For @mi6-cafe‘s Occult October Challenge… written during yesterday’s write in on 00qchat slack.

Halfway to Q’s flat, Bond finally breaks the silence.

“That was good work, with Margot.”

Q hums, but doesn’t open his eyes.  It’s just his job after all.  As the silence stretches, he opens one eye to study Bond.

He’s tense.  Both hands on the steering wheel and much more intent that the empty road demands.  After a moment Q asks, “Are you okay, Bond?”

Bond shoots a glance sideways.  Q can almost see some reassuring lie form on his lips before he stops himself, squares his shoulders and sighs.  “Q, do you believe in ghosts?”

“Ghosts?  No of course not,” he dismisses.  “Do you?” 

Bond just shrugs, turning onto Q’s street.  “I never did, but I’ve killed a lot of people.”

“There’s absolutely no scientific evidence for ghosts.  And you’ve killed bad people.  People who threatened us. I’ve never known you to be guilty about it.”

“There’s M.”

“You didn’t kill M.”

“She died on my watch.”

“By that logic, I should be haunted by a third of Q branch.”

“What?”

Q waves off the inquiry.  “Wait, have you… do you think you’re being haunted?”

Bond’s expression shutters.  “It’s nothing, Q.  Probably just getting used to the sounds in a new building.  And here we are.  Do you want me to park and walk you up or just wait until I see your light come on?”

It’s a dismissal.  Q wants desperately to press Bond to answer, but whatever tentative openness they’d shared was apparently driven by sleep deprivation.  Which is fine, really.   Q is far too tired at the moment to have a discussion about the occult, of all things.  The sun will be coming up soon, and Q would prefer to be behind his blackout shades and under the covers when it does.  Still, he feels the deprivation.

Sighing, he answers, “I’ll be fine.  Thank you for the ride, 007.”