AN: And now we get to the bit everyone's been waiting for, so that we can get to the bit(s) I'm really waiting for!
Disclaimer:
I own nothing you recognise. This is all completely un-beta'd and totally fresh off the top of my brain!
It's the barking that confuses James, and gives him the first indication that something is very awry. He saunters up the hall towards M's office.
"You've been living with him for how long?" Eve's voice is shrill, even through the door. That bark again. James braces himself and opens the door.
Steve is trying to insert himself between Alice and Eve Moneypenny on the leather couch. Eve has an arm across Alice's shoulders. Steve barks again.
"Eve," James says, stepping fully into the room. She looks up. "Get off." She looks offended and sits up straight, keeping the hand on Alice's other shoulder. James rolls his eyes and plucks Eve's hand off, waving her away and kneeling down on his haunches in front of his niece.
"Alice," he tries. Her eyes remain downcast. Shoulders remain up by her ears. Muscles remain rigid and breath short and tight. "Alice," he says again.
"She was fine a moment ago," Eve says.
James ignores her and grabs Alice's hand, pushing her fingers into Steve's long coat. The fingers curl into a white knuckled grip.
"Alice, are these noise cancelling headphones?" he asks, tapping a finger to the bulky things around her neck. A tiny nod. "I'm going to put them on you, then we're going to go for a little walk to somewhere nice and quiet, does that sound alright?" Another nod. James lifts the earphones away and carefully positions them over her ears, brushing her hair out of the way as he does so. She immediately lets out the breath she's been holding.
"Who brought her here?" James asks, mild and dangerous.
"Delores didn't take her name," Eve replies. She shifts her weight in response to the threat undertone.
"I'll speak with you about this later," he says, and it is a terrifying promise. "She has an assistant dog for a reason." James rests his palm beneath Alice's elbow and helps her to her feet, releasing her as soon as she's up. Steve curls around her other side.
It is not a long walk to the Q department, but they take it slow. James on one side, Steve on the other, with Alice keeping her head down and one hand on each of them. She clings to James' sleeve the whole way down.
The entire Q department freezes in place when James walks in. It takes Q a moment to notice the unnatural stillness. His eyebrow raises to his hairline as he takes in the sight, eyes darting to take in the three of them. He relaxes minutely as he takes in the 'Assistant Dog' harness.
"What have you brought for me this time, Bond?" he asks.
"My niece, Alice, and her assistant dog, Steve," James says shortly. "Are you able to fit her into a quiet corner somewhere?" Q's eyebrows even off and he nods. "I have to take care of something quickly."
"Absolutely," Q says. "I'll take it from here." He bends at the knees until his face is in Alice's downcast view. Waits until she looks at him, then mimes removing the headphones.
She does. Looks up. Her eyes fix on a point on the wall to Q's left.
"Hello, Alice, my name is Q," Q says as he stands back up. "I take it you're the one who plays all the games James has been asking me about?" She nods. "I'm having particular difficulty with the Highland Ravager in Inquisition. Have you managed to kill her?"
James peels away as Q steps in, careful to remain just outside of her personal space. Alice tugs her long sleeves down and shrugs. Q maintains the conversation until they're nearly at his office door, when Alice finally pipes up.
James leaves.
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