Wow, double figures – never thought I'd get this far! Wrote this on my phone a while ago but have only just been able to type it up now. This was going to be chapter 9, but I altered that. So here comes one of my favourite Sherlock characters!

Mycroft shifted in the seat and reached for the folder next to him. He skim read the sheets inside, committing any important information to memory, before closing the file and replacing it in its original position. House calls were not Mycroft's division; he preferred kidnappings, but this time he deemed it unwise if he wanted his men to remain uninjured.

The car paused in the driveway as the security camera on the gate relayed the images to Kate at her desk, and, after a moment, the gates were opened. When the car stopped outside the house, Mycroft was met at the door by Kate and conducted to the conservatory, where he was provided with tea and biscuits while he waited. Kate left, briefly explaining that Miss Adler would be down shortly.

...

Irene smiled as she felt Martin move slightly, signalling he was awake. "Morning my Captain." Irene had taken to calling Martin this, and Martin rather liked it, though not for the usual reasons he liked his position to be recognised.

"Morning love." Irene smiled at the endearment – she'd never been called 'love' before by anyone, and she liked that Martin had started calling her by it.

Irene's phone rang and she reached over to pick it up. "Yes Kate?"

"Mycroft Holmes is in the conservatory."

"Oh how lovely (!) Won't be long." Irene hung up and Martin asked what the matter was. "Just an old acquaintance paying an unexpected visit. Let's have a shower." Martin smiled and followed Irene into the en suite.

...

Mycroft had to wait exactly 14 minutes before Irene appeared. She entered, wearing a tight-fitting white dress, and followed by the man Mycroft knew to be Captain Martin Crieff. He would have been surprised at the similarity to his dead brother if he hadn't already seen a picture. Irene sat down and so did Martin, Irene pouring them both tea before beginning to speak.

"Mycroft, as you already know, this is Captain Martin Crieff. Martin, as you didn't already know, this is Mycroft Holmes, the British government." Martin looked rather shocked at the last statement, but said nothing, so Mycroft spoke instead.

"Your Captain Miss Adler?"

"Well wouldn't you call Gregory Lestrade your Inspector?"

"Touché." Irene smirked and sipped her tea. "I came to see if you were behaving yourself for once; if all these meddling were distracting you."

"And you paid me a personal visit? I'm touched. But I think you already know the answer to your own question Mr Holmes – I love to misbehave, so why would I stop? I still dabble with danger, but not the likes of Moriarty or your brother, or even you. I stand on my own two feet, apart from consulting criminals, detectives and governments, the way I used to. And I rather like it that way."

Mycroft sighed. "So you still have your security?"

"Of course, though nothing that put the lives of other people at stake. I know where to draw the line now that I've stepped back into the shadows; I'm not a fool..."

"No, that's one thing you're not. Though..." Mycroft's eyes wandered to Martin a moment and lingered there. Martin met his gaze, his eyes dropping as he understood what was being implied. Irene glanced up from looking at her tea.

"If you have something to say Mycroft, then just say it."

"This life, these people, can't interest you for long, which is why I'm keeping an eye on you..."

"You'd keep an eye on me anyway" Irene interjected.

"There's no Moriarty to ally with, no Sherlock to play with or to save you..."

Irene interrupted. "What makes you think I need Sherlock in my life? He is dead, and I am not, and there's an end to it."

"You're living with a failed pilot who resembles my dead brother. Believe what you will Miss Adler, but the facts suggest otherwise." Irene pressed a buzzer on the table, which Martin guessed summoned Kate, before standing. Irene stood in front of Mycroft, who also stood, and although Irene was much shorter, it was clear who held the power in this situation.

"My life and my Captain are neither your business, nor your concern." Kate entered as Irene continued. "Kate will show you to the door."

They held eye contact before Mycroft picked up his umbrella, nodding towards them, "Miss Adler, Captain Crieff", and left.

Irene finished her tea and went to stand outside on the patio. Martin placed his teacup down and glanced away, a tear rolling down his cheek as he thought of Mycroft's words and how true they were. After a moment spent collecting her thoughts, Irene returned and Martin stood up abruptly, brushing the tear from his face.

"I've g-g-got a urm a delivery job now. Bye."

"You do know your stutter is gorgeous?" Martin didn't respond; he just went out the door. "Martin?" Again he didn't respond. "Captain, my Captain?" Martin turned round, and when Irene saw the tears that streaked his face, she frowned. "Martin, what is it?" Martin began to sob.

"He was r-r-right" sniff "I am a-a-a failed" sniff "pilot and a-a-an idiot" sniff "and you'll leave me" sniff "cos I'm boring and r-r-rubbish."

Irene paused, completely unsure what to do in a situation like this. She decided that she may as well go with the truth, so she pulled Martin into a hug before saying, "If I intended to leave I would have left ages ago – you're interesting and I like that you care for me...I think I care for you too." Martin smiled through his tears and wonkily kissed Irene, who added "and you're not a failed pilot".

Martin smiled and sniffed "I do need to deliver a wardrobe though."

"I'll come with you. Kate, we're going out." Irene grabbed her keys and shut the door behind them.

Wow they get longer every time! And yes I'm a Mystrade fan =p Well, a fan of Gregory Lestrade and Mycroft Holmes, so it makes sense to pair them.

(!) is a sarc-mark, for those who don't know.