Disclaimer: Everything recognizable belongs to Anthony Horowitz.

Note: This chapter is mainly nobodies POV where we will see what Alex's friends are thinking about him and the gun incident! ((I want just his closest friends (Ty, Ky and Ben especially) to be thinking like, 'Wait what? Alex clearly recognized the bullet and knew about the gun so why is the school covering for him?')) Save for 1 part where there's a mystery POV!

Chapter 4

Same day: back in Mr. Jenkins's history class

After Mr. Jenkins had dragged the boy Alex Rider out of the classroom the class was stunned into silence. Nobody could understand why Alex would have a gun. To many of the students (especially the girls) at Brookland Prep Alex was like the Golden Boy. He was smart, funny, athletic, good looking (cough cough HOTT! Cough cough) and mysterious.

No one knew where or what Alex went or did on his many absences from school. Sure they had their rumors but none of them were correct. The only thing anyone knew for sure was passed on from the boy's locker room (and no not what you're thinking!). When Alex would change for gym or sports the other boys could see the many scars, bruises and cuts on Alex's chest and back. At first it was considered that he was beaten and abused… but those who knew Alex's guardian, Jack, quickly silenced those rumors.

Alex's last absence from school had been for 3 months! He'd missed the first 3 months of the new school year. His excuse was always that he was sick. But no one was sick that much! And now with Alex's reappearance at school had not been without new injuries. Some had seen the big, white bandage on the top of the left side of his chest and the angry red scar running down almost the full length of his stomach. When questioned about Alex ignored them and very skillfully changed the topic.

Alex was a mystery to everyone. He never told anyone where he was, what he did or who he was with. He was an even bigger mystery to his best friends, Tom, Ben, Ty, Ky, Riley, Dylan and Blake.

The four boys, Ty, Ky, Ben and Tom were all silent as they had seen and heard the whole exchange between Alex and Ty. They were soon joined by Blake, Dylan and Riley who had been on the other side of the room at the time. Ty, Ky, Ben and Tom were the only ones who had heard the exchange while the others had just seen it.

"Ty what happened?" Blake asked him quietly.

"Yeah we saw you guys arguing about something," Riley added.

Ty looked up from his desk and began hesitantly, "I don't really know but Alex was like zoned out or something and I decided to go through his book bag. I found a Harry Book in there and took it and said to him, "I never pegged you as the Harry Potter type" or something like that and when he saw the book he went completely weird. He made such a big deal about getting it back but I didn't give to him…" he trailed off.

Ky picked up and continued for his twin, "Yeah and than Ty showed it to me and shook it around and something fell out of the bottom. Ty picked it up, looked at in and than handed it to me."

"I was confirming what I already knew it was. It was a bullet! Then Mr. Jenkins came over and took the book. That's when the second bullet fell out and then the gun came out the book!"

"Why would Alex have a gun?" Riley demanded.

"I don't know! I never would have taken him for that type!" Ty exclaimed.

"Do you think he was going to do… something with it?" Dylan questioned uncertainly.

"I have no idea!"

"Maybe he had it for another reason," Tom said softly. He was the only one who knew about Alex and so he obviously knew why Alex had had the gun.

"What?" Blake asked interestedly, "Why else would he have a gun?"

"I don't know I'm just saying that maybe there's another reason for him having the gun."

"Yeah okay but why else would need the gun? It's not like he needs it for protection."

Tom flinched slightly at this because that was why Alex had the gun. This action did not go unnoticed by Ben, "Wait Tom, do you know something that the rest of us don't?"

"N-no," Tom stuttered. Tom wasn't usually the stuttering type; he was normally confident and self assured, despite his small height.

"Are you sure because you really don't seem very surprised about him having the gun," Riley demanded.

"I don't know why he had it! Why would I? I only know as much as you guys!"

"I think you know why Alex is never here!" Ty challenged.

"Look guys…" Tom began hesitantly.

"See! He does know!" Ky exclaimed triumphantly.

"Well what are you waiting for Harris? Spill!" Blake urged.

"I can't guys! I just can't!" Tom wanted to be able to tell them but there were 2 problems 1) He'd promised Alex he wouldn't tell anyone and 2) He'd signed the Official Secrets Act and besides Tom felt that if anyone should tell anyone about Alex it should be Alex.

"Why can't you?" Dylan whined.

"I can't tell you that either!"

"Ugh you're just as bad as Alex!" Ben groaned.

"Look if Alex wants to tell you than he'll tell you, it's not my place."

"Is it like some big secret?" Riley questioned sounded excited.

"Yes."

"Well than why do you know?" Ty demanded.

"I was uh… with him over the summer when…" Tom began uncertainly wondering how to phrase what he wanted to say without giving anything away.

"Woah hold on, does this have anything to do with why he wasn't here for 3 months?" Ky demanded.

"Well… yeah I guess," Tom noticed their shocked looks and hurriedly said, "Well I wasn't there when what kept him out of school happened but I was able to put it together."

"No fair! I wanna know!" Riley whined giving Tom the puppy face.

"Ri don't do that! I can't tell you I promised I wouldn't." Tom complained, he'd always kind of like Riley.

"You suck Harris," Ben pouted… not a very good look on him.

"You can break promises you know Tommy," Riley tried again this time coming over and sitting down on Tom's lap.

"Not this kind you can't," everyone just looked confused so Tom sighed and continued, "I'll tell you why I can't tell if you promise not to tell anyone!" Okay's chorused back to Tom and he took a deep breath, "Okay well I had to sign a paper that said I'd never tell anyone anything."

There was silence. Blake was the first one to break it, "You make it sound like he's really important or something!"

"Well I never said he wasn't," Tom said without thinking but silently reprimanded himself: Oh holly shit! Way to go Tom, you're a bloody genius you are!

"Ugh this is so confusing!" Dylan whined… she seemed to be doing a lot of that as of recently.

"Wait when you said you weren't there exactly when it happened… well was it an injury?" Ben questioned.

"Yes okay he was injured!" Tom said exasperated.

"Does it have anything to do with that huge bandage on his chest?" Ty asked. Everyone now looked intrigued.

Tom threw his hands in the air and exclaimed, "Stop asking me! I've told you too much already!"

Riley sighed, "Fine whatever we get it, you can't tell. Let's go to Alex's after school and see what's up." She suggested.

"Uh I don't think…" Tom began not sure if Alex would want to tell them, or well be able to tell them since he did want to tell them he just couldn't.

"Oh shut up Tom you already know!" Dylan exclaimed playfully.

"Yeah its decided; after school were going to Alex's!" Ben said firmly.

"Yeah and we'll get it out of him even if we have to tie him up!" Blake said playfully, everyone just rolled their eyes and laughed because they all knew Blake had it bad for Alex.

So it was decided, after school Ky, Ty, Blake, Dylan, Tom, Ben and Riley were going to Alex's. They chatted aimlessly for a few minutes forgetting about the gun incident temporarily. They didn't catch the mischievous glance that passed between the twins and the small nods they gave each other.

In unison they said, "We have a question…"

Everyone looked up at them and Tom seeing what was coming quickly cut in, "No he's not now or has ever immigrated illegally to a foreign country!"

The twins groaned and Ky complained, "Man you guys, you ruin all the fun in life!"

Everyone laughed at the twins but than Dylan said seriously, "You guys you know nothing changes the fact that he had a gun on school property and that's basically asking to be expelled!"

"Yeah well… maybe they won't?" Blake responded but not sounding very certain.

"Well even though Alex won't be in this school anymore we'll still be his friends right?" Riley questioned.

The group solemnly nodded their heads all lost in their own thoughts about Alex, what he was doing, who he really was and if they really would remain friends.

&

Latter that same day: whole school (grades 9-12) are in the auditorium for an impromptu assembly… concerning Alex by the way (obviously!)

Mystery POV

I can't believe it! Why are they giving that little shit an assembly? Can't they just expel him? Well no matters he is being expelled, that's all that matters! Not even he can get out of having a gun on school property! If I was a daft prat I'd probably say "I fart in your general direction!" (From Monty Python's Spamalot by the way) but seeing as I'm neither stupid nor a fool I will refrain… Oh hell with it all! Rider's out! I don't have to deal with him anymore! WOOHOO!

Ahem, I am done now. When you're in my profession you don't act like that, unless of course you fancy being hung from the ceiling… upside down.

Here come those brainless pansies now (Burk and Davis). They're walking down the aisle, standing in the front of the auditorium, testing microphones… dammit they're slow! Just say the boy's expelled already would you!

"Good afternoon students," the brainless principal began but only got a few mumbles back from the students. "I am sure that many of you have already heard about a student being found with a gun in his possession this morning." There was some whispering and nodding. Burk and Davis exchanged nervous glances… oh fucker why are they nervous? They boy's hardly here as it is! Expel his sorry ass already!

"As you all know weapons of any sort are not permitted on school grounds, any violation of this rule results in expulsion." Oh yes here it comes! "But we have been able to gather adequate information," shit what's going on? "That Mr. Rider was framed," double shit! "And that the gun was put in his bag by someone who was not fond of him." Triple shit! You've got to shitting me right?

"Mr. Rider is not going to be expelled."

Mother fucker! HOLLY SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT! Fuck Jones, fuck Blunt, fuck the whole fucking MI fucking 6! Fuck Rider and his whole fucking idiotic family! Fuck the fucking world that seems to fucking hate me today! Fuck those brainless idiots who agreed to whatever MI fucking 6 told them! Fuck everyone!

Scorpia is not going to be pleased!

"FUCK!"... oops, did I say that out loud?

Oh where's my fucking vodka, beer, shots… dammit I need alcohol.

&

Latter that day… oh yes nobodies POV.

Ty, Ky, Dylan, Ben, Riley, Blake and Tom were standing outside Alex's house.

"So I guess we should go in," Ky suggested.

They were about to climb up the stairs leading to the front porch when the door was thrown open by a figure they recognized as Alex even though his back was turned to them. They froze at the bottom of the stairs and heard an angry voice waft out from inside the warmth of the house, "Where do you think you're going Alex Rider? I'm talking to you Alex! Get back in here!" Jack shouted from the hallway.

"Oh Jack shove it!" Came Alex's angry reply as he swung a medium sized, black Kipling duffle bag over his shoulder.

"Alex Rider don't you dare talk to me like that!"

"Like what Jack? Exactly how you're talking to me?"

Jack sighed, "Oh you're right Alex. I'm sorry come back inside and we can talk about this!"

Alex snorted, "I don't think so Jack! Have fun in freaking Boston!"

"Alex…"

Alex interrupted Jack, "No Jack it doesn't matter. Thanks to you I'm going to get 2 more weeks of training!"

"Alex come back iniside, this is silly, we never fight!" Jack seemingly pleaded with the hard headed boy.

"Well Jack you started it so don't look at me! Hey if you don't like what I do that's on you! Have fun with your family and Merry fucking Christmas!"

"Alex please don't be like this!"

"Oh Jack give it a fucking rest! If you don't like what I do that's on you not me!"

Judging by what Jack next said one would guess that she had had enough of Alex, "Do you know what I think Alexander Rider? I think you should have been expelled today!"

Alex just sneered and said, "Well guess what I? I wasn't! They helped me out, unlike some people!"

"Oh Alex don't be daft! They only helped you because you're worth too much to them!"

"Well Jack that's half true maybe but I can assure you that I am not by any means stupid!" Alex thundered back at her.

"Alexander Rider I forbid…"

"Remember you can't do that Jack? Well I have 2 farewell words and here they are, 'woof woof!" And with that he slammed the door shut with such a tremendous force that the some of the windows rattled and caused the small group at the bottom of his stairs to jump back a little. They were surprised to say the least, they'd never seen Alex act like this before, or fight with Jack! And what was he talking about… training?

When Alex turned around and caught sight of his friends at the foot of his house he looked slightly surprised, "Oh hey guys what's up?" he said as he walked down the stairs, dropped his duffle bag to the ground and leaned against the railing with his arms folded across his chest.

The group looked him up and down somewhat shocked at his choice in wardrobe. He was wearing camouflaged army style pants, a black, long sleeve under armor shirt that clearly showed his defined chest, arm, and stomach muscles, black, lace up combat boots and a black winter jacket that had something embroidered on the side of the arm that looked like it said 'SAS' but they couldn't be sure.

"Nice shirt," Blake said intelligently still openly ogling Alex's chest.

"I know isn't it?" Alex smirked, "So did you guys want something?"

"Oh yeah we were wondering about why you had the gun." Ben asked.

"Oh didn't they tell you? It wasn't mine, someone framed me."

"Come on Alex that isn't true!" Riley complained.

"Sure it is," Alex responded briefly.

"Then why did you recognize the bullets and the book? Why were you so insistent to get them back and saying that they were nothing if you didn't know what it was?" Ty demanded.

Alex just regarded them his cool gaze as if he was waiting for them to continue. Which Ky did, "Yeah and why did the school cover for you?"

"I'm special," Alex smirked as he pushed himself off the side of the porch and walked over to the street and looked up and down it before turning back to his friends.

"Alex we know something's up!" Dylan cried.

"Really? How so?"

"It's me Alex," Tom began hesitantly and shrunk back a little with the look Alex gave him.

"He didn't tell us anything! But we figured out that he knew something and when we asked him to tell us he kept going on about not being able to because of some paper he signed!"

"Well I can't tell you."

"Why not? We're your best friends Alex!" Blake challenged.

"Look no ones supposed to know! Tom wasn't supposed to find out but it got to a point where I couldn't keep it from him anymore! If I could I would have told you the day this all started but I can't tell you!"

"How's it going to hurt anyone if you tell us though?" Riley questioned.

"If I tell you you'll be in danger too!"

"In danger of what?" Ben asked sounding slightly confused.

"I can't tell you that, I've already said too much!"

"You haven't said anything though Alex!" Ky complained.

"I've said a little and what I've said is too much."

"You're impossible Rider. If you won't tell us any of that than will you tell us one thing?" Ben tried to reason with him.

"Fine as long as it is reasonable." Alex told them checking up and down the streets once again.

Ben took a deep breath before asking what they were all wondering, "Did you know the gun was there?"

Alex turned back to them and looked thoughtful for a minute before replying with a simple, "Yes."

His group of friends entered a stunned silence as they stared at their friend in shock; Ty was the first to emerge from his stupor, "Is it… your gun?"

"Technically speaking yes," Alex responded looking back up the street.

"What were you going to do with it?" Blake asked his slightly fearfully.

"Nothing," Alex answered simply, "And that was 3 questions."

"Fine but where are you going?" Blake asked again.

"I'm sure you heard me yelling at Jack," he responded vaguely.

"Well yeah but you just said 'training'… training for what?"

"I can't tell you what for Blake, wish I could but I can't."

"So you're not going to be here tomorrow are you?" Riley asked.

"Nope in fact I won't be back until February."

Shock was present on each one of their faces… except for Alex's of course. "February? That's like a month away! What are you going to be doing for a month?"

"Training," Alex answered simply before looking in the street again, it was apparent this time he found what he was looking for because he said, "Oh good they're here."

Everyone turned to the street just in time to see a gleaming, black Hummer H2 pull up to the curb. Alex shouldered his duffle again but all but dropped it when one of the back doors opened and a muscular man with squared shoulders and close cropped black hair jumped out. He was wearing an identical outfit to the one Alex was wearing.

"Wolf?" Alex asked sounding surprised.

"Surprised Cub?" he looked at Alex's shocked face and laughed, "I was called in for a meeting at the HQ and they were going to take me back to camp when they said we were going to pick you up early."

"Cool," Alex gave the older man a brotherly hug which the man called 'Wolf' quickly returned.

Wolf laughed softly and said, "Hey I thought you were past all the school boy nonsense Double O' Nothing."

Alex grimaced at the use of his old nick name and joked to the older man, "Well Wolf I'm very proud of you. Jumping out of the car like that? That was quite some drop but you managed it! I see we're getting over our fear of heights!" Alex smirked when Wolf growled (quite like a wolf) and dodged around him to throw his duffle bag into the back of the truck.

"Ha-ha very funny Cub," Wolf joked when Alex came back around, "We've got to get going." And with that he disappeared into the dark fortress that was a 'car'.

Alex had one foot in the car when he turned back to his friends as if just remembering they were there, "Hey guys I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone what you've seen or heard here okay? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See you in February!" and with that he jumped into the car and slammed the door shut and the Hummer started up almost impossibly quiet for such a huge vehicle and drove off down the street.

The small group of friends was left staring after the Hummer as it drove off down the street with one of their best friends inside. In each teenagers head similar thoughts were running: Wait what just happened? Wolf? Cub? Training? What's going on? Head quarters? Camp? I'm confused!

Riley was finally the one to break the silence, "He was HOTT!" she exclaimed referring to Wolf.

"They were both HOTT!" Blake exclaimed.

"So true, so true..." Dylan trailed off.

&

Author Note

Oh my god I finished a chapter and it's only 9:40! (Gasp!) lol so what do you think? Who do you think the 'mystery' person was? It's kind of obvious but you can guess and I may or may not tell you if you're right! Well this isn't one of my longer chapters but was it okay? It was just to basically get what Alex's friends were thinking and of course or 'mystery' person who by the way has a very dirty mouth! Next chapter should be up by Friday! Review and Enjoy!

Jack is going to disappear in an upcoming chapter if you're wondering… or er next 2 or 3 maybe.

Lil Lupin: Thanks for the review and I get what you're saying thanks! And I totally agree that the Dirty Little Secret album is the greatest album of like all time… well 1 of them lol

Missmeliss4251: LOL! I'm guessing you like the parts about the illegal immigration? They may return… thanks for the review and it's great you liked it!