Q

[0_0_7]

With help from those he trusted, as much as he trusted anyone, Bond had tracked down Q. He wasn't terribly fussed knowing Q was with Harkness. Torchwood was dodgy as hell but Bond was sure Q was safe and cared for. Still, he'd been on edge since the day he realized the other man was gone.

Tracking down footage of the SUV proved difficult, but Bond had been tenacious. And once he'd found the trail it wasn't hard. Harkness wasn't even trying to hide. Bond watched his comings and goings and when he felt sure the man was out, Bond sprang to action.

The door was locked but that was no matter. Bond had a few tricks. Rather than pick the lock, rather than try to hack the code, Bond went for a direct approach and used some magnesium cord to burn the handle off the door. So much for subtlety. Then he made his way through the facility, gun drawn. He might not have concerns about Harkness, but he wasn't sure how many hostiles he might encounter.

He found a promising door that wasn't locked and he opened it. Opened it to find Q, surrounded by computers and tech beyond Bond's scope of imagination.

He kept his gun out.

"You're a hard man to find," he said evenly.

Comments

[quartermaster_q]

Q was sitting on the floor, a small bed behind him, and a single cuff around one ankle- Which for anyone else would have meant being trapped, but for Q- Well, it was more a good excuse to linger. He could have picked it easily. He knew that, Jack knew that, and Bond, who was now here taking it all in, likely knew that too.

"Help, help, I've been abducted," Q said, barely bothering to glance up from what he was doing as he tossed out a dry and completely faux cry for help.

"Don't suppose you brought my spare glasses," he asked after a beat. "I managed to drop this pair," he admitted, taking his off so Bond could see the hairline crack in the left lens. "...Or they fell off during the struggle? I don't know, whichever would look better in the report."

[0_0_7]

"Is this really the time for that sort of cheek?" Bond replied, sliding his gun back into the holster.

"You couldn't even get in touch? A call? Email? Morse code?" he asked then, carefully moving through the assorted tech laying around to get closer to Q.

[quartermaster_q]

"I was being held against my will," Q said, gesturing at the cuff. "...Besides, I didn't want to get my toys taken away before I really got a good look at them."

[0_0_7]

"Against your will? I think we both know that's not true," Bond scoffed. "But I truly believe you didn't want to lose your new toys. Why did he take you? Is that much clear?"

[quartermaster_q]

"He's looking for someone, a partner, I believe. He was hopeful I could help, but I've had no luck at all. ...I was actually just gearing up to contact you. Fascinating as this visit to Torchwood has been, I'm quite ready to come home. ...I've missed you," he admitted as he reached for a screwdriver and used it to pick the lock on his pitiful restraints.

[0_0_7]

"I've missed you, too," Bond admitted. Once Q had freed himself Bond offered him a hand up.

Then he cast a glance around the room.

"Have you learned anything from all this tech? Anything we can use?"

Because as much as he'd missed Q, as keyed up as he was, Bond knew the value of new tech...and Q's ability to turn anything into something he could use in the field.

[quartermaster_q]

Q hesitated, glancing at the tech again. He'd learned plenty, but was wary of pinching anything. Jack had been a charming host, but he doubted that would continue if he crossed him.

"I don't know. There are several items that interest me, that I wouldn't mind studying a bit more, but- I don't think Torchwood is much for lending their toys out."

[0_0_7]

"Somehow I think you're right," Bond replied. "And Harkness probably isn't keen on losing you, either. Which is why I think we ought to make our way out before he turns up."

[quartermaster_q]

"Good point," Q agreed, hesitating, then grabbing a single item from the pile of tech and slipping it into his pocket. "Shall we?" he said, nodding towards the door.

[0_0_7]

Bond nodded and turned to guide Q out of the room. They had only just stepped out of the door when a dark figure in a long coat appeared before them.

Bond drew his gun in a flash and stepped forward to put Q behind him.

[quartermaster_q]

Q, for the most part, was calm, though he stayed behind Bond anyway.

[im_torchwood]

"Leaving so soon? I just ordered pizza," Jack said calmly. "You can put the gun down, Mr. Bond..."

Bond most certainly didn't lower it. Not at all.

[quartermaster_q]

Q hesitated, then moved to stand beside Bond, putting his hand on the double-o's arm and coaxing him into relaxing.

He was fairly certain Jack didn't intend to stop them.

"I have to get back to work, Jack. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help."

[im_torchwood]

Jack nodded once, unperturbed by the gun Bond refused to lower.

"All right," he said, then sighed heavily. "If you'd keep thinking it over...maybe you'll have an epiphany. I'll be in town for a little while longer..."

[quartermaster_q]

"I'll keep it in mind," Q promised, "And should you uncover something that will help, let me know and I'll be glad to make another attempt- Though next time, perhaps, just call? I could live without another near heart attack."

[0_0_7]

A short burst of laughter exploded, then Jack nodded and stepped out of the way.

"You've been invaluable, Q. Thank you," he said, then watched as Bond stalked out with Q in tow.

"What a prick," he muttered as they climbed into Bond's car.

[quartermaster_q]

"I quite like him," Q admitted, slipping into the passenger seat and buckling in. "He reminds me a lot of you. ...With more smiling."

[0_0_7]

"Had a nice time on your captive holiday, then?" he asked dryly, forcing himself to suppress the hot knot of jealousy in his gut.

[quartermaster_q]

"I've certainly been held under worse conditions," Q replied, glancing over and quirking a curious brow at Bond's tone.

[0_0_7]

"Mmm."

So Harkness smiled. Harkness kept him chained up. God only knew what else he'd done to Q. And Bond tried to remember that Q was the 'victim' in all this. He just couldn't get past the fact that he knew the man's kinks and pleasures and was certain he'd had a fine time all around.

[quartermaster_q]

"Don't be like that," Q said softly, reaching over and resting his hand on Bond's knee. "I'm sorry I didn't contact you, I just couldn't risk Six stepping in. This is the closest I've ever been to Torchwood, I may never get as close again."

[0_0_7]

Q's touch calmed him quicker than his words. He looked over at Q and managed a small smile.

"I imagine it was like Christmas for you," he said.

[quartermaster_q]

"The tech they have..." Q sighed, sounding positively wistful. "It's remarkable."

[0_0_7]

"Remarkable how? It must be truly stellar to impress you so much," he said, rolling to a stop at a light.

[quartermaster_q]

"It's just beyond anything we could currently develop. Faster, more powerful, much smaller... I may have pinched one of the drives," he admitted, glancing over.