Information and changes

Hello readers,

The story starts after the bold writing on this page.

First off I state that I do not own, or share any right to the Alex Rider novels by Anthony Horowitz.

This story will contain no slash.

It may contain violence and the rating of this story may be subject to change as the story progresses. If you, the readers believe that the rating to this story is wrong, I hope you will imform me before reporting so I can make the necessary changes.

I am thinking about renaming the story but if this is the case you will be informed. Any suggestions are most welcomed.

Though the idea of this story is not exactly unique I hope that I will be able to put my own spin on it and make it my own.

Please review with your opinions, criticism and advice, as well as some ideas, favourite and worse parts.

First time readers feel free to skip down to the story.

Changes made so far…

Due to a new laptop the annoying ' have finally been changed to " as I know this was irritating most people, me included.

Most chapters have been edited to read more fluidly, and mistakes corrected (If you find further mistakes I would be grateful if you pointed them out.)

Some chapters have been joined together as I believed them to be too short, and will hopefully be an improvement. Updates will not be consistent, but please know that this story will be continued.

I have stopped putting individual thanks to people at the bottom as readers complained as this was annoying and deluding the length of the chapters. Sorry I was trying to be appreciative didn't realise it was annoying you.

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoy it,

Truly 32-star.

Back to Hell, For Good

Chapter 1

Choice is a misconception…

It was mid-day on Monday morning. Alex Rider sat twirling his fork slowly in his hand, doing his best to ignore the idle chatter filling up the room. Currently he was sitting at the emptiest table in the cafeteria next to his ever loyal friend Tom who like himself ignored the stares and rather unsubtle comments about Alex's disappearing acts. It was too much for Alex to hope his disappearance had gone unnoticed despite its reoccurrence. After all he himself couldn't help but be hopeful that he might be able to complete this week without any 'illnesses'.

Everybody in the school knew 'all' about Alex Riders illnesses. They weren't wrong, as he did frequently become 'sick'. Alex though couldn't help but think that being sick of working for MI6 would be more accurate.

"Alex… are you there?" A hand suddenly waved in front of his eyes succeeding in disturbing his thoughts forcing his focus back into the present. He turned to face his rather amused friend.

"Sorry Tom, I was kind of out of it." Alex sighed apologetically, having realised that once again his mind had wandered back to them. The overwhelming evidence that even when he was away from MI6, surrounded by teenagers of his own age, still they had a hold on his life, even his thoughts. Not for the first time he couldn't help but mentally wish to be free of them, maybe even one day his desires would be granted but as quick as it had formed the thought was extinguished. He knew the truth; he was too useful, too good at what he did. He sighed, glancing around the cafeteria. Since his first mission he'd thought of his classmates as kids as if he wasn't one. It seemed an unofficial side effect of his experiences that couldn't help but feel older than his years; they worried about the smallest of things like forgetting an assignment, whether a certain boy liked a girl or if that person was wearing last month's style, who would be football caption, who would go with who to the school dance. It seemed ridiculous to him now, but before? It was his life. What used to be so important has now become so insignificant all in the space of a year. His eyes drifted back to his food, the teens complained about it but he enjoyed it as it was five star cuisines against the SAS food. Hearing an impatient shuffle to his left, he turned to face Tom, who was attempting to wait patiently but questions filled his eyes. Another sigh slipped form Alex's lips, unable to deny his friend he mentally prepared himself to answer some difficult questions. Better get it over with. A small nod and smile at Tom was all it took.

"So how'd it go?" Tom whispered despite the eager tone, of course Alex knew what he was referring to.

"Oh great." He said sarcastically "I saved millions of lives, I was nearly murdered and was this close to being eaten by crocodiles, just great, and how was your month?" Alex finished dryly, Tom winced slightly, but remained undeterred.

They spent the rest of lunch talking about the mission, with Alex answering questions that only Tom could come up with, with the select few where some a bit more difficult to answer "Did you ..kill anyone..?" "Not exactly…well not on purpose but yes I suppose...", "Oh." Was Tom's response but after only a moment of silence Tom continued. Then thankfully, not to mention finally, Tom ran out of questions about a half hour later and the conversation turned to a much lighter catching up session on what Alex had missed. This information although not as majorly interesting, held a certain interest in its own right. It tended to involve some pathetic gossip, as well as the odd new teacher, and a well overdue retirement. Information that allowed Alex to stand out less fitting in with the students around him. They were unable to finish this however, as just as they were about to leave for class and Tom was in the middle of explaining the new found evidence to the school having a basement full of misbehaving students the announcement came through the speaker.

"Can Alex Rider, please come to the office before the bell rings, thank you." The clear voice echoed through the canteen. Normally these announcements weren't given a second thought as they happened almost daily, however this time it involved Alex Rider, and this always caused a storm.

"Have I done anything?" Alex asked Tom who seemed content in glaring the living daylights out of the surrounding students, reluctantly turned to answer.

"Not that I know of, you've only been back a day but well, it is you so anything's possible." Tom shrugged. Alex smirked.

"Then I'd better go." With a short good bye Alex made his way to the office, ignoring the multiple stares of the students, and even the odd staff member.

On arriving on the corridor leading to the office already Alex could tell that the rest of his week was not looking good. Alex could see the stereotypical man in a black suit standing outside. Never a good sign. Alex paused, glaring at the emotionless void, and then reluctantly stepped into the office as the man stepped aside for him to enter. As he entered the small room he saw the principle sitting at the rather modest desk seemingly sorting through random papers. And on the other side, with his back to Alex, sat another man he had never met but, judging by the black suit, he knew exactly where this man was from and was suddenly going to gain another uncle or possibly a family friend. It seemed that the headmaster had finished his sorting and gestured to the man opposite him.

"Alex, come in, your cousin here is to pick you up, it seems as though you forgot to tell us about another doctor appointment?" He looked at Alex doubtfully. He like many other members of staff and students was unable to believe that the teen standing in front of him could possibly be that ill. However the doctor's notifications were always legit, despite the many hours that he'd spent taking the personal time to check each and every one of the excused notices.

Alex remained silent, unwilling to participate in weaving the lies of his life.

"Well not to worry, all's set, you can go now, I hope that you're well Alex we need you back here as soon as possible you've missed too much time already." He gestured out of the office, dismissing the pair. His "cousin" turned to face Alex, gave a fake smile in greeting and gipped Alex's shoulder leading him out the office. The hand although observed as a caring protective gesture was contradicted by the sharp nails and unyielding grip on his shoulder. Alex attempted not to wince. The additional man waiting outside the office door flanked Alex's empty side as he and the agent left the office. Alex allowed himself to be lead down the school corridors without resistance but as soon as they were outside and out of hearing range Alex stopped, tensing his body as he removed the grip from his shoulder, backing away from the two men. The men stumbled slightly in shock at the teens quick movements before looking at Alex in question and slight confusion having been informed that the teen was aware of the situation.

"I'm not going any further without ID!" Alex gave them a look that clearly stated' I'm not that stupid'.

"Don't worry kid we're legit." The man on the left spoke while reaching into his pocket, slowing at Alex's glare, and brought out his MI6 identification badge so Alex could see it. Normally he would complain about being pulled out of school but he had double French this afternoon. Considering he spoke the language fluently he really didn't need that lesson and the boredom that came with it. Therefore, just this once, he'd come quietly. He allowed himself to be, once again, guided into a black nameless vehicle. Very discrete, Alex scoffed at the stupidity of the secret service. The trip was short yet unbelievably agonising, Alex couldn't seem to make himself sit still and despite his better judgement felt a slight sense of relief when they arrived. Ignoring the strange looks of the people within the bank, Alex was guided again with a steal grip on his shoulder through the mass of corridors and security doors.

He was escorted to Blunt's office door and as he was feeling slightly annoyed at the guards treatment, opened the door before the man could respectively knock ignoring the small gasp of shock at the disrespect. He walked straight inside glaring at every and any-thing in the room, though it did have a focus point. The man in question was sitting behind his desk, with the same dull grey suit. Mrs Jones was also in the room sitting to Blunt's left, a peppermint in hand. Although Blunt was looking slightly annoyed at the intrusion, he made no comment on it.

"Alex we are…" He began, emotionless.

"No." Alex said stubbornly, deciding to try cutting them off at the beginning, a small spark of hope ignited after his statement led to a moment of silence.

"Pardon?" Blunt raised an eyebrow in challenge. Ok so the hope was starting suffocate.

"I said no." Alex spoke in a calm voice, but the anger could be clearly identified under its gentle cover.

"Don't worry Alex this isn't a mission." Blunt said, in an attempt at reassurance, unfortunately it had the opposite effect as Alex tensed, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"It has been concluded that you are no longer safe out in the open public, you are far too easy to target. The risk is too great. Already a camera in west London has picked up a known assassin near La Sainte Union School. It has been decided that you can no longer remain in school. So as a result we are moving you out of school and to the SAS camp, you will finish your training and education there… this is not negotiable." he said as Alex who had been stoic for the majority of Blunts speech had his mouth pinched together. Once again they were going to force him to leave his life behind, but this time they expected him to burn his roots too. Anger stormed inside of him.

"The hell I am! You can't just expect me to willingly go to that place! I have a life here, even if recently you've screwed it up, I'm not leaving, you can shove that idea up your a..." Alex practically growled out before being cut off by Blunt. Who seemed unsurprised by the resistance.

"Remember Jack…. Well unfortunately her visa is running out, we could either deport her or renew it, your choice?" Alex looked pissed. But this time was different, this time he was prepared for this underhanded bullshit. Anger filled the teen's eyes but a smug smirk graced his lips. He sighed exaggeratedly. Now it was Blunt's turn to tense.

"Fine." Another sigh, Blunt however remained suspicious, waiting for Alex to continue "I really do like this country, but hell I'm sure I'll learn to love America, after all they've welcomed me into their country." He ignored the suddenly tense atmosphere. "My optional visa came back three days ago, I can now officially choose to be American. It even has British approval."

Despite the many years working on the job both Blunt and Jones were shocked, that shouldn't have been possible without them getting knowledge of it yet once more Alex had pushed the boundaries.

Recovering quickly, Blunt composed himself making sure his confusment and anger were absent from his face. Desiding that things were quickly spiralling out of control, Blunt pulled things back, looking for a different path to gain Alex's obedience.

"Your friend" He looks down at an empty sheet of paper. "Tom isn't it?" He carried on ignoring Alex's only answer, a death glare. "It seems that his parents are going to court over custardy of Tom, not to mention the house and joint accounts, and oh dear." Blunt raised his eyebrows "It seems the court cost will be paid by the losing party." Alex knew what was coming. Toms dad was a drunken fool and on more than one occasion had taking it too far. The violence had risen, and a couple of time both Tom and his mother had been welcomed at Alex's, as the five bedroom house for normally just him and Jack had more than enough room for troubled friends. If the court case went the wrong way, well Tom would be in the custardy of a drunken violent fool and his mum would be in serious debt, not to mention childless. I was an easy case, the evidence against Tom's father was overwhelming…but with MI6 interference everything could change.

"And you see..." This time Alex cut over Blunt.

"Fine. But you will guaranty that Tom's mum wins and doesn't pay a penny." he spat out, looking at Blunt with disgust. A small smile graced Blunts lips at this, despite the knowledge that this result was inevitable. Mrs Jones couldn't help but share Alex disgust; she knew it was for Alex's own good but using his friend's problems against him was low, even for them. She looked at Alex in pity; it really wasn't fair on him.

"Great, now that's sorted…" The conversation took on a factual tone, as Alex tried to reign in his anger.

"We are being generous however, you may spend your 'school' holidays here, and also every 5th weekend, you will be given both your weekly timetable and yearly timetable, but remember Alex these are privileges and will be removed if you do no cooperate." Blunt fixed Alex with a cold stare before continuing with the arrangement. Alex stood and listened appearing calm and resigned but inside he was furious.

Knowing he held Jack's and Tom's future in his hand he could do nothing but agree. At the end of the meeting Alex was shortly dismissed, Alex left swiftly without a single glance at his tormentors. Brecon Beacon here he comes.

Thank you for reading,

Truly 32-star