Chapter Text
Madeline darted out of the room and quickly snatched up the television remote to cut the power. It took her two tries before it finally turned off and she ushered Everett off the couch and to the bedroom. He opened his mouth to protest but at the look, Madeline cut at him with a hiss to be quiet he shut it and went quickly to the bedroom, dragging the blanket with him.
“Go in with him,” Alex said as he inched toward the door and peered out the small kitchen window to try and see outside. The headlights were aimed right at the window making it impossible for him to get a look. He dropped the curtains and looked about the cabin itself. There was no use in trying to pretend they weren’t there. The lights were on, a fire was burning and a very large and obvious black SUV parked out front. “It wasn’t a suggestion,” Alex tacked on as Madeline stood by the couch watching him, the gun hanging loosely in her hand at her side.
“No, I’m not leaving you out here alone,” Madeline said firmly and she could almost feel the agitated sigh Alex was trying to hold back. “We don’t even know what they want. It could just be the ranger,” she ventured before cutting off as they heard the sound of a door shutting.
“I don’t want them to know how many of us there are,” Alex snapped as he pushed away from the window and walked over to the couch where Madeline was standing. He could hear the crunch of boots on the icy snow coming up to the cabin. “Go in the room, turn off the light, and wait,” he said, pointing an impatient finger at the bedroom door where Everett was lingering just inside. “Now,” he finished just as someone jiggled the handle.
Madeline jumped at the noise, the small fight in her melting away as fear closed in. She crossed to the bedroom in three steps and slipped inside. “Go in the bathroom. Don’t fight with me,” Madeline said quickly as Everett grabbed at her. “Please E,” she tacked on as he looked at her with hurt in his eyes for the harsh tone. When he walked away, sniffling, she cut the lights but didn’t shut the bedroom door fully, just cracked it.
“Who’s in there?” Came a tired sounding voice, a man. “I have the keys if we are going to play this game,” he added and Alex heard the jingling of a key ring.
“Who are you?” Alex asked as he raised his gun and raised it to aim at the door.
“I should be asking the questions,” the guy responded as he shoved a key into the lock and turned it. “Seeing as you are in my house,” he tacked on. The key unlocked the door with ease which told Alex it was potentially the Ranger. Or someone that stole his keys.
“Door was unlocked, looked abandoned,” Alex lied as he turned to peer at Madeline who was still standing there watching in a gap in the door. She didn’t listen to his order. He took a few steps backward and grabbed the door handle himself to snap it shut, tugging it out of her grip easily. “I wouldn’t open the door, I’m armed.”
“Alex!” Madeline hissed as she was plunged into darkness. She heard him walk away, his steps slow and deliberate toward the front door.
The guy hesitated on opening the door at that warning before a small chuckle.
“Who says I’m not?” He asked blandly before he attempted to open the door swiftly. The chain Madeline had put across stopped it in its tracks and the whole thing rattled. “For fuck’s sake,” the guy muttered before a kick to the door popped the flimsy thing off. “Chain’s been loose for months,” he stated.
Alex was staring down his sights at the guy as the door flung inward. The guy was holding a pistol, an old looking thing, though it wasn’t raised in the firing position. At the sight of Alex, and the huge automatic rifle, the guy instantly put his hands up in the air to surrender.
Alex’s eyes roved over the guy taking him in, assessing the threat and anything he may have on him. He was wearing a park ranger uniform under his bulky jacket, even had the ridiculous hat on, but there was no other threatening weapon that he could see. He was older as well, probably mid-fifties if Alex were to venture a guess, and seemed a bit worn down. Easier for Alex to neutralize if needed.
“Shit, you could have said you were military,” the guy said as he gestured his intent to put the gun down on the floor. Alex nodded for him to and he slowly bent down to set it on the floor before standing up fully and kicking the weapon into the dead space between the two of them. “Figured you were one of those assholes that live out here coming to steal my stuff, I’m constantly having to run them off,” he finished with a small shrug.
“Would that have made a difference?” Alex asked as the guy peered around his cabin. He knew he had clocked the kid’s movie case that was propped open on the table and the book Madeline had discarded.
“I probably wouldn’t have kicked in my own door, used a different tone too,” he smiled weakly. “Who’s here with you?” He asked after a second, taking a step further into the house. Alex raised his rifle higher and let his finger ghost over the trigger. “Just closing the door,” the guy ventured as he kept his hands up and kicked it shut with his foot.
“Doesn’t matter,” Alex answered as he stepped forward to put the pistol under his boot and kick it back somewhere behind him. “I’m going to pat you down,” he said as he took another step, “and if you even twitch it’s done.”
“What? You’re in my house, remember?” The guy asked as he stared at the muzzle that was inches from his chest now. “I just had the pistol and I’ve got a shitty pocket knife that needs sharpening,” he ventured, “I doubt I could do much damage with that.”
“I could bleed you out in thirty seconds with it,” Alex answered before his left hand shot out to turn the guy around and shoved him against the door. “Where’s the knife?” He asked as he lowered the M16 down to his side to pat him down.
“Left front pocket,” the guy answered as he kept his palms pressed against the door.
“You’re clear,” Alex said after he finished the pat down and stuffed the pocket knife in his back pocket. He noticed the guy flinched a bit when he got to his side but there was nothing there that he could feel.
“I’m well aware,” the guy answered as he stared at the gun Alex had back in his hands again. “You really need all that? I have no weapons and you’ve already insinuated you could gut me with a rusty spoon.”
“I don’t take risks,” Alex answered simply, though his finger wasn’t on the trigger. “I’m taking your bedroom,” he continued on before the guy could fight him. “I’ll be gone in the morning at first light.”
“I…wait a minute,” the guy argued. “This is my goddamn cabin. You can sleep on the couch if I decide you can stay. I see you’ve already eaten my food…all three of you,” he added on. When Alex raised an eyebrow he smirked, “I saw the footprints on the porch. Ranger, remember? There are also three bowls on the drying rack,” he tilted his head at the kitchen sink where their dinnerware was drip drying still. “Doesn’t take a genius.”
“All the more reason for us to have the bedroom,” Alex answered with a shrug. “Couch is plenty big enough for you.”
“Look man,” the guy stated, “I really don’t want to keep arguing with you. You can stay, I’m not about to kick you out in this. Especially a kid,” he stared pointedly at the DVD case. “You don’t have to leave at the crack of dawn, but I want my bed. I’ve had a,” he sighed and took off his hat and threw it onto the kitchen table. “Really shitty day. Evacuating the cabins, running people into town who don’t have cars. Watched a women I knew my whole life attack and rip apart her husband in a matter of seconds,” he rubbed at his cheek where a five o’clock shadow was coming in. “I’m sure you have seen some things as well. I’m guessing that isn’t your blood,” he gestured vaguely at Alex’s arms.
“Correct assumption,” Alex answered sharply, his eyes darting down for just a moment before back up.
“Feel free to shower. Don’t know how hot the water will be,” he moved toward the kitchen, careful to keep it slow since Alex was still following his movements with his gun. “I’m going to eat. Then we can trade off spaces. It’ll be warmer out here with the woodstove anyway.” He grabbed at a pot before wincing as Alex shifted his gun back up in a flash. “I am not going to try and hit you with a pot. Go talk it over with whoever you’re with.”
“You come near that door, you will not see the morning,” Alex snapped and the guy looked at him blankly. He seemed wary but also completely unphased by Alex ordering him about; as if it were just another day.
“Fine by me. Towels are under the sink. I’ve got some extra clothes in there too. People leave stuff in the cabins all the time,” he said before going to the pantry in dismissal.
Madeline was shocked as she heard Alex talking, her hand holding tight onto the door jam. She knew this was his training, the soldier in him that she hadn’t really seen aside from his pinpoint accuracy with his gun. But more so, the fact he was being so viciously protective of her and Everett was what actually surprised her. He was laying down rules, threatening lives, and not even thinking about it in an effort to keep her and E safe. They barely knew one another but here he was willing to lay to waste any threat to them. She was still mulling over this thought when she heard footsteps coming to the door.
She scrambled back, holding the gun in her hand tightly as the door handle turned. Alex barely opened the door, just enough to slip inside before snapping it shut behind him. Madeline saw the hard set of his face for just a moment in the light from the living room before they were plunged into darkness once again.
“Stay quiet,” Alex said before Madeline could say a word. “I’m guessing you heard all of that,” he stated as he reached over and flipped on the bedroom light. If he startled easily he would have jumped with how close Madeline was to him, a look he couldn’t quite decipher on her face as she stared up at him.
“We are in his place,” Madeline said quietly as Alex crowded her back away from the bedroom door, as if afraid they would hear her barely audible whisper. “Do you really think he’s going to axe murder us,” she started as Alex raised his eyebrows at her.
“I’m sure he’s a very nice person in normal times,” Alex answered, “but these aren’t normal. He’s well aware of what is happening. When push comes to shove who do you think he’s going to choose? Himself or strangers?” He glanced at the bathroom door where the shadows of two little feet were, obviously trying to listen to them talk. “Who would you choose?” He softened his tone a bit from the harsh one he had used with the guy out in the living room.
“Always Everett,” Madeline answered simply, it wasn’t even a question. “You,” she added after a second and saw the slight head tilt Alex gave her. “I mean you’ve helped us so much already. As far as I’m concerned, we’re all in it together at this point.”
“My job is protection, you don’t have to worry about me,” Alex answered as he stepped back a few inches. “He wants the bedroom so we are going to swap.”
“After you shower,” Madeline responded and Alex shook his head and opened his mouth to fight. “It’ll take you, what, five minutes? I can watch the door for five minutes,” Madeline reasoned as she reached for the gun that she had tucked in her waistband. “So far, he’s been extremely compliant with your demands. Hasn’t tried anything and it sounds like he’s currently eating anyway,” she added. The sounds of the cabin carried with it being so small and she heard the pots and pans on the stove and the sink running.
“I’m not going to take a shower and just leave you unguarded,” he replied as Madeline walked over to the bed and snatched up the clothes she had laid out for him.
“I can handle it, just go,” she pointed to the bathroom. “Who knows the next time you’ll get the chance and honestly…you’re still really sweaty and bloody,” she smirked, teasing a bit.
“I’ve gone longer without a shower,” Alex reasoned as Madeline pushed the clothes against his chest and he reached up to snatch them out of her hands. “I’ll just change,” he reasoned and Madeline shook her head.
“Alex, I’ve held a gun before. I know how to shoot; I’ll be able to hit him well enough if tries. I think you scared him enough he won’t anyway. For all he knows I am also military,” she reasoned with an eyebrow raise. “You think he’s going to try kicking in a second door tonight?”
“Fine,” Alex snapped knowing she wasn’t going to let this go. Grabbing up a simple wooden chair at the desk in the corner he propped it under the door handle before turning to face Madeline. “Gun out, safety off, pointed at the door the whole time.”
“Sir yes sir,” Madeline said with a little sarcastic salute. “Now go, you’re wasting time.”
“Don’t. I’m only doing this because I know you don’t like blood,” Alex replied to her little sarcastic display. Moving to the bathroom door he pulled it open to see Everett quickly shuffling backwards. “Just like your Aunt,” he mused as the kid didn’t even look mildly ashamed at being caught eavesdropping. “Go on,” he gestured vaguely behind him to usher him out of the bathroom before shutting the door and quickly stripping down to take a shower.
Madeline pulled out some warm clothes she had packed for Everett, making sure she faced the bedroom door as she worked. She could hear the water in the bathroom cut on as Alex started it and she carefully palmed the gun, trying to not look concerned with Everett right there. If the guy was going to try anything it probably would be when he heard the shower on. But after thirty seconds of nothing, just the sound of water running and the scraping of a kitchen chair being pulled out, she figured they were safe enough.
The guy had not been lying about the water not being hot. It was barely lukewarm and Alex gasped out when he first stepped under it, pulling the rickety curtain around him. The shower was a glorified garden metal tub with a head that he had to duck down to fit under fully. He moved quickly and not just because the last bit of heat was leached from the water before he even fully soaped up. He kept his ears strained for any noise, any hint of an issue but all he could hear was the muffled tones of Madeline and Everett’s voices as they talked.
“Fucking Christ,” Alex muttered as he killed the water, shivering and groping for a towel. It was a record fast shower and he hadn’t even bothered to try and condition his hair. The mirror in the bathroom hadn’t even fogged he noticed as he dried off and tugged on the clothes Madeline had found for him. The pants were a bit loose and he had to hold them up until he could get to his belt. The undershirt on the other hand was tight and he didn’t even try to bother to button up the flannel shirt. He’d have to get different clothes at some point.
“All done?” Madeline asked from where she was sitting on the bed with Everett leaning against her. “Pretty sure he’s still eating,” she noted with an ‘I told you so’ smirk as Alex scooped up his belt, tossing the dirty clothes he had folded onto the bed at her feet. She watched him for a moment, noting how the pants were a size or two too big but the shirts were definitely too tight. She could see how the white undershirt stretched tight across his chest and that the sleeves of the flannel shirt strained across his biceps as he moved his arms. “I might be able to find something else,” she started as she rose from the bed, gesturing at the clothes doing her best to not blush at how hard she had been staring. “I thought they would fit but I guess I was a little off.”
“It’s fine,” Alex replied as he bent down and grabbed his gun, doing his own best to not knowingly smirk at her blatant staring at him. As if the universe were trying to help, a drop of water from his still wet hair slid down his neck and back to jolt him with the icy cold feeling. “I want to get this over with,” he muttered as he looked at Everett and Madeline. “Right to the couch,” he said as he moved to tug the chair out from under the door handle. He had a little faith in the guy since he had not tried anything but that was a small faith that he wasn’t going to try and test.
“You’re acting like he’s a rabid dog,” Madeline muttered as she slipped off the bed and took Everett’s hand. “He’s been perfectly nice to you, especially given the circumstances. You’re the aggressive one here,” she noted as she moved to stand next to him.
“We all don’t have the luxury to assume people are nice. Not everyone is a friend,” Alex answered pointedly and he saw the look of anger flash across Madeline’s face at the tone. He was too keyed up and on edge to really play niceties right now when it came to this guy. If it were just him, he would be playing this very differently. More than likely handcuffing the guy to the oven for the evening and keeping a gun trained on him all night for good measure. “Go,” he said as he opened the door and gestured them out.
“All set?” The guy asked from the table where he had a newspaper propped open, his dinner long finished and pushed away. “Figured I’d best wait at the table,” he indicated as Alex stood between him and Madeline and Everett who scooted around the back of the couch to sit. “See you found the clothes. Bit, ah, tight though. Sorry about that,” he stated as he pushed up from the table and peered at Alex before glancing at the other two. “I’ve got more blankets,” he started as he saw Everett wrapped up in the couch blanket.
“We’re fine,” Alex interrupted before jerking his head toward the bedroom door.
“Actually, blankets would be lovely,” Madeline interrupted with a quick glare at Alex. The guy was no match for Alex in any sense of the word. He was older, slower, and honestly looked exhausted judging by how pale he was. “And if you have any spare pillows?” She tacked on rising from the couch and ignoring the way Alex was glaring daggers at her.
“I’m sure I could find something,” the guy answered as he rose from his seat, taking a step and limping for a second as if he were stiff. “Afraid I don’t have any kids’ clothes, but might have something you could fit into,” he offered looking at Madeline who smiled sweetly and followed him toward the bedroom.
“Madeline don’t,” Alex started as he raised his gun but she ignored him, walking purposely past Alex.
“She doesn’t listen very well,” Everett said quietly as he popped up on his knees on the couch to face Alex who was watching a bit agape. “Mommy always complains,” he said with a small grin as he watched his aunt be handed a few of blankets and a spare pillow.
“I’ve picked up on that,” Alex said as he watched Madeline. As soon as she was back out of the bedroom, Alex walked over to the door and grabbed the handle to snap it shut. “Inside, all night or I’ll-”
“Yes, use the gun, I’m aware,” the guy said with a chuckle as he looked at Everett and grinned before Alex pulled the door shut.
Madeline could practically sense the waves of anger emanating from Alex as she arranged a makeshift bed for Everett, handing him the remote to resume the movie. The tension in the air was tangible, she tucked Everett in before straightening up and meeting Alex's gaze. He had turned the armchair to face the bedroom door and had settled in, determined to maintain a vigil over it.
"I don't think—" she began.
"Don't want your opinion," Alex snapped, his attention briefly flickering towards Everett, who remained absorbed in the movie, oblivious to the anger between them. "Get some sleep."
"Well, you're going to hear it," Madeline shot back sharply, striding over to stand directly in his line of sight, blocking the bedroom door so he couldn't avoid looking at her. "We're perfectly fine. The guy can barely move; he's old and honestly seems a bit weak. He was panting by the time he was done digging into boxes. Do you really think he's going to overpower you?"
Alex leaned forward, his touch on Madeline's arm not gentle as he pushed her aside slightly. If she insisted on having this conversation, fine, but he wasn't about to lose sight of their guest. "Yeah? And what if you walked into that bedroom and he had another gun? A machete, perhaps? What would you have done?" His gaze bore into hers as she crossed her arms defensively. "You being in that room, with him out of my line of fire, was fucking stupid. If this is going to work, you're going to have to listen to me when I tell you what not to do." The words dripped with frustration and a hint of desperation as if he were pleading with her to understand the gravity of the situation.
"Not everyone's a murderer, Alex! Not everyone's out to get everyone," Madeline retorted, her frustration palpable. Despite her years of travel, she had encountered few individuals with malicious intent. Most were just ordinary people, going about their lives, willing to lend a hand to those in need. They were friendly, resourceful, and, above all, not seeking trouble. Sure, some unsettled her, and yes, a few had even made unwanted advances. But they were the minority. Through her experiences, she had developed the ability to read people fairly well. "We're not in Urzikstan," she added softly knowing the endless cycle of terror that consumed the lives of its people and where Alex had been for a long time.
"I'm well aware," Alex replied coldly, his tone turning icy at the mention of Urzikstan. "I should be there, but instead, I'm stuck here with you both trying to do the impossible with how you behave at a very simple order." He shifted in his seat, his demeanor unyielding. "My job is to keep both of you alive, and that means doing things my way, whether you like it or not, Madeline." His gaze met hers, and he could see the hurt he had inflicted at his comment. "Now, get some sleep," he commanded, effectively cutting short the argument.
Madeline's silence hung heavy in the air as she retreated to the couch, sinking heavily onto the cushions at Everett's feet. Her nephew barely acknowledged her presence, his eyes already drooping with sleep as he nestled deeper into his blankets. Drawing an extra blanket over herself, she tossed a third onto the coffee table, a silent offering to Alex if he desired it. Avoiding his gaze, she curled up, arms wrapped tightly around herself, feet tucked close.
The subtle rustle of Alex's movements in his chair echoed in the quiet room, accompanied by the faint jingle of the gun strap clips with each shift. She knew Urzikstan was a touchy subject but she hadn’t realized just how deep that cut went. He was right; he should be there, protecting the person he cared about, not stuck with strangers like her and a child he hardly knew.
Alex seethed in his chair his eyes flicking over to Madeline's form every few minutes as he maintained his watch. She remained curled against the arm of the couch, seemingly engrossed in the movie playing on the television, though he knew she was pointedly avoiding his gaze. But he didn't care about her silent anger; she scared the shit out of him going off book and doing as she pleased. It was as if she had no sense of the ten different ways things could go disastrously wrong. At least back at what he considered home people listened to him and he could do his job properly.
When the movie ended and the DVD went back to the start menu Alex looked over expecting Madeline to turn the television off. Instead, he was met with the sight of her slumbering form, nestled so deeply into the couch cushions that her face was barely visible. He let the menu repeat over about ten times before he grew annoyed with it and rose from his seat to cut it off himself. There hadn’t been any movement from the bedroom so he felt secure enough to look away for a bit.
The anger that had been so quick to jump to the surface had abated as he moved to check the woodstove and add an extra log to the fire. The squeal of the door as he opened it was loud and he winced as heard movement on the couch behind him. Madeline had stirred and pushed up a bit to look at him over the arm of the couch to see what was going on. She looked bleary-eyed as she blinked at him but the soft half-asleep smile she gave him was like a strike to the gut. She hadn’t deserved the way he had talked to her. She was just a civilian, untouched by the horrors of war and the toll it took on those who witnessed it firsthand, let alone those who endured it day in and day out.
“Just checking the fire,” Alex said as he stood up and walked over, “still got a few hours to sleep.” He stated as he bent down, grabbed the extra blanket off the coffee table, and unfolded it, throwing it on the space where Madeline and Everett’s legs twined together on the couch. He wasn’t going to use it and the wind outside seemed to find its way between every crack and sliver in the wood. “Listen about,” he said as she rolled on her back a bit to look up at him.
“’s fine,” Madeline mumbled with a yawn behind her hand. “I know what it feels like to worry,” she answered, gently nudging Everett over with her feet so she could stretch out some more. “I’m sure Farah is okay,” she added softly as she glanced up at Alex who was still hovering. “You should try calling her. Check-in.” She knew she had guessed correctly why her comment of Urzikstan had been a straight shot to his nerves when Alex’s face went a bit slack. “Daytime there, right?” She asked glancing over at a clock on the wall.
“Ah, yeah,” Alex answered a bit sheepishly. He supposed it was a good thing she didn’t seem to hold grudges, or perhaps it was because she was half asleep. “I’ll also call Price, see if I can get ahold of them, see where they are at,” he ventured. Madeline just nodded and rolled on the couch so her face was buried in the cushions. He watched her for a second before going to the kitchen to dig out his satellite phone from his vest. He needed to step outside so he had a direct line to the sky. He glanced back one more time at everyone sleeping before walking out on the porch and down the steps.
Madeline heard the front door open and felt Everett shift around a bit, his little feet kicking at her for intruding into his space. She didn’t budge though; he was small he could deal with it. Her knees and hips were screaming from being curled up so tight for who knew how long. He shifted again and settled and Madeline let herself begin to drift back off to sleep again.
Alex was standing at the bottom of the porch steps, his eyes staring up at the clear night sky as the phone rang. He tried Price first, not knowing what he would say to Farah yet. He was sure Graves had told her of the change of plans if he had the chance and he had no idea how she would react. He truly just wanted to hear her voice and make sure she was alright, but he knew she’d look at it as a distraction and he wasn’t ready for the angry clipped tone.
The call dropped and Alex quickly hit redial again, watching as his breath puffed out in front of him. The phone rang a few more times and he stopped his mild pacing when it paused, as if someone picked up, only for the sound of the call dropping to meet his ears again. He cursed and walked a few more paces out, looking up at the trees to find the clearest spot before trying one more time.
“Can I go to the bathroom?” Came Everett’s small voice as Madeline felt him move the covers off himself and sit up.
"What? Yes, you can go to the bathroom," Madeline mumbled groggily, her voice heavy with sleep. She felt Everett hesitate on the couch before finally getting up, and if she had been more awake, she would have asked if he wanted her to go with him. But instead, she remained in her spot, taking the opportunity to stretch out her cramped muscles when he stood up. Her sleep-addled and anxious mind didn't even consider the possibility that he'd have to pass through the bedroom where the guy was sleeping to reach the bathroom.
Until she heard the bedroom door swing open and the snarling erupt from within.