Jean looked at the car that James had driven here in and raised an eyebrow she shouldn't have been surprised.
"An Aston, you have got to be kidding me."
"What?"
"If I get in that I'll never get back out."
James closed the boot and gave her a smile.
"I'm sure you will be fine. Now get in."
Jean rolled her eyes and made her way to the passenger side and buckled up. If what Olivia said about James' driving she needed all the protection she could get.
"Would you relax? Whatever Olivia has told you, my driving skills are just fine." He told her as he started the ignition.
"Yes, well I'll believe that when I see it."
"Ye of little faith."
"Oh I have faith, just not in your driving."
James shook his head, and started the drive to headquarters. At least she didn't complain every second like Olivia when he drove her in this car.
"So, did you manage to tell Olivia about your little plan?"
"I did."
"And how did she take it?" Jean had a feeling she already knew the answer.
"As you expected, told me how she couldn't just take a break even if it was just for a weekend. Then when I told her about how you agreed to fill in for her, well you can imagine. She only agreed to it because I made her a deal that should an emergency come up we would head back stright away."
Jean smirked, "That sounds like Olivia."
"She left you a note, that I've to pass on to you. It's in the glove compartment. No doubt explaining what to do and what not to do."
Jean opened the glove compartment and took the out the white envelope. Opening it, she pulled out the letter and couldn't help but smile.
Jean,
If you wish to back out of James' idea I will fully understand. I was on the brink of throttling him when he told me. Be that as it may I can't deny his heart is in the right place, despite calling upon you to fill in for me.
Everything has been arranged. Tanner, my Chief of Staff has been informed of the plan, and has agreed to it. He will take care of the Minister, leaving you with the paperwork. Despite what James has already told you, do not sign anything. Just read and look productive. No one will be the wiser.
When you are ready to leave, ask Tanner to call Ross and he will drive you to my apartment, and pick you up the next morning at nine sharp. Hopefully everything will run smoothly. Tanner will be with you should you need anything.
However, if the situation gets too much, contact me. I've left the number of the hotel we will be staying at if you can't reach me on my mobile. Oh, and before I forget, you will need to sign a secrets act. Tanner will have it ready when you arrive.
Thank you again for agreeing to this Jean. We'll treat both you and Lionel when we return.
Olivia.
"Well, anything interesting?"
"Just the usual. She told me not to sign anything."
"Probably wise. You may want to practice your strict no nonsense look as well."
"I beg your pardon."
"If we want to make this believable you need to act like Olivia."
"Alright, that shouldn't be too hard."
James faintly smiled and put his foot down going through a red light causing other cars to break and peep the horn at him.
"What the bloody hell was that James? Are you deranged?"
"If you keep that up, I think you are going have her down to a tee." He gave her a sideway glance, a smirk firmly on his face.
"You did that for a test?" Disbelief clouding her voice.
"Pretty much."
Jean felt like throttling him for nearly giving her a heart attack with his stupid little stunt.
"No wonder Olivia is always at the end of her tether with you when you're on missions."
"She's gotten use to it."
"I don't know how." She could feel her heart beginning to calm down.
"Simple, she trusts me."
Jean didn't miss the fondness in his voice at the simple statement. The two of them really were meant for each other.
They made it to headquarters without James puling anymore of his reckless stunts much to her relief. She looked at the building in front of her, feeling nervous all of a sudden. Could she really do this?
"You'll be fine Jean. Come on, Tanner will be waiting for us." James told her with a faint smile, then made his way from the car.
Jean took a deep breath, and exited the car, with James' help and the two made their way into SIS headquarters. Upon entering Jean took in the security, still not quite comprehending that she was here. They continued through the body scanners. Jean inclining her head when he acknowledged her as 'ma'am'.
"Bond. Ma'am."
Jean looked at the source of the voice seeing a man in a three piece suit, his hair trimmed short, and holding a stack of files in his arms. His blue eyes, looked shocked but, as quickly as it came it was gone. He gave them a small smile, which Jean hesitantly returned.
"Morning Tanner. Ready as always I see."
"Quite, and it's nice to see, you're in early for once yourself Bond. Even though you aren't staying long. Shall we go?"
"Lead on Tanner."
Tanner rolled his eyes, and motioned Jean to follow him. Looking towards Bond he gave her an encouraging smile. Jean turned and followed after Tanner, with Bond walking behind her. With each corridor they turned she couldn't help but think that all the corridors looked the same. One thing was for certain she wouldn't be leaving Olivia's office until she had to leave at the end of the day. She would rather not get lost in MI6.
The corridors finally came to an end much to her relief, as Tanner led them into an office, which presumed was Olivia's. It certainly was her style.
"Take a seat." Tanner informed her, placing the files on her desk.
Jean moved to sit on one of the seats at the front of Olivia's desk, causing James to chuckle.
"He means behind the desk Jean. You are the boss after all."
"Oh, yes right."
Tanner studied her as she sat down behind Olivia's desk. From what she had told him about Jean, he guessed they would be the same. He stood in shock for five minutes after Olivia had told him she was a triplet and Jean would be taking her place in the next few days. But seeing Jean now. It would be easy to tell them apart if they were in the same room. Olivia had an aura confidence and of stern efficiency about her. That would make anyone wary of approaching her without reason. However, Jean seemed to be the complete opposite. There was no doubt she could probably be just as stern herself, but from just studying her, she seemed to be more laid back, and more approachable than her sister. For if James ever made that comment to Olivia, she would tear him a new one.
"Is something wrong Mr. Tanner?" Jean asked worried.
"Just call me Tanner. And everything is fine ma'am."
"The office isn't bugged is it?"
"No…"
"Then just call me Jean when we are alone. All this ma'am business is annoying. How Olivia can put up with it daily is beyond me."
Tanner turned to Bond who had his head bowed in silent laughter.
"Oh, be quiet James. Hadn't you best get back to Olivia?"
"I'm just going. Look after her Tanner. I mean it. Or Olivia will have both our heads."
"She'll be fine Bond."
"And she is still here. Go James, enjoy your weekend."
"Thank you again Jean." He walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek then made his way from the office leaving her and Tanner alone.
"Right, is there a specific way to do these files, or do I just blunder on in?"
Tanner didn't miss the mischief in her eyes, she certainly was nothing like Olivia personality wise. But, then she didn't run a secret agency 24/7 which was probably why.
"M… Olivia usually does the expenditure reports first to get them out of the way as quickly as possible."
"Which ones are those?" She looked at the stack of files.
"These ones." Tanner picked up six from the pile and put them in front of her.
"How bad can they be?"
She opened the top file, her eyes widening at seeing the six digit figures.
"What an earth do they do on missions that's costs the government this much?"
"Olivia asks the same question. Oh, which reminds me. Before you go any further you need to sign this."
He pulled out a stapled document from her desk drawer and handed it to her.
"It's an official secrets act, which means whatever you see here you can't disclose to anyone. Not even your husband."
"I gathered as much." She quickly filled out the document and handed it back to Tanner.
"Do you not want to read it?"
"No, I trust Olivia enough. If she didn't want me to sign it, she would have told me beforehand."
"Right."
"You need to relax more Tanner. Maybe you should ask Olivia for a holiday when she returns from hers."
"I'm fine ma… Jean."
"Nonsense I'll make us some tea. I doubt you've had anything to eat."
"Honestly…"
"Tanner. Shut up and sit down."
Jean stood up and looked around the office. "Where does Olivia keep her tea?"
"She only has scotch."
"Well, we certainly won't be drinking that. You must have some somewhere at least?"
"There is. I can go and make it."
"Make sure you make and bring two Tanner. I mean it."
Tanner gave a nod and left. Perhaps she could be like Olivia after all.
Jean sat back down and started to look through the file. The figures seeming to increase the further she went down.
"No wonder the economy is suffering." She murmured out loud.
The sound of her office phone ringing caused her to freeze. She didn't know whether to answer it or leave it. Biting her lip, she picked up the phone and tried to imitate Olivia.
"M."
'You're back. Your chief of staff told me you were on leave due to a family emergency.'
"I needed to do something to keep my mind off things. What can I do for you?"
'I was calling to inform Tanner about the meeting we had arranged earlier, but since you have returned I can speak to you in person. I need you in Whitehall by noon today to discuss certain matters.'
Jean knew she should tell them she couldn't make it, but the words had already left her mouth.
"Very well. I'll see you then."
She put down the receiver, realising what she had just agreed to. She didn't even know who it was she was meant to be seeing.
Tanner returned two cups of tea in hand, his face frowning when he saw her distressed look.
"What's wrong?"
"Who is it you are expected to be seeing this afternoon?"
"The Minister. How did you know that i had a meeting?" He placed Jean's cup down on the desk and kept a hold on his own.
"He just called, apparently he wants to see me now I'm back."
"And did you tell him, you were busy?" He took a drink of the hot liquid.
"If you mean by busy agreeing to meet him at noon, then yes I did." She gave him a sheepish smile.
He nearly choked on his tea, and looked at her in disbelief.
"Are you alright Tanner?"
"I'm fine. You on the other hand have no idea what you have let yourself in for."
"So, what do I do? I can't exactly call back and go sorry I can't make it."
"No, you can't."
Jean took a drink of her own tea, her eyes lighting up as she got an idea.
"What if I go. But have to cut it short because you come in informing me there is an emergency at headquarters that needs my attention? I can reschedule the meeting for when Olivia will be back."
"That could possibly work. But we still need to brush up on your political skills. You can't go in there unarmed."
"I won't be." A smile graced her features.
Tanner didn't like where this was going.
"You have ear thingies don't you and a mic."
"Ear thingies?" He raised an eyebrow confused.
"You know to talk to people."
"You mean an ear piece?"
"Yes. If I wear one of those and have a mic. You can listen to what he is saying and tell me how to answer."
"I don't know about this…"
"Trust me Tanner. What could possibly go wrong?"
Tanner didn't answer and took a long drink from his tea, wishing he could share Jean's optimism.