Chapter 10
M and James go a restaurant for lunch when one of the agents, Smith comes in to find them.
"Sorry to interrupt your dinner ma'am but the woman has been found and I thought you would like to know."
"Yes, of course is she in hospital now?"
"Yes, they have her under observation."
"Please have someone on the door and James and I will come question her as soon as we're done here."
Smith talks into his wrist communicator as he leaves the close to empty restaurant.
"I should do the questioning…you should not be in the same room as her."
"I will come with you...it's likely that she will never remember we come to see her if they have her on any drugs."
"What are you going to ask her?"
"What the hell do you mean by that…are you implying that because she slept with my husband I don't have the bloody emotional stability to do my job?"
"No…of course not but…well she's involved in a very personal way and by that outburst alone I would not like to see you in there with any sharp surgical tools. Granted your beautiful eyes cut like a razor blade when you want them too."
"So in that diatribe was there a small compliment or was it all insulting to my integrity and ability to do my job as the head of our organization? Tossing the word beautiful in does not give you the right to question my orders nor my intent…have I made myself clear Bond?"
"Crystal…MA'AM….I will pay for lunch so we can hurry back to hospital and your loving husband and his close personal friend Jane."
M's eyes narrow dangerously. "Bond be careful because your job depends greatly on my mood right now."
"Stop lashing out and threatening me M…I am not the one who slept with Jane."
The look she shot at James would have made all of MI6 tremble but he obstinately stared right back at her. M got up and went to the toilet as Bond pays and he follows her back to use the gents.
Bond meets her as she exits with the scowl firmly in place on her lovely face. It seems wrong but when M gets like this it increases his heart rate and makes his breathing quicken…she is so damn sexy when she's angry.
The toilets are in a security camera blind spot. Bond quickly pins M against the wall leaning down to look into her surprised face. Bond smirks at her momentary confusion that is momentarily taken over by haughty anger as her eyebrow raises ready to let loose again.
M is unable to speak because a certain annoying agent's lips meet hers in a searing kiss. Bond pins her physically against the wall as his left hand reaches around her neck to pull her closer to his mouth.
Then Bond breaks away from her as quickly as he assaulted her.
"What the hell was that?"
"That my dear is a reminder that you are on vacation and M does not have to take over for another week….and that you always have options."
"In public! Stop being so insubordinate. If you pull anything like this in HQ no one will ever find your bloody body…do I make myself clear?"
"There is no one in the bloody restaurant and this is a camera black hole so relax…vacation remember. By the way no one you ever send to kill me will be able to as I am the best you've bloody well got…let's go question your husband's lover and get back to the hotel."
M stands hands on hips still thrown off and angry with his actions. "What do you plan to do there...not sleep with me? I was completely willing last night and you rejected me!"
"That was not M…M just showed up in all her glory moments ago to turn me on and leave me tingling and desperate!"
"Ahhh so it is the power you want…the boss…the head mistress fantasy. What is going to happen when we go to the hotel Bond are you going to pin me against the wall of my room in front of Nigel to stake claim on me while he's incapacitated? Is that what you need to justify taking me to bed now? Because it bloody well seems like you're waiting to fight him for me or gain his permission to screw me!"
Bond frowns as her words sink in…christ it's so animalistic and true. He has Nigel's permission but M's scared and he doesn't want her scared he wants her like she is now fighting mad and sexy as hell.
"I want you like this…if you had been like this last night we would damn well never gotten any sleep last night. I will wait for you…for as long as it takes and I will be more than happy to give you these little reminders that I'm still waiting and willing when ever and wherever you want M. Your house, office, a car….I will take you in a bloody broom closet in Whitehall if you want!"
M straightens her blouse as her mind swims around the imagery of Bond pushing her up against walls in public places to satisfy his and possibly her sexual fantasies and desires. M is allowing Bond far too much space in her head right now and there is a mystery here that needs solving.
They return to the hospital and go straight to Jane's room. Jane's surprised to see them walk in.
"Oh how nice of you to come visit me. As I told some of the others from the resort that called…I am fine just getting a check up. I can't believe how cheap hospital care is here."
Bond moves froward and smiles at her. "We were wondering if you managed a description of the kidnappers for the police?"
"Oh…I told them not really because it was dark and they gave me something to sleep. When I woke up he was wearing a mask…French accent though and there were two but only the man questioned me."
Olivia moves towards her interested now. "What ever did they ask you my dear?"
"It was very strange they thought I was someone else... Em...and they wanted to know the names of some people in France. I told them I had never been. They put something over my head and dropped me off on a road. The police managed to find me and here I am."
"It is a shame that they must have thought you were someone else from another cabin."
"That is what I thought…they were upset I was not English so I think they thought I was you."
"Understandable while you were in bed with my husband."
"Oh…well I assumed you knew that is what happens with groups like ours on vacation…nothing personal dear…Nigel is incredible by the way."
"I know he is…we've been together 45 years. I don't know why anyone would target our cabin for robbery and I certainly don't spend much time in France so there is no reason anyone would kidnap me or Nigel."
"How is he dear…I thought they brought him too but he was not in the van with me when I woke?"
"Slight concussion and we will be off to our new resort today."
"I heard from Joan that your cabins are being examined and you had to go elsewhere. Some of the group are leaving now also. I just want to get back to my vacations and have some more fun. How was your cruise?"
"It was beautiful but not as much adventure as you experienced."
"Please have Nigel call me later tonight…I will be released later today and I would like to say goodbye and thanks for such a lovely time."
"I will…take care of yourself Jane."
"Olivia I get the impression you are not amused by the fact I slept with him…I apologize to you. I forgot that you are new to the movement and at first the married ones always have trouble adjusting. Nigel loves you he just wanted to experience something new…like you were with Bond. You did spend 1000 dollars on the man and it can't have been just to stare into his lovely eyes."
Olivia stiffens. "Oh...I thought you all realized…I guess I was wrong…for a worldly group you miss some very large signs."
"What?"
"James is gay…he idolizes me because I remind him of a famous British actress. Judi Dench…isn't it Bond?"
Bond is standing with his arms crossed leaning against the wall as she explains his sexual preferences to her husbands one night stand.
"Yes…well I prefer Maggie Smith and Eileen Atkins but Judi Dench is good too."
"Oh my yes…I should have seen it sooner but of course you are my dear man or you would have been with any of the lovely young girls around the bar…or young men sorry. I don't know many British actresses but I'm sure some of them are lovely."
"Take care Jane and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week here. I will pass along the message to Nigel and ask him to call you later tonight."
"Thank you so much Olivia…I'm pleasantly surprised that you are coming around...you're not as stuck up as the other ladies thought you were...to accept our way of interacting with each other. I suppose after that many years of marriage you're entitled to some fun also. Jack mentioned spending some private time with you as did Bob. They are both fun and very charming in their own way."
M says through clenched teeth. "They exaggerate the time we spent together...there was nothing between me or them...at all."
Bond swears the veins at M's temples are about to cause an aneurism so he smiles at Jane as he takes M's arm to pull her from the room.
"The bloody gall of that slut! I will kill him….I said I wouldn't but how could he do this…how am I going to make it through the next week with him and his bloody obnoxious family? I…I…I should jump Marshall…right in bloody front of him…you lure Joe out tonight so I can sleep with his brother…christ I hope they are in the next room so he can hear us."
"No…that will not be happening. You are only allowed to jump me and not for revenge…we've been over this. Revenge is horrible remember your concern about the Quantum mission…It only hurts more. Take some deep breaths…in and out and remove all these sexual revenge fantasies swirling around in that lovely head of yours. M all these erotic thoughts about your brother in-law are not happening while I'm your bodyguard."
"I will sleep with anyone I want and you have absolutely no say in the matter."
M walks into Nigel's room and leaves a fuming Bond out in the hall. M is the most frustrating person in the world and he wants her so bad it is beginning to hurt physically.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Nigel I just spoke to Jane…she is all right and will be released later today to go back to the resort. She remembers little and they blindfolded her but it was me they were after. Jane would like you to call her tonight so she can say goodbye."
"I'm sorry dear…I am. I won't call her I promise."
"I insist you do Nigel…I don't want to seem the shrew like jealous wife…she told me I should understand and deal with it because it was understood that we were to sleep with our dates. I will have to ask Marshall and Joe if they slept with theirs."
"I'm ready to go...if you're finished this bout of verbal abuse dear. The doctor gave me this to give to my care giver so I suppose that is you…unless you want me to hire a nurse for the next 2 days?"
Olivia takes the paper and puts it in her purse. "Let's get out of here."
Bond drives the three of them to the new resort and they go to their rooms. M and Nigel are in the middle with Joe and Marshall on one side and Bond on the other.
Marshall and Joe are on their deck sitting in the sun when they arrive and they all sit and have a drink. Nigel has a water only.
Olivia excuses herself to go to the pharmacy for Nigel. Joe and Marshall shall watch him and have dinner brought to the room.
"Don't wait for me…I have to find one and wait until the pharmacist fills it."
Olivia's overwhelmed by being trapped there with them…she can't do it…the forced civility, Joe and Marshall so damn close…Bond kissing her when ever he bloody well wants to just to torment her and throw her off guard.
Bond exits his room the second M is in the hall. Bond set up cameras on the balconies and in the hall the second he arrived to continue his watch.
Olivia rolls her eyes the second he emerges and sees the bloody camera across the hall. No bloody privacy at all. They take the stairs down to the operations room. She feels so smothered and this is her vacation.
The two men inside they met earlier today are Smith and Peters.
"What do we have so far?"
Smith points at the computer screen and shows them dropping off Jane. "There is a generic van that has already been found and Q has little on the Algerians. They are French nationals and HQ is still looking for a connexion."
Peter's stands up. "I think I found something. There was a break in at an auto repair shop nearby two days ago and a caravan was stolen…where did the woman think she was taken...a house...shed?"
Bond looks at M. "Jane never mentioned a place maybe they were in motion the entire time. I will go to the repair shop and look around…Smith you stay here and watch M's family but do not interact with them…they know nothing about this."
"007 I will go back into town with you to get Nigel's prescription."
"M you need to stay here when I'm gone… I will take the prescription."
"No, you won't they need questions answered that only I or Nigel can answer so I will do that and take a taxi right back. They are likely on the run after their colossal screw up so there is little harm to drop me for the 15 minutes it will take me."
"M listen to reason…"
"For christ sake would you stop bloody well telling me what to do! I have rights as a person and as the boss of this organization to do what ever the hell I want to now let's get moving while I still have the time to get to an open pharmacy."
Bond frowns but the three leave and Peter's drives back into town and drops M at the pharmacy.
"M we will swing back around incase we don't take too long investigating the garage."
Bond can tell that M is still angry and she is simmering in her disgust at the happenings of the last 30 hours.
"Fine…Bond. I will be no longer than 30 minutes so that is your time limit."
M walks to the back counter in the pharmacy. She answers all the questions about Nigel's medical background and then begins wandering the pharmacy. A man and woman enter and a clerk greets them.
Their heavily accented French voices snap M out of her wanderings as she hides behind a display. Damn she still doesn't have a cell phone and Bond is 25 minutes from even considering coming back. Another group comes in and M recognizes a southern accent. Four members of the group from Georgia enter looking for sea sickness medication.
Olivia steps out and smiles at Robert and Nathan.
"Well if it isn't our little English rose Nathan"
Nathan smiles at her. "We were sorry to hear of all the troubles that robbery caused. We hear Jane and Nigel are fine now…how are you doing with all of this."
"As well as can be expected…what are you doing in town?"
Robert smiles charmingly at her. "After the incident and the loss of you to try to woo we lost interest and we are heading for a cruise ship after grabbing some supplies. You should join us…if that husband of yours can…or if you even want him to come?"
Nathan nods. "I know from spending some time with your sister in-law that the four of you were not interested in our lifestyle choice but your husband did cross the line…I'm sorry if this has put any strain on your relationship."
Olivia knows that they are relative strangers but they seem genuinely concerned and her emotions are clear on her face after the day she has had. When she responds it comes out in a croak.
"Thank you and you're right…I need a vacation alone, away from my vacation."
Robert perks up. "Do you have your passport on you? Why don't we kidnap you and take you on the cruise with us…send them a note and say you will be back in 5 days."
Olivia sees the French couple watching her and knows she needs the protection these men can give her.
"Is your whole group going?"
Robert smiles. "Only the Georgia crew…we've decided to leave the others to themselves so no Jane is not going if that is what concerns you love. I have a double room that I will gladly share with you and I will buy your ticket."
"This may seem insane but I think I will…just let me write a note to my…to Nigel and have them deliver the drugs."
Nathan smiles knowingly at Robert as Olivia stumbles on referring to him as her husband anymore. They watch her walk to the counter and gather a small carry on and some supplies.
Olivia writes a note to Bond and one to Nigel and puts them each in an envelope telling them what is going on…Bond will know to follow her but the kidnappers are on her trail so she has to go with Nathan and Robert.
Olivia pays for the medication and extra for delivery as well as some supplies. She will buy clothes on the ship.
Robert comes to collect her. "Are you ready for an adventure? Do you want to leave them high and dry or do you want to grab your luggage?"
"Will we have time?"
Nathan looks at his watch. "We need to get there early if you need to get her a ticket."
Olivia takes an arm from both men and smiles. "Adventure it is."
The French couple had left soon after Olivia began talking to Robert and Nathan. They are likely waiting outside for her so she hopes they can get to the car without incident.
They exit the store and get in a cab for the launch point for the ship. "So boys where are we going? This is going to get me into trouble but right now I don't bloody well give a damn."
They both laugh as they arrive and help her out of the cab and collect their luggage.
"Headed around the islands St. Martins to the Turks and Caicos then off to the Bahamas and then we will go home from there. I assume you will catch a flight back to London unless you want to run away from home and come live with me in Georgia my dear."
"Robert you are a bad one…I think it's bad enough I am running off to this ship with you. Could I borrow a cell phone if you have one…I need to make a couple of texts."
Nathan handed her his and she types away a to get a no travel warning on the French couple by Q and to watch the cruise ships.
She fires another off to James telling him St. Martins is the first stop…that way he can meet her there….Bond's going to be furious with her but she has a valid excuse. In all honesty she would rather share a cabin with Robert than a room with Nigel or Bond...men she actually cares for.
Robert is in buying her ticket and Nathan whispers to her. "If he drives you insane or pushes too hard come to my cabin…here is the number. I know that some of the men in these groups expect a lot and Robert is one of those…I promise there are no strings attached."
"Thank you Nathan. I will be paying my own way. I will also ask if there are any cabins available at the counter."
Robert waves her over to the desk for her passport. The clerk takes her credit card to the protests of Robert she uses the untraceable corporate account that she has so no name will appear on the transaction…only Q could trace that transaction. There are no cabins available until St Martins and so Olivia requests 2 double rooms be held for her.
Robert raises his eyebrows in question. "I have a feeling they will want to follow me so I had better reserve a few rooms just in case."
Robert winks at her. "Do you think they will be really mad?"
"You have no idea…search helicopters may arrive to find me."
The three of them go ahead to the boat. Olivia carrying a small backpack with the toiletries that she purchased at the pharmacy.
Bond and Nigel will be beside themselves but M just needs to get away…from Algerian kidnappers who want her for god knows what.
Escape from bodyguards that want to sleep with her and a husband who may no longer wants to continue their marriage.
As they enter the ship and some staff bring them lovely fruity drinks.
Nathan proposes a toast. "To the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Olivia and Robert touch their glasses to his and they smile and down the first of many drinks to come.
Olivia is smiling and more than willing to cut loose. She is anonymous to these men and it is giving her a sense of freedom that she has not felt since moving to university all those years ago.
"Come on boys let's get settled and then start drinking…oh and I need a shop to buy some clothing…formal dinner is tonight at 9."
They walk the ship and find the rooms. Olivia marked the shops she wishes to visit on their journey through the ship. Robert wants to go with her but she makes excuses so that she can spend some time alone...an unusual luxury.
They will meet later at the upper pool bar before dinner. Robert hands her a keycard for the room. He doesn't know that Nathan gave her one of his as soon as they entered the ship.
Olivia spends the next 90 minutes buying enough clothing to hold her over until Bond brings her luggage.
Robert is asleep when Olivia returns to the cabin. She sneaks into the bath and showers and gets ready for the formal dinner. Robert is awake when she exits the bath.
Robert's eyes widen when he sees her. She looks as lovely as she did the night of the auction but her dress is silver and matches her hair. The dress clings to her curves and there is a plunging v-neckline and a matching V for her back. It was the sexiest cocktail dress he had ever seen.
"Darling you look stunning…Nigel is a fool for playing with that hamburger Jane when the finest cut of steak is available for him at home. Hell I'm not surprised he had that young gay friend of his buy you to keep you away from us. You have the sexiest legs I have ever seen."
"Come now…that can't be true...how did you know Bond was gay?"
"It was obvious something odd was going on. I was hoping he was gay and not your lover...a man like that spending so much time with the older set...I thought Nigel or Marshall were his lover but then he never left your side. Then I thought he had a crush on you. I am glad Bond is gay...no one could compete with him. Tonight's going to be so much fun...I finally get to spend time with you. Since I first laid eyes on you it is all I've wanted to do."
There is a knock on the door as Nathan is there and ready for dinner. "Why don't I take Olivia to the bar while you get ready…princess …what did you do have a long nap?"
"Yes, I did and don't drink too much without me. I'll not be long…promise."
Robert grasps Olivia's hand and brings it to his lips. Olivia laughs and moves away with Nathan to go up top to get a drink.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
James and Peters are gone more than 3 hours so they go straight to the hotel. Bond knocks on M's door to tell her that they caught the Algerians in town trying to board a cruise ship.
These two were hardly professionals but they got paid to grab her for someone else…someone that knows who she really is. Why they were trying to get away by cruise ship is still bothering him.
Josephine answers the door. Nigel has eaten and had his medication and is sleeping in the bedroom. Marshall hands Bond a letter addressed to him in M's handwriting.
"Nigel is very upset…it seems Olivia has run away with some of the swingers from the club…when away on a cruise for a few days to clear her head."
Joe shakes her head. "I told you that woman is odd…yes it has been stressful but to leave Nigel here after such an attack…it is just not acceptable."
"Enough Joe…you don't know entire story of what happened at the resort that night…I don't blame her for leaving to clear her head."
James opens the letter silently fuming…that is why they were trying to get on that ship. His phone has a text from an unknown number saying St. Martins…now it makes sense…they were following her and she clung on to people she knows to protect herself…but who will protect her from them?
In the mood M's in she will bloody well get into bed with one of them…revenge…damn it!
"So how do we all feel about meeting up with a cruise in St Martins?"
Joe smiles now. "Oh that does sound like fun…I don't like this resort as much as the last…we will catch our little run away and enjoy a cruise."
Bond turns to leave. "I will call to find out how many days before they dock. I hope Nigel will be all right to fly by then."
Marshall frowns. "If it means catching his runaway bride…he'll be fine."