As Sarah Garner settled herself into her new apartment, she couldn't help but smile. Moving to a new country proved more difficult than she had anticipated, and she assumed the worst. In just a few weeks, she would be beginning her PhD and teaching classes to the wonderfully enthused freshmen. Before settling her in, Mrs. Hudson had introduced her to Sherlock Holmes, someone who was more than Sarah was prepared to handle. Luckily, his apartment was upstairs while hers was in a newly converted basement. Judging by the bullet holes in his wall, she'd be glad. Sarah decided the previous night's sleep had been enough to give her the energy to make a grocery run. Once she was on the sidewalk, reusable bags in hand, she couldn't shake the feeling she was being followed. When the car of concern slowed, she couldn't help but stop as she lifted a brow.
"Get in," a well dressed woman said simply. Sarah obliged, heart pounding in her chest. She was a people pleaser. Besides, where was this to lead? It didn't set off any buzzers that she'd be injured. After meeting Sherlock the day before, this was a welcome sort of surprise. Once escorted into an office, she sat and smoothed her skirt self-consciously as she looked at the man behind the desk.
"Miss Garner, I presume?" he said simply, extending a hand.
"Yes, I am," she nodded curtly as her hands stayed settled on her lap. "I'm sorry, but given how I arrived here, I'm tempted to forego formality."
"A fair judgement." The man stood and she watched as he strode gracefully to pour himself a drink. "Would you care for one? It could help ease your nerves."
"I don't take drinks from strangers," she chuckled lightly. "Now, might I ask what has me here. I'm a student, I can't see why-"
"You're pursuing your PhD in literature. Your presentations at conferences last year focused on 'oft-maligned genres,' as you put it. Personally, I fail to see the appeal. Horror and comic books. Most leave those interests in their teen years."
"Most fail to analyze them properly," she bristled. "Again, I ask why I am here. And now, I ask how you know that."
"Oh you're no fun," he said, leaning back as he returned to his seat. "Take a guess."
"I've found myself drawing a blank. You're not as menacing as you think you are. The more you talk, the less I fear for my safety."
"Hmph, I suppose I can let the cat out of the bag," he said, steepling his fingers as he leaned forward. "First and foremost, I'm Mycroft Holmes. Brother of Sherlock. I'm sure Mrs. Hudson introduced the both of you."
"You're much more, well, together than your brother," she noted. "He called you the government."
"He's experiencing a brief setback, yes. And that's all you need to know about me. What I'm here to do is request you let me know if you hear of anything my brother is up to. I have my own means of keeping tabs on him, but I do suspect those walls are thin. Obviously, I will reimburse you."
"And if I opt not to play along with you distorted family dynamic?"
"I'll simply make your life as difficult as I can. I have my ways of keeping tabs on you as well, my dear."
"I opt out with a caveat," Sarah offered, chin held high. "He seems a danger. I can tell he's on something. I'll report the gun shots and any fits I may witness to you. Other than that, it's you communicating with your brother."
"It's better than nothing, I suppose," he conceded. "We'll revisit my offer later?"
"No, we won't, Mycroft. I'll be too busy with teaching and school to be your brother's keeper. I can discuss him with you, on occasion. But I won't be a paid snitch."
"Well, would you concede to these discussions happening over dinners? If I won't get my way, I'd at least like to be seen out with a beautiful woman as a sort of pity prize."
"If you want to take me to dinner, it will have to be personal rather than business. That said, flattery won't sway me any more than money will. Now please have that car take me to the grocery store."
"Pity," Mycroft replied, voice even as a ghost of a smile played on his lips. "You will be dropped at the market. I'll be checking in with you soon enough."
"I'll be counting the hours," she said, rolling her eyes.