Author's Note: To everyone who has been patiently waiting for an update for all this time, you have my deepest apologies. I've been working on this chapter for the last few years, but unfortunately, the muses stopped talking to me. Rather than wait until I had my usual full chapter (between twelve and eighteen pages), I decided to go ahead and post what I have done of the next chapter. I wish I could tell you when the next chapter will be up, but I simply don't know. I have not abandoned this fic, as I have further plans for Alec, Rowanne, and their extended family. Hopefully, they'll start talking to me again. In the meantime, enjoy the revelations found in this (abbreviated) chapter.

Chapter Twelve

Expect the Unexpected

There was dead silence in the room after Sebastian Miller made his shocking announcement. At last, M asked, her voice tight with surprise, "What, exactly, do you mean by that, 006?" A glance around the room told Rowanne that everyone, including Janus, was surprised by Sebastian's statement. She honestly didn't think it was possible to surprise her husband's dark twin (as Alec called Janus), much less shock him silent, but that was exactly what just happened.

"Exactly what I said. Did no one ever wonder how Alec Trevelyan received the information about his parents? Did no one ever wonder how that dossier ended up in his hands?" Sebastian demanded. Rowanne inhaled sharply, suddenly understanding. A quick glance at William told her that he saw as well. The young agent shook his head, muttering under his breath. Rowanne could relate. She would be the last person to say she understood anything about the 'spy community,' but someone should have asked the very necessary question of, 'how did Alec get that information.'

It seemed, too, that he was giving everyone gathered time to process his question. The truth was, however, that he was giving himself time to compose himself. Rowanne wouldn't allow anyone to take that away from him. At last, the agent said in a soft voice, "I was twelve years old when we moved from New Zealand to England. Dads had been working in England since I was six, and we could finally join him. At the time, we were all too happy to be together again to wonder at the why of it."

He stopped, his eyes meeting Rowanne's. She gave a little nod, to encourage him, and he smiled at her weakly. Odd. He was the same age she was, give or take a few years or a few months, but right now, the MI6 agent seemed very young to her indeed. . .no older than Corliss. Sebastian licked his lips nervously, and then continued, "We were very happy in the beginning, just being together. But there was a serpent in our personal paradise. We'd been there two years when Dads came home from a late night meeting, visibly upset. It was the weekend, and I'd just turned fourteen, so Mum let me stay up.

"I remember that, so clearly. Just like I remember teasing my brother and sister that they weren't old enough to stay up. It's funny, but now I'm glad they were in bed and asleep when he got home. Dads. . .he was so upset. So angry. Especially when he saw me. The. . .the particulars don't really matter, I don't suppose, though I can tell you if you wish to hear. Mum was afraid for Dads, driving after dark in that state, so she told him to take me with him. Dads got even more upset. He didn't want to drag me into this. Mum, very sensibly she thought, told him that I could wait in the car while he did whatever he needed to do. This seemed to appease Dads, so off we went."

Rowanne said not a word, just kept her eyes on Sebastian steadily. Janus was watching him as well, but as well as she could usually read Alec, Janus was a cipher to her. She had no idea what was going on inside of that twisted mind of his. The young agent went on, "We drove to a residential area. Dads parked, told me to stay put, and picked up a parcel in the back. He told me again to stay put, then made his delivery. It wasn't fun anymore or exciting. I was scared. Dads was always so kind, inclined to spoil us children. I didn't know the man I was with that night. I wasn't sure if I wanted to, either.

"It was raining, and almost midnight. Dads put the parcel against the door, out of the rain, and then came back. And then we waited. Dads wouldn't tell me why we weren't leaving. He wouldn't say anything. Then another car pulled up. Dads just sighed, murmuring something I couldn't understand. There were so many things I couldn't understand. The man who got out of the car. . .he seemed old to me, but again, I was only fourteen, and this man was in his late twenties or early thirties. And even from that distance, even through the rain, I could tell he was exhausted. He picked up the parcel and tucked it under his arm, then went inside. Dads sighed again, only this time, he said something I could hear clearly. 'It's done, then. I'm sorry, Trevelyan.' I asked him what he meant and he just shook his head."

Rowanne dared to glance at Janus. . .and almost regretted it. Earlier, she couldn't read him at all. Now, she could read him all too well. He knew what was in that parcel, and Rowanne had a sinking feeling that she did, too. Sebastian swallowed hard and said, "It wasn't until years later, when my father was dying, that I learned the rest of the story. Dads sold his soul to the devil to get us to England. He didn't realize it at the time. You never do. And when it came time to collect, it meant destroying the life of another person. It's why my father didn't want me there that night. It was bad enough that he would have it on his conscience. . .he didn't want me dragged into this. But I was. And I became an accessory after the fact to the destruction of a fine agent and a good man."

The room fell silent. Not once had Sebastian said what was in that parcel. But everyone knew. Everyone knew that it was the file regarding Alec's past. Unexpectedly, Janus began laughing. Everyone stared at him, and the dark djinn sneered, "Does no else one see? The two people who are the least guilty in the entire mess blame themselves! A child who accompanied his distraught father on a dark night, and a young girl who actually tried to save Alec. . .both blame themselves for something they had no control over! 006, out of all the people in this room, save Alec's wife, you are the most innocent! You blame yourself? Your father was a foolish man, not realizing that the aid he received would have a price, but you are not at fault for what was done to Alec!"

"He's right, lad," William said gently, his hand once more finding a place on Rowanne's shoulder, "You can't blame yourself. You can't even really blame your father. Your family might have played a part, but it was a very small part in what happened to Alec. When all is said and done, those responsible for the creation of Janus are the guilty ones. Not you. Not your father. Not Rowanne." The young woman closed her eyes. No. No, she wasn't responsible, but she probably could have handled things better. William's hand tightened, and he repeated, "You did the best you could, child. Janus himself knows that, and I know Alec does. He loves you, Rowanne. They both do."

Rowanne opened her eyes to see Janus staring at her. But there was something strange in his expression, something. . .familiar. He murmured, "Rowanne?" Then his eyes glazed over and he crumpled to the ground with a soft groan. William released her and she flew to his side. When she knelt beside her husband, that was whom she found looking at her. Alec. Not Janus. He smiled up at her, whispering, "He kept his promise. He didn't hurt you." His words were slurring, and she knew he was fighting to remain conscious. She stroked his hair tenderly, and Alec added, "Tell him it's not his fault. He. . ." With that, his eyes slid shut and his body went limp.

Before Rowanne had a chance to do anything or call for help, William was at her side, gathering Alec into his arms protectively. Sebastian joined them a heartbeat later, picking up Alec's legs. Together, they carried him from the room, needing only directions to the infirmary. Rowanne followed, somewhat numbly. She wasn't alone anymore, to protect her husband. Sebastian and William would be there, too. As to the other revelations. . .she would think about them later.

M needed to think about the revelations she just heard. She needed time and a quiet place. 006, William, and Rowanne Trevelyan left the room with the girl's unconscious husband. The Janus troops assembled followed them, clearly worried, and only she and Bond remained. M looked over at her top agent, to find him staring blankly at a wall. He was realizing the same things she already figured out. But he said the words aloud, "Alec was set up. Someone wanted to turn him against England."

"Indeed," M replied quietly, "and most likely, those plans were set up well in advance. 006. . .the current one. . .told us that he, his mother, and his siblings were in England for two years before that delivery was made. Two full years, 007, and those individuals who expedited the move spent a great deal of time searching for the perfect patsy, for lack of a better word. This plan was created with a great dealing of planning. The question is, why Trevelyan?" Bond stared at her, obviously horrified by what she pointed out, but she only barely noticed as she worked it out in her mind, murmuring, "Why Trevelyan? Was it as simple as the fact that he was a Lienz Cossack who now worked in MI6? Or was there something more there?"

It was possible. But. . .why Trevelyan? If it was simply about destroying an MI6 agent, they could have simply abducted him and went to work on his mind. No. No, they attacked his family. More to the point, they involved his family. . .his parents. That suggested to her that it was personal. M tried not to think about the possibility that Janus' creators would do it once again, this time going after Alec's young wife and two daughters. She tried not to think of that possibility, because if it did happen, then she and MI6 led them straight to Trevelyan's doorstep.

Which meant. . .which meant they couldn't leave. Not now. As devoted as the troops were to Janus and Juturna, there was also the matter of the two girls. M began working out a way she could ensure they were protected. Whether Trevelyan wanted anything to do with MI6 or not was irrelevant. He was one of M's, once upon a time, and they failed to protect him. William was right. They should have told Trevelyan the truth about his family, so it couldn't be used against him. Against them. Well, there was nothing for it now, they had work to be done.

She looked again at Bond, who was trying to piece together the events of the last few hours. Or, at least, make sense of them. Most likely, he was still trying to accept the same things she already realized. MI6 owed Alec. Not just because he was taken and tortured, but because they withheld the tools he needed to protect himself. . .and now, because they had most likely led his tormentors to his family. While death and injury were part of the package of being an MI6 agent, or any kind of law enforcement agent or soldier, not giving him the tools to do his job was simply irresponsible. They owed him for that. And they would make amends by protecting his family.

His family. Barbara frowned to herself, thinking about that. Didn't Rowanne's sister arrive today? She left the room in search of someone who could provide answers for her. Who was picking up Rowanne's younger sister. . .bloody hell, what was the girl's name? Claire? Clarissa? It was something close to that. . . Corliss! Yes, her name was Corliss. Not for the first time, Barbara felt sorry for Rowanne Trevelyan. What a bloody terrible time for a visit, especially from her younger sister. . .but at this point in time, she could hardly call it off. And Corliss Bramwell's presence gave the Janus members one more person to protect.

She shared this insight with Bond, telling him, "At least one of our agents must remain here, 007. Preferably more." Bond frowned, and M explained what she had just been thinking, "We have, in effect, led those responsible for Trevelyan's initial capture directly to the Trevelyan family. The Janus units, without a doubt, are devoted to the protection of Trevelyan and his family, but when all is said and done, Alec Trevelyan is one of ours. We failed him when we didn't tell him the truth about his parents. It is our responsibility to protect those whom he loves from his enemies. . .our enemies, Bond."

Bond didn't say anything. Barbara felt sorry for him as well. Things he believed for so many years were revealed to be nothing but illusions. His friend had turned into an enemy, and he learned that it was never Alec's choice. Everything he endured nine years earlier. . .Alec fought it the entire way. Fought to protect him, fought to protect the innocent young girl who was quickly winning his heart. Alec nearly sacrificed his own life to save James, because it was the only way to stop Janus.

It would take time for Bond to accept everything he had seen and heard during the last few days. It was hard enough for Barbara to accept, though she was never as close to Trevelyan as Bond was. But things were strange enough in the world of MI-6, with some of Bond's more hair-raising adventures (and equally hair-raising stunts). When all was said and done, was what was done to Trevelyan that unbelievable? More to the point, none of them had the time to take the time and deal with this properly. To come to terms with everything they learned would take months, if not years.

Years and months that they didn't have. Just as they had neither years nor months for Trevelyan's wife and daughters to learn to trust Bond. The two girls had witnessed most of the confrontation when the MI-6 operatives entered the Trevelyan home. They saw 007 attack their father. They knew of the other confrontations. And for eight-year-old Anastasia, there was no gray area. 007 had hurt her father. He was bad. There was no other way around it.

Sabrina, on the other hand, knew of her father's dark past. She was starting to see shades of gray, but whatever her father had done, her stepmother was an innocent. Her greatest crime was falling in love with a man who might not have existed. In a curious way, though, the man she saw, the man she loved, actually did come to exist. A self-fulfilling prophecy in reverse, for lack of a better phrase. Or. . .to look at it another way, Rowanne's love and faith brought Alec Trevelyan back into the picture, if only to protect her from Janus.

Well. Either way, she had work to do. A glance at Bond told her that he was still working through what he just heard. Very well, then, she would get started. The first thing she needed to do was speak with Charles. And then she would need to speak to that fiery young girl whom Trevelyan had married, because in order to protect this family, Barbara would need her full cooperation. One problem at a time, as she always told her children. They would deal with this one problem at a time.