Pay close attention, it's all starting to come together if you follow the clues :)

Dinner went reasonably well all things considered. Some of the awkwardness had subsided and the conversation was kept to general topics. No talk of work or people associated with work which proved to be quite interesting as M tried her best to get any useful information about herself from them with not much success. Once they had finished M and Eve went upstairs so that Eve could help M take a much desired shower while James and Bill took care of the dishes.

"Look…Bond I want to apologize for what I said earlier. The nature of your relationship with M is really none of my business" said Bill as he finished loading the dishwasher.

"Apology accepted. I know you care about her, we all do and I just want you to know that I have no intention of trying to take advantage of her in this state or any other state for that matter" said James sincerely

"Right then…Oh you mentioned earlier that she was upset, what happened?" he asked out of both concern and curiosity

"She found one of her photo albums and she couldn't remember her children or her husband for that matter. She had no clue when or where the photos were taken…It was heartbreaking to see her crumble like that" James replied

"It doesn't surprise me really, the not remembering the photos I mean' said Bill almost matter of fact

"Oh Why is that?"

"It doesn't surprise me because M was an active agent at the time Paul and Joanna were born. She spent an enormous amount of time away. They were practically raised by David their father and a nanny, so you see she hasn't really lost the memories from the photos, she never had them to begin with." answered Bill

"I just wish we could tell her these things. It might make it a little easier for her" said James with a hint of sadness

"The other thing I meant to tell you is that although we agreed not to call her children until we knew more I had a call from Joanna today"

"Really? What did she want?" asked James curiously

'I'm not quite sure exactly. I was surprised because she and M are not particularly close. Any way during the course of the conversation I accidentally mentioned that M had had a slight accident"
"You did what! Great now we have to deal with her children as well" said James angrily

"Not exactly" replied Bill

"What do you mean not exactly?" asked James suspiciously

"Well as I said Joanna and her mother don't really get on all that well, and judging by her reaction to the news that is the ultimate understatement" said Bill pausing to try to read James face. "According to Joanna unless she is on her death bed neither she nor Paul really have the "time" to take care of her right now so unless it is absolutely necessary they will not be coming anytime soon"

It wasn't really difficult to read James face at this point as it was easy to see the anger building inside him.

"So basically it's piss off it that what you're saying? They really don't care about their mother"

"That about sums it up" replied Bill

"We can't tell her. We just can't it, would destroy her to think that she's been feeling guilty about not remembering the ungrateful spoiled brats and they don't even give a damn about her" said James angrily

"For what it's worth I agree. As far as I'm concerned this is now a need to know situation and quite frankly they do not need to know!" replied Bill "So I guess it's up to the three of us now to help her thru this since she definitely doesn't have the support of her family" said Bill in more of a statement rather than a question

"You got it. Were her family now and we're going to be all the family she will ever need I can promise you that." Replied James sounding very determined.

Meanwhile up stairs the conversation was much more pleasant. M had just finished with her shower and she and Eve were discussing a much more interesting topic...James.

"So what do you think of James if you don't mind my asking" said Eve her eyes wide with curiosity

"I think he really is my knight in shining armor" said M with a slight smile

"What do you mean?" replied Eve as she narrowed her eyes a bit

"Well to be honest, I could have laid there for days if he hadn't come along and he has been so attentive, so protective and kind. I'm sure there must be a million other things he would rather be doing than keeping watch over me and yet here he is at my beck and call" she said blushing a little

"M... can I ask you a question? and I need you to be completely honest with me" Eve said in a slightly more serious tone

"Of course" replied M sounding a bit apprehensive

"M.. are you starting to develop feelings for James? I mean not that there is anything wrong with that but are you?" she asked

"To be honest I'm not sure what I feel. I just know that I feel safe and loved, well maybe that's not the right word but well maybe it is...Yes I'm sure it is I feel loved and protected and right now that means the world to me to know that I'm not alone. I don't think I could get through this without James or you and Bill for that matter. Right now the three of you are all I have and I want you to know how grateful I am for everything you have done for me." said M as she reached over to squeeze Eve's hand.

"M, we will all be for you, and I promise you will never be alone." replied Eve.

"Well it's getting late and I have to be in the office early in the morning so unless there is something else you would like me to help you with I'd best get going" said Eve as she rose to leave.

"No I think I can manage from here. Thank you Eve you've been a godsend. I'm not quite sure how this shower situation would have turned out it James had tried to help." replied M with a smirk.

"Would you like me to help you back down the stairs?"

"No I think I'll just stay here, It's been a hellish day and I'm a little tired."

"Alright...Well goodnight then. M... would it be alright if I stop by tomorrow to check on You?"

"Yes. I think I would like that"

Eve made her way back downstairs just as Bill was putting on his coat.

"Ready to go?" he said as he reached for her coat

"Yes. We have a busy day tomorrow" she replied

"Where's M" asked James looking around

"She decided to stay put. She's had her shower and is just waiting to be tucked in for the evening" said Eve with a mischievous smile.

"Alright then.. off you go you two, Wouldn't want to keep the lady waiting now would we?" he said winking back

As soon as they left James locked the door , shut off the lights and went upstairs to find a very tired M lying in bed.

"I heard a rumor that someone up here needs tucking in for the night?"he said with a grin

"Very funny James. I'm just tired is all" she replied trying to stifle a yawn

"Well then let's just call it an early night shall we" he said pulling the blankets up around her more securely.

"You don't have to go to bed as well if you don't want to" said M apologetically

"We've both had a very long day I think the rest will do us both good" he said as he reached for the pillow and blanket at the foot of the bed so that he could make a bed on the floor beside her.

"James... If I ask you to do something for me would you?" she asked tentatively

"Of course, Just name it" he said softly

"Would you mind terribly if you slept up here instead of the floor, I just don't want to be alone?"

"Not at all" he said tossed the pillow and blanket aside and climbed in beside her.

Once he was settled he reached over and put his arms around her and pulled her into a close protective embrace, his head resting on the top of hers.

"You will never be alone. I promise" he replied as she snuggled closer to him and they fell asleep.

Eve and Bill had a very different type of conversation on the way home.

"Did you get the chance to tell him about the call from Joanna?" asked Eve sounding a bit concerned as she already knew how the conversation with M's daughter had gone.

"Yes as a matter of fact and we are in complete agreement. As far as we're concerned we are her family now and it's up to the three of us to get her through this" said Bill firmly

"Well that may be a bit tricky" said Eve with a slight smile

"Why's that?" asked Bill turning to look at her "What are you smiling at?" he asked looking very puzzled

"Well it's just that I think M is starting to develop feelings for James judging by the way her face lights up when she talks about him" she said sounding rather matter of fact

"Oh that's just bloody great!" said Bill

"What do you mean" she replied slapping his arm playfully "I think it almost well cute" she said

"No it is definitely NOT cute" he replied sounding annoyed

"Why?"

"Because for one thing she's his boss, she's not exactly in her right mind at the moment and under ordinary circumstances she'd have him used for target practice for this type of behavior and.." he stopped mid sentence

"AND..." she prodded

"And, he's starting to develop feelings for her as well" he said sounding rather bewildered

"Oh this could be bad" replied Eve shaking her head