Q

[0_0_7]

Bond had gotten up and dressed, then took Jack out for a walk on the beach. In the sand he had found a case, inside were some plans labeled top secret. Of course he opened the file. It was schematics for some weapon he'd not seen, but it was clearly from Q branch. Smiling, rather pleased with the find, he tugged the leash and took Jack back to the cottage to show Q what he'd found. He thought the boffin might be pleased.

Comments

[cuppa_q]

Q was tinkering with a radio he'd found, though the most he found he could do with it is pick up a few scattered stations. He was quietly hopeful in time he'd get lucky and lock onto something military, but for now soft jazz filled the room.

"You're back sooner than expected," he noted, not looking up from his work.

[0_0_7]

"I found something on the beach I thought you might like to see right away," Bond replied, handing Q the case, then bending to take Jack's leash off him.

[cuppa_q]

Glancing over, Q took the case and popped it open- Then frowned.

"Where did you get this?"

[0_0_7]

"It was stuck in the sand," he explained. "Is it important?"

[cuppa_q]

"It's blueprints for a prototype. It shouldn't be out of the office," Q replied, looking puzzled and examining the case it had been in.

[0_0_7]

"I figured it was a prototype. Which is why I cut our walk short to bring it to you," Bond said.

[cuppa_q]

"It's old though," Q frowned. "I scrapped this a few years back... It was an interesting idea, but replaced by a better design. I don't understand why anyone would want it."

[0_0_7]

"You know how thing just turn up. Maybe I was meant to find it and bring it to you," he replied thoughtfully.

[cuppa_q]

"I suppose," Q agreed, though he couldn't see it being of any use. Still, it was his work to protect, and he carefully returned it to the suitcase, locking it away safely and tucking it beneath the little desk that served as his workbench.

[0_0_7]

Jack had curled up in his bed and watched the two of them quietly.

"Funny what just turns up, don't you think?" Bond said.

[cuppa_q]

"Frustrating, more like," Q huffed, clearly a bit wound up. "It's never anything useful."

The boffin hated feeling as though he had nothing to contribute. No progress to show.

[0_0_7]

"They do tend to tease us with a bit of home," he nodded. "Just not the bits we long for."

[cuppa_q]

"And what do you long for, Bond? Your guns? Your car?" Q asked.

[0_0_7]

"For travel," he admitted. "I wish I could get on a plane and...go. I feel absolutely caged here."

[cuppa_q]

"I'm sorry," Q said quietly, aware that was something he couldn't give the other man.

[0_0_7]

"Nothing to be sorry for," Bond said gently. "But if you're wondering, that's why I vanish every time the mist rolls back. It's not that I'm keen on what appears, just that it's somewhere to go."

[cuppa_q]

"I'm still sorry- Because I'm happy here. I'm happy, and I feel a bit guilty is all," Q admitted.

[0_0_7]

"You shouldn't feel guilty, Q. It's safe here. After all you've been through, safe is very attractive. I just like to travel," Bond replied.