And here is my first chapter to the other side of this story! Some chapters between the two may overlap or be the same, I'll have to see how it all works out. This is sort of a new concept for me, I've never tried anything like this before. Hope you all enjoy!
Q senses more than sees the agent that comes up behind him. It's early on Christmas Eve and the young Quartermaster is the only one in Q-branch. That is as he expected it though. Working Christmas Eve was voluntary, and while a lot of the Q-branch employees don't have a family, a lot of them do. Still, there's no reason for them to come in yet, most of the double-oh's and other agents are either in limbo for the holidays or back in London. For his part, Q has to go to a family function as well, so that's why he's trying to finish everything up so that he can at least feel a little comfortable with leaving.
"007, you're back early from Japan." Q says without turning around. He's standing at his desk at the front of Q-branch, looking at the five different screens that are currently displaying different sets of information.
Bond smirks a little. "There's no fooling you." he says with amusement. He's been visiting Q branch more often since Skyfall, intrigued by the enigmatic Quartermaster who seems so aloof. And yet he can return the banter with an ease and playfulness that Bond has never experienced before. The smooth, posh voice in his ear during missions is one that Bond trusts implicitly, and one he's gotten quite used to. Watching him in his element, with his minions around him, standing at his station taking in and going over several screens all at once, while moving gracefully, fingers flying over the keyboard. It was impressive, even as he maintained verbal commands either to his minions or to whatever double-oh he was guiding at the moment. More than once, Bond would merely stand and watch the young man who reminded him of a conductor of some private symphony.
"Wonderful wit as always, Bond." Q says dryly as he continues going over the information. "What brings you to my domain at this ungodly hour?" He asks even though it's only 7am, one hand still moving as he reaches over and picks up his Scrabble mug full of Earl Grey that he didn't even look at.
"I obeyed orders. I got in last night, but no one was here for me to return my equipment to, so I went through medical, debriefed, slept, showered, and then came back here. Imagine my surprise when I was going to go work out some, and saw the light on, as it were. Tell me it's an early morning and not a late night, Q." Bond says the last in a slightly disapproving tone, not liking the idea of the young Quartermaster staying up all night. He cares too much, works too hard, and doesn't eat enough as it is.
Q snorts a little. "You? Obeying orders for once? It's a Christmas Miracle." he says with sarcasm in his voice, before he takes a deep breath, finishing what he was doing, and then pulls a tray out of his desk. "Let's see it then. Equipment. How bad is it this time?" he asks, knowing it was supposed to just be a recon mission but with 007 one never knows.
A small smirk forms itself on Bond's face before he brings out the equipment he was given, a few scratches here and there but none the worse for the wear, shockingly enough. "Merry Christmas, Q." He jokes as he looks at the young man.
Trying to hide his shock by adjusting his glasses for a few moments, Q reaches out and picks up the equipment. "Are you telling me the only reason you attempted to return my equipment in one piece is because of Christmas?" He asks, giving Bond a scathing look, but there's no real heat behind it. Despite how much Bond frustrates him, he also challenges the young genius to think of ways he can create equipment that is less destructible. And he quite enjoys the comfortable banter they have, Bond's presence behind him in Q-branch comfortable. Even when Bond invades his office and sits on the edge of his desk just to bother him when he has nothing else to do, Q can't be mad at him.
Bond looks innocent, and promptly changes the subject so he doesn't have to answer that question. "What is our esteemed Quartermaster doing here so early on Christmas eve?" he asks curiously with a little smirk, leaning against the desk a little.
"I am hoping to finish this so that I can leave. I have to come in around 4pm on Christmas Day to relieve some of the minions, but I have managed to get just over 24 hours off, between today and tomorrow." He sighs a little. "I am obligated to spend Christmas with my family." he mutters in annoyance.
"You have a family?" Bond asks, surprised as he looks at Q. Something about the young man always struck him as being similar to his own situation.
With a roll of his eyes, the young Quartermaster gives Bond a scathing look. "Yes, I have a family. Two brothers, a mother, and an extended family. We don't speak much, but Mummy requires her sons to be there for Christmas." he says simply with a little sigh as he turns his attention back to his screens, one of them turning black as he finishes whatever was on it.
"Sounds.. nice." Bond admits quietly, looking around. "I've always spent Christmas either on a mission or at home getting bloody drunk." he says as he looks at Q for a few moments, before he smirks. "I have the perfect solution." he says mischievously. "I'll come with you." Any chance to learn more about the enigmatic Quartermaster.
Blanching, Q turns to stare at Bond for a few moments. "Pardon me?" He's trying to figure out if Bond is really doing what he thinks he's doing, inviting himself to Q's family Christmas.
"I'll come with you to your family Christmas. Surely it would be good for your family to know you have friends, and I'm sure you don't want me to spend my Christmas all alone, drowning myself in a bottle of Scotch." he points out, leaning toward Q with a little smirk as he watches the younger man.
Knowing that there is a very slim chance that Q will ever be able to dissuade the double-oh from this path, he hangs his head, giving a little sigh as he braces himself on the desk in front of him for a few moments. "You'll need a proper suit for Christmas Eve dinner, and the party. Other than that, you'll need an overnight bag. Christmas is casual wear, Mummy wouldn't mind if you were there in your pajamas. In fact, most of us usually are. You don't have to worry about presents. Since Mummy is expecting me to come alone, she'll understand." he says with a little shrug of one shoulder, before he pushes his glasses up, straightening and turning to face Bond squarely. "There is something else you need to know about my family." He glances around, and motions, turning to head into his office, crossing his arms as he waits for the agent to follow him. "Close the door, 007."
Bond is well and truly intrigued now, and he smirks, thinking about how fun this might be, he's finding out all sorts of things about the normally aloof Q already. Obediently, he follows Q into his office, closing the door behind him. "What is so horrible about your family that it has to be said behind closed doors?" he asks with amusement as he walks over until he's standing in Q's personal space.
With a small sigh, Q closes his eyes for a few moments before he takes a slow, deep breath. "My family is rather.. well off. I left when I was a teenager, and I rarely visit with them. I am.. a bit of a black sheep." he says simply as he looks up at Bond. "Also.. most of my family is.. very intelligent. You could say that we are a family of genius'. My elder brothers also have the ability to deduce someone, examine them in minute detail and extrapolate their life's story, quite accurately. They are quite obnoxious with it." he says in annoyance as he looks up at Bond. "If you come with me, you will not bring a gun." he says in a firm tone.
Bond softens a little as he watches the vulnerability in Q when he speaks about his family. It's obvious that Q feels out of place with his family, maybe even a little alienated. He's self-conscious about himself in comparison to his brothers, Bond notes, continuing to watch the young man. Nodding slowly to himself as he considers everything, before he steps forward, putting his hands on Q's upper arms, noting how small he is as he gives him a little squeeze. "I'll come with you, Q. I know how much it means for you to let me in. I'm used to these sorts of high end parties, schmoozing anyway." he says with a little smirk, rubbing Q's arms for a moment before he drops his hands to his sides. "When do we leave?" he asks finally, slipping his hands into his pockets. "And don't worry, I'll protect you from your big, bad brothers." He says with amusement, leaning toward Q a little, into his personal space again.
Clearing his throat, Q sighs, shoulders sagging in relief as he looks at Bond, letting a small smile grace his lips, before he checks the clock. "Two hours. Another hour and a half drive to the manor, and then the party begins at 5. That will give us enough time to get dressed and a nap, maybe the cook will be able to make us some quick lunch." he says quietly, considering it for a few moments.
Bond's eyebrows go up. "It will also give you plenty of time to give me the grand tour." he says with a smirk. "Well, I'd better let M know I'll be gone for the next day and get my bag sorted." he says with a little smirk.
Q nods a little, then he adds, "A car will pick us up outside at 9." he says imply as he looks at Bond.
"Don't you have to get your bag together?" Bond asks in surprise as he looks Q over for a few moments in his skinny jeans and his shirt, tie and cardigan like he normally wears.
Turning, Q moves over to a closet that Bond didn't even know was there, pulling out a clothing bag and a very small suitcase, "Tadaa." He jokes with a slight smirk as he looks at Bond for a few moments. "Thank you, Bond." He says slowly, before he adds, "Just be sure not to tell them anything about our real job, only my eldest brother has clearance to know about it, and that spying git will not hear a word of it from my own mouth." He says with a small frown, actually sounding a bit coarse for once, which makes Bond chuckle a little.
"Why Q, you're a bit of a spitfire when you're upset, aren't you?" Bond asks with amusement as he watches Q, then he adds, "Maybe on the car ride to this manor of yours, you can tell me your real name. Wouldn't do to be calling you Q the entire time." he says with amusement. "I'll see you at 9, Quartermaster." He says, turning and waving before he heads out of the office.
Q sighs, hanging his suit bag back up before he pulls his cell phone out, pausing before he slips in his Bluetooth headset and dials the number, returning to his work as he waits for the inevitable answer.
"Mummy. Yes, it's me. Yes, I'm still going to be there at the same time. I just wanted to tell you I'd be bringing a friend with me. Yes, yes he'll be staying. Thank you, Mummy.."
Oh, and if anyone has any idea for Bond/Q gift exchange, or what Bond could have brought Q back from Japan, please message me, I'm horrible with thinking up those things! Please review!
