Chapter 7

Tanner is in a complete state of shock. On the line he can hear Q through M's mobile phone. M disconnects the call, Tanner stands up and he rushes to work, calling for a team as he runs down the hall to get to a car and to M.

During the ride to M's he nervously thinks about what she said and what attacked could mean. God Q could not have possibly...

The two vehicles make it within 15 minutes.

Tanner takes the stairs two at a time and tries the door. It's open. Inside a man is on his knees with his hands behind his head in surrender. The men he brought with him quickly handcuffed him and pull him to his feet.

"Q?...Is that you?"

Tanner stares at him with a puzzled look on his face. The man looks like Q, only a younger version of the man Tanner knows.

"What have you done to M?...Where is she?"

"She is upstairs." Q says dejectedly.

Tanner has two of men take him back to base and tells the others to stay by the door while he gets M. Tanner climbs the stairs and hears M mumbling.

"Shit!...Damn...Stupid...argh..."

"M, you all right?" Tanner reaches the door that is open a crack, and pushes it open. His mouth now hangs open as he stares at a woman who looks like M, but younger and desperately trying to get a skirt to stop sliding down her slip covered hips. Her ill-fitting blouse is billowing open and she's trying to look for something.

"Tanner, Q surrendered peacefully I assume...arghh that man!"

The minute Tanner heard her speak he knew it was really her.

"M what happened here?"

"Two days ago, he was here when I came home and he injected me with a drug that made me like this."

She motions up and down her torso. "He used it on himself first, as you must have noticed. I do not know how long it will last or if it will wear off at all. DAMN nothing fits! Help me find a belt or my skirt will be falling all day."

Tanner moved to the closet to try to help. "How did this happen...I mean...It is amazing...you look..."

"What...what do I look like Mr. Tanner and do please remember as you answer that question that I am your boss."

"You look good Ma'am. You're right about the skirt, maybe a dress would fit better?"

"Good idea Tanner, hand me that blue one there. It was always a bit tight."

Tanner grabbed the dress and M let the skirt hit the floor and began unbuttoning her blouse.

Tanner swallowed hard, getting somewhat uncomfortable in her presence with her in nothing more than an ill-fitting bra and a slip. He handed her the dress and she climbed into it and turned around.

"Give me a hand and zip will you Tanner."

Tanner cautiously stepped forward and did as commanded.

M turned back around and looked at him in his obvious discomfort. It made her smile a bit realizing that she had made him feel uncomfortable. M felt how his hands were trembling as he zipped her up.

"Thank you Tanner, I know that is above and beyond...does it look good enough for the day at least?"

Tanner blushing slightly nodded yes.

"Tanner surely you have zipped a woman up before and it wasn't that bad was it?" M said with a smirk.

M avoid looking in the mirror much since she woke. Physically she can definitely feel a difference and if Tanners reaction is any indication she's not dreaming and actually is younger.

Tanner clears his throat and says. "No, ma'am everything is good, shall we go."

They leave the house and head back to the office. As Tanner drove he gives her a few updates. He tries his best not to stare at her and kept his attention on the road.

"Tanner, I need you to question Q. I don't think Q did it maliciously. Q claims that he is well...in love with me."

Tanner turns with a shocked look on his face. "Really?...So the attack...I mean...did he...take liberties ma'am?"

M's eyes go wide, as she wrings her hands. "No,...I mean I don't think so...I was unconscious for two days...medical will be able to tell me more."

"This is between the three of us and medical now Tanner, I want to keep this as contained as possible."

"M everyone will see you and know that something major has happened. What do we tell the staff and the Prime Minister's office?"

"I have been thinking about that Tanner and Q gave me the answer earlier. What if you started a little rumour for me around the office? I was thinking that there is a special project for Q and myself, before his retirement and major plastic surgery to make us unrecognizable."

Tanner nods. "That is a lot more believable than having discovered the fountain of youth. I will whisper into a few ears as soon as we get back and then go visit Q in lock up. I assume medical will want to look at him also."

"Yes, they will. If you feel that he is telling the truth...then release him and get him on a plane to Bahamas will you."

"Bahamas?" Tanner asks.

"Yes, after the doctors see to him and he is not to return to Britain while I am alive."

M pulls her hands up to massage her temples, attempting to will the lingering effects of the drug and headache away.

"I suppose his plans were for the two of us to retire and live out our days on the beach."

M stares out the window at the streets of London as they pass.

"I guess that with my current predicament he felt they would push me into retirement and I don't think that he is wrong...ironically they cannot use the excuse that I am too old now will they."

Tanner just sighs and says. "I wasn't going to bring this up now but the advisory committee head, Gareth Mallory...he has requested an appointment with you ASAP."

"I was expecting this but I don't think Mr. Mallory will be expecting me. What an incredible shock he is in for. I can hear it now...Oh, M you have been a rock for the department all these years and you've had a good run, here have a gold watch...bastards!" After all she has accomplished...and what is still left to do.

"Maybe this... bizarre change is good for something. It may help me keep my job, even if it is just until this problem gets solved."

Tanner nods and tries not to keep looking at her but it's just so strange, like something out of a science fiction novel.