**Chapter 6**

I took a sip of my iced tea as I waited for papa to come to the cafe. Watching the street from the patio, it was a nice day for early October. I could have ordered lunch but, preferred to wait. I saw the familiar coat crossing the street, collar turned up against the wind. I waved once papa turned towards the cafe, he nodded before walking over. Papa walked through the gate with hardly a pause in his stride, folding his collar now that the building protected us from the wind.

"Iced tea really? I had hoped to rumors about ice in your veins, were just that." Papa joked, pulling out the chair to the side of me. I stretched out my legs hooking my ankles over his.

"Meh, I like them and I was planning on some nice warm soup. I'm not all ice and sharp edges, I can be nice when I want to." I hummed motioning over the waiter.

"Oh I'm not the one needing reminding of this, I know the sweetheart you can be when no ones watching. Others are quite a bit less willing to believe." Papa hummed. Eyes trained up as the waiter stood silently at the side. I glanced at papa perplexed before turning to the waiter already holding his note pad.

"Are you ready to order madam?" the waiter asked, he was a tall straight backed middle aged man, I nodded.

"I'll have the clam chowder." I smiled handing over the menus.

"I'll have today's pasta special with coffee." papa ordered without letting the waiter ask or, looking at the menu. He probably didn't know or, even care what the special was. The waiter nodded and left. This was why we always liked this café, a good waiter knew when he was dismissed.

"Now what did you mean by that?" I raised my eyebrow crossing my arms. Papa stared back inquisitively. I glared not taking his innocent play.

"After the explosion new recruits would have been needed, new people in general. It would help the overall moral if the new agents didn't think that had to watch there backs while at home." papa shrugged easily, like he was thinking of neighbors instead of what should be trained agents.

"You haven't had much of a complaint about how I handle things before now. Everyone knows that unless they posse a real threat my bark is worse then my bite. I wouldn't hurt a fellow agent without good cause." I hummed refusing to let my voice drop into a pout. I tapped my foot against his ankle.

"And what a bark you have. The two of us have been gone for quite a while, long enough to be classified as dead. Things can change in that sort of time; places, people, how things are run. Things change quickly at headquarters in normal circumstance. I'm just saying that maybe you should take a softer approach until you get settled back in and, all the smoke clears." Papa elaborated, putting his hand on my shoulder to stop my fidgeting fingers.

I could tell he wasn't being direct about something. There was something he wanted to talk about without having to say it out right, something that had changed at headquarters or someone.

"Oh god you talked to Q didn't you? What, did he convince you of what a horrible nuisance I am? A bit of male bonding to get me to play nicely, so what are you two just going to be having drinks down at the pub now?" I growled shrugging off his hand, pulling my legs back to my side of the table. I glared off to the side away from him.

"After all this time you still don't trust that your papa will always choose you first. Why must you have so little trust in people, even the ones that mean you only help?" Papa soothed, putting his hand under my chin to turn me so I had to face his eyes his palm cupping my cheek. I stared in to his sharp blues eyes for a long moment before dropping my eyes with a sigh.

"I'm sorry I can't help but worry. There are so many new people trying to force there way in to our little home, I don't like it. I do trust you papa more then I have anyone else and, I know you love me for all the world. I just can't help the concerns I have." I leaned in to his palm taking in the comfort of his smell and, the feel of him rubbing my cheek. I watched papa meekly.

"I wouldn't lose you in a sea of people, I can always find my little shadow." Papa answered the question I couldn't ask. "But not all people are here to hurt or steal you. A few might even want to help you. If you didn't bite off their hand before they got the chance." he smiled warmly, a gentleness that had helped me through all the rough years of doubt.

"It's easier to not trust then to try and find the good from the bad. We live in a world of secrets and lies. There are enough people that want us dead it's easier to not let anyone close enough to try." I replied stretching my legs back out to rest my feet next to papa's, my arms relaxing to a loose grip.

"Easier but not better. Did I really let you get so cold hearted as to think you could not find people who cared. The people we work with wouldn't hurt you any more then you would them. Some may even want to be a friend." papa smirked but, I could see the cold worry that lingered in his eyes.

"No, you are the best papa any one could hope for. I just don't need anyone else you and, Ma'ma where all I needed. I still have you, I just don't need friends. It's more people that could hurt you. I have my papa and, that's all I need or want." I countered, I put my hand over his still holding my cheek. I didn't want to worry papa about any of my fears, he did the best he could have for me. Much more then anyone else ever had, my distrust of people wasn't his fault.

"Of all the things I wish I could have given you, a better trust in the good will of man was never one I succeeded in." Papa said with such a weight to his voice that I griped his hand harder, hooking my feet over his.

"I learned long before you found me that there is no such thing. There was nothing you could do to fix the past and, even time wont change some hurts or thoughts. You gave me so much more, you gave me a good life. One that I can enjoy and do good with. You gave me your love, it was more then I had come to hope for." I sighed. Two lives filled with pain and, distrust trying to help each other. Maybe to others we looked strange for a father daughter but, it worked for us. "Besides our job comes with a certain amount of suspicion, it's dangerous to trust to many people." I smiled hoping to lighten the mood.

Papa smiled back but, the darkness in his eyes was still there. I heard the scoff of shoes as our waiter returned. I leaned back in my chair turning to watch him, before he stopped at our table.

"your coffee sir and, a fresh tea for you madam." The waiter said stiffly. Lowering the tray he held, placing the steaming coffee in front of papa, and a fresh iced tea by me. Taking my near empty glass with nothing more then a sharp turn on his heel, walking away. Papa had lowered our hands to the table, now holding mine.

"I'm going to assume that you didn't text me to meet you here to get overly emotional. What was it you wanted to talk to me and, why at a café? Couldn't you have waited till I came home?" papa cleared his throat, changing the subject easily, smiling playfully at me though I could still see the lingering sadness to him.

"Well I thought it would be best to celebrate with what I've managed. It may not be a huge win but, I say well enough for a good lunch. I found us a good apartment we can even move in tomorrow." I smiled, raising my glass. Papa chuckled tipping his mug.

"Good as that is, it might have to be a challenge you face yourself for moving everything." papa hummed, watching something over my shoulder tensing slightly. I glanced back, dropping my shoulders when I saw it was just our waiter bringing our lunch. I smiled patiently as he laid the food on the table.

"Enjoy your lunch. Please let me know if there's anything more I can get you." The waiter bowed before leaving. The soup looked divine and, smelled just as fine. I detangled our hands so I could unwrap my silverware, papa doing much the same.

"And why would I need to move everything? Not that we have all that much but, you can take the day from going to headquarters. It's your flat to you can help. Besides I would think they would appreciate not having to pay for that room anymore." I huffed raising an eyebrow, asking the question before thinking of the food. I blew on my spoonful of soup it still looked appealing but, I was finding myself less hungry. Though I ate anyways it was delicious soup.

"Its not that I wouldn't like to help, I would much prefer having to move then what I have been asked. M is sending me on a mission to Russia. It'll only take a few days but, I leave in the morning if not tonight." Papa explained between bites of what I assumed was a twice baked rigatoni, not that it matter much. It was a little off putting to be sent on a mission after only a few days but, so was life. We'd done worse, after to long we both got restless anyways.

"Well I guess we can just have some techs move our things then. I would have liked to set up things ourselves but, I guess it'll be just as nice to come home to having all the work done. What are we doing in Russia this time? Something simple I imagine, with such a quick turnover from our last assignment." I shrugged, waiting eagerly for papa to explain the mission. As I broke a few crackers into the soup to keep my hands busy.

"You're not coming this time shay. You still have your stitches in. This is a mission just for me. You need to stay home and heal. They wont put you on an assignment till your off medical leave and, if you never go to headquarters for your evaluations they wont ever reinstate you." papa sighed, watching me sternly.

I frowned I almost always went on assignment with papa and, he never really complained most of the time he insisted or helped me sneak in with him. He very rarely said no.

"That hasn't been much of a problem before. It's not the first time I'm been patched up enough to go out again. I've gone out with worse before, we always go on assignments together its how we work best." I countered. Not quite wanting my soup any long but, it gave a good reason to not have to look at papa.

"And I worry when you do. I worry about you often. I don't normally say because I trust you but, I trusted the old M to. Can't you leave an old man to his worries? In any case you don't normally have wounds on your leg, can you keep up?" Papa said softly, gently putting his hand under my chin again to stop me from staring at my soup to meet his eyes. I could see the worry in his sharp blue eyes.

Maybe the loss of Ma'ma had rattled him more then he let on or, then I wanted to think of. Papa was always such a strong unyielding presents to my life, nothing scared him. Danger was something to mock, death spat at. To have something that had unnerved papa to make him worry and, fear about me it was an uncomfortable thought. Papa was always strong therefore I could be to but, if something had left papa worrying what did that mean for me.

"And I worry about you when I can't be there with you. Who else is going to watch your back? What happened at Skyfall wasn't any ones fault but that bastard's. I can always keep up with you. I'm still coming with you, its certainly not the first time I've snuck out on assignment." I said stubbornly.

Insistent on what we've always done because the thought of something as critical as work, as our life, changing is a far more terrifying thought then any mission that I've ever been on.

"It's what M has assigned. This is a new start for all of us. It's only one mission maybe we should give some change a chance before, discarding it as useless. For now though I haven't come here to argue, even if that's all we seem to do. So let's leave this for the moment tell me about the flat." Papa encouraged smiling. I pulled back with a huff watching him with a put upon glare but, still an edge of care.

"we're not done with this but, fine." I agreed relaxing, his hand drifting to my free hand as we tucked back into our meals and a pleasant conversation.

I glared at the computer. I had set up everything Bond would need for his assignment. I even had everything sitting neatly in a corner of my desk, files and necessary paperwork lying on a briefcase of his equipment. The problem was that I still couldn't think of how to keep Ms. Bond from following, not sufficiently without doubt at least.

There was a paper trail of Bond taking a separate flight to a different aeroplane but, I couldn't be sure she wouldn't see through the diversion. I wasn't confident in my knowledge of Ms. Bond's capabilities. She was at least as well train as her father, if not more so. Yet without the proper understanding of Ms. Bond, something only her father might have, I couldn't think of believable plan.

I was tempted to leave things as is and, let the stubborn woman have her way even if it was inevitable that she would hurt herself. The guilt set in before I could let that though linger to long. So this was all why I was glaring at my computer stuck between needing a plan and, not having nearly the information needed for such a plan. Hoping futilely that my computer would give me an answer. It didn't help that it was almost two hours since Bond had left and, be was due to walk in at any moment. A knock at my door interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes, come in." I sat back, straightening my jumper. The door opened to the sweet smiling Chrissie, I turned my chair to give her my attention.

"Bond was seen entering the building sir." Chrissie informed, holding a folder close to her chest.

"Ah thank you. Just let him through when he comes then but Chrissie, you don't have to tell me every time someone is coming to my office especially if their expected. Though I do appreciate your effort." I acknowledged. She was kind and a very diligent worker but, I didn't want her thinking she had to do more then necessary for me.

"No sir, both Bond's. I thought I should give you warning." Chrissie smirked, apparently amused by what could only be thought of as the coming storm. Technicians stuck in close groups, gossiped worse then a school yard. So everyone in Q branch knew that there was a mission coming that would involve one Bond but, not the other.

The branch was buzzing with anticipation for the assumed fight coming, whether in fear or excitement. Chrissie seemed to fall to the latter. I had hoped things would settle and the mission exchange would go smoothly but, I gave up that thought after an hour of fidgety technicians.

"Well that does change matters. I'm grateful for the warning then." I sighed, smiling in a hopeful gesture that fell flat. Chrissie chuckled but, left closing my door without comment.

Rubbing my temples I realized my efforts of a plan as useless and, rose to gather the papers in a folder. Resolving my courage as I did, the assignment said just Bond and Ms. Bond was still on medical leave. It was my job to ensure the safety of agents concerning missions and, that's what I would do regardless of what Ms. Bond thought. A second knock on the door was the last bit of warning I had before my office was invaded by Bond's.

"Bond good, I've been expecting you. I have everything ready for you, here is your equipment please return it all in one piece if you would. Your flight leaves later tonight your ticket and, appropriate passports are in the folder." I explained, handing Bond the briefcase and folder in turn. With a frail hope that if I did not acknowledge Ms. Bond directly it would at least deter her some.

"Aw what, you gonna send me in without anything but give papa all the pretty toys? That's alright I don't really need much anyhow." The words were said sweetly but, I could feel the razor edge to Ms. Bonds tone. I had to keep my professionalism as long as I could or, that would just be another thing for her to attack. Turning calmly I gave Ms. Bond a confused look.

"I don't think I understand, the report did not list you as accompanying. Actually I think it said quite the opposite." I said quizzically, doing my best to keep my tone innocent and steady. Ms. Bond shifted crossing her arms and, smiling though it was anything but friendly.

"That must be a clerical error then, I always go on missions with papa. It's how we work. I'm sure it'll take you just a few minutes to correct it, I'll at the least need an aeroplane ticket. Though not a room I can probably just share with papa." Ms. Bond shrugged, her soft tone not hiding the firm demand to be listened to. I turned to my computer leaning over and, mostly for show clicked through a few pages.

"No I think they would notice a mistake like this. Report says quite clearly that you are not to leave due to medical leave. It's been less then a week since you left the hospital, yes? You still have the stitches don't you? I can't let you leave in that condition." I stated, leaning away from the computer to straighten dusting off my sleeves. The cold furry that rolled off Ms. Bond was intimidating but, I couldn't let that show. Not while I still had the upper hand.

"Fine I don't care what that stupid thing says, I'm going to Russia whether you agree or not. So either give me another ticket or, I'll find my own way there." Ms. Bond growled. Clearly this conversation was not follow as she had planed and, was not pleased by it.

"No." I said with as much force as I could, without raising my voice. Ms. Bond's eyes widened. She was taken aback by my out right refusal and, the shock showing through her body. With a glance I could see that Bond was fairly surprised as well, surprised and impressed. That was all I felt I needed to say, I would not bend to her will just because she demanded it.

"What did you say? Do you think that telling me no will stop me from getting on that plane and, doing this myself?" Ms. Bond seethed. Her hands clenched on her arms I could see the beginnings of red marks in her skin.

"That's exactly what I said. I said no. I will not let you go on a mission that you or neither assigned to nor necessarily needed for. Your father is more then capable of completing this assignment himself. I will not let you endanger your own safety or that of other agents because, you choose to act like a child." I stated, keeping my conviction. Hoping that this would settle the matter and, Ms. Bond would go spend the days in her new flat sulking. It was the best out come at this point.

"I'm not endangering the safety of anyone. I perform just as well as papa can and, far better then anyone else here. The only one in danger here is you if you keep pissing me off." Ms. Bond yelled and at the moment I almost didn't doubt her threat but, I had faith that Bond would keep his daughter from becoming physical. Seemingly she was going to ignore my last comment but, that maybe for the better.

"Really, so you are going to try and convince me you can run on that leg." I hummed, holding to my calm as the only salvation I had.

Deciding to tempt fate, I stepped forwards gently tapping where her stitchings were with my shoe. I raised an eyebrow when Ms. Bond jerked back away from the touch. I stepped back to lean on my desk before Ms. Bond could retaliate. It may have been a bit underhanded but, I was running out of simple reasoning.

"Yes I can run just fine." Ms. Bond growled, even as she shifted to protect her leg refusing to concede to sane reasoning.

"What is this really about Ms. Bond? Are you really this determined to be disobedient, to defy me? If I offended you that much to cause all this fuss, I'm sorry. Now please let's be reasonable, it's better for all concerned if you go home and heal." I sighed, almost a pleading tone. I was tired of arguing and, honestly didn't want to see the woman hurt herself because of her stubbornness.

"Piss off this isn't about you. I don't give a damn about how you feel, though I want to know how you plan to keep me from following papa. Fake paper trail boring, moving him around so I can't track him you'll have to leave some trail, locking me in my flat, yes because that will work." Ms. Bond prodded, sharp edged and insistent. I rubbed my forehead. I could feel the conversation slipping away from me with each passing moment.

"I had hoped you would be reasonable but, if needed to we could just put a detail on you." I supplied, doing my best to look unfazed.

"Oh you think that would work, I could slip your tail before they even get the first chance to see me. I can slip on the aeroplane, I can slip anywhere. I could work with papa and follow him the whole trip and, you would never even see me. Because that's what I do, that's what I'm good at but, poor you can't even find a man in a tube station. What's M going to think when you can't follow one simple order? What are you going to do, what can you do?" Ms. Bond raged, with a cold harsh smile.

Faced with those options I had been backed in to a corner. All my reasoning was sound but, it was useless against a woman who wouldn't listen. I shrugged having to admit defeat. I saw Bond to the side frowning he had obviously thought better of me but, I didn't have many other choices. I didn't think duck taping the woman to the wall was all that valid a plan.

"I thought not, I'll see you in a few days quartermaster." Ms. Bond spat revolving in her victory. She spun to strut out of the room. Bond took the few steps to pat my shoulder.

"Don't let it get to you. She's out maneuvered even the best of people you where damn good to last this long but, when pressed like this shadow has a habit of snapping back. I'll make sure M doesn't give you too much trouble. It was a good try Q, damn good." Bond consoled, turning to follow his daughter.

I took his words for what they where, a balm to a burn, but the whole exchange left me mouth with a sour taste. I glanced at a paper to get my eyes off the open door. A thought struck me it was under handed and very dirty but, it was the only shot I had. Bolting for the door I leaned out.

"Hey, you stay and we can discuss the arrangement of a new lab. Leave and you will never have access to any resources of q-branch, unless explicitly given to you for a mission." I yelled so that she would hear me. I watched Ms. Bond freeze, whole body seizing. Bond looked shocked but was smiling.

"You wouldn't, you couldn't." ms. bond screeched, jerking around to glare at me. The whole of the room present frozen, waiting for what would happen.

"Well you where right before; I can't stop you from doing anything outside these walls but, inside them specifically this section I can. I am the quartermaster, I have the complete word and control of what happens here. Even M can only argue so much. I leave you a choice." I smiled confidently.

Crossing my arms as I watched the rage roll off Ms. Bond so tangible, the surrounding technicians scooted away. I could see the conflict boiling through her. The fight for two things she wanted but, couldn't have both of them.

"You bastard!" Ms. Bond shrieked, hitting the closest desk with the palm of her hand. I smiled wide.

"So I'll take that as an agreement to stay then." I said brightly, egging on her anger now that I had her playing to my rules.

"I will see you tomorrow and, we will discuss my needs at length." Ms. Bond growled as she turned to storm out of the room, bonds boisterous laughter following her out. The room erupted in to cheers, as soon as the two had left.

The technicians highly appeased by the display. Tomorrow may bring an even worse hell and angrier ms. bond but, for tonight victory was mine. The cross of defeat was not mine to carry and, if only in this moment that felt good. It felt like somewhere to move forwards from.


Authors Note: So yes again this is late. The editor and myself to some extra time to collaborate and work on this chapter and, the next few. So we can get things back on track and, have everything nice and neat. I hope the wait wasn't to bad, it was worth it to sort things out. It should be smooth sailing for the next few chapters, real life permitting. If you want to comment please do, I would love to hear what you all think of the story. Well that's about it, I will see you again in the first Saturday of the new month.