This occurs shortly after chapter 10 of Cross Out (which was roughly mid-November).
To Kill A Mockingjay and I are organizing what will hopefully become the annual Alex Rider Fanfiction Awards. Check it out here: forum. fanfiction .net/forum/The_Royal_General_Bank/93073/ . Nominations are open and will be until November 1.
04
"Thanks again," Ben muttered from where he was reclined in the seat, letting the soft sounds of the car lull him to sleep. It had been a difficult mission though luckily not too long. It didn't make the danger or bruises any less of an irritation, just less of it to put up with. He winced and shifted when his ribs protested his position.
David nodded with a soft hum of acknowledgment. His friend may have said he was fine, but the blond fully intended to go through his own check when they got home. He glanced at the dozing brunet, taking his eyes off the road for only a couple seconds.
Of course, as any soldier would know, it only takes a couple of seconds for disaster to strike. The loud thud of something bouncing off the windshield snapped his attention forward and he slammed on the brakes even as Ben jerked upright.
They were able to glimpse a boy with dark hair as he vanished in front of the car, hitting the ground. The men sat in shock for a second or so before they were scrambling out of the vehicle.
Ben was stiff and sore so he was a little slow in catching the other teen that ran over and received an elbow to his side for his trouble. His breath escaped him in a hiss even as he managed to catch the boy's arms and pin them.
"Tom!" a familiar voice shouted, still struggling against the spy. Oh, this wasn't a boy. It was Alex. She had shoved her hair under a hat. Which meant... Oh, god he hoped not. Ben really hoped he was wrong.
David barely noticed any of this, kneeling to check on the darker teen. It was hard to see if there was any blood since the boy, Tom apparently, was wearing a red coat and knit cap and had managed to curl around himself, probably an instinctive act at the threat of being hurt.
They all jumped when Tom suddenly sat up. "I'm okay," he said, pushing to his feet. He blinked at the looks they were all giving him. "What?" It was about then that he saw the no longer restraining arm around Alex that he recognized the brunet. "Oh. Hi, Ben. Okay trip?"
Alex sighed and shook her head, pushing away from Ben to pull Tom into a hug. Then she hit him.
"Ow! What was that for?" he whined.
Alex glared, hands on her hips. "You're an idiot. You're supposed to look before running into the street, remember? And why the hell did you let us think S- David had hit you?"
"I didn't mean to," Tom protested, hiding behind the Scottish man as he straightened. "I was just trying to get away and tripped and fell."
"What hit the windshield, anyway?" David asked, cutting in before Alex could start yelling at her friend again.
"Football," was the joint answer, though Alex didn't ease her glare any.
Ben was somewhat impressed; apparently Alex and James had been spending time together. When had that started?
"Christ, kid. You alright?" someone asked, joining them. It was Neal and, speak of the devil, James.
Ben's gaze flickered between the unit leader and teenage girl, comparing their glares. James still had Alex beat, but it was clear that she was somehow getting pointers. He sighed and spoke up. "Can we go somewhere that isn't the middle of the street, please? And preferably warmer." He'd think about how that foursome came about later.
The others turned and finally took in his haggard appearance. James' lips thinned when he saw the bruises along Ben's jawline and he swept his eyes down the man's form before turning to David.
"Checking him at home," was the preemptive answer.
James just nodded then pointed at the car, glaring at everyone. "Get it."
"What about the ball?" was Tom's question as Alex said, "We aren't all going to fit in there."
It was about then that Tom saw the glare aimed at him. His eyes widened and, deciding that discretion was indeed the better part of valor, dove into the back seat of the car. Alex rolled her eyes and grabbed the football before throwing it in after her friend. She smirked at the yelp this produced.
James scowled at his teammates. "Either get in or I'm driving." Not that this was much of a threat considering that he was usually the most careful driver out of them, but he was also easily the most skilled. He just didn't care most of the time. Tom had told Alex after his first driving lesson that he was fairly certain that the soldier was related to Evel Knievel. They all knew he wouldn't do anything too bad since Ben was injured, but that didn't mean he couldn't, or wouldn't, do anything.
It was this knowledge that prompted them to get in, Ben and David settling into the front while Alex was stuck sitting on Neal's lap. Not that he was complaining, though he didn't get to enjoy it much either, too busy worrying about the dark looks Ben and, surprisingly, James were shooting him.
"So, rough trip?" Alex asked, eyes wide and innocent.
The older spy snorted, not fooled for a second. "Fine. Shorter than expected." He turned his head to look back at her but forgot what he was going to say when he saw the fading bruise on her cheek. "What the hell happened to you?"
Alex blinked and frowned, not having really paid any attention to her 'injuries' after the first day or so. "What?"
"The bruise," Ben snapped, trying to turn in the seat for a better look but stopped at the sudden sharp stab of pain in his side.
"Oh. Tom... got into a bit of trouble last weekend. I helped and..." She shrugged as if saying that it could have been worse. Which it could have been, she just wasn't going to say exactly how much worse. After all, being kidnapped and sold into slavery was pretty bad.
Ben grunted, settling again. He'd get the story out of her later. "So how'd you get drug into things, James?"
James scowled at Neal and would have jabbed an elbow into the taller man's side if Tom hadn't been in the way. "I was going to pick up some food but Neal saw me."
Ben exchanged an amused look with David. That was typical of the occasionally hyperactive soldier. He and Tom could be remarkably alike at times, having some idea occur to them and sweeping everyone else into it with them. Maybe that was why Alex didn't really notice stuff like that, she was used to it.
Ben chuckled and dozed off to the sound of bickering. It certainly sounded like the members of his makeshift family got along well. Now, hopefully they wouldn't lose anyone.
