Hi, sorry for the pathetically short chapter!! there'll be action in the next one! oh, and this now doesn't really fit anywhere (it was originally meant to be set between SB and ES), so just fit it in between Point Blanc and Skeleton Key. Please R&R!! Anyway, on with the chapter…

Half an hour later they stopped. Wolf had strapped his arm across his chest so it couldn't move and make the wound worse. He opened the door and stepped out, turning his face slightly as the wind whipped viciously at his eyes.

They were standing at the edge of a vast expanse of sand dunes, stretching indeterminately into the distance. Yassen blinked in the wind, zipping his jacket up.

"That way," he said after a few moments, pointing along a narrow path leading along the side of the narrow lane leading to the campsite. He locked the Aston and they started along it, Wolf stumbled occasionally on the uneven ground, but Yassen moved with astonishing grace.

The track slanted gently downhill and as they reached the brow of the hill the ocean was suddenly spread out below them, coloured stormy grey by the dark clouds overhead. And a little to their right was the campsite, a green area dotted with caravans and tents; all seemed to be huddled against the fierce wind, clinging to the ground.

"I'm going to check where he's staying," Yassen said as they walked into the site. "Stay here and make sure he doesn't come out, ok?" Wolf nodded and backed up, sitting on the fence at the side of the entrance. Yassen ducked into the small cabin that served as an office; Wolf caught his expression through the window, relief was etched over his face. Sighing and pulling his jacket more tightly around him, Wolf turned back to the campsite, turning his head at every movement.

"Number sixty seven," Yassen said, appearing at his shoulder. Wolf jumped, half drawing his gun.

"Don't do that," he exclaimed as he slipped the gun back into his waistband. "I get jumpy."

"Think of me as on-the-job training," Yassen said, one eyebrow raised. Wolf glared at him but didn't let the retort that sprang to his lips escape as they walked towards number sixty seven.

As they turned a corner, there was a cry from behind them and the two men turned simultaneously. Wolf staggered slightly as his eyes fell on the figure standing a few feet away. Yassen felt a small smile tug at his lips as he stared at the boy.

And Alex Rider glared at the pair of them, disbelief written all over his face.

"What the…? Why are you here?" he asked finally, his eyes flicked from one to the other and his brow wrinkled. "Have you been following me?"

"No." Wolf said, unsure about what to do.

"Why are you together? I thought you were on different sides? Unless… Wolf…?" Alex surprised himself at how calm he was. part of him was screaming that he should be freaking out, but another part overrode it and kept him under control.

"No, neither of us has, uh, 'changed sides'; we just have to do the same thing, and it was better to work together,"

"What are you doing?" Alex asked instantly.

"Losing our target," Yassen muttered, glancing along the row of caravans. Alex followed his gaze, and then turned back to look at Yassen and Wolf.

"You're here to kill someone?" he asked, disgust flickering over his face. Wolf glanced away to avoid his gaze, but Yassen met Alex's eyes, his own gaze cold as ice.

"Yes, not that it concerns you," he said. Part of him, the part that still grieved for John Rider, rebelled against his coldness, but he didn't want to put Alex in danger.

"You know I could get MI6 here?"

"They know I'm here," Wolf said shortly. "Look, we have to go," he turned and set off along the road that looped around the campsite. Yassen followed suit, as did Alex. He followed them for a few yards before they stopped again.

"Cub," Wolf said, keeping his voice light and friendly. Alex didn't look impressed.

"What are you doing?" Yassen asked, he didn't bother with friendliness and his tone was blunt.

"I want to know what you're doing,"

"We told you already. And it's still nothing to do with you,"

"Let me come with you?" Alex said, directing the question towards Wolf, sensing that he would be easier to persuade than Yassen.

"No, it's too dangerous, and-"

"-and what? Come on, Wolf, you know I can take care of myself," Alex cried, angry at being thought of as helpless.

"That's irrelevant," Yassen cut in. "I think we all know that Alex will follow us even if we don't say he can come. Skinner could be miles away by now, so could we please cut this short? Wolf, keep an eye on him and follow me."

The others fell silent instantly and followed without arguing as Yassen led the way towards caravan sixty seven.