Q

[0_0_7]

[From here]

"I've been told I'm very good company," he replied, softening around the edges as he did around Q- and only around Q. Only the young quartermaster got to see this side of Bond.

He began to walk backward slowly, leading Q to the bedroom so they could undress and Bond could take him into the shower.

Comments

[quartermaster_q]

Q was right behind him, and though there were no traps, there was a foul stench- And a body.

[0_0_7]

The smell of death was thick and sickly sweet. Bond felt his gorge rise. But there was no danger so he tucked his gun away.

"Your friend?" he asked.

[quartermaster_q]

"Yes," Q replied quietly. "It seems he didn't get very far."

The scene painted a very clear picture of what had happened- The splatter and minimal gore indicating it had been quick and sudden. This man had been a casualty, not a target.

"We need to clean out the safe room- It's not secure here any more."

[0_0_7]

"Someone's after you, Q. This is an entirely different game now," Bond said. "We'll have to hurry. Take only essentials."

[quartermaster_q]

"If they were after me, wouldn't I be dead?" Q replied- Though he didn't hesitate to start making his way back to the safe room to begin packing.

[0_0_7]

"Perhaps you were meant to be but survived," he replied. "And without a memory you're virtually useless to us. No offence."

[quartermaster_q]

"None taken," Q replied dryly, making his way over to the computer and beginning to take it apart.

"There's a leather bound book on the shelf over there, You'll find a sim card hidden in the spine. I'd rather not leave it behind."

[0_0_7]

He found the book with no trouble and teased the SIM card out of the spine.

"Found it," he said. "Anything else I can help with?"

[quartermaster_q]

"There's a bx beneath the cot, and some discs hidden on the shelf. Anything that might have data on it should come with us," Q said, removing the hard drive from the computer as he spoke.

[0_0_7]

Bond followed Q's orders without question, collecting this and that. Soon enough he had it all and stood ready for their get away.

"You'll have to carry this...I'll need to be able to fire if I need to."

[quartermaster_q]

Q nodded, taking the bag and and letting James lead the way back out.

"Where should we go?" he asked.

[0_0_7]

"We need to go to a safehouse," Bond said. "One outside the city. West, I think..."

[quartermaster_q]

Q nodded, though he didn't look pleased. He very much hated being away from his own machines.

[0_0_7]

"We can't go home," he said. "We've got to assume it's not safe. But we can go to HQ if you want to get a computer to take with you..." he offered.

[quartermaster_q]

Q sighed, then shook his head.

"No, I'll text Moneypenny and ask her to have some of my personal items from Q branch sent along. I've a spare laptop there that will do just fine. I'd rather not return to HQ until they've decided I'm not the enemy. ...Though if you wish to return, I'll not stop you. You don't need to play the role of bodygaurd, Bond."

[0_0_7]

"I may not need to, but you're mad if you think I'm letting you out of my sight until this is sorted," he replied. "It's less about duty and more about living you. I won't have you shot in some hidden room. Not another word about it."

[quartermaster_q]

"Fine- But I think it's time we addressed the elephant in the room," Q said, coming to a stop as he turned to face Bond. "I don't remember what happened- It's possible this rabbit hole leads somewhere we wont like, and even if it doesn't, even if my hands are clean, there's a good chance six will wash their hands of me."

[0_0_7]

"That can't stop us, Q. Whatever we find, whatever your fate...I'll be at your side."

He couldnt, or wouldnt, accept that Q was dirty or compromised. Not yet.

[quartermaster_q]

Q wanted to believe that, but he couldn't imagine Bond ever leaving six.

He nodded anyway though, forcing a smile and then starting to walk again.

[0_0_7]

Bond caught that smile, the concern in Q's eyes, but he said nothing. He'd do what must be done.

[quartermaster_q]

The rain was pouring down by the time they returned to street level, and Q removed his glasses when the drops began to obscure his view.

"Will it be a long drive?" he asked.

[0_0_7]

"Not long, but traffic at this hour will make it slow," he replied. "We could get some tea to take with us. It may steady you a bit..." he replied.

[quartermaster_q]

"I'm not unsteady," Q replied, perhaps a bit sharply- Though the outburst was followed by a soft sigh.

"It's fine. I'm sure there will be tea at the safe house, and I'll have whoever brings my laptop bring us some supplies as well," he decided, finding it easier to be calm when he felt he was being useful.

[0_0_7]

In the car Bond turned on the heat to unfog the window. He took the time to look over at Q.

"I'm on your side," he said. "We'll see this through to the end."

He sounded so much more sure than he was.

[quartermaster_q]

"The end," Q echoed, nodding his agreement before falling silent.

He hardly spoke as they drove, his brow slightly creased and his lips pressed into a tight line as he organized his thoughts.

"It's strange," he said after a long while. "I keep thinking that the reason my friend came to see me was- He knew something. Something he thought he shouldn't. ...I can't recall what it was, but- My mind keeps drifting to you."