Chapter 31: Meeting Miranda

The name made Stephen suppress a shiver. Miranda, 005, was the longest serving double-0 agent and the one who gave them their fearsome reputation, though few knew it. She was one of the unacknowledged assets of MI6. Her art was unappreciated here. Diagnosed early on in life with psychopathy, Miranda had developed an obsession with breaking people, physically and mentally, in her teens. But rather than giving into the urge immediately, her unconventional therapist had encouraged her to search for opportunities where such abhorrent practices were appreciated. She had shopped around a little before finding her place in the double-0 section as the interrogation expert.

The only time Miranda was in London was when one of the double-0 spots was being filled. It was why every other double-0 hated her. They had all sat in her chair while she made them sing duets with her, or scream themselves hoars depending on who's point of view you were looking from. Whenever one of their missions intersected with her, she always got that smile on her face and mentioned their lovely singing voices. It was why they always avoided her as much as possible. Not that she minded. She was quite satisfied as long as she had someone to sit in her chair.

It had only been 2 years since Stephen had met Miranda and sang in her chair. He had met her once since to deliver someone for her to torture. He didn't know what had been worse, to live through it or to relive it again with his torturer singing praises about how beautiful he sang and how much she wanted to make him sing again. And now he was going to see her again and he hoped feverishly she would focus on someone else.

Speak of the devil.

She walked into the garage shadowed by her control officer. It was one of the stipulations of her working the way she was. The control officer had the right to stop an interrogation, if things weren't going well, or Miranda, if she were to deviate from her purpose. However, Miranda was well practiced. Very well practiced. And the control officer was really more a companion than anything. Amelia actually got on rather well with Miranda. Not friends of course, but they tolerated one another well enough.

He had taken up his place on Q's right side, leaving the Assistant beside him on Q's left. The woman had returned to her phone again but Stephen now knew just how aware she was of her surroundings. Q had straightened when Miranda came into view and stiffened if Stephen was not mistaken.

"Well, hello!" Miranda's voice made Stephen cringe and he had to work very hard not to show it on his face. He would never forget that voice. It still haunted his nightmares. "I wasn't expecting a welcoming committee. This must be my lucky day." That deranged smile on her face just completed the picture.

"With the situation as it is, it is required." Q answered in his usual smooth self.

"Probably, but then I was expecting M, or this C character. Not the A…" Stephen's attention was caught when Q quickly interrupted.

"The title I currently use is Q. Please use it." Did that mean Q had another title? And that Miranda knew it? Why would Miranda know that?

"Oh, so you did go into Q-branch." Miranda's insane smile only grew. "I told you that you would fit in well there. The way you sang such lovely code." Wait… Did that mean Q had sat in Miranda's chair?

"Well, I was rather bored. I hadn't seen a computer in a week by the time we met." Stephen almost led out a disbelieving laugh. No, Q hadn't sat in the chair. He wouldn't be so calm about it if he had.

"Still, it was a lovely couple of days. Out of all of you, you sang the prettiest." No way. No fucking way. Days? Oh god. Double-0's only had to manage 24 hours. What the hell had Q done to earn that much attention? Was this because of his work as GHOST?

"I bet you enjoyed it." Q answered with a little laugh. "However, this isn't a social call. Because of the current situation you are reassigned to the Director directly with immediate effect. I'm sure you remember the Assistant. She will be the one to show you to your destination."

"Oh yes, lovely voice. I take it this means I won't get to meet this C character. Shame. I wanted to imagine how well he could sing." Miranda pouted.

"Oh, don't give up hope just yet. You might meet him still." If Q tried to hide the vindictive streak his voice had gained, he didn't try very hard. Stephen wondered what that was all about. Miranda laughed though and gestured for the Assistant to lead the way. Stephen watched them get into a car and drive away from his position at Q's back.

It was only when they were out of range that Q let out a deep sigh. And another. Then he stepped back suddenly. Once. Twice. Small stumbling steps until his back was against the car. Stephen stepped in front of Q concerned. Q was shaking. Shaking badly. There were tears rolling from his eyes and his breathing was erratic.

"Oh god, Q. Look at me. You're alright. She's gone, Q. She can't get to you anymore. Look at me. Breath with me Q. Shhh. It's all right. Breath, Q, just breath." Q's eyes latched onto his desperately as he pulled air into his protesting lungs. Not knowing how Q would react to being touched Stephen didn't pull Q into the hug he so desperately wanted to give. Q looked so unbearably young now. Too young to have gone through what he had. Stephen was amazed though that the desperate look was quickly replaced with a determined one and Q quickly regained control of his breathing.

"My apologies." Q said as soon as he could speak.

"Jesus Christ, Q." Stephen exclaimed in amazement and anger. "If you truly spend that much time in her chair why the fuck are you apologizing? You have every right to freak out. I was freaking out and I didn't spend nearly that much time with her."

"If you say so." Q answered back as he straightened and straightened the suit, the very nice bespoke suit, he was wearing. He let out one final deep breath and then Q was back to business as usual. "Well then let's get going. We have places to be and people to see. Come along." He said and he picked up a laptop bag that had been conveniently placed against the wheel of the car by the Assistant and strode out of the parking garage back into the airport leaving Stephen to catch up with him.

He did so a heartbeat later. Q led them through the airport confidently, like he knew exactly where he was going. Stephen, who had flown out of Heathrow so many times he could dream the layout of the airport, noticed they were bypassing the commercial airliners check-in desks and was heading for a small desk meant for a very select clientele. If Q travelled, he travelled in style it seemed.

"Good morning, Sir." The man behind the desk greeted them.

"Good morning. We called ahead. Everything should be ready for us." Q greeted and handed over some paperwork. The man behind the desk scanned through it, eyes widening a little bit. He typed in some information into his computer before handing the paperwork back.

"Everything is in order, Sir. Priority handling has been arranged. The plane is waiting for you and will depart as soon as you're on board." Q nodded. Stephen was impressed. It seemed waiting in line to depart wasn't Q's style. He wondered how Q had managed that.

"Thank you, have a good day." Q replied as he stowed away the letter in the inner pocket of his jacket.

"Safe flight, Sir." The man replied before turning back to his computer. Probably to gossip about the client who had been given priority handling, Stephen thought with a grimace. He wondered where they were going, who they were meeting and what Q was getting him into now. He asked none of his questions. Q would tell him once he needed to know.

For now, all he needed to know was he would definitely not be bored.