Chapter 2

Two months before:

"M they can't be serious! You cannot go out into the field untrained and alone!"

"Mr. Tanner I will not be alone and I will not be untrained. That is why I'm officially on sabbatical and you are interim M. We have to bring down this organization and with this particular mark...I'm the only one that will be able to lure him out of hiding."

"You think White is going to come for you specifically?"

"Yes and it's not just White I'm looking for. I've had a hint of someone more sinister behind Quantum and Greene Planet. There is someone in the shadows that I need to eliminate, and if it has to be me to do it...so be it. The PM was adamant I investigate when I spoke of my suspicions. Besides, no one will know it's really me. After a month of training so far I already feel more capable."

"Well here is the schedule for the 00 trainings. 004 and 005 will be returning from South America soon and then 008 and 009 will be replacing them. How were your early sessions with them?"

"Good and they were firm but fair in their trainings. I'm attempting to play each of them to their specialities. Bombs traps and poison came naturally to both of those agents and the reason they were hired. 004 is excellent in surveillance and 005's computer hacking skills and weapons will be his lessons for us."

"I can't believe that you agreed to this particular partner M."

"Why. I respect anyone's wish to assist the cause and she is well old enough, as am I. The fact that she looks a good deal like me is exactly what I need to help lure out the living sickness, that I suspect we may be dealing with."

"I would feel better if you were going in under guard or with a few 00's for backup."

"No Tanner. I have a feeling that they know full well who the 00's are and be looking for them. Tracking their movements so to speak. This will confuse and confound them if they even recognize me as M. Have you released that I've stepped down yet?"

"No. I was waiting until closer to the operation. If we have a mole they may report that you've been seen here everyday."

"Right. Best to wait until the last of our training."

"I don't see why the two of you do not train together?"

"I don't want to seem to pick favourites by spending all my time with the new recruit."

"But M...she.."

"I know there will be plenty of time for us to get reacquainted on the way to the mission."

M sat across from two of her 00 agents. "You understand your discretion is expected during this training?"

004 and 005 nodded in unison.

"004 please begin with surveillance. Then we will switch and 005 will teach her computer hacking quickly and weapons."

"Are you sure Ma'am? This is very intensive training for a civilian and…"

"I know my age 005 and yes it must be done. The mark we are going to apprehend will require this bait to be brought in."

"Ma'am...I loath to consider you bait at all? Will we both be providing back up once all is said and done?"

"No...I have missions lined up for both of you in three weeks. 002 and 006 will be taking over once they return and then 007 if it comes to that."

004 smirked as she nodded to M. "I know he's hard to deal with Ma'am but the finer points of seduction are his forte."

"I didn't ask for your opinion, but I plan to use all the tools I have at my disposal to make sure that this mission succeeds and that my...protege in all this remains completely unharmed.

Bond did not want to do this but then again he couldn't resist doing this either. Seducing women was one thing, but teaching the tricks of the trade from his male perspective to a woman would be a challenge.

It was not easy when he knew nothing of the mark she needed seduced or why she would be in the position that she would have to do this at all.

Bond had never expected M...to ever have to use these skills. Not that he would say that to her face, for fear of ending up on a sexist, misogynistic tirade that would surely involve him getting fired for being an agist pig!

It was not that he thought women over 40 were unable to do such a thing...no it was just that he knew what men were like. He knew what they liked for a fling...mindless fun or something to show one's status.

If the men Bond went after were any indication...any woman over 30 would barley be looked at.

Bond walked into the hotel bar and spotted his mark at once. She was easily identifiable and he made his way to sit beside her giving her a quick once over and a smirk he broke the ice.

"Is anyone sitting here?"

"No, you may if you like." She said.

She smiled at him obviously interested. Her voice was light and lyrical. Her auburn hair was not what he expected yet the eyes were just the same. Piercing blue with amusement reflected in them.

The bartender approached. "Martini shaken not stirred and something for the lady."

"White wine again thank you, and thank you...mister..."

"Bond, James Bond. And you are?"

"Mansfield, Judith Mansfield."

"Well miss Mansfield what may I ask are you doing all alone in here? Where is your husband?" Bond noticed the indent from where here wedding ring use to grace her left hand.

"Screwing his mistress no doubt! I'm alone...unattached and dreadfully bored. I was sitting here hoping for some amusement to drop into my lap and then you arrived and my night seems to have turned around significantly. That is if your wife is with the pool boy or you don't have one at all." Judith smiled and winked at him.

The green wrap dress she wore was attractive and revealing. Judith was taller than he had expected but then again he had never really met her before now. That he was able to meet Judith Mansfield at all let alone try to teach her seduction techniques was never a consideration.

M kept her private life very separate from work but now the two were colliding and he still had not had the chance to ask her why.

All he could think of now, was that he was to get her very interested daughter up on seduction techniques. Tanner was a little cagey on what would be happening after that.

Bond held the car door open for her and then went around to the driver's side. "Where am I to take you Miss Mansfield?"

"Home please." Bond nodded as she put her hand on his knee.

"Where would that be?"

"Oh, not far. I will guide you." She leaned over and whispered the address seductively into his ear. Bond swallowed hard. How was he going to manage this when he knew that address all too well. He was taking her to her parent's house. M's house. He would have to lecture her on the use of hotel's over personal residences.

"Will there be anyone home when we arrive?" Bond asked lightly trying to discern if this was all some sort of trap.

"No, we will be all alone."

For the anonymity to work he couldn't continue the questinging. Judith needed to believe that this seduction of hers had worked and that his had also.

Bond was training her by allowing her to push the boundaries of her comfort zone. She was still not necessarily 100% sure that he was the agent who was sent to train her but his instincts told him that she knew.

They had only spoken through text and email but Tanner or M herself could have briefed her on him. Part of the training he had prepared Judith for was to expect the unexpected.

Bond pulled up to the house and looked at Judith. Normally he would clasp her knee but she was already committed well to the foregone conclusion of this seduction. He couldn't go through with it...he new deep down that it would ruin any chance he could have with…

"What's the matter? Scared of taking someone your own age to bed?" A flash of worry crossed her face but she mastered it quickly. She leaned over and kissed him passionately and he returned the kiss.

This was wrong...all wrong and Bond started to get angry, not aroused as he should at least be acting. "Shall we go in and get better acquainted?"

"Yes! Most definitely." Bond rounded to her side of the car and helped her out. He looked up at the lights on in the house, remembering exactly what it was like in that sitting and dining room.

"I thought you promised that no one was home?"

"No one is home or...I must have just left the lights on before leaving. Come on. You haven't got cold feet now do you?"

"Not for a minute." Bond responded with a smile on his face that couldn't possibly reflect in his eyes.

Inside he knew this was all an act that he would stop and dismantle this entire evening with her as a learning lesson. Yes that would work. They could share a drink and go over what just happened and how to push your agenda without seeming pushy.

Seduction was really an acting artform. Making them think your only cursorily interested in them and that you in turn need to be enticed.

They reached the door and Bond's heart fluttered. His stomach went sour. What if she were home...what if...and...what...then?

The door opened and he was hit by the smell of her...the perfume was different from that of her daughters. He swallowed nervously as he took off his jacket and Judith took it as he made his way into the room and searched the corners desperately for her presence.

Where was she? "Lovely home."

"Yes , and well you should know...you've been here before haven't you Mr. Bond?" The shock on the poor agent's face made her laugh. "Yes I knew who you were. How did I do? I know it wasn't really that difficult considering you wanted me to seduce you. How was I?"

"M?"

"Not here tonight. She's out."

Bond was a little relieved that sex was off the table and now he could give her some pointers. "I would have thought that M would have had a female agent teach you? Unless you are planning on seducing a woman?"

"I'm not really up for doing either but I have to lure someone out of hiding and I'm apparently the only bait that will do."

Bond went to the bar cart and poured them each a drink. They would need to analyse her performance and he needed to find out what her mother was up to somehow.

To be continued...