Part One: Facts of Existence arc
Set after my intermission piece: The End Is Only The Beginning.
Summary: When an assignment goes horrendously wrong, Ben Daniels finds himself with a problem of the teenager kind and Alex finds himself stuck between worlds in the worst way. Choices need to be made and they will craft the future for both of them in a way they could never imagine possible.
Warnings: Language. Violence.
Disclaimer: This is a work of FanFiction using characters from the Alex Rider series, intellectual property and copyright of Anthony Horowitz.
"Where are you going Alex?" Sabina asked from her observing point by the door, Alex looked up from the bag he was currently bent over, tucking in the final piece of clothing before placing his iPod in the front zip pocket. He looked at the young woman and offered her a small smile.
"To Tom's for the weekend." He replied calmly, Sabina nodded slowly and Alex could see the hint of disappointment in her eyes. Alex just sighed and stood himself to full height, slowly turning his back towards her. "Look Sab-"
"I know." Sabina whispered. The blonde took a step forwards but she stepped back and held both her hands up in front of her. "You're sorry you can't be there right?"
"I'll see you on Monday. You can tell me all about it." Alex said quietly as he picked up his bag. It dangled limp at his side and Sabina stared at it as if the whole situation was its fault.
"When are you going to tell me the truth?"
"I am telling you the truth."
"No you're not Alex, I know you." Sabina asked quietly. Alex smiled softly and threw the bag strap over his shoulder as he walked over to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him. "If it's them, we can stop it, Alex. Just tell me, is it them?"
Alex sighed, this wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last that they had this conversation. He just arranged an honest smile on his face and shook his head.
"Have a good audition Sab." He responded, he squeezed her shoulder gently in reassurance and pushed his way past her. Alex let out a breath as he walked to the top of the stairs. He could feel her eyes on his back and the mistrust in her eyes didn't leave as he glanced back at her.
"Alex. Please." Sabina called. Alex sighed, he could understand her concern, he really could. After past experience, she had every right to be wary but she would never understand why. Something's, especially these things, she was best not knowing. It only led to trouble. He gave her one more reassuring smile, before he jogged down the stairs. He called a goodbye to the two adults in the lounge, and heard a muffled sob from upstairs as he pulled the door open. He didn't stop, instead he dropped his mind into the welcome neutral state and walked out into the ever darkening night.
"Five minutes to drop point." The pilot announced over his shoulder, the unnoticeable voice pulled Alex from his memory and he looked up through blonde bangs as Wolf growled from his spot and stood up quickly,
"Check lines." Wolf commanded gruffly, Alex hid his scowl and stood up as Cougar, or Agent Stevens as Alex knew him, walked over and started to check his lines. It was the first time Alex had seen him since the tussle in the bathroom of a coffee shop, but the man had recognised him instantly. Cougar started to check his pack with an amused face.
"You ready for this Cub?" he asked conversationally, with a strong south west accent to his voice. Alex had been surprised when he'd heard it, the man had hidden it well before and Alex could have laughed if the situation had been less serious. The man sounded like a farmer, rather than one of the country's elite forces.
Alex glanced at the man above him. Stevens wasn't as young as he'd originally thought, he must have been mid to late twenties but he was an adamant professional and Alex could understand why he had been approached by SO before. He held a simple no nonsense approach, even putting Wolf in his place during the debriefing. Alex had a feeling the man remembered the incident that day with startling clarity, and he was surprised when he had been greeted as an equal. He supposed one out of four wasn't bad.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Alex replied. He checked the equipment he would need for his part in this assignment was securely in place on the utility belt he had been kitted with. The others split out when they had finished their checks and Wolf looked at Alex with a scowl.
"Don't fuck this up Nothing," Wolf snarled. Alex bit back the retort he so desperately wanted to give, instead glaring at a fixed point on the interior of the Chinook. Wolf however, didn't take the hint and walked over towards him. "I mean it we've got a clean record. I'm not letting you bodge it."
Alex clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms painfully as tried to hang onto the determination not to give into the man's taunts he had endured since leaving London.
"Don't worry about your record." Alex responded tonelessly, it was a trait he had picked up over the years of being with Special Operations.
"Really?" Wolf jeered, "You shouldn't be here kid. You should be letting the grown up's get on with it."
"I can look after myself," Alex bit back quickly, Wolf smirked and cast a look over his shoulder at Eagle and Snake.
"Hear that boys? Runt thinks he can look after himself." Wolf called. The pair laughed as Wolf turned back to Alex with a scowl, his grey eyes boring into Alex's own, "This isn't a game kid. It's dangerous and I'm losing one of my team to run with you."
"Then Cougar can go with you to get the agent." Alex said offhandedly as he turned his back to the man. Wolf growled and grabbed his shoulder, Alex tensed immediately as Wolf turned him back to face him.
"I don't know what the hell you think you've done kid, but while you've been running around playing spy games. My team have been to war, seen death, seen murder. You couldn't handle that." Wolf growled.
"Maybe, maybe not."
Alex didn't particularly care if he managed to annoy the burly man, when he obviously held no regard or knowledge of Alex's own record. Wolf gave him one last piercing glare before stalking back over to the others. Alex watched his back and shook his head as he went back to running through the equipment check once again.
"Ignore him." Cougar urged, Alex just shrugged.
"One minute." The pilot yelled.
Alex looked to the cabin, and felt the first strings of nervousness thread through his stomach as the hatch at the back of the chopper started to open. His hair whipped against his face as the strong gales blew through the opening. He shut his eyes for a second and took a deep breath. It didn't seem to matter how often he completed the feat of parachute or base jumping, his mind just couldn't get used to the fact he was going to throw himself from a great height.
But it didn't stop the adrenaline that spurred through him as he watched the hatch open to full width and the red signal light glared in his vision.
The rain lashed from the sky, seeming to float sideways against the dark sky beyond it as he pulled his helmet over his head, ensuring to pull the visor down and secure it at the sides. He took up place next to Cougar as Snake and Wolf walked to the opening. Wolf held up his hand in the universal signal for okay, Snake responding with a simple nod. The light changed to green, illuminating the cabin and they both leapt out of the chopper, their bodies seemingly frozen in mid-air for a second before they fell out of sight.
Cougar touched his shoulder rather than try to talk against the wind, and gestured to the door. Alex nodded, feeling his body tense in preparation and anticipation as he followed after the man. Cougar took up his spot nearest the left side of the hatch and Alex stood beside him. He looked down, and swallowed heavily as he saw the faint lights of the compound they were aiming for. It seemed one hell of a lot further down than it was going to feel when he jumped, that much was for sure.
"You alright, Cub?" Alex snapped his head to the right, Eagle was looking at him, his face was set into a hard line and his posture tense. Alex nodded his response, hiding the small surprise he felt at being addressed at all, let alone without the regular scorned nickname. Cougar held his hand up in the same position Wolf had to Snake, and the pair nodded their confirmation. In the corner of his eye, Alex saw the light flicker to green and he jumped without a moment's hesitation out of the hatch.
The rain hit him in a flurry, the wind stealing his breath and the world lurched in a moment of disorientation as he felt the first seconds of free fall. The adrenaline thumped through his veins and he allowed a smile to play across his face for a second before he corrected his dive stance against gravity that was pulling him towards the rapidly ascending ground. Alex lifted his head, bracing his neck against the wind to see Cougar to one side of him with one hand holding his rip cord. A glance to the other side, revealed Eagle in the same position and Alex reached for his own as they yanked on them in a quick succession.
Alex hissed as the braces cut into his frame and reached up to grip the ropes with one hand and wipe the visor with the other one, clearing his vision in time to see both Eagle and Cougar starting their downwards spiral to the target.
He reached up to grab his own steering handles, looking up when only one was in the place it was supposed to be. His breath caught in his throat as he saw the right hand steering handle caught in the ropes of the chute just above his head. Mentally he cursed, and let go of the one in his left hand he lifted his hand further up the ropes currently stopping him from falling to his death. He heaved himself up quickly with his left hand, causing the chute to sway dangerously to one side he reached out desperately with his right hand. He felt the first instant dip in elevation just as his fingers caught around the right handle and he yanked it down to try to correct the chute's position against the wind. He winced, as once again the harness cut in under his arms and pulled the right handle down further, there was a gust of wind and he felt the chute above him stabilise out with only a little hesitation.
Alex glanced down, seeing he was now well off target he tried to turn himself back into formation again. The rooftop was coming closer, and he saw Wolf's furious face as he glided below the lip of the roof a good few metres away.
"Fuck." Alex muttered and he pulled the left handle, steering himself towards the second lower rooftop that was the only place he could realistically land without giving them away. He was falling fast, too fast for a gentle landing and he cringed, feeling a light twinge in his ankle as his feet thumped against the asphalt. He ran forwards, twisting after a few feet with the chute trailing behind him, the movement's momentum causing the black material to glide to the floor silently.
He shrugged the harness off his shoulders, and grabbed the chute from the floor, rolling it up as he moved towards a small group of pipes that protruded from the roof. He pulled the helmet roughly of his head, shaking his hair out of his eyes as he tucked both items in among the small gathering of plumbing. He pulled the earpiece they had all been provided with from his belt and dropped to a crouch next to the pipes with a deep breath, steadying an adrenaline shaking hand against the cold metal.
"Wolf." Alex hissed, he could only hope the microphone was loud enough to pick it up.
"Nothing, what the fuck are you doing? Can you not even bloody fly properly?"
Alex rolled his eyes. The man's demeanour really did get old quick.
"Obviously not Wolf. What are we doing?" Alex muttered in response. There was a burst of static, he winced as it rang through his ears and glared up at the opposite roof the others were occupying. He frowned when there was no immediate response, but he did hear the quiet muttering through his earpiece, that only stopped as a figure walked towards the edge of the opposite rooftop. He would have recognised the silhouette anywhere. It was too short to be the others.
"Cub?"
"Cougar?" Alex asked, he smiled slightly, at least now he would actually have communication who would speak sense than jeer. Alex saw the man's amble reflected in the silhouette that joined Wolf's side.
"Yeah, listen, stay where you are. I'm coming to you, you're on the right building for the info."
Alex looked across his own rooftop, eyes coming to rest on the metal door, he smirked and pushed himself up from his crouch. He had taken the first step towards it when he heard several voices in his ear all at once.
"Cub. Wait-"
"I can get it." Alex muttered as he dropped back into his original position, he wouldn't be able to do anything with them shouting at him. He heard a growl, and a lower voice as if a hand was over the receiver.
"Kid thinks he can handle this himself."
Alex took a calming breath and looked back up to the other rooftop.
"How long we got?" Alex asked simply, determined to ignore the arrogant idiot. There was a rustle before Cougar's voice was the principle again,
"Long enough for me to get to you and back again."
"And the files?" Alex asked, he looked up at the rooftop to see four shadows crouched at the edge. They weren't meant to be split up like this and they were wasting time. The pause dragged on, they were wasting time. "Wolf. You know we don't have time for this. Let me get them."
Alex watched, as a voice carried through the earpiece before it all went silent. They'd cut radio contact, and Alex looked up to see two of the men stood up. One was definitely Wolf, and it was only when he saw the other squaring up to the man and gesturing violently with his hands that Alex realised the other must be Cougar. The mikes cut back on with a hint of static,
"-not happy about this."
"It's not like we have a fucking choice." Alex watched as Wolf turned his back to Cougar, "You got thirty minutes kid. Don't fuck up. Radio silence."
"Wolf-"
Alex cut Cougar's voice off in his ear as he flicked the tiny switch to deactivate his own radio. He lowered his hand to his belt, and brushed his fingertips against the small explosives he was to place, that would leave them with limited time to get to the chopper.
He pushed himself to his feet, with one lingering glance up at the figures on the opposite roof, before he held up his hand with a mock salute before running deftly across the roof to the door. He pushed himself back against the wall when he reached the small room that housed the stairwell, and he checked the lip of the roof for cameras before reaching a hand out for the heavy steel handle.
It was cold, almost freezing against his palm and the rain had made it slippery, but it was with a firm grip that he pushed it down gently and upon hearing the latch click open he eased it open slowly. He smirked and eased himself into the small room beyond. He stayed near the wall, as the door slowly eased itself closed behind him and he held down the handle until it led flat in its frame. He waited a second, listening intently for any sounds of hostile activity while he tried to mentally recollect the layout they had studied from the blueprints.
Satisfied with both, he travelled the short hallway, a slight shiver wracking his frame as his rain drenched clothes touched his skin. He stopped when he reached the stairs and started down them, cringing as the heel of his boot cast a metallic chink into the air. He grabbed the steel handrail, and looked down the rest of the set as he heard footsteps from below. He pulled his foot back and crouched as he saw a man's legs walk into his limited view, eager to hide himself rather than get into an all out confrontation in only half known surroundings.
He held his breath, not moving an inch as the armed man past the foot of the stairs, he pulled himself upright using the rail and looked thoughtfully at the stairs.
His boots would make too much noise.
He eased the first one off, and placed it at the top of the stairs. The second quickly followed. He wiggled his toes, as if stretching them, before placing the first foot on the top step without a sound, he made the most of all his experience and stealth training as he tiptoed down the stairs. He looked in the direction the guard had been walking, and listened for any sound before turning and running in the opposite direction towards the main stairwell, his feet now only making tiny padding noises against the floor.
He peered through the glass panel in the door, before easing it open. The hinges sent a shrill squeal into the air as he pushed it open and he moved through it quickly, pressing himself back into the wall behind him as the door slid shut beside him.
He could only hope no one heard it as he jogged down the stairs. He stopped by a set two floors down, and once again checked the glass window before exiting. He saw a door marked 14 and he smirked before pulling the door open and padding across to it.
Alex checked both ways in the hallway before easing the door open slowly. It was dark inside, and he slipped through the opening, easing the door closed after him. He stood still for a second, eyes calmly scanning the darkened office, before making his way to the filing cabinet that stood in the corner of the room. He pulled the picklocks out of the utility belt and worked them into the small lock channel, inching them around until the longer of the two pins caught its target. He held the second pin steady with his forefinger and gently urged the other one upwards, the lock gave a quick click and he smirked as he pulled the drawer open. The expression turned to a frown as he rifled through the papers inside, pushing the drawer closed a little harder than he meant to he opened the next, almost frantically searching through but to the same result. No disk or hard drive.
"What the hell." Alex muttered to himself in confusion, it was meant to be here. The intelligence had said it was going to be here. He turned when he heard a quiet noise behind him to see the door of the office being opened and the sound of radio airspace drifting through.
Alex pushed the drawer closed and threw himself behind the desk, landing as silently as possible and squeezing himself into the small alcove that would normally conceal someone's legs. Awkwardly, he glanced under the desk, only seeing a non-regiment set of boots that thudded against the plastic flooring as they walked around the room. Awkwardly he pulled his legs up to his body, cursing his height as his hair brushed against the underneath of the desk, causing a loud scratching noise in his mind.
He really was getting to damn old for this.
Alex shut his eyes and held his breath, trying to steady his thumping heart as he knew, if discovered, if he would be shot on sight. And seeing as he had no weapon, because they still wouldn't let him have one, he would have no way to defend himself against another weapon of the sort. He willed his heart to stop beating altogether as the footsteps neared the desk and he heard another set of footsteps faintly, from the direction of the door and hallway beyond.
"Ricardo, we got to go to block 1." A gruff voice announced. Alex snapped his eyes open again as the guards, Ricardo's he presumed, feet made their way away from the desk once again, and he risked another glance under the panel to see two uniformed guards stood by the doorway.
"I was told to keep an eye on this room." Ricardo responded in a heavy Spanish accent. Alex frowned as the other guard shrugged.
"Orders. Come."
The two men made their way out of the room at pace and Alex slowly let go of the breath he had unconsciously been holding as the door thudded shut behind him. Silently, he thanked his luck and leant his head back against the desk with a sigh.
Things were going disastrously wrong, and he snapped his eyes open as he realised where the guards were headed. He sprang out from under the desk and moved to the door, twisting the lock across with a quiet click as he fumbled in his belt for the earpiece. He shoved it into his ear roughly and flicked the switch over.
"Wolf?" Alex muttered, he knew that a whisper would be enough, but the fact he hadn't heard the guard's footsteps had signified the wood was thick enough. There was no response, and as he waited he felt the first icy tendrils of fear creeping into his stomach.
"Wolf?" Alex tried again, only the resounding silence filled his ears. "Damn, if you can hear me. They're coming for you."
Still no response.
Alex grabbed the charges from his belt and placed them in the positions Snake had advised, before stalking back to the door. He lifted his wrist and looked at the silver watch there, pushing the small red button on the underside into the activation position. A small green led lit up on the front, showing the detonation process and the time was instantly replaced with a countdown timer.
Alex rubbed a hand over his face, before heading back to the door and easing it open, checking the corridor both ways before stealthily making his way back towards the stairwell. He ducked behind a container for a second, to listen in vain for a response from the others, snapping his head up when he heard footsteps from behind him. He didn't hesitate as he yanked the top of the container away and climbed into the cramped space, pulling the top down after him.
He kept silent as the footsteps walked past him a minute later, thumping hard on the ground giving the blonde reassurance that his place of hiding hadn't been detected and he let out a quiet sigh. He had to get to block one.
Alex jumped when a loud voice resounded through the corridor.
"Reif, you are meant to be in the basement."
"Y-yes sir. I-I was t-told to go to b-block one."
"Who told you?" the voice that spoke was commanding, and Alex could almost envisage the guard trembling when he was stood in that presence. Alex shut his eyes and took a slow breath as the pause drew out a little longer. There was the sound of shuffling feet, and Alex wondered just how intimidating the newcomer was.
"D-Dobbs, sir."
"I overrule. Get back to the basement, we need to be cautious." Alex slowly opened his eyes as there was a long pause and he eased his head up towards the lid were a sliver of light was being filtered through. From his makeshift window he could see a tall man with greying hair stood directly in front of the crate, and a younger man, possibly early twenties with dark hair stood nervously in front of him. "What are you waiting for Reif? Get back down there."
The greying man had spoken with careful pronunciation, but the tint of an accent was there. Alex could only pick out a light trace, not enough to deduce the man's nationality, but it was enough to let him know he wasn't English. He wondered why, when they were on an assignment in Croatia they were using English, maybe it was the only common language they knew. It wouldn't have been a rare occurrence for that to be the case. Alex narrowed his eyes, trying to take in more of the man's behaviour when Reif spoke again.
"They're going to blow the building sir."
"I know that. Which is why I'm giving you two choices, go back to the basement and potentially make it out alive. Or stay here and I shoot you."
"B-but there will be nothing left of me or the s-spy sir." Reif stuttered. Alex bit his lip, withholding a groan, yet another piece of incorrect information they had been passed. Alex mentally cursed whoever this supposed spy was but his attention snapped back to the present as he heard the sound of a hammer being lowered. Reif looked between it and the man within an open mouth,
"If that is your wish." The older said coldly, Alex stared as Reif's mouth opened and closed in wordless movements. Alex awaited the sound of the gunshot and he couldn't tear his eyes away in morbid fascination. He saw the older man's finger twitch slightly and Reif threw his hands up.
"N-no Sir." He yelled, taking a quick breath, "I'll go."
"Good." The grey man stated simply as he slipped his gun back into its holster. He turned and started to walk away without another words, his confident strides taking him out of Alex's viewpoint through the small opening. Instead he watched Reif who ran a hand over his face and took a deep breath before heading back in the direction he had come from. Alex eased himself back into an uncomfortable crouch, feeling something dig into the side of his thigh he looked down. He was just about to move the polystyrene, when the footsteps outside of his hiding placed stopped.
"On second thoughts. Reif?" It was the older man's voice, and Alex could imagine the younger man turning to look when his footsteps stopped. There was a loud bang and the resonance of the gunshot filled his mind as a sadistic laugh reached his ears.
"You should have stayed in the basement. Aptal oğlan."
Alex frowned at the unrecognisable language as the man's footsteps were dissipating into the air, he allowed himself a small sigh as he eased the top of the carton open. The first thing he noticed was the man's body, with a steady pool of red growing around it, before a hint of silver caught his eye in the bottom of the container. He brushed some of the packing aside, eyes widening as he took in the C4 loaded at the bottom of the box. Glancing up the hall, he could see another identical container near the office he had left just minutes before.
There will be nothing left of me or the spy
"Crap." Alex muttered, the detonation devices he had planted were only meant to cause enough structural damage to distract attention. These blocks would blow the place to oblivion.
Not bothering to shut the container he ran over to the body that was prone on the floor. He avoided stepping in the blood as he grabbed the gun from the fallen man's holster, tucking it into his belt, before he started searching the dead man's body for anything else of value. He pulled back triumphant with a set of keys in his grasp as he heard voices from one end of the hall, he grabbed the weapon from his belt and, feeling emboldened, ran towards the stairwell.
Alex pushed through the doors without checking and started to sprint down the stairs. They'd gotten this all wrong. The agent was in block two, not one, as they had been advised and if he was still there when those charges went off he'd be going back to Britain in a nice little box. If they found any remains, that was.
Alex glanced at the watch as he approached his exit floor, and with a determined look at the door he was meant to use as an exit, he ran straight past it and down the next set of stairs to the basement. He jumped the final six steps, landing with a heavy thud and the gun still clasped in his hand as he pushed through the heavy metal door. He stopped in the dank hallway that was beyond it, and looked both ways, debating on direction. He glanced at his watch,
12 minutes.
12 minutes to find the agent, hope he wasn't in too bad a shape and get out. He sprinted down the corridor to his right, yanking open each of the viewing hatches to check for occupants and cursing when he reached the end and found no one. One look back at his wrist.
11 minutes.
He ignored the protest from his aching leg muscles and sprinted back down the hall, eerily aware of his heart thumping along with the seconds and started on the set of doors that would have been to his original left. He stopped dead when he saw a slight movement in the 5th one in, and he tucked the gun into the back of his belt as he pulled out the keys he had lifted from Reif. He tried each one, with whispered words of encouragement for each to fit as the adrenaline thumped through him and he almost yelled in satisfaction when he finally found the right one. He pushed the door open, it slammed back against the wall with a loud thud as he entered. Surprised brown eyes looked up at him, shaded with relief as recognition filled the face in front of him. Alex groaned, as he hurried over to the figure restrained to the wall by shackles.
"I should have fucking known." Alex murmured as he eased the smallest of the keys into the cuff's. The prisoner just looked at him curiously as he quietly cursed and tried the next key.
"Alex, why have you got no shoes on?" Ben asked, his eyes staring at the blonde's sock clad feet. Alex glared at him, not missing the obvious relief on the man's face as the key he was working with released one wrist with a quiet click.
"Can you move?" he asked bluntly, Ben nodded as he massaged his wrists that were raw from the manacles. "We need to get out in nine and half. Or you'll never get an answer."
"Well, when you ask so nicely." Ben muttered as he pushed himself to his feet. Alex turned towards the door, stopping dead when two armed figures entered the room with scowls on their faces. Ben grabbed the protruding handle of the gun from Alex's belt and two shots rang out quickly. Both men fell, one grabbing at his leg, the other at his arm but both emitting strangled yells. Alex gave Ben a disappointed look.
"It's meant to be quality over quantity Ben." Alex chastised before he ran past the two men, Ben smirked and followed after him. Pushing himself to get into step with the younger spy, he took a quick breath.
"Whoever told you that was lying." Ben said, Alex looked at him with a raised eyebrow and a responding smirk before the pair crashed through the stairwell doors. Ben kept pace behind Alex as he led them up and out onto the ground floor, turning right as they left the stairwell.
"Do you even know where you're going?" Ben asked, taking deep breathes to keep his voice even.
"I bloody hope so." Alex muttered as they rounded another corner. He spotted the double glass entrance doors and as a pair they pushed through them, out into the whipping rain and wind. Alex looked in the direction of the other building and gestured towards it before continuing his run in a crouch alongside the wall. Ben followed after him only to see Alex go sprawling to the ground as he ran full pelt into another figure shaded by the wall. Alex cursed as his back hit the gravel floor and Ben whipped up the pistol without hesitation, faltering for a second when he saw the SAS blacks the man was wearing.
"Jesus. Fuck it, Cub." Cougar muttered as he pulled the blonde up of the ground by his shoulders. Alex glanced back at Ben, who was looking at the man with an amused smirk.
"Cougar." Alex stated, Ben nodded.
"I know."
Alex started his run towards the next building without any further word and Cougar watched him go with an amused face before looking at Ben. Ice blue eyes met warm brown and Ben gave a curt, tense nod in his direction before they sprinted off after Alex. They caught up to him as he peered through a window for the stairwell, cautiously watching as a set of guards ran down towards the basement.
"Alex, What's going on?" Ben asked through slightly uneven breaths. Alex looked at him with a hint of a worried frown.
"Is this really the time?" Alex half-snapped, his eyes once again turning to the window. Ben clicked his mouth closed and Cougar gave him an exasperated look.
"How long?" Cougar asked calmly, Alex glanced at his watch and groaned as he pushed the door open, not looking forward to the sprint up the next five set of stairs.
"Seven." He responded simply as their own footsteps echoed round the enclosed space, "Where are the others?"
"On the roof, last I knew." Cougar responded, "I left to get you about 15 minutes ago."
Alex just nodded as a loud alarm started to sound through the stair well. Ben drew level to Alex's side, and Ben could see the slight concern there as Alex gave him a slight shake of his head. Cougar muttered a curse, Alex glanced back at him to see him looking down between the stairs, he followed the man's line of sight to see a large group of people moving below them. He heard the footsteps getting louder and he pointed at Cougar's belt, specifically the grenade's.
"Use a grenade." Alex said through heaving breath's. Cougar kept pace and shook his head.
"It's too enclosed."
"As we go through the door." Ben responded, Alex shot him a thankful look as he took another deep breath and pushed his pace on the final set. Cougar pulled a grenade off his belt and held it ready, one finger in the loop of the pin. Alex felt his muscles screaming at him to stop as they reached the door and he yanked the handle down. It didn't move. He looked at Ben, before glaring at Cougar.
"You locked the fucking door?" Alex asked as he dropped himself into a crouch. Cougar opened his mouth to snap a reply but Ben shook his head so the blonde could concentrate as Alex once again pulled the picklocks out and eased them into the lock. It didn't take as long as the filing cabinet, and as the first gunshot rang through the air Alex pulled the handle again, he grabbed the back of Ben's shirt and tugged him backwards through the now open door. Cougar pulled the pin on the grenade and threw it down the stairs towards their pursuers, before shoving Alex's back and slamming the door behind him.
Alex scowled as his knees burnt when they scraped against the asphalt on the rooftop, and he pushed himself to his feet. Ben did the same beside him and Cougar leant his forehead against the door after sliding the metal bolt across. He slowly turned to look at the other two, his eyes coming to rest on something over the Alex's shoulder.
"Well that went well." Alex muttered, to his side Ben gave a quiet huff of humourless laughter.
"I did wonder when the rest of you would be joining us."
Alex recognised the voice, and he turned quickly, groaning when he saw the remaining three members of K unit were being held at gunpoint. He looked over to Ben, the man was paler than Alex had realised and he looked thoroughly exhausted, almost ready to drop any second. Alex flicked his gaze back as the man who had shot Reif earlier started walking towards him, this time though, the gun was trained firmly on Alex. A guard walked by his side with an automatic rifle pointing between Ben and Cougar, the muzzle reflecting glints of the moon as it moved. Alex's eyes were fixed on the eerie smile that had appeared on the man's face as he advanced.
"Put the weapons down, both of you or I kill him." The man demanded. Alex saw, in the corner of his eye as the two men shared a glance, before placing their weapons on the ground and standing slowly with their hands up and away from their bodies. The grey man smirked and kept his eyes on Alex. "Kick them here."
The sound of metal grating against the floor resounded around the rooftop, as both weapons were kicked forwards by their respective owners and the guard picked them up quickly, throwing them hard over the edge of the roof.
"And you, you got any weapons?" Grey asked. Alex shook his head slowly, the smile was back. "Shame, something tells me you could be lethal with one."
"Lucky for you then." Alex muttered, he didn't move his gaze from the man's face, insistent on ignoring the weapon that was pointing towards him and Grey smirked as he prowled forwards slowly with assessing eyes.
"You not scared to die, little boy?" Grey had stopped directly in front of him and the gun was now level with his head, Alex glanced to Ben and saw his prone state, with his fists clenched at his sides. He looked over to K-unit who were struggling against their captors and then Cougar who appeared frozen to the spot, without a guard, but not in a position to do anything either. Alex slowly turned his eyes back to the man in front of him, a smirk coming to rest on his face.
"Is that a trick question?"
"Shall we test it out and see?" Grey asked, there was a twitch in his face that Alex recognised as annoyance and the smirk didn't leave his face as Grey pulled back the hammer with a measured thumb. The noise was deafening in his ears, the quiet click seeming to reverberate through his skull but his eyes didn't leave the man's in front of him.
"No!" Cougar yelled from Alex's right. Grey's lips twisted upwards slightly, eyes leaving Alex slowly as he looked over to the soldier stood alone. The gun followed its owner's path. Alex let go of the breath he had been holding involuntarily and Ben gave him a concerned look as Grey took a step towards Cougar. Alex shook his head in silent answer and turned to watch the man with wary eyes.
"You are attached to the boy?" Grey said with a smirk, Cougar scowled and shook his head eying the gun that was now pointing at him warily.
"I don't believe in hurting children." Cougar replied quickly. Alex frowned as the words stung against a memory in his mind and the grey man let out a bark of laughter. It was a truly hollow sound, it contained no humour whatsoever.
"I wouldn't want you to watch his execution then. You first."
Grey's aim didn't falter and he didn't hesitate not once as he pulled the trigger. The shot rang out through the still air. Alex had watched to see Cougar falling back as if in slow motion until he came to rest, lying motionless on the floor with a splattering of blood dead centre on his forehead. He swallowed heavily and looked over to K-unit, who were looking on with pure loathing on their faces, his eyes followed the natural line and moved on to Ben, his face was different. Ben didn't look angry, instead he was as pale as a sheet and not struggling against the guard that had a gun loosely held at his side. Alex waited, and when Ben looked back at him Alex could see the darkness echoed in those eyes that were normally warm, but the message got across anyway. Grey was walking back towards him with an amused look on his face and once again the gun was aimed at Alex, calculating eyes were run over the blonde and Alex steeled himself against what was to come next.
"You're an interesting one. So calm, so collected. It's a shame you just had to come back for your friends." Grey mused out loud as he stopped in front of Alex once again, the muzzle was rested gently against his forehead. The blonde showed no recognition that the cold metal had touched his skin, "You're very placid in the face of death for one who has had so little experience of life."
The hammer was pulled back again, Alex tensed, pulling the muscles in his legs into a tight bunch, ignoring the pangs of hurt from the unnatural sprint they had endured that evening.
"I almost feel bad for having to kill you, such great potential."
Alex didn't move, but the yells that were now coming from the soldiers were getting louder. Eagle's voice yelling above the rest, but this time Grey didn't divert away from him as he had done with Cougar. Instead he smirked, and Alex spoke with a calm that he wasn't particularly feeling.
"A lot of people say that." Alex agreed, releasing the tension in his legs, he kicked at the man's kneecap, launching himself forwards as Grey faltered from the blow. The pair sprawled backwards onto the ground, the Grasch the man had been holding skittered across the rooftop and out of reach.
The others had reacted instantly upon seeing Alex's act, catching their own guards by surprise and disarming them. Alex was straddled across Grey's chest, punching him repeatedly in the face as the thought of Cougar ran through his mind. He only stopped when he felt a force push against his chest and he was shoved backwards, falling to ground on his back. He scrambled to his feet as Grey did the same opposite him with a scowl.
"You'll regret that child." Grey spat, Alex blocked the strong punch that was aimed at his face before whipping his leg round in roundhouse. It connected with the man's side and Alex started pulling back in the direction of Ben. He could fight, he knew that, but it would only be a matter of time before his exertions would win out and his only chance would be in numbers. Ben had apparently had the same idea as he was working his own way back towards the other three soldiers who were already practically back to back against their own guards. Alex's sideways glance towards them cost him, as an elbow struck his face and a fist landed against his chest. He stumbled back a couple of steps from the impact, taking a sharp gasp of air as Grey grabbed his neck and lifted him, seemingly easily as his feet left the floor. In the corner of his eye, Alex saw Wolf down his guard with a palm strike to the nose and move towards Eagle's assailant, he looked back at Grey who had a smirk on his face.
"Still not scared?"
"Never." Alex choked out, kicking forwards with the right leg he felt it hit the man's groin. The grip was dislodged immediately as Grey keeled over with a groan and Alex dropped to the floor beside him, taking large gasps of breath as he pulled himself to his feet. He took a step back as Grey snarled and moved forwards once again, Alex blocked the punch from the man and from the door they had exited through, he caught the sounds of yells and thuds. He groaned, dropping to a crouch as Grey aimed a roundhouse that moved quick enough to have done serious damage otherwise. He sprang up and looked to the others as two more of the guards dropped, Ben turned to where he was.
"The door- " Alex yelled, cut off as a foot connected with his ribs from the right. He was knocked to the floor and he grabbed his ribs taking a struggling breath as he curled in against the rain of blows he was expecting. In the distance he could hear the thudding of copter rotor's, and he saw as the other's felled their guards. Grey was stood next to him Alex shut his eyes and groaned as he felt a foot connect with his back. He twisted onto his back and Grey was glaring down at him, the gun that Alex had knocked away earlier was back in the man's hands above him.
"Pull out." Wolf yelled, the three soldiers started the run to the opposite side of the roof where the chopper was designated to drop and Ben cast an eye around to see the kick that was delivered to the Alex's side. He ran without thinking, seeing the gun once again in the man's hand and shoved him away from the young spy. Alex looked up at him, his nose bloody and wheezing for breath, Ben grabbed the front of his shirt pulling him to his feet,
"Can you run?" Ben asked urgently as he turned. Alex said nothing but pushed himself to sprint after Ben as he ran after the soldiers. Each step was pulling at his ribs painfully but he gritted his teeth and kept his eyes forwards. Eagle was the first to reach the chopper and he scrambled up onto the deck, turning to grab Snake's hand when it was offered, he heaved him up and into the hold. Snake did the same on the opposite side of the door, as guards started to swarm through the stairwell entrance. They shared a glance, both looking vaguely horrified before Eagle swore.
"Hurry up!" Eagle yelled at the remaining three and Snake ducked down and grabbed Wolf's hand when he reached the chopper. Alex turned his head when Eagle shouted and looked at the men on the rooftop, he looked to Ben who had copied the look when the yell was given before his head turned back to the front as the gunshots started to ring through the air. Some were missing, some were raining down just inches behind their feet, sending asphalt spray up around their ankles that stung as it hit their skin. Ben hissed as one rogue bullet grazed his arm and Alex looked to him with a concerned expression. Ben grit his teeth and waved him off, ducking his head and pushing himself faster. Alex watched him, but the night's events were taking its toll and he struggled to pull a full breath, his muscles clenched in protest, firmly ignoring his mental insistence to move faster.
He felt a sharp pain in his left thigh, and stumbled, hands and chest burning as he skidded to a halt where he landed on the rooftop.
"Fuck." Alex muttered, he glanced down at his leg to see the split in the cargo trousers he was wearing, a thin graze line visible on the pale skin underneath and he pushed himself to his feet roughly. He could see Ben had already reached the chopper, Eagle was pulling him on board and Alex ran again, trying his best to ignore the fluid that was running down his leg, warm and irritating against his skin. The air was filled with silence as the gunshots stopped and he fought the urge to turn back and see what was happening, instead concentrating solely on the faces that were growing closer in his sight. He saw Ben say something to Wolf and the shorter man moved towards the door with a surprised look.
"Hurry up, Cub!" Wolf bellowed, Alex glared at him but didn't change pace. He couldn't have moved faster if he'd wanted to, every ache in his body thrummed in time with his heartbeat. He grabbed Ben's hand as he reached the chopper and the man heaved back. Alex breathed a sigh of relief, loosening the grasp as he felt himself being lifted off the ground. He gave Ben a thankful look and he felt the man's grip tighten on him as Eagle snatched for his other arm with a surprised expression.
Alex found out why when he felt a pair of hands latched onto his legs and pulled him back. His relief, that had loosened his grip, made his hand slide from Ben's and he kicked his legs back to try to get away, grabbing towards the chopper with his other hand. It connected with metal runner and slid away as he was dragged a couple of paces away from the chopper and pulled into a firm bear hold. He felt the muzzle of a gun being pressed to his head roughly and he stilled instantly, the cold laugh gave away his captor and Alex looked around at the scene that was panning out around with deceptively calm eyes.
The guards that had streamed from the stairwell were approaching in hoards, Grey was the one holding him in this compromising position and directly in front of him were four, five if you included the pilot, men who were dutifully doing their job.
Alex shut his eyes and took a deep breath, concentrating solely on the metal that was now resting against his temple and understanding that the guards wouldn't hesitate in taking the chopper down. He felt a strong wash of resignation come over him and he knew this was always the way it was going to end, and slowly he opened his eyes. A strange feeling of calm acceptance had overtaken him, and he looked directly at Ben as the gun was pushed even harder against his temple.
"Get off the chopper and he doesn't die." Grey ordered in a yell, Alex didn't move his eyes from Ben as the others looked at him and he offered the man a small sad smile before looking to Wolf. Wolf's face was impassive as ever, but there was an underlying edge of panic in his eyes Alex hadn't seen before and he knew the man was caught in indecision.
In that particular moment, there were no harsh words, no snarls or looks of malice. There was just one thing and that was truth, Alex knew exactly what Wolf was going to have to do and he nodded his confirmation. Wolf blinked once, twice as if double checking, before he turned.
"Pull up!" Wolf barked at the pilot, the helmeted soldier looked at him hesitantly and Wolf scowled as he made no effort to move. Ben span to look at Wolf with a disbelieving expression.
"Wolf, we can't-"
"I said go! Now!" Wolf bellowed. The pilot snapped his head around and started to lift the chopper up and away from the building. Ben gave Wolf a glare before turning back to the door. He felt a restraining hand on his shoulder as he watched the scene below. Alex was released from the bear hold and forced to face the grey man as he held the gun to his head. The explosion from the second building ripped through the air, buffeting the chopper slightly but the four men in the hold were watching with avid eyes as the debris scattered around them. All Ben's attention was one that one small tired looking figure as the light from the flames flickered across his face, mouth opening as words were exchanged between the pair.
There was a yell, but the words were muffled and Ben took a step closer to the door as Alex struck out with a fist. Simultaneously a single gunshot resounded through the night air. Both fell. Neither got up. But the spattering of blood where the bullet had ripped through Alex's torso before he fell was unmistakeable.
Ben listened to the sound of the rotors thumping above his head, everything else dulling to silence, as he willed for the blonde to get up, to be okay, the same as all the other times things had gone so disastrously wrong.
But the pool of blood around Alex's tall but slight figure continued to grow, mocking him as the thumping sound of the rotors dulled to silence in his mind and the chopper turned away on its homeward bound journey, leaving nothing, other than a successful retrieval and two fatalities that would be wiped away as collateral damage.