"Alex, you need a vacation." Jack announced one evening at tea.
"I know Jack but I don't have time for a vacation. Not with PT and trying to catch up with my lessons." Alex sighed. That day had been particularly stressful, not that there were any especially difficult moments or tasks that day, its just that it was one of those days when the true reality of your situation hits you and you can't quite shake the feeling .
"Besides-"
"Just hear me out Alex. I went to the mall last week and I saw this guy selling sweepstake entry forms, he was just trying to hustle together some money I guess cause he looked like a hobo, the security guards threw him out soon after I left him" she frowned at the thought but continued "but anyhow I felt kind of sorry for him so I bought one. They were for the chance to win an all expense paid trip to Paris, France, a 7 day stay at the Hotel Ritz and 500 euros of spending money. I was felling kind of lucky so I entered, turns out I won!" she finished cautiously.
"Jack "Alex started exasperatedly "do you have any idea who that guy was or who he could be working for? It could have been a trap to get me to go to France for some reason, or worse, to get you to come so Scorpia could kidnap you. You have no-"
"Alex! Do you spend all your waking time thinking about Scorpia? Is the world so full of Scorpia agents so as to make normal life impossible?"
"You just don't understand Jack, when it comes to me they are everywhere. You're not the one who has to deal with the pain in your chest every hour of the day and night because they wanted to get rid of you. You're not the one who was minding your own business when you were shot! It's not like-"
"But Alex!" Jack was nearly shouting now "You weren't minding your own business were you? You didn't have to get involved with Scorpia; MI6 didn't send you on that mission you went of your own accord because Yassen said something."
"So you're saying I should have minded my own business and let every school kid in Britain, including my self, die?"
"Alex I didn't mean that."
"I don't know what you mean anymore; in fact I don't know what anyone means anymore. No one understands what I'm saying. As far as everyone is concerned, I'm just paranoid, pig-headed, aren't I?" Alex got up from the table to go to his room. "Well you're not the one whose had to save the world numerous times because the big boys were to lazy to do it, nor were you nearly killed eleven or something times in the process." He was just leaving the kitchen when he said with a sad smile "Its not like I wish it on anyone else or anything, I just wish someone would understand my wariness sometimes."
After he left, Jack thought over what just happened. "This just proves how much he needs some time to safely relax. I'll have to apologize when he calms down. In the mean time..." she went to the kitchen phone and made a call.
"Alex! I'm going out for a little, I'll be back in a little while okay?"
"Alright." he appeared at the top of the stairs. "Look I didn't mean to snap at you and all its" he ran his hand through his fair hair and sighed "it's just been a kind of depressing day, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I mean you were just trying to-"
"Shhh. It's alright Alex, I understand" she hugged him at the bottom of the steps "even though you think I don't some things I do." She drew back and looked him in the face. "You okay?"
"Yeah."
"Okay I'll be back in a little while."
When Alex woke up next morning, Saturday, he didn't remember if Jack had made it back or not, he must have fell asleep early. He felt a sudden wave of panic that subsided when he heard a knock at his door. Come on snap out of this, Scorpia is NOT around every corner. He told himself. "Come in."
Jack's red head poked in "I made breakfast for you, scrambled eggs, sausage and cranberry scones. Also we have somewhere to go after that. It's best if you didn't ask any questions till we arrived. See you when you get dressed."
Much mystified, Alex dressed and came down to eat. When he sat across from Jack at the table he tried to read her face but she gave away nothing.
Later, in the car, he noticed the route she took was taking him perilously close to the Royal & General Bank.
"Is this some kind of joke or am I meant to think that we're heading to MI6 headquarters? He asked trying to sound light.
"We are." Jack answered seriously. Before Alex could answer she pulled in the parking lot of the bank.
"Come on."
The look on Alex's face told her he didn't like this one bit, but he trusted her and that had to count for something.
I Blunt's office he sat down warily and eyed everyone in the room with a look of mere tolerance.
"What now?"
"We know you're recovering nicely from your injury." Jones began with a peppermint in her mouth.
Alex shot Jack a look that said "This is what I get for trusting you, another mission." She could tell he was hurt but she made no move to explain. She left that to Jones and Blunt.
"This is not another assignment Alex," Jones had noticed the look "and there is no reason for you to feel betrayed. We acknowledge that your last mission was… stressful and Miss Starbright would like to have you relax on a much earned vacation. However, we understand your lack of security. We've investigated the company offering the sweepstakes Miss Starbright won thoroughly and they are a completely legitimate tourism and travel agency. It has been a tradition of theirs to offer this promotion every 2 years to encourage tourist to use their agency and services on their trips. Paris, France has been featured twice already."
"But as further reassurance." Blunt interjected "You will be accompanied by someone else besides Miss Starbright. Some one solely for the purpose of protecting you."
"I believe you are familiar with him." Mrs. Jones added. She spoke into an intercom on Blunt's desk. "You may enter Mr. Mendoza.
Now Alex was really puzzled. He did not know anyone by the name of Mendoza and since when did not MI6 acknowledge him as anything besides an effective weapon against their enemies.
'Mr. Mendoza' walked into the room commenting "It's about time I was called. Long time no see Cub."
"Wolf!" Alex exclaimed. Jack began to look confused instead of knowing. "You know him Alex?"
"Yeah, we trained together for a couple weeks in the SAS. "
"And I saved your ass at that crackpot school of yours. Point Blanc was it?"
"Yeah, I remember. So your real name is Mendoza huh?"
"Yeah, but during this assignment of mine, you'll be calling me by my first name; Andros."
"Andros will be sharing your hotel room and will follow you and Miss Starbright where ever you go." Alan Blunt was saying
"And just how is he going to manage that. Unless he's to look-"
"He will pose as your older brother, Miss Starbright as your older sister. Are there any objections?" Jones asked
Alex smirked at Wolf "Nope."
Wolf and Jack glanced at each other "No." They answered.
"Good, you are clear to proceed as planned." Blunt was dismissing them.
As they made to exit the building Jack asked "Now do you feel better about it Alex?"
"Yeah. I shouldn't have been so hard on you. If MI6 says its clean then I'll assume that since my safety is in their best interest, then they are right. Thanks for everything Jack."
"No problemo."
"You're not going to enjoy this are you Andros?" Alex teased, trying out Wolf's real name.
"You know Alex, I'm tagging along to protect you from any hostile parties we may encounter, but there is NO one to protect you from me. Just keep that in mind would yuh. I got to go set a couple of things in order before we leave so I'll see you tomorrow at the airport."
"Can he be trusted Alex?" Jack asked worriedly as they entered her car.
"Wolf's trustworthy alright. He's just saying that because he knows I plan to give him a hard time."
"Well please don't. The last thing I want is him losing his temper on you, okay?"
Alex didn't answer "That might be interesting."
Author's Note
Ok guys this is my first fanfic for Alex Rider. So play nice. However if you hate it let me know, love it please let me know and just generally tell me what you think of it. If you generally like it I'll try and update by the end of this week.
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