Hey so I reread this story and it sort of sucked. So I've started rewriting it and have begun posting it over on Ao3, same name but my username is Prankstar. I'll post it here once it's completely done but haven't decided if I'll post it as a new story or replace this one. Obviously, you can read this version if you like but the other one is better.

A/N hey everyone. Okay so this is my first Alex Rider fic, so yeah, not really sure how it is. I actually spent a while on this and it's my longest story quite surprised I finished it before I posted it, but yeah. So it is finished, I'll try update regularly and hopefully I'm not too distracted with my other stories. I'm sure I won't be. Anyway yeah, hope you like it. Any advice / criticism is welcome :D

Disclaimer: None of the Alex Rider characters belong to me. Only Adrienne belongs to me.

PROLOGUE

I stood silently over the grave as tears slowly rolled down my cheeks. My Mum was gone, ripped away from me. Holding out my hand I opened it. A pure red flower floated gently down. My last goodbye.

Turning I saw my Dad, standing there, on the hill behind us. He had been still, silent, emotionless the whole ceremony. No one but me even knew he was there. I had met him twice before and never knew what to think of him. He hardly showed any emotion, not in public anyway. I didn't even know what he did, all I knew was he was my rich father. Now he was going to look after me. Where? I honestly didn't know.

I slipped away at the end of the funeral, unnoticed, and walked up to see him. I've never called him Dad. I don't think he'd like it if I did. Instead I just called him by his name. I smiled sadly when I saw him. This was it. The start of a new life. He hardly returned my smile, still showing no emotion. Sometimes I'd wonder why, but I figured he just didn't want people to see how he felt.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

I looked back down the hill. Was I ready? I wasn't sure, but what I was sure about was that I couldn't stay here anymore. It held too many memories for my ten year old mind. I just wanted to leave. Turning back to my father I nodded.

We walked slowly away, leaving it all behind. It wasn't hard, but it wasn't easy either. I just wanted to rewind time. There wasn't a car anywhere in sight. I asked where we were going, he merely told me to wait. Eventually we slowed to a stop after what seemed like forever. An open paddock lay in front of us. I asked why we were here, he told me to wait.

The thunder of blades came soon enough. I looked up, noting my father didn't reveal anything. I couldn't tell if he had or hadn't been expecting it. The helicopter landed, we climbed in and took off again. We weren't in it for very long. Soon we changed over into a plane and flew to Italy. I asked what was in Italy; he answered "Your new home."

For the next several years of my life I learned what my father did and I trained with his people. It was fun, interesting, intriguing. Needless to say I enjoyed what I was doing even though I knew where it would lead me.

Soon I was ready to go to work and make the world fear one name.

SCORPIA

I ran towards the crash. Yassen. I had to get to him, make sure he was okay. Climbing on board I surveyed the scene immediately. Yassen was lying on the floor, his chest crimson. That left Alex and the girl. Alex was completely out of it. Looking at the girl I swiftly raised my dart gun and fired, knowing the dosage was meant for a grown man. She fell to the floor with a strangled gasp. Certain she was unconscious I ran over to Yassen, pulling him into my arms.

"Come on. Yassen, come on. Wake up. You're going to be okay."

I rocked on my heels, wishing his eyelids would flick up and he would look at me with those crystal blue eyes. He would say something, with hardly a hint of a Russian accent. He would tell me, everything would be alright, and I'd believe him.

"No. no. Yassen, wake up, please."

I heard sirens in the distance. I had to get out of here, but I couldn't leave him. Shoving my small gun back in its holster I walked over to the girl. Crouching down I pulled the dart out of her neck and stuck it into my pocket before returning to Yassen. Gently I slipped my arms under him and somehow managed to lift him. Slowly I stumbled out of the wreck and back to the bushes I appeared from. I didn't know where I was heading, just away and somewhere, somewhere Yassen could get help. Pulling out my phone I rang the only people who could help Yassen and not need to ask any questions.

Three months later

I sat quietly by Yassen's bed, my hand resting gently on his. He had been shot, again. He was awake, I knew that, but Levi Kroll was coming to see us. I don't think Yassen was in the mood right now, considering we were both certain it had something to do with the Rider kid, again. He was more trouble than he's worth.

"Adrienne."

I looked up. Kroll walked to stand on the other side of Yassen's bed.

"Kroll," I greeted him coldly, "Yassen's sleeping and needs his rest. You might have to come back some other time."

"You know as well as I that he is awake and listening," he leaned closer and his tone turned threatening, "I'd appreciate it if you did not try and lie to me in future."

"And I'd appreciate it if you didn't threaten her, Kroll." Yassen said without opening his eyes.

"I thought that might get your attention. You've been set up with another assignment."

I began to splutter my protest but fell silent after a look from Kroll.

"Who's the target?" Yassen asked, "Do you have a file on him?"

Kroll grinned, "I think you'll find you're quite familiar with this target and there is no need for a file," he looked at me, "In fact, you can both go on this assignment. Having a teenager might help you Yassen."

"I don't need help with my job. Who's the target?"

He handed a folder to me, "One Alex Rider," and walked out.