Service and Duty
Chapter Three – Surprise.
Four weeks away in Cuba had turned out to be a mini holiday for Bond. The weather difference from winter, rainy Britain had certainly been a bonus particularly as he was sporting a great tan. The mission had its ups and downs but all in all it had been a walk in the park although his body count might be up slightly which would annoy Moneypenny. She hated those damn forms.
He chuckled under his breathe as he watched the number of the lift ticked upwards. At eleven the doors tinged opened and he sauntered across the carpet floor to M's office, while whistling a tune.
As he opened the door to Tanner's and Moneypenny's working area, he noted a very shapely bottom in a black pencil skirt leaning down to collect some papers from a filing cabinet.
"Well, Penny you've been hiding something from me", he said with a teasing tone as he entered fully into the office. He looked around to say hello to Bill as well but he wasn't in.
The female figure straightened and turned around to greet the visit. "Well, hello and by the way who's Penny?"
Jame's neck turned to see that Moneypenny wasn't standing in front of him. His stomach dropped at not seeing his sweet familiar secretary. Instead, a tall, leggy blonde with blue eyes was standing behind Moneypenny's desk.
"You must be James Bond 007", she smiled, her eyes raking his fine form.
Bond at any other time would have been flattered at such a blatant look of desire and would have proceeded further yet there was a mystery here. "Is Moneypenny on holiday?" he queried moving unconsciously forward to the beauty.
He saw the tell-tale signs. She straightened slightly, flicked her hair behind her shoulder and her red lips were parted. "No. I'm her replacement Miss Freewill but you can call me Claire."
"Claire." He charmingly smiled outwardly but the confusion was running around his head. Why on earth would Moneypenny leave MI6? M? Him? He lifted her hand and kissed it. "Welcome."
A small laugh escaped her mouth.
"007 you are late", M stated coldly, interrupting the little scene, "and Miss Freewill you should have sent him straight in." Without waiting for excuses, the head of MI6 walked back through into her office.
"Ah, mustn't keep the lady waiting", James sighed, giving the girl a wink as he strolled after his boss, closing the door firmly behind him.
"Sit, Bond." M stood with her back facing him. An eerie silence filled the air until she turned around to face her best agent. "Care to explain why you had to blow up half a hotel?"
"Bad room service."
Forty minutes of talking his way of trouble, Bond ventured meekly outside M's office, hoping not to be called back and disciplined for his actions. He smiled over at Claire as she looked at him again unabashed at his physique.
"James, you returned at last!" exclaimed Bill Tanner.
The 007 turned away from the new secretary, who was a little more than disappointed at this. "Bill", he nodded, "any chance that you are free for lunch?"
"Certainly! Hold on two minutes."
James watched at Bill keyed in a few words into the computer and closed everything down before grabbing his coat. Together the two men walked away from the office without saying acknowledging Claire. James forgot, wanting to question Bill about his Penny girl, and Bill was in a mood with the girl that kept on asking him for help every few minutes and flirting with him even when he mentioned his wife. He was seriously considering finding the HR person that thought it was a good idea to employ her and shooting him.
Walking down the street in London was becoming a hazard now that there was twelve days of shopping left before Santa Claus came and visited all the children around the world, leaving presents and eating their mince pies. Thankfully, the café that served the best steak was only around the corner, so the two men braved the crowds to The Club Bistro.
Entering their haven, they both let out a deep sigh of relief and made their way to the back where their favourite booth was situated. With ordering their drinks and meals over and done, James relaxed into his seat and looked over Bill Tanner. The poor man had been working too hard and the strain was catching up on him. "You look awful Bill."
A sarcastic smile spread over Tanner's face. "Thanks." He rubbed a hand over his face, pinching his nose to stop the small headache spreading. "It hasn't been the easiest month since Jane's resignation." Tanner was about to say more but was stopped when the drinks came.
"Moneypenny has been gone for a month!" James said sharply. "What the hell has been happening since I've been gone!? There's no way that M got rid of her and Penny wouldn't just quit. She loves her job…"
Bill interrupted the tirade. "Her sister and brother-in-law were killed on the day that you left for Cuba."
"My god!" It was clear to 007 that Moneypenny adored her older sister and her family. He couldn't imagine losing them. "And the nephew?"
"Survived. She is now his sole guardian."
"But why did she leave? Is she on compassionate leave?"
"Within a week, she had written a letter to M explaining that her family had to come first and that a career in the service was too difficult to maintain because of work expectance and the danger involved."
"Surely M…"
"She did James but for once Moneypenny was unmoved."
James took a large sip of his white wine and contemplated his move. "Where is she?"
"She's living in her sister's house. Q was more than glad to update the security systems and make the place as safe as he could. I've helped her with her fake résumé and she now works at the school where Peter attends."
Bond sorted all the information through. "Why is Q securing the house?"
Bill sighed, closing his eyes. "This goes no further James. The car accident which killed Peter's parents was no accident at all. They were murdered but we are at a lost without any information. It could be a drunk driver or…"
"Or something else", finished off Bond.
"It is the least we could do for her particularly after the years of torture you put her through with those corny lines."
"That was below the belt", laughed James, forgetting his idea for the moment when the food arrived. "So tell me about the new girl Claire."
"She waiting for an open invitation from anyone", Tanner muttered darkly.
007's lips twitched upwards. "She hasn't been hitting on you?!"
"I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult."
Together they laughed and forgot about their office worries.
It wasn't the most sensible thing to do but then when did James Bond ever do anything for the book. He had rather throw himself in the deep in and charm his way out of the situation. Nearly ninety-nine percent it worked. It was only eight in the evening but already it was pitch black. Darkness surrounded him as he drove steadily through the night looking for the right turn. He had passed the correct village ten minutes ago and now on the look out.
Ah. There is was. Hidden by bush hedging on both sides it could have been easily missed by someone not looking out for it. He turned the car left and following it up on the gravel.
Metres away situated the picturesque countryside cottage with, what he assumed would be a perfect garden as well. He had to concede that it was lovely. A home in which you intended to grow old in and that's what made him smile. Stopping the car, he turned off the ignition and thought about what he was about to do. Was it right? Another second and he was out of the car closing the door softly, touching his gun in its holder as he moved to the door. Too bad; there was no going back.
Raising his hand to the doorbell, he pressed it in a sure fashion. Ding dong! A hall light was flicked on and he could discern the sounds of muffled feet making its way to the door. He tensed. Fingers itching to grasp something.
There was a thud followed a muttered curse but still the person headed towards the front door. A turned key at the top, then the middle and the catch chain dropping could be heard before the door swung inward.
"Can I help you…"
"Hello Moneypenny."
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