Once the plane had landed in Britain Bond knew that a helicopter ride to the MI6 compound was out of the question. Monique had not appreciated the lift off at all, her tiny ears popping with the altitude change. Luckily the pilot was a father and had told Bond to try feeding her to ease her discomfort. The rest of the crew was quite relieved when it not only quieted her down, but put her right to sleep till after touchdown.
As soon as Bond walked into Q Branch he was surrounded by woman, all cooing down at Monique. Each one offering to hold her while he took care of his After Action Report. He wasn't sure if he could hand her over to just anyone, he was feeling a bit protective of his small charge, after having spent the better part of a day taken care of her. Just as Bond was thinking he might have to draw his sidearm to get them to back off Q used his rank as Department Head and sent the women back to their own workstations. He ushered the agent into his office where Bond could set the car seat down on the floor beside his chair. "You had no idea what a baby could do to the female population did you. Keep carrying her around and you will never have another lonely night." Q and Bond shared a quiet laugh.
Moneypenny walked through the office door, "Q informed me of your unauthorized cargo while you were in flight, and I have looked into suitably placement for the child." Moneypenny glanced down at the baby nervously only to have Monique look back and start to fuss. Bond immediately reached down and began unbuckling the straps as if he's been doing it for months, not hours. He lifted the child up into his arms but she did not quiet down. Moneypenny continued, looking a bit uneasily at the crying child, "Here is the list of local orphanages, as well as the paperwork for your After Action Report." She tried to hand the files to Bond, but his hands were full trying to calm Monique.
Bond was looking for a way to reposition the child in his arms so he could take the papers. He even tried to trade her for the papers with Moneypenny, but the woman only looked down at the small bundle with fear, going so far as to take a step away. Q quickly walked around his desk and took hold of the child himself, "Oh for goodness sake, give her here." Cradled in Q's arms Monique quickly stopped her fussing. Both Bond and Moneypenny looked at the thin man quietly cooing to the baby in his arms with a mixture of awe and surprise.
Still staring at the Quartermaster Moneypenny handed over the paperwork and continued, "None of the facilities has a spot currently available, they say they won't been able to take her until at least after the weekend."
Bond looked at her quizzically," It's only Wednesday, where can she go until they have the space available?"
"There are a couple of group homes nearby that say they can take her in temporarily; you will find them listed on the second page. They are not ideal, but for temporary care they are more than equipped." Moneypenny explained.
Q looked up with what could only be described as contempt on his face, "Absolutely not, those places are no place for any child. I'll take her home with me if I have too." Q had spent some time in group homes as a young teen; his only memories of them were cramped conditions, bullies, barely edible food and little to no supervision. Certainly it could be different for an infant, but why take that chance.
Bond looked at his Quartermaster with surprise and admiration as the young man cradled Monique in a very protective manner, turning his body away from Moneypenny as if she had sprouted claws and fangs. The agent wondered if Q even realized what he was doing. "That is not needed Q, I brought her here, she will come home with me. I have a quest room in my flat, I'm sure it could be temporarily setup to meet the child's needs. I'll just have to look into purchasing some furniture to be delivered today. I think that will have to take precedence over your lovely paperwork Eve, so sorry." He almost laughed as he handed the report papers back to a slack jawed Moneypenny, and gently pushed her out of the office.
"Damn it James, I am not typing your report up for you again!" she fumed at him while the door closed between them.