When Alex awoke, he in a cell, lying on one of those really uncomfortable beds that look really stiff and actually are. No surprise. He had a splitting headache from the sedative, but he was not surprised as all stun darts had painful side effects.
He took stock of his situation. His arm was bandaged, he remembered getting cut from the glass when he went through the window, but other wise he was pretty much okay. His bullet would still ache but he had gotten used to the constant throbbing. Who ever had shot him had an awry sense of humor; they had practically re-sniped him.
The room was four concrete walls that were only about eight feet apart. Not much room. They were all blank, except for a window with bars and blinds. This was meant to confuse him. Who would have windows underground? But he was underground; he could tell from behind the blinds. But they wanted him to think he was on a floor.
The last thing in the room that caught his attention was a small black video camera that was pointed down on him from a corner.
Crap, Alex thought, now they know I'm awake.
Alex had no chance of escape. He was in a basement of some sort, locked in a room, and who ever had him, which he knew who they were, was watching his every move.
The good news was he did not have to wait long. They knew he was conscious so they send some one to escort him to Blunt's office right away. He was not disappointed.
He had settled onto the bed for about five minutes when the door clanged open. He was surprised who had come to pick him up. It was his best friend Ben—Fox—who he just come back from a mission with. He had mixed feelings for the man at this exact moment. Ben had helped him out and was rather nice now that he was not a Brecon Beacons, but now he was Alex's captor, or working for Alex's captor.
But, he realized this is all MI6 just manipulating him. Alex felt less inclined to escape when he knew it would be against Ben and get the man in trouble. Just Blunt thought it would, so they would not have to deal with an escape attempt.
"Hey Cub," Ben said with a lopsided grin. He really was happy to see Alex again, he really like the younger boy.
"So they got you babysitting me, eh, Ben," Alex replied with a grim expression.
"Orders are orders. You know how it is," Ben stated still smiling, "Come with me, there are some people who'd really like to see you."
"No thanks. I'm fine right here. Tell them to get back to me at a later date. Like the year hell freezes over." Alex said, he knew he was going to make Ben use force that he didn't want to use to get him up to Blunt's office. Then a plan struck. Oh yes, a Rider marvelous plan that would get anyone one of them out alive. If he went along willingly there was a better chance of escape.
"Well we better get going," Alex said trying to steer the conversation along with his plan. Ben must have seen a little glint in his eye as thought Alex cooperation came way too easily from what the higher ups said. They had told Ben how good Alex was and resourceful.
Alex got up from the spot on the bed and followed Ben out of the room. There were two guards outside the door and they gave him a hard look as he walked out behind Ben. The hallway was made of concrete too. He must have been in one of the underground holding cells underneath the bank.
A feeling of dread filled him as the truth hit him. He could see the elevator at the end of the hallway and once inside it they would be on a seventeen floor ride to Blunt's office, with no stops on the way. No chance of escape once inside the box. And from what he remembered the door out was the opposite way past the guards. His plan was a dud.
He thought about his options; there were none really. He might be able to beat the three men down here, but the thought of attacking Ben sent waves of quilt through him. And he didn't know how many other men were waiting once he escaped this floor.
He was being taken to see Mr. Blunt and there was nothing he could do about it.
"Dammit" Alex said out loud, unable to control himself. There was just nothing he could do. And he had to let his frustration out or he would implode.
"What was that?" Ben asked jokingly, turning to look at Alex with humor in his eyes. The young spy amused him so.
"I'm going to be f-ing killed and it's going to be all your fault." Alex said half serious and half not.
"And why is that?" seriously Ben what's with all the joking questions.
"You're taking me to the lions den" Alex stated matter of factly.
"You know, they said you would try to escape, but I didn't believe them for a minute. You're way too smart for that." Ben said trying to get rise from Alex. He was freaking enjoying himself; at a time like this! They had now arrived at the elevator and Alex hesitated one second before stepping in. There was to turning back now.
"This isn't about a lack of balls, Ben, I can realize when it's better to play along until the opportunity arises," Alex said, not rising to the bait.
"They really don't give you much credit. You're much smarted then they thought," Ben said.
"That's why I'm not dead; everybody underestimates me at one point," Alex replied, "And this time will be the same. You'll see."
"You gave them quite some trouble, you know. They had at least thirty agents trying to bring you in. That last time that happened was when they first recruited your father. And they caught him after an hour. You lasted at least two and a half hours ten years earlier. A new record." Ben explained.
"Yippee for me," Alex replied sarcastically, but he really was happy to learn the little tidbit about his father's past.
The elevator was only about half way there and as there was a pause in the conversation Alex was able to look around. The closeness gave him a slight feeling of claustrophobia and reminded him of the time Nile tried to drown him in that room back in Venice. Ben must have been the slight panic on his face before Alex was able to hide it, as he shot the teen a worried and inquisitive look.
"It's nothing" Alex replied dismissively and hoped Ben would not delve deeper into the issue. He really didn't think he could talk about any of his missions yet.
Ben turned and looked away from Alex letting it drop for the time being. The elevator pinged that they had arrived at the right floor. The door slid open to reveal the normal offices and they exited the lift and started down the hallway. He looked at the numbers and when they past 1504, he paused and saw that it was still locked. Ben had sensed that Alex was no longer following him and stopped too.
"Come on Alex, they're waiting." Ben said trying to urge Alex on, but it really just made his resolve to linger here a little longer.
"Well let them wait," Alex snapped. He looked at the door again then turned back to Ben, "They haven given away my uncle's office yet?" he asked.
"No they couldn't find anybody to fill his position." Ben stated, humoring Alex's curiosity, as he knew they would not get anywhere unless he was satisfied.
Alex turned his back to the door and walked towards Ben, telling him it was alright to continue. The walked to the end of the hall, to the dread office that greeted them with the name plate of Alan Blunt. They entered without knocking as they were both expected. The office was the same as ever, with the same boring but horrible people in it.
Blunt sat at his desk doing some paper work and barely looked up when he heard the door open. Mrs. Jones was sitting in a chair along the right wall sucking in her peppermint, holding two manila folders. She was staring at the door before either of them had come in.
"Have a seat Alex," Mr. Blunt looked up from his work just long enough to say.
"I think I'd rather stand, seeing as I won't be staying long," Alex replied icily. He didn't move into the room much as he leaned against the side of the door frame. Ben felt the need to stand in front of the door, right next to Alex, so there was no chance of escape. Honestly, escape wouldn't do much now as they would just hall him back.
"Alex, we need your h--" Blunt started, classically.
"No way in hell," Alex cut him off impatiently. He wasn't going to accept no matter what, he had decided in his cell, so this was just a huge waste of time to all those involved.
Blunt looked neither surprised nor accepting, but being Blunt, he never showed any facial expressions, so they were not really an indicator. "Alex, You know what will happen if you do not accept," oh, oh, oh, Blunt so thought he had Alex hear, but Alex had already thought this through. He knew the consequences and he could accept that. He thought it was for the best.
"Bring it on. I dare you," Alex replied in a deadly tone. He had been blackmailed the whole time and he really wanted to know if MI6, or Blunt, had the balls to go through with their threat. He knew Blunt probably wouldn't bat an eyelash, but he had accepted that.
"Isn't Ms. Starbright's visa almost expired," Blunt treated right to the script.
"No," Alex tried to lie his way out, not the best idea.
"Then you are going on this mission," Blunt
"No" Alex
"Then Ms. Starbright no longer has a visa," Blunt declared glaringly.
Ben and Mrs. Jones had stayed silent through the whole encounter so far. Ben was surprised that they blackmailed Alex into working for them. Mrs. Jones was shocked that Alex was finally saying no. They were both even more shocked by his next reply.
"Whatever," Alex said, still leaning against the wall. They both knew that Jack was his only 'family' left. They couldn't understand why he suddenly didn't care anymore. Ben realized from his slightly clenched jaw and a few tense muscles though that this was actually hurting him very much. He was just doing what he thought was best.
"Fine. You leave us no choice. Ms. Starbright must be sent back to America, and we must find a place for you," Blunt said pointedly. Alex was not surprised, this was exactly what he thought would happen. He only hoped that somewhere in her heart, Jack would understand and be able to get over the pain he had caused her.
"Fine," Alex said hotly. He just wanted to be out of this office. He also wanted to explain to Jack, so she wouldn't hate him.
"Ben will you escort Mr. Rider back to his room," Blunt said addressing Ben for the first time.
Ben turned his eyes to Alex and jerked his head towards the exit. Alex left with him as quickly as possible. They didn't start talking until they were in the elevator.
"That was harsh," Ben said seriously, in a not serious way.
"I don't want to talk about it," Alex replied gruffly, getting the message across clearly.
The elevator stopped at the tenth floor and opened to allow them out. Alex sent Ben a strange look as they were supposed to be going back to the basement.
"We're stopping at the cafeteria. You must be hungry, you've been out for like 12 hours," Ben said. Alex had not realized at all what time it was. It didn't really matter.
"But we can only stop if you promise to be good," Ben said jokingly, "I'll regret my choice if I have to tackle you or something if you try to run away."
"We're on the tenth floor, and in a cafeteria full of spies, I'm not suicidal." Alex really had no energy to escape. Although he did feel better from the long needed sleep, his wound had a slight ache, and he did not want to deal with people right now.
So they settled into breakfast at the cafeteria in silence.
AN: Next chap: talk with Jack before she leaves. And more of K-Unit in like two chapters from now. They weren't really supposed to come until chapter five but Ben had to pop up at MI6. REVIEW!!! I have been so nice in my chapter updates. I spend all my free time writing these for you people. It's cause I love you.