Chapter 1

The party is in full swing and the decorations border on the tacky side this Christmas.

Bond usually didn't bother with these office functions but he was in country and M more or less ordered him by phone to have some fun after his last mission.

Tanner is dancing with one of the attractive nurses from medical...Bond knows her...a little too well for him to strike up a conversation with them as they head to the bar.

Q moves to stand beside him as he leans against a pillar. "Ah...Bond so nice to see you this year."

"Yes well usually I would be gone or just not here...you always find some fun in these occasions Q?"

"Yes well after working here for over 20 years there are a lot of changes in staff. It is nice to meet the new people in a more relaxed setting. I have 5 new employees in Q branch...all young and nervous but incredibly smart with computers."

"I bet...is that them all over at that table huddled around the laptop."

"Yes...well this generation...they can't seem to unplug themselves even for a moment. I should go lecture…"

Q's voice drops off as he stares across the room. Bond follows his eyes as he takes in a vision in a deep red evening gown.

"Age touches that woman lightly, eh Bond?"

Bond soaks in the contrast of pale ivory skin and deep red velvet gown that dusts the floor and clings to her body. The v-neck plunges to the centre of her chest and down her back showing far more skin than her normal professional suits.

"Or not at all, Q. Who is she dancing with?"

"Blake...the new head of MI5."

"Doesn't he get a letter?"

"We could call him N...that follows M."

"They are dancing rather close aren't they?"

Q looks at Bond and smiles. "For a 00 agent you don't pick up on much office gossip do you Bond?"

James frowns wondering what it is that he has missed about M and...N...Blake.

"Well, as you know...I am out of country for work...how can I keep tabs on her while away? So am I to understand that M is dating?"

Q chuckles. "Yes...yes you could call it that. Nigel has been gone now...10 months. Do you think a woman like her would remain single?"

Bond shifts on his feet suddenly uncomfortable and warm. He begins to fidget with his tie as he watches M's interaction with Blake more closely.

"I take it this has been going on a while?"

"Two months...I think. Lunch dates became dinner and...well you know how it works."

"No...no actually I don't."

Q looks shocked at the young agent. "You...quit pulling an old man's leg. I think you know how it works."

"I don't date...and I certainly would not let...well she was in mourning...it is...this is soon isn't it?"

"Bond this is not the Victorian era...she doesn't have to wait two years in black what with the way she can pull off red…"

Tanner comes and joins them with a drink. "What are we talking about?"

"Bond here seems a bit flustered about M dating so soon after the loss of her husband."

Tanner pulls back with a shocked expression on his face. "You didn't know?"

Bond is getting testy now. "NO apparently I missed the inter-office MEMO!"

"Sorry Bond...I thought you get paid to be observant. They have been an item for 2 months now...I don't know if she has taken him to bed yet and I'm not about to ask but they do go out often."

Bond shakes his head. "I don't like it."

Tanner nods. "I know...I felt uncomfortable about it at first also. Kind of like your mother beginning to date again after a divorce...it is just strange at first."

"No...I have never considered her remotely motherly and I know that she has children somewhere. I don't like the look of him...Tanner what do we know about him?"

"Thomas Blake is 59 years old and just took over the position at MI5, half a year ago. He has an excellent military background, as did his father and grandfather before him. Educated well and divorced with two children. There is no need to fear for her safety as it goes without saying that he's been vetted by the top levels of government and officially appointed by the Queen just as M was almost 20 years ago."

Bond listens to Tanner while keeping his eyes riveted across the dance floor at M. She is smiling and laughing with the man.

Blake is about 5 foot 10 with silver hair and a muscular frame. He has a bit of a thickness in the middle denoting his desk job and enjoyment of good meals. The man has an easy smile that lends to his harmless and dashing appearance.

If he is harmless no one notified Bond's stomach that feels somewhat twisted at the moment. He attempts to loosen his tie again as his temperature increases and a pounding in his head amplifies. Suddenly he hears Tanner ask him something.

"Bond are you feeling alright?"

"Not sure...I am going to step outside for a bit."

Bond walks purposely across the middle of the dance floor with his eyes on M until he passes her and walks out on to the balcony. There is a couple braving the cold December temperatures to have a smoke but they hurry in when they look at the intense look on Bond's features.

Bond puts his hands on the cold stone railing as he looks out over London. He breathes in deep the cold air as he feels the sting in his lungs and the cooling of the sweat on his brow and neck.

Bond hears the door open behind him but he stares out into the crisp night sky rather that acknowledge the intruder.

"You will catch your death out here if you stay too long 007."

Bond closes his eyes and swallows when he hears her voice. He turns his head to look at her as she moves to his right side.

"I saw you charge out here...you did not look well. We have not had the opportunity to debrief yet, what with the holidays...did something happen that makes you need to freeze yourself to death."

M is smiling at him but he can see she is cold. Instinctively he removes his suit jacket and places it on her bare shoulders, his hands lingering there not moving for a moment as the familiar green and red above the exit catches his eye.

"No...and you should not be out here in the cold dressed like that. I hear congratulations are in order...did your man see you disappear to chase me down out here?"

"No...he needed to make a call and visit the gents and what's wrong with my dress?"

"Nothing other than there is too little of it?"

M frowns looking confused. "Out with it Bond...What's wrong and since when do you care what I wear?"

"I have always cared M."

"About what I wear?"

M looks up at him confused and Bond wipes a hand over his face in exasperation.

"About everything to do with you."

Bond grasps her arm and moves them to the entrance way more to escape the wind than to maneuver them under the mistletoe but they are there.

"Are you feeling unwell because of drink 007?"

"No...I've only had 1 since I arrived."

"But how many before that...you're clammy."

M's hand rests on his forehead as she would do for a child with a fever. Bond has always seemed more like a son to her than an agent...he has a blasted skill at worming his way into her good graces just like her son too.

"I was too hot in there...I needed the air. Why are you out here?"

"I saw you tear out here and the song ended so I came to check to see if you were alright. Contrary to popular belief I am not the shrew many think I am."

Bond sees her begin to shiver and he places his hands on her shoulders rubbing them up and down to warm her.

"I have never thought that about you."

Bond is staring down at her crooked smile, so small and cute in his much too large jacket. She looks up at him just about to make a snide remark he's sure and he leans down and kisses her on the lips.

It's not just a peck...its a real kiss. M instinctively tries to pull away but Bond has a grip on her shoulders. She's shocked even more so when he attempts to seek entrance to her mouth with his tongue.

M brings her hand up to his chest and pushes him away looking flustered and a little angry for his presumption.

Bond smirks down at her and points up at the mistletoe. "Merry Christmas M."

Bond guides her inside and she hands him back his dark blue jacket. He puts it on and grasps her small hand in his and takes her out to the dance floor.

"Would you share at least one dance with your best agent M?"

"Best at what...infuriating me and then kissing me in the cold."

"You have to admit the cold seemed to go away in that moment."

"Could you possibly be more full of yourself 007?"

"No...but I could be anything you want me to be tonight M. I have never seen a more attractive woman in my life."

"Bond...what did you destroy on that mission that has you turning that flattery on me?"

"Nothing...the mission was fine...I just think you look stunningly beautiful tonight...so much so that I got overheated and needed air."

"Bond...cut the act."

"I couldn't take my eyes off me and you know it's true because you saw me watching you from across the dance floor and noticed when I took to the balcony."

"So why glare at me all night...there are a lot of attractive single…"

"M...none hold a candle to you tonight. It is as if I am truly seeing you for the first time."

"What?"

"You have always been so untouchable...I never expected you too…"

"Too what Bond?"

"I expected the mourning would last longer...I was an idiot to think…"

"I don't understand...my morning for my husband?"

"Yes...Tanner told me about Blake."

"Thomas...is this why you are acting so strangely tonight? Thomas is a lovely man and I don't need to prescribe to a length of time to mourn my husband...really Bond it is none of your concern anyway."

"M...like it or not, you are my business."

"What?"

"You have always been my business...I am your agent and I need to protect you. Remember Mitchell?"

"How could I forget and I have guards Bond...00's are to protect Queen and country not the head of the organization."

"You are my queen and country." Bond said it so quietly that M almost believed she imagined it.

"Don't be ridiculous…"

"I'm not...are you sleeping with him?"

"BOND! This is none of your business...what is wrong with you tonight?"

"Sanity and clarity."

"Could you get more offensive or be more cryptic tonight Bond? What are you on tonight, if not the drink?"

"I stood across the bloody room at a party you ordered me to come, to have someone pierce my heart with a bloody dagger!"

"Seriously...Bond...what are you on about?"

"I stood over there and watched a woman I have always admired and found attractive who is finally free of marital obligations in the arms of another man and it all just snapped into place."

"Something in you bloody well snapped that's for certain…"

Bond pulls her closer to his body as he gently glides her about the dance floor. Suddenly his face changes to one of utter joy and happiness.

"What in hell are you grinning about? Do I need to have you committed by the new year?"

"I finally understand."

"Christ Bond what the hell are you on about? I think we have danced enough...two songs is uncharacteristic for you and I do not want to start the gossips tongues wagging."

"I have a problem in letting you go ma'am before I explain."

M sighs. "I'm waiting Bond. What is your problem this evening?"

"My problem is love M."

"Love? What?"

"I have finally figured out what the problem has been all along. I am in love."

"Fantastic Bond...now let me get back to my date so you can go call this woman and explain your revelation to her."

"I don't need to call her."

"Fine now let me…"

"It's you."

"What?"

"You are the most important woman in my life and I love you M."

"That is...that is sweet of you to say Bond. It makes up for my children's inability to join me for Christmas yet again this year."

Now it's Bond's turn to look confused. "You don't understand."

"What is it that I don't understand."

"What we've been discussing."

"I've been discussing your instability and possible drug confusion...you have been asking me inappropriate questions about my date and how long I should have mourned my husband as if this were 1867."

"M...come on...you must feel something...I mean you never fired me...I know I'm your favourite."

M's face is still confused and dismayed at the lack of coherence in Bond's discussion. Maybe she has had too much champagne.

"I must be drunker than I thought because you... dear boy are making absolutely no sense to me this evening."

"I see that words are useless between us tonight but as you know I have always been a man of action anyway."

Bond leans down and kisses M with abandon.

M's eyes go wide and those dancing around them all gasp in shock at the sight before them.

A deep voice sounds behind Bond and taps him on the shoulder. "Excuse me sir but you seem to have your lips on my date and I can't help but notice that there is no mistletoe above you."

M breaks away from Bond and grasps Blake's arm stumbling on an excuse for her wayward agents behavior.

"Bond has had a little too much."

Bond frowns as Blake looks him up and down. M turns him away and begins to dance with him. Bond see her shoot a glare at him over the man's shoulder.

"What was that really about M?"

"I have no idea but I think the lad is ill."

"I hope he doesn't pass it along with you my dear. I was hoping to take you home tonight."

M forces a smile as a pit of unease migrates to her stomach when he mentions home. "I could use a drink, would you be a dear. I am going to the ladies and will see you in a few minutes."

Bond continues to watch them from the bar. He has just consumed two martini's and is on his third. Tanner walks up to him with a frown on his face. Bond had seen M have a word with Bill as she headed for the facilities.

"What in hell has gotten into you Bond? The entire room is abuzz with you kissing the boss on the bloody dance floor in front of her date the bloody head of MI5!"

"Don't get your knickers in a twist Tanner...I wanted her to know how I felt, now that it all makes sense."

"You're bloody well not making sense...M said that your conversation skills had diminished as though you were on a bender or drugged for Christ sake."

"It's simple and I will explain it to you just because I know you are the trustworthy sort Tanner. I looked at her across the dance floor and it all came into focus and the knot in my stomach and pain in my chest diminished as the realization hit me."

"You were overheated and headed outside...I remember that."

"M followed me and we spoke and kissed on the balcony."

"KISSED!"

"Yes...I realized that I had given her enough time."

"Time? Would you start making some sense Bond or I will have you committed like she suggested."

"For years I've had a crush on her that I barely acknowledged and since Nigel died I've been on edge lately not understanding the reason until tonight."

"AND?"

"I am in love with M."

"WHAT!?"

"I was staying back...partially because of work...I held myself back from breaking into her flat to visit since he passed...usually I would pop in to piss her off and give a report. Now I understand that I need to move because of Blake."

"Let me see if I understand this. You, James Bond, 007 are in love with M our 60-year-old boss who is dating another man...her own age."

"Yes."

"You told her this?"

"She would not give me time to explain but I will tonight."

"Tonight...what are you going to do….BOND DON'T YOU DARE!"

"Try to stop me."