He had to admit, this felt immensely relaxing. Of course, after the dragging gauntlet he had just been through, anything could be considered relaxing. Even playing one of those plebeian crossword puzzles his dad loved so much would be enjoyable at the moment. But still, calming nevertheless.

Nigel sat squared away on one of the long cushioned seats within Rachel's ship. The bald boy peered around with slight curiosity. Granted, he had flown around the galaxy in more highly advanced crafts, but he still had never been on a TND ship. But apart from a few differences and an altered color scheme, he just decided to see it as a larger, more up-to-date S.C.A.M.P.E.R. The body was larger and more narrow, giving the interior a more roomy feel. The captain's chair which was usually located in the center was replaced with two long couches securely propped up on the walls. It left an open walkway from the rear where small lockers were, to the pilot's cockpit in the front. Which was where Rachel was currently located.

As the blonde strayed into his thoughts, Nigel spared a subtle glance in her general direction. The girl had her back to him, mostly due to her focus on the controls. Her hands frayed about the keyboard and her fingers fondled the levers every so often to make sure the ship would keep steady and not veer off course. The Brit couldn't help but keep his gaze on the girl, studying her features. Her blank face was crinkled slightly with an aura of concentration, which would break every time a loose strand of her bangs fluttered into her eye. She would bat the offender away with agitation, then school herself as she went back to work.

Nigel leaned back into his seat, his gaze never leaving Rachel. A light frown appeared after a moment when he thought back to what they had said to each other so far. Sadly, there wasn't a lot of detail since the conversation had been incredibly light. He didn't think he could call it a conversation, more like idle chit-chat than anything. It jarred him a bit. He didn't know how he would feel if his return gauged a similar reaction to Wally's.

But as if she read his mind, she subtly implied that wasn't the case. She had stated her reasons for talking, or lack thereof, was solely because she needed to have her full attention on flying. She had admitted to not being the best pilot and didn't want them to end up crashing into the sun. It was understandable, but he couldn't help but feel there was more to it. But those negative thoughts would dissipate when she sent light smiles his way. As if to assure him she was fond of his company. He couldn't help but feel comforted by this, seeing as she only broke the strict business manner for him. She kept face with Wally and Kuki.

He would be lying if he said he didn't take a small guilty pleasure in that. That those warm smiles were just for him.

Shaking his head, Nigel forced his look away from Rachel and chose to peek out the small window adjacent to his bald scalp. His lips crinkled upwards as he took in the glowing moon in the distance with the Kids Next Door Moonbase standing tall and proud against the twinkling stars. The wonders of space were nothing new to him, even before he departed for Galactic command, but seeing the glory of the Earth KND's central hub filled him with a sense of calm. Mostly because he felt squarely in place here. Here he didn't have to wear some holo-guise because he only had two legs. No, here he could fit in perfectly. Here he was home, and it felt right.

But then Nigel let a frown break his serene expression. He shouldn't be letting himself get so cozy. He couldn't have that. If he became so attached to everything, it would make it that much harder when it came time for him to leave. But darn it, letting himself indulge in all these personal matters wasn't making this any easier. He made himself promise the moment his feet graced the dirt that he would avoid all his friends if necessary. It would make everything smoother if they didn't know he was here. But what had happened to that?

Kuki had been waiting for him the moment he arrived, Wally was to be his informant/partner for capturing the traitor at the teen trade, he ran into the tuba boy and Chad, heck, he even took a major part in masterminding the jailbreak on the moonbase without any regrets. Now he was considering checking up on Abby and Hoagie whenever he got the chance. So much for avoiding them all. But still, he thought maybe just his old team knowing about his return would be fine.

Then Rachel appeared. Now he didn't know what to make of anything.

The sharp rattling of the ship caused him to snap out of his contemplations. Nigel glanced towards Rachel with an arched brow as the girl seemed to sigh with relief. "We just broke the atmosphere," He heard her utter as her seat spun around. She let her body slump back into her chair, and her eyes closed as she took the chance to momentarily relax. "The auto-pilot can take it from here."

At her words, Nigel took a quick peek out the circular window to see that they had indeed returned to the planet's orbit. The sky was already starting to morph into a dark blue hue. "I guess that means you can finally get a moment of rest, hmm?" He lightly grinned as he centered his look back onto her.

Rachel offered a hint of a smirk and an empty chuckle in reply. "Rest? What does that word mean?" She shook her head as his eyes slowly opened. "Too much going on to even think about rest. Not that I would have the time for it anyway."

Nigel's lips straightened as she spoke, but it was only for a brief second for he thought of something else. "Not even for a cookie break?"

"Ha!" Rachel allowed herself to laugh as her head lowered. "I haven't even had one of those in years."

The Brit grinned to himself in victory. "Still overworking yourself I see."

"You have no idea." The blonde said as she glanced out the window. "Or maybe you do. You've been working pretty hard these last few hours if anything I've heard is true."

Nigel leaned back into the wall as he thought back on his little adventures during the night. He made a small disgruntled noise as he imagined it all with vivid clarity. "I've waded through so many Teenz, yet have so very few answers to show for it." He mumbled as he fiddled with the zipper of his bag. "It's…kinda pathetic really."

Rachel's eyes trailed upwards to study Nigel through her bangs. "So, how much do you know?"

The Brit rolled his eyes to the ceiling in thought and chuckled a few seconds later. "I know I'm never wearing a wig again."

Rachel failed to see the humor in it. "I was talking about your mission."

"I know as much as I did when I landed." His smile dropped as he counted off the information on his fingers. "An operative went rouge, they know about the GKND, and I'm here to stop them. That's it." He grumbled as he crossed his arms. But suddenly, he snapped his fingers as he recalled something. "Oh yes, she's a girl."

Rachel raised a thin brow when he said that. "Who told you that?"

"Chad did," Nigel answered. He looked over to Rachel, only to garner a confused look when she saw her boring a hole into the wall. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Rachel quietly answered. The blonde then lowered her head into her waiting palm and groaned. "Did he tell you anything else?"

"Just one big stupid riddle. Like that's supposed to be of any help." The bald teen muttered. He looked back to the ex-Supreme Leader and grew concerned when he noted that her expression hadn't changed. "Is there something I should know?"

"No. Everything's fine." Rachel waved off as she schooled her features. The blonde ran a hand through her hair as her opposite fist unclenched. "It's just that Chad can't be trusted. But it doesn't matter now, it'll all be over soon."

"You say that, but it feels like it's just starting." Nigel moaned as he let his arms fall to his sides. The shuttle then fell silent as the two mused with their own thoughts. The Brit nervously glanced over to the blonde while she herself stared into the ground, her fingers twiddling with the chair arms. Nigel then looked straight ahead as he weighed his options. Things felt so tense between them, yet there was so much he wanted to talk about. Sadly, he didn't know where to begin.

"You're…you're probably wondering why I'm here." When he heard her speak up, his eyes flicked over to hers. They made brief eye contact before the blonde forcibly looked away. "I could tell. Back at the moonbase, your look said that I was the last person you were expecting."

The Brit shamefully tore his gaze away as a small form of guilt overcame him. He didn't mean to make her appearance feel unwelcome. "It was a surprise," He started, trying to form the correct words without fumbling. "But it was a very pleasant one."

Rachel gifted him with a light smile before her face became serious again. "The deal with the Teen Ninjas was Numbuh 3's only lead on the person you're after, but it was a bust. Now neither she, nor the Kids Next Door can do anything else to assist you, so Numbuh Infinity ordered me to come take you to the Basement."

Nigel nodded as he listened. "So, the TND knows the situation?"

"They only know that the operative stole very valuable information, and needs to be apprehended by any means necessary," Rachel informed as she turned to face the cockpit once more. "Only me, Numbuhs Infinity, 74.239, and a few select others know the full story. That's why I'm bringing you to the Basement. Things have gotten too out of hand and the TND can provide far better insight on this whole thing."

"I assumed as much." Nigel acknowledged in agreement as he stroked his chin. "The traitor came from the TND itself, so they should have much more information on her." He then paused and rolled his eyes as he thought of it more clearly. "Makes me wonder why I just didn't go to them in the first place."

Out of his line of sight, Rachel smirked. "Because you would have lost the element of surprise the moment you made contact with them. Anything they know, she knows. That's why you were sent to Numbuh 3. She knows about the GKND due to happenstance, and since she's a few weeks shy of thirteen, her command over the TND has been restricted so she didn't know anything." She then frowned as they entered cloud cover. "But things have changed. She knows you're here, so going to the spies won't affect anything at this point."

"Well, at least I may have the chance to actually make some headway in this case." Nigel peered off to the side, then stifled a chuckle. "Funny how great minds think alike. I was planning to track down Numbuh 5 and meet up with her the moment you showed up." He grinned over to Rachel, who still had her back to him. "Pretty ironic, don't you think?" She didn't respond right away, which caused him to frown. Only when he opened his mouth to question her silence did she speak up.

"You…you really don't know who the traitor is, do you?"

Her question stunned him, and so did her voice. The way she asked it. There was barely any emotion in it. But there was a hint of…something. Something that, unnerved him a bit. But he chose to ignore it to focus on the question she raised. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He saw her head lower slightly and watched her shoulders shake. Nigel leaned a bit closer when he swore he heard her mumble something, but the sounds of the ship's engine droned it out. Finally, he noticed that she took a relaxing breath and stood up from her seat. The Brit stared on with bated breath as Rachel strutted closer. Her pace was confident, and her face was blank. Yet her hazel orbs twinkled as she drew ever closer. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally joined him at his side. Nigel was gobsmacked at how near her distance seemed to be. Any closer, and the fabric of her orange jacket would be gracing the bare skin of his arm. But he never protested. In fact–

"Nigel," She began, which derailed his train of thought. Which was something he was probably thankful for because he felt really embarrassed at where it seemed to be going. But then his attention was back on Rachel, who was gazing at him with a pitiful look. "I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but it would be much better coming from me than Infinity."

Nigel suddenly tensed as any hormone-riddled thoughts that still lingered flew from his mind. The way her voice softly spoke, how she gazed at him with that sympathetic stare. Whatever she planned on telling him, he really didn't want to hear it now. "What…do you have to tell me?"

Rachel lowered her gaze, her bangs veiling the emotion in her pupils for the umpteenth time. Because her eyes conveying the wrong message could ruin everything.

A part of her was screaming out to stop, not to get any more involved than she had. The pain would only be much more greater if she went through with this, and failed.

But, some childish part of her told that she had to try. "Nigel, do you want to know who you're after?"

The Brit curiously blinked before his mind came to the dreadful conclusion on its own. His eyes widened behind his shades, and denial immediately flared. She only brought this up after he mentioned… 'No…' He should've been expecting it, but… "You…you can't possibly mean…"

"I'm sorry, Nigel." Rachel apologized and tried to show as much comfort as she could. He would take this hard, but his reaction could change everything. Small hope bubbled as she finished her statement. "But the traitor you're after is Numbuh 5."

"…And here's a sandwich I made you because I know how you get on long flights. And some orange juice I snuck out of the cafeteria on my way down here. Then there's a map in case you get lost, and here's a…well, I really don't know what this is but you better take it anyway." Kuki shrugged as she shoved some weird contraption into Wally's bugling knapsack.

Behind her, the blond Aussie just stared as his girlfriend tried to cram every item imaginable into his pack. "Geez. Wanna stuff the whole Outback in there while yer at it?" He was then caught off guard when the Asian suddenly tossed the sack into his unprepared arms. "Whoa!"

"Don't be like that! I just want to make sure you have everything you need to get home safely." Kuki huffed. She then blinked as she watched him heft the heavy bag over his shoulder and secure the straps. "Do you remember how to fly my ship?" She asked as looked over towards the slim jet fighter.

As he looked up, Wally grimaced at the color scheme. "Yeah. Jus' gotta pull up on the bent stick thingy ta make it go, roight?"

Kuki slowly blinked before rolling her eyes slowly. "…I set the guidance system to take you to the outskirts of your hometown. All you need to do then is walk the rest of the way." The boy nodded, and she rushed up to take his hand before he blitzed off. "And don't forget to zip your coat, it's raining down there."

"Okay, mum." Wally grumbled. He then looked down at the girl's glare and nervously chuckled afterward. "I'm just jokin'."

The Supreme Leader only sighed as she leaned in to give one of her famous bone-crushing hugs. "Just promise me you want to into any fights along the way. I don't need any more nervous breakdowns."

Wally scoffed as one arm returned the gesture. "Ya know me, Kooks. No worries."

The girl could only laugh as she looked up at the blond. "That's what worries me." Despite the jeer, their faces inched ever closer, but the moment was broken before it could even start as Kuki's communicator went off. Groaning, the oriental backed off and answered while motioning Wally to the cockpit. "This better be good news, Numbuh 85."

"Some of it is, ma'am." The Irish boy slowly responded as the sounds of a firefight could be heard in the distant background. "The stupid teens tried to make a break for the north end just like you expected, and security is pushing them back into the detention center, no problem. But there are a few stranglers."

Kuki glanced over to Wally as he looked back towards her. She smirked as she decided to play with Patrick a bit. "For your sake, 85, Numbuh 4 better not be one of those stranglers." She threatened as the Aussie chuckled into his fist.

"Uh, w-well…" Patrick gulped on the other end. "W-We don't exactly have him in custody yet…BUT we do know where he is! That's still kinda good, right?"

Kuki and Wally froze as Patrick reported that. Kuki immediately glared into the communicator all the while wondering who the hell figured her plan out. "What's his location?" She asked with a controlled tone. Maybe it was just a mistake. That had to be it.

"Numbuh 364 claims to have seen him force his way into the service elevator. I think he might be trying to make a break for the Supreme Hanger!"

Before Kuki could come up with a retort, she and Wally snapped their gazes up as the metal gears of the service elevator creaked and turned. Wally stepped off Kuki's ship to stand at her side, while the Supreme Leader herself glared at the closed door. "I'm in the area, I'll try to stop him before it's too late."

"Be careful, ma'am. He's wearing some hyped-up Battle Ready Armor."

Kuki switched the device off as she pocketed it. At her side, Wally growled. "I wouldn't be caught dead in that stupid thing!" He fumed. He then blinked and folded his arms across his chest. "Not anymore, anyway." The elevator made a rumbling noise as it halted, and the Aussie tightened his fist as he stepped in front of Kuki protectively. "Who the heck could it be?"

"We're about to find out," Kuki uttered with a glare as the terminal next to the door was hacked. After a moment, the screen flashed green and the old rusty doors screeched as they slid open. Then out came a mysterious teen. The ebony steel of the BRA eerily shined in the dull hanger lighting. The helmet encased the wearer's face, but the custom slim build represented a female. Kuki jerked out her carrot launching crossbow and aimed with deadly precision. "Freeze!"

The teen stopped and glanced towards the owner of the voice. Her eyes flashed with mild surprise, but her steely gaze returned as she composed herself. "You're a hard girl to find, you know that?" The voice was disfigured due to the technology in the faceplate. "Ain't got time for this silly game of hide 'n' seek."

"Then how 'bout we play some tag?" Wally threatened as he balled his fist. Before Kuki could react, the blond shot off like a bullet towards the teen; his fist reared back packed enough power to take off the intruder's head. "Cuz I'm about ta make you it!"

The teen rolled her eyes. "Been there, done that." Right when the blond's fist was upon her, her body slid slightly to the side and her fist quickly leaped up to catch his own. As soon as it was in her grip, the teen twisted herself around Wally with fluid motion. She painfully adjusted his arm behind his back and used her advantage to force the boy down onto the floor. Wally was then forced to submit, lest the slightest movement break his arm. "Now calm down, sport. We both know how it'll end."

Wally snarled at the teen's smugness. "I'll show you, ya stupid…" His threat died in his throat, as the wheels in his brain began to turn. "Wait," There was only one person besides his parents who called him 'sport'. As if reading his mind, the teen released the blond and he stood up dumbfounded. "Numbuh 5?"

"Get in trouble again, short stuff?" Abby questioned as her finger pressed into her breastplate. The Battle Ready Armor then rapidly receded revealing the girl's figure underneath. The old spy of Sector V stood wearing a tight white undershirt covered by a dark blue jacket, and a small blaster was clipped to the side of her black jeans. Her cut, frizzy shoulder-length hair framed around her head, and a dark brow rose from her stoic features. Her hands strayed into the pockets of her jacket, and she spoke as she donned a pair of old void-like sunglasses. "When are you gonna quit acting like a fool and stop all this free agent bull?"

Wally looked down at the girl and tsked his lips. "Nice ta see you too, Numbuh 5." He then crossed his arms and frowned to hide his hurt expression. Was that all she had to say to him? "And I'm done with that stuff. Happy?"

Abby's stone expression didn't alter in the slightest, but she gave a curt nod nonetheless. "Good." Her steel gaze snapped to Kuki, who had stepped closer upon finding out the teen was friendly. "Where's Numbuh 1?"

"W-Wha?" Kuki stuttered as she came to a complete stop. How did Abby know Nigel was here? Her eyes became guarded, not sure if she should divulge that sort of information. The girl became pensive, suddenly very wary of Abby's motives. "I don't know."

The mocha-skinned girl glared at the Supreme Leader. She then ignored Kuki and switched her focus back to the Aussie. "Where's Nigel, Wally?" She questioned, knowing the boy would answer her question whether if he knew it or not.

Wally raised a brow as he regarded Abby. "I dunno where they were going."

"They?" She questioned, smirking lightly as she turned her gaze back to a face-palming Kuki. "Who's they, Numbuh 3?"

Kuki herself felt like shaking some common sense into Wally. Couldn't he get the hint that she didn't want to tell her? Figuring she was cornered, the young Asian pouted as she kicked at the deck. "He left with Numbuh 362 just a few minutes ago." She then turned away, not really caring to be an audience to Abby's smug reaction. The reaction that was shown, however, was far from what she was expecting.

"WHAT?" Abby bellowed, her expression finally breaking since she stepped out of the elevator. Her eyes became as wide as dinner saucers as she immediately reeled on the stunned Numbuh 3. "Where the hell did they go!"

Kuki gaped like a fish out of water. She hadn't seen Abby display this much emotion in very long time. But then she snapped out of her stupor once she realized Abby was snarling down at her.

Well, wasn't she the shining beacon of patience? "I-I'm not sure. I think she said something about the Basement–"

"The Basement?" Abby repeated confused. Then her eyes lit with understanding Kuki didn't comprehend. But before she could pose her concerns, Abby's expression transformed once more. It was filled with rage, anger, and high amounts of frustration. And same as before, the teen spy reacted violently much too quickly for Kuki to anticipate.

"GODDAMN IT!"

The older teen roared as she stormed past Kuki. The Supreme Leader stumbled, and would have fallen uncomfortably to the floor had not Wally's instincts kicked in. The Asian fell into the boy's waiting arms and glanced up to him with a grateful facial gesture. Their attention then snapped forward as the sounds of jet engines flaring to life boomed throughout the hanger. They were flabbergasted as Abby commandeered Kuki's personal fighter. The brightly colored jet hovered a few meters into the air and poised itself upward as the bay doors opened. And then without further delay, Abby sped off into the distance. Departing as quickly as she arrived.

Wally helped Kuki to a proper standing position and looked up dumbly to the closing doors. The blond bored upwards with a blank look, and Kuki just nervously awaited his reaction. Then after crinkling his lips, he spoke up. "I can't believe that crazy sheila." He muttered just loud enough to hear.

"It…it'll be alright Wally." Kuki softly comforted. She felt terrible for him. Wally knew Abby much longer than she did. The girl was always there for the blond boy; being the big sister he never had. Either helping him with his schoolwork or getting him out of situations that were way over his head. He was taking her sudden silent treatment the hardest. "I'm sure she means well."

"Wha?" Wally blinked as he gazed down at Kuki. He then caught on to what she was referring to and pointedly looked away. "That crud? Pfft, I don't care what she does. Who needs 'er?" He jumped when a warm hand brushed his arm, and he peeked back over to see Kuki still offering a small smile.

"No worries, right? Things are gonna get better."

Wally lowered his arms and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "S'not what my cousin says."

Kuki frowned as he said that. "What does your cousin say then?"

The blond's nostrils flared, snorting out a puff of hot air. He glanced back up to the dark ceiling above and glared as a foreboding feeling shivered down his spine. "She says that before things get bettah, they always get a lot worse."

"I…It just doesn't seem right." Nigel mumbled lowly to himself. He let his head fall into his hands and allowed himself this small moment to wallow in self-pity. The only other occupant was Rachel, but she would never judge him. His gaze lifted slightly, but he only ended up shaking his head in denial again. "No. It just can't be right." He snapped towards the blonde beside him, showing off a snarl usually reserved for his most hated adversaries. "If this is some sort of joke –"

"Why would I joke about something like this?" Rachel responded calmly, paying no mind to his glare. She had been expecting it. These sorts of things were never taken lightly. "I know it must be hard. It was never easy to make the call when I had to send Numbuh 86 to hunt down one of my operatives."

"But Abby's not just another operative." Nigel protested as his posture slumped. "I can't even begin to describe it. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't even be sitting right here having this conversation!" His fists clenched, suddenly angry. But this brief wave of rage fled as soon as it came and left him with an almost hollow feeling. "Just…how? Why? I know they say it's the ones you never expect but…" He couldn't even bring himself to finish. Abby was the traitor. Abby went against the Kids Next Door. Was threatening to reveal the GKND.

And he had to hunt her down.

"I don't know why, Nigel." Rachel began. "It could be for a lot of reasons. But, part of me believes it's because of what became of Numbuh 2."

"Just what did happen to Hoagie?" Nigel moodily asked as he frowned at the girl. His hand shot up and made little motions with his nimble fingers. "Everyone just tip-toes around it, like I don't need to know. Well, he was MY friend too! I have a bloody right to know!" He growled out, only calming down when Rachel sent him a soft look.

"I don't know the full story. I was long gone by then." She said as looked across the seat. "Father hit the KND hard, basically lost it then and there. Apparently, Numbuh 5 made a rash decision and sent Numbuh 2 to get the hostages out alive."

The Brit's look turned grim as the possibilities ran through his mind. Each more bleak and gruesome than the last. "What…happened?"

"The Numbuh 2 you knew is gone, Nigel. I think it would be best just to leave it at that."

"Best to leave it at that." Nigel flatly repeated. He opened his mouth, only to have the retort fall dead on his tongue. "I don't know why I should feel shocked at this point."

Rachel leaned back a little startled. "Why is that?"

"In reality, it's no different from every other situation I've dealt with since I've gotten back." He let out as he kicked himself into a standing position. "Hoagie out of commission permanently, Abby lowering herself to the title of traitor. They've changed. Everyone's different now!" He shouted, his pent-up aggression at a boiling point. "I sound like a whiny brat, but I don't care! I'm just so sick of it! Why can't everything be like it used to be?"

Rachel sat stunned as she listened to Nigel's tirade, but before he could finish, a glare settled into her expression. "You're right, you do sound like a whiny brat." She interrupted. "You weren't ever supposed to return, what did you think was going to happen Nigel? That everyone would put their lives on hold for the slight possibility that you might just pop back in?"

"…No." Nigel sounded out, feeling defeated and out of terms. "I know I spoke out of line there, but I didn't mean –"

"Yes, you did speak out of line!" Rachel continued to rage. The blonde stood up as she fumed, pacing towards the bald Brit and causing him to repel back. "The world doesn't revolve around you Nigel! If you really thought everyone would just greet you with open arms, then you need a serious wake-up call! You don't just drop everything to go play Mr. Big Shot Space Ranger, then come back and expect us to kiss your feet for it! It doesn't work that way because you left! You left your duty here, you left your sector, you left your friends, your family! You left me –"

Her hazel orbs widened and she froze. Her voice died and she quickly turned away not believe she let herself go off like that.

Nigel lowered his arms out of a defensive position as he absorbed the blonde's words, and the meaning behind them. The teen stared at the beautiful girl before him, finally beginning to see how much he messed up. Messed up by just, leaving her without any form of notice. He was a kid back then and really didn't understand. In a way, he still was a kid. But the big picture was starting to come into focus now. "I'm sorry. Sorry for leaving without saying goodbye."

"I know you're sorry, Nigel." Rachel bobbed her head, still not fully facing him. "But it's okay. I've gotten over it. Certainly nothing to get all work up over now." Her eyes lingered around the interior frantically as she tried to sort her emotions, but then they closed in peaceful calm when his hand firmly gripped her shoulder.

"But it's not okay. It doesn't matter how suddenly it happened, no matter how rushed it all was. I got the chance to say goodbye to every meaningful person of my life, yet I never even thought to send notice to you." When she finally mustered up enough will to turn to him, he smiled. Not a cocky or confident one. Just a loving smile for her. "And you mean a lot to me, Rachel."

The blonde let a true warm smile overcome her features as her hand came up to clasp with his. Their fingers laced, and she relished at how they seemed to perfectly meld together. But then her smile dimmed as she remembered the situation. "But is that all this Nigel? Just some personal trip to make amends and move on?"

The Brit closed his eyes behind his yellow-tinted shades. After a moment of contemplation, his grip on her hand became more firm, and confident. "I've let this whole thing become too personal, and at this point, I don't care. I'd like to have this." A surge of courage rushed through him, and he used his hand to have her face him fully and pull in more closely. "There won't be any bad terms this time, or petty squabbles over some meaningless cake. No, this time, I want you to know exactly how I feel."

Rachel's cheeks reddened at the closeness, but that by no means stopped her other hand from locking with his waiting one. She had wanted this for so long. But, "You can feel a lot of things Nigel, but how sure are you of them?" Her smile was filled with radiant melancholy as her head tilted downwards. "You're banking on things that bloomed when you were a kid. Not everyone ends up with their childhood sweetheart." Her hands broke away from his, only to readjust themselves around his waist and lean in to close the gap between bodies. "And now we're just 'crazy hormone-ridden' teenagers. What do we know about love?"

Nigel copied Rachel's actions as the girl rested her head in the nook of his neck. He let himself become intoxicated for a brief moment by the lavender scent emerging from her bisque locks. This all felt so wonderful, and he never wanted it to end. "I can't claim to be a normal kid or teenager. I've done, seen, and lived through things that no human could ever dream to experience. But I also can't claim to know it all either. I don't have the answer to everything, I can't win all the time no matter how much I want to." His hands found home in the small of her back, and he gripped the blonde teen tighter. Never wanting to let go. "But despite all that, I know how I feel. I know how I feel about you. I know nothing is more truer than that." He paused in order to let it set in. "What about you?"

"I know how I feel. I know what I want. I know what you're going to say. And I know more than anything that I want to hear you say it over and over." She sighed as her cheeks rubbed against his own. Her eyes open, sparkling with a conflicting agenda she planned to settle at this very moment. She waited for Nigel to say the magic words to stop him. "But before I let you say it, there's something you need to answer for me."

Nigel halted, slightly confused at her actions. But she still hadn't released her grip and still made affectionate motions with her hands and body. "I'll answer any question you have. You know that."

"I hope so." She spoke, but he raised a brow. There was a slight hint of desperation in her tone like she was clutching to this with all her hopes. It worried him. "Nigel, if you wanted something, wanted it more than anything, just how far would you go to make it yours?"

Her question confused him. More so than he thought it should. "It would depend on what it is, and how much I desired it."

"Hm hm hm." She laughed, but the laugh was so deathly hollow. "Please don't be coy with me Nigel. Please. If that statement was how you truly felt, then I don't think you're even ready to answer the question." He didn't look back, but he could've sworn he felt a small drop of wetness on his back. "And you must know that I cannot handle that outcome."

Nigel's hands made comforting circles on Rachel's back as he really thought about her question. After a few silent minutes, he let out a weary sigh. "I want to say that I would go to the ends of the earth for it. Do whatever it took and say damn the consequences." He then bit his lip and relayed his final say on the matter. "But then I think of all the choices I may have to make. Think of how many lines there would be, and I can honestly say I can't cross some of them."

"Ha ha ha!" Rachel chortled again, this one more desperate than the last. "I don't think I like that answer." She said as her body shook a bit.

Nigel tightened his grip around her. "I'm trying the best I can, Rachel."

"And it's so sweet that it makes me want to cry." She blissfully uttered as she gripped him harder. "Then just answer this question. Either A or B. And I need to right. Now." She then leaned back and one of her hands quickly shot up. Nigel only stood there surprised as she used the hand to lift his shades upward and bored so dangerously close into his eyes. "If you had to choose. Had to choose between...between me, or your status as an operative in the Kids Next Door, every stinking branch of it, what would you choose?"

That shook Nigel to the core, and Rachel saw every bit of it. She saw him think about it, it was almost so damn cute he hard he thought. But, she thought with a tear-stained grin, she already knew his answer. "You can't answer it. Can you?"

Nigel wanted to say yes. Yes, he could and say he picked her. But then the image of some short bald kid would flare up and remind him of where he stood.

You made a promise. A promise to keep kids safe everywhere. Give up your childhood so they can keep theirs. But you're changing. You're getting older. Are you ready to walk down the other path? Are you ready to grow up?

The short kid just stood there. Dressed in a blood-red turtleneck, an emotion hidden by a dark cold void of sunglasses. The voice sounded neither harsh nor sympathetic. Just standing tall, unmoving, and asking a simple question. But Nigel still didn't know the answer.

'What…w-what do I do?'

That's up to you.

Nigel snapped back to reality. The reality where Rachel was still waiting for her answer. After a furious debate, he gazed down and hoped he wouldn't screw up, despite knowing he would."I'm…so sorry Rachel. But I…" 'I don't know.'

Rachel's grin lowered into a bittersweet smile. Her eyes hooded and her hand cupped his cheeks as her lips ventured closer. "Then I have my answer." Her lips were so close that they were making scant contact, but then the blonde suddenly let her hand drop and backed away out of his hold. "…this isn't going to work."

Nigel watched as she walked back towards the cockpit. His shades fell back into place and he just felt so cold right then and there. "I...I want it to work."

"I do too, Nigel." Rachel reaffirmed, still walking away. "But like everyone else, I've changed too. I'm done with this. I can't fight in it anymore. I don't want to. I want something fully committed to me." She then turned, only this time with no smile. A depressed longing. "I want something that's fully mine. I want it to be you, but the sad truth is, it can't be you because you still haven't grown up. What's even more pathetic is that I don't even think you can." She then turned away and folded her arms. Content to watch the storm play out until they reach their destination. "I want something that's fully mine. If it can't be you, then I'll have to fall back on the original plan. I only wish that you could've been a part of it."

The Brit watched the girl walk away from him. Probably forever. He wanted to will his body to go and tell her otherwise, but he still couldn't for some reason. What was wrong with him? "I wish I could've been a part of it too, Rachel." His eyes strayed to his carrier bag, and he felt the strange need to put it back on so he wasn't defenseless. As he secured the straps, his gaze locked onto Rachel's form one more time. "I still –"

"Don't say it. You don't mean it. Even then, I don't want you to say it. Not when there will just be another goodbye." She closed her eyes as she became withdrawn. She needed to steel herself if she was going to get this over with. However, she jumped with immense surprise when the radar sounded off. "What is it now?" She grumbled as she leaned over the counter, only to jump again when some aircraft flew over them. "What the hell was that!" She screeched as she clutched her pounding chest.

Nigel used his S.H.A.D.E.S to make out the aircraft disappearing into the storm. Once the readings came, he smiled despite it all. "It's just Kuki's ship. Wally's probably headed home."

Rachel's eyes were still skeptical. "Really?" Suddenly the two turned their looks upwards as something tumbled loudly against the top of the shuttle. Rachel then sent the Brit a dry look as her hand went to her blaster. "What was that then? Dorthy's house?"

"That depends, are you the wicked witch?" Nigel rebuttaled as he whipped out his trusty S.P.L.A.N.K.E.R. The two carefully moved to the side pod doors, going over a list of what they could expect. But unless the doors flying open, and the raging wind and rain slapping against their faces was on that list, then they could check themselves as surprised. "How do we close it?" Nigel hollered over the howl of the cold wind.

"Just cover me!" Rachel shouted back as she carefully made her way to the side panel; taking careful steps as not to fall out the side and fall to her demise. But as her hand reached out to press the closing mechanism, her body flew back and slammed into the wall as something swung out and kicked her down.

"GAH!" Rachel screamed as she was knocked. She held her head where she was hit, and looked opened an eye to see what had decided to barrel into. But then her eyes bugled when noticed the pair of dark shades staring back at her. "You!"

"Hello, Rachel," Abby smirked back as she fixed herself into a fighting stance. "Did'ja miss me?"

"Don't kid yourself." The blonde hatefully spat back as she wiped at her lips. Her eyes trailed away from Abby, to a stunned Nigel standing at the side. After looking at him, she grinned. "But I'm glad you're here. It saves us the trouble of finding you!" She growled as she leapt.

Abby kept her legs nimble as Rachel charged closer. Once close enough, she moved out of the door's way and let the wind mixed with freezing rain catch the blonde off guard. Rachel stumbled as the teen spy used the weather to her advantage. Similar to what she did with Wally, she let Rachel fumble by and painfully gripped her wrist as she passed.

"What is it with me and blonds today," Abby mumbled to herself as she forced Rachel down. "Don't move a muscle girl, or else your arm is gonna snap in two." She threatened as she growled down into the teen's ear. "Now where's Nigel?"

"I'm right here!"

BAP!

"Ahh!" Abby blurted out as she was repelled backward. She managed to recover mid-air but stumbled as she was forced to tend to her burning face. "That stung like mother-ARRGHH!" She hissed in a mixture of pain and frustration as she looked towards the offender. "You're gonna pay for that you son of…" She was then forced to trail off as she Nigel above her. "Nigel…" She slowly uttered as a series of emotions bubbled up. But any positive comment died when she saw him holstering his S.P.L.A.N.K.E.R. "Watch where you're aiming that thing so you can hit the right target!"

Nigel glared at the girl as she stood up. "I hit what I was aiming for." As soon as he ended the sentence, his left fist shot out in a quick jab.

"WHOA!" Abby's reflexes were quick enough for her to catch the Brit's incoming attack but grunted in pain as an unexpected chop came out of nowhere. "Nigel! Gah! What the hell are you doing?" She yelled as she jerked his arm and flipped him over her head.

"What does it look like!" While in mid-flip, his hand twisted to grab Abby's wrist. He increased the pressure and she let go as she hissed. Once he was free, his other hand held squarely onto her shoulder, and he angled his body so that he would come down and knee her in the center of her back. As the girl fell, he walked over to her fallen from and prepared to cuff her. "Out of all the possibilities, I never once thought it could be you!"

"Did the lack of oxygen make you freakin' INSANE?" She vented as she spun into a mild leg sweep. It was enough to take the Brit by surprise, and once she was done, she tackled him to contain him. "It's me, Nigel! Numbuh 5? Abby? Those ringing any bells?"

"Don't even try it, Abby!" Nigel grunted. Once free of her grip, he rolled onto his back and kicked himself upwards the same moment Abby did. As they paced around one another, Nigel frowned. "Rachel told me, everything."

Abby froze. "She…she told you everything?" She asked bewildered, getting even more so when he nodded. "And you're still gonna fight me?"

Nigel held up his fist and slid his right foot out. "You can count on it."

Several emotions flashed across the African-American's face before she settled on a stoic one.

"In that case," Her leg suddenly snapped up and kicked the Brit away. The boy stumbled backwards and the teen spy hopped into a roundhouse spin. But Nigel was able to deflect as his arm shot up. Abby landed a few feet away, recovered, and continued with the assault.

Rachel used the pilot's seat as an anchor to pull herself upwards. She then swung all her long, loose free hair out of the way as she scanned the floor for her clip. But then her attention was drawn to Nigel and Abby when the sounds of struggle met her ears. She stayed silent, watching the old first and second-in-command of Sector V duke it out. She then noticed that they were veering dangerously close to the open pod door. Her brown orbs flicked over to the pilot's wheel and she was suddenly struck with dark inspiration. Her hand gripped the wheel and she called out. "Nigel! Grab on to something, NOW!"

Out of instinct and respect, Nigel's inner kid obeyed the ex-Supreme Leader's order without a second thought. He latched onto the hook of the seat while Abby turned towards Rachel in confusion.

"What are you…" Her skin paled as the blonde grinned sadistically. Then without warning, Rachel violently jerked the wheel; causing the shuttle to jerk, which caused Abby to lose balance.

"AH!" Abby screamed as she fell to the deck. The direction of the ship caused her to roll against her will down to the port side of the shuttle, which so happened to lead to the open pod bay door. Abby fell out into the open, the rain and wind endlessly beating against her. Like Mother Nature was punishing her for being so careless. Before she could plummet down to the earth below, her hand shot out and grabbed onto the side. But it was too slick, and her grip was lost instantly. The girl's life flashed before her eyes, and she felt time slow as she accepted her fate and prepared to fall.

But it never came.

"…What?" She blinked and scanned her surroundings as best she could. That was when she felt another hand gripping onto hers. Abby looked upwards and nearly shouted in praise. "Nigel!" But again, any grateful comments died when he suddenly took a pair of glowing handcuffs and slapped them on her wrist. That's where the dry look came from. "What the fu – "

"I can't believe it came to this," Nigel muttered to himself as he tried to lift Abby back up into the cockpit. "Why did it have to be this way, Abby?"

"You tell me!" Abby glared back. "I knew ya might've had a thing for her, Nigel, but I thought you of all people were above that seduction junk. But I guess Numbuh 86 was right; you stupid boys' wandering eyes will be the death of us all!"

"Cut it out with the nonsense, Numbuh 5. The Important Ones won't have any of it." Nigel bellowed as the storm became more harsh in its fury. "What happened to you, Abby? You were the one that got me into the Kids Next Door! How can you just throw it all away like that?"

Abby had a much more vulgar retort prepared, but she held it back. As Nigel's statement confused her. "Numbuh 1, what nonsense are you yapping on about?" She then blinked, and for the first time since she ambushed them, Abby thought long and hard over what could've happened. Suddenly, her eyes widened as it all clicked together "Nigel, what exactly did Rachel tell you?"

Nigel rolled his eyes as he finally had the girl secured. "Alter your tone all you like, Numbuh 5. It doesn't change the fact you're a traitor!"

"You…you poor fool." Abby softly uttered. Now pitying the younger teen holding her up. "Nigel, I'm not the traitor…" The rest of her words fell away to the storm as her pupils filled with fear due to something behind the Brit.

But Nigel just developed a dumbfounded look. At first he wanted to call her a lair, but, he had known Abby for so long. It was in her eyes. There was no way that she was lying. "If… if you're not the traitor," Nigel paused, and a cold weight dropped in his chest as his mind began to whir. Then, he felt a pain emerge as he pieced it all together far too late. "T-Then…that means–"

A familiar pair of arms wrapped around his waist, and the fingers began to caress him lovingly

"I'm so sorry, solider."

Rachel cooed with a smirk as she held him from behind. The blonde rested her head in the nook of the Brit's neck and her half-draped eyes took in present company. She tauntingly looked down at Abby, whose face was frozen. There was fear in there, but it was mostly overshadowed with murderous intent. Wanting to skin her alive for what she was doing to Nigel. Rachel then took in the Brit himself, whose face looked so adorably pathetic that she almost considered not going through with her plans.

Almost.

"I really wish things could be different, Nigel." She chuckled as she laid her lips down dangerously close to his own. She pulled away and licked at her grinning lips as she relayed one final whisper. "I really do." She then slowly unreeled her arms. She then stood back lightly with a smirk, watching the boy's heartbreak, yet he did nothing. Nigel did nothing as Rachel revealed she was the one he was truly after. He did nothing as she backed away.

He didn't even scream along with Abby when she pushed him out of the shuttle.

The storm raged on as Rachel leaned onto the side of the flying aircraft. A hand strayed to her hip as she watched the two fall to the depths below. Her eyes centered solely on Nigel as he looked back with a blank look. Only when the two disappeared into the black hurricane clouds below did she let her smile drop. Her hand pressed the switch without care and she kept staring down until the door shut. The blonde then closed her eyes, and made her way back to the cockpit, intent to fly off and disappear once again.

"Goodbye, my almost lover."

Well, certainly took a while to get here, didn't it? I wonder if revealing the traitor makes up for leaving this kind of cliffhanger... Ah well, you guys don't know where I live. I hope.

Oh yeah, I started up a 1/362 community. Blonde and Baldy. Check it out. If you have any suggestions, or would like to be part of our staff, feel free to drop a PM.

Later!