"Good morning, I've called to inform you that the agents have arrived safely and without causing any commotion or attracting unwanted attention" Lord Westrom spoke through the screen in the conference room. Mycroft, Julia, Philip, and Maggie were all seated together currently engaged in a group video call with Lord Westrom and Lady Smallwood.
"They are currently settling in and taking the time to fully embrace the identities they've been assigned. The mission will undergo its action tonight" He continued, "I believe that is all for the moment, any inquiries?" Lord Westrom asked and bid them his goodbye upon receiving no reply.
The call ended and the individuals in the room all gathered their belongings to proceed to whatever each had to get done, it was, after all, still ten in the morning.
Mycroft cleared his throat and both assistants took that as their cue to gain a head start on their employers towards the offices. "Miss Graham" He said once they were alone.
"Julia" She interrupted with a ghost of a smile on her lips.
"Julia," Mycroft corrected himself "Could we postpone our lunch appointment to a later time today, perhaps dinner?" He asked with uncertainty and Julia pondered his question.
"Sure, I've no problem" She answered and his uncertain expression faded.
"Wonderful. Have you any specific place in mind?" He asked, more confidently this time.
"No, not really" She started "I think I'll leave that choice to you, Mycroft. You seem to be very good at making such choices" She smirked and Mycroft mirrored her action.
"Very well, until then Julia" said Mycroft with what she thought was as much as he could manage regarding a smile. It wasn't fake, small, but not fake.
"Until then" Julia replied and thanked him as he gestured for her to exit the room before him.
Files, files, reports, files. Julia's desk was drowning with papers as another three diplomats went missing in Kandahar, and frankly, she could hardly find her desk underneath the piles.
Henry Rotterdam, Aaron Ecknoll, Kieran Taylor. Good Will Ambassadors that were planning on attending the International Peace Summit after meeting up with the Pakistani ambassadors in Kandahar.
Who is responsible for this? What is their motive? Of course it's not Al Qaeda, they would have publicly announced their possession of the ambassadors and asked for something in return. No, this was something bigger.
Her mind was racing with questions and theories. This was no longer just a matter of politicians' safety but national security altogether. After about an hour of drowning in deductions, theories, and mostly files, Julia finally decided to take a break. She thought about looking for Mycroft and asking him to join her for a smoke but realised that for him to take a reign-check on lunch he must have had something important to do. Julia picked up the phone handle and dialled Philip's office's number.
"Yes Miss Graham what can I do for you?" Her assistant answered almost instantly.
"Could I bother you with a cup of tea, Philip?" She asked.
"Of course madame, just a minute" Philip answered politely.
"Thank you" Julia said and hung up. After a couple of seconds of pondering she remembered that the floor she was on had a terrace on the other side for people who wanted to get some fresh air but couldn't really leave the building.
The idea very much appealed to Julia and she opened the second drawer on the left side of her desk to pull out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter which she saved for such times. A minute later Philip knocked on her door and entered with a cup of tea in hand. "Your tea madame, just the way you like it-" He stopped abruptly "Sorry, are you going somewhere?" He asked as she took the cup from his hands.
"I'll be on the terrace if you need me" She said casually as she walked towards the door.
Philip hurried to her side and reached to take the cup from her hand, "Let me get that there for you Miss Graham" he offered but she pulled her hand away.
"Thank you Philip but I believe I could manage" Julia said and thanked him when he opened the door for her.
Once at the terrace she chose the seat closest to the ledge, and, pleased with the view and the relatively peaceful weather, sipped contently from the delicious cup of tea Philip had learned to prepare perfectly over the years. She pulled the packet and lighter from her jacket pocket and lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply from it. Julia wasn't always a smoker, in fact she had only begun smoking after that fateful day. Even despite that she wasn't a regular smoker, deciding to stick to the occasional cigarette.
Time went by relatively slowly -very much to her liking-, but Julia did eventually have to get up and back to her office to take care of the work the government had entrusted her with. She stopped by the kitchen on her way back to place the now empty cup of tea and apparently interrupted the conversation her assistant and Mycroft's were engrossed in. She simply walked out as if she had seen nothing, but couldn't help shaking her head and smirking to herself once in the corridor again. Julia braced herself as she entered her office: paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. It was still only two o'clock after all.
Time crawled by exhaustingly but Julia was very pleased to see she had managed to finish almost ninety percent of the work currently at hand. Another half hour passed and Julia finally ended the last report and tucked it neatly into the binder before leaning backwards into her chair.
She stretched her arms and straightened her posture, glancing up at the clock to see it was already quarter to nine. She looked back down at her desk and reopened the binder to review the report one last time. A knock broke her concentration and she mumbled a 'come in' and looked up with a bored expression on her face, expecting Philip to walk in.
Mycroft Holmes entered and Julia's expression softened. "Good evening" He greeted with a smile as he took in her appearance. She had decided to go for a pair of navy blue trousers instead of the usual pencil skirt, along with a dark red blouse and black heels, topped of by a navy blue suit jacket. Her hair was let down in its usual black waves and settled just below her shoulders nicely. "I would like to apologise for my tardiness. It was very rude of me to keep you waiting until now" He had the decency to look sheepish and guilty, which Julia very much admired about the man.
"Good evening Mycroft. Don't worry about it" She replied, a sweet smile gracing her features, which helped return the pleasant smile to his face. Julia stood up and straightened her clothes and in turn took in his own appearance. Today's choice was a dark grey three piece suit complemented by a black and white striped cravat that fit him quite nicely. His golden pocket watch chain was hanging out as usual, completing his everyday handsome appearance. Not to mention the signature black umbrella ever present at his side.
"Do you still have something to finish or are we good to go?" He inquired, gesturing to her desk.
Julia picked up the binder and shut it, moving to stand beside Mycroft. "I've actually just finished for today" She said and slipped on the coat that was lying on the sofa next to her.
Mycroft held out his arm for her as usual which she gladly took and walked out with him. She placed the binder on Philip's desk who seemed to be occupied and rapidly typing on his keyboard but stopped when he saw his employer. "Go home Philip. It's nothing you can't continue tomorrow" She said and heard her assistant mumble a 'yes madame' before she and Mycroft exited the young man's office.
The pair exited the building and Julia immediately noticed the black Jaguar parked outside, with Mycroft's driver leaning against it. As they approached the driver held the door open for both before climbing into his seat and driving onto the busy London streets.
"How was your day?" Mycroft suddenly asked.
"Quite busy really" Julia started, "I presume yours was as well with the recent kidnapping of the ambassadors and all" she stated and Mycroft rubbed his forehead.
"Yes I'm afraid you are correct" He sighed "We're in for quite a case here" Julia nodded.
"So where are going tonight? Or does it remain a mystery to be unveiled on site?" She asked and he smirked.
"What do you think?" Mycroft asked with the smirk still present and a raised eyebrow.
"The latter of course" She replied with a similar smirk "Not that I mind really, your surprises seem to always turn out pleasantly" She added and his smirk turned into a smile, saying nothing more.
"You do look lovely, might I say" Mycroft said after a short while.
Julia was surprised that such a remark had come from Mycroft Holmes. "Thank you, you look quite dashing yourself" She managed to let out after a moment's silence and he simply smiled back. He seemed to smile a lot around her and she liked that very much. She would in fact love to see that smile more often.
The pair sat in comfortable silence, peering out the windows into the London night, and sometimes locking gazes which caused them both to look away as if nothing had happened. It was not long before the car pulled up in front of Heron Tower. Julia's mind raced in thought of what was in that tower that she had read of or heard somewhere. Mycroft offered his hand to help her and she took it gladly, getting out of the car. There was a brief silence as neither let go of the other's hand and the pair stared at each other, each of them expecting the other to pull away. When neither did, Mycroft kept his grasp surprisingly gentle and lead Julia through the double doors of the tower and towards the lift, pressing the button of the fortieth floor.
The lift's door opened a couple of minutes later to reveal the exquisite entrance of 'Duck And Waffle', as indicated by the sign present on the wall in brilliant cursive. To say the interior was amazing would be a huge and unfair understatement. The place had an aura that said fancy yet comfortable and cosy at the same time. However just by looking at the inside you could tell it wasn't your typical 'night out with friends' place, it in fact had an appearance that screamed 'posh and expensive', not that there was anything wrong with that. Julia wasn't the type to frequent such ridiculously expensive places but did enjoy a visit to one of them every once in while, since the décor alone was worth every pence one would pay.
A man approached them upon entering, dressed in a flattering black suit. The man gave the impression of being in his late thirties, his features only just a bit worn and his black hair surrounding numerous white strands.
"Good evening, Mr. Holmes. Always a pleasure having you here. Greetings to you as well, milady" He inclined his head.
"Good evening Joseph" Mycroft greeted while Julia simply nodded politely.
Joseph lead them to what she presumed was the main dining area, a couple of menus in his hand. He finally stopped at a white marble table for two, directly next to the wide floor-to-ceiling window. The man had a thing for open views, she thought about Mycroft. Both took their seats and received their menus from Joseph.
"Can I get you something to drink?" The latter asked.
"We'll have a bottle of 1970 Vintage Francesca please" Mycroft answered instantly and Joseph nodded, leaving them to their privacy.
"You seem to take pleasure in ordering for people" Julia teased and Mycroft smirked.
"You said you trusted my choices" He retorted expertly, placing a hand on his chin as he leaned his elbow on the table.
"I do, and I guess I'm going to ask to you to impress me with your choice of food" She stated just as a young waiter stood at their table, holding a bottle of red wine. He poured two glasses of the vintage wine and placed one in front of each of the pair before setting the bottle on the table and pulling out a notepad and a pen from his pocket.
"Have you made your choice for the evening?" He asked and Julia looked at Mycroft with a teasing smirk.
"We'll have two Manhattan Roasts please" Mycroft said with his usual Mycroft smirk, not breaking eye contact with Julia as he did so. Both were busy keeping eye contact and could vaguely make out that the waiter had gathered their menus and retreated from their table. Neither seemed ready to give up.
"Pardon my curiosity, Julia" Mycroft started, "But I couldn't help but notice the ring ever present on your hand, though you always insist on being called Miss Graham.. May I ask why? I will accept should you wish not to answer" He stated and Julia visibly stiffened.
An awkward silence filled the air as Julia absent-mindedly reached for her ring and twirled it around her finger. Mycroft looked well on his way to say something and change the subject when she decided to answer.
"I was to-to be married, a long time ago. But it wasn't meant to be" She started uneasily "I haven't been able to take it off since, to be honest." she said, her voice threatening to break,
Mycroft gave her the best sympathetic look he could manage and that was really huge deal. He wasn't the type to sympathise with people, or actually care for that matter. However, he couldn't help it now. "I am terribly sorry about that, Julia" He managed to say without sounding bored or unimpressed.
Julia simply smiled at him but it wasn't the usual smile, he noticed. It was one that held great sadness and grief. "I believe I could ask you the same about your ring, only if I may of course. Is it significant?" She asked more collectedly this time.
Mycroft shook his head. "No, not really. Just a family heirloom I've been given." Julia nodded and just then their food arrived, making both realise how famished they actually were.
The -exquisite- food was accompanied by light conversation and the occasional sip of wine. The entire situation proved Mycroft was an excellent judge of places, wine, and food. She certainly wouldn't mind allowing him to make more choices such as this one. Somewhere into the night Mycroft had managed to order dessert that indulged both cake-lovers' need for a decent sweet.
"What's the verdict?" Mycroft asked suddenly.
"Regarding?" Julia asked confusedly and Mycroft moved his hand gesturing to the table and restaurant, clearly asking her what she thought of the night altogether.
"Hm, let's see. Is this a date?" She asked teasingly.
"I don't know, is it?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Do you want it to be?"
"I believe I do," He answered without a second's hesitation "Do you?"
"Good, and yes I do" She replied honestly which seemed to make his eyes light up.
"Verdict?" He insisted, clearly very curious.
"Marvellous" She simply said and he grinned widely, raising his glass to a toast. Julia clinked her glass with Mycroft's and both gulped down their fifth refill of wine for the night.
"Shall we leave?" asked Mycroft and Julia nodded. He gestured for the waiter to bring the cheque and turned back to her. "I am happy that you decided to wait" He said sincerely.
"I am glad that I did. You don't fail to surprise or impress me" She stated with the smile that had decided not to leave her face for the last half hour. It may have been the wine, but Julia was almost convinced that it had something to do with the man currently seated opposite her.
They paid and exited the restaurant towards the lift, their arms hooked as usual. Mycroft lead them outside the building and Julia was not surprised to find the familiar black Jaguar waiting outside. She stopped just as the driver held the door open for them.
"Mycroft I think I'll walk, my house is not too far from here and the weather's remarkably calm tonight. Thank you for every-"
"Nonsense Julia. Let me give you a lift, as you said, it's not very far" He interrupted.
"Thank you very much but I'd prefer a walk" She said appreciatively.
"Very well," Mycroft said and closed the door.
"What are you doing?" Julia asked confusedly.
"You didn't think I'd let you walk home alone now, did you?" He asked casually.
"You really don't have to, Mycroft. I'll fine" She answered.
Mycroft had that serious expression on his face and although he said nothing, he did not seem to have any intention of moving or leaving. "Okay" Julia finally said as she started walking, Mycroft moving by her side after sending his driver home.
The walk was silent but peaceful. It had been a while since the weather had not gone haywire at night and she could enjoy a quiet walk. A feeling of contentedness took over her, mostly from the wine. However she couldn't deny the great time she'd spent with the man walking beside her, whom had been a great gentleman to not allow her to walk home alone, even if he wasn't particularly fond of the idea of walking.
They talked for most of the journey about literature and movies. Julia found out that Mycroft loved reading and watching vintage movies, which added to the list of things she liked about Mycroft Holmes.
Somewhere along the way they had managed to hold hands, neither of them sure whether the other was tipsy or fully aware of the action. Still, they didn't mind. In fact they had somehow also managed to move closer to each other, shoulder brushing shoulder as their hands never unclasped.
It was another five minutes of silent walking before they reached Julia's house. Mycroft walked her to the front door and stood facing her. "Thank you for walking with me Mycroft" She said and he smiled at her, still holding her hand in his. Only then did she notice how beautiful his eyes were, being a deep, ocean-like blue and she was lost. He looked at her in a way she couldn't decipher and simply stood there, admiring her eyes.
Never would he tell her how beautiful she was to him. Never would he tell her how much he loved her eyes, nor how much he longed to see her smile. She had appealed to him for about two years now and he was pleased with himself for being able to finally ask her out. Sure he was The British Government and was capable of making decisions most couldn't, but this was a decision that took him two years to gather the courage to make.
They stood there, in the middle of the night, just staring at each other. Neither wanted the moment to end so no one made a move to leave.
It's now or never, Julia thought. She moved closer to Mycroft, still holding his hand, and kissed his cheek. He seemed baffled by her action, but not repulsed. "Good night" and with that she turned and started to move away from him to walk into the house. Just as her hand left his, Mycroft grabbed it again and pulled her towards him with a little force, causing her to turn back and face him as they were standing extremely close, chest touching chest.
Before Julia could say anything Mycroft leaned down and claimed her lips with his in a gentle kiss. It didn't last long, much to their disappointment, but it was certainly breathtaking. Mycroft knew his limits, and he would never take advantage of such a situation, even if Julia weren't really that drunk.
Mycroft smiled and raised Julia's hand to his mouth then placed a soft kiss on her knuckles, "Good night" He said and walked away, twirling his umbrella as he did so.
Julia couldn't remember how long she had been standing there, shocked, before she actually went inside. The feeling of his lips on hers lingered and she was still dazed from the night altogether.
But no, that was not the effect of the wine.
That was the effect of one very attractive, very admirable man, that goes by the name of Mycroft Holmes.