Chapter 7

When they touched down in Prague, M rushed to the local hospital and ranted at a young Nurse until finally a Doctor arrived.

"Oh at last, please tell me you speak bloody English." M asked.

"I do Ma'am, who is it you're here to see."

"James Bond, I believe he was brought in late last night."

"Ah yes, that's correct."

"Well how is he."

"Would you come with me please."

M followed the Doctor along the corridor, followed by Bill. The Doctor came to a stand still at one of the rooms.

"Mr Bond was struck by what appears to have been a very heavy object, now I want you to be prepared for what you're about to see. A lot of people see the tubes and machines and panic, it looks a lot worse than it is."

"Please, just let me in." M demanded.

He held the door open for her as she rushed in and immediately stopped dead in her tracks. Bill came up to her and put his arm around his Boss, seeing the fear on her face. She shrugged him away and rushed over to James side, taking hold of his hand.

"Oh James, my dear boy. What have they done to you." She whispered, brushing a hair from his face.

Bill brought over a seat and helped M to sit down before she fell down.

"How bad is it Doctor." Bill asked.

"He had swelling on his brain and we had to put him in an induced coma to try to bring the swelling down. He was hit very hard, he's lucky to be alive."

"How long will he be in the coma for."

"It's hard to say, could be a few days or it could take weeks. It all depends on how strong he is."

"He's the strongest man I know." M spoke up, tears in her eyes.

"Yes, I'm beginning to see that. I'll leave you too it. Any questions, just get one of the Nurses and they'll page me."

"Thanks Dr…."

"O'Connor." He smiled.

"You're Irish." M stated.

"Yes Ma'am. My Wife wanted a fresh start and we chose here. We moved here from Ireland about 10 years ago."

"Thank you for helping James, I'm sorry for being rude."

"It's alright, I understand. I'll leave you to it."

M watched as Dr O'Connor left and Bill came over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"M, do you need anything."

"A time machine so that I can sort this mess."

Bill looked down at her and half smiled.

"I'm sorry Bill, ignore me. I'm just being foolish."

"How about I go and get us a coffee, I think you could use one."

"Thank you Bill."

He squeezed her shoulder and then left her alone with James. She wiped the tears that had escaped and leaned forward and kissed him.

"James, I'm so sorry. Please wake up."

Typical she thought to herself, the first time she kisses him and he's unconcious. 10 minutes passed before Bill came back with the coffees. He handed one to M and took a seat beside her. They sat in silence, aside from the beeps from the machines, drinking their coffee's.

"Ma'am, can I ask you a question."

"Of course you can, what is it."

"Why have you been so pissed off at Bond the last few months."

M's eyes went to the floor, unable to meet Bill's eyes.

"I was angry at him."

"Yes but it's Bond, he's always annoying you."

"He betrayed my trust."

"Betrayed how. I'm sorry I shouldn't ask."

"He told me how much you all cared about me, about my wellbeing after I was attacked."

"We do. You're more than a Boss, I thought you knew that."

"Well I didn't and I'm sorry for not realising."

"You got mad at him for that." Bill said, shocked.

"No, I was angry because he told Eve something that I told him in confidence."

"I see. Well, Eve wouldn't tell anyone."

"No I know she wouldn't, it's just that it was so private and he disregarded my feelings."

"Am I allowed to ask what it was exactly."

"It concerned my attack." She said, nervously

"You know who did it."

"I do."

"Why didn't you tell us, you should have gone to the Police Ma'am, we'd have gone with you."

"Bill…"

"No, I mean he can't get away with beating you up like that, the guy should be shot."

"Bill please stop."

He looked at her and saw his Boss slowly crumbling in front of him. He moved his chair closer to her and put his arm around her as she leaned into him.

"M, what is it." He asked, softly.

"You sounded just like James there."

"It must have been something pretty big to have you this mad and this upset at the same time."

"I feel so bloody ashamed."

He sat back, forcing her to look at him.

"M, what is it you have reason to feel ashamed off."

"Bill, I can't. I just can't say it."

Bill watched his Boss and the fear that suddenly engulfed her then it clicked with him what she was trying to say.

"Oh my god, he raped you."

All M could do was nod in agreement as the tears began again. She felt like a complete idiot crying in front of the very people who worked for her.

"M, I am so sorry for what he did to you. We need to get this guy."

"James already did."

"Ma'am, about you and Bond..."

"He told me he loves me, stupid idiot."

"I'm surprised it's taken him this long to tell you."

"You knew."

"We all did. After you were shot, he was a mess and then when he had to go on that bloody mission for Mallory. He was furious because he didn't want to leave your side. I can't believe this has happened to you and that we didn't see it."

"You couldn't have known Bill."

"Don't be mad at him for telling Eve. He probably thought he was helping."

"I realise that now. I just want to put it all behind me and for him to be alright."

"He's a tough nut to crack."

"I can't lose him Bill, not now."

Bill allowed M to rest her head on his shoulder as his arm went around her, comforting her as they sat and kept a vigil at James bedside.

To Be Continued…