When James Met Emma - Part 7

Summary: M has finally chosen a new apartment, while James gets close and personal with one of the female evaluators.

M tried to focus on her work, but no matter how much she tried, her thoughts would drift back to Bond. She wondered how he had reacted when he saw she had appointed two female evaluators. She decided It didn't matter, as long as they kept him distracted long enough for him to forget all about her. The thought caused an unsettling feeling to go through her, but she quickly brushed it aside. It was in her best interest to forget all about James Bond. He was nothing to her, except a soon to be Double-0 agent and employee under this building. Yet, her thoughts kept drifting towards him. He was like a parasite, attaching himself to her and not leaving her alone. Even when he wasn't here, his presence still lingered. It unnerved her, to say the least.

She looked at the clock on the wall noticing only an hour had passed since Bond started with his evaluation. Tanner hadn't reported back to her since she had sent him down to the training rooms with Barlett and Goodwin. M, at least, hoped to have some information by now from him if anything had occurred. Deciding not to dwell on it, she instead focused her attention on the printouts that Tanner had left for her. Most of the homes seemed to be similar to her current residence. She frowned slightly, having nothing against living in another penthouse, but she, at least, hoped for something different. Still, if it allowed her to move into a new place quickly, it didn't matter. As long as Bond didn't know where her new place of residence would be, she would be able to live easier knowing she wouldn't be expecting any surprise visits from him. He had returned her key, but who was to say he didn't find another way into the building. He may have got a duplicate key made without her knowledge. The thought caused an unsettling feeling inside her. No, the sooner she moved the better.

Looking through each of the printouts scattered on her desk, she picked up one that was for penthouse suite located on the Isle of Dogs. The interior was modern and stylish. The colours much like her current home painted in creams and whites. She read over the information, noting it was fully furnished and located in a quiet area of the city. Yes, she decided this one would do nicely. She would need to inform Tanner of her decision and arrange a visit before she finalised anything, but it seemed she had already found her new home. Feeling at ease since this full mess started, she decided to call Tanner and have him meet her in her office.

M was just about to pick up her phone to call him when there was a knock on her office door. Trying to keep the frustration out of her voice she ordered for them to enter. As the door opened, she saw it was Tanner, and some of her frustration faded at seeing him.

"Sorry to disturb you Ma'am, but I thought you may like an update on what occurred during the debriefing with the recruits."

"It's fine Tanner. Close the door and take a seat."

She waited until he had taken his seat before she continued. "How did the recruits take to their new evaluator?"

"Considerably well, except for the inappropriate comments from Mr Toner. The rest of the agents were surprisingly quiet, especially Bond."

M raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at this piece of information; she thought he would be the first to at least say something to Miss Barlett, but it seemed her suspicions had been proven wrong. Her plan didn't appear to be having the desired effect she had hoped for, which made her wonder if Bond had an ulterior motive.

"Was there anything else that occurred that I should know about?"

"Just that Mr Toner was already questioning your orders asking why they had to be split up during their tests. Forgive me, for insinuating this Ma'am."

"What is it, Tanner?" M asked curiously.

"There is something about Toner that I feel may cause us problems in the future. I'll just put it bluntly. I don't like him, and I certainly don't trust him."

M thought over Tanner's words. She didn't know herself if she could trust any of the new recruits so far. Except perhaps Carter and dare she say, Bond. Anderson and Toner, on the other hand, she felt there was something off about them when she had interviewed them yesterday. If Tanner was feeling the same about Toner, then they had best keep an eye on him. Then again it could be nothing, but she wouldn't be taking any chances.

"If that is the case, I want you to keep a close eye on them. Any sign of suspicious activity, you inform me."

"Of course Ma'am." He agreed, seeing the printouts he had left her scattered over her desk.

She followed his eyes to the printouts. "I believe I have made a decision Tanner." She picked up the printout showing the penthouse she had chosen and handed it over to him.

"Could you contact them for me?"

Tanner took the printout from her hand and looked down at her preferred choice. "I'll get right on it Ma'am and let you know what they say."

"Thank you."

He gave a nod of his head in acknowledgement, before rising from his seat and leaving her office leaving M once again alone.

Once the door had closed, she compiled the rest of the printouts together and put them in her desk drawer should she need to look at them again at a later date. Satisfied, she tried to concentrate once more on her paperwork, before eventually giving up and making the split decision of deciding to observe how the new recruits were getting on. At this point, she was willing to try anything to bring an end to this madness.

/*\*/*\

It had only been an hour and already Toner was starting to get on Bond's nerves. The man didn't know when to shut up, and his smug attitude wasn't helping matters. Even he wasn't this bad, and that was saying something. He tried to focus on the task that was currently assigned to him, but that was proving more difficult than he had originally anticipated. At least it had nothing to do with Angela, the other two women in the room or even the test. No, it was all thanks to that bloody moron.

He had lost count of the number of times he had tried to drown out Toner's drawled out tones, but nothing he seemed to be doing was working. Bond looked over to him, seeing him flirting with one of the two female evaluators and had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. He would have been doing the same if it wasn't for M currently occupying his thoughts. He was determined to show her, that there was more to him than what she gave him credit for. That he was more than just a womanizing, egotistical bastard, and that he could take this job seriously, which seemed to be more than what Toner was currently doing at the moment.

"Keep your attention on what you are doing, Mr Bond."

He nearly stumbled from the treadmill at hearing the stern female voice from behind him. It was only thanks to his quick reflexes that he managed to grab the hand bar to stop himself from falling. Mentally cursing himself, he looked out of the corner of his eye and noticed the other female evaluator now standing next to him. He was so wrapped in his thoughts that he forgot she was there.

"Perhaps the same should be said for Toner." He breathlessly sniped back, letting his annoyance show.

"He will be seen to," she replied looking back down at her clipboard, quickly writing something down.

He looked at the small brunette next to him from time to time, wondering why there were three female evaluators appointed. He had only ever heard of there being one while the rest being male. Unless M had decided on incorporating more women into the role or she had another agenda behind it. He wouldn't have put it past her. M was cunning and intelligent, not letting anyone take her for a fool. Especially not someone like himself. If she had known he was a potential candidate for a Double-0 agent, she would never have slept with him.

He tried to study her the best he could under his current circumstance. She was dressed in a black dress suit, with her loosely curled brunette hair resting on her shoulders. He wondered if M had been a brunette when she was younger, or if she had been a blonde. It would probably have been the latter, but he wasn't taking the risk of breaking into her apartment again to look for photos. Not after what happened yesterday.

"Prone to daydreaming," she muttered under her breath.

"What?" He whispered, trying to regulate his breathing.

"Focus on your test, Mr Bond." She gave him a stern look before leaning in to look at the treadmill's monitor.

James could smell her sweet perfume, as soon as she had moved in closer. It was too sweet for his liking; he had preferred M's which he could only describe as a soft floral scent with a hint of citrus.

The sound of laughter next to him caused his thoughts to once again be interrupted by Toner. He hoped he would never have to be paired up with him in the field; he may kill him himself if It ever came down to it.

Looking over, noticed Toner's test had already finished, and his hands were all over his evaluator as they walked away. It wouldn't have surprised him if these two, well three women evaluators were chosen to test their self-control. If that was the case it seemed, Toner was already failing. Bond decided that the only way to find out was to ask the brunette beside him.

"I didn't catch your name."

"It's Laura," she said absentmindedly as she looked up from her clipboard.

"Well, Laura… perhaps you can help me." He asked feeling out of breath.

"And what exactly is it you need help with, Mr Bond?" she tried not to smile, at hearing the breathlessness in his voice.

"Please, call me James."

Laura looked at him amused, "Very well, James, what is you need help with?"

"I've only just realised… that you no doubt know everything about me, but I'm afraid… I don't know… anything about you."

"I see, and what is it you would like to know?" she gave him a sultry smile.

"Why were you appointed as an evaluator? Surely MI6 could have offered you a better position?"

"I am merely following my orders, James. This position is only temporary."

"I see, then what is it you do, exactly?"

"If I told you that, James. I'm afraid I would have to kill you." she looked back down at her clipboard trying to hide her smile.

James quickly looked at her perplexed wondering if he was losing his touch.

"You were right about one thing. I do know everything about you. I was also informed in advance by M about your charms, and I must say I expected more from you." She taunted, "It must be the stress because I think you are losing your touch."

He narrowed his eyes, having a feeling he was missing something, but Laura had told him enough. He now knew M had set all of this up on purpose. She was trying to distract his attention from her in the hopes he would fall for one of the female evaluators here. It was starting to make sense, but without actually hearing the words it was still mere speculation on his part.

"Well Laura, perhaps you would be willing to help me get back into the swing of things?" he hinted suggestively.

"Perhaps, but I think I will wait and see your final stamina results before I agree to anything," she stated while filling in the last part of the form. "Right, I think we are done here."

Reducing the speed on the treadmill, he waited until it came to a complete stop before stepping down.

"How did I do?" He asked trying to catch his breath, as he looked over at Laura, seeing her chartreuse eyes staring into his own.

"You'll find out in the next few days. I suggest you just concentrate on completing the rest of your tests first and foremost."

"I'm not talking about the Astrand Treadmill Test."

"Then I'm afraid I don't quite follow…"

"Oh, I think you do. I have to commend M on this little plan of hers; adding three women evaluators, nice touch. Only it didn't work. Did it?"

Laura held the clipboard close to her chest and smiled in amusement. "That depends on how you look at it. I had a feeling you were distracted, but it wasn't because of me. Your observational skills are decent James, but so are mine. If I were you, I would suggest clearing your head, before your next test."

"Really, and what would you suggest?" He inquired with a charming smile.

"You have a thirty-minute interval to figure that out. I suggest you use your time wisely." She stated giving him a playful smirk before leaving the room.

James watched her go, wondering if that was an invitation. He guessed there was only one way to find out. Waiting a few seconds, he quickly followed after her. He noticed she was about to enter one of the side rooms further up the corridor, when she looked his way and gave him a smirk, before entering the room.

It seemed M had already made her move; now it was time to make his and he would gladly play along for the time being. If M thought for one second she had won this little game of hers, she was sorely mistaken.

/*\*/*\

Back in the training room, Angela watched as Bond followed after Lauren before reaching into her suit pocket and took out her mobile. Quickly finding the number she was looking for, she pressed call. She didn't have long to wait before her call was answered.

"Tanner."

"Tanner, It's Angela, I need to speak with, M."

"One moment."

She tapped her foot on the floor as she was put on hold.

"Miss Barlett?"

"It seems your plan worked, M. Bond has just left with 002 as we speak."

"I see."

Angela thought she could hear the disappointment and slight hurt in her voice, but she probably imagined it.

"And how is Mr Toner?"

"If he doesn't make it through to the end of the day, I've killed him. He is the most insufferable out of the three recruits we currently have."

"Yes, so I've heard. Keep an eye on him, Tanner thinks he has an ulterior motive. If you notice anything suspicious, contact me immediately do you understand?"

"Understood Ma'am."

"If that's everything, I shall let you get back to work, Miss Barlett."

"Ma'am."

Hanging up the call, she placed her phone back in her pocket and decided to see what exactly Mr Toner was up to.

/*\*/*\

As soon as the call ended, M brought up the CCTV footage of the training rooms on her laptop. She needed to see with her own eyes if what Angela had said was indeed true. It didn't take her long to find the correct footage and quickly clicked on it.

Her eyes watched Bond push Laura up against the wall, his hands making quick work of her suit jacket. M knew she shouldn't be watching this, after all, it was what she had wanted, Bond's attention diverted away from her.

There was an unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach as she continued to watch the scene unfold with Laura who was now tugging at James' grey t-shirt, before managing to pull it over his head to expose his well-toned body.

M clenched her fists when Bond pulled Laura close before his eyes momentarily look towards the corner of the room. She saw him whisper in Laura's ear, causing the younger woman to smirk as James' hands go to the zip at the back of her dress while pushing her towards a workout bench in the centre of the room.

Having seen enough, she closed the CCTV footage, feeling a surge of jealously as well as anger wash over her. Her plan had worked, but it seemed it worked too well. She hadn't counted on him sleeping with Laura, but she should have suspected it. Laura was just as calculating and just as charming as Bond, which made her a decent Double-0.

After seeing the footage, she should feel relief that everything that occurred in the past forty-eight hours was finally over. She could now continue with her life as normal without the worry of Bond following her or surprising her with his unannounced visits and gifts.

Looking back down at the files in front of her, she pushed the thought of Bond and Laura to the back of her mind. Everything she had done was for the best interest for the both of them. Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that a piece of her was now missing, and that missing piece was an over egotistical recruit known as James Bond.

Authors Note: Thank you again to saye0036 for helping me with this chapter, I really appreciate it. There is only one more chapter to go, before this little short story is complete. Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed so far. I hope to have the final part posted on Saturday evening/Sunday morning. :D