"I think I should get myself kidnapped." Alex plunked a bowlful of cereal onto the table and pulled out a chair, sitting down and lifting a spoon, oblivious to the blank looks being exchanged around her in response to her announcement.
"Alex…?" Snake asked eventually, voice filled with caution.
She looked up, registering their shock. "What? It's a good idea!" she said defensively.
Eagle choked on his toast. "I know I've been out the loop for a while, guys, but how is anyone getting kidnapped ever a good idea?"
"It's not," Wolf grunted, wrapping his hands around a steaming cup of coffee.
"It is!" Alex insisted. "He always turns up every time I get kidnapped!"
There was another pause. "Alex," Snake began, picking his words carefully. "Regardless of your assassin's proclivity towards stalking" – "He's not my assassin!" "But he does stalk you?" "Shut up, Eagle!" – "If you ever so much as move out of my sight in a manner which makes me think you might be attempting to implement such a plan, I will call Alan Blunt myself and tell him exactly where you are, understood?"
Alex lowered her spoon and looked up at him, hurt. "But…"
"What will you do if you get hurt before your assassin turns up?" Snake asked pointedly. "What if he doesn't come at all? You're not just responsible for yourself any more." She wilted. He was right, of course. Her free hand brushed across her stomach almost guiltily.
"Besides," Fox added helpfully from somewhere near the doorway. "If he hasn't noticed us storming through Europe to find him, he's never going to notice you being kidnapped."
Alex glanced around the room. All four of them were nodding. Scowling, she shot a weak glare at Fox, but nodded, ungracefully giving in. "Fine!" She turned back to her breakfast and ignored them.