To all my avid followers, I'd like to say how sorry I am that it's taken me a few weekes to update. I got carried away writing Christmas fics for Bond and my other Fandom Scott & Bailey. Anyway, I'm back. Have you missed me ?

Chapter 13

M sat outside Gareth Mallory's office an hour after he called. His secretary told her that he was held up with a conference call. Bloody typical she thought to herself. He must have known he had that call to take, anything to keep her waiting. As she waited she began thinking about what James had said to her before she left. She thought she and James had been careful to keep their new relationship a secret. Eve Moneypenny was a lot more aware of things going on around her than M had given her credit for, she just hoped she'd be able to keep her confidence. M's was brought back to reality by a young voice.

"M. Mr Mallory will see you now." The petite young blonde said.

"Thank you." M replied, giving the young woman a warm smile.

M walked through to Mallory's office to find him standing beside the window.

"M, good afternoon. I'm glad you could make it."

"You didn't exactly leave me with much choice in the matter."

"Take a seat." He instructed.

She took a seat and he sat down in the chair opposite her. She started to feel a little uneasy but she didn't know why. There was a few moments of silence before M decided to speak.

"I suppose I should thank you for saving my life in the court. I've never gotten the chance until now."

"It's quite alright. I wasn't always a pencil pusher you know. I can still handle a gun."

"Well that makes one of us them." She replied, quietly.

"How's the hip."

"Not too bad. Still a little tender occasionally but I'm getting there."

"That's good and Mr Bond, how's he?"

As soon as she heard James name mentioned, she felt her stomache dropped. Mallory saw her expression change and knew right away that his assumptions had been right.

"007 is fine sir."

"Looking after you well I trust."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean." She asked in a defensive tone.

"You know what I'm talking about M. A few months ago I asked you if you were sentimental about him."

"And your point is?"

"You never answered my question. He's gone above and beyond his duty where you're concerned and we both know it. I'm well aware you cleared him for duty when he shouldn't have been."

"Why didn't you say anything before."

"I didn't say anything because I knew how much you relied on him. He was the only way you had of any chance of getting out of the Silva situation alive. I'm not the bastard you think I am you know."

"You still want me to retire though, don't you?"

"After everything that's happened, wouldn't you prefer an easy life. You came very close to death once. That man would have been devastated if Silva had suceeded in killing you and we both know it."

"Mallory I have no intention of retiring, besides what on earth would I do with myself. I'm still capable of doing my job."

"And Bond. There is something between you, isn't there?"

"There's no law against it. We're doing nothing wrong."

"I didn't say you were. Just be careful M. We all know Bond is known for his womanizing ways."

"I KNOW THAT. I am sick to death of people telling me that. I know what he's like but he assures me that he can change. He's my agent and I trust him."

Mallory's secretary was typing up reports when a hand suddenly went over her mouth and a gun was pointed to her. Her life was all over in seconds as she fell to the floor. M's agent suddenly appeared with a coffee in his hand as the other shooter pointed their gun at him. He let out a warning shout before the bullet entered his head and he fell to the ground beside Mallory's secretary. M and Mallory broke their conversation as they heard someone yell Code Red. M and Mallory quickly stood up as the door burst open and two armed subjects came in waving guns at them. Mallory went to raise the alarm but one of the gunmen hit him over the head with the gun, knocking him out. M went to make a run for it but her hip still bothered her every so often and a slight wave of pain caused her to fall against the chair. One of the gunmen saw her trying to escape and caught her from behind.

"Where the hell do you think you're going."

"Who are you. What do you want."

"What do I want. You. I want you."

"Who are you."

The gunman removed the balaclava to reveal their face.

"I'm Luna Diablo."

"Silva's Daughter." M replied, shocked.

"The one and only and it's time you paid for what you did to my Father you bitch. You and James Bond."

To Be Continued…