Since he's on leave anyway and Bond doesn't have any missions, Q isn't seen back in MI6 until Monday morning, almost a week since he was put on leave. He seems relaxed and happier though as he makes his way up to M's office, pausing at Moneypenny's desk, dressed as he might normally be for work. "Does he have a moment, Ms. Moneypenny?" He asks curiously as he looks at her.
Eve's eyebrows go up in surprise at seeing Q of all people approach her desk. "You look good." She says with a little smile. "He's alone, but let me check." She picks up the phone and hits a button before she says, "Yes, sir, I've got Q here to see you, do you have a moment?" She asks as she watches Q suspiciously, trying to nail down what's different about him. "Yes, sir." She says before she puts down the phone. "Go right in, Q." She offers as she watches him.
Q nods and smiles a little. "Thank you. Good day, Ms. Moneypenny." Turning, he pushes through the doors into M's office, glancing around for a few moments as he approaches the desk, a little less tentative than he might have any other time. "M." he greets the man respectfully, taking a deep breath. "I came here to ask to be reinstated."
M looks up at his Quartermaster, doing a bit of a double-take because he, too, notices something off about the man. No. 'off' isn't the right word. It's something different about him per se, but seems to be something good. "Has something changed that would make me inclined to grant your request?" he asks skeptically, asking without asking if he might be claimed. Of course, after a moment when Q's scent filters over to him, he knows the answer without being told.
Smirking a little with a certain sense of smugness, Q nods a little. "There is. In your email there should be two change of status forms, next of kin forms, etc." He says before he turns around and lowers the back of his collar, reaching back to take off the bandage that covers the mark for now until it heals enough that the collar of his shirt doesn't aggravate it. He allows M to look for a moment before he covers it back up with a slight wince, but he's still smiling as he turns around, briefly remembering how much James fusses over the mark.
Seeing the mark, M chuckles a little and shakes his head. "007 certainly wanted it to be obvious, didn't he? Looks like he went deep." He nods a little, glancing over at his computer as he checks his email before he nods a little. "Very well. Have medical check that out just to be sure, but otherwise I see no reason to deny your request. And.. congratulations, Q." He says with a small nod. He knows these two men well enough to know he doesn't need to ask how this will affect their performance at work. "Just in time. I'm going to have a mission for 007 tomorrow. Bring him home safe." He says in clear dismissal before he looks down at the papers on his desk.
Q nods with a little smirk. "Yes, he was a bit overzealous. I'll go to Medical, but you don't have to worry. James has been fussing over it." He shakes his head in amusement for a moment before pulling himself together. "I'll bring them all home, M." He reassures before he turns and exits the office, glancing over at Moneypenny for a moment, careful not to turn his head too far, too fast. It's not until he's past her when he hears her soft gasp of surprise, but by then he's already in the elevator and he smirks as he turns to hit the button for Medical, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
I'm back to work. You'll have a mission tomorrow. -Q
I suppose we were lucky I was back so long. Back to work? -James
Have to go to Medical, M's orders. I'll be busy the rest of the afternoon, but I'll have your kit ready by this afternoon. And James? -Q
What is it, Q? - James
Please try to bring back ALL your equipment in one piece this time. -Q
Thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! Reviews/Comments encouraged!