Q

[0_0_7]

Bond had cloned the drive but had assured the higher ups he'd taken it from Mr. Holt and there would be no more problems. That was an absolute lie and one he felt no remorse over. Once done, Bond was weary and he went home to their borrowed secret flat. He stopped for food along the way and came in with a box of spiced lamb in sauce with rice. Bond slipped out of his suit jacket and loosened his tie, then sat down to eat. He didn't even go looking for Q, though he could hear the man in the shower. He simply ate quietly and reflected on Danny's words.

And his own.

Love.

Comments

[quartermaster_q]

Q had fallen asleep with a laptop at his side and two cats on his back, then spent the morning puttering about the flat. He'd managed to get some work done, watched another film, and then had indulged in a little nap- Each moment of laziness only making him lazier still, until finally he broke down and took a shower.

He emerged a while later, dressed in clean pyjamas and smiled at the sight of Bond on the sofa and the cats by his feet.

"You're back later than expected," he said.

[0_0_7]

"It took longer than I'd expected," he answered. The food was gone mostly, just a bit of sauce soaked rice left.

"I should have let you know. I apologize."

[quartermaster_q]

"Do I dare ask what you decided to do?" Q asked, studying Bond as he spoke.

[0_0_7]

"Something I shouldn't have," Bond replied. Then paused. He should keep it to himself, really, but he felt Q deserved to know.

"I cloned the drive and let him go with the original. He's going to do something stupid and we'll all be buggered, but...I truly felt it was the only option."

[quartermaster_q]

"M wont be pleased when he finds out. ...Five will be furious, I imagine," Q replied. "...I'm not sure he should have been allowed to keep a copy, but I can't say I'm not glad to hear you decided against killing him."

[0_0_7]

"The best I can think of is somehow getting an EMP close enough to him to blank it without him knowing," Bond replied. "But it will be extremely difficult to get at him again."

[quartermaster_q]

"Yes, I can't imagine he trusts you to get near again. ...There's always Hex though," Q suggested. "You could have him do it."

[0_0_7]

"I thought of that but he really trusts Hex. I'll think of something," he said, obviously not wanting to exploit their friend that way.

[quartermaster_q]

"Look at you, choosing compassion over the mission. ...That's new," he noted, not sure if this was for the best or the worst.

[0_0_7]

"Yes...and I don't feel particularly good about it. Of all the missions in gone rogue on, this one..."

He paused.

"He talked me out of it."

[quartermaster_q]

"That only makes him more dangerous you know," Q said quietly.

[0_0_7]

"I know!" Bond snapped, then immediately looked sorry.

"I told him not to be stupid because the next one who comes for him won't be swayed by talk of love."

[quartermaster_q]

Q flinched at the outburst, not used to James loosing his temper with him. It simply wasn't something that happened. Snippy remarks, sure, but nothing like that.

"Hopefully he'll take that to heart."

[0_0_7]

"He's a smart man. I hope he's not blinded by his mission to find out what happened to his lover...But I wouldn't blame him if he didn't let up. Lord knows I wouldn't if it were you," Bond replied.

[quartermaster_q]

"You did what you could," Q assured him. "It's out of your hands now, double-o seven."

[0_0_7]

"I imagine it is," he agreed. "Or it is until M and Five find out. And C, sniveling little shit that he is...then I'll be run out of town."

[quartermaster_q]

"I'd never let that happen," Q replied firmly. "Never. Mark my words, double-o seven. I will always find a way to keep you safe."

[0_0_7]

"And I believe you will. But as much as I told Danny to keep out of sight, I think it might be good advice for myself. Toe the line, a bit. Play nice for a change," he said.

[quartermaster_q]

"I'm inclined to agree," Q nodded, making his way over and sitting beside Bond. "Though I know it's easier said than done."

[0_0_7]

"I'll do my best," he said, dry and just a bit detached. And then he broke into a yawn. "I'm bloody tired, but I don't think I can sleep. I'm too wound up."

As was usual after a mission. Bond came home to Q a ball of frantic energy on the verge of collapse most of the time.

[quartermaster_q]

"I can get you something to help you sleep," Q offered, scooping up one of the cats as he slumped lightly against Bond's side. "Or we can watch a film, if you like. Whatever you fancy."

Titania wiggled a bit in his arms, one paw reaching for Bond's plate.

[0_0_7]

"Something to sleep and a film and I can sleep in your lap," he grinned.

[quartermaster_q]

"If that's what you'd like," Q smiled, leaning over and pressing a kiss to Bond's cheek.

"I'll feed the cats and find you a sleeping pill. You find something you want to watch."

[0_0_7]

Asking Bond to choose what was on the telly was always a crap shoot. Eight times out of ten it would be the news but the other part of the time it could be anything from a cooking show to competative lumberjacking from America or even an old movie. He clicked through channel after channel and found a film that was just starting.

"Oh, I've always liked this one," he said.

The title card came up on the old black and white film. The Little Princess starring Shirley Temple.

[quartermaster_q]

Q glanced over and pulled a face- But said nothing. James had clearly not had the best day, he could watch whatever he liked.

Once the cats were fed he brewed them each some tea, adding a little extra to Bond's to help him sleep, then brought them over.

"Don't let it get cold before you finish it," he said as he handed the cup over.

[0_0_7]

Bond had undressed even more, taking off his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. Things from his pockets lay on the table and he slipped off his belt and dropped it on the floor.

"Thank you," he said, sipping it carefully to not burn his tongue. The little girl with the bouncy curls hugged her daddy going off to the Boer War.

"I used to watch this when I was a boy," he said. "Dubbed in German."

[quartermaster_q]

"Not really my cup of tea," Q admitted, sipping from his favourite mug as he settled in beside Bond, pulling his legs up onto the sofa and sitting criss cross as he watched the double-o, rather than the film.

[0_0_7]

Bond watched with rapt attention as life took a turn for the worse and the little princess became a scullery maid for the horrible children in the boarding house. His tea was almost gone and he swallowed the dregs, then shifted to lay in Q's lap and pull the throw over him.

"Before I forget, I have a hard drive for you to destroy," he said.

[quartermaster_q]

"Oh?" Q asked, stroking Bond's hair as he spoke, his eyes on the screen, but not really watching.

[0_0_7]

"We bought a cheap clean computer to do the cloning and then I soaked it and took the hard drive. Just being..."

He broke into a huge yawn.

"...Cautious."

[quartermaster_q]

"Good man," Q replied, scratching Bond's scalp lightly. "I'll shred any data on it for you later."

[0_0_7]

"Thank you. And thank you for what you said on the phone. I'd have killed him if it wasn't for you. Just following orders. But...I couldn't."

He yawned again.

"It didn't help he looks like he could be your brother."

[quartermaster_q]

"He might be, for all you know," Q teased, coaxing Bond to sleep with gentle touches.

[0_0_7]

"No...that's not possible. Do you think? Maybe. You look quite similar. He's had a rougher life but you've the same eyes and mouth. Cousins, maybe..." he said, words coming slower and slower as he drifted off.

[quartermaster_q]

Q smiled, toying with Bond's hair as he smiled.

"Go to sleep, Bond. Get some rest."

[0_0_7]

Bond complied, exhausted beyond measure. He only moved once, to curl on his side with his face pressed in against Q's hip. He was serene in sleep, as a man with a clear conscience might be. He didn't usually sleep like this after a mission. When he killed, when he lived he came home ready to fuck and then sleep fitfully.

For now he was at peace.