A/N: Welcome back to all my returners and good day to all my first timers! This is For Queen, Country and Selfish Desires. I'd like to thank nhaquyen for my first review! I do hope you like the series. I've worked hard on it. I'd also like to send another thank you to stanleydoodles for helping me. Shes assisted me with all the other chapters I have written. I am going to warn everyone right now, though, that I'm going to update when I can. I work the next five days, three of which are long night shifts and two are long morning shifts. While I do have a few chapters written ahead of time, the chances of me being able to jump on the computer a post is slim. Like I said, I'll post as soon as life isn't kicking my ass. On with the tale...
Allessandra's stare down with Sherlock lasted nearly five minutes. Neither of them were going to give in, not with how stubborn they both were. John continued to glance between the two, not entirely sure of what was going on or what he should do, if he should do anything. The air in the room seemed to drop a few degrees as Allessandra smirked at Sherlock, her eyes gaining a dangerous glint that Sherlock recognized too well.
"I've read your blog, Dr. Watson. It's very interesting." Her voice was soft and smooth, like velvet and dangerousness all at the same time.
"Well, thank you, Miss-" John stopped talking as the woman shot him a thousand-watt smile.
"Please, Dr. Watson, call me Allessandra." He shifted almost nervously.
"Right, well, Allessandra, I'm glad to know you enjoy the blog. Sherlock hates every bit of it."
"I do believe Sherlock would. He hates everything that points him out to be just as amateur as those he surrounds himself with."
"There is nothing amateur about me, Allessandra, you of all people should know that." Sherlock got up from his seat as he spoke, going to the window leisurely. "An 'amateur', as you so boldly call me, wouldn't have figured out a government official's death in the middle of the city today. An 'amateur' also wouldn't have noticed the long, blonde hair near the body and the absence of a bullet in the victim's skull."
"What?" Allessandra's smirk grew more as the good doctor's glances turned to frantic looks for more information from either her or the consulting detective.
"You expect me to be impressed?" Allessandra scoffed. "I left the hair for you, Sherlock. Just as I left the body for your brother to clean up. It's a lesson – more for Mycroft than for you, but a lesson nonetheless. If you want to impress me, solve this in twenty-four hours." Allessandra dropped the file folder onto the table, her challenge strong and irresistible in the air.
"Are you telling me that you killed that man today?" Allessandra indulged John in another thousand-watt smile as he asked his question. It clearly implied her answer. Amusement flitted through her body as he turned a bit pale and sat in a stray chair near him. She hadn't even noticed Sherlock move until he was already flipping through the file of papers.
"I'll have it done in twelve."
"That's more like it." Allessandra stood and gave her phone a brief glance. "Now, if you'll both excuse me, I've got to get back to the office. I'm probably being missed by now. Mycroft has me busier than the devil what with the Korean elections just around the corner." She grinned indulgently, as if she were talking to two children. "He does like to be in control of things. Not that it's any of either of yours business. I'll be looking forward to your findings, Sherlock dearest. Dr. Watson, it's been a real pleasure." She shook his hand and made a swift exit. A dark car was waiting for her at the curb, a gentleman holding one of the back doors open for her. He was tall and in an all black suit, sunglasses covering his eyes. "Good day, Arthur." The man nodded to her.
"Good morning, Miss Caswell. I've been asked b y Mr. Holmes the elder to bring you back to your office."
"Mr. Holmes the elder? I suppose it is appropriate." With one final grin, Allessandra waved to Sherlock and John in the window and slid into the car with ease. "I believe we can fit a stint at the office into the day's plans. We'll push the GYM time back some." Arthur, her driver-slash-personal-assistant-slash-security-detail, shut the door to the car. She retrieved her phone once more as the car merged into traffic.
I bet you a week of taking care of Artemis that he'll have this case solved in six hours or less. –A. Caswell
I refuse to take care of that beast you call a pet whether Sherlock has the case solved in the next ten minutes or the next twenty-four hours. –Mycroft Holmes
She grinned to herself. Since Allessandra got her beloved companion almost a year ago, she'd been trying to get Mycroft to warm up to the creature. Artemis, a year old Rottweiler puppy, was government trained from the time she could take her own little doggy steps. She just got excited sometimes; namely when she saw Mycroft. Allessandra grinned more at the memory. The last time the dog had seen Mycroft, he lost his favorite umbrella. And, boy, did Allessandra's boss know how to hold a grudge.
"We've arrived, ma'am." Allessandra tucked her phone away in the pocket of her blazer, accepting Arthur's hand as he helped her slide out of the car. "Your Bluetooth, Miss Caswell." She accepted the earpiece and put it into place. "Mr. Holmes has sent over a few more files for your review. He's also got a case he'd like you to start in the morning." Allessandra rolled her eyes. Why couldn't Mycroft just tell her himself? Arthur opened the doors in front of her as they moved through hallways at a brisk pace. "And, apparently, the queen has been in contact." I stopped in my tracks and looked at Arthur.
"What this time?" He gave me a crooked smile.
"She wanted to make sure you enjoyed your last trip and to let you know she's very pleased with the new members of her security detail." Allessandra nodded with a wide grin. How many people could say they got a call from the queen herself to see how they liked their last trip cross country to kill a national traitor and compliment the men they handpicked for said queen's personal guard? Highlight of her week.
Just three short hours later, Allessandra had finished the paperwork she needed to get done and successfully ignored the new case Mycroft wanted her on. If she was completely honest with herself, Allessandra would admit she was doing anything she could to avoid the new case. She really just wanted a day off. She pressed a button on her desk phone, the line opening up to Arthur at his desk on the other side of her door.
"How may I be of assistance, Miss Caswell?"
"Please, for the love of God, Arthur, tell me I can go for the day."
"I've been instructed by Mr. Holmes to make sure you've read the new case file before you leave tonight. I've also been asked to remind you that your dinner meeting with Mr. Holmes is at your house tonight at eight." Allessandra bit her lip and thought about it for a minute.
"If I told you I read the file, would you believe me?"
"Probably not, Miss Caswell." She smirked at the phone and her personal assistance's response.
"Fine. Have it your way. I'll study the file. I'm leaving in a half hour no matter what." Allessandra hung up the phone and pulled the file in front of her begrudgingly. The tan material taunted her. Resigning herself to her fate, she opened the file and started reading the numerous papers. It didn't take Allessandra long; she already knew all the information. On the last page, a note written in Mycroft Holmes's elegant script taunted her.
Allessandra, I need you to keep an eye on dear baby brother for a few days.
She was silent for a moment as she reread the note. Then she snapped. Without a second thought, Allessandra threw the file in the air with a loud scream, the papers fluttering to the floor all around her. She grabbed the few belongings she brought with her to her office this morning and stormed out, locking the door behind her.
"Have a good evening, Miss Caswell. And good luck on your next case." Arthur spoke to her as if he hadn't just heard his boss's fit. She grunted back and took the keys to the sleek black car she called her own off the desk as she passed by it.
Mycroft had made himself comfortable in Allessandra's study by the time he heard her enter through the garage door. He could hear her angry footsteps as she moved around the lower level of the townhouse, looking for him. The door to the kitchen noisily swung open before the footsteps continued, not as angry. He picked up his glass of scotch and took a contemplative sip. He could hear her making her way up the stairs now. Allessandra's bedroom door opened, closed and then opened again. The smell of food made its way into the study now. Mycroft looked up at Allessandra with a soft smile. She placed the plate of grilled salmon and steamed vegetables in front of him, laying the silverware next to the plate. Her face showed him no expression as she sat down opposite him at the small round wood table with her own plate in front of her. Mycroft slid a glass of ice across to her along with a half full bottle of whiskey. Allessandra poured herself a generous glass and took a long swing, filling it back up after she did so.
"I take it you're not happy with me." Mycroft's voice was soft. He picked up his silverware and cut a piece of salmon off, giving Allessandra a look. She picked up her own silverware and began eating as well.
"Not particularly, no." Her response was just as soft as his statement.
"But you understand why I need you to do this."
"Yes." She took a sip of her whiskey.
"It's temporary. Once he gets the West case solved you'll go back to doing your normal work." Allessandra paused in her eating at Mycroft's words.
"So he's not going to get the case solved in twelve hours?" Mycroft gave her another smile.
"It's been almost five hours since you gave him the case file and he still hasn't truly looked at it. My guess is he's giving Dr. Watson this one as a test of sorts."
"Why would he? Why does it matter?" Mycroft shrugged at the questions and pushed the plate away, only a few of the steamed vegetables left on it. He took his scotch in hand and swirled the glass before taking a drink.
"Why does Sherlock do anything? All we know is what is in that file. And, apparently, he's in more trouble now than ever before." Mycroft's grey-blue eyes met Allessandra's icy blue ones. "I need you to help me protect my baby brother, Alice. I don't trust anyone else with his life." Mycroft watched as she drained the glass of whiskey.
"I'll do it, 'Croft. I'll help you protect him." He covered her hand on the table with his and gave it a squeeze.
"Thank you." His eyes were soft on hers. She looked away with a small scowl.
"Just give me my dog back, you heartless creature." Mycroft's mouth formed an amused smirk as he gave her a nod.
"Anything for you, dear."