As Mr. Mycroft Holmes' assistant, Athena makes sure that her boss is well taken care of and feels safe. She also makes sure that he gets a hug a day. Every morning when she comes in to work, she makes her boss his tea, gets the newspaper and brings it to him. When she sets it everything down, she makes a point to walk around his desk and give him a quick hug. Usually, Mycroft doesn't question his assistant's actions, but one day, he does.
Athena had forgotten to give her boss a hug that morning. Thankfully, she remembered before it was too late. Throwing the door open and running into his office, she threw her arms around the now standing and startled Mycroft. Mycroft felt her relaxing and when she removed herself and began to leave he stopped her.
"Athena, do sit down for a second," Mycroft said gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.
Confused, Athena sat down in the chair. "Is something wrong sir?" She asked.
"Athena, everyday. You have hugged me when you bring me my tea and paper. Today, you didn't. And it is now clear to me that you make sure you give me a hug. I want to know, why?" Mycroft said taking a seat in his own chair.
"Well, sir. Do you remember what happened in the second week of my employment?" Athena asked crossing her legs.
"I can't say that I do. What happened?"
"Figured. You and your brother both make a point to forget what you deem as trivial things," She started.
"Your point?" Mycroft said leaning back in his chair.
"Well, if I recall, you ran into your office one morning looking like someone told you that your life is a lie and that your umbrella is actually just a stick," Athena looked at her bosses face and smirked, "That exact face that you are wearing now."
Composing himself, Mycroft gestured for her to continue.
"Anyway, I asked what had you so bent out of shape. You shook your head and walked to your desk. After a few moments of trying to read the paper, you looked up and asked me, Athena, I think someone just tried to kill me," Athena stopped and collected herself before continuing.
"I told you to calm down and to put down the phone. You were about to call the British Military to come and hunt down the person. After, managing to get you to quit being so, alarmed, I asked what happened. You told me that you didn't have to explain but show. I said, then show me," pausing to breathe Athena continued herstory.
"You slowly got up from your desk. And crept over to where I was standing. You stopped in front of me and pondered. Then you wrapped your arms around me and gave me a hug. You looked so afraid that you killed me when you pulled away." Athena laughed. Mycroft looked horrified that he let something so trivial get to him like that.
"Anyway, I explained to you that it was just basic human interaction. And then I asked why you didn't know that." She said shaking her head.
"And that was the day you found out just how, strange, your boss is." Mycroft said.
"More like, how different. Anyway, that's why I make a point to give you a hug. So you don't run in like that again over something so simple." Athena said getting up.
"I see. Thank you, Athena." Mycroft said.
"Anytime." Athena turned and walked out the room.