Bond trudged through Headquarters, his tired face bruised. He'd just spoken to Mallory concerning the failure of the last mission. M wasn't angry per say, silently furious would better describe it. He shut himself in an empty office, taking a breather. It wouldn't be long until-
The door opened and was slammed shut again, "Bond"
He stood straight and turned to him, "Q"
The young man was furious, rage burning in his eyes, "How could you let it happen?!"
"Now, wait a second-"
"You were supposed to be keeping an eye on her! She was supposed to be safe with you!"
"Q, she is an agent. I can't do my job while looking after someone else who is perfectly capable of doing it on their own." He growled, standing taller than the other man, "We'll get her back"
"You better - because, Bond, if she dies, I will kill you" If it was anyone else he would have laughed, he would have mocked them, but 007 could see the fury in the Quartermaster's eyes - if he lost her, he would be inconsolable. Q swallowed hard, anger brimming under the surface, "What happened Bond?"
"We were ambushed - it was unexpected" he said calmly, "Agent Mason and I were separated."
"Her tracker turned off, it can't be turned off - that's the way I designed it. But she dropped of radar," Q took a breath to steady himself, "what caused that?"
Bond blinked a few times before answering the Quartermaster, "They took her down with a tazor, it probably fried the circuits"
Q let out a shaky breath, his jaw trembled. "Bring her back Bond." He said seriously, "Alive. If she's been hurt-"
"Don't be so thick. Evelyn has been kidnapped by our enemies - if she hasn't been hurt by now I can almost guarantee that she will be by the time we get to her. Do you think that they'll spare her? Really?" He snapped angrily.
Q clenched his jaw. "Just bring her back, bring her back to me Bond, please." The younger man turned and left the office, pain in his chest. He knew Eve was an agent, he knew she'd get hurt on occasion, but this had destroyed him, broken him down to his very core. Life without Eve... it wasn't worth considering.
XXXXX
Evelyn was in agony. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears, feel every inch of her body in pain. She was barely concious, having had basically no sleep, and she was beginning to give up hope. Then from behind the sound of her blood rushing in her ears, she could hear the commotion around her, though now she was too exhausted to even open her eyes. Her legs had given out long ago, and now she held herself up on one arm by the rope that bound her wrists. Broken arm. Fractured kneecap. broken leg. Cracked ribs. Cuts and bruises weren't even worth thinking about. There was blood on her face, running down from her hair. Her breathing was laboured. She had managed three hours sleep in four days. And she hadn't said a single word.
Bond cut her down and caught her in his arms, knocking what little breath she had out of her. She gasped for breath, clutching weakly at his top. Slowly she opened her eyes and stared up at her partner, "Bond" her throat was dry and her voice was hoarse.
"Yeah, let's get you home" he lifted her and she winced, "It's okay, we'll get you seen to once we're out of here" She was close to passing out, her head rolled to the side and her eyelids became heavy again. "Just a couple more minutes Mason"
"Couple... more... minutes..." she breathed.
XXXXX
In the plane, Evelyn slept reclining in one of the chairs. She was bandaged and medicated, now breathing steadily. Bond stared at her bruises and the bandages that were wrapped around her. She had suffered severely. The only thing she had really managed to say, was that she had told them nothing - she was very firm on that point, she needed everyone to know she hadn't given in.
Q watched as the small plane landed. A ramp was pushed up to its door and the door was opened. Bond pushed Evelyn down the ramp in a wheelchair. She'd been offered a blanket but she'd refused it, shaking her head slightly. He moved forward a few steps, eyes fixed on Evelyn Mason. His heart pounded in his chest - she must be in agony. He noticed how she didn't take too deep a breath, how she held her arm delicately, how she struggled to keep her eyes open. But when she saw him she smiled, and he could see his name on her lips. Bond stopped her in front of Q and quietly said that he'd give them a moment.
Q crouched in front of Evelyn. She smiled, her voice hoarse from lack of use, "Hi".
With a bittersweet smile he replied, "Hello Eve" his careful fingers brushed over her bruised cheek, inspecting the mild injury as it was the first one that had grabbed his attention.
She didn't flinch at his touch, instead she took his hand and pressed it against her cheek. "I missed you"
He let out a choked laugh, feeling tears brimming in his eyes, "I missed you too" he pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Look at the mess you're in" he chided lovingly, "I'm going to have to get you all cleaned up again, amn't I"
"I suppose you are"
With Bond's help, Agent Mason was helped into the car Q had waiting. Q shut Eve's door and looked across the roof to Bond. "Thank you" the younger man said.
"I'm just doing my job"
"Police get thanked, firemen get thanked, soldiers get thanked - I think Agents deserve a thanks as well."
007 nodded, "You're welcome Q"
"No, I do mean it - you brought her home to me, I owe you for this"
Bond shook his head, and bitterly added "Get her to the medical block, she's broke a lot of bones"
Q nodded, "Thank you"
