AN: THERE IS AVERY IMPORTANT NOTICE IN THIS AUTHOR'S NOTE!

I'm going to set up a vote from this chapter on for the next book. Here are the choices:

A sequel to Where Others Fail

A new story with same age Alex but a way different plot line

A future fic set directly after Scorpia Rising

A slightly AU mission fic

A K-Unit fic

A future fic with Alex and new spy (I promise to make her/him anti-Mary Sue/Marty Stu)

The vote will continue until the end of this story.

Alex POV

"I don't understand what you're waiting for." Miss Doe's voice was once again in Alex's ear.

Alex gritted his teeth. "It's been awhile okay?"

"I thought it would be like riding a bike." Miss Doe replied.

"There's a lot more involved here than riding a bike." Alex said.

Miss Doe replied quickly. "Surely you're not scared Agent Rider."

"Damn right I'm scared." Alex said. "This is a big deal."

"Come on Agent Rider, you've done scarier things than this." Miss Doe said.

"That was a long time ago Miss Doe." Alex said. He looked up the building and felt his heart sink lower in his stomach. "I haven't free solo climbed in almost twenty years."

"But you have free solo climbed before. It shouldn't be that difficult to do it again." Miss Doe said.

Alex laughed nervously. Free solo climbing was, by definition, a form of climbing relying only on the climber's physical strength, climbing ability, and psychological fortitude to avoid a fatal fall. There would be no ropes, harnesses, or other protective gear for this climb. There would be Alex, several hundred feet, and the ground below him. A lapse in concentration, a change in the weather, or an unfortunately bad grab would result in a long fall and a quick death. "You think it's so easy, you do it."

"I don't know how." Miss Doe said. "That's why we came to you."

Once again Alex wished that Ian had never taught him any of these skills but he jumped up to grab the first ledge. Using only his arms he heaved himself up and lifted a foot to join his hands. There was only room for his hands and one foot so he reached out to the next ledge simultaneously lifting his foot up and then placing his other hand on the upper ledge. "One down…" He looked up and sighed. "One gazillion to go."

"That's quite the exaggeration Agent Rider." Miss Doe said.

"Sure doesn't feel like it." Alex replied. "Do you think you could stay out of my head for a while? Have you ever looked up free solo climbing? It requires immense mental concentration. Little difficult with the woman whose blackmailing me into this talking to me in my head."

"I guess you never grew out of that sarcasm." Miss Doe commented to no one. Then she was back to speaking with Alex. "I won't believe that when Ian was teaching you he didn't teach you to multitask in these situations."

"These situations? You think he prepared me to handle climbing up the sides of buildings with a woman talking to me via ear bud while my family is being held as insurance?" Alex said. He won a small struggle inside to avoid looking down realizing he was several ledges up and the look down would be anti-progressive to him continuing onwards.

"These situations as in dangerous situations Agent Rider." Miss Doe said. "You can handle the multitasking, I'm not stupid."

"Could've fooled me." Alex mumbled. Then louder, "Well maybe I don't want to talk to you."

"Why?" Miss Doe asked, she actually seemed genuine.

"Why?" Alex repeated. "Because you're not exactly on my list of favorite people Miss Doe; I really thought you could've guessed that."

"Please Agent Rider, MI6 blackmailed you for a year. It's not like it's the first time you've been in this situation." Miss Doe replied.

Alex paused. "You've got to be kidding me."

"I never kid." Miss Doe said a little affronted.

Alex started climbing again but he wasn't done with their conversation. "Do you think its okay to blackmail me because it's already been done before? I shouldn't mind because I've already dealt with it before?"

"Agent Rider I–" Miss Doe started.

Alex interrupted. "I never asked for this, Miss Doe. I think I have every right to be a little upset with the people who continually try to use my to do their dirty work."

"Agent Rider–" Miss Doe tried again.

Alex would have none of it. "If it wasn't bad enough to threaten me and Jack when I was a teenager now you've brought my wife and my five year old son into the equation. But you're not threatening them with deportation or a boy's institution. You're threatening their very lives. Forgive me if I don't want to be buddies with you Miss Doe. I, for one, hate people like you."

There was silence on the other end before Miss Doe said. "How close are you?"

Alex looked up; he still had several stories to go. He could feel a slight burn in his neck and shoulders as well as his upper arms and calves. "Not close eno–Shit!" Alex's hands slipped from the upper ledge and he slid down the side just managed to catch himself on the lower ledge. His heart beat wildly in his chest and his breath was erratic. If he'd felt safe enough to let go he would have put a hand to his chest; as it was Alex gripped the ledge with all his might.

"Is everything alright Agent Rider?" Miss Doe asked. Alex could hear a slight air of concern.

"Fine, fine. I managed to catch myself." Alex replied.

"Do be careful." Miss Doe said.

Alex rolled his eyes and heaved himself up again. "I'll keep that in mind."

Miss Doe was silent the rest of the way up; probably wondering if their conversation had caused a momentary lapse of concentration for Alex. He didn't mind the silence. Ian may have taught him how to multitask while free solo climbing but even the mighty Alex Rider could climb better in prime conditions. Finally, with his muscles screaming, Alex heaved himself to the roof. He collapsed to his knees and gulped in deep calming breaths. "There better be a different way out."

The roof was covered in gravel but Alex still managed to make no noise as he glided across and opened the door that would lead him inside Rhymer Pharmaceutical's Headquarters. This would be the home of the press conference, charity gala, and interview. It only made sense that Alex would, at the very least, get a layout of the land ahead of time. He took a last look around the roof and then silently closed the door behind him and headed down the stairs.

Eve POV

Eve paced back and forth in the cell room with her arms crossed under her chest and her head hung loosely down. Upon noticing that her footsteps were beginning to leave a mark in the carpet James asked, "Mom, is something wrong?"

"Wrong? No dear. Why would you ask that?" Eve replied. She didn't stop pacing or even look up.

James frowned, "You seem a little…anxious."

"Anxious? Me? Don't be silly!" Eve said with an obviously fake laugh. "I'm just fine Jamie."

"Right." James said with an arched brow. "Dad says that sitting still for long periods of time is an essential skill."

"It would be for a spy." Finally Eve stopped, looked up, and said. "If you must know, I'm bored."

The door swung open and Panther and Cheetah jumped to attention. They relaxed upon seeing it was only Miss Doe. "Good morning."

"Is it morning?" Eve asked.

"About five forty-five Mom." James said.

There was no clock in the cell and all the other people in the room shot the young boy a strange look. Miss Doe recovered the quickest and asked Eve, "I heard you say you were bored?"

"Yes." Eve said. She grimaced as she looked around the room at the mounds of things she could be doing. "I know there's plenty here but I'm someone who needs to stay progressive and reading Twilight or Harry Potter or Stephan King or Anthony Horowitz or any other book in here is not going to improve the situation."

"How would you like a temporary job?" Miss Doe asked.

Eve placed her hands on her hips, instantly suspicious. "What kind of job?"

Alex POV

Rhymer Pharmaceutical had fifteen floors; Brandon Rhymer's office was on floor number thirteen. Alex didn't miss the symbolism of unlucky thirteen. Important people, Alex had noticed, tended to take the top floor to either themselves or themselves and other important people. He'd been surprised to learn of this abnormal behavior in Mr. Rhymer's case but he'd accepted that maybe the guy didn't like heights or had a thing for the number thirteen. Whatever it was Alex was now on flour fourteen and working his way down. The ear bud crackled a little, which Alex noted it did just before someone spoke, and then, "Alex?"

"Eve?" Alex asked. His gut twisted a little. Was this another one of Miss Doe's threats? A little added incentive to doing the job right? "How are you…"

"I was bored, so Miss Doe put me to work." Eve said.

"Are you okay with that?" Alex asked.

"I want to be able to help you." Eve replied. "Is this is the way to do it then not only am I okay with it, I'm all for it."

"Is Miss Doe able to hear me?" Alex asked.

"Yes, Agent Rider." Miss Doe replied.

Alex took a breath and said, "If this so-called job of yours gets Eve into any kind of trouble or danger I will personally shoot you in the head with your own gun. Are we clear?"

"Crystal." Replied Miss Doe. "I simply thought that with your wife's problem solving abilities she could only be an asset to our cause."

Alex didn't say anything but Eve was all too happy to speak instead. "I've been looking over the files and blueprints trying to get caught up. Where are you headed?"

"Brandon Rhymer's office is on the thirteenth floor. I'm going to need updates on cameras and the like if you would." Alex said.

There was some rustling, as Eve laid out the plans, the files, and any other useful information including several articles and diagrams of the cameras used in the building. "Alright. When you reach the bottom of the stairs there is going to be a door or your right. It'll lead to the thirteenth floor lobby."

"They have a lobby for one floor?" Alex asked.

"Sure do." Eve replied. "There are three cameras in the lobby alone activated my motion."

Alex froze on the staircase and said, "How the hell am I supposed to get in."

"Well, there are two options." Eve said. More rustling and then, "Miss Doe says she's going to head downstairs and get your mutual friend to do some hacking."

"But…" Alex said trailing off.

Eve chuckled, "You know me too well. There is an air conditioning vent leading directly to Rhymer's office from the fourteenth floor lobby that you could definitely fit in."

"The problem?" Alex asked, knowing nothing could be that easy.

"The problem is the camera in the fourteenth floor lobby." Eve said. "It's not motion activated but it does manage to cover the entire room. However they can't run the hallway and the lobby camera at the same time so they run them in thirty second intervals."

Alex calculated in his head and nodded. "I can get in the vent in thirty seconds."

"I'm sure you can baby." Eve said. "Unfortunately I don't know when the camera is recording the lobby or the hallway."

Eve POV

Laying on a large table in front of here was the blueprints to the entire building, blueprints to the thirteenth and fourteenth floor individually, and the blueprints to Rhymer's personal office. To the right was a file detailing the security measures of each floor. Above the blueprints were articles and diagrams of the cameras, sensors, and safes used in the building. To the left of the blueprints was a detailed layout of the air ducts and below the blueprints was a schedule of the guards shifts, routines, and other duties. "Hold on, I think I've got something."

"Um, okay." Alex said. Eve walked over to the stack of tapes Miss Doe had and looked for the most recent recording. She slid it in the player and watched until the guard walked through the fourteenth floor lobby. He'd made it halfway through the lobby when the picture cut to the hallway, thirty seconds later it was back on the lobby. Eve took note of the time and scanned the schedule. Then she replaced the video with another, of a different day but same time, and then another and another and another. Alex's voice came on slightly impatient. "Honey?"

"Every night at six 'o' five a guard walks into the lobby. He's on screen for thirty seconds and then disappears as the camera changes shots." Eve said.

"Okay." Alex said. "I'm not following."

"At exactly six 'o' five we know that the guard will be in the lobby." Eve said.

Alex nodded. "Got it."

Eve continued. "We also know that when the guard is in the lobby the camera is watching the lobby."

"Still following you." Alex said.

"Therefore we can be sure that at six 'o' five the camera is watching the lobby until thirty seconds after." Eve said giddy now.

Alex sighed. "But how does that help us?"

"Right now it's six 'o' three." Eve said. She could practically hear the gears in Alex's head working as he clicked the pieces together.

"It's perfect! You're a genius." Alex said. Then he swore. "I better get back up to the fourteenth floor."

Alex POV

Alex couldn't help but smile proudly. His wife was an amazing woman. That sharp mind of hers always connecting the dots to see the bigger picture was one of the many qualities that had drawn Alex to her. It's what helped her win her cases as a District Attorney. Alex wasn't slow but he didn't see things the way Eve saw them. Lay some seemingly random bits of information in front of her and she could connect the dots and summarize it for you too. Right on schedule the guard appeared in the lobby at precisely six 'o' five. He ambled across the floor. Eve had been counting apparently. "Camera just switched to hallway."

Alex continued to watch as the guard exited the lobby and entered the hallway. He waited for a few seconds to hear Eve say. "Camera just switched to the lobby."

"Be ready to move when I say. After that you'll have thirty seconds." Eve said. There was a long pause and Eve said, "Go."

Alex breezed through the doors into the lobby and went straight to work unscrewing the air conditioner. All the screws undone Eve said, "Twenty seconds."

Alex slid his legs in first and scooted in body part by body part. "Fifteen seconds."

He grabbed the screws and the screw driver. "Ten seconds."

He fumbled with the screws trying to piece them back listening with fear as the countdown was read off by Eve. "Four seconds…three…two..."

Alex pulled back his hands one screw short of being completely done. He prayed the screw would go unnoticed by any workers. "And the camera is back on the lobby. How'd we do honey?"

"All in; the vent is short one screw but I don't think anyone will notice or think much of it." Alex replied.

As Alex began shimmying through the vent towards Rhymer's office Miss Doe's voice came back on. "Smithers is going to try getting into the system and shutting down the cameras on the third floor."

"Don't bother. I'm in the air ducts." Alex said.

"But…how?" Miss Doe asked.

"I have done this before you know." Alex said. He knew it was wrong to take the credit from Eve but he didn't want these people to think Eve could be useful in the future and put her in danger. "Eve helped a little."

"Well then, keep us updated." Miss Doe said.

"Of course." Alex replied. He regretted the wide shoulders he got from his father and continued wriggling through the duct.

Jane POV

Inwardly, Jane smiled. As usual her plan had progressed nicely and things were well on their way to succeeding. The conversation, okay argument, she'd had with Alex while he'd been climbing had shown that he still resented her and the people she worked with. It would be difficult to continue between the two of them. Knowing this Jane had brought in Agent Rider's wife to play the middle man and ease tensions. It would casually remind him where his family was while assuring him that they were okay. It would also help the agent to work with someone he knew. Of course, Jane had never expected Eve to be quite so helpful. Jane had left the room, bugged of course, and listened in as Eve and Alex worked together to solve a near impossible problem. The woman was surprisingly good and home base work. Alex excelled at the field work, why should Jane be surprised he'd found his other half?

"There're no cameras in Rhymer's office. I guess he figured if you got that far you deserved to stay anonymous." Eve said.

There was a heavy inhale and then a thump. "I'm in."

AN: That scene with the numbers and the videos and the camera…that was tough. I tried to make it believable but it was difficult to say the least and I still think I'm stretching it. On to other things, I hope you enjoyed the chapter please review!

And a Special Thanks to My Reviewers From Chapter 9:

ReillyScarecrowRocks: I'm a big fan of James myself (but I'm a bit biased). As for your Matt theory, you were the closest so you get an honorable mention. Here is your HONORABLE MENTION. I put it in caps so people could see it.

MonsterUnderYourBed: I'm always excited to hear ideas from readers so thank you for yours. You did come close to what's going to be happening soon but…no cigar. Good try though. By the way, I think it's an awesome story too (but I may be a little biased).

FanFictionaddict1: For some reason this review was very touching to me. You admitted having no idea what to do with the story but knew I'd come up with something anyways. Believe it or not I wasn't going to post a chapter today but I read your review and I felt I had to post. Thank you so much.

InnocentKitsune444: One of the best compliments I could receive was that my story was surprising. I love cliffhangers, plot twists, and curve balls. Expect them in my stories often. As for Matt's questions refer to the reviews made by MonsterUnderYourBed and ReillyScarecrowRocks. They were close so maybe you'll get an idea from them. I hope that this chapter satisfied some of your action craving because it's still going to be awhile. However, the chapters will begin to get…different. You'll see what I mean.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON THE NEXT BOOK IN YOUR REVIEWS! I WANT A HEADS UP ON YOUR PREFERENCES AND YOU CAN VOTE AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT WITH EACH NEW CHAPTER. THANKS AGAIN!