OTA

[quartermaster_q]

Q had managed to remain out of the field for a bit now, confined to his lab and Q branch, quite happily. In fact his world, as a whole, had been delightfully calm. He and Bond had spent the holiday abroad, doing things the office didn't need to know about... And he'd returned to London uncharacteristically chipper.

Today he was at a cafe not far from the office, hiding behind his laptop as usual- However, he seemed slightly less closed off than usual. Where he usually blended into the background, or made a point of not engaging with the world, today.... Today, however, he seemed interested, watching people pass by out the window, and even occasionally glancing up to see who was coming and going in the cafe.

In fact, he was so engaged with the world, that he didn't notice his laptop screen flicker strangely before returning to normal.

Comments

[just_hex]

"Exactly right," Hex nodded, then let Q's hand go. "Congratulations. I'm really happy for you, mate."

The server came over and Hex ordered a pastrami sandwich on rye and a cup of tea then looked to Q.

"Want anything more?" he asked. "Warm cup at least?"

[quartermaster_q]

"Another cup of tea would be lovely, yes. Thank you," Q added with a warm smile that should have looked out of place on the often cold and detached Quartermaster's face- and yet didn't.

[just_hex]

The server nodded and hurried off to put in the order and set about making fresh tea. Hex smiled at her as she left, then turned that smile on Q.

"I'm so much better than the last time we spoke," he said, just a bit hesitantly. "We had a good holiday, too. Nothing like yours...but nice."

[quartermaster_q]

"I assure you, it's very apparent," Q said. "You look well, Hex. Much better than I'd hoped even. I'm glad you've managed to turn things around."

[just_hex]

"It's been a bit rough. But it's worth it. Danny's worth it. I'm so glad you found him," he said softly.

[quartermaster_q]

Q hummed, and it was obvious Danny was a topic he was trying to avoid. Yes, he was glad he'd brought the man back to Hex, if only because Q loved Hex. He needed to see Hex healthy and happy. ...That didn't mean Danny was the best choice he could have made. It had been an impulsive decision, and there was still a threat of danger there. There were always going to be people who wanted Danny to vanish. The best Q could do was keep his distance from Hex's lover.

[just_hex]

Hex was quite adept at reading people and Q's minimal response spoke volumes. He paused at wet his lips as he thought.

"I'm thinking of trying to go back to nursing," he said then. "I like being a medic but the hours are shit."

[quartermaster_q]

"Have you thought about working at six?" Q asked casually. "As a medic, I mean?"

It was a way in closer to the things that might be lurking in the shadows. ...More importantly, it opened a few loopholes that might allow Q to share a little more. Though not many. More importantly though, it was a way for Q to keep Hex safer. He couldn't do anything for Danny, but he could do this for Hex.

[just_hex]

His face went blank as could be for just a moment, then he tilted his head.

"Actually, no. I hadn't thought of that. UNIT crossed me mind, but Ace would kill me."

[quartermaster_q]

"I happen to know there's an opening- I stated I needed someone on hand for lab testing emergencies, and they agreed to expand medical by a few hires to accommodate. You'd work at medical most of the time, but would occasionally work in the lab on standby for medical emergencies. ...If you're interested, that is."

[just_hex]

Hex nodded enthusiastically, not thinking for a second of what Danny would think of it.

"Bang on!" he said. "Id love to apply for that."

[quartermaster_q]

"No need, I'll put a file together and pass it onto the right person. I'd expect a call in the next week," Q said, hoping he was making the right choice. ...Hex was a good man though, someone to trust. He needed more people he could trust at six.

[just_hex]

"You're the best, Q. You've done so much for me. Can I do anything for you?" he asked earnestly.

[quartermaster_q]

Q was silent for a moment, looking down at his hands, then taking a deep breath. His back was to the lone security camera, no chance of lipreading. CCTV outside the window was still pointing at the atm. Laptop was closed, his phone was secure...

"Do you have your cellphone on you?" he asked.

[just_hex]

"Of course," Hex replied and pulled it from his pocket to hand it over. He thought nothing of it at all. Q hadn't even asked for it, and yet he handed it over.

[quartermaster_q]

Q took it and began to tap away, before turning it over and removing the back so he could look inside. After a moment of poking around he removed something, showing it to Hex before dropping it into his almost empty tea cup.

A beat later he was closing it up, rebooting it, and then switching it off.

"That's better. We can speak freely now. Have you noticed anyone following you? Has Danny said anything about people following him? I ask not because I'm worried, but just so I should know if I should be. As far as I'm aware no one is currently interested in him, but I only have so much reach. For all I know, five is still very interested, not to mention other intelligence agencies."

[just_hex]

"I haven't noticed anyone. No. And if he has he hasn't said anything to me. I'd...I'd like to think he'd tell me..." he said, trailing off. He looked into Q's cup and his expression faltered a moment, giving away the fact that he knew there were things Danny didn't tell him. And he didn't ask.

[quartermaster_q]

Q noticed, and he gave Hex a moment to breathe and think before speaking again.

"I am the one person you can trust in regards to Danny Holt," he said calmly. Not 'me and Bond', not 'James and I', just him. Just Q. Bond might bend a bit, but Q felt- Well, empathy, he supposed. Not for Danny himself, but for the situation the young man was in. He worried often about losing Bond to the job- Now more than ever. He felt inclined to do something to ensure Hex didn't have to suffer pain like Danny had- Or Alex, for that matter.

[just_hex]

It took him a moment, but Hex nodded.

"Danny's not well. I mean, of course he's not...but sometimes he goes on benders and he'll say things and I don't know if he means it....if he's serious, or if he's just paranoid. He has good reason to be, but I don't know if it's real," he confessed quietly.

[quartermaster_q]

Q nodded, then made an offer he knew Hex might not like.

"I can keep an eye on him, if you want. ...Or, I could have him detained long enough to get him clean."

[just_hex]

"No. No, no, no...I mean it's kind of you to offer, but no. We'll work it out. Him and me. Against the world," he said just as their tea came back to the table.

[quartermaster_q]

"Alright, that's fine. You do have resources though, don't be afraid to use them should you need them," Q replied.

[just_hex]

He knew Danny would never forgive him if he agreed to have him snatched just to get him clean. He wouldn't even entertain the idea.

Still, he said, "Thank you, Q," and then he set about sugaring his tea.

[quartermaster_q]

Q nodded, leaving it at that. It was an offer, nothing more, Q wouldn't pressure Hex.

"You're living with him now, correct?" he asked, even though he obviously already knew.

[just_hex]

"I am. His mate Scotty, erm, died. He left Danny his house and his, well, everything. I left Jenna at Spencer's and moved in with Danny and it's been brilliant. Christmas was brilliant. The only downside is that it's a bit of a longer walk to the tube stop nearest," he said.