Chapter 3 - Together Again

The next 24 hours were rather quiet. Liz had honored his request not tell Sabina and Edward about the cancer diagnosis, and in exchange, he promised to talk to her about his feelings sometime this week, and maybe, just maybe, he would consider finally going to a therapist.

Dinner had been quiet as was breakfast the next morning. Alex never talked too terribly much anyway and they had no reason to suspect that anything was wrong. He and Liz shared a smile as he got out of the car for school, and then he followed Sabina the rest of the way.

Alex was quiet at school. He wasn't an outcast, but he was hardly the social butterfly that Sabina was. In a way, he benefited from her popularity, though he ignored most of the attention. He sat with her at lunch most days, the rest were spent with some guys from his fourth-period class. His closeness to Sabina was useful for the first few months as everyone thought that they had something going on. Alex was just as happy to let that belief carry on to ensure that no one went out of their way to ask him out. A small, teasing part of him enjoyed that he slowed down male attention thrown Sabina's way. Not every little brother could do that. The rumors quickly died down as talk of official adoption for Alex began to spread throughout the school. By then, Alex had sealed his reputation as a loner. He had acquaintances and hallway buddies, but no one who wanted to hang out after school and no one asked questions about his past.

Today was a day like any other. No one was concerned about his absence the day before, a trip to the doctor being an easy excuse. No one suspected cancer, and that only made him too happy. No one needed to know that his life was a series of one bad thing after another.

Time ticked by in a dull, monotonous sequence of events that was entirely beneath his attention. School had always been that way, particularly since coming to America, as the material was easy enough that he didn't have to pay attention. American schooling was a bit easier, and the fact that he was repeating a grade due to his absences the previous year only compounded that. He was at least a year ahead in math, and American history bored him to hell. He doubted that he would ever consider this new country his home, so he couldn't bother to make him learn past the bare minimum. It always made him wonder if he were homesick, and when he let that line of thought start he always made himself think of Tom. England was his home, but he wanted none of the memories other than his best friend.

There were now 30 minutes until the final bell rang, the worst part of the day after history class. British Lit was his last class, and one of the few things other that MI6 that made him hate his country. He allowed thoughts of his plans with Tom to fill the void as he waited for the school day to end.

Tom's visit had been in the planning for months. He had wanted to come for his birthday, but Edward made him wait until the weekend after to ensure they both missed as little school as possible. They would both miss the next full week, but small concessions were involved for the plan to work. It was minor in the grand scheme of things. Alex was a pro at missing school after all.

The thought of just what he and Tom would do when he arrived hadn't been a concern until last night. He figured that the two of them would just hang and have fun like they always did. The Pleasures had a PS4 in the living room they could play, and he could probably convince Liz to let the two of them modify the room into a friendship fort for the week. They would probably go to the beach at least once as well - Tom would love to see Sabina in a bikini, though the thought now made Alex wince. Living in the same house with her for nine months sapped any measure of arousal he felt for her, and it had already been fading as far back as their time in Scotland.

They may still do that, but Alex had a new plan now. A road trip! Tom couldn't turn down the idea. The trip to Venice and Naples had been fun. Americans didn't exactly support teenagers traveling around like Europe did, and they had nothing approaching youth hostels, but they would make do. Edward said he could borrow one of the three family cars whenever he needed, and he would be willing to lend him funds for the trip. Alex knew that Edward was looking for ways to make him feel like family, plus, it would make a nice birthday gift. There were a lot of loose gears in this plan, but Alex was confident everything would come together.

This trip had to happen. He had to make it to Seattle to investigate the company that Edward was researching. The murders were suspicious, too suspicious. There was a saying in the spy game - and Alex shivered as he remembered Blunt's voice. "We don't like coincidences." Coincidences didn't happen. They were all part of a puzzle, and that voice of paranoia in his head told him he had to put everything together. He had ignored the feeling twice with Edward now, once in France and again in Scotland, and he wouldn't let it happen this time.

He couldn't wait to tell Tom about the tourist attraction he had chosen for them to visit - though he would word it entirely more fanciful so that it didn't sound boring. He hated to use Tom for this silly quest of his, but, truly, their time together would be more enjoyable if they were on an adventure, even if Tom were unaware of the truth of it.

Last night, Alex realized for the millionth time that he would never change. Everything would be a matter of figuring out some conspiracy or another, and a part of him just wanted to stop fighting that drive. He felt nothing as he googled tourist attractions in Seattle as an excuse to visit, thought nothing of manipulating Tom into going along with him. He knew why he felt nothing. It was better to feel nothing.

He should have learned that lesson with Jack.

Alex had to fight from fidgeting in his seat as they waited at the airport. Tom's flight would be landing at 7 pm, any time now. He knew that Tom had left right after school, at 4 o'clock London time. After an 11 hour flight and 8 hours time difference, Tom was going to be tired as hell. Alex hoped that the other boy had taken his advice and had a nap during the trip, particularly since he had complained without end to Tom over Facebook after he survived the same flight last year.

Sabina's eyes lit up next to him as the departure gates opened. She was happy for him, Alex knew. It upset her that he never made real friends other than her and Tom, but she had come to accept it. To see one of her best friends excited about something was a true joy to her. And, Alex had to admit, he was excited. More excited than he had been in a long time. He hadn't seen Tom since that morning Scorpia sent a sniper for him at school - and damn them for that. Alex made sure to comfort Tom on Facebook after his injuries. The best comfort for Tom was always the attention that he didn't receive at home.

Alex took an involuntary step forward as he saw Tom's spiky brown hair dancing towards him. It wasn't so crowded that he couldn't see his friends face, but his hair was always distinctive, the one thing that hadn't changed in all the years they had known each other.

Before Alex knew what he was doing, his feet were taking steps forward. He had learned long ago to trust his body. His subconscious was telling him to move, so he did.

Soon enough, he was crashing into Tom's arms in a hug. It was like they were never apart - well, other than the fact that they were hugging which they only did after they were reunited.

Alex took a step back and was shocked that he had to look up to Tom. "You got taller," he said. He fought to keep a stupid grin off his face. He failed.

"Yeah, mate," Tom said with a grin. "I've two, three inches on you now. So, this is America?"

"Yeah," Alex replied. "Let's go get your luggage. We're meeting Ed in a half hour for dinner."

They jabbered about nonsense as they retrieve his luggage, pointing out the minor changes that they noticed in each other and the "strange" smells of America.

"Basically on the other side of the world," Tom chirped.

"You get used to it - at least they speak English here. Just try Bangkok."

Tom chuckled at his joke - any mention of his missions had to be understood as a joke - as they approached the Pleasures.

"Tom, Liz. Liz, Tom," Alex said in introduction. "You've met Sabina."

"It's nice to meet you, Tom," Liz said.

Tom returned the greeting and gave Sabina a smile. The smile was a bit different than their previous meeting, Alex noticed, though he couldn't quite place it. Probably thought the "sister" of his best friend was off limits or something.

"Are you tired, Tom?" Liz asked as they walked back towards the car.

"No, mam," Tom said. "Alex threatened-"

"I did not!"

"-me to get some sleep. I got six hours somewhere over your east coast."

"That's great. You'll probably have to tough it out for four to five more hours before Alex will let you sleep. Alex falls asleep at 11 every night."

"Except when sneaking out?" Tom asked.

"I don't sneak out!" Alex protested.

Liz chuckled. "We wish he snuck out sometimes."

"Yeah," Sabina teased. "Every night the snoring starts at 11 sharp."

Alex sighed, content with being the butt of the joke. When Tom was around, it made him feel right at home.

Dinner went well. Edward met them at the Pleasures' favorite steak house. Alex recalled when they had brought him there on his first full day in town. It was as good of a memory as he could have had, considering that he was largely numb to the world around him those first few weeks.

Edward liked to argue that going out to eat was the best way to learn about a new culture - and all of Alex's experiences while growing up confirmed that. Dinner would be a good way to show Tom some of the basic differences in America: the number and types of people were far greater than they were used to and the myth about American portion sizes was hardly a lie.

Tom got along well with his new family, which wasn't a surprise to Alex. Tom got along with literally everyone. Alex could scarcely recall anyone who wasn't a bully that Tom wasn't capable of being buddies with. Not only was Tom right at home with his family, he was right at home in America as he devoured his meal.

After dinner, they returned to home, and after dropping Tom's luggage off in Alex's room, they rushed to the living room to game before bed. Alex was incredibly out of practice so he, begrudgingly, let Tom boast as he racked up a better KDA in Call of Duty. It was an older edition that the Pleasures had lying around, but it would do. Alex was about two years behind on video games anyway.

"So if you don't play video games, what do you do for fun?" Tom asked.

Alex shrugged. "I try to stay ahead at school. A habit I picked up when I never knew if I was going to be taken away again." A pang of guilt flashed through Alex as he saw Tom frown, clearly thinking he had caused his friend pain with that question. Alex put a grin on his face and try to spin it as a joke. "After the real thing, games hardly compare!"

Tom stretched. "Yeah, once you get shot, it feels so weird to have your health recover after five seconds of not being hit."

Alex chuckled. "Yeah." They had already talked at length about the day of the shooting at Brooklands and both had agreed not to feel guilty about it. Alex had felt guilty that Tom got shot because of him, and Tom felt guilty because Alex felt guilty. After a few weeks of awkwardly apologizing to each other, they promised to put it in the past. "Give me a few days to warm up, and I'll be kicking your ass again just like grade 8."

"You wish!"

"Don't need to. All of your practice with James will be for naught," Alex cackled playfully.

Tom yawned. "If you beat me, it will be because I am tired. It is so hot here for the middle of February. The walk from the car drained me."

"Try arriving here in the middle of the summer," Alex retorted. "And that was nothing compared to Cairo…" He paused for a moment, not meaning to let that slip.

Tom gave him a curious look. "Cairo? When did you go there?"

"Nevermind," Alex said. "We can go to sleep now if you're tired. I was up a little late last night, so it shouldn't be hard to fall asleep."

"I'll cuddle you until you do!"

Alex blushed. "Oh?"

"It worked that one time."

"That one time," Alex acknowledged. He wasn't quite sure what mission it had been - they all blurred together really - but Tom had helped him fall asleep one night during a sleepover. A friend's warmth helped to fight back the chill of nightmares, particularly when half of them were about water and drowning in it. "My nightmares have become a lot less frequent."

Tom nodded solemnly, then his lips upturned into a proud grin. "And while I'm here, I'll make sure you have none!"

Alex was about to form a wisecrack as Liz walked into the room.

"Are you boys getting ready for bed? I can get you some blankets for the couch if you like, Tom. Or we can pull out a sleeping bag in Alex's room."

"Oh, no, Alex and I sleep together on sleepovers," Tom said.

"Oh?" Liz inquired. She turned to Alex with a sly smile on her face and suddenly their conversation from yesterday came rushing back to him.

Alex couldn't stop himself from blushing wildly, but neither could he correct her without making things more awkward. At least Tom was blissfully unaware as usual.

"Yeah, Tom and I have slept together on sleepovers for years now. His parents were fighting a lot, so Jack let him come over. We never felt a need to be #nohomo about it, as the Americans say."

"Good, good," Liz said. "Well, I'll see you two boys tomorrow. Do you have any plans for the weekend?"

Alex nodded. "I was thinking of a road trip. Tom and I enjoyed our travels in Europe. It should be fun to explore up the west coast."

"Ah, yes. I'll let you borrow my car, if works for you."

"Fantastic."

"Any destination?"

"I was thinking Seattle," Alex said. He tried to keep it casual so that Liz wouldn't make the connection between their trip and Edward's work, if he even told her. "They have the Space Needle there. I googled tourist attractions and that popped up. Both reasonably far away to constitute a road trip, and interesting enough to look forward to." The best way to tell a lie was to tell the truth. Both of those things were true. All he did was leave out his real reason for wanting to go to Seattle. "Does that sound fun, Tom?"

"Sure," Tom said. "Never heard of it, but 'Space Needle' sounds fun!"

"It does, Alex," Liz said. "You'll have to tell us all about it when you get back. I'm off to bed. Let me know if you need anything, Tom."

"Will do."

"You know, I can drive in America?"

"I can drive," Tom pouted. "I just don't have a license."

"Yeah, yeah," Alex muttered as he led the way to his room, though Tom should already know where it was from where he dropped his luggage. He thought about taking a shower before bed but decided it wasn't necessary. They brushed their teeth in silence.

If Alex were being honest with himself, which he rarely was, he was kind of nervous. The last time they had had a sleep over, he had just turned 15. It was only a year, but everything felt different now. Before, they were kids, but now, Alex felt like an adult. There seemed to be more to the decision of sharing a bed than before, though he knew he was being stupid. It was Liz's fault. She had made him think about guys, and if there was ever a guy that he would like, it would be Tom.

Alex gulped as Tom took off his shirt, kicked off his shoes, and removed his pants to be left only in his boxer briefs that bordered on being tighty-whities. Alex followed Tom's lead and stripped to his boxers, and consciously told himself not to make this weird. It was almost funny. He could force himself to crush any emotion while on a mission, but when confronted with being this close to his friend, he couldn't fight the embarrassment. Darn Liz and her desire for him to be normal enough to enjoy Valentine's Day. He only wished he could be as normal as Tom.

"How was your Valentine's Day?" Alex asked. "Were the girls sad to see you go?"

"Not exactly," Tom muttered as he climbed into bed. "Odd question, though." He seemed less bummed out than he normally did at spending Valentine's Day alone, Alex noted as he turned out the light and climbed into bed. Normally, Tom moped about how nobody wanted him for at least four days.

It was going to be a warm night, Alex could tell that already, though it would do the world to fight off nightmares. He pulled Tom close in gratitude. Even if he dreamt about the icy chill of water sapping the air from his lungs, Tom's warmth would comfort him.

They lay still for a while, the only sound being that of their breathing and the occasional car driving down the street outside. Alex half expected that Tom would have difficulty falling asleep as the ambient noise of America was so much more prevalent than in Chelsea. It had taken Alex a while to get used to it himself, though he suspected that his issues with sleeping were more related to paranoia and nightmares. More than once he had woken up in the middle of the night and messaged Tom, who was getting ready for school, to see if he was alright. Gradually, all too gradually, the fear had faded. Scorpia wasn't targeting him anymore, or at the very least, Tom wasn't a target. Tom wouldn't become another Jack.

Alex felt like his eyes had only closed for half a moment before he was wide awake, struggling to force hot air into his lungs. The image of Tom bleeding was in his mind. Tom dying - it was a thought that he just couldn't take. Alex couldn't stop himself from gripping Tom to remind himself that he was there. Tom had been his best friend throughout the hardest time of his life, right after the special spot that Jack had filled for him. If he lost Tom, he would break.

This was the first time that he had seen Tom since the day he was shot - in person and not over Skype. It felt so good to feel his friend in his hands, to know for certain that he was real. Alex hated feeling like this - he felt stupid - but he couldn't stop his thoughts from whirling.

He held his breath for a moment to listen to Tom, his breath slow and steady. The other boy was probably still asleep. Alex's gut wrenched as he reached over to Tom's arm, afraid of what he would discover. Tom's biceps were smooth, just above the hairy part of his arm. It was weird. Alex had never considered where the hair was on another guy, but now that he was touching Tom, it felt natural. He let his hand wander more, carefully feeling the skin, and as his thumb passed an indentation, Alex knew he found what he was looking for. The place where Tom was shot.

Alex pushed his thumb into the groove. It wasn't deep, though it would definitely be noticeable if Tom was ever shirtless. Tom was scarred for life because of his connection to him. It was unfortunate, but he couldn't push Tom away. He needed Tom in his life. He could only sigh and choke back a sob.

His heart jumped as Tom spoke.

"Was feeling all my holes not as fun as you expected?"

Alex was speechless for a moment before a deep chuckle escaped his lungs. "Don't be gross." Then he sighed. "Were you awake the whole time?"

"More or less," Tom admitted. "I figured out pretty quickly what you were up to. Got my hopes up with your hands going another direction, if you know what I'm saying."

Alex ignored the dirty humor. He wasn't feeling very playful. "I just wanted to feel it, the damage that I caused you."

"Don't," Tom intoned. "We agreed that you wouldn't blame yourself. None of what happened to you - and to me - was your fault."

"Yeah," Alex said, but he really didn't mean it. This was why Alex had never really told Tom about what happened with Jack. "Sorry, though, for touching your scar without asking."

Tom was quiet for a moment. "I know you always refused, but can I…"

Alex gulped. "It's all less fresh in my mind. I think I can talk about them now."

"You don't have to…"

"I never even told Jack about most of these. But I want you to know. Which ones do you know about?"

"The bullet wound is the big one," Tom whispered.

"Yeah," Alex exhaled. "It is the big one."

"And some burns."

"Two. Same mission," Alex said quietly. He took Tom's hand and placed it on the back of his own. "That line you feel? It was from a spider web in the Poison Dome. Remember that? Probably some sort of acid. It is a white, protruding line if you've never noticed."

"You were so close to me," Tom muttered quietly. "Sorry I couldn't help."

"I wouldn't have let you anyway," Alex consoled, a soft, honest smile spreading on his face. "Thanks, though."

He grabbed Tom's hand again and placed it on his shoulder. Alex cleared his throat and was surprised when he spoke without tears. "This is what really… I don't like to look in the mirror." It had been that way before Cairo, and due to Julius, his aversion became complete avoidance.

Alex's heart stuttered as Tom gasped, his fingers delicately feeling around the raised scars.

"Did it hurt?" Tom asked.

"I was in so much pain already, I don't think I could feel more. My head was reeling from the explosion. I came out better than the other guy."

"I'm glad," Tom said. "The ladies will love it."

"Maybe," Alex muttered. "I still hate it. My body is a collection of scars marking me as MI6 property." None of them were even the disease that would kill him. Maybe he would ask a doctor if the spider web had been an agent that could cause cancer.

"You're away from them now," Tom promised after a while.

"Yeah." Alex grabbed Tom's hand again and lowered it to the bullet would over his heart. "The one that almost killed me." Alex fought a shudder as Tom's hand moved over his heart, though he couldn't stop the sharp intake of air as Tom's hand brushed over his nipple.

Tom laughed. "I guess you're sensitive there. I think I know how to tease you with your next girlfriend."

"First girlfriend," Alex corrected grumpily. He hadn't been normal enough to date anyone.

They were quiet for a while, listening to each other breathing. It felt so natural just to be together.

"Does any of it ever hurt?" Tom asked.

"The hand wound hurts if you press on it. The burns on my shoulder just make me feel sick. I haven't been swimming since."

"Alex…"

"My left arm sometimes hurts. Pins and needles, that kind of pain. It isn't too bad except when I'm really cold… or having a nightmare."

Tom placed his hand on Alex's shoulder. "Let me know if anyone complains about your scars. I'll beat them up for you."

"Thanks," Alex said and closed his eyes. "I'm glad you're here."

Awww, these two are feeling the gay out of each other without even knowing it :P Actually, Tom sort of knows. He knows he is male attracted already, as will be discussed in a few chapters.

This chapter got longer than intended... it was supposed to end with a high speed car chase hahahaha. The road trip was supposed to start within 500 words of this chapter, but 4000 later they're still in bed!

Please review if you are enjoying :)