Thanks for the reviews, enjoy the short but new chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Alex Rider

...

Tom: how grounded are you?

Alex: I'm not actually some of the new guys brought me back and he didn't tell Pete or Abby on me so I'm in the clear

Tom: I'm grounded all week :0

Alex: well we were pretty wasted Tom, I can't even remember what I said after midnight

Tom: do you want me to tell you, trick question cause I'm going to tell you anyway

Alex had to hold in his laughter as Tom began a tale on what had happened last night and what had been said, half of which he knew wasn't true.

Setting the laptop down on his bed Alex took the memory stick from around his neck and once again plugged it into the laptop, files appearing some in weird code.

He began to flicker through one of the files labelled Stormbreaker before going back to the conversation with Tom.

Tom: …and that is why you and I are now blood brothers and are one with the universe

Alex: are you still drunk?

Tom: come on Al its true!

Unknown: Hello

Alex startled as a chat box appeared in the corner of the screen, not connected with any of the social networks he was signed up for.

Alex: Talk to you later, sorry mate he signed off with Tom before clicking on the reply icon.

Alex: who is this?

Unknown: Introductions, why don't you tell me who I am speaking with then we can get down to business.

Alex: Ever heard of stranger danger

Unknown: you have something I want

Alex: which is?

Unknown: I think you know what I want. Today at 1400 you will meet me at the park in the centre of London, you will come to the gardens and enter greenhouse number 4. Come alone. No MI6.

"What?" Alex asked the screen confused beginning to type but the chat disappeared and the Stormbreaker notes appeared once again "this memory stick is total bad news" he muttered.

…

"I'm pretty sure he was being abused"

"The kid was drunk Fox there's a chance he was imagining it all"

"No, it was real"

"His knuckle damage seemed real enough"

K-unit looked around at each other before sighing.

"What did he say about the information?" Wolf questioned no sign of remorse on his features.

Fox shrugged "he told me he couldn't trust anyone, he didn't deny having it but he also didn't confirm it"

"This is ridiculous" Wolf growled "are we just meant to wait on the kid to blab and tell us because that could take weeks even months and I want to get back to some real work"

Snake frowned at his leader "we're meant to be protecting the kid Wolf, someone has the same suspicion as us, enough suspicion to actually come and ask around" he stood and walked to the door "I'm going to check on his injuries"

Wolf was silent as he thought over what he had been told.

"He isn't a bad kid"

"What?" Wolf snapped at Eagle who was giving him a serious look for once.

"I said he isn't a bad kid Wolf, he's lost and he's been hurt but I think Alex just needs a little guidance" he shrugged his broad shoulders "maybe if we provide that he'll trust us enough to give us the information, if he has it that is" he stood "I've got to help Sam"

Wolf ran a hand over his face and pinched the end of his nose "don't tell me you've become attached to?" he growled at Fox.

Fox smirked "I'm not attached Wolf I just feel for the kid, he reminds me a little of someone" Wolf snorted "I could ask Pete and Abby see if they'll give me Alex's file at least then we'll know what we're dealing with here"

"Just let me check them!"

Fox and Wolf jumped to their feet at Snake's shout following the voices into the hallway where Alex was pulling on a pair of shoes, the bandages on his knuckles speckled with red "I'm fine, get off my back"

"I will once you let me change the bandages" Alex stuck his tongue out and opened the door "don't walk out that door young man"

"I have places to be" Alex fidgeted like he couldn't decide if leaving was the best decision.

"It can wait"

"It can't, I need to be there at a specific time" he smirked and sprinted out the door a bang muffling the cry of "Alex!" Snake made.

Fox chuckled into his hand "getting attached are we Snake"

"Drop it" Snake stormed down the hallway into his office.

"Guess it's you and I on babysitting duty Wolf, let's move"

….

Alex pulled his jacket closer around his body and stuffed his hands deep in the pockets as he stepped off the train and made his way to Hyde Park, eyes scanning the crowd as he strolled. The wind had picked up and he was beginning to regret wearing the pair of knee high shorts that showed off his toned and tanned legs perfectly "stupid British weather" he muttered under his breath.

After a couple of minutes walking Alex came to the greenhouses he easily spotted number 4 but he paused in thought. This probably wasn't one of his best ideas, agreeing to meet a stranger who had been talking about MI6.

Sighing Alex made his way down the side of the greenhouse looking through the glass to spot someone but he had no such luck "guess I'm going in" he muttered slowing pushing the door open and stepping inside.

The heat attacked his skin at once, his freezing limbs contracting momentarily "hello?" he called out walking into the centre, plants scratching his face as he glanced around "hey?!" he called again when there was no answer.

Alex was just about to leave when a man came from the shadows, blonde hair sparkling, pale skin, and a body that moved like a dancer. The gun hanging loosely in his grasp was held with a care free air as if the man carried it with him every minute of every day.

Gulping Alex peered up at the taller man into intense icy blue eyes that held no emotion "y-you're the one who contacted me?" he cursed himself for stuttering, for goodness sake he was Alex Rider!

The man studied Alex for a few more seconds "that depends, are you the one with the memory stick?" Alex provided no answer "Alex Rider, it would do you well to answer me when I speak to you"

Alex jerked in surprise taking a step backwards "how'd you know my name?"

"You look like your father" the older told him almost softly "my name is Yassen Gregorovich, now little Alex I suggest you hand me over the memory stick and I will not have to hurt you" that sounded like a threat.

"Yassen" Alex knew the name, knew he had read about said man on the memory stick "you're an assassin, working on the Stormbreaker project. How did you know my father?" he clenched his fists at his side.

Yassen's emotionless face watched the teenage boy "your father and I worked together" he stated "you seem to know a little too much about me little Alex, where did you obtain this information?"

This man was dangerous and Alex had just handed him a reason to use the gun, he swallowed thickly "my father wasn't an assassin" he whispered.

"The memory stick Alex" Yassen glared at the blonde haired teen in annoyance "give it to me"

Alex rubbed his hands together never taking his eyes of the gun "I don't have it" he was suddenly staring down the barrel of the gun "I don't have it!" he desperately cried, hands going up in defence.

"Do not lie to me little Alex I have limited time to deal with you" Yassen took a few steps forward so the gun was almost resting on Alex's forehead "now hand it to me" he hissed.

Alex dropped, letting his bodyweight pull his to the ground he threw his leg out and kicked the shin of the man although Yassen kept his balance he did seem surprised the teen had risked movement with a gun at his head. Alex didn't waste time fighting a man he knew he could never beat instead he leaped to his feet and sprinted for the glass doors.

As soon as his hand reached the door the glass around him shattered from a bullet, he froze.