DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN CODENAME: KIDS NEXT DOOR

A/N: Wow. So this chapter took entirely too long to write, as I'm sure you all noticed. I really am sorry about that. It wasn't my fault for a few weeks- life has to come first, of course- but then I hit a combination or laziness and writer's block. Mainly laziness. I still hate leaving my readers waiting, especially when you've been so supportive.

Aiight, let's wrap this up already!

CHAPTER 12: SOLACE WITH THE SUNRISE

"And then… and then…!" Kuki seized Abby's arm. "When Humble Hero Rainbow Monkey saved Space Pirate Lady Rainbow Monkey from the dark room, that was sooo cute!"

Abby shoved Kuki away. "Yeah, yeah! Abby saw it, remember?"

Fanny caught Kuki in her arms, smirked at Abby. "Oh, sorry, we weren't sure if you could see through all those tears in your eyes!"

Rachel giggled, zipping her bag up. She was packed. "So who did Humble Hero Rainbow Monkey choose?"

Kuki's face lit up. "Believe or not, he chose-!"

A loud beeping cut her off. Rachel reached into her pocket and withdrew a Kids Next Door communicator. "Hold that thought, Kuki." She raised the device to her ear. "Numbuh 362 here! Yes. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Of course! Who? I… What?! Ugh, no, just… just… don't touch it. Just don't. Contact Numbuh 419 and Numbuh 522, tell them to take care of it before I get back. Right. Out."

"Who was that?" asked a concerned Fanny. "What's going on?"

Rachel sighed, pocketing her communicator. "Oh, that was Numbuh 81. Apparently, one of the Moon Base's dessert specialists accidentally armed a cherry pie bomb on the bridge."

"What?!"

"That's what I said."

"How does that even happen?!"

"I don't even want to know." She sighed. "I need to get back there, though."

"I'm almost done packing. I'll walk out with you."

Kuki approached her guests. "Thanks for coming, you guys! Last night didn't exactly go according to plan, but we're all going to remember it for a long time, right?"

Abby chuckled. "Ooh, no doubt about that."

"We'll do this again sometime," Rachel said. "Only next time, we should ban anything work-related."

The girls all nodded, and shared a laugh.

"Bye bye!"

Rachel and Fanny waved back until Kuki disappeared behind her front door.

Neither girl was sure exactly what time it was, but they knew it was early. The sun was still rising, though it was more daylight than dawn at that point. They probably wouldn't see anyone else until they left for the Moonbase.

As soon as they reached the sidewalk, Fanny giggled. "So, who throws a worse slumber party? Me, or Numbuh 3?"

Rachel giggled in kind. "Weeellll... both talked about boys... both had Rainbow Monkeys... and neither one was boring!"

"Ha! When you say it like that, you'd think we did about the same."

"Nooo, of course not! One got the Kids Next Door Code Module stolen, and the other brought everyone to tears and sent a squad of our best operatives on a dangerous wild goose chase. Totally different."

"Gee, thanks. I feel so much better now. Besides, they aren't our best..."

Rachel snickered, nudging her friend. Fanny resisted at first, but she couldn't hold back a grin.

"Well, look who it is."

Rachel perked up. "Huh? Numbuh 1!"

Nigel Uno strolled up, hands in his pockets complimenting the smirk on his lips. "Morning, sir."

"Hey! Good morning!"

Fanny huffed, and Nigel seemed to notice her for the first time. She crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Uno."

Nigel mimicked her temperament. "Numbuh 86."

Fists were balled. A growl emanated from Fanny's throat. "I... I'll see you up at the Moonbase, sir."

Nigel stepped aside, avoiding her gaze as she stomped past him. Once she disappeared around the corner, he smiled. "Mind if I walk with you... Rachel?"

"Uh... ha! Well, since you're already here... I guess not."

"Good. Are you heading to your house?"

"I am."

The two headed off, side by side. "What are you doing up so early? Don't boys usually sleep till noon after being up all night?"

"The others are."

"So why aren't you?"

"Because I wanted to go for a stroll."

Rachel laughed. "I see. So why did you come find me?"

" I wanted to see you before you went back to work."

"Really? Um, why?"

"Can I not just walk with a good friend?" Rachel's cheeks turned just the slightest bit pinker. "Also, I wanted... to apologize. For being so rude last night."

Rachel looked toward the homes across the street. "There's no need for that. I understand that you were just being a good boyfriend."

"Actually, I was trying to be a good friend. But by deserting the rest of you like that, I failed."

"Nigel-"

"Miserably."

Rachel heaved a sigh, and smiled at her friend. "Don't be so rough on yourself. We know you're not abandoning us just because you're trying to look out for her. That's why we're your friends."

Nigel considered her words. When he finished, a smile spread across his face.

The two stopped at the street corner. Nigel took a moment to examine the street signs, and gazed down the sidewalk. "I suppose taking a left here would be the fastest route."

Rachel followed his gaze. Then, she checked to her right. "Mmm-hm." She stepped onto the asphalt, and continued forward."

"Then let's- hey, where are you...?"

She took a few more steps, and then beamed back at him from the double yellow line. "You said you wanted to go for a walk, didn't you?"

"I... I did, didn't I?" She resumed walking, and he jogged to catch up to her. They traversed that next block without a word. When they reached the next intersection, Rachel stopped to read the street signs. But Nigel pressed onward without hesitation.

"Nigel?" She checked both ways, and hurried back to his side. "Alright, I'm following your lead. So where are we going?"

"I donno."

Rachel giggled, looking ahead at the sunrise. "Works for me."

A/N: FINALLY! It's over! lol I know, I've talked way too much crap about my own story to expect to be taken very seriously. But it's a prime example of what happens when you write and publish things one chapter at a time, versus entire stories: when you have a change of heart, or realize that an idea wasn't so good, or whatever, it's too late. You're committed. It also makes graceful editing impossible. Stories can be inconsistent from chapter to chapter (I know I'm bad for this). At the same time, it can force you to get creative. Everything has its ups and downs.

Welp, that's my attempt at defending myself. lol Still, it wasn't exactly torture writing this. I still enjoyed it, even if it was pretty rough and not what I originally planned. I hope it was at least enjoyable for all of you as well.

So, now that we're at the end, I do ask that you review, even/especially if you haven't up till now. Doesn't have to be much, I just wanna know what everyone thinks. I'm not gonna pull a "I need X number of reviews before I continue" (I HATE that crap). I'd keep writing even if I only got 3 reviews total. Like I've said before, I write because I enjoy it; having a growing number of other people who enjoy my writing is simply a perk. lol

Sincerely, thank you for reading. See you whenever I post The Monster & The Minotaur.

- Marty