A/N:

This is going to jump ahead a little after this chapter because if I stick to the gradual aging process I will be here for months trying to sort Bond's recovery and Kaley wouldn't have been able to change that much so I am going to go on based on the reviews and maybe skip ahead a few years in order for Aidan to explain to Kaley about James and Vesper- the little that she does know because as we all know Bond is a really private person but M maybe would have told Aidan some of the circumstances surrounding her assignment to live with James and Kaley and Kaley is going to be asking questions…

Thank you for all the great reviews and for a first timer at a JB fanfiction I am shocked at how well it is going so thank you for reading. Here we go…

Note: This is a conversation M had with Bond when she went to see him while he was recovering.

Chapter Seven: I Can't Love Her

Flashback

"Do you care about her, 007?" M asked incuriously.

"I care enough not to get her involved." Bond replied neutrally.

"But is that enough for a five year old girl who needs to feel safe and to know that her father does love her even if he doesn't show it." M countered as she took a sip of the cooled down tea.

"It is going to have to be, M, I can't be here all the time to keep an eye on her and right every little mistake she makes."

"Who or what do you see, when you look at her, Bond? Do you see yourself? Do you see a little girl who doesn't understand why her father isn't around all the time and doesn't know if it was something she did wrong to upset you… or… Is it because of Vesper Lynd?"

The look in Bond's eyes mixed with his pained expression gave her all the answers she needed.

"It has been almost six years Bond. I know you loved her but you have a little girl-"

"I have a child who I don't love." Bond answered coldly. "Every time she smiles, every emotion, I see Vesper and every time it reminds me of my stupidity in loving that Bitch who gave birth to her and who left me to pick up the pieces."

"Do you believe that you are innocent in this entire Bond? " M asked Icily. "Because it seems to take two to tango and you jump into bed with the first beautiful woman you lay your eyes upon- this was bound to be a consequence Bond, so you have to live with that just like the rest of us."

"She is a constant reminder and I hate it." Bond murmured quietly.

"Do you want to know something?"

M asked, piercing Bond's thoughts.

"That little girl who you helped bring into this world asks Aidan when your coming home… she asks her if you are alright because you don't seem to be happy when you sit down and she comes in- Don't you see that your breaking that little girl's heart? She idolises you and all she wants from you seems to be the hardest thing you can even give or show her and that is love because Aidan and I both see that she loves you more than anything."

"That little girl who is in the kitchen with Aidan making cookies is the only one who can be the innocent party with more honesty than we ever could- She didn't choose her parents, she didn't choose to be born- You and her mother chose to have her."

She allowed silence to ensue before changing her tone of voice.

"As of now you are on a Leave Of Absence for a month until you are fully recovered. I am not concerned for your personal feelings on this matter; I am ordering you to spend time with Kaley- who belongs to you and get to know her- take her to the park take her anywhere that children her age like to go. Act like a proper father and love her."

Bond sighed as he turned to look out of the window.

"I can't do that." He answered finally.

"Then the leave will be indefinite until you spend time with her and sort your bloody personal life out before it gets in front of your duty. I don't care about your feelings in the matter because I have given you enough chances- I care for that little girl who needs her father."

Bond's face was a mask of controlled anger and frustration as he nodded stiffly, Knowing that M's threat was resolute and realising that he would have had to face his demon's he had long ago laid to rest… or so he had believed…

End Flashback

A/N: The Next Chapter Is going to jump ahead incase you get a little confused. :P