Chapter 4

…

James leaned against the kitchen counter and dialed Eve's number, waiting a few moments before she answered.

"James…is everything alright?"

"Yeah, don't worry he's fine…where are you…it sounds crowded?"

"Oh, I'm grabbing a quick bite with Bill."

"Oh yeah, date is it?"

"No, just dinner…what did you want James."

"What you said to me earlier…about nobody judging me if something were to happen with Gar…Mallory."

"I meant every word."

Eve looked up to see Bill sitting back down at their table and placing a glass of red wine in front of her.

"Who's on the phone?" He whispered.

Eve mouthed James name before turning her attentions back to the troubles man on the other end of the phone.

"James, what's happened?"

"When we got back to his place he wanted to talk about our earlier kiss."

"Okay…and?"

"He apologized Eve, he said it was unprofessional of him to do so."

"Unprofessional…now where have we heard that before."

"That's exactly what I said, as soon as he'd said it, I heard her voice."

"You want this don't you…you want Mallory?"

"I can't believe me of all people is actually saying this…but yes…I do want this, I haven't felt this strongly for someone since she died Eve."

"Are you still with him?"

"Yes…at the moment however I'm hiding out in his kitchen making him a sandwich."

"You're making…okay you are becoming a little to domesticated for me, you're scaring me."

"It's a sandwich Eve."

"Still…look, go talk to him…he's probably just as scared as you are you know."

"You think?"

"Probably more so…he is the Head of MI6, I don't know the rules on inter-office relationships inside MI6 but I'd say he'd have a hell of a lot more to lose."

"I don't want him risking his job."

"Talk to him James, go give the man his sandwich…he'll be starving by now."

"Thanks Eve, I don't know what I'd do without you sometimes."

"You're welcome and good luck."

Eve hung up and looked up to see Bill watching her closely as she placed her phone on the table.

"Is he okay?"

"James? He'll be fine."

"And M?"

"They'll both be fine, when they admit their feelings."

"I can't believe it you know…James Bond is the last man I'd ever expect too…well you know."

"I know what you mean but…the heart wants what the heart wants right, and I'm happy for them. I just hope they don't bugger it up."

"Only time will tell I guess."

"Mmmm, come on…we better go…we have a big day tomorrow."

"Did you him…that we're going after Schmacher?"

"I told James we'd tracked him down but I didn't tell him we were going tomorrow to bring him in."

"Why not?"

"Because he's James and when someone close to him gets hurt he'll go all 007 on us and I wouldn't want to be on the end of James anger, would you."

"Fair point."

And anyway, as things go right now…he's where he needs to be."

"Agreed, come on then…I better get Cinderella home before the clock strike twelve."

"Such a comedienne." She laughed as Bill escorted her out.

…

James stood gathering his thoughts for a few minutes before picking up the plate and making his way back in to the sitting room. Mallory was flicking through the news channels as James took a seat beside him and passed him his plate.

"Aren't you having one?"

"Not very hungry…maybe later." He smiled.

Mallory took the plate before turning off the TV as James watched him.

"You didn't have to do that."

"Of course I did, we talk…remember."

"Right of course."

Mallory put his plate on the table, making a small pained face before turning to James.

"You okay?" James asked, concerned.

"Just a little stiff, I promise I'm okay."

"Thank god for that…I meant what I said earlier you know…I don't regret what happened."

"I don't regret it either."

"Well that's a good sign; we both wanted it to happen."

"You've never been with a man have you James?"

"Once…a very long time ago."

"Because you wanted too?"

"Not quite…I'd be lying if I said it was. I used him to get the information I needed."

Mallory looked down at his hands as James spoke, looking back up suddenly when James took tight hold of his left hand.

"That's not how it is with you…I'm not doing this to manipulate you. When Eve called me and told me what had happened to you...I…It was like déjà vu, all the painful memories of Olivia's death came flooding back."

"I wasn't aware you cared so much."

"Truthfully, I wasn't either until you were hurt. I know the kiss was something neither of us planned but at least we both agree that we don't regret it."

"We do."

James smiled before leaning in gently and kissing the older man, Mallory felt himself melt in to the kiss as his hand came up behind James neck, pulling him closer…he let out a small his of pain as he moved a little too quickly.

"Careful, we don't want you back in a hospital bed now, do we."

"I have to say, I prefer my own."

"So would I."

Mallory pulled back to see a small glint in James bright blue eyes.

"James I…"

"I was kidding, well…more or less. You are in no condition for extra curricular activities right now. I wouldn't rush you, even if you were well."

"It's not that I don't want too, it's just…"

"I suppose my reputation leaves a cloud."

"I know you only do it as part of your job but…"

"You don't know me well enough to truly trust me…its okay really, I get it."

"I just need to learn more about you, I want to know about your relationship with Olivia, your childhood…I want to know the real James Bond…is that okay?"

"It's more than okay, this is as new to me as it is to you. I'm more than happy to take things as slowly as you wish."

"Thank you." He smiled.

"Allow me to do one thing tonight?"

"Very well." Mallory eyes him curiously.

"Get yourself as comfortable as you can here and just allow me to hold you…is that okay with you."

"It's more than okay James…"

Mallory shifted with help from James before leaning in to the cushions, James arm coming around his shoulder as his head rested against James arm.

…

To Be Continued…