Q

[0_0_7]

Things in the world were chaos. Bond was ready to leave at a moment's notice. But somehow he was never called up. 002 went, 009 went, double o's came an went, sometimes coming home straight to medical, sometimes only checking in before heading out again. And all the while Bond was kept home, tasked with keeping the home fires burning.

It was all C, he knew it was. It was infuriating and left him feeling powerless and impotent. He was in a foul mood today, walking into Q branch to get some new tech that would help him get in and out of the airport so he could do 'inspections'. Tedious, dull work.

He looked ready to bite off some poor minion's head and she scurried off, having enough self preservation to know she didn't want to be in the way when the agent went off.

Comments

[quartermaster_q]

Q watched the double-o as he came stalking through, noting everything from the way Bond held himself, to the slight shift in his posture and gait. A few of the boffins scampered off out of the way, but Q watched as Tanner simply offered a warm smile before stepping aside.

"As much fun as chasing off pigeons can be, do you think you could refrain from startling my staff, double-o seven?" Q asked mildly. "I employ them for more than just decoration."

[0_0_7]

The double o growled in his throat and scowled.

"What do you have for me, Q?" he demanded.

[quartermaster_q]

"...Have for you? I- um, I don't have anything, double-o seven," Q said honestly. "There's no mention of you coming by to pick up anything on my calendar, and I received no word on any mission."

Frowning, he turned to his computer and tapped away for a moment, shaking his head a little. "No, sorry, all I have here is four's new personal side arm, completed work order for twelve's motorcycle, and... Oh, something classified I cooked up for M. What were you supposed to be collecting?"

[0_0_7]

Bond's scowl deepened.

"Gear for Heathrow," he said. "I'd imagine an orange vest and noise mufflers."

[quartermaster_q]

"I... Okay, I can get you those things. Let's go down into storage," he suggested, frowning at his calendar once again, and pausing to finish his tea before gesturing for Bond to follow him. The bunker was massive, and with everyone in the new building, perfect for storing old tech and tools.

"What, exactly, is the mission?" he asked as they walked, leading the way through narrow halls and into the poorly lit bowels of the bunker.

[0_0_7]

'Scut work," he replied. "An intern could do this. Wasting my bloody day walking around the bloody tarmac..." he grumbled.

[quartermaster_q]

"Not M's orders then," Q frowned. "I could arrange to have someone else go."

He didn't have a lot of weight to throw around, but a little paperwork and he could have someone else sent along within the hour.

[0_0_7]

"C," he confirmed. "Orders from on high. I'm sure he'd notice if an underling went in my place."

[quartermaster_q]

"Yes, well, if he has a problem with it, he can come speak to me," Q replied. "...And by me, I mean M, since that's who I'd be reporting to. He's not as powerful as he thinks he is, James. Not yet. However, if you want to go..."

He pushed a few boxes out the way, skimming the labels and cracking one open, only to pull out an orange vest and a flashlight.

"...I'll not stop you."

[0_0_7]

Bond was torn between wanting to do it simply because it was something to do and not wanting to do it because it was so far beneath him.

Really, it didn't take much thought.

"Pawn it off on someone," he said. "I might take in the new exhibit at the Gallery instead."

[quartermaster_q]

"Without me? How cruel, and when I'm being so very nice," Q tutted, putting the supplies aside and peeking in another box.

[0_0_7]

"You've got legitimate work to do," Bond replied. "Though if you wanted to come I wouldn't say no."

[quartermaster_q]

"I can't leave for another hour. I have something in the 3D printer," Q hummed, raking through the box and pulling out a cigarette labeled 'Mini-rocket'.

"God, we've made some real tat," he muttered, holding it up for Bond to see.

[0_0_7]

"I'll have you know that things like that come in very handy when they're needed," Bond said. "Even the exploding pens have their use."

[quartermaster_q]

Q wrinkled his nose at that, then laughed.

"You haven't learned to love my simplistic approach?" he asked.

[0_0_7]

"As much as a radio and a gun are useful, I do like things with a bit more flash. A good car, a nice watch. Things that make a statement," he replied, his sour mood evaporating as he got a little back and forth that made him feel better.

[quartermaster_q]

"You don't need all those things though," Q said, and it was a genuine compliment.

[0_0_7]

Bond's lips curved slightly, the hint of a proud smile at Q's words.

"No. I don't. But I like to have the options," he said. He slipped his hands into his pockets and took a step back. "I'll be in the Gallery. Come find me when you can get away."

[quartermaster_q]

"Alright, James. I'll be there as soon as I'm able," Q promised with a small nod.

[0_0_7]

He turned and ambled out in a much better mood than he'd come in with. He grabbed a coffee and went into the Gallery to see the Michaelangelo and Sebastiano exhibition, taking a seat on a bench to contemplate Sebastiano's 'The Visitation'. He'd seen it before in Paris, but he hadn't had time to truly appreciate it.

[quartermaster_q]

Q was later than he'd hoped he might be, but he offered no apology as he took a seat beside Bond.

"Interesting choice of scenery," he said instead. "Thinking about families? Religion? New beginnings, perhaps?"

[0_0_7]

"I was actually thinking it's rather remarkable the paint's held up so well over the years. It's matured, but it's still vibrant and eye catching," Bond said, not looking away from the painting.

[quartermaster_q]

"Mmm, some things look better with age," Q noted, glancing over and offering a small smile.

[0_0_7]

Bond turned slightly to look at Q and answered the younger man's smile with one of his own.

"Would you like to see the Pieta?" he asked.

[quartermaster_q]

"Yes, I'd like that very much," Q nodded a little, getting to his feet and straightening his shirt.