Hidden Agenda

What were Tom's motives in becoming Alex's best friend? Was he just grateful for the help after being

beat up? Or was Alex's unknown life catching up with him before he knew it existed?

Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider… yet. *evil smile*

**After this prologue chapter, this story takes place after Snakehead**

~~~No flaming please! This is my first fanfic, so be nice!!... :]~~~

Oh, yeah, and Tom's a little OOC at the end of this chappie, sorry.

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***Tom's POV***

**2 Years Ago**

Tom knew it was happening again. He turned the corner and found himself face to face with

Jack Hamilton, along with his gang of thugs.

"Give us yer lunch money, punk." He growled. His face was so close that Tom could smell the

beer on his breath.

"I'd rather not." Tom replied bravely. He was short for his age and not the sort of person you

would think could get away with standing up to Jack and his gang. Some of them looked like solid hunks

of muscle.

"Then we'll take it from you" said Jack stupidly. He was definitely drunk. Two of the most

heavily muscled thugs lurched forward. Tom winced and braced himself for the blow. He tried to roll

with it when it came. It didn't help much. He cursed to himself as the smug face of Jack Hamilton

disappeared from his view. Tom could hear Jack laugh as the gang walked away. Tom was still

lying there when Alex spotted him while cycling home. He slowed his bike and paused next to him.

"Do you need any help?" Alex asked.

"No, I'b okay." Said Tom wearily. " I think by dose is broken dough."

"Was it Hamilton?" inquired Alex.

"Yep." Tom acknowledged. He saw Alex's face twist in disgust.

"He take anything?"

"Just by lunch money." Alex's face was concerned.

"Here," He handed Tom a ten pound note. "Will that be enough?"

"Sure." Tom grinned. "Thanks… what did you say your name was?"

"Alex. Alex Rider." He replied. He saw the grin fade from Tom's face as his name registered in his

mind. That confused him a little but he shrugged it off. "And you're Tom. I remember you from P.E.

Anyways, do you know where Hamilton went?"

"He went that way." Tom pointed in the general direction of some apartment buildings in the

distance. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason, "said Alex vaguely. "See you around." He said, and got back on his bike.

"Yeah. See ya."

Tom watched Alex cycle off in to the distance in dismay, then was tempted to smack himself on the

head. This is good,he told to himself sternly, If you become false friends with this guy, like Dad wanted

you to, then maybe he'll actually like you for a bit. Tom shook his head. Why did it have to be this

person, the only one that had been nice to him. He gritted his teeth. If this was what it took to make his

father proud, he would do it. He would do whatever it took for Winston Yu, his father.

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**Alex's POV**

Alex got off his bike. He wheeled it the rest of the way to his school in Chelsea, and parked it

in the bike rack. Just to be safe, he looped his lock around it and clicked it shut. It had been about two

years since he had deposed Jack Hamilton, who still walked with a barely noticeable limp, but you could

never be too careful. He shouldered his backpack and joined the throng of students entering the school

for a last week of classes. As he walked up the steps, he saw Tom waving for him to come to him. Alex

grinned and began to make his way over to him. Seeing Tom always cheered him up. If there was

anyone who was less connected to Alex's other life with MI6, it was the always upbeat Tom. (A.N. I just

had to add this. Oh, the irony!)

As Alex struggled through the entire student body to get to the patch of grass where his friend

stood, Tom was sweating, thinking of the object in his backpack, and what he had to do with it, because

whatever he told his father, he had truly become friends with Alex, and was terrified of the act he was

about to perform. He shot Alex another smile, and although the strain was evident to him, Alex did not

seem to notice his anxiety, though Tom was praying otherwise. Knock me out Alex, he thought, Or just

do something to stop me. Give me a reason to tell my father I have failed. Maybe then he won't beat me

up like last time. But Alex continued grinning, Tom continued worrying and the gun in his backpack

continued radiating death. After what seemed like a century, Alex finally reached Tom. He was panting

slightly.

"So, Tom what do you want?" he asked.

"Follow me. "said Tom. He turned and walked to a trailer in the parking lot. Alex followed,

perplexed but for now, playing along.

"Where are we going?" he asked. Tom pointed to the trailer. His throat felt almost too dry to speak.

"Why?" Alex pressed. Tom cleared his throat.

"I need to show you something." he said quietly. They stepped inside the trailer.

"So," said Alex, "What is it?"

"This." said Tom, and pulled out the gun.