Disclaimer: I do not own Alex Rider. Sorry.
AN: I forgot to mention it before. Alex is now using a slight American accent because of her cover. Plus, this chapter is a bit of a filler so go easy on me, okay? More exciting stuff will follow, now that they are slowly starting the mission. Promise! :)
Chapter 8: Getting To Know Each Other (1,730 words)
Alex blanched. A masquerade? How on earth had she not seen this coming?
'Just my luck.', she thought. 'Now I have to play dress up. Again.'
"Why? Are you afraid something'll happen then?"
"I don't think anything will happen. I just haven't been to such a high-scale ball before.", Alex answered half-honest.
Alex the girl had not been to a ball. She had never taken dancing lessons with MI6. Alex the boy had. He also had been to several posh events.
"Oh, don't worry. I can teach you how to dance. You are an athlete, right?"
"Yes."
"Then there won't be any problems. I am good at ballroom dancing."
"Thanks."
"What do you do if you're not doing this?"
"Oh, you know, shopping, hanging out with friends. The usual stuff.", Alex lied.
Well, unless training with a former assassin who is officially dead and SAS soldiers counts as 'hanging out with friends'.
The first part was true in a way, she was just not shopping for the usual stuff. Instead, she played Poker with Eagle for sweets. The others let her because she more often than not won, so his sugar level was still in control.
Somewhat.
"My boyfriend and I like dancing. Do you go clubbing?"
"Not much. I don't get out that often. One of the quirks of living with your mother."
"That's...sad. You should totally come with me. After the award show we're invited to a cool party."
"Well..."
"It's private. Only people on the list allowed. It's hosted by Michelle Rotschildt's cousin. She has a penthouse in St. Georg*. You know where that is, right?"
"Heard about it. So we're going to Hamburg?"
"Yes. For the first three days. Then it's Berlin and Munich. Have you been there before?"
"Not, I don't think so." Alex tried to remember if there were any details on her file.
"Well, I think you'll enjoy it. I just have to promote my album and all but aside from a few interviews there is enough time to show you everything."
Alex smiled slightly. Even though Jason was clearly unsure how to handle her, he was trying to connect. He made an effort to genuinely get to know her. In his slightly hyperactive ways he resembled Tom or Eagle.
"That would be very nice.", she replied.
"You know, you are a good listener. And you do have model qualities. How come you do...what you do?"
"I wanted to see the world, travel. Why did you choose to become a singer?"
"It was always my thing. You know? Some people can draw and I can sing. I taught myself how to play the drums when I was five. After that nobody could stop me.", explained Jason.
"So you are a natural?"
They entered a large room, followed by three watchful bodyguards. The singer turned a stereo on. Soft music started to play in the background. They took up their positions.
"Yes, I guess you can say that. I do what I love so I love what I do."
"Were you enrolled in Philosophy before?", she teased.
"No. I simply have a flair for the dramatic.", he retorted, grinning.
They twirled.
"Funny. People say that about me all the time, too.", Alex shot Ben a look over the singer's shoulder.
"Yeah, my shadow complains a lot about that.", Jason laughed. "You are a good dancer. Wanna try something more advanced?"
"Sure."
He kept the tempo for a waltz but showed Alex new steps. The teen observed everything, not only her teacher. The bodyguards seemed to be amused and enjoyed their little show. Ben obviously couldn't decide whether he should roll his eyes at their antics or laugh.
"Very good. You move very elegantly. Kind of like a gazelle.", complimented Jason.
"Thanks. I have a good teacher."
They bantered a bit good-naturedly. Under different circumstances, Jason could have been a very good friend, Alex thought.
The two of them joked and laughed a lot. Alex did not let her guard down once, but at least Jason was accepting her and welcomed her instead of starting a revolution. She had hidden several weapons on her body that Jason did not feel when he touched her. He was truely an innocent.
"Do you have many friends?", he now wanted to know.
"No. It's a bit hard, isn't it? You don't seem to have any close friends."
"Yes. I don't really know many people I can trust my secrets with."
"I trust Ben. He's always been there for me.", she said loud enough for the addressee to hear. Ben sent her a brilliant smile.
"Do you have any girlfriends? I mean there must be someone for you to talk. Right?"
"No, not really. Like you said, it's hard to know who you can trust with your secrets." Especially if you try to protect them from madmen and terrorist organizations that will use them as leverage against you.
"When this is over you should meet Greg. He's amazing. I think he would like you."
"It would be an honor.", she smiled.
Ben and Alex shared a quick, meaningful look. They both knew that Alex was most likely going to be either on another mission or finding an excuse so as not to put them in any danger because they were a little more than acquaintances.
She felt somewhat comfortable in Jason's presence but she distanced herself from her year-long friends and only the crazy, brave and a little stupid ones still stuck up for her. Namely Tom and Sabina. (Sabina was the brave, Tom the rest.)
That thought saddened Alex slightly.
"What are you going to do for Plan B?", Jason asked.
"Let's see. I always wanted to be a fashion designer... That would be kind of cool, don't you think?", Alex stuck to her cover. After all, they had listeners.
Ben grinned at her response.
"Really? Did you see Karl Lagerfeld's new fashion show then? It was totally awesome.", gushed Jason.
Alex had no idea who exactly Karl Lagerfeld was nor what kind of clothes he designed. Or for which brand. But she smiled excitedly at the singer and said: "Yes. I like his creations."
"Honestly? His dresses are... I have no words for his talent. He now adopted a cat."
"She looks cute. Have you seen pictures?"
"No, but I'll google her for sure later."
"What would you do if you ever retired from your day job? Would you be a judge on one of those talent shows?"
"No, I don't think so. I mean, it's a great opportunity and all that, but I would much rather travel the world. Maybe write children's books...", he said.
Alex had not been expecting that answer.
The rest of the day went by quickly (honestly, it's a bit boring to list all the mushy details) and later that night, both spies were tired. However, before they went to sleep, they compared notes.
"What do you think about Jason?", Ben wondered.
"He is very open, welcoming, tries to actually get to know me. I mean, he could throw a hissy fit and hate me for intruding. Instead, he teaches me ballroom dancing." That was code for 'he's innocent'.
"Then you will get along just fine?", Ben wanted to know.
"Think so. He invited me to a party tomorrow night or so.", Alex remembered thoughtfully.
Ben was overprotective, especially on missions. "What kind of party?"
Alex rolled her eyes, acting like any teenager would, in case they were being watched. "A private one. Invitation only."
"Okay. Promise me to be careful. You know the crazies that are after pretty girls.", he cautioned, pulling the Bodyguard.
The girl grinned. 'Crazies' was a nice word for terrorist organizations.
"Are the other bodyguards being nice to you?", Alex said with so much sweet worry in her voice it was all but palpable.
"Sure. We're okay. Don't worry.", Ben waved off. He winked at her.
"Yeah, well. I don't want you to get hurt." This time she was sincere.
"No worrying before bedtime! Think about your beauty sleep! Happy thoughts!" Ben grinned, citing some advice he had overheard earlier.
"Good night." In reality she said sweetly: 'You will suffer so much for that.'
Ben was instantly on guard. The sweeter Alex got, the more dangerous she became...
The flight to Hamburg, Germany was uneventful. They traveled first class, no surprise there, considering who the client was.
Airport security had been upped and officers tried successfully to tame the crowd of hardcore fans that screamed ear-piercingly loud at the sight of their idol. Ben and other bodyguards built a human shield around the two teenagers who hid their faces from the paparazzi and held hands. Alex actually dragged Jason along so they would not be suffocated by over-eager groupies.
"Well. That went well.", Bodyguard one said lamely. The rest seemed to agree.
"Could have been worse, I guess.", Ben added, shrugging indifferently.
"We have a suite in one of the hotels close to the Alster. It's not far from the clubs and shopping centers.", Jason explained.
Of course Alex had already known that, even if she acted surprised. "What's the Alster?"
"A lake, I think."
"Awesome. I love lakes!"
Ben rolled his eyes. Anyone with some remaining sanity hated lakes after staying in Hell for however short a period of time.
"Would you like to do a boats tour or something later then? We could go all the way through the city if we use the right disguise."
"Yes. This is so amazing!" Inwardly, the teenaged spy cringed in sympathy with the bodyguards. She was annoying herself, for crying out loud!
"Do you like boats tours then?"
"Sure. I love every kind of water.", she told him sweetly.
They checked in, let someone unpack, ate a late breakfast and hired a cab. Jason was eager to show Alex the city.
And a shady man was eager to follow them.
