"I have discovered an excellent steakhouse."
He moved a pawn, taking one of hers.
"They serve the best porterhouse I had the pleasure to taste so far."
She didn't look at him, instead moved a rook to take his insolent pawn in return. "Really? I would have taken you more for a chateaubriand type."
He smiled and moved another pawn. "Only on occasion. I am a most traditional man when it comes to steak."
"There is nothing traditional about you."
She took a sip of brandy and eyed the board much longer than necessary. All the while, he didn't turn his gaze away from her. Determined, almost relentless. Just like she played in her job.
"Only on the outside. I am most traditional when it comes to the essentials", he replied, also taking a sip of brandy. An exceptionally good one this time. She seemed to enjoy it just as much. At her first visit, a slightly confused Smith had offered to find her some sherry, an offer which she had turned down with a scowl and the comment that if she was to spend her time in a gentlemen's club, she did most certainly not do it to be treated like a lady. Ever since, Smith had taken to calling her Sir and treating her like any other guest of a member. At first, it had made the others a bit uneasy, but no-one had been bold enough to throw that particular woman out.
"Is that so." She grabbed the second rook and took one of his, threatening his king in the process. "Check."
He was quick to counter her move, using his queen to take her rook and protect his king. She scowled and quietly moved a bishop, causing him to start building a defensive wall around his king. They played silently for a while, clearing the board of most pawns and a considerable amount of higher pieces. Finally, he saw an opening, moving his remaining bishop.
"Check."
His tone was almost victorious, and he leaned back, relaxed, to await her counter-move.
"Hm."
When she reached out, he was almost expecting her to knock down her king. To his surprise, though, she reached to the far end of the board, where a lonely knight had been sitting all along. With a dry smile, she moved the piece.
"Check and mate."
He stared at the board dumbfounded for a second, then, with a laugh, threw over his king. "I always forget about your knights."
She put down her glass and started to reset the pieces. "A grave mistake, James. My knights are the best."
"I should know that by now, shouldn't I?" He put his last piece down, then signalled Smith for a refill of his almost empty glass. "You play a mean game of chess, Madeleine."
Her eyes shot up, her brows tightly knit together. "Call me that one more time in public and I may have to shoot you, Bond."
Chuckling, he leaned back. He downed the rest of his brandy and grinned, unable to remember the last time she had properly hit a target at the stand. "I would like to see you try, M."
I'm fairly sure I have seen most of the Bond films so far, but the dynamics of Daniel Craig and Judy Dench were just... cute, there is no other word^^ I always had the feeling they like each other more than they let on...
Also, I don't play chess. I think it's a fascinating game, but I was never any good at it, so don't count on me to get all the moves right ;)