Chapter 7

M woke up the next morning to find James arm around her waist, holding her close. He'd given up his own mattress during the night to save M anymore pain in her hip. She was smiling to herself and James smirked when he opened his eyes to see her looking at him.

"Sleep well?" He asked.

"I didn't think sleeping in a tent would be as comfortable as it was."

"Not bad was it." He said, sitting up.

M noticed him rubbing his back as he sat up.

"I'm sorry." She smiled.

"What for."

"Taking your mattress. Your back's sore."

"I've had worse M, a lot worse. I'll be fine in a few minutes."

"Thank you for last night James."

"I still can't believe it finally happened."

"I never thought I'd be classed as one of your women."

"You're not. You're nothing like them, don't ever think you are."

"What am I."

"You're special. All those other women, I didn't love them, they meant nothing to me. You do, I love you"

"Oh James, I love you too."

"M, JAMES. ARE YOU TWO READY." Mallory hollered.

"We're just coming Mallory." James answered.

James and M appeared a few minutes later, with their walking shoes on and went over to join the others.

"Right, so today we're going to take things a little easier, after yesterdays events. Bond suggested a walk, less strenuous. Everyone happy with that?"

Everyone agreed that a walk was the right idea and they all set off. Mallory and Q were in front.

"This more your thing Q."

"Quite Sir. I'm really not the sporty type."

"To be honest neither am I but it has to be done. At lease we only have today to go and then we can get back to business."

"I can honestly say that I've never been so happy to know that I'm going back to work tomorrow." Q laughed.

Eve was walking in pace with Bill, the pair holding hands as they went.

"I can't believe how well Q and Mallory are getting on." Eve smiled.

"Well I suppose they have to at least be civil to one another, they are sharing a tent after all."

"Rather Q than me."

"I couldn't have said it better myself. Listen, I was thinking that when we get home, we might go to dinner. If you want to of course."

"You mean a date."

"Well, yes."

"I'd love too." Eve smiled, as they continued to walk.

James and M were at the back, M taking slow paces. James saw she was getting tired and he moved to put his arm around her waist.

"What are you doing." She asked, worried.

"I'm helping to take the pressure off your hip."

"Well, as much as I appreciate it. Your hand around my waist isn't the best idea. Not in front them, especially Mallory."

"At least take my arm. I don't want you falling over."

"Very well. Those two seem to be getting closer." M said, looking at Bill and Eve.

"Yeah, good on them."

"You think they'd think that about us?."

"I know Eve would."

"How do you know that."

"Just a hunch."

"A hunch, why would you say a hun…She already knows, doesn't she?"

"I may have confided in her about my feelings for you."

"For god sake."

"Don't panic, Eve won't say anything and besides I really don't think people finding out would be a bad thing."

"Wouldn't it. A young man like yourself dating a fossil like me."

"Will you stop."

"What."

"Putting yourself down all the time. You're a vision of beauty."

"James stop."

"A vision."

"Stop it." She said, laughing and swatting his arm.

Eve looked back when she heard M laughing and turned to Bill.

"Don't look obvious when you do it but look back at James and M." Eve said.

Bill did as he was told and gave a quick few glances at the pair and took note of the way James was holding onto M. He could see just by the way he was looking at her, that she clearly meant a great deal to him.

"Why did I never notice that before." Bill asked.

"What."

"Just the way he looks at her. Even in the office with all that crap with Silva. I remember him asking her if there was anything else she wanted to tell him. His eyes pleading with her and the concern and worry on his face. When Silva walked into the courtroom and started firing, I've never seen Bond so desperate to get to her."

"M just isn't a conquest for James, you do know that."

"He really loves her Bill."

"Then he better not bugger it up."

They all carried on walking for another hour before they stopped for lunch. James and M went to a quieter spot from the others to have some time alone. Mallory noticed them sneaking off and began to get suspicious.

"Ms Moneypenny."

"Yes Sir."

"Where are Bond and M off too."

"Oh, M was a little tired so she wanted to have sometime alone."

"So why has Bond gone with her."

"Well he is her security for the weekend Sir."

"Of course." Mallory replied, unconvinced by her answer.

James watched M intently as she leaned against one of the rocks to catch her breath. He walked over to her and helped her to sit down on the rug he had put down.

"Thank you James."

"You look exhausted."

"Well I can't turn back now, we may aswell complete the walk. Only another few hours to go."

"He's killing you with this."

"I'm managing."

"You're not going back to the office tomorrow. You're going to take the day off to get yourself back in working order."

"You make me sound like a bloody machine."

"You know what I mean. Bill will manage for the day."

"That sounds like a good idea."

"Maybe I could stay with you, give you another of my famous massages, make you feel better."

"That does sound lovely." She smiled, as she leaned in and kissed him.

"Sorry, am I interrupting something."

M and James jumped apart and looked up to see Mallory standing before them.

To Be Continued…

If you buggers ( only joking, I love you all ) can do cliffhangers then so can I, hehe.