Chapter 4

Casino Royale:

M leaves London to see to Bond, after the torture Le Chiffre put him through. She arrives and is driven straight to the hospital.

There is a lovely retreat in Italy that MI6 uses for agents under these circumstances. M will have him moved as soon as possible with a trusted nursing staff that is already at the hospital overseeing Bond's injuries.

M listens to the doctors as they give her a report on Bond's condition in his room. M has her eyes on her unconscious agent in the hospital bed while they drone on about the injuries to his testicles and torso.

Mathis hovers nearby as does Vesper...in her own medical gown. The girl seems none the worse for wear, considering that they were both taken and questioned. Vesper seem to have escaped most of the physical damage...this is a red flag for M.

Bond's eyes flutter.

M turns to Mathis and Vesper, "Mathis, would you please bring me a coffee and Miss Lynd, you are not needed here. Please return to your own room."

Vesper shoots her a venomous look at being dismissed.

Bond tries to focus and to speak.

"Vesper...Vesper. Not Mathis….no…"

He loves that woman...she is first on his mind...then the mission.

M sighs...she knew this would happen...it was like tossing a steak to a starving man putting the two of them together like that.

"Bond...this is M. You are safe now, please remain calm and don't strain yourself further. Your injuries are extensive and need time to heal. I will allow Miss Lynd to stay with you and Mathis while you heal."

M is not sure that any of this is getting through to him as the drugs are doing their job and he is having trouble focusing on her face.

"M...isthachu? M...too dangerous...Mathis...traitor...will hurt you...go home...be with him...safe with him…in your bed...not with Mathis…"

M's brows furrow in confusion.

"Bond, I have not found any proof...if there is a double cross it might not be him...It could be the girl. I will keep the lot of you together for the time being. You just concentrate on getting better."

Mathis approaches from behind her. He hands her a cup of coffee.

M presses the button to allow more drugs for Bond...his beautiful eyes start to flutter but when they see Mathis standing behind M he suddenly grabs her hand tightly.

"M...M…"

M pats his hand as she watches the drugs take him. There is panic in his eyes...he truly believes Mathis is the double agent.

"Mr. Mathis...You will take them to recuperate and give me updates daily. I don't have to remind you that you will be watched and that I will be investigating all possibilities in this matter. There is a great deal of money at stake after all."

"Yes ma'am. I would be remiss if I didn't offer that you come stay with us to oversee Bond's recovery. We will be at the Italian villa and it is very beautiful. I am sure that London could give you a few days...and we could get to know each other better. You will be convinced that I had nothing to do with this kidnapping and horrendous torture."

"Alright Mr. Mathis, however it will only be a few days."

They move Bond later that day into the villa with a nurse and Miss Lynd, who is not at all happy about the arrangements. Vesper wants to be the only one to look after him.

M is concerned that Bond could be in danger.

If M stays...it will nix any opportunity for anyone to injure him and once he becomes stronger she will leave. This will give her the opportunity to watch the two prime suspects.

Vesper cares for Bond hovering around him constantly leaving M in the company of Mathis for the most part.

Mathis is charming and very attentive...likely trying to divert any suspicion from him for the kidnapping.

The two days pass quickly and Bond is getting stronger and needs less drugs. There is little risk now that he will inadvertently blab any sensitive information, once M departs for London.

M has not had much time to spend with Bond alone. Mathis has taken her on walks while Vesper spends all her time with her new love. M does not completely trust in the sincerity of the woman but it is apparent to all with eyes that Bond is in love.

M catches a moment between them as she comes to say goodbye after her two days are up.

Watching them together makes her heart clench... she moves away from the door and then makes a more noisy arrival to give them time to separate from their kiss.

Vesper turns to look at her with a scowl that Bond does not see, as he smiles happily at M.

"I would like to speak with agent Bond please."

"Of course M...whatever you want."

Vesper moves off in a huff. That woman hates her...she doesn't particularly care for her either but why the venom towards her...it is a worry.

M's gut is telling her Vesper has been compromised, yet Bond's suspicious of Mathis. The man has been helpful and encouraged her stay, why would he do that if he was a double agent.

M crosses his room to the hospital bed he still occupies.

"I leave soon. I am glad you are on the mend 007."

"Why did you stay? I was surprised you even came to the hospital."

"Why? You were injured and there is 50 million on the line Bond...I do care for my agents...I am not carved from ice as many suggest."

Bond smiles. "Ok...how did you manage explaining this little vacation here in Italy then?"

"Mr. Mathis asked me to stay, if you must ask….and I agreed. As for a vacation...this had better not bloody well count as my vacation."

"Mathis...why did he?"

"I don't know but I think your suspicions of him are false...because there is another here that could be at fault...one you would refuse to acknowledge as such because you have fallen in love with her."

Bond's eyes meet hers sharply. "Love...that is a strong word M, and Mathis could be trying to divert you or…."

"Or what Bond?"

"Or trying to spend time with you...alone."

"WHAT! Don't be absurd."

"Who did you share dinners with? Vesper told me that he has not let you out of his sight for long. The man is nothing if not obvious about his intentions M."

M frowns thinking back on Mr. Mathis attentiveness the last two days. M assumed that he was playing her, attempting to assuage any guilt in Bond's capture.

"What are you talking about?"

"Seduction M. You didn't consider all the angles did you M?"

"And you are James? Bond...the motivation was not….it could not be...there are far more important things...he never..."

"M...you cannot hide your allure behind a desk, on the other end of a speaker or mobile from London when you are in the field."

M's eyes flash at him. "And you shouldn't mix business with pleasure. It will bite you in the end."

An arrogant smirk appears on Bond's face.

"So you do care."

M looks defensive and crosses her arms across her breasts.

"I told you I did...I do care for all my agents!"

"Defensive, M?"

M begins to pace the area by Bond's bed.

"Pfft...about what?"

"About how we perceive you."

M snaps her focus back towards Bond's annoyingly amused face.

"I don't really care how I am perceived...I am the head and your boss...that is all!"

"That is all?"

"Yes, that is all! What do you bloody well want...me to adopt you so you can have a mother to tend to your hurts and tut tut over you saying there...there dear boy...everything will be alright in the end."

Bond's body is reacting to what she is saying faster than his mind can process the thoughts. M continuously surprises him on many levels and damn it if he isn't becoming aroused.

Considering his injuries it is a bloody miracle that he is. Vesper has been with him most of the time but damn it...he reacts more to a flustered, angry, sarcastically beautiful M, than to her.

"Sarcasm M? I don't need a mother and as for tending my hurts...there is some testing that is required for my particular injuries... are you volunteering to aid in my recovery?"

M blushes despite herself, knowing exactly where he was hurt by Le Chiffre and what testing him would involve."

"I am sure the testy, Miss Lynd is on call for all of your needs in that department Bond. I warn you now Bond...do not injure yourself further, while becoming fully functional again. I need you back in the field to continue this mission."

There is a mischievous twinkle in her eyes from their loaded word play, or it could be just wishful thinking on his part.

Christ...this woman could teach him things….he can sense it. If only...

"Yes ma'am!"

"I expect emails on your condition...after your tests are complete."

Bond continues to push. "M...I never took you for a voyeur...what ever would your husband say?"

"Bond...watch it! I can have you killed just for annoying me...always remember that."

"But then you would miss all this banter M...it gets better with age...like a fine wine and a beautiful woman."

"Stick to what you actually know about Bond. Wine and older women are not your forte."

"But are they Mathis' forte M...M did you?"

"BOND! I will not dignify that with an answer. Get better and get back the the bloody job we pay you to do. Whoever is responsible for all this needs to be caught, and besides what concern is it of yours who I dine with?"

"None, M...I...I just don't want you...well you should not...it's improper to be alone with another man when you're married...isn't it?"

Bond is very curious about what went on with them when they were alone...she wouldn't...he can't imagine her straying...she doesn't even seem to realize that Mathis has been attempting to seduce her since she arrived in hospital to collect him.

M is shocked at the implications of what he is actually saying to her. She doesn't know if she is more upset with him for challenging her and mentioning it, or for her not really noticing Mathis' intent.

"So the rules of the Victorian era apply to me somehow but not the rest of the world 007? How the hell do you explain the married marks you bamboozle into bed?"

James blushes and plays with the bedding under her very stern gaze.

Before James can stammer out another incoherent thought about M, Mathis arrives with a smile on his face.

"M...there you are my dear. Are you ready? I will drive you to the airport."

M glances back a Bond who is frowning at Mathis. Mathis puts his arm around M's waist to guide her out of the room.

M would for the most part pull away from the man but she decides to see how Bond behaves, is she allows him the liberty to hold her in such a familiar manner.

"I have a driver coming to get me so that will not be necessary. Thank you and please look after my delinquent agent and send me reports on his progress."

"Of course...I can honestly say that this has been my best experience yet, working with your organization."

M smiles at Mathis. "I hope it continues that way Mr. Mathis."

"I do wish you would call me René now, my dear."

M glances back over her shoulder to Bond lying in the bed. Bond glares at Mathis with his arm around her.

"Mathis!"

Mathis turns to look back at James. "Yes."

"She's married so get your hands off her."

It is stated viciously and with clear intent. M is actually shocked at the angry look on Bond's face and so is Mathis.

Mathis frowns and removes his hand from M's hip. It is clear to Mathis now, that Bond does not trust him and especially around M.

"Fine James...Sorry M, I apologise...I was not aware of your relationship status, safe travels and I will be in contact soon."

Mathis glares at Bond as he says it and then exits the room.

"007 what was that all about?"

"I don't trust that man M."

"That is obvious, to everyone now. Are you in pain?"

"Not particularly, why?"

"I was just trying to explain you snapping at Mathis."

"M...please go now."

M looks shocked and somewhat hurt by this sudden change in attitude towards her.

Bond realizes that he has confused her...by snapping...she doesn't understand how he feels.

"M...I just need you to be safe...I cannot protect you here, should he try anything. In London you are safe."

"Bond...I have Mitchell and there are other guards around the compound…"

"M...I will heal much faster when I know you are home and safe. I feel I must always be alert when you are near."

M gives him a small smile.

"Fine Bond...I don't want to stress your nerves...not like listening to you flatline from 1000 kms away unable to do anything but scream at you through a com."

Bond smiles and winks at M as she moves to the door. Standing in the doorway, with the sun shining on her gives her an angelic glow...just like in the Bahamas.

"Get better Bond. Oh... and don't think to order me away again...it is not your prerogative to tell me where I should be."

"Yes ma'am! Now go home."

M glares at him, hands on hips.

"Bond…"

Bond gives her a contrite look, that quickly becomes smug smile as he gives her a wink.

"M…"

During the trip to the airport she goes over her interactions with Bond. Could she have missed something about Mathis?

Mathis was actually flirting with her, she did notice but nothing serious. M attributed it to his being French and diverted and dismissed all his attempts.

The strange thing is that Bond noticed...and that was without dinning with them or directly witnessing Mathis' casual caresses and attempts to get her drunk. Unless Vesper was watching and reporting everything too him. But why did that concern Bond?

Ridiculous.

These are just the idiotic longings of an old woman...grasping for something that is not there.

James Bond is in love with Vesper.

M sighs...if only...

To be continued...