I extremely for this immense wait, most significantly because it was completely unnecessary. This story has been complete since it was written because it was for the SpyFest.

I really though I had already posted all the pieces but apparently not.

:(

Thanks to a guest called 'losingpatience' i think, this error was brought to my attention. Please enjoy and excuse my gross forgetfulness.

"You know, I'm really starting to like those men." Jack commented after Alex had finished telling her about the exchange itself. Though there hadn't been that much to tell because she had watched the broadcast on television. Apparently a whole lot of other people did too. According to Jack he was a celebrity now but Alex wasn't sure how to take that at the moment so he didn't comment. But he did agree with Jack that if K-unit had not been present at the warehouse things might have went very differently.

A moment later, there was a soft knock at the door. "Come in" Jack called pleasantly.

Wolf poked his head in and then entered "Morning" he seemed to be in a rather good mood as well.

"We were just talking about you." Jack said "about the good job you all did getting Alex out of there."

"Thanks, getting him out of there alive was our top priority. I'm not sure what other people's were though."

"Oh Mrs. Jones performed just the way I had expected her too." Jack commented snidely

Wolf nodded "What she was looking to gain could wait. No doubt Choe and Malagasto would have been worth the trade to her and in the big picture maybe that's overall true, but I know that we don't have the resources to fight a war Scorpia style and deal or no deal we weren't going to stand and let him die for that." he looked at Alex who was quietly listening. "So I guess you'll be sticking around for a while yet huh Cub?"

"I hope so."

"Me too. Anyway I came to tell you both that you can come and see Snake. The doctors say he's out of the critical zone now and he should make a full recovery with the proper care. He just woke up a minute ago so I thought you might want to say thanks."

"Thank God he's okay." Jack breathed a sigh of relief "I had hoped to really get to know you guys when you're around, not only because of what you did for Alex, but just for being there. It would have been really sad if…if he didn't make it."

Wolf nodded "Yeah. Besides, you seem like an interesting person yourself." He smiled "I think these sort of situations always bring people together. S"

Jack smiled "Thanks to you, I have four new friends and not only are they incredibly handsome, but they're also every thing that a hero should be." she hugged Wolf, which surprised him very much "Thanks again for everything; you don't know how much it all means to me."

Wolf hugged her back "Your welcome Jack."

She pulled away "Lets go and see- wait do you all rather I call you by you're real names or code names?"

"Real name." Wolf answered helping Alex into his wheel chair "We've told Alex to do the same but he won't."

"When?" Alex asked looking up at him "I remember 'call me Wolf' distinctly."

"Well change that as of now." Wolf answered pushing him out the door. "It's unnerving when you call us by animal names in public."

Alex laughed

When they got to Snake's room, Fox and Eagle were there talking to him in hushed voices. He looked very weak but very alive as well. When he heard them come in he smiled and beckoned Alex closer with his hand.

"I guess our work paid off huh?" he whispered when Alex was next to him.

"Yeah, I owe all of you big time for helping me like this, especially you because you had to pay the biggest price."

"How are you feeling?" Jack asked standing on the other side of the bed

"To tell you the truth I feel like a used chew toy right now." he smiled slightly "but I'm glad that that's all. According to the paramedics, had circumstances been maybe a centimeter different, I would have been impaled on the table leg so I'm grateful that I feel like this and not worse. Besides, the doctors say once my chest has healed up properly, I can start PT for my legs so its not too bad."

"What happened to your legs?" Alex asked concerned

"A wooden beam fell on my back." Snake explained sleepily "I can't feel my legs right now but the doctor says it's repairable. After maybe a year of physical therapy I'll be ready for active duty again."

"Don't push it Snake." Fox advised "You have plenty of time."

Snake nodded, his eyes closed "I won't." he whispered

"Let's let him sleep." Eagle said leading everyone out "We'll be around to see you later mate." he called but his comrade was already asleep again.

"I'd say all in all, we have a relatively happy ending to this." Fox observed as he pushed Alex down the hallway towards his room again.

"It depends on what you call happy." Alex reasoned

"That's true, which is why I said relatively; relative to some people this would be happy. You did learn about the theory of relativity right?"

"Yeah," Alex answered as they reached his room "I happen to like science." he stopped short when he saw who was waiting in his room.

Mrs. Jones was sitting on the end of his bed sucking a peppermint as usual, but she seem slightly more relaxed than Alex had ever seen her.

"What is it?" Alex asked slightly annoyed. He wasn't particularly mad at her but he wasn't happy to see her either; he was more wary. Wary and tired of everything.

"I have some rather good news." she announced ignoring his tone "As you probably know the fact that Scorpia was able to broadcast everything on local television means that the general public knows about you. Not many details, but it is public knowledge now that Alex Rider is a spy-"

"A child spy" Wolf corrected her firmly

"a child spy" she amended "for MI6 who was responsible for turning back the Invisible Sword project which they now know was targeted towards all our school children. Needless to say, they are very grateful."

"And what exactly do you mean by grateful?" Fox asked

"Well for one thing several groups have decided to shower him with gifts. The house has become a point of interest as well. Many people would like to either see how you're doing or thank you in person or simply get to know you. This, as I'm sure you realize can be overwhelming. Now that the address has become widely known, We've prepared a house for you both in upper London. Your stuff is being moved as we speak.

The old house won't be sold and you're free to visit when you like because it will be taken care of. But it's not a good idea to keep living there. It sort of like celebrity treatment and I'm pretty sure you're not ready to deal with that." Alex nodded knowing that this was something totally new for him. Although he wasn't shy, he didn't exactly like being in the spotlight either

"I also have news from Brookland School that they would like to have you as the guest of honor for a send off party. Because of course you'll also have to change schools.

The message that Head Master McDonnell gave me was that they would like to apologize for the way you were treated while you were there and that they have a surprise for you.

Of course in all this and from now onward you will always be well protected but until you're eighteen, if you so choose, you won't go on any more solo missions. You have to be partnered with a seasoned agent and only if you want; sort of as training."

"Who's responsible for the new rules?" Wolf asked as Alex and Jack absorbed everything that Jones had said.

"The new management." she answered flatly "Alan and I are in fact resigning."

"Really?" Alex asked coolly

"Yes, its time we move on. The new Head and Deputy Head would like to meet you when you have time. When you go to the bank ask for Chuck Nersten and they'll take you to him. That's a code so don't tell anyone else."

She got up from her perch on the bed. "and so I think this is it Alex, we'll go our separate ways now. But I hope we don't leave on bad terms. I always did have your best interest at heart, but the job required that I make hard decisions. Some of which you would not have liked." she sighed heavily "I lost my children through that job but we also saved a lot of people as well. I don't regret all of the consequences but I'm not sorry to be moving on either. I want you to know Alex that I would never have let you die willingly."

Alex nodded with a slightly sad smile "I believe you Mrs. Jones and I appreciate everything you all did do for me. I just didn't like being used. The missions I did and the people I saved, I don't regret doing that and maybe I will later when I've had a chance to grow. "

Everyone nodded understandingly " So I guess this is farewell but maybe I'll see you around." Alex saw that she looked as though she had a tear in her eye. She bent down and hugged him.

"You remind me of Jeremy." she whispered drawing back "Good luck Alex." She left them all and Alex didn't see her again for many years.

But he never forgot what she had and hadn't done for him. His early days with MI6 were an important phase of life that eventually shaped him and he never forgot Mrs. Jones, Alan Blunt, Crawley, or Smithers. Neither did he forget the nearly tragic events that had marked the turning over of a new leaf.

Epilogue

The party that Brookland Secondary held for him was a great success and Alex was truly sorry to leave when he did. But he wasn't sent away empty handed. Many of the children and teachers apologized for the wayward rumors that had been spread about him and for those times when he was treated unfairly because of them and he made a few friends that evening. Lastly, before he left, he was given a brand new ten speed mountain bike to replace the one that had been smashed among other smaller gifts from everyone.

When he got home, he and his new friends Jason and Elaine along with Tom, had fun going through some of the stuff that been sent to him by other people; the ones that MI6 had deemed safe. The new house was nice too but it would take some getting used to. But Alex didn't mind. Everything had worked out all right. The storm had passed and the sunny front that had appeared was much brighter than the previous calm had been. Alex hoped it would last. No one could deny that he needed it.

The End