James sat in the waiting room of the hospital, head in hands. Vesper had slipped into unconsciousness on the way. It had scared him half to death despite his efforts to remain strong. He didn't want to lose her again.

Now all there was to do was wait. The doctors would take care of her and update him on her condition every once in awhile. But now it seemed like years since he had walked through the door holding the limp, beautiful girl on his arms.

James' thoughts wandered back to the mysterious man he'd glimpsed while climbing from the wreckage. He looked so much like the murderer of Le Chiffre. Could it really be him? If so, was he part of the organization blackmailing Vesper? He hoped not. After Vesper recovered, he just wanted a normal life. He wanted to settle down and marry her, maybe even have kids eventually. Anything but to keep on living the life he led right now. James hated the killing that slowly destroyed his already black conscience. Vesper has helped him hate it enough to leave. She had shown him he did have a choice. He was determined to save what little was left of him and give it all to her. No one could stand in his way.

A tall, grim faced man climbed the stairs of his large sea side house. Clutched on his hand was a large, black, suitcase dripping with the murky water of the Venice canal. He took a quick look over his shoulder before entering the house. His daughter greeted him at the door.
"They're waiting for you, Daddy." The teenager said, in a cold emotionless voice. He nodded.
"Good. You need to leave now, Madeleine." Madeleine set her lips in a thin line and tersely nodded her head. She walked away, her curly, blond hair bobbing. The man watched her go with a slight smile on his cold countenance. That girl was the only reason he still lived. She helped melt his icy heart...but only enough to keep him human. His job was too important to give up, even for his beloved daughter.
Walking into the large sitting room, he set don the suitcase and faced the man who stood before him. Two bodyguards stood at attention behind him.
"I'm glad you're here Mr. White." He said smiling coldly. "Have you got the money?" Mr. White nodded to the suitcase.
"It should all be in there." His boss motioned for the bodyguards to check it.
"Were there any complications? If so I hope they were properly disposed of." Mr. White cleared his throat.
" Well, the girl"s still alive." The man's eyes narrowed.
"She is a threat. Kill her immediately!"  Mr. White swallowed and stood straighter.

"There may be a more effective way to dispose of her."

"And what is that?"

"This girl is in love with a different man than Yusef.  His name is James Bond."  Mr. White paused as a slow smile crept onto his face.  "James Bond loves her enough to die for her.  But, does he love her enough to save her life?"  The boss nodded slowly.

"So we threaten to kill her?"

"Precisely.  Mr. Bond won't have a choice but to work for us."  The man smiled a cold, cruel smile.

"The plan goes into effect as soon as possible.  It should be easy, after all we have people everywhere."

Back at the hospital, James had just received the good news that Vesper would be out of the hospital within a week.  It took a load off of his shoulders as he walked into the hospital room to gaze at her sleeping face.  The only problem was the growing dread inside of him.  If Vesper's fears were correct, whoever Quantum was would be coming after them very soon.  Then what would he do?  Was he enough to save Vesper?