Suppressing the overwhelming urge to run, Alex forced himself to put the butter dish on the table and then go to the drawer to collect more cutlery and then get another plate and glasses for their guest. As Paella was put on the plate, Alex suddenly thought, it was a waste of food as he no longer felt like eating anything. He would prefer to reheat the meal later, once this unpleasant discussion was over.

"Please sit and join us for supper, Fox. I take it you came straight here from Liverpool Street and have been at work all day and are now on overtime." Alex knew from his uncle's work pattern, that the bank worked you 24/7.

The dark haired ex-soldier looked sheepish as if he thought he's been forced to be here. "Yeah, something like that. Sorry for gatecrashing, but Mrs. Jones had a low level alert on the system to catch up with you and she's in abroad at the moment. Crawley thought it was best I made contact considering everything." The man looked at the food and his stomach rumbled, breaking the ice. "Food looks great, Alex. Thanks for sharing as I'm starved."

Alex almost sneered by decided on formal politeness and started with introductions. "So, darling, this is Fox or should I say Ben Daniels, MI6 Field Officer. I last saw him when he shot my godfather. Fox, this is my beloved boyfriend and chosen life partner Simon Carrington, Retired British Army Captain formerly with the Royal Gurkha Rifles, now internationally renown photographer."

Fox looked ashen "So, I shot your godfather on Dragon Nine."

"Don't worry about it. Ash deserved it." Alex then sat, "Bon Appetito." With an internal sigh, he then forced himself to eat.

Simon could see Alex was a million miles from OK about this. Wine was poured and the three ate in silence. Only the stranger clearing his plate and mopping up the remnants with the bread. His foot moved to gently stroke Alex's leg in a small bit of under the table footsie.

With a hand covering is mouth a belch, Fox thought grimly that his first decent home cooked meal in months had been as result of ruining Alex's life very post MI6. He would enjoy breaking the news that the missing kid was shaken up with an older guy, one well connected. In the quick background search of the address, brought up Simon Carrington was the brother of the Right Honourable Charles Carrington, who was a former Conservative MP and had been a Parliamentary Under Secretary in the Ministry of Defense in the 1980's and now a Director on the Boards of several Security companies including three multinationals. Suppressing the urge to ask for seconds, Fox got back to the task in hand. "This is just a basic check-up, Alex has been off the radar for a while and could he come in for a formal interview to clear up a few details for our files."

Alex put down his cutlery dramatically and took a sip of water, being angry would not do him or Simon any favours. "I'll answer your questions here and now, or not answer them with a lawyer present at your offices at my convenience. I was never officially an agent, I had no contract nor was I ever reimbursed for my labour, injuries and long term ill health. In fact my only legal dealings with your employers is the matter of my uncle's and parent's bequest. So, I take it, when I answer your questions that the bank release all they hold in trust in my name in full."

Of all the things for Alex to demand or bargain with, being a hard, level headed and absolutely resolute was not what Fox expected, when the file from the psych profilers suggested the ex-teen agent would be emotionally distraught at best, would run again or confrontation would trigger another phase of self-harm. The field agent had seen the details of the surveillance crew, Alex was settled here. The young man had obviously cooked the supper from the oil stain on his trousers and the fact he had served up. The scene in the kitchen was of the comfortable domesticity of an established cohabiting couple. "You seem to have me a an impasse as I cannot promise anything and I will have to report to the office that you have concerns over your uncle's estate and also reassure all at the bank that you are fine and in full possession of your mental facilities. I would recommend you come to the office tooled up with legal representation and give dear old Tulip a hard time."

"Ask your stupid questions, I have Simon here to act as intermediary. I trust him with everything." There should be no reason for any follow ups, Alex knew he was not a security risk, living a very normal life in this London suburb. His life a million miles from Fox's and he was sure running at 18 had possibly been the most sensible thing to do to escape the pull of a life in espionage.

Fox had his recorded interview, already under review at headquarters. The questions answered over coffee and homemade shortbread. Only a couple of time had Simon Carrington intervened and stated the questions were too personal and impinged on Alex's Human Rights. The MI6 agent smiled, "I can see no reason for any further surveillance and I will mark any follow up as extremely low profile. Thanks for the grub. What can I say, you are a lucky man Simon. I wish I had someone at home who could cook half as good as Alex. I think I need to put in for reassignment and return to real life and start dating again. See you round, Cub."

…

John Crawley read through his top agents assessment of the boy that got away. Against all odds, Alex was a functioning member of society, happy and settled and had lived in the capital for six years without drawing attention to himself. The fact was in five months time, the full amount in trust would be released to Alex, as their was nonlegal or medical reason to withhold it anymore. John Rider's son was a rich young man as a result of both his parents and his uncle's frugalness and gifts with investing their hard earned money. The acting Head of Special Operations at MI6 would have a long chat with his friend Tulip, to let sleeping dogs lie.

…..

After four glasses of wine and a quick and brutal wanking session, Alex was finally relaxed, sprawled on the sofa and happy to listen to some jazz CD, Si had put on rather than bother with the television. Si refilled their glasses and sat to cuddle. Alex moved closer, seeking more contact, reassurance of their love. After ten minutes of a heavy, snogging session, Alex smiled. "I'm knackered and I'm so glad theirs no work or college tomorrow. What do you have on?"

"A meeting with Donald in late afternoon. You could come with me." Si guessed Alex was feeling needy and clingy, "So, lunch out and a morning in bed. I too, am very drained after meeting Mr. Fox." Si would wait to bring up his concerns over any future dealings with SIS's dirty trick department or the fact they had control of money that was rightfully Alex's. A trip to his lawyers would be best kept as a threat and only used if absolutely necessary.