Chapter 5

…

James rushed in to MI6 the next morning, happiness written all over his face as he strode through the halls that would take him to Mallory's office. Eve looked up when James walked in, offering a small smile when he handed her some flowers.

"Wow, what did I do to deserve these?" She asked, taking them from him and sniffing them.

"Does a man need a reason to buy a woman flowers."

"You do…so come on then…what do you want?"

"They're merely a thank you."

"A thank you…what for?"

"Lending me your ear the other night about M…you helped me a lot."

"Judging by that smile on your face and the fact that M seems to be in rather a good mood himself, I can assume you worked things out between you?"

"We have."

"Oh James, I really am happy for you both…but I meant what I said before…the man's clearly concerned about all of this and what people's reactions might be…you'll need to be the strong one here."

"I'm not going to hurt him Eve…you have my word."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

"Is he free?"

"He is, his next appointment isn't for an hour…you have time."

"Thanks Eve."

…

James entered Mallory's office, not bothering to knock to see him standing by the window, looking down on the streets of London. James smiled to himself before walking up behind him, has his arms came around his waist, causing the older man to flinch.

"James…I didn't hear you come in." He smiled, feeling the warm hands on his stomach.

"I'm trained to be quiet as a mouse Sir." He whispered against his neck.

"James…enough with the Sir please."

"Turn around."

Mallory did as he asked, watching the way the agent looked at him, the way he studied him.

"I…love….you." James said as he pressed his lips to Mallory's.

"I meant what I said about the nursery you know."

"I'll paint any room you want me too, but not red…there is far too much red at your place."

"It keeps me warm, after a day of dealing with cold blooded killers…that's why I like it so much."

"Well, I can understand that, come and sit down."

Mallory followed James to the couch, taking a seat beside him, James moving closer to him.

"When I got your text last night…I don't think I've ever felt as happy as I did in that moment, knowing you were willing to give in to all your fears about this baby for me."

"For us…a termination wasn't what I wanted when I found out, I just…I didn't think children was something you ever wanted."

"I didn't think it was either and then…when you told me. When I saw you sitting in that waiting room that day, the fear in your face…I knew then you didn't want to go through with it, that you were torn. I want you to know…I know this is new for both of us but…no matter how difficult things get, I won't be going anywhere…I promise."

Mallory took James face in his hands before kissing him; James opened Mallory's jacket and waistcoat before moving them to the side to press his hand firmly to the spot where their baby lay.

"Does it feel weird?" James asked.

"What?"

"Having something… in there?"

"It doesn't really feel much different, but…I suppose it's still very small."

"I can't wait for you to start showing."

"Well, it shouldn't be much longer. People will start to notice changes in me soon enough; I suppose I ought to go public."

James heard the worry in his voice as Mallory looked down, his hand over James.

"We'll go public…I'll be there with you; you don't have to do it alone."

"It's just…all so much at once."

"Who needs to know first of all?"

"The PM, then I suppose the people we work with, our friends. It will be a lot for them to take in, not just the baby…but us. Eve's the only one who even knows any of this."

Mallory began to ramble as he got to his feet, pacing back and forth as he spoke. James offered a smile before getting to his feet, hands coming to Mallory's sides, stopping him.

"Hey…everything's going to be okay. We'll get through this, I promise."

"They could fire me."

"No they can't, unfair dismissal and besides…do you really think anyone here would let that happen to you."

"I don't think I'm as popular as you might think I am."

"You are, just as she was. Tough but fair and the people around you…they respect you for that. They have your back, trust me."

Mallory nodded his head in agreement before removing himself from James grip and walking over to the phone, James watched him closely as he made the phone call he'd been dreading. Mallory steadied himself on his desk after finishing the call, James coming up behind him…a warm hand on his back.

"You okay?"

"Mmmmm…3pm today."

"The sooner you get it over with, the easier it will be."

"Do you really think so?" He asked turning around.

"Hey…we're having a baby…nothing else matters, just you and them." He smiled, his eyes wandering to Mallory's stomach.

…

James made sure he was available at 3pm and went to meet Mallory, to see him sitting outside the PM's office.

"I'm not late am I?"

"You're fine, he's running behind apparently."

James sat down beside him, the PM's secretary looking up at James and smiling. James smiled back before turning his attentions back to Mallory, seeing the worried look on his face. Reaching out, he took tight hold of his hand. The look the secretary gave him didn't go unnoticed by him, taking it a step further and placing a kiss to his lips as he turned Mallory's head.

"James…not here." He replied quietly.

"Will you relax?"

The phone rang as they turned to the young woman as she placed the receiver back down.

"The Prime Minister will see you now M."

"Thank you."

James got up to follow him in, a supportive hand on his back. The Prime Minister looked up to see both men enter.

"M…I wasn't expecting Bond with you."

"I'm sorry Prime Minister but, what I have to talk to you about involves both us I'm afraid."

"Oh god…what's he gone and done this time, blew up another bloody embassy."

"Relax Sir, I haven't blown anything up." James responded.

"Sit down then."

They did as instructed and took a seat across from The Prime Minister, Mallory looking and feeling more nervous than he ever had before.

"Well come on, I have another engagement in half an hour so if you could hurry this along then I…"

"Bond and I are in a relationship Prime Minister." He said quickly.

"I beg your pardon."

"James and I…we're…together."

"I see…well, this is a surprise I don't mind telling you."

"They're nothing that says we can't Sir." James added.

The Prime Minister got to his feet, going to the window before turning back to them.

"Well you're right Bond there isn't, but I do hope you can keep work and home separate, otherwise things could get complicated."

Mallory closed his eyes briefly, worry filling him which didn't go unnoticed by either man.

"M….what, what aren't you telling me."

"Prime Minister I…we…"

"It's okay, let me." James added.

"If someone could tell me I'd appreciate it."

"Sir…Gareth…M has a condition that, until now hasn't been an issue."

"Condition, you passed your last physical."

"I did Sir."

"Sir…he's not ill. He has a condition, very rare that enables him to have…a child."

"Oh god." Mallory muttered.

"I'm sorry…what, I don't understand."

"He's trying to tell you Prime Minister that I'm pregnant."

"Don't be ridiculous man; pregnant…I don't believe it."

James watched as Mallory took something out of his breast pocket before getting up and handing it to The Prime Minister, who took it and studied it for a few minutes, his eyes going wide before handing it back to Mallory who put it back in place.

"You're not kidding…well this is, very strange I must say."

"Prime Minister, I won't allow this to affect my work in any way. I'm still very capable of doing my job."

"I wouldn't say things like that just yet M…if I recall my wife's pregnancies, the first few months were the worst."

"I refuse to step down Sir."

"You can't force him out of MI6." James added.

"Gentlemen, I have no intention in dismissing M. I'm not saying I'm not shocked and surprised because I am. I didn't even know things like this were possible but you have shown me the proof. I will treat you as I would treat any woman in the same position. Do you plan on making it public, or would you like to take early leave and explain the sudden presence of a child later?"

"I don't plan on keeping this a secret Prime Minister, James and I agreed that going public about this would be the best thing, I realize we will receive some bad press and I can only apologize in advance for what might be ahead."

"Not to worry M…we'll handle it like we handle everything here. Leave the press to me."

"As for the people we work with, I intend to send out a memo to all departments informing them of a meeting where James and I will let them know what's happening."

"Are you sure you're ready for that, the entire building knowing. Not everyone will accept this."

"I realize that Sir but I refuse to hide my condition."

"He shouldn't have to hide it, if anybody has issues, they can deal directly with me. I dare them to argue with me."

"James…."

"What, I won't let anyone make you feel disgusted by this."

"Gentlemen, Bond you're license to kill gets you so far, you will not use it on anyone with in MI6…is that clear."

"Yes Sir."

"You may go gentlemen, you know where to find me if you require any assistance. As for the press, leave that to me."

"Thank you Prime Minister."

"Have a good day gentlemen."

Mallory and James exited the office and headed down the hallway, Mallory stopping as James walked on before realizing that Mallory was leaning against the nearest wall. Walking back to him, he placed a hand on his arm, the other on the side of his face, forcing him to look at him.

"Hey you okay?"

"Mmmm."

"Are you in pain?"

"No I…I didn't expect him to be so understanding about all of this."

"What were you expecting…for him to fire you?"

"Actually…yes."

"Well then he's a better man for not, you can't help what's happening to you, it has and we're dealing with it. What I said to him, about anyone saying anything to you to hurt you or cause pain, I will hurt them."

"James you're not hurting anyone, he'll take away your license to kill."

"Yes well, I don't think I'll be needing it much longer anyway."

"What are you saying?"

"We're having a baby, a family…you didn't seriously think I'd want to be away all the time did you?"

"I suppose it wasn't something that occurred to me."

"Well we'll talk about tonight, right now…lets go to your office and get this meeting organized."

…

To Be Continued…