Well, here is the last part of my story's prologue. I do apologize for the heavy amounts of dialogue, but I needed a chapter to set up the rest of the story. As always please Read and Review! Enjoy!

Vauxhall Cross, London

4:58 AM

Walking into M's office naturally gave James Bond a sense of dread. Of course, with the events of the past two days Bond felt even worse than usual. Sensing his approach, M turned around in a leather chair and gave him a look that spoke greatly of their situation.

"Take a seat, James." The words spoken with dread gave yet more warning of how much trouble he had gotten in. He sat down in a chair across an oak desk from M and began to speak.

"Mum, I can explain-" Bond began.

M cut him off, "It doesn't matter if you can explain your actions over the past 48 hours to me, what matters is what the Americans think of the current situation."

So that was it, Bond had angered the Americans and now they were making MI6 pay. M spoke again, her voice giving away the fact that she hadn't slept in the past two days.

"The CIA claims you killed their agents, and they say they have proof."

Bond sighed. "Mum, you know me, and you know that I wouldn't do that." By this time he was practically shouting. "It was those agents who were tracking me, and you damn well know it!"

M seemed to grow angry for a second, but then appeared to let fatigue set in instead. Sighing, she said, "I know you would not do it, but the fact of the matter is: you strayed away from your mission, set foot on soil you don't have authorization for, and managed to be the only identified suspect at the scene of the murder." Her voice grew angry. "You even let yourself get captured on the bloody cameras...again!" She slid a photo across the desk, confirming her statement and began to speak again, "Now the CIA is out for blood, and you're their scapegoat. I don't have any real choice. I either turn you in or face an international incident."

Bond groaned. How had he got himself into this mess? He looked back at the head of MI6 with pleading eyes. "Is there anything you can do Mum? I'm not too set on spending the rest of my life in Guatanamo, you know."

For the first time in their conversation M's face seemed to lose some of it's and weariness, and Bond swore he could see the beginnings of a smile. She spoke with a voice of renewed strength.

"Nor do I James, and that's why I'm going to file a report to the CIA." She now smiled. "This report will outline how you used your superior skills to overwhelm myself and the other agents in this building and escape to parts unknown." Her smile seemed to brighten even further. "We will also tell them what a courageous fight we put up against you and how we are relentlessly pursuing you at this very moment."

Bond grinned a wry grin and spoke. "And as for what I'm actually going to do...?"

At that, M got up out of her chair and retrieved a file from a cabinet in the corner of her office. Opening it, she placed the file on the desk. "Inside this file is everything we know on the man who may be able to help you now, one ex-CIA agent named Jason Bourne."

Bond started at the name, he had heard of Bourne before. Some nasty business in London, the man had left a dead reporter and several injured thugs in his wake.

M continued, "Not only is Bourne off the grid, but he is the only other person we know of who might have leads on the agents you saw in Philadelphia."

Bond's eyebrow went up. "Do you think he will help?"

She gave him a bemused look. "I'm afraid if he can't, then no one can, James." M closed the file in a finalizing manner. Now she spoke with authority. "Find him, stop the agents and their organization, and bring them to justice. Only then may you be reinstated."

She handed him the files, as well as a plane ticket. "This ticket will get you to Rio without being followed; after that, you're on your own. Your flight leaves Heathrow in an half hour. Good luck."

Bond took the file and ticket and began to leave. As he opened the door, M called out to him. "And James-" Bond stopped. "Don't mess this up."

Grinning and shaking his head, Bond walked out of the office. With a sigh, M, flopped back down in her chair. She sincerely hoped Bond knew what he was doing. If not, they were all in bigger trouble than she thought.

Outside, snow began to fall on London.