Just a little cliff hanger to keep it interesting :)
James waited patiently for hours before calling a taxi and heading to M's office. He couldn't help feeling uneasy as he rode the lift up to her floor. Being a Saturday, the building was virtually empty except for the normal security detail and a few Agents and office personal. When he stepped off the lift he headed for her office and ran directly into a frazzled Bill Tanner.
"Bill, what the hell are you doing here on a Saturday?" asked James
"Yeah I know it's a Saturday, but when the queen snaps her fingers…" snapped Bill
"Is she still here?"
"Yes, but I wouldn't go in there if I were you, she's not in the best of moods."
"I am already aware of that" said James as he headed toward her door "Why are you here anyway?"
"She called and asked me to come in and pull some old files from the archives" replied Bill
"What files?"
"Some old case from almost forty years ago"
"Any idea why she wanted them?"
"Not a clue. All I know is that as soon as I gave them to her she ordered me out of her office"
"Right then. Why don't you go home, I'll take it from here" said James with a wink
"007, as much as I would love to leave, if I go without her permission…"
"Don't worry about it Bill. I'll square it with her, besides she's not going to be here much longer herself" replied James firmly
"Well, if you're sure"
"Positive. Go salvage what's left of your Saturday night"
"Thanks Bond, I owe you one" replied Bill as he nearly ran down the hall to the lift.
James could hardly keep from laughing as he watched Bill disappear down the hall, then he turned to head toward the office door and his expression turned from one of amusement to one of frustration and concern.
James knocked lightly as he poked his head around the door.
"May I come in" he said quietly
"James…what are you doing here?" she asked looking up at him suspiciously
"You said you would be back in a while, and it's been more than a while and I got concerned" he said defensively as he crossed the room and leaned down to kiss her cheek
"There was no need for concern, I have been here the entire time" she said sounding a bit annoyed
"And just what have you been doing?" Asked James as he glanced down at the yellowing files on her desk
"None of your business" she snapped as she quickly closed the file she had been reading
"M, I'm only going to tell you this one more time. I love you, I have always loved you and I will always love you. Let me help…Please" he pleaded as he knelt beside her
"I don't want you involved in this anymore than you already are" she said quietly
"Too late. If you're involved then so am I so why not stop wasting time and tell me what you're doing and maybe I can help"
M reached over and brushed his cheek with her fingers.
"You are a dear, sweet man" she said softly
"Let me help." He said as he leaned forward and kissed her gently. As he pulled back he pointed to the files on her desk "Let's start with why you had Bill pull the original mission files"
"How did you know what those are?"
"Bill told me just before he bolted for the door when I told him he could leave" replied James with a wink
M picked up the files and took James' hand and lead him to the sofa.
"These are the files from the original mission as you said" she started "They contain all of the Intel information at the time as well as the reports before, during and after the mission"
"I see" said James as he picked up the file "So what is it that's bothering you?"
"This was all too coincidental, all too neat" she said narrowing her eyes
"I'm not sure I follow"
"Something that Jack said about Sergei only being an underling, a driver, not involved with the messy bits"
"Go on"
"Don't misunderstand. Anton was an evil man, a butcher, but he could have killed me and he didn't, He also wasn't stupid, he never would have left me in that hotel room alone after going to all the trouble of getting me there in the first place, so…"
"So you pulled the original files to go back over the Intel reports" concluded James
"James, it was so long ago, I just don't remember… but I do remember his face" she said quietly
"Whose face?"
"Sergei, and he was far more than just a driver"
"What do you remember?" asked James as he put the file down and put his arm around her, pulling her close
"Enough to know that we need to call Jack. Sergei is lying about his involvement in his brothers affairs forty years ago, and somewhere in one of these files is the proof" she replied in a very determined tone
James stood up and pulled M to her feet.
"Grab the files" he said as he pulled out his phone and began dialing
"What are you doing" she asked
"Calling Jack. There's a good chance he's still in London. If he is, I'm going to have him meet us at home and between the three of us we should be able to sort this out before Sergei has a chance to disappear again" replied James as he began escorting her toward the door while waiting for Jack to answer.
James was able to reach Jack just as he was about to board a plane, and after a few minutes of relaying the rather sketchy details, he was able to convince Jack of the need for him to stay in London, at least for one more day.
"What did he say?" asked M as she stared intently at James
"I told you, he said he would meet us at home" replied James
"Whose home? Yours or mine?" she asked with a slight grin
"This one" he replied as the car came to a stop "Ours"
"Oh I see. So I guess this means that my address is now public knowledge"
"Geez M, he's bloody CIA not a Boy Scout. In case you've forgotten he's in the same business as we are. Secrecy is his middle name" said James with a grin "Besides if you're not safe with the two of us around then you won't be safe anywhere"
"I suppose your right." She said as she got out of the car and headed up the stairs
"Hey…that doesn't mean you can just go charging off by yourself whenever you feel like it" he said following behind her
"I'm just unlocking the door not catching a plane to parts unknown" she said with a smirk
James followed along behind her, shut the door and flopped the files on the credenza in the hall before snaking his arm around M, pulling her to him in a deep kiss.
"Just promise me one thing" said James as he wrapped his arms around her tighter and buried his head in the crook of her neck
"What is that?" she asked as she pulled back as far as he would allow to look at him
"Don't go running off by yourself, even if it is just to the door until this is over" he said in a very serious tone "because IF you are right, then this isn't over, not by a long shot"
"Have I told you lately that I love you?" she asked
"No…as a matter of fact you haven't" he replied with a wicked grin
"JAMES!" she said firmly "We simply don't have time for that right now"
"Quite right" he said releasing her abruptly "But mind you, I will be keeping track, and when this is over…"
"Yes" she said seductively before she was interrupted by a knock at the door
"I'll get it, why don't you take the files in the other room and relax" replied James as he nudged her toward the sitting room
"Why James…You really can be quite masterful when you want to "she said with a laugh as she went just far enough into the sitting room to be able to peak around the corner without being seen
TO BE CONTINUED...