Q
He'd had the idea and had made arrangements before he'd ever come to the station. Meeting Q had made him wonder if it might be a mistake, then he decided...no. No, this was perfect.
The cat was sleek and lanky, still a kitten but well done with its mother and curious about everything. Bond admired the creature, then loaded a hover-skin with a few essentials he'd also secured. Litter pan, dishes, toys.
All the cat needed was a home and Bond had no intention of it living with him.
The skid hovered beside him as he waited at Q's door, the kitten's carrier covered with a silver privacy blanket. For the moment, it was quiet. Bond wondered if the creature would announce itself before he could even present it.
The cat was sleek and lanky, still a kitten but well done with its mother and curious about everything. Bond admired the creature, then loaded a hover-skin with a few essentials he'd also secured. Litter pan, dishes, toys.
All the cat needed was a home and Bond had no intention of it living with him.
The skid hovered beside him as he waited at Q's door, the kitten's carrier covered with a silver privacy blanket. For the moment, it was quiet. Bond wondered if the creature would announce itself before he could even present it.
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Bond was quiet for a moment before he rolled in for another slow kiss.
"The Q I said goodbye to...would," he told him.
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Q knew it was wrong, that he shouldn't- But as he kissed Bond he couldn't help but be selfish. Anyway, part of his job was ensuring not only was all the equipment working, or that things were being created and improved- But that everything landed in the right hands, and everyone was where they would be most useful.
It wasn't bad if he was right. Bond could be useful here.
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It wasn't until Bond finally broke the kiss that Bond smiled.
"It's suspicious when you get quiet," he teased lightly.
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Q wet his lips, then shrugged. "I was just thinking how useful you could be here. ... Especially if you posed as a member of Starfleet. Former six agent, current first in command. There is an opening, I believe, and your resume would make you an excellent candidate. ...Looking to settle in one place, but not ready to give up the action. A good backstory."
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Bond met Q's eyes and a slow smile curved one corner of his mouth.
"You want to keep me here that badly?" he asked, his chest nearly bursting at the thought.
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"I'm not eager to see you go," Q replied quietly. "So- Yes, I suppose I hope you'll stay."
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"I do have a mission," he noted, as gently as he could.
As gently as he could and with a smooth ease that gave away he'd said the same before. And not only to Q.
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"I have no record of a mission," Q frowned, annoyed that he'd not been given access to the file. He was the quartermaster here, after all.
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"Eyes only, Q. If you need to know, you'll be told," Bond said.
If Q really wanted to keep him here, it'd be a bit harder than simply shifting some code and forging some orders.
"I don't want to worry about it until I need to," he insisted then, and impulsively stole another kiss.
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Q withdrew slightly though, not angry, just upset.
"Perhaps we should keep things professional then," he said quietly, reluctant to get attached. This was all so new to him still, and he didn't understand the little ache he felt at the idea of Bond leaving.
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"It's much too late for that," Bond assured him. "Much too late for me, anyway."
He should tell him. He'd had himself convinced he would while he was on his way here, and now...Now, he couldn't. He knew Q had no way of knowing how or why Bond had fallen for him, so completely, too.
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Before he could say more, Nova lept on the bed between them.
Q stroked the cat gently, scratching between her ears.
"I just don't think it's healthy to get attached if you plan to leave. Besides, I should focus on my work... I've just arrived, really. I need to make a good impression."
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"Q, there's no other impression you could make," Bond assured him.
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"Six can retire me whenever they see fit," was all Q said to that.
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There was beat before Bond said-
"That's true of us all."
Six could. Anytime. Anyone. They all knew it. Flesh or tech, it made no difference.
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"I suppose," Q said quietly.
"You should sleep," he said after a moment.
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"I don't want to sleep alone," he replied, rolling and reaching out to wrap an arm around Q while he settled in.
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Q settled in closer, aware this was all a bad idea- But reluctant to pull away. Reluctant to say no or let go.
"Goodnight, James."