Our souls collided before we met

Part 2

Chapter 3

A grand affair

This was the most fun Mycroft had, in a very long time; his time with Greg was calming him, relaxing him, like only his work and the museum could. A fact that both scared and excited him at the same time.

They spend an entire hour walking through the exhibition, Mycroft explaining in much more detail about the history and artefacts. When they got to the bench in front of Sobek again, Greg led Mycroft to the bench to sit down.

"What about our friend over here." Mycroft was thankful for the chance to sit again.

"Our friend?" Mycroft asked and Greg pointed to crocodile.

"Oh yes…Sobek…well beside from the little I told you yesterday, Sobek was found at Kom Ombo, a temple and cemetery site about 50km north of Aswan in Egypt."

"How old is he?" Greg asked.

"Our calculations place him between 650 and 550 BC."

Greg let out a low whistle.

"That's old…" Mycroft nodded.

"Quite, what is even more astonishing is that more than 300 mummified crocodiles have been discovered at Kom Ombo."

"Isn't that a bit weird?"

"Well, the temple was dedicated to both the falcon god Horus and Sobek, Sobek personified the strength, power and potency of the pharaoh." Greg got a devilish grin and winked.

"So the fact that the croc is so huge and loaded with kiddies says it all…."

Mycroft snorted at the innuendo.

"I would say so."

They sat in a comfortable silence when Mycroft took a deep breath.

"I pretty much told you everything about my exhibition; however, if you were to come to the grand opening it would be a completely different experience."

"Are you inviting me to your exhibition?" Greg asked his eyes suddenly serious.

"Yes." Mycroft replied. He wasn't planning on it, but his brain seemed to have a life of its own. It was only after he realised that yes, he would like him here that he knew he meant it.

Greg nodded and smiled as he spoke.

"I appreciate it, I really do, but I have to be here anyway, I managed to be on duty here the first week." Mycroft looked away, a little embarrassed and Greg leaned forward, his hand on Mycroft's wrist.

"Can I use your offer for another day, another date?" Mycroft stared into his eyes, and saw the genuine interest, the idea that he would very much go out with him. His heart skipped a beat right before it melted, he was sure of it.

"Yes…yes…of course, we could for sure." He stammered a slight blush on his cheek. He hoped Greg didn't notice but when he looked at him, he realised he did, and Greg smiled comforting.

"Good, that's great, now I do believe we have moved on to our second part of the date."

"What?" Mycroft asked. He has never been confounded by a man like this before. In response Greg stood up.

"Lunch, I'm starving, shall we find something to eat, and I saw a cafeteria here somewhere…"

"There's a restaurant too." Mycroft blurted out.

"Cool, anywhere you'd like is fine with me, is the food good?" Greg asked and waited for Mycroft to stand up.

"Yes, it caters for everyone, I don't usually have lunch here…but if you would rather go somewhere else…?" Greg waved it off.

"As long as it is edible I'm good, I'm a simple man with simple needs." Mycroft realised there was a probability he was falling for this man as they walked to the restaurant. Who knows, they might even go on a date after the grand opening…he wonders how Greg would look all dressed up…

Mycroft checked and rechecked his outfit in the mirror before he went to the museum, he still arrived half an hour earlier, to oversee the last minute details. The press was there and so far everything looked great. He personally made sure he was wearing his best tuxedo for the occasion, he had to impress the press, and of course, a fire-fighter…

He entered the Great Hall five minutes before opening and nearly tripped over his cane. Greg was there, and he was dressed up in his uniform, he looked….well…spectacular. He must have stared a bit too long as Greg turned to him, giving that one smile that would turned his sides to jelly. Mycroft gave him a slight wave in greeting and Greg returned it with a nod and wink. He made no move to go talk to him, as he was not allowed to leave his post. Mycroft spend the next two hours greeting all the important guests and talking to the press, explaining some details about the exhibition, the fire department's presence, the measures that are in place, the security, and the mummies. There were some Royal family members, Hollywood actors and actresses, historians and all of that.

Just like with Greg, Sobek was the highlight of the evening. Mycroft was aware that there was a pair of brown eyes following him wherever he went, a gaze that managed to calm him as he spoke to the guests and people. It was getting late when Mycroft made sure he was passing close to Greg's position. Greg was staring ahead, pretending to unaware of Mycroft's presence until he was close. Mycroft smiled, he knew Greg knew exactly where he was.

"Good evening Greg." Greg turned to him, his eyes on Mycroft before he looks up and down.

"A very good evening to you to."

Mycroft blushed and looked away; turning so he was facing the wall behind him, his face focused on Greg, who smirked.

"Tonight has been a huge success." Greg commented, trying to change the subject.

"Yes, and quite exhausting as well." Mycroft replied, glad for the new subject.

"I believe you, although it looks like everything is turning out well, I saw you walking around, talking to everyone, you were a hit…I was wondering about your leg though how are you coping with being on your feet the whole night?"

Mycroft looked down at the cane.

"I am coping quite well; it is a bit sore, but not so much as the other day."

"That's good." Mycroft turned back to face the crowd.

"I was wondering, what time does your shift end, will you be here till the end?"

Greg nodded.

"Yes, I'll be one of the last to leave, have to wait for everyone to be out and the lights off, so to speak. You?"

"Oh yes. As you say, one of the last to leave...the exhibition close at 8 I was wondering would you like to have a late dinner?" Mycroft asked looking away before turning back to Greg.

"Sure. But I need to go back to the station to change; can we meet at nine-esh, if it is not too late for you?" Greg answered, looking very eager to have dinner with Mycroft…or to change the uniform…Mycroft is going with dinner…

"That would be acceptable; shall we meet outside the station?"

"Awesome, it is the one in Soho, so it is quite close. I can't wait." Mycroft smiled in return but before he could reply he heard his name called from a small distance away, he turned to them then back at Greg.

"I have to go…I'll meet you later."

"Till later." Greg answered as Mycroft walked away.

Mycroft counted the minutes until the exhibition was over; he wanted to get out of here, so he and Greg could have dinner. When the last person left, he watched as Greg went back to the station with his colleagues, he saw that Greg was keeping an eye on his watch as well.

He couldn't wait for the dinner; he couldn't wait to be in Greg's company again.

If you are interested in Sobek the crocodile god and his temple in Kom Ombo - Aswan -Egypt and the egytptian collection at BritishMuseum" in it you can find studies and photos on web (wiki - or British Museum's website)