Muddled Tears

by Kiamii

Chapter Fourteen "Following Daddy"

Warning: Personality Glitches

Operation Supersonic is a mission I created. Sorry if it's a little dumb.

Alex was annoyed. Worse than annoyed or irritated, he was pissed. He wanted nothing more than to find Ben and punch him childishly in the shoulders repeatedly for leaving him. He hated this. He hated Ben. He hated K-Unit and everyone taking care of him. But most of all Alex hated himself. He hated that he was left alone by his adopted father by the same people who destroyed his life and that he was blaming Ben. He hated himself for hating Ben and for having to be childish. Alex just wished he could stop acting like a damn child 24-7 ever since Ben left. His uncles did not want to leave him with K-Unit and therefore Alex had to keep up the act. Tom was not allowed near him because his uncles didn't trust him either. Tony was even more mothering and suffocating than Ben could ever be! Worse was that Tony didn't seem to know how to tuck Alex in right at night. His storytelling was horrible and he always tried to give Alex a bath which embarrassed the poor boy.

Currently the former spy sat on his bed, a bag in front of him. Currently Tony was downstairs cooking while Zach had gone out to buy a few things. Alex stared long and hard at the backpack. It had been a week since he had last seen him... He nodded determinedly and slid off his bed. He padded to his dresser and changed into a pair of durable jeans and a black T-shirt. He slipped on his dark blue jacket and pulled a cap on his head. After tying his shoes on, he placed the rubix cube, crayola knife, toy truck, Lego pack, bubble blower, set of marbles, and leapfrog game into his backpack before grabbing his teddy bear. There was money that Alex had hidden into the secret pocket as well. Alex checked to make sure Tony was still downstairs before he took a breath and grabbed his bear. It had equipment it after all... He opened the window up and carefully slid out. He managed to grab hold of the tree and swung himself down. It took some careful maneuvering before Alex successfully got to the ground. He heard a car and ran straight into the bushes right as Zach pulled into the drive way.

Zach whistled as he walked up the sidewalk and entered the house. Alex breathed in relief and carefully got out of the bushes before he sneaked over to the other side of the house and took hold of his bike that Ben had purchased weeks ago for him. He hopped on and slowly began pedaling away from the house. It probably looked weird seeing a small boy of five riding a bike during almost nightfall. Alex carefully made sure he was not seen often as he rode his way to the Royal and General Bank. He bit his lip as he parked his bike behind a few bushes and pondered how he'd get in. That's when he found an exit in the back. It took some heavy pulling before Alex opened it up and paused as he spotted a guard glancing at Alex.

"What's yer name boy?" The guard grunted sternly.

"Alex Rider-Daniels. I'm here to see Mr. Smithers," Alex responded immediately and the guard pulled the phone to his ear and spoke his name to someone. There was a long pause as someone spoke to the guard before he reluctantly gave him access to the back elevator of MI6. Alex smiled and got in. He pushed the button for the 13th floor and stood back as the elevator took him to his destined place. Only one person entered and Alex made sure he didn't really notice him, but he came to a halt. One problem Alex faced was one Jake Meares stepping inside. Jake paused as the door closed, spotting his coworker's son. He blinked.

"Alex?" Jake asked in surprise as he peered at the little boy in puzzlement.

"Hello," Alex said shyly, pulling on the child act.

"Why're you here? Your dad is on a mission, isn't he?" Jake said.

"I'm visiting Mr. Smithers because he asked for me. He wants me to go alone." Alex said, making his tone sound more innocent. Jake 'seemed' to buy it, though he sighed. He knelt down in front of Alex. Alex then knew instantly that Jake did not buy that whatsoever and in fact looked like he knew exactly what Alex was planning.

"You're not going after Ben." Jake said seriously that it took Alex by surprise. He looked into the man's eyes and frowned, completely dropping the childish act as Agent Rider took over.

"I am." Alex said with a firm expression, daring him to deny him. Jake stood back up with an apprehensive face before he sighed heavily.

"You're a brave kid, Alex." Jake murmured before he held out his hand to Alex, "but you're going to need a little help getting to Ben." Alex looked at him, glad they were alone in the elevator, before taking the hand into his tiny one. Jake promptly let go of Alex's hand and turned around to eye the door. It only took a moment before he walked out with Alex hot on his heels. Jake began fishing around for his ID and slid it into a card access. He opened the door and pushed Alex a little into the room. Alex looked around the familiar place and heard the jolly boom of Smithers.

"Alex, my boy! Oh-ho and Jake Meares." Smithers greeted. Jake flushed a little before returning his neutral mask into place. Smithers began bustling around the room, adding little fixes to certain machines before facing Alex with his undivided attention. Jake realized that Alex was much more smarter than any child he had seen. He seemed to have the aura of a trained agent, which reminded Jake of a teenage boy he had seen walking down these halls months ago... His name was Riddle? No... Rhyme? Nah that wasn't it... Jake turned his attention back just in time to hear Alex.

"I need to go." Alex said seriously to Smithers. The elderly man looked at Alex with a blank stare before he nodded, his expression a little sad.

"Right... Your father is currently marked as MIA considering he has been gone for more than 72 hours. His mission was simple, but it became complicated. I'm assuming Agent Meares will be escorting you and acting as a disguise?" Smithers inquired. Jake nodded immediately. He'd risk his life to keep his best friend's son from getting killed. He knew he couldn't really stop Alex from going. He wanted to find Ben himself.

"The mission was dubbed Operation Supersonic. Currently a man named Kirill Ivanov, a rather formative man, was seen holding a numerous amount of fundraisers via different organizations that I believe he owns now. Ben was sent to investigate the man and see why the fundraisers were set up. After a few of... Agent Rider's," Here Smithers had an ironic grin while Jake blinked, finally recalling the name. He supposed Smithers grinned because Agent Rider's full name was Alex Rider. How weird, "latest missions, we've been suspicious of rich men with wide events. To make matter's worse. We traced Kirill Ivanov back to the point... He is Yassen Gregorvich's cousin." Alex's eyes grew wide, luckily unseen by Jake who listened intently. Wasn't Gregorvich that infamous assassin? He shuddered.

"Now, Ben was sent to Ivanov's location in Sikhote Alin, Russia. But he was taken and transported to Texas, USA. We have no knowledge of why, but his call for help via a gadget was the one that picked up the signal for us. Now for the gadgets. For both of you, a waterproof cellphone with a Razer and sleeping gas. It's an iPhone and the apps will do different functions. The Tap Tap Revolution game displays any bugs within the area. The Cooking MaMa one turns on the Razer. The Mario game turns on the sleeping gas. All other apps, including the Tap Tap Revolution 3 are safe. The next is for you Jake, a simple hand gun with a few added features that I'm sure you're accustomed to. The final being is a stun grenade key chain for the both of you." Smithers set the items in front of them and they packed it up, Jake putting it in his pockets. Smithers pulled another bag that looked like Ben's out.

"This is a replica to Ben's bag for you Jake. It simply holds a way to find Alex as long as that backpack is with his." Smithers explained. He offered them a grin and fished out two plan tickets and passports. Jake blinked and felt a little relieved that he didn't have to pose Alex as his son, only as his younger brother. He felt like he would be doing a great injustice to Alex if he had to take the father role.

"Alright... You're plane is due in two hours. You best be going before Mrs. Jones or Alan Blunt comes down here." Smithers told them. The two nodded and Jake put the bag on before he picked up Alex. The boy, used to this, slipped his arms around the man's neck and let him carry Alex out of the bank. It had been faster considering people thought nothing of a man carrying a little boy. Jake sat Alex down in the back of his car and got in the driver's seat.

"No car seat," Jake commented dryly, "but I doubt that would be our greatest worry right now."

"Thanks." Alex said with a soft smile. Jake smiled back before he turned on the key and began to drive the two of them to the airport. Jake didn't know how to explain it, but he felt he needed to take Alex on this mission. There was the compelling feeling to do so, even though Jake knew how dangerous a situation he was putting a little boy in. He glanced in his rear view mirror and saw Alex looking out the window with a determined, wistful look. This only set Jake to continue forth, shaking his head to clear any doubt surfacing to his mind. Alex leaned back in the seat, wondering how his adopted uncles were reacting to finding him missing... They probably would have called K-Unit soon... Alex sighed, shrugging off Jake's concerned look. They reached the destined airport minutes later and Alex asked why Jake hadn't gone home to get a bag. Jake simply responded by unbuckling Alex and revealing the overnight bag that he admitted to keeping in his car for when he got drunk.

"Drinking is bad," Jake said lamely at the last minute, "so... Don't - Ah who am I kidding. When you get into high school, careful where you drink." Alex laughed outright at Jake's admitted truth. The man grinned lazily at me and grabbed Alex's small hand into his own. Alex clenched the teddy bear in his hands tightly before the two agents walked into the airport. Jake handed over the tickets and displayed the passports before they boarded. Jake whistled as he found that Smithers had given them first class. It was easier to have anything considering Jake had a child with him and wouldn't be suspected. He sat down and helped Alex buckle his own seat belt. A flight attendant came over to them, absolutely doting on Alex.

"Can I get you anything sir? Oh and what a cute little boy! Is he your son?" She cooed. Jake had a hard time covering his grin at that.

"He's my little brother. A cup of coffee for me and a glass of juice for him, if you don't mind?" He said after some thinking. Alex looked put out at having juice, to Jake's amusement.

"No problem at all! Are you sure you wouldn't want a coloring book to keep the little one occupied?" She suggested, her fingers looking like they itched to pinch Alex's chubby cheeks. Alex didn't particularly have chubby cheeks, but being a child made them... er... pinchable. Alex looked over at Jake, pleading him not to. The look made Jake nearly laugh loudly, but he held it in.

"You could if you want. Can you also bring a blanket for him?" Jake offered. She seemed delighted at the idea and went off to fetch the items. Alex glared at the man, his cheeks blushing.

"I take it Ben doesn't coddle you like his brothers?" Jake said slyly. Alex looked down, nodding. Jake smiled softly. He had done that to see how much Ben suffocated the little boy with affection and spoiling. Apparently Alex was adjusting to his life nicely and Ben had done a good job. Jake remembered seeing Alex flinch a lot when he was touched and was pretty impressed noticing how Alex no longer did so, though he always had that wary look in his eyes when someone moved near him. Alex turned his attention to fiddling with his soft bear before the lady returned, placing the drinks in the cup holders, placing a tray down with a coloring book and box of crayons, before resting the blanket next to Alex. She looked at him with an adored look before insisting they call for him if they needed anything. As she left, Jake pulled the coloring book over to Alex and the boy glared a little before deciding to give in and look through it. He found that it was a Harry Potter one at the very least and he chose to have a little fun, since this flight would be a very long one indeed.

Author's Note: If you want to know, personality glitches are a general term my friends and I use when one of us is stuck using a character (being an actor) for so long that when you attempt acting your real self you tend to sport the characteristics of the former character. Because I'm so organized in this story, the current date in this chapter is March 12, 2010. Last chapter the date was March 8, 2010. So this is how long Ben has been gone. I hope the fact that he is coming to Texas is amusing, because it's my home state! Lol I hope you like this chapter. Review so I know I'm not wasting my time! Hehe. I hope Jake isn't too bad in this chapter.