3. The Chameleon

Alex woke up in St. Vincent's the next morning. He blinked and then remembered with horror what had happened last night. Alex felt sick at the idea that he had mind blowing sex with his team's murderer. Alex could only hope that no one found that little piece of information out – ever!

'Agent Rider,' a dark haired nurse in a crisp white suit greeted.

'How long have I been out?' asked Alex.

'Twelve hours,' replied the nurse.

The nurse called the doctor who checked Alex out and was happy to report that there seemed to be no ill effects to last night. Alex was on the next flight home where he spent the whole time thinking about the supposed Korean who was by his accent British. Alex hoped he could find out who this assassin who had got under Alex's skin was.

Twenty four hours later an extremely tired and jet lagged Alex Rider was sat inside Mrs Jones office. Alex of course had been more tired and still on missions than this but he could really do without paperwork and debriefings at the moment. Alex may have slept slightly on the plane but even business class wasn't ideal.

'Alex,' Mrs Jones.

Mrs Jones was good at hiding her emotions she cared about Alex too much to be able to conceal the pity she wore. Alex didn't know where the pity came from and didn't like it. Not one bit. He may get on with Mrs Jones and even like her but being unable to predict her was never a good thing.

'How are you?' asked Mrs Jones.

'Bit tired,' Alex said.

Mrs Jones didn't seem to believe Alex but pushed on anyways something which Alex was extremely grateful for. Mrs Jones popped another peppermint and began the debriefing. Much of which Alex already knew.

The mission had been an absolute failure as they had failed to protect the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Alex could only hope that they could either prove that it was the North Koreans or a contract killer. Alex suspected that the North Koreans had hired the young assassin to stop the South Korean-Australian trade agreement going through.

'The assassin wasn't South Korean,' Alex said. 'In fact he sounded English.'

Mrs Jones frowned, 'but he looked Korean.'

'If I hadn't heard him speak I'd never have known,' replied Alex.

'The Chameleon,' Mrs Jones muttered.

'The chameleon?' asked Alex.

'He came onto the scene in 1989,' Mrs Jones explained.

Alex knew that was just two years before he'd been recruited – blackmailed – by the government to join MI6. The realisation was that the assassin had probably been in a very similar position that Alex himself had been in. Alex guessed that they were about the same age.

'We are very alike'

'Oh we're very alike'

Suddenly what the other teenager said made a hell of a lot more sense. Just like Yassen Gregorovitch both Alex Rider and the Chameleon had almost exactly the same story except they were on opposite sides of the playing field as it was. Alex felt a strange sense of companionship with the assassin now.

'He was partnered with Yassen Gregorovitch,' Mrs Jones went on. 'They often were seen as father and son and it has been debated that he is Yassen Gregorovitch's son. In those days he looked very like Yassen Gregorovitch that it was almost a certainty but in recent years it has been debated that is not true as he has been seen in multiple different forms.'

'How are you sure he's the same person?' asked Harry.

'We didn't think he was until SCORPIA fell and we able to gather information from them,' Mrs Jones said.

Mrs Jones didn't say how she had gathered information and Alex didn't ask but they both knew where it came from. The number of arrests that they had made from the fall of SCORPIA meant that they could question multiple members of SCORPIA. Of course, nobody cared how they got the information out of the terrorists.

'So he's the same person?' asked Alex.

'He appears to be,' agreed Mrs Jones. 'Yakov Gregorovitch according to those on Malagosto. He broke ties with SCORPIA after the failure of the Invisible Sword operation.'

'Why?' asked Alex.

'Many did,' Mrs Jones said. 'It was an embarrassment that SCORPIA had been brought down by a fourteen year old kid who they couldn't even kill properly.'

'We have since then tried to comply a list of murders that Yakov Gregorovitch has been involved in which has been difficult due to the fact that even the ones SCORPIA ordered he has looked completely different,' Mrs Jones said.

Alex nodded and was dismissed with a reminded that he had a psychologist. It was only when he looked at the medical report given by St. Vincent's that Alex understood. They had noticed that he had been sexually active and had been found undressed. Obviously they believed he had been raped.

Alex went round to Tom and James' flat so that he could talk to Tom. It wasn't like he could talk to any of his friends from MI6 or SAS. It would be different if he had seduced the man for information although it was a taboo subject in MI6 everyone knew it happened.

The fact was that he had been seduced and enjoyed it despite parts of his team were lying littered around him. Luckily for Alex Tom was not loyal to MI6. In fact nobody knew that Tom knew about Alex's double life.

Nile and Julia Rothman had been the only one who had known and Alex had killed them. Nile in an effort to bring down the hot air balloon set to kill countless teenagers including Alex himself. Julia, on the other hand was one of the many people Alex had killed accidentally over the course of Alex's career.

Not that Alex felt guilty for their deaths. They had been planning to murder children for money and in his case revenge. Plus their deaths protected Tom from his enemies using his best friend against him as Jack had been used against him.

Never mind that if he felt guilty for any son of a bitch he murdered Alex was sure he would quickly go insane from guilt. No it was better to accept what he had done for the greater good and move on. Always moving on to take more and more lives.

Alex knocked the door glancing around the street instinctively observing everyone and everything out of the side of his eye. Alex knew that nobody was following him as sped around Chelsea on his motorbike. A positive part of being MI6 was he wasn't about to get arrested for speeding so long as he didn't kill anyone.

James Hale answered the door. James grinned at Alex when he saw him. James may not knew the truth about what Alex did. He believed that Alex had dropped out of University and joined the army. This allowed Alex to be reasonably to be gone for months at a time and come back and not explain much to what he had been up to.

'I thought you were off in Afghanistan or wherever it was you were,' James said.

'Just come home,' Alex said shrugging.

'You were only gone a few days,' James commented.

'Injury,' lied Alex easily. 'First day out and I ended up in the field hospital with bits of shrapnel in my chest.'

'Are you okay?' demanded James.

'Fine,' Alex said quickly. 'Just surface wounds,' Alex assured his friend.

'TOM!' James shouted. 'Alex's here.'

Tom appeared around the corner suddenly positively beaming at his friends although Alex did notice that Tom surveyed him to see if Alex was hiding any injuries. Apparently satisfied Tom hugged Alex like he always did whenever Alex came back from a mission. Tom always worried that one of these days he would get himself killed.

'Alex,' beamed Tom. 'What are you doing here? I thought you were deployed?'

'I was,' Alex said quickly. 'But I got sent home early.'

'You're not hurt are you?' demanded Tom.

'Nothing serious,' Alex said quickly.

Tom scowled pulling Alex into his bedroom with a dark glare. Alex did not fight back against his best friend knowing soon he could reveal that he was not injured. Tom would be relieved that for once Alex had come back unharmed but Alex suspected that was because Yakov Gregorovitch had not wanted him hurt.

'I wasn't hurt,' Alex said quickly. 'I just said that to explain to James why I was back so quickly.'

Tom nodded, 'why are you back?'

'My mission was an absolute failure,' Alex said bitterly.

'What happened?' asked Tom.

'You know that I can't tell you that,' Alex said calmly.

Tom sighed, 'what can you tell me?'

'I think I made a terrible mistake,' Alex admitted.

'What?' asked Tom.

'We were chasing after an assassin,' Alex explained hesitantly. 'He killed my team but for some reason decided not to kill me. Well he seduced me. I enjoyed it.'

Tom blinked looking amused, 'how very James Bond.'

'It's not funny,' Alex snapped. 'And isn't Bond who seduces them not the other way round.'

Tom rolled his eyes, 'out of all the things you've done this is what you feel guilty for!'

'My teammates were lying in pieces around me,' Alex said sharply feeling a stab of guilt for the flinch Tom made. 'And my reaction was to get fucked by their murderer just because he was handsome! And to top it all MI6 thinks I was bloody raped!'

'And you didn't correct them?' Tom asked raised eyebrows.

'No,' Alex admitted. 'If they were to find out the truth I would be viewed under some suspicion. I doubt my boss would suspect me of being a double agent but others would.'

Tom rolled his eyes again, 'well whatever happened I don't blame you. And to be quite honest I'm not surprised it did happen. You've been celibate since you got back to Britain. Maybe if you got yourself a guy you wouldn't be lusting after hot assassin.'

'What guy would understand me,' Alex muttered bitterly. 'Never mind I would have to live a lie.'

'You could just tell them,' suggested Tom. 'You told me and it brought us closer than ever.'

'That's different,' Alex said. 'I trusted you-'

'And you needed me,' Tom said. 'Answer me this would you have told me the truth if you had not needed me?'

'I-'Alex began.

'Please, Alex, don't lie to me,' Tom said.

Alex sighed, 'I don't know.'

Tom nodded, 'why don't you at least try for a relationship. Tell them what you told James. That you're in the army. If you refuse to speak about some things because you're not allowed to speak about them no one will be overly surprised.'

'I can't it would be putting them in danger,' Alex argued.

'And yourself,' Tom said quietly. 'Since MI6 you have trusted Jack, me and the Pleasures.'

'And look how that turned out,' muttered Alex.

'Now you trust no one,' Tom continued ignoring his friend. 'If James did not live with me you would not interact with him at all. You need to get out there.'

'And if they turn out to be enemy operatives out to get me,' Alex said. 'Or worse are tortured and killed to get to me.'

'No one has gone after me,' Tom said.

'Don't jinx it,' Alex said sharply.

'You can't stop living because of what ifs,' Tom said sharply. 'Just promise me that should a chance for happiness occurs you won't give up on it.'

Alex didn't reply not wanting to have this conversation any more. Tom sighed apparently understanding that he was not going to get any more out of Alex. Tom nodded grave and sad at Alex's lack of response.

'Okay, Alex,' Tom said sadly. 'Have it your way but don't be surprised if when you find yourself in a similar situation that you end up shagging assassins you should be fighting.'

'It won't happen again,' Alex said resolutely.

Two weeks after Australia Yakov found himself back in Britain. A London bar to be exact. It had taken Yakov a few hours to track down where Alex Rider lived. Being a wizard who could scry was very useful in his line of work although Yakov doubted that was what the spell was usually used for.

Then all that was needed was to insert himself into the young spy's life which would be difficult considering how paranoid spies tended to be. It had taken Yakov two weeks before he had an opportunity. It was Rider's friend Tom Harris who had dragged the young spy out to the bar for a Saturday night out.

Yavok just happened to be on the pull on that same night. Or rather Nick Durnian who was an eighteen year old just about to start studying history at University College London. Coincidentally where Tom Harris who was also studying history.

Yavok had completely changed his appearance from what it had been the last time he had met the young spy. Now Yavok had sky blue eyes, raven black hair and pale skin. In fact Yavok looked a lot like he really did except from his blue eyes, slightly softer facial features and flawless, silky hair so whilst one who knew Harry Potter would say they looked a like they would not think they were the same person.

Yavok was careful to remain in hearing distance of the young spy and his friends. Not so as he looked like he was purposefully following them. Just so that if he joined the conversation no one would question that he had naturally overheard.

Yavok had noticed that Rider was not drinking although if anyone asked he would claim he was the designated driver Yavok was sure. Yavok could understand not wanting to lose control of themselves in their line of work where being drunk could be the difference between life and death. Yavok was still buying drinks but then pouring a potion that neutralised the alcohol in them so no one could tell he wasn't drinking alcohol and turned the drink bright red so Yavok made it a point to avoid red cocktails.

Yavok watched as the spy got up to buy the latest round of drinks. Yavok got up with him looking as though he also wanted a drink. That was how the spy and the assassin found themselves at the bar waiting to be served together.

'A beer,' Yavok requested.

Yavok turned around sweeping a gaze up and down the handsome blonde in front of him. Yavok saw the boy tense and immediately assessing him. Luckily Yavok had his weapons stored in a set of invisible and magically expanded holsters that Yavok had acquired on the magical black market which were strapped to his arms and legs so no one would be able to see or feel them except Yavok himself.

'Hi,' Yavok said looking the spy up and down. 'Would you like a drink?' asked Yavok.

'No,' Rider said sharply.

Yavok was not surprised as their life made them paranoid which was the reason the spy wasn't even drinking water. Before Yavok had discovered that nifty little potion in third year from the restricted section which prevented him from being poisoned. That and the fact no one could identify him as Yakov Gregorovitch were the only reasons why Yakov was happily drinking from unknown sources despite knowing that his enemies would happily poison him or in the case of the security services drug him with a sedative before dragging him away to be questioned.

Yakov had convinced Professor McGonagall to let him under the guise of wanting to protect himself from the mass murderer Sirius Black so wanted access to advanced defensive books. After speaking for twenty minutes with the old woman about his parents, wanting to make them proud and making sure their sacrifice was not in vain McGonagall gave him a pass to the restriction section as long as any books taken out were okayed my Madam Pince. All Yavov had to do to get the Darker books out was switch their bindings with a completely light spell so no one knew that Harry Potter was reading anything but the more dangerous defensive and offensive spells.

'So here with anyone?' asked Yavok.

'Just a couple of friends,' Rider said, 'who I am buying drinks for and should really be getting back to.'

Yavok smiled, 'let me buy you lot a round. I want to meet new people anyway. Just moved into the city. I come from Surrey.'

This was at least partially true. He had been raised in Surrey after his mother and father had been murdered. Up to when he was recruited by SCORPIA that was at least. It was easier to do it this way as he could actually mention things only locals knew without having the Legimise people.

'Just moved here for University,' continued Yavok. 'No one from school came to London so I'm hoping to make friends before classes start in a month.'

'Where are you going?' asked Rider in a casual voice that had Yavok not known better would have believed.

'University College London,' Yavok said brightly. 'I'm studying history. Why?' asked Yavok suddenly. 'Are you at Uni?'

'No,' Rider said quickly. 'I work for the council.'

Yavok nodded pretending to believe him, 'oh right.'

That was when Tom Harris showed up suddenly glancing between the spy and the assassin. Not that he knew that Yavok was an assassin of course. However, he did appear to be able to read that his friend was not happy about something.

'Alex, everything alright?' asked Tom.

'Fine,' Rider said calmly.

'Who's this?' asked the naïve boy.

'Nick Durnian,' Yavok responded brightly. 'You work for the council too?'

Harris shot Rider a sharp look, 'no. I'm studying psychology at University College London.'

'History,' Yavok said brightly.

Yavok had considered studying psychology too but had decided in the end that Rider might see that as too convenient. Still studying history meant he could take a few optional psychology modules. Harris would be in the year above naturally but he could always claim to be struggling and get the older boy's help.

'Just about to start,' Yavok continued. 'Just moved in.'

'Where did you come from?' asked Harris.

'Surrey,' replied Yakov. 'You?'

'London since I was a baby,' Harris grinned. 'Never thought of leaving. Anyway what would Alex do without me? I'm Tom Harris. This is Alex Rider let me guess he didn't introduce himself. He still has yet to learn manners.'

'Don't worry about it,' Yavok said. 'He was probably just speechless at how gorgeous I am. At least I hope so,' Yavok winked.

Harris laughed, 'well don't hold your breath waiting for Alex-'

'Straight?' asked Harry.

Harris snorted, 'just got issues with relationships.'

Rider scowled, 'I am right here, Tom. And I just don't want to complicate my life with relationships.'

Yavok grinned, 'I'm not asking to marry you. I am a big boy. If sex is all you want come to my place now.'

Yavok withdrew a convenient receipt from a local coffee shop that he had visited a few hours ago. Nick wrote his phone number and address on the back. Yavok was sure that the spy would run his details or have them run at least.

Not that he would find anything. Yavok's backstory was perfect even going so far to plant false memories of his classmates and a few boyfriends. Most people would describe him as a social butterfly who was friends with almost everyone but who had no one who really knew him.

His teachers would describe him as kind, thoughtful but a bit guarded. This would be attributed to the fact he was the only one who survived the car crash that killed his parents, his eleven year old older sister, five year old younger sister and two year old younger brother when he was just nine years old. After that Nick grew up in a foster home with loving foster parents and their son who was just a month older than Nick but always seemed to need more attention than the quiet Nick who blended into the background did.

Tom laughed, 'I like him,' he informed the spy.

'I was just going to buy you lot a round of drinks,' Yavok said. 'What are you wanting?'

'2 ciders, 4 beers, 2 sea breezes, and a pineapple schnapps,' Harris said brightly.

Yavok repeated the order to the man behind the bar. Soon Yavok and Harris were carrying the ten drinks over to the table. Yavok quickly surveyed the group of young men and women recognising them from Facebook stalking Harris. The social media certainly made gathering information far easier Yavok mused.

'Where's my beer?' demanded James Hale.

'Calm down, Jamie,' snorted Christopher Knight as he grabbed a beer and handed it to Hale and then took his own beer. 'There's your alcohol.'

'Who's this anyway?' asked Jessie Hunter taking one of the sea breeze cocktails.

'Nick Durnian,' Rider said apparently completely calm and content.

'He's starting UCL in September,' Harris said brightly as he took his bright blue cocktail.

'What are you studying?' asked Angel Gold sipping her beer.

'History,' Yavok said brightly. 'You?'

'Biology,' replied Gold.

'But you'll have some modules in common with Tom,' Luke Hill said. 'He got a 2:1 last year.'

'Brilliant,' beamed Yavok. 'So I'll be seeing you around then.'

Yavok made sure to be staring at Alex whilst doing so. Naturally this caused the civilian students to start snickering at them as they caught onto what Yavok was not saying. Harris grinned looking like he was going to be playing matchmaker which would hopefully not hinder Yavok's plans.

'So Alex you said you'd be at the Chelsea game on Saturday,' Hill said.

'Yes,' agreed Rider.

Rider looked casual but Yavok knew that the spy sharing details of his plans with non-vetted individuals would make him understandably nervous. Of course, Yavok only knew this because he would feel the same. If he ever made personal plans under his name.

'Will you be there?' Starr Walker asked him.

'Don't be thick, Starr,' Gold said. 'Nick's only just arrived in London. Do you really think he's booking tickets to football matches already?'

'Still he can meet up at Frankie's afterwards,' Tom said. 'It's not like you or Luke will there anyway.'

'Football is a waste of time,' declared Luke.

'Luke has always been of that opinion,' Ben rolled his eyes. 'And Starr doesn't even understand the off side rule.'

'What about you?' asked Luke.

Yavok shrugged, 'I played on the school team and I like watching the odd match but I'm not obsessed or anything. Still I'll meet you up for celebratory drink or a consolatory one,' Yavok added with a smirk catching Rider's eyes.

Yavok smiled as several angry voices quickly responded against the insinuation that Chelsea would lose. Still Yavok was pleased that he had been invited to the spy's life. And by that time Yavok was sure that Rider would have research Nick Durnian.