Disclaimer: I do not own James Bond or Alec Trevelyan, and I definitely am not making money off of this. I had considered not doing this because of a couple of other writers out there that had the same idea but I have decided to go ahead with it since my idea does differ from theirs in some ways. I sincerely hope I am not stepping on anyone's toes doing this.
"For England, James?" Trevelyan asked, the blood rushing to his head. Bond looked down at him, torn, both reminded of years past and knowing what he should do, what no one would blame if he did do. But somehow….
"No," he answered at length. "For you, Alec." He hauled with all of his strength on his former friend's leg; a sort of wild hope crossed Trevelyan's face as he swung himself up to finish pulling himself back onto the plate. The two men stood and faced each other; the transmitter groaned ominously over their heads. Alec stared at his former friend and partner in surprise and confusion.
"Why?" he asked breathlessly. Bond shook his head.
"No time for questions." The helicopter hovered above them; the Russian programmer gestured frantically to Bond, who nodded and made a sort of motion between himself and Alec. Natalya did not look happy about it but she nodded in return and nudged the helicopter pilot with her gun. The pilot looked all too happy to comply. Bond jumped first, closely followed by Trevelyan. The helicopter wobbled dangerously for a moment before righting itself and flying off, just as the transmitter crashed to the ground in a fiery mess of metal. The Janus base was destroyed and with it all of Alec's plans and ambitions. For a moment he wondered if Bond might not have been kinder to kill him.
The helicopter dropped them off in a field not far from the ruined base, unable to support the extra weight on the runners for too long; the pilot seemed to look to Alec for instructions and the former spy waved a hand at him in a clear gesture to go. He would not have any of his men captured along with him; he could negotiate for himself alone but not with the responsibility for them hanging over his head, a ready bargaining chip for MI6. And he did feel a certain responsibility for them; he had not gone so far bad as to abandon his own men.
Bond's mind was racing. He had not truly bothered to think about what he was going to do when he had pulled Alec back from the edge of the transmitter; he had just known that he couldn't drop him. Now Alec stood before him, and Bond had no idea how he was going to handle the situation. Natalya was watching, the gun pointed at the Janus Syndicate head, ready to shoot if need be. Something about the way Alec was standing, however, told Bond that he was not going to try anything; he was waiting to see what Bond was going to say.
"Put the gun down," Bond said quietly to Natalya. She stared, not believing what she had just heard. "I said put the gun down." Bond stared at his former friend.
"What's it to be, Alec?" he asked, finally coming to a decision. The former 006 stared at him, not understanding.
"What do you mean?" he asked warily. "There's only one fate for traitors when last I looked."
"Will you come back in honor or in handcuffs, Alec?" Bond asked softly. "It's your choice." Natalya gaped; Alec's eyes narrowed.
"What are you offering?" he asked suspiciously even as Natalya cried out,
"What are you doing!" Bond ignored her to answer Alec.
"You have information, information that could prove invaluable to MI6, information about arms dealers, terrorist organizations, former KGB operatives. You can return to England as a reformed agent with that intelligence and have relative freedom, or you can refuse and be hanged like the turncoat you are. Which is it to be?"
Alec stared in disbelief. "Why?" he asked bluntly. "What's in it for you, James?"
"I just told you."
Alec snorted in disbelief.
"No you didn't. Where's the profit in it for 007, Her Majesty's loyal servant? Why are you doing this, James?"
"Her Majesty's loyal servant will have the satisfaction of knowing that he has served his country to the best possible advantage," Bond answered coolly, stepping back. "Well? I need a decision, Alec." Trevelyan looked away, thinking long and hard. He could live with Bond breathing down his neck and his values shattered or he could die. Which was more important? His life or his beliefs? He could live on the funds that he had amassed from the Janus syndicate, not counting the funds he had "diverted" from the London bank. It might result in the loss of his double-oh status for a while but it would be worth it to get his life back on track after this disaster.
"Hey, Jimbo!" The cry came from a little way away.
"Now, Alec," Bond said urgently. Trevelyan considered for a split second longer before making his decision. It was time to stop thinking of what his parents would have wanted and start thinking of what was best for Alec.
"Tell Moneypenny that 006 is on his way home," he replied quietly. Bond nodded and turned to greet the corp. of U.S. marines who were headed toward them.