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

"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."

(To have the audacity?)

James washed his face with water as cold as ice. Well, at least close to ice as possible. He needed the freezing temperate of that liquid to soothe him, to numb him and his senses.

However, that didn't work.

He received some comfort from Michael's letter, but it didn't compare to actually having his friend Stone with him.

Today was the second to the last day of Alec's mental and physical evaluation. He couldn't watch the mental evaluation.

Therefore, he instead, watched most of the physical evaluations.

From what he's been able to see, Alec was in good shape. He didn't lose anything from his training. He was still an able sniper, fighter, and combat man. Russia and the Janus syndicate didn't change his skills.

James wasn't surprised at that. He remembered his fight with Alec. The former friend nearly beat him. Nearly, he thought.

After all of this, they would be on their first mission together since his former friend's supposed death. M already gave me one. It's soon, but it happened. I can't do anything about that, he thought. He wondered out that would go. Somehow, he didn't think it would go that well. He won't be released until I trust. But could he trust Alec?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The sessions were officially over. Alec Trevelyan no longer has to be evaluated.

Alec was now in his loft. It wasn't the same loft that he was occupied before his "death." He knew that if he was to be what he was then he might as well own some sort of housing.

The loft was okay for him. It wasn't too big, but it wasn't too small. It fit him. He knew he wouldn't be staying it all the time since his status as a double-ohh required him to be gone most of his time.

The loft had one bedroom, an office, a small kitchen, a small dining area; a living room fit for two, and of course, the loo.

Alec didn't buy that much for his new place. He had a bed, a sofa, and a dining table. He got a desk and a little of the latest technology. Of course, he got more clothes and extra clothes for himself, but nothing more.

He took off his tie and ran his fingers through his hair. He had just gotten through his final session with the physical examiner and the shrink. He was exhausted, but glad that it was over with.

He went to the cooler and grabbed a bottle of Bourbon. He took out a glass from a cabinet and poured some of the Bourbon into it. He shook his head as if to shake something off of him. He took the glass and drank the whole thing in one gulp.

He thought back on his physical evaluation. Some evaluation… he thought. Alec poured himself another glass.

In a week, he went through a tough workout, and session. The training wasn't like the old days. It was still the same in some ways, but there was some new stuff. He went through the usual: knives, hand to hand combat, fencing, archery, etc, etc.

He was beckoned to show what he already knew, to show how much he can learn, and to fight many opponents.

"You can still do a back flip?" the instructor asked him. Alec smiled slightly to himself as he thought back on it. He answered simply by doing the back flip as subtly requested.

He didn't doubt his abilities. He made sure he would never lose any of the knowledge given to him at an earlier time in his past.

The instructor was didn't seem too surprised that he could do what he was told to do. He, after all, was trained as an elite assassin. That was how he got to be a double-ohh. MI6 wouldn't let some green agent become something that isn't handed to many people. It was considered a privilege to a double-ohh, and Alec didn't take it lightly. He never had. He worked hard to become one, and to be reinstated.

Now at first, it was the mental evaluation that worried him. The question ran through his head after M told him that was what he had to go through. But the worry was only a momentary thing. He gained his confidence, and knew instantly that he would be able to get through the whole thing.

His mind flashed to second session.

"Mr. Trevelyan, have you ever fallen love?" asked the psychiatrist.

What kind of question is that? His mind flashed back to Lauren and her smile. He nodded at the shrink, and replied, "Yes, once."

The psychiatrist nodded himself and wrote something on his little notepad.

"It is no secret that you had a close friendship with Agent Bond. Did you think about that friendship when you 'died?'" the shrink then asked slowly.

Did I think about James? Like I said to him, I would have asked him to join me, but he was a man of the job, not of friendship. "No, I did not think of him," replied without a second thought.

The psychiatrist just looked at him.

Alec looked back as blankly as possible.

Alec put aside the cup, and drank directly from the bottle of Bourbon. I couldn't think about you, James. I was doing busy thinking about my parents.
That's what he did all for, wasn't it? He did it after everything the British did to his parents. I said yes to the deal because I need to get over it. He knew he couldn't live in the past. He chose his life and his future over his parents' life and the past.

It would take a lot till James could trust him. I doubt that he ever can. Alec knew he was in for a ride of his life. He only hoped that the ride won't kill him in the end.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

TBC

End-note: I hope you all enjoyed this. I'm sorry it is so short, but the next chapter should be up very soon.