Chapter 26: Night on the town

He felt exhausted. Which wasn't weird, he led a busy life and training always left him tired. But this was different. He shifted in his chair and stared at his drink deep in thought. It was like this fog had settled over him that afternoon, as he was shouting out everything that was wrong. A fog that left him drained, unable to think. Training had been a disaster because of it and 0010 had left with the parting words that if he couldn't put his emotions aside then he had better remain in Q-branch or he would be dead soon. He had also left a Hogwarts pin with a camera in it and instructions for him to wear it tonight. Not that it was useful because he was sitting in the Black Dog alone with a drink, being stood up by his new colleagues. He was the worst spy ever. What was he even doing here? Why was he putting himself through all this? His efforts wouldn't change anything anyway. None of it mattered. Maybe 0010 was right and he should've stayed where he belonged.

"Hey Jordan. What's with the long face?" He looked up to see Luke, the one who had asked him out for drinks, was standing at his table.

Jordan, though he felt anything but smiling, knew he had to make an effort and tried to put up his most radiant one. It almost hurt with how fake it felt.

"Oh, you're here. For a moment I thought I was getting punk'd into coming here to be stood up. Wouldn't be the first time, believe me." The lines, and where the hell had they come from, came out so overly dramatic it almost made him laugh at himself, almost made him put his hand to his hart and fan himself in feigned relief. That thought made him smile more genuine and for some reason the fog in his head shifted a little. He frowned, just not getting what was happening to him. He had tried everything to get it to move all afternoon, only for it to grow worse. But here he was, faking it, badly, and the fog was shifting.

Luckily Luke didn't seem to notice.

"Nah mate, wouldn't do that to you." Luke responded and took his seat besides Jordan. "Anna called, there's a hold-up of some kind on the Victoria line. They'll be here in 15 minutes tops. I was running a bit late myself but no one had your number so we couldn't warn you. Sorry." Well… That made sense, he grudgingly admitted. He had been out the door quick after he'd gotten the invite. Too quick apparently. He smiled sheepishly.

"Damn, should've thought of that." He answered.

"Well, I didn't either so we're even." Luke answered and they shared a smile.

"So…" Jordan started, his old shy personality resurfacing suddenly.

"So…" Luke said at just about the same time. They looked at each other and burst out laughing. And Jordan felt the fog in his head shift again.

"Sorry, I'm not really good at this." Jordan said apologetically. He had a feeling Luke could sympathise and anything in common was great for connecting to people. 001 had taught him that on one of his first evenings into the cantina.

"Me neither." Luke grinned back at him. They stared at each other trying not to laugh again before Luke started to get up.

"Right." He said a little uncomfortable. "I'm just going to get a drink and pray Anna will be here when I get back. She talks enough for all of us." Jordan grinned and nodded and watched Luke walk away.

Fortunately, Luke's prayer was answered and Anna and the rest walked in not 3 minutes later. She hadn't shut up since. Jordan liked her. She was a real extravert and obviously very practiced in keeping a conversation going and including the introverts around her into it. Jordan relaxed more as the evening went on, it had been so long since he had spent time just doing nothing and for once found himself enjoying a social outing. And every time he laughed the fog shifted and the more he relaxed, the more it thinned. So, he figured this was what he needed and spent most of the evening just listening and laughing, talking along only when asked something. He watched what information he shared and stuck to his cover story. When asked about MI6 in more detail he said he didn't want to talk about it which was accepted easily by the others. All and all, it was a fun evening which relaxed him and lifted his mood.

Tired from a long emotional day he called it quits at around 10. Walking out the door he was about to turn to the tube station when a woman's voice called out.

"Taxi for Bruskin?"

He looked up and saw Arabella waiting for him, leaning against the car in what would for normal people be a relaxed posture, texting on her phone. He walked up to her and she opened the door for him. He let himself drop back into the seat and closed his eyes with a sigh, knowing it was safe to let his guard down.

"Hello, Jordan." He heard beside him. He jumped and then groaned because he thought he was over being startled by people. But apparently today was just not his day. As if on que, the fog that had lifted during the evening threatened to develop him again. He pushed it aside angrily. He didn't have time for that now. Not when Q was in the car with him.

"Q." He greeted sitting up and putting his serious face on.

"Good job today. We got great shots of their faces." Q said. Jordan's face turned red. He had completely forgotten about the pin he was still wearing. He saw Q smirk and knew he was busted.

"Don't worry about it. You were relaxing and enjoying yourself, something that's also important during missions. You still kept your mission in mind and if I had missed any facials, I would've told you. You were wearing an earpiece after all. You'll need to put in a new one tonight, by the way. You've been wearing yours for nearly five days now. R is pleased it held as long as she predicted. Good job keeping it dry in the shower." Q held out a tray. "If you'll take the old one out now, I'll take it with me for her to study."

Jordan, also having forgotten about that one flushed again and wet his finger to remove the earpiece. He flinched as the thing shifted and his ear started to hurt horribly. Q was on him immediately and grabbed his hand.

"Stop, don't move your finger." Q said urgently. "Obviously something is wrong and we don't want any more damage if we can avoid it. Arabella head for the clinic. I want an ear specialist ready for us when we arrive. Normal security protocols."

"Yes sir." Came the answer from up front.

Jordan felt a tear role down his cheek. If it was because of the pain or the sudden fright he didn't know. He just knew he was glad he wasn't alone for this and that he could trust Q to take care of him.