Despite initial misgivings and the more intense than usual scrutiny of their superiors, the relationship between James Bond and MI6's Quartermaster has blossomed beyond all expectation. The work of a Double-O has usually ensured that retirement packages for the men and women in their line of work were a rarely experienced thing. But now, James Bond has something more in his life. Something real, solid and beautiful to return home to. He occasionally marvelled at the fact it turned out to be a man that grounded him. When it would be the women in his life that pulled the ground from under his feet should come as no surprise.
"I may have a shot. It's not clean. Repeat, I do not have a clean shot," Eve's voice wavered slightly over the comms link.
Q was standing at his post in Division, silent, listening, his hands behind his back.
"There's a tunnel ahead. I'm going to lose them."
M had taken it upon herself to oversee Bond's mission in Istanbul for which Q was partially grateful. The success of the mission was vital to protect SIS's undercover operatives abroad and her experience stood head and shoulders above his own. He was forced to swallow his pride and take it on board as a learning exercise.
"Can you get into a better position?" M. Urgent but steady.
"Negative, there's no time," replied Eve.
Q can hear the scuffles and punches exchanged between Patrice and Bond. He can only imagine the patch up job Medical are going to have to do on him when he gets back.
"Take the shot."
Q can feel Eve's hesitation seep into his brain. M is asking the impossible and much as Q wants to, he can't interfere. He was told in person by M, in no uncertain terms, the repercussions of allowing his emotional relationship with the agent to bleed into the operation.
" I said take the shot!"
As he had been absorbing her words, he wondered if she already knew how much blood there would be.
" I can't, I may hit Bond!"
"Take the bloody shot!" shouted M, the authority in her voice demanding no argument.
Q felt the shudder ripple through his body as the sound of Eve's weapon cracked hard and deadly in his ear. He closed his eyes. The silence is long, empty for a few heartbeats before Q and those listening at MI6 hear the splash of water as Bond's body impacts the surface of the river.
Solemn and quiet, Eve's voice sounds the regret washing over them all. None more than Q. "Agent down."
Q heaves a breath and bows his head. The minions are silent. He had prepared for this. He had known the day would come. Today, more than ever, was a test of his character. He wasn't going to let either his staff or his agent down. He raised his head, straightened his shoulders and turned towards the room.
"The job will always come first," bright, blue eyes filled his vision as the words ghosted across his mind.
The minions were standing in silent respect for the loss of an agent. An irreplaceable weapon in the fight against enemies unseen.
"Carry on," said Q, calmly. "We still have a hard drive to find and other operatives equally as important to protect. There will be a time to mourn the loss of 007." He turned back to his station and they resumed their seats. "But it isn't now."
Today was going to be a very long day.