For RebaForever: Thanks to planning ahead for once this chapter didn't take as long to edit as I thought. :)
The ride back to M's flat was largely uneventful as all three of them were nearly exhausted. When they finally arrived it came as no surprise to Bond or Tanner that M, being fiercely independent, would insist on negotiating the steps up to her front door on her own. It took quite a while but she finally managed to reach the top in one piece. Tanner already had the door open and was waiting, albeit impatiently for James to get M settled on the sofa before he left.
"Now Bond, here are the instructions from the doctor. I want you to promise me that you will read them carefully and follow them to the letter. Pin them on your forehead if necessary" he said sharply
"Bill, relax, I've got this" replied Bond
"I know, but this is important. You have to remember if she starts asking questions your answers must and I repeat must be vague"
"It seems a bit unfair don't you think?" said James
"It's for her own good. We have to be sure that if...no when she starts to remember that it's HER memories not what you've told her"
"I know it just seems a bit unfair is all"
"Also remember to wake her every hour or so and check her eyes to be sure one pupil isn't dilated and watch for signs of nausea and..."
James finally interrupted.
"Bill! Stop acting like a nervous Nelly for God's sake. I said I've got this. I know the drill. I promise I won't let anything happen to her" he said trying to be reassuring.
"And you've got my number right?"
"Etched on my brain" James said dryly "Now would you go already"
"Alright" he said heading towards the door
"Maybe I should stay?" he said turning around to face James "What if you.."
"Bill. GET OUT! You need to be in the office in about two hours. We'll be fine. What could possible go wrong?"
Famous last words. Now that Tanner was gone James was finally able to turn his attention to M who was sitting on the sofa with her hands folded in her lap staring blankly around the room at the furnishings. Everything looked so foreign to her.
"Hey...You alright?... would you like a drink" he asked as he started toward the liquor cabinet
"I don't know...Would I?" she answered quietly
"No I suppose not" he replied "How about some juice instead?" he asked
"No thank you" she answered
James was shocked by just how vulnerable she really was at this moment. This was a woman who always knew what she wanted, when she wanted it, she was tough as nails and wasn't afraid to prove it and yet she couldn't remember if she liked scotch.
"Tell you what. It's been a very long evening for both of us, perhaps we should get you upstairs and into bed"
M's eyes widened as a look of shear panic spread across her face but it quickly dissipated once she had thought about the statement for a moment.
"I suppose you're right" she finally said as she tried to stand up quickly losing her balance.
James caught her around the waist before she toppled over.
"Here, Let me help you" he said politely
"No I can manage" she said rather defiantly as she pulled away from him and headed toward the hallway. "Just exactly where is my bedroom?" she asked
"On the second floor, end of the hall" he said flatly as he followed along behind her.
"Oh" she said wearily as she stood at the bottom of the long staircase looking up.
"Here let me help you" said James as he attempted to pick her up
"What do you think you are doing? Put me down this instant!" she demanded
"M with all due respect unless you've grown a set of wings or have some magic fairy dust lying around it will take you until noon to get to the top by yourself, so I suggest you let me help you just this once" he said picking her up and marching up the stairs to her bedroom.
Once in her bedroom James deposited M on the bed and began searching thru her chest of drawers.
"What exactly are you looking for?" she asked trying to choke back tears
"Something for you to sleep in" he said gruffly
The minute he said it he was full of regret and the look of utter despair on M's face spoke volumes.
"I'm so sorry M" he said "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, I'm not angry with you just the situation. It's just that you can be so damn obstinate sometimes. Please forgive me" he said as tenderly as he could.
"No. I'm sorry. You were only trying to help." she said wiping away a tear
"It's going to be alright." he said taking her hand "Tell you what why don't you hobble into the bathroom and get cleaned up while I find you something suitable to sleep in and then we'll tuck you in and maybe just maybe things will look better in the morning"
"Alright." she said as she got up to head toward the bathroom.
James did indeed finally find a suitable night dress after a bit of searching. And once M was tucked in for the evening or rather morning he turned to leave.
"James" said M hesitantly
"Yes M what is it?"
"You won't leave will you?"
"No of course not why do you ask?" he said sounding confused
"I just wanted wondered is all" she said through a small yawn
"I'll be right here if you need me, promise" he said as he gently pulled the covers up around her.
As M slowly drifted off to sleep, James found a pillow and a blanket and made a bed for himself on the floor beside her. This was one promise he intended to keep.