Disclaimers: I do not own James Bond. I do not own Alec Trevelyan. I do not own the other familiar characters. I do own Michael Stone, Lauren Benedict, Margie, and others whom were created to suit the purpose of this story.

Summary: Friendship. Love. Brotherhood. This story is about James Bond, Alec Trevelyan, Michael Stone, Lauren Benedict, and many others. It is about how forgiveness is important. How life is so strange that before you know it, you might be doing something that you never thought you would do. This is about hope.

A/N: I hope you enjoy this. If you don't understand the references to Michael Stone I suggest you read some of the one-shots. Review!

Bond, Trevelyan, and Natalya were now in a private section of the U.S. ship. They were waiting for Wade to return from his meeting with the commander.

James and Natalya were standing next to the window; both looking out as the waves crashed onto the ship's side. Alec, on the other hand, was sitting alone watching everything, and thinking heavily.

Trevelyan did not know what Bond was up to. Bond had chosen to save his life. He would have thought that James would drop him. It was what he would have done if he were in James' position. But then again – the two weren't the same people any more. They were different.

James looked at the ocean. How did this happen? He didn't know how it happened. He grieved so much for his former friend. He made it known to everyone that he would forever remember Alec Trevelyan. And now, he couldn't believe he was best friend with a traitor. It hurt. It would always hurt because he trusted Alec. Trust. What a quaint idea. He blinked in response to Alec's words. Yes, he believed Alec – Janus – whoever the man was now – believed that trust was a quaint idea. But in his point of view, trust was sacred and real. It was sacred and real like he thought he had with Trevelyan. It was sacred and real like he has with Stone. But I'm already thinking about how I can avoid revealing the truth. He chuckled inwardly. Yes, I'm trustworthy too.

The door creaked open. The three faced the maker of the sound. It was Jack Wade. The old man smiled at the three.

"Well, your ride will be here in a few minutes and then it will take you back to England," he said.

James smiled back at him. "I can't thank you enough, Jack. I really appreciate it."

Wade scoffed it with a wave of his hand. "Don't sweat it!" he replied. "I don't mind it at all." He winked at his friend. "If you ever need help with anything – I'll be there to help."

James nodded. Yeah, but Stone already holds that title. He had wanted to call on Michael for some backup but he knew he needed to do things alone. It was the only thing he could do.

He looked at Alec. Trevelyan was just staring out into the open; unblinkingly. He looked at the burnt side of his former friend's cheek. He didn't know what went wrong. He hated the fact that it was partially his fault that Alec felt betrayed. But then again, I was betrayed long before that day in Russia.

Alec looked up. He locked eyes with Bond. They both just stared at each. Neither man wanted to do a thing. All they could really have strength to do was to stare, and that was what they did.

To both men's surprising disappointment, there was no telekinetic passing between them. It was as if the betrayal that each felt the other committed totally destroyed the bond of friendship and brotherhood.

Natalya looked between the two men; slightly bewildered. What was James thinking? What was he planning? She didn't understand why James did what he did. From what she heard, Alec betrayed his country and tried to kill his best friend. It didn't make any sense.

Does James feel guilt? She brushed her shoulders off. She doubted that it was guilt. It was something else but she couldn't put her finger on it. She just watched as sparks erupted between Bond and Trevelyan.

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Time to go Jimbo!

The gruff yell made Natalya jump from her seat. James nodded to himself when he heard the warning. He stood up and looked down at both his former friend and the Russian programmer.

"Time to go, Alec," he said, staring down at Trevelyan.

Alec looked up. "And when we land in England, what will become of me?" he asked. He paused then continued his thought warily, "Have the laws changed since I left, James? Is the punishment for a traitor the same as it once been?"

He had no hopes. He expected to handcuffed, sent to the worse prison cell ever, and later terminated. But that didn't mean he didn't want to know what Bond was up to.

James didn't come up with a plan. He just – reacted. How could he explain plain old reflex? Is it a reflex to save a traitor? he thought, But then again, this traitor had been my best friend and brother. He thought of Michael. It's a reflex to save Michael. He was confused, but once again, he was resolved not to show it.

"Nothing's changed, Alec." James answered coolly. He was surprised out of how quickly he reverted to his usual self – the usual self that came into existence when Vesper died; the usual self that took control when he thought Alec died. "What will happen in England will be for what's best for England."

Trevelyan laughed. He heard this many times before – from the past. "What James?" he said with bitterness and growing anger. "Does England need saving all the time? Why James? Why? Do you know what's best for every person in England? I highly doubt that."

James felt cold. No, he couldn't think on the past. "I don't make the decision," he answered; totally ignoring his former friend's other questions. "Once we land in England, you will quietly be put in a holding area, and when M and I finish talking about this situation, we'll return to you to tell you whether or not you'll be spending your life in prison or is soon to be hanged for treason, or any other alternative routes."

Alec forced a grin. "Really?" he said with a nonchalant shrug. "Do with me what you will. I have nothing."

You had a friend who loved you and trusted you! But James would not say it out loud. He couldn't. It would hurt. He wasn't ready to deal with the idea of his former best friend's life.

"You can't resist, Alec. You had your chance. But now you're in my hands." James added tightly.

Alec nodded. I'm in your hands, James. He didn't want to be, but he knew that he was. He was in Bond's control – for now.

Wade suddenly appeared. His head looking out from the doorway. "I suggest you guys start moving or the plane will have to go." And with that he disappeared.

James turned away from Alec and he faced Natayla. He didn't like any bit what he was going to do. But he had a duty to perform.

The Russian programmer wasn't blind. She knew what he was about to do. "No! I want to go with you!" she cried as she forced her tears not to fall.

Bond shook his head. "Natalya…" he started but she interrupted him with a soft, "No."

James cared for her, but he did not love her. He braced himself. "Natalya, I'm sorry but I have to go."

"Why?" the woman replied.

James didn't answer. He just looked at Alec and then back to Natalya.

Seeing the look, Natalya yelled, "You're leaving me for him!" She couldn't believe it.

"I'm not leaving you for him, but I have a job to do. I cannot turn my back from it." James replied coolly. He forced himself to be nonchalant.

"Your job?" Natalya said in disbelief. "I don't understand. Why do you have to be so cold?"

Because it keeps him alive. Alec knew that to be the truest answer a person could give. He did feel a little sorry for the girl, but she should have known what kind of a man Bond really was. A heart-breaker. But then again – so was he. His mind went to Lauren. Christ, I miss you. He had missed her for over nine years. He wondered if she found someone else. I hope not. But he knew that even if he popped to where she was he doubted she would forgive him. After all, I pretended to be dead.

James held back a sigh. He remembered that question and the answer well. He looked into her eyes and said calmly, "It keeps me alive."

With that, he turned, leaving her forever.

Natalya couldn't hold back the tears. They fell almost immediately when he left the quarters.

Alec looked at her with pity. But he did not feel sorry for her anymore. He didn't say a word. He just turned and walked out; leaving what's left of the victim of his organization: the Janus Syndicate.

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TBC

End-note: I hope you all enjoyed. I'm glad you enjoyed my last one. I hope you review and tell me what you think. Remember! Reviews are love!