So I kind of caught the Bond/Mallory bug and I'm loving writing them, I just hope others are too.

"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live."

…...

Bond/Mallory

…

James parked his Aston Martin in the underground parking bay before making his way up to the offices of MI6, entering to see Eve Moneypenny hard at work. Her head shot up when she felt a presence to see James eyeing her closely.

"James…you're back?"

"I seem to be." He smiled.

"Is it over."

"The Vasquez mission? Complete."

"I'm not sure Mallory was expecting you back so soon."

"Yes well…Tanner called me, told me what happened."

"Oh I see."

"Which hospital did they take him too?"

"The London Royal."

"Better get over there then." He said ready to leave.

"Actually James, he's in his office."

James stopped in his tracks before turning his attentions back to Eve.

"He's what."

"In his office."

"You're kidding right."

"Nope, he discharged himself late last night. When I came in first thing he was already at his desk."

"Bill said that the guy who stabbed him just missed his lung and that he was lucky to get away with a small puncture which would heal without surgery."

"That's correct."

"Well shouldn't he still be in hospital?"

"He should be but he's refusing to go back. I did consult the doctor who was dealing with him and he said that if he promised to take some time off and relax at home that he'll make a full recovery."

"And he's in there because?"

"He's M, it must be a thing with them…they refuse to listen to doctors orders…like someone else I know."

"Yeah well we're not talking about me, we're talking about the Head of MI6…he's more important."

"Is he?" She smiled.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"He shouldn't be here; he's only doing himself more harm."

"Look, I know that and you know that but Mallory. I don't know what to say, he's stubborn. I've been keeping an eye on him and well…"

James noted the concern in Eve's tone.

"What."

"He's very pale, more than usual. He won't eat anything I give him."

"What's he doing?"

"He has Q trying to trace the man who attacked him."

"How can he do that?"

"He knows him."

"He…he knows the man who stabbed him…who is it?"

"Well that, he won't delve in too…all I know is that it's someone he use to know back in his days with SAS."

"Do me a favour, contact Q and tell him that anything he finds on this guy, to contact me personally. No more calling M okay."

"Mallory won't like it."

"I don't care; right now…he needs to rest before he has a relapse. I'm not losing another M."

…

Eve watched James step in to Mallory's office without knocking; rolling her eyes at the wrath he'd probably receive. Mallory was on the phone with the PM when his door opened and James walked in, his face a blank expression.

"Yes Sir, of course. I'm more than ready to be back to work…it was nothing, yes…mountains out of mole hills absolutely. Very well Sir, good day."

Mallory put the phone down before turning his attentions to James who had moved closer to the desk, and was now eyeing his up and down carefully.

"I wasn't aware you were due back quite so soon Bond."

"Yes well, something came up."

"How did the mission go?"

"Better than expected, the weapons have been returned in tack to the US government."

"Death toll?"

"Six, it couldn't be helped…they won't be missed."

"Kaden Vanquez, what about him?"

"A few bullet holes, but he's behind bars. Probably safer if he had died."

"Well you can't kill everyone."

"Really, I thought that was who I was."

Mallory looked up from his report on his desk and smiled.

"Your licence to kill isn't all of you, remember that."

"Yes Sir." He smiled.

James watched the way Mallory tried to shift in his chair, the discomfort on his features growing deep. James shook his head before coming around to Mallory's side of the desk and leaned against it.

"Bond what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Using my initiative…you shouldn't be here." His tone soft.

"I'm perfectly fine."

"You were stabbed, you're lucky you're not dead."

"How do you even know about that?"

"I have my sources."

"Eve?"

"No but I'm not telling you who…you need to rest Sir."

"It will take more than a flesh wound to stop me."

"Your lung has a small puncture and without proper relaxation it could get worse, it needs time to heal."

"Are you a doctor now?"

"Just well informed."

"Well as I said I'm fine."

Mallory began to get angry and got to his feet too quickly and ended up doubled over, the pain searing his side as he grabbed it. James was on his feet, his arm coming around Mallory's waist subconsciously steadying him as he took a few deep breathes. He waited patiently for him to regain his composure before helping the older man to sit back down. James knelt down and looked in to his eyes, nothing but concern showing.

"M please…let me drive you home; you are in no condition to be working. You're ready to pass out."

"It's nothing, I'm fine."

"We've already lost one M…I'll be dammed if we lose another, please."

"All this work…"

"Bill can take over and Eve's here to help him if he needs it, you'll be no good to anyone if you drop dead."

All Mallory could do was agree as James helped him to his feet before making their way to the outer office. Eve put the phone down immediately when she saw the fine sheet of sweat on Mallory's forehead and the way James stayed close to him.

"Oh my god, I knew it. I knew you shouldn't have come in, you should be in the hospital…I'm calling them right now and we…."

"Moneypenny I…"

"Eve it's okay, he'll be fine."

"Look at him James, he's not fine."

"I'm going to take him home, Bill will take over the running of this place until he's well and I'm sure you'll help him."

"Of course I will."

"Thank you Moneypenny…it's gratefully appreciated." Mallory said, trying to smile.

"If you need anything you call alright."

"I will, I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Don't be, you're not the first." She stated, eyeing James.

"Come on Sir, my cars downstairs."

Mallory walked a head a little as Eve held James back.

"You make sure a doctor takes a look at him, I mean it James…please."

"I'll see to it…I promise."

"I'll check up later."

"I don't doubt that, see you later."

…

James drove as carefully as he could, being careful of pot holes and speed bumps in and around London so as not to cause Mallory anymore pain. James pulled up outside Mallory's residence, his eyes wide when he saw the size of the place.

"Wow, and I thought M's place was huge."

"It's not that big, it's actually apartments, I'm the top floor."

"Please say there's a lift?"

"There's a lift. Here, the remote for the garage, there's parking round the back."

James took the remote and waited for the gates to open before driving through and in to the garage. He parked safely and got out before coming around to help Mallory who was struggling.

"You okay, here…lean on me."

"God this is humiliating, I feel like an old man."

"Don't talk rubbish, you're injured and anyway, that's what I'm here for…to protect you. I won't fail twice."

Mallory was about to respond when James suddenly changed the topic of conversation as they made their way to the lift and up to Mallory's apartment. He handed James the key and leaned heavily against James as he opened the door and went inside.

"Nice place, here…let me help you with your jacket."

James turned him around slowly and removed his jacket, hearing a gasp from him.

"M?"

"I'm okay, thank you Bond."

"Lounge this way?"

Mallory nodded as James helped him through and eased him on to the couch, an exhausted breath escaping Mallory's lips before he closed his eyes briefly.

"Do you have any painkillers?"

"In the kitchen."

"Right, I'll get your pills and some water and then you can try and get some sleep okay."

"Fine…Bond?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, I know you still haven't accepted me as M but thank you."

James could only smile as he looked towards the kitchen.

"Back in a moment."

…

To Be Continued…