Hey everyone! I think this story is starting to move towards a conclusion….sad and happy day. I hope you guys have been having fun with this story as much as I have. Please review and give me suggestions.

Disclaimer: (Frustrated sigh) How many times do I have to explain I am not a spy-writing-genius. Thanks for rubbing it in…

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The villa's majesty awed Alex as the rental car meandered up the winding drive way. He sat rigidly beside Yassen, Vicktor having driven stoically for the ride from the airstrip. As much as his motivation to try had diminished, he could not give up. He would not.

The villa soared towards the gloomy clouds, as if stretching to meet them with its wooden hands. The air smelled of countryside flowers and summer grass. If he had not been a prisoner to two assassins, he would have been awed by the sight in front of him.

Tall, Grecian style walls reached up to the sky, ivy snaking its way over the structure. The sea of green leaves rustled in the soft wind as the two assassins hustled their captive through a high arching doorway. Greek goddesses posed on either side of the doorway, as if luring guests in with their clear marble eyes.

Once inside, Alex could only think of the world rich. Everything was expensive, lush, and an obvious show of wealth. Whoever this mansion belonged to, Alex wagered they had an ego to match their check book. A wide staircase dominated the middle of the foyer and marble steps led to an exquisitely decorated landing before splitting into two opposing stairs.

Without any hesitation, Alex was led up the stairs, down a long open hallway, to a room that appeared to be 'Alex-proof.' He was on his own.

The room itself was medium in size, a double canopied bed dominating one wall and floor to ceiling windows taking up the adjoining one. The windows opened up to a balcony. He dismissed the idea because no matter what, the watch kept him captive. There was no escape with it on. Feelings of hopelessness surrounded him. How could he stop Sarov's plan without escaping from Yassen's clutches? He had to think of something. Anything. He had been given these odds before and still succeeded in his mission. There had to be a way.

Steeling himself to his task, the blonde spy looked through dressers, bathroom cabinets, and behind wall paintings for anything that could help him destroy the watch. Nothing presented itself. He tried the door handle, realizing it was a long shot that it would be open. He was pleasantly surprised when it swung noiselessly open. The assassins must think they are too secure to need to keep him caged. That would account for the choice of his room with a balcony.

Hushed male voices could be heard down the hall. Alex crept silently down the open hallway, making sure to keep his distance from the sides that would be visible from the first floor. He realized the voices were indeed coming from the rooms below. Slowly, he lowered himself to his stomach and crawled inch by inch towards the edge until only his eyes cleared the ledge.

Yassen and Vicktor were seated around an island within the largest kitchen Alex had ever seen in a home. State of the art appliances sat beside well-worn ones in an aesthetically pleasing set up. Browns, reds, oranges, and yellows mixed together to give the kitchen a summery, earthen feel.

Parchments with building plans carefully sketched were laid out on the island. Alex could not fully understand what it was they were looking at, but it appeared to be a factory of some kind. He tried to hear their words as his body screamed at him to relieve them from their cramped position.

"There is a back entrance hear and a roof entrance here. Either one would suit our purpose. The distraction at the front will render their defenses confused and leave us to stroll straight in unchallenged." Vicktor took another sip of what seemed to be coffee.

Yassen gazed at the plans a moment longer. "The back entrance is too exposed. They may leave a contingent to guard it even amidst an attack on the front gates. Sarov will be more clever than that. The roof must be our target. There is also-"

Alex failed to hear what Yassen said next as he felt an ease in pressure on his arm. Looking down, the watch had disengaged itself, whether by accident or not, Alex quickly shed the offensive instrument. Wiggling backwards, he made sure he was far enough down the hallway to not be heard and gained his feet. This was it! Since the wharf, the drugs had been longer in taking effect. Since they hadn't waited for the drugs to run out on his last watch, there was no way for him to know it would disengage when the drugs were gone.

Without wasting time, Alex shut his door quietly and moved to the balcony. The drop was not more than ten feet, easily manageable. The car they had come in was nowhere in sight. However, trees dotted the horizon in every direction about 500 yards away from the villa. If he could get to the tree line, they would have to track him in the forest. And it was getting dark.

Running free felt amazing after so much time in captivity. There were no signs that he was being followed or that they even realized he was gone. Alex was slightly surprised that Yassen had no known about the watch, but he was not going to wait until he did. Less than one hundred yards away from the tree line and Alex let loose. Once safely tucked away within the folds of foliage, Alex looked back. The villa was still with no activity in sight. Puzzled, Alex tried to push away his confusion. It had been so easy to escape this time. Did they just get sloppy?

Evening was fast approaching, so Alex pushed on a little longer, winding his way further into the forest. He was free. Finally.

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Fox smiled as he watched his teammate sprint for the trees. He had guessed that would be his move and had positioned his people all over the forest to make sure Alex found them. Very proud of his efforts, he smiled into the darkness. The assassins did not even know what happened.

Working within the compound for so long allowed certain people certain answers. Once answer he had stumbled upon, was a device to deactivate the watches. The small instrument fit snuggly in his hand. Slipping it into his pocket, he awaited for word that his team had rendezvoused with Cub. The only thing left was to stop Sarov and they could call it a day.

Sasha had been true to her word; he was there to witness the assassins walk straight into her villa, unknowingly walking into his trap. He couldn't believe it was so easy.

"Snake to Fox, target acquired."

"Snake, this is Fox. Read you loud and clear. All parties rendezvous at the extraction point. Over and out."

Fifteen minutes later, he stood in a glen where a helicopter sat dormant. He sensed more than heard Snake and Alex making their way through the trees and grinned as they approached. Alex was wearing a tired, but relieved grin of his own.

"Fox!" He rushed to embrace the man that had been like a brother to him through his time at Sarov's base.

Clapping the boy soundly on the back, Fox gestured to the pilot, Eagle, to start up the engine. Its purr and the whirring of the rotary blades drowned out any words, leaving them all in silence. Once bundled inside, Fox watched as K-Unit all joked and prodded at Alex, asking myriad questions about what had happened since they had been forced to leave him. It was good to have the team together again.

Once the camaraderie had slowed to the occasional question, Alex glanced to Fox, who he assumed had taken over this mission. "What's next? Where are we headed?"

Fox and Wolf exchanged glances. Sighing, Wolf decided to answer. "We have to stop Sarov, kid. We can drop you off at a checkpoint, but we have to finish what we started. We were hoping you would be willing to help."

Fox smiled as the answer was so apparent on Alex's face. "I was hoping you would ask. I have a score to settle with Sarov."

"Welcome aboard and get ready for some action," Fox commented, all mirth gone from his voice. "It's not over yet."

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The compound was still. It almost looked abandoned except for the sporadic lights on throughout the buildings. Alex crept forward behind Fox, the five of them staying close to the shadows. The plan was to get in, find Sarov or at least the locations of the nuclear bombs on the Russian coast, and get out without alerting the base. Quick, quiet, and easy.

Somehow, Alex knew it was probably not going to go down like that, but the plan seemed to be solid. After eavesdropping on Yassen and Vicktor's conversation, they had decided that parachuting onto the roof was the safest approach. If it was good enough for Yassen, Alex figured it was a safe bet.

They made their way through the ceiling grate, down hallways, narrowly missing guards on rounds. The air was thick with tension, invisible hands seemingly holding their hearts in a vice-like grip. Alex could feel the blood pumping through his veins, loudly, obnoxiously so.

They halted their search when they came to a door leading outside, more building marring the evening sky like angry pikes. One building, alight with candles and voices stuck out. It looked more like a mansion than a warehouse. If this wasn't the building that Sarov was in, why was Yassen and Vicktor interested in it? Not liking where his thoughts were turning, Alex realized the team had decided on a course of action.

"Since the teams all know us, we don't have to sneak around. Alex, you will have a bit more trouble. Stick close to me and if need be, I will say I brought you in for Sarov. If they suspect you, take them out, quietly. Keep it clean and neat, boys. We don't need people calling the alarm."

Nods could be seen from each of the men. Setting out, each member spread out, walking confidently like they had nothing to hide. The darkness cloaked some of their features, making it easier to blend in when other men walking past gave greetings.

Fox and Alex reached the mansion first. Coming in from the back, the entrance led to a darkened hallway. One closed door to their left had amazing smells rolling over them, apparently making it the kitchen. Another open door to their right led to a vast dining room. Empty chairs sat sentry around the long wooden plank. The inky darkness pulled at the two as they continued to press on.

The pair arrived at a fork in the hallway. One went right and the other left. Deciding to go left, they proceeded to creep through the deserted hall. Fox, who had insisted on going first, failed to see the large fist appearing from a darkened doorway. He fell heavily, unconscious. Before Alex could react, two figures emerged, sandwiching him in between them. The brute behind him grabbed his arms, holding them behind his back, which the other stepped into the dim light.

"Hello, Alex. It's been too long."

Recognition and dread poured over the teen as he took in the individual before him.

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Any guesses as to who the pair are? There are two possible combinations…

I hope this was a good installment. I know it has been a while. However, this is the second to last chapter and then it will be done. Sad day, but I also have two other stories to finish…

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Some of you got me rolling again with your threats and requests.

Till next time

Cailiean44