For RebaForever15 and ForeverMBond, I couldn't let things go smoothly for these two hehe :)
As M opened her eyes she was startled to find that she was not alone in bed, but it only took a few seconds for her to realize that it was James who was snoring away next to her, so she snuggled a bit closer and began running her fingers lightly across his chest in an attempt to wake him.
"Good morning" he said quietly as he leaned down and kissed the top of her head "Sleep well?"
"Yes, thank you" she replied as she leaned up on her elbow to look at him.
As she was about to lean in to kiss him, she noticed a bright red spot on his cheek and suddenly pulled back
"What is it? What's wrong?" he asked with a puzzled look
"What's that on your cheek?"
"What?...Where?"
"Right there" she said as she ran her finger over the spot
"It's probably just where something hit me during the gun fight yesterday" he said rather matter of fact
As M sat up to give it a closer look, she noticed a few more spots on his neck and chest. She began to back away slowly causing James to become concerned.
"It's really nothing" he said as he reached out to her
"Well unless you were running around with your shirt off that isn't shrapnel damage, let me see your arms" she said in a firm tone
"M this is ridiculous" he said as he extended his arm
As she worked her way up his arm she found several more spots and then when she pulled back the sheet she found even more spots on his chest and abdomen.
"JACK!" she shouted as she got out of bed and backed up toward the door
Jack, hearing M scream, came bursting thru the door with his gun drawn
"What is it?" he said in a worried tone
"We need a medic" she replied as she stood across the room from James
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Just find me a medic" she snapped as James attempted to get out of bed "And you STAY PUT!"
Jack was a bit confused, but he complied with her request and returned a few minutes with a medic as instructed. M pulled the young man aside and explained her theory of the spots and then took Jack's arm and led him out of the room.
"Do you think he was poisoned?" asked Jack nervously
"No, nothing like that, but if I am right, the trip home could be rather interesting" she said with a slight grin
After a few minutes the medic reappeared with a puzzled and yet comical expression on his face.
"Well?" asked M
"You were right, but how did you know?"
"Know what?" asked Jack
"Because I'm a mother and I've seen it before" she replied as she looked thru the doorway at James and shook her head
"Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" snapped Jack as he headed for the door to the bedroom
"Sir, I wouldn't go in there if I were you" said the medic, in all seriousness
"Why what's he got? The plague"
"No, nothing like that, but almost as irritating. I need you to check with everyone in the house and see if they have all had Chicken Pox" replied the Medic as he did his best to keep a straight face
"Chicken Pox? At his age?"
"It has been known to happen. I would have said it was Shingles, but they aren't clustered like Shingles, so that leaves Chicken Pox"
"Jack, why don't you go make sure that all of your agents have in fact had Chicken Pox, while I go and tend to James" said M with a grin
"What about you? Have you had it?"
"Of course, and I've had the shot for Shingles, so I should be fine" she said as she headed toward the bedroom to talk to the rather unhappy James.
M could hear Jack yelling down the hall for the other agents as she went to stand at the foot of the bed.
"I've been shot, nearly blown up, involved in more car accidents than any normal human being and I get sidelined by a children's disease" he snapped
"It could be worse" she said with a laugh
"HOW?...explain to me how this could be worse!"
"According to the medic, it hasn't spread any further than your abdomen. Any lower and that would be worse" she said trying to contain a grin as she moved to sit beside him. "Do they itch?" she asked
"Yes...as a matter of fact they do" he said pulling the sheet up around him
M did her best to console him, but he was not being very cooperative.
"James, let me see, maybe there is something we can put on them to make them less irritating"
"No!" he snapped "I would rather just suffer" he said with a pout
"Oh do be a grown up" she grumbled as she leaned over and felt his forehead "You seem to be running a slight temperature, let me at least get you an aspirin"
"I'll tell you what I do want, and it doesn't include aspirin" he said with a sly grin
"Sorry James, but that will have to wait until they have scabbed over"
"And how long will that take?" he asked rolling his eyes
"A few days..."
"Great...I finally rescue you and now I can't touch you." he replied with a pathetic look
"But at least you get to see me which is more that you got when I was with Sergei"
"Yeah...about him...He didn't...I mean you weren't..." James could not bring himself to finish the sentence
"No. Apparently, his old body works like mine...when it feels like it. Either that or he just simply wasn't attracted to an old woman" she said as she kissed the back of his hand
"I'm betting on the first part. He would have to be an idiot not to fall for you...Hell even Jack fell for you, and he never falls for anyone" quipped James
"Thank you James for that enlightening analogy" she said sarcastically
"Well at least this chapter of your life is officially over and we can get on with OUR new chapter" he said with a wink
"About that..." she said quietly "You know that I love you, but..."
"But what?"
"I just don't think it will work" she said bluntly "You will always be away, worrying about me, and I will get even less accomplished when you are on a mission, and I just don't see any way around this and..."
"I do" he said flatly "M, all due respect, but I quit!"
"You what?"
"You heard me. I quit, effective immediately"
"You can't just quit"
"I just did"
"I forbid it!" she snapped
"You can't, I don't work for you anymore" he said smugly
James couldn't quite pin down M's expression. It was one of anger, hurt and surprise all rolled into one, and he was sure that the rant that was about to follow would be epic, but he was counting on that.
"James Andrew Bond, in case you have forgotten, you belong to MI6, you have an obligation to Queen and Country not to mention me to fulfill you duties to the best of your abilities, and quitting is not an option for someone in your line of work. I do not now, nor will I ever accept your resignation. You are the best agent I have, I depend on you... I love you" she said as tears began to form in her eyes
"I know," he said as he reached out and pulled her to him "I just needed you to remember that"
"That was not really fair you know" she said as she snuggled up beside him
"I know, but I've never been one to play fair where you are concerned" he replied as he leaned down and kissed her deeply
When Jack walked back into the room and all he could do was shake his head.
"What is it with you two?" he said "Do you really want to give her what you've got?"
"Relax Jack" replied James "She's already had Chicken Pox..."
"But she could still contract Shingles with or without the shot, and at her age, no offense M, it wouldn't be good"
"Thank you for your concern Jack, but I think I'll take my chances" she said with a laugh
"Well I just thought I would let you know that we've taken a vote and we are going back to London in the jet that Mallory sent and YOU are going back on a military transport. We don't want to be exposed to this any longer than we have to. M you are welcome to come back with us if you want."
"Well being that I have already spent the night with him, I don't see how I can be any more exposed than I already am, so I will come back with James"
"Suit yourself" he said as he turned and left
"So is the wedding still on or not?" asked James quietly
"It's on, but only if you take back what you said about leaving"
"I never said anything about leaving, just quitting my job, there is a big difference. Leaving you was never an option" he replied as he held her close
"Why don't you get some rest while I phone Mallory with the mission details and see to the arrangements for getting home. I think that WE will be taking the jet and the others will take the transport. There is no reason for you to suffer anymore than necessary" she said as she gave him a quick kiss and got out of bed
"That's my M" he chuckled to himself "She always gets her own way"
T BE CONTINUED...