"Alexandra," Mrs. Jones started after the teen spy sat down. "We are very sorry for your loss and offer you our condolences."
The girl stared at the woman and the grey man in front of her expectantly, pretending she hadn't heard the words. She knew they didn't really care. They obviously wanted something from her.
"What do you want from me now?" Alex asked in a tone that was devoid of emotion. Her eyes were empty and she looked almost lifeless.
"You see Alexandra, now that your past guardian is gone, you need a place to stay," said Blunt bluntly. "We give you two options. The first is that you stay in the orphanage we told you about when we first discussing alternatives."
The two heads of MI6 looked at the girl expecting a sarcastic reply or outburst but none came at all. They exchanged a glance and Blunt continued.
"The second option is that you stay with the person that we have chosen to look after you. We know for certain that this person is trusted and you've met before."
Alex weighed the pros and cons for a moment before deciding. "The second one," she replied, knowing full well that that was the option they wanted her to choose.
"Good choice," Mrs. Jones said as if she hadn't known Alex would say that all along. "We'll have someone take you to your old home to get your things and then drive you to your new guardian's place."
Outside there was a black car with tinted windows waiting for her. She thought it seemed like they were just begging for them to be targeted as someone important. Upon arriving at her uncle's former home, she rushed in alone and headed straight to Jack's room to get pictures she knew she had. There was one in specific that she wanted of her, Jack, and Ian just before he'd been killed. The last time she'd not been in danger of losing her life because of some government scheme.
After getting a few of Jack's photos it was just a matter of getting her own clothes and possessions. The driver sent her a sympathetic smile as she got back in the car but didn't bother to attempt small talk on the ride there.
The driver was obviously another agent and escorted her to the door where a huge shock was waiting. One of her former unit members from her brief time the SAS camp was there. It wasn't Ben Daniels or even Snake who had been at least somewhat nice to her toward the end but Wolf that opened the door.
"Cub?" Wolf was dumbfounded and Alex wasn't much better. "What are you doing here?"
"Mr. San Luca," the agent interjected. "This is your new ward. I see you have met. I'll leave you here now." The last part was directed towards Alex who was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Wolf of all people was to take care of her.
"Er, come in kid. Your room is second on the right," the man gestured down a hallway.
Alex picked up her bag and made her way down the hall taking notice of the three other doors. She guessed that one was Wolf's and the other a bathroom. Maybe the third was another bathroom?
Her room itself was bland-beige walls and white carpet with a twin bed, brown dresser and nightstand, and small, brown wooden desk.
The first thing she took out of her bag was the photograph of herself, Jack, and her uncle Ian from seven years ago. Jack had just moved in but was adjusting nicely.
The second photo was of her parents, John and Helen Rider, holding her as a newborn. It was normally a picture that sat above the above the fireplace along with others of her as a child along with the first but those were the only two she cared to take.
After studying them for a moment, she placed them on the nightstand. She swiftly unpacked the rest of her things and then lied on the bed to think about her situation now.
Just two weeks ago she had learned of her own godfather's betrayal. Jack had been killed by one of Yu's men before MI6 could get there. Now Alex was at the home of the main person that made her life hell at the SAS training camp in Brecon Beacons.
God her life was screwed up.
A knock on the door pulled Alex out of a sleep she didn't realize she'd fallen into.
"Yeah?" She called, sitting up.
"Dinner's ready," Wolf responded gruffly and Alex could hear him walk away.
Alex ran her fingers through her hair, which was the same length as a boy's. She hated it but MI6 made her do it for the missions. They claimed bad things happened to girls and didn't want to chance it but needed her skill so they hacked it all off and bound her barely-there-anyway chest.
Fortunately, now that she had finished her mission, she could try to let it grow out again depending on how long they let her off.
Making her way back down the short hall, the smell of pizza made her mouth water. Her mouth twitched at the idea of Wolf wearing an apron as he cooked in the kitchen. That alone led her to believe that is was ordered, a belief that was confirmed when she saw the delivery box.
Wolf had left a plate and cup out for her and was already sitting at the table eating. She grabbed two slices of the pizza and filled her cup with water.
Alex could feel his stare piercing her as she ate; he was most likely wondering why she was placed with him of all people, a thought that was duplicated by her. She quickly finished her meal and cleaned up before making to disappear back to her new room.
"Er Cub...Alex...hold up a minute. We need to talk," Wolf sounded, not nervous, but maybe curious or even a tad wary but still like a hardened soldier. The curiosity was just an underlying emotion.
The teen sat back in her chair and quirked a brow at him. She resisted the urge to impatiently tap her foot.
"Look kid, you're not a bad person to work but I honestly have no idea why they picked me for this or why you needed a place to stay in the first place. I'm not going to leave you all the time because I do actually like spending time here but I'm not going to mollycoddle you either. Got it?"
At her nod he continued, "I need to lay down a few rules too. I don't care how late you stay up but you have to go to school whenever that starts up or else MI6'll be on my back. Give me a heads up if anyone's coming over. You can get whatever you want from the kitchen and if there's some sort of food you need there's money in a jar on the counter. Leave a receipt so I know how you spent it.
"Last thing is that Snake, Eagle, Fox, and Stag come over a lot. Stag replaced Fox after he left. You can go now."
Alex was a bit shocked at how much the normally lone man was saying though it didn't show on her face.
In her room, she pulled out her phone and started texting her best friend Tom. Tom was always there for her and he still was.
You still on for football tomorrow?
Course I am
Good I need to talk
About what
Can't say over the phone
You better tell me tomorrow
Nah I think I'll leave you in suspense
You better not
No promises. See you tomorrow Tommy
I told you not to call me that Andy
Same to you
I'll stop if you stop
No deal Tommy
We'll settle this tomorrow Andy
Fine
Fine
Alex smiled as she thought of her best friend who was still the same height as her even though he'd already had a growth spurt.
She then decided to go to sleep early and drifted into the arms of Morpheus.