Chapter 10
This one chapter is rated M for mature themes.
NCIS
Gibbs, Tony and Ziva make their way back into the office with the prisoners. They will let them stay overnight and question them in the morning as it is now past midnight.
The chaos surrounding the kidnapping of M and the bomb threat held them there for an extra hour.
Abby was so relieved to see them that she hugged each in turn.
"I was so worried…the fight was echoing through the earpieces and we were watching the traffic cams and saw Bond jump on the back of an ambulance….Ducky is fine…he fought off the attacker who had M and pushed a henchman out the back…we could hear it all and the CIA baddy was going to frame M for the bomb and hand her over as a terrorist…or something even more sinister."
Gibbs smiled at her. "We're fine Abs…some scrapes from fighting programmed Marines but nothing major. McGee I hope you got some prints off those pictures before they disappeared into the wind?"
"Boss I did get it from the image Tony sent."
Tim brought the now familiar picture of M from 1968 up and highlighted the fingerprints in the corner.
"This one was a particular favourite and not just of Tony's…there are several sets of prints and two different donors. One is our Colonel and the other unknown but likely in the British system."
Tony frowns. "So let me get this straight someone in Britain got all these together…from where…breaking into her house?"
"That is why M ran straight to Bond…she figured out they had a leak at home…they ditched their earpieces and were planning on taking the Colonel for themselves…maybe just shoot him."
Ziva frowned. "Likely if it was a personal issue of invasion. It would do nothing to help us at any rate. Our investigation would just die for lack of evidence and we would unlikely find the body."
Abby looked sadly around her group of favourite people minus one…Ducky. "They are friends…allies…they wouldn't do that would they?"
Gibbs puts an arm around the sensitive girls shoulders.
"Abby they have different rules and interests and I saw M riled….she might have shot him herself with her Derringer. As it is, M did save Ducky from being shot and Bond was a whirlwind of activity. He did prevent me from being shot as well as Ducky and M. Bond shot to injure not kill in respect for my wishes so it was not the catastrophe it could have been."
Tony nodded. "We only arrived at the aftermath but only 3 died in the attack and there were more than the 6 suspects. It was likely the CIA that blew the wall and pulled M out the back. The bomb is likely CIA also."
Gibbs looked at the group and realize how tired everyone must be after the events of the day. He told them all to go home and get some sleep and report at 8 to do questioning and then go visit the British guests of Ducky before they leave for London.
They climbed in the elevator and Tony spoke. "So boss…M's got a Derringer does she?"
Gibbs looks at Tony and gives a slight smile. "Yes she does."
"Uhumm…boss?"
"DiNozzo?"
"Were does she keep it?"
Gibbs shakes his head as he smiles. "Use your imagination."
"Argghhh….really…Emma Peel is just killing me."
Gibbs had to chuckle as they saw the exasperated look on Tony's face.
Ziva crossed her arms looking unamused. "She could very well do that Tony, so watch it and your mouth around agent Bond."
Tim laughed at tried to do his best British accent. "Quite right Anthony…we wouldn't want to upset Bond, James Bond about his boss, the enticing Emma Peel…now would we?"
"Nice try 00 compudork…I do the accents around here and don't you forget it."
Abby looks worried. "I don't think either of you should be mimicking our intense guests…they are MI6…they could be listening in... right now…that mysterious Q could still have control over the elevator."
At that very moment the lights in the lift dimmed and the occupants looked at each other in surprise as the door opened to the lobby and their freedom for a few hours.
Tim addressed the group. "I looked into that Abbs and they left no trace and nothing malicious. I really don't thing M would do anything like that with us…I mean she's Ducky's girlfriend."
Gibbs' eyebrows raised but he said nothing.
DiNozzo questioned him immediately picking up on Gibbs and his rejection of the notion that M was Ducky's girl.
"What is it boss…trouble in paradise…is our poor Duck man not getting a goodnight kiss?"
"No…he might get that kiss but M's love life has become more complicated…beyond the fact that they live an ocean apart."
"Do tell…who else has the lovely Emma Peel got on the ropes?"
"Who do you think Tony other than you?"
"Me…oh I could…but no she would never give me…and Tim liked the photo too…but noooo…you boss?"
"What…not me DiNozzo. Someone closer to home."
"Ahhh I see boss…Bond…what …wait… no…really…his boss…wow…so why…does she know…how would…I mean, they work together….still…ok so I do not get to flirt with her tomorrow."
Ziva smiles. "Not unless you want to lose your teeth to Bond or Ducky, Tony."
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M moves into Ducky's house attempting to calm a visibly nervous Tanner. Tanner has the box of photos dropped off by Tony and Ziva hours before.
"Where is Bond?"
"Dropping off the CIA agent to Felix. Has there been any news from home?"
"The leak has been sealed and awaits your questioning…no other photos were found during the investigation and therefore we believe that these are the only copies."
"Good…get to bed Tanner…I am going to take a shower and do the same."
"Where is the good doctor M?"
"I think he is corresponding with his team and waiting for Bond to return with his Morgan."
"I will say goodnight then M and I assume there will be much to discuss tomorrow."
"Yes…NCIS will be here and I believe Felix will be arriving with information for us to take home and digest. Goodnight Tanner."
Tanner walked up the stairs as M looked through her box of memories. M didn't realize that Ducky had said anything as she stared down on the image of her wedding that she held in her hands.
"M…are you all right my dear?"
"Just lost in the past…I barely remember it…I still feel the nervousness of the day…it rained for a while…the smell of the flowers…45 years…"
"Well it has been a long night and I will let you get some sleep…I daresay we will be busy tomorrow."
M frowns at Ducky as she stands and grabs his wrist. "Where are you going?"
"I will go to the den and get some sleep."
"But…I thought…you and I?"
"Are you sure…M there is something between you and Bond…he loves you and I think given some time you will finally acknowledge that you love him too."
"Ducky…I would not have suggested it if I didn't want too. I do not have a relationship with Bond, regardless of what you say and we had a date…you haven't even kissed me yet."
Ducky smiled as he pulled M into his arms and kissed her softly. M snaked her arms up around his neck and deepened the kiss.
The two of them were enjoying the sensation and eventually break apart for air. M's eyes lock with Ducky's. There is an undeniable connexion between the two of them.
Ducky takes her hand in his and pulls her to the stairs as M lets out a girlish giggle. They walk up the stairs and into the master bedroom and close the door. Ducky quickly kisses her again and pulls her towards the bed.
M begins to remove the formal jacket and shirt that Ducky is wearing. In the distance they hear the rumble of Ducky's Morgan arriving home with Bond at the wheel. M pulls Ducky's lips back to hers as she removes her shoes kicking them to the other side of the room.
Ducky pulls away panting wanting to go check on his car but not wanting to leave M, for even a moment…he does not want her to change her mind.
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Bond pulls the car in the drive and climbs out noticing the second floor light still on in M's room…there are shadows…two of them. Damn it all! Bond's heart constricts as if in a vice, he is angry…and sad.
M is going to sleep with another man and he has to just stand here looking at their silhouettes, wanting to be with her…touching and kissing her the way Ducky is.
Bond told Gibbs that he would not stand in the way of Ducky and M and he owes her that. M accepted him back after he resigned over Vesper and without dragging him through the coals for being such a gullible idiot for loving that bitch.
Bond sighs, and enters the house quietly helping himself to Ducky's Scotch…after all Ducky is kissing his…M.
Bond sits on the sofa, drinking trying to hear the sounds from upstairs all the while desperate not to hear them. Bond leans forward holding the glass to his forehead suddenly feeling feverish and ill. The pain from his bruises pulsing though his body with every beat of his heart.
There are no more sounds of steps on the floor…Bond winces and drinks the rest of the glass, reaching back for the bottle and helping himself to a full glass. The two of them are in bed now…shit this is going to be a long night. Bond holds back the bile rising from his stomach and tosses back some more of his drink.
Why did Bond have to fall in love with M...just when she finds a man worthy of her in every way.
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M is enjoying the sensation of being held by Ducky…for a second she thought he was going to leave to check on Bond and his Morgan but he didn't. The two of them gradually divest themselves of the rest of their clothing and Ducky manoeuvres M on to the bed.
M knows that Bond is downstairs…it makes her mind boggle that the enjoyment she is now feeling is being manipulated by the presence of her wayward agent downstairs. It does make it all that more illicit and exciting.
M moans at Ducky's kisses…it has been so long. Memories from earlier stir her emotions as M tramples them down and touches the face of the first man she has been intimate with since Nigel. The first man other than Nigel in what seems like a lifetime.
There lovemaking is slow and gentle with a tinge of excitement at the newness of their relationship and the act of making love after so long.
Ducky holds her after with her head on his shoulder…although tired they are still awake…their bodies coming down from the euphoria they just shared.
"M…I know that you have to leave tomorrow but…"
"But what?"
"Can I have your number?"
M begins to shake with laughter…"I guess I can give you my number."
"Good because after all this excitement tonight I cannot imagine not speaking with you and seeing you again M."
"I agree…this was definitely worth the hassle of international interdepartmental cooperation."
"Thank you my dear…I guess it's like riding a bike."
M giggles and caresses his chest. "Yes and if you fall off you have to get up and try again."
"Is that an invitation M?"
"Next time my place."
"What about…Bond?"
"Ducky…stop it…why…"
"Stop…M… that man loves you and I hope to god he doesn't take this out on my car."
"Ducky…he wouldn't dare…and don't worry about him…I'm a passing fancy. Bond will soon focus on some 6 foot blonde with enhancements that defy gravity and long legs for him to disappear on a submarine with or to an island after one of his next assignments."
"You don't believe that he can love you do you?"
"No…I know he has feelings for me but…it would never last."
"How will you know unless you give it a chance?"
M props herself up on her arm and looks down at Ducky with her brows furrowing. "I told you to let it rest."
"I touched a nerve."
"Yes you did…care to recant?"
"No…in good consciousness I cannot."
"Why are you doing this?"
"I told you it is because I care that I want you to give it a chance."
Ducky watches M's face through the dim lighting of the room change and morph between fury and stubborn anger rising through her exasperation in this situation.
Ducky pulls her down until a sudden kiss to silence the impending fury about to erupt from the beautiful woman in his arms.
M pulls away. "You're contradicting yourself doctor your lips say go with Bond and then they do something like that."
Ducky laughs. "Yes I suppose you're right…I don't want you to angrily stomp down into his arms right at this moment."
"Oh so I still have a use do I?"
"Nothing so crude my love…when we are together…I don't want you to run away from me but should you develop a relationship with Bond and I come to visit I do understand if this is the only time we spend together…in this way."
"I for one think we need to sleep my dear doctor."
M rests he head back on his shoulder and she lies awake listening for the even breathing that indicates sleep. M slips away from his arms and goes to the en suite. M showers knowing that she is unlikely to get any sleep tonight.
Travel and time change always messes with M's sleep cycle and it is 6 am at home now…it is normal for her to be up. That is just an excuse…she can't stop thinking about Bond…Ducky and Bond….once in the past…when she was young she balanced two men's attractions at once…it did not turn out well.
M dresses in pyjamas and her dressing gown and tiptoes downstairs. She did not hear Bond climb the stairs earlier, unless he did while she was preoccupied with…other things and she sees his blonde head on the sofa.
M walks into the room to see him lying with his head resting on the back with slight snores coming from his mouth. M's able to study his face without him catching her. Christ he's a handsome man...a little thrilling to think Bond's even confused enough to want a relationship with an old woman like her.
M takes the glass from his hand that's balanced on the edge of the sofa between his legs.
Bond snaps awake and grabs her wrist. "M…M what are you doing…are you all right?"
"Yes…I'm fine. I couldn't sleep."
Bond stands still holding her wrist and wobbles a bit from the action. Bond lowers his face to hers with his eye wide and staring into hers. Bond speaks to her in a slow and intense manner.
"He didn't hurt you did he?"
"No…Bond no…your squeezing me too tight."
Bond instantly releases her wrist and pulls his hand through his hair. "You...M...you should go back and try to get some sleep."
M looks at him and finds that she is unable to formulate any words to say to him. "Yes…I guess you're right."
Bond puts his hands on her shoulders holding M in place, confusion evident on his beautiful face.
"M…why did you come downstairs?"
M's eyes go wide and she opens her mouth to try to say something but then closes it and turns to look towards the window.
"I….I ummm…I needed to…I wanted to see…"
"Did you come to see me…after…"
"Don't read too much into my inability to sleep 007."
Bond smiles down at her his heart feeling far lighter than it did when he realized M was making love to Ducky.
"Let's get you to bed M…you can sleep with me if you like?"
"Bond…stop."
M swats him playfully giving hope to Bond that she is softening to him.
Bond is sore…tired and a little drunk but he bends down and kisses her…suddenly and without warning. He can tell that he's shocked her but M does not pull away...immediately.
M cannot believe this is happening…but then she did come down to see him…speak to him…she needed to see him for some reason. M feels…she should pull away…slap him but then he gently lets her go.
Bond smiles and takes her hand…he kisses it and holds it as he escorts her back to Dr. Mallard's room.
M doesn't know what to say…or do. M walks behind Bond holding his hand…feeling a security in his presence. She has always felt this way…safe in his presence.
Even when Bond had the capture or kill order on him in South America. Bond stalked towards her with such ferocious intensity in the hotel that for a split second she thought that he may harm her. M knew Bond...knew he wouldn't…that he was hers.
For a brutally trained killer who routinely gets into a massive amount of trouble Bond makes M feel…feel protected and loved. This trip has been interesting…perhaps everything will seem clearer in the morning…she hopes.
M slips back into bed with Ducky and eventually falls into an uneasy sleep with unseen enemies chasing her at every turn.
To be continued...