Title: The Watson Files
Parings: Sherlock Holmes & John Watson (slash goggles optional)
Trigger Warnings: Canon typical violence and injury
Chapter 17 – Cardboard Box
"That," said a bruised and battered James Bond to his 00 counterpart Alex Trevelyan who was sitting nursing a possibly broken ankle, "is a bloody big rat."
The rat in question was dead and laying in the middle of the MI 6 employee gym. The gym itself was only in marginally better condition than the agents. Equipment had been tipped over and strewn about however nothing appeared to be in the same state as the rat.
"As if you expected anything other than ROUSs to be infesting Q-branch," Alex replied wincing as he prodded his ankle.
"That broken?" Bond asked.
"Probably just badly sprained. With a bit of strapping I could walk on it," which was 00 code for it would hurt like hell but I can keep on mission.
"You OK?" Trevelyn asked in return noting the various stains on his fellow 00's clothes along with the rather obvious makeshift bandage on Bond's arm.
"I'm not going to bleed out anytime soon," was Bond's reply meaning it's a moderately serious wound but not immediately life threatening.
"Gentlemen," Q's voice came over their earpieces which, by some miracle had survived not only their proceeding mission but also the last half an hour, "I can see that the initial target is dead but I do not have eyes on Ms. Hall and her tracker only appears to be intermittently functioning."
"Well Q," Bond replied, "Virginia is currently somewhere in the rafters above the soundproofing ceiling tiles. I'm not quite sure how to get her down without causing even more damage or potentially spooking her deeper into the infrastructure."
"I don't think the patented Bond charm is going to work this time Q," Alex chimed in.
"Hmph," Q acknowledged, "Stay put then and don't move around, I'll be with you shortly."
Less than 5 minutes later Q walked in carrying a cardboard box. Ignoring the agents, he walked across the gym and set the box down near some equipment that had been pushed over to lean precariously against the wall. He then proceeded to reach in the box, pulled out a small tin and opened it. Q placed the tin back in the carboard box, backed off and joined his agents by the far wall.
It didn't take long. A grey and white cat seemed to appear from nowhere and nonchalantly limped over the box. She sniffed then jumped into the box.
Q stood. "I suggest you gentlemen get to medical. They have already been alerted as to your condition. Dr. Watson is in today so I will know if you decide to skive off before doing so. In the meantime, I will deal with Ms. Hall and attempt to come up with a plausible reason for this," he gestured at the mess.
Bond held out his hand and levered 006 up from the floor.
"Well Quartermaster," he remarked, "If the camera feeds are damaged you can always write it off as a training accident."
Author's Note: This is the incident referenced in Conversations from Q Branch Chapters 64 and 75 from another POV. If you want the entire sequence involving Virginia the cat, see Conversations from Q Branch Chapters 25, 55, 15, 16, 22, 57 and 63 as well. Original Prompt – A cardboard box.