Chapter 13
Bond runs through the ship back to his cabin. Hoping against all odds that M is still there curled up and asleep in their bed.
Bond yells into his phone to HQ telling them what is going down and having agents watch the exits and get some onboard…the Royal Navy may just be an option after all.
Bond keeps the connexion open as he reaches the room.
Shit!
The door is ajar and Bond barrels through it. A man is gathering M's bag and he throws the bag towards Bond. James ducks out-of-the-way.
They throw punches at each other. Bond's fist smashes into the face and body of the bastard. One of those responsible for taking M from him. Bond's phone hits the floor and slides under the bed still open to Q and Tanner in London.
Bond tackles him to the bed jumping on top of him. Bond sneers at him "WHERE IS SHE? TELL ME AND I WILL LET YOU LIVE!"
Suddenly there is a searing pain throughout Bond's body as electric shock courses through him. He looks into the amused face of Evelyn Carter until his vision fades to black.
Evelyn turns to the man hidden from view in the hallway. "You would be wise to take him too as leverage. She will be more amicable and controllable if you have her lover."
The man smiles. "Let me worry about M…you have what you want…unimpeded access to her husband."
"Will you take them off the ship?"
"That is none of your concern you will not see me again."
"Don't worry…I don't even know your name."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Q and Tanner look at each other and begin coordinating agents in St Martins and the closest Navel vessel in the area.
"This holiday was a bad idea Tanner."
"Don't remind me…we've got to find them Q…all of the footage get all the analysts on it leave no pixel unturned and I will get some agents on that ship."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Evelyn heads to the concierge desk to see if Nigel is here yet. Her mysterious assistant has given her another cabin under another name to hide from the British agents that may come looking for her and her new passport and identification makes her Irish.
It will take some time to remember to use her maiden name again. She wonders if Nigel will recognize her and how long it will take to convince him that his wife and her lover Bond have run away together.
It should not take long to get Nigel back…he never liked being alone after his children grew and left home. Although their relationship only lasted 8 months they were the best months of her life. Nigel is a wonderful caring man who is smart and funny and a fantastic lover. Olivia is a cold-hearted bitch who barely had time for her family…a family that Evelyn deserved.
Nigel, Marshall and Joe boarded the ship and found their rooms. Nigel expected to see Olivia and Bond but they were not here to meet them. Nigel asked for Bond's cabin number and jotted it down to call from his room.
Joe's excited to start exploring but they head to their cabins first. Their cabins are side by side. Nigel drops his bag in the door and moves to the phone. He dials Bond's number and there is no answer so he calls Marshall.
"I am going to look for Olivia. I will meet you up at the bar on top within the hour…see you there."
Nigel heads up to the first class floor to head to Bond's room just as Evelyn heads towards his cabin.
Marshall is leaving for the bar to meet Nigel and Olivia. Joe had gone to the shops to get a new dress for formal dinner and will meet them for drinks after. As he exits the room a woman smiles at him.
"My god…I haven't seen you in an age…if it isn't the handsome Mr. Mansfield."
"Have we meet?"
"Nigel…it's me Evelyn…we were lovers for 8 months I though you would a least remember that. Come with me lover boy and I will make you remember."
Marshall's shocked and wonders what this woman is up too. He knew about the affair…but this…this is the woman. He had better set her straight.
"I am afraid you are mistaken madame. I have never met you before…I…"
"I've made all these plans and you will do as I say or I will make sure that bitch wife of yours doesn't live through the night. Follow me…now!"
Marshall's shocked at her outburst and follows the obviously deranged woman. If she is truly capable of hurting Olivia it is for the best that he play along.
Joe is returning to their room walking down the hall and she sees a strange woman with her arm linked in Marshall's She is too far away to yell to them so she attempts to follow.
They turn a corner and by the time Joe reaches them they are gone. She goes back to the cabin and drops off her bags. She decides to go up to the bar to look for her husband and the mysterious woman.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nigel reaches Bond's cabin and the door is open…the place has been tossed about and Nigel gets a sinking feeling in his stomach…not only are the lamp nocked over and things tossed about but it is quite clear that only one bed has been slept in.
There is no sign of Olivia nor any women's clothing…wait there is something under the bed. Nigel bends down and finds a discarded bra along with Bond's cell phone.
Nigel brought her bags for her from Jamaica he knows she would have purchased more than just a bra…someone has removed all evidence of her here but they missed Olivia's possibly rapidly discarded bra.
Nigel hits recall on the phone to hear the panicked voice of Olivia's assistant Tanner.
Bond thank god you're all right…did you find M?
"Mr. Tanner, this is Nigel…the room is empty but she was here at one point. I found the phone under the bed... with some of her… clothing... that they must have missed. Do you know what has happened to my wife?"
I don't know how much information I can share with you Nigel but these are unusual circumstances. From what we understand she's been kidnapped by a woman and at least two men. Bond fought with one and the woman we believe to be an Evelyn Carter. She passed M off to another man who avoids the cameras like a...well if you understand my meaning a... professional.
"Evelyn is a woman who I had a relationship with years ago…which cabin is she in?"
That is the strange thing... it says that she left the ship in St. Martins... according to the cabin manifest. We have... people on the way. I see that you are in cabin 1066 and 1068 I will have them contact you later. Keep this phone on you and I will call you if we find anything.
"Thank you Mr, Tanner. I hope you find them and I will keep looking."
We will…but please don't...don't get involved...or do anything…just be tourists…she would never forgive us...it could put you in danger to get involved …stay safe no matter what and never count Bond out…even unconscious he can manage miracles.
Nigel needs a drink. He heads to the bar to meet his brother and lament his wife sharing more than just the same bed with her sexy agent Bond.
Olivia has had her revenge…Nigel wonders if she is just enjoying him casually or if it's becoming serious. His emotions are mixed on the subject.
Nigel has not worked out if they are staying together or if Olivia will leave…maybe go to Bond. Nigel hopes that Olivia can find happiness with Bond eventually but he still wants his wife if she will have him back. Damn it all...Nigel did push her into Bond's arms for comfort and support but still...he loves her still.
Nigel reaches the bar to see Joe searching the area. "Joe…I thought you went shopping?"
"Oh Nigel I'm so glad to find you…I did go shopping and got the most lovely dress…it is blue and red…and when I came back to the cabin Marshall was walking arm and arm with a blonde woman I have never seen before…I couldn't reach them before they disappeared. So I came here…did you find Olivia?"
"No, I haven't. I left a message for Bond's room and dropped by but neither of them were there."
"Nigel…I need to ask you something about Olivia…is she having an affair with Bond? I know, that hastily contrived and lame excuse about him being a long-lost illegitimate nephew is absurd. I find it insulting that the three of you think I will fall for anything."
"Joe…I don't know what to tell you."
"How about the truth Nigel?"
Nigel sighs knowing that he cannot tell her the true story about Olivia but he can skirt the truth and divert her from Olivia's job situation.
"The truth is Joe…I'm sick…Olivia does not know and you cannot tell her. I told Marshall three weeks ago and I told Bond last week so he will look after her when I'm gone."
"Bond's infatuated with her isn't he?"
"Oh, I think he is long past infatuation Joe…I do believe the man is in love with her."
"How long do you have Nigel?"
"I will be gone within the year Joe."
Josephine Mansfield begins to choke up and a tear falls from her eye. "Oh Nigel…is there anything I can do?"
"No, Joe…just look after Marshall and make Olivia go out to dinner once in a while to stay in contact. I know you two have never been close but I would consider it a favour to me."
"We will…don't worry about that. Worry about staying strong. Have you told the children?"
"No, I am going to see them as soon as we return…Olivia and I are moving out of our flat and I do not know if we are staying together. The reason Olivia had to escape to this ship is because I slept with Jane when she was gone off with Bond…the attack and the criminals taking Jane…they thought she was Olivia."
"Why on earth would anyone kidnap Olivia and why wont you not tell her you are sick?"
"I don't want her to stress out and worry over something she has no control over. The people who attacked me that night were mad I didn't have any money in the cabin…they wanted me to come up with some money so they took Jane."
"My god Nigel…I cannot believe this…Is Olivia with Bond and how did he get to this ship that night?"
"Bond is a commander in the Royal Navy and has friend that flew him here by helicopter. I asked him to try to get here to prevent anything bad from happening to Olivia. I hope they are together…she made her way to the ship with Robert and Nathan because someone was following her when she went to get my medications."
"The kidnappers must think you have a lot of money…maybe because of the auction."
"That is a possibility but now we have to find Marshall too."
"Yes…I want to know who that woman is and why she seems so familiar with my husband."
Nigel activates the cell phone again. "Mr. Tanner…it seems my brother has disappeared with a mystery woman. My sister in-law is standing right here with me and saw him arm and arm with a blonde woman. Yes, please tell the investigators. Thank you."
"Who was that Nigel?"
"There are investigators coming onboard to help solve what is going on."
"Good because there is something strange going on and I for one think it is rude to cause people such stress while they are on holiday."
Nigel smiles and pats Joe's hand. "I agree my dear…I agree."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
M wakes up in a dark room lying on a bed. Her arms are bound above her head and the room seems empty. Who was that man and where is James?
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Bond wakes up tied to a chair in a dark room. There is a man behind him…he can hear him.
"Where is she?"
"Why do you think you have the right to ask questions?"
"I'm not bloody well gaged so it is logical to think that I would ask questions. Tell me where she is or I will beat within an inch of your life."
"Ha ha ha…you English…so cocky."
"So you're not English and don't like us much that is one clue…along with the hapless French couple I caught in Jamaica…I assume your Algerian or from France. Why do you want her?"
"She is M…she knows things that will make me money…if she speaks…it will be bad for you if she won't because we will hurt you."
"You don't really scare me…I've been hurt before."
"What if I were to run my hands up her skirt...touch her...legs…what if I kiss her hard and stick my tongue in her lovely mouth…although I usually like my women younger she is a fine-looking woman for her age."
Bond strains against his bonds but they will take time to loosen…time he may not have to save her.
"For that I will kill you."
"I am off to speak with her now…do you have a message for your…lovely…boss?"
"Yes…tell her to hold on, I will be there soon."
The man's pissed off by his statement and hit Bond in the back of the head. He opens the door and tells the guard to get in the room and hold a gun to his head. The guard comes in and does as ordered the man takes a photo with his phone and leaves.
Bond still didn't get a clear look at the man.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The door to the room that M's being held is opens and a man enters. He comes to the bed and sits beside her.
"My dear M…so nice to meet you finally. You have led me on a merry chase. I have a picture of your lover…agent Bond. I have some questions I need answers for and you will answer them or he will die and I will get physical with you my dear.
He shows M the picture of Bond tied to a chair as he trails a hand down her cheek to her neck and then he palms her breast leaving no allusion to what he means by physical.
"What is your connection to that women Evelyn?"
"She was the means to an end…she hired my cousin to kidnap Olivia Mansfield knowing that you had a highly placed government job. Mrs. Carter had them and others, take a member of the UK government and show him pictures of you, that she took from your own home when she was your dear husband's mistress. The man recognized you and identified you as the head of MI6 code name M."
"Just saying that out loud has signed your death warrant. You will not be imprisoned, you will be killed and I will not mind in the least. Do what you will but your time is extremely limited. You made the mistake of taking this action while in port and even at sea there are ways we can hurt you."
"You are very arrogant my pretty. My cousin called me with the information and I rushed here to capture you for myself. I can use the information in your head to make a lot of money and I do not need much time. A bullet does not take long to enter your lover and make him suffer. I think we will start at his foot and progress up from there."
M smiles knowing that James will be free soon and on the way to find her…she just needs to stall for time.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Marshall gets pulled along by his brothers ex-mistress and decides to play along.
"Why don't we go for a drink my dear. I did just arrive and would like to see the ship."
"Nigel I have gone through hell to arrange to get you alone…I need you now."
"Well, that does put us in an awkward situation my dear because your vision must have deteriorated in the last 15 years…because I am not Nigel."
The woman stops and looks at him closely…how could she have made such a mistake?
"Where is your brother?"
"Looking for his lovely wife and speaking of which I must find mine now before she misses me."
Marshall disengages from the irate woman and she pulls out a small gun from her jacket pocket.
"I think I will go with you to get that drink Mr. Mansfield. You will be the fastest way to your brother."
They head to the upper deck bar, Evelyn pockets her pistol and smiles seeing the target of her affections sitting with his sister in-law.
Nigel sees them coming and hits redial on the phone. "Mr. Tanner she is here…with my brother."
Stall her as long as possible Nigel…
"We will try."
"Joe dear, we have to try to distract this woman and keep her here...she is one of the kidnappers…I'm going to need your help."
"What can I do? Why would I want to keep such person around?"
"She may help us find Olivia my dear."
"Oh…all right…I will talk her ear off like Marshall says I always do."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Tanner alerts two agents to board the ship and head to the upper deck bar to apprehend the woman. Two other agents must make sure they don't take M off the ship. They have already contacted the cruise line and they will not leave port until the all clear is given.
The Royal Nave vessel HMS Dragon is heading in that direction. Eve is besides herself with worry right along with Q and Tanner and insisted that they get the navy for back as soon as M ended up on the cruise.
The Prime Minister's been informed and he too agreed to send the Navy incase they're needed between there and the Bahamas.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
M's captor turned on the bedside lamp as he sits on the edge of the bed beside her.
"So M my dear what should we discuss…British involvement in North Africa especially Egypt. The Arab spring has left some chaos in its wake and I think some will be interested in who is there to represent your faded Empire's interests."
"What make you think I have anything to do with the happenings in North Africa?"
"When has the West ever not taken an interest? Come now don't make me do anything drastic."
He straddles her on the bed and rests heavily on her making breathing difficult. He smirks as he leans forward and kisses her.
M attempts to turn to the side to break his connection but realizes if she lets him kiss her she cannot answer any questions and it will effectively stall for time. Although the though and act repulses her, M can use her sex as an advantage.
M never expected that at her age such a thing would be possible. Female agents do this all the time so she stops fighting him and remains neutral for the time being.
M's captor releases her mouth and gazes down at her somewhat perplexed. The woman's eyes hold some surprise within their beautiful blue depths. M is panting so he props himself up off her to see if it is an effect of his weight on her or something else.
M's breathing becomes easier and she continues to hold and meet his gaze in a most unsettling manner. There is no fear in her eyes…there is something else and he wants to know what it is.
"Are you going to answer my question M?"
"I find it difficult to focus with you…so close to me. Not to mention it's difficult to speak when you have your lips on mine. Perhaps if you refrain from kissing me again I will be able to formulate coherent answers."
He smiles despite the fact she has not yet given him any answers only questions and excuses. He puts his face close to hers and cannot resist grasping her breast as he watches for her reaction.
"North Africa…M"
M closes her eyes for effect and swallow as she forces her body to react as if she is with a lover not a revolting criminal trying to get information out of her.
"Stop it!" M pants as she appears to struggle for control of her wayward body.
Her captor's look is tuning from that of cruel taunting to intrigue and lust.
M knows that this is a dangerous game but it will stall for time if he decides to take her and not hurt James. He will be unable to ask questions about secrets that she has sworn an oath to withhold even under torture.
Bond has to be still alive and working his way free. Christ...M hopes he is somewhere reasonably close by.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Bond has loosened his ropes. "Hey mate…can I get some water?"
The man grunts and goes for a glass in the bath as Bond's arm come completely free. Once the man comes to him Bond's fist smashes his face breaking his nose.
James grabs his gun and stands over his prone body. "I am so glad there is a silencer on this gun…you have no idea…now tell me where is he keeping my lady friend?"
James shoots him in the knee when he doesn't answer right away. He then grabs the man's phone from his pocket to see the contact names.
"Guy…is that his name?"
The guard is rolling around the floor in pain.
"Room number now or the other leg becomes useless for the rest of your possibly short life."
"7043."
Bond knocks him unconscious.
Bond leaves the room looking at the number on the door as he dials Tanner from the crippled mans phone. He fills him in on the details and Tanner sends the two agents guarding the exits to gather the guard and move towards the room M is being held in.
Bond do try to keep the man alive for questioning.
"Tanner that entirely depends on the condition M is in when I find her."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Joe smiles brightly at Marshall and the woman extending her hand to her. "Hello, I'm Josephine Mansfield and you are?"
"Evelyn Forbes. Nigel so good to see you again. I would like to talk with you privately if I may."
Marshall kisses Joe on the cheek and sits down between Nigel and Joe. "No, you may not! Now why don't you stop being rude and presumptuous and sit down and have a drink like a civilized person…Ms. Forbes."
Evelyn's shocked but Nigel and Joe just smile and nod in agreement. Marshall waves for a waiter and orders a round of drinks.
Evelyn reluctantly sits on the other side of the round table looking over at the three of them.
Joe begins the onslaught of questions she is dying to ask.
"So…Evelyn what brings you to the islands? A family holiday? That is what we are on and it has been such a lovely time, hasn't it boys? Well, of course we have met many new people and had some adventures…my sister in-law Olivia is having one now... she's been kidnapped by a group of American swingers who were at the same resort as we were in Jamaica. We were part of this charity auction and things got strangely out of hand for a while and we here also to find our dear Olivia and her friend Mr. Bond…say if you have been on board a while have you seen them. Mr. Bond would be over 40 tall and muscular with blonde hair and the most wonderfully piercing blue eyes. Olivia is just over 5 feet and has a cute pixie cut of white hair. She is a stunning woman my dear sister…high cheekbones and a voluptuous hourglass figure…a typical nightmare to dress she always say…but she does look fantastic in a tailored suite with a short skirt to show off her wonderful legs. Olivia has great legs doesn't she boys? Even if they are short… I could never abide by being short could you? Well, of course you are not as tall as I but you are above average hight. Anyway, Olivia has yet to meet us and that is strange as she booked the rooms for us…she has scandalously had to share a cabin with the delectable young Mr. Bond for two nights but Nigel knows the man and trusts him with his wife don't you Nigel? Of course you do…Nigel and Olivia have been acting like newlyweds the entire vacation…they have always had such a wonderful relationship…they support each other throughout all the difficulties that married life will bring…they don't give up and they never surrender."
Marshall smiles at Joe as does Nigel. Marshall grabs her hand in his as he watches Evelyn and listens to Joe do what only she can do…ask 20 questions an answer them all herself never expecting a word out of anyone in response.
Nigel notices two men in suits approach behind Evelyn without her noticing as the waiter drops off a second round of drinks for the table.
Evelyn sensing that the woman has finally paused enough to say anything looks piercingly at Nigel.
"Nigel I think you should come with me."
Evelyn stands and Nigel just smiles up at her while two men grab either arm and take her bag off the back of the chair.
"Ma'am you must come with us as you are under arrest for kidnapping."
Evelyn's stunned and looks around as the three Mansfield's smile at her knowingly.
"You will not be able to save her…they will kill her if she doesn't talk…If I can't have you no one can."
Nigel stands suddenly in a fury.
"You bitch…you never truly had me then and you certainly cannot have me now!"
Nigel moves close to her and whispers into her ear…Evelyn's mouth opens in shock as his words sink in…she did all this for nothing…he will be dead soon.
Nigel smiles at the men and they haul her off. He taps Bond's phone and Tanner answers.
Nigel, Bond is loose and on his way to get her, stay where you are and out of their way.
"Of coarse…could you please tell them where we are and to meet us here for lunch…we are beginning to get hungry and we've heard rave things about the food on board."
Tanner laughs. Of course Mr. Mansfield it will be my pleasure to tell them to hurry up because the rest of you are hungry.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
M's captor is kissing her neck as he has obviously decided that releasing some sexual tension is a better use of his and her time than questions.
M purrs in response pretending it tickles and doesn't actually revolt her. His hands open the buttons on her blouse which he will be unable to remove as her hands are bound above her. He eyes her breasts and kneads both as M attempts not to cry out in pain but instead bites her lip and moans as his lips meet hers.
Bond puts his ear to the door of the cabin and hears a familiar moan. Bond kicks the door in to see a man straddling M, molesting her and with his lips all over hers.
That is the last thing Bond really remembers...next he's standing over the man's bloodied body on the floor.
"James! James can you hear me? James try to focus on my voice.…untie me please…I need you James!. Help me! James are you all right?"
Bond blinks and looks into her worried face. M's blouse is open...her white lace bra visible...her hands tied and her skirt bunched up...where the bastard touched her bare skin. He...made it...he stopped the bastard. Bond kicked the body one time and then moves to undo her bonds.
"M...M I think that kissing you is an odd way of asking questions. What happened?"
"I did managed to distract him enough so he couldn't order you shot. I couldn't very well answer his questions with his tongue down my throat. "
"You should never have been in that position to begin with…for that I am so sorry. I don't know how I fell for her trap. Well done though. I guess all your protests of being too old are moot now…you managed to seduce a captor…that is lesson number 3 in the 00 handbook."
"It isn't easy pretending they don't make you want to vomit."
Bond's stolen phone beeps. "Yes, Tanner I got her…unharmed…they got them? OK send them here for the body…no sorry I was not capable of taking him alive….he had his hands where he shouldn't have. I will be putting some things in a report yes…no you cannot talk to her yet she is on holiday remember…yes you can wait until she returns to face the music. I will meet with the agents on land after I take M to her family. Goodbye Tanner…Q and Eve who I know are listening in."
"Apparently your husband has a message for you."
"Really and what is that?"
"Hurry up darling we're waiting for you and we are hungry."
M starts to laugh wondering how to explain all this to Joe and Marshall. She does up her blouse and finds her bag of clothes.
Bond stops her before she reaches the door and pulls her into a hug…one that he doesn't want to end.
M almost starts to cry. This is the end…the last moment before she returns to her old life.
Bond places his finger under her chin and lifts her face to his.
"Here's lookin at you kid…we'll always have Jamaica."
M smiles up at him as he gently kisses her lips.
Bond's heart clenches knowing that all will go back as it was. Being a 00 means being able to act but for this performance he will need a bloody award.
M will go back to being the intelligent bossy…very erotic and desirable matriarch of MI6 and he will be the cold tough agent that works for her.
M breaks away from the bliss of his gentle kiss and holds her hand to her heart. "Yes….yes we will… always have Jamaica."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
They drop her bag off after getting new key cards from the desk. Bond wraps his arm around her waist as they walk through the ship towards her husband. The thought of not being able to touch her like this is physically painful to him after last night.
M is feeling the melancholy coming off Bond in waves. Perhaps finally caving to his advances was not a good idea…It seemed like one at the time but she was hardly thinking straight last night. The smell of his cologne while they danced and champagne tipped her over the edge of reason.
As they are about to exit on to the deck Bond pauses and release her from his side.
"I am going to collect my phone from Nigel and go meet the other agents. I will call your room later to check up on you."
"Are you not hungry for lunch? I'm famished."
Bond laugh thinking back on M blabbing to an entire bar about her appetite after sex just to shock Joe into silence.
"I know what makes you hungry and I'm glad I could be of service ma'am."
"Bond! Enough out of you…you promised."
"Sorry…I couldn't help it…I can barely control myself around you and I cannot sit and eat lunch with you and your husband after last night. It will be too difficult."
"You will have to deal with it or it looks more suspicious. What is going on out there?"
Suddenly all the guests are pointing and walking to the side of the ship. They walk out to see and Nigel and the others wave them over.
Joe envelopes Olivia in a hug and passes her off to Marshall who does the same.
Nigel moved to shake Bond's hand and gives him back his phone and says for only him to hear.
"I don't suppose you two have anything to do with that do you?"
The HMS DRAGON is pulling into dock beside the giant cruise ship. The sailors onboard line the deck and salute the spectators on the other ship and on the dock.
Nigel moves to reclaim his wife from his brother's embrace, as he notices a slight pained look on Bond's face. The expression only lasts a moment and Bond quickly corrects it and he turns away to look at the destroyer beneath them.
Olivia looks into her husband's eyes and is almost overwhelmed by tears as he wraps her in a hug.
"Olivia...I am so sorry for what has happened and happy that you are safe. Bond made it to you in time as the hero alway does."
"Yes Nigel...he arrived just in time."
"When we get home...I understand if you want to leave."
"Nigel...I do not want to leave...I think we should start again in a new home and put this behind us."
"How many times have we had to start again my dear?"
"There are many stages to marriage just as in life but we will manage it together."
Nigel rubs her arm and kisses the top of her head as he observes Bond's stiff posture...much like the sailors on the destroyer beside them.
Nigel leans down and kisses her gently.
Bond turns back to look at them, Nigel kisses M as Bond did just a short time before. Bond nods at M and then slips away to go find what has become of the prisoners and clear up any last-minute details before departure. M made her choice and now he must live with it.
Tanner sent an agent to clear out his room and they have given him 1067 across the hall from the Mansfield couples.
In four days they will be leaving and Bond hopes the rest of the cruise will be calm but with M on board that is highly unlikely.
Bond spends a great deal of the remaining time on the ship alone and drinking. Pondering the state of his relationship with his boss and how the next year will change her. It is a depressing situation...waiting to see someone you love suffer as she will with Nigel's illness.
Bond hopes Nigel doesn't suffer long. The night he shared with M visits him...replays in his mind...the taste...smell...sound of her the feeling. Similar feelings from childhood surface...these feelings of longing, pain and despair. In this case there is still hope...the two of them are still alive so there is hope.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
To be continued...