A week later, Vesper was discharged from the hospital with orders to rest and not do anything strenuous.  James did everything he could for her and held back his many questions until she was stronger.  But they were always sitting at the back of his mind, nagging him.  Ever since the whole ordeal with her "death" had subsided, these inquiries kept coming back.  Why had she betrayed him?  Was it really to save his life?  Who was Quantum?  Why was she working for them?  These would have to wait until she was better.

Two days after her discharge, Vesper decided to replace her ruined red dress.  James only hoped it wasn't replaced with another red one; that dress would've haunted him forever if she had died and it still didn't sit well with him.  But as soon as they reached the store, all his worries and questions were squashed by overwhelming peace.  His love was back and he would have her forever.

They examined the rows of dresses all the while teasing and kissing each other.  James pondered bringing Vesper to the dressing room to make out, but she threatened to slap him if he did so.  As they laughed, joyous tears crept into James' eyes.  It felt so good to have her back and to finally be free.  That feeling fled five minutes later.

As soon as James and Vesper stepped from the store, James could feel something was off.  They were being watched.  By whom, he couldn't tell.  Vesper looked up at him, worried.

"What's wrong, James?"  As soon as James looked her, she knew the answer: Quantum.  Fear rose up in her as he pulled her across the street.  They walked briskly towards their hotel, but the crowds slowed them down.  Suddenly a man leaped from the crowd and pushed Vesper to the ground.  James whipped around as the man took off with Vesper.  She kicked and screamed but to no avail.  She bit his hand and he slapped her.  Fear was filling her as she watched the running form of James coming towards them.  She knew they would come for her she knew they'd never let her forget Yusef or past mistakes.  Now her real love was mixed up in it all.  The street was a blur and she felt herself slipping away.  The last thing she saw was a flash of light and James falling to the ground.

When she awoke, Vesper was tied to a chair in a dark room.  Across from her was a chair with James tied to it.  Vesper gasped as she noticed the blood running down his leg.  They must have shot him!  Looking to his face, she saw his piercing eyes watching her.

"Vesper are you alright?"  He whispered, his voice strained.

"Yes."  She whispered back.

"I'll get you out of here."  Promised James as the door opened and a man entered.  James gasped as recognition registered.  This was the man from the canal!  The man who was watching them escape the broken building.  The man walked to Vesper's side and put his arm on the chair.

"Mr. Bond, I'm sure you have noticed we have your girlfriend captured."  He said, tauntingly.  "If you truly love her, you will do what I'm about to ask you to do."  James swallowed hard as the pain in his leg grew.

"Who are you?"

"Who are we, Mr. Bond?  We are Quantum; we are everywhere."  He walked over to face James and hissed.  "So, we are very capable of hurting or even killing your dear Vesper."

"What do you want me to do?"  Asked James, his fear growing.  The man paced for a couple moments, pretending to think.

"Well, I suppose we really want you to work for us."

"No!"  Exclaimed James.  The man nodded.  Without warning, his hand came down hard on Vesper's head.  She yelped in pain.  James looked from one to another, murder spelled plainly in his eyes.

"Don't you dare touch her!"  He yelled.  An unseen guard standing behind him kicked him in the back.  He hissed in pain, but kept his eyes on their tormentor.

"If you don' want me to touch her, you will do as I say."  The man said, still calm.  "If you defy me one more time, I will kill her."  James looked from Vesper's terrified face to the man's cruel one.  He couldn't lose her again, he just couldn't!  He knew he would die if she died.  It left him no choice but to work for Quantum.  Maybe he could justify his act with the fact he wasn't MI6 anymore.  The words found their way out of his mouth before he could even think.

"I'll do it."  The man smiled.

"Good.  When shall we start?"