A/N: Sorry for the wait! I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's the stag party! It was interesting writing this one! Let me know how you like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own an characters from Murdoch Mysteries. If I did, Julia and William would have been together from episode 1!
A Gentlemen's Evening
William walked through the sitting room of the his boarding house. The doorbell rang and he was sure it was someone there to collect him. "Who is it, dear?" Mrs. Kitchen asked as William opened the door to reveal the Inspector. "Just Inspector Brackenreid Mrs. Kitchen."
"Hello Murdoch. Ready to go?" The Inspector asked.
William hesitated for a moment. "What I should I take, sir?" he asked. William still did not know where they were headed and what lie in store for him. Of that he was most nervous about.
"Absolutely nothing. I am on strict orders to collect you and say nothing else. Benedict said he is providing anything we could possibly need. So that's that, let's get a move on." He said tapping William lightly on the chest with his cane and giving him a sneaky smirk. Mrs. Kitchen walked into the room to see them off.
"Good bye you two. Have a wonderful time William!" The two men left the boarding house and made their way to the Queen's Hotel.
"Do you know where we are going, sir?"
"Yes I do, and no, Murdoch, I am not telling you." They made their way through the city, chatting about things going on around them and greeting those they knew as they passed. When they reached the hotel they walked inside and Brackenreid led William straight to the elevator. When the bell boy asked which floor, the inspector replied Penthouse Suite. "He travels in style everywhere he goes, doesn't he?" he asked William.
The detective laughed. "Oh yes, always the largest, grandest room, best clothes, and finest food." he chuckled to himself. "Except that one time…" He laughed again and stepped off the elevator which had just stopped.
Inspector Brackenreid was puzzled for a moment. He had heard many a story of the wealthy Lord and his glamorous wife. However, none of them included what William had just hinted at. "Oi Murdoch, what are you talking about?" William just laughed and kept walking towards the room he assumed the others were in.
"I can hear George describing the 'Vampire' case to Jasper and Benedict. You remember sir, the one when all of the girls at the boarding school thought they were being seduced and fed off of by a vampire?" William had successfully changed the subject because the Inspector laughed loudly.
"Bloody brats were so gullible. How they will ever survive this life is a mystery to me." He said shaking his head. About this time George popped out of the suspected room.
"Hello, sirs! Glad to see you made it!" The other two entered what seemed to be the main and rather large bedroom. Jasper was sat on the edge of the bed and Benedict was sprawled comfortably on the chaise lounge by the window.
"Will! Are you ready for a fantastic time?" He asked, jumping up from his seat with enthusiasm.
William laughed. "Yes, I am. But Ben, I am just a little worried about what we are doing. I don't know if I am prepared for what is to come or not, no one gave me any clues how to get ready."
"Well you are suitably dressed for the occasion and you indeed did not need to bring anything." Ben looked at the other gentlemen in room and clapped his hands together for the big reveal. "Because we are going on a pub crawl!" The Inspector cheered while George and Jasper laughed at William's face. "Don't worry, Will, nothing drastic. We are just going to visit as many pubs as we can before we get too drunk to make it back here."
William thought for a moment. "Well, I must admit that it sounds like great fun. Let's do it." All the others cheered at his answer.
"We are getting ahead of ourselves, first things first. We came bearing gifts!" Benedict exclaimed. "Who is first?"
Brackenreid handed William a ten-year-old bottle of brandy. "I figured brandy was more of your drink than whiskey. But then again I might should have gotten a bottle of scotch. That little lady of yours is a spitfire if I ever saw one!" Everyone laughed in agreement, they all knew Julia well enough to vouch for the Inspectors comment.
"Well thank you Inspector, I shall take good care of this."
"Oh I expect you'll be keeping it real close! And Murdoch, call me Thomas. I know it goes against everything in your prim and proper mind, but for tonight, just go with it. In fact, you can all call me Thomas. But just tonight, Crabtree!" he said pointing a George who was holding his hands up in mock surrender.
"You know that's a great idea. Alright everyone, from this point forward we only use our given names. No more titles or sirs!" Benedict said, clapping his hands together and looking at the others expectantly.A round of here, here's was the sign that all were in agreement. "Great, so who is next?"
"I think me. here you are sir, and autographed copy of my book." George handed William a pristine copy of The Curse Of The Pharaoh.
William took it from George and shook his hand. "Well thank you George. But I already have an autographed copy."
George opened the front cover to reveal a message, "Yes, si-" he looked at Benedict, "I mean, yes, I know but this one has a personalized message. Just for you!"
William smiled and read the message aloud, "'Detective Murdoch, I want to thank you for being such a wonderful mentor and taking the time to teach me your ways. I wish you the best of luck on your next step in life. I know your marriage will be a happy and blessed one, you deserve nothing less. George Crabtree.' George, that is so nice of you! Thank you so much!" William hugged George, who was a bit surprised by the physical contact made by his superior.
"You are welcome! Oh I have a second gift for you, well to you and Dr. Ogden." He handed William a small box wrapped in brown paper and string. "Here you are!"
William removed the string and paper and opened the box to reveal two sets of leather collars and leashes."Oh, these are marvelous! How did you know about the dogs?" he asked, removing them from the box to give them a closer inspection.
"Emily and I coordinated on what to give you two. They are of a reputable name and should fit the little ones now and when they reach full size. they even have a little ring for their name tags." George said, proud of himself for receiving such praise for both his gifts.
"Well Banditt and Cabernet will look grand in these, thank you so much. And please pass my gratitude on to Dr. Grace."
"I will."
"What breed did they give you?" Jasper asked.
"Australian Shepherds. A little black speckled boy and a red speckled girl." William answered, putting the collars and leashes back in the box.
"I believe the technical term is Blue and Red Merles." commented Benedict. "My father raised some when I was a wee lad, but they weren't our family dogs. I myself had an Irish Setter named Redbeard. I still have a few of his offspring, since he himself is no longer with us."
"Well I hope to have Bandit and Cabby a long while. Julia sure has taken to them." William looked round the room. "Who's next?"
Jasper spoke up. "This is from myself and, well… I guess Dad as well." He handed his older brother a small hinged box.
William opened it to reveal circular gold cufflinks with M engraved on them. "Were these his?"
Jasper looked a little sheepish. "Yes…. He left them behind when he left mother and me. I tried to give them back to him but he suggested I give them as a gift to you. They were from his and your mother's wedding."
"I…." William was awestruck. He had very few possessions from his young life when his mother was alive.
"It's probably good he left them with us. He said had he not they would have been sold or traded by now." Jasper tried to fill in where William could not speak.
William seemed to snap back to the present. "Thank you so much, Jasper." He said as he embraced his little brother. Jasper had not expected it and was overcome with emotion as was William. Both cleared their throats and sniffed when they parted.
"Well, now that it has been sufficiently awkward it's my turn. I believe you'll find everything fits perfectly." Benedict ushered William into the large bathroom where a very smart suit awaited him and shut the door. He turned to the others and nodded and then spoke through the door. "How does it look?"
"I think it looks wonderful" came his muffled reply. A few moments later he opened the door and stepped out to show everyone else. What he didn't expect was the woman standing in front of him.
"Hello, William. Have a seat." she grabbed his tie and led him to the chaise lounge and pushed him down. "Heard you're getting married soon." she whispered seductively.
"I… uh…." William looked to the others who were all smiling slyly.
She put her finger to his lips, "Shhhhh. No need to speak." She stepped away from him and began to unbuttoned her bodice. William began to panic slightly as she dropped her risqué dress to the floor and moved toward him in just her lacy corset and frilly underclothes. He went to stand and she pushed him back down and sat on his lap. She loosened his tie, ran her hands through his hair, and leaned in to breathe "Tell me what you want, big boy." in his ear.
William nearly flew out of his chair, catching the woman before she fell off his lap and setting her down. He moved as fast as he could across the room with a look of terror on his face. To his absolute horror, the men were laughing so hard they couldn't breathe and leaning on each other spouting I told you so's. A blush spread from his head to his toes as William looked to the woman. "I…. uh… sorry."
She herself was giggling. "No worries, love. I didn't mean any of it." she gathered her dress up, put it back on, and buttoned back up.
Benedict stepped forward to clap William on the back. "Relax, Will. Rachel here is an old friend of mine and was happy to help with this little joke."
"Joke…."
"Of course it's a joke!" Brackenreid came forward. "I've never seen you sweat before in your life and we figured this situation just might do it!"
William realized he was rather hot and swiped over his forehead. Sure enough he was glistening with perspiration. He laughed. "I have to admit, I can see how it would be funny."
"Now that we've all enjoyed a good laugh, it is time for us to hit the pubs!" Benedict offered Rachel his arm. "May I walk you out, miss?"
She took it. "Naturally, how could I refuse?"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Alright, I've got first toast!" Brackenreid had ordered a round of scotch for the first pub. "When I first hired you William I wasn't too sure about you. Thought you were too smart for your own good. Boy did you surprise me! And everyone else, I should say." George laughed in agreement. "Without you there would be many a crimes unsolved and probably quite a few innocent men behind bars and guilty ones on the streets. You've made us all better men along the way. So, here's to you me ol' mocker, the best damn detective in Canada!"
Here, here's and cheers were exclaimed, glasses clinked together, and scotch tossed back. William cringed slightly at the burn in his stomach and George whooped, ready to head out to the next pub.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Here you are, si- William." George handed him a glass of brandy. It was his turn for the toast. "Gather round, gents."
Everyone took their glass and focused their attention on George.
"I won't be as saccharin as I was in the book, so here it goes. I've worked with you long enough to know that you are the truest, most kind hearted man I know."
Everyone nodded and agreed heartily, they all knew that of the five of them, William most definitely had the highest morals, integrity, and honour.
George raised his glass and everyone followed suit. "If I can be half the man you are, I will consider myself accomplished! You deserve every happiness that comes your way. To William!"
"TO WILLIAM!" The other repeated while the man in question blushed and threw back the drink.
"Much smoother than the scotch. Thank you George, that was touching."
"I meant every word, sir."
"Time to go! We still have two toasts to go, then we can hit as many other pubs as we can handle." Benedict led the way out to the carriage where they loaded up and headed off again.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Well, I decided to give us a tiny break from the strong stuff." Jasper commented as he made his way over from the bar with five pints of beer on a tray.
"Thank you, Jasper. I have a feeling I'll be grateful of this later on tonight." William took his tankard.
Jasper cleared his throat before beginning his toast. "Will, I've not known you long and I wish we could have known each other in our younger years. Regardless, you are the best brother anyone could ask for and I love you for accepting me as yours. Here's to you always being there for me." He raised his pint, "Will."
"I love you too, Jasper. I'm glad we found each other." William hugged his brother tightly before clinking his tankard and taking a gulp of the amber liquid.
"George," Benedict nudged him, "I bet I can finish my beer before you."
"How much, eh?"
Benedict pulled a dollar out of his pocked and George nodded, pulling one out of his own. They placed them on the table in front of them.
Brackenreid decided to referee. "Alright gents, on three. One…. two…. THREE!"
Four seconds later George slammed his empty tankard down on the table right before Benedict. "Ahhhhhh…"
Benedict coughed and shook George's hand. "Just know, I have never been out done before! Right William?"
"Most definitely true. This man is unbeatable. Well… was." peels of laughter erupted from the round of men.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Benedict cleared his throat. "Alright gents, step up, step up. Here we are."
"Uh… Ben…"
"Yes, Will?"
"What do you have there?"
"You know well what it is."
"Oh…" William said as he accepted his glass of absinthe. "What gave you such an idea?"
"Women talk, Will. Ashtin told be about an interesting evening picnic Julia wrote her about. You recollect which one I'm talking about?"
"Yes. Vividly." he said sheepishly.
"Alright everyone, my turn." Benedict cleared his throat and raised his glass of green liquid. "William Henry Murdoch, the day I met you I thought you were the biggest,most boring, pompous stick-in-the-mud imaginable." there was a hearty round of chortling from the group of men. "And then you saved my life. And through an artfully genius way that rivals that of Mr. Holmes of Baker Street might I add. So here's to you mate. Without you I would not be here." He chuckled "And you would have to deal with my lovely wife! Cheers!"
The gents were sent into a laughing fit. William laughed so hard he nearly fell over, and would have if Brackenreid had not been there to catch him.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"FOOOOOORRRRR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW, FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW, FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FE-ELLOOOOWWWW! AAAANNNDDD SO SAY ALLL OF UUUUUSSSS!"
A few pubs later they all had clambered back into the carriage. George had gotten the bright idea to sing the wedding march. But as the only words anyone could only remember was 'here comes the bride' that soon turned into them singing the chords at the top of their lungs. Brackenreid, who had actually started to get tipsy after the fourth pub, was hanging out of the window with William and belting out 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow'. George and Jasper decided to join in the singing and hung halfway out of their window to "serenade" their side of the street but only succeeded in hollering the words out in a slightly off-key manner.
"Hey! Shut your faces, people are trying to sleep in here!" yelled one irate Queen's Street dweller.
"YOU SHUT YOUR FACE!" Yelled Brackenreid.
"I will call the police on you!"
"WE-" hiccup "-ARE THE POLICE!" William hollered back.
The driver opened the small window between his seat and the carriage. "Lord Cumberland? I think it would be best if we retired to the hotel, don't you?"
Benedict swayed forward to answer his chauffeur. "Yes, thank you Charles. I think that is a good idea." He pulled William back into the carriage by his coat tail. "Gents, let us not get arrested by our own station house."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
The sun was streaming in through a crack in the hotel room curtains and warming William's face. He stirred and tried to slide his feet off the bed but couldn't. He decided to sit up but upon feeling his head split open, or so he thought, he eased back down. Instead William rolled to his side only to come in contact with a pair of feet. His eyes trailed down to see Brackenreid hugged tight to William's feet "What…" He pulled his feet away and ever so slowly eased himself up.
When William took in his surroundings he contemplated whether or not he was actually awake. Aside from the inspector's pedial embrace he found Benedict sprawled face down on the chaise lounge with his feet in the air at the head. Standing slowly, he searched for Jasper and found most of him. His body was poking out from under the bed from his waist down. Upon closer inspection William found his brother clutching at a shoe, his shoe to be exact. Only then did he look down to find himself barefoot. "Hmm" he grunted shaking his head, which he immediately regretted.
Holding his head in one of his hands, William felt his way to the restroom with his free one. When he reached the room in question he looked up slowly. "George?" The constable was asleep in the large but empty clawfoot bath tub in the middle of the room. William shuffled closer and found the match to his stollen shoe. "George." he nudged the sleeping form who hugged tighter to the shoe. "George, what are you doing with my shoe?"
George sat up a little too fast, throwing the shoe across the room. It crashed into several things William could not name but knew he utterly despised. "Shhhhh…." In the commotion William forgot why he went to the restroom to begin with. He turned round, located his shoe and left while George struggled his way out of the bath tub and follow him out. He sat on the end of the bed next to the inspector and slid his shoe on only to realize he chose the wrong foot. In the process of righting his wrong, William's movements work Brackenreid.
"Oi! Holy mother of Christ…." The oldest of the gents felt the full effects of a hangover, something he hadn't had in awhile. He groaned loudly with his head face down on the bed.
William bent down and retrieved his other shoe from Jasper's grasp. "Jasper," he nudged his brother. "Jasper, wake up." there was a moan and Jasper rolled out from under the bed.
"Wha- what happened last night?" Jasper asked, leaning back against the bed.
A yawned emanated from the chaise lounge and they all looked to Benedict. "More than you want to know, mate. Trust me." the lord said stretching.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! Like I said, it was fun to write! I may have thrown in a few Sherlock tidbits, I couldn't resist! If you get the chance, please let me know what you think!
