Disclaimers: I do not own James Bond. I do not own Alec Trevelyan. I do not own the other familiar characters. I do own Michael Stone, Lauren Benedict, Margie, and others whom were created to suit the purpose of this story.

Summary: Friendship. Love. Brotherhood. This story is about James Bond, Alec Trevelyan, Michael Stone, Lauren Benedict, and many others. It is about how forgiveness is important. How life is so strange that before you know it, you might be doing something that you never thought you would do. This is about hope.

A/N: I hope you enjoy this. If you don't understand the references to Michael Stone I suggest you read some of the one-shots. Review!

Whatever Tomorrow Brings

James and Alec were now sitting in the plane heading over to London. They wouldn't speak one word to each other. It was too uncomfortable. After all that has happened between the two, how could they not decide to not speak?

James didn't want to look at Alec, who had his head on the wall and his eyes closed; probably thinking about something, because he wouldn't know what to say. Bond had his own questions. Why did he do it? Why did he save Trevelyan – his former best friend? It didn't make any sense. Alec had betrayed him. Alec betrayed the trust that they had. It's not like you haven't betrayed a friend. That was what he heard in his mind before he made the life or death decision. It was Michael's voice saying that sentence in his mind. It was Michael's words that made him do it.

He ran a hand through his hair; exhausted. It wasn't that long of a mission. Going after the Janus Syndicate wasn't that long. But it had been dangerous. It was exhausting. Learning about a friend's betrayal can be very exhausting. He needed to rest. But he couldn't sleep. The man before him was Alec Trevelyan. He couldn't rest until he had answers, but he didn't have the heart to ask them.

Alec breathed in and out very slowly. It was a form of meditation that he learned from Lauren. God, he missed her. He missed her laugh, her smile, and her kisses. He wished he could see her now. But after what I did, I don't think it would be so. He knew Bond was staring at him. He felt it. He could always distinguish James' stare from anyone else's. It was easy. He knew James Bond more than anyone else in the world. But then again, he never knew everything about me. Besides, it's been nine years. I know he's been doing things forEngland for the past nine years. Trevelyan held back his laugh. Bond would never stop working for Her Majesty's Secret Service. It wasn't even possible. James Bond was and will always be England's most loyal servant.

James mind drew to the thought and memory of Michael Stone. It's been a year since he last seen his friend. He wondered what that CIA agent was doing. But then, that's good. I don't want him knowing about Alec – yet.He wasn't ready to tell his friend and brother about it. But he did want the advice. He needed it. He smiled to himself. You're the only one who can help me make sense out of all this. Yet, James wasn't ready for that. He knew he had come to terms with all of this on his own – whether he liked it or not.

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Alec opened his eyes. It hurt to much to think about the past especially about Lauren. He noticed that Bond was now looking out the window heavily in thought. James was looking down through the window; fist clenched. Why so tense James? He scratched his chin. The question of why never left his thoughts.

"Why?" he finally asked. James slowly looked at him. Alec sat up straighter. "Why James?" You had your chance. The question was why Bond didn't take it.

James had hoped that Trevelyan wouldn't ask that question. But if there was still any of that old Alec that he knew left, then he just showed himself. Alec sure didn't leave the question unasked. That was what I'm afraid of.

He looked at his former friend. How could he answer that question? James loosely shrugged, but kept his face cold. Just because he didn't know the answer himself, didn't mean he was going to show that he didn't.

"And don't say for England." Alec said before James could speak. I know it's more than that. He looked back into his former friend's eyes intensely; daring him to say it.

James replied, "It is for England." Alec was about to say something ripping for that, but James continued, "That's what I do. For England, Alec. That was the question you used to always ask me. For England? Yes, I did this for England." He never expected in having to defend himself against the traitor – his former friend and brother Trevelyan.

Trevelyan laughed; like he would really believe that. But he would go along to what Bond said. "If you are doing this for England," he started, raising his hands to emphasize what he was saying. "Why would England want me alive? After all, I'm a traitor, am I not?"

Yes, you are. James nodded. "Yes, you are, Alec, I know that." He forced himself to remain calm. You're cold because it keeps you alive, James, and I'm like fire because it keeps me alive. Michael's words calmed him. "What England wants is what I will ensure will happen."

"And that is?" Alec asked; curious.

James had to think for a moment. What was it? "You'll find that out once we return to the Queen's realm," he answered. That was it. He knew Alec was going to suspicious of his answer and not like it, but it didn't matter. It was the perfect answer for a question he didn't want to answer.

Trevelyan scoffed, "The Queen's realm?" He laughed. "Oh, yes, James, I bet you don't even know the answer." I should have known you would deflect this.

So, it became a standoff. It was a standoff, and a draw between the two men. Both gave each a ripping. Both fell to become a victim. Both betrayed. Neither knew who was going to win. All they could do was stare deep into each other's eyes and wait until they land in England; awaiting fate.

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TBC

End-note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I hope you all enjoy this story. Reviews are love!