AN: Hey, everyone. Sorry for the delay, my beta had RL issues for a little while. But everything's ok now. I'll be trying to get the next chapter of this out soon but I'm busy with a Harry Potter plot bunny and I'm trying to work with the next chapter of my Thunderbirds fic as well. I'm also writing exams for the next two weeks so, bottom line, the next chapter may only be out after the third week of June. I've been known to randomly write in the middle of very stressful times, though so it may be sooner. Anyway, on with the fic.

Disclaimer : Alex Rider is not mine. Yet.

As Alex walked into his classroom, a hush fell. Then, just as abruptly, it was broken.

"Rider's back. Wonder what his excuse is this time."

"Did your hear? He's supposed to have been in jail this time."

"I was told he's in rehab but they've let him out because he's a hopeless case."

Alex heard all that and more as he walked to a desk in the back, pausing only to drop a doctor's note on the teacher's desk. He shook his head.

They were all so childish, so shallow. More interested in spinning drama, starting the best rumor than anything worthwhile. Barely any of them actually cared whether he was okay – he was simply the available thing to mock, scoff at.

Yet he couldn't find it in himself to blame them. They were so young. So innocent. So unlike him.

He gave himself a mental shake. It was no use dwelling on things that was impossible to change. He was better off concentrating on things he could change – like his abysmal test results. And the way to do that was to give his full attention to his teachers and ignore his peers. After all, he'd only have to deal with them for a few weeks. After that, the novelty would've worn off.

But still, he'd prefer it if he weren't talked about.

If only because some of the more ridiculous whispers made him want to laugh.

Reluctant, Highly Dangerous Babysitters

"Alex? Hey, Alex. Alex!"

Alex spun around. "What is it now, Tom?"

"Oh, nothing, really. I just wanted to say hi."

Alex rolled his eyes. That was so typical.

Tom Harris was Alex's closest and oldest friend and also the only one who knew the truth about his absences. Alex had told all in a fit of desperation on a school trip to Venice – something he now regretted.

Tom was a great friend and Alex knew that he'd keep everything he'd been told a secret but it also meant that he had to be careful with what he said around his friend – just like Jack, Tom knew the general story but Alex always avoided details. He knew that they would only worry his friend even more. Not to mention how much danger Tom was in due to his association with Alex. If any of his enemies ever wanted to know more about him, both Jack and Tom would be in the most danger.

"Come on," he said, pulling the other teen into the library.

"You know, Alex, you really owe me for this. I could be surrounded by cheerleaders right now and instead I'm in the library, hanging out with the resident enigma of Brookland." The dark haired teen grinned.

"Well, you're more than welcome to go join them. I can just imagine it. Paula would be talking about her nails, Amber would be trashing every girl in sight and Lana would be coercing you into asking her out again. I personally cannot see the draw but if that's something you enjoy then by all means…" Alex gestured towards the cafeteria with a flourish.

"Actually…" Tom trailed off, wrinkling his nose in distaste.

"Thought so. And besides, the rest of the year will be bombarding you with questions about me in a few hours anyway." The blond smirked at this.

Tom may look and act the antithesis of serious but he was a lot more intelligent than people gave him credit for being. He was popular due to his success on the sports field and due to his perpetual cheerfulness but he'd never participated in the gossiping and bullying, preferring to stay on the fringe. But when they'd begun to ostracize Alex, he'd pulled away from them completely, preferring to hang out with the blond. Nonetheless, he was always welcomed back whenever Alex was away.

"Oh, great. I forgot about that. You'd better fill me in so that I'm prepared."

The two chose a table at the back of the library, where they knew they wouldn't be disturbed or admonished for talking.

"So, what happened?" Tom asked.

"Bronchitis with complications that turned into asthma." Alex's voice was matter-of-fact. "Which means that you'll not have any rivals on the sports field any longer."

"That sucks, Al. Do you have an inhaler?" Tom looked sympathetic.

Alex nodded. "Yep. I have to keep it on me all the time. There's no need to look so glum. It's actually much better for me this way. Sport needs a lot of energy and it was getting to be a strain. Besides, now I get to watch and gloat while Mr. Wiseman kills you lot in P.E."

Tom scowled. "That man's insane. It's like he thinks we're machines."

Alex shrugged. "He's a teacher, Tom. They're all like that. What's been happening around here?"

Tom abruptly looked serious. "Quite a bit, actually. Thanks for reminding me. I was planning on asking you when I visited but then my parents were busy. And then Jack said you weren't up to visitors on Thursday…"

Alex nodded. He'd been taken off painkillers for his burns that Monday but only due to MI6's insistence. Truly, he should only have been discharged this Sunday and should still be on painkillers for at least a fortnight. He'd gone home on Tuesday, however and had spent Wednesday and Thursday, his fifteenth birthday, in bed. He'd only gotten completely mobile on Friday and had been slowly reacquainting himself with normal life since then. He did not want to share this with Tom, however and simply glossed over it.

"She was right. I was out like a light all day. Catching up on the sleep I lost in hospital."

"You know, most people catch up on sleep while in hospital and not the other way around." Tom shook his head. He knew Alex's weird sleeping habits but couldn't help himself from commenting on them.

The blond rolled his eyes. "I've told you a million times, they're too loud! What with the nurses barging in all the time and the machinery beeping and the patients watching T.V. It's enough to drive me mad!"

Tom laughed. "Whatever you say."

Alex mock glared at the other teen. "Scoff, but you know I'm right. And you've gotten us off topic. What did you want to ask me?"

"The attack that happened two weeks ago. Do you think they'll tell us why it happened today?"

Alex stared at his best friend, dread filling him. "What attack? What happened?"

"You didn't know about it? Didn't Blunt tell you about it?"

Alex kicked Tom's chair. They may be in a secluded area but it was still incredibly dangerous to mention Alan Blunt, the head of MI6: SO. Their conversation could easily be explained away by a lack of communication due to Tom's parents separating – and for once, it was actually true.

The spiky haired teen gave him a contrite look.

"No, I don't know anything about it. I've been in the hospital for weeks. And I'll bet that Jack took out anything about it from the newspapers before I could read them."

Tom gave him a strange look.

"You know how she is. Thinks stress upsets the healing process. She probably thought I'd have a setback from worrying about you."

The other teen nodded, a look of comprehension on his face. "You know, that's actually true, Alex. Anyway, two weeks ago, February 2nd, one of the substitute teachers, Mr. Hung or Yu or something, let an armed team of men into the school. They held our grade and the teachers at gunpoint. It was as though they were expecting us to do something." Tom shot him a pointed look before continuing. "They left after about an hour. I don't know what happened with the rest of the school – we were all sent straight home and we weren't allowed to talk to anyone. There's someone meant to be coming in today to explain what happened and I think they're going to be putting in a new security system or something…"

Alex was worried. Brookland was a good school but most of the rich chose to send their children to the more exclusive private schools. Still, there were a few very wealthy students attending. He would have been able to hope that it was a botched kidnapping attempt if not for what Tom had said. They were expecting us to do something. Why would anyone expect a bunch of teenagers to do something to resist? It was completely out of the ordinary unless they knew about Alex. And if they knew about Alex, it was definitely him they were after. He was a highly guarded secret. Intelligence agencies may have heard of him but that was the extent of his fame. An ordinary set of kidnappers would have no idea.

But who would be after him now? Desmond McCain was dead and there hadn't been anyone who'd want revenge for his death. No partners and he'd been an orphan. So who?

The obvious choice, SCORPIA, still didn't make much sense. They'd left him alone for two months. Why attack him now? Unless they were waiting for MI6 to relax.

It was pointless worrying about it now. He'd find out soon enough. He'd get a phone call and go to a bank and it would all start again.

But there was nothing he could do. He needed the help – he couldn't take on SCORPIA again. The first two times had merely been luck. He wouldn't survive a third. Not if they were actively trying to kill him. But to get help, he'd have to give help. No doubt Alan Blunt had a new mission ready and waiting for him.

Alex sighed. He'd hoped that he would be able to stay away from MI6. He should have known better. He'd tried before and it never worked. But he couldn't dwell on that now. For the time being, he could still be a schoolboy. There were still lessons to go to and Tom to reassure.

Which reminded him…

"That's really strange." He shook his head slightly. Can't talk about it now. "When is whoever it is meant to be coming?"

Tom checked his watch. "Five minutes. We have to go straight to the sports hall after break. They told us before you got here today."

Alex brightened a little. "We miss Geography?"

Tom laughed. "Probably not all of it. But yes, Al, you get to avoid Thorny for a little longer."

The bell chose that moment to ring.

"Come on," Tom said, hurrying Alex along. "I want to get good seats."

AN 2: Let me know what you think!