Mycroft watched his brother and his new flat-mate from afar, to assure the validity of John's attachment to Sherlock. After about a month or so, he decided a more congenial meeting was to be had with the doctor. Something less obtrusive then just showing up with a case or having the poor man unknowingly whisked off, so he made a call.

"Hullo Dr. Watson," John answered the phone in his office tiredly.

"Good day, Doctor," he greets.

"What can I help you with Mycroft," he sighs, coming up with various reasons Sherlock's pompous brother would be ringing him at work.

"I am sorry for troubling you at work," the older man offers with practiced politeness, but no real meaning. "However, I was wondering if you where available for lunch this afternoon."

"Um…" John pauses, trying to come up with any reason he could say no before coming up blank. "Right…Fine, yes… Probably didn't have a choice anyway."

"Don't be ridiculous John, of course you have a choice," he offers.

"That's a family trait, I see..." he grouses, getting enough condensation from Sherlock to warrant if from his brother at all.

"Hardly," Mycroft assures him, "I'll send the car shall I…" He states rather then asks, ending the call before John even had a chance to reply.

The increasingly familiar car pulls round when John leaves the clinic, the man cursing its sight and looking about as he slides into the leather interior. It's a short ride to a little sandwich shop, a bit off the beaten path, the eldest Holmes waiting regally in front. The area seemed strangely empty and John figured it was probably some sort of precaution perpetrated by the man he was to lunch with. With a deep breath the doctor exits the vehicle, already filing this as a bad idea.

"Good to see you again John," Mycroft greets politely.

"Hullo," He replies tentatively, following the older man into the café.

Once they're seated with their food, Mycroft dives right in to the business. "I'd like to make an arrangement of sorts with you."

"I told you before, I can't be bribed," he states sternly his jaw clenched with resolve.

"No no," he smirks, "It would be foolish to make that mistake twice."

"Right," John nods stiffly.

"What I propose, is a friendly exchange."

"A friendly exchange?" he repeats.

"Yes…we meet, much like we are now, and we talk," Mycroft shrugs.

"About Sherlock," the doctor supplies stoically.

"What has he told you about his… little problem?" He implies. "Not much I imagine."

John lets the words sink in until realization dawns on him, "Um…" he clears his throat, "No, not much," he nods thoughtfully. "There was the drugs bust when I first met him, couldn't believe Lestrade at first." He chuckles sardonically, "That's about it," he sighs honestly at that realization, "I was shocked, of course…"

"We all where," the elder man nods solemnly, "As intelligent as he is...well, that's not really my place…" He straightens switching tracks, "The cocaine started off as an experiment, as most of his endeavors, a 7% solution he developed for whatever reason… it was staying that way however."

"Addiction can be rough," John offers wisely, realizing how similar they were when it came to their siblings.

"Indeed," he nods absently, "You know just as well as I that the problem never really goes away and I want to know I can count on you John."

"This feels like an interview," he jokes to clear the tension, "Should have brought my CV…" he mumbles, starring down at the table thoughtfully. "If I agree," he starts, "And I'm not saying I am," he gives the other man a stern look, "If I agree to ease your concern, I want it to be clear that your involvement has nothing to do with it."

"Of course," Mycroft nods tightly.

"This is for my friend… Sherlock's well being," John informs him with resolution, "If for any moment, you make me question your sincerity it's off." He shrugs, "Nothing you can do to me would change that."

The older man is taken aback by the ex-army doctor, though he skillfully doesn't show it. "I think I understand Dr. Watson," he states, though actually admitting that he once again underestimated this man without actually saying that.

"Right… well, that seems to be another family trait," He shifts, acknowledging the meaning behind the other man's words as they're silent for a beat. "Also can you just call again, on my phone, when you wanta meet, yeah?" He asks lightly, "Sherlock doesn't follow me everywhere."

Mycroft merely smirks a bit pompously, "I assure you the secrecy hardly for his benefit."

After the lunch meeting, John obviously agreeing though he the choice was hardly a hard fought one. The men return to their respective jobs on amiable terms, John reading up on the effects of cocaine and such to make sure he was up to date. Mycroft's phone buzzed as soon as he stepped into his office.

NewMSG:

How dare you,

It wasn't your place

To tell him.

-SH

MSG: Sherlock

Would you

Have actually

Told him?

-MH

NewMSG:

.

-SH


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