For DavRin and Rebaforever15 . hope you like it. Let me know if I should continue.
Jack Ward found himself wondering around the halls of MI6 headquarters looking for two people, the infamous 007, and M. Jack was in his early 70's, had salt and pepper colored hair, was just slightly shorter than James, had a slight American Southern accent, was a close personal friend of James, and just happened to be the Head Field Agent for the American CIA. Once he had found the correct lift Jack made his way up to the top floor to M's office. As he entered the outer office where he found Eve Moneypenny, M's secretary busily typing away at her computer.
"Excuse me miss, but could you tell me if I have the right office, I'm looking for M"
"Oh you've got the right office alright" she said in a frustrated tone
"Would she happen to be in?"
"As a matter of fact she is. Do you have an appointment?" asked Eve as she fumbled to find M's appointment book
"Well no. I just happened to be in town and I thought I would stop in and say Hello"
"I see. And you are?"
"Oh sorry. I'm Jack Ward. I'm a friend of James"
"I see" said Eve suspiciously "And just how did you manage to get up here without an escort?"
"Well I also happen to be the Head Field Agent for the CIA" replied Jack, flashing his badge
"Oh, Mr. Ward. I'm sorry" said Eve, noticeably embarrassed "I'll see if she's available"
"Thanks" replied Jack as he took a seat
M was angrily shoving files from one side of her desk to the other when Eve buzzed her on the intercom.
"Ma'am, sorry to bother you, but you have a visitor"
"Who is it" snapped M as she stared at the phone
"It's a Mr. Ward from the CIA"
"Mr. Ward…you mean Jack Ward?"
"Yes Ma'am"
"What the hell is he doing here?"
"He said he was just passing through and wanted to say Hello"
"Fine" replied M sounding a bit annoyed "Show him in"
"She'll see you now" Said Eve as she rose to open the door for him "But I should warn you that she's in a right foul mood this morning"
"I see, Well let me see what I can do about that" replied Jack with a wink as he entered the office
Jack strolled across the office to the waiting M and wrapped her in a bear hug, lifting her off the ground, and twirling her around before gently putting her down.
"M…how the hell are you" he asked as he gave her the once over
"Jack" she said clearing her throat "How nice to see you again. What brings you to London?"
"Just passing through. I had hoped to catch up with the ever elusive 007, but I see you have him occupied at the moment"
"So you decided to pester me instead" she replied sarcastically
"Something like that"
"I'm sorry Jack, but this isn't really the best time" said M as she returned to her chair
"I sort of gathered that. What seems to be the problem?"
"Oh nothing I can't handle" replied M as her phone began to buzz. "Yes Miss Moneypenny, what is it?"
"It's Mr. Mallory again on line 1"
"Now what does he want? Alright, fine. Excuse me for a minute won't you Jack?"
"Sure, I'll wait outside" said Jack with a smile as he left her office and closed the door behind him.
"So what's the deal with Mallory?" asked Jack as he waited for M
"I have no idea, but he's been annoying her all morning which is probably what put her in this cheery mood" replied Eve "She's off the phone if you dare to go back in"
As Jack opened the door he managed to catch M pacing about her office, angrily ranting into thin air.
"That self-serving, self-righteous, arrogant ass" said M turning around, only to be startled by the fact that Jack was standing in the doorway laughing.
"I fail to see what is so humorous" snapped M
"So what's the little twit done this time?" asked Jack doing his best to keep a straight face.
"Well for starters, he conveniently forgot to tell me that my presence is required at one of those impossibly boring official functions tonight, and then to top it off, he felt the need to inform me that since I will most likely be attending alone, he would make sure that I was seated at his table so I wouldn't feel uncomfortable"
"He's got a hell of a lot of nerve"
"Where the hell does he get off assuming that…I'm sorry Jack. You didn't come to hear me moan about my colleagues."
"Well no, but I don't mind if you need a sounding board" he replied as he moved to stand in front of her
"Thank you. So why did you come? Business or pleasure?"
"To be honest, a little of both and I've finished with the business part so I thought I would indulge in a little pleasure"
"Well I'm sorry your playmate is away on a mission." Said M with a laugh
"Actually, I thought, since James is away, I would ask if you might like to join me for dinner. It would be nice change to have an intelligent conversation with someone who doesn't have a damn cell phone attached to their ear all the time"
"As tempting as that sounds, I have this "thing" I am required to attend or I else I would love to" she replied
"Tell you what. Why don't I take you to this "Thing" tonight?"
"That's not really necessary" said M, feeling a bit foolish for complaining
"Of course it is. I've been to enough of these official functions myself to know that you're going to bored silly, so why not take advantage of the situation. We get to have dinner together, on Her Majesty's dime, and you have the perfect excuse to NOT sit with Mallory, and there is as added bonus" he said mysteriously
"Oh and just what would that be?" asked M curiously
"Look just because you're a widow doesn't mean that you're a nun. Just think of the look on old Mallory's face when you show up with a mysterious date and you have the perfect excuse to leave early" chuckled Jack
"Well, I hadn't thought of it that way" said M with a grin "Ok…you're on, only…"
"Only what?"
"Well it's just that it's a formal function. I don't suppose you thought to bring a tux?"
"Me? Of course I did" replied Jack smugly
"You did?" said M, her eyes wide with amazement
"Well…yeah…You never know when one of those monkey suits might come in handy"
M just rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Hey, I may be a spy, but I was also a Boy Scout and you know their motto "Be Prepared"…so have tux, will travel" replied Jack
"Ok...Ok…you win. Dinner is at 8:00 with drinks at 7:00 so I'll pick you up at your hotel around 6:30 if that's ok?"
"M, if it's all the same to you, I would rather pick you up at your flat. There is nothing more emasculating than a woman picking up a man in front of a hotel in a limo"
"Oh I see" replied M, desperately trying to conceal a laugh "Well then how about this…I will have my car sent around to pick you up at 6:00 and then you can pick me up? Is that better?"
"Perfect!" said Jack leaning forward to give M a quick kiss on the cheek "See you a little after 6:00 then"
"Fine" replied M as she escorted Jack to the door
"See…this day is shaping up better than you thought" he said as he left.
M stood in the doorway of her office with the most peculiar smile on her face, which did not go unnoticed by Eve.
"M…Are you alright?" asked Eve cautiously so as not to incur the wrath of the "Evil Queen of Numbers" again.
"Fine Eve. I'm just fine"
TO BE CONTINUED...