An hour later, Smith called to inform her that the four of them had arrived at the safe house without any trouble. She felt relief wash over her, at Smith's simple statement.
"Good news?"
"You could say that. They have arrived at the safe house."
"Thank God for small favours at least." James mumbled under his breath.
"Quite. Now all we need to do is bring Campbell in and hopefully that should put an end to this whole affair."
She closed her eyes feeling drained all of a sudden. It was the first time she actually felt like she was getting too old to keep doing this job. She got lost in her thoughts she completely forgot Bond was in the room with her until she felt a pair of hands on each of her shoulders causing her eyes to open.
"What are you doing Bond?" She tried to keep her breathing normal.
"Relax M." He softly whispered in her ear as she felt him apply a light pressure with his fingertips down the side of her neck until he reached her shoulders.
She let her eyes close as she felt herself become relaxed as she let his fingers do wonders at easing her tense muscles.
James gave a smirk, and continued with his delicate touches feeling M relax with each motion. He started to glide his hands up and down the length of her neck feeling her muscles start to untense.
"You know this is unprofessional Bond."
"Do you want me to stop?"
She felt goose bumps travel along the base of her neck from where he had previously touched her. The professional side of her was screaming for her to tell him yes and be done with it. Bond giving her massage in her office knowing anyone could catch them was risky. That thought alone should have made her pull away from him and create some distance, but it seemed her heart had other ideas.
"You haven't answered my question M. Do you want me to stop?"
She licked her lips. Her mouth feeling dry all of a sudden.
"No." The word passed her lips faintly that she wasn't sure if she heard her answer herself.
"I didn't quite catch that M."
"I said no."
She opened her eyes feeling his hands leave her neck.
"I thought…"
"I can do this better if you were lying down."
She turned to look at him, looking for any sign that he was thinking of taking advantage of their situation.
"It's just for a massage M nothing more."
M could hear the truth behind his words and felt herself once again agreeing.
"Alright, and where is it I'm supposed to lay down as you put it?" She could feel her heart beating against her chest.
"Your sofa will do nicely." He gave her a smirk.
"I knew I shouldn't have decided on a sofa in the office."
"Be thankful you did."
She heard the seriousness in his voice and she could hazard a guess he was thinking back on events that landed them here. He would have to let the guilt go eventually, but she had known him long enough that it would take some time.
"James…"
"I know M, but no matter how many times you tell me it wasn't my fault that doesn't justify the fact that it was me who gave you that damn cup in the first place!"
She pushed her chair out from her desk without warning causing James to just manage to move out the way, before she stood up and turned to face him.
"We've been through this James, and I'm only going to tell you this one more time, because I'm sick and tired of repeating myself!"
She took a few steps forward until she was in his personal space. "It wasn't your fault! Now you had better get out of this guilt trip you're on James because self pity doesn't suit you!"
She could feel herself become tense her relaxed state she was in a few minutes prior was long gone.
"You bloody flat lined for Christ sake! You nearly died M!"
"Nearly being the operative word!"
"Nearly or not it should not have happened in the first place!"
"No, it shouldn't have. But what is done is done. I'm still here and I have you to thank for that."
"It was Q…"
"Q may have developed the serum, but it was you who refused to let me go!"
"How could you possibly know that?" He asked confused.
M gave him a smile. "After you gave your little speech when I asked you why you kissed me. It told me all I needed to know. I knew then and there you would have refused to give up on me. Am I right?"
He gave a nod, "I wasn't ready to lose you M. Not yet."
"So you keep saying James. But, you will have to let me go at some point and you need to be ready for when that day comes."
He knew she was right, she was always right. The mere thought of that day made his heart clench.
"But that aside, you were going to give me that massage."
He gave her a grin. "So, I was, after you M."
"No funny business, James I'm warning you right now."
"You can trust me."
She narrowed her eyes at him, as she took a seat on the couch and took off her shoes, then lay herself on her front arms crossed cushioning her head.
"Well, get a move on then Bond." She looked over at him, as he continued to stand there staring at her.
"Yes ma'am."
He was at her side in two strides causing her to roll her eyes.
"You know M…"
"My clothes stay on."
"What makes you think I was going to say anything relating to your state of dress?"
"I know how your mind works James. So, it's this or nothing. And right now I'm already breaking every protocol in this building."
"Are you sure it's not your protocol M?"
"Oh shut up Bond."
He gave a smirk and got to work, somewhat awkwardly. Maybe the sofa wasn't the best idea for a massage, but he didn't think she would appreciate being laid out on her desk. He inwardly cursed himself for that thought, it was already taking all his self control not to turn her over and pleasure her in other ways.
"I can hear you thinking from here and you had better get your mind out the damn gutter." Her voice came out muffled.
"You know M. Sometimes I think you're a mind reader."
"No, you're just predictable."
His hands moved further down until they reached her stocking clad legs as he made a start on the stiff muscles.
"If I feel your hands go under my skirt God help you."
"Would you just relax?" He told her exasperated.
"Fine, just make sure you do the other leg as well."
He rolled his eyes, "Of course ma'am. "
He couldn't help but smirk as he continued with his task being mindful not to let his hands travel further than where she told him. He heard her give a sigh, and moved to her other leg.
"M, don't take this the wrong way, but you're going to have to spread your legs slightly."
"Fine."
He expected some protest from her, but the far away sound in her voice told him that she was finally starting to relax.
James was about to start on her left leg when her office door opened and a surprise voice caused him to turn to see Moneypenny in the doorway files in her arms.
"Sorry, I didn't…"
"Moneypenny, I've told you to knock before entering." M sat up in an upright position placing her heels back on her feet.
"Now, what is so urgent that you couldn't knock before barging in here?"
"We have reports on sightings of Sarintino's men."
"Where?"
"Last seen in France ma'am. The French Prime Minister was on Ellis' government leader hit list."
"Shit, have you contacted the French authorities?"
"I have ma'am. They've asked if we can send out a few agents to help with security."
"If that's the case, it seems your earlier idea was right James. Either that or this is merely a diversion for Campbell to make his move. Is there any leads on Campbell?"
"Negative ma'am. We are still looking for him."
Moneypenny looked from James and M noticing they were having a silent conversation with each other.
"What's the plan of action?" Moneypenny asked curious.
"You and I will meet Tanner and Q at the safe house. I'm sending Bond and 002 to France to bring in Sarintino's men. Chances are they are now working for Campbell." M informed the younger woman.
"What? And who is going to protect you?"
"Ross, Smith and Davis will be there. We're more than covered. I'll take two more agents with me if it will make you feel better."
"They don't stand a chance M. You need me."
"I need you to do your job and that bring down Sarintino's men, the quicker you do that, the quicker you can come back!"
"That is probably what Campbell wants!"
"Perhaps, perhaps not! My orders are final Bond, you leave on the next available flight. Moneypenny if you could…"
"Of course ma'am. I'll have the information on your desk shortly."
M waited until Moneypenny had left her office and the door had closed behind her.
"This is bullshit M and you know it!"
"You know I had a conversation similar to this with Ellis before he decided to spike the coffee. He was another agent who wasn't pleased with my orders!"
She stood up from the couch and walked to her desk. Only to be halted in her place with Bond's hand on her arm.
"Are you comparing me to him?" He tried to keep his voice level.
"Of course not!"
"Then what did you mean you had a conversation similar to this with Ellis?"
"Because he said the exact same thing!"
He let go of her arm as if burnt.
"Look, just follow my orders without question this time Bond, do us all a favour!"
She could see him battling the emotions no doubt thinking about the comment, she had made about Ellis. The man was gone and yet he seemed to still be causing trouble.
"I'll go on two conditions M." His eyes hardened.
"Which are?"
"If you are in trouble you contact me. I mean it M!"
"Your first priority is ensuring Sarntino's men…"
"Then we have no deal!"
M narrowed her eyes, "Fine! And the second condition?"
"I can take you out to dinner once this whole mess is cleaned up."
She took a deep breath, "Alright, but only after Campbell is caught. Then you can arrange dinner."
He gave her his trade mark smile, "There is one more thing."
"You said two conditions."
"It's not a condition, per say." He reached out and cupped her face in his hands.
"James…"
The rest of her words were cut off as she felt James lips on hers as he leaned down and softly kissed her with a tenderness she didn't know he possessed. As soon as it happened it was over, making her think she had just imagined the full thing. But the smile on James' face told her she hadn't. Far from it.
"If we are agreeing on conditions I have two of my own." She looked up into his eyes.
"And what would those be?" He traced her bottom lip with his thumb.
"You come back to me alive."
"Done and the second?"
"You give me a proper kiss." She gave him a small smile.
"I thought you'd never ask."
"Ma'am."
M sidestepped away from James as the man himself gave Moneypenny a cold hard stare at being interrupted once again.
"Sorry." The younger woman apologised, while trying to hide her smile.
"Here is all the information you will need for your trip James. Your flight leaves in two hours. 002 will meet you at the airport." Moneypenny handed him the folder, which he tried to take without snatching it from her in frustration.
"Thank you Moneypenny." M told her trying to hide her own frustration. She would be having words with her on timing.
"Ma'am."
M turned to James. "You had best get ready Bond. I'll see you when you return. Make sure you keep at least one of Sarintino's men alive won't you."
"This time M, you can count on it."
"I'm holding you to that. Good luck."
"Yours is all I need." He gave her a wink and left her office, each step causing his uneasiness to grow at the new situation.
He would make sure he got this mission over with as quickly as possible, then he would find Campbell and have that dinner date with M. If only it were as easy as he made it sound, for once he hoped the mission would work in his favour without much hassle. He didn't think his ribs could take any more damage, but he couldn't afford to fail this mission. They capture Sarintino's men, hopefully they will lead them to Campbell.
/*\*/*\
Campbell watched the safe house from his car, and had to smirk that M had only appointed two agents so far. She really was losing her touch where safety was involved. The two storey house he had followed them to just on the outskirts of London, just appeared to be your normal house. But he knew M wasn't that stupid. Just because there was only two agents didn't mean there were not other forms of security, but he knew a way to find out the layout. It wouldn't be too difficult.
The sound of his mobile ringing caused him to smirk, as he answered it.
"Yes?"
"Do you want us to move in?"
"No. We wait for the time being. Just keep watch on the house, and keep me informed on everything that happens. We'll know when the time is right."
"Alright boss."
"Is our other plan in motion?"
"Yeah, done as you requested."
"Good. This is proving easier than I originally thought."
"Boss?"
"It's nothing. Just focus on your current task. I have a few matters to deal with that may help us in the long run."
"Anything you say boss."
"Oh and Ricco, don't let me down."
He hung up the call and looked once more to the house before starting the engine and made the drive back to London. He would get his revenge soon enough, he was in no hurry. He would let them enjoy their brief moment of peace, before he brought their world crashing down. After all, the best has still to come.
