Chapter Nine

It was six-thirty in the morning and Alex already had a plan. His bike was outside and his bag packed with the necessary pens, books and papers.

After showering he went into the kitchen and knocked up a full breakfast for all members of this impromptu family. By the time half-seven came around everyone except Alex and Rose were tucking into a full breakfast. Rose had just grabbed a slice of toast and pleaded not hungry while Alex slipped out of the room, leaving them to it.

He was on his bike and had his helmet on by the time Ben burst out of the apartment. "You can't go, Alex! I promised that you'd stay here!"

Alex revved his engine, 'fraid I lied when I said not going was fine, Ben. I'll be home around five."

And with that he zoomed off, leaving Ben on the pavement staring after him.

Alex was just happy to do as he wanted. To get away from it all, to keep some sort of normality. He spied Tom as he parked his Yamaha and made his way straight to him. His classmates stared as they watched him pass and then the whispering began. He'd never been gone for a day and then turned up again.

"Hey, Tom, Sophia. You got a minute?" He directed at Tom.

"Sure." Tom said. "I'll see you later." He said to Sophia as he gave her a peck.

"I'm not going anywhere." She said frostily. "Anything you wish to say to Tom can be said in front of me."

Alex scowled at Sophia but still gave Rose's letter to Tom. "What do you think?"

Tom's eyebrows went up and up with each line. But he was careful not to let Sophia catch a glimse of the contents of the letter. "I think, she seems like the kind of person who would do and say the things she wanted to and not lie about it." He paused, thinking over his words, cautious of Sophia's presence. "That coupled with her actions say she wants to do this, Alex. See if she can right her wrongs. Listen, mate, you want to go skating later?" Tom put the matter right out of his mind and waited for an answer.

Before Alex could speak, Sophia broke in; "Who is this 'she'? And what do you mean 'right her wrongs'?"

When the boys exchanged looks, she continued; "You know what? I'm feed up of being the third wheel. You obviously know where Alex goes and what he does, so you can continue with your bromance, I'm fine without either of you!" She turned to stalk away, but Tom caught her wrist.

"Alex." Was all he said, but Alex knew exactly what he meant. His best friend was in love with his girlfriend and would do anything not to lose her.

"She won't believe me without proof, Tom."

"You've got me. Please, mate." Tom said desperately.

Alex sighed. "Fine. They'll kill me, but fine." From the alarmed look on Sophia's face she thought he was being serious.

"I was over reacting, Sophia. They'll have to deal with it. In fact they don't have to know. They don't know Tom knows. Come on, we'll go to the common room, drinks are on me."

"But," Sophia spluttered.

"But what?" Alex asked. Now that he knew what he was going to do, he took complete control.

"I'll miss first period!"

"Either you want to know, or you don't. Up to you."

"Alex." Tom warned.

Alex shrugged and spotted Ben striding over towards them, Rose in tow. She was wearing the damn leather pants and halter top again. Alex frowned and wondered where K-Unit was. He rolled his eyes as he saw them in watchful civilian mode.

"Do you not own any other clothes, Rose?" He spoke loudly to cover the distance between them. She scowled back at him.

"Wait," Tom said. "That's Yassen's kid?"

"What did you think she was, Tom? A sack of potatoes?"

"Hell no, maybe she only thinks its hate, mate. I mean, look at - omph"

Sophia had elbowed her boyfriend in the ribs. "What was that for?" He said indignantly.

"You know full well what that was for Thomas Harris."

"Good elbow." Rose complimented. "I'm Rose. I don't suppose you took physics, did you?"

"Afraid not, I leave that to the geeks here." She indicated Alex and Tom. Rose laughed.

"Good." She said. "Cause the physics class got the wrong impression of me."

"Oh, my god." Sophia, drew in a breath and her eyes went as wide as saucers. "You're Ivy."

"And you must be Tom's girlfriend, Sophia Medlock."

Sophia nodded. "Tom, how do you know her?"

Tom sighed and glanced wearily at Ben and Alex who were having a whispered argument a few feet away. "She knows me, because I'm the only person who hangs about with Alex anymore." He paused. "So I'm a target, just like Jack was. She died because she stuck around and wouldn't leave Alex to fend for himself."

To Tom's surprise, Rose's eyes filled with tears. "I promised her that I'd get her out. That I wouldn't let her die like that. I failed."

Sophia flung her arms around the smaller girl. "Hey, it's alright. I'm sure you did you best." She kept on trying to console her but Rose fell apart in the soothing circle of the tall girls arms.

Alex and Ben stared in astonishment as Rose clung to Sophia. They shared a startled glance and then hurried back to the three of them. Tom stood next to Sophia looking completely bewildered.

"Ben, I'm staying here. You take Rose home, I'm sure she'd like a cup of tea or coffee and something to eat. She barely touched her breakfast."

By now Rose had forced herself to stop crying and was staring at the ground.

Sophia looked concerned, but had to let it go as 'Ben' walked Rose away.
"Come on. You can tell me what that was about as we walk to then common room." Sophia and Tom did just that. Alex's jaw was tight as left the young couple at a table while he bought drinks.

Then he sat down in front of them. Sophia spoke. "Your turn, tell me what happens when you disappear for weeks on end."

Tom and Alex exchanged a series of looks and Tom started. "I know that-"

"I work for MI6." Alex stated bluntly.