Chapter 21
James feels the vibrations of a vehicle as he begins to come to. It is a bumpy ride and his guts roll in response to the movement.
James takes inventory of his body...hunger, nausea...hit on the back of the head and slightly concussed. Hence the nausea. Hunger means it has been at least 6 hours since his last meal and his hands are cuffed behind his back.
James is in the boot of the car...fitting. He cannot feel any bullet wounds in his legs therefore, White did not recreate his own injuries for this occasion. Then again White could be long gone and his men are bringing him for disposal.
There is a bitter and dry taste in his mouth...drugs. They drugged him...damn it! This means they could be anywhere by now. Olivia...damn it! Is she fine. Could White have reached her?
He has to get out of this. Bond manages to reach his fingers into his back pocket and grab a lock picking tool. After some time the lock is released. It is prudent to keep it intact to fool his captors to lull them into a false sense of security.
Eventually the car rolls to a stop and light pierces the darkness and shoots pain into Bond's head.
Hands roughly grab him dragging him to his feet unsteadily and that is not faked in any way.
Bond does not see White, the sun is setting as they drag him towards the small abandoned house that is before them. Christ he doesn't even know if he is still in Scotland.
The roughly toss him down on a kitchen chair assuming that his hands are still secured behind him.
"Where is White?"
The dark haired man smirks and backhands Bond across the face.
"Well that was rude."
The blonde man leans against the old counter crossing his arms and glaring at him.
"He will join us shortly...I wouldn't think you would be in a hurry to see him again...it will mean the end for you."
"The last time we met he assumed the same...can't say that went the way he planned back then either."
They hear another car arrive and two doors open and slam shut.
The door to the house opens to reveal the third man followed by White.
"So you finally show up. How is the leg old man?"
"Fine...fine. I was so surprised to find out that you lived...just today and of all things...poof...my annoying MI6 faerie appears to cause mayhem in my life again."
"I do think faerie is a bit much but if I cause you indigestion in any way...I'm glad."
"I would much rather had the lovely M be the one I captured right outside the door...she would have made quite a present. A little bird told me that she is making a new base...at your ancestral home. I have been researching where it is in dreaded Scotland where you were spawned Bond and now I know."
"Is the bird your niece Clare?"
"You do manage to do some fast research now don't you Mr. Bond." White says rather shocked.
"I have to keep the arch criminals on their toes."
"I will leave you here to spend your last few minutes on earth Bond but I came so that I could tell you exactly what I have planned for M."
Bond tries not to react but after the day in the car and his head injury…
"What...why would you risk it all now going after the head of MI6."
"Revenge of course Bond. I am going to shoot her in the leg...but first. I am going to have my way with her. That will be the ultimate revenge fantasy fulfilled. Yes I know...she is older but really a very well kept woman wouldn't you say Mr. Bond?"
James shoots a glare at him that is full of malice. James wants to lash out and strangle the man but he has to get as much information from the idiot as he can first.
White smirks.
"I think M can do better." Bond says.
White moves in close to his ear. "Are you her lover?"
James refuses to add fuel to the fire and does not answer.
"Embarrassed that you are taking the old woman to bed? I wouldn't be...I bet she is a fantastic lay. I am very excited to get to her...barely guarded at Skyfall. I have other men ready to assist should I need it but rumours have reached my ear that she is with her children."
Bond looks confused. "Come on Bond...I know you've taken one too many blows to the head but think about it. The best leverage to use against a female adversary is her children. They will do anything for them. Not the lover...definitely not the old husband but the children are always the key."
Bond starts to feel ill again.
"I imagine that even a tough old bitch like M has some love for her children. I will make her take me to your bed willingly and I will take her...then I will shoot her in the leg and leave. I will not kill her...I plan to use her position in anyway I can to rebuild what she took from me. Although, after me she will never walk right again."
White's men chuckle at his crude joke.
"I am afraid that you will never get that chance White. You will be dead the second you try."
"So confident in someone else's ability to protect your mistress? Come now Bond...I am going now. These men will take care of you...goodbye for the final time Mr. Bond. I will give M a goodbye kiss from you...one she will undoubtedly remember the rest of her life."
White turns and leaves with the driver he came with. The other two men take out their guns and move towards him…
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M cannot settle her nerves. She told Tanner to keep the information about Bond being missing from Ryan and Judi.
The children enter with the members of Q branch for dinner. M and Kincade are in the kitchen dishing out the stew and cutting bread.
"What is the matter dolly? Your hands are shaking."
"This is to be kept quiet...James is missing. Tanner and I will be notified as soon as MI6 finds him."
"Oh...is that why the security is not coming in yet and have been wandering through the estate since we returned."
"Yes...Tanner ordered them to be on guard."
"I think you should order everyone to arms."
"Not my children...I don't want them to know."
"I have been keeping a pistol within reach since you told me who you are lass. Here is on hidden in here incase needed."
Kincade opens the third drawer down to show a pistol and two clips.
"Very good. I have one in my room and Tanner already alerted the members of Q branch...they each have a service pistol with their things in the bunk house."
"Let's hope it will be enough should the worst happen."
"Depends on your definition of the worst Mr. Kincade."
"Well it would have been invasion by the English, but since the house is full of you already I think that has passed."
M laughs and they take the food to the table of laughing MI6 employees and M's children.
"You had better not be sharing any stories children."
Ryan smiles. "Not really mum."
Judi leans into Tanner as they sit side by side whispering and then laughing.
"Judi?"
"Relax mum...I only told them that you are a very good singer and loved the hits of the 70's."
The table dissolves into giggles as the stew and bread is passed around. None of the employees can even look at M.
"You two had better watch it or I will find all the naked baby photos I can and show the lot of them in retaliation."
Judi gets up grabs her bag a pulls out a small box. "I was going to save this for...someone else...but after that threat."
Judi begins to distribute pictures. "Pass them down to Tanner after you all get a look at what M looked like in a bikini 1968 from the date on the back."
The women of the team meet M's eyes and smile but the men blush and pass them along as if scorched. They all end with Tanner whose eyes have gone wide.
"I assume these are for…"
"Yes now hand them here!" M orders. Kincade takes a glance and then winks at her as he gathers the stack and hands them to M.
"Judi...I'm going to…"
"What mum? What are you going to do? You were gorgeous and you know it. I could never taken such a great photo everyone was so thin back then."
Kincade laughs. "The food was scarce and unprocessed...not like today...everything ready in a moment. We had to walk further, work harder and eat less...we were too bloody use to rations."
The table laughs along with M. These members of the team with have stories to tell once they get back to MI6 in London.
M, Tanner and Kincade retire to the den for a meeting as the rest clean up after dinner and Q branch retreats back into the bunkhouse for the evening.
"M there is no word on Bond...the team made landfall an hour ago and something should come through soon."
Mallory and Q appear on the screen in front of Tanner. "Tanner I will send you the operation directly so you can see and hear what we do."
One of the monitors comes to life with a green tinged resolution through night vision goggles.
The men are approaching a car...empty. They move up a rise and look down upon a farm...the descend quickly and see the imprint of tracks of at least two other vehicles.
The barn door is ajar. They move through...nothing. A knocked over chair...a table.
Base this is operation SEEK...it appears to be empty but we will examine the outside more and the car...please run the licence J 98700.
Q is heard on the line after a moments delay. Agent Bond's rental car.
M looks at Tanner. "Search the car and the area thoroughly and report back to me as soon a possible."
Yes ma'am.
"Tanner...I will go have a bath and lie down for a couple of hours. We will have to man this station until something is discovered."
"I will M. I will call you in two hours."
M leaves the room and Kincade follows. "Lass...he is alright. You know that."
"No Mr. Kincade...I don't." The stress is beginning to plague her and she needs time alone to collect herself.
Kincade reaches out and pulls her into a big bear hug. There now lass...you can try to act impervious amongst the youngsters but I know better.
M relaxes into his embrace. "Since when did you become and expert on my moods Kincade?"
"This week. I know how strongly you feel for people. You are just bloody good at hiding it. I will stay up and wait with you tonight. You should let that Mr. Tanner enjoy a bit of vacation...maybe take that beautiful daughter of yours out for a walk or sit in the living room and watch a movie."
"Why...Mr. Kincade. Such an unexpected matchmaker."
"I've eyes in my head still and although I never caught the boy red handed with you...I know for a fact that he did not look at miss Judi the way that Tanner does."
"So you think I should be concerned...it is a bit of a rebound for her?"
"It sounds like her marriage has been done a while...when your man died...things changed."
"Did they ever. God...is it wrong that I still miss Nigel terribly?"
"No lass. It is good that you do. I always meant to ask you but did you ever tell him about James?"
"Yes...wait...which one?"
"Ha...the first and well did he know of the second? What was the lad to you then...just a bloody annoyance I can imagine."
"He was that. I did tell him about James...no questions asked I reminded him. And when James died...I cried. I sent cards to Charmian and Monique. I told Nigel that night about my time in Scotland...everything."
"Everything?"
"Yes...about the week...the people I met...little Jamie, you, the wedding. I even told him how hard James tried to get me into bed and that the blue dress that Nigel adored on me was picked out by James Bond."
"How did that go?"
"He made me get rid of the dress. He was angry but I never slept with James and even if I had...we were on a time out."
"I think it all worked out for a reason dolly. You were meant for the nephew not the legend."
"Yes...I guess I was."
"You need to say yes to the lad dolly."
"I know but I have to have him here and alive to say yes to, first Mr. Kincade."
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The day of the wedding had finally arrived and everyone was busy getting cleaned up and dressed after breakfast.
The wedding was in town and they all managed to make it on time. It was lovely and Jamie insisted on sitting on dolly's knee the entire time.
They arranged for a large group photo on the steps of the kirk. Without much planning Olivia had chosen the flowered dress for the wedding. It was a lovely day and it suited the summer warmth.
The night before Olivia stood before the wardrobe in Charmain's room looking at the blue dress. It was nice...but it was...as Charmian said...sexy.
Olivia has never really felt like the kind of woman who is sexy. It is uncomfortable to consider herself in a sexual way of any kind. Some women seem to ooze confidence and sex appeal...like Marilyn Monroe.
Olivia would rather fade into the background and just get the job done without being viewed as an object to harass.
James is an example of the harassment Olivia will likely have to face as she works up the ladder. At least he is being a gentleman about it and is giving her practice on how to deal with it effectively.
According to James. He plans on letting those at work know not to mess with her...in any way. Olivia just hopes he doesn't mark her completely as his own property because that will be embarrassing when he takes his next lover from the ranks of the secretarial pool.
The bride is lovely and the groom handsome and a horse drawn carriage takes them off to a location for more photos.
The reception will be at the MacKenzie estate later. Jamie has a baby sitter for the rest of the day as the adults go off to the big celebration.
So much food...music...drink. Within an hour of being there Olivia is tipsy and laughing with Monique and Katrina.
Katrina's son is running around with some friends. The boy looks more like Katrina and her side than a Bond or even Kincade.
James swings her around the dance floor for a time holding her close.
"Dolly we leave tomorrow. I want to tell you that this has been a wonderful week. Thank you."
"Yes it has, hasn't it. I have had the best time James. I suppose we will still see each other around the office from time to time."
"Yes...I would like to see you outside the office should that man of yours be a complete imbecile and leave you."
I laugh imagining Nigel as an idiot...he isn't...he is one of the most intelligent men she knows but it is amusing when one is mad...and a bit drunk.
"We will have to wait and see what happens Mr. Bond."
"We still have tonight dolly and this week was no questions asked...correct?"
"James...we've been through this and over it a hundred times it seems."
"Yes and I'm still trying. That should tell you something."
"Yes...you're really annoying."
"Annoying! What now! I have it on good authority that I am charming and handsome and…"
"Egotistical...arrogant...handsome...annoying."
"Oh so I get to keep handsome but charming does not work on you does it dolly?"
"No...it doesn't penetrate my ice-heart."
"You are not ice...you just know what and who you want and are going to go for it no matter what."
"Yes...please add astute to my previous description."
"Good...I will. To bad it will get me nowhere. Apparently I need to be 2 years old to claim your attention."
"Hey...I was never this good with children before."
"The lad has good taste and an excellent name."
The evening ends and James drives them back to Skyfall. They all say goodnight and head upstairs. James pulls Olivia into his room and shuts the door.
"I just wanted to tell you...that...that you have made me feel things...things I thought long forgotten. Dolly I would marry you if you would have me?"
"James...you know I cannot say yes."
He looks so sad and disappointed. Olivia reaches up and touches his face. James grabs her small hand in his and kisses it looking deeply into her beautiful blue eyes.
"I knew when you wore the flowered dress that Nigel had definitely won. He had better treat you like the queen you are or I will kick his ass for you dolly."
Olivia laughs and Bond leans down to capture her lips in a gentle kiss.
The kiss tastes of booze and cigars but it is nice...distracting enough for Olivia not to notice that his arms are now completely around her. Her eyes are shut to the outside world...only them joined together in this embrace exists.
James begins to move his hands up her back softly...she barely notices. Eventually there is a new sensation...the heat of his bare hand on the skin of her back.
Olivia's head still foggy but that is not right… his mouth is so distracting. James' mouth leaves hers and trails down her neck as she pants to catch her breath.
There is a warm hand on her shoulder now along with the one on her bare back...wait...how...he unzipped her dress...shit!
James mouth descends on hers again as his hand caresses her shoulder...she suddenly feels cold air...damn it he has removed the dress from her shoulder and it has fallen open to her waist and then to the floor but he hasn't stopped distracting her with his mouth.
They have not even moved position in the room but Olivia's head is spinning out of control...NO damn it! She said no...but did she manage to say it out loud or is it merely echoing weakly in her head for just her to hear.
A knock at the door sobbers her completely within seconds. She pulls away from him...shocked and embarrassed as she leans. James stops her for a second to look at her…drink her up with his eyes.
"What is it?." James yells at the door.
I was wondering if you were going to give me back the English girl so that she sticks to her guns where you are concerned little brother?
"That is up to her Charmain but now that you have embarrassed her...you have effectively blocked me from finding some true pleasure this week."
James...welcome to my life with you and Andrew around. Dolly enjoy him if you want to...there will be no judgement on my part nor any in this house. We love you and want you to stay forever.
Olivia pulls up her dress and moves to the door. She turns back to him and smiles. "We would never work."
"I know dolly. Goodnight."
"Goodnight James. Oh...and almost...you almost made it."
"I know...I will find a way to get Charmian back one day."
To be continued...