Sorry about the long wait with Christmas and studying for the midterms that are coming up...I thought that the tests themselves would be stressful to study for, not just picking out which course you will exempt and stuff Hmmmmmmmmm. Well, here you go. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or Alex Rider :(


Chapter 8: Acknowledgments and Introductions

Ziva looked at Alex. She, to say the least, understood and was proud of Alex. She was positive that Alex was a spy, or at least part of some organization. No boy could carry that look in their eye, and be innocent. Seeing that tear gave her happiness. Ziva couldn't explain it, but the tear showed that Alex was still human or at the least a boy who needed someone.

Ziva then looked at Gibbs. He was staring down into the face of Alex with love in his eyes, and strangely, determination. Ziva knew Gibbs was the best person to trust. He was loyal, trustworthy, and would protect Alex to his death.

Tony looked at the two. The only thing running through his mind was if Alex liked movies. 'They were going to watch a ton of movies.' Tony laughed mentally in his head and smiled fondly. He always wanted a brother.

McGee was mostly looking at Gibbs. 'If Kelly had not died would this be the Gibbs today? Would he be happy?' Shaking himself mentally, McGee stared at Alex. If he needed anyone at all, it was Gibbs. Come to think of it, they needed each other. Gibbs needed someone to just be with him. Gibbs didn't admit it, but he was lonely. Gibbs needed happiness and Alex was the only person in the world that could provide that for him.

Alex needed someone to love and care for him. McGee was not blind. He could see the emptiness and pain in Alex's eyes. Gibbs could be his protector, his refuge, and a stable factor in his life. Weather he acknowledged it or not, Alex needed Gibbs.

When Alex had fallen asleep, it was 11 o'clock at night. Gibbs had returned to his seat just watching the sleeping boy who was, for once, ridden from nightmares. Ziva sat in the chair closest to the door awake, but silent. McGee was snoring softly next to Tony who was also asleep, but whose snores could have awaken the whole hospital.

The next morning Alex woke up to the smell of coffee, but he wished he hadn't at all. Alex felt like a truck had run him over and a wheel was still parked on his body. Everything hurt; his ribs, his leg, his chest, his arm, but mostly his head. He could feel the room spinning around him.

Alex could vaguely remember last night, but he remembered he had felt nothing but pain, that is, until he looked into Gibbs's eyes. Alex shook himself from his thoughts and concentrated on getting the room to stop spinning underneath him.

"Alex, can you open your eyes?" The voice was familiar, but it felt like it was on full volume. Alex tried to open his eyes, but as soon as he did, a bright light hit him right in the eyes making Alex snap his eyes shut and groan.

"McGee, Turn the lights off and close the blinds!" A different voice snapped.

There was a rustling and then a "You can open them now, Alex" from someone in the room only this time in a softer, more gentle voice than the last time. Charily, Alex opened his eyes and blinked to get rid of the dizziness. Gibbs was standing over him and Tony standing at the foot of his bed. Looking around the room, Alex saw Ziva by a shut window and McGee by the door. A second later McGee was almost crushed by a weird looking doctor who had a fake smile smacked on his face.

"Hello Alex. How are you?" The doctor looked at him fully.

"On second thought, maybe you shouldn't answer that just yet." Flashing Alex a large smile, the weird doctor babbled on while turning to Alex's stats that were on a screen next to his sad excuse for a bed.

"Well, I'm Dr. Higgens and I'll be you primary physician while you're here. I'm guessing you want to know if you can have painkillers I suspect? You can't have some right now, but when you are discharged we will give you a small dose, but for now you will be on ibuprofen, which isn't as good as stronger painkillers, but it will take the edge off. I encourage you to sleep through the pain, or play some video games, whatever you kids do these days." He waved the last sentence off with a hand and turned to Alex, his annoying full fledged smile still placed on his face.

Alex was starting to become really annoyed with this doctor. Who did he think he was, a ten year old? Something must have been showing on his face because the doctor looked mildly uncomfortable and some of his bright smile faded.

"Well, umm, Alex. Your vitals are as expected, so I will just be leaving you then." He awkwardly turned to the door. To the rest of the room he nodded his partings and walked out the door.

Staring at the door Alex managed to rasp out to the team, "He smiles too much."


Again, sorry for the wait hope it was worth it! PLZ review and tell me some things you want to see or situations you want to arise! 3 Y'all!