For RebaForever15 and Prosper the XVIII hope this meets with your approval hehe Yeah I know inside joke.

After breakfast M went upstairs to dress as James went looking for a picnic hamper which was nowhere to be found. Not surprising to James as he had never seen M take a day off much less go on a picnic.

"Hey M" James called up the stairs "Do you happen to have a picnic hamper?"

"A what?" she said sounding a bit puzzled

"You know, a picnic hamper. The thing you put food in when you go on a picnic"

"Now that's a rather stupid question" she answered as she made her way back down the stairs

"What makes you think I would know the answer to that?"

"Just hoping, So I guess the answer is No" he replied flatly

"I honestly don't know and even if I did have one, I wouldn't know where to begin to look"

"No matter I'll think of something else" he said as he continued to flit around the kitchen

Just as he was about to put what was to be their lunch in a bag his phone rang.

"Now who could that be?" said M sounding a bit annoyed

"Don't worry I'll get rid of whoever it is" he said as he answered

"Bond..."

"James we have a problem" said Bill who was on the other end of the phone

"What seems to be the problem?"

"Well it seems that you have been called in for an assignment" replied Bill in a rather frustrated tone.

"Well who the hell ordered that, Technically I am already on assignment according to M, who by the way is my boss!" he said angrily

"Well according to Her Boss that order has been rescinded and you are to report for duty immediately"

"And just who the bloody hell issued that asinine order dare I ask"

"Three guesses and the first two don't count"

"Well I refuse to report, I can't leave M alone, she's not ready to be on her own!" said James clearly furious by this point

M, who had been eavesdropping finally interrupted

"James, what is it? What's wrong" worry quickly spread across her face

"Some damn fool, namely Mallory has decided that you do not require my assistance and has called me for an assignment!" he said

"I see" she said sounding rather displeased with the news

"Don't worry, I'm not going. He can fire me for all I care, but I'm not leaving you!"

"James, calm down. If he's called you than you have to go, you have no choice. Don't you see, this isn't about you. He's challenging my authority in my absence. Clearly he did not appreciate his being dressed down and he is taking it out on you. It's a power play, nothing more." she replied tersely

"I will not..."

"You're going and that is final!" said M "Tell Bill you will be there shortly!"

"Bill, according to M, I will be there shortly, but we need to do something about the situation here" he said clearly upset

"I've already spoken to Eve, She will be taking the rest of the day off due to illness. She is going to stay with M until we can get this sorted out. Don't worry James, She'll be in good hands I promise" replied Bill trying his best to be reassuring as he hung up.

James hung up and turned to look at M who seemed almost terrified and infuriated all at the same time.

"Who the bloody hell does he think he is" she said as tears began to form in her eyes "He has no right to countermand my orders" she continued

James quickly closed the distance between them and pulled her into a loving and protective embrace.

"Shhh...It's going to be alright." he said lightly kissing the top of her head

"I know. It's just that I haven't been alone since I fell, and what if it's a dangerous mission and something happens to you and what if..." James finally cut her off by kissing her before she could work herself up unto a proper state of panic.

"Don't worry, We have no intention of leaving you alone. Eve has gone home sick only she isn't really sick. She is going to stay with you until Bill and I can get this sorted out." he said softly.

"I see" she replied wiping away the tears. " Then you should get going. Wouldn't want to keep the master waiting now would we" she replied with a weak smile.

"I really think I should stay at least until Eve arrives" he protested as he released his grip on her

"James. The sooner you report for duty, the sooner you can get this sorted out" she said reaching up to cup the side of his face "I'll be alright until Eve arrives. I promise" she said as she pulled him down and kissed his forehead.

"I won' be long. I promise" he said kissing her once more before he headed out the door.

M watched as James drove away with tears streaming down her face. She knew she could put an end to this nonsense by revealing the truth about her memory but part of her couldn't face losing all that she had gained in the past few days.

James arrived at the office ready to punch the first person who got in his way. He was ready to give Mallory a piece of his mind and he didn't give a damn about the consequences, However on the ride up to M's office it dawned on him that if he were to do that he would have to explain M's "little" situation thus creating a bigger problem. As he marched thru the outer office he gave a curt nod to Bill.

"Is he in" he asked angrily

"Yes and he's waiting for you and I warn you he isn't happy"

"Well that makes two of us then doesn't it" he replied sharply as he opened the door

"007 Reporting For Duty!" he said sharply as he closed the door.

To be continued...