Chapter 9 - Alex's POV
I couldn't really remember much after that.
I remember getting into a car, and being next to Ziva.
I remember her asking a few casual questions and making small talk while she drove.
And I remember her pulling up into a large parking lot, and telling me to follow her.
So I did.
The next thing I knew, I was been given some different food, which I ate.
Then handed some different clothes which she told me were her ex-boyfriends.
And then I was pointed towards the different bathroom to have a different shower and to get changed.
So I did.
Then I remember being led through the strange apartment.
Being shown to a strange room.
And being told to go to sleep on the strange bed.
So I did.
And now... Total darkness.
"You shall be formed to be the finest elite soldiers this world has ever seen. Constant training every second of your day. Exactly 7 hours sleep each night. And 15 minutes for meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. No sooner. No later. Got it?".
"YES SIR".
"You all have been hand selected and chosen specifically due to your pre-existing skills on the field. Combat experts. Weapon dealers. Safe crackers. Everything. And you shall be divided into your different living quarters depending on that set trait. Am I clear?".
"YES SIR".
"Peters, Mark, and Jameson, A-Cabin... Johnston and Matthews, B-Cabin... Crowley, Bradey, Williams, Rain, and Winters, C-Cabin... And Rider, you're on your own in D-Cabin. Do you know why it's called D-Cabin?".
"NO SIR".
"Because it's named after the devil himself. And if you don't behave yourself here, and disobey even the smallest, tiniest, of rules, I'll put a bullet through your skull and you'll be joining him in hell. Am I clear?".
"Yes sir".
"I didn't here you Rider".
"YES, sir".
"LOUDER".
"YES SIR-".
I shot up, wide awake and gasping for breath.
Just a dream.
Just another stupid motherfucking dream.
A memory that refused to die.
Just like all the rest of them.
Forcing myself to calm down and get my act together, I slowly stood up, ran a hand through my soaking wet hair, and found myself wandering towards the kitchen.
Once there, I got a glass of water, and glanced up at the clock.
3:24am.
Yay.
Draining the glass, I set it on the counter next to the sink, before slowly sliding down to the floor, leaning my head back against the cupboards next to the fridge.
I'd just rest for a while.
Calm down fully before going back to the guest room.
Ziva would never know what had happened, and I'd be gone by morning.
Just a little rest.
Just a little r-...
"Alex... ALEX?".
I jumped up, alarmed, automatically getting into a fighting position, only for Ziva to abruptly stop a few meters away.
I slowly lowered my hands and stared at her.
She frowned, "You ok?".
"... Yes".
She didn't seem to buy it.
"And... Would you mind telling me why, exactly, you were asleep on my kitchen floor?" She asked and I paused, "... No".
She stared at me for another minute before sighing, "Look, I have to go to work. I'm already late as it is. You coming or staying?".
"... I'll stay" I finally replied and she nodded, "Right. Well. You can stay here, go for a walk, have fun around town, do whatever you want. There's enough money in the press by the sink to last a week, and there's enough food in the fridge to last a month. You'll survive for the day at least".
I remained silent.
She gave me one last sparing look, before running out the door.
Now what to do...
"Excuse me, can I help you?".
I smirked at the familiar voice, and spun around to face the tiny 20-something year old woman.
She stared at me.
And stared.
And stared.
And stared.
"Alex?" She whispered and I grinned, "Hey Klara".
Less a split second later, she had pulled me into a tight hug and I laughed, "Good to see you too".
She pulled back and grinned up at me, "You've grown".
"Well, it's been a while since I last saw you" I replied, "Almost three months... A lot can happen in three months".
She frowned, "... MI6?".
"Who else?" I shot back, "Lent me out to the FBI bout a month back. I've been on that case ever since".
"And you got caught" She finished quietly, taking in my appearance and obvious limp.
I slowly nodded, and she sighed, before forcing a small smile, "Well, it's good that you're here. The children will be delighted".
"Anyone gone since I last paid a visit?" I asked as we began walking down the familiar corridors.
She shook her head sadly, "No one. People just can't afford it these days".
"Well, a child is a lot of money" I agreed, "Think of all the clothes they go through in a year".
She smiled, "I don't have to. I already know".
I frowned, "... I can get you some more money soon enough, I'm due a pay check within the next mo-".
"Nonsense" She replied, cutting me off, "You don't owe me, or the children, anything".
"And what else will I spend my illegal earnings on but you and the kids?" I teased and she smirked, "You never change, do you Alex?".
I just laughed before suddenly being tackled to the floor as we stepped into a large room.
Hiding my flinch at the contact, I looked up only to find an all too familiar 5 year old grinning back down at me, his two front baby teeth missing.
I grinned, "Hey Harely".
He smiled even wider, before rolling off me and sitting up, "ALEX IS HERE!".
Dragging myself back to my feet, I picked him up and balanced him on my hip, "Now what have I told you bout shouting?".
He smirked, "Only in emergencies".
I laughed, "Exactly".
"But you've been gone for so longgg" He whined, "I though you'd never come back!".
"Hey, I'll always come back, ok?" I said softly and he pouted, "Promise?".
"Promise" I replied, before suddenly grinning, "When dya get your teeth pulled?".
He glared at me, "They weren't pulled. They fell out. See".
He grinned at me and I laughed, "Did the tooth fairy come?".
"Yep. And I got $4 for them" He shot back and I smirked, turning back to Klara, "$4? The tooth fairy must be rich".
She smiled, "I'll leave you too it".
As soon as the door shut behind her, I put down Harley and he grabbed my hand, dragging me over to a pile of Lego.
I silently smiled.
It was good to be back.
