Chapter 6
Tony and Ziva ride together and discuss the unusual events of this afternoon. Ziva is a little off after her tussle with Bond.
"I need to get into training…I'm out of practice."
"Why just because of Bond…James Bond?"
Ziva glares at him. "Stop with the silly accents Tony…it might get you killed this time. He is a very attractive man though."
"As if….If anything it's the lady M who is the surprisingly hot one. Why aren't our directors like that? Work would be far more stimulating…"
"Focus on the road Tony…not how hot M is."
"So, Ziva what do you know about Ducky's new lady M?"
"Not much, M is the code name passed to all the heads of Britain's SIS. My father said she was a beautiful woman who tends to underestimate her attractiveness for the business at hand. She is tough and razor-sharp and the tools at her disposal are effective and dangerous. Bond is one…one of the famed 00's I'm positive."
"OK…I'm just going to say it….Is everyone just ignoring the fact that they are just characters from a movie….James Bond, M and a computer geek called Q? Come on…based on spy books from the 50's…any of this ringing a bell?"
"Tony you think everything in life is a movie. Maybe what the author wrote was loosely based on fact. The British are known for following long-standing traditions so they didn't want to change anything. After all it makes it less believable to the rest of us that they are these characters then. I think our Ducky is in love."
"She is an impressive woman…what Gibbs said was true…we instinctively tried to do things for her…it was scary how natural and easy it was to fall into that mindset."
"I don't think she tries to do it intentionally…she just has a powerful presence and because she is older…wiser and like a grandmother we naturally put her on the grandmother place in our hearts and minds."
"M does not seem grandmotherly to me at all…the opposite Ziva…maybe you and Abby see her that way but she is definitely more arousing than any grandmother in my mind."
Ziva swats Tony's arm.
"Hey…that hurt. Come on Ziva that woman is sexy I don't care how old she is. I will prove it to you…call McGeeky and ask."
"All right I will and prove to you that not all men think the same way as you."
"What is wrong in thinking that an older woman is attractive?"
"Nothing is wrong with it Tony it is just that you're attracted to her power and that is objectification of a different kind."
"Timmy…got a question for you."
What is it Tony?
"M…hot or not?"
This is your question?
"Yes, Ziva here thinks that the reason we all jump through hoops for her majesty is that she reminds us of a sweet little old grandmother."
Grandmother? I'm sorry Ziva but M does not strike me as grandmotherly at all but then again I don't have a traditional grandmother to compare her too.
"See I told you Ziva."
"McGee didn't say what you said he just said she was untraditional."
I'm afraid Tony is right on this one Ziva. M is hot…really hot.
"What does it for you Tim…her eyes or that voice?"
Oh god the voice is killer…can you imagine long phone conversations with her?
"Yeah…I know…can you picture her dressing down the agents…yeahsh…I would take her punishment any day."
"ENOUGH…how can you speak about the head of MI6 like that…disrespectful and diminishes her role in the intelligence community to that of a sex kitten from one of your movies…you two should be ashamed of yourselves. If you say one more sexist thing I will tell Bond and set him on you."
"Sorry…Ziva."
I guess it was immature and sexist of us. I apologize.
Tony shakes his head. "Ducky is one lucky man, dating such a fine woman."
"Do you think they are officially dating?"
"I don't know Ziva but they are going on one in a few hours and we have to make sure he gets to take her home for a good night kiss."
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After dropping by the hotel to retrieve his case they head to Ducky's house. They made the stop quickly as to not run into the NCIS team as they remove the body of a Marine from M's bath.
Ducky has a lovely home that until recently he shared with his mother. The guards check the perimeter and scan for listening devices.
The cleaning lady is there when they arrive and show them to their rooms. M has been given the master bedroom and Tanner and Bond the two others.
Mrs. Simms leaves them make them some food downstairs as they settle.
Bond knocks on M's door. She opens it as he steps in the master bedroom to look around.
"Your boyfriend has a very nice house. I suppose it is fitting that you get his room…or are you planning on sharing it with him tonight?"
"Bond! That is entirely inappropriate to ask and if I do…what is it to you?"
"Nothing ma'am but I thought I might need to know incase I hear sounds I should not…if I should burst into the room thinking you are being hurt."
"Bond you are a big boy now and should be able to tell the difference between someone being injured and a couple…enjoying themselves."
Bond scowls at her for the lecture and the teasing.
"Perhaps you and I need a safe word…or a danger word as it will be. I would suggest you scream my name but depending on what you are up too that may kill the mood should you say it prematurely."
M stands staring at her 00 agent wondering what is going on in that head of his. The two of them often banter but this…is more and M is unsure of what to make of it.
"Yes, and since you are often part of exasperating conversations it may come up at an inopportune moment. Perhaps we need a better safe word. For when you do have your ear pressed up against a wall or door to listen to the activities of an older couple getting to know each other. How about a name that only you and I know…like Skyfall?"
Bond frowns. "That will work. I think the food is ready downstairs ma'am."
"My you are suddenly being very formal Bond…what is really going on?"
Bond extends his arms indicating the room. "I don't like this…any of this."
"Well, this is the way it has evolved…obligations forbid us from leaving earlier and I am sorry that you have taken the brunt of the traumatic injuries Bond…speaking of which you must take your medications after we eat and get a nap before we get ready to go. The event begins late… and Ducky will hopefully be back by then."
"It's not just the mission, and being injured is par for the course for me but…"
"But what, Bond? I'm confused by your behaviour since your arrival. What is going on that has you so…on edge beyond the attempts on my life."
"Isn't that reason enough ma'am?"
"I suppose…but I'm just your boss…the one that reprimands you and sends you out to be shot at. Another M will rise from my ashes eventually."
"You are more than my boss and you know it!"
"Bond…what do you think there is between us?"
Bond puts his hand to his head and closes his eyes for a moment.
"Nothing…and everything…all and nothing…nothing and bloody frustration."
M pulls his hand away from shading his eyes. She looks at him very seriously while still grasping his wrist.
"That is? What? I don't really understand? We need to rely on each other for this work…I am like a mother to you…I give you the benefit of the doubt to get the job done…I am proud of what you have accomplished so far. This damn trip is more of a punishment for me stepping on the CIA's toes from your last mission."
"You would like it to be that easy wouldn't you? You know what the problem is…you are the problem."
"Bond…don't be absurd."
"Stop denying it."
"There is nothing to deny."
"So you are going to hide behind your desk and your age…take this harmless doctor to bed because he is safe and lives an ocean away…maybe he reminds you of Nigel…I understand loneliness M but I need you to know I'm here and that you have options closer to home."
"What options…You? Don't be asinine I cannot have a relationship with an agent."
"Why not?"
"Enough! This is all secondary to the mission at hand and not a situation I want to entertain. I have work to do with Tanner and you...you are under the influence of medication for extreme trauma…for christ sake you should not even be able to stand let alone go with us to the banquet."
"That is all just another pretty excuse wrapped up in a bow…the pain meds barely work for me and you know that from my medical information in London. I always manage to work through the pain. It's just that this pain is something more insidious…located in my chest a feeling of constriction when I imagine you in danger or with… another."
M sighs and releases Bond's hand not knowing what to say or do about this dramatic admission of…what? Bond has feelings for her…she is shocked…as shocked as she was to feel him wrapped around her in bed this morning.
"I have some work to do with Tanner before going out tonight."
M hears Bond sigh as he follows her downstairs to work.
Tanner and the guards are enjoying some food when Bond and M join them. M's guards will stay at Ducky's house with Tanner this evening, Bond will take Tanner's invitation undercover as her bodyguard at the function.
Bond, Tanner and M sit at the dinning room table to discuss what the plan is for this evening. Bond agrees to go lie down for a nap while Tanner and M do paperwork from Ducky's dinning room table.
"Tanner…have you noticed anything off about Bond? Besides being hit by a car and bruised over a large part of his body."
"Well, ma'am I have noticed his is a little more hostile when around you…I mean guarding you but it could be a result of the pain and injury he's dealing with."
"So you have noticed it too. Tanner, the man basically professed his love for me upstairs trying to get me to limit my time with Dr. Mallard. I think you need to schedule him for a psychological work up when we get home."
"Because he admitted feelings for you…you think he needs psychological help?"
"Yes, and because I am the boss Tanner."
"I will send the request to medical ma'am but I hardly think Bond having a crush on you warrants it."
"What should I do about it then Mr. Tanner? Become one of his casual flings in-between bedding models and the concubines of drug runners? Does that sound like something I would do."
"No…no of course not M but dismissing his feelings…if they are true it could be crushing to him. You and Bond have a unique relationship, caught between flirting and mutual admiration."
"So insightful today Mr. Tanner I do hope none of this becomes public for the rumour mills around work. Bond's confused feelings aside, I had no inkling of this before…don't look at me like that Tanner. I never knew, on a conscious level, what Bond's feelings were until now. It has done exactly what Bond planned…the maniacal bastard."
"What is that M?"
"Bond has succeeded in knocking me off-balance and has diverted my focus from…another… to him."
Tanner smiles. "As I told you before M, the good doctor is a fine man and you and he obviously get along. I say just enjoy yourself M and don't let Bond distract you from Ducky…just don't tell Bond I said that…we do have to live with him."
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NCIS
The body is in the morgue and the death is just as Bond said it was. There is evidence of a struggle, a gun and knife on the floor of the room.
Tony and Ziva collected photographic evidence before the local police came through and dusted for prints…they won't find any unless MI6 is sloppy and with M for a boss Gibbs doubts that they are that.
The Marine's name is James Cooper and McGee has found the information they will need to go ahead.
"McGee…on the screen."
"Yes boss. What I've found is that money was deposited 6 months ago into Reynolds account but not touched. The Captain is training a counter terrorist unit of 14 men. Two weeks ago our Marine David Fields dropped out of the program asking for a transfer. The current body is that of private James Cooper who was part of Captain Reynolds' team. The picture that Commander Bond showed me from his phone the one he followed here to base is that of Private first class Trevor Scott. Bond said he had a good look at the man who hit him with Fields' car so if we show him the remaining members of the team maybe he could ID him."
"Tony, Ziva go to Vance and have him get a warrant to search Reynolds' home now…time is running out. Tim you and I will go to Scott's billet and speak with as many of the team as we can find."
Vance has overheard much of the discussion as he approached the group.
"Hold a second. I need you to pull extra people on this Gibbs because you have to go home and find a dress uniform. The event that Ducky and... his friend are attending is for military and former military only. Tim will be our eyes and you on the inside with Ducky. If M is the target then tonight is the key."
"So Director we still have time to do a base search and Tony and Ziva can look at the main subjects home. I don't think our new British friends would want new people on this."
"All right but hurry. You and Ducky still have to get ready for the ball."
Gibbs frowns.
"What's the matter boss…dress duds not fit as well anymore?"
"Get to work DiNozzo."
"Yes boss….working…come on Ziva."
"Tim grab your gear we have to make this quick."
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Ducky is finishing up when Abby comes to see him.
"So, Ducky…this ball…banquet thingy could be dangerous?"
"I think that we are making progress and precautions for M's safety. I have trust in our team and her people enough to not fear what might be."
"Is that because you are in love Ducky…I mean I saw the way you looked at her and she always softened when she looked at you….it is a shame she doesn't live here…do you think she would move stateside if you become serious."
"Abby you are getting ahead of us all my dear. There is one thing that is certain. M will not leave Britain…it would be against every fibre of her being, not to mention they would never allow it."
"Who wouldn't…if she loved you she would."
"Abby that is the case of young love but with older people…we get set in our ways and M could never leave to live elsewhere even in retirement…with what she knows it would be a national security risk…I think we're doomed to have only this evening my dear."
"Make it a good one then Ducky…the kind they write sappy romantic stories about."
"I will try Abby…I will definitely give it my all, besides there is nothing preventing me from visiting her in London once in a while or even retire home in a few years."
"Ducky…don't say that…your romantic, almost love story is already making me tear up but you leaving will cause a flood from my eyes."
"Come now Abby you know I have to retire eventually…I am past retirement age as it is. I do still have friends in London and Edinburgh along with the incentive to see the lovely M."
"Still…I know you like her…a lot…to even be considering going back home after so many years Ducky…we are your family now."
"I know, my dear…I know you are."
To be continued...