The Fourth Abduction

Mycroft's forth abduction couldn't really be considered a date or an abduction really. After the debacle of the 'date' with John Mycroft had found himself observing his brothers interaction with John. He'd noticed that his brother paid particular attention to his flatmate, always taking him into consideration as if he were a puppy trying to please his master. On one of his visits Mycroft noticed the lack of experimental clutter in the kitchen, and on another that the room had a lot less of Sherlock's unorganised clutter and more of an organised clutter, the usual objects were still present but they were not strewn around the place.

Mycroft put it all down to Sherlock's desire and need to impress and keep John. And so his mind set about to deciphering why. To help him in this task Mycroft decided that he need an inside ear and eye, someone who was intimately acquainted with the doings of his brother and flatmate. For this purpose Mycroft had to enlist the aid of Mrs Hudson, the landlady.

With this in mind Mycroft began planning, checking his calendar, making space for their meeting. Then there was the issue of making sure Sherlock had no inkling of Mrs Hudson's abduction. All in all it was six weeks after Mycroft abducted John for a date that Mycroft found the time to abduction Mrs Hudson.

That morning Anthea had reported that Scotland Yard had called his brother and Dr Watson in and that the flat would be empty. Smiling Mycroft had ordered he's car to be ready. Taking himself to 221 Baker Street Mycroft knocked, sporting a charming smiling for Mrs Hudson when she answered the door.

When his brother's landlady opened the door, Mycroft did nothing but smile. "Mr Holmes" was his greeting, slightly frosty but still welcoming with a hint of curiosity. Having Sherlock as a tenant must have made the lady familiar with unusual occurrences. It had certainly done nothing but increase her natural human curiosity.

"Mrs Hudson, if I could take up a little of your time" With a tilt of her head, Mrs Hudson regard the eldest Holmes brother for a moment. Nodding she stepped back "Of course, come in come in. Tea?"

Mycroft stepped into the flat, glancing around himself. It was everything he'd be expecting; floral patterns, little figurines everywhere and a crockery display cabinet.

"Yes, thank you" he replied to the offer of tea. Repressing the urge to grimace, he sat at the kitchen table where he noted a pile of newspapers. Glancing around again, Mycroft noted the pile on the display cabinet. And another pile next to the hat stand, with plenty more scattered around the room. Mycroft noted that some of the piles appeared to be years old. There was a pile of frames sitting on the lounge room coffee table, he supposed that they were framed newspaper clippings. Oh what he couldn't know for certain. He'd guess they were either related to her husband's case or they were related to cases Sherlock had taken on.

Mycroft looked back at Mrs Hudson in the kitchen, busy preparing a plate of cakes and biscuits to have along with the tea. Placing it all on a tray, Mrs Hudson carried it to the table where she unloaded the goods before sitting herself opposite Mycroft. Smiling his thanks, Mycroft picked up the tea cup offered to him and took a small sip. The brew was tolerable in a cheap way, certainly not up the standard Mycroft was use to being served.

The two sat in silence, one pondering the reason for this visit and the other wondering how best to broach the subject he desired to hear about.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" Mrs Hudson asked, after a further five minutes of silence in which their tea had been drunk and they'd started on the cakes.

"I came to inquire about the" here Mycroft paused, appearing to search for the right word, "status of my brother and John Watson"

"I beg your pardon?" Mrs Hudson cried in confusion, "Status?"

Mycroft glanced away, "Are they in a relationship?" he asked bluntly.

Mrs Hudson didn't reply, she glanced towards the pile of frames in her lounge room. "I couldn't possibly say" she replied after a time.

Mycroft was growing annoyed; he'd asked a simple enough question. Perhaps Mrs Hudson didn't know either. If John and Sherlock acted like a couple without being one, how was one suppose to know if they were one or not. Mrs Hudson could be having the same issue his own men were having determining whether the two men were dating or chasing leads on a case. Either way their nights ended with running.

"Why not Mrs Hudson? I am Sherlock's brother; I only wish to know if he is happy"

Mrs Hudson didn't reply, she looked away from Mycroft, avoiding his gaze.

"Mrs Hudson, is my brother happy? Does Dr Watson show any sign that they are a couple?"

Still Mrs Hudson refused to answer, "I couldn't betray them like that Mr Holmes. If Sherlock wants you to know he will tell you himself"

Mycroft repressed the urge to sigh, "Has my brother's behaviour changed?" Mrs Hudson shook her head no, Mycroft suspected it was a no she wasn't going to answer not a no his behaviour hadn't changed. "Does he treat Dr Watson differently since I whisked the good doctor way for 'date'?"

Mrs Hudson looked up at Sherlock's brother, wondering had Sherlock's behaviour changed. Mycroft observed the change in the landlady.

"Mrs Hudson, I am not asking you to betray my brother or even to spy on him. I'm merely asking if he's well and if my… actions towards John Watson have changed his behaviour. Has anything changed, Mrs Hudson?"

"Dear me, I'm not sure about this" Mycroft made a pleading face, sucking up his pride. Mrs Hudson hesitated, glancing away before she answered, "Sherlock and Dr Watson they… well I don't think they need that second bedroom anymore"

"They are together then?"

Mrs Hudson nodded, "But you didn't hear it from me. Those two boys are more secretive than the whole of MI6."

Mycroft laughed, Mrs Hudson could very well be right. Mycroft had got what he wanted to know. Perhaps he could get a few more details out of Mrs Hudson before he returned to the office. Or at least before Sherlock returned.