Chapter 17
Warning: Mature themes, implied.
M sees the yacht in the dim of early evening. There is no helipad on this ship, he lied. Damn it! Gunn figured she must have gotten some message off or communications of some kind.
They pulled up to the yacht and Gunn handed her off to two men above on deck. Gunn climbed up the ladder after her and spoke to the men holding her.
"Add fuel and head to the rondevu point."
Gunn pulled M into the main cabin. The table's set for three for dinner. Gunn pointed her to the water closet to freshen up. M looked into the mirror and sighed...how is she going to play this?
Silent...her silence is often as unnerving as her vocal anger...this is her game-plan. Gunn knocks on the door demanding her presence for dinner.
M exits the facilities and keeps her posture and expression neutral under the smirking gaze of her abductors. Gunn takes her arm to guide her to the middle of the rectangular table.
Gunn his place at one end of the table as the door opens to reveal Mr. White who smiles at M and sits at the other end. Two men enter and begin serving soup and salad. After they returned to the galley.
"Welcome my dear M...please enjoy. There is no need to fear poison...that would be too pedestrian for your death. I envision something more grandiose for your death...something at the hands of your own agent...Bond I think."
M's neutral expression momentarily cracks as her eyes narrow to pierce White's.
"Touch a nerve M? Bond is a volatile man...you barely have control of, he will be a perfect tool for our cause."
"I am not sure that will be possible uncle. I saw a certain agent in her arms last night and I think that their relationship is far from professional. In fact I think Bond cares far more than she would like. Bond raced to DC to save her from threat that Q branch exposed from our less than secure Marine units."
White smiles. "So Bond is sweet on the mother figure in his life. We'll this makes my plan change for the better. I can punish both of my favourite MI6 members with each other. Although, if the two of us can come to an arrangement that is mutually beneficial..."
M shook her head as she finished her first course. The servants returned with the main course that M began without pause. Not wanting to rise to their baiting.
"By now you must have realized that we are not heading to the Bahamas as you may have originally guessed. We are heading back to a private estate in the US. A very popular wealthy family owns this land but we use it from time to time."
M hopes that a connection can be found by Q in time or her lack of a cyanide capsule may prove disadvantageous over an extended imprisonment.
Desert's served with tea and coffee. M takes the coffee to attempt to perk herself up for the after dinner questioning which she expects soon.
"You know nephew...I don't remember her being so quiet before. What I do recall about meeting M, was a sexy, gravely British accent that could infuriate and stimulate...pompous, arrogant, smugly, efficient. Now...silent. No men with guns to protect you. Just us...two men who would like information and one stubborn, beautiful woman fighting her innate desire to bitch at us for being terrorists. How ever will this evening go?"
"I don't know uncle...but she does intrigue me. What do you think draws a man like Bond to pant over her like a dog? I thought the expat doctor was warming his bed with her this week but then Bond and her were kissing on the man's porch."
"Bond usually has women like dear Vesper...now...now his true affections are shown. I thought that he saw through Vesper's act...I know you likely figured her out once she tried to take your sex toy away."
M sat back in her chair while she sipped her coffee ignoring their teasing. Things are about to get bad, she can feel it.
Gunn pulls the Derringer out of his pocket and places it on the table. He then slides it the length of the table down to White.
"She came armed with this."
White picks up the small elegant weapon and points it at M. He then stands and pulls M's chair down towards him. White places his hand under the table placing the gun against her leg.
M forces herself to stare him in the face, his face contorts in anger.
"Do you fear me and my organization now M?"
M continues to say nothing and just stares blankly at him. Suddenly two hands grasp her shoulders as Gunn moved behind her without her realizing he was there.
"She was talkative on the boat...you must unnerve her uncle. M even tried to seduce me in order to stop the boat."
"Well, well...that is something. Maybe something to consider. First things first. M I would like to know about the inner workings of the five eyes and ears. Anything, that can help Quantum avoid detection and work more freely in the world. In fact if you give me what I want you will be released...unharmed."
M just looks at him and crosses her arms under her breasts and crosses her legs clamping her lips into a thin line of obvious disgust.
Gunn grips her shoulders tighter as his uncle leans in close to M's face.
White would like to break her. His hand reaches behind her neck and pulls her face to his as his lips crush against hers and his tongue probes and forces its way into her stubborn mouth.
M pulls back with all her might but Gunn's hands on her shoulders clamp her in place. Her eyes are wide with shock and she twists her face away from him to break the connexion.
White smiles as M turns away from him wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. White's motivation for taking her was revenge but now...now the image of her struggling beneath him in bed as he takes her enters his mind.
M is beginning to panic as White's change in plans becomes apparent as the two of them pant for breath after that forced kiss. She never thought this would happen...she expected to get shot but not this...even when she clumsily attempted to seduce Gunn to stall for time, she never really expected this.
It is time for her to speak. Time for her to make him act...do something that will make him give himself away.
M gives her best, most disarming smile and begins to laugh.
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Q has barely slept in days. Now that M is missing the entire division is on high alert searching the Atlantic Ocean for their commander.
A young man with curly hair and spectacles approaches the elder Q with a tablet.
"What is it young man?"
"I have been working on the theory that M's kidnappers doubled back to shake our focus to an island nation...not the US. I have found a Quantum link here...there is an estate that within four hours they could have reached with another...larger vessel."
"Yes, well we've just been informed that the speed boat was found directly east of the marina."
"But, allowing for the north south currents there it would have floated from the north."
"Yes, I see. I will inform Bond and Tanner. You get any eyes that you can on that estate."
Suddenly Q's computer beeps an alert and the information is telling his someone has accessed M's personal account.
"I think we found them!"
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M began telling White that what he wanted to know was easily accessible and in plain sight for any criminal organization.
"Do not touch me again and I will give you my access code. You release me tomorrow morning and you will have over 6 hours of access before the codes change. When do we reach shore?"
White and Gunn look shocked at her sudden change but agree to her terms.
An hour later they make landfall and M is ushered into in a massive home by 10pm. M gives them access to her account in the deep web...MI6 has been using for information an undercover operations.
M knew the second they accessed her account that Q branch would know and that Bond would find her. No matter the precautions they put forth M has confidence that Q will be able to find her now.
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McGee gets a message in the wee hours of the morning from Q. Within 2 hours Gibbs and Bond are in the building being debriefed from Q and plans for retrieval are made.
Bond is pacing impatiently as FBI and NCIS get helicopters and tactical teams ready. By 5 am they are finally ready and en route to M.
The sun is just rising over the ocean as the teams surround the estate and work their way in towards the house. Bond moves at the front and bounds up the stairs of the quiet home as he opens the door that Q believes M is in.
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Gunn doesn't trust her...and there is no way he is letting her out of his sight regardless of what his uncle says.
Gunn assumes his uncle plans on keeping M for a while...using her for information and then possibly shooting her for revenge.
"Now that I have given you access I would like to get some sleep. Older people need a lot of rest and it has been a long few days."
White smiles at her as he has some of his employees working on the computer.
"I will be happy to escort you to our room M."
M tries to cover her shock and smiles. "That was not part of our deal...you are not to touch me again."
"Why do you think you are in control of anything here M? Does your arrogance know no bounds?"
"Why are you interested in taking an old woman to bed White? Nothing young about to torment? I cannot possibly be your normal fare."
"I owe you for the bullet in my leg...or should I say you owe me."
Gunn whispers in his uncle's ear. "Uncle...she came on to me...I was going to take her to bed."
White frowns. "Don't be ridiculous. She is mine to do what I please with, if I keep her for a while and I bore of her you may have her but then I get to shoot her.
M overhears their plan and pales visibly. Q had better work fast.
"I see that you are not a man of your word...that is disappointing White, and I would rather be taken to bed by your nephew."
M wants them fighting...it gives her a better chance.
"I am going to take a bath while you two decide who assaults the old woman...I was of the opinion that criminal masterminds were always surrounded by young beautiful hangers-on...the two of you must be desperate for attention."
M turn and climbs the stairs quickly and makes her way through to the first bedroom she can find. She hopes that the bath in this old house has a thick locking door.
As M's hand reaches the door, White's arm wraps around her waist pulling her against his body as he pushes her through the door...
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M gathers her clothing and retreats to the bath area locks the door. She drops her clothes on the floor as she methodically moves to the large tub in the centre of the room.
M plans on spending the rest of the night locked in the bath. M lays back in the tub and soaks to wash away the memory of his touch.
M hears him leave the room and hears Gunn come to take his place...knocking trying to lure her out with false platitudes and promises of good behaviour. He wants to continue with what his uncle...
M refuses to acknowledge it...it didn't happen...she will persevere...she forces more pleasant thoughts to the forefront of her mind as she soaks in the tub to work out her aches and stressed muscles.
M thinks about Ducky...she thinks about her children...she thinks about Bond. Anything but what just occurred.
Thoughts of Bond quickly turn to thought of revenge...she will send him after White...he may expect Gunn to Finish her off in whatever way he chooses. Maybe that is why he ran...knowing the kind of hell that may rain down upon this house from MI6 once they find her.
Perhaps White decided he had what he came for. Information, plus he...he managed to take her...dominate her...his revenge...while she is left with pain and the memory.
M will send any available 00 to capture White...but first she will have Q branch will take all his money.
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Bond smashes his fist into the jaw of a disoriented agent Gunn as commotion erupts from elsewhere in the massive home. The sound of helicopters and gunfire persist as Bond screams at the agent he has semiconscious in his grasp.
"Where is she?"
Bond hits him again as Gibbs enters. "House is secured...where's M?"
Bond tosses Gunn to Gibbs' feet and growls angrily as he moves to the messy bed he grabs the blankets and tosses the covers over looking for his petite boss.
A member of the NCIS team enters to tell them that three men escaped by boat and they are in pursuit.
Bond moves to the door to the bath as Gibbs checks the closet. The bath is locked. Bond bangs on it as Gibbs joins him.
"M...M are you in there? It's James, let us in now...you're safe."
James looked at Gibbs and they both put pressure on the door...nothing moved easily and it is securely locked. Bond throws himself at the door then kicks it and it splinters in to revival a massive bathroom with a large raised tub in the middle of the room.
The two agent walk in and Gibbs bends over to pick up M's fitted black jacket and a black satin bra. Bond moves along the far side of the tub to open a closet door but tuns to find M's panties and pants.
Gibbs holds up the bra and smirks. "Wherever she is she's naked."
Bond shoots him a look and peaks into the tub that appears to be full of towels. One shifts slightly and Bond smiles. He pulls out two fluffy white towels to show the white pixie cut of hair snuggled among the towels and wrapped in a big plush white bathrobe.
Gibbs smiles. "If they had tried to shoot their way in that would have been the safest place to hide."
Bond shakes M's shoulder lightly. "M...come on sleeping beauty...wake up...it's time to go home."
"Aargh...let me sleep...I've had a hell of a week already and this is the most peaceful sleep I've had in weeks."
Bond and Gibbs laugh as Gibbs leaves the two of them to give the signal to the troops that they found her.
Bond puts his arms under M and lifts her gently out of the tub and cradles her in his arms.
"How did you manage to cocoon yourself in the bath?"
"I needed the bath and the lock worked so it was the only plan I had...he pounded on the door for ages. The towels help cut the noise down considerably."
Bond laughs while still cradling M in his arms sitting on the edge of the massive tub.
"Bond...you are planning on letting me down so I can dress?"
"Just enjoying the moment ma'am. White got away but Gunn was sleeping in the bed out there...waiting for his turn in the bath."
M stands and looks for her clothing, not acknowledging the joke Bond hands her the bra that Gibbs was holding earlier.
"Wipe that smirk off your face Bond. Are you going to leave so I can get ready?"
"I have to keep an eye on you so you don't disappear again."
M scoffs and shakes her head while pushing him to the splintered door.
"It was not my fault you and Felix lost me...I should dock your pay and have the director dock Felix's also."
M dresses hurriedly and exits the house to see Gibbs, Felix and Bond waiting with other men.
"It is time for us to go home. I assume you will bring us to the airfield agent Gibbs?"
"Yes ma'am. We will take you back to base first while they send your plane back from London"
"Sent Tanner home to work from there? Good thinking Bond even if it forces me to wait in DC longer. I will be glad to get home. Any leads on White?"
Felix shakes his head. "In the wind...escaped by boat. Officially he never even entered the country but we will be watching for him now. I will have to say goodbye here because I need to report this fiasco now. Goodbye James and be safe m'lady."
Felix kisses M's hand, then shakes Bond's and Gibbs' before leaving.
Gibbs moves them into the waiting helicopter. They fly the hour back to the NCIS base and usher M and Bond into the basement morgue as McGee darkened the trail.
M gets a second chance to say goodbye to Ducky this way. McGee and Abby make sure her entrance is unobserved.
Ducky opens the door at the knock and James and M enter and look around. M seems nervous around him. Not quite sure what to do or say.
Ducky hugs her tightly and whisper into her ear. "I am so glad they found you."
M closes her eyes accepting the comfort that he is offering. It seems different now...the way Bond held her this morning did also. She has to focus on the positive...anything positive at this point.
The look of relief on the poor boy's face was enough to tell M how deeply James cares for her. Beaten, bruised without food or much sleep in days and he was still the first to burst in and immobilize Gunn and save her.
Too bad it wasn't a bit sooner...it's not their fault it isn't any of their faults. M will just have to live with it.
M has already spoken to Tanner and Q and thanking them for finding the trail she left for them.
M smiles as Ducky releases her from the hug as her phone rings. She answers and speaks. Gibbs and the rest of his team arrive in the morgue to see M chatting on her mobile as she moves to the corner of the room.
DiNozzo smiles and shakes Bonds hand. "So you will actually get to say goodbye again before you leave? Important call?"
"If she took it now...I think it is the Prime Minister...that or the Queen...she never keeps them waiting."
Abby smiles widely. "Imagine having the Queen of England call while we're just standing feet way from her...wow."
Ducky and Bond smile at her as M ends the call and rejoins the group.
"That was the Prime Minister and he sends his thanks for all your help. I for one am famished and could use a good fry-up. I would like to take the lot of you for a meal as thanks for going above and beyond for us."
"I like the sound of this, boss please say we can all go to the diner?"
Gibbs swats Tony upside the head. "Show some class DiNozzo. Maybe they don't want to hang out in a diner."
M smiles widely grabbing Ducky's arm linking her's around his. "A diner sounds wonderful...I've never been...lead the way McDuff."
The group enters the greasy spoon as all eyes land on the group plus the two professionally dressed but slightly mussed up MI6 agents. They find seats and the waiters Peggy smiles at Gibbs who is obviously a regular.
"Jethro...you bringin the whole family today?"
"Just the gang from work...you remember Ziva, Abby, Tim and Tony...this is our doctor Mallard and our friends from England, M and Bond."
"Welcome...my my...all the way from the old country. I will start by getting every one coffee...unless you would like some tea instead."
James and M answer at the same time. "Coffee is fine thank you."
They look at the menus. M has to ask about the types of ham, Canadian bacon and bacon. The waitress kindly shows them the difference.
Bond looks at M sitting beside him. "Just order the Canadian bacon it is the closest to English bacon from my experience. I want to try grits and sausage gravy and biscuits."
The meals came in massive portions. M's eyes widened in shock as she looked around to all the others who began eating. M tries her eggs as her stomach growls making Ducky chuckle beside her.
Bond's meal was a southern plate of food M had never seen before. She took a forkful off his plate as he spoke to Ziva. The biscuits were very good so she snuck another forkful but Bond's hand grabbed her wrist making her drop her utensil with a crash.
All eyes riveted in amusement as Bond turned to M.
"If you wanted some, why didn't you order it?"
"I am really hungry and what if I didn't like it?"
"You will never know if you don't try M...variety is the spice of life. Now be a good girl and eat your own food."
M pouts as the table tries not to laugh at the head of MI6 getting caught red-handed.
Ducky grasps her hand under the table and leans in to whisper in M's ear.
"It is obvious that there is another layer to your relationship with Bond. It seemed completely natural for you to help yourself to his plate as it was for him to chastise you for doing it. What he said about variety...was for you also my dear."
"As if...his type of variety is a girl for every port doctor."
"I do not think that any of those girls would be allowed to eat off his plate or drive him to ignore physical pain the way you do M. Bond was a mess when Gunn took you...the panic on his face...he loves you a great deal."
M frowns and whispers back into Ducky's ear. "What am I going to do about all of this Ducky? I don't think I've ever been this confused."
"Follow your heart my dear, it is only logical."
"What if my heart wants two things?"
Ducky pulls back from her for a moment and smiles. "I don't know...the offer of marriage still remains...you can stay here or I will spend the next six months dealing with my life here and come to London."
"I'm not ready for marriage...never thought I would do it again after Nigel. I wish the two of us had more time to just date to see where it goes."
"What about the fact you have a young agent that will be showing up at inopportune times to save you from me or any other man who might strike your fancy?"
"I can order him away."
"Do you really want too?"
"Ducky, you keep telling me that Bond loves me...and you're right...he does in a way. However, I never would have ever acted on any attraction to him. It is you that have pushed him into admission of those feelings."
"Not true...I did not send him here rushing to save you. He came because in his mind only he can protect you."
Ducky grabs M's hand to bring it to his lips and he sees her wince in pain. He frowns and looks at her wrist pushing down her sleeve as he does.
"What happened M?"
The table heard the concern in Ducky's voice and became quiet. M blushes and shakes it off with a joke about the proportions and offers Bond the rest of her potatoes in payment for stealing samples of his food.
Ducky stands abruptly taking M's hand and pulling her up and practically dragging her to the exit. Bond looks perplexed and stands to follow.
Gibbs interjects. "Maybe they need some alone time."
"I am still her bodyguard and she is not leaving my sight until we get home."
Bond quickly follows to the parking lot as he sees Ducky pulling the jacket off M's shoulder as she stands trapped by his body in the open door of the car.
"What is going on here?"
"That is a good question Bond. M would you care to tell us what happened with those men...really?"