Mid afternoon, James arrived back at the villa, his car skidded to a stop, parked askew from his father's BMW and then the driver sauntering into the side garden. There, lounging on the shaded sunbed, was Alex, looking pale and strangely wrapped in a brightly coloured quilt despite the balmy mid thirty degree heat (C). The observer noted his friend was still on oxygen, despite the doctor being here this morning. The reclining form had not moved, so was definitely fast asleep. The skinny brunette, sat on the wall opposite, pulling a pencil and pad from his beach bag and started to sketch. After twenty minutes his phone vibrated, Joe was wanting an update.

Moving to the pool before answering, to hear the bossy American state "Yo, Jamie. How's our baby bro?"

Jamie was not going to give the bad news that his brother was far from well, so instead stuck with the few positive certainties. "Sasha's snoozing in the garden. You should be happy he's been totally mothered by Dad, Lena and all the security guys. He's catching up on not sleeping right since he left you guys. You'll see him next Wednesday anyway. We'll both be there for the big party."

The curt reply was "Sure, get Sasha to email me, when he's conscious." Letting Jamie know that he was not impressed by being kept out of the loop.

…..

Joe put down his phone. So, confirmation that Alex-baby was too tired to pick up his emails. The main clue all was not well was that James had been far too positive and upbeat, maybe it was down to him dating, but it was more likely to be a large case of covering up for Sasha being Sasha; where the months of stress caused by lying had caused this break in his health. His brother was the king of avoidance and denial. The dark haired eighteen year old sat back and exhaled loudly, trying to plan ahead; but then composed the blunt truth of his worries to his dad. Their brother would either learn from this, turn himself around or it would mean another stay in hospital until he stopped lying to himself that he was OK and everything was good. Sleeping for nearly three days, meant the sneaky shit had been crippled by months of insomnia, only visiting Joe due to nightmares. The impact of the asthma compounded by eating only when forced by family commitments, to appear to be functioning within normal parameters. Everyone tried to be around for dinner, but lunch and breakfast were far too easily avoided altogether, since the scary housekeeper had retired. That bitch used to watch Sasha like a hawk and also do the best pack ups for school.

The big brother hated the change in family priorities, as his main project for the last two years was 3000 miles away. He had to hand it to his mother, as the only other person proficient enough in tough love was Dieter Sprintz, who had years of managing his own difficult son; but James' lying, anger and avoidance issues were a walk in the park compared to spy boy.

A group email to Nick, Hugo, Cassian and Tom was also sent into the ether, to keep his friends in the loop. Next week the whole Point Blanc crew were in DC for the Canterbury's wedding anniversary party. His parents had even invited the asshats Paul and Dimitri.

…..

Alex had heard the phone vibrate and had listened in to James give the worst pep talk ever to Joe. It was easier to drift back to sleep than pretend to be feeling better, as he was absolutely shattered. He had spent his few waking moments over the last two days pondering his choices to date and now got the point of his summer in Europe. It was Ma and Pa cutting the apron strings, as their adopted son was far too comfy hiding in his cosy nest. It was time for him to spread his wings and fly away. The same could be said for James, another kid happy to exist hiding in his room. It was Point Blanc induced agoraphobia.

Dieter worried about his son; but was of the opinion, at eighteen, Jamie should leave home, abate with necessary security. The budding artist was already planning to submit his summer work art portfolio for a late admission to Art School in Dusseldorf. Mimi and Charles were also trying to prod Sasha into be proactive, but in a careful and controlled environment. He was damn sure he was going to tread carefully. Dieter had discussed his current finance projects at breakfast this morning. He made it sound like a game. A bit like Ian used to about everything from picking pockets to hot-wiring cars, to trailing a target and blending in like a local. Maybe, getting rich could be a game to play for a while. It sounded like the billionaire was sounding him out and thinking over offering him a job. PA to the financier was not a bad starting position.

Dieter had grumbled about his secretary retiring in October and that he would be hard pressed to find an equally trustworthy replacement. Alex fit the job requirements as he could type proficiently, knew shorthand, could speak several languages and was in the limited circle of the Sprintz personal friends, and would never jeopardise that position for any reason. Jamie was a true friend and by association, so was his father.

Rather than take purely academic subjects at High School, Sasha Canterbury had taken several practical vocational courses offered, including Business and Computer Studies, as he had always been unsure about further education, when a nursing career had seemed the lesser of all evils. Working in Germany and Switzerland would mean independence which met his parent's ideal acceptable criteria. His could also bet his boss would also throw in business jet trips home for holidays at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break and Summer.

…..

The business jet taxied to a stop by the single hangar at York Airfield. A very ordinary SUV was waiting for its passengers. Dieter Sprintz for the first time in four years was travelling without security. Mrs. Graylow had insisted it was not necessary, not in rural Pennsylvania when every farm within ten miles were aware that her grandson had been abducted in Georgetown in 2003 and were all fiercely protective of those they considered family. She had joked that Bill, who now farmed the Graylow holding, was ex-Army and was using her guests arrival as a reason to patrol with several other veterans, much to the amusement of the local sheriff and his deputies.

Fran was used to living in a close knit community where all looked out for each other. At eighty-three, she needed her neighbours more than ever. Like clockwork, Bill's wife, Cindy popped in every day. They shopped together. Sometimes she wished she was closer to Mimi and her boys, but she had lived in this house since 1946. Her daughter had thrown herself into her career thinking she was barren, then Joe came along when she was forty and already a top lawyer. Another son arrived from Russia in 2005. She had become a mother bear to that fragile boy, determined that he would always come home to her. The old woman had missed Sasha something fierce. Now he was back. Doctor Hammond was popping in later this afternoon to give the ailing young man the once over.

The American Immigrant sighed as the door opened. The summer breeze here smelt like home unlike London or the Russian forests. He was already salivating in anticipation of his Grandma's provender at the Graylow Farm. Jamie knew from his past visits that there would be fresh peaches baked into pies, fresh white corn and steaks on the barbecue. Alex's favourites were biscuits and oatmeal with raisins for breakfast, like his dear departed Grandfather.

As Dieter followed the teenagers down the steps, Mrs Graylow kissed both boys and then hugged the financier and then started bossing them all into action. "Welcome, get your bags in the trunk, boys in the back, Dieter ride shotgun. I need a cup of coffee."

…..

Working was a pain in the ass, making Joe truly thankful for his week off. Not that he could spend the next seven days in bed: not when he had a brother to scold and coddle, a family celebration to attend and some serious partying with his BFFs to fill his time off. The two hour drive to the farm was nearly over and he could spend the weekend stuffing his face and finally getting the low down on all that was going through his brother's head. Grandma had been very dismissive of his worries over the phone, but the old crone was firmly in the Sasha fan club. Even so, her doctor had been on a home visit to check baby bro out and had stated good food, clean air, sunshine, light exercise and plenty of rest were the best medicine and with practical lifestyle management there would be no further near death episodes. He arrived to witness James, Dieter, Bill and Sasha playing softball in the yard. That meant Gran and Cindy were in the kitchen gossiping. At a glance, his brother looked fitter and happier. Though that was tempered by the knowledge there was an oxygen tank in the downstairs guest room, where Alex was sleeping a door away from the light sleeping octogenarian.

Alex ran over to the dark blue Mini as soon as he saw it. He practically threw himself at Joe for a much missed hug, just realised that he had been terminally homesick and could not contain his joy intermixed with longing and the realisation that his idyllic two years of childhood was over. He could not help but break down in tears, happy ones for a change, even if his brother was freaking out at this unexpected outpouring of emotion. True, the family dynamics were shifting and no amount of sulking, hiding or any other childish antics would change that fact. In two months, everyone would be living separate lives, with only intermittent family get togethers. Adulthood loomed, but it was not spies, assassins or agencies the teenager needed to fear. He was still protected by family and friends. He now had to learn to be self reliant and resilient. There was no need for revenge as the past was another country, in his case several other countries as neither England, Cuba or Russia were places he wanted nor needed to visit ever again. Next week, he would see Dimitri and Valentin again for the first time in two years. He was in a much better place than he had been then, but he still had some healing to do. Secure in the knowledge that he could always rely on those close to him to pick up the pieces when he did go off the rails.

Joe stroked his brother's hair as murmured soft reassurances. All onlookers had retreated to the house to give them some privacy. He could not remember Alex being so emotional ever. He frowned, deeply concerned over the uncontrolled sobs coming from Sasha.

Close to hiccups and far too snotty for comfort, the younger blonde broke his death grip hug and wiped his face on his baseball shirt sleeve. "God, I've missed you. To think its taken a holiday away for me to realise that you are my family and that its OK to have genuine emotional attachments. Hell, Joe! You look like I felt two weeks ago. Come and get a glass of milk and two dozen chocolate walnut cookies and chill. Gran'll bake you some more tomorrow. Quick, get inside so she can smother twice as bad as I just did."

After weeks of feeling cut off, Joe Canterbury felt the shadow of worry leave him. Sasha was getting back into his mojo. He could go to college and not feel guilty about their separation. Thank God, his mother was always thinking four moves ahead, all the fractured friendship would begin to heal as well. Stronger together, even if they were living thousands of miles apart.