For RebaForever15 I tried, I really tried but this was the best I could do. For Prosper the XVIII hope I got her spirit back for you and for GreenVelvetCurtains, Thanks for the chat. it made me feel better. For everyone else I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it

The meeting went on for hours with accusations from the Committee flying around the room like mosquitoes, and M and her team swiftly squashing each and every one. By the end of the afternoon M and her team had managed to convince all but one Committee member, namely Clare Dower that her actions were appropriate for each mission and her loyalty had never wavered in any way. Even Mallory tried very hard to conceal his amusement as Ms. Dower made one final attempt to gain back the support she had so clearly lost before he called for a final vote. In the end it was decided that M's loyalty to both Queen and Country and her loyalty to her agents were a true testament to her character. M had to smile as Mallory nearly quoted James word for word "Her loyalty to Queen and Country is just as important as her loyalty to her agents. You simply cannot have one without the other". She did feel sorry in an odd sort of way for Clair Dower. She had been so arrogant and confident in the beginning and now she simply looked as though she had swallowed a sour mouse.

As everyone began filing out of the room Mallory quickly caught up with M and pulled her aside as he motioned for James to follow them.

"Mr. Mallory, it has occurred to me that I never properly thanked you for everything you have done for me and my department through all of this." said M with a genuine look of appreciation

"It was my pleasure M. I knew from the start they were trying to railroad you into retirement, and as you have made it painfully clear on more than one occasion you will retire when you are "Bloody well good and ready" I'm just sorry it got this far" he said apologetically

"Was there something you wanted to discuss?" she asked curiously

"Yes...as a matter of fact...Oh Bond. Thank you for joining us" he said as James appeared behind M "Let me come straight to the point. As much as I know you would like nothing better than to get back to work, A situation as come up that will require both of your expertise, so I am sending you on a rather small mission" he said in a rather serious tone

"You mean you want to send ME out into the field?" she said with some alarm

"In a manner of speaking...Yes" he replied flatly

"In case you have forgotten, I haven't been an agent in the field for years. Why don't you let me assign a more appropriate partner for 007" she replied?

"No, this is a rather delicate situation that will require both skill" he said motioning to James "and Tact" he said looking at her

"But surly there must be someone more qualified..." she started to say

"No. It has to be you. This mission must be a success and the only to ensure that is to send you personally." he said firmly

"I see" she said sounding totally confused "Am I to be briefed on this situation?" she asked narrowing her eyes

"I already took the liberty of briefing 007 this morning. He will fill you in on the details while you are en route" he replied as he turned to walk away "And 007, Do take good care of her, we've all worked too hard to lose her now" he said with a slight grin as he brushed past James

"And just what is that supposed to mean" asked M who was clearly irritated

"It means we had best get going if we are to reach our destination before nightfall" he said as he gently grasped her arm in order to guide her to his waiting car just outside the side entrance.

"Where are we going?"

"I can' tell you just yet, It's classified" he said as they walked toward the car

"What the hell is that supposed to mean it's classified. I'm the bloody head of MI6, I'm the one who usually classifies these things!" she said stopping dead in her tracks

James just stopped and turned to look at her with a rather bemused look on his face. "This is not going to be easy" he thought to himself as he took hold of her arm

"Would you just get in the bloody car" he said as he let out a deep sigh

"Fine!" she said with a hint of resentment as she did as she was told.

The drive to their destination left a lot to be desired as James chose the most indirect route he could possibly find and he chose the most uncomfortable car, His own Aston Martin.

"James" she said till slightly annoyed "don't you think it would have been wiser to chose a more inconspicuous car or perhaps one that was a little more comfortable?" She asked

"Are you going to complain the whole way?" he said as he put his hand on the gear shift

"Yes, I know you can eject me, we've done that one already" she replied sarcastically "So are you ever going to enlighten me as to where we're going?"

"Neutral ground" he replied as he turned down a rather bumpy dirt road that eventually led to a paved road. Once the car had hit the pavement M knew exactly where they were.

"Why are we back in Dover?" she asked suspiciously

"I already told you. We're going to neutral ground" he replied as he pulled up outside the same cottage where he had found her a few days earlier.

As they got out of the car James headed for the door while M remained by the car watching his suspiciously.

"Are you coming?" he asked turning back to look at her

She reluctantly followed along behind him as he opened the door and motioned for her to go inside. Once inside James closed the door and quickly pulled her into a deep and tender kiss.

"James" she said as she pulled back gasping for air "Do you really think this is the time for this since we are supposed to be on a mission?" she asked with a half puzzled, half annoyed look on her face

"This is the mission" he replied with a grin as he kissed her again"

"What are you talking about?" she asked breathlessly as she pulled back to look at him

"I told you this morning that I would find a way" he said as he began unbuttoning her blouse

"I know what you said" she replied grasping his hands gently "But what brilliant plan have you come up with"

"Do we really have to talk about this right now?" he said leaning down to kiss her neck

She was finding it harder and harder to concentrate with his lips touching her skin and the more she tried to resist the more she discovered she was definitely losing this battle. She found herself unbuttoning his shirt allowing her access to his chest where she began to place soft kisses, as he continued to kiss her all the while maneuvering her backward toward the bedroom, discarding each other's clothing as they went. My God she wanted him more than she had ever wanted anyone, and it was clearly evident that he wanted her as well. When they finally reached the bedroom the only clothing remaining was their undergarments which were quickly discarded as he picked her up and gently laid her on the bed. The look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know as he gently began to make love to her. At first he was afraid of hurting her but after giving her a moment to adjust to him she responded with soft moans of pleasure and gentle but eager kisses causing him to nearly explode as he continued his steady rhythm. When they had finished they were both completely exhausted and content to just lay in each other's arms, with an occasional kiss or caress.

"Are you alright?" he asked sounding a bit concerned, as gently kissed her temple

"Never better" she replied as she ran her hand softly across his chest

"James" she said quietly "You do realize that this is completely inappropriate behavior. I mean after everything we've just been through what on earth possessed you to do this?" she asked in a somewhat serious tone "Do you have any idea of how much trouble this would cause if anyone ever found out?"

"We won't be in any trouble at all" he replied reaching down to tilt her face up so he could look at her "We have permission"

"We have what!" she said sitting up and covering herself with the blanket

"I said we have permission"

"Permission from who?" she demanded angrily

"Mallory" replied James with a slight smile

"OH Great! Just who the hell does he think he is giving me permission to sleep with one of my own agents? And who the hell do you think you are asking him in the first place?" she said glaring at him

"Calm down" said James with a laugh "I didn't exactly ask him if I could make love to you"

"Then what the hell did you ask him?"

"I simply went to see him this morning to ask him what our options were"

"Oh really! This ought to be good" she replied sarcastically

"I simply explained to him how we feel about each other and asked what the proper procedures are in this type of situation, and he gave me basically four options"

"Do any of them happen to include the length of time I will be spending in prison after I kill you?" she asked angrily

"Well two of the options are completely out of the question, so there's no sense discussing them which leaves us with the remaining two and it is up to you as to which one we chose"

"OH FINALLY. Something is my decision" she said sharply "I have never been so humiliated in my entire life"

James leaned over and put his arm around her pulling her close as he kissed her forehead

"Don't you even want to know what the options are?" he asked softly

"Go ahead. Dazzle me with your brilliance" she replied

"Well there is option one where we formally declare our relationship and sign some sort of pointless paper about how we won't let it get in the way of our jobs, and I still have to keep my distance in the office, no public displays of affection.. blah blah blah. That one will require your signature on the form which I just happen to have with me."

"Great public humiliation at its finest" she replied clearly not amused

"Or there is always option two" he said gently turning her face toward his so he could look in her eyes

"And just what is option two?" she asked as she stared back at him

"We could dispense with all of this political nonsense and you could just marry me" he replied softly

"Did you just say…?"

"As it was pointed out to me. If you are my wife no one can say a thing about our relationship, and I am free to kiss you anytime I damn well please without the risk of either of us being written up or fired." He said with a grin.

M was completely speechless as she continued to stare at James with an expression he couldn't quite pin down

"Did you hear what I said?"

"I….I…I'm sorry could you repeat the question" she said in a rather shaky voice

"I said will you marry me?"

All M could do was nod as she had suddenly lost her ability to form a complete, coherent sentence.

"I take it that's a yes?" he said kissing her gently

"I have to admit I had considered our options this morning but this is one I hadn't considered" she finally said when she had recovered her voice

"Well there are a few other perks with this" he said with a wicked grin

"Oh and just what might those be?"

"For starters I get to use the front door, I won't be drinking all of your best scotch because it will be our best scotch, and the best perk aside from being able to be with you all the time is that I can use your real name and there's not a damn thing you can do about it" he said with a wide grin

"That's what you think" she smirked as she leaned back pulling him on top of her

"I love you M" he said as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her soundly

"I Love you too James"

~fin~