Epilogue: Never Goodbye

...Connection Re-Established...

1 months later

"Today marks an monumental moment in history of the world, a day where the allied powers and Father's forces sit together to finally put an end to this conflict that has ravaged our planet."

The event was taking place on the aircraft carrier "The Ravager," which had earned a feared reputation amongst allied and Father's soldiers alike.

The announcers voice traveled across the world, being broadcasted on television, radios, KND communicators, phones, everywhere. Today was the day the war would finally end, and the day where Father would accept the terms of his unconditional surrender. After two devastating strikes from KND satellite weaponry and news of allied forces closing in Moscow from every direction, it was his only option. He came face to face with two of his most defiant adversaries, Nigel and Rachel, as well as allied representatives from various powers that had formed during the course of the war. They stared at each other intently, anger burning in all of their eyes. The war had costed countless lives, and ruined god knows how many others.

Rachel stepped forward, followed by Father. In between the two of them, a desk with several paperwork. Father grunted, he knew that by accepting unconditional surrender he had to agree to their terms. Father reluctantly took out a pen, and began signing the documents that he would have to obey after all treaties were signed.

The Supreme Leader stood there motionless, staring at him grudgingly. She supposed it wasn't his fault for everything, after all, it was the Hasayan's who gave him the idea in the first place. But still, he in the end, he caused the most damage.

Behind Father stood Cree, and the remnants of his central command, all who persuaded him that surrendering was their only chance of survival.

As he signed the last document, the ship was eerily quiet, with the sound of wind and flags waving in the air. Rachel spoke up. "Today marks the end of this war, the end to all this pointless suffering and bloodshed. Let me remind you that even though we may have won, we did so at a heavy cost. We have lost our friends, our families, our homes, and to many of us, a part of ourselves. A part of ourselves that could never return to us, because that part of us has witnessed too much suffering, too much killing, and too much sorrow. Now, let us have a moment of silence for all of those who lost their lives during this horrible war," Rachel took off her Supreme Leader helmet and placed it front of her. Her example was followed by everyone else on the ship. The stillness on the ship created an eerie feeling, like the souls of those who died were watching.

After several minutes of silence, the ship rocked with shouting, cheering and clapping. Finally, the world was once again at peace.

Rachel and Nigel didn't attend the celebration. They didn't care for it really. Instead they returned back to the Moon Base, which was for the first time since before the war, nearly empty. They finally had a chance to be in each others company, in peace. Despite the relationship status between the two basically implied, they were both far too busy fighting the war to even spend time together. But now the conflict had subsided, freeing both of their schedules.

They were in the empty command post, which provided a beautiful view of Earth, some argued even better then the observation post. The scene was absolutely breathtaking.

"Guess just like that huh? It's finally over." Nigel commented. No more secrets, no more shadow organizations, no more war. Their months of constant combat had finally paid off. Rachel gazed at the blue planet, responding with a late answer to his question, "Yeah..."

Rachel, inside though, was sad, sad that in just a few days, he would finally ascend into the GKND. He would leave Earth for a long time, with a very high chance of him never returning at all. She got closer to him, until Nigel spontaneously embraced her into a hug, "sheesh, can you stop with this 'playing it safe' stuff? You already know we're beyond that!" he joked.

She grinned back, "well excuse me Nigel Uno", her voice full of intimacy. She snuggled her face nicely into his chest, both of them enjoying the amazing view of Earth.

Rachel knew this day would come. It was Nigel's last day on Earth.

Much to her dismay, and... disappointment, he managed to totally screw up his final mission. All he and his sector were assigned to do was to retrieve the Delightful Children From Down the Lane's birthday cake, but they couldn't even do that! How they managed to fight during the war with such valor, yet alone survive, escaped her. She really had no choice but to put him off the mission, despite his heavy protests. Well, she technically did, until she found out he was participating in some stupid scavenger hunt which she knew was a trap from Father and his children.

Usually, she would immediately send Fanny and her squads to interfere with any operative disobeying her orders, but in this case she couldn't. Whether she knew it or not, she played favorites, and Nigel was one of them.

She walked back and fourth, back and fourth, wondering if she would be able to even say good bye to him. And if she did... well, she didn't want to think about it. Perhaps' Infinity was right. It was foolish of her, and she felt like she did it for her own selfish gain. If she had followed the original plan, at least Nigel would leave with the illusion that there was nothing between the two.

He would've left Earth maybe a heartbroken soul, but at least he wouldn't have to endure the pain of leaving someone he loved behind.

The boy said his final farewell to his friends, and his family. He left, knowing that he would perhaps, never return back to Earth. While he would be off fighting adult tyranny throughout the galaxy, everyone he knew would age, until one by one they all finally succumbed to the inevitable. But perhaps' the one thing that hurt him the most was the fact that he never would get to say goodbye to Rachel. He would never get to see her face one last time, or hear her gentle voice. It was heartbreaking.

The thought hit him like a knife going straight into his chest. His sudden disappearance would undoubtedly worry the blonde girl, and she would most likely order a worldwide search for him. But after while, he thought, when they finally assumed the worst, Rachel would eventually just give up. She would live on with a sense of longing, a feeling of lost, without even so much as closure or a hint onto where he went. It haunted him, and he wished he could turn back.

His ship drew closer and closer to the Moon, making the Moon Base visible. Somewhere in there was Rachel, probably completely oblivious that the boy who meant so much to her would be soon passing right by, right in front of her face.

Nigel shed a tear, all he asked for was a simple goodbye. The ship violently jerked, followed by what felt like a change in the ship's direction. It was at this point that he noticed that he was not actually moving past the Moon, but closer too it, directly on course for the Moon Base.

His ship landed on the empty Moon Base dock, it's hanger empty due to the time of day. The sound of ship's door opening filled the sound of the bald boy's ears, causing a reluctant Nigel to walk out. Why he was on the Moon Base? He didn't know.

A large figure emerged, stopping just outside of the bright lights of the ship, his voice deep and intimidating, "Congratulations on your admittance into the Galactic Kids Next Door. Now I'm sure you have many questions pertaining to this current situations, and perhaps many more regarding everything that has happened to you over the past couple of months." Nigel looked at the darkly lit figure with utter confusion. What was exactly going on here?

"Who are you?" he asked reluctantly.

Rachel was utterly depressed, she knew that by this point, Nigel was gone. Gone for good. She sobbed quietly in her office, happy or rather relieved that there weren't many operatives on the Moon Base at this hour.

She decided to go grab something to eat; the cafeteria was still opened for anyone else working late on the Moon Base. Perhaps that would provide her with momentary relief. Besides, it was Meatball sandwich day.

The cafeteria for the most part was empty, with the exception of some of the staff and a few operatives that were scattered on various tables in the large mess hall. After grabbing her tray and filling it with god knows how many servings of meatball sandwiches and ice cream, she quietly sat down. She ate in reticent, downing sandwich after sandwich, until finally her tray was finished. For some odd reason it wasn't enough, and the blonde commander felt the urge to get more food when another tray suddenly appeared in front of her.

"Care for seconds?" a familiar British accent asked. Rachel looked down on the plate, which to her appeared to be salvation, "Yeah, thanks..." she didn't even bother facing up to the person who just offered her the tray, too busy eating away her misery. She took one last bite, now finally satisfied with her meal. Rachel wondered who this generous person was, and switched her attention to thank whoever offered her the food. The girl gasped, not believing who stood in front of her.

Impossible... it's probably just Infinity playing a joke, but that couldn't be he's always so damn serious, "Nigel?!" she exclaimed, nearly spitting out her chewed food.

"In the flesh," he smirked, cocky as ever. She was overjoyed with emotions, and nearly jumped over the table to grasp him in the tightest hug she'd ever given him. He didn't leave yet after all! But then realization soon struck her, "you don't have much to time do you?" Nigel shook his head.

"I have a few hours, at most."

"Why'd they send you here then? Their demanding something I bet." There had to be a logical explanation for why they sent him back.

He smiled ,"Actually no, they didn't think it was right for me to leave you without saying as much as a good bye." Rachel was surprised, someone higher up than Infinity must've had a say in this, because there was no way he would've allowed this. Whoever it or whatever gave Rachel the opportunity to see Nigel once last time, she gave them her utmost gratitude.

She wasted no time spending the small time given to her with him. They talked for what seemed to last an eternity, ranging from missions and the war, all the way down to the much simpler things in life like ice cream. And for those short amounts of times when they weren't talking, they remained silent, just enjoying each other's company. But like all good things, Rachel knew this would all eventually come to and end. Nigel would finally leave, and Rachel would continue her remaining time in the KND as Supreme Leader. She would go one and live a normal life, while he was off achieving great things for the GKND. It hurt inside, but she knew that this was what was best for both of them.

Nigel's communicator went off. "Unfortunately your time us up Numbuh 1, please return back to the hangar bay."

Rachel looked at him, her eyes filled with acceptance. She nodded slowly.

"I'll be there shortly, Numbuh 1 out." he closed his communicator, putting it back into his pocket.

Nigel grabbed Rachel's hand, his tender touch causing her to shiver. "One last walk together." he whispered into her, his eyes slowly watering. He grasped her hand tighter into his, their fingers interlocking into a perfect fit.

They walked to the deck, the Moon Base now virtually empty aside from the occasional late shift worker or security personal. It was a quiet walk, and none of them said a word, too afraid of choking up from the emotions stirring up in both of them. The two finally made it to the hangar, the place where they would say their final farewells.

He tugged her into a hug, and she cuddled up against him like a wife saying goodbye to her husband going off to war. Their faces drew closer and closer, until finally their faces were only an inch apart.

"You should've told me you knew." he smirked.

"Well if I did there was no way you'd leave without me watching your back all the time." She teased back. And then finally it happened, ever so gently and slowly, his lips made contact with hers. It was a feeling she never felt before. It felt so right, like they were meant for each other. Inside her, she was in a state of ecstasy and happiness.

She enjoyed it, even though she knew that the next few minutes would break her apart.

He let go, reluctant. This would probably be the last time he would hold her in his arms. The last time he would see her gentle face and her golden soft hair. He broke away from her slowly. Up above was a beam coming down from a large ship through one of the glass windows. Rachel knew that when Nigel entered the beam, he would be gone.

"Good bye Rachel, we'll meet again, someday."

She couldn't take it anymore, and finally for once in her life she mustered up the courage to say those three words that she thought she'd never say. "I love you."

A tear developed and traveled down Nigel's cheek. "I love you too Rachel."

He then gave her one last kiss, one last hug, one final farewell before he would leave to travel across the stars.

"One day Rachel, one day... I know I won't be there for you for, but remember no matter what happens, always remember to keep your faith"

She nodded back, fighting back the tears begging to flood out of her eyes. "I will... but you must also remember to keep yours. Even though we'll be stars apart, please promise me you'll be ok Nigel Uno... "

"I promise Rachel McKenzie." he said back, his voice filled with a hint of softness. He slowly walked to the beam, not turning back until he was completely enveloped by it. He stared at her and smiled, and she did the same.

A silent oath bounded their souls, which were now filled with a promise and sense of commitment that both were eager to fulfill.

His body began to fade, and they both gazed affectionately at each other until the beam finally disappeared, along with Nigel. She looked up as the ship entered hyperspace, headed to new planets and new civilizations.

A tear silently fell down her cheek.

She would wait for him even if that meant total and utmost heartbreak for her in the end.

...17 years later...

The sound of children playing in the backyard echoed throughout the large estate. It was an elegant house, situated in a rich community.

A young blonde women, around her late twenties turns off her large LCD television. She was on vacation, for once. Her job wasn't exactly the most stress free environment. Being head of an intelligence agency... well that explains everything in itself. The blonde women was perhaps the youngest person in her line of work, but ironically the most experienced.

It was a job that gave her sense of nostalgia, a job that took her back to her younger days. She found it funny how her children attempted to hide their involvement with a said children organization, because back in the day, she was in charge of it. Although it was much more evolved and serious these days.

The young woman got up, and headed straight for the fire place which contained many portraits of her and her family. But the thing that grabbed her interests was a unique photo. She grabbed the picture frame and stared it on for a long time. On it, a bald headed boy wearing black shades and a red sweater.

She remembered everything they did together, and she longed for those days. It had been such a long time since they said goodbye on that distant beautiful night. The blonde woman remembered the hurt she felt, the feeling of forever waiting for someone who would probably never return.

A voice whispered into her ears, causing a shiver to travel up and down her spine. "What are you looking at babe?" She smiled, turning her head to look at the man. "Just a picture of you when you were younger. I think you should've stayed bald." she teased. He grabbed her from behind her waist and kissed her softly on the cheek.

The man whispered into hair, his voice full of intimacy. "Nah, besides, when I got my hair back you just couldn't resist me."

The blonde woman chuckled, "Yeah, whatever," kissing him on the lips quickly. The British man looked out towards the backyard, where his two beautiful children were playing. They resembled both of them so much, especially their daughter who was basically a carbon copy of his wife, except with brown hair.

"Let's say we go and play with the children? They barely see you after all." She leaned her head forward, muttering something into his ear, "you'd be the one to say that 'Mister I like to just travel across space and go on intergalactic missions for years on end'.

The man laughed gleefully, she had a point.

And then without further a due, they both walked out to the large backyard, eager to spend time with their children.

Little did the two youngsters know that once upon a time, their parents were regarded as the best operatives to have ever serve the KND, battling against adult oppression, and fighting for more than just the rights of children, but for humanity.

But perhaps the most profound thing of all was not the pain, the suffering, or even the struggle.

It was the commitment and relationship between two individuals who managed to stay strong not just for themselves, but for each other.

END TRANSMISSION

A/N: Yep, and that is the conclusion to this story and my first fanfic! I'm almost kinda sad, I really enjoyed writing this story. Thanks to all of you who have followed along until the end! I appreciate it. (This includes everyone; readers, followers, favs, reviews, you know who you are!)

Decided to end the story off with a positive note

Maybe I'll write a spinoff or sequel, still haven't decided.

Anyway, until next time! My next project may come sooner than you expect haha.

!RANDOM TRIVIA!

In case some of you were wondering, there were a couple of easter eggs, parallels to certain real world events and stuff.

1)Admiral Numbuh 288 - number is 288 because that's about how many ships's are in the US navy (number varies depending on source)

2)Admiral Numbuh 1942 - number influenced by the Battle Of Midway during World War 2 which occurred in the year 1942

3)Project ZEUS/satellite weaponry - based off the United States program, Project Manhattan, which developed atomic weapons

4)Kids Next Door inability to act fast - based off the 'Appeasement' that many countries gave Hitler during the 1930's and 1940's and United States isolation during the early phases of World War 2

Now there's a couple(a lot) more, but I'll let you decide :)