Q and Harry

[0_0_7]

Bond had gone to M's office to be briefed on Q. He was shown papers, photos, video even. His eyes and ears were telling him that Q had betrayed them. Betrayed 6. Betrayed England.

Six months ago he would have believed it. He'd have taken the directive to hunt him down and kill him without hesitation. Now, though, he didn't believe it. Not for a moment.

He agreed to hunt Q down and left the office, heading to the boffin's apartment. He heard nothing, and after calling for Beta and still hearing nothing, he made his way to Harry's. He was greeted by a dark home and a taxidermied dog. It hit him hard that to find Q the person he needed the most was...Q himself.

He helped himself to a bottle from Harry's well stocked supply and wandered around, hoping if he waited, some home alarm would bring the Kingsman to him. For answers or for help.

He was well into a second bottle, sitting with the stiff dog beside him, stroking the soft fur.

"Do you think Alec took Q and killed Harry?" he asked the dog. "If that's the case, all hell's going to break loose."

Comments

[lepidopterologist]

Harry had told Q he would go to his own home to pick up a few things, including pajamas he thought Q might like.

He didn’t mention that his security feed informed him that Bond was already there.

He was able to get in without alarm or sound of course, and his gun was trained on Bond immediately.

“Back away slowly from the dog.”

[0_0_7]

Bond looked up at Harry, clearly drunk. He didn't exactly back away so much ass tip over.

"Q's gone," he mumbled against the fine Turkish rug.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry’s eyes slid to the bottle, and then he sighed and lowered the gun.

“Yes, I’m aware.”

[0_0_7]

"They're saying he's a traitor," Bond told him, pushing himself up. "They have video."

[lepidopterologist]

“And clearly they’ve sent the top notch talent to bring him in to answer for his crimes,” Harry said.

[0_0_7]

"That's the directive," he nodded, looking around only to find both the bottle and glass empty.

"I need to see him. Not video, not evidence," he sneered. "I need to know what's going on."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry looked at him like he was crazy. “Are you out of your bloody mind? Do you think there’s any chance in hell I hand him over to you?”

[0_0_7]

"How have you lived so bloody long, deaf like that?" he snapped. "I. Need. To. See. Him. Where in that is hand him over? Idiot."

He worked to get himself upright.

"And you just tell me you have him? Also supremely bad espionage there, old man."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry seemed unbothered by the outburst.

“He would like you to know that he is alive and well,” he said. “I intend for him to stay that way, so no, the person hunting him will not be seeing him.”

[0_0_7]

"Tell that to the other four," Bond snorted, managing to get to his feet.

"Your dog was already dead," he felt the need to tell Harry. "I didn't do that."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry couldn’t help it; his lips twitched slightly. “You mean you didn’t arrange for my dog to die at the age of eighteen of kidney failure and then have him taxidermied? Oh my.”

He slipped the gun back into his coat pocket. “Sit. I’ll get you a glass of water.”

[0_0_7]

Bond wobbled his way to a chair and sank into it.

"Good to know. The way you think the worst of me, I was sure you would have thought I killed your dog," he told him.

"Don't you people have a dossier to read or something?" Bond asked then, eyes closed and head tipped back.

[qu4r73rm4573r]

Q had woken up alone, wandering around the safe house on his own, then playing with the cats a little- Before temptation won out.

He didn't dare turn on his phone, but using his laptop, he sent James a text.

I'm safe.
I didn't do it.
Alec was in the building.

A few moments went by, then another text.

I want to see you.

[0_0_7]

Bond pulled out his phone and smiled when he saw the messages.

Harry won't let me see you unless I kill him, I'm sure

He could hear Harry's footsteps returning.

6 is looking for you. Not just me.

[lepidopterologist]

It was the smile that prompted Harry to reach over him and snatch away the phone. He was well aware he probably wouldn’t have been able to do so so easily if the man had been sober, but well. He wasn’t.

Harry scowled when he saw the texts. The tapped out a response before dropping the phone back into Bond’’s lap.

Q, I asked one thing of you. - H

[0_0_7]

Bond picked it up and looked at the screen, then chuckled.

"Of course he didn't follow orders," he said warmly.

He looked up at Harry.

"I assume he's somewhere safe," he said. "Not the tailor shop, not here, but close enough. You should get him out of the country..."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry’s expression softened just a touch. “Yes. He’s somewhere safe. And he will remain so as long as he’s under our protection.”

[0_0_7]

Bond reached out and grabbed Harry's forearm.

"Alec is dangerous," he said. "Treason or not, listen to me. You need to tell your people, Harry."

That treason was on his mind at all spoke volumes of Bond's intentions when it came to Q. He'd burn it all for the Quartermaster.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry looked surprised.

Then he was silent for a long moment before he said, “You could tell them yourself,” he said. “If you want to rethink your loyalties.”

Arthur would probably have his head for even making the suggestion without speaking to him first.

[0_0_7]

"There would be no return if I did that," Bond told him. "I just want to see him back safely."

He took a sip, forgetting it was water and not scotch, and made a face.

"I'll find Alec. I'll let you know when it's done," he decided.

[lepidopterologist]

If Harry had his way Q would not be going back. But he had the good sense not to say this to Bond.

“Or you could let us find him,” Harry said. “You’re too close to it.”

[0_0_7]

"I can't ask you to put your people in harm's way," Bond replied. "He was one of the best agents in the 00 division. He took that talent to a rogue power..."

And Bond hated him for it. That much was obvious.

[lepidopterologist]

"And what exactly do you think is going to happen now? Do you think his end game is just fucking with the lot of you?"

Harry glared at him. "Get up. I want to show you something." He assumed Bond would follow, and led him down the hallway and into his office. The one with walls full of front pages of The Sun.

"Loo Goes Where?" he read from one of them. "That was the headline the day after I shut down an undercover spy ring at the pentagon."
Another. "I'm Sleeping with Bigfoot. That was the day after I diffused a dirty bomb in Paris." Then he nodded at a cover that just had a full page photo from a royal wedding. "Foiled the assassination of Margaret Thatcher."

He looked at Bond. "Front page news, all silly matters and celebrity nonsense because of us, because of me. Do you think I'm actually a tailor, James? We don't sit on the bloody sidelines."

[0_0_7]

"I'm aware you're no tailor...Galahad," he replied. "I know of several of these that a double-oh was called off of. I never found it odd the threats were neutralized."

Not all, as he studied the wall some dates meant nothing.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry wasn't shocked when Bond knew his handle, even if it was still a bit jarring to hear.

"Yes, I'm aware of a number of your successes as well. Your lot can be quite effective when the... bureaucracy and politics don't get in the way."