Disclaimer: I do not own any Alex Rider characters. Any mentioned that appear at any time in this story are the property of A.H. Any others are of my own making; and if there are any references outside of A.R series that are real, such as places or people, it is not intentional.

Jack cradled the phone between her shoulder and head. she stirred her coffee vigorously as she listened.

"And it's all arranged. Three weeks, Jack! It'll be fine. And Fed is on leave, so it will be like a family reunion!"

Jack smiled. "Fine Mom. I'll be there. Let me pack and catch the flight."

She hung up, humming and spinning around. True, she had seen her parents, but now she could bring Alex, and Fed would be there!

"Why are you so happy?"

Jack squeaked in surprise and almost dropped her coffee. The spinning didn't help her balance either.

She set down her cup and looked at the boy in front of her. Alex looked back.

It was three weeks after the "Kenya Incident", as the TV hosts dubbed it. To Jack, it was three days of panic. But now Alex was home again. She grinned.

"We're going to Washington!"

"When?"

"Tonight!"

Alex shook his head. Jack remembered when his hair would have flopped in his eyes, but the hospital had given him a military style buzz-cut. Jack didn't like it, but when she had complained, Alex replied he liked it better then his captor's barber skills. She had to agree.

"So...Why didn't you mention it?"

"I didn't want to jinx the trip!" She replied hotly.

Alex look like he wanted to laugh."'Jinx the tip' Jack? What does that mean?"

"I didn't want MI6 picking you up, if they heard about it."

She expected Alex to reply, but he just nodded.

"Come on Alex! We're going to Washington! You've never been to the US!"

"I've been to Colorado."[1]

"But not to DC. It's so much fun! The Mall, the museums, the monumental gardens, Langley..."

Alex frowned. "No."

Jack was shocked. Then she was furious. "'No' what Alex! This is my family you're talking about! Do you care about anything anymore?"

Alex looked down. "Jack, I was trying to make a joke. I'm sorry."[2]

Jack felt awful. "Oh. Ok. Next time, just..warn me or something..."

Alex half smiled at her. "Sure."

The Bowning 747 lept off the runway, thundering into the air. Night caused the ocean to seem as dark as ink. Jack looked over at the seat next to her. Alex was resting his head on the window. Jack started to drift off when she heard a whisper.

"Passengers, please buckle your seat-belts. We are now..."

[1] Chirstmas a Gunpoint, written by AH

[2] Did anyone else get this? Langley...hehe!

Well hoping you like this idea. Not sure how long this one will be. TBD was supposed to be ten chappies. Look how big it's grown!