Disclaimer: I do not own the Bond movies or books.

Warnings: No. Just sun, swimming and a mostly naked Bond.


This time, they only just made it to bed before dawn, but once more to separate beds. It was still mostly dark as Bond sank into his cool, soft bed, falling asleep more easily than he ought to, having slept though the entire last day, and make no mistake, the days here vastly outpaced the nights. He was still exahusted after his bloody long mission, though, and this calm, comfortable information gathering interlude was welcome. For now.

James woke again in the heat of noon, the doors leading out to the pool still open, letting in a breeze to the room as well as the nice sounds of the ocean. It was all very pretty, he supposed, though he did not much take notice, only pausing to note he did not much like all the white; who had white curtains drawn past the windows, anyway? They shut out absolutely no light! It made him feel even more exposed than he would without any curtains at all.

The agent took a shower in the luxurious on-suite bathroom; equipped with both a tub and a massage shower, and came out, hair still damp, wearing only his swimming shorts, as there was really little reason to put one any more clothing. It must be close to thirty degrees celsius out, anyway. Not to mention his first and foremost priority was his task as an agent, a double oh, and he had work to do.

Stepping out through his door, he considered tactics. Q was obviouslt willing, and aware of what the deal would be; that was always a plus, in James' opinion. There was so many injured people in the world, and far too few innocents already, without him adding to the list of the fallen, especially with his own name on the top of the list. He had been there, done that, and that was enough. Perhaps Q would like the slow and easy approach best? They had time, after all; M had given him several weeks, and he woudn't be approved to go back out by Medical yet, either.

Walking through to the kitchen, he pondered how immensely quiet the house was. Q had told him last night that most of his "minions" lived on the other side of the small island, and apparently no one was here rigth now to make noise. If he had read the younger man correctly, he was probably locked up in his study, or "computer lab", working on something doubtlessly worldchanging.

After grabbing some food (preparred already and waiting for him in the fridge) 007 walked outside and sat with his feet in the pool as he ate his breakfast. Four hours, one session in the gym, one quick jog and an uncountable number of laps in the pool later, he looked up from his position leaning on the side of the pool to meet the eyes that had watched him for well over twenty minutes.

Q sat in the shade in a comfortable reclaining chair and watched him unwaveringly, though he did blush slightly at being caught in the act. Bond smiled in greeting, and rose from the water as he went up to his host. The man was pale even for someone living in England, not to mention this tropical island paradise, but perhaps he didn't come ouside all that often, or merely preferred the night. Bond did know he had never seen him in the sun.

"Good afternoon, 007," Q greeted him, letting Bond sit down next to him without shifting his reclined position. That was good. Not feeling threatened, then. Not that he needed to; James would never use physical strength to harm someone that much slighter than himself, especially without cause.

Bond nodded in greeting. "A productive day?" He watched the face of his host for cues, looking for animation or weariness. He found no such tells, instead he picked up intrigue. The other man was clearly less interested in talking about his work, and mor ein exploring all Bond's exposed skin. Which was fine by Bond; it was certainly a start.

"Very," Q reached out a hand to touch, but paused, his fingers mere inshes from Bond's skin. "May I...?" As ever the man was very polite and very sweet. James felt that light protectiveness, coming so easy to him, rear its head again. Interesting.

Bond shifted into the touch, Q's hand ending up on his shoulder. "Yes."