John and Sherlock stood in one of the corners of the huge ballroom.
"How tedious" Sherlock drawled to John. "I really do hate occasions such as these"
John glared at him. "I don't see why I had to come. You said it would be dangerous"
"I lied" Sherlock's lips curved at the side, a small smile.
"Did you see the bouncers eyebrows raise when he saw I was your plus one? It's, embarrassing Sherlock, people are going to talk"
"Oh, let them talk!" Sherlock rolled his eyes "Really John. I needed your support"
"It's your brother, Sherlock"
"Exactly. I don't want to be here for his congratulatory party. Just because he's a bit higher up, got more money, saved some buildings and blah de blah doesn't have anything to do with me" he scowled.
"Ladies and gentlemen" Mycroft began, on a stage at the front of the hall. The chandeliers twinkled down upon his slightly shiny brow. Anthea stood near him, blackberry in hand. Woman and men, all dressed up extremely fancy, looked at him.
"Firstly, I want to thank you all for coming. This is an extremely momentous occasion for me, as I have..." Sherlock zoned out of his brothers speech. What an attention seeker. John elbowed him in the side and he almost hissed.
"It always was a great honour for me to-" his speech was cut off by the wide doors opening. The doormen had opened to doors wide open to reveal a woman standing.
Everyone looked curiously at her. She had long, wavy red hair that curled down to her back. She was in a black lace dress that swirled around her knees, the arms three-quarter length. Her eyes were the deepest blue, and they blinked as she gave a little smile.
She walked down the stairs, her heels making a slight tap. Sherlock almost grinned that his brothers speech had been interrupted, and wanted to savour his brothers 'miffed' face. But as he turned with delight, he saw his brother positively beaming, eyes crinkled towards the young woman.
Mycroft finished his speech quickly "So, thank you again for your company, and have a splendid night. Thank you" people clapped, and went back to their conversations, a few kept their eyes on the woman. Mycroft strided up to her, giving her an air kiss on each cheek.
She said something to him, and he laughed. Sherlock frowned, his usually acute hearing failing him for one and music swelled up and couples began to dance.
"Oh, look Sherlock!" John said excitedly, and Sherlock whipped round.
"What?" he asked.
"They have shrimp!" John said, walking over to the buffet table. Sherlock rolled his eyes, then, after a few seconds, followed.
The party continued in full swing. Sherlock retreated back to the wall, eyes closed. John glanced around, when he saw the woman come up to him. After stuffing a sausages roll in his mouth, he punched Sherlock in the shoulder.
The woman came up to them, john, mouth hanging open, desperate trying to swallow his huge mouthful, and Sherlock, blinked frantically and looking around, trying to find his surroundings.
"hello" the woman said, smiling at them.
"hello, hi" john said, brushing crumbs off his jacket. Sherlock drew up to his full height, looked her up and down, then casually said "hey"
"I saw you and had to introduce myself" The woman, turning around and back "I've heard a lot of good stuff about you"
"I doubt that" Sherlock began "Flattered, but-"
"Oh, excuse me, Mr Holmes, but I was talking to Dr Watson" she said politely. Sherlock's eyes almost bulged out and John had shock on his face, before a smile plastered on his face, happy that Sherlock had made a fool out of himself in front of the pretty woman.
As Sherlock tried to accept the last statement, John held out his hand for the woman to shake.
"Dr Watson, my name is Belle Astore. I believe we had a mutual friend" she began "inspector Lestrade?"
"oh, Lestrade!" John said "Yeah, I sometimes work with him, great guy. How do you know him?"
She gave a little laugh. "Oh, Greg and I go way back" she said.
"Do you do drugs?" Sherlock asked bluntly.
"Sherlock!" John gasped, shocked. Belle curiously assessed him.
"Nope" she said, popping the P. "I'm guessing there was a reason for that outburst, unless you're awful at making conversation" she said, and John laughed, while stamping on Sherlock's foot.
"You're eyes" Sherlock pointed out "The pupils are much larger than a regular persons eye. Unless you're in love with someone in this room, or you do drugs, it's very unusual"
"I'm not a very 'usual' person, Mr Holmes"
Her phone went off, and she brought it out and glanced briefly at the text before holding out her hand to John, then Sherlock. He shook it reluctantly.
"lovely to meet you, John. I'll see you again, Mr Holmes" she said, before turning and heading out. On the way out she gave a nod to Mycroft, who suddenly retrieved his phone, put it to his eye, walking in another room.
Sherlock frowned.
"What have I told you about showing off your deductive skills, Sherlock" John sighed "she was perfectly lovely, and you were rude to her!"
"I wasn't rude to her, she snubbed me first. Insulted me"
"She didn't insult you Sherlock. Just once, someone wanted to talk to me, and you get annoyed because you jumped- to the wrong- conclusions!"
"something's wrong" Sherlock said, his eyes looking at Mycroft, who came out of the room, a frown on his face.
"What?" john said quickly, going into soldier mode.
"Firstly, that woman-"
"Belle" John interjected quickly.
"Fine. This... Belle, she gets a texts, and walks out. She obvious has a strong connection to my brother. Suddenly he gets a call- and he takes it- Mycroft never, ever takes calls out social events, he finds it rude and annoying. Now he's looking like... like" Sherlock grasped at the air for a word.
"Like he's lost a pound and found a penny?" John said.
"Exactly" Sherlock grinned "Another case, John! And a big one!" then, looking around the room, he turned to John and said "let's get out of here"
His phone went off, and he glanced at it. His blood seemed to chill and his heart pounded.
Beautiful, isn't she?
-JM