AN: Little fic that takes places two months after The Tales of Three Women, but before Christmas Is All Around. Both stories can be found on my profile page.
Hope you enjoy my dears.
Jean lets out a groan at the sound of the house phone ringing. Opening her eyes, she looked at the clock on the bedside table noticing it was going on five in the morning.
"If that's Alistair I will kill him." Lionel moaned behind her.
"Well, there's only one way to find out isn't there."
Getting out of bed, she quickly made her way downstairs, who ever it was they sure were persistent. Finally reaching the phone, she picked it up silencing the ringing.
"Hello?"
"Jean, it's James. Before you ask, I found your number in one of the letters you wrote to Olivia."
Jean was instantly awake. "Is anything wrong with Olivia?"
"Well, it depends on what you mean by wrong."
"James, not to be rude, but it's nearly five in the morning, and frankly you're not making sense."
"Right, well the thing is I planned to take Olivia away for the weekend."
"You phoned me to tell me that…"
"Let me finish. The only problem is that she would need someone to cover for her while we are away. I would ask Tanner, but I was thinking since you were…"
"Oh no, I see what you're hinting at. No way James, I don't know how to run a Secret Intelligence Service, even if is only for the weekend."
"You wouldn't have to do much. If I get Tanner to take care of the technical and political stuff; you just need to turn up for appearance sake. Please, she has not taken an actual break in months."
Jean lets out a sigh. "I don't know James. Have you told Olivia of this insane idea? I have a feeling she won't be too thrilled."
There was silence at the other end. "James, are you still there?"
"Yes, I'm here. No, I haven't told her because I know what her answer will be."
Jean knew James' hunch would be right. The woman wouldn't know what a break was if it hit her in the face. It may actually do her some good considering she hadn't had one in a while.
"All right, I'll do it. When will you both be back?"
"Thank you Jean. I've arranged it so we are both back no later than Monday about mid -afternoon. I'll come, pick you up, and take you to headquarters and give you a quick tour on where to go."
That wasn't too bad she supposed, it was then his words sunk in.
"How do you know where I live?"
"I have my ways Jean. Or better yet I just read the return address on the envelope."
"Oh I see. Anyway back on topic, what exactly will I have to do?"
"All you have to do is sit in her office and sign paperwork and look over a few files. Tanner will deal with the political side; I'll just tell him you're up to your eyes in paper work and to divert all your calls to him."
"Well, when you make it sound like that, how hard can it be?"
"I can't thank you enough Jean. I'll treat you and Lionel to dinner as a thank you when we get back."
Jean lets out a small laugh, "I won't say no to that."
"Good, I'll pick you up on Saturday morning at eight then."
"I hope I'm not going to regret doing this."
"You'll be fine Jean. You're Olivia's sister after all."
Jean knew he was probably smirking on the other end, "Reign in that charm of yours James, I already said I would do it."
She bit her lip to suppress a giggle she could feel wanting to burst free.
"No charm got it. I'll let you get back to bed, and to Lionel."
"We were sleeping James." She shook her head at what he suggested they were doing.
"I believe you, this time."
"Goodnight, well I really should say good morning."
James gave a laugh on the other end. "Good morning Jean, I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow. Oh, and James?
"Yes?"
"Good luck telling Olivia." Her face went into a full blown grin.
"Yeah, thanks for that."
She heard the dial tone on the other end, lets out a laugh and replaced the phone back on the receiver. Making her way back upstairs, she saw Lionel propped up against the pillows.
"Well, was it Alistair?"
"No, it wasn't for a change. It was James."
Lionel looked at her confused, "Why an earth is he phoning at this time?"
"One word- Olivia."
"Is she all right?"
"Relax Lionel she's fine." Jean made her way into bed and snuggled under the covers.
"Then why phone at this time?" He lay back down himself and turned to look at Jean.
"He plans to take Olivia away for the weekend, and needed someone to stand in for her, while they are away."
"Wait, he asked you didn't, he?" Lionel lets out a laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"You, running a Secret Intelligence Service."
"How hard can it be? Besides, James said all I need to do is sign a few files. The worst that will happen is that I get a paper cut."
"Yes, but what if there is an emergency, or you are needed in attendance with the Minister. Then what? No offence Jean, but your diplomatic skills aren't up to par."
"Maybe they aren't, but James said all of that will be directed to someone called Tanner instead. So I don't have to worry about that do I?"
"I still think, it's a crack pot idea. I can imagine Olivia's face when James tells her his little plan. Rather him than me, that's all I'm saying."
Jean lets out a huff, "Well at least he organises a weekend away for them."
"What's that's supposed to mean?"
"We haven't exactly had a weekend away to ourselves."
"We just had one last week."
"Being interrupted by near enough the full town, doesn't count Lionel."
Jean turned on her side so she was facing away from him. She felt Lionel shift, and his arm wrap around her waist.
"If you want to go away for the weekend, then we will. There won't be any interruptions. It will be only the two of us."
She turned her head to the side a little so she could see him. "You mean that?"
"Of course it will be good to get away from Alistair and his 'Hey, Hey.'
She gave a ghost of a smile. "Yes, it will be."
"Good, it's sorted then." He placed a kiss on her cheek, snuggling behind her and holding her tight against him.
Jean heard his breathing even out and closed her own eyes looking forward to their weekend away. She just had to get this weekend over. She only hoped it went without any trouble.
/*\/*\/*\
James had just hung up the phone, when he heard Olivia's voice behind him.
"Who were you talking to at this bloody time?"
James turned around to see Olivia's standing in the doorway in her red chemise and her arms crossed over chest.
"I was talking with Jean."
"Jean? Why?"
"Okay, before you say anything just hear me out."
Olivia gave him an unimpressed look, "James you have five minutes to tell me what this is about, or God help you."
"I've organised a weekend away for us."
Olivia's features softened, "James i appreciate the sentiment, but you know i have a meeting with the PM on Saturday. I can't just get up and leave."
"I know, which is why..."
"Please tell me you didn't?"
She saw him give a subtle nod of his head, and she had to prevent herself from throttling him.
"She agreed to it Olivia."
"I don't bloody care if she agreed to it or not! I am not letting her substitute for me!"
"Tanner can do all the political side to it, and go the meeting with the PM, while Jean stays in your office. They will be none the wiser."
Olivia uncrossed her arms and moved further into the room and started to pace. "None the wiser? If they bloody find out I could lose my job!"
"They won't though will they. Besides I'm sure Tanner is more than capable of looking after her."
"So, what? You want him to babysit as well?"
"No. Look, you haven't taken a holiday in God knows how long Olivia, you need this."
"Its too risky James! I am not putting Jean in that position!"
"Well, that's not your decision to make. She has already agreed to it. I'm picking her up at eight on Saturday morning."
"James..."
"Look, I'll make you a deal. If Jean calls saying she wants to leave early, or If Tanner calls with an emergency we'll come straight back."
He stood in front of her and pulled her into his arms. "I just want us to have a few days to ourselves away from here."
Olivia laid her head against his chest as she returned his embrace. "I know."
"So, is that a yes?" He murmured into her hair.
"Yes." She leaned back to look up at him. "But I need to call Tanner first to let him know the full story and write a letter for Jean so she knows what not to do."
"Like making up stories?" James raised an eyebrow smirking
"Yes."
"I'm sure she won't."
"I hope your right James." She didn't share his optimism.
"I'm always right." He whispered against her lips, kissing her tenderly before picking her up into his arms and heading into the direction of their bedroom.
/*\*/*\
Saturday morning came too early for Jean. Lionel sat on the couch watching as she paced up and down in front of him waiting for James to arrive.
"If you keep doing that you're going to wear the carpet away."
She stopped and turned to look at Lionel. "What was I thinking agreeing to this?"
"You can still back out. I'm sure James wouldn't mind."
"That wouldn't be fair to them. I know how Olivia never takes any holidays. She needs this."
Lionel stood up and made his way over to her. "It will be over before you know it."
"I hope you're right."
They were interrupted when they heard a knock at the front door.
"I'll get it." They heard Judy's heels in the hall and the door opening.
"Can I help you?"
Jean and Lionel looked at each other before Jean made her way out of the living room to see the grinning face of James in the doorway.
"It's alright, Judy let him in."
Judy gave her mum a confused look before stepping aside to allow him to pass while she closed the door behind him.
"James this is my daughter Judy."
James turned around to the woman who let him in, turning on the famous Bond charm as Lionel liked to call it.
"Pleasure to meet you Judy." He told her placing a kiss to the back of her hand.
Jean had to refrain from rolling her eyes. "Well now that's out of your system. James, shall we go?"
"Go? Go where?" Judy asked curiously, trying to hide the fact that she was blushing.
"James has asked me to help your aunt with some tasks at work and James offered me a lift."
"And how do you know James?"
"He works with your aunt. I also met him a few weeks ago when I caught up with Evelyn and Olivia."
Judy crossed her arms over her chest "Really? And what does he do exactly?"
"Judy I really don't have time for all these questions, but if you must know he's your aunt's PA."
James raised an eyebrow at her answer, and had to fight to keep a grin from breaking free.
"Right, so what's with the weekend bag if you're only going to help for today?"
"It's for the weekend, your aunt's company is a few miles from here and she has offered to let me stay with her. I'll be back on the Monday night, so you and Sandy will be in charge of the office."
Judy didn't believe her mother for a second. But didn't question any further.
"Alright, try not to work too much and tell aunt Olivia I say hi."
"I will." Jean told her with a smile.
"It was nice meeting you James."
"Likewise."
Judy walked past her mum and back into the kitchen.
"PA? I thought I was a physical education teacher?"
"Yes well… that's only when Alistair's around."
"Jean you do realise this could end badly don't you? You told Alistair Olivia was a headmistress. And Judy thinks she has her own company. If the two of them talk..."
"Yes, well. we'll worry about that later."
"What story have you told now?" Lionel came out to join them as he heard the end of the conversation.
"What makes you think I've told a story?" Jean asked indignant of Lionel's accusation.
"I'm not even going to answer that."
Jean lets out a huff in annoyance, which Lionel ignored.
"Good to see you again James."
"You to Lionel."
"She will be alright won't she?"
"She'll be fine, once I walk her through everything at the office her personal bodyguard will drive her to and throw work and there will be agents stationed at the house."
"Is all that necessary?" She asked trying to wrap her head around it.
James nodded "One of the perks of being the boss. Now we had best get a move on if we want to be there on time."
"Give me a few moments."
James gave a nod and picked up Jean's weekend bag from the floor. "I'll meet you in the car."
Jean gave him a smile and watched him go before turning back to Lionel.
"Try not to kill Alistair while I'm away will you?"
"I can't promise that, though I'm hoping he will stay away until you're back."
"Lionel…"
"I know, I know no killing Alistair. Looks like I'll have to go to plan B I'll just barricade the doors and windows instead."
"Good luck with that. Like that will keep him out."
"I was afraid of that."
Jean gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "Take care and I'll see you on Monday."
"Try not to make up any more stories while you're at it."
"Oh." She gave him a scowl and followed after James.
Lionel just smiled as the front door closed behind her and shook his head. He could see this plan failing before Jean had even set foot in MI6. He hoped she didn't leave too much mess for Olivia to clean up when she came back.