Haha!! You guys didn't see THIS coming, did you?!?! You thought I'd abandon the story, didn't you?!?! Well that was my fault for not updating in monthes. Sorry. I've had the worst writers block in the history of writers block and as a result, I personally think this chapter is a little suckish. But I've said it before, and I'll say it again, that I'll never abandon a story. Just give me time.

Well today, seeing as I have the flu (Not the swine version) I was home from school all day! After being bored for a good four hours, I decided, "Hey! Why not try and finish that chapter!" Not gonna lie, it was actually very difficult, seeing as I was sitting here going "What the heck am i supposed to write?!?!? Nothing's happening in the story right now!!!" But it hink i made up for that.

So here it is, the long awaited chapter *cough* I don't remember what number this is *cough*!!!

Disclaimer: If I pretend to be delusional with the fever from the flu, can I say that I own Alex Rider?

Alex chewed his food slowly. Though Tom had planned on staying for dinner, it had gotten too late while they were out. As soon as Alex had gotten home he gave Tom a ring to see if he had made it home without running into any… oh, I don't know… megalomaniacs with the intention of killing him? Yeah that sounds about right. He hadn't. The only person he ran into was his elderly and still aging neighbor as she walked her dog. And no, there was no homework in Mr. Brink's class.

Though Alex would never tell Tom, for fear of making him nervous; he was very worried about his friend. He couldn't even fight off the school bullies, never mind trained assassins. That's how they had become friends in the first place. Alex had saved him from losing an entire year's worth of milk money… which, granted, wasn't very much, seeing as how little milk cost, but still, it was the concept that mattered.

Plus he was worried for himself. He didn't know if this was going to be something he could do; keeping his secret a secret so close to home. It would be hard to beat the odds this time; which made him worried for the entire school as well.

All aside from that, this burger was pretty damn good! So, he took another bite. "Jack, this is quite possibly the best burger I've ever had.

"Damn right it is! It's because I'm from America. Fat, greasy food capitol of the world. Represent!" She pumped her fist into the air sarcastically. "So how are things as of now? They finally decide to send in backup?"

"Er… If by backup you mean Tom, then yes."

"What?!? They're sending an untrained little kid into this? I mean, sending you in was bad in the first place, but to they're getting Tom involved now?!?! What on Earth are they thinking! They can't seriously expect this to work out with just you and a school kid friend fighting!"

"Well… Actually just me. Tom's not fighting. As evil and manipulative as they are, they aren't stupid. They know better than to send a kid into the fighting. They just gave him some defensive things." Alex added, taking another bite.

"Well, they sure as hell didn't have a problem sending you on these missions. You're just a kid, too Alex." She picked up a fry and bit into it in a delicate manner that seemed unfitting for the fat greasy food.

"Well, yes, but I'm…" Alex paused to think of the right word…. And to take a bite of food, "I'm an exception, to say the least." He put a twist onto the word 'exception' that made it clear of its meaning.

"And that doesn't make me anymore okay with this. Honestly Alex," She stood up and moved her empty plate and glass to the sink, where she instantly turned on the water to begin washing them. "I just can't seem to find any logic in any of these people's decisions! And hun, I promise, if you come home with any more injuries like you did today, I think I'm going to have to interfere! I mean, look at you! You're thumb is wrapped up. Your covered in cuts, and you've got yourself quite the shiner there on your eye!"

"Jack, come on." Alex said, rising to bring his plat to the sink as well, "You know as well as I do that you can't 'interfere' as you put it. We're both sworn to secrecy."

"Yeah, yeah…" Jack droned, handing Alex a plate to dry with a dish towel.

"Besides," Alex teased, "I think the black eye makes me look tough. I'll just tell people I got into a fight in the back alley of a bar."

"Alex, I think I'd punch you myself if I ever caught you near a bar." She dried the last of the plates and slid them into their home in the cabinet. "That's no place for a fourteen year old."

"Aw, but Jack," Alex sat back down, smiling for what felt like the first time that day and played along, "I just love getting drunk with a bunch of big burley men in a room that smells like smoke. It's all the rage with us kids these days."

Jack laughed carelessly. "Alex, I'm not gonna lie, but the thought of you getting drunk is so farfetched, I can only laugh at the thought." She sat back down as well, "But I'm serious when I say that if you ever come home drunk, I'm grounding you for the rest of you're life."

"Not a problem." Alex agreed.

The rest of their night went something like that; speaking in a rather random fashion of whatever came to mind. Alex finished up his homework while Jack watched TV, they said their goodnights and headed off to their rooms. Alex took a shower, taking care to be gentle around his new cuts, then checked him room for bugs and bombs and camera's. You know, the usual.

Upon completing his sweep, he felt positive he was secure; but he couldn't help but feel someone was watching him. Couldn't shake the feeling that someone wanted him dead.

Well that's nice, Alex thought sarcastically, I just love it when I feel like a rapist is sitting in the tree outside my window. It's the best feeling in the world!

But at least he'd started to get into the frame of mind he needed to be in while on a mission. Always watching. Check behind your back. Listen carefully. Be on alert. Keep your reflexes in check. Always at least two escape plans in any given room. Have a fight plan in case of attack. Keep your eyes……..

What...? What, that's it? Not even going to finish the sentence? Come on Alex, the people are dying to know what you're thinking. Oh, wait. He'd fallen asleep. Soundly and comfortably, blond hair tussled and fluffed against a soft blue pillow case. All right fine, we can wait…

---

School was relatively normal, other than the stares he received due to his black eye. Alex and Tom spoke softly on their way to class

"Do you think they've sent in anyone new yet? They're bound to have noticed by now that you've gotten rid of their first man." Tom had whispered worriedly. He was new to this whole spy thing, but he was far from stupid. He spoke in low tones that no-one could hear if they were not standing as close to him as Alex was, and he knew not to use any names. No mention of Scorpia, no use of the word janitor.

Kudos Alex thought simply.

Still, Alex looked around to see if any of his classmates heads were turned in their direction, eavesdropping.

"Unfortunately, I have no idea." Alex mumbled. He was being truthful, he hadn't heard back from MI6 yet, and he didn't think he had seen anything suspicious at all that day. Of course they'd noticed their man was down, but Tom's guess was as good as his own on what action they'd taken from there.

"You have no idea?" Tom questioned louder, knowing that there were some things that didn't matter if people heard. "What do you usually do with this kinda stuff? Does someone let you know?"

Alex ran his good hand through his hair and adjusted the position of his backpack on his shoulder. "Well, to be honest, mate, I usually just have to wing it" he huffed.

"You're kidding!" Tom exclaimed, smiling with eyebrows raised. "You mean to tell me that all that stuff you've told me about, you've made up on the spot?"

Alex smiled, "Just about, yeah."

"Wow…" Tom turned the corner towards their classroom with Alex at his side. "That's bloody brilliant Alex. I wish I could think that fast."

"Trust me when I say it's not all it's cracked up to be." Alex laughed coldly.

Tom noticed.

"I suppose you might be right," He agreed, not really understanding, but wanting to make his friend feel better anyway, "But you have to admit, it does come in handy."

"Yes I suppose so." Alex nodded, turning into the doorway of maths class.

Yes, it does come in handy, doesn't it? Alex mused; I guess it would have been inconvenient if I hadn't thought to kill people. Well… inconvenient for me at least.. For them…. Well… not so much.

"Hey Alex! Did you fall of the bed or something?" Joseph called from the hallway. Joseph for some reason hated Alex's guts, and if he found anything; anything at all; to pick on him with, he would use it. This time, it was the black eye.

Alex turned around to face the boy.

"Yes. Yes Joe, that's exactly what happened. I fell off the bed and hit my eye on my sneakers that I'd left there." Alex said plainly, not caring what people would think about him falling off the bed.

"Yeah, well... You… uh… You're stupid!" Joseph retorted, not having expected Alex to agree.

Wow! Not the brightest crayon in the box… Tom thought as a reaction to the boy's comeback.

"Just go to class and pay attention, Joe. You sure as hell could use the extra help." Alex suggested innocently. He turned on his heal away from the snickering classmates and walked to his seat.

"Damn…" Alex muttered.

"What?" Tom asked as he slid into his seat to Alex's left.

"Well now that's the story I'm gonna have to stick with." Alex said under his breath.

"Riight…" Tom nodded regretfully. Not that it was his fault or anything; but he did feel bad. Alex got teased enough as it was; what with being absent all the time with the excuse of just being sick. All the kids just assumed he was a sissy wimpy kid, how else would he get sick so much?

Well Tom know better, and he held a certain admiration for Alex's action's, if not a bit of jealousy. He wasn't always jealous. In fact, he was almost never jealous. It really wasn't until the other day with the janitor guy that wasn't a janitor and he'd watched the fight. Man was that intense. The small jealousy only came from the helplessness. Like Alex had to protect him.

Oh well, Alex was his best mate nonetheless and if… ooo…. It's Madison… She's so pretty… Her hair is so nice… Especially the way the curls bounce when she walks…

Wait, what?!? What was he thinking about again? All Tom could remember was something about Alex, and then Madison walking into the room.

"Hey Madison!" He waved. She waved back, smiled, and pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Tom would like to have spent the rest of the day doodling on his notebook and trying to remember his name, but he was unfortunately interrupted by a sharp

"Take out your homework, class. I'll be collecting it and grading it as a test."

That was promptly followed by collective moans and sighs, but the class complied anyhow.

It seemed like there really wouldn't be anything strange happening that day...

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand there it is. Yeah, i know, not very exciting, but i think it's at least well written. And yes, there WAS foreshadowing in that chapter! Foreshadowing... Forshadowing? Fourshadowing? I don't know how to spell it...

As i was writing this i realized that i've never met anyone named Madison. For some reason, that upset me. I wish i had a friend named Madison. So anyone out there with that name, leave a comment and we can be friends!!

Randomness aside, Please please PLEASE review!! The number of people reading this is ridiculous compared to the number of people reviewing. It's like, less than seven percent of you are reviewing, and that's not an exaggeration. So i'm beggin you, i'm on my virtual knees, please just leave a comment. It doesnt have to be long. Just a little comment. A baby one. They make me want to keep writing.

Now, I love you all! I bid thee adieu, and ....I dont know... something else in french... Thanks!