I'm not really good with the action stuff so if it's a little off please forgive me. Enjoy
James arrived in Pakistan after several hours of delays. He was already none too happy about going in the first place and then to top it off he was forced to sit in an airport terminal with a bunch of very unruly, boisterous children. He was hot and tired and yet he somehow found the energy to set out to find this Josef Yousef. He decided not to waste any time because the faster he found his target the faster he could return home to M. "Home," it had a nice ring to it he thought to himself. He had never really thought of his flat as home, more just a place to keep is stuff, but with M, being at her flat, it was different. She was there, she needed him and more to the point he needed her, there was a certain comfort, it just seemed right. "Get hold of yourself" he muttered to himself as he made his way down the narrow, dusty street. "She's in good hands so there's nothing to worry about. Concentrate on the task at hand" he chided himself as he continued his search.
It didn't take long for James to locate his target and thus began the "watching"
What he didn't realize is that he wasn't the only one watching. So was Mallory from headquarters, and so was M from home.
After a few hours the target was on the move with James close behind and something was up. Josef Yousef acted rather nervous, as if he knew he was being followed and his behavior became more and more erratic making it difficult for James to follow.
"Bond, what's the problem' said Mallory sounding slightly irritated
"Well Sir I can't really tell unless I get closer "replied Bond
"Well then get closer"
"I thought you said Do Not Engage"
"I know what I said but we need to know what he's up to and we aren't getting anywhere like this"
"Well what do you suggest?"
"Just get closer!"
It was then that Yousef disappeared down an ally on a dead run with Bond close behind
"Sir he's on to me, I'm in pursuit"
Just then a volley of gunfire was heard thru the ear piece followed by what appeared to be a small explosion
"Bond what's happening! Report!" Shouted Mallory running his hand thru his hair nervously.
"Tanner what's happening?" "Q, I need CCTV, Satellite anything"
"Right Sir" answered Q and Tanner simultaneously as the screens in the command center began to light up like Christmas trees.
Sir. I think you underestimated the situation, He's not alone there are four more shooting at me. Permission to fire!"
"No! I told you in no uncertain terms Do Not Engage do you understand!" shouted Mallory as he was pacing about the command center
It was then that M and Eve entered the command center. M, who had been following the situation from her lap top concluded early on that this mission was about to turn into a giant fiasco of epic proportions that might very likely get her best agent killed all in the name of vanity.
"What the hell is going on?" shouted M as she went to stand next to Tanner at the command desk.
"No need to worry M, I've got the situation under control" said Mallory thru clenched teeth
"Like Hell you do" shouted M as she turned to face Mallory "You've gone and sent an agent with a double O status into an impossible situation with instructions Not to kill. What kind of Bloody plan is that?" she asked as she turned her attention back to the monitors
"Tanner, Report. Where is he?"
"He's just there ma'am, and he's under fire from all directions" said Tanner pointing to the map
"M if you don't mind this is my mission" said Mallory tersely
"Shut up Mallory!" she replied furiously "If you're not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. 007 report what's the situation?"
"M?" he replied sounding confused
"Yes that's right now what's the situation?" she asked again in a rather tense tone
"I'm taking a lot of heavy fire with orders not to return fire ma'am, That's the bloody situation!"He replied angrily as bullets could be heard whizzing past his head.
"007, The do Not engage order has been rescinded effectively immediately." she said firmly "Permission to return Fire."
"With pleasure Ma'am" he replied as rapid gunfire could be heard
Mallory was completely stunned by what was happening.
"M, all due respect but you cannot just waltz in here and take over this mission just because your precious 007 is a bit of a jam" he hissed as he brushed past her
"I don't think you have the balls for this situation!" he said icily
"The advantage is I don't have to think with them" she replied coolly
"Tanner where is he now?" asked M as she scanned the screens
"He's here ma'am, just beyond that building, but his pinned down at the moment" replied Tanner sounding rather concerned
"Where are Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" she asked calmly as several confused glances shot around the room
"They're here Ma'am " said Tanner pointing to the screen "They're just waiting for instructions" replied Tanner as he tried to conceal a slight grin
"Well what are we waiting for, Send them in!" she said impatiently
"Snow White, The Scarecrow could use a little help right about now if you wouldn't mind" said Tanner
"The pleasure would be all ours" was the reply on the other end of the line
"What are they doing!"Shouted Mallory
"Creating a diversion" Replied M sharply
Just then what sounded like a small explosion followed by the sound of heavy artillery was heard.
"007, what's happening? Report" shouted M
There was a long silence before James finally responded
"Just waiting for the dust to settle ma'am" he said with a hint of relief in his voice
"Your instructions are to apprehend one Josef Yousef and bring him in for questioning is that understood?, and Bond, do try your best to avoid killing him, it would be greatly appreciated" she replied in a slightly more relaxed tone
"Yes ma'am and by the way good to have YOU back" he said as he took off in pursuit of the target.
"Now what's he doing?" asked Mallory sounding extremely irritated
"His job" M replied flatly "Mr. Tanner you're in charge, Mr. Mallory, My office NOW!"she said as she headed toward the door with a face like thunder, with Mallory following not far behind.
"Eve" said Tanner motioning for her to come closer "What the hell was that?"
"That my dear Tanner was a tiny little force of nature know as M, and I personally wouldn't want to be in his shoes right about now" she said with a grin
"But what about her memory?"he asked under his breath
"Apparently it has returned in full force along with her temper" she replied shrugging her shoulders
"Apparently" he said nodding in agreement.
The tension was so thick you could have cut it with a knife in M's office with M practically shooting daggers with her eyes at Mallory and him just glaring back at her with complete and total contempt.
"Just what in the Hell were you thinking?" asked M as she took a seat behind her desk staring angrily at Mallory while she waited for his pathetic answer
"A situation arose that needed immediate attention and as you were otherwise occupied that left it to me to deal with it!" he replied sharply
"A situation is that what you call it? a situation. Did it ever occur to you that situations come up all the time, however we do not send in agents until we first have all the facts. There are certain procedures that must be followed so that missions do not turn into fiascos ,You of all people should be aware of this since you are so keen to point them out" she replied angrily
"All due respect M you were nowhere to be found at the time this came up, just what were we to do set it aside until you were Available?" he snapped
"No. on the contrary I expected you to take all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our people" she snapped back
"I assume you are referring to 007" he said dryly "I notice you didn't hesitate to call in for reinforcements at the first sign of trouble"
"I thought it was a prudent move under the circumstances"
"Does the PM know that you called in a military strike force?" he asked suspiciously
" Even the PM is smart enough to know not to question our methods" she replied sounding extremely irritated
"Admit it Mallory, you were in over your head and you know it. This was just retaliation for our discussion yesterday. You want me to retire with dignity, well I'll retire when the bloody job is done and not before do I make myself clear?"
"You know it's only a matter of time" he retorted
Just then M's phone rang and it was Bill on the other end.
"M. Just thought you would like to know that 007 has detained the target and will be bringing him in for questioning. They will be arriving in a few hours"
"Thank you Mr. Tanner" she said as she hung up
"007 has a little gift for you. He will be here in a few hours. I believe I will leave the interrogation to you since, as you said, this was your mission."
"Thank you" he replied sounding rather irritated
"And as for your comments regarding 007. Yes, I do tend to let some things slide at times where he is concerned, however sentimentality has nothing to do with it. It is because he is our best bloody agent. He has single handedly kept us out of countless situations and he has personally saved my life on several occasions, so if his methods do not measure up that's too damn bad"
"I see" said Mallory not completely convinced with her explanation "Well then if we are finished I will go and wait for our "Guest" to arrive" he said turning to leave.
"Yes. Why don't you go and do that. And Mallory...If you ever make a comment like that again about my relationship with 007 in front of my staff I will not hesitate to drop you where you stand, Do I make myself clear?" she snapped as she gave him a look that could freeze running water.
"Yes Ma'am" he said as he disappeared out the door.
M just sat at her desk with her head resting on her hands. "What have I done" she thought to herself "Will they ever forgive me, Will HE ever forgive me for not telling him sooner."
TO BE CONTINUED...