It had been six months since she had seen her elusive friend. Four since they had spoken. It was not unusual for him to disappear at great lengths. But this had been the longest since they had met. It was logical, he was sure to get back into long term, 'long con' as he informed her Americans called it, undercover operations. They had been friends for little over a year and it was one of those awkward points in her mind. They had to decide if their adventure into a stilted (he was emotionally stinted to be fair) friendship had run its course.

She was no idiot, well- most of the time. The psychology classes she took in uni and the psychology journals on her coffee table did not need to tell her their friendship began out of guilt and self-loathing. The man didn't even try and hide it, he just embraced the fact that looking at himself in the mirror would always be a journey into the evils of the world.

Not four months after their foray into physical fitness, he had disappeared from the face of the earth. He seemed to be better adjusted, in some ways, than when they first met. However, she figured at this point it was only a matter of time before she was asked to sign some sort of binding anti-treason contract that demanded she claim her friend was a figment of her imagination. Perhaps they would cite PTSD as cause for her hallucinogenic tendencies.

"Ms. Grayson?" Olivia snapped out of her musing, nearly dropping the cup of coffee she had suspended in the air for who knows how long.

"Yes Barry, what is it?"

"You have the national conference call with Uruguay in ten." Her assistant was the picture of boy next door. He was undoubtedly no more than five years or so younger than she, but his boyish charms made him seem of the underage variety.

"Thank you Barry. I'll be in five."

The day went on.

Occasionally she thought about how back when they were starting out, when he disappeared, he would simply pop back into her life like it was a game of whack-a-mole. He would pop up in one area, her coffee shop, her flat, and then proceed underground again. All in all, they had come to the simple agreement that he was a person with whom a friendship would be transient. This did not discourage her however. Not because she was scared or unattached, she simply did not think on it too much. They were friends, one day he would be there and the next he would be gone. That was that.

Faced with the reality of this however, caused an uncomfortable ache in her chest. She did not like the thought that the strange but comfortable camaraderie she shared with her rescuer had come to its untimely end. Olivia turned her head to look out the window in silent contemplation, this was what her world was reduced to now, looking out and wondering, imagining, what had happened to her friend. With the mind she had, every possible scenario ran through her psyche unbidden. Currently, she was trying to decide which option hurt her less- that he hadn't contacted her because of extenuating circumstances or of his own violation.

"Miss. Grayson," refraining from rolling her eyes, she sat up a little straighter as her eyes met those of Jameson Andrews. The name was almost as pretentious as the man himself.

Almost

He stood tall and had an air of superiority that was not uncommon for his station. The man was a born politician. His family ties ensured he would end up in a position of some power since his birth. The Andrews family had too much pull not to ensure their legacy was protected by a blood heir coming into a position that would give them sway in the underbelly of the English government. His cut suit cost more than her annual salary and his red hair was slicked back in a way that Olivia was sure meant to look put-together but just added to the greasy persona he was sporting.

"Mr. Andrews," she refrained from a customary 'how can I help you?' or 'what can I do for you?' on account she wanted to offer neither of those options to the man in front of her.

"I was inquiring about the status of Project Olympus,"

"I can assure you my best team is working through the final data sets now. I gave you the modest estimate for its completion when you and MI6 commissioned the study." These words were spoken on such a regular basis she could practically hear the automated response in her sleep.

"I am aware of the timeline. What I am not aware of is why you are not directly heading the group yourself." This was new.

"Mr. Andrews, if you were unaware, I run the entire North London division of this organization. While I appreciate the desire for my skills I am afraid your project can not negate public safety." His eyes turned hard in an instant. The coordinator has not been shy about her dislike of the originations intentions when they first approached her supervisor about the project.

"These simulations take precedence over any simple measure you are-"

"Which is why I have my best people running the data and simulations," her voice was probably more firm than it should be in the present company. The brunette did not think she could be entirely blamed for it. Her last foray into the darker sides of governmental operations ended badly, leaving a bitter and unsavory taste in her mouth. This man just so happened to be the personification of that distaste.

"I will have you know, Grayson, that this position can easily be-"his words were cut off by the appearance of the last person she expected. Cropped blond hair had grown out a bit and his facial hair was straying from five o'clock shadow into beard territory, but his eyes were the same. Piercing blue locked onto the man leaning rather threateningly on her desk.

Barry came running in after him, headset still in its 'on' position, indicating he ran in while on a call. "I'm sorry Miss. Grayson, he insisted on coming in. I tried to stop-"Olivia stood, hands braced on her desk and leaned forward slightly, eyes on her frantic assistant.

"Its fine Barry, Mr. Bond is a friend. Feel free to take your lunch early." The time was nearing 1pm and she knew the young man well enough to know he skipped his break in favor of putting together the data sets she had asked him to the day before.

"Of course Miss. Grayson," his ability to read social cues had improved greatly since his first day. With one last glance around, a little nervous energy radiating off him, Barry turned and quietly shut the door behind him.

Olivia snapped her attention back to Andrews. His back had since straightened to the point of pain, his eyes no longer on her, but on her unannounced visitor.

"Bond," his voice held a sharp lift to it, cool but confused. If Andrews hated anything it was being out of the loop. Olivia was not quite sure what kind of osmosis had occurred when she and Bond had become friends. She was aware that M, the head of MI6, was aware (was there anything that woman was not aware of?) but aside from his direct superior she was not sure who was in the know about their connection.

"Andrews," his voice was cold, unemotional. He leaned against the window frame off to the right, arms crossed in what seemed a casual gesture. The muscles in his arms were taut, stretching his grey shirt even more than they usually did. Olivia noticed the signs he was ready for a fight.

"I thought you were on assignment." He took a half step towards him, angling his body so that Olivia was in his periphery while he faced Bond almost head on.

"I returned this morning." The blonde did not move from his spot, barely twitched as his eyes stayed locked on the red head.

"I see," silence reigned in the room, no one moving for almost half a minute. This was getting ridiculous. Olivia had a brief flash of them having a staring contest, one declaring victory when the other blinked. She intervened.

"Mr. Andrews any other concerns you may have about the project can be fielded to my superiors. As you so aptly were about to imply, I am aware my position is easily replaced. However, with my extensive knowledge I would be expected to finish the projects I am currently assigned before my retirement. Please bring this up with the advisory board when you make your suggestions." The clipped tone was met with one of the most heated glares she had ever been privy to.

"You can be assured I will relay the message." After sneering out his response, the man took his leave. It was a dramatic exit, the door just short of slamming when he pulled it shut. Brown eyes turned to look at the man still left in the room. His eyes, however, were trained on the now closed door. Unsure of how to start a conversation after such a lengthy absence, Olivia simply sighed. Moving around her desk, she situated herself, turned towards her friend while half sitting half leaning on the front of her desk.

"Did you have a specific reason for this visit?" She finally caved when the silence continued.

"How are you involved with Andrews?" His voice still held that guarded almost bitter edge to it his few words had been laced with earlier.

"He is a contact for a project my division was assigned." His faced stayed turned from her.

"Project Olympus," it wasn't a question.

"Yes."

"Your division is handling the data sets I presume," again, no question, simply a statement of fact.

"Correct," Olivia stood silent after her response. Finally, blue eyes turned and were trained on her.

"You didn't mention it," he looked calculating, arms still tense while he stood a little straighter but remained positioned by the window.

"It was assigned less than four months ago." Understanding flashed across his face. They hadn't been in contact since this project began. Though if they had, she wasn't entirely sure why it would be prevalent for him to know that. "Is there something I should know?" she ventured into the question with hesitation but an edge of annoyance.

"I'm not sure yet."

"Helpful," her sarcastic tone seemed to snap him out of whatever trance he was in. She watched his lip twitch in the ghost of a smile before he uncrossed his arms and took a single step towards her. He hesitated for a moment, eyes uncharacteristically unsure.

"I have a meeting in forty-five minutes," she started and saw shudders fall over his eyes at her words. "But I had plans of great adventure- heading down to the accounting floor and raiding their vending machines," She stood, turning to reach behind her for the cell phone and keys that resided to the left. "I could always use backup in case I run across any retaliation."

His whole body relaxed, eyes softening around the corners and the lines on his face became less harsh. Olivia stood up straight, intent on the door. Without turning around she knew he was intent to follow and a smile came to her face.

When they made it out the door and started towards the elevator, shoulder to shoulder she turned her head to the right, eyes sweeping over him in curiosity. "Welcome back by the way," she said it like the last six months had not had her worried, not had her head spinning with every possible scenario of how he was dead in some third-world country, never to be seen again. She said it so that he would know that she had no expectations of him.

When he turned to look at her, she quickly turned her head back, but they had a made eye contact despite her best efforts. Her gaze was fixed on the elevator doors. The silence that permeated between them was not quite comfortable but lacked the thickness that accompanied awkwardness. The ding that singled the arrival of their ride pierced the quite.

He stepped in without prompting, coming to stand slightly behind her left shoulder as she hit the circular button to get them to their destination.

"I don't have any change," he stated plainly. She turned to look at him, and then promptly dissolved into laughter.

"You're the super secret agent, I'm sure you have a backup plan," he turned and smiled minutely, an improvement from earlier.

"I'm sure together we will think of something."

And just like that, she had her friend back.

OMG I'M SUCH A FRIGGIN LIAR.

I was looking over past chapters and 5 stated with certainty I would have this up almost a month and a half ago… in my defense I was totally intent on doing so… I just- you know- failed epically.