AN: I had actually thought this fic was finished, I was wrong, this isn't even the last chapter, but I do hope you like it all the same.

Disclaimer: I don't and never will own Alex Rider.

Goodbye

Tom stared at his best friend in dismay.

"You're really leaving?" he whispered, frowning slightly. "But, you have nowhere to go!"

Alex smiled warmly, "I'm heading out of the country, that's all I can tell you for now, when they realise I'm gone they'll most probably come to you and question you about where I am, if you don't know then you don't have to lie for me, it's less dangerous." Alex looked down at his feet and then back up.

"I didn't want to leave Jack, or you, okay, but ..." He broke off shaking his head. "I'm going to miss you Tom, you're my best mate, but if I don't leave now... I'll never get out. You understand, don't you?" he looked up at Tom.

Tom sighed, bringing his arms up to hug himself as a cold breeze whipped around them; he had been confused when Alex wouldn't come into the house, now he knew why. "I understand Alex, as much as I can, I know I don't know everything you've been through, but I do know enough to understand how much you're being hurt because of MI6. Just tell me what you need me to do and I'll do it." He grinned. "What are best mates for, hey?"

Alex's smile widened and he pulled the backpack that rested on the cold ground between them closer. He opened one of the small side compartments and pulled out a letter. "I need you to post this in two days, on Monday, okay? It's already addressed, that's all, and tell the truth you don't know anything." He held the rectangular envelope out and Tom took it.

"I won't be back for a while, but I'm not going to disappear entirely on you Tom, not after everything we've been through together." He looked down at his watch. "I've already booked my flight so I have to go, but we'll talk soon okay?" the backpack was lifted and slung onto a slim shoulder.

Tom nodded, clutching the letter tightly. He couldn't help but feel dazed, somehow, he had always thought, no matter how much he had feared differently, that Alex would always be there. That even an organisation as powerful as MI6 would not be able to defeat him. He was Alex bloody Rider, he could do anything. He could defeat schoolyard bullies and charm his way out of detentions, he could make an entire classroom of students look on in awe as he confused every single one of his teachers, and he could outrun bullets and mess up terrorist organisations plans. He could do ANYTHING!

He looked up with a start as Alex clicked his fingers in front of his face, an expression of extreme amusement present even as he rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Stop tuning out." He ordered, grinning, "I'm trying to say goodbye here!"

Tom grinned, "Goodbye Alex, and good luck." He sighed, taking a step back, "although we both know you don't need it, damn devil's luck..." he muttered.

Alex laughed. "I'll call you in a week." He started backing down the footpath; he smirked one last time before turning. "See you around Harris!"

Then he rounded the corner and he was gone, hidden behind a hedge as he walked away. Gone for god knows how long.

Tom sighed, moving back up his front porch and closing the door behind him as he walked back inside, studying the outside of the letter curiously before shaking his head. The hallway light flickered on and Tom looked up, hiding the letter behind him as his father's head popped out from behind his parent's bedroom door. "What's going on Tom?"

Tom smiled, "nothing dad, just getting a glass of water." His father looked at him for a moment, studying his face before he sighed.

"Alright, get back up to bed."

Tom nodded, "Alright, night dad."

"Night son."

Tom watched as his dad's head disappeared again and then ran up the stairs to his room.

He put the envelope in the drawers next to his bed and grinned, he wished he could see the look on Blunt's face when he opened the letter.

AN: Next chapter, Blunt's reaction!!!