Chapter 50: Arguments and Assuagement

Alex had managed to get his friends to stay out of his household, just barely. Mandy had taken a lot of convincing to keep out. Ian was going to be his guardian whether his friends liked it or not. Alex really liked his freedom and not having real parents that would monitor his hours or what he was learning besides the curriculum that they wrote for him. A real guardian would do that kind of things. Alex remembered Edward's early attempts at parenting. The man had eventually given up, but not without a fight. Alex was almost touched. Besides, he had other people to fill in the gaps Ian left in his education or development or some shit. Alex made a mental note to break in Belinda's house again soon. He had to get to Switzerland and see about that letter back-up, too. The bank was getting grumpy holding all of those letters. Alex knew he would have to organize some sort of system to get them in Russia without anybody noticing them. Couriers would get the wrong sort of attention. Unavoidable nine-month work emergency? It might work. It might also give away his identity. Or perhaps entangle him in more politics than he wanted. If he started asking for breaks, Chase might assume he was Pierre's boss now. He knew some people trained apprentices and Chase would have no reason to disbelieve him. Plus, there were long-term assignments like that that required no outside contact. Chase would know about that, considering the paranoid lunatics he worked for and with. Alex grinned at the thought of just how bananas the man must be going for Yassen to comment on it. On the other hand, he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Take a few criminal jobs, dodge Ian while doing them to keep his cover? He had a feeling that Yassen would think it was a good idea. Alex felt the risk was pretty high without a partner. There were sights where bounties and the like were posted and not just for people. There were all kinds of things people put a price one. From objects to people, to informational tidbits, to drug operations in every stage. The deep web also ran some of the dodgier government stuff. It would also give him more income that was shielded from prying eyes. Alex liked Ian, but he wanted his own money because things could go south and he didn't want to get screwed just because Ian didn't approve of his life choices. He'd seen what happened to people who relied on trust funds, thank you very much. Ian had never forgotten to pay bills, but Alex was not about to trust the man to remember anything important, just in case. He had the account Darian had given him. The flash drive had worked as far as Alex could tell. Maddox had gone through every line of the modified code and said it was fine to use.

Alex was packing his bag for Switzerland when Ian walked in. It was only a day trip, but he made sure he was always prepared to hop on an airplane at a moment's notice. It had been necessary before. "Where are you going?"

That came out far more accusatory than Ian had meant it to sound. "Switzerland."

Ian sighed loudly. "For how long?"

Alex was tempted to tell his uncle he could very well go any damn place he wanted for however long he wanted, but instead shoved his toiletries deeper into his bag. "Just for a day trip."

Alex's tone was positively glacial. Not that Ian could blame him. "Are you sure? The last time-"

Alex rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know. It really is just for Monday."

Ian sat on Alex's bed, carefully avoiding the mutt. "I'm having a hard time believing you. This is the second time you've used Switzerland to get a headstart on ditching England, you know."

Alex blinked. "Yeah, but I don't have a real reason to ditch you at the moment, you know."

Ian examined the contents of Alex's bag but refrained from searching it. "That doesn't look like a day trip."

Alex shrugged. "You never know when you'll have an emergency overnight hotel stay."

Ian sighed again. "I'm sorry I forgot your birthday."

Alex gave Ian a half-hearted glare. It still stung, but he was mostly over it. "Look, there's not really an excuse, but there was a lot going on."

Alex ignored him and continued packing. Nile remembered before Ian did. Charles did, too. Hell, even Marion knew the date, even if she hadn't planned for it. Alex had programmed everyone's into his phone, which was pretty much the same thing. Ian continued. "I'm really sorry."

Alex let out a long sigh. It wasn't that he didn't believe Ian was sincere, it was more that this was the second year in a row. Plus, all the other crap Ian had pulled in his early life. "Fine."

Alex managed to not quite snap out while he finished off his packing. Most of his suspicious items were on his person anyway, not in his bag. He'd be pretty safe if Ian wanted to go all future TSA on him (they didn't exist yet, not that they were particularly good at their job, but still). Ian was still looking at him. "What were you expecting?"

Ian sighed. "Some sort of reaction, maybe. You seem like you just kind of accepted it."

Alex put his backpack down. "What on Earth am I supposed to do? It's not as though I can change anything you do. I guess I've given up trying."

Alex kept his tone even despite wanting to scream the words.

He was mentally eighteen, this was not supposed to be that important. Besides, he was not about to lash out at Ian for things that had yet to happen or weren't impacting him immediately. Alex took a deep breath. Not yelling at Ian was way harder than it should be. Feeling the rage bubble up, as if on instinct, Alex worked on suppressing it. He was here. He was twelve. This was not a place or a time for his instincts to spring up. "I'm sorry."

Alex would have rolled his eyes if Ian was any less sincere, but he was trying not to be completely unreasonable. "Well, you know, sometimes there are things sorry can't fix."

Like our swiftly crumbling relationship. Ian should bloody well know that. After all, this probably wasn't his first life fuck-up. Alex kept looking anywhere but Ian. The wolf was at his side. "Please look at me."

Alex glared at Ian. "Why should I, when I may as well be a ghost?"

Ian felt as though his chest had been pierced with a stiletto. "Alex."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Try harder."

Then, he left the room with his backpack. Switzerland might have to wait another day. "Time for a walk, Fenrir."

Jack watched him walk out. "Be safe."

Alex gave her a soft smile. "I'll try."

Alex decided to wander for a bit before actually going towards Belinda's house. He was still there ages before he was supposed to be. Oh, well. No time like the present. Alex was an expert at breaking into her place by now. He sat down on the couch with his dog and waited. Sure enough, Belinda walked into the living room a few minutes later. "You're about twelve hours early. Perhaps you've learned some manners after all."

Alex grinned. "Aww, it's not as though you have something better to do a one a.m. Besides, I think it makes your life more exciting."

Belinda raised an eyebrow. "Yes, my life's ambition was to counsel a child assassin at odd hours of the morning."

Alex smirked. "One would think from your file."

Fenrir was stretching across her rug. Belinda raised an eyebrow at Alex's enormous pet. "Compensating for our lack of attention, are we?"

Alex flipped her off. "Shut up. He was a cute puppy."

Belinda just gave him an amused look. "Why are you here early?"

Alex shrugged. "Well, I was going to go to Switzerland either today or tomorrow, but I think my morals are melting and I'm developing anger management issues."

Belinda sighed. Her lunch was probably going to be sporadic today. "What brought this on?"

Alex sighed. "Well, first I went to rescue my aunt from the…"

Belinda mentally groaned at the end of the story. At this rate, Ian Rider may as well fork Alex over to the world. But, there were other issues she needed to handle first. "Tell me, Alex. Did this doctor you kill have any redeeming factors?"

Alex tried hard to come up with one. "Not really, I mean, he was skilled at plastic surgery, but that's all I can think of."

Belinda snorted. "Technical skill doesn't really excuse crimes, does it?"

Alex raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?"

Belinda reluctantly petted the fluffy dog. If it was shedding all over her rug, she may as well reap the benefits of having a dog. "You are a not sadist and I personally doubt you ever will be. You killed him out of righteous anger and, frankly, as long as you don't become completely self-righteous, I think you will still be good. Perhaps not what most people think of as conventionally good, but on the lighter shades of grey."

Alex gave her a look. "Are you saying I'm not dangerous?"

Belinda burst out laughing. "No. I once had a patient who was similar to you. He was the second most dangerous man I ever met."

Alex gave her a genuinely surprised glance. "Your point being?"

Belinda took a sip of her tea. "The corrupt doctor was no real loss. I think you're still you."

Alex gave her a wry grin. "Why didn't you say so?"

Belinda gave him a sort of droll stare. "Sometimes one needs to take the circuitous route."

Alex rolled his eyes. "Thing number two?"

Belinda sighed. "It's not really about your birthday, this little spat with Ian, is it?"

Alex snorted. "Do you really need to ask?"

Belinda sighed. "Avoidance is not the answer."

Alex snapped. "Says the agoraphobic who has her groceries delivered."

Belinda rose. "This is why therapists typically have something in the way of privacy in regards to their patients."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "I dislike hypocrites."

Belinda raised an eyebrow. "I dislike having my space invaded, but here we are."

Alex sat back. "I'll make you a deal."

Belinda was piqued. "Oh?"

Alex grinned. "Come with me to Switzerland and I'll tell you all about living with Ian."

Belinda inhaled sharply. This could give her the answers she needed, but at the same time, it was outside. Alex gave her a reassuring grin. "C'mon. It'll be fun. Besides, you don't think your cruddy door will really protect you, do you?"

Belinda felt a flash of something. "Very well."

Alex got up. Belinda stared. "Well, are you coming or not?"

Belinda inhaled. "Now?"

Alex smirked. "No time like the present."

Belinda went to the door and grabbed her slightly-dust-infested coat. She shook it, then put it on. She stepped out the door and into the white. Belinda took a minute to process the fact that her anxiety was surprisingly low and then followed Alex. She felt numb, almost like she was in a dream. Alex grabbed her hand. "C'mon. It's a bit of a walk."

Belinda felt her mind go numb as she let Alex lead her. Dissociation. Lovely. Hopefully, nobody would notice, but she was almost beyond caring and had stopped really registering her surroundings. It was as though she wasn't really her anymore. Like somebody else was walking through the snow with the blonde boy.

Alex knew dragging Belinda along wasn't the best idea, but he figured that if she would at least try to face her fears, then he would try to face his past. He waved his hand in front of her face when they got to Switzerland. Oops. He hadn't quite expected her to go completely unresponsive. At least she was still following him. "Belinda."

Alex hissed in an undertone. No response. Welp. There were therapists for therapists, right? Alex decided this was going to be a quick trip and handled the letters (damn, the accountant was grumpy, Nile must've threatened him) and a few other things as fast as possible. He was in and out in ten minutes with a "Have a nice day." God bless the Swiss and their efficiency. Alex decided to try to wake her up and took a bit of a side trip to a deserted spot of the countryside. He got off the train and took her into the forest without resistance. Fenrir was far larger than any natural animal in the forest. Alex figured they would be pretty safe and they were at least a three kilometers from the hunting-lodge filled small town he hopped off at. Alex figured he would have to hurry. The trains stopped after nine. He drew a deep breath before drawing, switching off the safety, and firing. Belinda jumped. "Oh, good, you're back."

The woman drew herself up. "Where in the bleeding hell are we?"

Alex shrugged. "Well, I couldn't fire a gun in London. I took you to the forest instead. I figured your survival instinct might wake you up."

Belinda huffed. "How long was I unresponsive for?"

Alex shrugged. "A few hours."

Belinda scowled. "There is a reason exposure therapy goes on for years."

Alex shrugged. "I once pushed a height-phobic guy out of a helicopter. He seemed pretty fine. The parachute was on a cord, don't worry."

Belinda gave him a look and muttered under her breath. "How far are we from civilization?"

Alex shrugged. "Three kilometers or so. We should probably hurry. I don't even want to know what Ian would come up with if we ended up having to spend the night in a hotel."

Belinda gave him a wry look. "No, we most assuredly don't."

Alex grinned. "We will still be having our little talk afterward, make no mistake."

Alex immediately pouted. Belinda was not walking six kilometers in the winter and sitting on a train for hours with no reason. She winced as she registered the throbbing pain her legs were in. "Hot water and lidocaine."

Belinda raised an eyebrow. Alex flushed. "For your legs, I mean, it's what I used."

She sighed and resisted the urge to strangle her patient. It happened and he had meant well. This would almost be nice, if, you know, she was in shape. "I will take that under advisement."

They walked back in an awkward sort of silence. Belinda was content to wait until they got back. No need to risk being overheard. It was long past nightfall when they got back home. Alex didn't seem tired at all, but he had 'stamina training' listed in the file the relatives provided. Belinda cursed the family athleticism. Alex had kept her from falling over at least twice already. By the time they got to her house, she was in dire need of a nice bath, painkillers, and coffee. That was it. She was going to start doing actual fitness again. Maybe dance classes? Belinda had enjoyed ballroom dancing, before. Now, she could try one of the others. Maybe modern? She wasn't really the hip-hop type and she was far too old for ballet. Alex sat down on the couch. "Oh, no you don't. I expect coffee when I get out of the shower."

Alex gave her a rather cheeky thumbs up. Belinda limped off to the showers, making sure to grab her sunburn lotion on the way in. This was going to be a long night.

Alex expertly set the coffee pot to boil. Revolting American invention it was. It was actually not from America, but Alex didn't actually care that much. Alex remembered making Jack some at one point, but he had watched Belinda brew both coffee and tea. Alex also knew how she took it. He watched the tea kettle hiss (what, it wasn't like he was in danger of burning the house down?). Alex grinned as he realized Belinda was finally accepting his food offer. She was probably too tired to care about being paranoid about being drugged, but Alex would count that as a victory. It wasn't like he didn't know what she was going through, not that she knew that. Belinda stepped out into the living room, impeccably dressed with her hair dry as always. Alex wondered how she got it done so fast but decided not to question it further. The coffee was promptly placed in front of her. Belinda took a sip. "You got it right."

Alex felt his lips twitch. "No need to sound so amazed. Two creams and two sugars are not very hard."

Jack took hers with milk and no sugar. Ian took it straight black and Crawley took it with sugar and no milk. Nutters, the lot of them. Alex preferred his tea. I mean, he wasn't a fanatic like Yu, but still coffee tasted like burnt dirt. Belinda gave him an amused glance as he sipped his tea. "Made yourself at home, I see."

Alex grinned. "I only make coffee there."

Belinda snorted. "Alex, you will have to get over your coffee aversion at some point."

Alex grinned. "And here I thought you wanted to talk about my issues with Ian."

Belinda placed her empty coffee mug on the table. "Anytime you want to begin is fine."

Alex heaved a sigh. He didn't want to, but he figured he would have to talk to someone about this at some point. "Alright then, I guess I should start at the beginning."

Belinda looks at him. "When your parents died?"

Alex sighed. "No, what I remember first. Chronological order, you know."

Belinda sighed. "Alright then."

Alex began. "My first real memory…"

Belinda sat back. This was going to take a while. It was actually pretty non-whiney, though. You would expect more whine from a twelve-year-old. No persecution complex, at least. That was always a plus in terms of therapy. Nothing like treating someone who fervently refused to acknowledge that something might, in fact, be their fault.

It was several hours later and early morning hours before Alex finished. "Do you have any questions?"

Belinda shook her head. It explained a lot. "No. Do you?"

Alex paused and went for more tea. "Why am I so angry about this now?"

Belinda rose. She was so, so tired. "Because you have begun to realize just how much this negatively impacted you."

Alex deflated. "Makes sense."

Belinda sat down. "Now what do I do?"

Belinda smirked. "Enjoy your time in Russia. Have alternate parental influences."

Alex huffed. "But what about after Russia. I'll have to go back, won't I?"

Belinda inwardly smirked. She personally doubted Yassen or Nile was going to let him return that easy. Fourteen was a good age and the bodies had once been his way of displaying interest. She was pretty sure those two worked the same way. "You have other options, Alex. Besides, I'm sure you'll manage."

Alex huffed. "So what on Earth is the bleeding point of all this?"

Belinda sighed. "Emotional healing, Alex. Only you can fix your own life the way you want it. I would never presume to tell you how to live your life."

Alex drummed his fingers on the side of her table. At least it was better than some. She'd had a few who did quite a bit more damage to her personal property. She remembered when he complained about his furniture being damaged. "Right. What do I do about Ian, though?"

Belinda snorted. "And that is the question. It is up to you whether you forgive him, of course. You may want to establish boundaries, however. The man seems to have an unhealthy interest in your mail and phone records, for instance."

Alex felt his lips twitch. It was a very nice way of saying Ian opened his mail and checked every call on his phone. "Isn't that, you know, allowed?"

Belinda sighed. "Legally, yes. I would say it was an invasion of privacy you should have by this point, within reason."

Alex shrugged. "I can almost see his point on Sarov, but definitely not about Mandy."

Belinda pursed her lips. "Has Sarov said or done anything inappropriate?"

Alex shrugged. "Um, not really. I just look like his dead son and he thinks Ian is a terrible parent but doesn't say so to my face."

Belinda huffed. "Sarov and I can both agree on that, but I think he is reasonably safe and healthy for you to be around. I would argue that the only letters he should read are the ones from the, ah, terrorists."

Alex shrugged. "That being said, he shouldn't open your mail. At this stage, you would bring your concerns to him after he warns you off, yes?"

Alex sighed. "I don't think Nile's letter was that bad."

Belinda gave him a look. "But it requires a certain level of, shall we say, adult intervention."

Alex leaned back into the couch. "Point."

Belinda rose for more coffee. "You should also be more firm in establishing that knocking boundary. At this point, your uncle has no excuse to barge into your room without warning, unless he suspects either suicide or a runaway."

Alex shrugged. "Yeah, I'm not sure he'll listen, but I've been trying to get him to knock for ages."

Belinda sighed. "If he does it again, send him to me."

Alex scowled. "What are you going to do?"

Belinda's eyes sharpened to almost-steel-blue. "Oh, we'll have a talk and he'll never do it again."

Alex shuddered. He could suddenly see how Belinda might survive a few serial killers. "Alright then." Belinda glanced pointedly at the clock. "Okay, okay. I'll get lost now."

The furry rug rose with him, shaking fur across the entire room. Oh, well. At least now she had a reason to vacuum today. Alex gave her a cheeky wave as he exited out the window. Belinda shook her head. Boys. The furball had to be let out the front. Like it would fit through her window. Belinda rubbed her eyes. She had notes to make. Another pot of coffee should do it. She was going to regret this for the three days it took her to recover. Oh, well. It was only once a week. Now she just had to come up with a suitable threat for Ian Rider. Everyone knew Child Services wouldn't touch him.

Alex got home at approximately four a.m. Fenrir followed him up. Alex loved his dog dearly. The house was completely quiet as he hit the showers and went to bed. Fenrir naturally snuggled up to him and nearly engulfed him, but Alex wasn't complaining. It was nice, fluffy wolf fur. Tom, of all people, barged into his room about four hours into his sleep. "What do you want?"

Tom bounced on to his already cramped bed. "Ian says to get up."

Alex groaned. "I was in therapy until four in the morning; Ian can fuck right off."

Tom rolled his eyes. "Pleeease. He looks like a kicked puppy."

Alex scowled. "Fine, but I'm doing this only because I love you, Tom."

Tom grinned. "Uh, huh, sure. Breakfast is in five."

Alex groaned into his pet's fur before getting up and grabbing his nearest set of clothes. Tom had, of course, ran out so Alex wouldn't nail him with a pillow on the way out. Bloody cheat. Fenrir shed a bunch more fur on to his carpet. Alex made a mental note to look up how much longer his baby would be shedding like crazy for. He was pretty sure that Fenrir was shedding his winter coat, but wasn't quite sure. The books said it was pretty normal for wolves to shed dramatically after cold weather was over. Alex finished getting dressed just in time for breakfast, which was nice. He walked downstairs to a full table. Well, full minus his relatives, but it was full by his definition. Alex plopped down into the nearest chair with about zilch enthusiasm for the rest of the day, but he figured that was pretty normal for four hours of sleep. "Aren't you late for school?"

Tom shook his head. "Nah, they closed it because of some gas leak. Should be open in, like, three days, though."

Alex shrugged and took a sip of orange juice. "Right."

Closed it for MI6 to investigate Nile, more like, but he wasn't going to say that out loud. "Morning, Jack."

Jack sniffed. "Says you. I still think school should be moved back until ten in the morning. Eight thirty is obscenely early."

Alex couldn't help laughing his ass off at that. Jack gave him a funny look. "Never change, Jack."

Tom rolled his eyes. "Yeah, he has the no-sleep giggles, don't mind him."

Jack looked over at him. "Belinda."

Jack sat down. "Right."

Alex took another sip of orange juice. It was almost like the old times when Tom came over to spend the night. Just the three of them. Ian and Crawley were oddly quiet. Alex wasn't about to question it. "So, Tom, what do you want to do?" Jack gave him a look. "What? We all know Tom wears the pants in that part of our relationship."

Jack's orange juice came out of her nose. "Alex!"

She was still coughing up orange juice. "What? It's true."

Tom looked smug. "It really is."

Tom stretched out. "I think the three of us should go exploring with Fenrir."

Alex mentally facepalmed. Exploring with Fenrir never ended well. Okay, it did, but it made his life more complicated. "Okay then."

Tom grinned. "Really, you'll let me walk him?"

Alex gave Tom an amused glanced. "Tom, we all know that Fenrir pretty much walks himself."

Tom grinned. "Well, you know, I've always wanted to hold the leash."

Alex snorted. Fenrir probably weighed more than both of them, possibly combined. "Let me know when you get sick of it."

Tom was too busy celebrating to notice. Alex rolled his eyes. Oh, well. He had promised to share the dog with him. Jack just eyed the three of them with no small amount of amusement. Fenrir, was, of course, under the table and acting like he hadn't been fed in a week. Alex was, of course, slipping him bits of breakfast when he thought she wasn't looking. Jack loved it when the day didn't start with awkward silence, she really did.

Alex decided to text Yassen later that day. Jack and Tom weren't what you'd call the suspicious type, so he figured he could get away with using his other phone in front of them. "What's that?"

Alex smirked. "It's a phone, Tom. You use-"

Tom cut him off. "I know that. I mean, who's it for? Your secret girlfriend?"

Alex smirked. "Secret boyfriend, actually."

Of a platonic fashion. To their credit, neither Tom nor Jack batted an eyelid. "Ooo. Jamie's going to be heartbroken you didn't choose him." Alex shoved his friend lightly. Tom continued. "Oh, Alex, let's argue for hours. Oh, Alex, I hate my arranged marriage, can I marry you instead?"

Alex elbowed Tom. "Tooom."

Jack was shaking with laughter behind them. "What? You know I'm right."

Alex snorted with laughter. "Yeah, right Tom. I'll tell Belinda you need some meds for those delusions."

Tom laughed. "Oh, but you like them so much."

Alex snorted. "Dream on, Tom."

Tom let him go back to texting Yassen in peace.

-C

I need your advice again.

-A

Yassen eyed his phone suspiciously. It was never just advice with Alex. There was bound to be drama and blood, but it was probably going to be more interesting than the current lecture he was being forced to sit through. SCORPIA had very few mandatory assemblies, but it did have them.

-A

What unholy bit of trouble are you in this time?

-C

Alex grinned. Yassen was actually pretty reliable when it came to helping him wreak havoc. Then again, Yassen's job was wreaking havoc.

-C

Bored, are we? My friend's stuck in an arranged marriage with some bitchy cunt. What do I do?

-A

Yassen looked at his phone. Was Alex serious?! Yassen glared at the phone. Of course, Alex was serious. Why are all of his friends trouble magnets too? Couldn't Alex find some luckier, more normal friends? No, no, he couldn't. Of course not.

-A

Yes, SOMEBODY thought it was a good idea to stick trained assassins into a boring assembly in phases. By skill. I'm assuming murder here is barred. You need to ask for a copy of the contract and make sure you have evidence of breaching. I'm sure you can fudge something with the nice computer skills you employed in Japan.

-C

Alex grinned. Well, he hadn't really thought of that. He was going to go with the good ol' fashioned gay excuse. Of course, that might not get Jamie out of it.

-C

Why her?

-A

Yassen typed away on his phone. He personally dared anyone to try to take it from him. Apparently, some idiot had caused an issue for SCORPIA so large, it required this assembly. He needed to find out who it was so he could off them, but it could wait.

-A

If he breaches it, there might be heavy financial penalties. That is how these things typically work. Best to have the girl breach it, just in case. We wouldn't want your friend stuck paying fines, now would we?

-C

Alex grinned. Personally, he figured Jamie might be willing to pay said fines to get out of the marriage, but Yassen's idea was better.

-C

Thanks. Watch out, I think Ian might set the family on a warpath for you and Nile. Try not to kill them, if you can manage it.

-A

Yassen checked his watch. Three more hours to go. This was physically painful. Damn it, why did the clock have to move so slow? Why did the speaker's neck look so breakable? Right, Alex. Mildly sociopathic family members to deal with.

-A

I am more than a match for your family. Mind you, if they get too pesky, they might still die.

-C

Alex grinned. Yay, Yassen took it as a challenge to leave his family members alive. Sometimes, you just had to know which buttons to push. Oh, well.

-C

Alright, goodbye then. I have a marriage contract to appropriate for 'totally legit' purposes.

-A

Yassen was really hoping that text conversation could have gone on longer. He saw Nile shoot him an amused glance and watched the man deliberately pull out his phone in slow motion, daring the speaker to call him out for it.

-N

Bored, are we?

-C

Cossack scowled at his phone. He was a professional and he didn't get bored. Nile could fuck right off. Speaking of which, how did Nile get his number?

-C

You aren't supposed to have this number. It is for clients.

-N

Nile smirked. Provoking Cossack was way more fun than listening to this pile of shit. Besides, technically, SCORPIA was a client. Cossack was 'freelance'. Nile figured he just liked working for other people without the bosses taking a cut.

-C

SCORPIA is one of your biggest clients. Talking to Blondie?

-N

Nile was right, but Yassen wasn't about to admit it. This was a competition, of course. Was it asinine and slightly testosterone induced? Yes. Was he going to back down? Hell, no.

-N

I was conducting delicate client negotiations. None of your business, of course.

-C

Nile grinned and made a mental note to put that down as his excuse if anybody asked. It wasn't likely that they would, but Yassen was great at bullshit. A bit of a surprise, considering the man was basically antisocial, but Nile was going to put that down to SCORPIA's classes.

-C

Nasty as usual. Definitely talking to Blondie, then.

-N

Cossack glared at his phone. Well, he would have, if he was alone. He settled for giving it the evil eye. Nile's interest in Alex needed to be discouraged and this seemed as good a time as any.

-N

I might take a few body parts off if you keep poking around where you don't belong.

-C

Nile grinned. Temper, temper. Besides, he could use the workout and Cossack should know better than to tempt him with a fight like that. This was going to be fun.

-C

Challenge accepted.

-N

Cossack sighed. He could just strangle Nile in his sleep. Though, it would be pretty bad for his life expectancy if Chase took it personally. Chase would, too. Just to be a bastard. This was going to be a stealth game.

-N

If that is how you want to play it, may the best assassin win.

-C

Nile looked at his phone. Game on, bitch. Way better than the boring assembly. Nile was about to type a reply, but they were dismissed for a break. He made sure to saunter right over to Yassen. "So. Challenge accepted."

Yassen gave him a cool once over. "Alright then."

The man placed his fork down deliberately. Unfortunately, they were spotted just as Nile began anticipating the first punch. "No, no, no. Not in the building, you two."

Nile managed to paste a sheepish look on his face as D'Arc walked up. Yassen looked as icy as ever. The Doctor interjected. "Nile."

Yassen repressed the faint smug smirk that threatened to cross his face. "Yassen."

Yassen had no regrets whatsoever. "What pray tell, are you two going to fight about?"

They looked at each other. This was strictly between the two of them and nobody else. SCORPIA was not getting involved. "A personal matter."

Yassen answered first, giving Nile a glare. The man echoed his statement exactly. "A personal matter."

They began to circle each other. The people near them began to slowly back away from the scene, just in case. "Enough. I will not have you two killing each other."

Yassen resisted the urge to pout. Damn. He had been so close to putting a fork in Nile's artery. Nile looked openly disappointed. "Do I need to put you two in group therapy?"

It was Chase. Yassen shuddered inwardly at the thought. Group therapy. For assassins. Was the man going senile? "Absolutely not, Mr. Chase."

Nile shook his head. Spending time in a closed room with Cossack and a shrink? Hell, no. "No, sir."

Chase sighed. "Yassen, out."

Yassen walked off and decided to take it as early dismissal from the assembly. Yassen made sure to brush right up against Nile. Nearly everybody flinched at that. "Until next time, Griffon."

Nile gave him a look. The man wasn't backing down. Oh, well. This was going to be a pain in the ass, but it would be worth it. "Hit me with your best shot, Gregorovich."

Yassen smirked inwardly. Famous last words, especially because he was one of the best snipers in the world. Chase sighed loudly behind them. Challenging the world's best sniper with that was...hmm...not the best idea. Yassen walked straight out of the school, or rather, he had intended to. He was stopped on the way by a certain persistent doctor. Grr. Time for the bullshit to begin. He hated working here sometimes.

Hey guys, sorry for the late update. I had finals. And a Chinese course that used to be twelve weeks long crammed into six.