A/N: A BIG thank you to everyone who has been keeping up with this story despite my slow updating…again I'm so sorry, but this time I have an excuse! I went on holiday last week to the Forest of Dean, so I couldn't update, and me being the big Harry Potter nerd I am I spent most of my time pretending I was in the scene where they went there. Even though Hagrid was never in that part, my sister was him xD

So anyway …here's a new chapter for you all ^_^

Chapter Seven

Alex sat drowsily in the back seat wondering where Smithers was taking him. Truthfully, he didn't really care, he was just happy that the man had rescued him from that place. A shiver ran down his spine as he thought about being sold to a stranger, it's horrible feeling as if you belong to someone…Jack must be feeling like that right now. Squeezing his hands to his forehead, Alex thought about what MI6 were planning for him. No doubt they would send him on a mission once he was better, but he wouldn't agree to it. Nothing was going to stop him from finding Jack, he was planning to keep the promise he had made her. Looking to his sides, he saw two agents dressed in black. They sat with straight backs and their faces were alert. Alex was beginning to feel a cramped and wished he could open the window. He had asked, but Smithers had said no seeing as it was raining outside and Alex already had a fever.

'You okay back there Alex?' Smithers asked turning his head.

'Yeah, I'm fine.' Alex lied. He felt like throwing up, and his body was aching. He was cold and hot at the same time, and more than anything he wanted to sleep.

'Oh okay. Good then! We're almost there!' Smithers grinned at the boy. He knew Alex wasn't well, but he didn't want to tell the boy how bad he looked. He was sure he already had some idea.

The car continued down the dark streets and Alex's eyes began to close. He couldn't help it, the fever was getting worse and his body was giving in to it. The lights of passing buildings and street lamps flickered by as he dozed off.

'Alex.' Someone was shaking him gently. He fought the hand on his shoulder, not wanting wake up but his senses got the better of him. Opening his eyes he saw Smithers looking down at him in concern.

'Alex, we've arrived.' He held out a hand for Alex to take. Once he was out of the car he looked towards the building they were parked next to- the hospital. He groaned inwardly thinking that he would probably be forced to stay there for a few days while he recovered. Smithers offered to help Alex but he refused. His ankle had gotten worse after running and he could hardly see where he was going in the rain, but it felt good on his boiling skin. If he had the choice he would have stayed outside a little longer but he knew they wouldn't let him. Alex winced once he was inside. The place had that 'hospital feel' to it, but then again it was a hospital after all.

He was taken to a private room by a friendly looking nurse. She had told him to wait in there until a doctor came to see him. His eyes were already closing by the time the doctor arrived. The man was tall with jet black hair combed over his head, and a stern looking face. He looked like the type of person who took life too seriously.

'Alex Rider?' The doctor said making his way towards him.

'Yes.'

'I'm Dr. Maynard, I'll be looking after you for the next few days'.

So they were expecting him to stay there.

' told me that you have a fever, and you may be injured in other places. Is that correct?'

'Well…yeah but I don't feel tha-'

'Tell me where you are injured.'

Alex spent the next two hours being scrutinised by the man. Even though Alex had told the man that his ankle was broken, and suspected his wrist was too, the doctor had insisted on checking every other part of his body for injuries. There was a slight look of surprise on the man's face when he had seen the stab wound, but he asked no questions. After bandaging the wound and 'fixing' everything else, Alex was alone in the room with a bowl of soup. He had been given medication and the doctor insisted that he went to sleep once he was finished with the soup- not that he had a problem with that. Finishing off the last spoonful, Alex lay back on his pillow. The comfort of the bed and knowing he was safe allowed him to relax and he was asleep within minutes.

The following day was uneventful. Alex was given more medication and his fever was getting better quickly. He had been sleeping until noon, and lay in bed for the rest of the day. The food wasn't great. It was far from it actually. Dr. Maynard had told the nurses to only serve him healthy food until he was a little better, and they would not budge. Alex had asked for ice-cream once, but was told he couldn't have any. Thankfully Smithers was able to sneak a Snickers bar in for him from one of the vending machines and Alex had accepted it gratefully. He couldn't help but feel like he owed this man something.

It was 6pm and Alex was in bed watching a rather funny sitcom called 'Scrubs' on his television when she arrived. He hadn't been expecting her so soon but he wasn't surprised by her presence.

'Alex.' She greeted.

'Mrs. Jones.' He nodded his head in greeting.

'I have to talk to you Alex.' She hesitated for a few seconds and then continued. 'Your school have set an assignment for you. The question is, are you willing to do it?'

He knew that 'school assignment' was just another way of telling him that MI6 had a mission for him, but he wasn't interested.

'I'm sorry, but I'm busy at the moment. I have another… assignment that needs my attention right now.'

'Well that's good news then, because this certain assignment ties in with your other one.'

Wait…did she know what he was talking about?

'What do you mean?' Alex asked curiously.

'Your current assignment involves finding something, right? Well, this new assignment will help you find what you are looking for.'

A/N: Did you guys understand what I was talking about in that last part? I hope you did :s Anywhoo, enjoy! I MAY write another chapter tonight because my parents are going out to a party and me and my sister are buying a bunch of unhealthy food and stuffing ourselves. Yeah…that's the life... xD

I thought it was about time I throw Alex into a mission so there you go. Please review if you have thoughts on the story, or want me to add anything to it or if there is something I can improve. Thanks :D I promise to reply to all the reviews on this chapter, I lost track of the ones I was replying to so I'll just start again :D