OTA

[quartermaster_q]

Hunting down these sorts of men, the kind who bought and sold the innocent, seemed to be a pet project for Bond, and while Q wasn't totally sure what had inspired the man's mission, he respected it.

The first time they'd followed a lead like this, it hadn't gone as hoped. Though this time around at least Q was prepared to play the part. Currently he was alone in the bar, deliberately dressed a bit younger than usual, his glasses swapped out for contacts, and his hair styled in a way that made him look younger. 

Q looked young anyway, but like this he truly looked too young to be a bloody quartermaster.

This was just reconnaissance though. They knew their target frequented the bars on this street, and Q's job tonight was to simply catch his interest. He had tanner in his ear, Eve on his phone sending texts, and he wouldn't have been surprised if Bond was listening or watching as well. Though he was sure they were all bored out of their mind right now. There was no sign of their mark, and he was yet to be approached by anyone who might be involved in the ring. ...Or anyone, for that matter.

(OTA! Q is kinda on the job right now, so expect him to play a part, even if you know him. Your pup can be mistaken for the target, an associate of the target, or just get have a nice chat. If you're in the mood your character can even mistake Q for an actual possible victim/target. The choice is yours.)

Comments

[0_0_7]

The night was clearly a bust. They all knew it. But it wasn't yet closing and there was always a chance Q might be spotted. But Bond was bored and so he came into the bar and sat down the bar a bit, watching the younger man.

He may as well have a bit of fun.

If no one else was going to try to pick Q up, he may as well. Hell, if their mark was around he might see the older man take an interest in Q and take the bait.

So Bond stared at Q with intensely blue eyes and he told the bartender to get him a drink. And he waited for Q to notice him.

[quartermaster_q]

Well, this wasn't anything he'd been briefed on, and Q couldn't tell if James was having a go, or if this was a new tactic. Either way, it seemed best to stay in character, and Q offered a shy smile as he accepted the drink.

He supposed it wasn't a terrible approach, they'd been together when they'd coaxed Tony out of the shadows. ...Even if he had turned out to be CIA.

[0_0_7]

Bond truly appreciated how Q put himself into these legends. If one didn't know him they'd utterly believe he was vulnerable and young. Younger than Bond, of course, but Q was hardly a child.

Bond caught the smile and raised his glass to him. It looked as though he was looking at Q while he did it but he was subtly scanning the room, looking to see who might be noticing their exchange.

[quartermaster_q]

Q did the same, but no one seemed to be watching yet.

Deciding to be bold, he slid off his stool and moved to sit beside James.

"Thanks for the drink," he said softly. "No one else has bothered tonight."

A coded way of letting James know that he'd not been approached at all tonight.

[0_0_7]

"That's a shame," Bond replied quietly. "You look good tonight. People should be scrambling for you."

He sipped his drink and his eyes moved over the crowd just one more time, then he turned to look at Q more directly. He offered his hand.

"James," he said. Introductions were necessary, after all, since they'd only just met.

[quartermaster_q]

"Quinton," Q replied, falling back on what came the most naturally to him now as he took the offered hand.

He was about to say something more, but bought himself some time by pausing to sip his drink. ...They were being watched now, and he toyed with his coaster, twirling it, then letting the logo point towards their observer before putting his cup down.

"Lucky you, no competition."

[0_0_7]

Bond noticed the coaster but didn't immediately look.

"That remains to be seen," he smiled. He casually touched Q's back, light and sure. Not a trace of hesitation. But it was brief and he pulled his hand back. That was when he put down his drink and reached into his pocket, a ruse which allowed him to look in the direction of their watcher as he pulled a business card from his pocket. He smiled and handed it over.

"There, now you know who I am," he said. "You're exceptionally beautiful, if you don't mind me saying," he added with a heated look in his eyes and a predator's smile.

[quartermaster_q]

Taking the card with both hands, Q turned it over and admired it, as if he'd never been offered someone's card before.

"Thank you," he smiled. "You're very handsome yourself."

This was just flirting though. If they wanted to hook the right guy, they had to change the dance a bit. Though Q couldn't see an easy way of getting there. ...Well, okay, he could see one way, but he had a feeling Bond might be cross about it later.

With no other visible options, Q let his elbow go a bit too wide as he pulled out his wallet to tuck James' card away, knocking over the other man's drink, right onto his trousers.

"Oh! Shit, I'm so sorry," Q said quickly.

[0_0_7]

He knew who they were after and Bond knew what they'd be looking for. Not just that Q would be desirable, but how he might react in a given situation. So when Q provoked him Bond was quick to react.

Anger flashed in his eyes and he reached up to hit the younger man, just barely stopping himself and looking around the bar to see if anyone might have seen him.

"You stay right here," he said dangerously. "I'm going to the loo to clean up."

Then he rose and moved off, muttering to Tanner to stay on Q.

[quartermaster_q]

Q flinched, and it wasn't an act. He wasn't afraid of James, not at all, but he didn't fancy being struck by the man. He'd seen just how easily Bond could lay a man out.

It worked though, and while Q scrambled to clean up the mess he'd made, the man who'd been watching the pair made his way over.

"You alright, lad? Guy didn't hurt you, did he?" the stranger asked.

You couldn't jump to conclusions, not when it came to stuff like this, but the man did vaguely match a description of one of the target's known associates.

"No, no I'm fine," Q assured him. "My fault, I'm so clumsy..."

The man nodded, sizing him up and and looking him over. "You came here on your own tonight? You're what... Twenty-three, twenty-four? You're not out partying with your pals?"

Q wasn't supposed to, but he knew what the man was trying to figure out. Was he a loner? Was he in school? Would he be missed?

"Oh, um- Well... I kind of just moved back. I was going to school in the states, actually. ...Guess I haven't really had time to reconnect, and with mum and dad in Australia-"

Right answer, had to be, because the stranger smiled, pulling a pen from his pocket and taking a napkin.

"I hear you, that's got to be rough. I wont ruin your night with prince charming over there, but- Call me. Nothing funny, not trying to pick you up, but if you want to meet me for a drink sometime, just talk, you call me kid. The name's Phil," he smiled, jotting down his number and offering it to Q.

"Quinton," he smiled. "And thanks, I'll do that," he promised, pretending to tense a bit when he saw Bond coming. "...I should, um..."

Phil just nodded and smiled, before paying his tab and turning to leave- Pausing once to glance back to see how Bond's return would play out.

[0_0_7]

Bond walked out and saw their observer moving away and though he was sure he'd been talking to Q, 'James' was too wrapped up in himself to notice such a thing. His trousers were soaked, a dark stain in an embarrassing location, and he was stiff as he came back to his seat.

He waved to the bartender to get new drinks.

"Sit. Down." His order was quiet but stern and he looked at Q with an odd mixture of desire and rage. A dangerous combination and one intended to paint the younger man as in well over his head.

[quartermaster_q]

Q glanced back at Phil, holding his gaze just long enough to seem worried, then sat down as the man finally turned and left.

That didn't mean no one else was watching though, and Q stayed in character.

"I'm so sorry, I'll pay to have them dry cleaned," he offered. "Do you want to move to a booth?"

An offer that was meant to sound like a way to ensure he didn't make a bigger mess, but was really just an easy way to snag a small amount of privacy until they left.

[0_0_7]

"Good idea," Bond nodded, taking both drinks and then leading the way to a table where they'd be less obvious.

Once they were settled he gave Q his drink and lifted his own to his lips.

"Make a new friend?" he asked against the rim.

[quartermaster_q]

"He wants me to call him. Was very interested to hear I didn't have any local friends or family," Q replied, scratching his jaw so that anyone trying to read his lips would have a hard time.

[0_0_7]

"That's always alluring," Bond said, smiling before he put his glass down. He looked down to fuss with his pocket to find his mobile.

"Tanner, are you getting this?" he asked.

"Yes, Bond. The reconnaissance team is following the man who just left the bar as we speak."

"Good. Q and I will stay for a bit longer," he said, then offered Q his phone.

"Give me your number," he said.

[quartermaster_q]

They were working, but Q couldn't help but have a little fun, putting his number in Bond's phone under 'new fuck' and changing the man's background to something subtly sexual.

If they were playing the part, they should at least have some fun. How often did they get to role play something they could take into the bedroom later?

[0_0_7]

When Bond took his phone back it was exceptionally difficult to keep a straight face. Impossible, actually. But he did manage the smile that crept up on him to be a bit smug.

"Thank you, Quinton," he purred, heat in his eyes as he looked at Q. He could only think of sex now and he was sure Q would be pleased if he knew he could so competently derail Bond with something so simple.

[quartermaster_q]

Q was deliberately a bit more shy as he pulled out his own phone, placing it on the table and nudging it towards Bond.

"Can I have yours? I wont ring... unless you ask. Just so I know it's you calling if you do..." he said quickly.

You're a little too good at this, Q. Should I be tracking you nightly? Tanner said in his ear, tutting in faux disapproval. I did get a positive ID on your new friend though. James, he's definitely one of our guys. Seems like we've got an in now. Good work.

[0_0_7]

Bond took Q's phone and began to punch buttons, adding his number a second time, this time under the name of one of Q's favorite porn stars. He didn't mess about with the display, though.

"Good," he said to Tanner, though it appeared he was talking to Q.

When he gave the phone back he let his hand linger, touching Q's hand lightly.

"Good," he repeated.

[quartermaster_q]

Q smiled, bashful- But a little genuine. He liked the feeling of being pulled by James. Even if it was just an act. Even if the other man was pretending to be a very bad man.

...Actually, that just made it better. It was no secret how attracted he was to James' darker side. A side that never truly made it into the bedroom, but was often temptingly on display.

I'd suggest getting out of there, Tanner added. Come in early tomorrow, I'll have a brief ready.

In other words, Game Over. For now at least. Q waited for the sound of their ear pieces being disconnected- And then decided to keep playing.

"So... Do you feel like going for a drive or something?" Q asked, causally attempting to gauge Bond's interest in playing on.

[0_0_7]

Bond's smile grew and his gaze intensified.

"Driving is one of my favorite hobbies," he replied. "I'd love to show you my car. Give me a chance...I'll take your breath away," he promised. Then he pulled out a few notes to leave on the table for the trouble of having to clean up after them.

[quartermaster_q]

"I'd love that," Q said, practically purring, but doing his best to keep playing the part.

he didn't hesitate to follow Bond out of the bar, pleased with some of the looks he got- It seemed a few people were a little jealous that he'd managed to pull someone as handsome as James.

[0_0_7]

He got to his car and opened the passenger door for Q, making sure he was settled before he went around to the driver's seat. Inside the car he pulled the earwig from his ear and dropped it in his pocket.

"You ready for some fun?" he asked. "I promise I'll be gentle."

The look in his eyes spoke volumes on what a lie that was.

[quartermaster_q]

Q nodded and smiled, trying to seem naive and innocent. Though the truth was he simply got a thrill anytime he got to watch Bond work, up close and in person. After all this time, it was still a rare treat.

[0_0_7]

And they were off, Bond driving as he always did, though the traffic in this part of the city didn't allow him to be quite as careless as usual. But once they got out a bit and onto the M, he really opened it up.

"So, Quinton," he said, "How do you feel about hotels?"

He wasn't taking this game home. That would ruin everything.