Chapter 1.

Our Not-So-Normal Everyday Life

It was 8:20 PM and James Bond was sitting in the living room, comfortably reading a novel, finally being able to relax for the time being. It was definitely not every day that he could just grab a good book and sit back on the couch with his legs popped up on the coffee table, not having to worry about anyone shooting at him or otherwise trying to destroy him and his country.

It had been a great day so far; he had gotten up at 10 AM, made breakfast for himself and his adopted eight-year-old genius son, Mini-Q, then he went shopping for new clothes with the little one. Though calling him 'little one' wasn't really fitting anymore. The child was growing at a frightening rate: just a bit over two years ago when he had found the tiny boy huddled on the street, alone and scared, he had been so small everyone thought him to be not a day over 4 years old. He had also been awfully malnourished. Now, he was at an average high for his age and – while he was admittedly still very skinny – definitely didn't look sick anymore.

Also, the boy had become an even more complicated enigma by now than he had been before. If that was even possible… No doubt: adolescence was coming quickly for the child. Quite honestly: he was eight years old, he loved old cartoons like Tom and Jerry, The Smurfs or Winnie the Pooh and he also took online university courses in Space Engineering, Math and Physics. He had two items he needed to have close by at any times: his favorite teddy bear called Brownie and his enormous, hardback book about the theories of the birth of the universe. Some days, he worked in Q-Branch with the old Quartermaster and his minions, creating weapons and coming up with new and interesting gadgets for the agents to use during missions as a 'light' hobby while on other days he preferred going to the cinema or to the playground with his agemates from the neighborhood. Nobody understood how this constant contradiction didn't make the child's head spin, but he obviously didn't have a problem with it.

Like today: while he had been pleading with the boy to try on some new jeans and they had met his friend, Pete, also shopping with his mother…

"James, you know I hate to dress! Can't you just try to guess my size?" – Complained the boy, turning away from the 'trendy' pants James was showing him as a sign of protest.

Bond was already getting frustrated even though they had only arrived around five minutes ago.

"Mini-Q, your size changes every fortnight, you can't possibly expect me to keep up with it!"

"Well, just what kind of spy are you then? You shoul-"

"Oi, hi, James, hi, Alex. How are you?" – Asked a small and slightly chubby thirtysomething woman in a sing-song voice, dressed in a lighting pink dress that was several sizes too small for her and balancing on high heels obviously designed for much more graceful ladies. She walked out from behind a shelf full of child's T-shirts that had until now effectively hidden her, suggestively throwing her dyed blond hair over her shoulder with just a tad bit too much enthusiasm. She had been openly flirting with James ever since the boys had made friends on last year's West End Live performances at Trafalgar Square. She just didn't seem to get he wasn't interested in her at all…

"Hello, Mariah, we're fine, thank you. I hope, you're as well?" – He asked, already looking around for a way to escape. He just needed a good excuse to get away from her and her eye-watering appearance…

"Oh, we're marvelous! We're just about to buy some handsome new shirts for my Petey. It's incredible how he seems to outgrow everything in just a few weeks." – She ruffled her nine-year-old boy's short red hair, getting an angry grunt as a reward. – "And then the shopping… it can be a nightmare with him! He whines like a baby sometimes-"

"Mom!" – Pete looked totally scandalized if his tomato-red cheeks were anything to go by. His skin's color certainly matched his hair's now. James actually felt bad for him.

"- Is Alex that insufferable too?" – She continued in a very irritating childlike, high-pitched voice, totally ignoring her son's apparent embarrassment and the fact that Mini-Q was present too.

"Oh, no, no. We're doing great. He was just about to try on these pants."

Mini-Q was so grateful for not having made fun of that he took the previously so simply discarded piece of clothing without further protests and headed immediately to the dressing rooms. At least there was something good that came out of the situation then…

Of course, she still didn't give up.

"Wouldn't you two like to join us for an ice cream afterwards? I think we'll all deserve it if we survive this horrible torture. If in the end we'll even manage to buy something, we'll get extra whipped cream." – She winked and James had to force himself to remain still. He would have liked to run away screaming.

"Oh, I would love to, but sadly, I have a lot to do. I'll have to go to work as soon as we're finished here…" – That wasn't true, as he wasn't scheduled for any missions, trainings or briefings for two more days in HQ. But she didn't need to know that.

"Business is going good then? Are the people afraid of the promised summer thunderstorms mentioned in all weather forecasts?" – Of course, she thought he was a property insurance agent, thanks to Mini-Q's wonderful sense of humor, deliberately calling him 'Agent Bond' in front of her more than once, then coming up with that totally ridiculous explanation.

"Something like that, I guess…" – Where was Mini-Q? Maybe they should really have bought the jeans without trying them on… The shop would take them back in three days if they didn't fit, right? Oh, here he was; thank God! – "So, Alex, what do you think?"

"They're fine." – The boy shrugged, clearly not caring at all. He would walk around in his underpants without as far as he was concerned. It was only stupid adults who always made a big deal of having 'proper' clothing.

"Mom, can I go with Alex to the playground?"

"Yes, dad, can we?" – James raised an eyebrow at that. Mini-Q never called him dad, unless he really wanted something, like that PlayStation a few months ago, for example.

Pete's mom looked put out but didn't have any good excuse, so she agreed. Bond didn't have a problem with Mini-Q spending time with a friend, so he only told him to be home by 5 PM. The children ran out faster than the adults could blink, leaving James standing with the discarded jeans in his hands and Mariah with various T-shirts hanging off her arms.

Mini-Q had come home slightly after 5 PM, but James hadn't wanted to make a big deal out of it. The boy had rushed into his room right away, shutting the door. Thinking about it now, he hadn't emerged ever since, not even for dinner or to watch Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers. That was unusual…

Bond deposited his book on the table and decided to go to investigate.

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The door was still closed and no sounds could be heard from inside. Also, it didn't seem like the light was on. Bond knocked on the door gently but didn't receive a response. It was funny; lately, the boy had started to insist, he was 'old enough' to stay up as long as he wanted. Usually, he played Super Mario on his new PlayStation or read a book about space travel until around half past nine, when he just fell over wherever he was, already asleep, leaving an amused James or Alec to carry him to bed, smiling fondly.

This time though, it was as if he were already asleep – or not there at all… Was the boy maybe sick? With that frightening thought, James silently opened the door and peered inside. Instantly, he could see the top of the child's incredibly messy dark hair sticking out from under the pile of blankets, outline clear on the white pillow even in the dim light from the living room. Making a mental note to have that hair tamed a bit by a hairdresser again (no matter how much Mini-Q might have hated going there), he stepped into the room to check on his young charge. It was an unusually warm summer day, that certainly didn't justify so many blankets, so his worry had just increased in these past seconds.

He sat onto the edge of the bed and caressed the boy's hair.

"Mini-Q? You awake? Are you all right?" – He asked softly, feeling the child's forehead. He established with a sigh of relief, that he didn't feel warm at all. James didn't want a repeat of the time when the little one had had a fever so high that it had made him delirious for a day. It had been over a year ago, and it still gave him nightmares sometimes.

The child stirred and ever so slowly crawled a bit upwards, so that now also his brightly shining green eyes poked out as he peered up at his adoptive father.

"Hi, James. Yes, of course, I'm fine…"

There was definitely something wrong then.

"Aren't you a bit warm under there?"

"No, I… I'm fine here." – As soon as he finished, a funny, squeaking sound could be heard.

"What was that?" – Inquired Bond, looking around for the source but not seeing anything.

"What? I didn't hear anything…"

"It was a squeak. You really didn't hear it?"

"No-" – There was the sound again. – "Oh… Well… I don't know?"

"What could that be?" – James switched on the lamp to be able to see better but still, he couldn't find anything out of place in the room. But the sound had clearly come from inside and from quite close as well!

"Maybe my stomach is rumbling? I'm a bit hungry, I forgot to eat dinner." – Tried the boy not so very convincingly.

"You could go days without food and wouldn't even notice it. And it didn't sound like- Did you hear that again?"

"No…"

"Mini-Q! I want to know what's going on here! What's that lump under your blanket there?" – He asked more forcefully, pointing at said place.

"It's… well, it's just my foot."

Now the agent actually rolled his eyes incredulous.

"How could that be your foot so far away from you!? Don't play games, Alexander Jamie Trevelyan-Bond!"

"Ooookay… But only if you promise not to get angry…"

"I can't promise that when I still don't know what it's about." – Though he was starting to get a pretty good idea…

The child sat up on the bed crossed-legged and seemed to think for a while.

"Will you still love me even if you get angry? Dad?"

These insecurities again… It wasn't often that they emerged, given the child's incredible amount of self-confidence, but time to time he could get real anxious.

Bond sat down next to him again.

"Of course, you know you could do nothing to change that."

The squeak started to get insisting and the by now two lumps were moving around restlessly under the covers. The child lifted the blankets with a sigh, revealing-

"Two black kittens!? Mini-Q, what's that supposed to mean?"

"I can explain!" – The little one shouted at once.

"I certainly hope you can, young man!"

"Well…"

"So?"

The boy fiddled around with his pillow and didn't look up for a while, probably organizing his upcoming speech in his head, before determinedly squaring his shoulders and stating:

"Pete and I found them abandoned on the street. They have been thrown out. They're just babies and can't live alone, so I took them in."

"And did Pete take in some as well?"

"No, there were only these two. Pete has a dog and two guinea pigs already. And his mother doesn't like black cats."

James sighed. Of course, she didn't. She'd only liked James himself on a leash, apparently.

"She's a bit superstitious, you see, and thinks that black cats bring misfortune. She sees them as symbols of evil omens and says, they're familiars to witches only." – Then James really couldn't understand what her problem would be… - "He offered to try to convince her if I thought that would make a good impression on you but I told him it was hopeless, so we dropped this option." – Good boy. – "He wants you as a dad. I like him as a friend but I don't want a brother and I can't stand his mom at all. She's creepy." – Quite understandable. – "Besides: you're MINE! I won't share you."

"Flattery won't help you here, Mini-Q." – Warned James though he had to admit: it did feel good to be loved that much by the small menace. – "Why did you think I would like to have them here then?"

By now the boy seemed much calmer, absolutely sure of himself as he took both furballs into his lap and lovingly caressed them.

"That's different: they're strays. I was a stray and you took me in. I'm just learning from you."

"What?"

"Did you know that children learn mostly by imitating what adults do? So, I'm sorry but it's your responsibility to only do things you'd like me to do as well."

James pinched his nose.

"I thought it was only by babies so. You're a 'big boy' now, aren't you? Old enough to study university courses and work in Q-Branch, stay up late and play outside with your friend without adult supervision?"

"Yeah, well. I didn't have a very good role model when I was a baby. Either I disregard everything I learnt from him and begin anew with you and Alec, or I'll become a good-for-nothing junkie too. Which option would you prefer?"

Bond blinked once. Then again. And again. Was the child really that manipulative or was it only an illusion? No, the boy still sat there with an innocent smile plastered on his face and green eyes shining brightly with mirth as if saying 'I got you there, didn't I?'.

Oh, the little… the little… genius.

"You realize cats live quite long, don't you? They're adorable little clews right now but they'll be here in 10, maybe 15 years. You'll be an adult by then and might want to live your own life. And they'll still be here, depending on you to take care of them."

"I'm aware of that and it's fine."

"And what about when both Alec and I'm on mission and you're staying with M? I don't think he'd like to have two kittens in his apartment along with you."

"Is he afraid of black cats, too? They can't help their color! People can be so narrow-minded!"

"He wouldn't like them even if they were ginger. He doesn't allow pets in his home."

"Well, then, Auntie Eve will gladly take them in for that time; she loves cats. Or they can stay in Q-Branch. We can use them to test the new night vision camera: we just fasten it to them and they can roam the dungeons and we'll see if the picture is really good under all circumstances."

"What if Q doesn't like cats?"

"He hates mice. Remember the last time he found one in Q-Branch? He screamed so loud, everyone thought we were under attack. So, I guess, he should be grateful to have two cats to get rid of them once and for all."

James shook his head, quickly losing the battle and knowing it.

"You really did think it through, didn't you?"

"Yes, and it's not all, I have gathered more reasons. Shall I continue?" – He asked, pulling a piece of paper from his nightstand that looked like a shopping list.

"No, it's not necessary, save some for Alec as well."

The boy perked up noticeably.

"So, can I keep them?"

"It's 'may I'." – Corrected James merely out of habit. He didn't know why he still bothered; it clearly didn't have any effect whatsoever on the child.

"So, may I? Please? Please, please, pleeeeeeease, daddy!"

"Ah… well, all right. Whatever. But if you'll neglect them and make us more wor-"

At that moment, the wind got blown out of his lungs as he found his arms full of a bouncing young boy. And two meowing kittens.

"YUPEEE! Thanks, James!"

"Ah, so it's back to James again, isn't it?" – Teased Bond as he hugged the excited boy.

"Of course, that's your name, isn't it? So, can I have dinner now, please? I'm starving. And I think the kittens are hungry too. Do you know what kittens eat? They're very small…" – He jumped off the bed and particularly danced all the way to the kitchen, talking a mile a minute. James didn't have any hope trying to answer him, as he silently followed the boy, carrying the cats. – "Maybe we should go out to a non-stop store and buy them milk? Do you think they'll need help eating? Do you know how to do it? Do you…

And it went on and on all the while the boy ate his two slices of buttered toast and drank three mugfuls of Earl Grey, completely disregarding all prior warnings about tea not being an ideal choice before going to sleep. In the meantime, James fed the two new residents with milk mixed with water, plain yogurt and an egg yolk, thinking how he'd have to buy them proper kitten food, cat litter and other accessories like toys and cat beds first thing tomorrow.

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Alec came home two days later, tired and slightly battered. He didn't wish for anything more than to take a shower then pry the little one away from his computer/PlayStation/book or television and take him out for a cake to their favorite place. Yep. Life was good.

Until…

"What the hell!?" – He exclaimed loudly. The apartment was a mess! Wet spots everywhere, the pillows from the couch were now on the floor in an undignified heap, the vase on one of the shelves turned over, water dripping from it onto the fluffy carpet. One of the curtains seemed to be torn to pieces and by taking a step to the side he hit his foot into a box of… cat litter? – "What the HELL!?" – He repeated.

"Oh, Alec, you're home already!" – Stated a flustered James the obvious, holding something that looked like a squeaky toy mouse in his left hand while trying – and failing – to brush cat hair from his misbuttoned shirt with the right one. – "We didn't expect you 'till the evening."

"Yeah, well, I wanted to surprise you… I admit: it happened the other way around."

Mini-Q just crawled out from under the coffee table, holding two squirming cats in each arm, smiling brightly, apparently not at all bothered by the catastrophic state of the apartment.

"Alec, look, let me introduce you to Huck and Finn. My new kittens!"

"Huck and Finn?"

"Yes, from Huckleberry Finn…"

"I would never have guessed… What are these beasts doing here, Mini-Q?"

"Why, they live here, of course! They're my brothers!"

"WHAT!? Wait a minute: I can't remember adopting them as well!"

"Of course not: I did it for the both of us."

Alec turned to James with a horrified expression on his face.

"Last time it was a child, now two cats, Jamesy. Soon, I'll be afraid to come home at all! I mean, what's it going to be next time; an elephant!?"

Mini-Q just shook his head fondly at the agent's apparent lack of common sense.

"Don't be daft, Alec. An elephant is big and ugly. The kittens and me, on the other hand, are small and cute. That's a big difference! Don't tell me you're not happy to have us here!?" – He smiled sweetly up the man, nuzzling the two baby cats to each side of his face.

"I… Oh, God. All right, I think they may stay."

"You don't even want to hear my other arguments about the benefits of keeping cats?" – The child actually looked a bit put out at that.

Seeing the other's confused expression, James hurried to explain.

"Mini-Q has prepared a whole list and a speech to convince us. I think he's a bit disappointed it went too easy."

"Oh, well, no need for theatrics, Munchkin. I don't really have anything against adorable pets like the three of you. As a matter of fact, I've always wanted a dog-"

"NO!" – Shouted James strictly and Mini-Q chuckled.