Q

[0_0_7]

One of the nicest things about being Commander was that he could go into engineering any time he pleased. Some days he liked to turn up, always unannounced, for inspection and debriefing. That made it sound professional.

He wandered in through the monitors and deeper in toward the engines. He walked back to Q's office and work room and entered with his credentials.

"How's the ship?" he asked with a bit of a cocky smirk. Bond was well aware Q wasn't fond of how brash he could be, as if he were daring the entire ship to catch them.

Comments

[0_0_7]

"I was...excited," he said, then pulled away.

"You're always exciting," he smiled.

[cuppa_q]

Q frowned, then straightened his shirt. "Meet me on holodeck four. I'll be there in fifteen minutes. ...Pick something interesting," he added. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to finish rewiring that drive before the ship goes off course."

The sulking was all an act though. Anyone who knew Q could see the boffin was excited to spend time with Bond.

[0_0_7]

Interesting. Interesting to Q, or interesting to him, that was he question.

"Far be it from me to interrupt real work," he said, adjusting his cuffs. "I'll meet you there."

He turned and left without another word.

[cuppa_q]

Q was motivated now and worked quickly, finishing up as fast as he was able and then clocking out early.

He was still in uniform as he stepped into the holodeck to meet James.

[0_0_7]

Bond was in the mood for romance and the room set the scene. A plush bedroom with cherry wood, blue and white decor, a rich rug before lightly dancing flame in the hearth. Out the open French doors was a veranda overlooking Paris.

Bond had been waiting by the door and slipped in behind Q when he entered. He slipped his hand around the man's waist and splayed it flat on his belly.

"Always so punctual," he purred warmly.

[cuppa_q]

Sometimes Q forgot how very vanilla Bond was. It was certainly an improvement over his office though. He really didn't enjoy abusing his desk.

"I do my best," Q said, leaning back lightly against him. "Paris, is it? Any reason?" he asked curiously.

[0_0_7]

"Can you think of anywhere more beautiful?" Bond asked over his shoulder.

"There's champagne," he offered.

[cuppa_q]

"Sort of thing Harry would love," Q noted. And it was a bit of a dig, but Q didn't mean for it to be.

He'd just been hoping James might surprise him. Perhaps it was stupid of him to expect the man to read his mind.

"Sorry, it's lovely," he said after a beat, feeling like an arse. "Let's have a drink then."

[0_0_7]

Bond let him go to pour the chilled bottle. Turning smoothly, he offered Q a glass.

"It is, isn't it," he replied, unable to disagree. Harry would be charmed.

"How long can you be away?"

[cuppa_q]

"I have no work to attend tonight, unless something breaks," Q assured him, sitting down. "What about you?"

[0_0_7]

"Oulawe has the helm tonight," he answered. "And Harry has a delegate dinner to attend. I am entirely yours."

[cuppa_q]

"Oh, right. Good. It'll be nice to have time to ourselves. Not that I won't miss harry, but I do like when we get time together. ... Really wasn't expecting Paris though."

[0_0_7]

"You're so hasty," Bond chuckled. "Always rushing to act 3. Enjoy the romance a moment, Q."

He sipped his champagne and turned to admire the tower, bight light shining from every level.

"It's beautiful," he said. "I once watched a star go supernova. It smelled like hot wire and when the wave hit it felt like breaking my neck. But it was beautiful, too."

He turned to look at Q.

"You are more beautiful than anything I've ever seen."

[cuppa_q]

He was sure James didn't mean it to, but that stung a little, leaving Q silent. It wasn't that he was in a rush or that he didn't appreciate the romance. It was simply Q didn't crave these things. Again he wondered if he was just in the way of What James and Harry had.

"It's very lovely," he said softly, sounding slightly scolded.

[0_0_7]

Bond returned to him and touched his cheek.

"I love you, Q," he said.

[cuppa_q]

"I love you too, James," Q said softly, leaning into the touch slightly.

[0_0_7]

Bond kissed him then, slow and soft.

"Paris doesn't inspire you, does it?" he asked softly after a moment. "One day...One day. I'll impress you."

[cuppa_q]

"You don't need to impress me," Q said softly. "I;m sorry, I don't mean to be so difficult. I think, perhaps, I'm just a bit bored on the ship," he confessed. "I don't feel very challenged lately. I have little to do other than repairs."

[0_0_7]

Bond moved back just a bit so he could look at him better. It never took him long to get a read on people. He took in the crease on Q's brow, then tension in his shoulders, the way he held his hands.

It really only took a moment.

"Would you like to play a game?" he asked, his voice lower, and so tempting the way it was more of an offer than a question.

[cuppa_q]

"Are we going to go on a Parisian scavenger hunt?" Q quipped.

[0_0_7]

"Not remotely," he answered. "Computer, load program file Bond Entertainment 9," he said and the room and veranda vanished, leaving them in a dark room with a web of triangles on the walls. Some began to moved and come together and walls formed around them. Solid light took form and the two of them stood in the middle of a dungeon with equipment placed here and there, a cage, a cell, and a blok and tackle system installed on the ceiling.

"I know the games you like best, darling," he said.

[cuppa_q]

"No- Please, I don't... You didn't want this tonight," Q sighed. "Please don't change your plans for me.I'm sorry I behaved so poorly in response to what was meant to be a romantic evening. I meant what I said, James. It isn't you, it's work."

[0_0_7]

"You and Harry both work too hard," he scolded. Then Bond sighed and shook his head.

"My plans had been Paris and then entertainment 7 instead. You seem like need a little more than that."

They'd used that program before. A little bondage, a little pain. Enjoyable, but nowhere near as extreme as the dungeon they were in now.

[cuppa_q]

"No, I'm not working hard enough," Q countered- Before realizing that wasn't the point.

"You deserve to have your needs filled also, Bond."

[0_0_7]

"I have no complaints, Q. I'm quite satisfied."

He looked at Q, eyes boring into him, then said,

"Computer. End program. Load file Bond Lab 4."

A room appeared much like Q's office, but much bigger with equipment Bond had used, all in various states of disrepair, including a vintage automobile.

"I think, right now, I'd rather see you happy than naked."