AN: Bold/Italics com/phone conversation

Hope you enjoy! :D

Tanner felt like banging his head against a wall. All she had to do was stick to what he told her to say. Now she was in an even bigger mess. He had forgotten to tell Jean to take off her wedding ring. Now the minister was currently drilling her for when it had happened. He had told her to tell him, it was a family heirloom, but instead she told him she got married a few weeks back. Now the minister was inquiring who it was she was married to.

"Jean, tell him it has nothing to do with him and get back on topic."

"That is really none of your business Minister. Now, we were here to discuss MI6's resources."

Tanner closed his eyes as the minister kept insisting she tells him, to ensure she went through the necessary security protocol and that he wasn't a threat.

"He isn't a threat minister. In fact, he is someone you no doubt know."

He wondered where she was going with this and opened his eyes in realisation. "Jean…"

"It's admiral Roebuck."

They were done for. Tanner knew Olivia wouldn't let him keep his job after this. If anyone at six heard about this, there would be talk.

"I never knew the two of you to get on M."

Tanner heard the minister's disbelief.

"We put our professional opinions to the side and we realised that we could tolerate each other." Jean lied somewhat convincingly.

"Well, I'll have to call him to send him my congratulations."

"Give him Lionel's number Jean and tell him to call him tonight."

"He is busy at the moment, but you can reach him tonight on this number."

"I'm getting you out of there before you dig yourself in deeper."

Tanner stopped in his tracks when he heard the minister invite her and the 'Admiral' to a party he was hosting tomorrow night.

"Tell him you can't make it."

"Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I have to decline."

Tanner opened the minister's door without knocking and looked straight at Jean.

"Minister, Ma'am sorry for interrupting but there is an emergency at headquarters that needs your attention."

"I'm sorry Minister, but perhaps we could finish this meeting at another time."

"Of course. I'll be in touch M."

Jean gave a nod of her head in acknowledgement and followed Tanner out the room. Once in the lift she lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"That wasn't as bad as I thought."

"Jean you just told the minister you were married to Admiral Roebuck. If the minister tells the other government officials and it gets back to the Admiral Olivia could lose her job. Firstly by lying and secondly for asking her identical sister to fill in for her while she took a break with one of her agents. "

"I didn't think about that."

"Clearly. Look, perhaps it won't come to that, you just need to get Lionel to play along with this charade."

"Charade? I am married to him."

"You're married to Lionel not the Admiral." Tanner tried not to lose his patience.

Tanner was right, even though he didn't say it in so many words. She had messed up and it wouldn't necessary be her that would be paying for her lies. Though she was sure Olivia would make sure she paid for what she had done sister or not.

"What do we tell Olivia?"

"I don't know Jean. We'll let her enjoy her time off and worry about it when she comes back."

"Alright, we'll do that. I just don't know how I'm going to explain this to Lionel. I don't suppose…"

"Sorry Jean, you're on your own with that one."

"I thought as much."

/*\*/*\

James stopped the car outside a plantation style house that was tucked away in a quiet leafy conservation area of Torquay. Olivia was glad they had finally arrived so she could stretch her legs after being stuck in a confined space for three hours.

"What do you think?"

"I think the sooner I get out this car, the better my legs and back will feel."

James shook his head with a smile and watched as she got out the car and stretched.

"Well, are you coming or staying?" She asked him, and then slammed the car door closed.

James rolled his eyes and got out himself, and made his way to the boot, taking out their bags and locking the car.

"Shall we?"

Olivia started to walk in the direction of the reception leaving James to catch up to her.

"What the hell is the rush Olivia?"

She stopped, and allowed him to catch up. Once he was by her side they continued at a slower pace.

"If we only have a few days, I would like to make a start on this weekend break as soon as possible."

"If I didn't know any better Olivia, I would say you are actually looking forward to this weekend."

"I've no idea what you mean." She denied as they walked to the main entrance of the hotel.

'Sure you don't. " James murmured under his breath giving her a smile.

James held the door open for her. "After you."

"Ever the gentleman James." She gave him a smile, before walking through the door.

She looked at her surroundings noticing that the reception area had a nice homely feel to it, with a few paintings covering the walls and two sofas and a table off to the left.

"I'll go and check us in."

Olivia gave him a nod and turned to look at the various paintings on the walls some of which showed the house in its original state before it was likely refurbished. She noticed the plaque under the portrait which gave some history and background information the plantation house. The surrounding area was silent, except from James' voice as he spoke to the receptionist.

She was just about to move onto the next painting, when she heard a high pitched female voice, before being replaced with what she could only describe as dull masculine one, that would put most people to sleep. From what she could pick up from their conversation, it seemed the woman was annoyed, due her partner seemingly flirting with one of the chamber maids.

She looked a the couple from the corner of her eye seeing a couple to be about the same age as herself. They had cases with them and she assumed they were checking out. She couldn't help but feel relief knowing she wouldn't have to hear the woman's voice while she and James spent the next few days here.

She ignored the couple and instead turned her attention back to the painting, hearing the woman ordering her partner to check them out. She couldn't help but feel a tad sorry for the man who had to put up with a voice like that on a daily basis. Olivia just hoped that wasn't how James perceived her. Speaking of the man in question, she wondered what was taking him so long.

Looking at the reception desk, she saw the woman look around her before her eyes caught hers.

"Jean, well I never."

Olivia watched as she turned to her partner, "Stephen, Jean's here."

"Ah, so she is Pen."

Olivia's brain clicked, this must be Penny the one Jean had told her about. She put on a fake smile as the woman walked towards her.

It's a small world. You never told me you had planned a weekend away."

"It was last minute."

Penny gave her a calculating look. "I see. Poor Jean."

Olivia tried to keep her temper in check. "I'm not poor Jean."

"If you say so. Is Lionel about?" Penny looked around for any sign of him

Olivia tried to think of something, but she didn't need to when James walked towards her a smile on his face.

"Making friends already?" James went to wrap an arm around her waist when she sidestepped away from him.

James gave her a confused look as she subtly shook her head.

"Jean. Aren't you going to introduce us?"

James raised an eyebrow, realising why Olivia had avoided his slight embrace.

"Of course, Penny meet James. James, Penny."

James shook her hand giving her a subtle smile.

"So, how do you know Jean?"

"We're actually here on business. Jean is thinking about expanding her agency."

"Really? How adventurous of you Jean."

"Yes, I felt it was time to try and expand further." Olivia didn't know whether to thank James or smack him for causing a mess for Jean to deal with.

"But where's Lionel?"

"He couldn't make it. Besides it's a business trip, Lionel would be bored. You know how he is."

Penny narrowed her eyes. "Yes, I can imagine. We may pop in on our way back to see how he is."

"I'm sure he would appreciate that."

"Ah, this is a pleasant surprise." He gave her a friendly smile.

"It's not anymore Stephen. Do catch up." Penny rolled her eyes.

"Well, we had best get a move on Penny. It was lovely seeing you."

"Yes, it was. Take care Jean."

Penny watched as Jean and James went on their way waiting until they were out of ear shot.

"She's having an affair."

"What? Who?"

"Are you hard of hearing as well now Stephen. Jean."

"Steady on Pen…"

"How else to you explain her behaviour? We need to tell Lionel. That poor man."

"Are you sure that's wise? I mean we don't exactly have any proof."

"Oh, open your eyes Stephen. A good looking man with her in a hotel like this. Of course, they are having an affair."

Stephen, knew it was highly unlikely Jean would cheat on Lionel, but he couldn't quite place the feeling that there was something off with her. And it was nothing to do with an affair.

"Stephen, come on. We need to see Lionel."

He followed after his wife, hoping she knew what she was doing.

/*\*/*\

Once James and Olivia were in the elevator, James couldn't contain his laugh any longer.

"This isn't funny James. She probably thinks Jean is having an affair."

"Yes, and do, you think Lionel is going to believe her?"

Olivia gave a sigh. "Fair point. But I can see what Jean means with Penny being over bearing. If I had to put up with 'poor Jean' every so often, I would end up bloody slapping the woman!"

"Well, it's a good thing you don't isn't it." James raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, but how long will that last should she ever find out about me or Evelyn."

The lift doors opened and they made their way to their room. James unlocked the door and they made their way inside.

"Maybe we should call Lionel to give him warning James."

James closed the door behind them and dropped the bags on the floor. Turning around he pulled her into his arms and looked down at her.

"We could, or we could do something else." He hinted suggestively leaning down to kiss her only for her to pull away.

"Let me call Lionel, then we can get down to business." She gave him a smile.

"Fine, but I'm holding you to that." He quickly pulled her in for a kiss before she could pull away from him again.

"Go make your phone call." He whispered against her lips. Smiling slightly at seeing her breathing heavily.

"Perhaps it can wait for a few more minutes." She pulled him down for another kiss as he wrapped his arms around her waist, picking her up into his arms. Her legs automatically wrapping themselves around his waist as he guided them towards the bed.

/*\*/*\

Jean and Tanner finally made it back into Olivia's office, much to Jean's relief as she took a seat behind the desk.

"You had better make that call to Lionel, Jean."

"I know, but I have a feeling I already know how he is going to react when I tell him."

"I'm sure he will understand. Eventually."

"I hope you're right Tanner."

Jean picked up the phone and dialled their number. She played with the phone cord, out of nervousness more than anything.

"Hello?"

"Lionel, It's Jean."

"I was wondering when you were going to call. How is it going, being the head of MI6?"

"Yes, you see about that."

"Are you alright?"

"What? Yes I'm fine. Look the reason for me calling is I need you to do something for not only me, but for Olivia as well."

"What have you gone and done Jean?" He asked in exasperation.

"Nothing serious. I just need you to pretend to be someone."

"Why?"

"I may have told the minister I was married to an Admiral Roebuck, and have given him our house phone number. He is going to call you to give you congratulations. Play along Lionel please."

"And how am I supposed to do that? I don't even know who this Admiral is."

"Just be your usual self Lionel and everything will be fine."

She heard him give a sigh in annoyance.

"Alright, but as soon as your back you're explaining how you got yourself into this predicament."

"I don't think you will want to know the answer."

She could faintly hear Alistair's voice in the background and could just imagine Lionel's face.

"I have to go Jean. The over excited puppy is here. And I thought I was going to have a peaceful day."

"I'm sorry Lionel, you only have to play along for five to ten minutes."

"Easier said than done Jean. Alistair would you get off."

She could hear Alistair asking to talk with her and decided it was time to end the call. "I'll call you later."

"I'll look forward to it."

"Bye."

She hung up the phone and looked over to Tanner who was waiting to know what Lionel had said.

"He is going to play along, but he wants me to explain to him how it was I got him in this mess in more detail."

"Hardly surprising, as long as that's all you tell him. Now we will just have to break it to Olivia when she comes back."

"I can't see this going down well. Maybe she could tell the minister they got a divorce…"

She stopped what she was thinking as she watched Tanner shake his head. "It was stories like this that got us in this mess to begin with. We'll let Olivia decide how she wants to play it Jean."

"Alright." She wondered what Olivia would come up with to get herself out of the mess she had created for her.

"Why don't you just look through the rest of that paperwork Jean and we'll deal with it when the time comes." Tanner told her gently, while thinking he wasn't getting paid enough for this.

Just two more days he told himself then things could get back to normal. Well what was normal by MI6 standards or so he hoped.