#cutiess!!!!

During his years as a spy, Duncan had been to many places the average school kid hadn't: Hawaii, Scotland, Paris. Lovely places, though of course he never stayed long enough to sightsee.

That may have been why, when the NERDS graduated high school and were sent off to fend for themselves, he suggested a trip to San Francisco.

Of course, he knew most of the team wouldn't seriously consider it. But Matilda accepted, and that was what he had been hoping for.

"I was born here," she told him, as they walked down a busy street.

"I know," he said. "September first. Premature. The doctors kept you a few weeks longer than usual..."

He trailed off when he noticed the expression on Matilda's face.

"The files," he hurried to explain. "I read them all back when I was new on the team. I'm sorry, I didn't think--"

She laughed. "No, it's okay. Benjamin let me read a couple files when I was new, too."

There was a moment of awkward silence.

"It's getting dark," Duncan noted.

"Yeah."

Silence.

They were nearing the waterfront now. It was as bright as the rest of the city, but there was something about the way the light reflected in the water that made it seem... lonelier, perhaps.

They stood together, watching the waves.

"I'm really going to miss it," Matilda said quietly.

"San Francisco? But you've lived most your life in Arlington."

"No, I mean NERDS. It's so hard to believe we're done. No more upgrades, no more undercover missions, no more saving the world."

She walked to the edge of the pier and sat down, swinging her legs over the water. Duncan followed.

"But this is the time that Benjamin and Agent Brand and everyone else kept telling us about, isn't it? When we stop being misfits, and we can do anything, and we don't have to worry about bullies anymore."