Q

[0_0_7]

That disastrous night a few days behind them, Bond had recovered his dignity- mostly because Q hadn't pressed him with questions. He'd removed that addendum from his hotel contract and had had no further problems.

The porter had told him of a pleasure cruise scheduled for tonight. Black tie, of course. It was a gala, but Bond wasn't certain what it was meant to support. He'd signed up himself and a guest, then ordered two tuxes, simply assuming Q would join him.

He'd sent message to the boffin to meet him at 5 in his hotel room to get ready. He ordered up a bottle of chilled champagne and some berries to help prepare them for their night on the bay.

Comments

[cuppa_q]

Q wasn't sure what to expect but had arrived promptly, sober this time as he knocked on Bond's door.

"If you're with a synthetic companion, I can come back later," he quipped, just loud enough to be heard through the door.

[0_0_7]

Bond opened the door.

"Do shut up," he scolded. "We're going to a party. I have a tux for you...tailored for you, actually. Would you like some champagne?"

[cuppa_q]

"Why are we going to a party? Have you fond something we can use to get in touch with M? A way home?" Q asked as he stepped inside, assuming this was business related.

[0_0_7]

"We're going to a party because it's a party, Q," he said. "Take a night off for a change. We'll have a good time and we can worry about getting home tomorrow."

[cuppa_q]

"Yes, because I'm such a fan of parties," Q said flatly, making his way over to the laid out tux. "We have such very different ideas of what a night off should be like."

[0_0_7]

"Come with me and if you hate it so much I'll never ask you to play dress up again. I'll even order you a pizza and a computer to sit about in your pyjamas for a week if you like," Bond coaxed.

[cuppa_q]

Q sighed, because they both knew Bond didn't have to make any offers. Q would always give the double-o what he wanted.

"Yes, alright. ...If you abandon me to dance with some woman though I'm not speaking to you for at least a month."

[0_0_7]

"I hadn't planned to abandon you," Bond replied. "But do I get the same? If someone catches your eye do I get to get revenge?"

[cuppa_q]

"You want to ignore me for a whole month? How nostalgic, it'll be just like home," Q deadpanned.

[0_0_7]

"If you'd rather not go..." he said, then cut himself off. He was already in his shirt and trousers and he began to tie his tie.

"The cruise leaves in a half an hour."

[cuppa_q]

Q nodded, picking up the suit and heading into the bathroom with it.

He returned a while later, somehow still looking just a bit frumpy. Like a child playing dress-up.

[0_0_7]

Bond was ready to go. He moved to Q and fussed over him, straightening his tie and tugging the shoulders and lapels into the proper shape.

"You scrub up pretty well," he said, a tiny smile lighting his eyes. "There's a cab waiting downstairs for us to take us to the dock."

[cuppa_q]

Nodding again, Q made one last fruitless attempt at tidying himself up, then followed Bond out to the car.

It wasn't a long drive, and Q spend most of the journey looking out the window, taking in this odd little city.

[0_0_7]

At the dock, the yacht was well lit. People were already laughing and drinking, and gentle music floated on the air to welcome them.

"This looks promising," Bond said, and he reached down to catch Q's hand and tuck it into the crook of his elbow as he'd do with any date.

[cuppa_q]

The boffin seemed startled by that, and he froze up briefly before composing himself and playing it off.

[0_0_7]

They boarded the yacht and were immediately welcomed with glasses of champagne and directed to tthe guest book. Bond looked at it, but didn't sign. He wasn't going to sign anything else for the rest of the time he was here.

"This is delightful," he said after taking a sip.

[cuppa_q]

"It's quite nice," Q said, looking around and observing the crowd. "Not really my scene, if I'm honest though."

[0_0_7]

"And what is your dream date?" Bond asked, leading Q inside to watch the gambling tables for a bit.

[cuppa_q]

Q was silent for a beat, then looked Bond right in the eyes. "Takeout, a messy bed, a film playing in the background, some tech to take apart, and if I'm very lucky a sound spanking."

He turned then, picking up a glass of wine and looking around once more. "But this is fine, I suppose. ...It's very you."

[0_0_7]

Bond glowered just a little. He saw nothing wrong with some elegance and class. Takeout and telly sounded like something a uni boy would expect. Then again, Q still had spots, so...

"Do try to have fun, darling," he said. "Maybe you'll end up with a spanking if you behave."

[cuppa_q]

"That's not what I usually get them for," Q snorted, sighing and glancing around again. "So, what do we do? Mingle? Drink?

[0_0_7]

"And dance. And gamble. And chat," he said, taking note of a few people slipping below decks. That was worth investigation, he thought.

[cuppa_q]

"Alright, where do we start then? You're the expert here, after all," Q pointed out.

[0_0_7]

"Let's start with a dance," he said, polishing off his glass with just a few swallows, then he set it aside and lead Q out to the deck where there was space to dance. Other couples circled and he timed it so they slid in easily and he held Q close. He lead well, easily making up for any clumsiness.

[cuppa_q]

Q wasn't terribly graceful, but he did his best, moving with Bond and the music. It was clear he didn't do this sort of thing, and he seemed a tad awkward as he clumsily followed James' lead.