AN: Hi. I know, I know. It's been far too long since I last updated. But, I do have good reasons for being AWOL for so long. I was incredibly ill for nine months and just as I got better, I got kicked out of my home.
I've only had the time for the past month and inspiration has been scarce. Now, the day before my birthday, it has arrived. Just like last year. I'm beginning to think that my muse is giving me presents.
If I missed any mistakes, do let me know.
Thank you to all my reviewers. I haven't replied to everyone but you all hold a special place in my heart.
Disclaimer: I do not own Alex Rider. If I did, I likely would've kept him all for myself ;)
Alex looked around the hotel room with an assessing eye.
It wasn't the best of places but after being in a tiny car with his bored and fidgety best friend all day, it was looking better by the minute.
He hadn't checked yet but Alex was sure that the telephones had been disconnected by some helpful member of MI6 personnel.
He had expected that he wouldn't be able to call Jack but that made it no less irritating. Hopefully, she'd managed to sneak him the essentials in his backpack.
"Alex? Why are you standing in the middle of the room and glaring at the floor?"
Alex spun around. God, what now. Tom Harris was his best friend, but after a full day of sitting in a cramped car with the other boy, he was ready for some space.
His eyes went to the suitcase behind his friend. There must be a perfectly reasonable explanation for this.
"What?" Tom asked, smiling far too innocently.
Wishful thinking.
"Tom. Why are you in my room?"
"It's our room. We have to share." Tom grinned at his expression.
"Why?" he demanded.
Tom pouted. "Don't you love me any more, Al?"
"Disregarding the fact that I never loved you in the first place, I was in a car with you all day. If I have to see your face for one more second I may well throw you out the window."
"You don't have a choice. The hotel – or rather motel – doesn't have any more rooms. There was a mistake with the booking or something. Are you really gonna throw me out? I'll have to sleep on the floor in the foyer and I'll probably get stepped on." The other boy gave him puppy eyes.
"Tom, I am neither your mother nor a slightly confused girl operating under the mistaken impression that you're cute. I will kick you out and I'll enjoy it."
Okay, maybe I won't but there's no need to tell him that just yet. He'll never let me hear the end of it.
"I'll tell Jack."
Alex scowled and crossed his arms.
" Fine."
"Good."
Alex
"Erm, Alex?" Tom looked reluctant, for some reason.
"Yes, Tom?"
"I have a question."
"I'd realized that. What is it?"
Tom was biting on a knuckle. "Where are you gonna sleep?"
"Excuse me?" Alex looked back toward the bedroom. He'd been in there briefly and he knew exactly what it contained. A queen-sized bed. One bed.
"You're the one begging charity, you sleep on the floor."
"No!" Tom protested. "You're the one with the problem, you make a plan."
Alex scowled again. "May I remind you that I can kick your butt?"
"Superheroes aren't meant to use their powers for evil."
"Not a superhero." Alex interjected.
"Anyway," Tom glared at being interrupted. "We could always share. Unless you're too attracted to me." The shorter teen batted his eyelashes.
"Why me? Why? What did I do to deserve this? My best friend is a nutjob who's trying to get me into bed with him. Is it because I killed people? It's because of that isn't it?"
Tom just looked at him.
"Finished, spy boy?"
"No."
"I don't care. I don't want you in bed, so stop freaking about your virtue. It'll be intact in the morning."
"Kick me and I'll push you off the bed." Alex warned.
"Noted. Now, come on." Tom pulled Alex towards the bedroom. "By the way, I'm taking the bathroom first."
"Tom!"
"What?" Tom looked at him innocently.
"Manners, Tom." Understanding dawned on the brunet's face.
"You go first?"
Alex nodded. "Yeah."
"But you don't own the room. And you didn't pay for it."
"Did you?" Alex raised an eyebrow.
"No." Tom said reluctantly.
"So?" Alex gestured for him to move.
"That's not fair."
Alex opened his mouth but Tom cut him off before he could speak.
"I know life's not fair. I was just putting it out there."
"Okay. Can I go shower now?" Alex asked.
Tom nodded. "Sure."
"Good. " Alex began to close the door.
"Wait. What about soap? And toothpaste?"
"Already in the bathroom."
Tom looked bemused. "You unpacked?"
Alex nodded. "Mostly." He closed the door and Tom heard the click of the lock.
Tom shook his head. "You're such a bloody girl."
"Tom?" Alex called.
"I'm an idiot?"
"Exactly."
"But you love me anyway, right?" Tom frowned at the lack of response. "Alex? You do love me, don't you?"
"No. But, I do tolerate you for the most part."
"Good enough. I don't love you that much either."
Reluctant, Highly Dangerous Babysitters
Sergeant Johnson replaced the telephone into it's cradle. He'd just been contacted by Blunt's secretary.
She'd confirmed that Spec Ops had picked up Rider's group and were holding them at a motel about two hours from the base.
It meant that come morning, he'd have ten new bodies to deal with.
He hadn't been planning on doing anything but sticking the nine extra brats with his best qualified units and spiriting Rider away for an intensive course of training – something that he'd decided to personally look over to make sure that it was rigorous enough to drum some skills into the agent and make damn sure that neither he nor anyone else would have to clean up after the incompetent brat ever again.
But, Blunt's secretary had also mentioned that Six were thinking of this as a chance to train up a few replacements for Rider – they wanted to see whether it was possible to turn out low-risk operatives who'd be used as aides to qualified agents – bolstering covers and befriending loose-lipped children who'd let information slip.
He wasn't convinced that it was possible but the brats would be there anyway and if they could be used as assets for the country then, of course, it would be stupid to let the opportunity pass.
AN: Again, do let me know about any mistakes and thank you for reading.