Chapter Text
James comes in through the direct door to Q’s main private office. R is upstairs in the new computer lab, continuing to take apart Spectre’s network of contacts so he’s alone.
“I asked Tanner to bring me over,” James says casually, hanging his coat up next to Q and R’s. “He was too stunned to say much of anything on the way here.” James smiles wryly. “M’s promised to quietly update him on my change of address and next of kin, when he gets back.”
Q laughs good-naturedly.
“I also didn’t tell him where I’ve been, or that I was with you. So I’m sure, when he comes back over to give me my new security pass, you’ll be exposed to his stuttering and silence.”
James is stood a polite distance from Q’s desk, but he’s almost vibrating, holding himself back from getting closer.
Q stands and closes the gap, arms on James’ back as he holds him tightly. He hears James breathe in and out slowly, deeply, one hand fisted in his hair and the other firm around his back. He smells of fresh air and London, aftershave and coffee; Q breathes him in.
His heart feels full, overflowing with emotion. Just the simple act of being held by James is enough to focus his entire world.
“I love you,” James says, his voice rumbling in Q’s ear.
“I love you,” Q affirms. “So much, so very much.”
James releases him and pulls a chair over to Q’s desk.
It’s so utterly, utterly different from that other morning that nothing about it feels familiar. Yet it’s starting to remind him of the time before the whole mess with Spectre. Just with a new intimacy.
“M approved me for testing and Development in Q Branch.” His face breaks into a warm smile. “He was surprised, but he understands. I pointed out that he already has a wonderful second in command.”
“Moneypenny,” Q agrees.
“I think we might have been the first to realises it. He’s going to talk to her this afternoon.”
Q nods, idly tapping the sides of his mug.
“Do you want some more tea?” James asks with a lovely, knowing smirk.
“Yes, thank you, but on that note, I have something for you.” Q reaches into his desk drawer - he’d thought it best to hide it from sight. “I don’t know whether or not this is still appropriate, but, here.” He hands the box to James.
James opens it carefully, pulling the mug out from the packing paper. He smiles, honest and wide, running his fingers along the 007 on each side.
“Thank you, Q.”
Q smiles, both tightlipped and wide. He knows he’s blushing, but he’s not alone.
“I’ll keep my designation. Double-Os apparently keep them until they retire from the service, even if they’re not part of the division anymore.”
“Well, welcome to Q branch, officially. I’m not sure if anyone will notice you’re working here now, given you’ve already been doing your new position in an unofficial capacity for years.”
James shrugs. “As long as you and R know, I don’t mind. If people ask, tell them, if not leave them be.”
He stands, taking his mug and Q’s. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Same access codes?”
“Yes. I’ll upgrade your access so you won’t have to sneak in here all the time.”
James nods and heads out into the main area of Q Branch, leaving Q to his thoughts.
When he comes back in there’s a slight spring in his step and a light in his eyes.
“Shall we get started?” James asks, smiling when Q laughs.
***
Epilogue
James settles well into Q Branch and life with Q. Their hours are jointly erratic, even if they’re in different areas of Q Branch. They make an effort to arrive and leave together almost everyday.
A few people have asked him about his return and Q has overheard James’ quiet but honest explanation. They’re happy to have him and there’s a now-familiar light in his eyes when he works with the cars that Q is relieved to see. With it, any doubt he’d had about James taking this job just to be close to him is banished.
This evening James is with Eve, for what Q guesses is a proper catch up. It’ll be the first chance they’ve had; her now-official-position has been running her and M off their feet.
Q could have gone to his grandparents and R's, but he finds he’d rather take some time to himself.
he plays with the cats, reads and relaxes for a while, enjoying having nothing pressing to do or think about.
The shrill ringing of the doorbell confused him when he hears it. Only a select few people are able to get past the front gate, after all.
He sees M at the door, through the security system, and lets him in.
“Your house is significantly more difficult to break into than Bond’s flat,” M says, by way of greeting.
Q smiles and ushers him in, locking up behind him and M hangs up his coat and removes his shoes.
Feynman goes straight for him, mewling until M picks her up.
“I’ve missed you too, sweetheart,” he coos.
Q blinks and shakes is head; getting reacquainted with Mallory outside of work is always a shock, no matter how many times it’s happened.
“Tea?”
“Please.”
Q leads him to the kitchen. “What would you like?”
“Do you have any of the cherry blossom green tea R has?”
“Not at the moment, no.”
“Then Assam, please, with a splash of milk.”
Q goes about making tea, smiling to himself as M fusses over both of his cats.
They settle in the lounge, Feynman back with Q whilst Tesla lets M stroke her back.
“There hasn’t been another opportunity to talk and I didn’t want to worry you unnecessarily. This isn’t really a work-related visit.”
Q smiles. “I thought as much.”
“I know I’ve said so already, but I really hope you don’t feel that I overstepped, speaking with Bond. Then effectively sending you away together?”
“No, not at all. It was probably the best way to get through to us.”
M smiles.
“But, sir, given that I was given a months holiday regardless of company, what was the other reason we were sent away?”
M puts down his mug and considers what to say.
“I was concerned about a direct hit to MI6. Given Spectre’s reach it wasn’t impossible to assume that they might come after us. They may still but I couldn’t keep you away forever. Bond is by far one of the best agents we have ever had and you are the best Quartermaster in our history.
“If something were to happen in London, I knew I could entrust the safety of the country to you. I would have sent R, Moneypenny and Tanner away too, if I could… but I had to be practical about it. If I couldn’t have you and Bond, then I needed the three other people I trusted and who are excellent within their fields as well.”
“It’s sound thinking, sir,” Q says to break the ringing silence that follows M’s confession.
“Do you agree that killing Oberhauser was a good idea?”
Q scrunches his face in confusion. “I did wonder why James hand’t shot him on the bridge, then it occurred to me that you would be the one to do it instead.”
“Oh?” M looks genuinely surprised. “You make some of our best weapons, yet I’m never sure how you feel about what we do with them.” A moment later he adds, “I saw the look on your face when C fell from his tower, you looked horrified.”
Q sighs. “It was a shock to see it. I’m aware of and perfectly fine with what my weapons and other skills enable… but I suppose I was somewhat shocked by how it had all come about. I’m not a stranger to death, and it was a poetic and fitting end… but after the car crash and being shot at…. it was yet another reminder that I am not a field agent.”
“It can’t have helped that a short while after, Bond was gone and everything else was all up in the air.”
Q meets M’s eyes briefly. “Precisely.”
“There is something else. I want to leave it with you for safe keeping, and I was going to wait fo show both you and Bond, but, I think you should see this now.” he reaches into the deep pocket inside his jacket and pulls out a VHS tape.
Q freezes, but meets M’s eyes.
Mallory nods, so Q stands, collects the tape and turns on his TV and VHS player.
James had shown him the video M left for him when they were at his flat but he hadn’t expected for there to be anymore of them. He knows for certain that nether Bill nor Eve have had one, but he supposes that this might be a handover message of sorts. But if that’s true, why does M want him to see it?
Q presses play, once he’s sat back down, and steels himself - again - to see the woman he owes so much to.
‘If you’re watching this then I’m already dead.
‘As my replacement, this should have arrived on your desk after 007 disappears on unofficial business. Tanner will have left it for you under my express orders; he doesn’t know what’s in the package, only when to deliver it. He’s acting under my orders.
‘It’s come to my attention that there are those in our government and other security forces, including MI5, that have been steadily working against us.
‘Given Bond’s dedication and loyalty to Queen, country and MI6, I’ve sent him on his own series of missions and investigations. It would be best not to let him know you’ve seen this, or have any idea of whats really going on.
‘Those loyal to Bond will also be loyal to you. I trust you to know who they are already, Mallory.’ She smiles wryly and the screen. ‘I’ve already put you forward as my preferred successor.
‘Good luck, M. You’ll need it.’
The tape ends, so Q rewinds it then turns everything off.
“Shit.”
M huffs. “Yes, quite.” He smiles kindly at Q. “After everything you’ve helped uncover, I wanted you to see this, and Bond, when he gets home.”
“Did you know I was lying to you about Bond’s location? When you called from the summit?”
“Yes. And I know why it was necessary for you to do so. You needn’t worry, Q. I know I have people I can trust. MI5 are having a much tougher time of things. Their new leadership is strong, but there is less trust in their own people.
“And I know we’re still overstretched and most of our available agents are out taking down Spectre… but at least we have allies. Leiter in the CIA has brought the Americans up to date and on board, the French, Canadians and the Japanese didn’t need convincing. South Africa will follow suit. We’re working together, but not at all in the way C wanted.” M sighs and relaxes against the couch.
“He would have taken over Spectre the moment Nine Eyes was established. It was in his code; overriding the systems and eliminating Oberhauser from his own organisation. I doubt he was at all bothered that James had blown up their main base.”
“I agree.” M closes his eyes and Q can finally see the toll this is taking on him. “I know what you must be thinking; I send everyone on holiday aside from myself. But I am working shorter days and will be getting some more time off, I promise.”
Q smiles kindly. “I was.”
“I need rest. All of us do from time to time, but there isn’t too much for me outside of work. I was serious about the cat.”
Q doesn’t press M for any more personal revelations and he’s happy for the silence to continue. But M sits up and looks over at him.
“Bond hinted that you’ve both worked out a few things from my past.”
“Sir -”
“It’s fine. Your suspicions are correct. I left because I had someone to live for, someone who was more important to me. We didn’t have any children, so when she died I continued on with the life I had. It lead me to overseeing the previous M’s transition.”
Q swallows, feeling somewhat touched that Mallory would share this with him.
“We work in a cold, dark world and maybe I have too much heart, but I think it’s what separates us from them,” M explains.
“I agree.”
“Which is why you moved your Branch and secured my office.”
“Yes.”
“I remember chastising M for being too soft on Bond. Now I understand,” M adds.
“I still,” Q says. “Feel as though I owe you on a personal level.”
M shakes his head. “You paid that back from the very first photo you sent.” There’s a light in his eyes as he talks. “Honestly. I felt as though my nephew was sending me photographs of his honeymoon.
Q laughs. “Yes, I suppose it did.”
***
When James gets home be’s surprised by M’s presence, but sits down to watch the video and takes it all in.
Q doesn’t take his hand until afterwards, but James’ fingers lock with his immediately.
“I’m making dinner tomorrow night,” James says. “Q and R may even be persuaded to play for us. You should come. Eve and Bill might also be dropping in later on.” He doesn’t quite look at M as he speaks.
Their desire for friends and family is so similar, but James still doesn’t know how to ask.
M, ever the gentleman, smiles graciously. “I would be honoured, please let me know if there is anything I should bring.”
***
They shower together, James coming in behind Q and holding him close under the spray.
When they’re done they crawl into bed. James wraps himself around Q, face buried in his damp hair.
Q twines their legs together and holds on.
“Did something happen when you were at dinner with Eve?” he asks.
“No, we had a nice evening.”
“Okay,” Q says, understanding what he can’t say. “We don’t have anything to do until tomorrow afternoon.”
“Is R still coming over to help?”
“Yes, along with her flute. We might run through a few things before everyone else gets here.”
“I was planning on inviting M tomorrow at work, but it seemed better to do it this evening.”
Q smiles against James’ shoulder. “I know. I also know he really appreciates it.”
James hums his agreement. “We’ve been here as long as we were on the island.”
“Have we?” Q considers, moving back on the pillow so they can see each other better. “Yes, I suppose we have.” He smiles at James, hoping to ease some of the worry in his eyes. Q doesn’t know if it will ever truly leave them, but they each carry their scars.
“I’m fine,” James says gently.
Q nods. “Tanner has stopped looking at me as though I’ve sprouted wings,” he says.
James chuckles. “I think he thinks we’re both mad.”
“Or we’ve somehow shattered his reality. It’s the same look he had when I first brought the cats into the lab.”
James laughs and closes the gap between them, kissing Q and wrapping his arms around him once more.
“I love you, Q.”
“And I love you, James,” Q says unto his chest. “I think I’m going to have to take R and M to get cats sooner rather than later,” he adds.
James’ warm laugh rumbles against his hair. “And a cat-den for M’s office.”
“Thank you for volunteering to come with us.”
“As long as you promise it’s only R and M getting new cats I’ll be happy to come with you.”
“We’ll see,” Q says.
James shakes his head against the pillow and Q chuckles against his warm chest.
Q wants to ask if James is happy for his name to be on the deeds for the house, and so many other things related to that… but it’s far too much for right now.
Instead he asks. “Are you okay with all of this? Friends round for dinner? or would you rather it was just us and the cats?”
“It’s fine, Q. It’s just very different to how things had been, before.” He runs his fingers through Q’s hair. “It’s just taking time for me to get used to it. I’m not unhappy. Very far from it.”
“Okay. Good, that’s… very good.” He’s still a little overwhelmed as well, despite how normal this is becoming for them.
“Hm, I think so too. Goodnight, Q.”
“Goodnight, James.”
***
Fin