alright people chapter 9 is up! i know i havent updated in a while but here is the 9th chapter. tell me if you like it...hate it...love it? it might be a bit fast paced but R&R and tell me!

chapter 10 will hopefully be up in the next 2 weeks xx

enjoy xxx

Eagle paced the corridor outside the lounge. He could not believe he was fretting over asking something to a 5 year old! It was one simple question, and yet he was pacing and worrying over it! Ha! A fully grown SAS man and he was doing this! Crossing his fingers he walked into the lounge.

Alex was sitting on, an asleep, Fox's lap, watching the TV. The man himself was snoring with his mouth ajar. He chuckled, which alerted Alex of his presence. Said boy looked up; his brown eyes penetrating Eagle, without meaning to the boy had had him wanting to cower. Wow. Shrugging off the cowardly feeling he currently felt, Eagle walked up to the boy and wordlessly lifted him up. To his surprise Alex didn't argue, merely stared at him confused, and didn't wrap his arms round his neck as he normally did. He didn't know why, but he had a good guess it was because of the strange circumstance that they were in this second.

Depositing him on the chair behind the breakfast bar, Eagle lent on it and looked into his chocolate eyes. They were scary but at the same time…adorable?

"Alex what did you mean I am like your uncle?" incredibly curious.

If Alex was older, Eagle guessed that he would've raised an eye brow at that, because of the expression on his face. It was incredulous.

"You and Snake and Wolf and Fox are like my uncle." He stated.

"How?" pressing the answer, just like he did in training.

"One minute you are all nice and stuff and the next time you are stiff and cold." He explained. Alex didn't notice that Eagle's eye brows rose in disbelief. The man couldn't believe it! Well he was a highly trained soldier, as were the rest of his unit, but they didn't realise that they were like that. Not at all. It was difficult for him to shrug off things like that.

"Oh. Well kiddo do you want some food?" he asked, glancing at the clock on the wall that read 12:05.

The boy nodded vigorously. Chuckling and ruffling his hair, Eagle went over to the fridge, pulling out the necessary foods to make a cheese sandwich. Setting to work, his mind thought about how much his life had changed…

…thinking so deeply that he didn't even notice when Snake walked in, Wolf following closely behind.

"Hey Eagle" Snake greeted casually as he picked up the now empty china plate that Alex had been eating from. As he walked to the sink, he realised that Eagle had not replied to him, and tapped him on the shoulder.

However, he didn't expect to have a punch thrown at him. Reflexes jumping, Snake jumped and dropped the china plate. Before Snake could do anything, as he was blocking the oncoming punch, he didn't have time to even attempt to catch the plate.

As it collided, a smash rang through the house.

Wolf looked up, already reaching for his gun. Alex jumped and looked up alarmed. There was a weird, half a second silence until the door from the lounge banged open and a half asleep Fox ran in, carrying his gun out and ready to shoot.

A gun in front of a 5 year old. Clever.

Alex stared wide eyed at the gun in Fox's hands. Was the man a baddie like the other men that carried guns? Was he gonna hurt him? Questions that the young boy could not answer.

Eagle was staring wide eyed at his fist, still like ice, the very one that was a centimetre away from connecting with his teammates face. Snake was frozen like Eagle.

Alex made a strange small sound from where he was. They all turned to look at him. Bottom lip quivering and brown eyes wide, they realised that Fox had a gun in front of him. Another issue Snake thought was that Alex shouldn't even know that the gun could harm him.

Fox slid the gun back in the holster. "I…I heard the plate smash and I thought…."he explained, pausing at the end, he knew that they knew what he meant.

"Yeah, I get it." Wolf said.

Turning to look at his unit, who were all frozen, he took charge. "Eagle, clean up the mess. Fox, go and…well just go and sleep or whatever, and put some pants on" Fox blushed and left the room hastily. Wolf motioned to the half frozen boy and pointed meaningly at Snake. He got the message.

Slowly he walked over to the quivering boy. "Alex?..." trailing off, waiting for a reaction. The chocolate eyes met his green ones, and he saw the fear behind the chocolate covered wall.

"Come on Al" he gently lifted Alex to his chest, and held him close, in a hug. Quickly the little boy responded to this, by once again clinging to him like that life line. He stroked the soft blonde hair, rocking slightly. He then realised that his t-shirt was starting to stick to him…was it wet? Tears? Alex was crying.

He motioned to Wolf that he was going upstairs. Said man nodded. Snake went upstairs leaving Eagle and Wolf alone in the kitchen.

"Eagle…what the hell was that?" Wolf growled.

His normally humorous blue eyes were empty of their laughter. Wolf saw this when he looked into them. "I…I don't know. I was thinking real deep and then when Snake tapped me I just…panicked and went to punch him" taking a deep breath, he continued "I didn't think about it. And I didn't think that Fox would assume something was wrong. I didn't even know Snake had a plate in his hands at that moment. Hell I didn't even know you two were back." His eyes were pleading.

"Yeah it's okay. But what the hell had you thinking that deep? You never think deep!" Wolf exclaimed.

Eagle let out a forced laugh. "I was thinking about how much my life has changed, and actually I am a deep thinker!" he was pouting. Wolf chuckled.

"Yeah…well finish cleaning up the smashed china…all of it because Alex might tread on it and hurt himself" Wolf's eyes widened in horror.

"God I sound like a bloody father!" he exclaimed. Eagle chuckled and shook his head, once again returning to sweep the mess with the dustpan and brush. Wolf started for the lounge to talk with Fox, if he wanted to talk, which was actually unlikely.

Snake lent against the wall behind the bed, still slightly rocking Alex. After what felt like it could've been a long time, but was merely minutes, Alex looked up to him, watery eyes questioning.

"Wh-why d-did Fox h-have a-a gun?" Alex stuttered.

What the hell was he supposed to say to that? "Well. He thought there was something wrong with you so he got out his fake toy to protect himself." Snake replied.

"So it wasn't real then? Can I- "Alex began, eyes lighting up.

"NO! You cannot play with it. You are not to touch that or if you find any more, those either. Do you understand?" Snake practically bellowed. Sudden images were running though his head of Alex playing with the gun, it pointing towards him and his finger on the trigger….

Alex flinched. One second he was nice and the next moment he was shouting at him! He couldn't understand.

Snake sighed. "I didn't mean to shout at you Al, okay? Just if you see any guns at all then don't touch it, go and get me or James or Ben or Matt." Alex nodded but seemed confused.

"Who?" He asked.

"Al we've been over this. You've got to learn our real names!" Snake said, not giving an explanation.

Alex thought for a moment before answering. "Ookkaayy but-"Snake cut him off.

"Yes I know we call each other by our animal names so we will start to, we can all learn to say it together, okay?" Snake more or less told him.

Alex nodded, happy that they were doing something together, the earlier incident completely forgotten.

The young boy shifted his position so he was upright and side wards on the man's lap, leaning against his chest but still able to face him. He yawned cutely.

"Alright, let's go downstairs then Al!" Snake stood, and began walking, Alex in his arms and trying to get down. The man merely rolled his eyes and tightened his grip, as they were on the stairs, and that was the worse time ever to drop a child.

"Alex" Snake growled menacingly. Let's just say he stopped moving.

When they reached the lounge there was a low murmur so Snake coughed to alert them of their presence, whilst Alex was trying to grab the corner of the banister. He swatted the hand away, chuckling slightly.

Snake carried Alex into the lounge. Liverpool was playing Manchester United on the TV, which was being watched by Wolf and Fox. Eagle was in the corner, looking downcast at the carpet. Snake grimaced and went to sit, dumping Alex on Wolf as he went.

Said man looked up from the screen, screeching "Hey!" He had never really held Alex on his lap before, and he was watching an important footy match!

Snake merely rolled his eyes and replied "Wolf you never hold him, ever, and we all know you know how to so you have no excuse. It's not like he is a problem!"

Wolf grunted and returned to the football match. Half an hour later Alex shifted on his lap and he sat on top of a rather sensitive part. The man bit his tongue so he didn't yelp and gently shifted Alex away, who didn't look at him, only leaning against his chest and yawning. Again.

Snake frowned, hearing the yawn. It was only 1:35pm, and he shouldn't be yawning like that yet. Medical instincts starting to kick in, Snake spoke up. "Hey Wolf could you check his forehead and see if it's hot?"

Wolf looked up from his game, wondering why Snake wanted him to check the kid's forehead, undoubtedly to check his temperature…although Alex did seem half asleep to him, and yawning a lot…so he didn't argue and put his hand to Alex's forehead. It was burning hot.

The only half-conscious now boy wriggled slightly, not quite having the strength to argue properly. Alex felt horrible all of a sudden. His throat ached and his head was spinning and buzzing, like it was filled with bumblebees. Everything felt really slow and the voices of Wolf and Snake seemed like a distant echo in the back of his brain.

"Wolf?" Snake asked, as the man still hadn't told him whether his suspicions were correct or not, even though the look on his face suggested he was.

"Yeah he's got a flaming temperature." The Hispanic man replied without looking up, his look fixed intently on the half-conscious boy on his lap, making the Scotsman's brow crease in worry.

Snake sat still, he too staring at the boy. He had a pale face with the exception of red cheeks, his eyelids were drooping and it seemed that he was entirely leaning on Wolf; not supporting himself.

Before Snake could try and take charge of the medical situation, Wolf's leadership kicked in and he focused on the task at hand.

"Right Unit. Fox help me take Cub up to his bed and make him comfy. Snake, tell Eagle what medicine he will need to buy for him and then come up with us. Eagle go to the shops after Snake has told you what to buy and buy it, you can take the other car and be quick. Alright everyone?" Wolf commanded them, and after nods, they began their set tasks. Fox ran upstairs, Wolf in his shadow carrying the feverish boy. Snake began telling Eagle what to buy from the store and soon the man was running out the door at the same time that Snake started the stairs.

He burst into Alex's room. Alex was laid on the bed and the 2 men seemed to be going through Alex's bedside drawers, looking up when their team mate entered,

"What the hell are you two looking in the bedside drawers for?" Snake demanded.

Fox suddenly felt rather awkward, holding a box of Crayola crayons and a Disney colouring book. "Well erm we were…err…umm"

"We were looking for a fresh set of pyjamas, but we couldn't find them" Wolf cut in, seeing as the sentence was getting nowhere.

Snake sighed and pointed to the top drawer of the chest of drawers at the wall opposite the foot of the bed.

An hour later they were all standing around Alex's bed, all gazing affectionately at the blonde angelic looking child wrapped in blankets, snuggled cosily to a brown Labrador teddy with his thumb firmly placed in his mouth. It was an adorable sight; even Wolf had to admit that. The boy still had a high temperature and was still out of it, but he at least he looked better, thanks to some child's medicine called `calpol` that Snake had read about in his children's illness encyclopaedia.

"At least he'll be okay…" Snake sighed in relief.

"Yeah, from the flu" Fox muttered icily.

"Yeah. One step at a time buddy" Eagle replied, patting Alex's head softly and heading out of the door. Fox followed him so Snake and Wolf were alone in the room.

"Night Alex…" Wolf murmured softly, gently rubbing Alex's arm in the hope of a comforting gesture, he glanced at Snake, who nodded in encouragement. He suddenly felt awkward and stood up, leaving Snake with Alex.

Snake sat next to the sleeping boy and rested his hand on the fluffy blonde covered head, running his fingers through the soft strands. Alex let out a contented sigh, probably because of the action Snake was doing. He put his hand on his forehead and sighed. The fever was yet to break. Snake left the room, leaving the door open just in case Alex was to wake and needed him.

It was at 11pm when Snake heard the sound of Alex calling his name, desperately pleading for him to come. The others were asleep and had not heard this. Jumping up, he sprinted up the stairs to Alex's room. The boy was incredibly pale and seemed to be covering his mouth, seemingly almost choking.

Snake realised what was wrong and plucked him up, running to the bathroom and standing him up to lean over the toilet. (What happens next I am not going to describe in too much detail thank you!) Alex then puked his guts out.

All the medic could do was hold him upright, supporting his weight, and talk to him soothingly. When the little boy was done he fell backwards into the Scotsman, letting a single tear run down his cheek. Upon seeing this, Snake pulled him into a hug. Alex did not cry for long as he was too tired for that. Once finished, Snake gently pushed him to sit on the floor.

"Al I'm gonna go and get you a drink and some more medicine, will you be alright if Eagle comes and sits with you?" Snake asked. He got a tired nod as a reply, and the medic left the room, flushing the pungent toilet as he left.

In the lounge he slapped Eagle round the face to wake him up, as he didn't want Alex to be alone for too long and that was definitely the fastest way to wake someone as far as he was concerned, especially heavy sleepers named Eagle.

"What!" Eagle exclaimed, jumping up into defensive position. Snake covered a hand over the man's mouth and put a finger to his lips.

"Eagle. Alex has just been sick and is currently sitting alone in the bathroom. Go and keep him company and make sure he doesn't fall asleep. Got it?" Snake hissed. Eagle nodded and ran for the stairs.

Snake gathered everything needed and even got a spare ice cream tub to use as a sick bowl, as his aunt and uncle once did for him. When he got upstairs he found Alex sitting on Eagle's hip, being splashed with probably cold water.

"What the hell Eagle?" Snake exclaimed, dashing over, dumping the stuff on the counter and snatching the now wet and near shivering 5 year old from the stupid man.

"It helped!" he protested. And before Snake could shout at him, he continued hurriedly "his forehead was flaming and the water helped a bit, and he was slightly sweaty! And please don't kill me!" Eagle defended, his eyes like saucers trying to dig himself out from the glare radiating from the medic.

Snake glared at him sceptically, but inwardly shrugged off whatever he had previously wanted to say when Alex's head fell against his shoulder: asleep.

"Damn" he muttered, swiftly motioning for Eagle to collect the stuff he had collected from the kitchen and made his way back to Alex's bedroom.

He lent Alex against the wall and handed him a cup of water with a lid on it but he did not seem to have the energy to lift it too his mouth. The man took the cup back from the boy and held it too the boys lips, a small smile escaping him when Alex grasped his wrists and drank greedily. When he'd finished Snake dumped the cup on Eagle, who had taken to sitting on the edge of the bed, and grabbed the bottle of calpol and the small plastic spoon that often came with them. He poured the correct amount on the spoon and advanced towards his young ward.

Alex shrunk at the sight of the horrible pink stuff that Snake was holding. It was supposed to taste like strawberries, but he had never tasted anything less strawberry like in his life! Alex protested weakly but Snake just tilted his head back by force and poured the sickly stuff down his throat, making it so he had no choice but to swallow it. A firm scowl plastered itself on Alex's face, making both adults chuckle slightly.

"Drink…" Alex demanded.

"Once I've checked your temperature" Snake replied, reaching to take the thermometer from Eagle, who handed it to him silently. Alex was pouting.

"Al I'm gonna out this is in your ear okay?" Snake asked. Alex shook his head and went to cover his ear but before he could Snake grabbed his hand a shoved the thermometer in it. Once it beeped, he pulled it back out again. It read 100degrees Fahrenheit, still way too hot.

Snake pulled back the duvet and slid Alex into it, after letting him have the drink he demanded. Alex had fallen asleep within minutes and soon Eagle and Snake were able to go back to bed, leaving Wolf and Fox on the coaches downstairs.