Chapter 23
James drives the rough barely distinguishable road in extreme fog. He continues East at a reduced speed...wherever he is it is so rural...he has not seen a household light at all. It is 3 in the morning so that is not unusual.
James hits a good sized rock and the car lurches...it doesn't sound good but James keeps driving.
The car's protests become louder and louder...the tire is flat and he knows that he is pushing it as it is.
A few more more kilometres and it gives up completely. James searches the car for anything useful. His inventory is a dead mobile a gun with two clips and a knife nothing useful for his body right now like food or water. James uses the compass in the car to orient himself in the gloom and begins to walk.
Bond has hurt before but his dull throbbing in the head from being hit yesterday has him concerned. It could be a concussion...he knows if he had any food in his system he would have expelled it forcefully already.
Keep moving...keep moving. The thought of White and his threats against M propel his legs...stride after stride.
That bastard is going down this time. So is his niece Clare Dower. They think by smashing his equipment they prevented him from sending the evidence to Q but it was a live feed and HQ is well aware of the situation.
They must have sent back up eventually...Bond has not heard helicopters. They must have traveled far for them not to find him.
After walking forever Bond finds a stream and has to have a drink. He has gone too long without water.
Within the hour the sky begins to lighten but a storm is coming. The wind begins to howl. Bond keeps moving...if he stopped now he would likely fall asleep and not wake up. There is no blood from his head wound just a bump but it is making him dizzy.
As Bond trudges along the glow of dawn stealthily approaches telling him he is in fact travelling East still and hopefully will stumble upon civilization soon.
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Ryan opens the door to his mother's room around 5. Judi and her are snuggled in bed as he shakes them.
"Mum...Jude. It's time for you to man the station. I am going to get a nap in and then I will help get us something to eat. I moved a coffee maker into the billiard room, slash MI6 command centre."
M groggily gets up. "Thank you dear. I will come straight down. Judi...you can stay in bed or a least shower before coming down."
"Ok...arghhhh...5am sucks...I will shower and then come help you mum."
M follows Ryan out of the room. "I take it there was no news?"
"Nothing. Q was on the line with me and Mallory once. I don't think they got much in the line of sleep last night either. Kincade is asleep on the sofa downstairs."
"Go to bed...get cleaned up and I will see you for breakfast later."
Ryan kisses his mother's cheek before she walks downstairs.
M messages Mallory as soon as she sits at the console. "Good morning Gareth."
Well, not really. I am sorry but the team has no lead on Bond. They returned his rental car and cleaned out his hotel room but no one in the town has seen him since morning yesterday.
"I see. Evidence from the car tracks?"
It was raining and there are severe weather conditions on the way for all of Scotland hitting Skye first then the mainland later today and into the evening. Any air travel to Skye has been suspended for the day due to winds. Bond will need to drive and even that will be unsafe in these extreme conditions.
"I don't care if he is stuck on Skye for a bloody week. I just want to know he is alright."
Yes...I understand. I have begun the investigation into Clare Dower but it will take time to compile and dig deeper.
"Yes. Good I want that woman, but we need to do this right. The press will have a field day with it once we tie her to an international terrorist organization. Once you get everything you must give the copy to MI5 and let them deal with her."
What if there is someone there running interference for her?
"We will root them out and deal with them accordingly."
I have truck load of supplies and our own construction crew on route to you. They will be taking over for the six Q branch techs and beginning construction on the tunnel. They would also like to add solar panels and a windmill for surplus electrical.
"Good idea. Then the local utilities will wonder less about the massive spike in use. Are there more security men coming to replace the two we have?"
Yes and the existing crew can leave by the way they came. Are they done what they can do?
"Yes. I will pack them off today and have the bunkhouse cleaned out for the next crew. The security will leave tomorrow when the replacements arrive. Thank you for staying up all night but go get some sleep Gareth and Q also. Have someone else man the tactical with the troops. How long will they be afield?"
They will leave Skye by noon because of the upcoming storm. I will send another search party out tomorrow if he hasn't made contact by then. M...I wouldn't worry. You know how sketchy mobile service can be in rural areas.
"My biggest worry is that White has him and has killed him Gareth."
Think positive thoughts...I would really like to see the two of you marry.
"You assume I've said yes?"
M...really? Why would you say no to him after all this time?"
"Perhaps I didn't care for the way he asked. I just pray he returns to ask again at this point Gareth."
He will. James Bond is not going to go down easily and with you to come home to...he will be arriving at the doorstep soon I hope.
"I hope that too Gareth."
Do remember to call us should he arrive...before taking him to bed.
"Gareth! Come now."
Sorry M...I've been hearing tales from Tanner and Q...he is a very lucky man.
The call disconnects and M turns to see Judi standing there with a coffee in hand for her.
"Mum...I am sure he is alright...I mean he has likely dealt with worse right?"
"Yes he has and his mobile was found crushed so he needs to find another...it could be a multitude of things."
"Tanner met me in the hall and will be down again soon."
"Then we should start making breakfast. I just spoke to Mallory so there will be no update for a while. I will just bring this laptop into the kitchen with us."
"Mum are we going to discuss that you and Tanner...had something...happen?"
"The something of which you are referring...Tanner was traveling as my lover and act which he was forced to prove for watching eyes. There was nothing more."
"Really? James alluded to Tanner becoming smitten with you. I don't want him to be getting close to me just so he can get closer to you."
"Don't be ridiculous Jude...a momentary reaction to a tense and sexualized situation caused some small confusion on his part but he understood it was just an act. As it is he is the closest male to me Jude. He and I spend a lot of time in office together so I am positive he is not using you in any way...he would be too bloody scared too."
They putter around the kitchen making bacon, eggs and toast.
"So, Jude...you and Tanner?"
"What?"
"Tell me."
"Tell you what, mum?"
"I don't know...I've never been good at girl talk. You are going to have to help me out with this."
"We talked...rode horses together...took a walk...held hands because I tripped on a rock."
"I'm sure you did." M smirked.
"What about you and Kincade and the double date?"
"Oh...well...stop changing the subject back to me and my misadventurous love life!"
"Yes. Well. Fiona and Kenna say their father is over the moon for you. Did you set him straight and tell him you were with James?"
"No...I pretended to be fooling around with Kincade." M blushes as she tells her.
"What!"
"I told him I was recently had a man back home but that I was enjoying time here too. It is not a complete lie and it has the desired effect on Katrina. She was jealous and tossed herself on Kincade...as fast as she could. Not that he minded in the least. It was meant to be with those two."
"So you claimed you've been fooling around and Kincade has been warming you at night rather than James. James will not be happy."
"No...well and Callum still wants to have casual sex...so now I have painted myself loosely...into a corner."
"Mum! Christ you are going to have to tell him that no other man will do because you have a gorgeous younger lover who can't keep his hands off you."
"I can't say that!"
"You have too!"
"You don't understand."
"What the hell do you care if a few people in Scotland know you have a young lover?"
"It just seems so wrong...because they grew up with the other James Bond."
"You don't want James to find out and they will make light of it because they suspect you were here all those years ago. You have Kincade on your side."
"Yes I do but Callum is convinced it was me...and I diverted the questions rather than flat out deny them. Now he thinks I am extremely mysterious."
"Great mum and we know how that is a massive turn on. You are going to have to tell him at the party...he thinks you are his special guest."
"I may have to do it sooner than that. Kincade and I have been invited there for a dinner tonight."
"You need to sort this all out mum and you need to tell Bond you will marry him as soon as he gets back...this has gone on long enough and if we don't care the rest of the world can go screw themselves."
M laughs. "Alright...as soon as he can bring himself to ask again...properly...privately and not in the bloody middle of some disaster."
"Good...that is great news. Better news would be him walking through that front door."
The door to the house opens, Judi and M look at each other and move into the front entrance. The two security men are there looking exhausted.
"Perimeter is clear ma'am."
"Good...come have some breakfast and then go to the bunk house for some sleep. Your replacements come tomorrow. The rest of the tech team will be leaving as soon as they get up."
"Aye ma'am. Thank you for breakfast...we could have managed."
"Don't seem so nervous...Skyfall will be far less formal so we can blend in with the neighbours easily."
They make their way to the kitchen and Judi dishes out two plates for the men. Tanner comes in and takes in the scene.
"I hope there is some left?"
Judi beams a massive smile at him as she gets him a plate and he sits at the counter with the security team.
"No news I take it?"
"No. Construction crew is coming tomorrow. We are to send Q branch back to London today before the storms roll in. Security will be swapped out tomorrow when the lorries arrive with supplies."
"Good. Is there anything else you need me to help with today M?"
"Yes as a matter of fact. Could you and Judi please clean out the bunk house after they leave?"
"Of course...happy to help. Do you have extra bedding?"
"Yes James and I went shopping the other day and we can just do the laundry. Are there enough beds?" Judi asks the two security men.
"We've been going in shared bunk shifts ma'am...it will do."
M frowns. "I will order two more beds and some folding cots incase more are needed than expected. Is everything else in order."
"Yes ma'am it is a nice space. The two baths are nice and work well so far."
"Good. I will go back into the new operation centre and let you eat in peace. Tanner I will leave the laptop with you should you need to check in with HQ. Judi could you be in charge of cleaning and food today with your brother. I will message Maggie and tell her to stay home. There is a storm coming."
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Olivia wakes up nervous on the 15th. Nigel returned last night...will he call. She can no longer sleep so she gets up and makes tea.
It is a Sunday and she really doesn't to sit and wait by the phone like a desperate woman but that is what she is doing.
Bond has kept his distance but if they are near each other he avoids her. It hurts that he does. A woman and a man in a platonic relationship is what she hoped for...but in her heart she knows that James Bond is an all or nothing sort of man.
How he manages to avoid drama with the other women as he leaves them she will never know. Perhaps he tells them ahead of time...or after he is done with them that they cannot go on.
Why is she sitting here thinking of James Bond when she is waiting to see if Nigel still feels strongly for her?
There is a knock at the door. Olivia jumps up and opens it. Nigel hands her a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates and falls to his knees.
"Nigel!"
"Olivia...I love you more than anything and would you do me the great honour of becoming my wife?"
Olivia drops to her knees in front of him as he fiddles with a small box. He opens it and she sees a lovely diamond ring sitting in the velvet box.
Olivia throws her arms around his neck and kisses him smiling in joy. Her heart feels light and their kisses soon become heated as his picks her up off the ground and carries her into the flat.
Early the next morning Olivia finishes bathing to see Nigel standing and staring at her lustfully.
Olivia gives him her best smile as he pulls her into a kiss.
"Olivia I have another question for you."
"Yes."
"Who is James Bond?"
"What? He is a work colleague."
"Is that all?"
"What? Why?"
"Care to explain why he just called me and interviewed me for the position of your fiance and future husband?"
Olivia sees that Nigel is keeping his tone light but in his face there is extreme worry.
"Two weeks no questions asked Nigel."
"Yes but what is all this about his family loving you and that if I don't treat you and support you in the way you deserve...I will disappear."
"He threatened you!"
"Well in a way...it felt like it."
"What else did he say?"
"He said that you are going to climb the ranks to the top of MI6 and that I had better give you my complete support without questioning the oddness that a life in that position will entail. Never speak of what I know but realize the importance of what you do."
"Oh well I will have a few stern words for him the next time I see him."
"So you went off to Scotland with a man you barely know and now he is your closest supporter and advisor?"
"Yes and he is close with our current M...who is very impressed with my work. I start on a new project this week just for M."
"Did you sleep with him? I know it was no questions asked but it will eat at me forever and will not be a good start to this marriage."
"No I did not. Did you?"
"God no...she brought her fiance and tried to rub it in my face...like I even cared. I think she is the one that has not moved on."
"How could she...losing you was her biggest mistake."
"We were friends from childhood...it could not last. We grew apart in school and then there was this intriguing and annoying know it all blonde woman who drives me to distraction."
"Oh I do want to hear more about her."
"Well she is going to become my wife...bear my children and apparently become very successful at her job."
"Children too...what has gotten into you Nigel."
"I missed you Liv...I do not want to be apart again." Nigel pulls her to him and kisses her passionately.
"Well...Mr. Mansfield if you don't stop this soon...I will be late for work. Nigel I feel the same...but you are still alright with the job?"
"Yes...I would be stupid not to let you climb the ladder. I am going to read and write...all those lovely things academics do, but barely manage to pay any bills. I will need you to earn the real money."
The two of them collapsed on the bed laughing as Nigel removes her dressing gown to celebrate their engagement one more time before she goes into work.
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Five years later and two children are sitting on the floor playing. Nigel calls Olivia into the other room.
"Darling there is a call for you from a Charmian Bond."
Olivia smiles and takes the call. She begins talking animatedly to the woman right away but Nigel watches as her face falls and she sits on the chair beside the table.
The tone changes and Nigel know...someone has died. Her father passed away last year so it is no one from her immediate family. Bond...that name is familiar...that man...the one from work. James Bond.
Nigel moves to her as she hangs up the receiver. There is a tear in her eye and he pulls her into a hug.
"It was that James Bond wasn't it?"
"Yes...they received official notification and wanted me to know before I went into work tomorrow. They would like me at the funeral."
"Will it be in London?"
"Yes. I will go...pay my respects. It will be hard to see the family again...I have been bad about staying in contact...what with the children and work. I did tell James to give them messages whenever I saw him but that was rarely."
"When is the funeral? Would you like me to come with you? We can ask Marshall and Josephine to take the children for the day."
"Yes...thank you Nigel. Thank you for understanding."
"I know that I almost lost you to that man...and that blue dress...I never got to thank him for that."
"You made me get rid of it when you found out!"
"Only after I got to enjoy it myself a few times...I was just in one of my irrational my wife is constantly at work surrounded by a multitude of extremely handsome men and I know how bloody irresistible you are to anyone with even half a brain and eyes in his head."
"Nigel...I do not regret my choice at all. I lost my heart to you in university and that has not changed. James Bond could never come between you and I."
To be continued….