Hi everyone! I am sorry that I haven't updated in a while. School is finishing up, so the teachers have been piling on all the work. But tomorrow is the last day of school for me, not counting finals, so that's good. I will be gone for two weeks soon after, though. I'm going to a writing camp. Hopefully when I come back, I'll have improved. Anyway! Thank you to all those who reviewed, followed, or favorited!

pokes - As you'll see for this chapter, not all the words will be the same. However, I'm going to do my best to keep them the same. I just couldn't think of anything for good byes. As for Secrets Unlocked, it is incomplete right now. I want to write more, but I have writer's block for that story. Do you have any ideas?

FateOfChaos - That's ok! Thank you for trying.

This chapter takes place... umm... wherever you want it too. As long as it is before Storm Breaker or shortly after Scorpia Rising.

I do not own Alex Rider.

Mrs. Tulip Jones's eyes watered as she looked in her closet. She had avoided doing so for nine years. Nine years, and she hadn't gone within one meter of the closet, let alone open it and look inside. But now, on their thirtieth anniversary and almost ten years since he died, she couldn't help it. She had to.

Staring at all the bow ties within, her thoughts flashed her to the memory of the blue with yellow and red polka dots.


It had been a hot day. The sun was out, and there were no clouds in sight. Seventeen year old Tulip Smith was absolutely miserable. She had come to the fair, expecting to see her date. Instead, three hours after the boy was supposed to show, she was staring at the ferris wheel wishing she had someone to go up with. That was when it happened.

The door to the stall next to her opened, a burly man with a bouncing brown mustache pushing a young man with blond unruly hair and shining blue eyes out the door. "-And stay out!" He finished shouting.

Giving a laugh, flashing pearly white teeth, the youth joked, "Ah, you don't mean that, do you pops? You know you love me."

"In your dreams," the man snarled. "You've messed around on the job one time to many. Leave, and don't come back." With those final words, the door slammed in the blond's face.

Tulip hurried over and asked anxiously, "Are you alright?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Just disappointed. I thought I finally had a lasting job."

The young woman nodded, then said slowly, "Would you like to join me for the rest of the day? My date never showed up."

A smile starting to grow back, the boy - who Tulip noted was wearing a blue bow tie with yellow and red polka dots - said, "I"d like that."


Shaking her head to clear her mind of the memory, her eyes fastened on a navy blue bow tie with red lobsters on it.


It was their first official date. The one that was actually planned before hand, where John had asked her out and she agreed and he picked her up in his beat up truck. Tulip had no idea where they were going, as the boy had told her it was going to be a surprise.

Now, the wind blowing through her hair from the open window, the girl looked out as her date pulled over. They were in front of a brick building with a black door. Like the truck, the paint was peeling, but the structure it belonged to was perfectly functional. 'Cloudy Skies' the sign above the door read, and in smaller letters she could make out the words 'Where lobsters fall from the sky'. She let out a laugh, a small smile playing on her face, as she glanced at the bow tie John was wearing. "Really?" She managed to ask.

He shrugged, and said with a grin, "The bow tie has to fit the occasion. I've lost count of the amount I have in my closet. I have the one I wore at the fair, this one, black and pink tie dye for Valentine's Day, red and green stripes for Christmas, camouflage for-"

"Okay, okay," Tulip laughed. "I get it. One for every occasion."


Emerging from the recollection, Mrs. Jones moved on to the next bow tie. Black and pink tie dye.


"I have something for you," the young man in front of her said seriously.

"And what would that be?" Tulip cocked an eyebrow, staring at him. Whatever it was, John was acting weird. Except for when he lost his job at the fair, she had never seen him be sad or serious.

"You'll like it, I think." Now a hint of nervousness. What was going on?

He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small jewelry box. Opening it, he revealed a silver necklace. Bringing it out, Tulip's boyfriend let it hang from his fingers, spinning and lighting up in the light. It was simple, nothing complex. But to Tulip, it meant everything. Hanging from it was a tiny bow tie with the words 'I love you' inscribed on the front.

Tulip turned around and held her hair up, whispering, "Fasten it for me?"

With a soft smile that his girlfriend didn't see, John did so, then spun her around and planted a kiss on her lips.

Like a bomb, emotions and feelings exploded in Tulip's lips. He was kissing her. It was their first kiss. It felt gentle but rough, slow but urgent. He felt like... like... fresh peppermint, the kind you picked off the Christmas tree. So fresh and sweet, but twisting and crazy at the same time. In that one moment, everything was perfect.


Blue, green, and white.


Tulip sighed in happiness as she relaxed on a beach. John had convinced her to take a break from work. Being a spy for MI6 could keep one busy, especially when your boyfriend was one as well. But they managed, and now, after two years of dating, here they were. Still together, still surviving, still in one piece each, and still deeply in love.

The nineteen year old woman glanced up as she sensed her boyfriend's approach. Smiling, she asked, "Are you here to join me? I've barely seen you all day except for breakfast."

Raising an eyebrow, John stated, "That was at ten, and it's only noon."

"Exactly," she nodded, "it's been two hours. Where have you been?"

"Picking something up."

Tulip let John help her to her feet, then watched as he reached into his pocket and, like a Valentine's Day almost two years ago, retrieved a small jewelry box.

"Tulip Smith," John took a deep breath, watching as his girlfriend seemed to be holding her hers, "We've been dating for two years now. Through thick and thin, we've been there for each other. I love you more than anything, and I can't imagine anyone who I'd like to spend the rest of my life with more. Will you marry me?"

The young woman worked to get her lips and tongue to work, and when she was sure they did, she gasped out, "Yes! Yes, yes, yes! The biggest yes ever!"

Grinning wide, John slipped the engagement ring onto his fiancé's finger and then, laughing in delight, picked her up and spun her around. When he had gotten too dizzy, he collapsed to the soft sand below, Tulip falling on top of him. "I love you," he breathed.

Smiling, she whispered, "I love you too."


As Tulip's eyes connected with the next bow tie, the memories came faster. Forest green.


"You may kiss the bride."


Baby blue and pink striped.


"If you don't be quiet about how excited you are to be a dad, I'll scream so loud I can't hear you! This is painful and it is all your fault that I'm giving birth to twins!"


Black.


"It's my fault they're dead, Tulip. If I hadn't- hadn't-."

"Shh. It's not your fault, and our children know they were loved."


Soft yellow.


"My husband is John Jones, not yours. I know what color bow tie he would want to wear to his funeral, and that is one that reminds him of life. The sun supports life, and the sun is yellow. Therefore, the bow tie will be yellow.


Sobbing at the bad memories, but smiling at the good ones, Mrs. Tulip Jones managed to break her eyes away from the memories. She stumbled over to her bed and had time for one last thought before she passed out. "The good thing about spies is the memory bow ties."

Ok, first, can anyone tell me what the Justice League reference is?

Second, I'm sorry if the first kiss scene wasn't very good. I have no experience, so I'm going off what I imagine it would feel like and first kiss scenes I've read on fanfiction.

Third, sorry the end was rushed. My dad needs the computer.

Fourth, I hope you enjoyed!

Please review!