A/N- Wow! Thank you so much for all the feedback you all have given! It is truly motivating. So here's the next chapter! Let me know what you think. Also, let me know what you think about the lyrics before/after the chapter. If it is something you like and would like me to keep doing it, or if you don't like it, please let me know. It may not happen every chapter, but let me know what ya think.
Also warning for literally just this whole story- I am American, so if you see anything that is not something that happens or is not said or anything of the sort, please kindly let me know. I have picked up a lot from reading other fics on here, but things may slip. Thanks!
Disclaimer- Nope, Natta.
Feels like I'm on the edge right now,
I wish that I could say I'm proud,
I'm sorry that I let you down,
All these voices in my head get loud,
I wish I could shut them out,
I'm sorry that I let you down
-NF- Let You Down
Alex was up early the next morning, packing his stuff before everyone else was up. He packed slowly, thinking over his time spent at the Pleasures, and of all the mistakes he had made, beating himself up for them. Thinking about what he could have done differently. A quick, intrusive thought of what if I never survived this long to be a bother to them, crept into his mind before he shook his head to get rid of it. By the time he was done, he heard everyone up and getting ready for the day. He took a deep breath, then went into the kitchen. There, everyone seemed to have grim smiles, hiding the truth behind the morning. They exchanged 'good mornings' and Alex sat down with his breakfast. He ate it mechanically, not really tasting the eggs and toast Liz gave him. He didn't say much as he washed his plate and went upstairs to get changed.
At 7:30 am, they all piled into the car and headed to the airport. The car was silent as they got onto the highway, Alex staring out the window. Sabina sat next to him, trying to tell him that he could come visit whenever he got the chance. But Alex knew that if Blunt and Jones had their way with him, he won't have any time for himself, let alone to visit them.
They pulled up to the airport and Edward got out to help him get his luggage out. All it consisted of was a large duffle and a backpack. He said his goodbyes quickly, then made his way through security. After moving through security he made his way to where his plane would board. He sat down, and pulled out his laptop, checking the time in London. It was about 3:30 pm. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to his best friend, Tom, letting him know he was heading back "home". He was positive as soon as he landed he would be whisked away to the Royal and General, so there would be no time to see him. After about 20 minutes, the terminal he was sat in had started to get busier, and he could feel the glances of some of the passengers. He knew he was a sight. A 15-year-old traveling to another county alone? Definitely something that didn't happen every day. He ignored the stares and messed around on his laptop some more until it was time to board. He got even more stares as he boarded in first class. He got himself settled for the long flight and closed his eyes.
When the plane landed, Alex collected his stuff, then disembarked the plane, slowly, just to spite whoever to was here to pick him up. I feel like a teenager Alex snorted. As he stepped off the plane and into the tunnel, he knew that he definitely was not a teenager anymore, no matter what his age said about him. He walked toward baggage claim, taking his time. He checked the screens for his flight to see what conveyer his bag would come out of and stood to wait, playing on his phone for some time, but still on high alert. To any passerby, he looked like a regular teenage boy, glued to his phone. In reality, his was barely focused on his phone, more focused on every person who passed him. Eventually, the alarm sounded at the conveyor he was standing next to, and the bags started to roll out. After about three minutes, he saw his bag and grabbed it from the belt. He turned around from baggage claim and saw that the airport had gotten much more busier. Great, he thought to himself, I hate crowds. He knew crowds helped him when he wanted to disappear, but when he was just casually walking? He despised them. He felt trapped like he couldn't get out. He had mentioned it to the Pleasures once and they freaked out, taking him to psychiatrists. Is it that big of a deal? He thought to himself. He took a deep breath and started walking. He looked at all the people holding signs for this family and that family, knowing that whoever was picking him up would not have that much humor. He kept looking as he walked, a frown creeping onto his face. Where is this person? He thought. When he reached the end of the building and still hadn't found the agent, he was positive another agent, if not two or three, were coming to pick him up, he looked out the doors. He was going to go outside until he noticed it was raining. He watched a few people run through the rain, lost in thought when a hand came down on his shoulder. He grabbed the hand and was ready to attack when a familiar voice pierced his brain.
"Alex! Wait!" The voice wasn't exactly yelling but was drawing attention to them. Alex stopped attacking the person and looked up to see none other than Ben Daniels standing there, approaching the pair slowly. One wrong move and the arm of the agent would be snapped. Alex let the agent go after a minute, surveying his surroundings for other threats. He saw Ben sigh in relief when no one got hurt. Ben approached Alex, then after a moment's hesitation, pulled him into an embrace.
"It's good to see you boy" Ben laughed, letting Alex go.
"Its good to see you to Ben," Alex remarked, his eyes still wearily hanging on the other agents, who were watching their reunion.
"Let's get you back, ok? The heads are...eager to see you" Ben muttered quietly, the second half of his statement sounding almost sarcastic. Alex just nodded, already figuring that he would be immediately taken to see Blunt.
Alex, Ben and the two other agents piled into the car and drove to the bank. The ride was quiet, no one daring the say a word.
When they arrived, the car pulled up, and Alex and Ben stepped out. Alex hesitated at the sidewalk, still having issues at the spot where he was shot. I should be over this he berated himself, slowly stepping around the small, dark spot that is permanently on the ground. He felt Ben's hand on his arm, reassuring him, and gently leading him, into the bank. Ben just smiled at the receptionist, and lead Alex to a small, secluded elevator to the left. He pressed the button to call the elevator and then waited. They only needed to wait about a minute before the elevator arrived, and they stepped in. At once, Alex was tense. The elevator was smaller than the usual public ones, and while he trusted Ben, being confined in a small area with no exit, even for only a few short seconds, sent all his instincts on haywire.
Ben felt Alex tense next to him as soon as the elevator doors closed. He frowned slightly, knowing many senior agents who have the same reaction. Why would a child, who has only done one mission have the same reaction as agents who have done many missions? Ben tried to reason it, but the elevator dinged, and the doors opened. He tried not to think much into the reason of why Alex all but threw himself out of the elevator as soon as the doors were open.
They walk up to Blunt's door and before heading in, Alex takes a deep breath, rolls back his shoulders, and conjures up an air of confidence he knows is fake. Without even knocking, he pushes the door open and sees Mrs. Jones startle. He smirks internally, glad to get a reaction. Blunt does nothing but stares at him with cold, hard eyes. He even gives Alex a small smile that would make the Grinch's skin crawl.
" Well hello Alex" Blut drawls, voice even and bored.
"Hello Blunt" Alex hisses, not trying to hide his displeasure.
"You are here because the Pleasures have deemed themselves..inadequate to take care of you. And since you are a minor, you cannot stay by yourself. It would be half impossible seeing as your house has been sold." Alex tried to argue, but Blunt kept talking over him, ignoring Alex. Ben stood by the door, knowing this was going to go like this, but still hated it. Hated the way the heads of MI6 treated the boy, how they beat him down and twisted things around.
"And since it would be dangerous to let you live on your own with all the enemies you have made", Blunt continued, "we have made some arrangements. And the previous statements of where you can go if you do not like these arrangements are still on the table Alex." Blunt gave no room for Alex to argue. Ben saw Alex cave into himself, defeated. The previous confidence, no matter how sham, was gone. Swept away by the big man in a bland grey suit jacket that matched his personality. Ben knew it was unfair, but stood by the door, arms behind his back, at ease, and kept his mouth shut, knowing that the moment he opened it, nothing good would come of it, and the boy would just be put in a worse situation.
"So where are you dumping me?" Alex hopelessly muttered into his hoodie.
"You will go back to Brecon Beacons, and train with K-unit again. This will give you time to hone your skills, and maybe learn some new ones" Blunt stated, no emotion in his dark eyes or voice.
Alex all but jumped out of his seat, ready to argue, but Blunt threatened him again with 'previous statements'. Whatever that means Ben thinks. But he knows it isn't a good omen. He knows none of this is right but bites his tongue. He watches as Alex collapses back into his seat, defeated by the threat.
"Now that that has been arranged, Agent Daniels will see you to your destination. Daniels, please stay, we need to talk. Alex, please wait outside the door."Bunt ordered. Alex tried to put up a fight again but was shot down. He walked out of the room, head hung.
"Agent Daniels, you will be staying with Alex at Brecon Beacons. While there, you will train with him and your old unit and recover from your injury, but you will also keep tabs on him. I want to know all about this progress. Physical and mental. The reports from the psychiatrists he saw in the States say he is unstable. I want to know if these reports can be trusted." Blunt commanded.
"Yes sir" Ben accepted his orders, not liking them at all. Unstable? No wonder! He's 15 for Christ Sakes! Ben thought to himself, knowing a dismissal when he hears one.
Ben saw Alex sitting outside of the head's office, and walked up to him, sighing.
"Come on" Ben muttered, knowing dragging this out will just make things worse. Both Alex and Ben got into an inconspicuous looking black car, with Ben at the wheel. They would drive most of the way, then a little ways out, they would stop at an outpost where an agent would drive the car back into the city, and be picked up by a jeep and be driven the rest of the way.
Alex got into the passenger seat, glad that no other agents were coming with them, small blessings. He got himself situated before looking out the window, glad Ben wasn't trying to talk to him. As he watched them get farther and farther from the hustle of the city, his eyes drooped, and he fell asleep.
Ben kept driving, keeping his eye on his charge, a small frown on his face. Ben Daniels generally doesn't believe in angels, but in that moment, he sent a small prayer to whoever was listening. Angels, please don't give up on this boy.
I guess I'm a disappointment,
Doing everything I can, I don't want to make you disappointed
It's annoying,
I just want to make you feel like everything
I did for wasnt every tryna make an issue for you
But I guess the more you thought about everything
You were never even wrong in the first place, right?
Yeah, I'm just ignore you.
-NF-Let You Down
