Continuation of "The Safe House"
Many thanks to Wolfsbride, Persiflage, & TemporaMores.
I do not own any part of the Bond franchise, I just play with their characters every now and then.
MI6
M needed to get in touch with Bond. He had been undercover for nearly six weeks and contact had been infrequent and brief of late. But now she had received new information which completely changed the focus of the assignment, and she needed him to get it as a matter of urgency. As a former double-O agent herself, she understood how sensitive time could be, so there was only one way of salvaging the mission.
She looked over at Tanner. He looked at her questioningly. "Tanner", she said firmly, "I need a private jet for a flight to Rome. Bond needs this information as soon as possible."
"Ma'am? Shouldn't we send a field agent?"
"We can't. There is more to this than meets the eye. I cannot afford to divulge some of this information to anyone. I'm afraid that I'll have to go myself unless we want the mission to be a disastrous failure."
Tanner just nodded. "Should I book you into the same hotel as Bond?" he enquired.
"Oh, that is of utmost importance," she said. "If you'll excuse me now, I'll go home to pack."
She would go on her own. Nobody could be allowed to have any idea exactly how explosive the new pieces of information were.
Italy
Bond knew that the man he was sharing a drink with was deadly, though you would not think it by looking at him. Sergio Santos was older, closer to M's age than Bond's, well groomed with impeccable manners. The briefing Bond had received prior to leaving London had detailed the various organizations Sergio was connected to, as well as the brutal acts personally carried out by him. He was a man who always got what he wanted, no matter what the cost. Once he set his eye on something, it was as good as his – Bond had seen this first hand.
It had taken him nearly a month just to get a meeting with Sergio, and this was their third one. They had arranged to meet in the hotel lounge where Bond was staying for drinks prior to having dinner a block away. Bond was being introduced to a few of Sergio's associates. A brief glance at his watch told him that it was time for them to leave for the restaurant when suddenly Sergio stopped mid-sentence, his gaze frozen, looking past Bond.
Only a woman could cause such a reaction, Bond thought. He turned, following Sergio's line of vision, and his breath caught: M glided toward them. She was a vision, ageless. She wore a slate gray wrap dress that hugged her curves, elegant but simple. The gentle V showed just enough cleavage to draw attention and Sergio had noticed. So had Bond.
There must have been a new development. He cursed himself for not checking in as he should, blaming himself for causing her to leave the safety of headquarters and join him in the field where potential danger lurked.
She gave him a smile. "I thought I recognized you from across the room." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. Turning quickly to Bond's associate, she introduced herself: "Hello, I'm Evelyn Fairfax. James and I are old friends." She extended her hand and gasped with surprise when her knuckles were kissed.
"A pleasure." Sergio's thick Italian accent hung in the air.
"A charmer, I see. It must be the company." She turned her head to look at Bond.
"I didn't know you were in town," Bond managed.
"Oh, you know me. I needed a break, so here I am and what a surprise to see you." Her smile was deadly. Bond had never seen her in action in the field and he was very impressed. "What must a woman do to get a drink?"
Both Bond and Sergio jumped to do her bidding, flagging down a waiter to get her a drink. She ordered champagne. Sergio seemed very taken by her, which worried Bond.
"So how do you know James?" Sergio asked M.
"We're old friends of a sort," she replied.
James chuckled good-naturedly. "More than that, actually", he said, placing a hand on her waist, "even though we don't see each other often enough." He looked up at her dotingly, willing her to play along.
He saw a flicker of shock in her eyes, but she smiled and kissed his cheek.
"That's right, Mr..." M noted how Sergio was looking at them.
"Sergio Santos," Sergio completed her sentence. "I hope you're up for a bit of competition, James." James raised an eyebrow at the remark and pulled M slightly closer. Directing his gaze at M, Sergio asked, "Is this your first time in Rome?"
"No, I've travelled here several times both for business and pleasure." This was in fact the truth. "I enjoy it very much."
"James, would you mind if Evelyn joined us for dinner? A beautiful woman's company is always welcome." Sergio smiled and Bond could have kicked him. Actually, he was already contemplating worse measures.
"I wouldn't want to intrude," M said sweetly.
"It would be no intrusion; I would love to catch up," Bond said pointedly.
"I would like to freshen up first, if you don't mind," she said.
Sergio rubbed his hands. "Good, good. I have a few phone calls to make. Don't be long, business before pleasure." The way Sergio was eyeing M, Bond had little doubt he wanted her to be his pleasure.
Bond took the cue, knowing it would give them a chance to speak briefly.
"I'll see you to your room and run and change my shirt," he offered.
"All right then." She looked at him, adopting her role perfectly.
Bond led M from the lounge, keeping his arm wrapped around her, placing his hand firmly on the curve of her hip. It was a bold statement. He was showing everyone who cared to see that they were much more than friends, and M had no choice but to play along. More than a few heads turned watching them depart.
The tension in the lift rose quickly as she glared at him. Once in her room, she unleashed her wrath. "What the hell was that?" She was furious. "You all but groped me out there!"
"Did you see the way he was looking at you? He was practically fucking you with his eyes. He doesn't take no for an answer in case you are unaware. He's dangerous."
M huffed. "Thank you for letting me know, I wouldn't have guessed that he was. Obviously it wasn't me who sent you after him." Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. "I was a double-O before you were out of your nappies. I can bloody well take care of myself."
Bond knew this discussion was far from over but he needed to know why she had come to Rome. "What's happened? There has to be a major development if you came instead of sending someone."
M walked over to her bag, withdrew a file and handed it to Bond. "The CIA are monitoring his movements as well. They are unaware of our surveillance so you'll need to be careful. I don't need this to get sticky; the PM is already breathing down my neck as it is."
Bond took his time reading over the information carefully. "Shit! No wonder you came!"
Looking at her watch, M stated, "We don't have much time and you need to change your shirt. We can discuss the details after dinner."
"Stay close to me tonight. He'll try to get you alone." Bond's voice was firm.
"As I said, I can take care of myself."
"I won't let him touch you, M."
"I'll do whatever's necessary." Her voice was firm. With that, she stalked out into the hall, walking briskly for the lift. The discussion was over.
