Warnings: Language.
Disclaimer: This is a work of FanFiction using characters from the Alex Rider series, intellectual property and copyright of Anthony Horowitz.
Whoever said that waking up from sedation was like you'd hardly even been out in the first place was a horrible liar Alex decided as he first opened his eyes after this latest bout of injuries. He didn't know how many days he'd been in this bed, but he knew it was a few as he tried to flex his toes and they felt stiffer then an 80 year-old man's joints.
The weight of the sheets and woollen blanket on his chest felt like they were suffocating him and he forced his hands to move next to see if he could locate the call button. He found it close to his right hand and after having to concentrate for a few more minutes just to get his fingers to do what he wanted them too, he saw the light blink above his bed as a tribute to his success.
It took less than 20 seconds for a nurse to enter his room and switch the alarm off. He wondered why she didn't immediately ask what he wanted.
"B-" And that was all he managed to get out. He frowned to himself before trying again and just emitting a croak. The nurse was pouring water into a glass and placed a straw in it, he glared at her when she offered it to him.
"Just for the first few sips so you can speak," She advised in a kindly tone. Alex allowed the glare to soften somewhat and took the straw when it was offered, he took a sip before it was taken away and he sucked in air. That was when the glare came back and the straw was offered again. He was surprised to find the nurse just looked slightly amused.
"Not too much," She supplied simply. Alex took a small suck and offered a sarcastic smile. The nurse, Judy he noticed from the name tag, just laughed at him.
"You're very expressive for someone in here," Judy commented. Placing the straw to his mouth again. Alex just crossed his eyes at her this time. The woman smiled and placed the cup down.
"Thank you," His voice sounded weak to his own ears and he frowned. Judy nodded once, "Blankets?"
She immediately pulled the woollen blanket from the top of the covers and Alex let his eyes drift up to the ceiling taking a deep breath. The relief was immediate and he looked down as the woman folded the blanket and placed it on top of one of the units in the room. She turned back and Alex tried to lift his forearm off the bed slowly, she took a step forwards and saw him staring as it almost refused to respond.
"It will take a few hours of being awake for you to function properly," She explained, "It seems you had a bit of a rough time. Would you like more water?"
"Please," He admitted and he took the straw when it was offered without hesitation this time and she allowed him to take more of it. He dropped his head when he was done and the woman gave him a kindly smile.
"You'll be taken off drip feed when the doctor comes around. Do you want me to get your order form to go through before the doctor comes in?"
"No thank you," Alex said quietly. Truth be told, he knew the food in this hospital was good but he was more focussed on trying to move his arm. It would be easier when she was out of the room to be able to work himself into activity. Judy nodded and stood up.
"It's very good to have you back with us Alex. And thank you for the funny face to make my Monday a little brighter," She said with a smile as she refilled the glass of water on the side. Alex leant his head back against the pillow as she left the room and tried to force his left hand up and off the mattress. It took longer than he had expected and way more concentration than it had ever thought it could have to get his left arm off the bed up this elbow but when he wiggled his fingers and all the wires from his arm moved he breathed a sigh of relief. He shut his eyes and started working on the other one, remembering as much as he could about the night he was brought here.
Truth be told, he didn't remember much after getting off the coach in London. The cold was the big thing he remembered and being very slow. Other than that it was more of a fog haze, he remembered people shouting, including himself. A warm hand on his wrists. That hand that brushed his hair. Just small non-descript things that gave no indication as to who had managed to get him to a hospital.
Alex looked at his right arm that was now up and off the bed the same as the other one had been and he flexed his hand into a fist, before releasing it and starting on the legs.
"You're back," Snake stated as Ben walked into the room and threw his bag to the floor that afternoon. Ben just nodded quickly and sat down on the sofa seat he always took with a sigh. Eagle walked in and threw his keys on the coffee table before he snagged the seat the opposite end of Ben's sofa.
"Any particular reason why?" Snake asked.
"I need a smaller place," Ben replied vaguely. Snake frowned and looked at him seriously. "Eugh stop analysing me."
"Then tell me the real reason why," Snake returned easily.
"It's stupid," Ben muttered as he picked up the remote and flicked the TV on. Snake raised an eyebrow at him and Ben took a deep breath, pointedly ignoring him. He waited for a count of 30 before he cracked. "I couldn't get to sleep alright? I just kept thinking about the state of the kid on the floor of my house and no before you ask, I didn't go to the local for a drink."
"Alright," Snake said holding his hands up with a surprised expression.
"That was almost a teenage strop," Eagle teased with a smirk. Ben rolled his eyes and dragged his hand over his face.
"Yeah well, I had four hours sleep and a rather pleasant call this morning to tell me Alex is awake," Ben explained as he rolled his head onto the back of the sofa and shut his eyes. The silence dragged on and Ben opened one eyes to see Eagle giving Snake a pointed look, "What?"
Eagle snapped his head round and his face was going red. He gave Ben an apologetic look and shook his head. Snake leant forwards in his chair, "Have you considered ever dropping back to SAS?"
Ben stared at him, "What?"
"Well, think of what it looks like from our point of view Ben, you're struggling right now. What they are asking you to do by looking after Cub is bloody ridiculous by all counts. Especially considering he was the one who triggered you this time. I have an idea of what's wrong, but the fact something like this is affecting you this badly isn't good."
Ben just blinked at him stupidly before he gave a short disbelieving laugh, "I thought he was dead. I'd accepted he was dead then he shows up dying on my floor. I didn't expect to be dancing the fucking cha-cha slide the next day you know?"
"I'd totally film that for blackmail," Eagle murmured. Ben just gave him a mock glare.
"Look, all joking aside, it sent you into shock. What if that happens on an assignment?" Snake said seriously, Ben just looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "I'm allowed to be concerned here."
"It's completely unwarranted," Ben said dismissively, "I haven't been cleared by Huhne anyway and they already said I won't be doing an assignment while he's there. I'm just not keen on being in that house at the moment."
"And that's going to be better when he gets there?"
"It's someone else in the house. Disbelieve this all you want, but there is no way that Alex is going to be seeing me in that state."
"Right. And you don't think he's going to ask questions?" Snake asked dubiously.
"Hence why he won't see it," Ben said simply, "He's curious. If he spots something questionable then his curiosity will get the better of him."
"Sounds like you," Eagle teased, Ben frowned and look at the carpet as he kicked his foot against the coffee table gently in thought. "I'm sure there will be things he does that will spark that nosy fucker in you as well."
"Well yeah, but I'm 90% sure I'd never get any answers even if I ask him. I've tried to speak to him about stuff outside of assignments before and it didn't go so well. I'd rather just keep the talk somewhat amicable."
"So you're just going to treat him like a lodger?" Snake clarified after a pause. Ben nodded and shrugged.
"Why not? That's all he is."
"Alex, what are you doing?"
Alex snapped his eyes to the door and rolled himself back down onto his back a little harder than he's expected too and winced as he felt it pull on the bandage over his chest.
"Moving," He responded simply. Mrs Jones walked closer and sat in the chair beside with bed with a frown.
"Has a doctor been in to see you?"
"Not yet," He responded tersely. He warily looked at the woman as she put a peppermint in her mouth. "You want to do my debrief?"
"Yes, Alex."
Alex jabbed his finger on the button and Mrs Jones raised an eyebrow at him. The door behind them opened and Alex thought he saw a blonde woman trying to peer in the door as nurse Judy entered.
"Hello Alex, what can I get for you?" Judy asked with her normal pleasant manner he'd witnessed earlier that morning.
"Can you sit me up please?" Alex asked with a small smile. Judy frowned and she gestured at the doctor's notes.
"I can't until you've seen the doctor I'm afraid."
"Okay. Wait there," Alex said, the nurse gave him a confused look and he grit his teeth and pulled his back up from the bed. "Can you prop the bed up then? I'm sure you don't need doctor permission for an inanimate object."
Judy looked at him curiously where he was sat up and she shook her head slightly as she walked forwards. Alex saw the faintly curious expression on Mrs Jones face while the nurse did as she was asked. It was only a second or two and Alex leant back against the now upright bed gratefully.
"You will get me into trouble," Judy admonished with a small smile before she refilled his glass and Alex just gave her a returning smile as she left the room. He waited until the woman was fully out of the room before he looked at Mrs Jones again. The woman was watching him carefully and he raised one eyebrow at her, deliberately telling her to hurry up. Surprisingly she obliged and Alex leant his hands on his lap with a blank face when she looked back.
"You understand how you got to this location?" Mrs Jones asked. Alex gave her a confused look. "I want to check before I notify you of an arrangement later on."
"I remember details up until I got off the coach into London," Alex returned simply. Mrs Jones seemed to jot it down on her pad and she looked up.
"In that case, allow me to notify you that you found your way to Agent Daniels premises by foot. He was accompanied by his unit on that night and between three of them they delivered immediate medical treatment while transporting you here."
"Okay," Alex replied. The unwavering voice belied what he thought. Internally he grimaced as he thought of how awkward that would have been. For the first time he was thankful he couldn't remember his little escapade as no doubt the damage to his pride would have been on a cataclysmic level. He took a deep breath. "Which two with Ben?"
Mrs Jones glanced down at a piece of paper on her lap. "I believe that would be Eagle and Snake, as you would know them."
"Right," Alex agreed he wasn't surprised there was no Wolf, glad of it in fact. He didn't want to owe the man any favours.
"So Alex. Explain to me the details of what happened in Croatia," Mrs Jones said dully. Alex just looked at her evenly.
"For the real basics I messed up the drop, ended up on the opposite building by mistake after one of the guidance toggles on my parachute got caught. It was quite lucky, we'd been compromised."
Mrs Jones, who was scribbling on her pad looked up at the last word. "Explain."
"Wolf's group were apprehended on the roof of target building one. Cougar or Agent Stevens, was the only one who managed to get away from the rooftop. I'm not sure how as there was only one entrance. I was in building two heading towards the target intel as requested. It wasn't there. But there were approximately 12 boxes of explosives lined up in the hallway outside of where we were due to be placing the charges."
"How much would you guestimate?"
"Medium blocks. Probably around 4-6 to a box. Enough to blow the building to hell and back," Alex reasoned.
"And Agent Daniels?" Mrs Jones asked.
"Agent Daniels was also being held in block two. I overheard a conversation in one of the hallways after attempting to retrieve the intel. I hid in one of the boxes as they were discussing what to do with the prisoner," Alex explained calmly.
"And you went to get him?" Mrs Jones asked interestedly. Alex felt the frown on his face.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"Just for clarification Alex," Mrs Jones responded. The blonde narrowed his eyes at her and pushed his lips together. "Carry on from after the helicopter has left." Alex raised an eyebrow at her. "We have 4 corresponding debriefs of the events on the rooftop. We do not require another."
"After the helicopter left?"
"Yes Alex," She responded tersely. The blonde smirked.
"I was shot. I went to sleep for a long time."
"How long?" Mrs Jones asked seriously. Alex gave her a deranged look, "It's 20th February today for reference, you have been in hospital for 7 days."
"That would be approximately 4 to 4 and half weeks then. I can't give a definite, I was in a room with no windows. The bruises are because they wanted to convince me to give Ben's name," Alex stated plainly.
"Did you give his name?" Mrs Jones edgily. Alex raised an eyebrow at her that she responded to with a pointed look.
"No of course not. I gave them Cougar's," Alex replied quickly, he took a deep breath, "Do I have to go through how I got back?"
"No Alex. We found the stamps in the fake passport Agent Daniels passed over with the Biosyn file and gun."
"And the flash drive?" Alex asked. Mrs Jones fixed him with a serious look.
"Excuse me?"
"Guess not then," Alex muttered, "You might want to check the trousers I was wearing when I came in. There is a flash drive in the right hand pocket. I don't know what's on it."
Mrs Jones placed her pencil down on her notepad with a calculating look on her face. "Very good. Thank you Alex. Do you wish to discuss what has happened here with your person since your departure?"
"People think I'm dead again?" he deadpanned. Mrs Jones looked at him carefully.
"The Pleasures and Mr Thomas Harris do yes, we felt there was a steady enough case to proceed with funeral services following the other debriefs. The cover up was a motorbike accident in central London. Your name was not released in the coverage for obvious reasons. If you wish, we can arrange for them to be notified of your current status."
"The Pleasure's are still living in Cheyne Walk?"
"Yes Alex."
"Best tell them before I meet them on the street and give someone a heart attack," Alex stated plainly. "Anything else?"
"Your flat is currently unavailable," Mrs Jones said as she crossed her hands over her laps, "In addition we do not feel you fit to residing alone with your current injuries. We understand you dislike the hospital, so we have arranged someone for you to stay with. If- "
"Who?" Alex asked quickly. Mrs Jones rearranged her hands.
"Agent Daniels."
"What? I'm not staying there," Alex stated immediately. Mrs Jones almost, very slightly in her eyes, looked somewhat amused. Alex wondered why.
"I can assure you, Daniels will allow you to do as you wish. It's just so that we have firepower in the house while you recover and as he is on indefinite leave currently until he is cleared for field work, it kills two birds with one stone."
Alex glared at her, "Do I get a car at least?"
"Of course. The minute you are clear to be driving once again we will ensure the car is delivered to your residence from Stryker's."
"And college?"
"Mr Harris was the only one of your peers to be aware of your memorial ceremony. I'm sure there will be no issue with you returning to Brookland to continue your education. This will of course be checked and alternatively we can look at a private tutor. I presume that is all?" Mrs Jones stood and crossed her hands over her notebook to give him a chance to speak. He didn't bother.
"In that case, enjoy your rest Alex. We'll see you soon," Mrs Jones was walking towards the door the minute she finished speaking and Alex watched her go with an impassive face. It was when the door clicked closed that he leant his head back and took a deep breath. The tiredness from the short debriefing and the following updates were clawing at his eyes and he looked down at the sheet he had over his legs. Mostly he was okay with the updates, all except one:
Benjamin fucking Daniels
Alex closed his eyes, trying to ignore the annoyance at that particular notification and drifting off to sleep.
Ben rolled himself onto his front on the sofa bed that they'd set up in Eagle's room again with his eyes clenched closed as the red haired man yanked the curtains open. Ben waited, tensed for what he knew was coming and when he felt the movement above him, he swiped an arm back and out of the cover. He felt it connect with skin and Eagle groaned from somewhere behind him.
"Wanker."
"You opened the damn curtains," Ben muttered into his pillow, he lifted his head carefully, "What time is it?"
"Time for you to go see Cub," Eagle returned with what Ben knew would be a grin. Ben just pulled the cover over his head with a groan.
"Piss off."
"Nope," Eagle said simply. Ben felt the duvet move and he grabbed at it over his head. Eagle yanked on it and Ben felt it pull his hands back at an unnatural angle.
"Eagle. Fuck off," Ben said loudly into his pillow as he tried to pull the duvet back. Ben felt it go slack in his grip as the door opened and he smirked into the pillow at his victory.
"Derek, stop being an ass. Ben, get up already it's midday," Ben groaned all thoughts of the duvet victory gone at the sound of Snake's voice and he moved the pillow from his head blinking carefully to clear the sleep from his eyes.
"Don't make me give him permission to get you up with water," Snake cautioned. Ben rolled over with a scowl on his face, and he stared up at the ceiling. "10 seconds."
Ben pushed himself up with a frown and blinked at the pair that were stood near the door dumbly, before he rubbed his eyes with one hand, pushing the cover off his chest with the other. "Why are you making me get up?"
"I'm going to the gym," Snake said with a shrug, "Figured you'd want to come."
Ben just hummed his agreement and leant back on his elbows. Snake raised an eyebrow at him and Ben nodded sleepily as he swung his legs towards the edge of the bed with a sigh. "Fine. I'm moving."
"Good. Ten minutes and downstairs or I'm giving the idiot a bucket," Snake agreed as he walked out of the room with a wry smile. Eagle grinned and Ben glared at him through sleepy eyes.
"You look like you're in pain," Eagle commented in a tone too cheerful to fit the words. Ben gave him a disdainful look as he got to his feet and stretched with a yawn before he rubbed the back of his neck gently.
"Can I use your gym crap?"
"Go ahead. He's going to push you pretty hard though. So try not to die in it," Eagle said with a shrug, "Would be annoying to have to buy new stuff."
Ben watched him go with an amused look, hand still resting on the back of his neck before he turned to the dresser and grabbed the tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt. Ben sat back down on the edge of the bed with a sigh and looked at the pillow longingly before he rolled back onto it and shut his eyes. There was a thud through the floor and Snake's voice drifted up from downstairs.
"Five minutes Ben!"
Ben slammed a foot against the floor in annoyance, and he heard Eagle's laugh from downstairs as he grabbed the t-shirt and pulled it over his head with a growl. He wandered through to the bathroom, rubbing at sleep hazed eyes and brushed his teeth as he looked blearily at his reflection in the mirror. He was looking better, there was no doubt about that and he knew the others meant well but there was one thing they were pushing he wasn't okay with. Ben rinsed his mouth and pulled on the tracksuit bottoms before he turned and walked down the stairs. He picked up his trainers, the one piece of sports gear he'd actually brought with him and walked back along the hall into the kitchen at the end.
There was already a cup of coffee ready for him on the table, same as there always was and he slid into the seat with a glare at Eagle.
"Your face will get stuck like that. I'm sure Monica would be most upset," Eagle said offhandedly as he took a bite of whatever sandwich he'd made. Ben just gave him a disdainful look as he took a drink from his mug, relishing the black coffee and leaning back in his chair. He looked at Snake who was watching him with an amused face.
"What?"
"I forget how much of a nightmare you are to wake up," Snake returned with a smirk, "Almost worse than Luke."
"Ain't nothing worse than Wolf in the morning," Ben muttered as he took another drink and he yawned. "Where is he?"
"Overtime," Snake responded simply. Ben raised an eyebrow at him, "Don't ask. He's stroppy as shit."
"Only because he went to try and see how Cub- ow. Motherfucker," Eagle murmured as Snake kicked his shin. Ben looked between them with a curious expression and he felt an amused smile on his face.
"Luke," Ben said carefully to clarify through his sleep hazed brain, "Wolf, tried to get in to see Cub?"
Snake gave Eagle an annoyed look before he nodded. Ben just laughed in disbelief, Eagle gestured at him with his sandwich. "See? I told you he'd find it funny."
"It is," Ben agreed through his laughter, Snake gave him a questioning look and took a deep breath letting out one huff of laughter, "He had no hope. Alex is MI6's fucking golden-boy."
"That explains the escort out," Eagle commented through his mouthful. Ben looked at him for a second and Eagle gave him a serious nod before he started laughing again. Snake rolled his eyes,
"Least he bothered," Snake said with a pointed look. Ben clicked his mouth closed immediately, hearing the tone of accusation in his voice. "Take it as you will, none of us are so stupid to think we'd be here if it wasn't for him."
Ben sat up in his chair with a grimace at that statement and he gave the blonde a curious look. "Is this your way of guilt tripping me into seeing him?"
"Not intentionally. I told Eagle to not mention it," Snake said with a shrug. Eagle shook his head quickly and held his hands up in front of him defensively.
"Don't bring me into this."
"You brought yourself into it with your big mouth," Snake retorted calmly before he looked back at Ben, "I get you are apprehensive about going to see him. But if he's going to be staying with you do you not think it's a good idea?"
"No," Ben said with a shrug, Snake gave him an exasperated look. "I don't Quinn. I don't want to see the shit state he's in, I'll see him when I pick him up."
"Well from what you've said it doesn't sound like he's going to be all that happy about the arrangement. Maybe you should offer the interaction first rather than making him think it's going to start on bad footing?" Snake reasoned. Ben smirked and shook his head, "If it was the other way round how would you feel?"
"It would never be to the other way around. I just come to you lot," Ben muttered as he took another drink from his coffee to hide the scowl. Snake leant back in his chair.
"You Ben, are way too damn stubborn," Snake said with a sigh. "Just think about it. Doesn't have to be today."
Ben rolled his eyes, knowing that it would be something he'd consider and come to the same answer about but he waved a dismissive hand anyway, "Fine."
"Good," Snake agreed as he stood up, "Let's get to the gym then runt."
Ben glared at him as Eagle let out a bark of laughter and Ben turned the look to him before he pulled the trainers on, drained the last of his drink and followed Snake out of the door.
Alex let out a sigh at the ceiling of his room, he'd never liked hospitals. They smelt funny, they were all too white and the people that walked up and down the corridors constantly woke him when he tried to sleep. His nurse had been in and out most of the day, finally removing the painkiller drip from his arm this morning and Alex had been surprised to find there was very little residual pain left over now. But then, by Jones' timeline, the initial gunshot wound would have been almost seven weeks old by now so it had undoubtedly healed internally through Ibrehim's "care". He was sore from the bruises but it wasn't overly bad all things considering, he was well aware it could have been a lot worse than just a beating.
Alex leant his head back against the pillow and raised an eyebrow at the clock that showed 1am. He hadn't had any visitors since Mrs Jones had been in, and he couldn't find it in him to be overly bothered. He knew that Tom and the Pleasure's would have been notified already, but he also realized that they probably wouldn't be allowed access to his room even if they wanted to see him. The guards he'd spotted the first time he woke up were gone after Mrs Jones departure and he was thankful for it.
Alex pushed himself upright on the bed slowly, knowing that although he didn't hurt as such that a jerky movement could cause a stab of pain that he didn't want to feel. He paused before he removed the fluids drip into his arm gently and grabbed a swab from the pot and held it over the small pinprick opening. He eased his legs out of bed looking around at the pile of clothes on the side that had been left in place of the one's he'd travelled back to the UK in. Gently he put his legs down and took a tentative step, happy to find that his feet responded as he stood up and took another step along the side of the bed towards the cabinet that had the clothes on top of it.
He picked up the jeans, t-shirt and underwear from the pile and eased himself into the seat at the end of the bed that had stayed in place since Jones had been in and tentatively he pulled the clothes on, the worst was the underwear and jeans he realized as he had to lean over the binding on his torso pulled tight over a bruised back and front. Overall he assessed he really wasn't in a position to be bed bound for another two days, and as he pushed himself to his feet and headed for the door that was all that mattered. Alex checked the hall before he walked out of his door and turned away from the nurse's station. He was shuffling a little and he forced himself to pick his feet up and straighten his posture to normal. That was a little harder to manage but by the time he reached the stairwell three halls along, he'd managed it without his feet dragging along the floor. He took a deep breath before he pushed through the stairwell door and started the walk up them towards the roof. He wasn't sure how long it took, but by the time he was stood by the rooftop door, he could feel his breathing was heavy. He paused and shut his eyes, before he pushed away any tiredness and pushed the door open with one hand.
Alex felt the cold February air wash over him and he took a breath into his lungs with a relieved sigh as his bare feet moved over the roof top. He urged himself to pick up his feet when he felt a toe scuff across the surface as he walked over to one of the benches and sat down, leaning his head over the back of it as he heard the sounds of London town drift up from below him on this Sunday night. He remembered back to when he'd first come back here after a few months in America and he felt that familiar wash of home that he'd had back then again. He felt a small smile come onto his face as he heard people yelling jovially from a street somewhere distant and a siren blared from below where the A&E stand was. He knew room checks happened at 2am, he'd pretended to be asleep through the last 4 days of them and decided he was staying here until they came to find him and take him back to his room. It wouldn't be long he figured, the stairs had taken longer than he's expected them too but as the first spattering of rain hit his face he heard the door to the roof open and pulled his head up with a sigh.
"Mr Rider?" A male porter asked carefully, almost cautiously. Alex pushed himself to his feet and made his face back into a casual teenager's smirk.
"Alex," He provided calmly, the porter smiled at him and he returned it half-heartedly as he walked back over to the man who would take him back down to his room. He took one last look behind him before he was ushered inside and offered a chair. When he refused he was guided to the lift instead, Alex turned as the doors closed and he just gave the porter an amused look when he mentioned the weather. As he climbed back into the bed and the porter re-attached the IV with a gentle child worded scold he scowled and turned over, determined to get a couple of hours sleep before the morning checks started so he could leave.
Permission or not.
Ben tipped his head forwards under the shower and let the water hit his shoulders where he'd worked with Snake at the gym for the last five days with an appreciative hum as it eased away some of the soreness in his muscles.
Eagle hadn't been joking when he said Snake was going to push, but already he could feel that uplift from the exercise and the work it was doing to him after he'd slacked so hard in the weeks before. He leant his head back again and grabbed Eagle's shower gel and scrubbed it over his skin roughly, thankful that the man had the sense to buy something that smelt half decent before he flicked the shower over too cold to try to ease any of the residual pains from worked muscles. Ben stopped for a second when he heard a familiar ring and stuck his head through the curtain.
"Is that my phone?" Ben yelled. He heard Eagle call back the affirmative and he rinsed himself off quicker than normal and grabbed a towel. Tying it around his waist he scrubbed a hand through his hair quickly to get rid of most of the water before he walked out of the bathroom and down the stairs. The ringing had stopped and he glanced in on the lounge table before he saw a hand holding up his phone through the kitchen door. Ben unlocked it as he leant against the counter with Eagle giving him an amused look.
"What?" Ben asked distractedly. Eagle just let out a huff of laughter.
"You look wrecked," Ben looked up at him and shrugged,
"Sore," He admitted, as he pushed redial on the number, "Feel better for it."
Eagle nodded as Snake walked into the room, hair wet from his own shower in the main bathroom and the Scot held up the kettle. Ben nodded his response and waited for an answer on the other end of the line.
"Royal & General can I take your account number?"
"165485. Ben Daniels," Ben responded with a yawn and he took the mug of steaming hot coffee with a thankful look at Snake as the man sat down.
"Putting you through to Mrs Jones sir."
Ben rolled his eyes and made a chatter motion with his hands at Snake when he raised an eyebrow. "Mrs Jones."
"Agent Daniels. You aren't at home."
"No," Ben didn't offer an explanation, and he heard the pause as if she was waiting for one, "Any reason?"
"Alex is currently outside of your premises."
"What? He's not due out until Saturday," Ben said as he stood up straight and blinked, the phone was hung up and Ben stared at the screen for a second with a confused look.
"Everything alright?" Snake asked carefully.
"I got to go," Ben placed the cup down with a hiss and a whispered curse when the liquid tipped over the edge of the cup in his haste. Snake raised an eyebrow at him that he ignored as he walked out of the room and ran up the stairs, grabbing the first clothes he could find. He shrugged on the t-shirt and jacket. Grabbed the first pair of jeans in the mess that was Eagle's room and a pair of socks, pulling them on with one hand as he hopped towards the stairs. He went to run back down them, almost straight into Snake who had a frown on his face. Ben grabbed his arms quickly to stop him falling backwards and gave him a serious look. "Can I use your car?"
"Sure. What's happened?" Snake asked as Ben eased past him and ran down the stairs, Ben looked up at him with a frown.
"Alex discharged himself," Ben said as he yanked his trainers on roughly, Eagle appeared from the kitchen with a serious look.
"Well where is he?" Eagle asked, Ben looked at him as he grabbed Snake's key from the bowl by the door.
"Sat on my fucking doorstep," Snake took a couple of steps down the stairs, Ben glanced at him before he pulled the front door open and ran through it.
"Ben you have to- " Snake stopped as the door slammed closed, "-take him back to hospital."
Snake turned after a second to look at Eagle who just gave a small shrug in response. Snake looked at the door as the squeal of tires sounded from outside and he gave Eagle an amused smirk as the red head let out a huff of laughter.
"Good start."
Ben pulled the car up to the curb, cringing when the call was almost too close with his own car in front of it and he spotted the small figure sat on the stairs to his house. He pushed the door open roughly and slammed it closed with more force than necessary to get some of the frustration out as he jabbed a finger on the lock button over his shoulder. Ben made his steps heavier on purpose as he approached, but the mop of scruffy blonde hair didn't look up like he expected it too. Ben hesitated for a second, not sure what to do when he reached the smaller figure. Alex's head was ducked against knee's that had been pulled up in front of him where he was sat on the top step with his back to the wall of the house. Ben frowned as he tried to recall Alex's safe word before he mentally swore and just reached a hand out to touch his shoulder.
Alex's head jerked up and winced as it smacked into the wall behind him, Ben could have laughed had he not been so annoyed. He crouched by Alex's side, sending a natural smile to the people that walked past on the pavement below.
"Watch it," Ben murmured, as he turned his head back around. Ben felt his breath stop when he saw serious brown eyes looking at him that had obviously just woken up, but it was the mottled purple and yellow skin that made him falter in his anger and annoyance. Alex offered him a grim look.
"Hello Ben." Alex said simply, his tone was measured Ben noticed and he nodded a greeting carefully. Ben removed the hand he realised he still had on Alex's shoulder and the blonde raised an eyebrow at him.
"Back to hospital," Ben said firmly as he stood up and held out a hand.
"I'll just leave again if you take me back," Alex said as he pushed himself up slowly, ignoring the offered hand and instead using the wall to lever himself up. Ben spotted the papers on the floor where he'd been sat and he picked them up. Alex held his hand out expectantly and Ben gave them over, catching the Math notes written on Brooklands headed paper and he sighed.
"Are you kidding? You've been to college?" Ben asked incredulously. Alex levelled an even look at him and Ben ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath before he pulled his keys out and opened the front door. "Get in."
Alex gave him a mistrusting look and Ben rolled his eyes, stepping through the opening first and turning with an expectant expression. Alex stepped through carefully and Ben noted the side he was favouring and that the toe of his trainer caught on the doorstep. Ben silently hoped for him to not sway or fall over and once Alex was in, he pushed the door closed quickly. Ben hung the keys on the hook and he could feel Alex watch his every move as he pulled his jacket off before he turned and leant his back against the door with his arms crossed.
"Why did you discharge yourself?" Ben asked seriously. Alex's lips pinched together and Ben rolled his eyes, "If you're injured you should be in hospital."
"They arranged for me to stay here because I don't like hospitals," Alex returned with a shrug. Ben caught the quickly concealed wince from the shrug and he hid his own frown he felt wanting to move onto his face at the tired edge to Alex's voice.
"And what do you expect me to do if you aren't alright? I'm not a medic," Ben asked calmly. Alex scoffed.
"I'm fine."
Ben felt himself tense at those two words and he knew it wouldn't be missed, so he stood himself up to full height and walked forwards stopping at the bottom of the stairs. "You want food or you want to sleep?"
"I have homework," Alex responded simply. Ben turned to look at him with a puzzled expression.
"You looked wrecked and you're worried about homework?" Ben questioned in an amused tone. Alex just shrugged a response and Ben hid the annoyance he felt as he gestured up the stairs. "I'll show you your room then." Alex looked at the stairs with careful eyes and Ben crossed his arms. "If you fall over I need to be behind you."
"I won't fall over," Alex stated with a plain expression. Ben rolled his eyes and swung himself on the banister.
"Your neck," He muttered as he felt the smirk Alex sent at his back. Ben tried to calm himself in the short walk, waiting at the top of the stairs as he looked down at the bruised face that had its lips pinched together and eyes that were concentrating far too much for him to not be in pain at the simple act. Ben noticed the hand grip that was tight on the railing and the way Alex's eyes blinked slower than normal from tiredness as he reached the top, his breaths that were shallow but almost forced in timing. Ben just walked the couple of paces to the bedroom he'd made up and pushed the door open with one hand. Alex walked over and peered in with curious eyes before he entered and placed the papers on the drawers next to the bed. Alex looked at him with a frown.
"Why not the smaller one at the front?"
"What spy wants their window near the front porch?" Ben asked with an amused look. Alex narrowed his eyes slightly before he let out a huff of laughter that turned into a smirk.
"Touché."
Ben stood for a second before he nodded, "I'll leave you to that homework then."
Alex nodded his agreement, Ben pulled the door closed as he left with a deep breath. He jogged down the stairs and into the kitchen, flicking the kettle on with one hand before he leant back against the counter and pinched his nose against the Alex induced headache he could already feel coming on.
Ben looked up as his phone beeped for a message, wondering if Snake had figured it easier to send a text rather than trying to call as he had been all evening. Ben leant his chair back on two legs and grabbed it from the kitchen side before letting the chair legs drop back to the floor with a thud, he lifted his coffee and unlocked the phone quickly.
Knock knock
Ben felt his lips tilt upwards and he walked down the hall, he pulled the front door open to see Sheath stood with a box in her hand that she held out to him.
"Delivery bitch as well now then?" Ben asked as he took the box from her. Sheath glared at him before she turned, jogged back down the stairs and pulled another box from the boot of her car. She pulled a large pizza box and placed it on top before awkwardly slamming the boot closed. Ben placed his own box down and jogged down the steps.
"Such a gentleman Daniels," She said as she offered the box. Ben gave her a deranged look and just pulled the pizza box open and stuck a slice in his mouth with a sarcastic smile.
"Not so much Sheathy."
"Wanker," Sheath muttered. Ben held the pizza in his mouth and took the box from her with a roll of his eyes. He placed it on top of the other one in the doorway of the lounge and grabbed the pizza box as he walked back into the kitchen. Sheath shut the front door and paused in the kitchen door way with a look upstairs. "Sleeping?"
"No idea," Ben murmured as he pulled the pizza box open and placed it in the middle of the table. The woman nodded and pushed the kitchen door closed gently.
"Just in case," She shrugged and took a slice of the pizza before pulling two bottles of beer from her coat pockets. Ben gave her a thankful look and grabbed the bottle opener from the drawer behind him as she laughed. He capped both bottles as she sat down at the table with a yawn. "Little shit. It took ages to find him."
"Ah, you had that pleasure then," Ben commented offhandedly.
"Me and nine other agents. Seems like a fucking VIP," She said with a frown, "Where were you?"
"Unit house. I was staying there," Ben responded as he pulled another piece of pizza from the box. "He went to college."
"I guess he might have done when we couldn't find him all day," She responded, "I saw a picture. He's so cute."
"He's 17," Ben said with a raised eyebrow. Sheath shrugged.
"I'm just appreciating god's fine work here Daniels. It's not like it's not legal," Ben let out a laugh as he took another mouthful of pizza and twisted his beer on the table with one hand. He peered through the archway at the boxes.
"What's that?" he asked.
"His stuff," She responded simply as she took a drink of her beer, "How was first contact?"
"Not as destructive as it was in Afghanistan thankfully," Ben responded with a smirk. Sheath let out a light laugh as she pulled another slice of pizza from the box, "Kind of awkward."
"First lodgings are always awkward. It will get better."
"Hopefully," Ben agreed as he took another slice of pizza. Sheath stood up and grabbed a plate from the cupboard. She put two pieces of the pizza on it and put it in the microwave before she turned and sat back down. Ben gave her an amused look.
"In case he's hungry if he's not asleep," She said with a shrug. Ben let out a huff of laughter.
"They should have put him with you. So much for the world's biggest bitch."
"They wouldn't have been able too," She responded with a smirk that didn't hit its normal tenor. Ben sat up a little in his chair at the change of tone and he took a drink from his beer.
"What's up?" he asked carefully. Sheath looked at him seriously and tilted her head to one side.
"Got a notice today. I'm being sent in deep."
Ben felt his eyebrows rise before a frown pulled at his forehead, "In Sao Paulo?"
"That's the insertion. They don't know how long it will be," Sheath responded with a shrug. Ben took another swig of his drink and pinched his lips together. "Cheer up Daniels. Means you get to escape my harassment for a while."
Ben hummed his agreement distractedly as he picked at the label on the bottle. "What's the respite terms?"
"Three days per month, taken at most every three months. After insertion obviously," She responded. Ben nodded and he attempted a smile, he knew it missed its mark when she laughed. "Shit attempt."
"Yeah," Ben agreed, he tapped a finger against the neck of the bottle thoughtfully before he took a long drink. "When do you leave?"
"Two days," Sheath responded with a small smile. "It's weird, going from home based too deep cover."
"Big jump," Ben agreed and he knew there was no point concealing the tone of concern in his voice. Sheath drained almost the whole bottle of beer and glanced at her watch as she yawned and covered her mouth. Ben took another sip of his drink and gave her a serious look. "Call when you're on respite?"
"You know it," Sheath agreed, "We'll go clubbing if you promise to get me hammered."
Ben felt himself laugh and he held up his bottle, "A drink to that."
Sheath tapped her bottle to his and downed the rest as she stood up and stretched. Ben finished his drink quickly and dumped the bottle on the side.
"I best get out of here. Pre-assignment crap to do tomorrow," Sheath said with a shrug. Ben stood as she opened the kitchen door and followed her out into the hallway, she tapped the top box. "His college stuff is in that one."
"Alright," Ben agreed quietly with a glance up the stairs. Sheath looked at him with a thoughtful face as he turned back.
"Stop worrying Daniels. It messes up your pretty little face," She commented, Ben felt the small twitch of his lips at the side as she turned and pulled the door open. Sheath tilted her head to one side with a narrow eyed look at him, "You'll be fine. Quinn will steer you right and the idiot has the mental age of a teenager."
"I know," Ben agreed with a tight smile. She walked out of the door with one last smirk and Ben pinched his lips together with a frown. "Sheathy?"
"Yes gorgeous?" she called back with an impish grin. Ben felt himself smile at the expression and he shook his head slightly.
"Be careful?" He said, the remnants of the smile on his face as she just gave him a deranged look.
"Daniels, I'm the weirdest Suit you know. I'm going to own this shit!" She said with an overly exaggerated flourish of her hands. Ben laughed as she waved, climbed into the car and pulled away. Ben waited until he saw the car disappear out of the road before he shut the door and leant back against it. He took a deep breath and thumped his head back against the door before he pushed himself away and grabbed one of the boxes to go upstairs.
Ben knocked at the door with a gentle hand, when there was no answer he pushed it open carefully. He stopped when he saw the double bed was empty and he pushed the door open the rest of the way to see a scruffy head of blonde hair asleep at the desk in the corner. He placed the box down and backed out of the room silently. He ran down the stairs and grabbed the second, as he thought whether he should attempt to wake Alex from where he was sleeping. It couldn't be comfortable. He placed the second box down and stood for a second in thought before he took a step backwards out of the room and gently pulled the door closed behind him.
Ben paused in the hallway and felt another frown move onto his forehead, another moment of indecision before he shook his head of all thoughts and walked into his room to crawl into bed.