See what happens when I get free time hehe

The arrangements for M's second sudden departure from MI6 were made at the speed of light. Aside from her transport, only Mallory, Tanner, Eve and M herself knew her exact destination and she intended to keep it that way. Stopping briefly at her flat to pack a few things, M was ready to leave in less than an hour. Once she was underway, M took out her mobile and dialed Mallory.

"M, I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon. I trust you've packed everything you need this time?" he said with a smirk

"Yes, as a matter of fact I have. Has he arrived yet?"

"No, not yet, although I have been informed that his plane is due to land shortly"

"You won't let him sweet talk his way out of being thoroughly checked out by medical or..."

"Don't worry M. He will be met at the gate and escorted, under armed guard, back to MI6 where he will undergo the normal medical protocol, and then I will officially debrief him before we even consider letting him leave the premises."

"He isn't going to like that very well. 007 is used to a more non-traditional form of debriefing"

"That's really more than I needed to know, but thank you for that very vivid impression that is now occupying my head!" snapped Mallory sarcastically

"That is not what I meant and you know it!" retorted M angrily

"Good to have you back M" relied Mallory with a chuckle "Call me when you arrive so I can have your package delivered to you" he replied as he shook his head and hung up the phone.

As expected, James was less than thrilled at the rather impressive attention to protocol when he arrived at the airport. He was not at all happy that he was being escorted back to headquarters by an armed guard, especially when he had been sent out on an errand of mercy.

"What the hell is wrong with you people? I'm one of the good guys, in case you have forgotten!" he said angrily as he was placed in the back of the armored car sent to retrieve him.

"Sorry sir, but we have orders to take you straight to headquarters"

"Why? What's happened?" he asked with a slight bit of panic in his voice

"Nothing that I'm aware of, just following Mr. Mallory's orders" replied the guard

"Sounds more like M's orders if you ask me. She is the one who is always harping on the importance of regulations and why they should be followed to the letter. It's almost like working for a hall monitor" he quipped as he settled back in his seat.

Once they arrived at headquarters, James was escorted down to medical where Tanner met him.

"Tanner! What is going on? Why am I being subjected to all of these pointless medical tests? I didn't even fire my weapon for Christ's sake"

"Just following orders 007, and yes M's fine, thank you for asking," snapped Tanner

"What is all of this? M never makes me jump thru all of these ridiculous hoops?"

"Actually, she does, however, you usually ignore the protocol and she usually turns a blind eye. This time you were sent out by Mr. Mallory, and I think you will find that he is a stickler for details and regulations, so if you would like to be released anytime in the near future, I suggest that you comply with all requests," replied Tanner coolly

"What's wrong with you Tanner? You seem a bit pissed off"

"You could say that" he snapped "HOW COULD YOU JUST LEAVE HER WHEN SHE NEEDED YOU MOST?" he demanded as he began jamming his finger into James' chest while backing him up against the wall "YOU KNEW SHE WAS ASKING FOR YOU!" he hissed

James stood with his back against the wall and his eyes closed while Tanner continued with his rant.

"Do you have ANY idea how difficult it was to sit there and watch the strongest person I know crumble from within and know that there wasn't a damn thing I could do or say that would help?"

All James could do was stare at the floor. He knew Tanner was right. In his mind, he rationalized that he left because he thought that his presence would only hinder her recovery, however, it had not occurred to him until his plane had landed in Germany, that his absence would cause her even more pain.

"Why do you think I expedited this mission?" hissed James "This was supposed to take a few days, but I managed to get it done in 12 hours because I realized that I was wrong to leave, and now, instead of going to M to explain, I'm being kept here like a lab rat for no apparent reason!"

"There is no rush Bond, she isn't home" replied Tanner

"What? What do you mean she isn't home? I spoke to Eve yesterday and she said that M had been released..."

"She was, but she decided to take some time off. She left a few hours ago"

"Where did she go?"

"Only Mr. Mallory knows and he isn't sharing that information"

"Well then get me to Mallory!" snapped James

"First the tests, then Mallory" replied Tanner as he pulled out his phone

"FINE!" grumbled James as he stormed off toward medical

As soon as James was out of earshot, Tanner dialed Mallory.

"Sir? 007 is in medical. You can expect him shortly and yes, as expected he is rather unhappy"

"Thank you Tanner. Bring him up when he's finished." replied Mallory with a crooked smile

After about two hours of being poked and prodded James was released from medical, but not before being inoculated for something he had never even heard of. Tanner was waiting for him at the lift and escorted him up to M's office where Mallory was waiting for him.

"Welcome back 007, nice work" said Mallory as he motioned for James to take a seat

"Thank you Sir. I see you've made yourself at home in M's office while she is away" snapped James

"No, not at all, it was just easier to debrief you here rather than wasting the taxpayer's money transporting you to Whitehall," retorted Mallory

"Where is she?" asked James bluntly

"You don't believe in wasting time do you 007?"

"Sir, all due respect, this mission lasted the sum total of less than twenty four hours, therefore taking the time to debrief me is the true waste of taxpayer money" replied James as he attempted to conceal a yawn

"Yes, but protocol dictates that..."

"And does protocol also dictate that you let the head of MI6 flit about the world alone less than twenty four hours after she's had her heart stopped? What the hell were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that she is a grown woman, who can take care of herself, and I was more than happy to grant her request. She not only deserves this time off but she needs it as well," retorted Mallory sharply

James shifted angrily in his seat. He really couldn't argue with the point any further being that everything Mallory said happened to be true. He also knew that once M had made up her mind to do something, only an act of God could persuade her to change her mind, and that's only if all the planets happened to be in the correct alignment at the time.

"How about a drink 007? It might help to calm your nerves," said Mallory as he handed James a Scotch.

James took the glass and downed the liquid in one gulp, placing the glass on the coaster on the desk.

"Now where is she?" he asked in a rather demanding tone as he began to rub his forehead in frustration

"007, M has asked for some privacy following her recent medical incident, and I for one am inclined to comply with her wish," replied Mallory firmly

"Mmedical Iincidentttt..." replied James, his speech beginning to slur "Wwhat's hhappening?" was the last thing he said with a slightly bewildered look before passing out.

After a moment, Mallory went to check to be sure that James was in fact out cold before ringing Tanner to send in the transport unit. Once James had been removed from the office, Mallory then dialed M.

"Your package is on its way. It should be delivered to you in a few hours," he said with a grin "I hope you know what you're doing?"

"Thank you. Mallory"

"You're welcome, oh and just in case he starts to come around, I've given the transport team instructions to sedate him again."

"Do I even want to know how you managed to do it in the first place?"

"It's probably best if you don't know" he smirked "I trust you have everything you need?"

"Yes, everything appears to be in order here" she replied as she looked around the room

"Right then, see you in a week" said Mallory "Good luck M, I have a feeling you're going to need it as he is not going to be the least bit happy when he wakes up"

"Don't worry about 007, I'll take care of him" she replied

"See that you do. I cannot afford to have the head of MI6 and its top agent out of commission"

"Very funny Mallory, Oh and by the way, don't get too comfortable in my office" she replied in a less than amused tone "And kindly take your feet off my desk" she said before hanging up

"How the devil did she know I had my feet on the desk?" muttered Mallory as he hung up the phone

"She's M, She knows EVERYTHING" replied Tanner with a grin

TO BE CONTINUED...