Irene and Sherlock AU

Chapter 1

16 August 2013

Irene sits on her own at a table for two in a corner of her favourite restaurant. She looks around the restaurant at the other patrons enjoying the cuisine and experience of one of the most expensive restaurants in London. She surreptitiously glances at her watch and returns her gaze to the front door. She sighs and prepares to abandon the table. Typical, she thinks agrees to dinner but neglects to turn up. She stands and looks around to catch the eye of a waiter or the maître d'. She casts a final glance to the entrance and spots a familiar figure entering through the rotating door. She retakes her seat watching him. He looks over at her feeling her gaze. He grins slightly causing her to glare back. The maître d' intercepts him as he approaches her table. He gestures over to her and the maître d' lets him join her. 'Miss Adler.' He greets her as she stands to receive him. She slaps his face. His hand cups his smarting cheek. 'I suppose I deserved that.'

'Yes, yes you did.' She retakes her chair and he slots himself in the chair opposite her.

'Don't blame me for being late. I was all ready to be here nice and early. But my friends had other ideas.'

'I didn't know you had friends, Mr Holmes.'

'Please Miss Adler, if I were you I wouldn't be insolent to the man who saved your life.'

'I didn't ask you to.'

'Then what were all the dinner invitations for?' Irene looks at her associate but the arrival their waiter with menus and the wine list stops her from retorting. 'A white wine and a Champagne spritzer please.' Irene's eyebrow rises. The waiter retreats to fetch their drinks.

'So, Sherlock, how do you know what my favourite drink is?'

'Oh, I thought you knew Irene, I know everything.' The waiter returns bearing their drinks on a tray, he sets the white wine in front of Sherlock and the Champagne spritzer in front of Irene. They each sip from their drinks. Sherlock opens his menu and looks through the array off dishes available. Irene stares openly at him.

'I was told you never ate.'

'Of course I eat. Just not with any regularity or when I'm working.' Sherlock scoffs. Irene opens her menu. 'And I can't be bothered with a starter let's go straight to the main course.'

'That's fine by me. I'm told the vegetable pasta is especially good.' Sherlock sneers.

'I've just finished a case. I want meat.'

'Then get a steak.' A mobile's ringtones starts up and Sherlock fumbles for it in his pocket. He glances at the screen and groans.

'Sorry I've to take this.' Sherlock all but runs out of the restaurant to answer the phone. Outside he presses the button to answer the call. 'What do you want… I'm having dinner… with a friend… no not my skull… no not John or Lestrade either… is poor Mycroft feeling left out… well tell him I'll be having a large steak with plenty of chips and veg like I said I would… yes. Oh and let him know I might not be home tonight. You phoned me not the other way around.' Sherlock hangs up and stares pointedly at a CCTV that had turned to face him during the phone conversation. He turns and walks back into the restaurant. 'Where were we?'

'About to order.' Irene summons a waiter and they order. Irene chooses the vegetable pasta while Sherlock selects a large juicy rare steak with chips and salad. Sherlock and Irene somehow manage to turn sexual innuendo into small talk for the rest of their dinner. They skip the coffee and leave the restaurant after paying the bill.

'What now?' Sherlock asks as they step outside. He glances around noting the positions of all the CCTV cameras.

'You don't trust me?' she asks him ignoring his question but watching him look around.

'Of course not, but I also distrust my brother.' An Aston Martin Vanquish pulls up in front of them and Sherlock opens the rear door for her.

'Aren't you coming too?' Sherlock smiles.

'Why? Do you want me?'

'I've always wanted you.' Irene smiles seductively. Sherlock glances at the closest CCTV camera, smirks buts slides in next to Irene.