Gun Powder

Wolf was the one who had really taught him how to shoot.
When the man had found out MI6 hadn't bothered, and Scorpia had just given him two classes on "that instinctive crap" he'd immediately booked a firing range. Him and K Unit had made a Saturday of it.

Alex had shied away from the gun and the targets instinctively, thinking things that were best left alone, but Wolf had shaken his head, "No Cub. You have to learn this."
Snake, hissed,"Wolf. Can't you see - "
"Yes. But I can also see that he needs to be able to defend himself."
The man turned back to Cub, telling him, "All right Cub, let's just start with how you stand. Square off." The boy looked at him puzzled and Eagle laughed a little, then told Cub, "Feet shoulder width apart, Cub."
Alex hastened to obey. The boy was eager to learn, they had all picked up on that, almost too eager. Wolf was liberal with his praise because of it, "Good. Now, pull your shoulders back a little, raise the gun, little higher. Good." Wolf came around and stood behind Alex, telling him, "Your left hand supports your right Cub, good. Now, pull the safety off, chamber a round, perfect. Pull the trigger slow."
Cub obeyed then jerked back when the shot rang out. It went wide, and Wolf sighed, then told Cub, "You can't be afraid of the gun Cub."
Cub looked at him annoyed, as if to say, "I know that." and Wolf told him, "Aim and shoot the whole clip. One right after another Cub."
Alex shrugged and obeyed, seeing the sense in Wolf's order. By the time he'd gone through two clips he was feeling more confident, and he squared off again, thought, and squeezed off another shot, feeling a savage sort of joy when it hit the target. All the men praised him for that, and then reminded him that he got to do this another thousand or so times. After that, every Saturday had been shooting day until Alex could pass a shooting test of their own making. He'd complained sometimes, about the loss of his weekend, but Wolf had told him, quite clearly, "This might very well save your life one day, Cub."

And that, he reflected, all these years later, his combat clothes still feeling rough and heavy against his skin, his SAS pin digging into this neck where it had been given to him just a few weeks ago, had been exactly what K-Unit had done. They had saved his life.

He holstered his gun, yelled, "Let's go boys." Otter, Panther and Lion all regrouped quickly, and he looked for the youngest member of the group, saying, "Let's go Cub."
He needed looking after, that one, but Alex thought he was up to the job.

The End

AN– Sorry! Know this is Tuesday not Monday. Ran out of time. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Let me know what you think!