Chapter 7.

Your Real Family is Where Your Heart is

The boy sat in the backseat of the taxi beside the man that claimed to be his father, searchingly watching him. Something felt funny. He might look like a carbon copy of his 'dad', and this certain Mr. Dowell might have appeared very happy to have found him but something still was out of place with this whole situation.

Was it normal behavior for a parent to be more worried about visiting a distant relative in Ireland than making sure your confused child – the one you had thought dead for months by the way – was all right and didn't suffer because of the sudden changes? Shouldn't he want to awaken deep-buried memories in his son first instead of simply 'kidnapping' him from the place that to all intents and purposes was like a home to him now? Would everyone else take him from his guardians like that even if he didn't remember his previous life and was absolutely terrified, not to mention heartbroken about it?

Somehow, the small child doubted this was the normal procedure of finding your missing son and getting reacquainted with him.

"Ahm… where are we going now?"

The man didn't react in any way to the question, so the boy tried again.

"Sir? Do you maybe know what happened to me? Why can't I remember?"

Again nothing.

"Mr. D- I mean… dad… ahm… I would like to call James and Alec. May I use your cell? Or maybe the landline when we get home? Please?"

"Shut up!" – Snapped the man.

The little boy stared wide eyed but didn't dare utter any more words during the whole ride. What kind of mess had he gotten himself into!?

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As soon as they stepped through the threshold of a small, sparsely furnished flat in the middle of London, the man firmly locked the door behind them and turned angrily to the child.

"What the hell is wrong with you!? Are you totally out of your mind?"

The miniature genius quivered.

"Sir, I don't know what you mean… Don't we live in Reading? Why did we drive around in London for half an hour? In whose apartment are we now?"

"Reading? You're kidding me!? You can drop the stupid act! Go to the computer and do your work! I've been without money for months because of you, you little shite! I should make you go without food and water for days because of that! As a matter of fact, I think I'll do just that!" – Spat the man with venom. – "Na, what are you standing here, looking at me like that for? Get to work! The bank accounts won't hack themselves!"

"Bank acc-?" – But at that moment, out of the blue, everything became clear.

Memories started to flood his mind, making his head spin at a dizzying speed: he was climbing out a window in the middle of the night, falling down from frightening heights. Then he was running on the street despite his aching back, very cold and scared. He realized someone was chasing him, trying to catch up. He ran and ran and ran, until he thought he wouldn't be able to move anymore. He kept looking behind to see how far his pursuer had come. He was too close! He tried to run faster but it seemed impossible. The man was catching up to him and then- BAMMMMMM!

"Oh… I was hit by a car! You watched me get hit and then left me there injured! When I woke up I didn't know who I was… I just staggered around confusedly until James found me! YOU LEFT ME THERE! You didn't even call an ambulance!"

"What else should I have done, you little bastard!? You looked dead! I didn't want to get into trouble, the police would have asked uncomfortable questions! Besides, what good can you do me if you die!? The dead can't hack."

"You are the bastard!" – The child shouted with tears running down his cheeks. – "You left your own son to die and didn't care! You're a monster!"

"Really? I wasn't the only one who left you, you know. Or what do you think the driver did? He was glad nobody saw what happened and just drove away. Nobody cares for you!"

"That's not true! James and Alec do!"

"They do? I didn't see them fight for you all that much. Maybe they were even glad to be rid of you."

"No…" – But there was a certain sad truth in the statement… They were assassins, they could have stopped them from leaving and yet they just stood by and watched… Maybe they really didn't care?

"See? I'm telling the truth. I'm always telling the truth; I'm your father. So, sonny, get your skinny butt into that room and transfer me as much money as possible without getting caught doing it. I have debts and if I won't be able to pay them soon, I might just give you to them instead!"

"You wouldn't!" – Gaped the boy. But deep down he knew the man would do it, without a second thought. – "What did you get yourself into? Is someone threatening you?"

"It's none of your business! Into the room! NOW!

The child backed into the wall then made a beeline to the room that he now knew was used to keep him locked up there with only a computer to do the man's bidding.

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The child remembered everything now: that had been going on for ages. He was always locked into that tiny room that only had one window – it bore bars now that had been put up recently, presumably to prevent him getting away again – and a ragged, dirty mattress on the floor. Aside from that, it was totally bare, save for a computer connected to the internet. That was all he had; it was his life: hacking into bank accounts to transfer money to the man's so that he could go out and buy his cigarettes, alcohol and occasionally drugs.

The child hated drugs the most, because they always made Dowell Sr. even meaner than he originally was (and that said a lot). Those were the times he was the most prone to forget about feeding the boy at least with some dried bread once a day and give him two or three cups of water. No wonder he looked two years younger than his normal age…

He hated this life and he hated that man! He absolutely refused to steal from others just so that he could get more stuff!

"I won't do it! I won't, I won't, I won't!" – He repeated to himself again and again over his tears.

That was exactly why he had tried to flee. And, absolutely by chance, he had found a place he liked to be and people he loved. A home.

"Why am I here again? WHY!?" – He sobbed.

After a while he realized something: sitting there, crying about his destiny surely wouldn't help him any. He'd have to act! There might be bars on the window this time around, but still, now he had something he hadn't had the last time: friends he could turn to.

He didn't really believe for a minute that James and Alec didn't want him. They were just stupid, but it was all right: people usually were. Especially adults. And then there were Mr. Mallory, Miss Moneypenny and Uncle Bill. And Old-Q and the minions. They liked him, he just knew they did!

With a determination he wasn't sure where he'd gotten from, he sat down by the computer to hack. But this time, it wouldn't be anyone's bank account he would attack with full force. This time, it would be the impenetrable MI6.

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James and Alec sat in Q-Branch. The usually pulsing, lively atmosphere was this time totally missing. Today, everyone seemed to be downcast, even sad. Aside from the minions and Old-Q, also Bill, Eve and Mallory were present.

"I can't believe he just took Mini-Q like that! Not even time to say goodbye. Or to take his things…" – Lamented Alec for probably the twelfth time.

"I can't believe you let him do it." – Replied Eve with angrily blazing eyes. – "You're double-o agents for God's sake, you really couldn't make the man stay for just a little while? None of us even got to see the poor baby to give him a hug!"

"What should we have done, Eve? It was his father! He has every right to decide where his son can stay and how he spends Christmas."

"Even if you found the whole scenario suspicious?" – Asked Tanner. The two agents had already recounted the happenings to the others and they had also told them about their misgivings. Everyone agreed that things had gone really strange indeed. – "I mean, if that whole thing had happened to any of my kids, I'd have wanted to thank those who took care of them and wanted to see where they lived while they were missing."

"Yes, even then. We didn't have any evidence against the man. The fact that he's a git, isn't enough to take the boy away from him. Sadly." – Nodded Bond dejectedly.

"I think tha-" – Right at that moment, the big screen started to vibrate then suddenly a message appeared on it with huge, red letters:

'HELP!

PLEASE, COME FOR ME! MINI-Q'

There were also coordinates that the minions immediately searched on the map to find the location of the lost child.

"It's not far away from here!" – Stated Alec as soon as the red dot appeared, signaling the place.

"Let's go!" – Commanded Mallory and with that, he, Eve, Tanner and the two agents ran with a lightning speed towards the garage for their cars.

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When they arrived at the house that had been marked on the map for them, they got out of the cars and walked around the building, trying to find out where the little boy could be.

"Why are there bars on that window? I mean, it's on the third floor, surely, it's not to keep someone out-" – Began Eve, pointing to said place.

"-But to keep someone IN." – Finished Bill for her, looking like he was about to get sick.

"Would someone be able to get out through there though? It's quite high up." – Mused M, knowing exactly who the 'someone' in everyone's mind would be.

"He could if he really wanted to." – Stated Bond as they entered the building.

They walked cautiously up the stairs, trying not to make any sound. Being agents and an ex-agent (or in Bill's case: the loyal Chief of Staff of MI6), it wasn't a problem for them. As soon as they got to the door that they thought could belong to the window with bars, they heard shouts from inside.

"Why aren't you finished yet? What have you been doing in here this whole time; sleeping, boy?"

"No, I just-" – That was definitely their boy's voice! And he sounded very frightened!

"I'll give you idling, you little scamp! You're not with your new friends anymore! If I won't have my money in an hour, you're dead, do you understand!?"

"Yeah…"

"I can't hear you!"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. The-"

At that moment, the door banged open from M's violent kick with such a force that it embedded itself into the wall behind it and stayed there for good.

"Wow, sir, you're strong." – Marveled Moneypenny with wide eyes.

"Well, I guess I might be Hefty after all!" – Answered the man shrugging as the agents rushed into the room to find Mini-Q quivering in fear, silently crying with Zacharias Dowell looming over him threateningly.

"Mr. Dowell, if I were you, I really wouldn't finish that sentence." – Warned Bond, gun held ready.

The man didn't seem to realize what kind of danger he was in.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!? Get out of my house!"

"We will. But you'll come with us. Mr. Dowell: you're arrested for child abuse, drug abuse and fraud. And who knows what else. You'll come with us to the nearest police station." – Said Bill, grabbing the stunned man's left arm.

"A friendly suggestion from me: you should get your things; I don't think you'll be coming back for them in the foreseeable future." – Continued Mallory, grabbing the criminal's other arm and steering him out of the room so that the boy wouldn't have to see him anymore.

"You came for me!" – Exclaimed the small child, straightening up. – "You really came for me! I thought maybe you were glad to be rid of me…"

"You're kidding, right? You're stuck with us, kitten!" – Said Alec.

Mini-Q looked up hopefully.

"Does that mean I'm finally allowed to forge those guardianship papers?"

"No." – Shook his head James. Seeing the child's put out expression, he quickly added smiling. – "I thought maybe we could get real adoption documents instead."

"Really?!"

"Only if you want it, of cour-"

"YEAH!"

"I think that's settled then." – Grinned Alec, not minding the ringing in his ears from the boy's shout at all.

The little one jumped into James' arms while pulling Alec closer as well. This time, the men were ready though and avoided collision with each other. They immediately hugged the child back tightly.

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10 days later

The paperwork had been done pretty quickly, thanks to Bill and M's connections. The child belonged officially to James Bond and Alec Trevelyan now. Of course, they were constantly teased about surely being married if they adopted a child together but they strangely didn't mind and only answered: 'Well, we've been living together long enough anyway. It was time to move a bit forward in our relationship.' Usually, that was enough to shut up even the nosiest of people.

Mini-Q's take on things had only gone like that:

"Isn't it a bit unusual to have two dads instead of a mom and a dad?"

"Yes, I guess it is. Does it bother you?"

"Not in the slightest. I hate normal; it's boring."

"I'm glad you think like that, because you're anything but normal."

After that, it hadn't been mentioned again.

The Christmas party at MI6 had been a hit the day before, so now everyone was a bit tired as they prepared for leaving for Skyfall. Everyone, except for the hyper six-year-old, that is.

"How long 'till we get to the manor? Will Mr. Kincade like me? Are there other kids my age? Are there animals? And you're absolutely sure there aren't any ghosts or vampires?"

"Grr… Alexander Jamie Trevelyan-Bond, you come here and put on your coat right now, mister!" – Groaned 007 as he grabbed the squirming boy's arm and gently pulled him back from the door, where he was about to escape wearing only a pullover and his slippers. – "And don't forget your boots either! You'll catch a pneumonia one day, I swear!"

"But it's warm in the car!" – Complained the child but he did as he had been told anyway. – "And may I bring my new books?" – He asked, referring to the thick volumes on aerospace engineering he had gotten the day before as Christmas presents.

"I thought you had already read all of them?"

"I have. Twice. But I think there might be some footnotes I don't yet know by heart."

James chuckled while Alec shook his head exasperated.

"Whatever, bring them. I really don't know how we'll keep up with your thirst for knowledge, munchkin. By the time you start your studies in January, you'll know more about the subject than any of the professors…"

That was true. Mini-Q (everyone usually still called him that) was so excited about beginning his university courses the next term that he wanted to study everything in advance, so as not to 'appear dumb among all the big students'. As if he could ever appear dumb anywhere.

"But, Alec, I have to be the best if I want to revolutionize the space travel! If a professor knows more than I, how am I going to write studies and develop new things nobody has thought of before?"

"Mini-Q, you're six years old. I don't think you have to worry about running out of time to reform the whole universe." – Assured James.

Alec looked pointedly at his watch before saying:

"But I think we can worry about running out of time getting out of the city before the traffic if we don't get a move on soon! Come on, boys!"

"YUPEE!"

The small boy raced out of the apartment, closely followed by Alec. Bond just shook his head amused: those lunatics were really two of a kind. He picked up the car key his friend had forgotten on the table and took a last look around to make sure everything would be fine while they'd be gone. He then locked the door and walked down the stairs to join the others.

The end