Chapter 41: An Explosive New Year Part 2

At least they were staying indoors. Alex could safely say he hated survival in sub-zero environments as much as he hated being stuck in a desert. Why couldn't people put their evil bases in nice, populated areas with mild climates? Probably because every neighborhood had that nosey neighbor from hell, who was only helpful in the event you were not committing the crime in said neighborhood. He sighed as he remembered that one lady who'd somehow heard of Ian's death and came before the funeral. Then he remembered the vicar and the funeral director. He forced his mind back into the present. "Useless."

Patrick, who was currently supervising their computer lessons that Alex was pretending to be new to, asked. "What is?"

Alex shrugged. "My current line of thought."

The icon on his computer told them both that he was into the fake system they were pretending to hack. "You seem to have done well." Alex rolled his eyes. "Perhaps you should have more faith in your abilities, no?"

Alex snorted. "I don't think one fake computer is a life-shattering event."

Patrick gave him an odd look. "No, Alex that is a start."

His grandfather glanced at the clock. "Time is up, children." Alex stretched his hands out. "Alex, stay behind."

They both heard Ian stomping around. "Ian is rather possessive, isn't he?"

Alex burst out laughing. For a solid minute and a half. His grandfather studied him and then slapped him lightly. "Sorry."

Patrick's smile seemed slightly bitter. "Quite alright. I deal with the family, remember."

Alex vaguely recalled something from Ian's lore lessons. Technically, he wasn't supposed to know or ask this, but he didn't care. "You're not just the head of this family, are you?"

Patrick seemed proud for a moment. "Perhaps. Perhaps not."

Alex snorted and realized he was sore from laughing too much. The man suddenly drew a knife on him. Alex froze. His grandfather put the knife away. "You didn't freeze before. Alex, has something happened?"

Alex at the moment was desperately trying to avoid a complete flashback to his accidental killing a few months ago. "I didn't mean too."

Perhaps Patrick was punishing him for his slip. It had just happened so fast after he was startled. "I don't think you did, Alex. What happened?"

Alex felt himself nearly begin crying. "I was breaking into a man's home. To get evidence. It was awful. The things he did to his wife and kids. He came back before he was supposed to and I just… reacted."

Patrick slowly hugged him. Alex felt mortified that he was actually crying over the stupid abusive sod. He realized he'd been sobbing for a while before he calmed down, automatically beginning to shut down his emotional reactions. A glass of water appeared on the sink next to him after he finished washing his face off. Patrick laid a hand lightly on his shoulder. "Sorry about that." His grandfather whacked him upside the head. "What was that for?"

Patrick shrugged. "Apologizing. You have feelings just like the rest of us. Nothing to be ashamed of."

Alex looked at him. "Did you ever-"

His grandfather finished his question. "Accidentally kill someone? Yes. Does it get any better? No. Why do you think self-control is so highly valued?"

Alex looked at the man. "A story for another time, perhaps. I can help you school your reactions in private. Perhaps it was for the best the man died, anyhow."

Alex looked at him in horror. "Why would you say that?"

Patrick looked at him. "For one, he was, as you say, not very nice. Plus, we do not want you to have a record, now do we?"

Alex gave him a look. "I am not a nice man, Alex. You need to realize that, but I do care for you a great deal, just like I cared for your mother."

Alex sighed. "Even if she didn't pass the tests and married the wrong people twice?"

Patrick smiled slightly. "Even then, child. I love all my children. It was awful, the day she died. Like the light left the world."

Alex didn't know what to say. "I haven't even seen their graves."

His grandfather's eyes flashed dangerously. "Then visit them when you return. I would punch Ian Rider for that if I didn't know it would upset you further. Take your Jack and Tom with you. They will be more understanding, yes?"

Alex sighed. Jack and Tom would come. "Alright, then."

Patrick sighed. "Mordant is in the know. Visit her, Alex, I mean it."

Alex rolled his eyes but felt better somehow. "Yes, Gramps."

Interfering old bastard. Strangely, he didn't mind this nearly as much as Ian's version of 'light' interference. Mainly because Patrick was giving suggestions, not trying to run his life. "Now, brat, it's dinner time."

Alex felt his grin slide onto his face. "And wipe that shit-eating smirk off your face. People might get the wrong idea."

Well, grumpy gramps was back to his normal hardass self. "See you at the table in three minutes, Grumps."

He ran out of the room before Patrick could whack him upside the head.

Everybody else was at the table. "What took you so long?"

Ian and Marion asked simultaneously and then glared at each other. "A private matter between my grandson and I."

Marion and Ian seemed to have some sort of forced psychic connection today. "And what would that be about?"

Alex bit back his chuckle as they glared at each other. Patrick sat down. "That would be between Alex and me unless he chooses to share the topic of discussion and any details with you. He and I will be having private lessons in the usual break block."

Marion and Ian both opened their mouths to protest. "That is final. Sit and eat."

Alex can see how his grandfather made a formidable foe at that moment. For a second there, he thought there might be violence. Then, both his aunt and his uncle shut their mouths and sat down. Then, they turned their gaze on him. There must have been something in his expression because Patrick glared them both down. "You will not pester, cajole, or coerce Alex either. If I find out you have, you will be very sorry."

Alex went very still. This was the general, not Patrick. He felt a faint stab of envy. Darn, what he wouldn't give to be able to make people back off like that, especially Ian and Marion. They were the two pushiest people he'd met on the planet. Well, minus Chase, but he'd didn't count because Alex was avoiding the man like the plague. And succeeding. Back to the present. Marion was full out pouting and Ian looked as though he was considering which spot would be the best to shoot Patrick in. Ian grabbed him after dinner and pulled him into the bedroom. "He didn't do anything, did he?"

Alex wondered what had Ian this paranoid. "Uh, no Ian, we literally just talked. He's pretty nice once you get to know him, actually."

Ian snorted. "I'll believe it when I see it."

Alex sighed. "Don't be a dick, Ian." Ian froze as he flashed back to John telling him the same thing. John's voice echoed along with Alex's. "It's usually key to getting along."

Ian resisted the urge to flinch. "Ian, are you okay?"

Ian sent a fond smile Alex's way. "Yes, Alex, I'm just fine."

Never better, in fact. Ian felt a certain warmth in his chest. Ignoring the guilt that came with it was almost a second nature. The expression that was halfway between concern and exasperation was so John. Ian suddenly hugged his nephew. Alex looked perplexed but went along with it. He ran his hands through the softer hair of his nephew. "Ian, are you sure you're alright?"

Ian held Alex to him, but let go when Alex pulled back. "Yes. I'm fine, Alex."

Yes, John, I'm fine. Don't worry about me, for God's sake. You're the one undercover after all. The soft smile was all Helen. He remembered it from the times he'd visited, especially when John was there. Ian pushed back the memories to focus on the present. It felt like he'd been stabbed in the chest, only to find out the blade was coated in acid and now it was slowly burning through his heart. He managed his typical smirk and sent Alex up to bed.

Darian was hovering. "He doesn't know does he?"

Ian whirled on the man. "Know what?"

Darian smirked at the question. "You could almost mistake him for Johnny, reborn into life."

Ian felt a flash of rage. "You're not fit to speak his name."

He was practically hissing. "And you are?"

Ian punched the man. "At least I had the guts to go to the wedding, not to mention the funeral."

Darian let out a wheeze. "Jesus, man. Your parents were dead! You could do what you wanted!"

Ian snorted. "At the time of the funeral, yes. I openly went to the wedding against their wishes."

Darian laughed just as bitterly. "Yeah, well, some of us aren't that stubborn."

Ian raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe, you're a coward."

Darian's fist slammed into the wall near his shoulder as Ian instinctively dodged. "Fuck you. You have no idea what was going on."

Ian dropped into a fighting stance. "No, but what I do know is that I was the only one not hiding my care behind tradition. You know what, I don't regret siding with my brother for a minute."

Darian mirrored him. "You're one to talk of regret. You can't even bear to speak their names or acknowledge that they are dead."

Ian sent a strike at the man's head that was dodged. "What kind of person doesn't take an orphan to his parents' graves?"

Darian's strike toward his rib cage was blocked. He was going to bruise. Ian threw another punch. "The kind who would spare him the grief."

Darian laughed. "He feels it anyway, newsflash, jackass."

Ian deflected the next strike. "You don't think your half-assed guardianship is any kind of replacement, do you?"

Ian's next strike is hard enough to kill. Darian smirked. "Touchy, aren't we? By the way, you should have let us join in for the game of 'kill the traitor'. Alex should have at least gotten in one stab, don't you think?"

Darian aimed for his neck. "Or maybe you're saving that for later? Make his first official kill an executive board member? Ambitious."

Ian's swipe dented the drywall. It was a feint. He'd pulled Darian on to the ground with his hands around the man's throat in a flash. "Do your worst."

They were interrupted. "Actually, please don't."

Alex. Shit. "Ian, please."

Ian got off Darian as fast as he'd pinned the man. Darian got up rubbing his throat. "Darian, just don't. Please, leave."

To Ian's surprise, the man actually obeyed. "Ian."

He felt flush. "Sorry, Alex."

He was sorry Alex had to see him do that, at any rate. Ian wasn't particularly remorseful about the attempted strangling of his brother-in-law. The amused exasperation he got was practically a cue to flashback to John. "No, you're not."

Ian rubbed his scalp awkwardly. "Remind me what you say about throwing the first punch, pot."

Ian sighed. "I just-"

Alex interrupted him. "Will not attempt to strangle the in-laws, however attractive it might seem."

Ian flexed his hand. "I can't promise that."

Alex gave him a look. "Ian."

Ian raised an eyebrow. "Alex."

Alex glared at him. "Look, I know the whole killing thing is a sensitive topic, but don't let Daridork provoke you."

Ian's lips twitched. "Can I call him that?"

Alex rolled his eyes. "I'm going to bed. Wake me up when you guys have matured back to your actual ages."

Ian sighed and watched Alex walk off. Darn, he knew he should have just gone for the neck breaking approach. Oh, well. Time to go to bed. He could always plot the deaths of the in-laws later.

Alex got up the next morning feeling a lot better than he had for the past few months. He took a few minutes to savor what little sun there was and his good mood. Going down to breakfast would definitely spoil it, with the way his relatives acted. He appreciated the warmth that the house and the sun on his skin provided. The snow glittered with the rays of the sun. It was almost blindingly white. For once, there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. The blue was at the edge of the glorious orange-yellow sunrise. Fenrir would love it here. Tons of snow to play in. The thought of the mutant wolf and his golden-yellow eyes brought a smile to his face. Not focusing on the near fratricide last night or the angst-fest in the afternoon, lah dee dah. The flash of irritation he felt at his relatives came back when Ian came barging into his room again. "Fucking knock next time, Ian."

Alex hadn't meant to snap at his uncle, but he was beyond irritated with his relatives. With the glaring exception of his grandfather and cousins, they all acted fucking five on a fucking good day. Ian flinched. "Sorry. You've been nearly thirty minutes. I was starting to worry."

Alex rolled his eyes. What? It wasn't like he was on suicide watch. "Really? I hadn't noticed."

Ian snorted. "No need to get sarcastic."

Alex sighed. "I was serious. I was kind of hoping the extra sun would get me some sort of wake-up hormone."

Ian laughed. "I'm afraid that's not how it works. If it was, I'd be doing that quite a bit myself."

Alex shrugged and began to change for the day. "Hope springs eternal."

Ian snorted. "I'll see you at breakfast."

Alex pulled on his shirt. "What are we doing today?"

Ian huffed. "Not much. It's New Year's, you know."

Alex grinned slightly as he ran a comb through his hair. "I'm surprised Grumps believes in vacations."

Ian shook his head. "He was actually refusing until yesterday and then he changed his mind."

Alex snorted and washed his face. "Is there a reason you feel the need to stay for my morning routine?"

Ian huffed. "I'm checking for injuries, you paranoid twerp."

Alex grinned. "What was that, Mr. I-put-on-my-seatbelt-to-drive-five-meters-down-the-street?"

Ian began an ever familiar lecture. "Seatbelts prevent automobile deaths in the thousands, if not millions. Cars weigh…"

Alex felt himself grinning through the lecture he'd heard about a thousand times. Eat shit, Blunt. Well. past-Blunt. This one hadn't done anything except his job and a creepy house visit. Alex decided to cut in. "Yes, Ian. Now, can we get breakfast sometime this year, please?"

Ian paused. Moved to the stairs and continued to spout car statistics through the entire time Alex ate. The rest of the relatives just eyed the man like he'd lost his mind. Alex choked back a snort at the expression on Marion's face. You bet Ian knew the number of car deaths in England this year, including Christmas week.

Patrick decided to interrupted Ian's sermon - sorry, lecture - on car safety after he'd finished eating. "Alright, Ian, as illuminating as your lecture is, I'd rather listen to the sounds of copulation, so please desist at once."

Alex felt his mouth drop open. Lilly was the only one not gaping. "Um, what's copulation?"

Alex sighed. "Sex, Lilly, copulation is sex."

She turned a red bright enough to match a fire truck. "Wait. How do you know that?"

Alex smirked. "I have older friends, for one. Two, I'm a snarky shit, so I got forced to read the dictionary a ton in Primary. I would have gotten past 'C' at some point."

Lilly grinned. "Wait, so what did you do when you found that word?"

Alex snorted with laughter. "Went home and asked Ian and Jack what sex was. Ian was...very thorough...in his explanation."

Lilly howled with laughter. "Poor innocent you."

Patrick cleared his throat. "Moving on, children."

Everybody was silent. "We are celebrating New Year's. I expect everybody to behave. Try not to overindulge and for the love of all that is holy, do not sing. That means all of you."

Ian huffed. "What are we supposed to do all day, then?"

Patrick shrugged. "Entertain yourselves. Hopefully, you are capable of such as an adult."

Ian actually looked offended. "What gives you the right to interrupt my lecture to my nephew?"

Patrick smirked. "Your lecture was offending the common decency of the room."

Ian's eyes flared. "Bite my ass, Beckett! That comment offended the common decency!"

Alex was about to cut in with Ian's hypocrisy, but Patrick interjected. "Children, please excuse us while we argue."

Alex exited the room with some reluctance. Cough, Marion dragging him out, cough. He wanted to see what new insults he could learn from Patrick. Honestly.

Alex was pouting, much to Marion's amusement. "Why'd you drag me out?"

His aunt's eyes danced with mirth. "Patrick said to leave. He's the head of the family."

Alex protested. "But he's great. I wanted to learn new insults."

Marion laughed out loud. "Come to live with us, then." Alex sighed. "Besides, Patrick is hardly age-appropriate."

Alex rolled his eyes. "Your lessons aren't age-appropriate."

Marion rolled her eyes. "At least you are keeping your end of the bargain."

Alex didn't really want to be reminded of the said bargain. "I keep my promises."

Alex did have a question, though. "What is with Patrick's obsession with all things sex-related?"

Marion looked at him laughed and looked at him again. "Oh, making up for lost time, I suppose. He grew up in a very traditional family. No sex until marriage at all. The poor man."

Alex frowned. "When did he get married?"

Marion shrugged. "Arranged marriage at twenty-five, I believe."

Alex started. "Really?"

Marion shrugged. "It may have been twenty-three. I get the ages mixed up. They were only two years apart."

Alex grinned. "I dare you to say that to his face."

Marion burst out laughing. "Sorry, Alex. If you want to see some gore, you'll have to sign up for my less theoretical lessons."

Alex flipped her off and she continued snorting. Lilly raised an eyebrow. "Why does Grandfather speak to you so much?"

Alex rolled his eyes. "Well, Grumpy the Magic Grout gets to see me about two to four weeks every year. He gets to see you twenty-four/seven. He's probably making up for lost time?"

Lilly was still giggling at his nickname for Grumps. Darian raised an eyebrow. "Do you call him that to his face?"

Alex smirked. "Don't think I don't have a nickname for you, Daridork."

A pillow sailed past his head. Alex grabbed the nearest one and hit his uncle in the head with it. "Oh, that's it, you brat. Pillow fight!"

Alex ducked as another pillow went flying his way. "You're on, Daridork!"

Marion was laughing madly and nailed her brother in the head with a pillow. Jason chucked one at his sister and the fight began in earnest. About forty-five minutes and a bunch of colorful blurs later, Ian and Patrick walked in on their pillow fight. Whump! Five pillows connected with the two family members. "Oops."

Ian snorted and Patrick sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "A pillow fight, really?"

There was Ian. Alex smirked and let out a cough that sounded suspiciously like the word 'Tulip'. Ian reddened ever so slightly and immediately shut up. Patrick sighed. "As the only person in the family above the mental age of fifteen, I feel obligated to tell you to come up with a New Year's resolution."

The adults scowled at him. "Hey!"

Patrick smirked. "We covered this at the last reunion children. Hay is for horses. Do try to keep up."

Alex choked back a snort. "Lilly, Jason, private meeting in my office."

His cousins glanced at him. Alex did his best to look reassuring. "Now, please."

His cousins followed Patrick out of the room. Alex sat down on the couch and toyed with the fringe. "Wonder what that's about."

Alex rolled his eyes at Ian's obvious ploy. "Nice try."

Ian's eyes glinted playfully. "Such suspicion. I'm hurt."

Alex snorted. "Cry me a river."

Marion and Darian were glancing between the two of them and their retorts with raised eyebrows. "One tiny hint couldn't hurt."

Alex smirked. "One tiny bullet from Patrick definitely would, though."

Ian sighed and leaned back. "Marion."

Marion sat down next to him. Alex was starting to sense a pattern here. "Screw off."

Marion snorted. "I haven't said anything yet."

Alex arched an eyebrow. "I just conveniently remembered that we're not speaking to each other."

Marion huffed. "That is way too subjective."

Alex smirked. "Then you should have specified more terms or waited for an environment where you could have."

Marion gave him the evil eye. "My lessons are not that bad."

Alex huffed. "I still heartily object to the premise."

Marion snarked. "The idealism of a child."

Alex retorted. "The rattling of a cold-hearted cynic."

Ian decided to cut in. "You two are being awfully confrontational."

Alex fired back. "This coming from the guy who routinely substitutes her name with a swear word?"

Ian scowled. "That's different."

Alex snorted. Hypocrite. "How, pray tell?"

Darian cut in. "Not to mention he tried to strangle me last night. Again."

The four of them started at once.

"You always start like this-"

"Why does no one see exactly-"

"I swear, you twits-"

"What on earth-"

Alex promptly dropped out in favor of watching them scream at each other. It was sort of funny if you ignored the fact that they were all incredibly deadly, armed, and family members. He decided to tune them out and in favor of watching their hands. Alex sighed as he realized he'd be the one breaking up the fight if it got physical. Lucky him. Sharpshooting with Yassen might end up paying off...at the family reunion, on his family members. Oh, it would be nothing lethal. Just a graze to keep them from killing each other. Alex's attention automatically flipped to Darian who was drawing a knife. The others were reaching towards their weapons as well. Well, shit. Alex drew his guns and let off three shots before they could react. The first grazed Darian's arm. The second barely clipped his aunt's shoulder and the third drew a long thin line down Ian's forearm. "Alright. Shut up, sit down, and quit trying to murder each other while I get the first aid kit. That means you, Marion."

His aunt quit going for her other knife. Alex opened the nearby cabinet and got out the first aid kit. Just in time for Patrick to come down. "What on Earth is going on?"

Alex sighed. "They tried to kill each other, again. I stopped them, again."

Patrick looked at them and shrugged. "Serves them right, arguing in front of you. Humph."

Patrick paused for a minute. "Wait. Again?"

Alex sighed. "Ian and Darian were at it last night."

Patrick looked furious. "Children. The job is dangerous enough already without adding fratricide to the mix."

They all looked fairly ashamed. Patrick started tossing them first-aid supplies. "Nice shooting, Alex."

His grandfather said before exiting the room. Marion hissed as she disinfected her shoulder. "Ow. Fuck. I can't believe the old fart actually gave you a compliment."

Alex snorted. "Well, someone has to keep you lot from killing each other after he dies a hopefully natural death."

Darian was already wrapping his arm. "Where did you learn to shoot? Ian, while pretty and with many talents, doesn't shoot that well."

Alex gave him a look. Bite him. "It was Ian."

Darian sighed. "Fine. Be like that."

Ian hissed at that comment. "What was that supposed to mean, Daridork?"

Darian snorted as he walked out of the room. "Figure it out yourself, Bond. Or did you sleep with your boss for that promotion?"

Alex mentally gagged at the image that conjured up. "What, like you did?"

Alex was feeling slightly nauseous at the thought of people related to him shagging other people. "I'm going to go now. Patrick! Wait up!"

Alex all but ran from the room.

His grandfather shot him an amused look as he sat down in the other sitting room. "Question, Alex?"

Alex put on his most innocent face. "Do you know if any of them are allergic to sedatives of any kind?"

Patrick chuckled. "They are not, to the best of my knowledge. Why?"

Alex grumbled under his breath. "Two words, gramps. Sleep. Darts."

Patrick sighed. "You shall have to learn to deal with their arguments in the end. You haven't even met the others."

Alex gave his grandfather a look. "You plan on changing that, though."

Patrick shrugged and opened what Alex realized was a liquor cabinet. The scotch Patrick got out was very nice. Alex sniffed it and gagged. "It's an acquired taste."

Alex raised an eyebrow. Patrick would usually take the hint. "Not until you are fourteen at the very least."

Oh, joy. Just what about fourteen made it the perfect age for forced recruitment of some kind? Alex paused as his grandfather rose and walked to the kitchen. There was some kind of wine, cloves, cinnamon, orange peel, and raisins. Alex stared. "Why do we need four liters of Glühwein?"

Patrick gave him a look. "It's New Year's."

Alex smirked. "Gramps, do you have a drinking problem?"

Patrick whacked him upside the head. "No such thing."

Alex snorted. "Yes, Gramps, there is."

Patrick looked at him. "Are you going to help your poor old grandfather or not?"

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Extortion, old man? I guess I should help you to make sure you don't poison it."

Patrick gave him a fond look. "That's the spirit."

Alex muttered nearly inaudibly. "Yeah, of paranoia."

Hopefully, Patrick hadn't heard him.

Nightfall came faster than Ian Rider would admit. Especially since he spent the time arguing with Helen's siblings in full view of - Where was Alex? Ian paused to listen for a moment before he heard two people in the kitchen. His father-in-law and Alex. Because the old fart just had to spend time with Alex and rub it in everybody's face. For Christ's sake, Patrick was nosier than he was and Alex gave him a pass? Why? Lilly and Jason were sitting and watching them. "Something wrong with your hands?"

He probably shouldn't be taking his angst out on children. Lilly smiled mournfully. "Our cooking skills, actually. I set three stoves on fire. I didn't mean to, honest."

Jason shrugged. "Guilty by association. We get to learn on campfires until Grandfather says we can cook on the stove again."

Ian shrugged and sat down. "Must have been a bad fire."

Lilly flushed. "It was. Melted the stove."

Ian raised an eyebrow. "All three times?"

Jason scowled at him. "Yes, now shut up or change the subject."

Ian sighed loudly. "When is that going to be done?"

Patrick answered him. "When it is done, Ian, now be patient and set an example for the children."

Alex rolled his eyes at Patrick's deliberate vagueness. "It should be done in fifteen to twenty minutes, Ian. Relax, you'll get your dinner on time."

Patrick huffed. "Killjoy."

Alex snorted. "You've met Ian, right?"

The man's lips twitched. "Oh, yes. Perhaps I know him better than you."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Really, this again?"

Patrick smirked. "I know things about your uncle that would curl your hair, boy."

Alex felt something in him rise. He didn't have a name for it yet. "It might take more than you think to curl my hair, Grandfather."

That was the spy talking. Alex had been careful to keep that part of him in check. Even around Ian and Yassen. But sometimes, he slipped. Patrick's eyes flash. Alex could see the general peeking out from the old man. Alex still wasn't sure which side was the real personality of his grandfather, so to speak. "Or perhaps we would both be surprised, Alex."

It came out as almost a purr. That was the general. Then, Patrick seemed to reign in the darker half of his personality. "Dinner time, children."

Alex was both relieved and disappointed. Relieved that Patrick seemed to sense that he refused to let the man test his loyalty to Ian. He was disappointed he wasn't about to learn more about his uncle. Alex knew he would support his family and friends with his dying breath and eternal soul, even if they didn't know it yet. After all, he'd already pledged his soul to Death. Or at least, he was fairly certain he had. Grim hadn't outright stated it, but Alex figured that whatever would keep his consciousness immortal had to have cost his soul or given Death power over it.

Dinner was wonderful. It was as delicious as it smelled. The first course was white asparagus soup that was made a while ago, but had been frozen. The creaminess of it was surprisingly subtle and the shrimp didn't overpower it the way he'd expected. The next course was cold cuts and eggs with mackerel caviar. He didn't much like the caviar, but the meat was really good. The main course was the best veal he'd ever had, not too tender and not too soft, cauliflower that he stayed away from (who liked the stuff?), salad, green beans that were spiced just enough, potatoes, and sweet cooked pears. The cheese course came after and had at least two of his favorite French cheeses that he totally wanted more of, but sadly disappeared before he could get a third helping. The dessert was crème brûlée and very good vanilla ice cream. Afterward, there was tea and the fancy mini-cakes that he'd never seen out of restaurants for rich people. Technically, it was very late lunch, but it lasted for nearly four hours and ran straight through dinner time. Gramps then broke out some really old champagne. The label was falling off and he had already set up seven champagne flutes. Alex was starting to seriously think that Gramps drank straight through the family reunions and was trying to justify his behavior by pawning it off on them. Oh, well. Alex may as well enjoy the permission to drink while it lasted. He wasn't sure how Ian would take it outside of this context and he didn't want to rock the already struggling boat. Alex nearly choked in shock at the surprisingly sweet taste. It was actually good. To be fair, that was probably because it tasted more like juice than any kind of alcoholic beverage. Then Alex remembered the mulled wine they made earlier. How on earth were they supposed to drink it all? He shrugged and went along with it as his family tuned into the New Year's special on the idiot box. "The fireworks won't start until midnight, you know."

His family rolled their eyes. "Yeah, we know."

After his second glass of champagne (sorry, Italian sparkling wine), Alex was starting to feel a little hazy, so he quit while he was ahead. There was no need to beat the family record for the youngest hangover. He was sure the prats would keep one, just to hold it over the head of whoever the poor sod was. Ian was also giving him the evil eye, so Alex had a feeling that if he took anymore he'd be in trouble for violating Ian's (technically not yet explained) alcohol rules. Yassen would probably kill him for this as it was. Alex sighed and went back to his slightly drunk observation of the 'news'. He wondered what his relatives had in store for midnight.

It was finally midnight. Alex and his relatives had spent the time mainly talking about non-touchy geopolitical subjects and drinking. Well, Alex had quit after two and resolved to not go for anything else but the mulled wine at slightly after midnight. Marion suddenly got up. "What's going on?"

Marion actually smiled, for once. "Homemade fireworks and thermite."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Already made, I hope?"

Marion rolled her eyes. Sue him. Fireworks were dangerous to make. Frank knew some chemistry buddies who'd lost fingers making fireworks at home. "Of course, dear. No explosive item building while drunk."

Alex chuckled. "I knew that already, but I was just checking."

Marion gave him a fond smile. They all finished watching the major part of the firework shows and slowly followed Marion. Alex was handed a few packages wrapped in the plain brown paper after they'd all bundled up to go out into the frozen tundra. Marion handed him a good lighter, too. It was the kind that could actually hold a flame for a bit. They all opened their packages. Ian let off his first. Roman candles. Alex's personal favorite was a tie between the bottle rockets and the pooping dog firework. It always got a chuckle or two out of both him and Jack. Sadly, Gramps had all the bottle rockets and practically hissed at anyone who wanted to set one off. Guess he knew which ones were Patrick's favorite. Darian was setting up some sort of cult-like design with the dozens of sparklers he had. He somehow managed to get them to set off in stages. Lilly and Jason were covertly setting their off and carefully aiming away from the frozen, snow-covered, trees. No need to tempt fate. Alex opened his and found Roman candles, sparklers, and one of the pooping dog fireworks. He grinned as he set it on the ground and carefully stepped away as he lit the fuse. Alex caught Ian's eyes and saw his uncle rolling them. The Roman candles were next and the sparklers Alex made last for a bit as Gramps' rockets exploded overhead. The thermite was saved for last. The color of the explosion would be a surprise. The bang and the orange flame had to be heard for miles around, not to mention the huge black smoke column. It was kinda epic, although the brightness kind of hurt his eyes after the dimness he'd gotten used to. They went inside shortly after, the silence almost as loud as the explosion itself. Patrick actually favored them with a smile. "Happy New Year, children."

They all replied in turn. Patrick began pouring out the mulled wine. "Thank you."

His grandfather gently handed him a cup. "Bed after this, I think."

Alex shrugged. Nobody seemed to feel like arguing. Alex figured it was either the hour or the booze or both. The wine was a warm relief from the sub-zero temperature. At that point, did it matter if it was Celsius or Fahrenheit? Alex didn't think so. He went to bed after that, having already called Jack and Tom and Mandy. He'd debated calling the others but settled for texting them or (in certain cases) ignoring their existence. For once, he had no issues falling asleep.

Alex was woken at an ungodly hour by loud swearing he recognized as his aunt's and grandfather's. Normally, he would have totally ignored it, but this sounded particularly urgent. By the ungodly hour, he meant six o'clock. Alex tried to ignore it, but the voices were getting louder and he was a light sleeper. The door connecting him to his cousin's rooms opened shortly after that and Lilly and Jason barged into his room. Alex tried to block out the artificial light with his pillow and failed miserably at ignoring the two warm bodies in his bed. "What's going on?"

Jason shrugged. "Like they tell us."

Lilly was cutting off circulation in his arm. "I've never seen mum actually scared before."

Scratch it, both of them were cutting off circulation. Right, his cousins were frightened. Alex was more of a figure out what the fuck is going on and fix it kind of guy, but he figured they were still children and relatively shielded. He moved his arms out from under his technically older cousins and to their necks. "Right, guys, I'm sure everything will be fine. If we were in real trouble, the adults would be evacuating us."

Lilly was close enough that he could feel her pulse start going back to its normal rate. Jason shrugged, but his heart wasn't beating any slower than Lilly's. "We knew that."

Alex withheld his snort like the mature adult in the situation should. Barely. "Right."

Jason swatted him. "Sarcasm isn't a crime."

Jason grinned. "It is when your future intelligence boss calls it 'insubordination' and sends you on a suicide mission to a country nobody sane has ever heard of to be hung, drawn, and quartered."

Alex snorted. While he wouldn't put it past Blunt, Jones was a little more reasonable. I mean, you wouldn't die during said punishment, but you might wish dying of boredom were actually possible by the end of it. "So that excludes us, then, 'cause we've definitely heard of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is neither democratic nor republican if reports are to be believed."

He was still a little sleepy and the extra warmth was not helping them. Lilly giggled. "Well, nobody ever accused mum of being sane."

Alex snorted and ran his fingers through her hair. "I would imagine not."

Lilly was now yawning. "Yes, please do come in, hop in bed, and fall asleep."

Lilly swatted somewhere approximating his head, but missed and got the pillow. "Shush. I'm getting comfortable."

Alex sighed. "Just this once, then, you two."

Jason was like a mini-radiator. It was almost like having his wolf back. Alex sighed and decided that he was going back to sleep with his cousins.

Ian Rider had known it was a bad idea to get involved with the family 'not a cult' and now he was stuck. Unfortunately, his sense of honor was not going to allow him to get out of his current pile of shit unscathed. Marion was huffing in the corner. The current debate was on whom to leave behind with the children. Darian was a pushover. Marion was a maniac. Patrick was wholly unsuitable. Ian was sure there were a few perfectly good reasons not to let him look after Alex, but couldn't think of any current examples of the man's irresponsibility. At any rate, this was a bad idea and he should have arrested them for terrorism, personal consequences be damned, a while ago. It would vastly simplify his life. Then again, he could never really bring himself to carry out any of his plans. In the heat of the moment? Sure, he might strangle his mildly pervy brother-in-law, but he never actually tried to murder his 'relatives'. Ian wasn't sure why. Maybe because he suspected that it was how John wanted it? For Alex's sake maybe? Ian drummed his fingers and continued to argue that he would be the best bet for looking after the children. Plus, he had his own job to consider. Jones put up with a lot of his shit because he was good at his job, but there was only so much he could get away with. Marion's job description and hours were...considerably more flexible. Darian was technically retired for medical reasons (shot in the chest). Patrick had retired at the standard age and had a pension, but he was still on good enough shape to snap a guy's neck. Ian would bet money the man could still take him. Patrick sighed. "Since we are both unwilling to leave our children, or child in your case, alone with the other side of the family for an extended period of time, perhaps a compromise of sorts?"

Ian sighed. "What did you have in mind?"

Patrick eyed him. "How large is the house in Chelsea?"

Ian shrugged. "Very. It was meant to hold three generations of us with at least two kids each, although the younger ones might have to share rooms."

Patrick drummed his fingers against the table. "You and I could remain with the children. Marion and Darian could handle this."

Ian ran his hands through his hair. "I could live with that, as long as you mind the language. We also live with one of my colleagues, Ms. Starbright, and Tom Harris."

Patrick's smile had more teeth than joy. "That should be acceptable. The Harris boy?"

Ian glared at the man. "Don't even think about it. He's suffered enough without your help."

Patrick let that one go. "Very well. Children! What have we told you about eavesdropping?!"

Alex and his cousins were wearing identical smirks. "Not to get caught while doing it, Grandfather."

Apparently, his cousins had the same lecture. Alex cut off the impending doom with a question. "What is going on?"

Patrick sighed. "One of the Tanakas was found out by their respective crime syndicate. We are organizing a rescue mission, as the Chens have refused to help."

Alex resisted the eyeroll. "So what are we doing?"

Patrick's amusement was not lost on him. "You, children, will be staying with Ian and me at Alex's house."

Alex resisted a scowl. "Ian agreed to this?"

Ian openly scowled. "Reluctantly."

A/N:

A few facts... (To the best of my knowledge)

1. Alex's BAC at this point (after two drinks) would be about 0.07 - 0.09, assuming his weight is near or slightly more (due to muscle) than the average eleven or twelve-year-old boy. Also, I don't endorse underage drinking, but this is how these types of celebrations went with my European friends and I. Some of them were allowed to drink as young as nine (including myself – for special occasions), though they are all fine and well-adjusted people as far as I know.

2. Depending on the year we go by as Alex's birthday this name may change, the Democratic Republic of Congo would be thus named in 1964 until 1971 (it was renamed the Republic of Zaire from 1971 - 1997 under Mobutu). The current constitution came into being around 2006 and the country is now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Due to the inconsistencies (minor) in the timeline in the original story, I was unable to fix upon the name to use. It would also depend on the textbooks used in Alex's school as well. Some of mine were 12 years old and held inaccurate country boundaries (and names) for Africa. I have also used a map (for purely physical features, like mountains) from the Soviet era (USSR on the map and all) at home.

Also, sorry about the lateness of the update. I had to pack this week for my college and it was mum's birthday. I'll be on the road for about three days, as well. I'll try to keep my usual (about every two weeks) update schedule this year, but no guarantees.