Bond held him close, content to dose. But he didn't rest long. Q was asleep when he woke and he laid there a moment, watching him.

Part of him felt like now that he'd said it, Q had a ticking clock counting down the last hours of his life now.

He knew this was a mistake. That wasn't going to stop him.

When Q rolled over, Bond took the opportunity to slip out of bed and leave without a word.

"Bond turned up in medical this morning," Moneypenny said, bringing Q a new report in his office. "No worse for wear."

She smiled at him and offered him the green file folder.

"I brought you specs from the thing that we brought down over the North Sea. The Navy recovered it, and now it seems they'd like your opinion."

Bond appeared in the doorway of Q branch as she spoke.