Here's another chapter of your favorite story! Well, I'm assuming it's a favorite due to all the emails I'm getting about followers; thank you guys! I'm glad you all like it. If this chapter seems to wander between OOC and IC, I'm sorry.

I don't own Alex Rider or NCIS

Chapter 10: Combat

If one were to emerge from the elevator of the NCIS bullpen on Friday morning at 9:00AM, they would have thought that the Major Case Response Team was relaxing; an unbelievable notion of course—there was always something for them to do, even if cases were scarce— but physical evidence showed otherwise. A normally active McGee was clicking at his computer almost mechanically, staring into space. His colleagues, Agents DiNozzo and Ziva, were having a casual conversation about plans for the weekend.

Beneath the surface of their casual demeanor, however, each agent was thinking about the web that they had gotten caught in.

"This time, there will be no mercy…Let the games begin."

The terrorist group, SCORPIA, had already murdered James Malkey; leaving their message as an ominous threat, looming over the team's head. Alex had already told them about Invisible Sword, the horrible ultimatum that SCORPIA had tried used last time, against the United States but targeting London children. This time, it was one person being targeted: Alex Rider. The unnerving thing about the situation was that Alex had accepted the challenge with welcoming arms.

No matter what performance of quick thinking Alex had showed during the capture of Malkey at the warehouse, there was no way Gibbs would allow a child to face any kind of danger like this. Despite Alex's resourcefulness, Gibbs would bet on at least a few near-death experiences. He didn't want this situation to spiral out of control and actually end Alex's life.

While the team were deliberating , Alex and Gibbs had been busy trying to help track down the woman who murdered James Malkey. All they had to go on in the beginning was a partial fingerprint. Now, they had an identity.

"Janice Cartwright." Gibbs said, walking into the room, jerking McGee from his daydream, and Tony and Ziva from their conversation.

McGee immediately began looking for information. "It's probably an alias," he commented.

"Check it anyway." Gibbs said, looking at Alex.

Ever since the boy had told the team everything about Invisible Sword, he had been much quieter.

"Y'know," Gibbs said quietly as the team began to work, "If there's anything else…"

Alex looked up at Gibbs, into his deep, grey eyes. "I want to see Jack."

"I'll take you, if you want," Gibbs offered. He paused. "Y'know, normally I don't like spies. They get into everyone's business…"

"My enemies feel the same way." Alex grumbled.

"…but you're different, Alex. You're a sixteen year old kid and, no matter how much you've been through, I couldn't forgive myself if a kid got hurt."

"I'm always careful-."

"You've already been sniped at once; you've only survived by pure luck."

Luck. That was what this was. When the doctors had stitched him up, they kept commenting on how lucky Alex was. Alex was beginning to think that they were right. Not looking at Gibbs, Alex moved over to a nearby chair and sat down, thinking.

xxxAlexNCISxxx

Jack Starbright was lying in bed, staring at the white ceiling. She wasn't enjoying herself; just when she thought that Alex would finally have a break after Ark Angel, he had to get caught up in something new and leave again. She hadn't seen him since he'd witnessed that murder; it wasn't right. But when Jack pulled back the curtains of her room and saw the black car pull up outside the house, she immediately thought that, either she was dreaming, Alex was coming back, or something had happened to him. Fearing the latter, she drew the curtain again and ran downstairs to open the door, even before her visitors could reach it.

The agent she knew as Gibbs was standing before her, Alex was close behind him with a great smile on his face. Jack could see through his expression; he was worried about something.

"Hello Miss Starbright. I just thought that Alex deserved a visit."

"Come in!"

The two males crossed the threshold of the house and settled in the living room.

"How's the case going?" Jack asked, closing the door.

Gibbs looked at Alex and, at the boy's nod, said, "We've gotten caught in something."

"SCORPIA." Alex mumbled to Jack's puzzled glance at him.

Jack froze; she had heard about Alex's dealings with the terrorist group. But MI6 had told them to leave Alex alone. Why were they targeting him again?

Gibbs noticed the movement. "We received a threatening note. Alex was the addressee."

Now Jack knew what was going on. Before either boy or man could say anything, she crossed her arms. "Don't even think about it Alex."

Alex stood up. "I need to get them off of NCIS's back. I need to know what's going on!"

"So you can get injured again? Or killed? Not on my watch, Alex. I care too much about you. After this business with Ark Angel, the doctors told you to stay put; not look for more danger!"

Alex said nothing. He looked away from Jack, towards the kitchen. "I'm hungry." He said abruptly.

Jack looked at Gibbs, imploring him to do something. She knew that Alex didn't really want to upset her, but he sure was beginning to scare her.

"Alex," Gibbs said, standing up. "How about you stay here for the next few days?"

At that, Alex turned and broke into a wide smile. "May I?"

Gibbs realized that, with keeping Alex here, he could have Jack watch him and make sure he didn't try to chase after SCORPIA. At the same time, Alex could still visit HQ and help out with case, to some extent. He nodded.

"Thank you Gibbs."

Alex walked into the kitchen.

Jack turned to Gibbs. "Thank you too."

Gibbs waved her thanks away. "Alex needs protection. " he whispered, so that Alex wouldn't overhear him. " Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

Jack smiled. "Will do, sir!"

xxxAlexNCISxxx

Alex made sure that he hadn't been followed into the kitchen before he pulled out the device.

He was glad that he had been allowed to keep the iPod-like gadget that Smithers had given him. What was even better was that Jack didn't know about it. Alex turned it on, put the buds in his ears, and held it in the direction of the living room, all the while keeping his back turned.

"…Alex needs protection," he heard Gibbs say, "Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

So that's what this was. Alex was right to suspect something was up with Gibbs when he suggested letting Alex stay at the house. He was letting Jack spy for him!

Putting the device back in his pocket, he opened the cupboard under the pretense of looking for a snack, all the while thinking of what he would do next. One thing was for sure, though:

Jack was right. He wasn't getting anybody else killed doing it.

How about that? Good? Bad? Constructive criticism? This probably wasn't my best chapter; I'm sorry if it sucks.

Till next time,

Warriorette 12