DISCLAIMER: I had a dream that little green men came floating into my room with the rights of Alex Rider as a welcome gift. Unfortunately it wasn't real; they only brought flowers.

***

Alex was sitting on his bed reading when Wolf knocked on the door. He looked awkward, with his head bent slightly to fit under the low doorframe.

Alex motioned for him to come in, placing the book – to kill a mockingbird, another one for school – on the bedside table. Wolf self-consciously took a seat on the edge of the bed.

"I thought we better talk," he said.

Alex stayed silent so Wolf ploughed on regardless.

"Back at Beacons... I thought you were a joke... some kid with a father in MI6. But you kept up just fine, even if I refused to admit it. It wasn't until you kicked me out of the plane that I realised you may be something more than just a spoilt little rich kid. Then at that school..." Wolf trailed off shuddering.

"I guess... I guess I'm trying to say that you've earned my respect, Cub."

"Is that why you sent me that card?" asked Alex, curiously.

Wolf grimaced. "Yeah, I guess so. Bloody embarrassing to write that was."

Alex grinned at him, "yeah well, was definitely the most interesting card I got... had a hell of a time explaining to the nurses why it had come from Baghdad!"

Wolf smiled, the suddenly frowned as something occurred to him. "We were told you were in hospital with appendicitis... But... Well, you didn't have appendicitis did you?"

Alex froze momentarily. If Wolf hadn't been looking out for it, he never would have spotted it.

"Cub?"

"No. I wasn't," said Alex quietly.

"Are you going to tell me what did happen?"

Alex looked up. "I don't think I am. Maybe someday, but not right now. Sorry, Wolf."

James nodded. He was slightly annoyed that the kid wouldn't tell him, but he was smart enough to realise that pushing the subject wouldn't get him anywhere.

"So are you going to tell me why you ran away, then?"

This time Alex stiffened completely, before leaping from the bed and crossing to the far side of the room, obviously trying to put as much distance between them as possible.

"Why do you think that?" he asked, his voice harsh and defensive.

Wolf looked at him. "I'm not stupid, Cub. I can tell something is wrong here."

Alex turned away, pretending to be fascinated by the titles on the shelf.

Wolf crossed silently to his side. Reaching out, he laid a comforting hand on Alex's shoulder.

He never saw the kid move. Alex's foot connected with Wolf's nose, and there was a resounding crack.

Wolf swore colourfully, staggering back. There was no doubt that it was broken.

"Shit!" exclaimed Alex, grabbing a pack of tissues from the bedside table.

"What the fuck was that?" growled Wolf.

Alex avoided his gaze and busied himself with wiping up the blood.

"Well?" he snarled.

"I'm sorry. It was an accident."

"An accident?!" exclaimed Wolf. "You broke my nose; how is that an accident?!"

"I told you I shouldn't stay here!" shouted Alex. "I'm dangerous. Silvia was right. I should just go!"

Wolf, once again, found his anger had inexplicably vanished. Cub needed some serious help. Whoever had recruited him for this should be shot.

"No," said Wolf firmly. "Your safer here than elsewhere."

"Yeah, but I'm putting all of you in danger! What if next time it's not you? What if it's Jaime or Emma?!"

"You're not leaving, Cub," said Wolf firmly. "That is an order as team leader."

Alex snorted. "Pulling rank on me now, huh?"

"Whatever works," said Wolf unabashedly.

"Too bad I'm no good at listening to orders," said Alex, heading for the door.

"I can still call MI6 if I have to, Cub," called Wolf.

Alex paused at the door, weighing his options. On the one hand, he could walk out of this door and leave. It would be safer for Wolf and his family. It would also mean that MI6 would almost certainly find him and drag him back to London, which would put a lot more people in danger. On the other hand, he could keep his agreement with Wolf. MI6 wouldn't find him, and he could avoid Wolf's family as much as physically possible to keep them safe.

Alex sighed, it looked as if his mind was made up.

"Fine," he growled, stalking back into the room and sitting on the bed. He refused to talk again, and simply glared at Wolf until the older man rose and left. He was so distracted that he didn't notice Wolf slipping something into his pocket on his way out.

***

Wolf sighed and brought out Alex's mobile. It hadn't moved from the chest of drawers where Wolf had placed it when he had first found Alex. It wasn't a particularly new model, in fact Wolf had a feeling that Alex used it only for communication, so unlike other people his age. It made Wolf sad that the kid had such an adult approach.

He sighed and pulled up the phonebook. There were only five entries. Two of them were quite clearly labelled 'school' and 'doctors'. Wolf skipped past them. The other three entries were Jack Tom and Sabina. Jack was first on the list and Wolf hit the call button.

It didn't ring for long.

"Alex?" answered a panicked female voice.

"No, this is James san Luca. Am I right in thinking that you are Alex's guardian?"

"Yeah," came that same frantic voice. "Do you know where he is? Is he ok? Why do you have his phone?"

"He is here, at my house. He is fine, now, apart from a slight tendency to want to run away from everyone."

He heard Jack give a sigh of relief and smiled. She obviously did care for him.

"Would you like to come over? You might be able to persuade him to come home."

"Of course!" replied Jack, immediately. "If you could just tell me the address..."

***

Ten minutes later, Wolf was walking through the kitchen when the door bell rang. He sighed. He had wanted to find Maria and ask her to keep an eye out for Jack, but at the insistent ringing he changed his course and opened the door.

"What are you doing here?!" he exclaimed, surprised.

"Oh, we heard you were over here and thought we would come and visit," said Fox, grinning.

"Really?" said Wolf, raising an eyebrow. "And this has nothing to do with my sister's cooking?"

Fox shrugged, unabashed. "What can we say? She's a better cook than you!"

***

The Asian man walked down a familiar dark hall. You could see the excitement in his step.

"Sir?" he called, knocking on the door.

"What is it?"

"We've found him."

***

A/N: Ok so it's a short chapter, but look on the bright side, next chapter you have K-Unit! Please review.