Day 0:

Alex was on his final lap when he spotted the figure on the bench near the park entrance. He repressed a sigh and slowed down. Almost 2 years of working together meant he would know him anywhere even with his normal dark brown hair bleached sandy blonde.

"Hey, Dad." Alex greeted warmly

"Hey, kid. You finished up?" The man stood and folded the newspaper, sliding it under his arm, ever the picture of the patient father waiting on his son to burn some energy.

"Yeah, you know you don't have to wait on me. It's a run around the park, nothing's gonna happen." He returned as they headed for the nearby park exit.

"You're a trouble magnet." Ben said with more seriousness than the ruse called for but ruffled his sweaty hair affectionately. One look at the car park told him exactly where they were going. It was still early so there weren't many choices but it was obvious Smithers had found out that Ben was picking Alex up. The man always gave them the best rides, if a little flashy, for no discernible reason other than to see the smile on Alex's face when he went to visit

"And who do you think I get that from" Alex teased, walking around to the passenger's side and slid into the leather interior.

As soon as he shut the door Ben rounded on him "That's the cover you pick? I don't even look old enough to be your Dad, I would have been 10!"

"That's been our cover 4 times and no one's even blinked once."

"That's because Smithers added gray to my hair 'for distinction'."

"I would argue that I've contributed more gray to your hair than Smithers has."

"You're not wrong." Ben groused as he shifted the car in gear and pulled out. "Home then work?"

"Yeah, I'd appreciate the chance to change. I'm sure you would appreciate it too." Ben sniffed pointedly and Alex rolled his eyes. Such a drama queen. "Any idea what we're going in for?"

"They told me it was a rush mission and to get you in as soon as possible."

Alex tensed "Maybe we should head straight there then..."

"It's fine, we can play the 'teenagers sleep in' angle."

"Ben, I have two tails every time I go running, I think they know."

"Why don't you sleep in like a normal teenager?"

"You know the answer to that, Dad." Deflection and humor - two of his unhealthy coping mechanisms according to the shrink Jones had negotiated him into seeing in exchange for having Ben as his partner and primary contact instead of Crawley. It was worth it if, for no other reason, that it made things a lot smoother with Mrs. Bedfordshire who Ben had charmed easily saying he was Alex's social worker. Not that he was the best steward of the title, he had, on more than one occasion, pulled him out of school for the sole purpose of taking him somewhere to relax for an afternoon. Alex couldn't really bring himself to be all that mad about it, the tutors Jones provided had gotten him caught up enough to stay in the top form. Besides, a little time off was healthy, especially when it didn't involve MI6.

Ben just rolled his eyes "How's your summer been so far?"

"We're only 2 weeks into it and this is the first time I've seen you, so good."

"I'm hurt, Alex, really I am."

"You chose to be the harbinger of bad news so I don't want to hear it."

"I can ask Jones to send Crawley instead, you two always had such a good relationship."

"At least Crawley didn't talk."

"He also didn't get you a nice ride so maybe you should shut up and appreciate the hospitality."

"Don't take credit for Smithers' work."

"Who do you think asks Smithers?"

"Someone who enjoys a nice ride as much as I do." Alex said with a smirk as Ben parallel parked in front of the house. "You're welcome in if you'd like to wait inside."

"I have to place a few calls so I'll wait out here. Try not to take as long as you normally do…" he was cut off by the sound of a slamming door. Ben was such a nag.

Ben knocked politely on Jones' door half an hour later having purposefully cut Alex off from strolling in like he usually did. Alex wasn't entirely sure whether Jones had tasked the man with teaching him some manners and decorum but it honestly wouldn't surprise him. Ben hadn't gotten Alex to call her 'Mrs. Jones' yet so he still got to hold on to some of his teenage rebellion even in the face of Ben's repeated admonishments.

The woman had been talking with another man in a well fitting if unremarkable business suit. Alex quickly sized him up. He had the bearing of a former soldier and the haircut to match. He was fit but not overly so and carried himself with an air of importance that made Alex narrow his eyes unconsciously in disgust.

"Agent Rider, Agent Daniels, please have a seat."

Ben shut the door and took the seat next to the one that Alex had thrown himself into. It was always good to put on a show for company. Odds were Alex was either going to be partnered with the man or, more likely, loaned out to him. He'd rather get a feel now if he was smart enough to listen to Jones and take him seriously. From the sneering upturn of his lip, the answer was no.

"Agent Rider, this is Mr. Marshall, head of MI5. They will be running an operation and have need of your unique skills."

"Which skills are those?" he already knew the answer but making things easy for Tulip was never his strong suit.

"Your age, for one." the woman slid a file across the desk "This is Aria Sharpova, daughter of real estate mogul Ivan Sharpova. Recently, there have been some attempts on her life that were narrowly thwarted before she was pulled out of school. The attempts have ceased for now and while we have suspects into who is after him, Mr. Sharpova would like a firm answer so he can negotiate. Whoever the assassins are, they are not going after him, so we have to bait them with her. As I'm sure you can imagine, your prior training will be of use in ensuring she remains safe."

Prior training. Right. Is that what they were calling his time at Malagosto now? He could practically feel Ben's curiosity. Time to move them past that "And her father's okay with that?"

"He is confident in MI5s ability to keep her safe." Marshall interjected. This was going to be a long assignment. He was only comforted by the fact that the man likely thought himself too important to oversee it directly.

He kept his eyes focused on Jones "His daughter will be attending the residential portion of her Duke of Edinburgh Program, I believe you are familiar?"

He was. Ian had pushed the program heavily - leadership, volunteering, and self reliance were all traits his Uncle encouraged and had enrolled him as early as he could. Alex had just gotten his silver before his death. Residential had been the last thing he had needed for the award but he couldn't justify 5 days away from school and couldn't guarantee that he would be given it over breaks with MI6 at his heels. After a while it hadn't really crossed his mind until Tom had joined up and now it was a constant spot of frustration. Hearing about it so much from Tom after being unable to complete it himself due to his work rubbed a little salt in the wound, if unintentionally. He was sure if he asked, Jones could have qualified a heavily edited mission for the program but now it looked like he didn't need to ask. "Her program is a small youth leadership summit being held at a hotel in Brighton. You are to keep an eye out and be the last line of defense should something happen."

"Who's my handler?"

Jones nodded to Ben who smiled softly "Where you go, I go, Alex"

Sometimes he really did love the man. He had not been looking forward to dealing with some schmuck from 5 who didn't take his warnings seriously. It was the whole reason he had requested Ben as a partner in the first place. Ben did sometimes get caught up in Alex's teenage cover and he didn't always act on Alex's intuitions but he always listened and that's really all he could ask for.

"Agent Daniels will be posing as an instructor on teamwork." Alex stifled a derisive snort but Ben seemed to sense it and shot him a sharp look. "Your details and the flash drive with the presentation materials are in the file."

"How many kids will be there exactly?" If this was a big meetup his job was going to be infinitely difficult.

Marshall took the question "There are 18 attendees, well, 19 now. Their dossiers are in the file. You will be placed in a small group of 4 with her and your room will be next to hers. This program is typically reserved for upper class participants who don't want to get their hands dirty in a traditional residential project." Marshall would disapprove of that and frankly Alex would agree, it was convenient for this mission but kind of defeated the purpose of the program.

"An old friend has graciously offered to help with your cover, you will be David Sprintz, younger brother of James. You're a little old to be finishing the program so we opted for a fiction rather than taking on his identity. He has a similar reputation to James should you need to take some questionable actions in support of the assignment."

"Why not create a new identity?"

"The program starts tomorrow and you will have enough on your mind without having to juggle an unfamiliar identity. None of the participants have met James and their families do not run in the same circles as his so you will have leeway. Smithers has the social media updated as well as everything you will need for your disguise." Jones dismissed

"Wait" he interrupted. This was a stupid idea, a really stupid idea, but he had to ask. "Can I talk to you Mrs. Jones?"

She arched an eyebrow but was cut off before she could ask why "If it's about the mission it's my op so I will need to be here for it."

Damn. Alright, time to tank his credibility. "There's another spot open at the summit, it's supposed to have an even number of participants to work."

"Ideally, yes." She nodded

"Tom, my friend, needs a residential project and couldn't find one for this year and he's going into trade school in the fall. Can he fill the spot?"

"You're sure you want him in the middle of this?"

"He would be in no more danger than any other participants, I trust MI5 to keep them safe." He echoed the man's words which was probably a bad idea given he was asking a favor. "Besides I would be as far away from him as I can be. I don't want him to know I'm there."

"Unfortunately we would need him in your group solely because we know he's not a threat. We can't exactly rule teenagers out as potential actors."

"Fine, but he doesn't know who I am."

"That would be acceptable." Jones nodded

"You can't be agreeing with this." Marshall huffed

"I'm not. You are if you want to use my agent."

"He's obviously not taking this seriously."

"I assure you, Sam, Alex is very serious about his job. I know you do not have the clearance level to access his full file but I can assure you his record is spotless and his qualifications, particularly for this kind of assignment, are extensive." Well that made it clear what Jones' opinion of Marshall was.

"This is ridiculous, bringing an attachment on mission is not allowed."

That was news, from what he had gathered his Uncle had done it quite often. A side look from Jones acknowledged as much. "Alex does not ask for many things in exchange for his service. A friend attending a youth conference is not unusual or an undue burden, especially when the organizers wanted to pull in another participant already. At least this way it is a known entity."

"Fine." The man growled then looked to Alex "You better be as good as she says you are."

He was saved from answering by Ben who stood "He is, sir." He picked up the files off the desk "Mrs. Jones" he nodded and left, Alex trailing behind him.

As soon as the door shut Ben turned to Alex "This is a bad idea."

"I know but I had to ask, Tom was devastated when he couldn't get into one."

"You're a good friend" Ben affirmed in that patient tone that meant Alex had done something unmistakably his age. "but you should not mix friends and work."

"What about you Ben?" He asked hesitantly. Ian hadn't exactly been a good example with this kind of thing. Mainly because Ian didn't have friends.

"Making friends at work is fine. Just be careful that you don't let him distract you. I would hate to prove Marshall right."

"I've messed up the op already, haven't I?" Alex sighed as they climbed into the lift.

"No you haven't. It's a little more complicated, sure, but things always are around you." Alex winced and Ben rested a hand comfortingly on his shoulder "You know I will always have your back, Alex. If anything comes up we'll figure it out."

Alex flashed him a grateful smile. Being his partner wasn't easy, Alex knew that. It must be hard for the man to switch between respecting his extensive experience in the field and handling the unpredictable glimpses of naïveté caused by his age. He did a good job of it, though, without coming across as condescending. Most of the time.

They stepped into the gadgeteer's workshop cautiously, most agents knew better than to stroll in confidently. Smithers was protective of his work and had a rather ingenious if painful security system. Failed experiments were also a possibility. Best to be alert. Not that they had anything to fear, the man was beaming at them from in front of a small table where a few gadgets were laid out.

"Smithers" Alex smiled "Thank you for the ride, it's incredible"

"Anything for you, old bean. Unfortunately, I can't be of much help for this mission given the short deadline. I mainly had to pick through some of my old stock from when you started - so I have some metal eating acne cream, a Globe key ring that doubles as a smoke bomb - just turn it three times and throw - and a watch with the standard features as well as a direct communication to Agent Daniels' when you hold the side button. otherwise you have the updated phone still?"

"Yes, sir."

"Still have all of your tranquilizers?"

"Yes, sir"

"Excellent, there isn't much else I can do for you on this gadget wise. Disguises provided your wardrobe" he indicated to the bag sitting next to the table. "Standard kit for you, Ben, unfortunately, you're not as exciting as Alex."

"So true" Alex murmured and dodged the elbow the man struck playfully out

"What about that extra special thing we discussed, Smithers?"

"Oh! Of course!" he waddled over to a shelf and dug through before pulling out something made of Velcro and cloth and set it with his gadgets

Alex studied it then his eyes widened "I'm getting a gun?" Maybe working with 5 wouldn't be so bad. Jones still refused to arm him despite knowing full well he was trained. He didn't want to shoot anyone but knowing that he didn't necessarily have to rely on his hand to hand combat skills would be nice. Ben's combat knife present from last year excluded.

"You're not." Ben stated plainly and Alex shot him a confused look "not from 5 or 6 at least, you're getting one of my guns. Jones said you're the last line of defense and with your luck something's going to get by. I've been in the range with you, so I know your Uncle taught you to shoot, I'd prefer you not scar all the kids by shooting someone in front of them but I trust your judgment. If anyone finds out, I lose my job and you go back to Crawley so be smart about it?"

"Thanks, Ben." He turned back to Smithers as he started to collect his gadgets and bag. "Thank you too, you didn't have to do this" he said, holding up the cloth

"Anything I can do to help. It's ultra lightweight but it's designed to loop around the belt in the back and be worn under the jeans. It should be discreet enough for you to get by.

He threw the likely hideously expensive leather duffel over his shoulder and favored the man with a smile "Thanks again for the help, Smithers. I'll stop by after to tell you how you saved my life this time."

"See that you do, Ben does not tell the stories half as well as you do," Alex imagined he didn't. Mainly because Alex used his gadgets when everything went to hell and Ben was usually angry at seeing the 'stupid, reckless, and self destructive' lengths Alex would go to in order to accomplish the mission. He imagined that frustration came across quite clearly in subsequent retellings.

Ben for his part just rolled his eyes and turned towards the door with a long suffering sigh, Alex shared a final smile with Smithers and followed his partner out of the room.

Tom was practically vibrating with excitement as he pedaled down the road, phone held up to his ear. Pick up pick up pick up.

"Rider."

"Mate, you'll never believe it!"

"Believe what?" He swerved to avoid a woman pushing a pram, ignoring her vicious glare

"I got in, a spot in a residential project opened up!"

"That's great, Tom, when is it?"

"Tomorrow" he said hesitantly, they had planned a week long movie marathon. He didn't want to blow Alex off, it was rare enough that he was home for that long, but he had to do this.

"Rather sudden, isn't it?" there was a smile in Alex's voice that relaxed him.

"You're not mad?"

"Mate, do you even know how many times I've taken off and left you without a call? No I'm not mad, I'm really happy for you. I know this means a lot to you."

Alex had no idea how much it meant. Getting out of the house for 4 nights was a mercy. Summer was always the worst because he didn't have homework as an excuse to get away and he could only stay at Alex's for a few nights before he started to feel guilty at being a burden. His other friends from school would let him come over every once in a while if it got really bad. Alex was the only one who had given him a key and the codes just in case he was gone. But this...this was a no strings attached 5 day stay in Brighton.

"I wish you could come, I know it's the only thing you had left." He said somewhat guiltily. Alex had been good about Tom's interest in D of E. He had given him all of the contacts from when he had gone through and even let him copy some of his papers. When Tom had gotten stuck in Silver he had encouraged him to see his career counselor for motivation. He was glad he did, the award hadn't seemed to be important once he made the decision to go into trade instead of college but apparently some of the old welders and HR types really liked to see it on a CV as a sign of dependability. It could give him the boost he needed to get a good contract right out of training.

"No worries," Alex brushed it off quickly, not sounding the least bit bothered, "what's the project?"

"Some youth leadership conference in Brighton."

"How're you getting over there?"

"They're picking up another participant at the airport and then we'll drive over."

"Nice."

"Yeah, only problem is it's a bunch of rich kids. I'm one of the scholarship students to make it more 'inclusive'."

"Been there before, want to come over and see if you can fit into some of the stuff I've brought home from work?" He hadn't even thought of that. His parents weren't rich and he had nice clothes but compared to everyone else he'd look like a charity case.

"What is this? A bloody girl's slumber party?" He teased

"Your call, mate. I've dealt with kids like that at work. You're gonna want to fit in, I promise."

Alex was being serious because of course he was. "You're a good friend."

"You don't make it easy, now get over here and bring a good movie. I'll order pizza."

"I just pulled up." He swung his bike against the short fence, locking it just as a glossy black Aston Martin pulled up to the curb.

"Me too." Alex said then hung up. Tom couldn't see anything through the tinted windows but after a minute or so of waiting Alex stepped out holding a stack of files

"Wicked, mate, who's that?"

"Someone from the bank, wanted to go over my college work study arrangement. Again."

"Not happy you're wanting to get a degree from uni?" He asked, shadowing his friend as he unlocked the door and turned off the alarms.

"They get it, but my age is an advantage and it does have a time limit so they want to use it as much as they can now."

"You know they could write your degree for you without you doing any work."

"I want to earn it, Tom," he said as he sailed into what had been Ian's office and began working on opening the safe "Besides, fat lot of good that would do me in 3 years when '6 kicks me to the curb because the villain of the week started cutting before they started talking for once."

"Fucking dark, mate."

"Life's a dark place." Alex shrugged, tossing the files in and slamming it shut, spinning the dial. "Now, let's get you fixed up so you can actually enjoy yourself there."

"I can't believe you're going to play dress up with me."

"I'll expect a call thanking me tomorrow." Alex said drolly.

"You sure you don't want to invite Vanessa and Roxie over for this, I'm sure they'd love to get into your drawers."

"I thought they hated me, you know, like everyone else" Alex wasn't wrong, the rumors had only gotten more vicious over the years, even with Alex getting his marks back up.

"You still have the 'bad boy' cool factor going for you."

"Felt like that stopped once I put what's his name in the hospital." There was a twinge of regret in his voice.

"Blake Hartley." He didn't deserve Alex's regret. None of them did, really. Last year things had started escalating into physical violence as their classmates began to grow taller and stronger and wanted someone to test it on. Alex was a natural target with all the rumors about him. He either didn't fight back or, worse, was caught by surprise and retaliated with a brutal, cold efficiency that usually required a visit to the A and E for the attacker and a trip to the bank for Alex. "He's fine, by the way, in case you were trying to feel guilty about it, which you shouldn't."

"He had 3 surgeries on his arm, Tom, yeah, I feel a little guilty."

"He deserved it for trying to sucker punch you at lunch."

"He didn't know." Alex said softly "and I should have been more aware of my surroundings. That would've gotten me killed in the field."

Tom sighed, this was not a good topic for Alex and it was one that he would never convince him of. He needed a distraction and there was one thing that always worked - giving him a chance to help "So you gonna beat yourself up or are you gonna give me a crash course in fitting in with uppity twats?"

Alex looked up, with a ghost of a smile "Sure, bit of a science to it, really."

"If that's the case I'm gonna need that pizza you promised."

"Fine. I'll order, you start going through my closet. There should be some clothes left over from a few of my covers in the back left corner."

"Sounds good, mate" he smiled and disappeared up the stairs. College would be good for Alex. He would get a fresh start and he deserved that. Tom just hoped they would stay close.