Q

[0_0_7]

[Continued form here for length]

"I will," he swore. They drove on a bit and Bond checked the GPS again. "How bloody far is this place? We've got to be almost there. Zoom that out and see..."

He hated the countryside in the dark. But thank god for technology. It wasn't all that long ago he would have been relatively blind.

Comments

[0_0_7]

"I wouldn't doubt that at all. Infrared. Motion sensors. Seizmic readers. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more toys than at Q Branch. Military surplus," Bond grinned. The thought made him a bit giddy as well.

[quartermaster_q]

"I imagine it wouldn't take too much sleuthing to find our way into the storage and security areas..." Q suggested innocently.

[0_0_7]

"You're a terrible influence," Bond chuckled. "Is that what you'd rather do than run? Peek at the tech?"

[quartermaster_q]

"A little breaking and entering can be very relaxing- Certainly more fun than going for a jog. Don't you agree, double-o seven?" the young quartermaster asked with a smirk.

[0_0_7]

"You really are the devil. It comes as no shock you spent time in prison," Bond quipped dryly, but the light in his eyes was affectionate. It was certainly no strike against the younger man. Bond had done his time in prison as well...it had just happened to be North Korean. They had strong feelings about state secrets.

Bond polished off his egg and sopped up the last of the runny yolk with his toast.

"I'm going to put on something appropriate for snooping around an MI6 installation. Join me when you're ready..."

[quartermaster_q]

Q nodded, considering that and then deciding to do the same.

Dressed in a well fitting plain black shirt and simple black trousers, he met Bond outside.

"Where do you think we should start?" he asked.

[0_0_7]

"I'd say the majority of the good stuff will be underground, and the heart will be in the most defensible cabin. So let's go this way," he said, striking out. The day was quite nice, overcast but no real threat of rain. Just enough to shrug off any oppressive heat.

"How are you feeling? Healing, I mean?" he asked then as they walked along.

[quartermaster_q]

"Well, I think," Q replied honestly, shrugging one shoulder as they walked. "I'll not pretend to be completely well, but the pain is minimal and the wound is healing nicely."

[0_0_7]

"That's the best you can hope for right now. I don't think you're going to scar too very badly," he said. Bond had been meaning to run but he kept pace with Q instead, loping alongside him like a trusty hound.

[quartermaster_q]

Reaching over, Q caught hold of Bond's arm, pulling him off the path and pushing him up against the side of one of the cottages.

He leaned in, as if to kiss him- then paused, looking startled.

"Oh, that'll be it then," he said, forgetting all about scars, wounds, and even kisses as he brushed aside some ivy to reveal a hidden door.

[0_0_7]

"Tease," Bond scolded, but as much as he wanted to kiss Q, there was work to be done. He began to carefully pull at the ivy, not enough to reveal the door, but enough to inspect it to see how they could get in.

[quartermaster_q]

"Very old," Q frowned, searching for a card reader panel or something he could hack...

All he found was a deadbolt and a combination lock.

"How... Vintage," he muttered, trying to be polite about it.

[0_0_7]

"Sometimes the old ways are the best ways," he said, taking a look at the lock. He leaned in close to listen and began to fuss with the combination lock. It took a bit of doing, just a few tries, and then it popped open.

"There's better be something much more secure inside," he noted.

[quartermaster_q]

Q hummed, noting the decay and rust as they made their way down a small flight of stairs.

"I wouldn't be so sure, double-o seven. I don't think Moneypenny sent us here because it's so high-tech... I think she picked it because it's no longer in use. This hasn't been touched in an age. I believe this might be from even before your time Bond."

[0_0_7]

"Before my time? That really does date it," Bond said. He had brought his gun, of course, but he kept it holstered as they made their way down the stairs. At the bottom an electronic eye detected them and the lights came on.

[quartermaster_q]

Q tensed at the bright lights, blinking into them, then squinting a little as his eyes adjusted.

The room was full of systems and vintage computers- Massive, and so outdated that they were good for little more than a history lesson.

"Hmm. Rather disappointing," he frowned, headed into another room and noting the old gun cases- Mostly empty, but holding a few vintage guns. There was a cell and a small interrogation room as well. Archaic, but not gruesome.

"What do you think they used this place for?" he asked Bond.

[0_0_7]

The tech and the guns were absolutely from before Bond's time, but he knew a bit about the history of things.

"IRA," he said. "Or IRA sympathizers. That's what was going on when these computers were new. It's what's been going on for ages, but particularly then. This would have made an excellent place to train agents and hide prisoners."

[quartermaster_q]

Running his finger through a thick layer of dust that rested on one of the tables, Q sat down and looked around again.

"It's like falling back in time, isn't it?"

[0_0_7]

"It is. I'm sure Mallory was never in anywhere like this. This is Thatcher's era. Or before, maybe," he said, wandering around. "It could easily be brought up to date, if someone wanted to invest in it."

[quartermaster_q]

"I suppose. What for though?" Q asked with a shrug. "Hiding is a necessity, but not something I'd want to do full time. Leave it be, Bond. Get too interested and you might wind up out here- And I leave the city for no man," he smiled.

[0_0_7]

"No...no, I can't imagine you happy in the wilderness," Bond chuckled. "Not even if it had the best network available. Man cannot live on tea and wifi alone, hmm?"

[quartermaster_q]

"This one certainly can't," Q smiled. "I like my creature comforts. Unlike you. You like the finer things, I know, but you're just as happy in some mud hut- So long as you've got good scotch and someone pretty to keep you entertained."

[0_0_7]

"I miss the finer things, though. I do enjoy coming home," Bond said. He moved closer to Q and rested his hand on the back of the man's neck. "I can't picture you in a mud hut. Not anywhere."

[quartermaster_q]

"Nor can I," Q purred, leaning into the touch and closing his eyes.

It was a strange little show of trust. Neck resting against Bond's palm, eyes shut, body relaxed... Q was usually always a little on guard, but here and now, he was calm and complacent in a way he hadn't been with anyone in a very long time.

[0_0_7]

Bond noticed the shift, the little gesture, and he breathed just a bit easier. He trusted Q so much- with his life, with his heart- and it was wonderful to see that Q trusted him in return.

"I wonder what we could get up to here...without surveillance. Without anyone around at all..."