Chapter 11
…
Bill Tanner heard noises coming from the outside office, getting up from behind Mallory's desk; he went to see who was there.
"Eve…"
"Oh, I didn't think you'd still be here."
"Yes well, the PM phoned asking to speak to James and I explained what had happened."
"Did you…good."
"How…how is he…M?"
"You almost sound concerned Bill."
"Look, I'm sorry about what I said earlier okay. It was…inappropriate."
"Just a little."
"Is the baby okay?"
"Yeah, they're both fine. M's been suffering from severe morning sickness and he was very dehydrated, as well as his high blood pressure and it all just got too much for his body to handle."
"So are they keeping him in?"
"James thinks he'll be released tomorrow and his doctor has ordered him to take a few days off. I told him we'd look after things here for him, I hope that's alright."
"Yeah, of course it is."
"Well I probably shouldn't have assumed that you'd do this for him, given the way you feel about his current condition."
"What do you want me to say Eve, that I've been an ass, fine…I've been an ass, I'm sorry. You can't expect everyone around here to just accept what's happening to him."
"Perhaps not everyone, but I thought you of all people would. When he took over from Olivia you went out of your way to help him fit in, to help him deal with James."
"Yes well, perhaps I helped where Bond was concerned just a little too much."
"They love each other Bill; they're having a child together. Why can't you just be happy for them huh?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't pretend to be happy about something that I don't even think should be possible."
"Fine, have it your own way."
"I need to go, I promised my wife a date night."
"Well we wouldn't want to disappoint your wife, would we?"
Bill rolled his eyes before leaving the office, nodding to Q as he entered just as he left.
"Did I interrupt something?" He asked Eve.
"No Q, nothing at all…what's up?"
"I just wanted to know how M was…people have been talking."
"All waiting for him to lose the baby are they?"
Q went silent as Eve looked up at him.
"I'm sorry Q; it's been a long day."
"I understand."
"I just don't get people, why can't they just accept what's happening and help out."
"There is a lot of prejudice in the world Eve; many people believe that a man should not be capable of carrying a child."
"I might have been one of those people not so long ago but, when you see them together…how happy they, you forget about all that."
"Well at least he has the support of us."
"Yeah, even you."
"I'm not saying it's not strange but…its happening and there's nothing we can do about it. All we can do is support them both through it."
"Thanks Q."
"Well, I'd better finish up in the lab before I head home, night Eve."
"Night Q."
…
Kate sat in her car, staring at the home of Sharon. Her stomach was doing somersaults, her nerves beginning to get to her. She turned off the engine and walked towards the door, knocking lightly before closing her eyes briefly.
"Kate…right on time."
"Hello Sharon."
"Please, come on in."
Kate followed her through to the lounge, passing her the bottle of wine she'd brought with her.
"I didn't know if you liked red or white so I took a shot."
"Red's lovely, thank you. Take a seat…would you like a glass now."
"Please."
Sharon poured the drinks before handing one to Kate and taking a seat beside her.
"Did you find the place okay."
"Mmmm, didn't get lost once."
"Oh I'm glad, well dinner won't be long. Do you like steak?"
"I do."
"Thank god for that, you look very nice…I like your jacket."
"Thank you, you look, very nice too."
"Thanks…so I checked in on Gareth just before I left…he was fast asleep…as was James."
"Silly boy, I told him to go home."
"I think he was worried about leaving him alone, it's understandable."
"Gareth is alright though…isn't he?"
"Kate don't worry, Gareth and the baby are just fine."
"Perhaps it's not a good idea to have me take over from you; you seem to know what you're doing, certainly more than I."
"He seemed pretty sure that he wanted you to look after him."
"You are far more qualified than I…certainly in this field; I'd never forgive myself if something happened to him, to either of them."
"Why don't you talk it over with him first, see how he feels about it. Tell him how your feeling, maybe he'll agree with you."
"I will."
"This wasn't your fault you know, what happened to him. It happens to a lot of women too, it's just unfortunate."
"It seems to be a pattern in my life…hurting people. That's why I was a little apprehensive about accepting your dinner invitation, you've been very kind."
"You're a very mysterious person Kate Kaplan."
"Sharon, getting involved with me…it's not a good idea. I have a tendency to bring danger with me."
Sharon moved a little closer to Kate, placing a warm hand on her own.
"Kate…I'm a big girl, I can look after myself and besides…I like you, you might just be worth the risk."
"I'm not a young woman dearie, you're at least twenty years younger. Surely there are plenty of women more suited too…"
"Kate, I don't usually have to work this hard to get a woman to like me?"
"I just wouldn't want you to get hu…."
Sharon quickly moved to cover Kate's lips in a chaste kiss before pulling back to see the shocked look on the older woman's face.
"Sorry…too soon."
"Perhaps a little, it's been a very long time for me."
"We can take it slow, if...you think this might be something you want."
"Slow dearie."
"Okay, well…you stay here and I'll go see to dinner…won't be long."
…
Mallory opened his eyes, looking around the sterile room before looking down to see James leaning on the bed, fast asleep as he held Mallory's hand.
"James…"
"Mmmmm."
"James go home." He said, quietly.
James opened his eyes, lifting his head to see Mallory smiling down at him.
"How long have you been awake?" James asked.
"Not long, you should have left hours ago."
"I wasn't leaving you on your own."
"James I'll be fine, you're no use to me when you're lacking sleep."
"I'm perfectly comfortable here."
"Liar."
James got up and came to lie next to Mallory on the bed, his arm going around the older man as he made space for James.
"We're fine James."
"I know, I just feel a lot better being here with you both…is that okay."
"More than okay." He smiled, when James hand found it's way to his abdomen.
"I love you both so much."
"Love you too."
…
To Be Continued…