Chapter 15
Bond stands with Felix and watches as M pulls Ducky backstage with her and takes another gulp of his scotch.
Gibbs is suddenly beside him as he is rests up against a railing to the upper level bar behind them.
"You OK Bond?"
"What do you think?"
"I think that M and Ducky are saying goodbye and you are drinking feelings away."
Bond takes another double from the waitress and holds it up to Gibbs in a salute.
"Here is to gingers…redheads…who drive us mad."
Fornell, on the other side of Gibbs says…"here, here." as he raises his beer in salute.
They shake Bond's hand and move to leave. Tony advances on them to find out what is going on.
"Tony can you drive them to the airport?"
"Sure boss and then I will take Ducky home."
Bond interjects. "That will not be necessary Gibbs, Felix will be taking us to the airport."
Felix salutes Bond after looking at his phone. "Our ride is here and waiting outside."
"Thanks for your help Felix."
"Anytime, Bond…anything for her. That is some dame you work for."
"Yes." Bond manages to say without slurring much.
Bond and Tony stand waiting after the others move off to the side to wait to say goodbye to M.
The show is good but not as impressive as watching the head of MI6 shaking it up on stage, singing like the sexy dame she is.
Tony always finds silences uncomfortable and likes to fill them with his own voice.
"So does she sing like that at the office Christmas party?"
"No, never but now that I know she can…I will place a note in the suggestion box at HQ. Thank you... by the way…I am glad you were there to get her away from that mess."
"Anything for Emma Peel."
Bond smirks at Tony. "Did you flirt with her the entire way here?"
"To be honest…yes…she called me cheeky…is that good or bad?"
"Was M laughing?"
"Yes."
"Good then. It means she won't have you shot."
Tony wiggles his eyebrows. "What do you think they are doing? You think he's helping her undress?"
"Don't want to know…but likely…wouldn't you?"
"God yes!"
Bond pauses, with his drink part way to his lips at the fast, almost involuntary way Tony makes that exclamation.
"Sorry Bond. I know you're sweet on her and this...this has got to be hard. If my father had been here you would have had to shoot him or I would have."
"Bit of a player?"
"Yes, and M would have brought out his A game and then some. Ducky would have punched him likely."
"Ducky doesn't seem the type."
"I know but we do crazy things when we are in love."
Bond looks at DiNozzo and whispers under his breath as he turns back to watch the show on the stage.
"I know, we even stand by while they sleep with other men. Knowing full well that they fell for him because we never told them how we feel. Here's to stupidly letting moments pass because we thought we had time."
DiNozzo frowns and lifts his glass in salute to Bond's missed moments. Poor guy...he has got it bad. M and her young killer agent...who would have thought it.
DiNozzo feels bad for the Duck man...to have to say goodbye to his new love so soon.
DiNozzo looks at the text he just received and sighs...it's as if his father knew he was talking to about him. He will be in town tomorrow...thank god M is leaving today.
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M loops the feather boa around Ducky's neck as she pulls him to the change room in the back.
They are leaving soon and M wants to say goodbye privately. She pulls him into a kiss which they enjoy for a few minutes.
"Ducky…would you get the laces in the back for me?"
"I would be delighted. Where did you learn to sing like that Olivia or were you undercover as a chorus girl once?"
"No, in university I was in drama and very much enjoyed the thrill of being on stage."
M's corset loosens and falls to the floor as she steps out of it and turns to look at Ducky. His face reflects a mixture of desire and sadness.
"We cannot do this now can we Ducky?"
"No."
M picks up her fitted jacket and puts it on over the camisole and bra she was wearing. The corset was the only additional item other than the wig that they gave her.
M carefully removes the wig and works her fingers through her short white hair to fix it.
"I see the sadness that I've caused you and for that I am truly sorry."
"It is my fault Olivia…I knew the moment I met Bond and spoke with him that you were more than a boss to him. That he wanted you the same way I did. I couldn't help myself around you and I threw caution and logic to the wind and got lost in the moment."
"I didn't mind our moment Ducky and I have no regrets in falling quickly into bed with you. It was something I wanted to do…had to do after…Nigel. Life can go two ways for a widow…wallow in the loss or climb back up on the horse and find someone new. The problem with me is the job…I have to be very careful who I choose. With you…it just seemed so easy. You are right, we are not at the same place in this relationship…you went 0-marriage and I am still at stage 1."
"What about Bond?"
"That is…too much for me to handle right now. I still cannot believe that he has developed these feelings for me but I am not going to jump into bed with him. Most women do with him but I cannot afford to have this get out of control…I have to think of my position first."
"I will stay in contact and I want you to tell me if anything changed between the two of you. Honesty is the best policy."
"I agree. If you meet someone special I expect the same call to my mobile, Ducky."
Ducky takes M's arm and they walk back out into the club. The audience cheers her and M blushes accepting a few handshakes.
DiNozzo presents her with some flowers that he bought from a lady at the bar and gives them to her with a wink. M pulls him into a hug and kisses his cheek. Thanking him for looking after her and the lovely flowers.
M moves to shakes hands with the rest of the NCIS agents and agent Fornell of the FBI. Felix stands off to the side with Bond.
"I have had a very exciting time here in the states for this visit and I thank you all for your help to me personally in dealing with this threat. I know that we may not always see eye to eye on matters of national importance but it is nice to make contacts that can be trusted within your agencies."
M stands before Gibbs. "Agent Gibbs I will expect an update on the Marines and I would like you to send me the addresses of the families of the men that died so I may send them something."
"Yes ma'am. I will say this has been very interesting and I hope you have a safe flight back."
"If you ever need our assistance with anything do not hesitate to call. Ducky has my number."
Ziva shakes M's hand. "I will speak to my father this evening and tell him that we met."
"Knowing your father Ziva…he may already know."
Ziva laughs as McGee shakes M's hand. "Pleasure to meet you ma'am."
"Thank you agent and feel free to make contact with our Q branch at anytime…I assume you have made contact with some already."
"Yes, I have spoken with one of the members since you had them hijack our systems in NCIS…it should be interesting to keep in contact."
Fornell takes M's hand and brings it to his lips. "It has been an honour ma'am."
M thanks him and takes Ducky by the hand. "Would you like to say goodbye here?"
"I think it is best that we do my dear."
Ducky pulls her into a hug and holds her tight. Ducky whispers into M's ear, "I will miss you."
He kisses her neck below her ear and then both cheeks in European fashion. M pulls him close and kisses him on the lips quickly before releasing him and suddenly turning towards Bond, quickly walking out the door to their waiting car.
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The three of them leave the club and head towards a car that Felix called to come get them. A large black SUV with dark window waits in the parking lot.
Bond helps M climb into the back and moves around the car with Felix to climb in the other side when the vehicle suddenly takes off, speeding down the road.
Bond hits his phone as Felix does the same as they run back towards the building.
The members of NCIS are exiting the club for their cars when they see a panicked Bond and Felix run towards them.
Gibbs waves him over to the car, Bond and Felix climb in as the rest get in with Tony.
Sirens wail as they take off after whoever just kidnapped the head of MI6.
To be continued…