CHAPTER 12: "Epilogue"

A flickering light told everyone to strap in. The landing was ridiculously smooth, the pilot going to unnecessary lengths to make Alex's life easier, taxiing to a stop right in front of the car sent by MI6.

Wolf got out as soon as the door was cracked open to tell the driver they were heading to St. Dominic's. To add to Wolf's growing concern, and to his dismay, the driver took one good look at the soldier's face, sighed with worry but didn't seem particularly surprised.

"St. Dominic's it is." The guy mumbled.

Wolf began to wonder just how many times this change of course had been made.

The SAS man turned, expecting to, at least, see Alex in a wheelchair or something. So he was utterly stumped when he saw the spy in question calmly helping Isabella down the steps, the lady holding his IV bag, and walking towards the car. Isabella was shaking her head disapprovingly, but letting him be. Not one for modesty, the blanket had been left in the plane, bare chest in plain view from under the open leather jacket. He didn't seem particularly worried that there was a needle in his left hand connected to a plastic bag containing a hormone cocktail so he could stay alive.

Deciding to tell Alex off once he was safely in the car, Wolf strode back onto the plane with every intention of giving his team the mother of all reprimands. He found Eagle holding his stomach, sprawled on the floor. Snake was holding his head, sprawled on the couch. Fox, looking slightly better for wear than the rest, was leaning against the cabin entrance, holding his very much dislocated shoulder. Wolf stared at him, demanding an explanation, as Fox seemed the most conscious of them all.

"Next time, YOU tell Cub he's too weak to move on his own and try carrying him when he's high on adrenaline." Fox then pushed himself off the wall and stumbled out of the plane, hoping beyond hope that Alex would ask his doctor to reset his shoulder while at it, considering their unit medic had taken a beating for his trouble (and stubbornness). Wolf was left to carry his remaining teammates down to the car. He gulped, silently thanking who ever was up there he hadn't tried telling Alex off a moment ago.

The kid was scary sometimes.

"Hey Conor! How's it going?" the receptionist at St. Dominic's looked up as the familiar voice calling his name.

"Alex! What have you gotten into this time mate?" Conor took in Alex's rather ragged appearance and shook his head. Sometimes it was better not to ask. Alex merely shrugged and Conor nodded. "Right, of course. Need to know. Shall I notify Diana and Dr. Hayward for you?"

"Yes, please." Conor nodded again, grabbing the phone.

"Right away. Well, you know where everything is so head up to your room. I'll check you in."

"Thanks mate." Alex strode confidently towards the elevator, Isabella by his side. It was a Tuesday morning and the foyer was calm for now. "Oh and please tell Roger my friends need a check-up as well." Conor registered the battered and ragged-looking soldiers with slight amusement.

"Your handiwork I presume?" Alex merely smirked as the elevator doors closed with a ding.

"Well known around here, aren't you?" Isabella asked concerned by what that meant, amused, and rather glad that his usual character wasn't dismally different from how he normally behaved with her. Alex let out an exaggerated sigh.

"I'm afraid so..." he said, dramatically, feigning pain and suffering. Isabella laughed as he wrapped his arms around her neck and proceeded to 'sob' his heart out.

This felt familiar. And yet, completely different. Sure, Alex was still Alex, and she was still the same old Isabella, but the feeling of being free and clear from the Mansion's restrictions had changed the dynamics of their relationship, opening up a whole new side of it: honest friendship. Like the kind she had never been allowed to have. She knew they were rather incompatible. After all, Isabella wanted out of that life and, while on the right side of the law, Alex was perfectly comfortable in his skin and content in his role of superspy. But friends... she looked at his as he held her. Yeah, they could be friends. Maybe even friendly friends. He looked at her with a smirk, thinking, as they usually did, along the same lines. Isabella was only too happy to smirk back.

"Well don't you two seem nice and snugly." Eagle's sly grin and comment were met with winces from his unit members who, in unison, took a step away from the air-headed soldier.

"Snake, what's the prognosis for a recovery from a spinning kick to the head? Taking into account, of course, whether or not the person has the necessary spare neurones to effectively recover after sustaining such an injury?" Wolf and Fox snickered. Snake, acting like a stately and pompous doctor, turned to Eagle, nose high in the air.

"You'd likely turn into a proper vegetable, sir." The whole lift burst out laughing. Eagle sniffled.

"This is bullying!" Alex snorted.

"Mate, I don't know if you've noticed, but you're IN the Army! Hell, you're SAS! And when in the military, bullying is kinda the in thing to do!" Fox, Snake, Wolf and Isabella laughed even harder. "I mean, do you remember what Wolf was like during my first time at Beacons? What he's still like with the new recruits? What the Serge is like?!" Even Eagle joined in laughing this time. Isabella, however, looked confused.

"Aren't you new?" Alex turned to her. Had he really never told her his whole story?

"No. I've been at this for almost four years." Isabella blinked.

"You never told me that! Thinking about it, you've never said anything about your 'career' or yourself, beyond the vague guidelines you relented during our first meeting." Alex smiled ruefully.

"Isabella, I was under cover in a criminal organisation. I didn't think telling the head honcho's daughter about my 'career' would be appreciated. Which reminds me, I need to get de-briefed so that HQs can take over the mission." He looked to Wolf. "While I'm getting checked could you call Jones and update her?"

"Why me? Fox is the one with a spec-ops detour on his CV."

"True, but Fox need his shoulder re-set." Alex pointed out as if it was the most commonplace thing. As if he hadn't been the one to dislocate it. Wolf, nodded, knowing better, however. He clearly didn't want to discuss the subject any further in front of Isabella. "Thanks."

"What do you mean 'take over the mission'?" the small, uncertain voice wasn't what Alex was used to from Lady Isabella Worthington. It twisted his heart around. "You'll arrest my father won't you? That's why you took me."

Eagle started nodding emphatically, and stupidly, but Alex turned like lightning, tearing his IV needle from his hand in the process, in what must've been an extremely painful manner. But he didn't even blink as he threw a rabbit punch with that very same hand. Eagle's head bounced off the metallic walls and he slid down to the floor numbly. The lady frowned.

"Do you usually treat your unit like this?"

"It's the adrenaline. And he's more than a little pissed." Snake interceded. Isabella nodded. Alex looked at her, an apology in his eyes and one about to fall from his lips. She shook her head.

"It doesn't matter. He's a grown man, he should've known better. I never supported him anyway, you know this." Alex nodded as the elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Dr. Hayward and Nurse Meacher were there waiting for him.

"What have you done this time, young man?" Alex smiled like a child caught with his hand in the proverbial biscuit pot.

"Pissed off a couple of people." Dr. Hayward shook his head with a father's stern look.

"I don't like getting to know my patients this well because of the amount of time they spend on a hospital bed, Al. Now what have we got?" Snake stepped up here.

"He's been shot with a neuro-toxin reactive to adrenaline. The toxin activates when in contact with the hormone but it only begins attacking the body once the adrenaline levels start to drop."

Dr. Hayward blinked at the SAS man.

"And you are?" Alex chuckled at the good doctor's mistrust.

"It's okay, doc. Snake's my unit medic." The doctor nodded, signalling for Miss Meacher to prep the room and blood tests, as they started walking down to Alex's room. Diana gave Alex an affectionate pat on the back and walked away.

"So this is the infamous K-unit?" Alex smiled genuinely at his unit's confusion.

"Yup. This is K-unit." The good doctor nodded, eyebrows raised in polite curiosity, taking in the various injuries most seemed to be sporting, as well as the unconscious man on his elevator's floor.

"And the reason for some of them to be battered, or even unconscious, would be...?"

"They tried to carry me around, convinced as they were I couldn't move on my own." Roger Hayward had the common sense to wince sympathetically.

"I'll let this one pass. I know full well how... active you can be when high on adrenaline." Alex smiled like a coy child. It seemed almost innocent. They arrived at the room and Dr. Hayward made Alex lie down on the bed, hooking his IV bag up properly and hooking him to some other machines to monitor his vitals.

"What did you do?" Isabella asked, almost resigned to the answer.

"I may have knocked a couple of interns around. In my defence, I was in recovery and they were annoying me. And I have thwarted the occasional kidnapping attempt while enjoying down time." Isabella's brow furrowed as she took a seat by his bed.

"Enjoying down time?" Alex smirked.

"The good doctor, here, usually gives me an extra week or 2 before he allows me back into active service. And since the whole criminal underworld, my bosses and/or myself usually find a way to go against this disposition, he makes me stay here at the hospital, where he can make sure I'll rest." Dr. Hayward nodded ruefully.

"Week or 2 he spends sweet-talking my nurses into letting him down to the gym to train." K-unit barked out a laugh, Eagle having woken shortly before, while Isabella swatted Alex's IV-free arm.

"Don't worry, Doctor. I'll make sure he stays in bed for the next few months!" Alex threw a devastated look at her, and was about to complain about how it was barely the 21st of December when 2 figures showed up at the door.

"I'm afraid, Lady Worthington, that you may find that difficult." For such a skinny, grey man, Alan Blunt could be very intimidating. It was part of the trade and, though Alex was already immune to Blunt's freaky and scary ways, Isabella wasn't. Alex grabbed hold of her trembling hands, hoping to calm her, and glared at Blunt.

"Glad you got my message, Alan." The Head of Operations cocked a grey eyebrow. It was, in Alex's experience, the only change his facial muscles were capable off, and it was used to convey a flurry of things most humans would use their whole face to do. Even when he talked, he didn't give anything away. It had taken Alex quite some time to decipher what each eyebrow rise meant.

But Alex had been extensively trained in reading body language and micro expressions, innate and reflex reactions to emotions such as guilt or shame that were impossible to suppress without external agents. And he had developed the ability to read people's eyes with amazing accuracy. So, after working for a good 3 years with Blunt, he had discovered that even his boss had tattle-tale signs. And the little twitch and miniscule shift of his eyes was the most Alex would get in the line of an apology, after having warned Blunt to be sort of nice. The young spy knew so. So he softened his gaze, turned to Isabella and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Lady Worthington, my name is Mrs. Jones. Could you please accompany us back to Headquarters?" Jones' voice was soft and kind, but it was clear to all that the question was a mere formality. Isabella didn't have much of a choice. As Diana Meacher, Alex's usual nurse, came into the room and started shooing everyone out to conduct the necessary tests, Dr. Hayward escorted K-unit for a medical check-up.

"Right, well. After you, my lady. Good work, Alex." Alex winced and glared at Blunt for the fantastic demonstration of his usual lack of tact. Isabella looked affronted and just a little hurt. Her indignation made Alex smile and he was glad she didn't hate his guts. But he still felt more than a little guilty.

Isabella was escorted out by Blunt himself, as well as a few agents who were there for security purposes. And to check up on Alex and report to everyone else back at MI6. Nobody cared how successful his missions were or how deadly he could be: he was still every agent's baby brother.

"Jones." Mrs. Jones slowed to a stop at the door.

"Yes, Alex?" Alex gave his boss a meaningful look.

"Take care of her. In all my time there and, from what I found, in all of Storm's time, never was she involved in any of the operations. She was kept in a diamond and steel bubble. I probably know more about Storm than she does. She was forced to stay, she never wanted any of it. She was asking to be sent away long before I arrived." Jones' eyebrows rose. And there was something in Alex's voice that betrayed a soft spot for the crime lord's daughter.

"I'll look after her, Alex. And I'll tell Alan what you just told me. She'll be alright. I promise." Alex wasn't convinced.

"Really? And how are you going to catch her father?" Jones winced. "You want her as bait." Another tiny wince was enough confirmation. "Thought so." Alex sneered for a moment. Then, he sighed. "Try not to hurt her. She may be a bit of a spoiled brat, but she's a nice one. And she's... she's a good friend." Mrs. Jones smiled. Alex had probably no idea how proud she was of him.

"I promise to protect her from Alan's tactlessness." Alex smiled.

"And try to get Ebony sent to her Spanish villa. That'll cheer her up. Desert too if you can." Jones blinked.

"Who?" Alex's smile widened.

"Our horses. Ebony is Bella's mare. Desert is my stallion. Both are Arabian, by the way, so they'll require special care." Jones walked over to Alex and ruffled his hair with uncharacteristic open affection.

"I'll see what I can do. You're a good boy, Alex."

****** WEEKS LATER ******

It had already been 2 months since their arrival in London and Isabella, now Isadora Almagro for security reasons, was settling in quiet well. After her father's arrest and the flash trial, she had been allowed to live with Jack, Alex's housekeeper at their Chelsea home. Alex was still in the hospital and Isadora would've loved to spend every day helping him recover and discovering new sides to each other. But Alex had asked MI6 to keep her busy. Tutors were being sent to the house as well as a security detail led by good old Terrance, who had been cleared of all charges thanks to Alex. She had caught up with her rather neglected education, Jack had made sure to take her shopping, and her father's (her) company had been placed in good hands. Everything was being done to give her the leisure and funds to enjoy a normal life. Everything was looking up. And it was all thanks to Alex.

"Isa, come on! Alex said lunch was on him!" although he was out of danger now, Dr. Hayward had insisted on keeping him in for observation. It had been a close call after all. However, the observation period was going on a month now and it was getting on Alex's nerves. He suspected Dr. Hayward simply wanted to keep him from putting himself back into harm's way for as long as possible. And Alex was truly touched by the good Doc's worry. But Isadora had lost count how many times he had said already that he just had to get out of that room. So Jack and Isa had taken to dropping by for lunch and dinner everyday. They ought to have tried every kind of take-out in London by now.

As the car pulled up at St. Dominic's, Isadora looked up at the huge building and wondered at how her life had changed in a matter of weeks.

"Hey Conor!"

"Good day Miss Almagro! Hey Jack!" they waved at the kind receptionist. "You should know, he's got company." Both women grimaced, hoping it wasn't Blunt.

"Thanks for the heads-up!"

As the elevator binged to Alex's floor, they saw Dr. Hayward walking towards them, looking slightly irate.

"Where is he?!" Ok, maybe more than slightly. Isadora frowned. Jack sighed.

"Where's who?"

"Please don't tell me he's missing already?" Isadora turned to Jack, incredulous.

"This is a military hospital! How could he be missing?!"

"He's that good. But don't worry, we'll give him an earful." Jack soothed. Then, she turned on Hayward. "Was it Blunt?" the doctor blinked.

"All of Mr. Blunt's visits are screened by me. To make sure he doesn't try to pile any work on Alex." Isadora's frown became more pronounced.

"But Conor said he had visitors." Dr. Hayward nodded.

"Yes, a young man came to visit. Tom, I think his name was." Then, he slapped his forehead. "And, unless I'm much mistaken so did K-unit!"

They all groaned. The three of them walked back into the lift, knowing they should look no further than the hospital gym.

The large crowd that usually occupied St. Dominic's training and rehabilitation area was huddled around the boxing ring. There were several newbie soldiers hanging around the hospital for security purposes. This was rather usual. Cocky, self-assured things thinking that they were above the rest of the world. Alex's favourite kind of target.

So here was one of them, after having been taunted to the point of exasperation by, what he thought, was nothing more than a spoiled rich kid. Because he couldn't be that young and important enough in the military to be sent to St. Dominic's.

And there was Alex, on the opposite corner of the ring, smirk firmly planted on his face.

"Well come on then, I haven't got all day, you spoiled brat!" Alex barked out a laugh, while K-unit, in civilian clothes, and Tom guffawed derisively.

"Surely you're not scared to throw the first punch against a brat like me then." The young soldier growled in anger and jumped at Alex. Isadora gasped and was about to rush forth, when a hand stopped her.

"Wait." Dr. Hayward murmured, watching Alex like a hawk, as the young spy ducked the first punch. He grabbed the next approaching fist and twisted it behind the poor soldier's back, pushing him face down to the ground. The man's 5 fellow guards jumped in to help. Alex thrust the heel of his palm to his first attacker's solar plexus, knocking the man down. He ducked a kick and swept the legs from this next guy. With an aerial, he avoided a punch and threw his foot up to kick another guy's back. Within 30 seconds, all 6 soldiers were down on the ground and groaning in pain. Hayward sighed. Those men were lucky Alex was still recovering, only playing with them and that they were all in a hospital.

"Alex Rider!" K-unit and Tom had even started cheering as the final man hit the floor, when Dr. Hayward's voice echoed across the gym. Alex's head snapped over to the doctor, to see Jack and Isadora standing beside him, all three looking exasperated and still a bit amused. The junior 007 attempted an innocent wave.

"Hey guys."

"Rider? As in MI6's Alex Rider?" Alex turned to the first man he'd gone against, as he talked to his fellow beaten soldiers. "He's supposed to be staying here, right?"

"How many Alex Rider's can there be?" another mumbled.

"Not sure how many Rider's but I'm pretty damn certain he's the one and only Alex Rider MI6 has..." Fox said with a smirk, jumping along with Wolf, Snake, Eagle and Tom onto the ring.

"But he's supposed to be the best! You're just a kid!"

"A kid who just served all your asses on a silver platter even after 2 months in recovery." Wolf added, with a laugh and a menacing smirk.

"That's quite enough, gentlemen." Dr. Hayward called, approaching the ring as the crowd parted and went back to their previous exercises. The good doctor looked over at the battered soldiers. "You are here for security purposes, not to attack my patients. And I hope you've learned not to be so quick to judge other people. As for you, young man," Hayward said sternly, turning towards the teenage spy. Alex had the sense to look sheepish. "While I'm happy to see you've recovered so well, I don't appreciate my patients sneaking around my back or beating up my staff." Alex winced slightly. Wolf, Tom, Snake, Fox and Eagle were shaking with silent laughter. "Back to your room with you."

"Yes sir." Alex nodded quickly and jumped off the ring, rushing back to his room.

"What exactly were you thinking?" The question wasn't accusing or stern and her voice was quivering slightly. Alex looked up from the Chinese they were having. Jack had left to give K-unit a piece of her mind.

"When? Back at the gym?" Isadora shook her head. She looked almost hesitant to even ask. "Isa? When?"

"In the helicopter. Yours, not Scorpia's."

"Oh." Somehow, they had never really talked about her past hysterics, leaving Egypt, and what it had caused. Alex sighed. "Honestly? I just wanted to get you back." Isadora blinked incredulously. "I wanted you safe and sound on that Merlin. And maybe those scorpions dead. Just maybe." She chuckled softly, still hesitant.

"Weren't you mad at me?" Alex frowned in silent query. "For running away? Weren't you mad at me on the plane back?" she looked down at her food, avoiding his eyes. "Aren't you mad at me now?"

"Isa, why on Earth would I be mad at you?" For the first time in a long while, Alex had no idea what the person in front of him was thinking. Isadora snapped her eyes back to his, angry with herself.

"WHY?! Alex, I landed you here! All you've done since we met is protect me and care for me and I almost got you killed!" Alex's eyes had progressively widened with her outburst.

"You honestly think I ever blamed you for this? You honestly think you're the reason why I wore that itchy hospital gown for too many weeks?" she nodded guiltily. Alex sighed with a small smile. "Come here, you silly girl." He put his food back on the tray and pulled her onto his lap on the bed. "I haven't considered any of this to be you fault for even a moment. Not one moment." Isadora looked at him with red, moist eyes.

"But I-"

"Shh. You've done nothing wrong. I lied to you. You had every right to be angry. Never forget that. If we want to start dishing out blame, you start with me." She seemed about to rebuttal but he laid his forefinger on her lips. "As much good as any of it may have brought the world, lying to you will always be wrong in my book."

"So where does that leave us." Alex smiled affectionately.

"If we must check the balance: even."

****** 2 MONTHS after that******

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Isadora gave Alex a most classical 'duh!' look.

"Regardless of everything he's done, he's still my father. I haven't gotten to so much as wave at him since he saw Blunt and those agent's 'holding me at gun-point' in the conference room so-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! When was that?!" Isadora winced. Alex had never been told how they had convinced Maximilian to come quietly.

"The guns weren't loaded, Alex, it was alright-"

"GUNS. As in many?" she nodded, reluctantly. "I'm gonna kill Blunt." She turned his face towards her.

"No, you won't. Blunt said you might react like this. Which is why I didn't want to-"

"Didn't want to tell me? Classic Blunt. Didn't Jones try to do something?"

"Blunt locked her out of the conference room before it all went down." Alex sighed.

"He still shouldn't have done that. I've been aimed at with guns a lot in the past 4 years, Isa. And it's not nice. Whether they're loaded or not." Isadora had asked him to stop calling him Bella after her father's arrest. It reminded her of him too much and she was trying to forget about it all. But it was his birthday today and, since she hadn't been able to visit him during Christmas, because of trials and paperwork, she supposed she could spare him a cake, a few candles and a couple of hours.

"It was admittedly unpleasant, but I was never in any harm and it needed to be done…"

The black BMW moved towards the gates of the maximum security prison. The place looked like a damn fortress. A place reserved for international, high-priority, high-profile and/or high-risk scum. The car rolled towards the very entrance to the prison, the cake and candles following them in a second car, with Terrance and a hired butler. Blunt had been quite pleased with Alex's report on Terrance and had made the man a job offer on the spot. Terrance had accepted just as fast and had been placed in charge of Isadora's security, under Alex's command since then.

"I've arranged for as private a room as possible but we'll still have to walk past a few cell-infested hallways and I've already filled a few of those cells myself so you better put these on." Alex pulled a black box out of his pocket. Isadora opened it to discover what appeared to be wireless ear buds. Like a hearing aid. "They're sound inhibitors. Ear-plugs don't drown out noise entirely so I asked Smithers to make these for you." Isa smiled. It was because of moments like these that one could finally discover the real reason for Alex to do what he did: when you saw him go to unnecessary lengths to keep people happy and comfortable and safe. To keep them protected. She wrapped her arms around him for a moment, before the car stopped at the entrance.

Alex got out, shut the door and went to the other side to open Isabella's door. He buttoned up his suit jacket, opened the door and held out his hand. A black, high-heeled boot came out from under the black slacks.

"Such a gentleman." Isadora smiled. Even after the mission, the trial, after having had to give up her title, Alex hadn't stopped treating her like royalty. He had been there for her and fought for her rights every step of the way, butting heads with Blunt himself as only he could. Isadora knew she'd never have a more valuable ally or a better friend.

Alex kissed her gloved hand.

"Always." Isadora's smile turned coy, standing up and out of the car and straightening her black trench coat. She perched the black fedora over her head, her hair in a low ponytail. "Now, put the shades and the bitchy face on. Here are the ear buds. You won't hear anything after you put them on. Just take my arm and I'll signal when to walk, turn, everything. You only take them off when I tell you to. Look straight ahead, and try not to notice any of them." Isa nodded. "Ok. Put them on." Alex turned to instruct the driver to sit tight and wait. As soon as the buds were in place, the world went mute. You had to give it to Smithers (Isa had met the man when he had come to visit Alex at St. Dominic's). The guy was good.

"Whoa!" Alex turned to see her pulling them out.

"What?"

"That was way too freaky! I'll put them on when strictly necessary." Alex closed his eyes and shook his head with a smile, then nodded.

"Alright." Alex turned to instruct the driver to sit tight and wait. He wrapped his arm loosely around Isadora's shoulders and guided her in. The guards held them up at the checkpoint and Isadora feared she would need and ID. The ID bearing her new identity was still being processed as MI6 wanted to close all loopholes and make her story as credible as possible.

But she needn't have worried as Mr Super Spy merely gave the guards an intimidating bored look and flashed his badge.

"We have an appointment with Maximilian Worthington." That got the guards moving. "There are a few frail packages in our car that are to be brought into the room as well. If you could please take care of it."

"Right away, Agent Rider. This way, please, sir." The guard at the desk jumped up and opened the gates, leading the way jumpily, constantly looking back at Alex to make sure the MI6 agent was ok with what he was doing.

Isadora turned to look at him.

"Scared of you much?" Alex bit his lip to keep in a laugh, shrugging his shoulders.

"What can I say? MI6 likes to keep up my son-of-a-bitch image. And they think I'm a lot older… Put on the ear buds now." Isadora pulled them out of her pocket with a smirk.

"I'm sure you love to help that image…" She saw him shake with laughter and was sure he made a sound, but the ear buds were in place and all sound was cut off.

Alex nodded at the guard standing by the next gate and the 3 of them stepped in. And Alex was glad he had gotten Isa those earplugs.

It's common knowledge that, seeing as inmates don't have all that much to do, the slightest disturbance to their routine stirred a response. And those who knew Alex recognised him immediately. So the stately looking young pair was showered with insults and denigrating hand-gestures all the way down. Everyone, from Alex to Isa to their mothers, fathers, and ancestors was included in those insults. It was considered almost their prerogative as inmates to throw curses at whoever passed by, that wasn't a guard. It was an only occasionally available pass-time. But Alex knew at least half these men wouldn't take such verbal liberties with his family and friends if they weren't protected by steel bars and "human rights". Alex hated "human rights". Hated how they only seemed to apply practically to tried criminals. It was one of the first things he discovered he had in common with Alan Blunt. It had come, of course, as more than a bit of a shock.

Isadora did as Alex had told her and stared straight ahead. Out of the corners of her eyes, she could see inmates screaming and pointing and gesturing towards them. They looked like energised monkeys in their cages. So she treated them as such.

They strode down the corridor, heads held high, arms swaying by their side, a few inches separating them from one another, as if this was nothing more than business. Alex wasn't taking the chance that it could be mistaken for something else. Upon reaching the door to the meeting room areas, they were guided to the one farthest in, where even Alex could barely hear the noise. Before opening the door, he signalled to Isa to take off the plugs. Once they were safely in her pocket, he shooed away the guard, signalling for the packages to be brought in ASAP, and showed her in.

"YOU!" Worthington jumped at the mop of blond hair and the dark eyes. Alex surreptitiously pulled back his suit jacket to show the handle of his Walther. Maximilian froze in his attack.

"Good to see you too, daddy." Isadora's voice was laced with cold sarcasm. Worthington seemed extremely moved to see his daughter after almost 4 months.

"Bella!" He rushed towards her, but she took a step back, holding up a hand.

"It's Isadora, now. Isadora Almagro." The look on Maximilian's face was as Alex had expected: a parent's devastation when faced with their child's rejection.

"Almagro." He murmured, trying to pull himself together. "That was your mother's name." He said, trying to smile. Alex took a few steps back, opened the door and peeked out to see if the boxes were on their way. He'd let father and daughter have a little privacy.

Isadora nodded.

"It was. And now it's mine. Alex recommended I change my name for security purposes."

"Him?" Worthington's blood boiled as he thought of the traitorous bastard. "How can you trust him?!"

"Because he saved my life!" Isadora fired back. "He threw himself into a falling Scorpia helicopter to pull me out, almost died in the process and afterwards protected me from his boss, Alan Blunt. Because of Alex Rider I've been able to turn my life around. He got MI6 to transfer all your money, all your properties to me. I'll be able to access them when I turn 18 next year. I'll be able go to university and have a normal life! He's even made sure the people running them for me are good and honest. So don't you dare ask me how I can trust him because he saved me! And not just from Scorpia, but from you and your stupid terrorist club!"

Meanwhile, outside, Terrance had arrived, followed closely by a butler, a man already on MI6 pay-roll. The man, by the name of George, was to do his job discreetly and quietly and mind his own business. Isadora would've loved to take one of her maids, who had been rescued and cleared of all charges after the raid on their Alexandria manor. But taking women into a male prison was always a tricky business.

"Any problems?" Terrance shook his head.

"No sir." Alex sighed. He hadn't been able to make Terrance understand he didn't need to be so formal anymore.

Back inside, Isadora was breathing heavily after she stopped yelling. Worthington looked properly crushed. Finally having to face the fact that Isabel- no, Isadora, hated him for what he had tried to accomplish had wrenched his heart out. They both turned towards the door at the sound of a soft knock. Alex appeared at the door, glancing from one to another, glaring at Maximilian for upsetting Isa.

"Tea's here." Isadora nodded.

"Good. Could h please set the table?" Alex signalled for Terrance and George to walk in a do their thing.

"Terrance?!" The former Storm operative bowed his head respectfully.

"Lord Worthington."

"I noticed Terrance had the makings of a good soldier. I spoke to MI6 and recommended him for active service. They hired him and placed him under my orders. He's been in charge of Isadora's security these past 3 months."

"Have you turned every member of my household against me?!" Alex didn't even blink at Worthington's outburst.

"No. 1. Isadora's not just 'a member of your household'. She's your daughter. And she was against this whole business long before I arrived. And 2. Terrance was the only one on your payroll with the integrity and moral fibre to deserve a second chance. All the others are safely behind bars. Now, Isadora wanted to give you a half-decent birthday, so let's stop talking business, shall we?"

The butler had finished setting the table. Alex took a seat beside Isadora, Terrance standing behind them. Worthington seemed extremely surprised at the sight of the nicely set table with fine china, cutlery, tea, cake, the works. He looked at Isadora who was busy lighting a solitary candle a top the cake. He then turned to Alex who sent them man a withering that would make a seasoned Scorpion shake in his combat boots. It clearly said 'we both took a lot of heat for this so shut up and enjoy the last proper meal you're ever likely to have'. Worthington nodded and accepted the tea he was being served. For the tiniest moment, they all felt, as George bustled about, serving the meal, that they were back at the mansion in Alexandria, and this was just another dinner.

"So… What have you been doing?" Worthington gazed at Isadora, having blown out the candle, as the cake was cut and served.

"Well, at first, I settled in with Alex and his house-keeper. Or, rather, just with his house-keeper cause this idiot landed himself in the hospital for a good two months." Worthington cocked an eyebrow, turning to the young spy.

"Technically not my fault." Alex whined to Isadora, who merely shook her head, rolling her eyes. Then, Alex turned to Worthington. "Scorpia attack. Very weird toxin. Very rare too, so it took the doctors a while to figure out how to fix me." Isadora sighed, then looked at her father.

"Which, of course, didn't hold him back from breaking just about every single one of the doctors' instructions… But, from the start, Alex had tutors come and help me finish my studies so I was kept busy. I'll be done with those in a couple more months. And after that, it's off to University." Isa saw her father smile for the first time in a long while.

"Good. I'm glad everything's working in your favour." Isadora smiled back.

"Thanks daddy. Though, technically, it's Alex who's making everything work in my favour. You should've seen the row he got into for this tea party with Mr Blunt…" Worthington looked at Alex, who waved the credit away.

"You know I'm always fighting with Alan. Keeps him on his toes. It's good for his heart. Makes it beat every once in a while." Alex smirked though he knew better than most that Alan Blunt's heart was always beating and always in the right place. Isadora laughed. It was a sound Worthington had rarely heard since he'd started working on building Storm. He hadn't realised how much he'd missed that sound.

The meal progressed and the tension between the MI6 spy, the crime lord and his rebellious daughter eased away, slowly but surely. Two hours later, their time was up. Alex signalled at the butler to start clearing up the table, load everything back onto the cart and head back to the car. As soon as George and Terrance were out of the room, Worthington walked up to Alex and stretched out his hand.

"You've clearly taken good care of my daughter. Despite everything, you have kept your promise to look after her. You have my gratitude." Alex shook his hand, nodding.

"I don't back on my promises. Nor do I make promises I don't intend to, or know I can't keep. When your job consists of lying, your word is the most valuable thing you have." Worthington nodded solemnly.

"You're a man of honour, Alex Rider. I thought so when I met you, but you deserve to hear it." Alex smiled softly, bowing slightly.

"Lord Worthington." And with that, he walked out to allow father and daughter the privacy to say their goodbyes. He turned at the door to see Isadora hugging her father tightly. As he walked out with a smile, he distinctly heard her mumble against her father's shoulder.

"Happy birthday, daddy…"

"Thank you, Alex." Alex turned to Isadora to see her pull off the earplugs as they reached the car again. "I think I've said it already many times in the past few months but I still mean it." Alex smiled softly.

"I know you do. I'm glad fighting over this with Alan was worth it."

"Me too." Isadora was smiling now as well. "I think I might just forgive him some day. He does love me. He's my father. And, despite what he did, I still love him. I needed to realise that."

"I'm glad it all worked out. Well, what will you be doing now?" He wondered, holding the car door open for her. She looked pensive as she slid in. Alex shut the door and got in on his side.

"I was actually thinking I'm tired of the English weather. Maybe it's time to finally head down to Spain…" Alex nodded with a grin, as the car started taking them back to London.

"Now there's a good idea. You'll be able to enjoy the Spanish spring." Isadora smiled.

"Exactly. And, maybe, now that you've recovered, you could join me."

"I would love to. Though Alan might want me to officially finish school. I'm graduating in a couple of months so, they'll probably want me to give the illusion of normal-"

He was cut off by his phone vibrating in his pocket. The screen flashed 'Royal & General'.

"Speak of the devil…" Isa giggled as Alex flipped his phone open, putting on his mock serious face. "Rider." Isadora saw him nod. "It was intriguing that you hadn't given me something to do already." All of a sudden, a huge grin split his face. "The whole year?!" Isadora wondered what kind of mission would make him this happy. For a whole 12 months.

"Have you told K-unit yet? Or the SAS for that matter?" Isadora chuckled. Knowing Alex, anything that involved his 'SAS brothers' for any length of time would keep him entertained. Suddenly, Alex barked out a laugh. "Alan, Jones, you just made my day…!" And with that, he closed his phone.

"Good mission?" Alex smiled his mischievous smile.

"Not exactly." Isa frowned in curiosity.

"Then what?"

"Well, since Scorpia still doesn't know that I'm still alive, and they want to keep it that way," Isadora gasped but Alex didn't seem too worried. "Blunt and Jones have decided it's in our best interest to be sent to an SAS training facility for protection and so that I can build up on my training again."

"Ok, 1. You never lost your training, Alex. And, 2. For the whole year?"

"I was lying on my back for 2 months! And for the last month I haven't even been allowed to spar or shoot or anything! I only just started getting back on my feet! I need to up my game again!" Isadora rolled her eyes. "And now, it'll just be for a few weeks. But I'll be taking the whole of my year, from school… As a school-trip of sorts…" Isa's eyebrows shot up.

"Why would you do that?" Alex shrugged.

"They've been looking at career options. They need to be shown what the military has to offer."

"Huh… so that's a pass on Spain?" Alex shook his head with a smile.

"Nope… Just a rain-check…"

THE END

A/N: Aaaaaand, that's that! Like I said, there are two possible sequels: 1. immediately after this, a visit of Alex's year to Brecon Beacons. And 2. one several years later. I've started working on both of them, but I'd love feed-back and ideas for the school-trip to Beacons. I want to know what you guys want to see in the next instalment! So go ahead and leave a comment!

Again, thank you so much for your patience and support. I hope you like the ending!