Ok, I am so so so so sorry. My life has gotten out of hands so I couldn't update anything. Nothing. I'm so sorry I have to get on the updates, especially rewriting Puzzle Pieces. Well enough excuses here's your chappie.

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Jack gasped, Ben bit his lip, and Mrs. Jones mentally cringed. Alex looked so pale. Jack immediately went and knelt by Alex's bedside. He was wincing in his sleep obviously beginning to stir. Jack paled at this and tears stung her eyes. "I can't do this anymore." She said before running from the room not even trying to hold back tears. Ben watched her leave and bit his lip harder. Why was this kid's life so messed up?

Ben sighed as he sat down next to Alex's bedside and waited for him to wake up.

****************

Alex never seemed to be aware when he was conscious which only lasted brief minutes before he slipped away into his own mind. Jack had never come back except for today. She had managed to bring herself here. She had to at least to see him one last time. She carried with her a note, in which she poured out her heart and soul and gave him her love. This would crush him, but she couldn't manage any longer.

Ben looked up as Jack walked in, her pace careful, her face a mask. She slipped him a piece of paper and walked over to Alex and stroked his face. "I'm sorry." She whispered before kissing his forehead and standing up.

"Let him read that." Jack said and her voice cracked. Tears flowed freely down her face. Ben stood up but she was already gone. He unfolded the note and read.

Alex,

By the time you get this I will be gone. I want you to know I love you and still care about you but I can't do this anymore. Seeing you shot again killed me inside and I can't stand to see you hurt again, not to mention the look in your eyes that shows what MI6 has done to you. There's nothing I can do to control you or protect you. I love you and will miss you immensely. I will try to write from Washington but contact may make my departure worse. I'm beginning to cry as I write this; I can't believe I'm doing this. I feel like I'm abandoning you. Don't think that, I will never abandon you no matter how many miles apart we are.

With love,

Jack

There was a second note that fell out of the first. Ben picked it up and began to read the second one.

Ben,

I haven't known you for long yet I trust you way more than MI6. You have more life in your eyes than they and seem to actually have a heart and soul. I am leaving in hope that you will look after Alex. There is no one left to. I cannot relate to him the way you can. I can only try to comfort him when he wakes up retching from the horrible nightmares that plague his mind. I don't expect you to stop MI6 from taking him on missions but try to help him if he gets in a tough spot. I used to be all he had left but now perhaps he has you. Please try to take care and protect him. Thank you.

Jack

After Ben finished he looked up at the young agent. He was stirring again and Ben could see the pain in his face. Ben stood up. Could he really look after Alex? How big of a responsibility could it be? All the rumors about him couldn't be true, could they? Jack had mentioned nightmares and Ben had seen Alex in action so it was believable. The kid in agent mode was scary. The kid was lethal, and good at what he does. It wasn't a choice of could he, Ben had to. The poor kid had no one left and he couldn't be left to MI6. Ben's mind was made up.

**************

Mrs. Jones of course had gotten a hold of the note. After reading over it she realized what a wonderful idea Ben looking after Alex was. He could offer some protection and be Alex's back up. Blunt had quickly agreed. Perhaps they could even be partners in a couple missions. The possibilities were endless.

"You seemed like the best candidate as you know him better than anyone else and he trusts you the most." Blunt said.

"I accept." Ben said standing up. "But I want his file."

"Of course." Mrs. Jones said rifling through a filing cabinet. "Here it is but some information may only be revealed by Alex." Ben nodded and left the room. He needed to sleep in his own bed before telling Alex the news.

*****************

It had taken a while but Alex was finally stable. It was the day he was to be discharged when Ben decided to tell him the news. He had put of day after day not wanting to hurt Alex's recovery but now he had to. Alex had asked about Jack but Ben had given a poor excuse each time. When Alex heard someone enter the room he looked up to see Ben. Bens face told all, he wasn't on a mission so he didn't compose his emotions usually. "What's wrong what's happened?" Alex asked. Ben just handed him the note. Alex unfolded it and began to read.

***************

Cliffie. Sorry people and if you don't want cliffies try not to flame me or complain about how long this has taken. Thank you. Yeah more Ben!

-K