Disclaimer: Alex Rider nor anything else to do with the Alex Rider books belong to me - they belong to Anthony Horowitz (lucky man).

A/N: I'm sorry it took me so long to write and post this, I've had writers block for a long time (over a year). I'd like to thank everybody who reviewed for pushing me to update this and for their support. It's not long, and it's not that good, but at least it's something!

The Truth

Alex looked up to the bank, the feeling of dread in his chest multiplied as he thought about his friends finding out exactly what he did. His shoulder smarted from his earlier wound and he put pressure on it using his jacket sleeve, only just remembering what had happened in the wake of all the earlier excitement. Wolfs head shot up as he heard Alex hiss in pain.

"Jesus Cub, why didn't you mention it was that bad, that looks nasty", the agent inspected his shoulder. The knife had cut through his shirt and penetrated about 2 cm into the skin, blood coated his shoulder and Alex winced as Wolf poked the hole.

"Come on Wolf, it's not that bad, I barely even noticed it"

"Cub don't be such an idiot, if I hadn't have seen this it could have gotten infected, you idiot", he smacked Alex gently around the head, "Stop being so dense!" He stood and looked at the other crowded around him. "Guys we're going to have to take a detour to the infirmary before we get to Mr Blunt, Snake you take these kids to….erm….put them in my office"

"You get an office" Alex asked, "Why don't I get an office? I do more than you; I saved the world for gods sake!"

"You don't get one because you're a stupid, stubborn kid! Now as I was saying me and Eagle are going to drop this moron off to get his shoulder looked at and I want the rest of you to get these guys to the cells." He motioned to Alex's unconscious assailants who were in the back of the van that had followed them to the bank.

Wolf and Eagle led Alex off towards a side door while Snake took his friends to the front entrance. Alex kept his eyes on them until they were out of sight and then turned to Wolf.

"Okay, what's going on and what's going to happen to me and my friends? I swear it wasn't our fault, all we were doing was going for a game of bowling, I promise….."

"ALEX," Wolf interrupted him, "I don't know what Blunt wants but I very much doubt he's going to blame you for something that isn't your fault."

"Then I guess you don't know Mr Blunt that well, he's never seemed to be the most predictable person to me!"

"Don't worry," He stopped and turned to Alex, "Cub, I know I've always been on your case because, well, because I think you're too young to be in a business like this one, because you deserve to be at school and having a normal childhood and because you're an annoying, whiney teenager. But even I have to admit that you're a good spy, you do well and you're a smart kid – you've nothing to worry about…….now if we're done with this soppy moment we need to get your shoulder looked at." He gave the injury a poke for good measure.

"Ow, thanks, way to ruin the mood!" Alex relaxed, usually he wasn't worried about what MI6 would do to him, but having his friends involved was a whole different story, he wouldn't forgive himself if they got involved in his nasty affairs, this was his to deal with and his alone. He wouldn't put them in danger!

'Hell', he thought, 'I've already put them in danger, Scorpio knows who they are now and will no doubt try to get to me through them, I'll have to see about some protection for them, if I can get it'.

Alex looked up and took in his surroundings; he had been led down a corridor and through three doors, all with passwords and voice recognition alarms. The corridors were plain white and they seemed endless giving Alex the impression of the walls closing in on him. Suddenly Wolf stopped and motioned Alex to go through a door to his left. Alex pushed it open and peered inside. What he found was a room set out like a ward, with an examining area at the far end. He could smell the disinfectant and he could hear the familiar beeps of medical equipment, bringing back memories of his far too common visits to various hospitals over the years. A woman was sat behind a desk opposite the door. She had straight brown hair and was wearing a white coat showing she was a doctor. She broke into a soft expression as she saw Alex. Wolf gave him a shove and Alex lurched into the room. The doctor scowled at Wolf and turned to Alex.

'I've been expecting you Mr Rider.'

A/N: Cliché I know, but I really wanted to put that in there – don't hate me!

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