Knots of Love – Chapter 9

His arm loosened on her shoulder, slowly drawing away. Although she were beside him, a distance grew, which seemed to continue every second he faced those eyes. He shook his head, thinking of anyway to deny the truth. Perhaps he'd misheard her. Except he hadn't. And M. She had known.

"James?" A voice he knew echoed faintly. "James?"

He shifted further from Zara and rubbed his eyes, his back towards her.

"What's wrong?"

He spun round and met her eyes. "What do you think's wrong?!"

"I don't know! You're the one who's acting pissed off with me!"

"Well, let me clear your mind about a few things, Zara. You're sister died, because she betrayed me."

"You knew Vesper?" Zara lent back, anger dissolving. "How?"

"She was an ally." He shifted his gaze and paced across the room. Zara trailed each gesture he made, keeping her eyes on him.

"How did she…I mean I know about the fact that was chased…and it led to…but why?"

So he told her everything. She remained still, taking in the words and perceived each detail fitting together. By the time he finished, she was drying her eyes, unsatisfied with herself for showing emotion. Between them a rift was shaping, yet for Zara it began to close.

Surveying her precisely, guided Bond into an understanding of his own feelings. Nothing about her made sense anymore. Zara Lynd was a mystery, just like her sister. He exhaled, striding towards Zara, until her face was inches from his own.

"Was there anyone else who knew about Vesper? Someone from your past, perhaps?"

She stepped away, allowing herself to swallow. "Not that I know of."

There was a trembling in her voice, something she hadn't realised until she'd spoken. An immediate revelation caused her spine to shudder.

"You loved her, didn't you? And it destroyed you. That's why you were angry."

He didn't deny this.

"Maybe too much," was the answer he finally gave her.

Before she was given a chance to react, his arms embraced her. Zara released a silent gasp, leaning closer against his skin, her breaths steady.

"Vesper was lucky to have you."

She resisted the urge to stay in his arms.

"I need you to make a promise for me," he began, "Whatever happens, we assist each other. In order to do that, I need you to trust me. All right?"

Zara smiled. "That sounds good for me."

Now they had something to fight for.

XXXX

A crash awoke him, his senses active, eyes shifting to the window. He rose from the mattress and snatched the gun, conscious of the fact someone was waiting. He remained still. Silence. Then lowered the gun, allowing his mind to waken. No one was there.

The balcony doors slid open with aggressive force and cool air brushed against his face. He was left motionless at the sight beneath him. A swarm of people huddled together, some of them in bandages and others waiting for medical supplies. What once were buildings became no more than smashed in ruins and passing them, was an ambulance. It hurried away with another casualty, he presumed.

He exhaled and moved away, closing the doors behind him. He looked up, and wished he hadn't. The cover on Zara's bed lay in a tangled heap, half of it draping over the edge and her pillows were crumpled.

"Zara?"

He paced towards the bathroom and swung the door open. Blue eyes faced him. He turned away and searched the room. His muscles tensed and he lowered his eyes, realisation weighing against him:

Zara was missing.

A/N: I finally got to update! Please don't think I abandoned this story. I have a load of ideas planned and I'm so keen to write them. Please, please, please post reviews. Let me know what you think about Zara and Vesper being sisters!