Chapter 5

M woke up the next morning when James entered with her breakfast in his hand.

"Morning M."

"Morning." She said, as she sat up in bed.

He brought the tray over and placed it in her lap.

"I didn't know what you liked so I thought who can go wrong with eggs and toast."

"And crumbs in the bed." She grumbled.

"I can get you something else if you want."

"No, James I'm sorry….just ignore me." She apologised.

He took a seat on the bed beside her and looked at her sympathetically.

"You're still worried."

"That and I'm just not used to being looked after. I'm not a good patient."

"Yeah, I noticed."

"Sorry."

"You don't have to do that, I do understand. Listen I'm heading out for a little while, do you need anything while I'm gone."

"Where are you off too." She enquired.

"Just a few errands to run."

"You're very secretive."

"I won't be long okay."

She smiled as she watched him walk away and began to eat her eggs.

James walked into MI6 to Eve's desk and gave her a warm smile as he entered.

"James, aren't you supposed to be looking after the Boss."

"I need a word with Mallory, any chance you could arrange a meeting with him."

"Well you're in luck, he's actually down in Q branch at the moment."

"Is he now."

"What…."

"Did you know that they're trying to push M into retirement."

"Ahh, I did hear rumours but M never confirmed them so I thought it best to keep my mouth shut on the subject."

"How can they even think about doing that to her."

"If it hadn't been for Silva reappearing then none of this would even be an issue. Come on James, M's tough….she won't let them get to her."

"I'm not so sure about that."

"Oh…"

"She told me last night that the whole situation was getting to her and that if they keep giving Mallory more control in here then she may have no choice."

"M is MI6, they can't take it away from her. She's given so much of her life to this place."

"Hence why I want to talk with Mallory."

"Then what are you waiting for, go fight for her."

James made his way down to Q branch to find Q showing Mallory one of his new inventions. Mallory turned around when he sensed he was being watched to find James Bond standing there.

"Bond, this is a surprise. I was led to believe you were on leave."

"Yes I am Sir but I was wondering if I might have a word in private."

"You can use my office for some privacy if you like." Q said.

"Thanks Q." James smiled.

Q watched as the two men made their way into his office and closed the door. Mallory took a seat and James joined him.

"So what's this all about Bond."

"I need to talk to you about M."

"Oh yes and what exactly about M is it that you wish to discuss."

"Back off…"

Mallory watched James and the seriousness and determination in his eyes as he spoke.

"I'm sorry Bond, you've lost me. What do you mean back off."

"You're trying to take over."

"What, where on earth is this coming from."

"Are you denying it."

"Well of course I am."

"Alright, then answer me this. Why are you running Q branch."

"I'm helping out."

"You're helping out, you really expect me to believe that."

"Quite honestly Bond, I don't really give a damn what you think. I was brought in to run Q branch for a few months until M was certain that she was fully recovered after the whole Silva mess."

"Really." James asked, stunned.

"Bond….Q branch is one of the most in-depth departments. It takes up a lot of time and I was brought in to take some of the work load of her…that's all."

"You're not trying to force her into retirement."

"What, no. Is that what she thinks."

"Well to be fair that was your plan when Silva appeared."

"Okay, yes I admit that when everything went pear-shaped with Silva we did think it was perhaps time she retired from MI6."

"But you've changed your mind."

"She proved herself during the Silva mess, she risked her life, was prepared to die to end him and she very nearly did. I changed my mind, as did the PM because we realised we need her. She's the Head of MI6 for a reason, she got that position because she's tough, she doesn't take shit and she's more than willing to risk her life before anyone else…especially you."

"Look, if you're going to go on about her sentimentality again then you can just…."

"You can't deny she isn't and quite frankly the same goes for you too. You're both too blind to see it, or perhaps you don't want too, are afraid too."

"See what."

"Your feelings for her."

"You think I have feeling for M."

"I know you do, are you forgetting the mess you were in when you realised she's been shot. The way you were at the Hospital, staying by her bedside, praying she'd pull through."

James sat listening to him and couldn't really argue with the man. He'd almost forgotten about his reaction to M's vunerable condition at Skyfall.

"Bond, I give you my word. M's posistion here is safe. Nobody has any intentions of replacing her."

"Sir, I can only apologise for my behaviour."

"What made her think that we wanted her out."

"You taking over Q branch."

"Oh, I see. Well, you can get back to her and calm her fears."

"Thanks and again…I'm sorry."

To Be Continued…