For RebaForever15 and ForeverMBond. Thanks for being so patient. Now that I finally have them back in the same place I can finish the story. :)

James continued up the stairs after Sergei, ducking behind whatever was available to avoid the bullets that kept whizzing past his head. At one point, as he was mid tuck and roll to avoid being shot, he managed to fire at a guard hiding behind a door.

"Hey..Watch what you're doing, I'm on your side" shouted the guard

"Sorry mate, hard to tell who is who thru all the smoke. Which way did they go?" he shouted back

"That way." he said pointing to a staircase heading toward the roof" My guess is they are headed to the roof"

As they reached the roof, James took cover behind a chimney to avoid the barrage of bullets flying at him, as the other agent began firing at the pilot of the waiting helicopter. James began circling around to the side firing continuously, making it nearly impossible for Sergei to make it to the door. Between the two of them, they managed to get close enough to take out most of his bodyguards and wound the pilot, but that did not seem to matter much to Sergei. As his remaining bodyguards continued to fire at James and the other agent, Sergei could be seen pulling the man out of the pilot's seat, taking his place, attempting to fly the helicopter himself. He managed to finally get it off the ground, but James was able to put several bullets in the fuel tank and control panel, causing it to begin listing to the side as soon as he attempted to fly. James stood on the roof with a small hint of satisfaction as he watched the helicopter careen toward the ground rotor blades first before it exploded.

"That was for M" he said under his breath as he spun around just in time to see the other agent finish off the last of the remaining guards.

"I'm sorry?" replied the other agent

"Oh nothing. Are we about done here?" he asked slightly out of breath

"Yeah, we've pretty much got things under control. You better go and get that arm looked at"

"What? Oh it's just a flesh wound" he replied as he rubbed his arm "Has anyone heard from Jack?"

"Yes Sir. The last report was that he was on his way back to the safe house and had requested a medic"

"A medic?...For Who?"

"M I suppose" replied the agent as James took off on a dead run for the first floor

XXX*********************************************** *******************XXX

By the time they had arrived at the safe house, M had completely lost consciousness. Jack gently carried her in, laid her on the bed, and waited for the medic to arrive.

"Come on M, don't give up on me now...we've come too far to let it end like this" he said as he held her hand and gently kissed her knuckles

"Sir...if you could just wait outside" said the medic when he arrived

Jack reluctantly went to wait in the hall as the medic closed the door to attend to M. After what seemed like an eternity, the medic reappeared with a less than happy look on his face.

"Well...how is she?" asked Jack apprehensively

"Considering her age, she is doing as well as can be expected. She is suffering from dehydration and exhaustion along with shock, and the sooner we can get her back to London and in the hands of her own people the better"

"Is she conscious?"

"Just barely. I would not try to talk to her right now. What she needs more than anything is rest"

"Thanks" replied Jack as he stood in the doorway and watched her as she rested

XXX*********************************************** ***********************XXX

James did everything but slide down the banister to get to the front door quickly. Once there he found Agent Connor waiting for him.

"Right this way 007" he said ushering him to a waiting car

"How is she?" asked James anxiously

"Truthfully I don't know. My orders were to retrieve you as soon as possible and get you back to the safe house" replied Connor

The ride back to the safe house seemed to take forever with James constantly stomping on the floorboard of the passenger side as though he had his own gas pedal. Before Connor ever had a chance to put the car in park, James was out of the car and thru the front door where he immediately collided with Jack.

"Where is she?...Is she alright" asked James anxiously

"James, calm down and come with me" replied Jack in a serious tone which instantly worried James

"Is she in there?" asked James as he started toward the bedroom

"Yes, she's in there, but you can't go in there right now"

"Why?...What is it? What's wrong?" asked James as he narrowed his eyes and glared at Jack "Why did you call for a medic?"

"I know you love her, but she's been through a lot. She is suffering from exhaustion, dehydration and shock. The doc says what she needs right now is rest and as soon as she is able, we will get her back to London and get her thoroughly checked out by your own people, but she is in no condition to travel at the moment, and you busting in there looking like you do is only going to upset her, so I suggest that you go get cleaned up, and then when you have calmed down you can see her" replied Jack firmly as he put his hand on James' shoulder

James was extraordinarily unhappy with the request, but he finally agreed to get cleaned up and have his arm looked at before he saw her. Once he had showered and had his wound, which amounted to nothing more than a flesh wound, dressed he stood outside the door having an internal debate with himself as to whether he should enter or wait a bit longer.

"What are you waiting for?" asked Jack as he leaned against the wall

"What if she doesn't want to see me?"

"Christ James...You are the first person she asked for when I got to her. Just get in there already" he snapped

James slowly opened the door and poked his head in the room to see M lying on the bed. As he walked toward her, he saw how pale and worn out she looked and it brought tears to his eyes. He knelt next to the bed and took her hand in his as he leaned up and laid his head on the pillow next to hers. She seemed to stir for a moment, turning her head slightly so that her head was resting against his.

"So do you still think my orders were foolish?" she mumbled as she squeezed his hand

"Only when they put your life in danger" he replied as he gently kissed her forehead

"Did you get him?" she asked weakly

"Yeah...we got him. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow"

"Mmmm" she mumbled as she drifted back to sleep

James got up and climbed in bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her as she turned and curled up against him with her head resting on his chest.

"I love you James" she whispered

"I love you too M, Now go to sleep" he said as he cradled her against him and fell asleep.

To Be Continued...