Chapter Nine: It

"Alex," greeted Mrs. Jones. Mr. Blunt nodded in greeting.

"Mrs. Jones, Mr. Blunt," said Alex cordially. His fingers tugged at the collar of his shirt. He was feeling distinctively nervous for some reason.

Alex pulled out a chair and sat down and dropped his bookbag on the ground. He watched as Mrs. Jones yet another another peppermint. Did she have a stash of peppermints somewhere? Alex wouldn't put it past her. She was constantly sucking one. Mr. Blunt steepled his fingers and looked sterns, but then again when did ever look not stern? After a moments pause where everyone looked at everyone else, Mrs. Jones spoke up.

"I feel like we do not have to recount the events of yesterday. We found a video recording of the event. It seems that your school had installed cameras in all rooms after that incident with Grief's clone that burned down the science wing. We watched it and found it sufficient enough to answer our queries," said Mrs. Jones kindly. She guessed correctly that Alex was tired of recounting the story to various people.

Alex nodded in relief. He was glad that he didn't have to retell the story again.

Mrs. Jones continued, "However, there are some other important matters we must discuss. I realize that you are on spring break right now?"

She looked at Alex for confirmation. He reluctantly nodded. He had a feeling that they were going to make him do something he would dislike. They always grabbed any oppurtuntie they could to use him.

At this point, Mr. Blunt spoke up. Alex felt a stone drop in his stomach. Mr. Blunt rarely spoke unless it was a dire emergency. He always left those matters to Mrs. Jones.

"We believe your safety has been compromised," said Mr. Blunt gravely.

Alex mentally snorted at this. Thank you Captain Obvious, thought Alex snidely, I totally didn't notice how certain people wanted to kill me yesterday.

Mr. Blunt continued, "Therefore we would like you to go back to Breacon Beacons. It is a fortified location with SAS soldiers who can protect you around the clock. Besides you can also brush up on your training there as well."

There was a moment of breif silence. You could almost cut the tension with a knife.

"You what?!" exclaimed Alex increduously. Spend his entire holiday training and what not? Were they insane? When he finally could relax during the holidays like a normal schoolboy, they were going to send him back. Alex fought the urge to groan out loud. Then Alex remembered something.

"What about Jack then? Where is her protection? If they knew about Tom, I'm pretty sure Jack would be a target too," asked Alex. "I really don't think you will put her in Breacon Beacons with me."

"We will take care of Mrs. Starbright. While you are away, we will have agents guarding your residence around the clock. Rest assured, Mrs. Starbright will be fine," answered Mr. Blunt confidently.

Alex pondered Mr. Blunt's words carefully. It seemed that they won't take no for an answer. He sighed to himself. Well, I suppose I could do with a bit of training, thought Alex wearily. He hadn't done any physical training after getting shot since he barely had any time between missions.

Just think of it as a camp, thought Alex sarcastically, a camp with buff oversized kids weilding all sorts of weapons. Brilliant. Just brilliant. Oh the fun he was going to have.

Mr. Blunt and Mrs. Jones waited in silence for Alex's answer. They already had an inkling as to what it was going to be.

"Fine, I'll go," said Alex resignedly. They were probably going to make him go anyways is he said no. He was lucky it wasn't a mission they were sending him on.

Mr. Blunt smiled, or at least tried too. It was more of a tightening of the lips. He wasn't a man who exactly smiled commonly.

"Perfect, I have arranged for K unit to pick you up at your house. Eight o' clock in the morning. Pack enough for a week and a half's trip," said Mr. Blunt. "We have already notified the Seargant about your coming."

Alex asked, "And the other SAS units?"

"They have been told," answered Mr. Blunt evasively.

"Well then, if we are finished here, I would like to go home befo………," started Alex.

The door to the meeting room swung open and a dishevled man came hurrying in. What was with people and dramatic entrances, thought Alex. He thought back to the various door flinging open instances yesterday.

Upon seeing Alex, the man blanched. It was a humorous sight. The man with his glasses askew stood gaping at the odd picture of the two heads of MI6 meeting with a teenage boy. He tugged at his tie nervously, mouth dry.

"What is it Burns?" asked Mr. Blunt. He cast a dissaproving glare at the man.

"Err…right. You told me to notify you immediately if it occurred. I ran up here as soon as it did," said Burns vaguely.

He glanced at Alex and said, "Or I could come back later, sir?"

Alex rolled his eyes. Apparently something was going on that was obviously not fit for his ears.

"No, I'm coming right now," answered Mr. Blunt in an urgent tone. He, too, glanced at Alex before saying, " Sorry Alex, there's an emergency. I have got to go. Good day."

Without another word, Mr. Blunt hurried out of the office following Burns.

"Well, I suppose it's time for me to go, eh?" said Alex as he picked up his book bag.

"Yes, I think we are done here," said Mrs. Jones distractedly. She obviously was thinking about what had caused Mr. Blunt to hurry out so quickly. It must be something big, mused Alex. He had never seen Mr. Blunt look so nervous.

"Excuse me Alex, I have some things to attend to," said Mrs. Jones as she too, got up and headed for the door. She looked distinctively uncomfortable and cast Alex an undecipherable look.

"Alright, don't let me keep you," anwered Alex. Both gathered their respective belongings and headed out the door. Alex walked towards the elevator and glanced back. He saw Mrs. Jones hurrying in the direction that Mr. Blunt had went.

Frowning, Alex pressed the button for ground floor.