I am so sorry about the gap! Thank you so much to all the reviewers who motivated me to carry this story on. This is a short chapter but I just wanted to get back into writing this story. Please let me know what you think of this chapter!
On the record
"Alright Alex," Edward pleasure said gently, flicking on the tape recorder. "Just start from the beginning." It was just the two of them in the room – Sabina had gone shopping in town and Ben had gone with her. They would be gone for hours.
"Before I do, there are things you should know." Alex replied, stiffly. He had never told anybody his entire story – while he had shared parts of his life with Tom, Jack and Sabina he had always kept pieces to himself. Now he wasn't going to hold back. "This story isn't going to be easy to hear. And it doesn't have a happy ending."
"It doesn't have an ending – there's still time for things to resolve happily," Edward pointed out with a small, reassuring smile.
"There are things that I've done, things I'm not proud of," Alex continued.
"I'm not here to judge you," Edward responded.
"Do you remember what we talked about when we were driving, before the car went into the lake, way back in Scotland?" Alex asked. "About how you had heard things from your contacts about me."
"Yes. That night isn't the sort of thing one forgets," Edward answered.
"What did you hear?"
"Rumour mainly. A British teenager who saved Washington DC. Something about a mission in Australia. You being on watch lists after going missing. Rumours abound. I doubt they were all true – one guy swore you'd been to space."
"That one is kind of true-" Alex said with a half-smile at the disbelief. He still couldn't quite believe that he had actually been to space. But he quickly sobered. "The thing is, I don't know if rumour will prepare you."
"Then just talk. I won't interrupt until you've finished. Take as long as you want," Edward said. He was good at hiding his expressions; as a journalist he'd had plenty of practice. He resolved not to let any of his emotions get the better of him as Alex spoke.
"Alright," Alex said with a small sigh of resolve. He had to get this over with. For all he knew it could be therapeutic. So he took in a deep breath, and started at the very beginning of his story. "When the doorbell rings at three in the morning, it's never good news."
Meanwhile, Ben Daniels was not shopping. He had left Sabina in town, telling her he was going for a walk because he needed some time to think. In actuality he was meeting someone who he hadn't seen for months.
The Brecon Beacons was a big place. There weren't cameras and anyone following him would be fairly easy to spot. He found Wolf easily, and went to meet him. The soldier looked irritated at the meeting place, although in fairness he always looked irritated.
"Fox," he greeted stiffly. "What do you need?" It was nice to have someone so straight to the point. Ben had missed the bluntness of soldiers. There were no double meanings to contend with.
"It's about Cub," Ben responded just as bluntly, sticking to code names. There was no need for small talk.
"Cub?" Wolf looked surprised. "I thought this would be about you. You look like shit," Wolf pointed at the heavy bruising marring Ben's face. "How do you know Cub?"
"I've worked with him," Ben said, without elaborating on his injuries. "And I know you have too."
"I got shot for the brat," Wolf said, but without any malice. He seemed almost fond. So things had definitely changed since K unit had trained together. Despite himself, Ben gave a small smile.
"That makes the both of us. But now he's in trouble and he needs your help." Ben said. The fondness Wolf had clearly developed for Alex had given him more hope for the outcome of this meeting. Unit loyalty only ran so deep – but genuine affection would add to it. "It might mean the end of your career."
"What has he done?" Wolf asked, his eyes narrowed and serious.
"It's more what's been done to him. MI6 have seriously hurt him, and they're going to keep hurting him. We're putting his story on record. This is going to be huge. I imagine there will be a mass inquiry and public outcry. But we need evidence to support the story from as many people as possible.
"You want me to go on the record," Wolf stated. His expression was impossible to read.
"Yes. I know it's a lot to ask," Ben said with a small sigh.
"Shit. Alright. What do I need to do? Who do I need to meet?" Wolf said after a short pause.
"You'll do it?" Ben had not expected it to be that easy.
"I know you Fox. You wouldn't ask unless it was important. You and Cub were both part of my unit. So of course I'll bloody do it, " Wolf snapped back. "But when we're sharing a cell I'm taking the top bunk."
Ben fought the impulse to grin widely very hard. Obviously unit loyalty ran deeper than he had thought. Or maybe it was just the power that Alex seemed to have over people. Whatever the reason, they were on their way to the story of the century.
I hope you enjoyed it. Please, please let me know what you thought. Reviews really encourage me to get writing. Thanks for reading :)