'Okay' said Lyanna.
'Fine' replied Sherlock 'Although, you know you cannot beat me John, you've tried many a time'.
'Okay then' said John 'How about you and Lyanna play and I will observe'
'Good idea' said Lyanna, as she and Sherlock sat opposite each other and John placed the board in between the two of them.
'This should be interesting' said John as he watched Sherlock make the first move.
-20 minutes later-
With 20 minutes gone, Lyanna was clearly beating Sherlock – not that he would admit it of course.
'Bathroom break' said Sherlock getting up and heading towards the bathroom.
'Okay' replied Lyanna, as she sat back and inspected the game so far.
'I would be careful if I were you' said John with a slight grin.
'Why?' replied Lyanna.
'Well you see Sherlock is used to playing against me, meaning he never loses and if he does lose he throws a bit of a tantrum' said John, trying to hold back his smile.
'Do you know, that honestly does not surprise me' said Lyanna with a smirk 'Thanks for the advice, I will keep it in mind'
Just then Sherlock waltzed back into the room. He noticed Lyanna's smirk, but thought best to ignore it and to carry on with the game.
As the game continued, Lyanna started to make subtle mistakes, and it wasn't long before Sherlock was winning. Lyanna noticed that every time Sherlock made a move he smiled ever so slightly. Then Lyanna thought it was time to take it up a notch, as it were, and made the worst 'mistake' she had ever done before. Sherlock stopped and looked up at her.
'Why did you do that?' inquired Sherlock.
'Do what?' replied Lyanna as innocently as possible.
'That mistake, well was something I would normally expect from John – but not from you'he replied.
'HEY!' cried John.
Lyanna smiled.
'Everyone makes mistakes' she replied.
Sherlock stopped again, before smirking.
'Checkmate' he said with a triumphant smile.
'Well played Sherlock' replied Lyanna with a slight nod.
'Thank you, although you played rather well yourself – well in the beginning at least' he replied 'Who taught you to play?'
'My uncle' replied Lyanna 'Our games used to last for hours'
She smiled slightly at the memories. However, her thoughts were interrupted by the apartment door swinging open and Mycroft Holmes stepping in.
John looked up, while Sherlock acted like no one was there.
'Talk of the devil' Lyanna muttered under her breath.
John heard her and smiled slightly.
'Good afternoon Mycroft' said John.
'Good afternoon John, Shirley, Lyanna' he said.
'What do you want this time?' said Sherlock, standing up.
'Why do you always assume I want something brother dear' replied Mycroft.
'Because you always want something from me Mycroft' said Sherlock 'Otherwise you wouldn't be here'
'Quite the contrary' continued Mycroft 'I am here, in fact, to see how your new assistant is getting along' he looked over at Lyanna and smiled.
'She's fine – good at making coffee, quiet, cannot beat me a chess. Yes, I think that covers the basics' replied Sherlock.
'Good to hear' said Mycroft 'Anyway, must be going now brother dear. I have an awful amount of paper work to catch up on. Lyanna, may I give you a lift home?'
'Oh, um, yes please' replied Lyanna, as she got up and grabbed her coat 'Thanks'
'No problem' replied Mycroft 'Unless Sherlock needs you here?'
'No, you may go' said Sherlock 'But be back here tomorrow, same time as today'
'Okay, thank you Sherlock, John. See you tomorrow' said Lyanna with a smile as she and Mycroft headed out the door.
'Yes, see you soon brother dear, Dr Watson' said Mycroft as followed behind Lyanna.
'Bye' John called after the pair 'See you tomorrow Lyanna'
'She's hiding something' said Sherlock, once John had shut the door 'And I will find out what'
'Oh honestly' said John 'Can't you give the girl a break'
'Why should I?' replied Sherlock 'There's me moaning about not having a case, when there is a perfectly good one sitting right under my nose'
'I give up' replied John 'Fancy Chinese tonight?'
'Yes' replied Sherlock 'Let's go'.