Okay everyone, I'm back updating all my stories. If this is the only one of mine you've read, please check out the others and review because I'm only really young still and I want an opinion on my writing that doesn't come from my sadistic, robotic English teacher who told me I couldn't write a two line jingle let alone a story.
So, anyway, aside from my ramblings, this story now has an official plan. In honour of this fact, I'm looking for an official beta-reader because I have two chapters planned that would both come next but are both completely different directions.
In case you're wondering, Helen and John will, regrettably, die in this fic. Also, I have a cool new idea that I think you, the readers, should get to decide. If you could vote in your reviews, it'd really be great.
Poll:
Should John find out, before his death, that Helen played away and Alex isn't his son?
A:Yes
B:No
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own the Alex Rider series. Well, I have the dog-eared, battered paper-backs but meh, I don't think anyone really cares...
Helen Rider sat on the playground bench, laughing as she watched her three year old son, Alex, toddle up the steps of the slide and wave frantically at her, grinning.
Helen waved back. She was happy. John was coming back tomorrow and Alex was just getting to the age where it would matter whether John was home or not. Sure, they were in regular contact with web-cams but it wasn't the same. Alex slid down the brightly coloured slide and rushed over to Helen, beaming.
"Did you see mum? Did you? I went really fast, didn't I mum?" Alex chirped, hugging Helen.
Helen kissed the top of his head. Just as she was about to answer she heard a slight movement behind her.
"Yes Alex, you did go very fast" came an icy voice. Helen whipped her head around and felt her heart quicken when she met the cold blue eyes of the man standing behind her.
Helen let go of Alex and he looked up at the stranger in interest, head tilted to one side.
"Alex, why don't you go on the monkey bars?" suggested Helen softly.
Alex grinned and took off toward the yellow monkey bars and Yassen jumped over the back of the bench, sitting down beside Helen.
Helen swallowed then looked at Yassen. She hadn't seen him since the day she'd given birth to Alex. She still remembered that astonishingly cute blush that flitted over his cheeks as he excused himself from the room, slightly disgusted by the process of birth. He was still just as good looking as that day. He'd hardly changed at all. Her eyes wandered over his face and then took in what he was wearing. It was a bizarre experience, seeing Yassen in jeans. Especially one's that looked so good... Helen snapped out of her little day dream and looked back up at his face where she saw a faint smile playing at his mouth. He looked over at Alex and his smile became whole.
"He's getting big" he commented airily.
Helen nodded and Yassen sat watching Alex for a minute.
"John's coming back tomorrow. We're going on holiday. To the South of France" Helen stated, trying to quietly hint that she wasn't confused about the feelings she had for Yassen.
He looked at her and nodded.
"I had heard. I missed you" he said quietly.
Helen stubbornly avoided his gaze, choosing instead to watch Alex try in vain to cling onto the first monkey bar. He fell on the ground and Helen's heart fluttered with concern until he got up and climbed determinedly back up and grabbing the first monkey bar again.
"This is the part where you're supposed to tell me you missed me too Helen" chimed Yassen.
Helen watched as Alex swung himself forward to the second monkey bar before answering.
"I don't tell lies" she said quietly, despite the fact that she had, very occasionally, thought of Yassen.
Yassen reached over and rubbed her cheek gently.
"Then why would you say that?" he said teasingly.
Helen looked back over at Alex who was valiantly swinging on to the third monkey bar. Yassen reached out and held her hand gently.
"Helen. Helen, look at me" he insisted. She shook her gaze from Alex and faced Yassen for the first time. He craned his neck forward gently and kissed her softly on the lips. Then he pulled back and smiled at her.
"I've been planning this for the last two years you know. I had a speech planned and everything but as soon as I saw you and Alex I couldn't think straight, let alone recite it" he said, smirking.
Helen felt herself being sucked into his world. A world where she could've skipped from good time to good time without a hangover in between. A world where gas bills and beans on toast just didn't feature. Where parties lasted days and life sparkled with glamour.
"It really was quite an impressive speech" Yassen said, stroking the tips of her fingers.
Helen nodded half heartedly and Yassen leaned forward kissing her gently on the cheek.
"What're you doing here Yassen?" she asked quietly. Couldn't he see he was tearing her in two? She loved John. She'd had Yassen's baby. John was her husband. Yassen had given her a son.
"I came to see you. And Alex. John sent me ahead of him to make sure you two were okay. Is it okay if I go talk to Alex? I just want a few minutes alone with him. I promise I won't say anything you don't want me to" he told Helen.
Helen nodded slightly and Yassen got to his feet. He jogged over to where Alex struggled stubbornly with the monkey bars. He held onto Alex's legs and lifted him across under the monkey bars and allowed Alex to scramble onto his shoulders.
Helen watched as Yassen pushed Alex on the swing and she felt a smile tugging at her lips. Yassen could surprise any time she saw him. He was cold and aloof at times, warm and cheerful at others. Now, watching him joking around with Alex it was hard to believe that this man was a contract killer.
Alex seemed a bit puzzled about who Yassen was. Helen got to her feet and brushed a few stray strands of hair behind her ears.
"Al, come on. It's time to go home" she called. Yassen scooped Alex up and jogged over to her, setting Alex down on his feet.
"Mum, mum, can Yassen stay for tea?" Alex asked, beaming.
Helen considered the idea. She couldn't say no, otherwise Alex would tell John and John would think it was rude.
"Please..." pleaded Alex.
"Alex, I'm not sure that's such a good idea" Yassen said slowly, staring into Helen's eyes, silently begging for her to allow him to stay.
Helen blushed slightly under the gaze and nodded at Alex.
"Of course love. Yassen's staying the night anyway" she said, "I'll fix up the spare bedroom when we get home" she added, not wanting to give Yassen ideas.
He grinned at her and Alex cheered. The three walked slowly from the playground, to all the world looking like your average run of the mill young family. They reached the house and Helen twiddled the key in the lock until the door finally opened and Alex shot inside, eager to show Yassen his new Game-boy.
Yassen, grinning at Helen, followed Alex into the living room where the Game boy lay on the table. Helen walked through to the kitchen where she took a packet of pasta and left it on the counter, putting a pan of water on the hob, waiting to boil.
She looked down the hall at the half closed door of the living room and smiled when Alex rushed upstairs, probably to get his various games from his room. Helen jumped slightly when she felt arms wrap around her waist. She felt lips on the back of her neck and she spun around to face Yassen, his arms still wrapped around her waist.
She felt her breathing quicken and her heart thump loudly as he leaned in a kissed her gently, opening her mouth and sharing a breath with her. Before she knew it, she felt herself running her hands through his short hair and enjoying the warmth of his mouth. He pulled back slowly and she heard him chuckle softly.
"Why Yassen? I haven't seen for three years then you just turn up and expect me to fall into your arms with gratitude after you haven't even sent a letter or a postcard. Nothing. Why are you doing this to me?" she blurted out. Yassen frowned and stroked her cheek softly until she pulled his hand away.
"Is it to wind me up Yassen?" she asked quietly, dreading his answer.
"What? You think I could be that callous?" he said disbelievingly. She stared into his eyes, those pale flickers of life and saw the hurt she'd caused him with her words. Helen shook her head slowly.
"I don't know Yassen. I don't know you" she admitted. She watched his face carefully and she could have sworn that his eyes softened.
"The get to know me" he said in almost a whisper, leaning in and kissing her on the cheek. She blinked and all thoughts of John and her marriage were wiped from her mind. Yassen cradled her in his arms, enveloping her and she breathed in. She felt warm and safe. She breathed in deeply again and noticed that Yassen smelled wonderful. She blushed to herself. It was a mixture of pine forest and fresh meadow that she adored. She felt Yassen nuzzle the top of her head and she snuggled into his neck.
"Am I still sleeping in the spare room?" Yassen asked teasingly.
Helen frowned.
"You'll always be sleeping in the guest room" she informed him.
He chuckled and tilted her chin up gently.
He kissed her once then they heard a thumping on the stairs and they broke apart, Alex running in two seconds later, and pulling Yassen back into the living room, eager to show off his new toy.
Helen poured the pasta into the pot of bubbling water and it wasn't long until they'd all eaten. She had left the dishes in the dishwasher and all three sat inside the living room, on the sofa, Alex leaning on Yassen's shoulder, half asleep.
"I'll put him to bed" Helen announced, getting to her feet and scooping up her exhausted son. Alex protested unintelligibly until she had changed him into his pyjamas and he was lying in bed. Helen kissed him on the forehead, switched off the light and gently closed the door, quietly making her way back downstairs.
Yassen was sitting on the sofa, wide awake. Helen rubbed her eyes sleepily and then a thought struck her.
"Oh no! I better go set up the spare room" she said, starting to make her way from the room.
Yassen coughed and she looked over at him. He patted the sofa cushion beside him and grinned.
"I'll be fine. I probably won't sleep tonight anyway" he said.
Helen sat down beside him and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"Alex is an intelligent child" Yassen said quietly.
Helen looked up at him and wondered what life would be like with him. Entertaining, there was no doubt about that. But they weren't exactly the most compatible people she knew.
She stifled a yawn and Yassen smiled.
"Tired?" he asked softly, brushing Helen's hair out of her eyes.
He took the murmur that replied as an affirmative signal.
"I'll bring you up to your bed" he said, lifting her as carefully as possible and carrying her gently up the stairs to the bedroom he knew from last time belonged to her. He lay her down on the bed softly and she stirred from her half sleep.
"Yassen? Where are you going to sleep?" she asked, concerned. She watched him smirk and realised she'd never seen him smile so much ever before.
"I don't see why I can't sleep here" he said lightly.
Helen frowned. She didn't want to go into the fact that it wasn't him she distrusted, it was herself.
Helen rolled over onto her other shoulder, intending for him to leave. Instead, she heard him pull off his shirt and jeans and clamber in behind her, her back against his chest.
"You shouldn't be here you know" she said quietly.
"And yet I am" he said in an amused tone. He wrapped his arms around her and she sighed loudly.
He nuzzled into her neck and lay still, completely content to just lie beside her. Helen breathed out lightly and Yassen carefully cradled her, marvelling at the way she fitted against him.
"Bastard" mumbled Helen sleepily.
Yassen smiled, chuckling gently in her ear.
"Don't I know it" he said, grinning. Helen smiled back and made a slight noise of amusement then settled down. Yassen inhaled once, taking in her smell and then closed his eyes. He felt that for the first time in weeks, he'd be able to sleep.
Helen woke up first in the morning and moved to roll out of bed. Yassen grunted and pulled her back up against him.
Helen smiled and gently unwrapped his hands from around her waist, clambering out of the bed. Yassen sighed, missing her warmth already.
"Get out of bed!" she said indignantly. Yassen rolled over and pulled the blanket over his head. It wasn't often he felt like sleeping in but when those days came, he almost always obeyed his primal urge to sleep.
"Yassen, get your lazy arse out of bed before Alex comes in! We have to go pick up John from the airport!" Helen said, grinning. She couldn't help but think that Yassen looked incredibly cute wrapped up in blankets like a marshmallow man.
Yassen grunted and Helen grabbed the blanket, tugging it away from Yassen. Yassen rolled out of bed, wiping his eyes blearily.
"I can't believe you just woke up an assassin. Do you know how dangerous that is?" he said.
Helen shrugged.
Yassen finished waking up and smiled at Helen. Then, with no warning whatsoever, he rushed forward and slung her over his shoulder, ignoring her indignant shouts. He jogged downstairs with her and spun around in the living room, tossing her onto the sofa and jumping on top of her. Helen stopped squirming and looked up at him. Their eyes met and Yassen was about to lean in to kiss her when they heard a bump as Alex jumped out of bed.
Yassen groaned in his head and got to his feet, walking out to the kitchen. Helen supposed he was fixing himself breakfast. Alex appeared in the doorway of the living room and bounced over to his mum, eager to see what was in store for the day. He knew they had to go pick up a man called dad from the airport but that was it.
Helen grabbed Alex in a hug and kissed the top of his head, stroking his hair in a dreamy manner. She heard Yassen move back upstairs and then down again, this time fully dressed and awake.
"What time is John's flight getting in at?" asked Yassen, running a hand through his hair.
Helen thought hard.
"Um...10:10" she said finally.
The edges Yassen's mouth curled in amusement.
"Really? Because it's five to ten now" he informed.
Helen jumped up, setting Alex on his feet with a thump and sprinted up the stairs, throwing off her clothes and jumping in the shower. She ran a sponge under her arms and squirted shampoo in her hair, rinsing it out two seconds later. She rinsed herself off and jumped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around her body and rushing into her room.
She partially dried her hair and pulled on a white blouse, brown skirt and brown high heeled shoes, praying she looked good. She ran a brush through her hair and then made her way back downstairs as fast as the high heels would allow. She hurried outside and was relieved to see that Yassen was waiting, leaning on his car with Alex buckled in, grinning in the back seat. Yassen opened the driver's door and slid into the seat of the sleek red Lamborghini.
Helen slid into the passenger's seat and a second later Yassen had pulled out of the drive and sped through the modern housing estate, turning a few heads.
Helen dug her fingers into the leather of her seat, absolutely terrified. Yassen drove as though he were in a movie chase, doing over MPH on a MPH stretch.
Alex whooped and laughed in the back seat and Helen closed her eyes, breathing deeply. Yassen tailgated through the airport car park barrier then pulled on the handbrake and skidded to a stop in the most terrifying manner possible.
Helen took a deep breath and opened her car door. Alex scrambled out of the car and rushed around to where Yassen was getting out of the car.
"Wow, your car goes really really fast, doesn't it mum?" he said, grinning. Yassen scooped Alex onto his shoulders and looked over at Helen, smirking.
She ignored him and hurried across the car park toward the airport entrance. Yassen followed, bouncing Alex about and Helen entered the bustling airport.
She took another deep breath and surveyed her surroundings. There were people everywhere, checking in or dawdling or just standing around. Helen rounded the Sunglass Hut to the gate she knew John was coming through and stood at the barrier, marvelling that she was actually early.
Yassen popped Alex back on the ground and he grinned up at Helen.
"Mum, is this where dad's coming out?" asked Alex, head tilted to one side.
Helen nodded. She really was glad John was coming back. Alex had never seen John before, only pictures or web-cam videos. She watched her son with pride as he watched the gate expectantly.
The door slid open automatically and Helen's heart caught in her throat. John strode out, a laptop bag over his shoulder, dragging a luggage case behind him. He was absolutely breath-taking. He had a gorgeous tan and he'd grown a slight stubble that she thought looked epically good on him.
John looked around slowly and as soon as he met Helen's eyes he beamed. He started making his way over to her then broke out into a run. Before Helen knew it, she was running toward him as well.
He dropped his laptop bag and let go of his luggage case. When Helen reached him, he swept her off her feet and kissed her passionately like something from a movie. Helen wrapped her arms around his powerful shoulders and grinned. John broke the kiss for air and set Helen back on her feet. He wrapped an arm around her waist and Helen suddenly became aware of the fact that he was wearing a suit that cost four digit and she was wearing a Marks & Spencer's skirt she'd bought last year. She blushed and he kissed her on the forehead.
Helen smiled at him then looked over at where Alex and Yassen stood. She was sure that just for a split second, Yassen's eyes clouded over with jealousy and longing. John whispered something in her ear and she broke out of her trance, looking at John and smiling.
"I love you so much Helen. I missed you baby" he said, pecking her on the cheek.
Helen smiled at him and then looked over at Alex.
John followed her gaze and he grinned.
"He's getting big" he commented airily.
Helen nodded and John made his way over to Alex, oblivious to the other people coming through the gate.
Alex stared up at the man before him, confused.
"Dad?" he said quietly.
John grinned and lifted up Alex, holding him proudly. Helen smiled and before she knew it, tears leaked from her eyes. She watched as John shook hands with Yassen, smiling, and told him the latest things he'd heard or seen or done.
Helen blinked her tears away.
John looked over at her and grinned.
"I got the flight moved up to tomorrow. I couldn't't wait. You looking forward to it?" he said, grinning at his beautiful wife.
Helen nodded, smiling. She thought to herself that it would be an absolutely perfect holiday. She could never know how wrong she was...
Du-duh-du-duh-duduhduduhduhdunnnnn.
In case you're wondering, that's the Jaws music...