounds at the enemy. "I don't know how long we can hold here." It really was a hopeless situation. They were surrounded completely by the enemy, stuck in the very heart of the Hasayan base, and were ironically using the very thing they intend to destroy as cover. Perhaps this was Leader's plan after all, besides, he did like playing mind games with his victims. He took a glanced at Serena, who was still fighting back, determined to make it out of here alive.

Sad, well, at least they got to see each other one last time before they were turned into the so called 'perfect soldier', this time permanently. Sensing his gaze, she paused and twisted her head to look at Aiden. She began to accept the despairing reality, and almost as if he read her mind, they both nodded.

They directed their vision to Nigel and Rachel. If they couldn't save themselves, maybe just maybe they could...

The bullets ricocheting around them suddenly stopped.

Rachel slowly moved her head around the corner, trying to figure why the enemy had stopped peppering them with machine gun fire. The soldiers lowered their guns and Leader stepped in front of all them, "It has appeared your little attempt to escape has failed. I must admit though, a gallant attempt. Being the merciful person that I am, instead of killing you, I will still allow you the chance of being changed by my machine that you so hide behind."

The bogged down group remained silent, until Rachel finally spoke up.

"Why Leader, what would be the point? Either way you put it we are dead. I'd rather you shoot us now and our souls still be intact then be transformed into a mindless soldier!" Her defiance brought admiration upon the entire group. There was a reason she was Supreme Leader.

Leader twitched, never before had someone stood up to him with such ferocity. If they would not turn, he'd rather them be dead. People like her are what threatened his plans. Sure, he had almost totally the upper hand, but if she managed to escape, it would be a nightmare.

"Very well, if you will not be turned, then you will die." His soldiers lifted their guns slowly, taking aiming towards the Chamber. "Guess this is it guys," Nigel announced to the group." Aiden and Serena nodded their heads, "not for you two," Rachel heard them, not understanding what they meant, "what do you mean 'not for you two'?" Serena sighed, "Look... we'll provide cover fire while you two sneak out of here..."

Rachel wouldn't allow this to happen, she would not just leave them behind to die while they lived. It was unacceptable. "No we're staying right here!"

"Yeah, we can't just leave you guys behind!" Nigel butted in. Serena and Aiden glared at each other, it was obvious that no matter what they said, nothing would convince the couple from leaving. "Please, you two must go..." she muttered while she loaded what remaining rounds she had into her gun. Nigel and Rachel ignored her plea, and remained at their side, reading for a last stand.

The sound of guns firing suddenly erupted throughout the room, but not at them.

One soldier fell, then two, then a couple dozen.

The Hasayan soldiers turned around, only to be greeted by more gunfire and the sound of charging operatives. They poured out of the many entrances into the massive room, catching them all by total surprise. Finally, back up had arrived.

Leader frowned, these brats were proving to be more of a nuisance than he originally thought. "How the...? Call in more reinforcements!" He shouted to one of the soldiers.

"We can't, their all tied down handling KND forces on the surface!"

The room was now filled with soldiers from both sides, erupting in a brawl of close quarters combat.

Sector V emerged into the room, frantically searching for Nigel. Abby spotted the group still hiding behind the chamber ,"Nigel over here!" she shouted over the sounds of both sides mindlessly beating each other.

He scanned to find the source of the voice, when he finally spotted Abby waiting just across from their position. It was his team, they came back! Without a second thought, he ran straight for his team. He could hear a familiar voice calling out from behind him "Nigel come back! Your going to get yourself killed!" Rachel screamed at the top of her lungs.

Dodging bullets and rifle butts, he nearly made it to the other side with his team. Unexpectedly, out of the clear blue, he felt someone violently pin him into the hard floor. He was forced to the ground, dazed by the force of the fall. For a second his vision was distorted, all around him he could see the ensuing battle taking place throughout the massive room. His vision began to recover revealing a blurry dark figure to the side of him.

"You will not stop my plans!" Leader said with pure anger. Now he was acting on straight emotion, out of the ordinary for the usually calm commander. Quickly getting up he gave a death glare at Nigel. Now he was going to pay. Leader charged at the boy who was still lying on the ground.

Coming back to his senses, Nigel slowly got up, only to be taken to the ground again. "Now your going to die you stupid little fool. Did you really think you could come here and defeat me just like that?" Leader lifted his fist and ready prepared to pound the boys face.

"Actually, in a matter of fact, I did." He said back in a slow and clear voice, making sure Leader heard ever single word. Leader grunted, and aimed for Nigel's face. The operative rolled to the side and got up with lightning speed.

"Why you little!" he charged towards Nigel again, locking the two in hand to hand combat.

Above them on the high ceiling suddenly collapsed, sending debris crashing onto the ground crushing anyone who was unfortunate enough to be standing under its impact. The sky was now visible, along with SCAMPERS. and additional KND soldiers who grappled down into the large room.

The SCAMPERS landed, dropping in more reinforcements. Now the battle was taking place above and below the surface of the Hasayan headquarters.

Un-phased, Leader smirked. "It's funny how you continue to fight against me, even though its completely useless." he swung at Nigel's face, but the boy evaded it. Nigel responded back by punching back, but his hand was quickly grabbed by the evil commander's leather gloves.

"You see... I'm the one who started this war, not Father. The war was only a distraction, and you all fell for it. You've lost boy. Finally I will create a perfect world, free from this plague of so called 'individuality' or 'free will'. For far too long has progress been inhibited by these beliefs. Now with my chamber I seek to push mankind forward, free from emotions and morals that continue to contaminate our species!"

Nigel stared straight into Leader's eyes with utter disgust. "So your going to justify the death of perhaps millions of people to accomplish your goals? You truly are insane Leader." Nigel twisted his hand, slowly breaking his hands free from Leaders grasp. "Without free will we would be nothing but mindless sheep. We need free will and our emotions to carry on, it's what makes us human. You may not think so, but those things ARE what push mankind forward." The boy finally broke free and punched the teen in the face.

"Face it Leader, your finished."

He laughed, wiping away the blood coming from his gashed cheek. "I'm far from finished Nigel Uno." Unexpectedly, he hit Nigel in the stomach with a vicious blow, directly into his healing gunshot wound. Nigel gasped, collapsing to the floor on his knees.

"But you soon will be... then I'll deal with your friends." He whispered into his ear. The crippling pain left Nigel helpless on the ground, squealing in agony. Another victory for himself Leader automatically assumed in his mind. He took out a sharp blade from his belt and forced Nigel up against a wall, enjoying every single second of this sweet moment. Hearing his cries in the distance, Rachel paused and searched for the boy. She stood in horror as Leader prepared to strike the knife straight into the boy. Rachel aimed the weapon at Leader and pulled the trigger, only to be greeted by the sound of an empty clip. Wasting no time, she darted towards Nigel, hoping she would be able to rescue on time.

"Good Bye Nigel Uno." He mocked pulling his arm back to thrust the knife right into his gut.

She wouldn't make it on time, she had no choice. "No!" She shouted, tackling Leader into the ground, just in time to stop Nigel from being fatally wounded.

He got up and slashed madly at Rachel. "Stupid girl!" The Supreme Leader dodged the attacks, but his knife was beginning to get closer and closer. She had to counter attack, and fast. On his next slash, Rachel skillfully grabbed hand and attempted to disarm the knife from his hand by twisting his fingers.. She succeeded, causing Leader to yelp in pain. She grabbed his collar and pounded him against the wall. She was going to make this little creep suffer, especially for the things he's done to Nigel. "Your going to pay for what you've done." her voice stern and commanding.

He chuckled. How was this amusing at all? Whatever she thought. Little did she know the teen had another blade stashed in his belt, which he grabbed with his left hand.

He pulled out the blade and thrusted it in straight into her abdomen. An intense pain the girl had never felt in her entire life crawled up and down her spine. "Did you really it'd be that easy?" He twisted the knife deeper and deeper into her body, making her cringe in agony. She grabbed the knife, and tried to pull it out, but Leader's grip on it did not relinquish. "How does it feel having the life squeezed right out of you?" he twisted the knife even further until he finally took it out, dropping the girl on the floor. Rachel clenched her stomach, feeling the tingley red liquid flow right out of her.

She felt her life slowly dripping away. Slowly but surely she felt her all her senses weakening, a sign that her body was shutting down. Rachel slipped in and out of conciousness, just trying to hang in there.

Nigel screamed her name as he watched the nightmarish scene unfold. He mustered all his remaining strength to stand up. After about the fifth time, he managed to succeed, his adrenaline kicking in. He didn't care about the battle going on around him, now all he cared about was ripping Leader's face off for hurting Rachel.

"Leader!" Nigel screeched, his voice echoed.

The Hasayan Commander looked and frowned. "Now to finally settle this." He threw the bloody knife on the ground and stomped towards Nigel. The British boy in turn ran towards him, and swung his face into the teen's face so hard he flew back onto the ground.

Now was his chance, now was his chance to finish off this delusional megalomaniac off once and for all, for the Kids Next Door, for his friends, and most significant of all, for Rachel. Leader pulled himself up, just to be slammed into the wall again before Nigel prepared one last swift blow to his skull.

"You lose Leader." He moved his arm forward, his fists making direct contact with the Hasayan commanders face. He breathed in and out deeply, realizing that he had finally defeated Leader, who was now knocked out cold before him.

He looked around, the Kids Next Door were now rounding up the remaining Hasayan forces. Reinforcements couldn't have came in at a more perfect time he thought... wait... Rachel. Nigel ran to his fallen friend who was clinging on to life as she lay helpless on the floor.

Serena had beat him to her, and she was holding her hand, urging her to just hang on there. "Please hang in there, please if you can't do it for me, do it for Nigel." The British boy gently pushed Serena aside. He looked unresponsively at her wounds, "Medic!" Nigel didn't want to lose her, but he knew deep down inside that trying to save her now was probably pointless. He didn't want to admit it... but the wound was fatal.

Unbeknownst to them, Leader had crawled closer and closer to the self destruction button of the facility. If he was going to go down, he was going to take everyone in the area with him.

Aiden happened to glance in the general area when he spotted Leader, "Stop!" he shouted in vein. Leader grinned as he pushed the button, "See you all in hell". Several explosions rocked the whole entire area, showering the operatives with debris.

"Quick, we got to get out of here guys!" Abby commented, gesturing for everyone to board the SCAMPER. Everyone hurriedly ran to the ships quickly evacuating the area in a matter of minutes. "Nigel come on, we got to get out of here!" she gestured as she waited near one the ships along with Sector V. "No, I got to get Rachel out of here, you guys get out of here without me, I'll make it out on the last SCAMPER out of here."

"But Numbuh 1!" she protested back. "No but's Numbuh 5! Now get out of here that's an order!" the dark girl reluctantly nodded, and closed the door to the ship as it took off to the surface.

Nigel gently picked Rachel up, holding her in his arms. She dizzily stared up at him, "Nigel, get out of here while you can, just leave me," he shook his head, he wasn't going to leave her behind. The boy carried her fragile body as he ran to a nearby SCAMPER and boarded it.

"Everyone buckled him?" the pilot asked. All on board nodded. Nigel gently placed Rachel on the one of the stretchers on the ship, tucking her in underneath a blanket. "We're going to get out of here Rachel," she smiled weakly back at him. He went near the ships exit and took one last look at the Chamber, at last it would be destroyed so that no one could use it. He examined it, and noticed a most peculiar glowing object in one of it's capsules. Remembering the cube he threw out of frustration while trapped in the capsule, he ran back for it, he didn't know why, but he did. Oddly enough, it was almost like something or someone urged him to retrieve it, just like in his dreams.

He ignored the pilot and other personal on the ship yelling at him, besides, he could barely make out what they were saying anyway. Nigel ran at a speed like never before, dodging collapsing concrete and wires. Nigel grabbed the cube and dashed back to the ship, barely making it back onboard before it took off.

"Anyone else need to do some last minute stunts before we take off?" the pilot sarcastically stated. Everyone shook their heads. Nigel was too out of breath to care at the insult the pilot just threw at him, it's not like it mattered anyway. "Ok good, well get ready for a bumpy ride guys!" The operative pulled full throttle on the ships engine as it rocketed out of the facility, dodging gravel and rocks on the way. The ship shook violently, until it finally cleared back onto the surface.

Nigel briefly gazed to the back of the ship. The surface of the underground facility collapsed and buried it underneath a smoulder of burning metal and rock. It was finished. Leader and the Hasayan's were finally gone.

The ship landed along with the rest of the task force, not to far from the now smouldering ruins of Leader's once proud base. Nigel and one of the medics gently took out Rachel on a stretcher and laid her on the ground. Nigel requested that medic leave, wanting to have a private conversation with a slowly dying Rachel.

"Hey..." she asked as she strained her vocal chords. She grabbed Nigel's shoulder. "Did we win?" Nigel nodded, trying to hold back his tears. She smiled. "Good work soldier." He gently picked her up and hugged her. He could faintly feel feel her weak fingers grip the skin on his back.

Denial hit his mind like a train, causing him to look for anything or anyone that could save her, but it was no use. Rachel gazed into his eyes, she didn't feel the pain anymore, in a matter of fact, she never felt more calm in her life. Despite all odds, Nigel had managed to come to her aid and rescue her, and to her that's all that mattered.

"Don't worry about me Nigel, I'll be fine..." Her voice was so soft, so comforting, so gentle. The girl's brown eyes reflected in the sunlight that was coming in from the clearing up sky. They were so pure, so innocent. She continued to stare into his eyes as she felt herself fading away from this world into the next. Now she felt weightless, her vision quickly zoomed out of her body and straight through the clouds into a white and blinding light. Her eyes slowly closed as she exhaled her last breath.

"Rachel...? Rachel?!" Nigel called out to her name, but she didn't respond. He tried CPR and breathed into her mouth. Nothing. Her heart stopped beating, and her pulse was nonexistent. He couldn't accept it... it can't end this way.

He couldn't control his emotions anymore. He had failed her. Nigel began to cry uncontrollably as he hugged the girl. "Rachel, I'm so sorry..." he sobbed into her orange sweater. He was overloaded with memories and emotions that he could no longer manage.

The two entered the busy hangar, and walked towards the back of the carrier where the opening was located.

"It's so beautiful." Rachel said mesmerized by the sunset.

"Yeah, it is…" Nigel murmured, looking at Rachel.

Her face seemed to be lit up by the sun, and her brown eyes illuminated a brighter color.

She turned to Nigel, sensing his glare.

"You ever wish you could just leave all of this behind, away from all this senseless fighting?

Nigel was stumped by the question, he was unsure how to answer.

"Sometimes, but someone has to do it."

"Yeah… I guess you're right, I'm just tired of all this Nigel and I know you are too."

Rachel got a bit closer, and gazed up towards the now darkening sky.

"People are losing the ones they care about the most all around us… I just… I just don't want to…" Rachel felt a tear develop at the thought of losing the boy that stood before her.

"I just don't want to lose you Nigel; you mean a lot to me, you're my closest friend, and probably the only person who knows me inside and out." She finished, barely holding back tears that begged to pour out.

She abruptly felt a pair of arms slowly embrace her into a hug.

"Hey, don't worry about it Rachel. I'll always be there for you."

And indeed he always would be. It was but a mere moment in time, but it was a moment that he'd cherish forever. The irony is that, he lost her, not the other way around. He began to slowly accept reality. She was gone. He got up and walked away from his fallen comrade, even though she may be gone physically, they would always somehow be spiritually connected. But that didn't stop him from feeling tremendous sorrow and emptiness. He picked up her cold and pale hand, "Good bye Rachel", it was too much to handle now. He started tearing up, but this time he couldn't hold the water in his eyes from flooding onto his cheeks.

It wasn't fair, Rachel didn't deserve this. He wished it was him instead of her. Nigel felt like this was all his fault. Now his irrational and risky decisions had costed him not just the Supreme Leader's life, but the girl who meant everything to him. He wallowed their in utter disgust at himself, if he hadn't ran out to try and meet up with Abby and his friends in the first place, he wouldn't have gotten tackled, and if he didn't get tackled...

"Ow!" He jumped. What the hell just shocked him in his back pocket? The boy remembered, he put the cube there. As he took it out, he noticed that it was glowing even brighter then it was before. It flew right out of his hands, and headed straight for Rachel. It abruptly stopped over Rachel, and slowly descended closer to her body. Upon making contact with her sweater, an intensely bright and yellow light blinded Nigel. The light dimmed a little, revealing Rachel slightly arched up. The light vanished, leaving a healed and weakened, but alive Rachel groaning on the ground. He ran towards the commotion, eager to see what the blazes just happened.

The boy took searched for the cube, but it was gone, like it vanished straight into thin air.

Rachel managed to stand up slightly, before she lost her balance. Nigel caught her just in time before she hit the ground. "Rachel...?"

"Present." She joked in response, her voice still shaky, "I knew I could count on you Nigel Uno."

Without further delay, Nigel crushed Rachel in the tightest hug the girl had ever received, she wanted to comment, but she didn't want to ruin another moment. The hug lasted for what seemed to both of them like an eternity. Nothing ever felt so right in her life, it felt like it was meant to be. "I thought you were... you know..."

Looking up into the sky thoughtfully, she responded back "...dead? Yeah so did I."

"But how?" the girl almost immediately answered his question, somehow knowing the thing responsible for her revival. Rachel pointed to the now dull and reflective cube, "I think it had something to do with that..."

Nigel recalled a conversation he had in a so-called 'dream' he experienced.

"We've been observing you for a long time, your skills are exceptional, and the companionship you share towards your fellow comrades is great trait indeed. Your service to the Kids Next Door has been invaluable, but you will soon find yourself destined for greatness."

"Um... thank you, but what does that have to do with anything?" Nigel was now even more bewildered.

"That will began to make sense as you continue your journey, but I believe you will need help with a threat your home world now faces."

Ok, he was wrong, things could get stranger. What the hell did he just say 'home world'? Was he talking to an alien?

The orb continued. "Yes, the Hasayan's, we know about them. However, I do believe that you will need some help defeating them.

"Huh? How so?" Nigel commented back.

"When this is discussion is over, you will find the answer to that question. You'll know when to use this item once the time arises. Now I do believe that a friend dear to you is in trouble. Her name is Rachel if I'm not mistaken."

The orb suddenly began to levitate higher and lose it's bright golden shine.

"Wait how do you know? Who are you?! What item?! I don't understand anything that's going on!" Nigel yelled.

"It'll all make sense in due time. Good luck Nigel Uno, we will meet again very soon,"

He played a phrase in his mind over and over again. '...You'll know when to use this item once the time arises...' that wasn't possible! How did a dream predict the future and manage to manifest a solid and advanced piece of technology in the real world? And how in the world did this thing help him beat the Hasayan's? It obviously didn't transform into some superweapon. This whole thing produced more questions then answers, but now wasn't the time to focus on them.

All he could focus on was the blonde girl that was in front of him. He moved closer and closer to the girl's face. She looked at him with acceptance, and she also tilted her head towards him. Their lips were only an inch apart, so close...

"Numbuh 1 and Numbuh 362!" several voices yelled out from behind them. Running towards them came Nigel's sector. Here we go again, another perfect moment, totally ruined, again!

"We thought you guys didn't make it!" Numbuh 2 cheered. Kuki came up, examining Rachel's and Nigel's wounds. "I think we should send you guys back to the Moon Base for further evaluation." Rachel checked her stomach, her fatal wound was... gone, with no signs of her being stabbed at all. Nigel was also bewildered, how was that even possible? How would they explain this to everyone?

Then a thought dawned on him, judging by everyone's normality, no one else saw the strange event at all. He got up slowly, helping lift up Rachel as they boarded a SCAMPER headed for the Moon Base.

Then, he remembered something. Serena and Aiden! How could he forget about the operatives that saved both him and Rachel. He wanted to thank them, without them they would have been as good as dead. He reached out for Abby. "Hey have you seen Aiden and Serena?" she shook her head. "Naw, we lost them back at when everything started going downhill, the last time I saw them they were boarding one of the SCAMPERs though, so Numbuh 5 thinks their just fine."

Nigel sighed, he never really got to thank them. But it was in this moment he had realized they had won. He gazed at Rachel who was fast asleep next to him, exhausted.

The Hasayan's thought they could start a war, they thought such a distraction would tie down the Kids Next Door while they made their fantasies of world domination a reality. But they under-estimated the power of human compassion and emotions. In the end, the very things the Hasayan's wanted to destroy were the very things that led to their own demise, stopped by two individuals who wouldn't give up, wouldn't give up on their friends, wouldn't give up on the Kids Next Door, and most of all wouldn't give up on each other.

In the shadows of the forest, two figures stand idly by as Nigel and Rachel boarded a ship headed back to the Moon Base. One of them, a brown haired girl near her teens takes a strange looking communicator out of her pocket.

Numbuh 1942 came up on screen. "Did you destroy the Chamber?", Serena nodded.

"What about Leader?" She nodded again. "He went down with the base sir,"

Chester nodded in approval. He shifted a little to the left to get a better look at the figure standing behind her. Ah, he knew he recognized the lad ,"Welcome back Numbuh 313" he saluted.

Aiden saluted back. "It's been quite awhile hasn't it been sir?" The admiral smiled, "Too long if I'm not mistaken," Aiden relaxed and brought his hand down "But why'd you all come back for me? I thought that the effects of the indoctrination chamber were irreversible."

Chester cleared his throat "You know our policy Numbuh 313, we leave no one behind, " he pointed to the girl through the screen, "and don't thank me, thank her, this whole mission was her idea after all."

Quick to change the subject, Serena had a question on her mind that bothered her, "That cube you gave Nigel, how did you know Rachel was going to die?"

"We didn't", Numbuh 1942 paused for a minute, "We sent it to him with the intentions of it activating when he truly needed it. Whether or not he knows it, the cube did help him, how? I can not say. The cube is a rare technology, one we only send to operatives we believe will put it to great use. Even though we created it, the source that fuels it works in mysterious ways."

"Wait, so basically what your saying is that the cube revived Rachel because that's what he truly needed?"

"Smart girl," He chuckled, "Now, Numbuh Infinity wants you two back at base. Mission accomplished." the transmission ended. With the Hasayan threat dissolved, there was no longer a need for the two to stay back on Earth.

She gazed up into the winter sky, and watched as the ship zoomed up into space.

"Take care you two"

A white beam surrounded the operatives, before it suddenly disappeared along with the two operatives.

Finally, the boy thought. The medical staff on the Moon Base finally managed to completely seal the bullet wound near his gut. After a couple of days in the hospital dock, he was finally allowed to leave. Thank god... sitting in a bed was getting quite annoying anyway.

Rachel was for the first time ever, not drowning in paperwork. Although in this case, she'd rathers well be. She stared at the ceiling for what seemed like an eternity, cautioned by her staff resting and sleep were probably best for right now. She didn't see why, I mean all she had was a couple of cuts and bruises, nothing too major. Besides, the Kids Next Door was still technically in a state of war with Father, and she didn't think it was right to be sitting pretty while many operatives were making the final push into Moscow.

She heard footsteps coming from outside her room. Oh great... probably Numbuh 86 or something about to complain about how some stupid boy was being stupid or something like that. Instead, too her disbelief, Nigel walked in.

She chuckled. Who would've thought the legendary Numbuh 1 would look so, well, absurd. He walked up to her, his presence already making her feel comfortable.

"You look funny", she teased. He frowned back, "well I don't know if you've looked in a mirror lately, but your not exactly model material either." Huh? What was he talking about, it couldn't be that bad she thought, "Hey what's that supposed to mean!?"

He laughed, she looked completely ridiculous all bundled up under a blanket with numerous bandages around her arms and face as well as a slightly bruised eye. Oddly enough he found this cute, the all powerful Supreme Leader of the Kids Next Door, covering up her insecurities behind a hospital blanket.

"How you doing?" he changed the subject quickly from one of humor to one of concern. She gazed at him, "I'm fine, how about you?" he grabbed a chair and placed it next to her bed, "Never been better."

They fixed their visions onto each other, neither one blinking.

Rachel felt something build up inside her, something that she could no longer hold inside her, "Hey, no one's around and I'm pretty sure I can walk around," she stuttered, "did you wanna, maybe, go for a walk?" she waited for his response.

"Of course Rachel," hearing this answer, she struggled to get up. Ok... maybe her body wasn't fully functional after all. Then, ever so gently a hand helped her up on her feet. She struggled to stand up, but the boy quickly helped her balance, putting her arm on his shoulder.

"Um, I think I can walk on my own now", she was blushing, and this much was obvious. He smiled, interlocking his hands with hers.

They found themselves alone on the observation deck. Usually during any other normal time, this place would be littered with couples or star gazers. But with the final stages of war still brewing on Earth, it was empty. Perfect Nigel thought, now unless an asteroid just so happened to hit the Moon Base, nothing could ruin their time together now. He turned his directions up to the stars. They seemed so peaceful and beautiful, far away from all the stresses on Earth. A thought dawned upon him, and he felt the urge to ask Rachel.

"You ever wonder what's up there?" She glanced at him before looking back up at the stars. She was always curious what lurked in the deep reaches of space, "All the time Nigel."

He asked another question, this time one that she felt almost uncomfortable to answer, "Do you think there are other kids up there, you know other children organizations with the same cause as us?"

"Um... it's possible, why" she was happy when he quickly changed the subject. But it bothered her that perhaps he knew something, something he shouldn't have... yet.

Nigel swiveled back his attention her, "just wondering," they were quiet for a few seconds, both hypnotized in a trance by the forever night sky up above. Rachel decided to finally speak, she had to let him know something important, something that had developed in her for quite some time now. For the first time in her life she couldn't articulate a sentence that could properly explain what she felt, despite her vast vocabulary. She wasn't sure if she should even tell him, but it appeared that she didn't need to.

"You know, this whole experience... it's been a real life changer," he was in a deep state of thought, and he wanted to tell Rachel something that he'd been meaning to tell her long ago. She nodded her head in agreement, "I'm pretty sure none of us will be the same after this."

"Yeah, especially us. Rachel, I don't know if you feel the same... but you mean everything to me," Rachel got nervous, but the boy continued on, "When I thought I lost you, I felt so empty, I...I... just don't know...", great now she must think I'm stupid or something now, can't even finish a sentence properly he thought to himself.

She was going to reject him outright, for she knew something he didn't, something that would tear them apart in the future. But if she told him off, it would break the boy into pieces, but if she did, at least that would make things easier when the time came. But she couldn't.

Rachel hugged him, snuggling deep into his red sweater, she couldn't hold back her feelings any longer. "I know Nigel, I feel the same way," there she did it, she basically made things between them official, something she shouldn't have done. They enjoyed this sweet un-interrupted moment.

That moment was short-lived when her communicator went off. She reluctantly broke away from his warm embrace and answered the call. "Yeah... yeah, I'll talk to you from there," Nigel stared curiously at his commander wondering who was she was talking to on the other line. Rachel closed her communicator and re-approached Nigel.

"Who was that?" He questioned.

She had to come up with an excuse and fast, "Oh it was just Numbuh 60 updating me on the front. He wanted me to go back to my office to retrieve some files for him", it was a blatant lie. It made her guilty inside knowing that what she had told him was a complete and utter lie, but it was absolutely necessary. "I'll come back in a few minutes ok? Now you just wait here, and I'll go fetch us some hot chocolate on the way back" she brought up the cutest smile she could ever summon, making Nigel melt inside, "Ok, see you in a little," he responded as he gazed back up into the stars.

Nigel seemed to have bought the story, and she hurriedly paced to her office.

She arrived at her office and closed the door shut. The large LCD screen in her office turned on suddenly, on the live screen chat appeared Numbuh Infinity.

"Hello Numbuh 362", he saluted.

"What do you want Numbuh Infinity?" he smiled back with a sense of professionalism, "What if I told you we had a weapon that could end this war, right now?" Rachel was dumbfounded, what was he going on about?

"Oh yes, let me inform you about it first. For some years now the KND along with the help of undercover GKND scientists have worked on something known as Project: ZEUS", he paused to catch his breath, "it has been kept secret even from the Supreme Leader and is known only to the most highly and trusted ranks of Global Command, after the little incident with Hasayan scientists in Project: M.M.A.C.P, we couldn't risk another infiltration."

She wanted to cut straight to the point, "Ok so what are you telling me? That we have a weapon in our own arsenal that can end this war now?" Rachel beamed into Infinity's shades.

"Yes, but I may warn you... it's effects are... most devastating."

It was either end the war now and be ridiculed for using such a weapon, or let the war drag out causing more bloodshed. Afterall, projected casualties for the siege of Moscow were unimaginably high.

"I'll need to give it some thought before I make a final decision. Numbuh 362 out", she reached for the end transmission button, but Infinity said something to her that made her freeze.

"You didn't do what was instructed." his voice sent a shiver up her spine, he knew.

"I know, but if I broke things off, it would've destroyed him!" she protested.

Infinity responded back, this time his voice full of disappointment, "The plan was to severe all ties, minus a couple of exceptions, but you went ahead and ruined that plan."

Rachel was angry, she was so sick of all this. Always the ends justify the means she thought sarcastically in her head. "How the hell can you guys be so god damn cruel?"

Infinity sighed, he knew that the emotions humans felt to each other were strong, perhaps unbreakable. "Relax Numbuh 362, we're not doing this without reason," he looked sternly at Rachel, "You already know he's bound to leave Earth for the GKND sometime, and when that time comes, your just going to subject both of you to more pain then what is necessary."

He was right, and she wasn't going to prevent the boy from achieving greatness, "I know... but at least he'll be able to enjoy what little time has left on this planet"

Infinity had no emotions on his face, and realizing that the actions Rachel had just committed could not be undone, left her with one last message before he signed off. "I hope you understand fully the repruccusions of your actions." The screen turned off, and the room went eerily silent. She sat on her desk for a minute, taking in everything that had just happened. Infinity was right, she should've just lied and told him she had no feelings for him. But now that was too late.

But at least now she would be able to spend whatever little time she had with him on Earth; even if that meant they would have to part their separate ways in the end.

...Transmission Interrupted...

I'm sad to say there is only one last chapter after this :|, and that chapter will most likely explain any questions you may still have.

Hope you all enjoyed the climax, I will update asap.

Note: Reviews and everything appreciated!