A new 00/Mallory story to keep you all going, I hope you like it. Not sure how long it will be, only time will tell.
…
Riser
Chapter 1
…
James Bond strolled through the corridors of MI6, more than a little relieved to be home. To say the mission had been exhausting was an understatement. His body was covered in bruises and cuts from god only knows how many altercations and all he was looking forward to now was a long hot bath to ease his aching muscles. Eve looked up from her desk as James entered, smiling that charming smile he always did.
"James, you're back."
"Double O Seven reporting for my debrief, his he in?" James asked, getting ready to walk through.
"James wait."
The urgency in Eve's voice haltered him as he turned and took in the pained look on her face.
"Eve…are you alright?"
"I'm fine, it's just before you go in there…well, there's something you need to know."
"I'm intrigued."
"While you were away, there was an accident."
"M?"
The concern in his voice didn't go unnoticed by Eve but she chose to save that talk for another day.
"In a manner of speaking."
"Eve I think you'd better tell me what's happened."
"Four days ago, Gareth Mallory's sister and brother in law were killed in a car crash on their way back from a family holiday."
"Oh my god, that's terrible. How did it happen?"
"It was a head on collision…a drunk driver. Their two daughters were in the car with them, I don't know how they got away unscathed but…they were absolutely fine, aside from a few cuts and grazes…much like yourself actually." She said, running a hand down his face.
"So where are they…the girls?"
"They had no other family except Mallory, the brother in law, his parents died when he was young, no other family and Mallory was the only other family his sister had. So Mallory has full custody of the girls, as stated in her will."
"He's suddenly a father of two, bloody hell."
"He's not…he's trying to show us that he's dealing with it all but…he's not. He didn't know I was there but, I saw him in his office the other night as I left, he was a wreck. He's scared, he's been given the job of raising two young girls and I think it scares him. He won't admit it but I think he's going to need us, whether he likes it or not."
"I know we haven't gotten along since Olivia but, I don't wish this on him."
"He's grown on you, I can tell."
"Okay so he's not as bad as he was when he first arrived but don't tell him that."
"The girls are in there with him now; he's not getting much work done. The older one Gianna, she's fifteen and thinks she's an adult, Isa…she's only six…poor thing won't leave Mallory's side. I don't think he's used to that much closeness from another human being. Apparently he rarely saw his nieces, too busy with work."
"Explains why he never married or had kids of his own."
"Just…don't be your usual self with him. Don't rile him, remember he's suffering, he has just lost his sister."
"How heartless do you think I am?"
"James I didn't mean…"
"It's okay, I know I'm not known for my tact at the best of times but I'd never do that to him."
…
Eve watched as James turned and knocked on the door of Mallory's office but not getting an answer. He walked in slowly to hear Mallory rowing with his older niece Gianna, she had long blonde hair and blue eyes, her height just coming up to Mallory's chest.
"IT'S NOT FAIR, WHY DO WE HAVE TO STAY HERE. WHY CAN'T WE STAY AT HOME? THERE'S NO TV OR ANYTHING HERE…I WANT TO GO HOME NOW."
"Gianna please I still have a lot of work to do and I…."
"I WANT TO GO HOME."
"NOT NOW GIANNA."
"I HATE YOU."
James watched as Gianna stormed off in to Mallory's room he used when he decided to stay at the office on the occasional night to catch up on work and slammed the door behind her.
"Sir."
Mallory looked up to see James standing in his doorway, the smaller girl, her hair just above her shoulders stopped playing with Mallory's phone and followed her uncles voice and watched James. She got up and walked over to James, looking up at him and smiling.
"Hello…I'm Isa."
"Hello Isa, my names James…I work with your uncle." He smiled as he kneeled before the girl.
She looked at James and over to Mallory before turning back.
"My mummy and daddy died." She said as her smile faded.
James looked over at Mallory who turned his head away for a moment to collect himself as James reached out and ran a hand down the girls face.
"Yes I know sweetheart and I'm very sorry, but you have your uncle Gareth and he'll take very good care of you won't he."
Isa looked over at Mallory who looked down at the child; James could almost make out the tears in his eyes. She nodded her head as she turned to James.
"Why don't you go back and play with your uncle's phone while I talk with him huh."
"Okay, will I see you again?"
"More than likely, off you go."
She hugged him before running back to the sofa and began playing with her farm game on the phone as Mallory walked over to James.
"Thank you for that." He said with a faint smile.
"Not a problem, she's lovely. How are you?"
"I'm…I don't know really. I don't think it's quite sunk in yet. You want to debrief."
"Oh god don't worry about that, it can wait."
"No really we should…"
They both looked up when Gianna walked back in to the room.
"Gianna, come over here and meet James Bond."
"I want to go home."
"Gianna please…."
"I want…"
"GIANNA STOP."
Gianna froze when Mallory raised his voice to her; James hand came and rested on Mallory's arm, in a way of comfort.
"Hello Gianna, it's lovely to meet you."
"Hi, so you work in this boring place as well do you?"
"I do, though my side of the job is a little more physical than your uncles."
"I'm hungry; it's nearly 5pm…why can't we go home."
"For goodness sake fine…we'll go…alright."
"Finally." She muttered as she walked over to her sister.
"I'm sorry about that."
"She's hurting, it's understandable."
"We're all hurting; some of us just have to get on with it."
"Hey Gianna, how do you fancy Chinese for dinner? My treat." James smiled.
"Bond, you don't have to do that."
"Please, it might calm her down a bit and we can have that debrief."
Mallory eventually agreed and James waited by the door while Mallory helped Isa put on her Jacket.
"I'll do that for her…she's my sister."
Mallory stepped aside as Gianna grabbed the jacket from his grasp and helped her little sister on with it.
…
To Be Continued…
…
Should I continue?