I have an absolute critical-limit mass of Drabbles and One-Shots littering my computer.

Most of them I can't/won't post right now because they're involved with Amitai's future work.

Some of them, however, I can post.

This is based vaguely in Amitai's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy universe.

It is also the vaguely third one-shot in a trilogy of loosely-connected one-shots.

Like Father..

"Interesting article in the paper this morning, Alex."

Alex stared blankly at the window behind Blunt's head, as the man folded said paper and placed it carefully on the desk.

"I must say.. Not what I was expecting. Not after Miss Sabina Pleasure and those other little girlfriends of yours... But then. This is serious, isn't it?"

Alex stayed perfectly still, although something ugly flickered in his eyes.

Mrs Tulip, watching the undercurrent of confrontation from the sidelines, shuddered slightly when she saw it.

This Alex Rider was a much harder, colder person than the manipulated, wide-eyed child they'd first inducted.

Blunt gave no sign of noticing it, although Mrs Tulip knew full well that his pause for paperwork had involved a stealthy trigger of 'potential situation, stand-by' to the in-office security force.

And yet still, he talked. He'd always been like that, even in the field. Always pushing, always provoking.. Seeing how far he could drive someone, before they cracked and either spilled their guts or went for a knife.

"I'm afraid it's really not acceptable, Alex. Consider yourself formally ordered to cease and desist."

"No."

Even Blunt blinked at the word. There was no shouting, no anger, no shock..

Just a cold, calm prediction of future events. Of obedience not given.

"Are you quite sure?" Blunt said slowly, softly, almost whispering the words. "You know very well what we could do to your little-" He mouth twisted slightly over the word. "boyfriend.."

He trailed off, but not because he was letting Alex's imagination provide the answer.

No, he trailed off because, at that moment, Alex Rider – high-ranking Agent and practically priceless asset to the agency – coolly and calmly removed his gun from it's hidden holster, pointed it at Blunt, and fired.

Not even Mrs Tulip had seen that coming.

Blunt flinched away, one hand clapped to the side of his face. The bullet hadn't hit – Alex was too good a shot for it to have missed accidentally – but it had passed close enough that the shock wave would have felt like a blow to the side of his head.

Four guards burst into the room, disarming a non-resisting Alex and driving him to the floor.

"Let him up." Blunt snapped irritably, one hand still pressed to his face.

The guards did so, lifting the teen to his feet, although they didn't remove their hands from his arms.

Alex looked up, gaze still implacably calm – that ugly light in his eyes the only sign of what he'd just done.

"If you ever threaten him again." Alex said, as eerily calm as if they were discussing the weather. "You will never see me coming."

His own mouth twisted a little, a small parody of Blunt's humourless smile.

"You know very well what I could do to you." He mocked.

Blunt glared at him and waved the guards away.

They took Alex with them, closing the door on their way out.

Blunt turned to stare at Mrs Jones.

She shrugged slightly, slowly.

"Young love." Was all she said, testing the waters.

Blunt scowled and sat back down at his desk, finally pulling his hand away to inspect the lack of blood.

"His father was the same." He grunted.

Mrs Tulip smiled, just a little, then got back to work.

--
END.