Chapter Text
Q has been Quartermaster for all of 15 hours when people already start whispering. He knows what rumors circulate around MI6 and has them backed up onto a file for Eve to run the office betting pool. Some say that he hacked into the system and removed the previous Q, hiring himself with a generous starting fee. Others think he's a criminal mastermind detained by the previous M and working for his freedom. Despite what anyone thinks, Q has a fairly normal past. He's just a little smarter than your average computer programmer.
"Shouldn't you be heading home?"
"A Quartermaster's work is never done 007."
"As is a spy's. I've made it my personal duty to find out just who you were."
Q stops typing for a moment. "Straight to the point. That's quite unlike you 007."
"I think we're on friendlier terms than that."
"I'd like a few more life or death situations before I consider that." Q shuts down the program he's working on and turns to face 007. It's rare to see him off duty considering he'd thrown himself into mission after mission after M's death. "You get one question."
"Dinner?"
"Have you tried Patara's Kieaw Wan yet?" Q's already packing up his laptop when James has his parka opened and ready. He lets the older man help him but stops himself from accepting the elbow James holds out teasingly. "I grew up in London if you were wondering."