Yes, I know I updated hell fast. But I was scared of the threats of bodily harm if I didn't...so, I'd like to apologise for it in advance if you feel that it is substandard.

Chapter Nine

"...And how come you never told me about this field trip?" Alex asked.

Ben sighed. "I thought I would get an amusing reaction from you. Now that you've been whining all afternoon, I've started to regret my decision."

"Good."

It was about three in the afternoon. Ben had no lectures, and Alex had begged off his, telling his friends that he wanted to spend more time with his uncle. They understood and promised to take good notes for him. Nothing Alex had said could dissuade them.

Now he sat in Ben's half-room, half-office, a completely revolting cup of coffee abandoned on the table.

"So, what's the field trip about?" Alex asked, lounging back on the chair.

Ben shrugged. "Dunno. I wasn't really listening when they had the meeting. But there was something about a three hour train ride to some caves. At least...I think they said caves."

Alex rolled his eyes. "You're of no help whatsoever. I hope you know that."

"Oh, I know."

The sat in a comfortable silence for a while, with Alex rocking back on his chair while Ben read some important looking document or other.

"So, have you found anything interesting yet?" Ben asked after a while. His tone was casual, almost like he was inquiring after Alex's health, or commenting on the weather. Alex however, picked up on the hidden implication.

He shrugged. "Not really," he answered.

They used very vague words on the off chance that someone was outside listening.

"Well, it's only been a few days," Ben said, "You'll find something eventually."

"I hope so, otherwise my stay here would be dreadfully boring," Alex said, grinning as Ben rolled his eyes.

"Go bother someone else," he whined, waving his hand in dismissal. Still grinning, Alex left Ben to his own devices.

There was still at least fifteen minutes before his friends were out of their respective lectures. With nothing to do, Alex went back to his room, figuring that he could send Rose a message to fill her in. However when he picked his phone, he found that Rose had beaten him to it.

Alex, how've you been? Hopefully well – better than us I'd assume, since we're being worked to death here. And seriously, for SAS men, you'd think that they'd be trained in how not to whinge.

Okay, I actually have a reason for this message, and not just to vent my frustration.

Here Alex paused, letting out a soft snort of amusement.

I don't actually know where to start...

Okay. I was looking through the airport footage again when I found out something highly unusual. On the Monday a week before we arrived in America, at exactly 7:32 pm, all the footage was cut for an hour.

Alex felt his eyebrow rise up. An hour was long enough for someone to get through customs and out of the airport.

So I made some enquiries as to why. You have no idea how bloody long it took to get an answer. Anyways, some 'higher authority' had made them cut that particular section out. After a bit of persuasion – Alex grinned, knowing exactly what Rose's brand of 'persuasion' involved – they said that it had been the Mossad who had forced them.

"Mossad..." Alex murmured softly.

I have no way of getting that footage. It's in Mossad's hands now, and I doubt they'd want to share.

Then you sent me that message last night, about Drew wearing contact lenses. So I pulled in some favours with just about every living person on this planet. I started sorting through the list that arrived early this morning – apparently, a threat from MI6 is just as useful here as it was back in England.

Okay, so I've got a list of every contact manufacturer in the country. I've crossed off the ones ordered by optometrists, and the ones that are catered to a particular vision. I've only got the coloured contact list – so I hope you're judgement was right about that.

As I was looking through this list though, I found something very interesting. You see, the list basically tells me who ordered what – there's a huge order placed by the CIA for hazel contacts. But one name in particular stood out. AIS.

Alex froze. His breath caught in his throat, and his eyes widened with shock. No...there was no way...was there?

Alex, you know what the AIS are capable of. I don't think I have to remind you. And if Drew really is from the AIS, then he's dangerous. Please Alex, don't do anything stupid!

Okay, I know you're glaring at me now – and indeed he was – so I'll just move onto the next piece of news. This has nothing to do with the mission, but I just thought...well, I thought you may like to know this.

MI6 contacted me about two hours ago. One of their scouts in Australia picked this up a couple of weeks ago, and they've only just managed to get the message back to headquarters.

Right, I'm ranting here. So, do you remember...five years ago, when some AIS agents came to England?

Alex almost snorted. How could he forget?

There was a man. Jacob Wood. I...well, I may have had a crush on him at the time...

Well, that certainly caught Alex's attention.

But...I don't know how to say this. Um...he...Alex, he's...well...dead.

Alex was sure he stopped breathing. Dimly, his eyes skimmed over the rest of the message, but he couldn't recall anything. Perhaps something about a mission gone wrong...

His mind was working overtime, the dots connecting in his head faster than he could blink. He wasn't aware of the phone slipping from between his numb fingers, landing with a dull thump on the carpet.

Drew Wood. Jacob Wood.

In a flash, he was out of his room, hurtling down the – thankfully – empty corridor. It seemed that in no time, he was in front of Drew's room, bursting through the door and causing the lock to be ripped right out of the door.

He didn't notice. The only thing that penetrated his numb mind at that current moment was Drew, sitting up suddenly on his bed and staring at Alex with wide startled eyes.

Crystal blue eyes.

.

.

Hm...erm...

Yeah, I'm kinda nervous...

I think this chapter turned out to be complete and utter garbage, but nothing I did could make it better...so please don't kill me for wasting your time.

Thanks for reading guys. Oh, and please REVIEW!

Love Chariots99