Chapter 41: Welcome aboard.

James didn't know what to think. Go with the flow, 6 had signalled. And what a flow it was. James had always known Q was powerful, steady under pressure. But this was taking things to a new extreme. This was Q in his element. He acted like a skilled diplomat, a politician with a silver tongue and more than ever, a general ready to command armies and, very expertly, had extracted all of them out of a very tricky situation.

The plane was also a bit of a surprise. James knew Q wasn't afraid of flying, that was only a rumour that he had spread, but he still hadn't expected Q to fly out here. Besides, the private plane was far more luxurious than the first class commercial flights he usually travelled with. He wondered how Q could afford it. Or if perhaps someone else was getting involved. Like the director…

"Welcome aboard again, sir." The stewardess greeted Q as they boarded. "The plane is ready for take off as soon as you've taken your seats and I will serve your drinks when we're at altitude."

"Thank you." Q nodded to her before turning to them. Or rather to Dr Swann. The cold obstructive bitch stared back at him daringly. Her expression nearly mirrored the look Vesper had worn when she sat opposite him on that train ride. Once again James wanted to punch the smug look off her face. If only he didn't need her.

"Dr Swann." He greeted the doctor formally. "My apologies for the familiar form of address earlier. It was necessary to make the good detective believe you were indeed one of my guards. Now I understand the people that attacked me, were in fact after you. Therefore, it's only fair that I'll escort you at least partly towards your destination. Please." He said while gesturing towards the big comfortable seats.

James frowned slightly. He had expected that, once they were on board, Q would relax, knowing that they were safe. Instead, he had upped the charm a bit more. James wondered if it was for the benefit of the staff. If this was the director's plane, Q might want to make a good impression on the man, though James didn't think that was something Q cared about. But go with the flow was what 6 had signalled. And though he didn't particularly care about 6, he did trust the man's judgement.

He saw Dr Swann hesitate, behind her cold and defiant mask before turning resolutely and stalking towards one of the large chairs and throwing herself in it, crossing her arms. James almost huffed at the immaturity she was portraying.

Q didn't seem bothered with Dr Swann's mood. After a nod towards the flight attendant he strode further into the plane himself and took his seat diagonally opposite her, separated by the isle. He seemingly relaxed into it, but James knew better. He had seen Q relax before, when he stayed at his place and watched Mythbusters all day when he was ill. Or when he figured out how much of a challenge MU3RT0S's laptop was. James exchanged a glance with 6 who didn't seem to know much of what was going on either going by the look on his face, but again signalled to go with the flow. Oh well, there wasn't much else for it anyway.

He and 6 both took the remaining chairs and put on their seatbelts as the plane started rolling immediately. It was only a matter of minutes before they were taking off and in no time they had reached altitude. The flight attendant came by as they were climbing and returned with their drinks as soon as she could. The vodka-martini had never tasted so good and he closed his eyes and sipped it in appreciation for a while knowing he was safe. He idly wondered if he could have a look at the bottles, because this was divine.

"Madeline, my dear, are you all right?" Q suddenly asked across from him. James opened his eyes again and looked at his companion. She looked a bit pale and she had a vacant sort of look in her eyes, which could be attributed to shock, but somehow James doubted it. It almost looked like she had been… no…

"I'm fine, just tired." Dr Swann's speech slurred just a bit as she tried to brush off that something was happening to her. James made a motion to get up but was immediately motioned by Q to remain where he was. Which basically confirmed to him that Q was responsible for the doctor's current state.

"Why don't you go lie down for a while, my dear. I'm sure it's just the shock of all that has occurred today. Sleeping will do you a load of good." He reached overhead for the button to call the flight attendant.

Dr Swann nodded, still with that distant smile on her face and got to her feet just in time for the flight attendant to keep her from falling.

"Oh dear, you don't look too well." She said as she let the doctor lean on her for support. "Why don't I show you to the bedroom so you can have a lie down." And she guided the doctor away with just a small nod to Q who returned it with a quick signal to keep an eye on her. The woman nodded again before walking off with her patient.

James frowned. He felt the urge to follow her. The only thing keeping him in his seat was the order Q had given him. He had promised her father he would look after her and here she was, being drugged under his very nose by someone he had trusted with her safety. He felt his anger rise as he felt Q's betrayal keenly. He only now realized just how much he had started to trust Q and how much he had started to rely on that trust. A flow of self loathing joined the anger at having fallen for the same lie again. You couldn't trust anyone in this business. He KNEW that. Or he was supposed to. But somehow he had thought, he had hoped Q would be different.

"I apologize for the necessity, 007." Q's soft voice broke through his train of thought causing James to suddenly snap back to reality. He hadn't noticed just how tence he had become. How hard he was gripping the armrests of his seat. Snapping up his eyes he saw Q regard him calmly but intently, as if he could read him like an open book. Across from him, 6 was relaxed and alert and ready to stop him the moment he made a move towards Q.

"Why?" He growled.

"Because I needed to talk to you without a chance of her overhearing. The reaction you're having right now shows me there is all the more reason this is necessary. She is not an innocent victim of circumstance, 007." Q's voice that was so calm when he had started talking suddenly got an edge of steel.

"No? What is she then?" James bit out, letting all his feelings, anger, betrayal, disbelief colour his voice. Q remained calm under his intense gaze and calmly replied.

"The enemy."