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[0_0_7]

There was a sharp crack of gunfire that made the comm squeal in Q branch. The Double-0 in the field grunted, then began to pant, and continued making familiar sounds of effort as he ran full bore.

"Report," M barked in his ear.

"He ran," Bond replied, as if that should be obvious.

"Can you catch him?"

There was no answer. For a few tense moments there was only measured breathing, Bond's rhythm driving him on. On Q's screen, the small dot that indicated the agent moved north, then northwest, then vanished entirely in the middle of an intersection.

"I'm in the sewer," he said simply.

The announcement gave Q time to find him.

A moment later, there was an explosion and the comm cut out entirely.

M looked at Tanner and Q, Moneypenny...only looked at Q.

"Get me satellite," Tanner barked at Q's underling and a moment later there was an image of a smoking crater where Bond's signal had been. The smartblood monitor blinked OFFLINE. That didn't mean dead, but it certainly wasn't good.

"Bond?" M said. "Report."

Silence.

"Double-0-Seven, report," M repeated.

Silence.

"Keep the comm open," M finally said, then stalked out of the room.

Comments

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"It's not," Q said quietly. "...I made sure."

[0_0_7]

Shirt discarded, it was obvious it had been no small blast. Bruised, but not broken, Bond sat on the edge of the bed to take his shoes off.

""I really gave you a fright, didn't I?" he asked.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"No, I thought you got blown up and went and got a Nandos," Q said flatly. "...If something happened to you on my watch, I would never forgive myself, James."

Not bond.

Not double-o seven.

James.

[0_0_7]

The name on Q's lips was an enchantment, almost, the way it captured Bond's attention. He moved in close, and pulled Q closer than that.

"Courage, Q," he said. "I won't do that to you."

He sealed the promise- one he could not truly make- with a kiss that made it believable.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q went still, but after a moment started to return the kiss, pulling Bond closer and holding him so tight it had to hurt- He wasn't thinking though. He was just thankful that James was here. James was safe. ...Safe as he ever was, anyway.

[0_0_7]

Bond returned the kiss, not as hard, but with just as much feeling. He'd come to Q first for a reason.

"It's alright," he whispered against his lips. "I'm home."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"You really shouldn't be here, Q said quietly. "I'm thankful you're back, but we talked about this. We discussed how it's... Not good to see one another outside of work."

[0_0_7]

"I nearly died, Q," Bond said, his tone calm and low.

Both hands came up to cradle his face.

"We can keep it secret. I can be professional. But I can't do this job...if I can't see you," he said.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q looked unsure, frowning slightly to himself.

"James I- I can't lose this job. Not because of the money, but..."

He trailed off, wondering what James knew, if she had ever said something.

[0_0_7]

"Q, do you trust me?" Bond asked simply.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"You know I do," Q said quietly.

[0_0_7]

"No one will know," he promised him, firm and sure. "I'll make certain of it."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q searched his expression, as though the fine lines beside Bond's eyes might tell him everything he needed to know.

Eventually he nodded, slowly moving closer again and resting against the other man.

[0_0_7]

Bond slipped his arms around him and held him tenderly.

He stood there, feeling Q's heartbeat and listening to his breath. And then he let go to cradle his face again.

"Show me your bed," he said.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q nodded slightly, taking James' hand and leading the way to his bedroom.

It wasn't big, a standard double bed in a modest bedroom, but there was something very Q about it. From the modest wooden bedframe, to the somehow expensive looking but dowdy bedsheets and blankets.

[0_0_7]

Bond looked around, taking comfort in the fact that Q's room looked...exactly Q.

It made him smile softly.

And then the room lost interest as he moved to Q to hold him again and kiss him hungrily.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q protested a little, eventually pulling away. "You haven't even been to medical, have you? Let me see. Let me have a look. I'm no doctor, but I know the basics."

[0_0_7]

"You're going to fuss, even if I say I'm fine, aren't you?" he asked.

He did as Q asked, though.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"I'm not fussing, it's part of my job. Unlike you, I do tend to bring the equipment back in one piece," Q replied tartly.

[0_0_7]

Bond took a slow breath, then huffed it out.

"Fine," he agreed reluctantly. "But I can assure you...I'm all here."

[qu4r73rm4573r]

"You're serious about this?" Q asked quietly as he checked him over. "About us?"

[0_0_7]

"I am," he said with a nod. "Quite serious. And...I understand your fears, Q. I will not put your position of Quartermaster in jeopardy. We will find a balance."

There wasn't much to see. Bruises, scrapes, a concerning cut that probably should have had a stitch, but he'd done his best with tape.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q looked a little longer, then decided Bond was fine.

"I'll get you a medical inhalant. It'll speed up the healing," he decided, though he had to make himself leave James' side.

[0_0_7]

"Q...it's alright," Bond insisted once more, softer as he took hold of his cheek and looked into his eyes.

"I'm here. I'm alive. And...I'm yours," he promised, then kissed him softly.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q melted slowly into the kiss, exhaling with a shudder as it broke.

"Yes, well... You still need rest," he said softly, tugging Bond towards the bed. "Mallory will be furious if he finds you came here first, rather than check in," he added.