Author's Note: Oh my, I thought I'd never be back. I am sorry. Really, I am. I'm kind of drifting away from fanfiction now...I mean, this was only meant to be a break from my original work but I'm going to try and finish this first. Despite it being neglected, I'm rather fond of this story and would hate to see it die half way through. Well, if you've forgotten about this story, I don't mind. I don't blame you. But, if you're still here with me then thank you. I hope you enjoy this. :)

As I walked down the backstreets of London my cocky upbeat mood slowly diminished and I mentally slapped myself. I didn't want to linger too long since it was already night and even though I had a gun concealed under my T-shirt, I had no wish to meet anyone. Blunt wasn't going to be so easy. I should have known it. Why did I always have to go and make false promises? Why did I have to lie to myself? I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. Alright Blunt knew me and he'd let me go but...how well was he going to take seeing me again? The previous thrill of seeing his shock and gone and I was left feeling empty. Alone and unsure. I was about to pass a house of a friend I'd known for a long time when I shrugged and thought I may as well pay a visit. Alex had the pleasure of my company for the whole of the next day, it wouldn't kill him to wait a few more hours.

Alex's Point of view.

I sat waiting for Robin in the dark. I should have gone to sleep, I should have just gone to sleep and woke up in the morning. But I couldn't. I hate to admit it but I was...scared. That's right, scared. I didn't even dare move to turn on the light so I sat in the dark, curled up on a chair in the living room. I could feel my heartbeat, hear my breathing but as long as it was quiet it was ok. I was dreading a knock at the door. Dreading any noise at all. Then it came. A key turning in the lock. I turned my eyes blearily to the clock on the wall. 2:08am. Slowly, I stood up as the door was slammed shut and I crept into view. There was a muffled shriek and Robin flicked on the lights. "Alex! What are you doing? You scared the life out of me."

"Who'd you think it was?" I said a little more spitefully than I intended, not wanting to admit that I had been as scared as she was.

"I thought you'd be asleep. I thought someone had broken in. But, why aren't you in bed? Are you alright?"

"Fine," I said stiffly, about to turn away but Robin caught my arm. Grudgingly I looked at her.

"What happened?"

"I thought I'd wait until you came back...I wanted to tell you you had a phone call. They left a message."

"What are you scared of Alex?" Said Robin quietly, "I wouldn't have left you. I told you I'd help I-"

"Just listen to the message and I think you'll understand." I didn't mean to be horrible but I was tired and the stupid person calling had scared me witless. Robin looked at me, her brow furrowed before walking over to the phone. She pressed the button and the message played out in the room, the cold voice that had rang out several hours before spoke again "Robin, you didn't come to see me like you said you would. You didn't come and so I have no choice but to come to you. 2am today, I'll be over and if you're not home I'll wait for you. I'll wait for you and don't think about hiding because I always know where you are." Then the message cut off and Robin cursed and slammed her fist down on the chest of drawers. "The idiot, he couldn't have thought of a better time for his stupid joke could he?" She muttered glancing at the clock, realisation plain upon her face. "I'm sorry Alex. I'm so sorry. It was a few minutes past 2 when I came...I didn't realise...I didn't think..." She trailed off. "It's just a friend of mine having a joke. Don't worry."

"Where have you been this long, anyway?" I said, my fear turning into wiriness.

"At a friend's." Robin sighed "but if I'd known I'd have never gone. I'm sorry, Alex. Sorry for everything. I seem to be making a whole load of mistakes recently but I'm going to put it right. Tomorrow, I promise, I'm going to put it right."

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

"But I'm going to keep it. I will. Goodnight, Alex."

"Goodnight." I said, tired. I was tired. So very tired. I needed to escape all this mess. When Robin offered to help me I thought things would get better. I shook myself, things had gotten better and Robin was doing all she could to help. What's wrong with you, Alex? I thought, as I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

I sat in stony silence as the taxi drove through London streets. We went over a bump but I didn't flinch, just kept on staring at the floor. I wasn't happy about what I was doing. Not happy at all. Robin chewed her lip and I felt sort of sorry for her. I wasn't exactly being nice and she was doing her best to be just that. "You do realise that if they...when they..." I trailed off.

"Alex, I've already told you that nothing is going to happen. I've got it covered. They can't just take you back like that...they're going to listen to me. I've...I've dealt with MI6 before, I can do it again."

"Whatever you say."

"Alex, this isn't going to work if you don't trust me."

"I just..." I rubbed and hand across my face "I'm sorry. I'm just...jumpy. I'll be a lot happier when I know I haven't got MI6 on my case."

"Your wish is my command." Said Robin as the taxi stopped. She paid the driver and we got out. Before she could get any closer to the building I stopped her.

"You don't have to do this you know."

"I know. But I want to." She gave me a small smile.

I had this sort of sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when we walked into the 'Royal and General Bank' building. If only it was only a bank. I walked up to the receptionist at the desk and said "I've come to see Mr Blunt."

She blinked in surprise and said "I'm sorry-"

"Don't give me that." I said, irritated "I have no time for your security measures. I am Alex Rider but, of course, you already knew that. This is my friend and she happens to know more about me than you ever will so, please, let us see Mr Blunt."

"Please-"

"Look, I know they've been looking for me. Do you really want to be responsible for turning me away? Because I have things to do and places to go and I'm not planning on sticking around all day." The receptionist seemed to consider this for a moment and then picked up the phone.

"Alex Rider to see you, sir." Then she turned to us "you can go."

Before we got to Mr Blunt's office, Robin squeezed my hand reassuringly. I smiled at her and she said "ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Mr Blunt, as always, was sat at his desk, his face an emotionless mask.

"Alex." He said. It wasn't a question. Just a statement.

"Mr Blunt." I replied.

His eyes swivelled to Robin "what are you doing here, girl? You should stick your nose out of our business. Don't you think you got off lightly the last time we met?" What? I thought, Robin never mentioned knowing Mr Blunt. By the sound of things, they hadn't left on exactly good terms either.

"Mr Blunt, I'd like to remind you of our agreement when we parted ways. Please, don't forget about it."

"What do you want?"

"I've got a preposition for you. It concerns Alex and-"

"Then no."

"I'm sorry?" Said Robin, her eye brows raised.

"I said no." He turned to me "Alex, I don't know what you've been getting mixed up in these past few days but you want to stay clear of these people." He eyes Robin with disdain "especially this one. Whatever she tells you, take it with a pinch of salt."

"The Mafia are looking for Alex, Mr Blunt. The Mafia. Do you realise how many people that is? How do you think you're going to protect him?" Mr Blunt stared blankly at Robin. "Don't tell me you have no idea..." She paused "you don't." She clenched her fist in frustration "you don't have any idea of the danger he's in, do you?"

"And what, pray tell, are you planning to do about it?"