Chapter 14
...
M and Tanner are in the room as the agents are getting into position around Whites' palatial home. M knows that the chances are small, but she will take anything she can at the moment. Placing the comm ear-bud in her ear, she waits with bated breath as she watches the agents scatter round the perimeter.
"Entering White's estate now."
"If you find White you are to capture him and bring him in for questioning."
"Copy that Tanner."
M continues to watch the monitors, looking at the hallway and raising an eyebrow at the decor, at least she knows where half of the government funds would go to. She saw a group of agents cautiously making their way up the stairwell and approaching the first room on the landing.
"Kitchen and living room are clear. Moving into the dining area."
Tanner looks to M noticing she hasn't taken her eyes off the screen.
"We'll get him ma'am."
"I hope you're right Tanner."
The minutes ticked by with no luck and M was losing hope. She was on the verge of telling Tanner to call the agents off when the sound of gunfire filled her earpiece.
"Report. What is your situation?"
"Target sighted, ma'am."
"Proceed with caution. Injure him if need be, but keep him alive."
Two agents crumple to the floor not quick enough to evade White's bullets, their injuries didn't look too serious from what she can tell, well at least she hopes they aren't.
She stands up and starts to pace the room as the bullets continue to fire, before they come to a stop, causing her to turn to Tanner who looks as confused as she.
"Report."
"Suspect is apprehended, ma'am. We've got him."
M let out a relieved sigh, which she could see mirrored Tanner's own.
"Take him to the safe house and Tanner will meet you there. Keep your eyes on him at all times. We don't need to lose him after capturing him. How are the injured agents?"
"They're fine ma'am minor injuries."
"Good, make sure they are seen to immediately. I want some agents to remain at his estate. There may be some evidence that we can use to our advantage."
"Understood, ma'am."
"Excellent work."
"Thank you, ma'am."
M took the comm from her ear and tosses it on the desk.
"It seems luck was on our side ma'am." Tanner gave her a smile.
"Perhaps."
"What are you thinking, ma'am?"
"All of this, capturing White, it seems too simple. When has capturing an assailant ever been this easy Tanner?"
"With respect, ma'am I think you are looking into this too much. We have captured him that's the main thing."
M let out a sigh. "But how long will we have him in custody for before he tries anything."
"We'll worry about that should the occasion arise. For now, you had best give Bond the good news."
"I'm surprised he didn't come in here."
"Don't jinx it. He will be disrespecting your orders in no time, I'm sure."
"Quite, but until then I want you to take Mitchell, Miss Lynd and a few agents to the safe house."
"Ma'am?"
"If Mitchell is working for White, let's see how he reacts in the same room as him."
"Are you sure that's wise? What about you?"
M gave him a smile. "I think I will take that vacation after all Tanner, but keep me updated on everything you find out."
"That won't be a problem, ma'am. I'll go and inform Mitchell of our plan and get everything ready."
"Keep an eye on him Tanner, until we know otherwise he isn't to be trusted."
Tanner gave her a nod and watches her leave.
"Enjoy your time with Bond, ma'am. You both deserve it."
M turns to see Tanner giving her a true smile that she could not help but return.
"Thank you Tanner."
M makes her way down the corridor back to James' room and lets herself in to see James in the same position she left him. His eyes brightened up at seeing her.
"Well, did they capture him?"
"As of now, White is currently in MI6 custody. We got him James."
James has known her long enough to know she's still on edge, despite White being caught.
"You still sound unsure?"
M makes her way over to him and sits herself down on his bed.
"It just seems too simple, James."
"Sometimes luck is on our side M, and today is one of those times. Today doesn't appear to be so bad after all."
"Then you may want to know that after you are healed, we have the chance for a small vacation."
"I never thought I would see the day, the head of MI6 will willingly take a holiday. Did Tanner have anything to do with this?"
"Perhaps, so what do you say?"
"I say I should probably thank Tanner for making you agree to a holiday, but first you owe me a kiss."
"Do I? I don't seem to recall owing you anything."
"After the stunt you pulled last night darling I think a kiss should make up for it."
"Just a kiss?"
"Well I'm game for anything if you are." He gives her a grin.
M leans down closer to him so her lips are only centimetres from his.
"I thought you might be, but I seem to remember telling you it will take two dates before anything happens. So, if anything you owe me Mr Bond."
Bond lets out a groan, causing M to smirk as she feels one of his hands wrap themselves around the back of her head as he brings their lips together, softly kissing her. When his warm rough lips met hers, she closes her eyes and returns his kiss passionately, placing one hand on his chest and the pillow behind him to keep herself balanced. The kiss is passionate, exciting, sending waves of arousal through her body. She wants him, but now was not the right time.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry."
M pulls herself away from James and stands up from the bed turning to the sound of the voice, to see, Tracy standing in the doorway a blush covering her cheeks.
"It's fine." M says trying to get her breathing under control, while James is merely caught between amusement and annoyance.
"What can we do for you, Tracy?" James asks trying to keep the smile from his face.
"I came to see if you wanted to get out of that bed for a few hours, but I can come back later if you prefer."
"No, no need for that, Tracy. I'm sure, James would love the chance to go out for a while."
"Good, well I'll be back with a wheelchair."
"I can walk."
"Yes, but it's for when you go outside or if you become exhausted."
"Oh..."
M tries to keep the grin from her face at seeing Bond being put in his place. It certainly makes a change from her doing it.
"I'll be back in a few moments."
"I would knock first the next time." James calls after her.
"I did." Tracy sniped back.
"Now where were we, M?" He says after Tracy vacates the room.
"Give it a rest, James. I've never been so mortified in my life."
"Relax M, there's nothing to be embarrassed about."
"Maybe for you. I'm too..."
"If you're about to say old you can stop that train of thought right there M."
She notices that any trace of amusement on his face only a few seconds a go is now gone.
"I was going to say mature, but it seems even then that defense I once had now seems to have disappeared whenever I am around you."
"Is that good or bad?" He raised an eyebrow curious.
"I haven't decided yet."
Their conversation halts, as Tracy returning to the room with a wheelchair in hand. Leaving it at the door she makes her way over to James' bed and quickly looks over his vital signs, satisfied with what she sees.
"Well, you'll be pleased to know I think we can remove the IV, that you seem so fond of pulling out."
"That was one time. Besides the matter called for it."
He tries not to wince as he feels the needle being removed from the back of his hand, before it's replaced with a small dressing to cover the puncture wound.
"I think, that's us, whenever you're ready."
M hovers near his bed as he tosses back the covers and moves to the edge of the bed.
"I don't know about the both of you, but I think shoes would be helpful."
M rolls her eyes, as Tracy hands over a pair of slippers to M, which she drops at his feet. Sliding them on as he stand up, letting out a wince as his body protests the movement.
"Are you sure you are up to this James?" M looks up at him for any sign of pain.
"Positive. Shall we go?"
The three of them managed to make it outside into the gardens without any difficulty. It takes a few moments for his eyes to adapt to the bright rays of the sun shining down on them. Looking around he finds a somewhat shaded area with some wooden seats and makes his way over to it with M and Tracey following after him. Taking a seat on the wooden seat nearest to him he closes his eyes enjoying the warmth spreading through him.
"I'll leave you both to it. You know where to find me should you need anything."
"Thank you, Tracy." M told the younger woman in gratitude.
She nodded and left the wheelchair over to the side and made her way back inside.
"You know, M. This place isn't so bad after all." He took in the scenery round about him noticing the green hills and clear blue skies.
"It is rather peaceful I'll give you that." She took the seat next to his and looks out towards the horizon in front of her, before turning back to James giving him a smile.
James swings his legs up on the seat and lays back against it closing his eyes while M looks on fondly, lost in her own thoughts.
"You know if you keep over thinking things M, you're going to give yourself a headache." James smiles faintly, his eyes still closed.
'Oh be quiet and rest, James."
He has no idea how much time passes when he hears M's voice calling on him. Opening his eyes, he sees her perched on his seat staring down at him.
"Hello." He smiled at her.
"Hello yourself." She couldn't help but return the smile, tracing the side of his face with her hand.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine James, I was about get a drink and was wondering if you wanted anything."
"Are we talking drink wise or another matter... cause if it's the latter, you know my answer to that question."
She bows her head trying to hide her smile. Regaining her composure she looks back towards him, noticing the dopey expression on his face. An expression she has seen on his face more than once whenever he looks at her in moments like this.
"Why are you looking at me as if you haven't seen me in years, James?"
"It makes me feel reborn." He tells her truthfully.
She merely raises an eyebrow at the answer. "If you had just been born James, wouldn't you be naked?"
"You have me there, M. You can have me anywhere."
"Well, perhaps not anywhere, James. I would rather not be caught at the office by nosy agents or a certain Chief of Staff."
James, gives a fond chuckle, which turns into a groan upon hearing a new voice.
"Hello."
"Oh perfect timing." James says under his breath rolling his eyes, to which he receives a swat from M.
James and M both turned to see Mr Mendel waving towards them briefcase in hand.
"Monsieur Mendel. How are matters in Switzerland?" M asks standing up as the man approached them.
"My apologies, I do not mean to rush, but one hundred and fifty million is a large sum of money." He places the briefcase down on the table and opens it.
"It certainly is. You didn't bring any chocolates with you?" James asked amused.
"I'm afraid not." He let out a laugh causing Bond and M to look at each other.
"If you would type in the account number."
M steps forward and quickly types in the new account number and pressed enter.
"And now the password."
"You can do that." He told her with an innocent smile.
M narrowed her eyes at him remembering full well what he had used for the password. Entering her name she pressed enter, and retook her seat next James.
"The funds have been transferred. Sorry for disturbing you." Mendel closed and locked the briefcase before picking it up and looking at the both of them.
"Auf Wiedersehen."
"Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Mendel." James replies watching him go, then turning to M wondering what is going through her mind.
"What's going on in that beautiful mind of yours M?"
"Still trying to get my head wrapped around us." She looks straight at him.
"I'm not one for showing my emotions, as you well know, but I want you to know that despite everything that's happened with Le Chiffre, you're still more of a man than anyone I've ever met."
James never takes his eyes off her, as she continues.
"But I also know you are not going to let me in there fully are you? You can try to hide it, but you've got your armour back on."
He reaches out and takes one of her hands in his entwining their fingers and looking her straight in the eye.
"Truthfully M, I have no armour left. You've stripped it from me. Whatever is left of me, whatever I am. I'm yours. I always have been." He places a kiss on the back of her hand.
M felt her words catch in her throat, she never thought in a million years that she would be in a relationship with James Bond. There is no denying he has gradually wormed his way into her heart capturing it in the process. If she has caused him to lose his armour, then he has in fact melted the ice around her heart. She never thought it would have been possible. She guesses if James is involved then anything is possible.
"I love you M, I'll show you everyday if I have too."
She gives him a fond smile. "I know that now. As much as I have tried to deny it, I guess my feelings for you were always there, it only took this mission to realise it."
"So, no regrets?" James joked.
"No regrets. Not anymore."
"I'm glad, it would be awkward being in a boat travelling with you if you didn't feel the same." He gave her a wink.
"A boat? What are you planning James?"
"We'll, since we both have some time off, once we get out of here. Why don't we take a trip to Venice? I heard it's quite nice this time of year."
M gave him a fond look "Venice it is then."
She leans in and gives him a kiss, smiling into his mouth as he quickly deepens it, the rest of the world disappearing as they both got lost in each other.
/*\*/*\
White sat in the back of the black SUV between two agents. Hands cuffed in front of him. He looks at his watch and gives a smirk to himself. He would let them think they had him where they wanted him, but he will not be in their custody long. Soon it will be time to show not only MI6, but Bond and M what they were really facing. He will make them regret ever finding out about him, or Quantum.