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. This is one long chapter. Review!
Michael Stone walked into the New York loft with Chinese takeout in a bag. He had just gotten off his op a day ago. He succeeded in killing the mark and capturing a priceless gem that an ally of his needed. He was exhausted, but he felt good, and besides, he couldn't just go home and rest. He promised his sister that he would come home.
"Lauren!" he called as he looked around the living room.
There was loud music playing. It was one of the "Hail to the Chief" remixes that a friend of Lauren made.
Hey, this song isn't that bad. Michael shrugged. He went into the dining room and placed the takeout on the table.
"Sis, I've brought your walnut prawns! If you don't come out here, I will eat it all!" he warned.
He opened the carton for the Walnut Prawns and let his chopsticks grab one. He lifted it up to his mouth, but had his hand slapped and the prawn fell on the table.
"Hey!" he cried. "I was going to eat that."
"Not my walnut prawns." Lauren Benedict replied as she took the carton of the said food almost possessively. "That wasn't a very good threat. You know that if you ate them, I would have kicked your balls."
Michael grinned. "I know," he answered.
He liked seeing his sister like this. She was healed. No longer was her lover's death haunting her. She was happy. So, that made him happy.
Lauren gave her big brother a kiss on the cheek. "Nah, I wouldn't do that to you…" she assured, and then took a bite of her walnut prawn in one of her chopsticks.
"Really?" Stone asked in disbelief. He's been on her side of anger. She was in fact viscous as a child. He knew better.
His sister smiled almost shamelessly. "Of course. I would cut them off rather than kick them." Lauren said.
"Ouch!" Michael said as he placed a hand over his heart. "You are a cruel woman."
Lauren laughed and her brown eyes gleamed. "I've learned all that cruelty from our dear cousin."
"Speaking of cousin how is she?"
"Fine, I guess. But I suspect you know better."
"Yeah, she's in Romania."
"Business or pleasure?"
"You know our cousin, she's all business."
Lauren gave her brother a glare. "And you pleasure," she chastised.
"Hey! That's not my fault. Life is a pleasure!" Michael said in his own defense as he opened up another carton which held Chow-Mien.
Lauren shook her head. Her long black hair shined along with her brown eyes. Michael thought she looked so beautiful. He couldn't believe how blessed he was to have a sister like her.
"I wonder how two of my most beloved relatives, besides our parents and Uncle Robert, became CIA officers – agents – or whatever you guys call yourselves." Lauren commented with a strange smile.
Michael didn't like that smile. It was the smile she would use when she was remembering another beloved. She was remembering her lost love. God, no… The far away look came into her eyes. The touch of pain and grief came out of them. No…
"We believe in what we do, Lauren. We do it for our family, for the people we love, and for our country. Besides this is what we are really good at whether you – or anyone else say. This is us." Michael slowly explained trying to sound mean. He wanted to convey to his sister that her lover (whose name she never revealed, but admitted was an MI6 agent) did his job for the very same reason he and Bond did theirs.
Oh, Lauren, if only you could have told me who this MI6 agent is that you fell in love with. Then maybe I could ask James about the mysterious lover.Michael carefully watched his sister. She still hadn't come out of her memories.
"Lauren?" he asked unsure of himself and of his sister. Get out of it. Don't let yourself go back to that place. I don't want you to turn into a – a –a – ghost. Please…
The worry inside of Michael's soul was almost overwhelming but luckily Lauren seemed to snap out of whatever she was seeing in her mind. She gave her big brother a big smile and said, "So, what you want to drink?"
Change of subject? Or totally clueless of your zone out? Michael didn't know. All he knew was that Lauren got out of the cage. She didn't fall for the trap. Everything was alright again.
Michael smiled back. He nodded. "You got any Pepsi?"
"With some Jack Daniels?" Lauren asked expertly getting what Stone was thinking.
"Of course."
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Daniel Stiles, the undersecretary, handed over the official gun of a 00 which was only used during private ceremonies to Alec.
They were in a conference room. There were five other people in the room besides Stiles and Alec. There was M, Moneypenny, Bill Tanner, Charles Robinson, and of course, despite the fact that he didn't want to be there, James Bond.
This was hard for James. After everything that has happened between him and Alec, he wasn't sure if he could stop himself from objecting. Why can't he go with someone else? He looked at M. They locked eyes. This was your idea. And I don't have to like it.
M gave him a cool small smile. Her eyes said: I don't care, Bond. I can do what I want. Deal with it.
"At this moment, you are a double-ohh." Stiles said. "Double-ohh-six. You know about the conditions and you have past. Do you accept what you are about to become?"
Alec wanted to laugh at the question. It was a new question. He didn't understand why he had to go through all the ceremony, but that is what has to happen then it will happen. Do I accept what I am about to become? Yes, that was a laughable question to Trevelyan. You should have asked that to me a long time ago.
"I accept," he answered. His eyes strayed to where Bond was standing. Double-ohh-seven was looking down. Why's that James? Can't handle what's happening?
James looked down at his shoes. He didn't like the fact there was this new addition to being a double-ohh; a ceremony. He didn't get it. He couldn't help thinking about Michael when Stiles asked Trevelyan if he could accept everything.
He was remembering when Michael told him about his own personal CIA rite of passage.
"I swear there was no talking. No damn talking. I just was sent out into one of the largest rooms that I have ever seen… And bam! over fifty ass people come at me with guns and knives… Surprised the shit out of me!"
"So what did you do?"
James almost smiled at seeing Michael's boyish grin. "I did what I always do best."
"What? Run?"
"No, kick some ass."
Then he felt something. He felt like someone was watching him. He looked up. It was Alec who was looking at him.
Their eyes locked. A million of thoughts ran through both of their heads. Their wills were crashing into each other. The battle began. It was almost like old times – almost. There was a new thing in it; something that came in when James found out that Trevelyan was Janus.
A whirl of words came between them, but they couldn't describe them. They knew if asked about what's happening that they'll never be able to answer. It was complicated.
They were waiting for the other to break. They were both stubborn so neither would be the first to look away.
"Bond, I'll like to speak to you in private." M's voice interrupted.
James blinked. He turned to M and nodded. "That's fine," he replied. I thought that stare-down would last forever.
Alec saw the look M was giving all of them. So, he gave everyone a handshake except for James and followed Moneypenny, Tanner, Stiles, and Robinson out of the room with a last glance at James. Would you win the next time it happens? Or will I?
Indeed, that was a question that he wanted answered. Another time.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Michael and Lauren were now sitting on their respective couches drinking their Pepsismixed with good 'ole Jack Daniels. There was a change of music. No longer were the remixes that Lauren's friend gave her. It was Bon Jovi singing "Livin' on a Prayer."
"What did you do to stop Christian from hitting on me?" Lauren asked with a bright small on her face.
They were talking about the old days when they were far more innocent then they were now.
Michael shrugged. "Persuasion."
"Persuasion?" Lauren asked; a little confused. "That's not an answer. A man can do a lot of things to persuade somebody." She looked at her brother dead in the eye. "What did you do?"
"Nothing!" Michael replied. He looked back at his sister. He saw the look in her eyes. It had some accusation and amusement in them. "What?" he asked. "Why do you always give me that look? I don't do bad things. I did nothing."
Lauren snorted. "Right…"
"What?" Michael asked. "I didn't do anything bad."
"Why do I doubt that?"
"I knew it! You think I tortured him or something!"
Lauren's eyes widened. She then grinned. "No, I don't think you tortured him…" she replied sarcastically.
"Crap! You know sarcasm too!" Michael cried in his own mocking like way. "Well, now I know I'm in trouble."
Lauren slapped her brother's arm. She smiled and continued, "Seriously, what did you do to him?"
"I persuaded him by - telling him that if he doesn't stop hitting on you that I'll tell everyone in his school that he - willingly gave a blowjob to a male hooker…and that I have – proof." Michael explained with a cheeky grin.
Lauren just stared at her brother. She nipped her lip then laughed. The laughter was music to Michael's ears.
"So, you are saying that you…um – blackmailed him?" Lauren asked although she already knew the answer.
Michael grinned. "I prefer to call it very – effective persuasion."
They looked long at each other. The love between them was evident to each other. Michael grinned wider as Lauren scrunched her nose as she took another gulp of her drink.
Yes, everything was well between them. So, they laughed until they couldn't breathe.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Before James could ask what the private conversation was about, M started.
"I need to know." M said. "I need to know that you'll remain object throughout this course of you being partners with Trevelyan."
She gave Bond a stern and long look. "Can you be objective or can you not?"
Can I? James didn't answer immediately. He knew that he was still reeling from the aftereffect of knowing what Alec did. The question repeated in his mind. Could he make sure his feelings don't get in the way? Can I control myself?
Finally he found an answer, but he wasn't sure M would like it.
"I don't know." James dumbly said, but it was the truth. He did not know if he could be objective.
M looked disappointed. She went to the door and opened it.
"Try," she plainly said and then left; leaving James Bond standing alone with his thoughts.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Through the whole evaluation Alec Trevelyan had one thing that intrigued him; one thing that he could not stop thinking about. His mind was on the mysterious CIA agent who has been quite a person of topic ever since he came.
His first heard about the stranger when he was catching up with his old trainer Sam Tully. Sam wasn't the one who outright told him about the CIA agent. It was thanks to his keen hearing that he heard about the stranger. It was two trainees that were talking about the CIA agent as they were picking out their weapons for their practice.
He heard: "I want to meet him," said one.
"Who doesn't?" asked the other. "The man's CIA. The best of CIA."
"Sounds like he's the equivalent of double-ohh-seven."
"He is."
The equivalent of Bond.
Who was this mysterious Central Intelligence agent that had everyone talking – or at least nodding in agreement? Who was this man who became a favored partner of James Bond that no one except for himself could do?
But a CIA agent?That was what surprised Alec.
So, he made it his mission to find out all he can about the CIA friend from that M mentioned.
Alec knew that he would learn nothing about the CIA agent from his mental evaluator. He would get better information from his physical evaluators, trainees, and trainer partners.
"Have I heard of him?" cried a trainee. "Who hasn't heard of that CIA guy? He's said to be the best intelligence agent in the world. Even better than – dare I say it – than Double-Ohh-Seven!"
Better than Bond? That's a big thing to put on a man. Alec was intrigued at the fact that this CIA agent was called to be better than Bond.
He remembered the stories he heard about thee Double-Ohh-Seven. He heard how great James Bond was and how intimidated he felt when he was set to partner up with Bond when he was first installed as a double-ohh.
"Oh, I've seen the man!" said one of the evaluators. "Well, I don't know him well, but I do know that the man's skills are insane! I get why Bond is friends with him. They're practically twins."
Insane skills? Twins? Those two things instantly came into his mind.Insane skills? Alec knew right then that the man was a capable fighter – no more than capable, because to be like a twin of Bond means that one has to be more than just great – one has to be the best. Twins. Bond and Trevelyan were once called twins too; the Playboy twins.
"Never seen anyone like that CIA agent," said Marley, a weapons helper. "He's one of a kind. A class all his own."
A class all his own? Alec didn't really know what to think of that. He could only compare that sentence to what people had called himself and Bond, or what he and Bond had called certain allies, villains, and some women. A class all his own? That sentence made the man sound very formidable.
"I don't know a lot, but from what I've seen and heard – he and Bond equal trouble: countless pranks including some directed towards me," said his flexibility trainer.
Pranksters?The man was a prankster. I bet that he played pranks with Bond too. That made sense to him. This new mysterious CIA agent grew more and more interesting by the moment to Alec. A prankster?
Even after all that, the questions persisted to plague his mind. He needed more information.
So, now that he had his little ceremony, he mission was to go to the one person that would know all that he wants to find out besides the CIA man himself and Bond. Alec would go to Q.
He was walking to Q's Branch when he bumped into someone.
"Oh, please forgive me!"
Alec and the person he bumped into looked at each other.
It was Moneypenny.
Alec never really had the chance to speak with his old friend and casual flirt companion until now. He knew that no one really explained why he disappeared, and he knew that most didn't know about how he was thought to be deceased. It was better that the rest remained ignorant even Moneypenny.
"Hello, Moneypenny," he greeted with a soft smile, but his eyes were careful not to show what he was thinking.
Moneypenny, too, was quite shocked that she bumped into Alec. But she had a lovely smile on her face. She still thought of Alec as a friend.
"Hello, Alec. Sorry about the bump," she replied.
Alec grinned when she said bump. He felt himself go back in time when he used to flirt and banter with her.
"I don't mind bumping into you at all – although bumping inside is a better thought," he said.
Moneypenny laughed. "Still the same… I'm disappointed. I thought you matured ever since your absence."
Absence? Yeah, that's a great way to call it. "No, I'm sorry to disappoint, but there is no change." Alec replied. He shrugged as he continued, "I'm still my dirty – I mean dirty man."
"You mean boy? Don't you?" Moneypenny asked with a grin. She gave Alec a kiss on the cheek. "I've wanted to do that for quite some time."
Alec grinned wider. "I bet you have."
"Don't let that go to your head, James still hasn't with me." Moneypenny said.
He never does.It was then something clicked inside Alec's mind. He could ask Moneypenny about the Central Intelligence agent.
"Can I ask you about something – I mean someone?" he asked.
"Sure." Moneypenny consented with a nod. "What do you want to know?"
"Well…" Alec started. How am I going to ask you? Should I be subtle or should I say it straight. He scratched his chin. "Do you know about that CIA agent?" he finally asked.
At the mention of the mysterious Central Intelligence agent, Moneypenny made a weird face. Alec didn't know what to make of it, but then, Moneypenny laughed.
"Do I know him?" Moneypenny asked. She laughed again, and moved some of her hair behind her ear. "Yes, Alec, I know him. His name's Michael Stone."
Michael Stone…"When did he come here?" he asked.
"About two years after your absence."
Two years…"Really? Well, what's was your first impression? Has it changed?"
"First impression…" Moneypenny slowly said as her mind went back to when she first met Michael. "All I can say is my first impression was like the one I had with James. And now…I think of him and James on the page."
On the same page… That's all I really need to know. "Thanks, Moneypenny."
She smiled at him and he returned it. "No problem, Alec." She walked away, but the paused. She turned to Alec and said as if giving advice, "Michael Stone is someone that you can either hate or love. I guess that's the only thing different between him and Bond. There's no in-between for Stone."
With that she walked away leaving Alec alone with his thoughts.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
"When will you start traveling?" Michael asked his sister as they were watching Law and Order.
Lauren shrugged as she took a sip of her drink. "I don't now, Mike," she replied. She looked at her brother and implored, "Do you think I'm up for it?"
Michael saw the look in her eyes. He wanted to console her, but he knew that it wasn't his decision.
"That's not my call, Lauren," he replied.
Lauren returned her gaze to the T.V. but she couldn't pay attention to the storyline.
"I haven't traveled for seven and half years. I've been so busy…" she couldn't finish her thoughts. Her mind was traveling down memory lane.
"Grieving." Michael finished. He knew exactly what she was thinking. She was thinking about the MI6 agent.
Lauren was half reeled from her memory. She smiled slightly at her brother's comment. "Yes, grieving," she said. She paused. "I think it's time for me to move, no?"
Michael too looked back at the T.V. "Yes, and I'll visit you as many times as I can," he replied.
Lauren slapped her brother's thigh. She looked at him and grinned; finally getting out of her memory.
"You better! Dearest cousin rarely does," she said.
Michael sighed. "She works closely with the President, you know," he tried to explain.Our cousin does a lot of thing for our Presidents.
"I know she does." Lauren replied. She huffs. "She 'Hails the Chief' very well."
"Yes, she does." Michael agreed.
A loud ring came. Michael looked at the phone. He went to it and picked it up. "Stone," he greeted.
Lauren watched him curiously.
"You got this number?" Michael said through the receiver. "Uh-uh…yes….that's correct…affirmative action my ass…No, that's fine… Seven… Nine… Rhino… Alright…Catch you later…"
Lauren frowned slightly. She didn't like the idea that Michael's superior called her phone.
"Do you have to go?" she asked.
Michael smiled. I know your worries. "No, I've been gone too long. I got to have some rest."
"Rest?" Lauren asked in an incredulous voice. She grinned as mischievous grin. "You never rest!"
Michael grinned back. He tilted his head in agreement. "Well, I guess you're right," he gave. He nodded again as his grin matched hers. "Yeah, you're right I don't."
And with that he launched onto her. Lauren screamed a "hey," but that wouldn't stop Michael. He latched himself onto his sister and started to tickle her sides.
"No…" Lauren said. She wanted to say more, but she couldn't stop laughing. It was beyond her control.
That's what they did for the rest of the hour. They went into a tickle fight which was initiated by Michael.
Laughter; that's what they both needed.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
James Bond ran his hands through his face. He just got a warning and an order from M.
Don't let your feelings get in the way or consequences will occur.
What consequences? Will you fire me? Of course, he wouldn't let his feelings get in the way. Sure, he would be tempted, but he wouldn't let it come to going out of hand. He wasn't a double-ohh for nothing. He was a professional.
Personal feelings won't change his performance. He won't lower a bar, and he won't go too far either. He would do what he always does: his job.
He looked at his Walther PPK. He used that to replace the Berretta. He still liked to use the Berretta, but the PPK was the standard issue of MI6. It met all the requirements: caliber is 7.65mm, capacity is 6 rounds, length in total is 6.7 inches, and height is 3.93 inches. It was quite perfect.
James remembered the reason for getting his issue. His old Berretta jammed. But luckily for him, the armourer, Q, gave him the PPK after that incident. The official gun of a secret agent. He knew why it was so. The Walther PPK was small in size with a flat design which made it ideal for concealment. What more does a MI6 agent want?
The PPK has saved his life on many occasions. Whether it was lost or damaged he would always get replacement that is much like the original.
The first victim was Professor Dent. He smiled lightly as he remembered that mission. It was the Dr. No mission. That was a long time ago.
That was when he was alone in his missions. That was way before he met Alec. Before I became friends with him. It was before he met Michael.Before I met him too. That mission reminded him of the old days. Of how it used to be when he was alone. He wondered if it was better to be in those days.
I may be alone, but at least I don't have to deal with Vesper's death. I wouldn't have to deal with betrayal.
"For queen and country, James?" Michael asked him when he held his own Walther PPK at him.
James smirked. "So people tell me," he replied.
For queen, and country… Is that the real reason? Or was it something that has been drilled so deep into his brain that he doesn't know that different between his thoughts and the MI6's? Queen and country.
His mind suddenly went to the Old Man. The only man I openly feared. The Old Man was M when he was very green, and when he was first made a double-ohh, and few missions after that.
James fondly remembered when the Old Man ordered Moneypenny to make the record say "take 2 weeks leave" instead being removed from his mission. I knew he always liked me.
When the Old Man left, it was Admiral Hargreaves who took over as the new M. He was the ideal replacement. The man who was bald except for some remaining brown hair, who was well groomed, of a medium build, and was well dressed, provided him with the necessary authority and air of complacency. Of course, James would never admit that to him even if the man was officially retired.
But then everything changed; now there was a new M. This M was a female. She had closed cropped blackish-gray hair, and blue eyes. Those eyes could scare away any man. She dresses stylishly, but also, professionally.
This was the first time that a woman has ever been the head of MI6. It was shocking, but not surprising to him. The world was changing. A man wasn't the big shot anymore. It was the women who were the big shots.
"I have a cousin. You know?" Michael said.
James raised an eyebrow. "Really?" he asked. "Finally you're telling me something about a family member that is not your sister."
Michael laughed. "I'm trying to make a point, Jimmy."
"Then do point, Mikey."
"She's ambitious."
"Ambitious?"
"Yeah, and you know what they say?"
James frowned. "No, I don't."
Michael smiled. "Not many men can handle a woman…least of all – an ambitious one."
"So you're telling me not to underestimate an ambitious woman?"
"No, I'm telling you not to underestimate any woman."
I should have taken his advice. He like many others underestimated the new M. He had to admit that he thought with the rest of MI6 that the rest of their careers would be relaxing. We were wrong. She stricter than her predecessor. And it was the truest thing that Michael has ever thought. But she was also like her predecessor. She possesses the same unemotional and non-humorous characteristics as her predecessor, who was able to strike fear in her agents. Did he fear her? He had to admit it to himself. Yes, a little. He called her a woman mostly concerned with numbers. But she had a comeback in hand and ready.
"You're a sexist, misogynist dinosaur…"
James wanted to slightly laugh at that. She had called him a misogynist dinosaur. He had never been called that before.
"James."
Bond looked up at the voice. He was met by his good old friend Bill Tanner and his newly made friend Charles Robinson. He was surprised that Robinson was away from M. He usually is always by her side.
"Tanner," he greeted. "Robinson." He slowly put a smile on his face. "What do I have the pleasure of your company?"
Tanner smiled. "The pleasure of another mission."
"You're first with the newly instated Double-Ohh-Six." Robinson finished.
James nodded. Already?"What's it about?" he asked.
Robinson handed Bond a CD.
"What? You've given me someone's music?" James asked.
"No, all the introductions you and Alec need are in there. Just play it and listen." Tanner instructed.
Simple…"Alright…" he drawled. He then lifted up an invisible hat and said, "Good day gentlemen." And thusly he then left the two men and started to go down to Q's Branch.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Alec Trevelyan looked at the door that was the entrance to Q's Branch. It's been some time since he last been in there.
He always liked Q.
Q had white hair, was of a medium complexion and of medium build. He always seemed to wear a lab coat, and seems to be against stylish suits. Despite that difference between them, Alec always enjoyed the company of the "Gadget Master."
Alec always thought that Q was a mad inventor. He smiled fondly at Q's short temper when he was faced with Bond's and his own juvenile and cavalier attitude towards the bizarre and very useful gadgets. Poor sense of fashion. I still don't understand why he doesn't enjoy the wonders of designer suits. And Q had no interest in woman which was considered as the most blasphemous and stunningly horrible thing that he and James have ever heard of.
His mind went back to when he and Bond talked privately about it.
"No interest in women?" Bond asked to himself in disbelief.
"I know. Unbelievable…" he said.
James then got a look. It was a look that meant he had an idea.
"What?" he asked.
"We should put him in a room with crowded woman…" James slowly said.
Alec shook his head. "Nah, good idea, though. But Q would probably start rambling about his latest invention. Doubt that he would take any interest."
Some say that he has a limited sense of humor apart from the occasional practical joke and odd remark. But Alec knew that even if the humor came on occasion, the humor was effective.
Overall, Q was a very loyal ally to Her Majesty the Queen. He was a good man. He was someone who was a good person to be near no matter how bizarre things could be with him.
Ready or not…Alec pushed through the door. He was met a familiar room. He couldn't help but smile. There was something that he had missed.
He saw Q fixing up one of his inventions with a small smile. Where does he get his ideas?
It was then that Q noticed or recognized him.
"Welcome back, lad, I've never thought I'd you again!" Q greeted with his usual amount of cheerfulness.
Alec nodded in agreement. "Me too," he said. "But here I am."
Q came over to him and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Finally you've come to see me down here. When did you come back?" Q asked.
From my absence?"A few days ago," he simply answered.
"A few days ago…" Q muttered. His eyes lit up. "Yes, yes…" he dismissed with his hand. "How are you, Alec?" he then asked.
How am I? Alec shrugged. "I'm fine, Q…" he slowly said.
Q didn't look like he believed Trevelyan. He looked curiously into Alec's green eyes.
"I see questions in your eyes…" he said. "What are they, lad?"
So inquisitive…Alec laughed. "Is it that obvious?" he asked. He saw the look in his old friend's eyes and nodded. "Yes, I have some questions."
Q smiled. "Well, as the young ones say: shoot!"
Alec rubbed his eyes. "Tell me, Q, have you met this Michael Stone?" he finally asked.
"Michael Stone?" Q repeated.
Trevelyan nodded.
"Yes, I've met the boy." Q said. He searched his memory of the CIA agent. He went on to describe the agent. Tall man; quite taller than you and sometimes he looks taller than Bond. The darkest eyes I have ever seen – which matched with his black hair. His hair must be curly for I always see his hair gelled."
Alec could almost picture Michael Stone, but that wasn't enough. He needed to know more.
"What about his attitude – his disposition?" he asked.
Q almost grinned at the question – almost. "He carries common traits with both you and James," he explained. "His humor is exceptionally – exceptional. And his skills in hand to hand combat and weaponry are – eh, exceptional."
Alec almost squinted at that explanation. Exceptional… "When did this…." He started slowly. How was he going to word it? "When did this -alliance start?"
"Alliance?" Q asked with a frown. He shook his head. "Sure, it could be described as an alliance, but I think the correct format for those two is the word – friendship."
"All I know is that it all started a year after your supposed death. I guess Michael was able to give…."
Alec cocked an eyebrow, but quickly put it down. The only thing he could think of as the ending of Q's sentence was comfort.
"Comfort?" he finished.
"Yes, comfort." Q gave. "I knew very well that James needed that." He gave Alec a meaningful look. "He was in a terrible mood ever since he thought you died. Michael was able to console him and bring him out of it."
Alec didn't know what to think about Bond being in a terrible mood. It made sense. They were in fact friends once. James did have to grieve.
Q then continued, "So… ever since that first meeting…they've been inseparable…"
"Until now." Alec replied.
Q nodded. "Yes, until now… It's quite ironic actually. You arrive and Michael disappears."
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"Well, that's depressing…" Lauren said as she watched the news.
Michael and Lauren were both exhausted after their tickle fight. They were now sitting on Lauren's couch watching the news.
Stone nodded in agreement. "Yes, it is. I thought he was very funny."
They just heard the news that the actor and comedian John Candy has past away due to heart failure.
"I'd never thought that he would die." Michael said in disbelief.
Lauren nodded. "We never think any other people die too…" she said sadly. "But they do."
Must you always… No, it's not your fault. You loved him. Michael took the remote and turned off the T.V. He gave his sister a long look, and then took her hand.
"But they do go off into a better place…" he said in order to comfort his sister.
Lauren didn't hear him. Her mind was off into another place; another time – where everything about her life was perfect.
"Promise me something, Alec…" she said.
Alec gave her one of his dashing smiles. "Of course, darling. Anything."
She gave him a quick kiss. "Promise me that you'll never leave me – that you'll never leave on a mission for too long; that'll you'll always be by my side."
Alec had laughed. "That's a lot to promise about…"
"Don't joke, Alec."
"Okay, I'm sorry, but you do know what they say…"
"No, I don't know what they say."
"Never say never."
"Oh, God, I hate that saying."
Alec laughed again. "I know you do." He gave her a long kiss. He looked at her straight in the eyes and smiled. "I promise."
"He broke his promise."
Michael ears perked up. She didn't say it loud enough for him to comprehend it, but he knew that she said something.
"What, sis?" he asked. Talk to me.
Lauren blinked. She didn't realize she said it out loud.
"Nothing, Mike, I said nothing," she tried to dismiss.
But Michael would have nothing of it.
"It's not nothing; just tell me what you said." Michael insisted.
Lauren's eyes grew sad. The reminder of the words she had with Alec was still fresh on her mind.
She knew that she needed to talk. She just needed to let it out. And who better to confide in then her brother.
"He promised me that he'll never leave me." Lauren repeated. Her voice was filled with pain and grief as she repeated again, "He promised me that he'll never leave me alone."
It was after the word alone that Lauren broke down. The pain was too much. The wound no matter how old it was – was still fresh. Her love for Alec deepened with every day that passes. Her yearning for him grew more and more. She missed him so much.
So, the tears started to fall. The salty tears came down her eyes, fell down her cheeks, and to the couch. Lauren started to shake. It was all too much. She couldn't take it.
Michael felt helpless. His mind flashed to his conversation with James. It was the conversation where he first told James about his sister's plight. He told James that all he could do was only watch.
No, I will not only watch. He would not just watch. He couldn't make that same mistake again. No, he would be Lauren's brother; just Lauren's brother.
He carefully took her in his arms. She burrowed her head deep into his chest. She wept, and Michael just held her; rubbing her back in circles.
Comforting was a familiar thing that Michael does. He unknowingly comforted James about Trevelyan, and now he was comforting Lauren for her MI6 agent.
But there was a question still in the air.
What would James and his sister do without him to comfort them?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
It was ironic to Alec.I come up alive, and this Michael Stone disappears as if he were dead. He couldn't help but think that fate traded him for Michael and vice versa. It was all strange, but understandable in way.
"Keep an eye on him, Alec. He's been in a terrible mood without Michael." Q advised. "Lift up his spirits like I know you can."
………………………………………………………………………………………………
"Keep an eye on him, Alec. He's been in a terrible mood without Michael. Lift up his spirits like I know you can."
James frowned. So, you've been curious about Michael. That's not surprising. He just expected Trevelyan to start asking questions after a mission or two. Guess I was incorrect…
"My mood's not that terrible," he said; letting them both know that he was in the Branch and near them. "I do can do a lot without Michael."
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Alec looked at his former best friend. James wouldn't look at him in the eyes. No, Bond was just looking at Q.
Why won't you face me, James?
………………………………………………………………………………………………
James couldn't look at Trevelyan. He didn't want to, but after awhile, he forced himself. He let his blue eyes meet Alec's green ones. You left me for revenge. That's why I'm just a bit sour.
He moved his eyes from Alec back to Q.
Q replied to this with a gentle smile, "I'm sure you can, but you have Alec again. Two strong allies on your corner…" He laughed. "You are one lucky and safe man."
James tilted his head in mock consideration. Lucky and safe…I don't know about that.
He looked back at Alec. He showed his former friend the CD.
"We've got a mission, Alec," he simply said.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
"Business as usual…" Q said.
James didn't show one reaction to that double-faced statement.
"What do you got for us?" he said.
Alec felt like snorting. He knew Bond didn't really mean us. Will there ever be us again, James? It didn't seem likely.
Q nodded and started walking, and James and Alec followed.
The three instantly went back to the old routine. Q walked ahead and showed them their gadgets and – well James and Alec despite the tension between them were – themselves.
Q picked up a Rolex watch.
James raised an eyebrow. That's original. "Um, I have one of those already," he mentioned, and showed the Rolex that he was wearing.
"Are you going as the American's say: 'old school?'" he continued.
Q frowned. "I don't know about 'old school.'"
James snorted.
Q glared at him. "Once again, it's a Rolex."
Alec snorted also. "We know that, Q."
James mood lowered. He didn't know if he liked that Alec was agreeing with him.
"It has a tape recorder in it." Q continued. "Able to record over five hours…"
"Is that it?" James replied. "Some Rolex with tape recording abilities…"
"I'm not finished yet, Bond…" Q hissed.
He picked up some small button-like things. "It's like the Omega Seamaster I gave you on the Janus mission. What happened to that anyway?"
Ah, to arm or disarm. Alec knew that watch. It wasn't surprising that it was something that Q could give. That's why he took away from Bond before he could do anything.
James shrugged. "Well… I may have misplaced or left it behind back in Cuba…" he explained.
Q shook his head furiously. "You always disappoint me, James. Destroying everything!"
"Ah, c'mon, Quartermaster," James said. "I don't destroy everything…"
That statement made Alec roll his eyes. He nodded at James as he talked.
"Please… This comes from man who's destroyed every vehicle that you've ever given him." Alec put in. "I don't think you can trust him with anything."
He gave James a look.Would you join in? You should because Q doesn't know that I was formerly Janus the two-faced god. His eyes challenged his former friend.
James looked back. I know exactly what you are thinking about. He was reluctant, but he understood. No one knew what exactly happened on the Janus mission.
The silent agreement was struck.
"Hey!" he replied. He looked at Alec with mocking hurtful look. "I'm not horrible… If I remember correctly, you destroyed your fair share of gadgets."
"What?" Alec cried in shock. He glared at Bond. "Who was the one that absolutely malformed the Aston Martin that Q gave me for the Sandolov mission? Hmm… let me think…ah, you!"
James laughed. "You're still holding that one against me?" he asked. "It's not my fault that you were the one who used the portable bomb at the wrongtime."
"I didn't use it at the wrong time. I used it at the perfect time. If I hadn't detonated the bomb, you would have been a cripple!"
"Bullocks."
"Wanker."
Q rolled his eyes. Their banter reminded him of the old days and when Michael was here with James.
"You two are incorrigible," he said.
He then picked up another watch. "This is the latest Seamaster, Alec. There is a detachable remote detonator to make a booby trap with a grenade."
The Omega Seamaster was blue faced and bezel. It one was of the standard watch that almost every agent wants it.
James and Alec took their watches and put them on. They looked at theirs and smiled slightly.
"Stylish…" James said.
"Quite…" Alec agreed.
"And both have a voice link." Q then added.
Q also gave them a pair of digital cameras. "Usual standards for those as well: auto focuses, zoom lens with low light optics, flash memory card, etc, etc."
He then moved to take out a pair of Armani sunglasses. "Now these, are not my most original work, but they are well equipped. These both have x-ray capabilities."
"X-ray…" James mouthed to Alec.
Alec grinned. "So we can see what's underneath?"
Q frowned. "Oh, I know what you both are thinking. I created this so you can see if there are any concealed weapons, not women's lingerie."
"That too," James aid as an afterthought.
Q licked his lips. "Well, I expect you still have the belt I gave you…"
James tilted his head to the side. "Well….."
"Oh my, James, what did you lose it again?" Q cried in disbelief.
"Once again, Q, I used it for something good like the Janus mission." James defended. "It saved my life."
"Um, Q, I don't know what the belt is…" Alec interrupted with an innocent face.
"Oh, right, sorry, Alec." Q demonstrated as he talked. "It looks typical, but in fact, it is not. Silver buckle and black leather. Waist size according to you two: 34 to 35. 75 feet steel cable able to carry your weight. There's a self-embedding piton that is able to fire a small explosive charge."
Alec looked long at the belt. "Interesting…"
Q showed Alec a necklace. It was half dog tag half skull issued. He put it around Alec's neck. "A five in one device my dear boy: plastic explosives, sleeping gas, a key able to open most locks, a laser able to go through most things, and a pepper spray."
Q then gave Bond a ring. "This is also a five in one device: sleeping gas, gas that awakens people after sleeping gas, a black in that cannot be erased, a laser, and a camera."
"What's this?" Alec asked as made a move to touch the liquid inside the large bowl.
"Don't touch!" Q cried. He slapped Alec's hand and carefully moved the bowl closer into the middle of the table. "That's a highly concentrated form of Nitric acid. Believe me; you do not want that to touch you."
Alec grimaced. He checked his hand to make sure it was alright.
"This is to you James, a reminder of that mission a long way back…newly updated pen. It is used as thus…" He took the pen and threw it at the wall. "Anything through the wall can be heard…also anyone hit by that pen is touched by a highly concentrated form of Nitric acid that was also in the bowl."
"Moving on…" he motioned to another corner. James and Alec looked at their pens and placed them in a special pocket, just in case.
"Alec, one of your old favorites…." Q said. He lifted up a small device that looked like it could be worn on the wrist like a watch. "Darts…more than five… its five poisons tipped, 5 armor piercing tipped, 5 smokescreens, and 5 plain darts."
Alec smiled. He put the device onto his wrist. He stroked his comfortingly. "This thing has saved my life more than once."
"For both of you I would like to give this latex fingerprints, once again a renewed issue from one of your older missions, James." Q said. "It can match anyone's fingerprints, but it also can show that there are no fingerprints to begin with. One of my personal favorites, actually."
"And this?" James asked. He was holding a deck of cards.
Q growled. "Can you not wait till I'm done explaining things first?"
Alec snickered. "No," James replied with a smile.
"This deck of cards is capable of bugging, blowing up, and killing like a knife anyone attached to it." Q explained exasperatedly.
Alec took one of the cards. He let his fingers run over its sides and corners. He expected to find his index finger bleeding, but to no avail.
James frowned. "What's this?" he asked. He too had a card in his hands. "It seems this invention of yours happens to be defective."
Q snatched the cards out of their hands. "These are not defective, Bond." He threw the two cards at a dummy.
The dummy exploded.
James nodded. Alec grinned.
"I guess it works, Bond," he said.
James agreed. "I guess it does." He then said to Q, "Is that it, Quartermaster?" He emphasized "quartermaster."
"I have one more, James." Q consented. "But this time, you two have to share…" He smiled. "Come!"
James and Alec looked at each other, and shrugged. They followed him towards the far end of the Branch.
There before them was one of the most beautiful car that they have ever seen. The two young men both knew what it was.
James grinned. "Aston Martin."
"DB5." Alec finished with a similar grin on his face.
Q nodded. "Yes, yes, yes…" he said. "Aston Martin DB5."
James and Alec walked around the car. They couldn't help admire the car. They both knew the cars very well. It was James' favorite car, and Alec's second. They admired the spoked rims, many gadgets, and many refinements.
"Pretty…" Alec commented. He let his fingers touch the rims.
James laughed. "Indeed."
Q huffed. "Anyways…. The usual are in this…. Tire shredders… Bullet Proof windshields… Retractable bullet shield…. Revolving number plates… Passenger ejector seats….. Oil slick dispensers… Smoke screen dispensers…. Retractable duel machine guns mounted below the headlights…."
"We know that, Q." James said. "What's there that wasn't there before besides those and the cellular fax machine, cellular voice mail system, and – uh, refrigerated glove box for storing a bottle of…." He winked at Alec. "…a bottle of Bollinger and two glasses…"
Alec laughed. "I see you had use of it for a special moment?" he asked.
"Maybe… with a certain mental evaluator…" James replied.
"Many hidden compartments for various weapons…" Q interceded. "Retractable studs in the tires for grip… Retractable ski Outriggers for snow driving…. Rocket booster… A missile each behind the tail lights…. A cutting laser mounted in the hubcaps… Full frequency car radio… Self-destructing system… And some of the stuff that you had, Bond, in your BMW Z3 Roadster… Oh, where is that thing? That's one of my favorites."
Alec and James looked at each other. Alec searched James' eyes and then found what he was looking for. He grinned.
Returning his eyes to Q, he said, "He doesn't have it anymore."
Q's eyes widened. "What?!?" he exclaimed. "James Bond also known as Double-Ohh-Seven where is my BMW Z3 Roaster?!?"
Alex chuckled as James tried to cool Q down. "Q, Q, easy… It's in good hands. I swear!"
"In whose hands?"
James thought back on that. Ah, Jack Wade… "I – uh – gave….no, lent it to a friend…"
"What friend?" Alec asked. Now he was genuinely interested. "Is this Stone?"
James held back the glare in his eyes. He merely shook his head. "No, another CIA friend besides Felix and – Stone."
"Well?" Q impatiently asked.
"Jack Wade." James gave.
"CIA too?" Alec asked. It was interesting to him on how many allies James really has in the Central Intelligence Agency.
James nodded. "Yes, CIA. We traded. I gave him the car. He gave me the plane."
Janus mission?Alec replied, "Your last mission."
"Correct." James looked at Q. "It that it?"
"Yes," answered Q. He pointed at the car. "On to your mission."
James looked at the Aston Martin. He looked at Alec with a grin. "I'm driving," he said.
"Does this mean I get shotgun?" Alec asked amusingly. He smiled. "No, I'm driving."
"You can't drive this. Don't you know that this car is my favorite car?" James explained.
"I do know this is your favorite car, but this is my second favorite car and I deserve to drive this thing at least once." Alec replied.
Q rolled his eyes. He could see what was coming. He turned away from them and muttered, "Those two are just…ugh!"
James shook his head. "No, no, no… I drive. As you said this is your second favorite car. This is my absolute favorite car."
"Oh please, what kind of defense is that?" Alec cried. "This car may be my second favorite car and you absolute favorite car, but that doesn't mean a damn. I'm driving!"
"No, you're not!"
"Yes, I am."
"No, you are not."
"Yes, I am!"
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes! – and look-y here!" Alec said as he pointed towards something behind James.
James almost looked, but he didn't. "Ah, no Trevelyan, you are going to fool me with that simple trick."
But to his shock, Alec was already in the car; in the driver's seat. He was looking at him through the windshield with a grin on his face.
How did he get past me so quickly? He couldn't help but give that to Alec. Trevelyan hasn't lost his touch.
Bond grinned back on Alec. "Alright, you drive!" he yelled.
He then went to the passenger door, opened it, sat down, and closed the door. He looked at Alec.
"Shotgun does better damage then a pistol," he punned.
Alec laughed. And I'm the pistol? Are you sure it isn't the other way around?"You're admitting how old you are aren't you?"
James laughed back. "No, we're about the same age, Trevelyan." But his voice grew cooler as if a sudden dose of the past was injected into him at the moment. He made sure his eyes gave his former friend a message: I haven't forgotten a thing. "I suggest you watch your words."
Alec nodded. He saw exactly what was in his former friend's eyes. He could easily see the mention and could easily hear the coldness in the man's voice.I know you haven't forgotten a thing. "I assure you my words will be watched."
Thus, the deal between the two was erased. The possibility of forgiveness didn't seem likely. The only thing was the mission. The only thing was the job. Friendship wasn't factor between them, but neither was the adversity between them. It was just two men; two separate men. Two men on a mission.
One James Bond and the other Alec Trevelyan.
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TBC
End-note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I hope you all review because they keep me going. Please tell me what you think about the characters and the plotline.