Chapter Two

Mycroft was sat in his favourite arm chair in the lounge of his large town house in London. Nursing a glass of rather expensive whisky, while working on his laptop. He was puzzled. He had read up on this Miss Worthing, well what they could find and was even more intrigued. He was also very interested to learn how she managed to get into the club two days ago, and even more so how she knew what suit he would be wearing that morning and how she got hold of one. They were bespoke, and very expensive, and HIS. Damn it! How had she done it?

He decided to look through the security footage from the club and see if that gave up any clues. After watching all the footage (over 20 times, although he would never admit this to anyone) Mycroft found that she didn't show up on any CCTV going into the club. The first time she appeared was 20 minutes before he arrived, sat at his table. It's like she just appeared out of thin air! How had she got in? She must have tampered with the CCTV, hmm, she must be very good with Computers then?

The next time Miss Worthing appeared on the footage was when she was leaving, and what he saw puzzled him. A lot. It showed that she left the lounge area and once out in the corridor, lean back against the wall, seemingly in relief, her eyes closed, head back, her whole body sagging against the wall. She spends just less than 20 seconds like that, before opening her eyes, standing tall again, and confidently striding off out the front door. Now with more data to process, Mycroft's mind was turning over every possible reason and explanation for why this women appeared at his club and what the footage might mean, but he wasn't happy with anything he came up with. 'Well I'll be asking her myself soon' he thought, he checked his watch, 10.20am, 'in 10 minutes'.

Mycroft had decided to engineer a little chat with this women, she clearly knew who he was, but was she actually aware of what he could do? What he could make happen if he so wished? Well, he'd make it crystal clear. He'd had someone following her for the past two days and had sent Anthea to go and…'pick her up'. He had decided to have the 'meeting' at his house instead of the usual warehouse scenario, he'd have plenty of time for serious intimidation later, only if she's not cooperative though. He grinned.

Mycroft stirred at the sound of footsteps, "Your guest, Mr Holmes" Anthea announced as she entered the room, Mycroft stood up and turned to face his guest, "Ah, Miss Worthing, so very glad you could make it."

"Good morning Mr Holmes. I did have plans this morning but your lovely assistant managed to persuade me otherwise."

She gave a smile and nod to Anthea and then held her hand out to Mycroft. He felt a warm pooling sensation in his stomach, which he was having trouble identifying. As he stepped closer to her he took her hand to shake…a tingle. She looked, well, like no one he had ever seen. She wasn't wearing a copy of his suit again, thank god, but she was wearing a tight dark denim pencil skirt, with a crisp white shirt tucked in and a beautiful dark green fitted waistcoat, a mustard coloured tie which matched the laces in her heeled leather brogue's and a well-made dark brown check jacket. She was almost like a female version of Mycroft. With a cold, hard controlled stare to match. He was suddenly not feeling quite so confident anymore. What was going on?

"Please take a seat Miss Worthing" and pointed to the one opposite his, "Would you like something to drink?"

"I see you've started early" she said, nodding to the whisky glass on the small table next to Mycroft's arm chair, "I'll just take a coffee if I may."

"Thick, rich and strong with a splash of milk by chance?"

"Sounds perfect. You've been doing your homework."

"Well, knowledge is power."

They had both sat down with their drinks, taking sips.

"And having me followed."

They locked eyes.

"It's a shame you've done your homework on the wrong person though" Kate said, trying to sound indifferent, hoping it would throw him.

Mycroft just stared at her and smiled.

After a minute of this, which felt more like 10, she realised he was having none of it. She made an involuntary gulp, "Oh well, it was worth a try."

"Miss Worthing, you somehow manage to infiltrate the most exclusive club in England, wearing a copy of my exact bespoke suit and make yourself at home at my table. And you think there will be no repercussions?" He fixed her with a cold stare.

Kate's eyes grew wider as she wildly tried to calm her insides down. This is it. I'm going to get 'disappeared'. She went to take a sip of her coffee, but couldn't stop her hand from shaking. He'd seen it. Damn. Mycroft tilted his head slightly, not taking his gaze off her. Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound as they say. I knew the risk. Might as well see how far I can push before it ends.

"And I'm assuming your just dying to know how and why?"

Mycroft nodded slightly.

"Knowledge is power, Mr Holmes, as you said earlier. I think I'll keep this knowledge to myself. You're welcome to guess though. I'll let you know if you're getting warm." She put on a playful smile.

I don't think I've ever felt both so excited and intimidated in my life!

"Playing games with me Miss Worthing is a dangerous one."

"Dangerous, yes, but I am enjoying myself. I'm assuming the early morning whisky is in aid of our little game here? If you're in need of a pick me up already then it looks like I'm winning?"

'How infuriating!' thought Mycroft, he wouldn't admit that he was enjoying the game too.

"I do have other, rather more important matters which take up my time too. All of which are quite taxing, unlike our little game here. No offence."

"None taken", she gave a slight nod to him, "You're a busy man." Escape.

"You know who I am, so I must presume you know what I can do. What I'm capable of?" Mycroft stippled his fingers and gave a bone chilling stare.

It's now or never. Literally.

Kate felt she was going to throw up. Looking straight into those cold blue eyes, not knowing what he was going to do. She couldn't look away and she found she didn't want to. She stared back.

Mustering all her control as she looked him in the eyes she said, "I know exactly what you're capable of Mr Holmes." Her delivery was just as bone chilling as Mycroft's. He didn't move a muscle, eyes locked.

To Mycroft's utter surprise Kate got up and walked straight over to him, stopping as she passed the chair, so she was right next to him. She bent down slightly so her lips were next to his ear and placed one hand on his shoulder. He could feel her warm breath on his skin. Mycroft visibly stiffed, staring straight ahead. She took in his delicious scent and closed her eyes, "Think harder…Mycroft." On hearing his name uttered from those lips, a hot shiver went up his spine. She gave his shoulder a light squeeze, straightened up and walked out, leaving Mycroft glaring at the wall.