I don't own James Bond, just having a little fun while I can.

This is all because of Pakmai, we came up with an idea for a fic, and we each challenged each other to write it and add three other things into it. This is what came from it, and this is only the beginning.

The Heart In The Storm

Chapter One

James Bond walked down to the depths of MI6 and looked through the clear glass doors that led into Q-Branch. It had been thirteen months since M had died, almost thirteen months since he had been put back on active duty. Time enough for him to get used to someone whispering in his ear and telling him where to go and what to do. Though at times he ignored it, much to the vexation of the young man on the other end. Things had changed at MI6, but then again, many things had stayed the same after the new M had stepped up. As far as James was concerned Mallory still had pretty large shoes to fill.

He smirked as he opened the door to Q-Branch and walked inside, most of Q-s minions still stopped to stare at him as he entered, wary of the double-oh agent and his intentions. He had taken to coming to Q-Branch a lot over the last ten months, at first he had to admit that it was because it annoyed Q so much. Now though, it was more of a case of enjoying the younger mans company, his acidic wit and his razor sharp tongue, causing the agent to laugh internally, and on occasions very loudly. He had scared a number of the minions with his laughter. Though he could see that it amused Q just as much at times.

His latest mission had ended six hours ago. He had landed back on British soil and headed straight to MI6. He had been debriefed by M, cleared by medical, thought he had to admit that he had been dragged there by Miss Moneypenny after he insisted he was fine. He had been cleared as he had been telling the truth for once. He hadn't been shot or even slightly injured on that last one. Though there had been several close calls as he dodge one guard and another to get out. There was only one last thing he had to do before he could head home, and that was to take his equipment back to Q. Most of it was in several pieces, he had tried to come back with it everything intact, but it didn't quite work that way.

James looked around, and could see that the minions were starting to go back to work. He spotted Q at his usual place. He was standing up working at the com, facing the large screens, a laptop open in front of him. James walked forwards a little more, almost standing right behind the Quartermaster. He looked to the large screen and could see a number of maps on them, displaying almost all of Tokyo in one go. James didn't know how that was possible since the city was massive.

"I said left 006, left," Q said, his voice calm and smooth as he spoke aloud.

"Left didn't look like a good option at the time," came the voice of Alec Trevelyan over the speakers.

"Next time maybe you will listen to me for once. I am only here to tell you the best way to go so you don't end up getting yourself killed," he told the double-oh agent, his voice still calm. Though by the sound of it, Alec had almost been killed, he could hear more gunfire coming over the speakers.

The gunfire died down quickly, "I'll take it under advisement Q," James could swear that he could even hear the smirk in Alec's voice that time.

Two more shots rang out as Q called out, "Don't you dare throw your gun!" this time his voice had broken its normal calmness.

There was a dull thud, "Hey, it worked!" the voice almost sounded surprised, "And I ran out of bullets what was I supposed to do? Plus it wasn't doing me much good." 006 added, ore as an after thought than anything.

"And if you had listened to me when I told you to, you would have picked up two magazines of bullets that were suitable to use with your Walter. They were on a bad guy, as you so eloquently put it." A tone of exasperation in evident in his voice. It was as though he was trying to scold a three year old for throwing their toys because they found it funny. "At least pick it up before you run off," he then added getting a grunt of acknowledgement from Alex as he actually did as he was told and picked the gun up.

James suppressed a laugh, as he could just see his best friend doing something like that and throwing all his toys around. He watched as Q began to type furiously, things quiet o both sides as he did so. He could only hear Alex running, as each footstep sounded on the floor. He couldn't help but wonder a little of the mission his friend and fellow agent was on. Though to the old hats, they knew better that to swap mission details, but the exploits they got up to on missions were fair game.

"006," Q then called out softly, "There is a guard coming up on the right, he carries a hand gun, a few magazines and an AK47. Do relieve him of the AK47 and take the magazines he carries, they will work well with your Walter," he told him, instructing the agent on what to do.

"Okay," came the whispered response. Less than a minute later, the sounds of bones snapping sharply echoed in the room, making many of the more squeamish of Q's minions to wince, as they knew exactly what had caused the sound.

"There are six guards coming up on the next right. You do not want to go left, as you will end up back in the maze of corridors and another twenty guards after you. Kill the guards and then carry on down the corridor. You will come to a heavy steel door, which is your exit. You will be out and from there you will be near where you started, about ten meters away from your car." Q instructed the last bit of Alec's mission.

Over a minute later the sound of rapid gunfire was heard, as was shots of returned fire. It quickly died down as Alec said, "Can I take an AK as my weapon of choice in my next mission. It's so much quicker in getting rid of the bad guys."

"Not a chance in hell, 006," Q replied to the question, "I can just imagine the kind of trouble you would get into with it. And I for one, would rather not have M berate me for supplying you with such an over the top destructive weapon, which you don't need. And don't even think about keeping that one, I'm watching you." His voice was almost menacing at the end as he told Alec he had a snowballs chance in hell of getting an AK47 for any mission.

"You can be so mean Q, I thought you liked me," came the pouting voice, "I have brought back all your tech before, and I'm going to be bringing it all back this time. Though with a little damage, so I have to be your favourite."

"Not going to happen," Q repeated.

"Spoilsport," He murmured as the sound of a metal door opened and Alec said, "Oh fresh air, I missed you. So Q when will I be leaving this wonderful country?" he then asked his Quartermaster.

"It would depend, do you want to sleep in a bed?" Q asked him already pulling up the flight information for the next 24 hours.

"What ever gets me to my home sweet home faster," he replied, the sound of a car engine was head as Alec started it up and left the area before he could be found.

"Very well," Q said and then paused for a few moments as he typed, then added, "You're flight leaves in four hours, details are being sent to your phone now."

"Then I will see you in oh so many hour Q, with your tech," came the grinned response as the line was cut.

Q's straight back sagged a little as he ran a hand through messy hair. Most wouldn't be able to tell that the Quartermaster was relieved, as his posture was still almost ridged. James walked over to him and came to a stop beside him. He looked over to the younger man and could see the weariness in his face and eyes. By what James had reckoned, the man had been there at least twenty hours, maybe eve longer. Q had been directing James' mission earlier. As well as directing Alec's, 009 and 003 missions over the last day or so. All of them coinciding over a short period of time.

"Bringing back my tech intact I hope 007?" the smooth voice came as Q looked to him, brown eyes tired but determined.

"Yes," He smiled as he started to hand it over, first his gun, it was damaged, and grip was almost off.

"Damaged as normal, and what did you do to it to cause that?" he asked the double-oh.

"It makes a good club when you run out of bullets." He told him as he then pulled out the radio transmitter and handed that over.

"Crush, what have you done to it?" he frowned as he looked it over.

"It fell," he answered lamely, in actuality, it had fallen but then he had trod of it before picking it up. It hadn't been his fault, he was fighting someone in hand-to-hand combat, and it had fallen out of his pocket.

"So that's why there is a shoe print on it," he said with a raised eyebrow, showing the agent his disbelief of the excuse. "And the earwig?" he then asked, dreading to see what James had done to that.

James smiled as he handed it over, his blue eyes lighting up as he said, "that really is fine."

Q took it from him and looked it over, "And will wonders never ceases, it really is." was his sarcastic reply.

"And since it's lunch time, I'll make it up to you for breaking things by taking you to lunch." He suggested, as he looked him over, he could see that the other was a little thinner than he had been when he had left almost two weeks ago.

"007, I hardly think it would be a good idea," Q said frowning slightly, "also, I have too much work to do."

James shook his head, he didn't want to take no for an answer, as he had a feeling that the other had been pushing himself again. The double-oh agent had heard rumours that the other would often been here for days at a time, working around the clock on preparing for mission, guiding agents through them and still having time for paperwork, research and development of new tech. Most of that he would work on alone from what he had heard.

"It wont hurt, and we wont go far so if something happens you'll be able to come straight back. Just take an hour, R is here and she can take over for a bit." He almost begged, hoping that it would work.

Q thought for a moment and though over what he still had to do, could he just leave for lunch like everyone else. He didn't really want to leave R in charge, so he quickly set up things to alert him if he was needed and have it sent to his phone. He didn't need anyone to really alert him. Q then walked over to R and said softly, "I'm going to lunch, if something happens just call me and I'll come straight back." Q didn't tell her about the alert on his phone as he then turned to Bond. He hoped he was making the right choice, he was hungry having not had anything in over a day, and tea didn't count, no mater how much he protested it did.

James smiled to the younger man as he led the way out of Q-Branch and through the corridors of MI6. He was happy that the other was going to be having something to eat. He had over heard Moneypenny mentioning that he hadn't eaten at all so far today. "There is a small place about ten minutes from here, they have really good food." He told him conversationally as they walked out of the building.

"I hope they have Earl Grey," Q replied quietly, looking forward to have a quiet cup of tea.

James smirked and chuckled, "I have no doubt, and if not there is always the tea shop that you go to when you come into work, and yes I know about it. I've seen the take out cup from there on your desk often enough."

Q looked over to him and with a lopsided smile said, "That almost sounds stalkerish to me Bond."

"No, just good observational skills," he smiled in response.

Q snorted, as he said, "What skills, if you had them, my tech wouldn't be in pieces."

"At least I am trying to apologise for that," James smiled to him as the two walked.

"I suppose, but this still doesn't mean that I will be making that exploding pen," he told him.

James laughed, "One day we will find a need for them, and then you'll have to."

Q shook his head and rolled his eyes, "I don't think so."

The two soon reached the small restaurant and walked in, Q finally having the chance to relax for a few moments before he had to head back to Q-Branch. James would end up following him back; talking more about the latest research that Q was doing on new tech.

Well, I do hope you all enjoy this!

Edited - 19th August 2014