Chapter 3

Three months had passed since the day when M and James had been escorted back to London after the events which had happened at Skyfall. Due to a mission somewhere in South America James hasn't been able to speak to M during those three months. Bill Tanner had assumed the work for M who at least has returned to the MI6 the day that James came back, finally recovered from the heavy wound and the pains, from her nearly death.

James just walked into the great MI6 building near the Vauxhall Bridge. He was about to enter M's office when a sudden voice stopped him.

"She's not in there", said the voice and James turned around.

"Eve", he replied, "the pleasure is all mine." There was a slight smirk on Moneypenny's face as she got up.

"I'm sorry. I'm glad to have you back, 007."

"At least something. Can you tell me where she is?"

"M's in a boring conference with Tanner and Mallory."

"When will she be back?"

"I don't know. And may I ask, what do you want from her?" Eve walked around her desk and towards James, smiling somehow seductively at him.

"Just see if she's alright." James gazed into the woman's eyes.

"She is", answered Eve as she stepped even closer towards the double-O. James in return didn't really show any reaction on Eve's obvious flirting. Not yet. Only a few seconds later Eve stood on her toes and leant forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Bond's lips.
Just then M and Tanner walked back in. The white-haired woman abruptly stopped at the sight of Bond kissing the secretary.

"Ma'am?", asked Tanner who was standing next to his boss, but she didn't react. She just rushed into her office - at the same moment James pulled away and stared at Eve, then at Tanner. Tanner stared back, first perplexed, then smiling.

"Good to see you, Bond", he then said before sitting down at his desk, still a little confused by what just happened.

"The pleasure's mine, Tanner", James replied, setting a little smile. He turned to Eve afterwards.

"Till later then, Eve."

"Bye, James." The secretary smiled mischievously and the double-O agent nodded at her before turning to walk towards M's office.

"Come in", M said as she heard James' knock on the door. The agent entered the office then, spotting a working M sitting at her desk, staring onto the screen of her laptop.

"How are you doing, Ma'am?", he asked, stopping in front of the big desk.

"Fine." M didn't even look up into James' eyes. The smile that was on the agent's lips slowly faded away.

"Is there anything you need, 007?" Still no look. James fought back a sigh.

"Just wanted to ask how you are feeling."

"You did." It took James almost a minute until he encouraged himself to say something more to his boss.

"What's the matter with you, M?" And finally the elderly woman raised her head and looked sternly at her agent.

"Don't you have work to do, Bond? Because I have. And I really don't want to be disturbed any longer." M lowered her head to the screen again. James' piercing blue eyes narrowed.

"I really don't get what your problem is, Ma'am."

"Get out, 007."

"M..."

"Get out!" James clenched his fists. Why did M suddenly react that way? He needed quite a moment until he spoke again.

"I'll see you later then, Ma'am", said James afterwards, quietly, and he turned to leave the office. Just then M looked up and said,

"Bond?" The double-O turned around once again, facing the elderly woman.

"Why did you say this?"

"Say what?", James asked, a little confused.

"That I meant something to you. Why did you say it?" A questioning look hit Bond's eyes. He sighed and walked back towards the desk, stopping in front of it.

"Because I do."

"You called me a bitch."

"I did."

"Why?"

"Because I couldn't have said that you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met." Now M's eyes widened and she stared at the double-O agent, perplexed. James gave her a small smile.

"I really meant what I've said back at the hospital." With that, James simply turned around and left the office, leaving M completely stunned behind.

Only a few hours later M unlocked the wooden door to her flat and she entered the hallway. After closing the door she pulled her coat and shoes off, still thinking about what James had said earlier. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. Did the double-O really mean this? Did he really mean that he cared about her? But why did he kiss Moneypenny then? M sighed as she walked into her kitchen and poured herself a glass of her most expensive red wine. Afterwards she went back into the livingroom and took a seat on the couch. M sipped on her drink. It took her at least five minutes until she finally picked up her phone and dialled a number.

Meanwhile, James sat on a chair in his kitchen, his feet resting on the table. Just then his mobile rang. He took it in his hands and looked at the display. It said The Evil Queen. After a few seconds of mere disbelief had passed, the double-O agent pressed the green button on his phone.

"Evening, M", he said, playing his feet back on the floor.

"Good evening, 007", came the answer from the woman on the other side of the line.

"What can I do for you, Ma'am?"

"I need to ask you something."

"Carry on." M took a deep breath before replying.

"Why did you kiss Miss Moneypenny?" James couldn't fight back a slight smile.

"What would you say if I didn't kiss her?"

"You didn't?" Now M felt lightly embarrassed.

"I didn't. She kissed me", explained James, still having that little smile in the middle of his face. There was a silence.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you then, Bond, I-"

"Let me take you out tomorrow evening, Ma'am."

tbc...

I hope you enjoyed the chapter, my lovelies. Please review.
xx