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

Little did anyone know was that there was a secret entrance into M's private quarters. M never told anyone about it, but James had always been curious. So, he checked around; snooped a little too, and found what he was looking for. He decided not to confront M about it. He had told Michael about it first. Laugh it out, James. Surprise M. Surprise that English leader's ass off! James grinned. He would laugh it out, but as the current situation permitted, there was no time for jokes. I'll laugh it out later.

Trevelyan noticed the grin on his former friend's face. He knew he was not the one who had caused it. I no longer have the power to give such humor on your face, James. He was a little sad at that, but he wouldn't think any of it. The question was why James would grin when the purpose of their predicament was so solemn.

They were going through a secret tunnel or hallway. Trevelyan didn't know when this was made, but it looked like it was made long before he came.

Before he knew it he asked, "When did you find out about this?"

James didn't answer.A long time ago, Alec. He shook his head and put made signaled for him to be silent. He pointed at something to the side of them. Trevelyan followed the look that came with it and found a latch.

Bond remembered fondly when he told Michael about that latch. A latch? What? What kind of latch? He smiled; glad that Alec couldn't see it. He remembered his reply: It's wooden. He was joking of course, but he made sure that Stone didn't know that.

He flashed to the dumbstruck look that came from Michael's face.

"It's wooden?"

"Yes."

"Holy crap! Are you kidding me? What kind of secret tunnel would have a wooden latch? I mean - come on! How old can you British be? Are you all demented? A secret tunnel with a wooden latch…how great is that? That surely is very secretively cool!"

James had laughed so hard when he finally told Michael that it was steel made. The look on Michael's face was priceless. He couldn't believe what Bond said. Michael became very upset after that little trick. Stone wouldn't get over it for the next two months. The man sure knows how to bare a grudge.

Alec looked at the latch. That must mean this is where M's office is. But he didn't understand why James was showing him where to find it. He didn't understand. It didn't make any sense. Why give such vital information to a traitor? He didn't know. I'll keep this in mine though.

I shouldn't have shown, you this, Trevelyan. Why did he show it? He's been making so many decisions that surprises and he bet it surprised – Alec too. James couldn't seem to answer his own questions. He put his hand on the latch and laid his ear on the hidden door.

Alec placed his hands on his hip. He watched as Bond removed his ear from the hidden door as if "hearing' that no one was with M.

James turned the latch slowly; hoping now sound would be made. He would love to see the surprised look on M's face, but this was a new M. He didn't know her that well. He wasn't sure if she was the kind of person who could take his amount of his brand of teasing.

"Quietly," he muttered. He opened the door very slowly. James went through the door followed through by Alec.

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M was busy talking on the phone to an Italian friend. She was dealing with the usual business that her job beckoned.

"It doesn't matter, Verona," she said.

A sound came. She turned and to her surprise were Bond and someone else. She raised her eyebrows in question. She was surprised to see the two men. She was surprised that Bond knew about the secret tunnel.

"No matter, Verona, I'll call you later." M finished and then hung up. She looked at the two men before her.

"Double-ohh-seven?" she asked. She sat down and tucked her chair in her desk. "I see you succeeded in your mission." She was glad that Bond succeeded. She didn't want him to die.

……………………………………………………………

James nodded. He went to the seat in front of her and sat down in it. He crossed his leg and looked at M.

"Yes, GoldenEye is officially dealt with," he answered but his eyes were all on Trevelyan.

He was impressed. He knew Alex must be on edge. But he did not show it. He was what he once knew him. Trevelyan held himself straight. The only way he could tell that Trevelyan was on edge was because he knew Alec – or he once did. He had an experienced eye and he saw it clearly.

Alec looked at the new M. So, M is a she now? Another thing has changed ever since he left. He looked around the office. It changed too – not fully, but it did. The room was more filled with control and authority then the last time Alec was in here.

M followed James gaze. She looked at the stranger and then realization hit her. The old M gave her all the history that he could give her about what happened with Bond. She let her mind return to the many names that were associated with Bond. And then the name came into her mind: Alec Trevelyan.

"Please take a seat," she said to the green-eyed man. She noted that Trevelyan sat with a little hesitation. He finally at that hesitation took a seat on the other chair beside Bond.

M looked at James. "Would you like to explain?" she offered. She was interested on how Bond would explain it. She looked at both men. Yes, they aren't friends anymore.

James bent his head. How would he explain? He glanced at Alec and then back to M.

"Well…" he stopped himself. This wasn't going to be easy for him.

Alec watched both Bond and M. He knew that whatever explanation James gives that it would succeed in giving him a very hard time.

The debriefing didn't take that long for both men's surprise. James found it easy to explain everything. Once James finished, M's gaze laid down on Alec. The ex-agent tried unsuccessfully to not fidget under her gaze. M smiled slightly at returned her gaze to James, who had no problem being under her intense eyes.

"So, you leave me with the decision of what England should do about Mr. Trevelyan." M said.

James readily nodded. "Yes," he said; his eyes only on her. Michael would really like to meet you. I wonder how you would deal with him. He rubbed his chin. "It's your choice, M. We could put him in a high security cell, and have him tried and convicted for treason or… Well the latter can be filled by you."

Alec waited. It was no longer in his hands to talk. His life was, unfortunately, in their hands.

"Yes, my choice." M agreed. She looked long and hard at the two men before speaking again.

"You are a traitor." She was speaking to Alec. "Bond and I both know that. But…" She was now considering what she could do. "I know you have information; invaluable information to MI6." She's made her decision. Let's hope it's the right one. She wasn't sure if Bond would like it, but she didn't care. She was his boss. She could do what she wanted. She was M.

"Even if Mr. Bond and I agree that you are a traitor, I highly doubt there is enough evidence to prove that except for our word," she continued.

James tilted his head. She was up to something. What are you doing M?

"No evidence means there is no proof. I've been in MI6 for a long time. If there was a leak – thanks in part to your defection – I never heard a word about it. So, this is my idea."

She folded her hands and bored her eyes into both men. "Mr. Trevelyan I would like everything you know, and I would have in three days."

Are you serious?Alec wanted to snort, but he didn't. "Yes, you're correct in you assumptions, but what do I get out of this? What do I get by telling you what I know?" he asked.

James didn't say anything. He couldn't believe what M was doing. Michael I need you now.

M smiled grimly. She everything including very serious. "Yes, there is always a catch." She nodded. "You'll be spending only three days in a high security cell." Alec liked that sound of that, but James didn't like it. "But don't you think I'll set you loose. I will give you one thing; only one for you to give me the necessary information that you have."

"And that is?" Alec asked back as curiosity gotten the better of him.

"I hope you can tell me that, Mr. Trevelyan." M replied.

James rubbed his chin. It was his turn to not be able to talk.

Alec thought long and hard. What was this M offering him? He left MI6 for a reason. It was because of the British betrayal. His parents died in Russia thanks to that betrayal, to Stalin, and to utter shame. What could be his answer? Lauren… That was his answer. She was his answer. Lauren; he missed her so much. I can't do this for my parents. I have to do it for you Lauren. He had to do it for her.

"I want my status as a double-ooh back," he quietly said.

James was blown away.You want to be a double-ohh again! He couldn't believe what Alec just said.

M looked long and hard to Trevelyan. She glanced at James and knew he wasn't happy about any of it. Both she and Trevelyan knew that it was not Bond's place. It was her decision on whether or not to reinstate him.

"Very well," she agreed. "You'll be double-ooh-six once again." Alec sighed. He was home free. James grimaced; quite unhappy about the certain folds of this event. "But there must and will be conditions." Alec nodded. He didn't doubt that. "You must be evaluated for both your mental stability and your physical stability for a week. And if you past that, you'll return to your normal position, but this time, by double-ohh-seven's side."

Before James could protest, M put her hand up. "My word is final. Once done with those test, double-ohh-six, I expect you to partner up with double-ohh-seven until he thinks your capable of being trusted of doing your own missions."

M looked at James. "Whether you two like this or not, it will be done. James I know for quite sometime you have been doing most of your joint missions with our number one ally. So, I suggest you inform your CIA friend that if you want to do another joint mission, you have to bring along Mr. Trevelyan."

Alec had been looking at James. He was content at the fact that he was not going to hung like most traitors. But he could not help but wonder who this CIA friend is. James, working with a Central Intelligence agent? Not possible. Yet, he saw that glint. He saw a particular glint rise in Bond's eyes at the mention of CIA. Something else happened since his departure. He wanted to know what.

James could hardly believe his luck. This was not how he wanted it all to go down. How did I want it to? He didn't know. Why didn't he know anything? The presence of his former friend was jumbling up his thoughts, and now that he is officially reinstated – it made everything practically worse. He doubted that he and Alec would make it to have a joint mission with Michael. We haven't worked together for so long, Stone, what makes me think that we will again? What happened? He didn't know what happened. They didn't depart badly. They departed with laughter. It didn't make any sense.

M nodded at the both of them. "Dismissed," she said.

She watched as the two, who she knew were both heavily in thought, walk out the normal door. She shook her head.

"I hope I made the right choice."

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TBC

End-note: Yes! This one is a lot longer than I expected. Good! Well, I hope you still enjoy this story. I can't wait to update my next chapter. Reviews are love and they keep me going!