Sometimes, I really hate TV writers. Especially when they let the perfect couple be perfect (falling in love, realizing it, marriage, ect.) then make them get divorced and shatter all that is good in the world. *Cough, cough HOUSE: Cameron and Chase cough, cough* You know, whatever. It's not like happiness is realistic, hence the reason that Striker will probably end up forever alone with fifty cats.

Wow, pity party there, sorry; long day. Thanks to my readers and reviewers!

Cammie's POV:

As expected, Macey's house in Dallas was about nine times larger than your average house (i.e. twice as big as a regular Texas-big house) in a classy neighborhood just outside of the city limits. It was one of those brick cookie cutter mansions that usually sold for somewhere in the neighbor of four million dollars.

We rode up to a formal wrought iron gate in the armored limo, waited while the guards checked the whole vehicle for who knows what, then drove up the long curved driveway before coming to a halt in front of the house.

We stepped out of the car and hustled from one air-conditioned space to another. The McHenry's foyer was grand of course, with rich white marble, luxurious dark woods, sky-high windows, and an antique chandelier that probably had fifty light bulbs and weighed more than a small horse.

Marching towards the stairwell, Macey didn't leave any time for gawking, however, "Hot showers and fresh clothes this way!"

Number of stairs we climbed: 32

Number of floors we went through: 3

Number of doors we past: 29

Number of hallways we went through: 8

Number of windows we past: 26

Number of maids we past: 4

Number of wings in the house: 6

"You'll be staying in the European wing, I thought you might feel more at home here, Alex," Macey was saying with a grand smile as she pulled the heavy double doors to one of the bedrooms open. The room looked like it had been torn from an English manor, complete with honey-colored paneling on the walls, a stunning canopy bed, and a silver tea service on an ottoman by the ornate fireplace.

"Wow," Alex said, taking the room in.

"We will meet back in the foyer in exactly one hour. Be dressed for dinner," Macey said, yanking me back into the hallway and closing the door behind us.

"You really think he can get back to the foyer? I'm a trained spy and I'm not sure I can get back there."

Macey waved away my concerns, pulling me down the hall at breakneck speed, "Irrelevant."

We wound our way around a few more corridors as Macey spoke, here eyes bright and excited, "You and Bex forgot to mention one very important fact about Alex Rider, young lady."

"What?"

"He's Hot. With a capital H."

After making me promise to spill every single little detail about Alex, Macey had left my in my beach resort themed (with a pool view) guest room to shower and change.

The whole bathroom was magnificent and when I saw the number of showerheads in the bathroom, I about cried. The hot shower relaxed me for the first time since this trip had started.

I was hardly worried about springing my plan of action of Alex anymore. Okay, so I'm lying there, it's a hazard of the job. But I really wasn't as worried as I had been.

Macey had left the totally gorgeous Nordstrom dress hanging in the closet along with an utterly delectable pair of silver Jimmy Choo's. The little black dress was short, tight and sexy, it totally screamed spy. The lacy bodice was daringly low and the silky bottom half wrapped tightly around my hips…not gonna lie here; I looked darn good in it.

Slipping my feet into the strappy heels, I sat down at bathroom mirror to do my makeup and fix my hair. A few waves of the curling iron and my hair shone and fell in soft waves down my back.

Satisfied with my overall look, I grabbed my phone and a cute little clutch from the closet and headed out to the hallway. I started towards the foyer, but changed my mind and turned around, heading for Alex's room. He was going to get lost and make us late, which would make Mace grouchy.

When I was sure I had the right room five minutes later, I knocked loudly and called, "Alex? Are you ready?"

When there was no answer, I got a little worried and reached for the door handle. Pulling it open just enough to peak into the room, I listened for the shower or the sound of someone getting dressed. When I didn't hear anything, I pushed the door open a little more and scanned the room.

There was a pile of dirty laundry on the floor next to the wardrobe and the bathroom door was open with the light on, but no one was in sight. When my eyes rested on the bed, I had to smile.

Alex was nestled down under the mattress, hair still wet, and fast asleep. I thought about waking him, at least I wanted him to see how nice I looked, but he looked so young and venerable and just plain tired I didn't have the heart. Walking into the room, I shut the bathroom light off ad threw the dirty clothes down the laundry chute. I paused at the bed for just a second, pulling up the blanket a little and brushing a stray curl from his forehead, "Sleep tight," I whispered.

As I was closing the door behind me, I swore I heard Alex say that I looked beautiful. More than likely, it was my imagination.

"You look good," Macey said, glancing up from her cell, "Where's Alex?"

"Asleep," I said, tugging at my skirt, "This dress is amazing…is it rude to inquire how much it cost?"

"Not rude at all, you're the curious kind. Only three eighty, on sale. So he's not coming?"

"Three hundred and eighty dollars?" I asked looking down at my dress. She nodded and I made a mental note to order something that would no stain this dress at any cost. I answered Macey's other question, "No, he's not coming. Girl's night out."

Macey cocked one her of perfect black eyebrows, "I'll be sure to tell Zach that you called him a girl."

"Zach's here?"

She nodded, "Bex is flying in tonight. Apparently, Alex made quite an impression on her too."

"Too?" I asked, slightly confused.

Motioning me to follow her, we headed out to the limo, "Well, either Zach lied to his superiors because he wanted to help Alex…or see you, I suppose."

"He lied to his superiors?"

"It's a long story," Macey said with a shrug, sliding into the limo before adjusting her short red dress, "He can give you all the gory details when we see him."

Settling in beside her, I tried to quell the butterflies rising in my stomach. Zach, Macey, Bex, and me…this could turn into an international fiasco. Not to mention what could happen between Zach and Alex over…well, I suppose you can guess.

Oh, the life of a spy.

Little bit of a filler, hence the interlude title, but say lovie. Yes, I know that's not how you spell that. I do happen to be in French 2…supposedly.

Love and Reviews Welcome.

~Striker