Happy (belated) Easter everyone!

I'm thinking of doing a collection of interconnected one-shots with Alex as an adult and focusing on his relationships and the importance of support networks.

The title of this little series is based off Never Walk Alone by Hillsong Worship.

Hope you enjoy!

Oh, and I don't own Alex Rider, I'm not Anthony Horowitz, I repeat it was not my idea to force a 14-year-old boy to become a spy! haha

When Tom told Daniela he wanted her to meet his best friend (finally), he was the last person she was expecting.

In fact, had she known, she would have likely made an excuse about a sore tooth or needing to work late. Her psych evaluation was tomorrow, and she needed to get her head in the game so she could be done with desk duty. Lives were depending on her. Tom's life was depending on her.

The first thing that set off warning bells was the fact that the hotel was frequently used by members of her organisation for meetings with high-ranking officials and Members of Parliament. Not just anyone could make a reservation.

For a moment she wondered if Tom wasn't actually a chemistry teacher, but in fact one of those such people, however she quickly discarded the idea. She'd done a thorough background check on him after meeting him at, of all places, Agent Daniels' wedding over three years ago where she was helping with security.

Tom had been kind enough to get her a non-alcoholic apple cider (she needed her wits about her in case there was trouble) and, after Agent Taylor had relieved her from her post, they had a long chat. She was surprised, given his extensive understanding of the global political climate, to find he was the Science Coordinator at Parkside International College, just a few minutes from where she lived. Daniela discovered that he knew Ben through a very good mutual friend who had unfortunately been unable to attend the wedding. The same mutual friend she was about to meet.

The coat checker took her and Tom's coats and Daniela was surprised that her fiancé knew the man by name.

'I trust you can find your way Mr Harris?' the attendant asked.

'Craig, how many times must I tell you, it's just Tom, Thomas if you absolutely must, and yes I believe I can, have a lovely evening,' he said, smiling.

Tom led her through to a secluded area that was curtained off. She had never been to this part of the restaurant before and her mind was buzzing with questions and theories. Or perhaps it was just another migraine coming on.

A man at an elevated table rose to meet them. She realised they were the only people there.

'Good evening, Ms Morton,' the man said smiling warmly. He looked vaguely familiar. That's what set of the bells again. In her line of work coincidences did not exist.

She however, managed to quickly pull herself together.

'Please, it's Daniela, or Dani. Good evening Mr…?'

'Alex, just Alex is fine,' he said shaking her hand. It wasn't too firm, nor too soft. Her neck prickled.

Either this man was completely harmless, and her instincts were going haywire as they had been for the past month, or this was a very skilled, and very dangerous, man.

The fact that he seemed so completely ordinary immediately kicked her bran into overdrive. No one was that openly readable. It was too easy. She wasn't being paranoid… right? She fought to quell those thoughts reminding herself of the evaluation tomorrow.

'Tom, old mate, come here!' The two men embraced tightly and Tom wiped away a tear as they separated.

'Still sentimental I see, very good,' Alex laughed.

Tom punched his friend's arm.

'You try putting up with yourself for once. It's exhausting I tell you. See these grey hairs? They appeared long before I was a teacher you know!'

Alex sobered up a bit but smiled when he saw the waiter coming.

'The usual I presume, Alex?' the man asked.

'Yes, thanks old chap,' Alex said, smiling.

'And I suppose you'll be wanting your usual Tom?' the waiter asked, somewhat glumly.

'You can never go wrong with a good ol' pepperoni pizza, Jamie,' Tom said with a grin.

Daniela rolled her eyes.

'And what can I get for you Ms Morton?'

She wasn't surprised he knew her name, it was their job to know. She was, however, uneasy to learn that Tom was indeed a frequent visitor, as she had suspected.

'What would you recommend?

Jamie brightened.

'Well, there's a hearty beef stew, a gourmet pumpkin risotto and the chef's special tonight is sizzling garlic prawns.'

'I'll have the stew, thank you Jamie.'

'And what would you all like to drink?'

'A lemon-lime bitters would be perfect for me, thanks Jay,' said Alex.

Daniela was surprised, yet again, when Tom asked for the same. He was always up for a beer. She decided to have a lemon-lime bitters too. There was obviously something going on and she wanted a clear head for it, and for tomorrow.

'Perfect, your drinks will arrive in three minutes and dinner shall be served at 20:15.'

Daniela nodded appreciatively, those in her line of work appreciated a tight schedule, as did Alex apparently who thanked him.

'So have you chosen your dress yet?' Alex asked.

'My sister is actually studying fashion so she insisted I let her make it for me. It's almost ready.'

'Finally!' Tom said before looking at Alex, 'You have no idea how many times I've been kicked out of their house for fittings and alterations. I was starting to think Olivia straight up didn't like me.'

Daniela laughed.

'She just wants to blow her soon-to-be-big-brother away,' she reassured.

'Does she make a lot of other outfits for you?' Alex asked.

'Only for birthdays or Christmas, and that was mainly before she started her degree. She's far too busy with assignments and her small business to be making me things.'

The drinks arrived and while Tom and Alex took a sip of theirs Daniela decided she couldn't wait anymore.

'I have been wondering about something,' she said tentatively.

'Oh?' Alex said, infuriatingly nonchalantly.

'Yes, you see, Tom and I have been dating for three years and engaged for nearly one, and yet he only recently mentioned you,' she tried to say it casually but she was too invested in the reason why that it came as an accusation.

'That is curious,' Alex said looking up at Tom who was looking back at him with a puzzled expression.

Then Alex turned his gaze to her and there was a hardness. Internally she was doing a little dance, knowing that she was getting somewhere. She'd struck a nerve.

'I mean, you certainly seem to know each other well, since Tom wants you to be his best man and all, and he did say you've been friends since you were kids-'

'And yet you're puzzled because no matter how hard you've searched you haven't been able to dig up anything on me have you?' his tone was calm. There was no edge, just authority and… a hint of sadness?

Her heart rate was quickening.

'Daniela,' he began gently, 'I don't think Tom's the only one that's been keeping secrets.'

She glanced at Tom who was watching the two of them through furrowed eyebrows.

'You're about to get married.' For the first time Daniela noticed a gold band on Alex's left ring finger. Although she had a sneaking suspicion it was because it hadn't been there until a few seconds ago.

'You can't hide the truth forever. Believe me, he finds a way to get it out of you no matter how hard you fight,' he said laughing fondly.

'Take it from someone who knows. Life's better when you share your burdens. And if anyone's going to understand, it's Tom,' he said firmly but with such… warmth.

'I trust you to take good care of Tom, though he'll insist, as always, that he doesn't need it. He's my oldest friend and a brother to me, and you're about to become my sister. We need to be able to trust each other, which is why I'll go first.'

Daniela was a bit confused about the direction this was heading.

'My name is Alex Rider.'

Daniela's jaw dropped.

There was no way. But it made perfect sense.

Tom being at the bank three weeks ago. Tom's state-of-the-art security system. Tom's knowledge about the goings on in the shadier parts of society. The hidden table they were seated at.

Daniela realised Tom was staring at her.

'You know who Alex Rider is.' It was a statement, not a question.

She nodded slowly.

'So, either you're a 'banker' or one of the 'robbers'. Since you haven't tried to escape yet and Alex isn't making a move to detain you, I take it you're the former?'

Daniela thought the analogy was a bit off, but she nodded anyway with a small, guilty smile.

'Makes sense,' he said with a shrug.

Daniela was stunned once again.

'You aren't mad? You don't want to storm out and scream 'how dare you keep this from me?''

Tom just laughed.

'Alex wasn't kidding when he said I would understand. I've been through a lot worse with him. And anyway, if Alex thinks you're okay, especially after combing through every sliver of personal data and your performance on every assignment and probably checking your DNA,' Alex rolled his eyes at that, 'then your good.'

'But more importantly,' Tom said, taking her hand, 'I love you. I know you. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what Alex thinks, unless he found out you worked for SCORPIA or something-' Daniela did a double-take, how much did he know about Alex's missions?

'-I trust you Dani,' he said looking deep into her eyes. It was as though he was seeing all the terrible things she'd done but more than that, seeing through it to her heart, the heart that longed for peace, joy, hope, justice and love.

'And I need you to know that you can trust me.'

There were tears in her eyes as Daniela nodded and gave a wobbly smile.

Then remembering she was in the company of a top agent she quickly sobered.

Wiping away her tears she turned to Alex and said 'I promise I'm not usually this emotional-'

'Hey, none of that,' Alex said handing her a handkerchief.

'You may think I'm some 'indestructible superspy', but you should know by now that this business is nothing like the movies.'

Daniela let out a wet chuckle.

'Tom knows it too. He's had to drive me to physiotherapy, to funerals of fellow agents, to my psychiatrist. He's seen me through my darkest hours. He's seen it all. There's nothing you can throw at him that he wouldn't catch and help you deal with. Life's better together Dani. And if there is ever anything you really can't talk about with him, or you need help to, I'm here.'

'You don't have to do this all on your own, Dani. This stuff's too heavy to carry alone, so why even try?' Tom said.

She looked at both Tom and Alex and took their hands.

'Thank you.'

For the first time since she joined MI6, Daniela felt just a little bit lighter.

'You don't have to do this all on your own, this fragile life that you hold is too heavy to carry alone so why even try?'

~ Why even try? Colony House

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2