The Fighter

Chapter 1

…

Eve had been the first to notice the change in James; from the moment she had dropped off the envelope addressed to him a few weeks before, the sudden change in his demeanor. He'd been spending more and more time around MI6, taking a step back from missions, which hadn't gone unnoticed by M.

"Eve…do you have a moment." Mallory asked, appearing at his door.

"Yes Sir."

Eve got up and followed Mallory in to his office, taking a seat across from him as he poured them both some tea and handing one to Eve.

"Thank you Sir."

"Eve, we know one another well enough to be honest with one another yes?"

"Sure."

"And if I were to ask you a serious question, would you tell me?"

"If I'm able too Sir."

Mallory took a sip of his tea before placing the cup down and leaning forward, eyes focused on the young woman opposite him.

"What's going on with Bond?"

"I'm sorry?"

"I'm not a foolish man Eve, I'm aware of how odd he's been behaving lately."

"You want me to be honest?"

"Please."

"I really don't know what's going on with him, I have tried to ask him but he steers me away from the question every time."

"He's taken a step back from the field."

"Yes I noticed that, he's been like that with me too, it's not like him."

"No it's not, I'm concerned about him. I know he'd probably never tell me what's going on. I suppose those kinds of conversations were reserved for my predecessor."

"Sir, it's been two years now…I think he's past the point of comparing you to her."

"You don't feel he still resents me being here behind this desk."

"James made peace with her death, and he accepted you as our leader. I'm not saying it was all plain sailing but I think he's come a long way, don't you?"

"If that were true then he'd tell me what's going on."

"Perhaps it's a personal issue, something he doesn't feel he can share with us."

"I'm worried about him Eve."

Eve watched the way Mallory avoided eye contact when he spoke to her about James, there was something he wasn't saying…something she was missing.

"Sir, I'm sure he'll tell us when he feels ready."

"And what if it's too late…I'm sorry Eve, just ignore me. You may go."

Eve offered a warm smile before getting up and making her way back out to her work station, she sat down for a few minutes…her eyes focused on Mallory's office, sighing to herself before getting up and making her way along the long corridors of MI6.

…

James was leaning back in his chair, staring out the window, holding the envelope that had arrived weeks before…lost in his own thoughts.

"James…James…"

James snapped back to the present, turning to see Eve standing at his desk, her arms folded across her chest, with determination on her face.

"Eve…this is a surprise…what do you need."

"Take me to lunch."

"What?"

"You need to eat and I'm starving, take me to lunch…treat your friend."

"Okay…where?"

"There's a nice Bistro just a block from here…lets go."

James obeyed, tucking the envelope in to the inside of his jacket before getting up and following Eve out.

The Bistro was fairly quiet for Wednesday lunchtime, which Eve was grateful for. They were seated at a table in the corner, Eve ordering ham salad while James ordered some pasta.

"So, come on Eve…what's all this in aid off."

"What, can't two friends share lunch together now?"

"Eve…"

"Okay, there is something I wanted to discuss with you."

"Go on."

"You…"

"Me?"

"James, we're worried about you."

"Who are we?"

"Mallory…and me."

"Eve…"

"Look, I'm not stupid, and neither is he. We know something's going on…something you're hiding from us."

"It's not your concern."

"I disagree; you've barely left the office in weeks. It's almost like your waiting for something to happen."

James looked around the Bistro then back to Eve, who looked worried.

"We care about you James, we're your friends. If there's something going on, if you're in danger from something or someone…then you need to tell us."

James closed his eyes briefly before looking back at Eve, she watched as he put his hand in side his jacket pocket and bring out the envelope he'd tucked away in the office and took out the contents and handing them to Eve.

James watched Eve closely as she examined the contents thoroughly before looking back at James.

"I don't understand, why am I looking at pictures of Mallory…why did you take these?"

"I didn't take them…that envelope you gave me a few weeks ago, that's what was inside…along with this." He said, handing her a small piece of paper.

James,

You took something of great importance to me many years ago, for which I've never forgotten. Well now I'm going to take something equally precious to you.

A.F

James waited as Eve ready the note and looked back at him.

"I don't understand…who's A.F?"

"His name if I'm right, is Arthur Ficher…he was an inventor, he designed a nuclear weapon….he was days away from finally using on our country until…"

"You got to him first."

"It was one of my first missions under the leadership of Olivia."

"But I don't understand…"

"When I destroyed the weapon, it ended up killing his Son as well…he was only fifteen and helping daddy to destroy our country. He always said he'd make me pay one day."

"Yes but I still don't follow…why the pictures of Mallory."

"He's our Head of MI6, if there's anyone more important to us then it's him."

"Are you sure it's this man Ficher?"

"Not a hundred percent but…it sounds like him."

"So your refusal to go on missions…the late nights at the office…you've been keeping an eye on Mallory."

"I didn't want him knowing about the pictures and I knew the only way to protect him was to do it myself, without his knowledge."

"James…you have to tell him."

"Tell him that because of something I did years ago, his life is now in danger because of me."

"He has a right to know, you can't watch him 24/7."

James looked away from Eve before running a hand over his face.

"Oh my god, you've been camped outside his home haven't you?"

"It's my entire fault, so it's down to me to protect him."

"You're really worried about him, aren't you?"

"You sound surprised."

"I am, there were time I didn't think you could care less about him."

"Time heals right."

"Time heals…you need to tell him James."

"Yeah I know, he won't be happy."

"Better angry than dead."

James could only laugh a little as Eve finished off her salad.

…

To Be Continued…