Chapter 4 - Home Is Where The Heart Is

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The plane journey to the Bahamas passed slowly for James. It was the one place where he couldn't run from his thoughts. As he looked out into the clouds, he felt as if he were in a dream and Olivia would be waiting for him when he woke up. But that thought was no longer true. She wouldn't be waiting for him. Not anymore.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are about to begin our final descent to Lynden Pindling International Airport in ten minutes. The current temperature in Nassau is 28°C. We have enjoyed having you on board today and thank you for flying with British Airways."

James groaned inwardly at the co-pilot's cheery attitude and refastened his seatbelt, remembering the first time he had set foot on Nassau. Now it seemed he was going full circle by returning to the one place where the whole mess with Quantum had officially started. It seemed like a lifetime ago, but this time, there would be no Olivia to greet him.

Looking away from the window, he felt the plane descend towards the airport. Mallory could have gotten him a villa anywhere, yet he chose Nassau. If this was punishment for his behaviour and actions on his last mission, he certainly wasn't amused.

The plane touched the runway with a heavy bounce causing, James to roll his eyes. He could have achieved a better landing with his eyes closed.

When the plane came to a stop, he unfastened his seatbelt; then stood up and reached up to the overhead compartment for his case before finally departing the plane.

As soon as he stepped out, he felt the humidity hit him full on as his body started to adjust to the warmer temperatures. Walking down the steps, putting on his sunglasses when he reached the bottom and made his way to the airport exit.

Before he could go anywhere, he needed a car. Thankfully, he hadn't destroyed the last rental he had when he was here, so getting another from the same place shouldn't be a problem, or so he hoped. After all, he did leave it at the Ocean View Hotel without returning it.

It was another thirty minutes before he finally managed to start his journey to the villa. He had to constantly reassure the retailer that he would return it before they gave him the keys.

Speeding down the narrow road, James looked down at his GPS, noting that he had another ten-minute drive until he reached the villa. He didn't understand why Mallory had decided to organise a specific villa for him, when he could have just as easily picked one himself. There was no denying he had found it suspicious, that Mallory had gone out of his trouble to organise his little break for him. It left him wondering if the man had an ulterior motive. Either that, or the man just wanted Bond out of the way as quickly as possible for a few weeks. Whatever it was, his new boss was hiding something from him. He didn't know what exactly, but he hoped he would find the answers relatively soon. He hated being kept in the dark.

Turning the corner, he could make out the villa in the distance. Upon getting closer, he realised it looked more like a modern cottage surrounded by native trees and flowers that would more than likely attract the local birds.

Pulling up into the driveway, he saw the signpost that said 'Birdsong Cottage' and shook his head in amusement. Turning off the engine, he got out of the car and looked up at the building and surrounding area, which seemed to be quiet and secluded. It was almost tranquil and Bond couldn't help but think that it would the sort of place Olivia would have retired to if she had survived.

Trying to block out the images that continued to haunt him, he opened the boot and took out his weekend bag before closing it behind him. Walking up the steps, he stood on the front porch and pulled out the keys that had been in the folder Mallory had given him.

Placing the key into the lock, he turned it, hearing the door unlock and stepped over the threshold closing the door behind him. Walking down the hallway, he stopped when he saw a pair of woman's shoes next to the cabinet. His curiosity peaked, he continued to search through the rest of the villa, taking in the spacious modernised rooms that looked like were made for a large family rather than a single individual.

Continuing his search he finally came to the master bedroom and pushed the door open to see the four poster king size bed along with a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom off to one side. But what really caught his attention was the range of woman's perfume and makeup sitting on the oak dresser. Dropping his bag, he walked over to look at the items more closely. It was then he relealised that they were the same brand names only one person he knew used.

Walking over to the closet, he looked through the various clothes hanging up and looked at the size on the label. His earlier hunch seemed to be correct, either that or she had a twin.

He came out of his thoughts when he heard a set of footsteps down the hall. Placing the blouse on the bed, he walked towards the sound of someone in the kitchen. Trying to keep quiet, he approached the doorway to see a familiar speck of white hair. Opening the door wider, he stopped in his tracks at seeing the familiar figure hunched over the sink, peeling potatoes.

"Olivia…?"

The woman in question jumped as she turned to face him. He saw the look of fear on her face, as she dropped the knife she was holding.

"How did you find me?"

"I didn't. Mallory sent me here on vacation."

Her eyes flashed in anger, "I told him you weren't supposed to know. You need to leave."

James felt his own anger take over at her remark. "No, I need answers! Why didn't you tell me? All this time, you have been alive while I mourned you, blaming myself for your death! Do you have any idea what it has been like for me, Olivia?"

"I had hoped you would get over me, James and move on with your life!"

"Move on with my life? How did you suppose I would do that when you were such a large part of my life! You died that day and took part of me with you! I couldn't move on if I wanted to!"

"James…"

He ignored her plea and advanced towards her. "You weren't the one that had to suffer the pitying looks from Tanner and Eve! You weren't the one that had to face the accusations and whispers that I was the one that had gotten you killed! Or how I couldn't protect you when it was my idea to take you to my childhood home in the middle of nowhere with no back-up!"

Olivia gazed up at him to see the anger and despair swirling in his eyes, as the full reality of her actions sunk in. She thought she was doing him a favour by faking her death, but it seemed her actions had the opposite effect. Instead of trying to distance herself from him, so he could move on with his life, she had only caused him more heartache.

"It wasn't your fault, James. It was mine. Too many people died because of my past actions. Silva may have killed them, but I'm also responsible for those agents losing their lives." Olivia told him softly, all anger had left her as she walked over to the dining table and sat down.

"After I awoke after my surgery, I was told that I had died twice on the operating table. It was just by sheer luck that I'm still alive. I informed Mallory that it would be best if everyone thought I had died. After months of recovery and physio, I retired here, while keeping contact with Mallory to keep me updated on how you were faring after the ordeal at Skyfall. I even hacked into MI6 servers on occasion to find out details of your missions."

"Why didn't you just tell me, Olivia?" James asked taking a seat next to her.

"I wanted to tell you, James. There were times when I picked up the phone wanting to call you, just so I could hear your voice." She admitted softly.

"What stopped you?" James inquired needing to know the reason.

"If I called... It would have made it more difficult for me to let you go." She looked down at her hands trying to collect her thoughts.

She had kept her feelings a secret and buried for so long, that perhaps it was time to lay everything on the table. It wasn't as if she had anything left to lose. Not anymore. If James didn't feel the same, then she would carry on as she always had done.

She felt herself jump slightly when she felt James reach out and take one of her hands in his own.

"Tell me what's going on in that mind of yours, Olivia."

"This isn't easy for me, James. I've always been a closed book, refusing to let anyone get close to me, except my late husband. But even then... he didn't know everything about me, about my earlier life, or my job. I kept him in the dark, right up until his death. After he passed, I hardly grieved. We may have been married, but It was in name only. I cared for him don't get me wrong, but my love for him dwindled over the years, partly due to my job." Olivia looked up and met his eyes, "It was also during that time that I realised that my heart belonged to someone else."

James never thought that in a million years that she would open up to him about her feelings. She had always been a private person, creating a wall of ice around her heart so as not to let anyone get close. Now, it seemed the ice had thawed and with it, all the secrets that she had kept over the years had started to break free.

"I tried to deny and suppress what I was feeling for you for years, I still had a job to do. I couldn't let my feelings get in the way and cloud my judgement. The minister already thought there was something more going on between us. I denied it of course and gave him the same excuse that you were my agent and the best in the service. But it was Mallory's comment that day in my office after I cleared you for fieldwork that made me realise that I could no longer turn a blind eye."

"What did he say?" Bond asked, having a feeling he already knew the answer.

"You're sentimental over him."

"He said the same thing to me when he called me into his office about my recent mission endeavours."

Olivia faintly smiled, "Well, on my part he was right in his assumption. I cared for you more than I should have as your superior, but over time those feelings seemed to grow and develop into something more. I didn't know how to deal with it. I was harbouring feelings for not only one of my agents, but someone fifteen years younger. It was only after you were declared dead in Turkey, that i felt my heart break apart and I knew then I had done what I swore to never do again. I unknowingly gave you my heart."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was what he had hoped to hear from her lips ever since their brief encounter in the Bahamas during the Casino Royale mission. She had taken his breath away that day. He would never forget the way the sun bounced off her skin creating a golden halo around her, as she looked at him with such trust in her eyes. He had fallen for her right then and there, but had mostly buried those feelings. Similar, to what Olivia had done until he couldn't deny them any longer.

"I understand if you don't feel the same, James. But now that you know, I'll leave what you do with the information up to you." She gave him a sad smile and pulled her hand from James' before standing up and leaving the kitchen.

James sat in a daze, before coming to his senses as he quickly followed after, Olivia.

Seeing her about to enter the master bedroom, he grabbed her by the arm and turned her around, kissing her deeply. The feel of her soothing warm body flushed against his was something he had dreamed of for years. He didn't want to let her go. He loved her. Loved her more than anyone else he ever loved in his life.

Finally pulling apart, he looked down into Olivia's eyes as she stared up at him in shock and disbelief.

"James…"

"I've wanted you since that moment I saw you in the Bahamas's all those years ago." He reached up and traced her face with his fingertips trying to memorise every detail, every line that told a story about her life.

"All these years, I wanted to show you how much I cared for you. How much I loved you." He traced her bottom lip. "Now, we have that chance, Olivia. That is... if you willing to take a chance on a worn out, blunt instrument," he asked softly with a smile.

"I wouldn't have you any other way, James."

He returned her smile and kissed her again, more softly feeling her slip one arm around his neck eagerly returning his kiss.

"How long are you staying?" Olivia whispered against his lips.

"Mallory didn't specify a date. So until I'm needed, I'm yours."

"Remind me to thank the man."

He chuckled in response as he held the woman he loved in his arms.

"But I also need you to promise me something, James." she pulled out of his embrace and looked up at him.

"Anything."

"Promise me, that no matter what happens... you'll always come back to me."

"I promise, Olivia."

Satisfied with his answer, she rested her head back against his chest and closed her eyes taking comfort in the gentle beating of his heart.

James held her close, and pressed a kiss into her hair, thankful he had another chance with the woman he loved. He vowed to keep his promise and return to her. After all, she owned his heart and as the saying goes; home is where the heart is.