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 have a villa in Italy that overlooks the sea," Bond said. "If I retire, I'll retire there. And if not...well, unless I make changes to the documents in ten years it ownership will pass to the local orphanage."

Because it was his, his secret, and even MI6 wouldn't know to do anything with it in the event of his death. But it was his, and Bond felt that if he died then some good should come of it.

His secret.

And he'd just told Q.

[quartermaster_q]

Q looked over, raising a brow.

"It sounds lovely. I'd love to see it one day," he added, but he didn't demand it, he just let it be known that he'd like to go- If Bond was ever willing to take him.

"What do you think you'd like for dinner?" he asked, gently changing the topic.

[0_0_7]

"I honestly don't care so long as it goes with scotch," he chuckled, taking the bottle he'd bought and finding a glass.

Once he had his drink he slowly got to work, opening a duffel bag so he could place guns in strategic locations around the cabin, hidden from sight.

[quartermaster_q]

Q, for his part, began to cook. He was no culinary expert, but he could make a decent meal. By the time Bond was done, Q had fish in a pan and two potatoes in the over. A salad sat waiting on the counter in a large bowl. Lush and fresh.

"Dinner wont be much longer," he said, glancing back over his shoulder to offer Bond a smile.

[0_0_7]

It wasn't that Bond couldn't cook...he just didn't cook. He was happy to have Q willing to jump right in. It would likely taste infinitely better done by the younger man.

Bond walked up behind Q after the announcement, slipped his arms round Q's waist and buried his face against Q's neck.

"How much longer?" he asked.

[quartermaster_q]

Q smiled, enjoying the attention.

"Soon enough that you can get plates out, if you'd like," he offered.

[0_0_7]

Bond kept his face against Q's neck as he grumbled in protest. But then he let go and set about pulling out the plates and silverware.

Do you want to eat at the table?" he asked. He'd have been just as happy eating here at the kitchen counter.

[quartermaster_q]

"Mmm, yeah, let's," Q smiled. "A civilized meal outside of a resteraunt might be a nice change," he laughed, finishing up and starting to plate the food.

[0_0_7]

Bond got his plate set as well and then took a seat. He smiled at Q across the empty bowl in the middle of the table, meant for fruit no doubt.

"This is rather domestic, isn't it?" Bond smiled.

[quartermaster_q]

"Uncomfortably so," Q laughed, taking a seat and starting to eat. "No worries, I'm sure danger is just around the corner. It usually is after all."

[0_0_7]

"Hopefully we'll have at least a day to settle in before the slings and arrows come. I'd hate to think Terrance or his men could be so close on our heels when we've taken every precaution," Bond relied between bites.

[quartermaster_q]

"I find it unlikely he has men. Though I do think he's nudging people and pulling strings. Manipulating things behind the scenes," Q said.

[0_0_7]

"Mm," Bond hummed, nodding at that. He'd already resolved that this man who had crept back into Q's life was going to die. It was just a matter of time before Terrance was caught.

"I'd agree with that. I've still not figured out his game- if he wants to kill you or not.

[quartermaster_q]

"I'm not sure he knows either," Q shrugged. "I feel as though he would have already made a move if he did. As it is- he's just lurking. Waiting... It's unsettling."

[0_0_7]

"It can't keep on, Q. If he doesn't come for you soon, I'm going to go hunting for him and I'll cut him off that way." Bond said, utterly calm and matter-of-fact about it.

[quartermaster_q]

"You absolutely will not. It's too dangerous, double-o seven. He's a mad man. A lunatic. You can't hunt madness," Q warned, giving Bond a hard look.

[0_0_7]

"Oh, please, Q...that's what I do. Greene? Le Chiffre? Dozens of others. All of them, lunatics. The only difference is Terrance wants you and the rest want...power. Or money," Bond countered.

[quartermaster_q]

"I don't believe you take him seriously enough as a threat," Q accused. "He's nothing like those men."

[0_0_7]

"He's terrorizing you, England's most valuable asset, let's face it. You said it yourself, you can do more on your laptop in your pyjamas...and that's the sort of world we're in. And since you hold that position ad he's coming after you? I do take him seriously," Bond said. "He may as well be stalking the Queen."

[quartermaster_q]

"I'm both flattered and horrified by that comparison. Though I'd argue that he has no interest in what I can do. He's just annoyed that he's lost his favourite toy. Like a child having a tantrum," Q said, eating a bit more, then putting down his knife and fork.

[0_0_7]

"I'm going to kill him," Bond said calmly. "I doubt he'll be stopped otherwise."

[quartermaster_q]

"Yes, well, I'll thank you when you do- In the meantime, however... Cake?" he offered simply, no longer wishing to speak of Terrance.

[0_0_7]

"Absolutely," Bond said. "Just a small piece. Maybe we can make it last for a few days."

Bond got up to clean up the table a bit and help Q. He wasn't about to have the other man wait on him hand and foot.

[quartermaster_q]

Q nodded, Letting Bond clear away some of the plates as he set about slicing the cake.

"I'm sorry about all this," Q said quietly. "I feel as though I've brought this mess upon us all," he admitted.

[0_0_7]

Bond was quite in agreement, though he couldn't hold Q's past against him. They all had demons behind them.

"Eat your desert," he said, rather than offer comfort.