15. Running

Okay, so Alex's little stunt hadn't been the most brilliant idea in the world- Vivie wasn't pretty when she was angry. It wasn't even a big deal- she had definitely overreacted. When the door had opened, Alex knew what he had to do- at least save one of them. That was why he had thrown Alex Meyer though the window, feet first. Of course, Alex had good aim and cold throw really hard- and the cry of agony that Alex Meyer uttered only confirmed that. He also knew that a fight would brew if he left Alex Meyer in the room, and there was nothing that they could do about Vivie now- Andrew had gotten her, so they might as well save their own tails. He risked capture for a few seconds stealing the tape (he had managed to find it) but managed to get away safely. Alex Meyer had freed up a lot of glass for him, so his way out was pretty easy. He heard a female's scream once and caught up to Alex Meyer quickly.

"Meyer-"

"Where are we going to hide, Rider?" he hissed.

Alex took a quick look around, then wordlessly grabbed Alex Meyer and dragged him behind a building and shoved him into a tree hole, then got in after him. "How's this?"

"I just hope that there aren't any bugs in here, I'm allergic."

"Are you... mad at me?" Alex had never asked that question before- never had to an equal. He'd worked by himself most of the time. He could only remember asking that question to Jack- and it was awkward having to say it now.

"Not now." Alex Meyer winced. "I'll yell at you after I make sure that I didn't get killed by the glass."

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Alex made a face and pulled out another glass shard. His feet had taken the brunt of the damage, and Alex Rider's stunts hadn't helped, only allowing the glass to cut further into the flesh. Running had hurt a lot- and he'd be bleeding for a while. He wasn't going anywhere this messed up. He just didn't want to yell at Alex Rider- but he certainly was mad at him.

When Alex decided that enough was enough, he took a moment to control himself by breathing deeply, then spat out the first four words that came to mind. "What were you thinking?"

"I am deeply sorry, Meyer. I don't know why I said that to Vivie. I didn't think she'd go to that extreme."

"She goes to dire heights, Rider, it's the way Vivie is." Alex sighed. "But I could have opened the window instead of getting thrown through it."

"I know, but I barely had time to get away with the tape. But I really am sorry, Meyer."

Alex shrugged. "I know that you didn't mean it... did you get tomorrow's tape?"

"Yeah... you're not mad that I didn't try to fight and get Vivie back?"

"Well, I'm not happy about it, but I certainly do understand. Hopefully, we can get her back. I'm sure that if Vivie was your girlfriend, you might have tried to get her back. Besides, Vivie can take care of herself... I think..."

"That's good... but Meyer, I am still so, so sorry."

"I know, Rider. Just don't ever throw me through another window."

"Hmph, I'd be pretty mad if someone threw me through a window."

"Don't I know it."

"Then why aren't you angry?"

"Because you saved my tail- and it was an accident. It's pretty rational to act that way in a situation, in my own opinion."

"I'm glad that you're so forgiving, but... what about Vivie?"

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"Vivie?" Alex Meyer inquired. "I can't speak for Viv, but she's got to be the most forgiving person that I have ever met."

"Yeah, but... then why is it so easy to make her angry?"

Alex Meyer smirked. "As much as Vivie tries to deny it, she's a drama queen. I've heard her act, and she really puts her heart into it. But she always forgives- makes her easy to use, but she always forgives."

"You're not using her, are you, Meyer?"

"Of course not. How could I do that when people have used me so many times?"

"Right," Alex mumbled, having forgotten that detail. "Sorry, I know that that was a stupid question."

"It's okay- just don't take advantage of my kindness."

"Of course not. Why would I do that when people have used me so many times?"

"Oh, duh." Alex Meyer grinned sheepishly and checked his feet. He had taken his shoes off, and glass was piled in a neat stack to his right. "Do you think we're safe now?"

"I guess so... Meyer, can you walk?"

"I don't know, I don't want to cut my feet again."

"Here, borrow my shoes." Alex began tying his laces.

"No, why?"

"Because it's my fault that you're feet are hurt in the first place."

"That's nonsense, Rider!" It's my fault that you're even here!"

"Hey, it's my world too. If I don't save it, who will if Vivie's not around?"

"Uh..."

"That's what I thought. Look, Meyer, I might actually be starting to like spying now. I'm still figuring things out. This is just one of those things."

"Urgh!" Alex Meyer grumbled. "You win. Give me those." He grabbed the shoes and pulled them on. "You won't mind if I get a little blood on these, will you?"

"I'll jack Farrior's shoes- it's not like he's going to notice. Can you wear those?"

"Looks like we're the same size." After checking to make sure that the coast was clear, Alex Meyer pushed himself out of the hole, and this time it was Alex who followed.

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Walking to Vivie's house was not fun- but Alex managed to endure the pain. At least Alex Rider's shoes helped. Lissy wasn't happy to hear that her sister had been captured- not that Alex blamed her. As much as Alex knew that Lissy liked to "be involved," she was keeping out of this. Three people on the mission was certainly enough already- more was not always merrier.

Luke had spent the day with Angela, and of course, that meant that he could give them a ride back. Angela seemed uncomfortable hearing about yet another sibling of hers, and Alex didn't exactly blame her. He could tell that Alex Rider disliked Angela- but he decided to not get involved. There was definitely more than enough drama in his life at the moment.

"Hello, Earth to Meyer." Alex was sitting in the front seat, (Alex Rider refused to be near Luke for more than a few seconds in case he killed him) and he had spaced out for a moment. "Meyer, are you okay?"

"Let me put it this way, Farrior- would you be okay if your girlfriend was being held hostage and you couldn't do anything about it?" Alex snapped.

"Oh, right," Luke mumbled. "Don't go ninja on me."

Alex rolled his eyes. "I'm only a quarter Asian, Farrior. I'd appreciate it if you didn't make fun of me."

"Wouldn't that make your kids an eighth Asian and barely Native American?"

"Farrior! You are so lucky that I'm not driving!" Alex yelled.

"How do you and Fisher put up with that boy on a daily basis?" Alex Rider inquired.

"Oh, someone usually gets hurt by the end of the day," Alex joked. "Namely Farrior, of course."

"Yeah, he won't put up with my crap anymore," Luke complained. Alex decided that the guy was impossible and tuned him out.