From my sp00qy WIP, “a price most dear…”   Here’s a little excerpt from the chapter going up tonight/tomorrow… which is actually set a bit before xmas.

“Welcome back, 007,” R says with a smile.  “I trust you had a pleasant flight.”

“Uneventful at least, aside from the unhappy children flying to grandparents’ for the holidays.”

“Oh dear,”  Q responds.  “Well, we’ll soon have you off to your peaceful night.  What do you have for me?”

Q checks in his equipment.  “It is Christmas.  Nothing missing or broken.  Practically a miracle…”

“Now Q, no need for sarcasm.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Q quips.  “There. All checked in.  Now off you go.  Enjoy your evening.  Oh, and here.  Happy Christmas, Bond.”

That startles him.  He takes the small rectangular box.  “What’s this?”

“The music you asked for.  It was quiet today.  I made Narek’s disk as well, but you can pop that in the post with a note next week.”

“Thank you, Q.  This should prove… well, interesting, if nothing else.”  He wishes suddenly he’d picked something up in the airport, but he immediately dismisses the urge.  A gift for the Quartermaster?  Absurd.  And even if it weren’t, an airport gift shop seems the last place to find something suitable for the enigmatic man.

Q nods and offers a little shrug.  As if reading his mind, Q continues, “It’s not a real Christmas present.  I wouldn’t presume.  But you did express interest, and if your alias is used repeatedly, you’ll need to bone up.  It was a fun little project for R and me on a quiet day.”

“I particularly like the 9bach and Silk Rhodes,” R adds.

“You don’t even speak Welsh,” Q ribs, to which R just shrugs.

“I don’t speak Latin either, but I liked those pieces as well.”

Latin?  Welsh?  “When you said ‘eclectic’, Q, I didn’t expect multiple languages,” James says, opening the box and looking at the small tablet as if he’d be able to see the diversity of music.

“Just be glad I didn’t let R load her Bollywood favorites,” Q maintains.