The city of Novi Grad had been reborn from the crater filled with rubble, which had been abandoned for a new site constructed five kilometres south on the River Varna. The bus from Zurich to Novi Grad took just over 24 hours, Wanda had copies of Sabina's books on a tablet to keep boredom at bay. Alex had switched off his phone and pondered the scenery and almost regretted his decision to leave the security of Dieter's home behind and the fact he was putting distance between himself, his friends and his family. He was aware that Edward had already accepted he had moved on, would play the hero and join the independent and government free version of the Avengers, backed by Swiss based Red Cross neutrality, Wakandan technology and Dieter Sprintz's deep pockets. That decision was not a certainty as he had yet to be offered a place. Wanda has yet to commit to rejoining and he was yet to be vetted by the mysterious Natasha Romanov, though Steve already thought of him as entirely trustworthy cause Bucky and Clint had vouched for him.

He had talked to Steve about Bucky, really talked. Confessing his strong feelings for the man who had saved him, more than comrades or brothers. Telling the man's best friend about his unrequited feelings and that Bucky had let him down gently. It was not his place to discuss James' feelings about loving his best friend; but he did offer encouragement. Bucky had lost as much as Steve. It had been awkward telling a guy brought up a strict catholic that pansexuality seemed to be the norm for enhanced individuals as his grandfather, father, uncle and he himself were not straight. My dad had male and female lovers, Alex had loved Sabina, He did, no had loved James, the unrequited bit no longer like a knife in the gut. He was fine with that. He had moved on. Flirting with Dimitry and Jamie had helped. Sabina had seduced him, an act of closure for her and healing for him. They had loved, but never acted in those feelings as teenagers when faced with the family situation as sudden siblings had put a dampener on passion. Two years of pussyfooting around had ended when she had left for college, seven months before he returned to London.

As night fell, the bored passenger then skimmed through the Weird Planet Guide to Novi Grad. Not that he was a tourist, Wanda knew the real reason he was travelling to Sokovia, not just to be a good friend; but to bring closure to one aspect of his past with MI6 that he cared to clear the air over. At eighteen, he had been more than a friend, but not quite a boyfriend, to Ben Daniels. Each could rely on each other with a basic level of trust through shared experience. The fact was as spies they could not, would not open up to a stranger. His one decent attempt at a relationship had never had a chance to develop into something deeper, as the pair had been falling in love, at least Alex had been. His BFF thought it was ever so romantic. He liked Wanda a lot, not romantically, the fact they were so similar. He had lost everything so had she.

They were travelling like most people their age, on a 60€ bus ticket with backpacks in the hold. The idea was for a few days for Wanda to reconnect with her home and visit Pietro's grave. The pair were not really trying to keep a low profile, as both were using their real documents, his a Swiss passport had been issued last Christmas after his father's request for asylum on medical grounds had been granted and a new full resident visa for Sokovia. Wanda had a brand new Sokovian Passport with resident's status for Switzerland. She had formerly rescinded her US passport and had vowed never to set foot on US soil again.

…

The bus slowed as it approached the new Plaza the Republic, the debarkation point. There waiting were a crowd, a TV news crew and the President of the Sokovia and his wife: Dr. Graf, formerly imprisoned Professor of Ethics and the even more famous poet, Zuzana Bol. Wanda swore under her breath, as she quickly rummaged through her bag to put on some make-up and look presentable for her adoring public.

Alex pulled a dark red pashmina out of his bag and handed it to his friend as the splash of colour would accent her plain dark travelling ensemble. An item his mother had insisted he pack, as it could be used for many practical uses when travelling.

The pair exited to be greeted with flowers and a short interview, as their prodigal daughter, mistreated by the evil Stark, returned home.

….

It had been two years since Ben Daniels had given up his career in spying; to go back to the army. Here he was, knee deep in mud, providing logistics for a new Hydroelectric power station in Sokovia. He was looking forward to two days leave, he had chosen not to go back to Germany, but soak up the local culture, explore the nightlife, go on a few dates and try to be just another aid worker in a country overflowing with them. The bar near the Presidential compound was packed with mostly impossibly young and optimistic students, gap year travellers and the odd journalist. He felt old in his mid thirties. He stood by the bar and was about to order the local beer, when a glass of whiskey was put in front of him.

He looked into the smiling face of Cub, who then quipped "Get yer coat, Fox; you've pulled."

"I'm not that cheap, Alex. So where are you taking me for dinner?"

"For the Best Paprikash in town."

...

Ben grunted in pain after a sharp elbow in his ribs woke him.

"Your phone's ringing, Lucky you it's the Bank."

The ex-MI6 agent sat up and took the call. Whatever they wanted, they could f-off for all he cared. "Daniels" was barked out like he was addressing a subordinate.

Ben, put the phone on speaker, and without comment dutifully listened to the well rounded argument as Mrs Jones spoke of need to know and that he was the only viable asset in place and could he track down and observe Alex Rider and that his absence from duty had already been cleared with HQ.

At this point, Alex, who had been silent, laughed and Ben to handed over his phone to the person of interest MI6 were desperate to talk to.

With full recall of his memories., Alex knew that Tulip had bent over backwards to get him a uni place and promise of a boring desk job to keep SHIELD off his back. Guilt on her part he was sure. "Good morning, Tulip. It's been a while. Sorry that I haven't been in touch, but I kind of forgot about all you guys."

"Alex, its so good to hear from you. I wish to apologise for the actions of Thaddeus Ross. The Prime Minister has lodged a full complaint stating you should have been left in hospital in Switzerland."

Alex smiled at that blatant bit of political manoeuvring, as he was damn sure MI6 would have been planning on getting him back on board to be their asset again and only protested because Ross stole their property He was in no mood to banter pleasantries and half truths "What do you want, Tulip? Fox has already found me and we're in my room at the Presidential Compound and yes we have picked up where we left off for old times sake. Not quite the honey trap scenario you were anticipating as we jumped into the sack too soon." He was looked at his lover who was trying not to laugh at his blatant cheek.

Tulip coughed and continued "Just an understanding between friends so to speak, would you be willing to undertake freelance work for excellent remuneration?"

Alex ponders this, not outright rejecting any work, but he would never lt himself be blackmailed or tricked into dangerous situations again, but Tulip Jones was a well placed ally, all things considered. "Sure, but only if its suits my purpose and doesn't conflict with my friends, family and their aims and goals. My friends include Wanda, Bucky and Steve." Like prostitution you never left spying behind. Did he trust Tulip, he'll no. He sure did not need any one else out for his blood. A deal with the devil he knew. "I will be fully upfront with Natasha Romanov, probably quite soon, because she is family. First of order of business. How bad was Hydra for you. Who betrayed me and did you get him?"

"Our section was in charge of clearing house across SIS. The HYDRA mole was Richardson in Archives. Serving four life sentences for conspiracy to murder, murder, kidnapping and treason. He will never get out of solitary, for his own protection. It was quite the sensationalist trial. Funny thing is the crime families, the died in the wool criminal types, they consider themselves patriots, fond of the queen and country. The Stykers Brothers have a considerable incentive for our traitors cock and balls, though a straight forward knifing will get you a decent payoff as well."

It took a moment but Alex remembered back to his beginnings as a spy, chasing Ian's car to a scrap yard, Stryker Brothers Scrap and Recycling Yard in Southwark. Patriots indeed.