Chapter 1

Bond straightened his tie with his one good hand, as he waited for the door to open. Tanner stood on the other side looking frazzled as usual but by the curt way M said "Come," Bond knew why.

Bond had become accustomed to M's tone of voice over the years and this one practically screamed impatience.

"Sit."

Bond obeyed her curt instructions and sat in front of her desk. "My how you look lovely today Ma'am."

M paused from the file she was reading to look at Bond suspiciously.

"I suppose you're wondering why I called you in."

"The question has crossed my mind, yes." Bond lifted his left hand in a partial cast, in response. He had been listed as off regular duty until it was fully healed in a month or so according to medical.

"I have a simple surveillance mission to the Greek Island of Corfu. I need this under the radar Bond. I will personally be monitoring this mission. Here is a mobile with my private number. You will not need anything special for equipment that you don't already have. Listening devices, camera and other surveillance items that you usually have in your bag."

"Who am I watching?" Bond looked at the file in front of M but she closed it but kept it on her desk. He glanced at the new mobile M gave him and memorized the number within. "A new number M?" Bond smirked raising a brow. He had seen M's real land line in her file years ago but this number was just a burner.

M's lips pressed into a unamused line that she quickly recovered, shook off and replaced it with a much more neutral expression.

"Back to the business at hand. You will be watching a suspected honey pot situation between an important British man and a possible agent from another country. I need you to take pictures and get as close as possible to hear what is going on between them. You leave immediately. I need you set up in the Kontokali Bay Resort before your mark arrives." M pulled a package out of her case and handed it to Bond.

"Your reservation, credit card and photos of the man are within. His name is...Richard Mawdsley and he may be a target for information gathering. If he leaves that hotel...you have permission to follow...discreetly."

"What does he do?"

"He's retired actually. However, he has access to sensitive information through his connections that unfortunately may lead him down a dangerous path."

"Do you want him dead?"

"No!" M said quickly with a level of severity that surprised Bond. This is observation only. I...we believe he is meeting someone and that is who we need followed, photographed and possibly diverted. We suspect that he will be travelling with, or meeting a woman on Corfu. I want you to follow them everywhere. If you can get some of their conversations recorded even better."

"So the woman meeting him or travelling with him the suspected honey pot or the spy?"

"If I knew that I wouldn't have to send you on this mission. This was sudden; I discovered it only this morning before Tanner called you in. I believe there are others watching but she may also be inadvertently connected to other countries agency. You must keep to the shadows on this. Do not interfere with him or the woman he is there to meet. I am more interested in who is watching him if anyone."

"So the partner is to be suspected and watched but you also believe there is an agent provocateur in play also?" Bond was becoming uncomfortable with this, as memories of Vesper began to spring to mind.

"Yes. I need you to contact me and if you have questions call regardless of time. I do not want him hurt...only closely watched do you understand?"

"Yes M." Bond frowned wondering what the man knows to have M so concerned. "You know M; you could take a break and join me on this mission. It seems tame enough that you would be safe without any guard but me."

M looked up at Bond somewhat shocked, her mouth hanging open, as she glanced over at Tanner. "Bond? You can't be serious!"

Tanner merely covered his mouth to hide a smile and cover it with a sudden cough, as he turned away and stepped back from this encounter.

Bond looked her straight in the eyes, blue to deeper blue. "I'm deadly serious M. I cannot imagine a more charming companion. In fact, I've fantasized about being your bodyguard for a long time." Bond said giving her a much more penetrating once over as she faced him from behind her desk, the only barrier between them.

M scoffed as she waved her hands to dismiss him. "Go...now...I don't need you aiming your flirtations on me...they won't work anyway."

"Oh and why is that M...besides the fact you're married?"

"I don't believe you're sincere…." M paused, deciding to work Bond over for his insolent presumption. "So why get my hopes up, just to have them dashed when you leave me after a night of passion." M fluttered her eyes and then rolled them in derision as she smiled surprisingly sweetly at Bond. Leading him on and ridiculing him at the same moment.

Damn it! Why did she have to be so bloody contradictory all the time. It dove him mad...in more ways than one.

"M...I would never!" Bond pulled back as though offended at the mere suggestion and in retaliation to her dismissive actions. "Not to you...I could never do that to a lady." Bond ended with a smile that belayed a pleading, yet hopeful look.

"Go Bond...stop this and get to work. Those drugs for your wrist must be affecting your judgement."

"Nothing at all to do with the painkillers M, besides all work and no play M? Come on even Tanner knows you're far too tense and need a break from all this."

"007 when I want your advice on future travel plans, I will ask for them." M said testily, no longer wishing to be goaded and teased by her most aggravating agent.

Bond sighed and nodded as he took his things and left her office. Tanner cleared his throat and stared at Bond's retreating form while closing the door.

"Don't Mr. Tanner. I do not need any comment on his behaviour. I understand that is was all inspired by his injury and the medication he is on."

"But M…"

M turned to her chief of staff. "No Tanner...this is not up for your interpretation or discussion. I stand by my opinion that 007's behaviour is merely a side effect, a temporary drug induced insanity and nothing more." M shook her head whispering under her breath. "He would have to be insane too..."

Tanner sighed, much as Bond had before he departed, as he handed M another file. It was bad enough she was using Bond on this, off the books, he didn't need to point out her favouritism for the agent, as a possible deeper meaning for the flirtation between them.

Maybe only Tanner could see it? There were subtle and not so subtle flirtations that M aimed at Bond. Bond was far more obvious and Tanner really didn't think it was in jest, nor drug induced at all. Bond was far from insane but for all that he obviously felt for M, he would never convince the stubborn woman of it.

Bond arrived Friday late afternoon after quickly grabbing a few things and departing a few hours after meeting with M. Beautiful Corfu; an island, soaked in the sun of thousands of years of history. He didn't quite know what to make of this? M didn't usually give out off the books missions but at least it's warmer here in October than London.

Bond's hand being what is was had him playing at being a tourist and made him take the shuttle from the airport to the Kontokali Bay Resort. Bond was thankful this mark enjoyed the luxury of a five star hotel.

He checked in and flirted with the woman behind the desk to discover that his mark was not due in until the next day. Bond declined to meet her in the bar for drinks later in the evening to see where that took them. There was something about this mission that made him not go down that route, and not just in case she become demanding of too much of his time and energy.

"I'm sorry darling, I'm waiting on a friend."

"The man you asked about? But he doesn't come until tomorrow...unless you're...Oh...Oh...I'm sorry sir. My mistake."

Bond just smiled at her and took his key card. "He's a possible business connection. He doesn't even know who I am and I would prefer it to stay that way my dear.

"Yes of course dear. Sorry for my presumption...it is against the rules for us to do what I did so if you keep my secret I will keep yours. Bond smiled at her then made his way to his room wondering how long it would take the rest of the staff to jump to the conclusion that he's not straight.

Once in the room Bond looked at flights in and out of Corfu from London. There is one at noon so staking out the lobby after 13:00 he will wait until the mark arrives and see who else is watching. At least his injured arm is an excuse about why he isn't always in the pool.

Bond pulled out his laptop and video called M. She was still in her office, at her desk looking busy but he felt like he needed to give her an update on what little was going on so far.

That and he was bored and didn't feel like finding company to entertain him...not when this mission was so personal for M for some reason.

There was a mystery here, that M wasn't letting go of and for once he was thankful for the video feature so he could watch her eyes. So much could be hidden and expressed in those divine blue orbs. It was practically a mission in itself getting to the bottom of this beguiling and intriguing woman. Besides, it was a weekend so he could catch her at home and he always fantasized about catching her at home, relaxing in the evening in nothing much more than a dressing gown.

"Bond...what's going on? Have you made contact already?"

"No tomorrow afternoon. If he is on the noon flight arriving from London. He wouldn't be flying private would he?"

"No. Why are you calling me now?"

"I enjoy talking to you M...do I need a better reason? Now that I'm doing secret somewhat personal missions for you I expect you may say yes to what I suggest more often. I've been meaning to ask you...why is this one off the books M? What is this man to you?"

"Watch your cheek 007."

M needed to have Bond on this case and keep the questions about this mission at a minimum. She was not exactly sure what possessed the man to continually flirt with her but by his reaction to the mission...she felt sorry for him. To distract him she appeased him in his flirtations and spoke of everything from her favourite colour and flower to the weather.

To Bond, this mission reeked of similarities to what happened in Casino Royale. Vesper starring as a beautiful distraction to get access to the money from Bond.

M asked him if he ever thought about Vesper and he admitted that she did still take up some residency in his head, in moments of self doubt and reflection. M told him at the aftermath of that mission, that she truly believed that Vesper did love and save Bond in the end. Vesper knew her life was forfeit the moment she took the deal to save them from Mr. White and Quantum.

Bond guided their small talk over the video feed about things you're never to discuss over dinner; politics, religion, not to mention gossip about the lower levels of MI6 and MI5.

"M...I've been dying to ask about this mission but I think you're trying to appease me by distracting me with this enjoyable small talk; just so I won't ask you more about this odd mission."

"You should stop flirting with me Bond. After all I am a married woman."

Bond smirked. "As you may or may not know, that is my favourite kind."

M was shocked. "You don't need to continue your ill advised flirtations Bond. I'm speaking with a colleague not out on a romantic excursion."

"It could be though M...couldn't it? It would not be outside reason for us to go for a lunch date...as colleagues.

"The people around us would no doubt be wondering how I managed a toy boy at my age." M scoffed disparagingly.

"Is there a particular reason for your disagreeing with me? Surely as an intelligent woman, you must realize how attractive you are? You are not the kind of woman; in my eye that shies away from the truth of it, regardless of what years of male fantasy driven publications and films have portrayed. You are the most beautiful and self aware woman I know."

"Careful Bond. I; like other women over the age of 55 are usually ignored and those of us over 60 are invisible unless we wear a crown. I command attention, not just my appearance in a well made suit but for who I am perceived to be. A woman in power in a man's world. That is the image I want to project and that with which I am most comfortable."

"So you don't believe men sexualize you because you're perceived to have this power? They bloody well do I know that for a fact! I find that sad you can't see how powerfully sexy we do find you. And by god M you do exude power and alluring confidence better than any woman I know. Why do you reject the idea that it could be more between us? And decidedly very sexual where you are concerned?"

"What? I do not reject it...I just chose to ignore it because it serves no purpose."

Bond smiled in a way that would set other women's hearts a flutter but often infuriated M. Why it made her angry was a bit of a mystery. One thing was for sure, she did not like to be toyed with.

"Bond, tread carefully, because what you are implying is sexual harassment of a sort, if I were under you that is. Luckily I'm far more professional and I am not a mark to be toyed with. I shot you down in my office and I'm your boss and expect the reverence and loyal behaviour of an employee, not flirtation aimed at achieving an ill advised roll in the hay."

"Why M...farm motifs. I would love to be stranded in a barn during a rainstorm with you."

"I'm allergic to hay and besides, it's not comfortable at all but prickly much like me."

"So you've been there and done that? I was hoping that was one fantasy that we could visit together once you made it pop into my mind."

"Is it your goal to make me chastise you? Because if that is the way you get your jollies then you are due for several cold showers in the course of our work relationship."

"M...you tease."

"Bond stop it. It's getting old, as is this sudden kink you have for older women."

"What if I told you this was no joke? You are hardly old to my eyes and this is far from sudden." Something about this being a video call...made him brave about all of this. If she was standing with him...he doubted he would have been able to ask her...tell her...that he meant every flirting word of it. That what he began in her office earlier was just the introduction to a book full of secret longings.

"What are your talking about?"

"That I've been trying to find a way to ask you out for long over a year. I admire you...I...I know with a certainty that has evolved since that first mission...you standing in the snow. Christ M...I want you and desperately hope you want me too."

"What!?" M said in complete shock.

"You heard me. I doubt you have much marriage left, what with the hours you keep. I can't imagine your husband is happy about that, I know I wouldn't be if I didn't know what exactly you do for the government. Unless you've simply worn him down to be use to it. I bet he has taken lovers just to make you pay attention to him." Bond smirked at her but the sudden violent flash in her eyes gave him pause.

"Bond! Stop this now!" M stood up from her desk getting impatient and angry "Get back to work 007. Don't call me again unless you have some pertinent information on this case!"

"M...I'm sorry! I didn't mean to step over the line it was banter, I didn't mean to offend. Please." Bond said into the laptop camera. "I was just saying what I hoped to be true, because it's the only way I could reconcile the feelings I have for you."

"Never speak to me of my private life if you want to keep this job 007! Stuff your feelings! I will not be tempted into bed by your ice blue eyes and your willful smile. I'm not an idiot! I know you're only after the challenge of bedding your boss! Your act is a good one...remember that I've used you many times to do this very thing to others. While I know you've taken older women to bed, I doubt you considered it love or long term in any way!" M closed her laptop, furiously, thus ending their connection.

"Shit!" Bond closed his laptop and laid back on his bed, massaging the stress from his temples. "I've really stepped in it this time."

To be continued...