My lack of updates this week have been dire, my apologies.

Chapter 3

Eve opened her eyes, suddenly remembering the previous night. She glanced to her side to see Bill fast asleep beside her. She sat up slowly and crept out of bed, she grabbed her clothes from the chair by the door and went into the bathroom. She quickly got dressed and splashed some water on her face before opening the door. She took a few small steps towards the door before she heard Bill's voice.

"It wasn't that bad, was it."

"Bill…hey."

"Were you just going to run out."

Eve stood in front of him feeling awkward before walking over and taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

"Bill, last night was great…really but…"

"Oh, the dreaded but." He groaned.

"Come on Bill, lets face it. Last night shouldn't have happened, we had one too many and got a little carried away."

Bill leaned over the bed and took hold of Eve's arm, pulling her over to him.

"Why shouldn't this have happened, what's the big deal."

"Bill we work together, if this went wrong it would mess up our working relationship and I couldn't bare that."

"Eve, you need to take some chances in life. We'll never know unless we try, if it were to go wrong then it goes wrong but we're both professional enough to not let it get in the way of the job."

"I don't know Bill, give me some time." She asked.

"Okay, we'll talk at lunch."

"Sure…I'll see you at work." She smiled.

James parked the car and made his way into the Hospital, it was just coming up for 10am when he walked along the corridor to M's room. He walked in to see her waiting patiently for him.

"Morning Ma'am." He smiled.

"Well it's about bloody time, what kept you."

"Sorry, I had a lie in."

"You had a lie in, you've never had a lie in, in your life."

"Well first time for everything."

"I guess."

"We best make a move then." He smiled.

He bent down and took her bag from her and she walked out with him on her crutches. They stopped every few minutes for M to catch her breath.

"Are you okay." He asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, I'm just not used to these things yet."

They got to the car and James placed M's bag in the back seat before helping M into the passengers side. He placed her crutches in the back seat before getting in himself. M looked in the back and saw James bag on the seat.

"What's the bag for." She asked, turning back to him.

"Well what do you think it's for. If I'm staying with you then I'm going to need changes of clothes, aren't I."

"Staying with me." She asked, confused.

"Yes, remember we discussed this yesterday."

"We discussed you looking after me, we did not settle on the plan of you actually staying at the house."

"Well how else do you propose I look after you."

"I just thought you'd be dropping by in the morning and evening, not bloody living with me."

"Sorry to disappoint Ma'am."

M turned in her seat to face him better and gave a soft smile.

"Bond, you took leave to look after me which was very kind and I do appreciate it but I don't expect you to be there 24/7. It's not fair to you."

"Did it ever occur to you that I want to do this."

"Why for god sake."

"Because believe it or not I give a damn about what happens to you and not just because you're the Boss but as a Friend too, now will you quit arguing with me."

"Fine."

She knew she wasn't going to win this argument so decided to just get on with it. They arrived at her house half an hour later. Once James had gotten M's back and her crutches, he walked around to her side and put his arm around her waist to help her out of the car. Once she was up, he handed her the crutches, which she took and made her way slowly up the steps. He stayed close behind her incase she lost her balance, she unlocked the door and they stepped inside.

"It's freezing in here." M muttered.

They walked through to her livingroom and she sat down as James placed the bags at the bottom of the stairs. He walked over to the thermostat and began fiddling with it.

"Bond, what are you doing."

"I'm putting the heating on for you, aren't I."

"I was only asking."

He muttered something before walking back over to her.

"Now, will I take the bags upstairs, do you want to go to your room and lie down."

"Bond, I've spent enough time in bed lately. I'm quite content to stay here thank you, as for the bags…take them up later."

"Do you want a drink."

"Whiskey."

"I meant tea or coffee."

"I don't want a tea or coffee, I want a proper drink."

"I'm sure you do but your on painkillers right now and you can't drink for the time being."

"No alcohol, well this is going to be depressing." She moaned.

"So, tea or…"

"Coffee…please."

She watched as he made his way into the kitchen and heard him clattering about. She wondered how one man could make such a noise doing the simplest of tasks. She looked up when he came back out and smiled at him as he placed the cups on the table.

"So, what should we do." He asked.

"Relax, put your feet up, try to behave as though you are actually on holiday and…oooh."

"M, what's wrong."

"Damn it, nothing just cramp in my leg."

"Here, stand up."

M did as she was told and with James help she was on her feet in seconds. She let out a small gasp as James began gently massaging the top of her leg. He glanced up at her and smiled softly, she couldn't help but smile back when their eyes met. She slowly began to feel the cramping subside as James helped her to sit back down.

"You okay now." He asked.

"Much better, thank you Bond."

"M, we're going to be stuck with one another for a few weeks so how about calling me James."

"Very well, thank you…James."

"See, that wasn't so hard….was it." He smirked.

To Be Continued…