Chapter 3.

Changes

The next day, as the Quartermaster walked into MI6 Headquarters, everyone gaped at him in surprise for some reason. He couldn't understand why; it wasn't as if he had changed so much during a day and a half of 'hanging out' with his new friends.

So, what if he had a cigarette in his hand? He had to get used to it so that he wouldn't make a fool of himself the next time he was offered one! And what if he looked a little rumpled and dressed a bit differently than before? Why did they care anyway? They certainly never had before… All right, the swagger was maybe a bit exaggerated as well, but so what? He had to learn!

So, he just ignored every questioning glance as he entered Q-Branch and shut himself into the safety of his office. This time he really appreciated the opportunity to disappear from other people's curious eyes.

As he had expected, the day couldn't pass without someone making a comment about his new style. And of course it had to be Bond and Trevelyan. Who else…?

"What's up with the new image, kid? Playing dressing up?" – Asked 007, looking totally baffled.

Q had to bite his tongue to stop a very rude comeback to that question. It was so typical for Bond to make fun of him as a first reaction!

"It's just that you're so different today…" – Remarked 006, equally surprised but also probably sensing the younger man's rising anger.

"I really don't know what you two are talking about." – Lied Q through his teeth, forcefully calming himself down. – "And I also don't know why you're even here? I don't think either of you is scheduled for any outfitting or training. I don't have new weapons for you to test or anything to explode."

"Why, can't we just come and say hi? Do we have to have an official reason to visit you?" – Now Alec really looked a bit hurt and Q felt a pang of guilt; but just momentarily. It passed with the other agent's next words as quick as it came.

"Not that we hadn't hoped to find something interesting here, mind you…" – Smirked Bond.

The man even had the nerve to wink!

"Well, sorry to disappoint, guys, but I really don't have anything for you. So shoo."

Naturally they had wanted something. When did they not? Nobody came to him just to talk or see how he was doing. He should learn it by now and not be disappointed every time he got confronted with this again and again.

He felt like the week just couldn't pass soon enough. He had decided that from now on he would take all his free days and spend them with his real friends. Why should he invest all of himself into something that didn't give him anything in return or want him for himself at all? That really had to end. He finally had a private life now.

J * B * J * B * J * B * J * B * J * B * J * B

On his next day off, which happened to be next Saturday, he accompanied his 'team' (as he had come to refer to them) to a bowling club. Not that he had ever done anything like that before, but he was willing to learn it. He had to. The others had made it clear that he needed to 'toughen up' and start behaving like an adult instead of a shy and innocent little boy. They were probably right. And maybe – just maybe – even his colleagues would start taking him seriously if he became more like them.

It was worth a try.

"Hey, Rocky! I can see you're not coughing anymore." – Praised him Spikey upon realizing he was now smoking without problems.

Q felt great that someone had noticed his success.

"Yeah, I'm good now. I don't know why I haven't done it before. It's relaxing."

"It is. You just continue to learn, mate. You'll be fine."

"I'm sure I'll be…" – The Quartermaster replied and just about managed to silence the little voice called 'coincidence' whispering warnings into his ear as well. What good had it done for him in the past anyway?

He rolled the bowl and managed to hit only one sole pin. The mocking laugh of his team just made him more determined to prove himself.

'I'll show them that I belong here. I can do this.'

By the second try he hit three more and his friends cheered loudly.

'See? I'm not as pathetic as everyone thinks I am. I'm a genius after all; I can learn.'

J * B * J * B * J * B * J * B * J * B * J * B

Alec and James were worried. Tanner and Moneypenny too. The minions had realized something was very wrong with their 'Overlord' and had sent R to talk to M.

"Sir, we just don't understand. He's not himself at all! He dresses and talks very strange nowadays and always keeps away from us. He disappears for whole days when he doesn't have to be here even though he used to come in even then before. I had the impression all week that he just couldn't wait for the weekend to come. When was the last time he voluntarily took his free days?" – Nobody could answer that. – "We just don't understand…" – Finished R with a sad expression.

Moneypenny nodded in understanding.

"He used to be such a lovely young man, so full of life. Funny and witty… But now… I don't even know him anymore. He's a complete stranger."

"He doesn't even chew us out about broken equipment anymore." – Said Alec.

"Yes! He just shrugged and said 'of course it did, Bond' when I told him that a komodo dragon had eaten my Walther!" – Exclaimed Bond as if not getting reprimanded by the Quartermaster for losing his gun had deeply offended him.

M raised an eyebrow at that but then sobered immediately. It was a serious matter after all.

"We all need to pay attention to him and try to find out what's going on. I suggest we don't ask him yet; I'm afraid that wouldn't come over very well right now. He doesn't appear to me as if he's trusting us very much at that point..." – He reluctantly admitted.

"No, he really doesn't. I tried to talk to him: completely useless. I don't understand what could be wrong!" – Shook his head Tanner. – "Is that our fault? Did we hurt him in some way? Did something happen we don't know about or didn't notice?"

Everyone just shook their heads sadly, not being able to think of anything that could have caused this.

"Let's just pay attention. We have to simultaneously give him some space but also be alert. I know it's a lot to ask and not easy to achieve, but…"

"We'll do our best, M. I promise." – Declared Bond and the others were quick to agree. They needed their Quartermaster, missed his old self and would do everything in their power to help him find back to himself.