A/N- READ FIRST PLEASE! Small WARNING.
I know I don't usually put author's notes in the first part of the story. I usually try to wait until the end of the story but I have a small warning...Someone dies in this chapter...:(
mild NCIS episode SWAK spoiler in this chapter...but if you haven't seen that episode shame shame shame on you!;)
And I'm trying a small new thing with thoughts instead of doing it the way I've been doing it I'm just doing it simply like 'this' but if you think it's too complicated to keep up with I can switch back. I only used it in one part to do it as a trial run. Let me know what you think!
And now ON with the story! (and this should be the end of the authors notes at the beginning of the story...I know some people don't like them all that much.)
"You know, Ziva? Alex nearly had you with that roundhouse kick." Tony said from his desk.
Ziva looked up from her computer, "you are right. He did. He is really good. And even under the unfortunate circumstances he was taught really well. Granted he is not Mossad but if he needed to he could hold his own in a fight." She observed.
"DiNozzo, where's Gibbs?" Vance asked urgently as he made his way into the bullpen almost at a run.
"He went off with his dad and Alex for lunch. What's going on?" Tony asked as the team looked up to their director.
"We've just gotten a threat against Jack Starbright's life by SCORPIA. The agents that are supposed to be watching her house isn't answering their cells. I want your team there now. Get a hold of Gibbs."
Tony, Ziva and Mcgee were already on their feet, grabbing their guns as they made their way to the elevator.
"Ziva, call Gibbs. He needs to get Alex to the Navy Yard where it's safe." Tony ordered, slipping into lead agent without realizing what he was doing. Though Ziva and Mcgee didn't seem to care as they followed his orders without question.
They piled into the Charger and Tony peeled out of the parking garage at break neck speed, channeling Gibbs and Ziva in his driving.
Gibbs answered Ziva's call on the second third ring, she quickly filled him in before hanging up.
"He said for us to move in, he had to get Alex to safety. But to keep him updated." Ziva relayed as she hung up the phone.
Tony only nodded as Mcgee handed them their earwigs.
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"We have to go. Now," Gibbs said standing up from the table and grabbing Alex by the arm.
"What's going on, Leroy?" Jackson asked as he grabbed his cane and followed his son to the car.
Gibbs thought for less than a second.
"There was a threat against Alex and his guardian." He lied. The threat wasn't against Alex, just Jack.
"You're taking me to Jack, right?" Alex asked, bracing himself as Gibbs tore out of the parking space at the restaurant.
"No, Tony, Ziva and Mcgee are going to Jack. You're going back to the Navy Yard." Gibbs answered.
"What about Jack?" Alex asked.
"Alex, the team is more than capable of keeping Jack safe. You trust us, don't you?"
Alex nodded and looked out of the window. He did trust the team, but he knew that there was only so much that they could do.
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Tony parked them half a block away from Jack's house. They got out, guns drawn, and moved in.
Tony was about to tell them to move in at the backdoor when he saw that the door was slightly open. He motioned it to Ziva and Mcgee but that didn't matter. Not even five seconds later the whole house exploded, sending the whole team reeling backwards.
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"Should you call them?" Jackson asked as he watched Alex sit at Tony's empty desk with a worried expression on his face. He felt helpless.
"No, that could give away their position. Tony will call me when he's handled the situation." Gibbs replied. He obviously had complete faith in his team.
Gibbs looked up to Alex and was about to reassure him that Jack was going to be fine when the TV behind Alex caught his eye.
He grabbed the remote and turned it up. The news lady's voice echoed throughout the bullpen.
"A house in down town DC exploded from a bomb just minutes ago. For reasons unknown, three NCIS agents were found at the scene, paramedics are checking this out now. This is brought to you live from ZNN."
The camera shifted and Gibbs could see Tony waving off paramedics as he put the phone to his ear. Seconds later, Gibbs phone vibrated and he answered it.
"Yeah, DiNozzo, I heard," Gibbs walked away from Alex, who was looking at him with a hard look on his face. He knew what was happening.
"What about, Jack?" He asked when he was out of ear shot of the teen.
"Firemen have been in there, Boss. There's a body." Tony said grimly, "It's too burned to tell who it is, but it is a woman and Jack was the only one in the house at the moment. Her parents were at the store. And she's the only one missing."
"Ziva and Mcgee?" Gibbs asked.
"We're all fine. A bit cut up and bruised but we're fine. I'm sorry, Boss. I should've gotten us here quicker. God, Alex is going to hate me."
"Not your fault. Finish getting checked out by the paramedics and secure the scene, Ducky will be there soon for the body."
Gibbs hung up with Tony and called the ME.
"I just heard Jethro, how's our boy handling the news?"
"Haven't talked to him yet, Duck. But I'm sure he knows. Look, we got a body, get over there and get it."
"Certainly, Jethro."
Gibbs once again hung up his phone but when he turned back to the bullpen, Alex was gone.
"Dad, where's Alex?" He demanded.
"I don't know he just now took off to the elevator."
Gibbs took off at a run to the elevator. He couldn't let Alex do something stupid again. He hit the down button repeatedly until he let out a growl of frustration and ran to the stairway. He scaled down the steps two at a time, he knew if Alex was in the city alone and SCORPIA got wind of it the teen would be as good as dead.
As he went down the stairs he heard his phone ring again. He didn't break his stride as he answered.
"Gibbs."
"Ah, Jethro, you really need to keep a leash on that boy."
Gibbs stopped in his tracks, "Ducky, is Alex with you?"
"Saw him in the elevator on the way down to the van. I sent Mr. Palmer ahead to the crime scene and took the poor teen back to autopsy. I think it's time Jimmy went solo once anyways."
Gibbs sighed, "I'm on my way, Duck. Don't let him out of your sight."
He hung up and ran a hand over his face as he trudged slowly back up the steps he nearly broke his neck to get down.
Jack Starbright was dead and he had no idea how Alex was going to handle it aside from the obvious.
When he arrived at the doors of autopsy he saw Ducky and Alex sitting by the older man's desk. Alex had a glass of water in his hand and Ducky had a glass of some beverage he was sipping on as he rambled on and on about something.. Alex's face was hard and slightly pained as he listened to Ducky talk but you could tell he was trying to concentrate on what Ducky was saying in an attempt to keep his mind clear.
Gibbs sighed again and walked into the autopsy lab.
The teen looked up at the man and then averted his eyes, "I'm sorry, Gibbs."
"You've got nothing to be sorry for," Gibbs said. The words 'never say you're sorry- it's a sign of weakness' was on the tip of his tongue but he didn't think Alex would receive that rule well at the moment.
Ducky gave Gibbs a sympathetic look.
"Come on, why don't we go home?" Gibbs said coming over and putting a hand on the teen's shoulder.
Alex nodded sullenly as he stood up.
"Thanks for the water, Ducky." He said before walking to the elevator to wait on Gibbs.
"Thanks, Ducky. Who knows where the kid would've been if you didn't catch him when you did."
"No problem, Jethro. You certainly have yourself a bad road ahead of you. Jack and Alex were pretty close by the looks of things."
"I know, Ducky. We'll get him through this." He assured as he walked and joined Alex in the elevator.
"I want to go home." Alex said quietly.
"We're going there now." Gibbs said gently.
Alex shook his head, "No, home to London. I can't stay here anymore."
The doors opened and Alex didn't wait for Gibbs to reply as he stepped out and got his things from the bullpen.
Gibbs was hot at his heels though, "Alex, you can't just go. If anything, this should make you want to stay more."
"How, Gibbs? How did you come up with that? You just saw it for yourself. Jack, tried to help me and look where it got her. She's dead! I want to go home and there's nothing you can do to stop me. I'll take my chances with MI6. Now, do you want me to get my stuff out of your house now or wait until tomorrow? I'll get in touch with Blunt as soon as possible."
Gibbs looked at Alex like he was crazy, "You're not going anywhere, Alex. I promised Jack that I was going to keep you out of harms way, and I keep my promises."
"What's going on?" Jackson asked. He was sitting in Gibbs' seat as he waited on his son to return.
"Alex, thinks he's going to leave." Gibbs informed.
"Now, what would give him such a thought like that?"
"Jack tried to help me keep a normal life, and look where that got her. I can't let Gibbs and the rest of the team get killed because of me. I've screwed up enough and now I've got Jack's blood on my hands."
"Jack's blood is not on your hands. It's on SCORPIA's. Jack wanted to stay with you because she loved you. Jack was also not a federal agent and marine, I don't need you to try to protect me, okay? You're staying with me." Gibbs ordered in his tone that made DiNozzo jump like a little girl.
"Why don't we go home and give Alex some time alone. He's had a horrible day, Leroy. He needs some time to sort out his thoughts." Jackson interrupted his son, knowing that neither Alex or Gibbs were thinking clearly.
In the end, the both of them agreed with the older man and they made their way home. Alex was looked determinedly out the window in the car. It seemed that Jack's death hadn't really hit him yet but the teen knew it was just a matter of time.
When Ian died Alex kept himself busy with trying to find out the truth behind his uncle's death and not dying on his first mission. Mourning wasn't really an option at that time. But now that he had time to mourn? He didn't want to talk to anyone and for some reason he especially didn't want to talk to Gibbs. But the man kept sending him silent looks in his rearview mirror.
When they arrived at Gibbs house and walked in Alex went straight to his room without a word.
Gibbs and his father sat down on the couch in the living room.
"What happened, Leroy?"
"There was a threat against Alex's current guardian. There was a death threat against her. The agents that was supposed to be watching her were shot with a tranquilizer. There was a bomb planted in the house when my team got there it exploded. Jack's body was found in the house. She's dead. The team's securing the scene."
"Shouldn't Alex have more agents watching him? Are you sure you're enough?" Jackson questioned his son.
"I can take care of Alex. Tony, Ziva, and Mcgee live close enough that if I need them they can be here quick. I've got it under control, Dad."
Jackson shrugged, "if you say so. The kid's upstairs, don't you think you should go talk to him? Alex has to be feeling more than alone right now."
"I think Alex is more of a person that likes to grieve alone. I'll go check on him in after while."
Gibbs was vaguely nervous about leaving Alex alone upstairs. The last time the kid left without a warning and nearly got himself killed. But he knew he had to trust Alex so he left him alone, though that didn't stop him from looking out of the window that was directly below Alex's window...just in case.
So, since they missed lunch, and despite Gibbs' objections, Jackson set to work to make them lunch. Soon, the smell of grilled cheese sandwiches filled the house.
"You know, I could've done that."
"You could've. But I wanted to feel useful. My coming here was unexpected, it's only fair that I help out with the cooking at least." Jack said as he put a pile of grilled cheeses down on the kitchen table.
"I think it's time you went up there." Jackson said softly.
Jethro sighed, "I know that." He grumbled as got up from the table and walked to the stairs.
He didn't know what he was expecting to find when he got up there. Alex sobbing into his pillow uncontrollably? Somehow he didn't think that would be the case. Though he did think that would be easier. He could handle crying kids, he had enough practice in this line of work. More than he wanted to count children had been mixed up in his cases, causing him to have to deal with distraught kids.
Gibbs looked into Alex's room, the door was slightly open, which he was thankful for. Leaning against the door frame, he saw Alex sitting in the floor resting his back against the side of the bed. Alex was looking down at a photo album that Gibbs assumed were pictures of Jack.
The teen had yet to notice him, which Gibbs was also thankful for. Good to see Marine sniper training outweighed that of a spy's training. He was also glad because he was able to see Alex with his protective shield he had around himself, down.
The teen's face was sad to the point of depressed. He had lost the last person from his old life, there was absolutely no going back now.
Alex let out a long sigh as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Damn it," he mumbled as he buried his face in his hands.
Gibbs could tell he wasn't crying, but you could hear the anguish in the teen's voice. Unable to keep his presence a secret any longer, Gibbs went over and sat down beside the teen silently, ignoring the painful pop in his knee as he did so, letting his presence be comforting. They sat like that for long time, Gibbs not moving except to rub the teen's back lightly. Alex didn't look up as Gibbs did this, unable to face the man just yet.
Since Alex didn't shake his arm off or get angry with him for being in the room he figured he was doing something right.
Gibbs didn't count the time that had passed, not that he needed too. He would sit here all night if it would help Alex deal with his loss.
But, Alex didn't share the same sentiment as he lifted his head and looked at Gibbs. The teen's face still looked pained and miserable.
"Thanks." He mumbled.
"No problem. What've you got?" Gibbs asked, tapping the book lightly with his pointer finger.
"Just an old scrap book...she put together when Ian died. A bunch of old pictures of all three of us." Alex said.
Gibbs noticed the refusal to say Jack's name aloud. The teen's mourning was far from over.
"You can tell my Dad and me about them later, you need to eat. Come on, grilled cheese sandwiches are downstairs." Gibbs urged.
"I'm really not hungry right now, Gibbs. My stomach's not agreeing with me, if you now what I mean," Alex replied taking a deep steady breath.
The boy really did look pale.
"Yeah, I understand. Don't worry, it'll pass. You don't have to eat right now, either. You'll have to eat something before you go to bed, though. I'm going to go get you something to settle your stomach, then you can show me your book."
Alex shook his head with a bitter smile, "Gibbs, I'm not a child I don't need share with you." He said before mumbling under his breath, "I'll be fine."
"You are a child, you've just seen and done too much. That ends now. And I want you to tell me about your childhood, it's got me curious." Gibbs said, nudging the teen playfully.
The teen still shook his head.
"Maybe later," he reasoned.
"Alright," Gibbs agreed, not wanting to push the teen, "I'm going to go see if I have some stomach medicine, I'll be right back."
Alex nodded but didn't move from his spot on the floor. But as soon as Gibbs left the teen shot to his feet and grabbed the phone Mcgee had been generous enough to give him.
He dialed a familiar number and waited until a woman answered.
"Royal and General. How may we help you today?"
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When Gibbs walked back into the room Alex was just hanging up his phone.
"Who was that?" Gibbs asked casually but still startling the boy.
"Tom left me a voice message but it was just loud music, I think he was pocket dialing again." Alex lied. It had taken some persuasion but he was finally put through to Blunt.
Gibbs seemed to buy this but Alex was slightly put off when Gibbs replied softly, "Rule 7."
"What's rule 7?" Alex asked, clearly confused.
"Always be specific when you lie."
The teen knew he was caught but decided to play dumb, "what do you mean?"
Gibbs rolled his eyes but when he began to reply his phone went off. He looked at the caller ID. DiNozzo.
He knew taking the phone call in front of Alex would be a mistake so he stood up and gave the stomach reliever to the boy.
"Take some of that and don't even think about doing something stupid." He warned.
'Too late.'
"I'm not."
'I already did. I'm sorry, Gibbs.'
Once Gibbs left the room Alex opened the liquid medicine and took a long swig.
Turning back to the photo album Alex sighed as his eyes landed on a picture from when he was no more than eight. It was of Jack sitting on the ground, with Alex hugged to her body. They were both laughing at the camera which was being held by Ian. Alex ran a thumb across Jack's smiling face. A second later one lone, heavy, tear splattered onto the page.
"I'm sorry, Jack."
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"Ducky identified the body, Boss. It's Jack." Tony's voice sounded firm and professional but only Gibbs could detect the guilt over the phone.
"Yeah, I figured as much. Anymore threats been made?" He asked as he made his way down the stairs to avoid being spied on by the mini Bond upstairs.
"If there has Vance hasn't said anything. Boss, how's...Ow! Abby, that hurt!" Tony's pained voice was fazed out and Abby's filled the receiver.
"Gibbs this is horrible! Jack was so nice! I thought we were going to be friends, but this isn't about me. How's Alex? He must be feeling horrible! You're not letting him feel guilty about this are you? I know he's probably feeling guilty even though that's ridiculous! Tell him I-"
"Abby! Alex is going to be fine, he just needs some time." Gibbs interrupted her rambling, knowing she would go on forever if she wasn't stopped.
The goth sighed, "You're right, Bossman. I have complete faith in you." She said trustingly.
"Oh! And I talked to my cousin! She's managed to move the adoption paperwork up to the top of the list for us since time is of the essence. She said that by tomorrow the work should be finalized and nobody can do anything about it."
"That's really good, Abby. Good work."
"Tell Alex that we love him, okay?" She ordered more than asked.
"You got it, Abs." He said before ending the call.
Gibbs groaned softly as he sat onto the couch gratefully. His tired, aching body was beginning to protest.
"You need to eat, son," Jack noted as he came from the kitchen with a plate of two grilled cheeses. He handed the plate to the younger man and sat down.
"Thanks." Gibbs said as he took the plate, realizing how hungry he had become.
"How is he?"
"He's up to something. I don't know what, I'm gonna keep an eye on him though." Gibbs stated through a big mouth full of cheese and bread.
"Well, you be careful here, son. I know you're used to raising kids but you've really only had experience with young girls. This is a teenaged boy. And if he's anything like you were when you were a teenager...you're in for it. Nothing but stubbornness."
Gibbs smirked, "I think I've got it under control, Dad. I unofficially adopted three adults when I put them on my team. And DiNozzo is the ring leader of stubbornness...and teenaged antics." Gibbs said with the smallest hint of a smile.
Jackson smiled back a his son, "You're right. You do have yourself quite a family going on here. I am glad you've made yourself happy again."
Gibbs nodded his thanks awkwardly. This was a topic that was fast becoming uncomfortable with him.
They sat in silence for quite a while longer until Gibbs finished his lunch. His dad excused himself from the room to take a bath.
To pass time Gibbs pulled his legs up on the couch and stretched out. He was reluctant to go down to the basement and work on the boat, too concerned that Alex would try his disappearing act again.
So, knowing he needed rest, he went into his light sleep that only a marine would call refreshing.
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The rest of the night passed without incident. Surprisingly, Alex didn't try anything. Though Gibbs still had a nagging feeling Alex was up to something.
He didn't feel that yelling at the boy would help matters any, so the best thing he could do was watch him like a hawk.
That morning the elder man was trying to decide whether or not he should take Alex to the Navy Yard or if it would be best for him to stay at home today. His mind was made up for him, however, when Alex came down from his room fully dressed and said, "I'm ready to go when you are."
Gibbs raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. So he just grabbed his jacket, told his dad where they would be, and took off to the Navy Yard with his charge.
Alex didn't say one word to Gibbs in the car or on the way up to the bullpen. He knew Alex was quiet but this was too much.
Gibbs was surprised to see Vance standing at the edge of the bullpen talking to his team. Tony noticed them coming and gave Gibbs a hard look before looking pointedly at Alex. This wasn't going to end well.
Vance followed DiNozzo's gaze and looked to Gibbs.
"Ah, Agent Gibbs. Just the person of interest in MTAC at the moment. Well, other than Alex, that is." He said.
"What are you going on about, Leon?" Gibbs asked.
"Alan Blunt. Apparently he got a call last night from Mr. Rider, here. He wants to speak with you."
Gibbs looked hard at Alex.
"What did you do?" He demanded.
Alex kept his eyes averted but was silent. Vance started walking up the stairs to take them to MTAC and Alex sighed and followed.
"Stay here," Gibbs hissed at his team before stalking off after Leon and Alex.
He entered MTAC and, sure enough, Alan Blunt's face was plastered on the screen.
"Alex, it's good to see that you're okay," Blunt said offhandedly, not really all that sincere either.
"Yeah, thanks," Alex said, staring at the screen, refusing to look at Gibbs who was glaring a hole into his head.
Blunt then addressed Gibbs.
"Agent Gibbs, it seems that your team can't look out for Alex, despite what you had promised the boy. He called last night and wanted me to arrange him a plane ticket home. This is purely his choice, so there's nothing either one can do. It's his decision." He snarled.
"His only other living caregiver died yesterday, Blunt. He doesn't know what he wants, he just knows he's scared and doesn't want anymore people that he actually likes to get hurt. That's the only reason why he called you," Gibbs said harshly.
But Alex was having none of it.
"I'm not scared." He stated firmly.
But the look Gibbs turned to give him told Alex that the man could see through him like glass.
"Yes, you are. I don't care if you've been this superspy for the last year of your life or not, Alex. You're still just a kid, that's scared, but can't show it because if you do, it could get you killed."
"It doesn't really matter anymore, Gibbs. If NCIS does not put Alex on a plane to London today, this will go to the media that NCIS is holding an English school boy for no apparent reason."
"Hey! I call you so you and Gibbs could fight about it," Alex said sternly to Blunt before looking at the man beside him, "Gibbs, I know you're trying to help me but this isn't going to work. Too many people have died because of me this year. I don't want you and the team to end up on that list."
"This isn't about me or the team, Alex. It's about you being safe. I don't know how many times I'm going to have to drill into your head that me and the team can take care of ourselves. And trust me, we've been taking care of Abby, Ducky, and Palmer way before you showed up. We can handle this."
Alex glared and sighed heavily before walking out of the MTAC room.
'God, Gibbs doesn't listen, at all.'
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Gibbs watched as Alex left MTAC without saying a word. He pulled out his phone and his number one on his speed dial. DiNozzo picked up on the second ring.
"DiNozzo, Alex is coming down to you. Don't let him leave this building. Stick with him."
"On it, Boss." Tony said before hanging up before Gibbs could get a chance to.
He turned back to Alan Blunt, ready to fight it out with the head of MI6.
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Tony ended the call just as Alex Rider slid into the elevator. Tony stood up and ran into the elevator, sliding in just as the door was almost completely shut, something he had done many times before.
"Tony, what are you doing?" Alex asked wearily.
"Nothing, just thought you might want some company is all." Tony said happily.
"Well, I really don't right now." Alex said mildly.
"Well, unfortunately for you, that's a problem because the Boss just ordered me to stick to you like glue." Tony said apologetically.
Alex sighed again, "Of course he did." He mumbled.
"Hey, he's just trying to help you, Alex." Tony said, loyally.
"I know that! It's just...this isn't working." Alex managed to get out.
Tony reached out and turned off the elevator, which promptly shuttered to a halt.
"Do you know what Semper Fi means?" He asked.
Alex thought about it for a moment, "Jack, used to say it sometimes, I thought it was just an old saying from a movie." He managed to get her name out that time but it was strained and Tony could hear it.
"It means 'Always Faithful'. That's something all hardcore marines live by. Gibbs was a gunnery sergeant in the Marines and he doesn't take that motto for granted. When Gibbs gives you his trust and he starts to look out for you he does it fully. When I'm out in the field I don't have to watch my six because I know that Gibbs is right there with me. Gibbs is looking out for you, you don't have to worry, what you have to do is trust him."
"Yeah, well then who's going to be 'watching his six', Tony? He's made it clear that he doesn't need my help."
Tony straightened his posture, "He has me, Ziva, and Mcgee. That's all he needs, Alex. And the only reason why he keeps saying that he doesn't want your help is because he doesn't want to put your life in danger. He knows what you're capable of he just doesn't feel the need to exploit that when there are perfectly fine adults to handle this."
The small elevator was quiet for a moment as Tony let all of this sink in. Then, as an example he added, "Did Gibbs ever tell you about the time I got the plague?"
Alex looked up, "Yeah, that sounded horrible, Tony."
"Oh, it was, trust me. It was months before I could open an envelope without feeling the need to be in a Hazmat suit. But the point is, that was when I was in the hospital recovering, I had some pretty bad nights. And you know what the only thing that kept me going was? Gibbs. He sat with me through all the bad nights and ordered me not to die, ordering me to breath, ordering me beat a eighty-five percent chance of dying. And I did it. Not because I was scared of Gibbs, but because I didn't want to let him down. Gibbs yelling isn't punishment on this team. Not completely. Yes, it is embarrassing and nerve wracking sometimes, but that's not what me and the team are afraid of. We're afraid of disappointing him. Gibbs is a very respectable man, we look up to him. And it may sound crazy but I hope that, one day, people will look up to me with as much respect and admiration that I do with Gibbs. The man is loyal to his people and, now, you are apart of his people too. He's not going to let you go so easily. Gibbs is also a fan of tough love." Tony said with a smile as he reached over to flip the switch on the elevator.(1)
But Alex didn't smile back he could only look at Tony in awe. He didn't realize that Tony looked up to Gibbs so much.
The elevator began to shift the rest of the way downwards but suddenly Alex didn't plan to get off. This team was a tight knit family, something that he had been yearning for most of his life and now he was just going to run away from it? He didn't think so. Not anymore. Now that he looked at it, he realized how much trouble he had stirred up for Gibbs.
"Tony, I think I messed up."
Tony gave Alex a 'duh' look.
"Yeah, that you did, man. But Gibbs will take care of it." He said, looking pointedly at the teen, waiting expectantly for him to agree.
Alex nodded slowly, "you're right."
Tony smiled wide, "Atta boy!" He said happily, slapping him on the back as the doors opened on the ground floor of NCIS.
And standing right in front of them was Ben Daniels.
"Ben?" Alex asked.
"Alex, tell me Gibbs hasn't agreed to let you go back to London!" He said hurriedly as he entered the elevator with Alex and Tony.
"No, he's up in MTAC fighting it out with your Boss now, why?" Tony asked closing the elevator and hitting the button that would take them back to the bullpen. The Senior Field Agent had a gut feeling the news that Ben had to tell them wasn't going to be pretty and that Gibbs would want to hear it.
"Alex, you can not go back to MI6. Not after what they did. My resignation is going to be on Blunt's desk first thing tomorrow. I can't work with that man after what he's done." Ben said looking at Alex with a miserable look on his face, like he didn't want to be the one that told Alex the news.
"Ben, what did he do?" Alex asked, his voice low, barely breathing.
Ben shook his head sadly.
"Alex, SCORPIA didn't order any bomb to be placed in the house to kill Jack."
"Then who did?" Tony asked warily as though he already knew the answer.
Ben, not able to face Alex, turned to Tony.
"Alan Blunt."
A/N- You can just hear the 'dun duuun duuunnnnn' music in the background, can you not?XD I hope you guys aren't too terribly mad at me for killing off Jack...She just wasn't fitting into the story right. (Despite what I did, Jack's one of my favorite characters in Alex Rider.)
1- Yeah, I know after the episode SWAK it doesn't actually show that Gibbs stayed with Tony...but I like to think he did so just go with it.:)
You guys can thank ChakramVampire for most of this chapter! She came up with the awesome idea for Blunt to kill Jack. I had already planned to kill Jack she just made it ten times better.:D
*Sighs* unfortunately I think that there's a bit Alex/OC in this chapter...but he just lost Jack so I think that he's entitled to a little grieving.
*Teaser*- SCORPIA's coming up real soon.
On a completely different note- for all American's NCIS season 8 premieres September 21st! And the episode's name is called 'The Spider and the Fly'.
Okay, lol, I'm done. Review's are amazing!