M phoned Moneypenny and informed her to make sure Tanner didn't leave headquarters. She couldn't risk Campbell going after him. He was in no fit state to defend himself should anything happen. She didn't go into detail on why, only that it was important that he stayed there and she would explain when she arrived back. Forty-five minutes later she was back at headquarters and made her way to medical Bond following closely behind her asking for Tanner, the nurse informed her that he had discharged himself and she didn't know where he was.

Bond noticed M become tense and directed her away from the nurse before a full blown argument filled the room.

"Relax M, he is probably in your office. Campbell would be stupid to come back here, and Moneypenny would have called you back if she had missed him."

For Tanner's sake, she hoped Bond was right. Nearing her office she heard hushed voices emanating from within. She saw Bond shake his head in amusement, before marching into her office seeing Tanner, Q and Moneypenny crowded round the front of her desk.

"I told you to stay put!"

"Actually ma'am you told me not to leave headquarters. Or rather you told Moneypenny to not let me leave headquarters."

"Yes, alright enough of the cheek. We've got important matters to discuss. Bond, close the door."

Tanner whispered something to Moneypenny which sounded like 'whipped.' But M chose to ignored it.

"What's this about M?" Q took one of the seats in front of her desk.

"Campbell."

"Wait as in Doctor Campbell? The same one that works for us?"

"Really Tanner how many other Campbell's do you know?" Bond asked him as he came to stand beside Moneypenny.

Tanner ignored him, and kept his attention on M.

"The one in the same Tanner. He was the one that blew up Q's office."

"He was the one that caused a year's work to be ruined? Employees today, and here I thought the double O's were a pain."

"Some of us."

"I mean mostly you 007."

"Yes, that's all well and good. I'm sorry about your work Q, but this is more serious than your gadgets." Bond retaliated.

"Enough! The longer we delay, the more time Campbell has!"

M didn't have time for this. Once she was sure there would be no more interruptions she continued on.

"We have reason to believe that Campbell is out for revenge for what happened to Ellis…"

"Why? They didn't know each other."

"If you would have let me finished Tanner, you would know Campbell was Ellis' cousin."

"M are you sure?"

"For once I wish I wasn't Q. We have found evidence at Ellis' flat, what we did found so far was a journal with pictures of all the government officials who have been killed, some of which are still being targeted. Agents are still going through his flat with a fine tooth comb, but form the looks of it, there is no denying that Ellis had to have been working with Sarintino, which nod doubt was why he killed him rather than bring him in for questioning."

"If he was brought in to our custody, he would have told us about Ellis." Tanner realised.

"Yes, and we have reasons to believe that Campbell is going to continue were Ellis left off."

"Shit, that doesn't explain why you asked me to not leave this building."

"You were apart in Ellis' death. So Campbell will no doubt hold you, Q, Bond and myself responsible. Which means your lives are at risk."

"But why ask me to stay and not Q."

"You were being discharged. Q wasn't."

"Wait until you've heard the best part." Bond told them sarcastically.

"Ellis appears to have taken an interest in Bond, and myself. His room was covered in pictures of us separately and individually."

"You know for someone who allegedly hated you both, that is seriously creepy, borderline stalker." Moneypenny instinctively shivered at the thought.

"Quite." M agreed.

"Doesn't help that M was on their government officials hit list." Bond mumbled causing the other three to look at him, while M shot him an unamused look.

"Well, you weren't going to tell them."

"That list is irrelevant at the moment Bond."

"Why? Just because he wants revenge against us, doesn't mean he won't carry out those additional hits. If anything he would use them as a message so you would hand yourself over to him."

M debated with herself on Bond's statement, before finally making a decision.

"Alright, I'll contact the officials who are a potential hit and give them warning their lives are on the line. I can see this going down well."

"If you want ma'am I can do that for you, will give you time to concentrate on other matters."

"Thank you Moneypenny. I'll have a list of names on your desk shortly.

"So, what do we do now. Camp out in your office for the foreseeable future until Campbell is caught?" Tanner asked.

"No, until the agents have finished going over everything in Ellis' house, you're going into protective custody. Even you Bond."

"What? I'm an agent for Christ sake."

"Yes, which is why we need you to do your job, I need one agent there whom we can trust."

Tanner and Moneypenny side glanced at each other, trying hard not to smile at the hidden message.

"Which additional agents are you appointing?"

"Smith, Ross, and Davis."

She raised an eyebrow when she heard him scoff.

Problem Bond?"

"No."

"Good."

"Wait, safe house as in one?"

"Q you aren't scared of sharing a house with a woman are you?" Bond asked him in a mocking tone.

"Of course not 007. I was only asking to make sure that was all. Besides I've already seen M naked."

"Me too." Tanner cut in.

Moneypenny raised her eyebrow in amusement at seeing Bond clench his jaw at the statements. "I take it I've missed something?"

M rolled her eyes, "I'll tell you the story at a later date."

"Ma'am, perhaps we should take Moneypenny with us. She is your personal assistant, so she may be at risk."

M sat back in her chair and tried not to let a smile slip free at Tanner's question. She had a feeling there was something going on between those two and she knew Tanner had a point.

"Alright, she may not have had any involvement with Ellis, but from this moment she is a possible target."

She saw Bond watching her in curiosity, which she subtly nodded to Tanner an Moneypenny. His curiosity was replaced with amusement, and she knew the bastard would tease Tanner to no end.

"Now that's sorted, I'll have an agent appointed to you, so you can pick up some of your things then they will take you to the safe house." She informed Tanner and Q.

"Moneypenny, Bond and myself will arrive later. There are some things I still need to finish up on. Moneypenny if you could contact Smith and Davis for me and tell them to get themselves and two cars ready."

"Of course. What about Ross?"

"He'll be travelling with us later."

M watched as Moneypenny left, before she turned her attention to Tanner.

"How long?"

"I don't follow ma'am."

"Tanner, I'm not stupid, I've seen the way you and Moneypenny act and the fact you want her to come along. So, tell me how long has this been going on for?"

Tanner gave a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck, "four months. We don't let it interfere with work. We thought if we kept it a secret…"

Q mumbled something under his breath that was difficult to make out.

"Tanner, I know you know that relationships between co-workers are frowned upon."

"I am aware of that ma'am."

"Good, then as long as you ensure that it remains a secret and don't let it interfere with either of your jobs I'll turn a blind eye."

"Thank you ma'am."

M gave a smile, "You could have told me."

"I was about, but then I opted out. Don't say anything Bond."

"I wasn't going to. Except congratulations, Tanner, it's about time."

Moneypenny re-entered the office and took a look around the room as all eyes found her.

"What?"

"Nothing, were you able to get a hold of them?"

"I did ma'am, they are waiting downstairs."

"Very well. We'll give you a few moments Tanner. Try not to be too long."

M, Q and Bond left the office shutting the door behind them.

Q lets out a sigh, "those two as well, I'm getting too old for all of this."

"You and me both Q." M told him amused.

She turned to Bond, rolling her eyes at seeing Bond pressing himself against the door trying to listen in on what they were saying. Smacking him on the back of the head, he looked towards her annoyed.

"What the hell was that for?" He asked rubbing his head where she had smacked him.

"For being a pervert."

The door opened and Moneypenny and Tanner stepped out a small blush on their faces.

"I take it, you used the most of your privacy?" Bond grinned at them.

"For Christ sake, Bond get your head out the gutter." M said exasperated at his antics.

"You and Q had best get ready and we'll see you soon." She addressed the two men.

They both nodded and left, leaving the three of them standing in the corridor outside M's office.

"Do you think they will be alright?" Moneypenny asked with slight worry.

"They'll be fine, I'll make sure of it." M promised the younger woman.

She jumped slightly when she felt Bond take her left hand in his, intertwining their fingers. M knew she should pull away, but found she didn't want to. The simple gesture spoke more than words ever could. It gave her comfort, strength and also made her feel protected. As long as she had Bond by her side, they may actually get out of this ordeal with Campbell alive.