Chapter 2
"Mrs. Bond." Tanner.
"Welcome Home, Ana." Q.
"005." M gave a curt nod to the agent who walked in behind her. "James, you need to kill him, or bring him in for questioning. Your choice."
"Thank you, M." With that, James turned his comm. off.
"Moneypenny? Keep an eye on him." M turned to me, and I knew that there was something big happening.
"M? I don't have time to take a clean shot. Repeat, I do not have a clean shot."
"Take the shot."
"Ma'am?"
"Take the bloody shot." M was being serious. I couldn't believe it at first. She loved James like a son, and yet she's sacrificing him? My world was shattering in front of my eyes, and I saw red for a split second. That's when Moneypenny came back through her radio with the last words I ever wanted to hear ever again.
"Agent Down." My world went black, and later they told me that I tried to attack M. It was a couple of months later that I was called into her office. It was the first assignment since the incident had happened, and by this time, she had forgiven and forgotten all outbursts. My heels clicked across marble floors as I walked to M's office. I was welcomed by cheers when I walked in to MI6, but ignored them all. I was set on the task of get in, get the assignment, and get out. I had just made it back to the lobby when the explosion happened that shook Lower London to its core. It had been a tragic day for MI6. We had to bury 16 agents. None of them Double-0 status, but who wants to bury friends?
We moved to the bunkers, and in the process, I got stuck babysitting Q Branch, much to the chagrin of the Quartermaster, and to the relief of Tanner. Later that day, I was called in for my psych evaluation, and managed to pass it with flying colors. Standard procedure when things like this happen. Typical answer. Anger management problem. Easily remedied and allowed back on active duty. So what if they can see this darker side of me? It's what they need for Double-0 agents.
It was less than a week later that he showed back up. My James. Not quite the welcome back he wanted, although it was better than he deserved.
"Three months, James! Three bloody months and not a word, no calls, no letter, not even a postcard to tell me that you were still alive. Damn it, James, any form of contact was better than none at anytime to anyone."
"Ana, dearest. Annie, please stop. ANASTASIA!" Grabbing my hand as I walked away, he turned me around, and pulled me into a kiss. Pulling out of it, and away from him, I backhanded him. "Ana, did you just… slap me?"
"More of a welcome home than I thought I should have given you. Definitely more of one then you deserved, James. I DIED THAT DAY!" When I turned this time, I spun out of his reach, and the clicking of my heels resounded across the floor. I reentered the main part of MI6, and could feel everyone shrink away from me as I walked with a purpose to M's door. Upon opening it, I fired back at James, "I'll see you back at the flat." Whirling around to yell at M, I realized she had company. Turning, my face lit up.
"Hello, Annie." Gareth Mallory, childhood crush, was sitting there, grinning as if time stood still. Still, the boyishness had gone out of his face, and his features were sharper, more exact.
"Gareth? What are you doing here?"
"Taking over MI6, I'm to be the new M."
"Interesting. Well, M, I hope you have a peaceful transition. And don't make me relive the Quantum case."
"Your sarcasm is appreciated, as always Anastasia. Good day." I turned to walk out the door, and heard Gareth's voice as I started to shut it.
"Ana, if you ever really get tired of dear James, I'm still a free man."
Laughing, I said, "Gareth, believe me, you're at the top of my list if I divorce." I closed the door, and walked into a very, very quiet MI6. James was standing in the middle of the office, arguing with Tanner and Eve. Q was standing in the doorway behind them, with a box under his arm, and a smirk on his face. Seeing me, Eve walked away from James, Q crossed the room, and Tanner escorted James out. Q and Eve made it to me at about the same time. Both of them wanted to talk to me, so I let Eve talk first, knowing that I was going the same place as Q. she was still trying to clear her name, and if I needed any help in the near future, that she'd be around to help me. I dismissed her with a soft smile.
"Ana, dear, I need you to help me analyze this."
"Alright, but I need to go home. Can I take it with me?" I was tired, and I suppose it showed on my face and in my eyes.
"See you tomorrow, Ana. Please get some rest. I need you at your best tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Q."