Knots of Love – Chapter 7

Zara moved her eyes towards Bond.

"What's Quantum?" It was the first thing she said, after a long silence.

"It's a criminal organisation," Bond answered, keeping his eyes on the road.

"And they're extremely dangerous," M added, "We dealt with them before, a few years ago."

"What happened?"

"Something complicated."

"So now they're plotting revenge?" Bond guessed.

He was quick to suspect this and took into account, any possible theories. Zara shifted closer, examining the expression concealed in his eyes.

"If so, we have to prepare ourselves; look into who it is they're specifically targeting."

Zara swallowed hard.

"You and I are known to them."

M considered Bond's response. "That's why we need to take precaution."

"Is there anything else we should know?" Zara asked.

"Stay armed and don't trust anybody."

"All right."

Zara lent back, allowing her muscles to relax. She understood her job was dangerous, but never thought it'd put her this much at risk. Within minutes, they found a hotel. 007 switched off his earpieces, and so did Zara. He pulled into the nearest space he could find and hauled himself out of the car, without waiting for Zara as he locked the door.

Only a second later, did sapphire eyes face her. And they displayed something of a vigorous storm. James Bond surveyed the girl, noticing the way she held her bag tighter against her body. Although it put her on edge, Zara exhaled and faced him. She evolved into the caring woman she believed she'd hidden.

"Bond–" Zara hesitated –"what is it?"

"They killed a friend of mine. Someone very close to me."

He said no more and paced towards the hotel. Zara approached him immediately. His words awoke her memories of her own loss, making her think; perhaps the two of them weren't that different.

Flashback (Paris, 2005)

"Darling, this is exquisite. Where did you learn to make this?"

"You'll be surprised at what an accountant with an imagination can do."

Vesper Lynd held her wine glass, sipping rose down her throat. She was watchful at Yusef, who approved of her cooking skills. Yusef knew it was one way to make a conference trip more exciting, along with deceiving the woman who trusted him.

"You never really said where you learn your talents," he observed.

Vesper smiled and faced him.

"I didn't think you'd want to know."

He glanced at her. "You're life's interesting to me."

Saying that made her grin. He held her hand, leaning his arm across the table and gazed at her with trusting eyes.

"Your family must be so proud of you."

"They don't know every detail about my job," Vesper said quietly, "But I keep in touch with them from time to time, especially my sister."

Yusef faced her. "You have a sister?"

Vesper nodded. "She's younger than me; now in her teenage years." She grabbed her bag and reached for a photo, giving it to Yusef.

"Your sister's very pretty, like you."

"She doesn't believe it."

"You'll have to tell her she is."

"Hmmm. One day she'll believe me. She hopes to travel like me, one day. Once she has a job of her own."

"I'm sure she'll do well." He lent across and kissed her. Vesper returned the kiss, her lips brushing against his.

"She looks up to you, doesn't she?" he continued.

Yusef didn't need her answer. He held the photo, being careful enough to avoid damaging it and spent a moment thinking about what she'd told him. He had an insight to Vesper's family…and maybe that could help him.

A/N: The flashbacks will make sense. I have them planned carefully along with the rest of the story. By the way, I'm not sure when I'll have a chance to update. But so far I've enjoyed working on this story. Reviews are welcome.