Disclaimer: Even if I wished I owned Alex Rider, I don't!
AN: If you are uncomfortable with relatively vague sexual references, you might want to be careful with this chapter. It's a little fluff-y. I'll post a warning when things heat up. Okay?
Alright. Any Eagle fans might want to start writing his obituary...
Chapter 11: Masquerade Part 1
The stranger barked out the command to have 'Agent Daniel's air-headed adoptive daughter' brought in.
'Oh, Alex. I'm so sorry...'
In that exact same moment, Alex sneezed. She had just reached the top of the stairs where the bedrooms were located. Jason was already wearing his checkered pyjama and his limbs were everywhere on the huge bed.
She grabbed a pair of flannel pants and a loose t-shirt for the night. Changing in the bathroom, she returned after only a few minutes. Robin left them.
Alex could hear Snake walking up the stairs to stand guard in front of their room.
"So... Will you tell me why you reacted to my suggestion like that?", the singer asked gently, quietly, unsure how much he can do for her in this situation. People never gave him enough credit but he was observant. And he recognized a person with emotional problems when he saw one.
"I... Look. I kind of grew up with most of them. They are bit like surrogate brothers. And very overprotective.", she responded, just as quietly, after a few heartbeats.
Jason decided to test the waters further. "Ah, that's why you don't want to date them. It seems you have a bit of a crush on one of them though. Greg, was it?" Alex frowned in mock-disgust. Or real? He couldn't interpret her facial expressions very well.
"Honestly? That is just plain wrong.", she retorted.
"He doesn't exactly look at you with brotherly feelings, you know."
That prompted a small sigh. "I know. But he's a) totally crazy, b) 6 six years older than me and c) he thought - til last month - that I was a boy. I used to dress like one and all that. And did I mention he's off-the-rocker bonkers?"
He chuckled quietly. "That explains your nonchalance when it comes to clothes. Fe, if you want to get a real boyfriend or just a guy for a night - I don't care, don't look at me like that! - tomorrow is your chance. You can be the queen biatch at that snooze fest if you let me handle a few details.", Jason preached.
"What do you want as payment?", Alex wondered. Nobody in her world ever gave without expecting something in return.
Jason thought about it for a minute, before muttering darkly: "You teach me how to tie those stupid chocking contraptions."
"Deal.", she shook his hand mock-serious. After contemplating something for a moment she added whispering: "But I'm not even sure I like guys."
"You know what? I will just give you a few pointers and let you find that out tomorrow night. I sincerely hope I can distract the watch dogs long enough."
"I hope so too.", a slow smile lingered on Alex's lips.
Her plan was already set in motion.
They stayed at home that day, everyone lounging about except for Alex and Wolf. Alex was going through her katas in the library or study in an attempt to keep her mind off Ben and lose some of her anger.
What was happening to him? Was he okay or even alive? Why did they capture him? Did they know who they were?
Wolf sat in a chair in the same room she practiced in and read through the paper while sipping on a large cup of coffee. (He detested tea.) He observed Alex's moves and even though he had seen her spar with a world renowned assassin, the team leader was astonished at the precision and speed with which she executed the practice.
Her whole aura had changed to controlled rage. That change had only occurred once in his presence. It frightened him. If ever she was attacked, he felt sorry for her opponent. Not just because he knew what Taipan or Ben would do to them if they touched her, but because Alex was lethal in her own right.
Besides fear there was something incredibly... warm in him, watching her excel. It felt like pride.
Parental pride.
So, pretending to read his paper and occasionally sipping on his coffee, he followed her movements.
Alex knew he had given up on reading some ten minutes after she started practicing. Her senses were heightened and she was halfway in her killer-mode.
When she was done, she sat down on the chair opposite from Wolf's. "Do you think it's going to work?"
"Yes. Eagle can't keep his eyes off of you ever since that morning. Which I'm guessing, you already know."
"You'd be surprised. I feel like one of these carnivorous plants."
"Hmm... Be careful, okay? We all want Ben back safe but if something happend to you..."
"...he'll be murderous. I know. He picked me up after my last mission. There is a reason why he is my legal guardian."
"I was actually going for the sappy 'Ben will be broken'-speech but whatever works for you.", Wolf said, for once speaking like a normal human being not like his namesake.
Apparently not only supposedly dead ex-assassins liked to joke occasionally. Alex smirked for a second, before she became serious again.
Her eyes were piercing ice and she radiated cold rage that sent shivers down Wolf's spine when she said in a low voice: "If I find out who did this, they'll wish they were never born."
After lunch - sandwiches - Jason declared it was time for her beauty lesson. Alex blushed faintly and the soldiers laughed, increasing her embarrassment further.
The nineteen-year-old singer dragged her upstairs. Wolf followed them, to guard the door.
In the meantime, the other soldiers changed into their suits to fit in better with the crowd of guests. Underneath their dress shirts, they wore Kevlar vests and even more weapons.
With Scorpia, you couldn't be too careful.
Especially with a mole on the loose.
Alex was ordered to sit on the bed.
Jason went through her clothes to find the 'sexiest' dress for the masquerade. Apparently, he followed the 'Dress to Impress'-philosophy to the T.
They ended up with a crimson red robe that brushed over the floor. It had a heart-shaped decollete, no arms and a slit up to mid-thigh that left little of her legs to imagination unless she stood completely still.
Alex's wavy hair was arranged to 'flow' down her back, over her shoulder.
Jason gave her good advice. He knew more about makeup and took care of that as well for her.
Now, looking in the mirror, Alex still recognized herself in the self-confident, drop dead beauty staring back.
The minimum of make up made it look natural which was more 'her', at least Jason had said that. Alex put the diamond drop ear rings Smithers had given her in place, to match the understated diamond necklace that adorned her neck. For the finishing touch she put on a simple, elegant red mask that was the same color as her dress.
Then she turned around, twirling once for the self-appointed 'Maestro'.
Jason grinned, utterly satisfied with his work. "If you don't get a straight guy tonight, then they are seriously blind, stupid and crazy. Even I consider being your date for the masquerade and I am gay.", he hugged her cautiously.
"Thank you, Jay. I owe you for this.", she whispered, genuinely grateful for his help.
"Nu-uh. Just be careful with whatever you plan tonight. Okay? I know something is going on with the way those obscenely cute guys stare at you."
"I will be.", she promised. "Now, didn't you need help yourself?"
Wolf had changed himself by the time Jason was finally finished and ready to go. He knocked at the teen's door.
"Come in.", the singer said loud enough.
Wolf opened the door, a bit afraid of what waited behind it.
The boy looked smart, maybe a little too dandy. The girl - scratch that - young woman at his side would be the belle of the ball,
Wolf was sure, even if he had never been to one.
A wolfish grin spread on his face. "You know, Eagle will die willingly at Ben's hand just to dance with you tonight.", he mumbled, envisioning the scene in his mind.
Jason grinned a bit evilly, making Wolf feel slightly uncomfortable. "Yes well, what can I say? You clean up nicely yourself."
"Let's go before Eagle changes his mind.", interrupted the beauty between the two males.
"As if! He won't know what hit him!", Jason protested quite loudly.
Alex grinned and followed them out of the bedroom.
Downstairs, Eagle nervously fidgeted with his new MI6-issued suit which felt ...unnatural.
He hated formal clothes, especially on a mission.
If he had wanted to wear suits every day, he would have become a banker. (Real or not.)
Snake grinned at his younger team mate's nervousness about tonight. The older man knew that Eagle had a soft spot for the teen spy and he had agreed only after making sure that she knew exactly what she was getting herself into.
Eagle could be quite scary when serious which usually only ever happened on a missions anyway.
Robin, at this moment, teased him mercilessly which could have contributed slightly to said demeanor.
They heard footsteps on stairs, announcing the arrival of the rest of their group.
At first there were Wolf and the teenaged singer. They accidentally partially hid Alex behind them, so when the soft hall light fell on her alone, all of their breaths caught in their throats.
If they hadn't known who was behind that mask, they would never have thought it possible to change so much in only a few hours time. The young woman in the red dress was more stunning than ever before.
But as it was, she equaled their little sister so they controlled themselves and tried not to tease her.
"What are you waiting for?", Wolf growled in his gruff voice.
In the car, Jason sent a smug grin to Alex who smiled absentmindedly back.
She concentrated on the best strategy. Yassen had taught her several different ways to manipulate someone simply with her looks. Tonight she was going to try to flush the mole out and therefore she needed to be on top of her game.
"So...", Jason asked in the awkward silence.
"If you leave their sight once tonight, you will have hell to pay. Are we clear, Jay?" Alex had her 'Mister'-voice back.
The male teen unconsciously sunk back in the cushions and nodded. He had never seen her fight, but he knew subconsciously that she was like a lioness - one minute calm, the next already biting his head off. He knew then that there was a high chance of things going south at the dance.
"Yes.", he promised, a bit taken aback.
She smiled. "Great. You can flirt and dance with them as you see fit, I really don't care. Just don't blow your cover completely."
That evoked protests from all but Eagle who grinned a bit at her attempt to lighten up the mood - usually his job.
"Duly noted, Ma'am.", the singer mock-saluted.
She sighed, relieved. "Good. Whatever happens tonight, don't do anything stupid like running off - unless you are told to do so - or losing the guys. You heard your bodyguards. This group is pretty strong. They won't go nice on anyone. So try to stay out of their way. You are a civilian and we are here to make sure you stay as safe as possible."
"Okay."
She glared him into submission, to emphasize the seriousness of her words.
Wolf felt the same strange rush of warmth as earlier that day.
Snake, Eagle and Robin sympathized with JB. Even though Wolf scared them with his glares on a daily basis, Alex was a completely new category in that hierarchy.
For one, she was a girl that had held her own against a top-notch assassin.
Two, she was furious and clearly out for blood.
Three, she knew how much power and strength she held and was not afraid to use it. Nobody wanted to ever voluntarily go against her if she was in such a mood.
They arrived at a well-lit mansion. Important people and their bodyguards milled around the extensive grounds. The river Elbe which could be seen from the house glittered in the moonlight. A few ships were cruising either way on the water.
Jason flashed the hostess a smile and introduced her to Alex aka Ms. Felicity Dibson.
The hostess appraised Alex shortly and then decided she was a good guest to show off with.
Multiple males turned their heads when Alex walked by. Some of them were older than her father which creeped her out.
Nonetheless she exuded something like a sweet perfume that made most of the attending men crazy.
It was as if she was a huntress and at the same she appeared as if she wanted to be hunted.
Jason smirked smugly and asked Snake to accompany him to get a drink. Robin and Wolf who couldn't really bear watching the next phase of the plan followed the two.
Eagle asked Alex for a dance. Just like they had planned.
The band played a slow, rich Jazz song.
Two thirds of the guests stared more or less subtly at the seemingly mismatched pair.
Alex allowed the soldier to put his callous hands around her waist, holding her close but not too close for comfort. She let her head rest on his chiseled chest, involuntarily breathing in his scent, a mixture of aftershave and clean.
They moved with the ease of two people who had practiced martial arts for a long time, light footed and graceful.
'To what lengths you go for a friend in need...', Alex thought.
Surprisingly, the whole dance was less awkward than anticipated. It felt astonishingly...nice to be held in Eagle's arms.
(So, stop here if you feel uncomfortable. Close your eyes and scroll down! (; )
The next dance was a fast-paced Latin one. Salsa. Just what Alex had waited for.
'I'm sorry, Ben.', a voice whispered in her head.
Eagle wasn't just chosen because he had a slight crush on Alex and would therefore look more natural in this role, but because he also danced the best of all the men. (His mother had made him take lessons early on because she wanted him out of her hair.)
Salsa happened to be his favorite, especially with a good partner.
Jason had secretly practiced with the teen spy, so she would pull this off perfectly in front of tonight's audience.
Eagle spun her out of his arms, surprisingly proficient for not having danced like this in 'ages'.
Yeah, right.
Alex followed gracefully, showing off her legs expertly.
Their bodies were perfectly in-synch.
One hundred percent attuned to each other.
The soldier's hands held her at her hips, moving in synch to the hypnotic fast music. She grew bold and snaked her arms around his neck. Even though she was still as tall as before the transformation and wore twelve cm/three inch-heels, he was still taller. (Another reason for choosing him.)
Their eyes swept over the crowd shortly.
Everyone was in position.
He spun her back around. She let him lead her.
Eagle had adopted a concentrated but genuine smile on his face.
She returned the smile, her heart beating a bit faster suddenly.
They were playing with the attention they were getting now because of their elegant performance.
This was just the cherry on top.
In another instinctive bout of boldness, Alex snaked her legs around his hips. He made her torso bend backwards, supporting her weight and balancing her with his arms.
Alex was showcasing her body at the fullest, she knew, using it as a bait for a fish sure to bite.
Jason watched them alongside three quite astonished SAS soldiers.
All of them wore a perfect expression of disbelief.
All four of them were unable to avert their eyes; there was a hypnotic quality to the dance they witnessed so astonishingly.
"If I had known she could dance like that, I wouldn't have given her any lessons.", the singer mumbled, more to himself than anyone else.
"If I had known he would take advantage of this situation so much, I would have left him with the Sergeant and Taipan.", Wolf grumbled.
That was the moment when Eagle made her bend backwards.
Their eye balls almost popped out.
Snake shook his head sadly. "We are so dead.", he muttered.
Ben was the most overprotective bodyguard ever, Jason remembered. 'Oh, hell yes. We are all gonna die!'
When they thought it couldn't get any worse, Alex bent back upwards and shamelessly left her legs were they were before, to lean down to her dance partner and kissed him.
And not exactly like you would kiss your brother either...
(Okay, you can look again!)
"Change of plans. I'll kill him myself.", Wolf growled.
JB grinned at that. "Overprotective much?", he mumbled under his breath.
Only Snake heard and grinned slightly, shaking his head.
"What the heck is she doing now?", bodyguard one asked. He had just found them amongst all the other people.
"Fe? She is dancing. I couldn't just let her bore herself to death, now could I?", Jason replied coolly.
"But he could be dangerous.", protested the bruised bodyguard.
The second his lips closed, they watched bewildered as a furious man punched Eagle.
Their jaws dropped when they recognized the mole.
Alex had warned them that she had suspicions and they wouldn't be happy when they were confirmed. (How she ever thought they'd be happy to learn who the traitor was remained a mystery to all of them.)
Before they could remember how to close their mouths, gun shots rang out, clearly heard over the music.
'Oh, f***!', Wolf thought.
They had company.
A lot of company.