Silent Spy

by Kiamii

Chapter Four "Repeat"

Sometimes, even your best friend will hide something from you to keep you happy. Most of the time, your children lie to avoid punishment. Almost always, your parents lie to you to reassure you or protect you. This wasn't any of the three types of hidden truths that was given to the SAS soldiers though. For a long silent moment, they were staring at a fifteen-year-old boy who only looked at them back with no amount of guilt in him. Wolf, for one, was simply astounded that Alex could aim that well. During the year, they hadn't really gotten to know about Alex's missions. They had only gotten to know the boy and his childhood. For another thing, they knew he didn't know how to shoot off a gun when he first met them.

"Cub... Where did you learn to shoot?" The Sergeant questioned with only a healthy amount of curiosity laced in his voice.

"Classified," Alex said simply. The Sergeant accepted that, disgruntled though. Wolf rolled his eyes at that one word. Alex had said that before to them when they asked him about a mission he did. The kid just believed that everything was classified concerning him. Maybe it had something to do with having only two people from his old life knowing that he was a spy. Alex sure had trust problems...

"Jeez Cub, I knew you were good but, that was just plain professional!" Eagle said in an impressed fashion. Trust Eagle to state that sort of thing at a time like this. The Sergeant dismissed them and Alex followed K-Unit to the cabin where Wolf pushed him on his bed with a stern look. Panther excused himself to finish up with something and that left him to the mercy of Snake, Wolf, and Eagle. Snake was looking at him thoughtfully, Wolf in apprehension, and Eagle in envy. Obviously it was Eagle who loved shooting the most and was jealous at how well his 15-year-old charge could shoot. His only concern seemed to be on challenging Alex to a shooting contest.

"So, you want to really tell us where you learned to shoot? You weren't able to do so before..." Wolf started. Alex shook his head. He couldn't tell K-Unit about Scorpia. About being an assassin. About almost shooting Mrs. Jones. Almost letting millions die and himself. They had come by how he got shot by the sniper but, Alex had not said who shot him. He had claimed it to be a possible enemy who had defeated in his seven missions, five at the time that it had happened.

"I learned on a few missions," Alex said, feeling ashamed for lying. Well... it wasn't fully lying. He did learn about shooting on his missions... He didn't like lying too much to K-Unit and Ben. Especially Ben. Wolf sighed and they decided to change the subject, after Wolf warned Alex he was going to tell Ben about his results. Alex simply nodded, feeling anxious. They headed out to the lake and began laps. Alex was pleased to know that he didn't lag behind his unit and was able to keep up easily enough. Ben had come by for a week only and had then left, to return when the month was over. There were some minor encounters such as Lynx repeatedly thinking that Alex didn't belong there. Alex always shrugged it off but, Wolf was a rather protective guy who made sure it was known that Alex wasn't just a kid. Alex was unaware of the little reports that Wolf and Snake gave to Ben each week and soon his time of training was ending.

Before Alex could even realize it, he was standing in front of Ben and the car. He looked at K-Unit in surprise as only he seemed to have his stuff packed.

"We're staying at Brecon Beacons for a longer time, so you'll be going back with Ben alone." Wolf said quietly. This took Alex by surprise. Alex and James stared at each other for a long minute before Alex nodded his head and he sat in the passenger's seat next to Ben as his adopted father started the car. Alex leaned back in his seat.

"Everything went well I take it?" Ben asked, his eyes on the road. Alex shrugged, not feeling up to saying anything. Ben didn't press for an evaluation and Alex continued to watch the scenery, dozing off until hours later, they at last made it back home. Ben shook Alex awake and Alex grabbed his duffel bag and opened the front door with Ben behind him.

"Alex, put your stuff away and meet me in the living room. I want to talk with you." Ben said softly. Alex nodded his head, curious, and did just that. As he sat in the living room, he absently pat an eager Abby on the back and scratched behind her ears, to the dog's pleasure.

"So, the others told me how well you did in training... especially the shooting range," Ben began as he entered the living room. Alex looked at him in surprise before he looked at anywhere but at his adopted father. Ben sighed and raked a hand through his own hair before he took a seat next to Alex on the couch.

"I picked it up in a few missions," Alex murmured, looking at the opposite side. Ben raised an eyebrow at the boy before he gently took Alex's chin and turned the teen's head to look at him. Abby trotted off to do heaven knows what.

"Alex." Ben started, "I realize that now that you are a teenager again and also a spy, we need to set a few... ground rules that we never even had when you were six."

"Like what?" Alex mumbled, his eyes downcast.

"Like you telling me about your seven missions for starters," Ben said gently. Alex didn't look up at him.

"It's classified," Alex muttered in an almost dark tone. Ben sighed.

"It's only classified if it compromises national secrecy. I just want to know what happened to you. I know you've seen death and have gotten injured, but I don't know specifically about that. Your gunshot wound, for example, is very vague. I only know you messed with terrorist. Which organization?" Ben asked. Alex was quiet and didn't say anything and Ben was just about to try again when Alex spoke.

"It was my fault."

"I'm sorry?" Ben said in confusion.

"So many people died because of me." Alex muttered darkly. He was recalling people like Sayle, Mr. Grin, Grief, Turner, Troy, Sarov, Cray, Antonio, Gregorovich, Rothman, Nigel, and Drevin including Jack along with so many others. Ben looked at Alex in apprehension. He prompted the boy to continue. Alex took a deep breath before he began to feel irritated and possibly angry. Ben had a sense of Deja Vu. Didn't he go through a similar break down with Alex? Oh, Ben mused dryly, the one where he announced that Alex was now his son. Yet, Alex never expressed how he felt about the missions. This time, it was different. Alex wasn't the small child that Ben could cuddle until he bursted until tears. This was a teenage spy Alex.

"Forget it," Alex said, standing up and turning to go to his room. Most likely to close himself up, Ben realized and he immediately stood up and grabbed Alex by the wrist. Alex turned to him in surprise.

"Don't let this matter hide away forever," Ben said, almost angrily. He was tired of how people had treated Alex. How Ian had raised this boy to keep it to himself. How Jack probably never realized how broken Alex was. How Alan Blunt used him so much.

"What if I want it to?" Alex retorted, his own temper getting to him. He was tired of being treated like a child! He was tired of being ordered around and only treated like an adult when it best suited the other side. He. Just. WANTED. OUT!

"What if I just want to be normal again? Maybe if I keep it to myself, then I can forget about it entirely! I am sick and TIRED OF BEING USED BEN. I HATE BEING WHO I AM. I HATE THAT I CAN'T EVER GO BACK TO NORMAL ANYWAY BECAUSE OF MY STUPID LIFE!!!! ALL BECAUSE MY DAD JUST HAD TO GET INVOLVED WITH SCORPIA AND GET HIMSELF KILLED BY MY OWN GODFATHER- ..." Alex had gone from his angry burst, to shouting, to suddenly pausing and stuttering as he realized what he had just blurted out. His eyes stung terribly, threatening to river tears down his cheeks and Alex struggled against the lock around his wrist that was Fox. Ben was standing there in surprise, looking at Alex with narrowed eyes which made Alex just want to get away from him. Ben only tightened his hold on Alex's hand.

"Scorpia," Ben said dangerously fuming, "that's the organization that shot you, isn't it?"

"N-No," Alex stuttered, seething at himself for giving it away. Ben's eyes flashed and he glared darkly at Alex.

"You're lying,"

"I'm not!" Alex defended, fuming.

"Don't lie to me Alex Rider-Daniels." Ben growled. Alex chose to glare back at him, cursing everything in his head. He was just so furious right now that he couldn't think straight! Stupid Ben Daniels. Stupid MI6 for doing this to him. Ben grabbed hold of Alex's other wrist and jerked Alex to look at him.

"You are quickly losing my trust in you and if you want me to ever have faith in you again, I suggest you explain to me what on earth John Rider did to involve you getting shot in front of MI6 headquarters. Now." Ben said in a low voice. Alex couldn't stop himself from scowling and he yanked back.

"Like you care! You're just like everyone else! You manipulate my feelings for your own desires. Well... I HATE YOU!!!" Alex shouted before he turned on his heel and ran upstairs, ignoring Abby who was alarmed at her two masters and their shouting. He snatched up his duffel bag and, hearing Ben's footsteps on the stairs, he opened his window and jumped out. From experience of his childhood, he managed to safely land on the thick branches, and he slid down the trunk and began running, ignoring the calling of his name. He didn't pay attention to where he was going. He just ran, letting his feet take him to where ever. God. He was so stupid. Why did he say those things to Ben? The man was only trying to comfort him and needed to know what had happened to involve his life changing as such. Alex felt his eyes sting again and blinked furiously. He would not cry anymore. He did enough of that this past year.

Alex did not hear Ben's urgent calls nor did he see Ben hanging out the window of his room, shouting for him.

Alex looked around to where he was and unbelievably found himself at the Royal and General Bank. With an impulse, he walked into the bank. The doors allowed access and he walked slowly towards the elevator where he could clearly see it. Not knowing what he was doing, he pressed the 12 and leaned back as he let the elevator take him up. A man stepped onto the lift around the third level. The man had about to press for the ground level when he spotted the teen.

"Alex?" A man said in surprise. Alex looked at him in surprise. It was Crawley.

"Well, this is a surprise. I had just been sent to fetch you from your house. I see I won't have to now." Crawley said cheerily, "I must say though, how did you know you were requested here?"

"I didn't," Alex admitted and he refused to elaborate. The pair made it to Alan Blunt's office and Crawley held the door open for him.

"I must say that was quick," Blunt said with a raised eyebrow. Alex shrugged and took a seat.

"I was already here." Alex said. Mrs. Jones was sucking on a peppermint. The usual... Alex took an almost shuddering breath and sagged into the chair. The fight with Ben was threatening to catch up with him again but, Alex stomped it down and decided he'd rather be on whatever mission than handle his feelings right now.

"So, what mission are you sending me on?" Alex said, emotionless. Alan paused in looking at his files before clearing his throat.

"A year and a few months ago, as you recall, you were kidnapped by a mysterious and unknown group. Suffering torture and experiments that left you weak and miraculously shrunk to the size of a five-year-old boy. The man who was killed and the inventor of the drug, Dr. Circe, left notes at the hide out that you were rescued you in. The drug is called APTX 4869. Apop is greek for 'fall from' and toxin is the English word for poison. The drug's original purpose was to attack the cells and kill them but, they instead shrunk the body. You were the only test subject for this drug according to his notes. The 4869 in APTX 4869 stands for 'shiyaroku", 4 = shi, 8 = ya (Pronounced as hachi but there are many ways to say 8), 6 = ro (Short for roku) and 9 which is ku (or kyu). Shiyaroku is the Japanese way to say 'Sherlock'. Apparently, Dr. Circe was supposed to create a killing drug for the organization. He was killed in the crossfire of your rescue. We have located information on this supposed organization." Alan explained until Mrs. Jones finally took over.

"They call themselves The Black Organization, which a group who focus on mainly computer programs and inventing death drugs. They use alcohol names for code names and are almost similar to Scorpia, except they only deal with deaths and programs. We believe they are trying to create a virus and do something similar to Sayle. We need you to investigate."

"Luckily they own a large computer company that is having a tour soon for teenagers. Mostly to try and scout of potential talent. You leave immediately, seeing as you even have a packed bag..." Alan Blunt said simply, eying the duffel bag and a very tiny amount of interest. He did not question Alex though. Alan looked at Alex who looked thoughtful. He wanted to refuse this mission, not wanting to deal with those who ruined him, when images of Ben came to mind. They were still fighting and Alex had no desire to return to that just yet.

"I'll do it," Alex said simply.

"Excellent," Alan Blunt said almost pleasantly, having not expected Alex to accept so easily or quickly. Alex had accepted what he was about to do. Alan Blunt sent him towards Smithers' office without a second thought. Mrs. Jones looked curious about where Ben Daniels was but, chose not to inquire about it. A thought crossed Alex's mind as he stood and walked towards Smithers' office.

Would he be leaving Ben for good, on such bad terms like this? The thought made Alex uneasy. He shook his head at the depressing thought. He kept his mind off of it and focused on the task at hand. For now...

He had a mission to complete now.

Author's Note: Again, I MUST remind you all this; I DO NOT HAVE A BETA. So of course I'll have grammar errors. I'm an american teenage girl. What more could you request of me? The shooting range was essential for K-Unit finding out about Alex's missions and I tried to keep it from being a repeat of other stories. I'm constantly tired from the "Slave-driver" mother of mine and her work outs. Though I already lost weight and my stomach is tightening. Ran a mile a day. That's fun to me... Anyways! Yes, Alex has now started so much at Brecon Beacons and he shall be leaving again. I'm too lazy to write the ENTIRE MONTH out for Alex's training. I'll run out of ideas! So naturally, I skipped ahead. This is a little tricky. I also needed to get Ben-Alex fighting before his mission. My muse was jumping at me and I was having a lot of trouble writing this. I know most of you will seriously murder me on the spot for leaving this cliff hanger AND letting Ben and Alex's fight happen. To torture you all.

Will Ben ever get to see Alex again? Hehe. Only I, the writer, know what will happen. I can assure you K-Unit will be seen again! Oh god, yes it is true. It is ALMOST like a Detective Conan cross over, isn't it? I just wanted to use their evil guys though... I am not sticking to japanese. Sorry. Oh and I'm wondering if I REALLY should write about some boring old long mission for next chapter or just skip to the action part? I know this chapter was short. This was a terrible thing for me to write but, its neccary in what is taking place now. Again, sorry for the long await in this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it though!