NOTE: This is for detectivecaz and liz1967 who love to write in this tiny fandom with me.
And for James who wanted as story about M and Tanner. :)
Friendship
"I'm fine Tanner. I will make it on my own."
"M you have a sprained ankle you need help and I am going to help you. Just let me without protesting, please. It is either me or I call your daughter to come help you out around the house."
"Don't you bloody well dare!"
Tanner smiles at her response. "I like your daughter M. She is very nice."
"Oh you do, do you? When have you had the opportunity to make that assessment Mr. Tanner?"
"Well, I have a confession to make M."
Tanner helps M out of the car and takes the briefcases under his left arm as he wraps his right arm around M so she can lean into him as they make their way slowly up the steps.
They eventually make the door and Tanner places the cases on the ground as M hands him the keys to her flat's door. He opens it and bends down to take the two cases and slides them in the entrance.
Tanner then helps M up the last step and into the flat as he locks the door behind them.
"You were saying Mr. Tanner?"
Bill helps her off with her coat and places her bag on a table in the hall. He then grabs her around the waist again and guides her into her sitting room and to the sofa.
"I have met with Judi three times, when she has come to town and you have been unavailable. We had lunch. I have been meaning to mention it to you but it slipped my mind."
"Slipped your mind?" Tanner helps M on to her sofa and pulls the coffee table close. He places a throw cushion on the table and grabs her leg and gently places her ankle on the cushion.
M's eyes are wide and staring when Tanner looks back at her face. It dawn on him what he just did and he jumps up from his place beside her on the sofa.
"Oh...M...I am so sorry. I should have let you. I mean...I didn't mean to be forward. I was only thinking of your comfort, really. I am blushing like an idiot aren't I?"
M chuckles. "Yes adorably so Mr. Tanner. Considering that you picked me up and took me to medical after my unceremonious fall to the floor. I think you just became comfortable with physically touching me."
"Yes, well I saw you needed help and I would never grab your leg. I mean I could not see any reason to touch you. I mean except for you being injured. That sounds wrong. It's not like you are not an attractive woman, but I would never. Oh god, that sounds even worse."
Tanner paces in front of M and then bolts for the door. He retrieves the cases Q sent to set up a mobile command centre in M's sitting room. It is better to busy himself and perhaps the flush that has stolen up his neck to his face will disperse.
Tanner stretches his collar away from his neck nervously avoiding M's eyes.
"So you have met with my daughter?"
M feels she should relieve her poor chief of staffs discomfort as he has attempted to do for her.
"Yes. It was just to be polite. I mean it is not like she is not attractive. Judi looks just like you...ah….but as I said...I find you...this is not going well."
M chuckles. "No, I should say not. What did Q send us?"
"Two laptops and a secure router with coms and all."
"Good. Do you have the medication the doctor provided?"
"Oh yes. It's in my over coat." Tanner gets up and retrieves the bag of medications.
"I sent the driver to collect us some food and go to my flat to grab my emergency supply bag."
"Why?"
"I have to stay here with you. M you cannot manage the stairs on your own and the only bath is upstairs if I am correct."
"Yes you are. I had forgotten you have been here before, when..."
"Yes. The day Nigel died and I had to come before. Once, I spent time with him when you had the flu and could not leave the upstairs."
"Oh yes. I forgot about that. I was barely conscious but Nigel did like you. I know you also spoke often on the phone."
"Yes. He was a very nice man your husband."
"Yes he was. Does it shock you that such an abrasive woman as I could find someone like him?"
"No not at all. In fact he explained it to me over tea on one of my trips here."
"Oh he did, did he?"
"Yes. You were passionately driven and that was killer sexy. That was the gist of it and he was not wrong."
"Why Mr. Tanner. You are full of surprises today."
"Which is the most surprising? The visits to this house, coffee with Judi or that I agree that you are killer sexy?"
Now it is M's turn to blush a she looks at her injured ankle on the cushion. "Yes. I cannot say I have felt that way in a very long time."
"M, I know it has been hard for you but you do need to try and go out, socially with someone. There have got to be men interested. I have been to enough work conferences, luncheons, wine and cheese events in the government to see the way men look at you."
"That is because they can't believe how long I've been M."
"Yes, you have been M a long time but that is not what I mean and you know it."
M is happy when the door sounds and her driver comes in with a large duffel and bags of food. Tanner also helps bring in some groceries to the kitchen as the driver doffs his hat to M.
"Call me if you need any more food delivered ma'am or when your next appointment comes up."
"Thank you Frank. I will."
M can hear Tanner in the kitchen so she yells to him. "Can you find everything?"
"Yes M, I am just making tea and finding a tray."
"Under the sink Bill."
Tanner comes in the room with all the food plated and the teapot and cups. "You called me Bill."
"Yes, I did. I thought it appropriate since you are here and you are obviously insisting on staying with me just because of this annoying sprain."
"I feel bad. You tripped on my briefcase."
"I was foolish to have lost balance so easily."
The two of them eat in comfortable silence, sipping tea and enjoying the bistro sandwiches and potato leek soup.
"I have done the same thing before M. Distracted to the point where I've tripped over my own bloody feet on occasion."
"I think mine may also be a symptom of age. I am getting to the point where they will be forcing retirement on me soon."
"M, don't say that. I for one cannot imagine the place without you. Can you imagine Bond trying to work in a new M?"
"What do you mean by that? You think he has managed to work me in do you?"
"Well, no. That is not what I mean."
"What do you mean then Mr. Tanner?"
"M, Mallory was right. You are sentimental about Bond and he is very sentimental about you."
M scoffs as he places her now empty tea cup back on the tray. "Tanner, I am not!"
"Your blush and your eyes do not lie M and I have now known you long enough to see that there has always been an undercurrent between the two of you. Every meeting, all the flirtations and sexual innuendos, James Bond excels at that. Having Q or Eve and I as witnesses, just feeds his flirtations with you."
"Tanner there is nothing going on between James Bond and I."
"I know. You won't let him get close enough to try anything."
"Tanner are you trying to distract me away from the fact that you are in a sense dating my daughter?"
"NO! And I am not dating your daughter. I like her but I am not dating her. You are distracting the conversation away from the fact that the much younger, handsome killer agent that saved your life at Skyfall, is smitten with you. He frustratingly doesn't know how to get that through your stubborn skull."
"Stubborn. Me? That is the pot calling the kettle black. You are not dating my daughter then who are you dating? Are you going to admit it to me or not?"
"You know?"
"Of course I bloody well know! Do you think I got this job on my good looks? Or are you of the same mind as most, who believe I slept my way to the top of MI6."
"NO! I would never think that of you M. I know how hard a fight it was for you to become M and that you were more than qualified."
"So, will you admit that you and Eve have been dating since Skyfall?"
"Yes. M it was such a tense time. Eve was so happy that Bond was not dead because of her and then you almost being killed in that courtroom. Bond kidnapping you and whisking you off to Scotland. I am sure the plan was to save the day and have his way with you just like the others."
"TANNER! You are pushing it. There was no such thing going on."
"Only because you got shot. Bond would have tried had there been time."
"He would not have!"
"M, stop lying to me and yourself. Yes, he bloody well would have tried."
"No. Don't be absurd! That is so far from realistic. I am old enough to be his mother and we all know quite well the company he usually enjoys."
Tanner pulls out his mobile and begins texting furiously.
"Tanner what are you doing? Who are you texting?"
"I am confirming my earlier assertion about a certain agent, and his not so secret crush on our very attractive boss."
"Don't you bloody well dare text Bond that!"
"I wouldn't do that M. I texted Q and Eve. There. See here is the response."
Tanner moves beside her and M tries to grab the mobile from his hand."
"No...no...no. I will read it." Tanner says pulling the mobile away from her slightly. "Eve replies to the question. Do you think Bond has a thing for M?"
Oh my god yes! We have discussed this at length before. Why are you asking?
"Oh, now Q has responded." Tanner wiggles his eyebrows exaggeratedly.
I never really thought about that but it does make sense. Some of the meetings between them are very intense. The way he tried to get to her at that hearing, breaking into her flat. She is a very attractive woman I don't see anything wrong with it. Why?
"Eve just texted again. Oh...my..."
M grabs the mobile from his hand. "Give it here, let me!"
M begins to read the text out loud and Tanner at least has the decency to stare at his shoes.
Surely you are not showing this to her? I forwarded it to Bond because he called in his report a short while ago. I was teasing him about you spending the weekend with M at her flat.
"M, I'm sorry. I never thought she would ever do that."
"Fantastic and now the circle of office gossip can makes its rounds. Bond and I will be left uncomfortable and humiliated."
"Only if it were untrue. M you are sweet on him. He is the only agent you banter with and you have an obvious eye for attractive men. Your husband was not a bad looking bloke and Bond, well he could turn a nun."
"It's no different than old men ogling young women but they have a fair better chance of it leading to something than an old gal like me."
"You have never acted or looked old M. I peg you at a good 15-20 years younger than your actual age. Oh, Bond just texted."
"Well?"
"Well, what?"
"What did he say about all this nonsense?"
"It is a private text for me and you are above this all and don't believe the overwhelming evidence before you."
"Tanner, I can and will fire you!"
"I will paraphrase it for you because it is rather blue. You had better be looking after M in the capacity of friend only Tanner! I will relieve you when I return tomorrow night. I should manage to catch an earlier flight. You have Eve, M is mine so don't touch, or else!"
M eyes go wide in shock, she can't believe he would say that, let alone to Tanner. The day goes from disastrous to uncomfortable and now to disbelief.
M's shocked to discover that Eve and Tanner are a confirmed item and they all think Bond is interested in her. Now Bond claims her as his? Warning Bill away from her as a possible lover. It must be the pain medication messing with her mind.
Tanner clears the tray of dishes and brings her one of the laptops. Tanner goes to the kitchen puts the dishes in the machine.
Tanner joins M on the sofa and brings the second laptop Q provided. He plops down beside her.
M tries to become more comfortable by leaning up against the arm of the sofa. She stretches her legs out and Tanner grabs her feet and gently pulls them to his lap. Tanner is careful about the injured and wrapped one.
"Now you are all quiet. I told you Bond felt something for you. He will box my ears tomorrow when he gets here."
"How did he finish the mission so fast?"
Tanner taps a few keys and looks at the information from tactical.
M frowns at the screen and places her computer back on the table. The medication is playing with her vision and the computer is not helping. Her hands begin to massage her temples as a response to the shooting pains.
Tanner begins to massage M's calf instinctively. He does it for Eve all the time. Wearing heels all day hurts her. He rubs the bottom of M's non injured foot and she moans in response.
"He hasn't bloody well completed the mission yet! How on earth?"
'Wait M! He is making contact now. Forcefully."
"Why is rushing this? He was given the week! Where is the com? Is Bond wearing his?" M says groggily.
Tanner grabs the com and puts it in his ear. Tanner gets imagery through Bond's rigged tie pin. It is dizzying with all the action.
"Bond! Tanner here why are you forcing this mission?"
You know why Tanner.
Bond is grunting as he throws a punch and grabs an automatic gun from a guard.
"No I don't! M wants a report."
Where is she?
"M is beside me with her twisted ankle up."
Oh really? How very comfortable. Where are her feet and your hands?
"Bond I will not dignify that with an answer." Tanner blushes as he realizes his left hand is on M's good leg and ankle as her head is leaned back with her eyes closed. She does look more comfortable.
"What did he say Tanner?"
M moans again.
Is that M? Put her on.
"Now! You look a bit busy at the moment 007."
"M. Bond wants you on the com."
Tanner leans down and pulls another earbud from his computer bag and turns it on handing it to M."
"What is it Bond and why are you pushing this mission?"
M are you alright?
"Bond I asked you a question and my condition is irrelevant to the mission at hand."
Where are Tanner's hands?
M looks down and a flush floods her face as she realized the very intimate position she is in with her chief of staff.
"One of his hands is on the computer."
The other?
Bond can be heard firing his weapon off before he continues.
*Bang*...M...*bang...bang* I really didn't think I had to come out and say this...*bang*... I hoped you knew but I sense you don't...or you just refuse...*bang*...to acknowledge...*arghhhh*...*gurgle*...*grunt*...Bloody stubborn! *bang* Really, it has been ever since I met you. I have always been…*thud*...*groan*...*bang!*
More gunfire and shooting can be heard. A scream of a woman. Bond grunts and begins fighting someone.
*Thud!* Very attracted to you.
"Bond what are you trying to say?"
I am saying. Tanner had better not be getting too familiar with the woman who I love!
An explosion is heard and Bond running shooting as he goes.
M says nothing. Perhaps it is the drugs making her hear things she wishes were true. But then why in the bloody hell is Tanner looking at her with a sly smile.
Tanner cannot help but smirk at his stalwart boss as her mouth hangs open in shock of what they both just heard agent 007, James Bond say.
"You had better get back here soon and in one piece mission completed then Bond because M's caves are very smooth and so very soft. I am a leg man as you know. She may be short but I have got to say..."
Tanner you do not want to finish that statement.
M shifts on the sofa still not able to bring any comments forth in her utter shock at Bond's confession. Not to mention Tanner's inappropriate sexual taunting.
Is she still there or has she nodded off to try to avoid any discomfort?
"Her mouth is open and about to catch flies but I will admit she is under the influence of medications and might not be able to absorb such information Bond. She was adamant that you consider her a mother figure."
As if! I have never wanted anything more in my life...*stomp*...*bang* Than to get that woman naked and willing into a bed! You know that Tanner. Perhaps if that earbud is working right, she will believe you now.
"I will see to it that after the shock wears away and I take her up to bed, that she understands."
Tanner don't tease me like that or I will end up on Eve's doorstep with roses and wine.
"Don't you bloody well dare Bond. Besides my lady shot you down once already. Maybe your skills are not quite so legendary as you think."
M, can you say anything? I need to hear your voice. Don't let Bill's teasing get to you I am on my way home now and will take over looking after you.
"That is not necessary Bond." M says haltingly, sounding quite distant even to her own ears. "As I told Tanner already I can look after myself. It's only a sprain after all. Come in Monday and I will see you in my office at 11."
M. I need to see you. See that you are alright.
M becomes angry at his pleading and his presumption. A few nice words and hurrying to her side will not change the fact that this is utterly rediculous.
"Bond, just do as you are told for once and come in 11 on Monday and turn in your equipment with Q before you come to my office. M out!"
M removes the earbud and turns off the device. She hears Tanner say a few more things.
"Yes I know she is…...I will look after her Bond…. No of course not….Yes she is gorgeous but I am a one woman man. That remains to be seen Bond…...Just one?…...That I can barely believe…..Yes she does have the right to be suspicious, wouldn't you? Home base out Bond."
Tanner removes his earbud and places it on the table.
"What was that all about?"
"His confession or the part you missed?"
"Stop being obtuse! The last bloody part."
"He knows that you don't want to admit this but he thinks you are gorgeous and doesn't trust me not to hit on you. I swear M, I would never do that. He understands that you do not believe him but that the womanizing is for information and the job only."
"This is all too much. I will need help up the stairs and I will take a bath and go to bed."
"M, I will close off here and take you up. I will run your bath and help you lie out some clothes. If you have any problems you call for help."
"Yes. Just stop smothering me and I hope I can manage a bath by myself. The gossips at six will have a fit over you helping me while bathing."
"Not to mention Bond will take a run at me."
Tanner rearranges the computers and places all work related items on the dining room table. He then moves back and instead of helping M up to standing he scoops her into his arms much to her shock.
"Tanner! I could have walked."
"M, I have the driver bringing properly sized crutches over tomorrow morning. Until then I am your wheelchair. You could damage yourself further trying to jump around on only on leg."
Tanner carries her upstairs and sits her on her bed while he enters her ensuite and starts the bath. "Do you want any bath oil M?"
"No. I will just have a quick bath with my ankle up. I do wish the doctor had the proper crutches. Oh, Tanner could you go into the far spare room and in the closet there you will find a cane. Nigel hurt his leg once an I got him one. That will help me hobble in the bathroom myself without you needing to see me naked in the bath."
"I will find it. Just stay where you are." Tanner turns the water off before leaving to find her the cane. Not that he would mind helping her in and out of the bath. Damn, he could make Bond's head explode if he did.
M sits on her bed waiting for Tanner to return. How she managed to get herself into this situation is beyond her. Tanner is a very sweet man to do this for her.
Next weekend she will send him and Eve off to a resort as a thank you for all that he has done.
"I found it M." Tanner says with a smile as he enters her room.
"Good now you don't have to pull me in and out of the bath. Could you grab me something to wear after Bill?"
"Sure M. Where do I look first?"
M motions to the drawers and he finds a pair of silk pyjamas and places them on the bed beside her.
"I will need knickers too Tanner. The top drawer over there." M points as she sees Bill hesitate and flushes red but he moves to the drawer.
"Plain cotton ones Bill. I don't think I require a silk thong at this moment."
Tanner turns back to look at M, her with an impish smile plastered on her face to gage his reaction.
"For that I will look just to see if you have any silk thongs."
M begins to laugh as she stands with the help of the cane. Tanner tosses a pair of knickers on the bed and offers his arm for her to walk to the bathroom.
"I will wait out here for you to call me M. There are towels and a dressing gown in the bathroom I checked but if you get into any trouble I will come in, eyes closed if you wish."
"I will not be embarrassed for you to see me undressed Bill, but you may cringe at the sight."
"M, I don't think you could be anything but beautiful. You already are while in clothes so naked, all the better." Tanner says with a wink.
M smacks his arm as she chuckles along with him. M manages the bath and slowly gets out and manages to make it out on her own. Tanner now satisfied that M is going to be fine exits the room to get her medications while she dresses and gets into bed.
Tanner knocks at the door and M calls him in. He brings her the water and pills and sits on the edge of the bed.
"Here are your supplies M. I will be in the room across the hall should you need me."
"Tanner, thank you. You have gone above and beyond and I am giving you and Eve a weekend in the country next week for all your help."
"M there is no need to do that. I don't mind helping in the least. That is what friends do."
M looks at him perplexed and then smiles. "I just never thought you considered me in that light."
"M, of course I do. You are a wonderful person with a wicked sense of humour that you only let peek out on occasion. Over time you have let yourself open up to me. That has been the greatest part of working with you."
"Really? I am no longer the evil queen of numbers?"
"The rest of MI6 is always going on, how on earth do you work that closely with her all the time? But I just smile and tell them to get back to work."
"Good for you but how do you manage to deal with my nature day in and day out?"
"M you are just misunderstood by the staff. They see only the severe demanding side of you but I see the passionate professional that cares more for the service than anyone. The job we do is not nice. Not openly rewarding but you do it anyway and you do it well. To many of them it's just a good paycheque."
"Thank you Tanner. I am glad that we can consider each other friends."
"Me too M. What are you going to do about Bond?"
"Oh god! I don't know. What do you think I should do Tanner?"
"I think you should give him a chance."
"You do?"
"Yes, but I want you to play very hard to get. I plan on eluding to sleeping with you and helping you into the bath, just to make his head explode."
M laughs. "I will not deny it then. Hard to get may have meant something entirely different in my day and time. What do you think I should do?"
"Make him woo you properly and do not give into him sexually until he has earned your complete trust and consent to do so."
"You think he is that forceful?" M asks concerned.
"I think he can be after hearing some of his missions. The women he seduced were fine with it but as an outsider listening in, I took him to be a tad rough and forceful. I just don't want him to do the same thing with you M."
"Nor do I Tanner. I can't believe we are even discussing this."
"It is good that you are. I will know when you are good with the relationship and I will be able to tell if it all goes to hell. I will be there for you if it does."
"I am still wondering about all of this. Can I trust him? Is he just trying to use me for some reason?"
"I think he is genuine M, ever since Skyfall. If it had been before that I may have doubted his intentions. You deserve happiness M for all that you have sacrificed. Seize the day M."
"I thought you said to take it slow and make him earn it? Seizing the day does not sound like I should proceed with caution. It's not like I have all that much time left to waste."
"Don't think of it like that M. You could easily outlive Bond."
"That is not a good thought either, Bill."
"I like when you call me Bill."
"I would have you call me by my name but if there were any slip ups at work that would not be good."
"No, and I like M. It's sexy."
M blushes. "Bill, go get some sleep."
"You too M."
Tanner leans over and kisses her cheek. "You know, if I wasn't dating Eve…"
"Stop! Don't mess with this friendship Tanner. It is perfect just the way it is."
"Goodnight M."
"Goodnight Bill."
The End.