Chapter Eight, Explanations

Alex woke with a groan. His head felt like it was splitting open. Sitting up gingerly, he blinked slowly. With a yelp, Alex suddenly realized that it was dark around him. Jack would be frantic, he needed to call her. However, when he put his hand in his pocket, Alex couldn't find his phone. Standing quickly, he spotted it lying crushed near the entrance to the alley. Erin must have done it, he was sure he'd left it in his pocket. Feeling increasingly grumpy, Alex walked out to the bike rack. His bike was still locked there; Erin had been kind enough to leave him that at least. Sighing, Alex mounted it and cycled quickly home. The lights of warm suburban homes and small businesses passed by in a blur as he hurried home. Eventually, his house came into sight, Alex could just see Jack's silhouette in the front window. It looked like she was one the phone, having a heated discussion. Wearily, he wheeled his bike onto the front porch and rang the doorbell. Somewhere along the way, he'd lost his house key. The door whipped open barely three seconds after the doorbell rang. Jack stood on the other side, red hair even messier then usual. She tossed the phone aside.

"ALEX! Where were you?! I've been on to the police looking for you! Don't you know what time it is?!"

Putting his bicycle aside, he did his best to avoid the rapid fire questions.

"Can't we eat first? I promise I'll answer then."

With a long suffering sigh, Jack nodded.

"Oh, alright. You're going to answer my questions during dinner though!"

So, seven minutes later, Alex found himself telling her what happened over a huge serving of spaghetti.

"So then she goes and head bashes me! Is she one crazy girl or what?!" he finished up. For a moment, Jack didn't answer. She merely sat there looking incredulous. Then she spoke.

"You followed her just because you thought she was a bit odd?" Jack asked. Alex looked at her annoyed. She didn't seem to understand just how important what he'd just told her was.

"It doesn't matter why I followed her! She's obviously involved with MI6 though and she's going to kill someone!"

Jack appeared to be intensely uncomfortable with the discussion.

"Alex… I don't see why you need to get involved in this. Can't you just let it be someone else's business for once?" she asked imploringly. Alex stared at her in amazement.

"Just let it be someone else's business?! I did that in France with Sabina and look what happened then! Her Dad nearly got killed because I ignored Yassen walking down the street!" he shook his head angrily.

"Erin is going to kill someone, and I can stop her! I can call the police or something…" he trailed off as Jack interrupted.

"No Alex! You cannot stop her! You don't know her last name, where she's going or even if she's really going to kill someone! Besides, if she's really with MI6, there's nothing you can do! Hell, the police wouldn't even believe you!!!"

Alex sat silently for a moment; he knew Jack was telling the truth. With a sigh, she stood and gathered up the dishes.

"You should go get some sleep, I'll take care of everything tonight. I'm glad you're home safe Alex."

Feeling suddenly drained, Alex stood as well and carried his bag up to his bedroom. With a bad temper, he changed into pyjamas and got into bed. For awhile, he couldn't sleep. Thoughts chased each other, one after another, stopping him from resting.

'I don't care what Jack says, I have to do something! Erin's dangerous, no matter what Jack thinks…maybe I'll ask Mrs. Jones…."

With that slightly encouraging thought, Alex drifted off to sleep.