AN: Hey, it's me again. I'm back after who knows how long and I sincerely apologize to everyone who's been waiting for a new chapter of 'Tom's Story'. It's with my beta and will, hopefully, be uploaded within a week. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider!

Alex wasn't at school when it happened. He was still in hospital, recovering from the Desmond McCain debacle. But, this enemy of his wouldn't bother to check whether or not he was there. Because, this time, it was a warning and a request. Of course, if they weren't given what they wanted, then they would simply take it. But, in the meantime, they would ask. It made them look better and it gave their government a chance to look like a friend of Britain's while their men were simultaneously finding out all about Britain's weak spots.

Ten highly trained and highly armed men were let into Brookland by the handsome new substitute Physics teacher, the one who many of the girls had already developed crushes on. This happened at exactly 8:16 AM. They broke off into two-man teams, 4 of the teams heading for the row of ninth grade classrooms on the second floor while the fifth was shown into the office where the school's security cameras were monitored. They got to work disabling them and also sending a demand to MI6. The substitute walked into the staffroom and calmly ordered all the teachers into the school hall, not even bothering to tie them up – this was a normal school and Rider's employers were far too arrogant about the boy's abilities to put an agent in the school.

The threat was issued and received. After that, they quietly took their leave, leaving behind a very traumatized school and stacks of rumors.

Reluctant, Highly Dangerous Babysitters

Mrs. Jones was a calm, cool-headed woman who normally never overreacted or showed unnecessary signs of emotion. But with Alex Rider, she felt her protective side coming out. She'd developed an attachment to the boy, even while knowing it was dangerous. She knew that if he died – and the possibility was looking increasingly likely – she would care. On a personal level, not just because he would be a hard agent to replace but because she cared about him! She slipped a peppermint into her mouth and took a deep breath. Whatever she was feeling, she couldn't afford to look anything but completely composed in front of Alan Blunt – a man who would file away the weakness and, more likely than not, use it against her the first opportunity he got. No, it wouldn't do to appear anything but supremely unconcerned about Alex in front of him.

She knocked and walked into his office without waiting for permission to enter. Alan Blunt didn't bother with pleasantries – he thought they were a waste of time. He'd said on more than one occasion that if he didn't want to see a particular person, the door would be locked. He was already there and looked up when she walked in. She crossed the room and handed him a folder. That folder contained all the information they had about the people who had demanded Alex Rider. It was extremely, worryingly, thin because they didn't have the faintest idea who wanted Alex. All they knew was that these people were extremely good and that the demands they'd made were unusual. Not that they wanted Alex which wasn't at all unusual – It wasn't unusual that they wanted Alex - his age and success rate made him in high demand - but it was unusual that they had actually asked. It made it look like them getting Alex was inevitable which was definitely worrying.

"Well, we obviously can't let them have the boy," Alan stated. "He's far too valuable and, anyway, he wouldn't agree. No, I think the only thing to do is put him in a safe house."

"You know that he'll argue and try to escape if we force him. And, anyway, this threat has stated that if they don't get Alex, they will kill his class. The only reason that they're not threatening to kill his entire school is because it would be too hard to hide a bomb that size," she argued.

"We could always send the class to the Brecon Beacons. Who knows, we might even find a child who's better than Alex. It would certainly be more convenient. The boy always makes so much of a scene when we bring him in." Blunt mused.

"Oh no! Alan, that's ridiculous! We already have one teenage agent – that's enough! And, besides, the prime minister would have a fit. He hates the idea of using children as agents – it pokes holes in all his children's rights views."

"It's worth the risk. And, we don't even know if we'll find anyone. I've made up my mind, Mrs. Jones. Please set up a meeting with the Sergeant at Brecon Beacons."

AN: Okay, so how was it? I realize that this is a cliche but I'm doing my best to make it an original. If, after a couple of chapters, people think it's still cliche and overused then I'll probably discontinue. But, for now, wait and see what I've got up my sleeve.