Chapter 12: Plans and Prerogatives
Agent Brown and Agent Taylor had both been irritated at their colleague's actions. For one, what he did would have gotten them fired and they had been the ones reprimanded. Plus, that guy's kid was really weird, not to mention a complete snot. They had both been sent to the department psychologist. The explosions had not really been that bad, but it had brought back memories of actual explosions that weren't so harmless. Brown also personally resented Rider's success. By all accounts, the man should have gotten himself killed with his unconventional methods and reckless behavior. Instead, he was a MI6's top agent.
Brown in particular was irritated by the whole thing. Despite the fact that they had failed last time, he figured that he could tail Rider after he got that refresher course. He decided to stop his current partner outside their workplace. "Hey, partner." Taylor sighed. "What now, Brown?" Brown tried not to smile. "Does this seem fair to you?" "Life isn't fair, Brown." "Yeah, but we could do something about this." "Like what, Brown?" "Well, I think we could tail Rider after our refresher course. Everyone can be followed. Nobody is omniscient." "Brown..." "Just hear me out. We tail him. We catch him doing something illegal and the bosses ship him off to Siberia or something." "Fine, but if we get caught, you are taking the fall, Brown."
Unbeknownst to them, Crawley had recorded the entire conversation. He decided that he would guard Ian Rider, in addition to watching his nephew. Besides, Brown and Taylor were the troublemaking types and he was getting tired of their attitude and inflexibility. Call him paranoid, but he watched any and all agents that he came into contact with, especially when the end result was negative. He was privately looking forward to watching Ian run those two in circles. Plus, he now had the excuse he needed to send them on some mission even those two idiots couldn't screw up. Jones might follow government policy on firing agents and general assignments, but he didn't have to. He agreed with her decision to watch mini-Rider; he was definitely something to watch since he could spot tails, even if it was those two idiots. Worst comes to worst, he could literally and figuratively fire them if they became an active threat to one of their fellow agents. Crawley had no qualms about shooting people to protect his colleagues.
Ian Rider had indeed checked the surveillance video from the night before. It was hilarious and totally worth the mountain of paperwork Jones had managed to foist upon him. Somehow, she had a way of turning a harmless prank into a thirty-page form that needed to be filed with four separate departments that only took original copies of handwritten forms. She was evil when she wanted to be. He was currently filling them out in his home office; he refused to go to his work office during the vacation Alex had left. It would probably take him about half a day. Jones was totally being passive-aggressive about this, but he supposed that this could have been a lot worse if Blunt had gotten mad at him. The people who made that guy mad tended to have a lot of unpleasant encounters and a very short lifespan. He glanced out the window one last time before sitting at his desk to fill out the mountain of paper his boss had given him.
Jack Starbright was secretly glad that Ian Rider was stuck doing paperwork for his job all day. She had missed Alex and didn't think that the man was necessarily the best influence. This also gave her a chance to take Alex out to do some normal kid things. Who on earth gave their kids people- watching assignments on vacation? Alex didn't really go into detail, but she figured it was the same every time they casually went out. Jack decided to try to find out what had gone on during that vacation. She was troubled by the look Alex got sometimes and the knife lingered in the back of her mind. Maybe Ian was just extremely overprotective? Alex had karate later this afternoon, but they could still have most of the day together. Alex was back down from his shower now. The morning runs seemed to be a new permanent thing for Alex, not that staying in shape was a bad thing.
"Morning, Alex. It's eggs for breakfast today and you have karate later on. Do you want to go to the park or catch a movie or something?" Alex smiled at her. She had always thought he looked almost radiant when he did that. "Good morning, Jack. We could go to the park if you want." Another thing that was different. He didn't seem to care about the daily activities anymore. Jack hoped it wasn't depression. Alex didn't look unhappy, but neither had one of the people from school she remembered from back in America. Everyone had sworn that she had been the life of every party, but she had an active death wish that had eventually been granted. God, it was awful to think about, even though she hadn't known the woman personally. Jack decided to focus on the present.
Even though she hated cooking, she made them packed lunches. Alex should get to have those. Heaven forbid Ian Rider cook. Jack was sure the man could, but she hadn't once seen him do it. When she had met, Alex she had discovered a seven year old that either bought or prepared his own meals. There had also been several housekeepers before her who had resigned for unknown reasons (she presumed, though she hadn't asked.). "Are sandwiches fine?" "Sure, Jack, as long as they aren't tomato, sardine, and peanut butter disasters." She laughed as she remembered that experiment. They had been entirely inedible. "That was once, Alex, once." "Sure, Jack." Alex wasn't picky. He had sat down to eat with crazy megalomaniac billionaires. Jack decided to make bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches. You couldn't go wrong with bacon, right?
The park was, for once, not rainy. The sun was even out. Alex reflected grimly that it was a nice sunny day to check for unseen snipers. Though he saw none, what he did notice pissed him off. Glasses and Tie Clip were back, though without the glasses and tie clip. Apparently, somebody had sent them to remedial surveillance if it had taken him a whole fifteen minutes to spot them. Alex cursed himself for relaxing- someone could have easily killed him just now. To top it all off, Crawley was here as well, walking the same dog. It still seemed to hate exercise. He decided not to bring it up with Jack. Alex would talk with Ian when he got back from karate. Right now, he had to get pictures of those two, since they hadn't seemed to learn their lesson. Alex hated being followed. Ian would probably approve. Crawley would get the benefit of the doubt because he was actually good at his job and he did well taking care of reporters. Alex couldn't afford for MI6 to know he was this good either. It was one thing to spots obvious idiots; even normal people could do that. It was another skill level entirely to spot Crawley. He decided to take pictures anyway.
Jack noticed Alex tensing and shooting a glare at two people in suits. She decided to ignore it when he relaxed a second later. It was probably nothing. "So, Alex, what did you do in South America?" Alex decided that accompanying his spy uncle through a two week jungle trek that would kill most people that ended with an assassination while being followed by one of the world's best contract killers was not a safe answer. "We did a hike together. It was kind of fun once you got used to the heat. We did some camping to." He decided to leave out the fact that they had no camping gear and had only brought their knives with them. "You guys didn't bring camping gear." Damn. Alex kept his face casual. "We rented some." "Okay, then." Jack froze for a second. "Wait a minute; you guys went on a jungle tour near a warzone?" "It was perfectly safe, Jack. We stuck to the tourist areas." Alex hated lying to her, but he hated worrying Jack more. Besides, jungles were dangerous as a rule. No way was he letting her near any of the spy stuff, unless he had to. That had been his mistake in Egypt.
He knew for a fact that the two were probably listening in anyway. No way was he giving them any workable details. Crawley was probably at it too, but the man would hardly call Alex on his bullshit. Hell, the man would probably encourage it. Alex decided to redirect the conversation in a safer direction. "How were your parents?" Jack immediately went on a role about the vacation she took with them and Alex breathed a mental sigh of relief. It was nice to hear about normal stuff for a change. Ian had a tendency to lecture about educational things or talk about survival tactics or outright instruct him in weapons. The man had been teaching him how to use the knives he had been given, in addition to throwing knives, and gun safety and care (Alex strongly suspected that gun safety would turn into gun firing in a week or two). It was nice to hear about Jack's overbearing parents and brother.
Crawley had a newfound respect for Ian Rider's child raising abilities when he listened to the conversation with the housekeeper. Rider-mini had just lied flawlessly. If Crawley hadn't been there to see himself that they had no camping gear, he might have believed it himself. The redirect was casual and seemed almost instinctive. He privately approved, though he knew if he complemented Ian on his nephew's lying ability, then he was liable to get punched in the face. Civilians never mixed well with special operations anyway. He added a note for Jones. Crawley also noticed that Alex had spotted the two idiots, again. He made a mental note to put them through more classes; clearly, they needed it if they were spotted again. Also, they really should have disguised themselves. Their sloppiness and lack of form grated on his nerves. Those two were exactly what was wrong in intelligence these days.
Taylor and Brown shared a look. "Looks like the nephew inherited the lying gene. They totally had no gear when I picked them up." Taylor sighed again. This was a terrible idea. The only reason he was doing this was because Brown was his partner. Neither of them had spotted Crawley. Taylor made a mental note to try to get a new partner when they inevitably went down for this. Brown was hopeful. Even if taking your kid nephew into the jungle with no gear was a crime, he had no proof. Surely anyone who did that would go other actually illegal things, right? Brown didn't have a single misgiving.
Crawley decided to mentally add misappropriating agency devices to the list of reasons those two jokers were getting fired. He was not happy with them. They had screwed up some assignments before, but this took things to a whole new level. Following another employee and attempting to frame them for a crime was illegal. Honestly, he might just disappear them to the nearest mental institute before he was tempted to shoot them. They were mental if they thought their hare-brained plot would go anywhere. He decided to update Starbright's file, too. He may as well, and it was not as though he had anything better to do.
Jack had just finished talking about her vacation with Alex, who had actually been paying attention. She was kind of surprised he cared all that much, even her dates tended to zone out when she talked about herself that long. Then again, Alex had always been sweet (at least to her). She knew he would probably end up looking very, very handsome. Jack decided to bust out the sandwiches. Alex took a bite. "Bacon, lettuce and tomato? Did your parents cook you weird American food again, Jack?" She scoffed and clutched her chest in mock offense. "It's you Brits who are weird. I'll have you know that is a perfectly normal sandwich." Alex smirked. "Sure, Jack. Which one of us has to special order when we go to Burger King?" Jack grinned. "That may be, Alex, but I make all your food." Alex bit back a gulp and shot her his most winning smile. "And it is so wonderfully delicious, I can't believe you make it in ten minutes or less." Jack smirked. "Why, thank you." It worked every time. Alex decided he was going to use his age to his advantage. "So, Jack, are you dating anyone?" Alex kept his face and tone entirely clear. Jack choked on her last bite of sandwich. "No, I'm not. Who told you about dating?" Alex personally thought her face was priceless. "Ian. When I was eight. You were shopping, I think." Jack kept her groan back. "Okay, I guess that saves me the trouble." Jack wondered if Ian Rider had even heard the word age-appropriate in his entire life. Eight was a little young wasn't it? They usually waited until people's kids were twelve in America. She supposed it could be a British thing to or an Ian Rider thing. God knows the man had really odd rules when it came to his nephew sometimes. He also seemed to have a very loose grasp on the idea of social conventions and childhood, though he seemed very calm and very sane.
Some time and many observations of pigeons and (in Alex's case) certain men in suits, Jack spoke up. "Alex, it's time to head for karate class. I brought your bag with me." Alex had honestly forgotten what level he was at this age and was glad he had the uniform to remind him. Now all he had to do was act that level. He would probably breeze through the conditioning, but he wouldn't be able to explain if he was suddenly a ton better. Not to mention some the moves he knew and had been practicing every morning for the past month or so he had been back were….considerably more lethal than anything taught at a civilian dojo. He got up early and practiced in his room for a reason- even Ian's (he assumed MI6's) moves were less deadly than Malagasto's. It was a school for trained murderers after all. He sincerely hoped he could pull it off without maiming someone by accident.
As he changed in the car, he remembered the moves for the level he was at and tried to remember how he moved through them. It just seemed almost non-fluid, comparatively. At least, he had what he needed memorized. Alex made a mental note to practice his karate separately from his Malagasto training. He was really worried about maiming someone. Not to mention if he did, Ian would start getting really nosy. They were related after all. Alex got out of the car and decided not to try his usual jaunty walk. Alex mentally sighed at his luck. The head of the dojo was actually in and teaching the class today. One of the upper level students in charge of the lower level classes was also there. He had a bad feeling that this was going to be an interesting day. The class started with the usual conditioning. Alex was barely even warmed up at the end of it. He could feel the older teacher actively observing him. Alex launched into the first new set of moves he was being 'taught'. He didn't bother making it look like he was having trouble. The form was as fluid, fast, and accurate as he could possibly make it. Alex had missed the class more than he realized. He did it again and again and felt himself relaxing and focusing solely on his form. The call for water break came as a surprise to him. Alex felt himself jump. The rest of the class was all frozen and gaping at him.
"Umm. Yay water?" Alex was barely out of breath and everyone else was about to collapse (or at least they looked like it). The old man was now giving him a really odd, almost assessing look. "Damn Rider, when did you get in shape?" Alex hadn't realized anyone actually remembered his name here. "A month or so ago." "Something happen, then?" Yes, Alex thought, I went to the Rider school of running from crazies with machine guns and realized my conditioning sucked. He decided to go with something more appropriate. "No, not really. School is going fine." The only thing he could really remember about that guy was that he had been bullied in school. Alex supposed that was why he was asking. He desperately tried to remember the guy's name, but it has been five years since he heard it, even in this timeline. The guy smiled softly. "It's, David." Alex blushed. "Sorry, it's been five years." "It's cool man, that uncle of yours doesn't leave you here for very long after or before. We haven't really talked either." Alex guessed that David was in his early or mid-teens. He also felt awkward when he realized he had no idea how to continue the conversation. Thankfully, the end of the break was called.
Alex decided to keep practicing his form, knowing that if he had been screwing up someone would have corrected him by now. Besides, it was a good distraction from being nervous about the hand-to-hand part of the class. He noticed people were still gawping when time was called. Honestly, weren't they here to learn self-defense? The old man looked almost anticipatory. Wait. He was testing the class on this himself? The guy left that to the others usually. Besides, he was kind of terrifying and really good. Alex knew he had no chance in a fair fight with him or most of the upper-level Dans. People were lasting a few seconds at most. David didn't even get a hit in. At least he was pinning them gently. He was up next. Alex knew better than to strike first. Dodging would be his strong point at this age and for some time. Alex didn't really have the strength to hit hard enough. The only warning he got was the twist of the man's fist before he had to dodge. Only instinct from his many, many fights to the death allowed him to dodge the next series of moves. If the man went faster, Alex dodged faster. To the rest of the class, it seemed as though they were dancing. Alex knew he would tire and eventually lose, but he was enjoying this. The adrenaline surged through him as he dodged faster and faster. When he felt the first hit glance his side, he knew he would be sore tomorrow. The next one winded him to the point he didn't see the faint until he got pinned (considerably less gently) underneath the man. He was still grinning. "Nice feint." He could swear the old man actually cracked a smile, before it vanished a second later into his usual scowl. Maybe he had hit his head. Alex decided to check the clock as he got up. Best ten and a half minutes he had ever had since his return that had one of his "spy skills". The man gave him a long look. "We will speak after class." Alex knew it wasn't a suggestion. "Yes, sir." The class finished with the usual cool down exercises. Alex didn't have any difficulty keeping up, though his side was beginning to sting. David was giving him an awed look he didn't really like much. The younger Sensei was also giving him curious glances. So much for not sticking out during class, but at least he had fun. Alex could only hope they didn't get the wrong idea.
After class he headed straight for the 6th grade Dan's office. He didn't think he had broken any of the dojo rules, but the guy hadn't seemed all that angry. Alex decided it was best to knock. "Come in." Alex stood at ease on instinct. This reminded him a little bit of meeting the Sergeant in the SAS. "No need for formality. This is not because you are in trouble, here at least." The man was looking like he was trying to be delicate. "You've improved greatly. We will have level testing next week. I am curious." Alex glanced at the door; the feeling of dread was almost overwhelming. "Have you been practicing every day?" Alex breathed a mental site of relief. "Yes, I have. I also do conditioning." The man seemed to study him intently. He hadn't regularly gone to the dojo after SCORPIA, but none of his teachers in or out of here had said anything, no matter how suspicious his absences got. Alex wonders if Death is messing with him or his luck is really this terrible. "Is anyone currently attempting to harm you or doing so?" He finally asks. Alex actually thought about it. "Not to my knowledge." The man seemed to think he was telling the truth. "Next week, you will be undergoing level testing for multiple kyu. I normally do not do this, but I will know if you do not give your all." Alex mentally breathed a sigh of relief. "Goodbye, sir." Alex was almost out the door when he heard the man say. "You will end up in a challenging class, most likely. Also, I am calling your uncle to let him know about the class change." Alex shut the door. "Thank you, sir."
When Alex left, the man sat alone, puzzled. He was known just as Sensei to most of the students, Renshi if they wanted to be technically correct. He didn't stand much on ceremony, though. He estimated that his student was at the very least a first-grade Dan, perhaps with some life experience. Even then, it should be impossible to go past four Kyu in just over a month, unless he had trained non-stop. When he said non-stop, it meant over eight hour days. He was reminded of the child soldiers he had met during his travels as a young man, especially with the sir at the end of his sentences. What could have happened? They were illegal in this country, and if he remembered correctly most of the civilized ones. He contemplated looking into it, but it was not really his business. He was older now and he had not done any good the last time he had mixed with national governments of any kind. For the moment, he would not interfere. He did have a duty to protect and teach his students, besides it would be a shame to waste talent. The man decided to watch, just in case something was going on. Alex Rider was much too young to die.
Jack was getting worried when Alex suddenly appeared outside. "What took so long? You usually get out on time." Alex smiled a little. "I have level testing next week." Jack was happy for him. "Good job, Alex. Want to get some cake or something to celebrate?" Alex decided he was allowed to enjoy cake. "Sure." Alex was starting to get really sore while the last of his adrenaline was wearing off. He refused to let Jack see he was that stiff, though. Alex made the effort to move normally, even though his legs and chest were stiffening. He made a mental not to take an extra hot shower when they got home. "Can we get chocolate raspberry?" It was one of the few combinations they both liked. "Sure, Alex." They head back in the car and the sky is rapidly turning grey. The drops begin to come down just as they close the door. Alex could hear the thunder outside as the rain started. Ian was waiting for them and he seemed to have already ordered take-out. He was actually setting the table. Alex had to stifle his laugh at the idea of Ian doing something that normal.
Ian hadn't set the table in years, but he was excited. He had even taken the prerogative to order all of his and Alex's favorite dishes from the French place they both had liked. Ian would actually be in town for Alex's level testing and he had decided to take Alex on a trip to Spain for three weeks. They would have fun and go mountain-biking. Ian decided he would break the news after Alex finished up at the dojo. One of the things he regretted most was not being there when Alex had birthdays and school events. Ian began pacing as the two made their way into the dining room. "Hello, Alex. I heard the class went well." Alex figured the man would have gotten the call by now. "You bet. It's actually fun, once you get the hang of it." Ian was happier than he had been in a long time. "Let's eat." They all sit and have dinner together. Alex made a note to wait until morning to mention the two shadows were back. No need to spoil the evening.
Alex decided to take a moment to collect his thoughts while he stretched. He knew he was going to be very sore if he didn't. The encounters with MI6, not to mention his karate practice were unsettling. He wondered what the deal was with Crawley and the creeps. It wasn't really helping his paranoia much. Alex recalled the conversation he had overheard one day with the Pleasures. They had been trying to convince Edward to send him to one of their psychologists. The doorbell had rung and Alex had concealed himself in the hall next to Edward's home office. Just as well he had, his life never went well when people kept secrets from him. "Why are you here? Alex doesn't work for you and he never should have." The disgust had been clear in Edward's tone. "We heard he was having trouble adjusting. Perhaps, civilian life doesn't agree with him after all." "Are you kidding me?! It's only been a few months and the only family he had left died!" Edward had raised his voice. Alex didn't want to listen anymore, but he was frozen in place. The icy shards of fear began piercing his stomach. "Not at first no, but we can send him to someone covered under national security." "The day I let you creeps in the same room with Alex ever again, is the day hell freezes over and Triads start handing out free meals. Now get out of my house!" Alex felt a rush of warmth towards the man. He refused to go anywhere near anyone they sent anyway. When Alex was sure they were gone (the door slamming and Edward cursing them), he went into the office where his new adopted dad was. "I heard you. Thanks for that." Edward just raised an eyebrow, but didn't accuse him of anything. "You're welcome."
Alex had nightmares that night. Back in the present, Alex finished his stretches. He still felt upset just thinking about it. Alex went into the shower rubbing the spot his bullet wound had been. He knew the ache was purely in his mind, since he hadn't been shot yet. The only classes at the American school he hadn't been almost failing were languages. He was fluent in Spanish, French, and German. He had begun learning Russian, though he refused to think about his reasons for doing so. Alex had actually been passable by the time he'd been shot. Russian was hard and he had a lot of makeup work to do. Later, since he was used to studying at an accelerated pace, he had begun working ahead, but keeping his grades low. He deliberately made sure that he was average, and had refused to participate in sports. Alex knew he would begin learning it again soon. Chinese and Arabic were worth looking into as well. It wasn't like his school wasn't laughably easy at the moment. He didn't want to make himself even more appealing to Blunt, but the skills that would help him survive also went hand in hand with the skills for MI6. Smithers was about the same as Alex remembered him and so were most of MI6, except Mrs. Jones. She was almost...human. Alex was puzzled. Maybe she just acted different at work? He knew that some people could ferocious towards their coworkers, but very nice at home (the Sergeant and Dieter Spritz, for example). It could be the politics to; he supposed. People got more emotional about that sort of thing.
Alex decided to go for a shower as hot as he could stand it. He checked over his bruises to make sure it didn't look like internal bleeding, though they didn't hurt that bad. Speaking of Russian, he wondered what a certain assassin was up to. With the amount of time they spent stalking each other; he could probably check the news and figure it out. Alex was also keeping up with important current events, though he took the news with a grain of salt. The news stories MI6 spread came vividly to mind. Plus, he was going on a new policy of all billionaires being egomaniacs who wanted to take over the world until proven innocent. At the rate he was going, the to-do list would go on for pages (he kept his mentally). He decided to look for a spot to keep newspaper clippings and notes that would not be visible to anyone else. Alex decided to focus on amassing his list tomorrow and sleep now.
Ian Rider was making hotel reservations and filling out the paperwork for his leave request. Technically, filling out some of it was voluntary, but he hoped filling it out would convince his bosses to mind their own business. His mind involuntarily wandered towards Alex. It usually did anyway, but something was still off about him. Ian actually liked the change, though. Alex seemed more confident and independent. It was a good thing in his opinion. Alex had become more graceful and less childlike and was aware of his surroundings at all times, whatever image he was projecting at school. Yassen Gregorovitch had also been on their tail, but had left them alone. Why? Ian didn't have an answer. The man had no qualms about killing anything at all, as far as Ian knew. He still questioned his brother's sanity when he thought about the student he had taken a liking to.
Ian decided he'd probably rather not know and to check out the windows again. The sun had set some time ago and it was fairly late. Alex and Jack were both in bed by now. The house had full visibility through the windows to the outside. As far as he could tell, the grounds were empty at the moment. It didn't necessarily mean they weren't being watched, but it made him feel better. He knew dark, tree-filled gardens could hide a lot of people and events, especially at night. Ian Rider knew he was far from omniscient, but at the moment he wished he had an answer to why he felt like he was being watched. Though he knew it was not the safest idea, he stood at the window until late at night. The moon slowly rose and cast a dim filtered light on his form. The light fell on the almost faded scar on his hand and he felt a stab of loneliness. He decided to go to bed and knew the feeling was a lot less than it had been for a while. Alex knew about him- the important parts at least. The sensation was like thawing gradually after being outside in the snow for hours. Ian went to sleep and had perfectly dreamless sleep for the first time in weeks.
Jack Starbright was not having an easy time sleeping. She kept thinking of Alex and how different he seemed. The new Alex was more…somehow. Jack didn't know the word for it. Alex had always been independent, but now it was at an almost self-sufficient level. You didn't bypass childhood in the space of a month. He had a strange sort of confidence, like he always knew who he was- she could no longer tell if he was struggling with his inner identity. There was more patience and compassion than he had before, for her at least. Jack didn't know any other ten-year-old who would listen and sit so nicely through her boring vacation with family. Alex didn't really demand anything anymore either- not that he had ever been a brat. Hell, most men were whinier than he was. He seemed oddly tense and was more serious than he had ever been, but the clever banter was still here. It was like he was more himself than ever before, but in a mature sort of way. It reminded her of the one Chemistry class she actually remembered. The teacher had been oddly intense as he discussed the benefits of refinement to society in the current day. She remembered feeling like the biggest idiot in high school when she asked what it was. The man hadn't mocked her, but had a pained look when he answered. "Ms. Starbright, refinement is when one removes the impurities from a substance." She had long forgotten the rest of the class and his lesson, but that part was stuck. It was as though someone had refined Alex down to the best of his traits. Jack was sure something was going on, but had nothing to go on. She irritably yanked a hand through her hair and muffled the groan when she saw the time. She had still been unable to sleep and she had to get up in four hours. Jack decided to roll over and try to stop thinking.
That morning Jack Starbright was exhausted. Alex, as usual, came down from showering after his morning run. The unusual part of the morning was that Jack had fallen asleep after making the coffee which was still in the pot. Alex couldn't keep the fond smile off of his face. She seemed to have had trouble sleeping for whatever reason. Alex shrugged. It wasn't like he couldn't cook for the three of them himself. He could also blow up the stove and use most of the utensils as weapons, but his goal for now was making breakfast, not stopping a kidnapping. Alex opened the fridge to check what they had. He took out the eggs, bread, and butter and set to work. Scrambled eggs and toast were done in less than ten minutes. The table was set and Alex decided to plate the food and wake Jack before it got cold. He silently walked over and gently tapped on her shoulder with one hand and held her coffee in the other. Jack opened her eyes to Alex gently tapping on her shoulder. When she saw the coffee, she grinned. "Thanks, Alex, sorry about that." Alex decided not to tease her before she finished her coffee. "Morning, Jack, breakfast is on the table." That seemed to get her up faster. Alex went to the table and started eating. He knew Ian would be down in a minute, since he heard the man at the top of the steps.
The minute she heard Alex had made breakfast for her (Ian, to, but who was counting), Jack felt her heart melt after her initial shock. She felt like crying in a good way, although that could be the fact that she was exhausted. Plus, she hated cooking. Most of her dates weren't even that nice to her, though she hadn't gone out with anyone in ages. For some reason, most of them didn't really know how to cook or didn't want to, not that she could blame them. Actually, most of her classmates hadn't learned before graduating. She sat down next to Alex and started eating with him. Jack knew that she shouldn't be this comfortable having a ten-year-old taking care of her, but right now she just felt more like family and less like a housekeeper. "Thank you, Alex." Jack was surprised by just how much she meant it. Alex smiled at her in the soft, sunny way of his. "You are welcome, besides you seemed tired." She could hear Ian Rider at the bottom of the steps. He wouldn't be able to hear them, yet. Jack could only wonder what the man had on the agenda for today. She was torn between wanting him and Alex to spend more time together and wanting him to go to work so she could have Alex for the day.
The minute Ian got downstairs and bade them good morning; Alex decided to speak to the man in his office. "Ian, can we talk in private after breakfast?" He didn't want Jack to worry about his three newly acquired stalkers. Jack decided not to interfere. The way Alex had phrased the question sounded ominous, like a family argument was on the way or something else was going on. Some inner instinct told Jack she really didn't want to know. Ian was surprised at the request, but kept his face at his usual blank expression. Alex sounded serious. "Certainly. We can use the office." He always made sure to put anything sensitive in his desk before he went to sleep. Alex could barely conceal his surprise at being allowed into the office, but then, Ian had nothing to hide from him this time around. Alex checked the phone and made sure the pictures were still there. He wasn't an idiot and he knew that having proof would make him seem less paranoid, even if he knew his uncle would probably take his word for it. As he ascended the stairs, he couldn't help the nervous feeling he had. He still burned with resentment over the way Eagle Strike had gone down.
Alex couldn't really decide on a nice way to inform his uncle that he was being stalked by the man's coworkers. He refused to fidget under Ian's penetrating look. "Your coworkers are like you right? Not really bankers." Alex knew it was a yes, but it was a softer opening. "Yes, Alex, why do you ask?" The man's soft tone was eerie at the moment. "Well, they were following me yesterday. I have pictures and everything…" He froze at Ian's glare. It was the angriest he had ever seen the man. "Show me." Alex forked over the phone. Ian was kind of terrifying like that. "It's not you I'm angry with, Alex." The tone temporarily softened from steel to granite, though the fury remained. Alex had gotten three of Crawley and a whole lot more of Taylor and Brown. They were defiantly in the park and it was definitely suspicious. "Can I go watch a movie with Jack?" Ian felt the briefest hint of jealousy, before realizing it was ridiculous and Alex was giving him time to deal with it. "Sure, Alex. Have fun." It was all Ian could do to check his tone and reaction until Alex got out of there.
Ian was furious; Crawley he could understand was under orders. The other two would not have been sent with him, though, particularly after Ian knew what they looked like and ditched them on the first day. That meant the two incompetents were following his nephew for their own purpose. Probably a less savory one than Crawley's. He knew he should have left Alex at home for that stupid idea of an office party. Procedure said he should give the evidence to Jones or Crawley and let them deal with it. Procedure and trusting in others had gotten John killed. Plus, call him overprotective, but he was having a hard time resisting the urge to hunt those two down. He grits his teeth and decided to tell Crawley the game was up. Ian felt the urge to murder those two not simmering down as much as he thought. These were people that were supposed to go after criminals and terrorists. How dare they go after Alex. The title of the email was: Looks like those two aren't the only ones. The email attachment was all the pictures and Ian wrote in the message:
Something you want to tell me, Crawley? I want an explanation.
Ian
Ian hit the send button with a little more force than strictly necessary. The reply was surprisingly quick:
About those two…they struck out on their own. Audio is attached. I'm working on them. As for your nephew, it's profile update week for your family- you know the rules. Thanks for the pictures, it makes my job easier.
Crawley
P.S. Nice job for a kid- or anyone really. The angle is wrong for an adult, before you deny it. I won't tell the boss if you don't.
Ian felt an immense amount of relief at that. Getting noticed by Alan Blunt for observation skills was the last thing he wanted for Alex. If his boss did notice his nephew, it would mean nothing good. Crawley wasn't necessarily a nice guy, but at least he drew the line at involving kids. He was irked that Crawley was doing his job, though. He sent his next email rapidly:
Isn't tracing them my prerogative? This is my nephew and life we are talking about!
Ian
Crawley understood the man's frustration, but if he let Ian Rider in on this, those two were going out in a body bag. They were idiots, but not really traitors. That guy was seriously overprotective when it came to his work and Alex. The last people who had even plotted against the kid "disappeared". Even Blunt hadn't been able to find the bodies. He had a sinking suspicion that they never would. Crawley fired off another email:
No way in hell! You are way too close to this. Besides, we all know what happens to people who threaten your nephew when you get involved. I want them alive this time. Enjoy your vacation!
Crawley
Ian sighed. Crawley did have a point. He was still smug about those idiots who had thought about kidnapping his nephew. He had made sure they were never seen or heard from again. Ian knew enough about getting rid of bodies and killing people to feasibly get away with any murder he wanted- terrorists and mobsters had very creative ideas. Ian decided to go down and watch the movie with the two of them. Fuming wasn't productive.