A/N: Hey, thanks for the feedback guys. I got a ton of story alerts hehe. Anyway, the lengthy update is due to my excessive amount of revision time I "have" to put in. 9 exams and I'm only taking 4 subjects. I think something somewhere is wrong. Ah well anyways here is the next chapter . Also, if you have an opinion on my fic, please share it in review form. (Also decided to change the blurb and one of the categories, planned things a little differently in my head…)

Chapter 2.

Alex stared fixedly in disbelief as Yassen's unique and indistinguishable figure walked towards him. Yassen was taking a great deal of care not to look directly at the school, his blond hair blown across his face by the sudden wind. He'd obviously spend some time on his appearance, as he was wearing simple non-flattering clothing, no doubt intending to avoid second glances from passers by. He also had on a pair of very large and dark sun-glasses, which would've looked perfectly normal if not for the fact that the sun had vanished hours ago and wasn't likely to return.

Inside Alex's head, questions began flashing in rapid succession. His spy instincts which he'd tried to suppress and ignore for so long once again were grinding back into action which was, rather surprisingly, much to his relief. His body went tense, leaning against the fence he checked around slowly, searching for the slightest hint that something was wrong. He inspected every single detail in the grounds, yet there was nothing threatening at all. A fair few groups of people littered the courtyard; the putrid smell of cigarettes was being wafted towards him by the wind, causing him to wrinkle his nose in distaste. Some of the younger students were chasing one another around the buildings, but that was all. Tom had vanished into the cafeteria, whilst James could be seen trying to appear as though he wasn't staring intently at the blond guys he'd seen earlier. Needless to say he wasn't succeeding.

Alex gazed at James for a few seconds more; curiously it seemed that in those few seconds the question as to why Yassen, the man who'd murdered his only living relative was walking towards him become inexplicably insignificant. James's hair blew upwards from a sudden gust of wind, and Alex couldn't help but feel the effect rather suited him. He saw James begin to turn in his direction, probably sensing he was being watched. He turned away quickly, and then focused his attention once more on the Russian approaching him. To his surprise, Yassen had completely vanished. Alex blinked, and then looked again, searching for where he might've gone, but to no avail. He was pretty sure what he'd just seen wasn't just a figment of his imagination. Alex's body that had momentarily relaxed tensed once again. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that James had given up trying to be noticed, or had chickened out and was heading back in his direction.

"Hey, ho." Said James in greeting, a minute later.

"Hey." Alex replied, his mind back on Yassen. Some of the worry must've shown in his voice for James picked up on it.

"Cheer up my friend, it's Friday, and you are not getting out of coming tomorrow. You need to get out that house and readjust to a normal person."

"Yeah, sure." Alex replied with half hearted enthusiasm. Although James was right and he'd been secretly looking forward to spending more time with him and Tom, at the moment Alex couldn't focus. He was a spy, it was in his blood and when something unusual happened he couldn't discard it. Of course the last two times it had turned to nothing. He'd spotted one of the kitchen dispensers out of place and had consequently stalked it for a couple of hours before realising he was wasting his time.

"Whats up?" Asked James, turning his face to the road.

"I…I think I've just seen someone I recognise. From you know? The spy world?

"Hmm, really?" Asked James.

"Yeah, it was well I'm not sure… I don't know if he coming here is good or bad."

"Aren't you surprised, shocked maybe? I know I would be." Said James, curiously.

"You get used to it." Muttered Alex quietly, not sure whether James had heard him or not.

"Wow."

"Hmm?" Exclaimed Alex, puzzled.

"Look at That guy! Just wow."

Alex turned and did a double take. There was Yassen standing opposite him against a wall fifty metres away, holding a mobile phone in one hand and pretending to send a text message. His body was completely relaxed, as though he regularly stared at kids on a Friday afternoon. As Alex continued to watch, he noticed Yassen's emotionless eyes flicker briefly in his direction, and then move away; Yassen knew he was watching him.

"Alex?" Said James, when Alex didn't reply.

Alex turned slightly towards him, still inclined to keep staring at the man opposite, and faced his friend. James smiled slyly, and nudged his shoulder.

"Something you wana tell me Alex, I thought I was the one who stared at men."

"I… what? No it's nothing like that…honestly." Alex protested, wondering why his explanation didn't sound completely innocent when after all it was true. "That man is one I thought I saw..!"

"Of course of course," James teased. Alex began to speak, annoyed but his annoyance transformed into amusement as he caught James's eye. He began to grin, and quickly looked away. Before he could wonder as to why that had happened, James spoke again. His eyes darting back to where Yassen was standing.

"Hey ho, looks like your crush is leaving."

Alex spun around. Yassen was still holding the phone. His eyes briefly met Alex's and he jerked his head slightly, gesturing for Alex to come to him. He then placed the phone gently on the floor and began a brisk walk down the road, not looking back.

"Whats the crack here?" Said James, but Alex was already moving. Hurrying down towards a spot where, a few days ago, someone had got bored with school destroyed a small portion of the fence and gone home. It only took him a few minutes to reach the phone on the pavement, on which was an unsent text message. James clattered into him, and together they read what was on the screen.

'I am not your enemy. They're here, and you must go. Meet me behind the school in half an hour.'

"That last part sounds a bit cheeky." Said James breaking the silence. "Maybe your crush isn't in vain after all although if you ask me he's a little old to be targeting teenagers."

"Shush!" Alex snapped. His head racing. What did they're here mean? Could it mean Scorpia were back and wanting some crazy form of revenge? And even then, Scorpia wasn't the only enemy Alex had made whilst on his missions. There were the triads; what if they were attempting another assassination.

"All right, all right." James said, backing off slightly when he detected the seriousness in Alex's voice. "So what does it mean then, 'they're here'?"

"I don't know." Replied Alex. "But it's not good. I think I'd better go."

"How do you even know this guy?" James asked incredulously. You can't just go running off with strange, rather good looking men! It isn't sensible, think about it!

"I do know him, the man killed my uncle!" Alex exclaimed suddenly. The words had the effect of silencing James instantly. He looked momentarily thrown before his face creased into sympathy and guilt.

"I…I'm sorry Alex. I didn't know."

"It happened a long time ago, and besides I've got used to people dying." Alex said, although the last part wasn't entirely true. He was used to death, it didn't freak him out or render him motionless, nor was the emotional pang when he saw someone die as evident, but that had always been his professional life. This was his personal life and until now he'd mainly kept the two separate.

"So why is he helping you? Did he feel guilty and is seeking forgiveness?"

"He works for whoever pays him enough." Replied Alex, but once again his mind started thinking. Yassen was a professional assassin and therefore unlikely to feel any kind of remorse for his victims, yet if he knew that the man he'd killed all those months ago was John Riders brother, then perhaps indeed he would be overcome with regret. In any case it was a playing card, and even if it wasn't much, Alex felt like he had a slight advantage.

"So who's paying him now?"

"I don't know," said Alex. "I thought he was dead, so he's either gone freelance and helping me because of my dad, or he's decided to work for the secret service."

"And they're the good guys?" Asked James.

"Sometimes." Replied Alex, his tone indicating he didn't want to go in further. "Although the second option is a little unlikely. They want him dead and they don't exactly follow the law, MI6."

"Wait, so you're saying that our secret service doesn't follow the law?"

"Yep." Replied Alex bitterly.

"We should probably get back inside school," said James. Nervously looking over his shoulder for signs of danger. "You know…in case some smart arse spots us outside and creates trouble."

"It's ok to be scared." Replied Alex comfortingly. Placing a hand on James's shoulder. "Believe it or not, fear was sometimes, the only thing that kept me going."

"Yeah…" Replied James, not quite sounding as though he had believed Alex, and the pair of them began to walk steadily towards the opening into the school.

"Are you going to tell Tom where we've gone?" Asked James, when they were safely back inside the school. The two of them walking briskly down what had recently been converted into the art corridor. Pieces of paper, with what resembled someone throwing small pots of different covered paint all over it littered the walls.

"Modern art," muttered James distastefully.

"Yes I suppose I should." Said Alex, before frowning. "We? What do you mean we?! There's no way your coming!"

"Pardon?"

"I said there's no way on earth I'm letting you come with me. Don't you understand this isn't a game, you could end up killed!"

"So you're just going to meet the guy who killed your uncle in…twenty minutes and hope for the best?!" Said James, raising his voice a little. Fortunately for the pair of them the hallway was deserted.

"Yeah." Said Alex simply.

"Great."

They walked through the rest of the school in silence, each beginning to slide into their own thoughts. Alex considering the possibilities, and wondering when he was going to have to loose James, even though a small part of him knew he didn't want to leave him, or rather, meet Yassen alone. James was thinking about Alex. He'd been worried about him for ages and had vowed to himself to ensure that he would bring Alex back to normal. He'd made good progress if he said so himself, and he was sure it was only a matter of time. He'd always been an optimist, and saw positions of responsibility as a challenge rather than an obstacle.

Jut ahead of them loomed the cafeteria; they had chosen a slightly longer route to be able to talk alone. Tom would most likely be in there, submerged once again in Emma's inner friend group, the very thought of which made James, and indeed Alex, shudder in distaste.

"Let me." James said to Alex. "I'm better at coming up with excuses."

"Tom knows about me…?" Alex said.

"Yeah, but if you told him the truth he'd want in also. Don't go just yet, I want to say goodbye."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the cafeteria, leaving Alex alone in the corridor outside. He turned and leaned his back against one of the walls crossing one leg over the other. The corridor either side of him was deserted, and the wall against that particular section of his back was comforting. A little too comforting, he allowed himself to relax and momentarily closed his eyes. That was when it happened.

A hand grabbed him roughly on his collar and forced his head against the wall in a split second. His head banged against it hard, and his vision blurred for a second. Before he could react he felt the cold steel of a gun pressing against his temple, and the indistinguishable sound of it being cocked. Silently he cursed himself, how could he have been so foolish as to let his guard down?!

"I wonder, can u feel it? Smell it, maybe even taste it? The change in suspense, the weight of the world?" Spoke a cold low voice, almost whispering into his ear. His head shivered. What the person was speaking about?

"So you're the great Alex Rider. I was expecting someone taller. Caught with your guard down, tut tut they won't like that. Takes away the fun!"

"What're you talking about?" Spat Alex. He clenched his teeth together. Was this the end, had he run his race, and now his world was finished?

"Oh don't worry, Alex. I'm not going to kill you, far more fun to watch and play. I'd get running they'll be here soon."

With that, the person holding him smashed his head against the wall a second time and sprinted away. Alex lifted his head disorientated had a glimpse of blue before the person disappeared around the corner. He placed both hands on either side of his head, nurturing his pounding temples and began to get to his feet. Who was that person just now? Judging from the voice Alex guessed it was a male, yet that hardly narrowed it down. He didn't exactly sound familiar. In that moment James ran around the corner, sweat trickling down his face. His expression registered panic, which became more profound when he noticed Alex's condition.

"What happened?!" He asked between large gulps of air. "I heard something, it didn't sound good."

"They've found me. I need to go now!" Alex said, "I'm Ok honestly, I've had much worse!" He added, noticing James look of concern.

"Indeed they have." Said James calmly.

"Why?! Whats happened?!" Alex demanded.

"They're…they're here." James stuttered. His usual enthusiasm had rapidly diminished, and the effect scared Alex. He didn't care what happened to himself, but the possibility of same horrors happening to one of his best friends terrified him. A sudden thud and James's face widened. His eyes registering shock, before collapsing.

"James!" Alex shouted. Protruding from his back was a dart.

"Step away!" Commanded a loud, booming voice, which also seemed to contain traces of a scouser accent. Alex looked up and saw a small man dressed entirely in black, with a bandana across his head. His face was covered by a cloth, so that only his eyes were visible, and strapped to his body was a variety of knives and other short weapons. In his hand he held the gun which he'd just fired at James. On his chest was a silver scorpion.

"That was only a tranquiliser round; he'll be back up in half an hour. Step away or I'll put a bullet in his brain and then yours!"

Alex slowly and dejectedly raised his hands and began to walk backwards slowly. From the direction of the hall he could hear screaming and shouting, panic and mass hysteria. People desperate to escape.

"Against the wall!" Demanded the man, walking towards him slowly. Alex obeyed, his stomach contorting with fear. Not for himself, but for his friends. Tom was in the hall.

"You've caused us a great deal of inconvenience Mr. Rider. It's time to clean house." With that, he drew a magnum out of his pocket and pointed it at Alex's head.

Right well I thought I'd leave you with that little cliff-hanger for now. Whats gonna happen?  You'll have to read my third chapter to find out, should be up in a few days.