Chapter 2
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The hours went by slowly for M, she had already gone through one and half boxes of tissues. She didn't want to see the state of her nose, which was starting to ache due to constant rubbing.
She had hardly got any work done, not finding the strength to even lift her pen. Hearing a knock on her office door, she let out a groan having a feeling she already knew whom it was.
Throwing the used tissues covering her desk into the bin next to her desk, she told them to enter, trying not to groan at seeing the worried face of James Bond standing in her doorway.
"Take a seat, Bond."
He closed the door behind him, and walked towards her. "Tanner told me about your little episode earlier M. What the hell are you doing here? You should be in bed."
"I'm fine. It's just a cold." She tried to sit up straighter, but didn't have the strength to do so.
He narrowed his eyes, seeing her discomfort and the box of tissues on the desk, but what really gave him warning signals was how her make up was heavier than usual.
"This is more than just a cold, have you seen a doctor?"
"I don't need a doctor. Now, take a seat and we can get this meeting over with."
He took a seat in one of the chairs in front of her desk, noticing her hand was shaking as she opened the file. Her posture was sluggish, as if she was going to collapse at any moment.
Reaching out his hand, he placed it on top of hers, noting how cold it actually was.
"M you need to see a doctor, or go home." He tried to reason with her.
"I told you I'm fine." She sniffed, trying to pull her hand away, only for his hold to tighten.
"You're not M, you're far from fine. Let me take you home, Tanner can take care of things here."
He saw she was about to reply, but all that came out was a harsh series of coughs. Letting go of her hand, he walked round to her side of the desk and kneeled down next to her.
"M, you need to try and breathe."
He looked around her office, seeing the half filled cup of water and picked it up, hearing her coughs lessen until they were replaced with harsh pants.
"Here." He held out the cup of water to her, helping her guide it to her lips as she took small sips.
Once she was finished, he put the cup back on her desk, as she got her breathing back to normal.
"Thank you, James." She gratefully told him, her voice hoarse from her coughing.
"Anytime M." He gave her a smile, feeling his own heart racing at what he just witnessed. "But, you're going to medical, then I'm taking you home."
M gave a nod, wanting nothing more than to lay in her bed, with James' arms around her.
"Come on." He softly told her, helping her stand as he walked her down to medical; glad she was listening to him for a change.
"How long have you been like this M?"
"Two days, but it was only a cold. When I woke up this morning that I ached all over."
"I think your cold has turned into the Flu." He told her knowingly.
"You might be right… for once." She didn't have the strength to argue with him.
As soon as they had entered medical, Bond guided M towards one of the side rooms, helping her up onto the bed as she lay down and closed her eyes.
Reaching out his hand he ran his fingers through her short white hair, hoping to give her some comfort. It was killing him seeing her ill and weak. He didn't want to leave her, but she needed a doctor and he wasn't going to get one standing here.
"I'll be back in a moment M." He whispered softly to her, placing a tender kiss to her forehead.
Her eyes opened and she merely nodded, as she watched him leave. She was glad he was back, he may be a pain in the arse on occasion, but she wouldn't have him any other way.
Their relationship was still new, but she was falling in love with him a little bit more with each passing day. No one seemed to know, which suited her fine, it would cause her more problems than the ones she already had to deal with.
She recalled the shock and disbelief she felt when he had told her of his feelings for her, but she could see the truth behind his every word. They had decided to take things slow, not wanting to rush what they had. She was still wary of taking the next step with him, she wasn't exactly young and her body wasn't what it once was. There was still that fear that he would take one look at her and tell her it was over. And she wouldn't blame him, if he did. It wasn't as if she had anything she could offer him to make him stay.
The sound of footsteps in the corridor brought her back to reality, as she saw Bond re-enter along with a female doctor.
"Right, what seems to be the problem?"
"I think she has the Flu." Bond told the doctor when M wasn't going to answer the question.
"I see. What are your symptoms Ma'am?"
"Sore joints, a cough that makes me feel like I'm going to bring up my lungs, sore throat, and a blocked nose."
"Her Chief of Staff informed me she looked ready to collapse earlier this morning as well." Bond added, when she left out that minor detail.
"All right, let's see if we can find the problem. Bond, you need to wait outside."
He gave M one last look, before leaving the room. He paced outside the corridor hoping her examination wouldn't take too long, he wanted to get her home, before she got any worse.
A few moments passed when the doctor told him he could come back in. Not waiting a second longer, he entered the room, to see M trying to sit up. Shaking his head he walked over and gently helped her into a sitting position.
"Well, what's the verdict?" He looked over at the doctor.
"It's the Flu, and a bad strain at that. I'm going to prescribe you some paracetamol to help reduce your fever. You need to go home, rest and make sure you drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated."
"How long?" M asked not wanting to be off longer than necessary.
"A week at most. After that I want you to come back for another examination, if you are well enough you can return to work, if not you will be off for a few more days."
M gave the doctor a scowl at hearing her advice.
"I'll be back in a few moments with the paracetamol, then you can go. I trust you will see she makes it home Bond?"
"Too right I will." He waited until the doctor's back was turned before reaching out and taking M's hand in his own.
"I can't take a week off James."
"You need to get better M and you won't be doing that here." He let go of her hand as the doctor returned with a white box.
"Make sure she takes them." She handed the pills over to Bond, who took them.
"I don't think that will be a problem."
The doctor left them alone once more as Bond helped M down from the bed.
"Are you staying?" She looked up at him.
"Yes, if you think I'm leaving you alone, you can think again M." He reached out and cupped her face with his free hand, gently caressing her face that was hot to the touch. "I'll always be there for you M."
She gave a soft smile at his words, "I know."
"Then let's get you home. The sooner we do that, the sooner you can return to this place." He removed his hand from her face as they made the journey home.
She knew he was right. Staying here was doing her no favours. She would need to get Bond to ask Tanner to fill in for her in her absence, as if the poor man didn't have enough jobs to do already.
Fifteen minutes later, M found herself back in her house, as Bond directed her towards the bedroom and onto the bed. She let him take of her jacket and shoes, but when she felt his hands on her blouse she stopped him.
"I can do it James. Bring me a fresh set of pyjamas, second drawer to your left. "
Not wanting to argue, he went over to where she said and pulled out the silver satin pyjamas and brought them over to the bed.
"Remind me to buy more dresses." She fumbled to undo the buttons.
"Let me, M."
"I can manage, James." She felt him kneel in front of her.
"Why won't you accept the help?"
"Because you won't like what you see." She told him softly.
Bond placed his hands over M's stopping her, before she popped the buttons and ruined her blouse.
"M... look at me." He commanded softly.
She tentatively looked at him, seeing the understanding in his eyes.
"You don't have to hide yourself from me. I've always thought you were beautiful from the first moment I laid my eyes on you."
"I'm old James. And this flu isn't exactly helping me feel better about my age."
I would go with mature, more than old. You have nothing to be frightened or worried about M. Not with me." He truthfully told her. "I told you we won't do anything until you are ready. I just want to help you."
"All right." She finally agreed. "These buttons are trying my patience anyway."
He smiled and quickly undid the buttons on her blouse, and gently removed it from her body. He was right, she was beautiful, more than he imagined she would be.
Grabbing her pyjama top, he helped her into it and did up the buttons, then helped her to stand as he removed her skirt and replaced them with her pyjama bottoms.
"There, that wasn't so hard was it?" He pulled back the covers, and waited until she was comfortable before tucking her in.
"I would say lie with me, but I don't want you to catch this stupid Flu." She gave him a sad smile.
"It's your lucky day, M. I never catch the Flu. Give me a moment." He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her lips, before leaving the room.
M rolled over so she was facing the door, waiting for him to return. She didn't have to wait long, as he placed the box of paracetamol on the bedside cabinet and started to undress, before joining her in the bed.
Wrapping his arms around her, he gently caressed her back in a soothing manner causing her body to relax.
"I'm glad you're home, James." She looked at him, seeing the love in his eyes.
"No place I would rather be." He leaned in pressing a lingering kiss to her lips that was full of warmth and love, as he gently pulled her closer to him.
She returned his kiss; eagerly wanting more, but she knew now wasn't the time. He seemed to agree as he broke the kiss, and rolled onto his back, gently pulling her with him.
She pillowed her head on his chest, feeling her eyes close, feeling Bond continue with his soft caresses, helping her finally succumb to sleep.
Bond heard her breathing even out, and smiled at seeing the peaceful look on her face. He held her tighter against him, enjoying the feel of her once again in his arms. Pressing a gentle kiss into her hair, he joined the woman he loved in sleep.