A/N-Hello there! I just wanted to thanks the people who reviewed, I really appreciate your reviews! You have no idea how much they brightened my day!

Warnings-Same as last chapter, though more slash, slightly more language.

Disclaimer-I'm not British, male, or middle aged. So I'm not AH. Sorry.

Once again, here's some music to accompany your reading.

OneRepublic- All The Right Moves (First Scene)

Bloc Party- Like Eating Glass (Second Scene, Meeting with Jack)

The morning passed relatively slowly for Alex. He had finally finished his paperwork, filing what he needed to keep, then sending the rest of it off. It was now 11:20, fifteen minutes until he needed to meet Ben.

He rubbed a hand over his tired eyes, trying to ignore the part of his brain that just wanted to take a nap. He had been working crazy hours all week, and had only slept in snatches. When he had turned eighteen two months ago, he had been sworn in as a full agent. It had its benefits, like him receiving all back-pay from his former missions, eligibility for his pension, and an office on the sixth floor, where all the directors, heads, and top security agents were housed.

Unfortunately, his swearing-in had also resulted in him becoming responsible for his paperwork, something that had previously been completed by other agents. It was still taking some getting used to, having to come into the MI6 headquarters for something other then missions. In a strange way, he almost looked forward to coming to the Royal & General for desk work. It was a nice constant in a world that had very few.

Of course, the relaxing atmosphere could have had something to do with the resignation of one Alan Blunt. Ms. Jones had been named as his successor, and that had led to a much better working environment for Alex. He had agreed to work for them willingly, as long as he was given the option of saying no, and he had a full back-up team waiting. Ms. Jones had agreed, as long as Alex saw a psychologist on a regular basis.

So they had come to an agreement. And ever since then, Alex could slowly see the horizons of his life become brighter, filled with life, even if it might be a short one.

Around the same time, he had completed a complicated mission with Ben. They had found they had quite a lot in common, and that they were closer in age then Alex had originally thought. They had formed a solid friendship that had slowly bled into their lives outside of work. Alex was still close friends with Tom, who was currently working in a gaming shop. But he had found it was easier to talk to Ben about things that pertained to MI6, since Ben had likely been in a similar situation at one time or another.

Alex shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He glanced at the clock again before reaching down and shoving a few files into his black backpack, a Smithers made creation. It was supposedly both bulletproof and waterproof, and could only be opened by a fingerprint scanner. Alex used it to carry files from the office to his home, and vice versa.

Now, Alex swung the pack on his shoulder, and grabbed his coat. He took a quick look around before leaving the office and making his way down the hall. He had one last thing he needed to do before heading down to the parking garage.

He stopped in front of one of the doors set into the hallway, all of them identical to the rest. Throwing a quick courtesy knock, he opened the door and stepped into the office. It was identical to his, just like all the offices on this floor were. The only difference was the figure of a middle aged woman, carefully reading a file at the desk.

"Alex?" Ms. Jones didn't bother to look up from her papers. "What do you want?"

Alex briefly considered saying something snarky, but decided against it. He didn't want to upset her too much.

"I need next week off. Jack's family's flying in."

Ms. Jones remained buried into her papers. "I'm already aware of her family's visit. And just so you know, we've taken the necessary measures to protect them while they're here."

"Good. Thanks. Now, how about the time off?"

"I don't see a problem with it. You're caught up with all you're paperwork. I suppose Agent Daniels will be needing time off as well?"

"How did you know?"

Ms. Jones finally looked up from her papers, her eyebrows raised in answer.

Alex shook his head. "Fine. Don't tell me. I always had a feeling you'd bugged my office."

The head of MI6's expression didn't change, her face blank. "I'll look into it and see how much vacation time Agent Daniels has. Besides that, I see no problem in it."

Alex grinned. "Thanks, Tulip." And with that, he walked back out through the door, leaving Ms. Jones rubbing her temples, and wondering once again, why she had told Alex her first name.

Ben sighed and leaned back in his chair. His morning had been strangely quiet and peaceful, since Alex had rescheduled his presentation. He had been able to catch up on some paperwork, and had even been able to go and get a proper breakfast. It was now 11:30, five minutes until he needed to meet Alex in the parking garage. He stood, leaning over to grab his satchel and coat. Even in late April, the wind was still biting.

When he stood, he jumped and nearly dropped his coat. Leaning against his cubicle wall, was one smirking Alex Rider. He was tapping his feet silently, as if he had been waiting there a while.

"God, Alex! Why do you like sneaking up on me?" Ben tried to steady his hands. Alex had a strange obsession with scaring the shit out of him at random times.

Alex grinned and leaned close enough that the neighbors couldn't hear. "It makes you blush. I like it."

Said blush now deepened across the older spy's cheeks. "Well, if you're done having your fun, let's head out." Alex nodded and followed Ben out of the cubicle. On the way to the elevator, they were both acutely aware of the covert stares and hushed whispers that fallowed them. Ben was quite sure they didn't know exactly what his relationship with the legendary MI6 agent was, but that didn't stop them from speculating. Alex walked calmly in front of him, but Ben could see the slight tensing in his shoulders. He knew all the whispers reminded him of his school years, where he had been the odd one out.

They finally made it to the elevator, and after a few minutes, they found themselves stepping out into the brightly lit parking garage. Alex fished around in his pockets before pulling out a set of keys. Ben eyed them warily.

"Are you planning on almost killing us again, or was that a one time thing?"

A pout spread across Alex's youthful face. "I didn't almost kill you."

"You pulled out in front of a bus." Ben deadpanned.

"That was an accident! And neither of us were harmed!"

"Only because the bus driver had amazing reflexes and spectacular brakes." Alex decided to ignore that statement, and instead walked over to a black, armored Mercedes-Benez.

Ben had to admit, he was slightly jealous of Alex's car. Since he lived in flat in a busy part of the city, he didn't have the parking space to house one. So he survived using the tube, buses, and Alex's vehicle.

Ben slipped in the passenger's side, depositing his stuff in the back. Alex pulled himself into the opposing seat, reaching over Ben in order to get into the glove compartment. Ben felt small shivers run down his spine. He hadn't really seen Alex much the past week, both of them being swamped in work, often sleeping at the office. And now, just being in a car together was setting his nerves on fire. He subtlety looked around the garage. Not seeing anyone, grabbed the collar of Alex's shirt and not so gently, pressed their lips together.

Alex gave up his attempts at getting the glove compartment up, and instead focused his attention on Ben. A few seconds later, they separated. Both were breathing deeper, their faces lightly flushed, staring at each other.

It was Alex who finally broke the silence.

"Why Agent Daniels, I do believe that was sexual harassment." Ben grinned, pleased that even with all his sharp wit, Alex's voice still wavered some.

"Do you have a problem with it?" Ben shot him a cheeky grin as Alex sat himself back in his seat.

"Hell no." And with that, Alex started the car and shot out of the garage.

Ben could honestly say that he felt lucky to be alive. He was still shaking as Alex pulled into a parking spot a few blocks from the restaurant they were meeting Jack at. He really needed to reconsider his decision to continue riding with Alex, as it seemed the younger man had a mission to try to kill him at every opportunity. He had sped through London, ignoring just about every law he could, all without getting a ticket.

It was sickeningly amazing.

Ben stumbled from the car, legs still shaky. He waited while Alex retrieved his gun from the glove compartment, tucking it into the holster on his back. Together, walked down the sidewalk, fighting their way through the crowd. They could see the cafe up ahead, a small fresh food place called Pod. They could also see Jack standing near the door, eagerly bouncing on her feet. She turned her head and caught sight of them.

"Alex! Ben!" She flew down the sidewalk, embracing both of them. "How was work?"

"Tiring." They said in unison, both flashing tired smiles.

"Yeah, I fell asleep somewhere around four this morning." Alex detached himself from Jack. "I'm running on about three hours sleep."

Ben laid a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Same here. Then I got the news I'm apparently going to be dating this lovely lady for the next week." Ben smiled as Jack let out a small squeal.

"Thank you Ben! You have no idea what that means to me!" She pulled Ben in for another hug, a smile stretching her face.

"Come on then! Let's go eat!"

Yet another A/N-So yeah, I know this chapter didn't have much action in it. I had a crazy busy weekend (First day of school, ACT's, work, work at home, and homework.) But it will pick up in the next chapter where (if my muse allows me to...) I will shows some Jack/Ben bonding, some Jealous*Alex, and introduce Jack's family.

Also, if you happen to like this pairing, go and check out Speechbubble's fic's :) They're what inspired this one.