Alex uncharacteristically allowed Michael to wheel him to the canteen. He was far too tired to walk or to wheel himself anywhere. Michael had not put the rug over Alex's legs, like Tony always did. Alex found himself suddenly wanting his papa and hating he was here at Tony's work place several thousand miles from a home. A home in reality that was part of the past. Alex rubbed as his left leg as continued to protest and throb in pain. Alex then put his hands into the pouch pocket of his hoodie. There safely stowed was still his passport, wallet and two Paralympic medals.

The canteen was a huge open space, similar to eating at school. Alex could feel eyes on him, conversations stilling as people turned and stared. They got to the food serving counter and Michael asked "What would you like?"

"Anything that does not contain dairy. I'm allergic. As in really allergic, OK"

"Right, no dairy."

A tray with one meal of plain burger and fries was offered and Alex just said "OK but double portions. I'm really hungry."

Michael sat and watched Tony's teenage son demolished the tray of food. Anybody seeing the food would have thought it was for both of them. Michael then looked at the kid. It was hard to really tell how tall Alex was, but he looked a lot taller than Tony. The broad shoulders, chiseled good looks, tanned skin, brown eyes and blond hair, the kid was a handsome young man. Talented as well. The kid had mumbled in russian and spanish in his sleep, and he'd talked to Tony in French. Tony could speak french like a native anyway. Tony had said Alex had already got a place at Cambridge, taking a year off after finishing school at 17. Michael knew Alex had taken off on his own after the death of his godfather, seven months after the death of Tony's partner. The kid had been questioned about disappearing. Tony's kid was an enigma. It was strange for Michael to be babysitting, rather than being sat gossiping with Tony or arranging meetings and scheduling parties and appearances. Michael then noticed Alex had not spoken to him except to answer direct questions. The boy was described as difficult. There was more to him than that. Alex was withdrawn with bleak pained eyes. The assistant could only guess at the boy's troubled and probably horrendous past.

Alex was sat eating, not really caring at what he was shoving in his mouth. It was fuel, he was hungry. Lost in his own private world he looked up to see Tony with his 'I am not amused' look on his face. "Cola, burger and fries. I raised you better than this. Not a vegetable or piece of fruit in sight. God forbid Alexander. Have you been eating shit like this for the past three months. Should that doctor have checked you for scurvy!" Tony clicked his tongue to exaggerate his complete disapproval. "I'm getting you something nutritious to eat. Give me that tray!"

Tony picked up the remains of Alex's food fest and binned it. Tony returned with two plates of salad with grilled chicken accompanied by bottled water.

Alex smiled as they both ate in silence. Alex broke first. "Bad day?"

"Don't start, Alex!" Tony stopped eating and looked at Alex who had finished his food already. Tony passed over his half finished plate and watched his son eat the leftovers as well. "You've lost a lot of weight, pickle."

Alex scowled at the petname. "No protein shakes since Athens. I've been mostly vegan as well. Its easier to avoid anything I'm unsure of. Yassen really told me off for not eating properly."

Tony's expression darkened but he held his tongue.

"Yassen's not the bad guy, papa. No scratch that, he is the bad guy, but he was OK to me. He paid for me to come here. Wanted me to patch things up with you. So not all bad."

Tony looked at the half ashamed , half guarded expression on his son's face and tried to keep calm knowing it was not Alex's fault. His son had been manipulated by a master at playing mind games. The bastard fucking his son over, literally and figuratively once again. "Lets not discuss that now. I feel such a failure. I should have drawn you closer not pushed you away this year. I do not deserve your empathy and understanding. Forgive me, Alex."

"Always Papa. I just followed Peter's orders." Alex hands in his pocket brushed over the cases. "I have a present for you. Two actually."

The pain black leather boxes were carefully opened by Tony. He smiled with sad tearful eyes. Regretting not going to Athens with all his heart. "I watched your races. Nigel send me them on a DVD. World record holder as well."

Alex shrugged.

"Michael, your phone has a camera. You have to take a photo of Alex and I." Tony pulled out the discs of gold with their brightly coloured ribbons. Putting both around Alex's neck. Alex winced as he stood up and smiled his arm around his father's waist. Dwarfing his father.

A guy on the next table called out. "Are those medals genuine?"

Tony beamed "My son is a double Paralympic Gold medalist in 100m S8 Freestyle and the 34 point 4 by 100m Freestyle relay."

"Paralympic?"

Alex scowled and let rip "Not the games for normal freaks and weirdos, but the true games for the cripples, retards and spastics."

"Alex please!"

Alex then sat down on the wheelchair and pulled off his left leg. "Look ... Cripple. King of the cripples in fact. Beat the aussies as well. Biggest bunch of sore losers at Athens." Alex smiled as his father rubbed his tired face.

Tony then laughed, Alex was a force of nature. Tony would work through his failures as a parent to connect with Alex and regain what had been lost. The looming deadline of Alex leaving for university was suddenly unwanted. Tony had forced independence on his son this year and he could not take it back. If things worked out in LA maybe Alex could transfer to a college here.

Tony pushed Alex to the sound stage for him to watch the final four pages of interlinking scenes be filmed. Wardrobe changes were checked for continuity. Sam arrived and then noticed the figure sat in a wheelchair beside Tony. The man strode over and held out his hand "Hello Alex. Sam Turner. I don't know if you remember me I was at your adoption party."

Alex shock the man's hand. "Ummm yeah. Great party huhh! I puked spectacularly all over the living room."

"Oh, are these your medals! Congratulations two golds. I hear you had a good games." Sam picked up one of the metal discs which was surprisingly heavy.

"Good and bad. Only got a sixth in the heats for 200m Individual Medley." shrugged Alex.

"Sorry but we'll talk later. I have to get back to work. There's a station exec on the floor as well. No slacking allowed!"