Beep…beep…beep…

The soft noise of the heart monitor both saddened and reassured Ben as he watched over the pale boy hidden beneath an array of wires and white, crisp sheets. If it weren't for the quiet, constant noise indicating each new heart beat one would think he was dead. Ben's eyelids began to drop slightly and he rubbed at them, trying to stay awake.

"Time to switch Fox."

Ben's head jerked at the sound of Wolf's voice above him. Since Alex's surgery had finished successfully the four men had taken it in turn to keep watch over Alex. MI6 had already stationed guards outside the room and the hospital itself but they weren't willing to place that much trust in MI6 and they all felt better knowing at least one of them was by his bedside in case he woke up. Doctor Wells, who had been extremely annoyed to find Alex back in the hospital so soon, had told them that Alex could wake at any time. It all depended on when his body felt ready and well enough. Even though that was pretty much a guarantee that he would wake, it didn't do anything to remove the worry that he may stay in his healing coma forever.

"Call me if he wakes up." It's something he always said when he switched even though he knows they would. He rubbed his eyes once more and stood up, bones popping as he does so. Ben gave one last glance in Alex's direction before he stepping away from the seat, allowing Wolf to take his place.

He left the room and passed through the hospital corridors, thinking of how he will never now be able to enter a hospital and not think of Alex, pale and lifeless. Someone held the door open for him on the way out and Ben's about to give them muttered thanks when the person stops him. He recognised the woman in front of him and it's all he can do not to recoil.

"Mrs Jones," he greeted; tone both guarded and wary. It's not like he expected not to have to talk to her, or Blunt, but he'd thought he'd be called in, not accosted at the entrance of the hospital.

"Agent Daniels," Mrs Jones replied. "I was wondering if we could speak for a few minutes."

Ben agreed, however much he doesn't want to, and they sit down on a bench located not too far from the hospital. He knew they must make an odd sight, Mrs Jones in her pristine suit and hair and make-up done perfectly next to Ben in his ratty jeans and t-shirt, blood-shot eyes and unshaved face. They did draw a few glances, but not enough to make him worry about them being over-heard.

"I wanted to tell you we know what you've done. Alan is not impressed," Mrs Jones told him and Ben sighed.

"I didn't think he would be but I had to."

Mrs Jones nodded. "I understand, in fact, I have come to thank you."

That shocked Ben. "Thank me?"

"Alan should never have recruited Alex. I never felt right, allowing Alex to go on missions that should be left to grown men, but Alan is a hard man to fight. I have been passive for far too long so that is why I warn you now. Alan will do all he can to undo what you have done. There's not much he can do now, but he will try."

Ben grimaced. He knew it wouldn't be so simple, but part of him hoped that it might just be. "Well, I won't let him," he says with conviction. "None of us will, we'll fight for Alex."

A faint smile passed Mrs Jones' lips. "Good. I will help you too; it is long overdue that I begin standing up against Alan."

Ben had never been overly keen on Mrs Jones, he'd always seen her as an extension of Blunt, but right then he couldn't help but feel a burst of gratitude to the woman.

"Thank you," he said sincerely.

"You're welcome. I'll keep you informed of anything Alan plans."

"That's great, I-"

He's interrupted by the sound of his phone chiming and he grabs it eagerly. The words on the screen send waves of relief running through him.

He's waking up

He's standing up and ready to run when he remembers Mrs Jones is still there. "Sorry, I've got-"

"It's alright. I understand. Go," she ushered him and Ben hastened to do what she says. He's lucky that he hadn't made it far away so he gets back to the room quickly. He entered to see Wolf standing eagerly by Alex's bedside as the teen himself shifts slightly and his eyelids flutter. He's just got them open fully when Doctor Wells burst through the door.

"Out," he demanded and even though Ben's only just got there, wants to be one of the first people Alex sees, he knows he shouldn't disobey the doctor's orders. He and Wolf both vacate the room and wait nervously for approximately ten minutes before Doctor Wells emerges with a small smile.

"How is he?" Ben asked, not terribly worried because Doctor Wells wouldn't smile if something had gone wrong.

"Doing well considering he had a sword through his stomach," Dr Wells and the wording made Ben and Wolf flinch. They both remember seeing Alex standing there, Hiro behind him, a metal sword through the middle of him glistening red with blood. It's a sight that will be difficult to forget.

"Can we see him?" Wolf asked and Doctor Wells nodded.

"Just no stressing him out," he ordered and they both agree to try their best not too. Doctor Wells just left with a sigh.

They get in and see Alex, finally awake and propped up on his pillows. He's still pale, and he looks incredibly tired, but he's awake and that was the main thing. Unexpectedly, Alex grinned when he saw Ben and Wolf. They weren't expecting such a warm welcome.

"How are you feeling?" Ben asked as he and Wolf stood by the end of the bed.

"Like I've been stabbed," Alex replied bluntly, voice croaky from disuse. Without being asked, Ben poured out a glass of water which Alex took gratefully. "What happened after I passed out?"

"Kirill shot Hiro," Wolf said frankly. "He died instantly. Kirill then disappeared and we don't know whether he got out alive or not. After getting you out of there Fox managed to get a hold of MI6 and an ambulance came. The toxic bomb Kirill set off killed a lot of Scorpia members, Puma included." There was a dark air of satisfaction when Wolf delivered that news and Ben noticed that Alex didn't look particularly upset. "Kameko wasn't found but her support has substantially decreased. MI6 are currently working on searching for her."

A range of emotions flashed across Alex's face; gratitude to Kirill, contentment that Puma was dead, relief that Scorpia had been brought down and concern that Kameko was most likely out free.

"What happens now?" He then asked and this was the question Ben had been dreading. There was no way to tell how Alex would react to the news. The doctor's warning came back to him and Ben decided that though he would need to tell Alex soon, now was not the right time. They would wait until he was a bit better, not just newly awoken from a healing coma.

"You heal. MI6 have guards stationed outside but one of us will always be here. Don't worry about what will happen once you need to leave, we will have something sorted by then." A slight lie but Alex was fortunately too worn out to pick up on it. Ben caught Wolf's questioning stare, wondering why Ben hadn't told Alex already, and gave a minute shake of his head. Wolf raised an eyebrow but followed his lead.

"Yeah Cub, you don't have to worry. Just focus on getting better ok?"

Alex looked unsatisfied with the answer, no doubt wondering what on earth they could have planned, but he let it go, closing his eyes with a deep breath.

"You guys don't have to watch over me, you know," he said, his voice coming out slightly slurred as sleep threatened to claim him once more.

Wolf gave a quiet snort. "Course we do," he said softly. "You're family."

They weren't sure if Alex heard that last bit for his breathing had evened and his expression was peaceful in sleep.

When Alex woke next, it was Snake and Eagle who were in his room. Eagle had claimed the chair and was snoring loudly with his feet propped up on the end of Alex's bed. Snake was standing by the window, looking outside, but at the sound of the rustles Alex made upon awakening he turned with a grin.

"Cub," he greeted warmly and Alex gave a small smile. He was still amazed that they'd all made it out there alive. When the sword had gone through him, he'd been prepared for death, prepared to meet the parents he never knew, the uncle who trained him and the guardian who died too young. When he woke up to the hospital and was told all his friends survived, he was unprepared for the happiness and relief that had overwhelmed him. It seemed he had come a long way from hating the fact he was forced to live with the four men he had thought despised him.

"How are you feeling?" Snake asked as he walked over to the bed. Alex could see the dark circles that were under Snakes eyes and they reminded him of the ones he'd seen on Wolf and Ben. If Alex had needed more proof that these men cared for him, it was clear from their faces. A loud snore erupted from Eagle and Alex remembered that he wasn't the only one who was injured.

"I'm ok. How is Eagle?"

"Healing well. He needed stitches and he may have a few scars but he's going to be absolutely fine."

"Good." Though Alex wasn't particularly happy Eagle would have scars, it was better than him being dead. "What's going to happen once I'm better?" He knew he'd asked Ben the last time he woke up but perhaps something had changed since then, or maybe Snake would be willing to offer more information about what they had planned. He knew Blunt wouldn't let go of him without a fight and he wondered how they thought they could go up against him.

A flash of indecision crossed Snake's face, so quick that Alex nearly thought he imagined it. "The details haven't exactly been worked out yet," he said and Alex knew then that though he may not be outright lying, he was definitely hiding something. "We don't want to tell you anything until everything's sorted but trust me, they will be. You won't be going on any more missions if we can help it."

The words, even though weaved with lies, were reassuring and Alex couldn't help but yawn. It annoyed him, how he could barely keep awake, but Snake seemed to expect it as he said, "Sleep Alex, one of us will be here in the morning. Eagle will be annoyed he missed you but he's needed more sleep than the rest of us."

The word nightmares flitted in Alex's brain and Snake just gave a short nod, as if he knew what Alex was thinking.

"Sleep Cub," Snake repeated and Alex did just that.

The next week continued with Alex waking to find different members of K-Unit and Ben in his room. Eagle had been incredibly annoyed to find he'd been asleep when Alex woke up, but that emotion had quickly disappeared when he gave Alex a dramatic re-telling of their 'daring, exciting' escape from Scorpia. The way Eagle told it, Alex could just pretend that it had all been a story and not something that had actually happened to them.

Alex carried on needling the others about what they had planned but every time he asked they just told him not to worry and just work on healing. It frustrated him, but he was healing, so much so that Doctor Wells was impressed with his recovery. That didn't mean it would be quick though. The sword had done some pretty remarkable damage to his stomach; the only good thing was that it had been a clean cut straight through.

Every time he woke Alex was able to stay awake a bit longer until by the end of the first week he could stay up for hours and was complaining about being bored. K-Unit and Ben then took that as a challenge to find out how many things they could bring into the hospital to entertain Alex before they got called out on it. It was also by the end of the first week that they finally decided Alex was ready to hear what they had planned.

"So, any improvements on that plan of yours?" Alex asked, half distracted by the hand-held console in his hand. He wasn't expecting a confirmation and for Ben to request he put the game down.

"The others will be coming in a minute actually, if you can wait?" Ben said and Alex nodded slowly, anticipation building. This talk was obviously prepared as K-Unit did arrive about five minutes later. They all looked nervous but much to Alex's relief it didn't look like they were going to tell him there was nothing they could do, it just looked like he might not like their plan.

"Right then," Ben began. "You know how MI6 are your legal guardians?" Alex nodded. "They're not anymore."

Alex's brows furrowed in confusion. "What? Who is?"

Ben took a deep breath. "Me."

Alex's mind went blank. There were so many thoughts that came at response to that one word that it just shut down momentarily. Out of everything they could have planned…

"How?" It was the only thing Alex could say.

Still plainly worried, Ben explained. "It wasn't actually too hard. I called in a few favours at work, people who didn't like what had happened with you, and they got me some files which I could fill out. Social workers weren't an issue as Blunt had messed with your files long ago so if someone asks I am now a distant first cousin twice removed or something along those lines. I'm not entirely sure. I understand this must be a shock, I mean, you didn't ask for this and if you want I can get the files destroyed immediately-"

"No!"

Even Alex was shocked at his outburst but if there was one thing he knew for certain, it was that he would do anything not to have MI6 as his guardians. He may not have come to grips yet with the idea that apparently now Ben was, but it was a far better alternative.

"Does that mean you're ok with this?" Ben asked.

Alex looked down. "I'm…not sure. I need some time to think."

"Of course!" Ben hurriedly walked to the door. "You think about it and think of any questions you have to ask. We'll go get lunch."

"But I just-"

"Lunch. Now." Ben said, pushing Eagle out of the door. The others followed and Alex was left alone with his thoughts.

Out of all of them, he knew he was closest to Ben, Wolf a close second. He knew once again his choice was being made for him, but then, Ben had given him a chance to back out. Of course the other option wasn't brilliant but it was still a choice. He thought of the flat and how, though it may not be home quite yet, he easily thought it could become it. Though he wasn't going to be calling Ben 'dad' or anything (for he wasn't really old enough so he would be more like a big brother) or stick Daniels onto his name, there was no doubt that he had formed a bond with Ben. They had come a long way, they all had, and the thought of living permanently with the four men no longer seemed the horrid prospect it once had. These positive thoughts had solidified by the time the others returned but he did have some questions.

"What about your jobs?"

"I'd always thought of having a desk job," Ben said. "Still with MI6 but it would be in a sort of keep your friends close and your enemies closer kind of way. I still need to finalise things with Mrs Jones but it looks like it'll be sorted soon."

"Mrs Jones? She's helping?"

Ben nodded. "She feels bad about how you've been treated and is doing all she can to help. Blunts not too happy as you'd imagine and she's going to keep an eye on what he has planned."

Alex didn't know what to make of that. He'd always liked Mrs Jones more than Blunt, hence why he couldn't kill her, but he'd never thought she'd actively help. He wasn't about to deny it though.

"What about you guys?" He asked, directing the question to Wolf, Snake and Eagle.

"We'll go back into active duty," Wolf said yet it was tinged with regret. "Not yet though. We want to make sure you settle in and we have to find a new replacement anyway. The Sergeant has a few people lined up but we still have to check them out."

"And don't worry, none of them will be like Puma," Snake said.

"And we'll also be going on leave a bit more often," Eagle spoke up. "Perhaps do a few more things with MI6 so we can come back a bit more often.

Alex couldn't help but be relieved they weren't going away so soon. It wasn't that he didn't think he and Ben would be fine alone, he just thought it could be a bit awkward and he secretly liked the protection the four of them together offered, both from outside criminal organisations and MI6.

"You're sure about this?" Alex asked, a part of him saying it was only temporary, that Ben would get bored and realise he'd made a mistake.

"I have never been surer than anything," Ben replied with an extreme amount of conviction, looking straight into Alex's eyes. "We may not have had the best start but I want you to stay, we all do."

"It's true Cub, the flat wouldn't feel right without you there," Wolf said.

"You're family now," Snake said warmly.

"And who else would play video games with me?" Eagle grinned.

"So what do you say Alex, want to stay at the flat a big longer?" Ben questioned and Alex smiled.

"Sure."

Somehow, through everything that had happened, he'd found a family in these men. It wasn't perfect, and there would be a hell of a lot more arguments but it was his, and that was what mattered.

There we go, the end. There will not be a sequel to this story. To Be A Son, the sequel to One Big Happy Family, could be considered the sequel to this though there are a few things that won't match up. I think this will be my official departure from the Alex Rider fandom. Thank you to everyone who took the time to give kind reviews, you're all wonderful, and a massive thank you to everyone who favourited and followed this story.