Q

[0_0_7]

Bond was sitting on a train, watching the target talking on the phone. He had his keffiyeh slung around his throat and sunglasses on to disguise himself a bit. No one paid him any attention, all talking amongst themselves, business men heading into Damascus, mostly, but others as well. He knew that he had to be discreet, he couldn't just execute the man in a crowd.

The train slowed and then stopped and the target rose. Bond followed, pushing his way through the crowd.He made it up next to the target and slipped a tracker into his pocket, then peeled away from him.

"Alright, Q, he's yours to follow now. I'm going to go find transportation while he hails a cab. And keep an eye on the satellites," he said, telling Q how to do his job a bit. But as he exited the station and he saw the target slip into a black Audi, he realized this wasn't what they'd had planned.

"He's not taking a cab. I'm improvising," he said, stalking through the crowd and slipping into a waiting Range Rover, its owner standing mere feet away as Bond outright stole the vehicle.

Comments

[quartermaster_q]

"I'm going to put a helicopter on standby," Q decided, tapping away as he spoke. "Do you require assistance? There are agents in the area that can be called if needed."

[0_0_7]

"I don't think so. I work better alone," he said as he raced off, his dot following the dot of the black sedan on his GPS. They went straight to the airfield outside of the city. Of course not the airport, much too much security there. The airfield was less secure in many ways, but that also worked to the target's advantage. Bond had to drive on by as if he weren't headed there and he had to park behind a far building and go back on foot. He jumped the fence and ran. Q was treated to heavy, rhythmic breathing as Bond got into position.

The rest happened remarkably quickly. There was a meeting, a hand off of money, the show of a dirty bomb in a case with an expertly made detonator. And then the buyer shot the target and took the money back. The Audi tore away from the scene, bullets chasing it and shattering the back window. Bond made an executive decision- he couldn't let that bomb out of the area. He stepped out and started shooting. There was a bit of back and forth, a staccato rattling of automatic rifle fire, Bond's precise shots, and then all was silent.

"I've got a bomb, get me that helicopter," he said...and it was as if Q had been watching because he heard it come overhead and land not far from him. He carried the case with the bomb to the helicopter and they rose above the carnage.

"Thank you, Q. If only every extraction went so well," he said as he examined the bomb. "We're going to need a good team to analyze this. I can take it to Tel Aviv to our allies." Because James Bond was many things but he was no expert with bombs. He really only knew how to set them off.

[quartermaster_q]

"I'd rather see it myself," Q admitted, frowning a little to himself.

"I'm sure a flight could be arranged," came Moneypenny's voice, a wicked sort of smile on her lips as she leaned against his desk and studied the monitors. "I could escort him myself if you like," she offered, as if it were Bond's choice, not Q's.

"I'm not going on a plane," the young quartermaster muttered. "Tel Aviv is a good choice, I'm making contact now. They'll be expecting you, double-o seven."

[0_0_7]

"Thank you, Q," Bond said, smiling to himself. "Keep him in line, Moneypenny...and if the two of you would like to join me..."

He let the offer hang, knowing it wouldn't happen. He took out his earwig and slipped it in his pocket, then caught a bit of sleep on the flight.

He landed in Tel Aviv and the bomb was whisked away. he was swept for radioactivity and the head of the branch office came to speak to him. It was all the same sort of bullshit that set him on edge. Bureaucracy, that was all it was. People pushing paper rather than taking care of the problem. When they were done he was driven to the airport and soon enough he was home.

He called Q first thing, completely disregarding the time. For him it was day or dark, the hour hardly mattered.

The phone rang in his ear.

[quartermaster_q]

Q couldn't stand the safe house without Bond, and so Eve had been taking the little stray home with her instead. It felt safe enough there, and it was nice to fall asleep with Oberon purring beside him.

The phone rang, and Q rolled over and answered it quietly, not wanting to wake Moneypenny.

"Hello?"

[0_0_7]

"Where are you? HQ?" he asked as he stepped up to the curb to catch a cab. His suit was rumpled because he'd slept on the plane, but his eyes were bright and he was full of energy, as he always was after a mission.

[quartermaster_q]

"Eve's," Q replied with a yawn. "I thought it would be best not to be on my own. ...Where are you?"

[0_0_7]

"I'm at Heathrow," Bond replied. "Call a cab and meet me at mine. I desperately need a change of clothes above anything else...but I want to see you. The sooner the better."

[quartermaster_q]

"It's three am," Q groaned, stroking Oberon, then sighing.

He had missed Bond, and he was glad to have him home.

"Eve's going to have a fit when she finds me gone in the morning, you do realize that, don't you?" he asked- Though he was already getting up and getting dressed.

[0_0_7]

"Leave her a note," Bond said as he slid into a cab and gave his address. "And she'll know that you're bound to be with me, anyway. I'm sure she was aware of my flight schedule as well. Are you getting dressed?"

He paused.

"What are you wearing?"

[quartermaster_q]

"Behave," Q tutted. "I'll see you soon, double-o seven."

Hanging up, he finished dressing and said goodbye to Oberon before writing a note and heading out.

It was a brief ride to Bond's, and he loitered outside while he waited for the other man.

[0_0_7]

Bond's cab rolled up and he paid the fare then hurried to his door. He smiled to see Q waiting.

"I haven't kept you long, have I?" he asked, fishing for his key.

[quartermaster_q]

Q still looked half-asleep, and he shook his head no as he stretched lazily.

"You haven't," he assured the double-o. "There better be tea inside though. I really need some tea."

[0_0_7]

"Of course I have tea," Bond said as he opened the door and ushered Q inside. He locked the door behind them and set the security alarm, then went to the kitchen to put the kettle on.

"I'm going to have to go in early to be debriefed," he said. "So tea and back to bed with you."

[quartermaster_q]

Q yawned again, then smiled as he made his way over to Bond. Standing behind him, he slipped his arms around him and leaned lightly against him.

"I'm glad you're home," he admitted quietly.

[0_0_7]

Bond's heart beat faster as Q embraced him. He covered the man's arm with his hand. He was too excitable for tenderness, though. wound up after the mission, still high from the thrill of gunfire.

"How much did you miss me?" he asked, turning in Q's hold to face him. "Because I missed you painfully."

[quartermaster_q]

"Oh, just a bit," Q said, shrugging a little and offering a teasing smirk- though he wanted to be close to him.

[0_0_7]

Bond stole a kiss then, passion barely restrained. The only thing that stopped him from pressing for more was the whistle of the kettle.

"There's your tea," he murmured.

[quartermaster_q]

Skin flushed, it took all of Q's self control to pull away and make his tea.

He wondered if Bond had any idea how deeply the other man effected him. How being near Bond was all it took to leave him wound up and wanton.

[0_0_7]

Q had a quite similar effect on him, but Bond was quite used to controlling himself. There was tea to be had and Q had seemed to need it.

"I'm going to go take a shower," he said. "I'll wash the travel off and come to bed fresh."

Then he turned to go before he grabbed Q again and didn't stop...

[quartermaster_q]

Q nodded, sipping his tea and then eventually making his way to the bedroom.

Without much thought, he stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed. He settled in as if it were his own, comfortable and content as he rolled onto his stomach and stretched out lazily.

[0_0_7]

Once Bond had scrubbed up he emerged. He didn't bother to shave, he'd do that before he wentto the office for the debrief. He simply slipped in naked between the sheets, his legs still just a bit damp.

He indulged himself and kissed the lovely curve of Q's shoulder.

"I like the look of you in this bed," he said softly. "It should happen more often."

[quartermaster_q]

"Then you'll have to keep coming home," Q said softly, smiling to himself and rolling over slowly to look at Bond.

[0_0_7]

"I think I can manage that," he purred, moving in smoothly to kiss Q again. His hand trailed slowly along the man's skin and in devoting all his attention to Q he could forget his bruises and aching muscles.

[quartermaster_q]

"You look stiff," Q whispered between kisses. "Were you hurt?" he asked quietly, his concern genuine.