Chapter 5: And off we go

Ian Rider was glad to be back at home. He took in the neatly kept house and allowed himself a small smile. He admired the living room for a moment longer before taking his suitcase upstairs. He had considered letting Alex finish his school day, but decided that his missing the last half of a day before holidays would not overly impact his education. Nothing was ever scheduled for then before the kids were teenagers because parents tended to take their kids on an early holiday during that last week. Besides he had really missed his adorable blond nephew - not that he would ever say so aloud near another adult. He decided on his method of getting Alex from school and quickly drove over. He was able to slip in and out of the place and leave his note in Alex's locker without any trouble. School security was no match for him. He settled down in the car to wait.

Alex Rider found the note in his math textbook: Alex, you have until 12:00 to get out. If you get caught, make it good.

Ian

Alex checked the clock. He had the last ten minutes of class to plan and five after to get out. He decided to go through the not-yet-remodeled-or-burned-down science wing. Suddenly, Alex felt everyone's eyes on him. "The answer is 27, sir."

The man sighs "Yes Alex, but I was going to ask you if you were alright. You seem occupied lately."

Alex bites back a groan "Fine, sir." The bell rings. "Thanks for the concern, but I have to get to class."

Alex takes the opportunity to run for it. "Alex! It's the lunch period for your class!" The man called out, had never used his training to exit through the open window in the empty class next door before, but Alex took a grim sort of pleasure in being able to escape Brooklands as quickly as he had. He decided he actually hated the building's appearance, considering it represented the normal life he wanted and the boredom that came with it. He wondered why there weren't higher rates of crime considering his highlight of the week was cutting class and probably some sort of misdemeanor involving jumping the fence and running across the lawn. He was actually attempting not to laugh as he ran. He hadn't done anything this whimsical in ages and was (ironically enough) going to miss the school assembly on the importance of attending the school that they gave all the kids before the break. Something about parents cutting the week short to take their kids on vacation really pissed off the district or something. Alex really didn't care, since he had all his work for the rest of term turned in and he had learned everything already.

Alex returned to actively observing his surroundings. Ian was smiling and standing next to the car. He didn't question Alex on his unconventional choice of building exit and instead unlocked the car. "Let's go for ice cream." Alex wondered how he had never spotted the fact that he was entirely different in skill set and outlook from his classmates, even this young, or the fact that he never noticed that Ian kind of sucked at being a responsible adult. I mean realistically, he should be grounded for cutting class and jumping out of second story windows, right? Instead, he was encouraged to be able to exit a building in less than five minutes, cut class on a whim, and completely ignores social norms of any kind minus murder and…murder. It was basically the only crime Ian seemed to frown upon. The man had taught him pickpocketing "for emergencies" and didn't seem to mind if Alex beat up the school bullies or committed minor acts of arson, so long as he didn't get caught or do serious harm. Alex was willing to bet if he broke into the Tower of London and stole the Crown Jewels the man would find it vaguely amusing, not that he planned to.

Ian seemed to be staring at him for a minute. "You are awfully quiet, Alex." Alex remembered then that he used to ask about Ian's "trips". He had refrained from doing so, because he wasn't sure he'd be able to contain himself if Ian lied, and he would know now if the man did so. He was actually kind of angry with the man at the moment, for the lying and for being distant for most of his life. He had noticed that Ian held him at arm's length and everyone else away with a ten-foot pole. He even called Jack "Ms. Starbright." He could sympathize, but he really wanted to be closer to his uncle this time around. He decided to approach the idea on the virtually certain trip they were about to take. Ian always took him on vacation when he showed up, school or no school, mission or no mission (he was pretty sure some of the trips had been missions of some sort). "I missed you." That, at least, wasn't a lie. He had missed the man when he was gone and when he died in the last life and in this (new?) life. His uncle was looking more intensely at him. Damn it! He wasn't this sentimental last time at ten either. He had forgotten. Ian (never uncle) wasn't really sentimental in public or private that he remembered either. Not since he was very young and he was only really hugged in private. And shit, he really needed to focus on the conversation or Ian would be nosing around his life. Alex wouldn't mind the extra attention from his uncle, but, realistically he wanted to be observed less by trained operatives, not more.

He decided on the expected "How was the trip?" And added in, "How's it going with the boss, too, his name was Badger or Berk, right? Ian looked like he was holding back laughter at that. "His name is Blunt. I think I like your name for him better right now, though." Alex and Ian were, unknowingly, sharing a private joke. Alex knew full well what Blunt's name was, but couldn't resist a (seemingly innocent) jab at him. "Working you to death is he? Shame on him." Alex was trying really hard to keep from laughing at his own joke, even if it was morbid considering his last life. Ian actually snorted at that. "You have no idea, Alex." Alex actually had a really, really good idea.

For the moment, his uncle seemed reassured. "So really, how was the trip?" Alex asked. Ian sighed, "Long. Plus, I have to go to a few business meetings when we go on our trip. Sorry, but I will try to make sure you aren't bored, at least." Alex felt a stab of disappointment, but he knew there was no way he was pretending his uncle was a banker for the next four years. He decided to find a way to let Ian know that the game was at least partially up. It wasn't like he had to specifically tell his uncle that he knew the man's exact profession. He could just point out the obvious holes in his story over the years, break into his office, or 'notice' the bruises that don't fit with a fall down the stairs and then tell the man that he knew he wasn't a banker. It shouldn't be too hard. He turned to Ian as soon as they got home….and felt apprehensive about it. He changed his question at the last minute "How should I pack?" "For warm weather," Ian stated. "But also take a coat. There may be a few mountains involved." Alex refrained from stating that there might be a few more mountains than even Ian might know about (metaphorical, of course). He set upstairs to pack.

Alex noticed that his room had been cleaned by Jack and that she had left a note.

Alex, your uncle released me from my job while you guys are on holiday. Sorry I couldn't say goodbye. Jack

Alex decided to save the note. He knew he wouldn't have in the past, but he wanted to save every tangible part of Jack he could. Just in case.

The next morning, Alex got up at sunrise. Surprisingly, he hadn't had a dream. Actually, he wasn't dreaming at all, which was odd, considering the nightmares from the past. He wondered if it was just having Jack and Ian back or if Death had messed with his head. He was also considering getting that stupid black poppy lasered off when he got older. He wanted to punch Death just for that and the vague "you might be a little younger". I mean was the guy trying to be funny? Actually, he was seriously considering this as a trap. Every book that he ever read that had a deal with Death tended to end very badly for the person who had done it and their family and friends if they were particularly unlucky. He wondered why he had been sent back this early. Was it supposed to be extra planning time? Was it a different universe? If it was, what happened to his other ten-year-old consciousness? If not, what would be different this time? Did his choices matter, or would Blunt come for him anyway? He decided to quit before he got a day-long headache and headed down the stairs, still halfway in his own head. When he got downstairs, he realized he had descended soundlessly and almost cursed aloud. He hadn't been that quiet-moving when he was ten last time. Should he go back up the stairs and make noise on the way down or just head to breakfast? He decided to just head to breakfast and hope Ian wasn't up to noticing or up at all or he wouldn't ask questions. He had to hand it to the guy. If there was an award for not asking awkward questions or pressing for information, Ian would be his nominee.

Unfortunately for him, Ian Rider was both up and completely aware of his surroundings. He started when he saw his nephew enter the kitchen and then greeted him. "Good morning, Alex." "Morning, Ian." Darn it. He knew his uncle had noticed his brand new silent walk. He prayed that he didn't walk enough like a Malgasto trainee that Ian would notice. He didn't exactly have a brilliant explanation ready for that or his new knowledge of the said island. There was a heavy silence in the room. Alex tried to alleviate it. "I packed my bag last night." Ian looked like he appreciated the attempt. "That's good, Alex. We are getting on the plane today." Alex decided he'd had enough of the charade and took the plunge. "We both know you aren't actually a banker, Ian." The man's mouth opened slightly and a look of pure fear flicked across his face. "Alex, I…". "It's ok if you can't tell me everything, but please don't lie to me. I'll know, ok, and I hate it when you do." The man looks relieved at that. "Have you told Ms. Starbright?" Alex sighed, "No and no one else." No one would believe a child anyway, he thought bitterly. He remembered Eagle Strike all too well. He added, "Not like they would believe me, anyway." Ian started. "I would." Alex gave him a sharp look. "Is it because it is me or would you listen to any kid?" Ian just sighed. Alex was now wearing a bitter smile. "I thought so. See what I mean?" Ian brightened suddenly. Alex, feeling a little weary, decided to ask. "What are you so happy about?" Ian smiles. "Well, I don't have to lie to my only living family anymore. I can tell you more about how my trips actually go. I have a legitimate reason to tell you to be careful around strangers and I can teach you more blatantly in terms of things that actually relate to the dangers my job can bring you, so you can be safer." Alex can't resist adding, "And your secret-obsessed boss can go to hell and we can do more things together on the trip." The man smirks. "There is that, too, but seriously don't tell anyone. You and I could get into a lot of serious trouble. I don't mean suspension at school, Alex." Alex shivered a little, imagining Blunt sending Crawley after the two of them. He could only imagine what the guy would do to someone who broke the OSA.

The ride to the airport was made in comfortable silence by both men. Ian split his focus between the road and his nephew. He was a bit ashamed that he hadn't been able to control his reaction enough to be able to deny Alex's suspicions. At the same time, he was relieved. He didn't have to lie and had been very lonely in the past years without John or anyone outside his work knowing what he did. He didn't want to have another person he cared about to lie to and had avoided personal attachments because of it and what happened to his brother. He wondered how he was going to tell Alex about it. His nephew deserved the truth and he didn't care about secrets, since his biggest one was already out of the bag with Alex. Plus, Alex should be told, official secrets or not. He was also unsure of how much he should tell Alex. While he was mature for his age, the truth of it was that the world he occupied was a grim, dark place not meant for children of any kind. He really didn't want the chocolate brown eye of his nephew to take on his colder, darker look any more than they already did. At the same time, he kind of wanted a partner in all of this. Someone who knew. Someone who understood exactly how the missions were and didn't sit behind a desk and send him on them. He really, really wished he had enough morals that he wouldn't even consider potentially allowing his nephew to be his unofficial, unmentioned partner, but he was. He would hate himself in anything happened to Alex because of him, but maybe…. Maybe, he could get the camaraderie he had had with an equal partner before back. When they got to the airport, he noticed Alex stiffen and mentally applauded the extra caution. He decided to keep the gadgets to himself for now. He was also mentally revising the entire trip and lessons he had planned for Alex in the future. Maybe he should enroll Alex in something deadlier than karate or teach him himself? Kids wielding deadly weapons would draw attention to Alex and that was the last thing he wanted. He would personally murder anyone who tried to recruit Alex before and maybe even after he turned 16 or passed his GCSEs. No way would he let Blunt anywhere near his last relative. He had serious doubts that the man possessed anything near a moral compass. If he did, it was fading rather rapidly in his personal opinion. Not to mention terrorists and other groups who were only too happy to employ children if it served their purposes. He went through airport security and boarded the plane, lost in his trains of thought.

Alex thought his reveal went rather well all things considered. He didn't think Ian would be that afraid for him, but it was nice to see that the man cared for him deeply, even if he didn't really say so. He knew the man was probably revising his lessons during the car and airport scenes and had resolved to keep an eye on their surroundings, since Ian was probably distracted and probably needed to process the new direction their life together and family relationship was taking. He watched Ian go through the entire airport on autopilot. He wondered what his new set of lessons would be like and what exactly Ian had been told to do. He knew exactly what Blunt would tell him in the reverse position and recalled the man's words before the incident with Sarov. "Just a simple cover. Consider it payed vacation." Yeah, sure, and he was a pink elephant. Not to mention, he didn't and hadn't ever been paid by MI6 for any of his work. He was pretty sure the entire setup was really illegal. He had basically been an unpaid child soldier/spy. He had been blackmailed and shot at. Blunt had lied about the dangers of the job and sent him to an actual military training camp. It was definitely illegal, even for Black Ops. If he ever found out when Blunt's birthday and email was, he knew exactly what to send the man: a number to the nearest help group for compulsive liars or the nearest hundred. He sincerely doubted the man would tell the entire truth of anything if his life depended on it. As the plane took off, he couldn't help anticipating trouble for both him and Ian on this next mission, or should he say 'vacation'.