Gone, love is never gone

Q and Lily approached headquarters. He turned to her suddenly and cleared his throat.

"Uh, this is a top secret agency, so I'm going to have to blindfold you before we go in."

Lily grimaced. "O-kay."

He chuckled. "I'm only joking. Come on, let's hurry."

She followed and entered. The building was massive. Agents walked everywhere, holding briefcases and wearing tuxes.

"Are we in the right place?" Lily asked.

Q adjusted his glasses. "Yes, why?"

"Are all agents required to wear suits? The lot of them are wearing one."

"That's an excellent question. Come on, in here."

They walked into an elevator and Q pressed the button to go to the top floor. They stood in silence until Lily spoke up.

"I'm not plotting against him. I really am here to find him, my father."

Q smiled. "I know."

She raised both eyebrows. "You do?"

"Yeah, you don't seem like the plotting type. Just out of curiosity, how'd you know Bond was a spy? And where to find him?"

"He's left his mark in a few places."

"Ah. Why carry a gun?"

She shrugged. "When you discover your father's a spy, it felt necessary to have one on me. Never know how many goons can pop up."

The elevator stopped and they walked out. He led her across a hall and towards a door at the end of it. He knocked before he opened.

"Come in."

Q cleared his throat an opened the door. He motioned for Lily to walk and she did. It was a medium size office with a man sitting at a desk.

He was sitting in a chair, hands folded. He stared at Lily and stood up.

"Is this the girl?" he asked Q.

"Yes, sir."

Lily glanced at Q. "He was...expecting me?"

The man chuckled. "Indeed. You've got quite a name for yourself, my dear."

Lily blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"Close the door, Q."

Q obeyed and stood in front of the door. The man approached Lily and scanned her from head to toe.

"Now, I want you to be a good girl and tell us why you were looking for Bond." he said.

Lily groaned. "For God's sake, pay attention because I'm really tired of explaining this twice."

Q raised his eyebrows and side-smiled. "Got quite an attitude. Seem familiar, M?"

M gave Q a look and looked back at Lily. "Continue."

"I was orphaned as a child an left without any of my parents names. When I turned 17, I ran away and tried to make my way in the world. One day, at a bar, I heard someone say that I reminded them of a constant customer of his. Bond, was the customer."

M glance at Q who shrugged. M grabbed a mug of tea on his desk and drank.

"I set out to look for this Bond character. Lo and behold, here we are. Janes Bond is my father."

M spit out the tea in his mouth and coughed. Lily rolled her eyes and folded her arms.

"It's true, sir. I ran a blood test. She's Bond's daughter." Q defended.

Lily turned to look at him and he gave her a wink. M put his mug down and wiped his mouth.

"Daughter or not, that doesn't explain why those goons were after you tonight." M said.

"What is wrong with you people? Honestly, you think everyone's trying to kill you."

"They were after you and we believe it's because you're leading them to Bond." M said, ignoring her.

Lily's jaw dropped. "He's my father, for God's sake! Can you not hear me?"

"Where is he, then? Q?" M asked, looking at Q.

He stuttered. "Uh, well, sir, he told us to run ahead and take a cab here. He said he would be right-"

The door behind him opened and Bond stepped inside. He glanced at M and gave a curt nod.

"Behind us." Q finished, relieved.

"007, what news of the men who were after you?" M asked.

"I spoke with one of them, sir. He appears to be their leader."

Lily grimaced. "007?"

M cleared his throat. "You didn't get a name?"

"Duplin. Bastian Duplin, sir."

Lily's eyes looked as though they'd seen a ghost. Bond glanced at her and she looked away.

M glanced at her. "Ring a bell?"

She swallowed. "No."

M raised an eyebrow and looked back at Bond.

"We'll look up the name and see what his play is. Escort the girl to one of our safe houses, Q. Bond, stay."

Q motioned for Lily to follow him and she did. They left the room and Bond closed the door.

"Who's the woman we have to thank for bringing that girl into the world?" M asked, placing his hands on his desk.

Bond stared at the floor but did not cower. "That remains to be unknown, sir."

M chuckled. "You really are a man of surprises. I want her on the next available train, boat, plane, I don't care, out of London in the morning. Is that understood?"

Bond nodded. "Yes, sir."

M raised an eyebrow. "No lament for your only child? You know that you'll never see her again if she leaves, don't you?"

"I'm fully aware, sir. Is that all you wished to speak with me of?"

M walked towards the window and looked out at the city. "No. This Duplin character, if he's leading this whole mission after you-"

"He's not exactly after me, sir."

M looked over his shoulder. "Oh? Did happen to mention who or what he was after?"

Bond swallowed and shook his head. "No, sir. But, I think it's clear that if he were after me, he would've captured me tonight."

M nodded. "Yes. He must be after the girl. How is it that he happens to be in London when she arrives? He must be after her. Wouldn't you agree?"

"It seems to be the only logical theory, but we'll have to know for sure. I'll head back to the data room with Q and we'll track this man down."

"You do that. Notify the moment you find something."

Bond turned and held out his hand to grab the doorknob. He froze when he heard rapid footsteps from the other side. He waited a moment and turned the doorknob, opening the door.

Across the hall, he spotted an elevator with Q staring back at him with wide eyes before it closed.

"That was too close." Lily sighed as she leaned back against the wall.

Q shook his head and rubbed his temples. "Why did I even listen to you?"

"What? Did you think they were going to plan they're next blind date? They were going to tall about me like I'm a child. I may be 17, but I'm old enough to share what I think is right for myself."

The elevator dinged and Q led the way out. He led her across a rather fancy hallway. The carpet was ruby red and there were small tables hiding vases.

It looked like a hotel hallway. He opened a door and entered with her. It really looked like a hotel room! The room was glorious and beautiful.

"This is...are we in the right room?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

Q smiled. "Indeed we are, madam. Your coat."

He held out his arm and bowed. She giggled and shook her head.

"Well, don't expect a tip." she said, looking around the room.

"I should head back." Q said.

"Already?"

He grimaced and blushed.

"Well, I mean...aren't you tired? Are they going to have you working at this hour?" she asked, rubbing her arm.

Q shrugged. "It's all part of the job. It isn't as ad as you think."

"You take your job seriously, then."

"Of course."

She lowered her eyes and side-smiled. "I can see why he's stayed here all these years."

She placed her hand on the marble kitchen counter and sighed. "They look to him like a...real hero."

Q nodded. "He's not always here, though. Mostly he's out, you know, saving the world. It's quite the career."

They both shared an amused smile but Lily frowned. "I bet. It must be a comforting feeling, knowing that you'll come here everyday and see him. You know that he'll always be there when you call."

Q felt a shed of guilt. "Yes. But, you-"

"Don't." she said, staring into his eyes. "It's not your fault."

"Nor is it yours."

He stared at her and quickly clears his throat.

"Forgive me. I need to...you know."

She nodded. "Yes, goodbye. Don't work too hard, it's been a long night."

They shared a soft smile and he opened the door, leaving her alone. But, he felt he should stay with her. She must've been so alone all those years without a family. He stood at her door for a few minutes and swore he heard quiet sobbing, coming from the inside of the room.

"Hang in there." he whispered.

Then, he turned on his heel and headed to the data room.