So sorry it's taken forever for an update. I'm on holiday for 2 weeks so plenty will get done.

Chapter 10

…

Eve walked into M's office a few minutes later to find her back behind her desk but looking lost. She closed the door behind her and took a few strides before coming to stand before M.

"Ma'am, are you alright?"

M looked up to see Eve standing in front of her, concern etched on her face.

"Oh I'm sorry Eve, I never heard to come in."

"I just saw Bond leave, is everything okay?"

"Yes, why shouldn't it be?"

"I heard the arguing."

"Oh I see."

"Look, you can tell me to mind my own business if you like but has something happened between you two?"

"Sit down Eve."

Eve did as she was told and took a seat opposite her Boss and waited for her to begin.

"You've known Bond for a little less time than I or even Bill but you seem to get on with him rather well, don't you?"

"Ma'am I can assure you there's nothing going on between James and I."

"Oh no Eve you misunderstood, I'm well aware you and Bond aren't together. Bill already let it slip earlier than you and he already seeing each other."

"He did, Ma'am I give you my word that my relationship with Bill will not interfere with my work in any way."

"I'm sure you'll try your best not too, however I know that might always be possible."

"Ma'am." Eve asked, confused.

"You won't always find it possible to separate you private and professional relationship with Bill."

"I can try." She smiled, slightly.

"If Bill or even you were to ever get injured, which has happened in the past….you're heart won't allow you too. As soon as one of you see the other hurting or in trouble, you won't be able to separate the two."

"Are you saying that Bill and I shouldn't see each other?"

"What, oh no Eve that's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying be prepared for things going wrong in this job but never stop caring."

"Ma'am, what's really going on here. Why did Bond storm out earlier?"

"We had a small argument last night and I never told him I was coming back here today, this is one of those professional crossing over to personal I was referring too."

"Personal how Ma'am?"

"I could really use your advice about something, if you don't mind?"

"Of course I don't mind, anything to help."

"Would you like a drink?"

"Sure." Eve smiled.

…

Eve watched as M got up slowly from her desk and walked over to her liquor cabinet and poured them both a small Brandy. Eve could see M still had a slight limp, caused by the accident but all things considered, she had recovered remarkably well. M handed Eve her glass and sat down in the seat beside Eve.

"What can I do to help Ma'am."

"Be honest with me."

"Okay." She asked, confusion on her face.

"What do you make of Bond?"

"In what way?"

"In general, as a man…a human being?"

"Well, he's very dedicated to his job. I guess it was his life for a long time."

"You said was, what do you mean?"

"He's changed a lot since you came face to face with Silva, he…..well when you were shot, I think it really shook him up. I mean it did to all of us but James…he doesn't just do this job to protect his Country, he does it for you."

"Me?"

"May I speak freely here?"

"Of course you can."

"He loves his job and at one point I might have said it meant everything to him."

"You don't now?"

"I think, from what I've witnessed the last few months what with Silva and then your car accident….you mean more than the job now, so much more."

…

M and Eve sat in uncomfortable silence and Eve began to wonder if perhaps she'd be to forward in her thinking. M's features never altered once during the conversation and that worried Eve more.

"I'm sorry Ma'am, I've clearly said the wrong thing."

"No, I'm sorry Eve. I didn't mean to worry you."

"Why are you asking about James, is something wrong. I mean I know there is obviously by the way he stormed out of here earlier but…."

"He told me something last night that I wasn't quite expecting from him."

"I see…something bad?"

M looked down at her glass that had suddenly become very interesting before she spoke up, just enough for Eve to make out.

"He told me he was in love with me."

Eve suddenly started to feel very awkward about the situation, after not really having had any kind of discussions with her Boss before about something so personal. She watched as M began to fiddle with her wedding ring, she moved her chair a little closer to her Boss and placed a steady hand on top of M's.

"Ma'am, I may not have known James for as long as you or anyone else here for that matter but one thing I do know is that he would never say something that to you if he didn't truly mean it."

M forced herself to look into Eve's eyes and saw worry in them.

"I just don't understand why."

"Whay do you mean?" Eve asked.

"I'm not a young woman Eve, there are so many Women out there he could have, young Women."

"You know…the woman he sleeps with, it's part of the job. They don't mean anything to him. In fact, aside from the Women on the job…I don't think I've seen him with anyone else, a proper Girlfriend I mean. If he's not working then he's a home recovering from injuries caused by this job."

"Are you saying it's my fault because I send him out there to get hurt?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying at all. What I'm trying to say is that you and I are probably the only two Women he has in his life, he's around you and I more than anyone else…more so you." She smiled.

"I didn't handle things well last night when he told me."

"You're afraid?"

"I've only ever loved one man in my life and that was my late Husband."

"You do have feelings for James though, you put up with a lot from him. You forgive him for things most Agents would be fired over."

"I forgive because he's the best we have and I'm not just saying that because of what he said last night. The stats are proof of how good he is, this Country is still standing, more and more terrorists….threats to our Country, our life are being diminished because of him."

"What are you afraid off."

"Getting to close to him and then to have him realise he's made a terrible mistake. He's still young enough to find a Wife, have Children. He chooses me then he doesn't get that."

"Perhaps not the Children but who's to say not Wife."

"I don't want to hold him back."

"He loves you, to tell you that must have taken a lot of courage. I'm sure he's never told another living person that he loves them. He's been ready to die for you time and time again, if that doesn't prove how he truly feels then look what he's done the last month. He gave up his free time to look after you, nurse you back to health. When you were shot, those 3 days you were unconscious, he never once left your side. Don't throw away a chance at love with him, you'll regret it." She smiled.

"I'm keeping you from your work Eve, you'd better get back out there. Mallory should be here soon."

"Ma'am I…."

"Thank you Eve, you've given me something to think about. I have a lot of work to do and so do you."

Eve got up and made her way out the door, giving one last quick glance at M before she closed the door behind her, hoping she hadn't made things worse.

…

To Be Continued…