Chapter 7

…

James watched for any signs of distress as they entered Mallory's office, James came over as Mallory leaned against the desk before letting out a long sigh.

"Hey come on, it wasn't that bad."

"No…but I can only imagine what they said when we left the room…did you see Bill's face?"

"Yeah I did."

"Disgust James, complete disgust."

Mallory lowered his head, his hand running over his abdomen.

"What if this is a mistake."

"What…the baby?"

"You saw the look on everyone's faces James, this won't be easy."

"So what…the easiest way out is to kill your child, you find that easier than dealing with a few months of whispers and snide remarks."

"James I…"

James moved towards him, invading his space as he placed his hand over Mallory's, his other hand lifting the older man's face a little to look at him.

"You don't want to get rid of this baby, they way you've been the last few days…how connected you are to her already. You want this baby as much as I do, you're scared and you're saying things without thinking."

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean what I said…I was being selfish."

"You're scared and that's okay, I won't pretend it's all going to be plain sailing but I'm right here with you…at the end of the day…we're having a baby." He smiled.

"We are…aren't we?"

James leaned down, covering Mallory's lip as his arms found their way around James waist.

"Sorry boys, I didn't mean to interrupt."

They broke apart as James turned to see Kate walking in.

"Kate…not at all, sorry you had to see that." Mallory smiled.

"Don't be ridiculous dearie, it's nice to see two people in love. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"We're fine Kate."

"It won't be like this forever you know, just give them all some time."

"That's what I said." James smiled.

"M…sorry to interrupt but I need your signature on something." Eve smiled, standing in the doorway.

"I'll come out; back in a moment you two."

Kate and James watched Mallory leave before Kate turned back to see James watching her.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing, I just…I wanted to thank you for taking care of him. He said you've been a big help since he found out about the baby."

"Well he's a good friend, there's nothing I wouldn't do for him."

"You don't think very much of me, do you?"

"All I know about you is by reputation."

"It's not who I am you know, the women…the sex…its part of the job."

"And do you think you can continue to do that with Gareth the way he is? Would you feel guilty about being half way across the world, killing, and sleeping with any women just to get information while he's here carrying your child?"

"Wow…you get right to it, don't you?"

"I'm sorry dearie but that man is a very good friend, he's been there for me when I needed him and I'm returning the favour."

"Look…he doesn't know yet but, ever since he told me about the baby, I have been thinking a lot about my work, about Gareth."

"Go on."

"I know its early days but…I do love him, both of them and my job, while I still want to be a part of MI6, my double o status isn't that important to me anymore."

"You'd seriously consider giving it up for him."

"Kate I'd do anything for him, okay us sleeping together was at the time just a one off and the baby wasn't expected but it's happened and honestly, seeing him like this…how much he loves this child already…I'm falling in love with him, more and more everyday. I won't hurt him, you have my word on that."

"I hope you don't."

"He thinks a lot of you; you're quite a mystery Kate to many of us."

"Am I? well I'm a very private person dearie…we all have our mysteries. I need to get back, look after him."

"I will."

"Oh Kate, you're leaving?" Mallory asked, coming back in.

"I have some tests to run and reports to finish, best not delay them any longer."

"Okay then, and thank you for earlier…I appreciate it."

"Gareth I will always be here for you, both of you. I'll see you later."

…

Eve appeared in Kate's doorway just after seven that night, Kate's head down as she focused on the report in front of her.

"Kate?"

"Eve, sorry dearie…I was catching up on some things…come on in."

"I'm sorry about tea earlier, things came up."

"No need to explain…drink?"

"Please."

"Whiskey or Scotch?"

"Whiskey please."

Eve took a seat as Kate poured the drink and handed her a glass.

"Thanks, I'm not keeping you back am I?"

"Don't be silly, I was getting ready to call it a night anyway. Come sit on the sofa, we can chat."

Eve followed her over, sitting down beside her before take a sip of her drink and coughing.

"You don't drink much whiskey do you dearie?"

"Not very often I'm afraid; I'm more a red wine girl myself."

Kate offered a small smile before taking a drink herself, closing her eyes as she leaned back in to the sofa.

"Have you had a long day?" Eve asked.

"Mmmm, not too bad actually…I've just been trying to make sure Gareth is okay."

"Yeah that was a pretty intense meeting, although they handled it well. I'm glad he had James with him."

"What do you think off him?"

"What James? He's…not had an easy life but, he pushes through."

"Will he be there for Gareth?"

"Of course he will, look I know you don't know James very well and you only ever hear about him from others, you hear the gossip about him but please believe me when I say he truly cares about M. He'll be there for him, he won't walk away."

"I had a conversation with him earlier; he told me he loved him."

"Well I can't say I'm surprised, he took the news about the baby very well and since then, he's barely left M's side. You can trust him you know."

"I'm not the kind of person to trust easily dearie."

"Who hurt you?"

"I'm sorry."

"Someone must have abused your trust very badly for you to find it this hard to trust someone like James."

"I'm sorry dearie but my past is my own, no one elses."

"Sorry I…I just thought it might help to share, forget I said anything."

Kate offered her a small smile before placing a warm hand over hers.

"It was kind of you to think of me dearie."

…

James was listening to some of Mallory's cd's in front of the fire when Mallory took a seat beside him, dressesd down in some sweatpants and shirt.

"Wow…you look…different." James grinned.

"I couldn't be bothered being neat tonight."

"Well you never have to for me; I like you just the way you are."

James stretched his arm out and around Mallory's shoulder, bringing him a little closer as James pressed a kiss to his ear.

"You did remarkably well today Gareth…I'm proud of you."

"I've never been so scared in my life."

"But you got through it."

"With your help, and Kate's."

"Mmmm, you know she cares a hell of a lot about you."

"And the feeling is mutual."

"She made me promise never to hurt you."

"And what did you say?"

"What do you think I said, I gave her my word I'd never hurt you…or her." James smiled, placing his free hand on Mallory's abdomen.

Mallory smiled down at James, James giving him a curious look.

"What did I say now?"

"It's nothing, it's just…that's the second time you've referred to the baby as "she" today."

"You don't want a girl?"

"Honestly I don't mind what we have, just so long as they're healthy."

"Yeah…me too."

"Kate offered to do an ultra sound this morning."

"You mean you know what we're having."

"No, I declined."

"What…why."

"Because I don't want the first time I see our baby is on my own…that's something we should experience together."

"Okay so we'll contact your doctor and arrange one."

"Actually that's something I want to talk to you about."

"Oh…"

"If it was alright with you, I'd like Kate to monitor me for the remainder of the pregnancy."

"Oh…right."

"She's the only one I really trust James and she'll be honest and up front about everything, she would never hide anything from us."

"It really means that much to you?"

"It does."

"Then okay, whatever you want to do then it's fine with me. Kate's our doctor."

"Thank you James."

"Anything for you." He smiled, kissing him.

…

To Be Continued…