A/N: Sonseeahray: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it :)
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(Later, 221b Baker Street)
(Sherlock's P.O.V.)
"Let me know when you figured it out….Let me know when you figured it out….." I repeated out loud. "Let me know when you figured it out….." I huffed irritated. "Figure out WHAT?!"
"Something on your mind, then?" I heard a voice asked.
I looked toward the kitchen to see John was setting the kettle on the stove. Making his evening tea.
"When did you get back?" I asked.
"Honestly? A couple hours ago." John said. "I did say hi, but you were busy muttering 'let me know when you figured it out' with that look on your face so I left you be."
"Look? What look?" I asked confused.
"You know," He began. "That look you get when you're trying to figure something out so you block the rest of the world out."
"I don't have a look." I said defensively.
"Oh, you have a look." John said assuring me. "In fact, you have many meaning different things. Don't worry, the rest of us idiot feeling humans have them too."
I glared at him.
"Mind telling me why you kept muttering 'let me know when you figured it out'?" He asked, as he walked over to the refrigerator to get the milk.
"Mycroft." I answered bitterly. "There's something obvious that I'm missing in regards to him. He let me know that happily today."
"And he told you to let him know when you figured it out." John concluded, walking back over to the stove slowly.
"Irritatingly so." I seethed. "Apparently it's so obvious, it's staring at me right in the face…..And Mycroft's having a good laugh in his butterball stomach."
John stared at me for a moment, clearly deciding whether or not to say something to that comment.
Deciding not to, he asked:
"Do you have any idea what it could be?"
"No." I said. "And that's what frustrating me the most. I don't even know where the starting point would be." I sighed. "How was your walk with Emily?"
"How did you-" John began looking at me confused. "….Right. Well, it was nice."
"I told you she prefers you as a friend." I reminded him.
John sat the milk down a little too hard and pursed his lips.
"I didn't ask her out, Sherlock." He said.
"But you did ask her if she would like something to eat, which is normally what you do when you planned on asking a woman out." I said. "After you eat you ask if she would like to catch a movie or have dinner sometime. It's your usual tactic."
"You know that but you can't figure out what's so obvious about your brother?" John asked irritatingly.
"You're not my brother." I said.
The kettle blew its whistle.
John sighed and took it off the burner.
"I'll try not to think you meant that as an insult." He said, pouring the hot water into two mugs.
"I certainly hope not." I said. "Mycroft is insufferably irritable. Whoever his friend is must have a high tolerance for people who are-"
"Like you?" John asked.
I stared at him as he poured milk into his mug.
"I'm nothing like Mycroft." I said. "Don't insult me like that John."
John rolled his eyes as he picked up the two mugs and walked toward me.
"That's not what I meant, Sherlock." He said, handing me my mug.
"Then what do you mean?" I asked confused.
"I mean," John began, sitting down in his chair. "Someone who can do what you do, deducing…It must be difficult for them to do anything when their friend and flat mate keeps deducing them and figuring out their next move….Especially when it comes to Chess."
I rolled my eyes.
"When are you going to let that go?" I asked. "It happened once."
John glared at me.
I sighed.
"Honestly, though, I feel sorry for anyone who is Mycroft's friend." He said. "He's not exactly easy to be around."
Suddenly, I realized what it was that was obvious.
"John," I said, as he took a drink of his tea. "I know what it is."
"About Mycroft?" John asked.
"Yes, Mycroft. Who else?" I said a bit annoyed he wasn't keeping up. "It's his friend. I met her. That's what he was hinting at."
"You met his friend?" He asked surprised. "When?"
"That's the thing." I said sitting on the edge of my chair and setting the mug down on the stand beside it. "I don't know who she is yet, but I know I met her and that's what Mycroft was hinting at when he told me to let him know when I figured it out." I smiled a little. "Five years, John. Five years I've been trying to deduce and figure out who he was so fond of, who he trust and respected so much, who became his friend and employee and I met her somehow without realizing it. It's in my grasp John! I just need to search my Mind Palace and gather potential victims."
"Don't you mean suspects?" John asked.
"No." I said shaking my head a little.
John stared at me blinking a little.
"His friend is a she?" He asked after a moment or two of silence.
"Yes." I said. "I'm surprised by that too."
"Are you sure it's not Anthea?" John asked.
"…Yes, John. I'm sure it's not Anthea." I said staring at him. "She started working for him two years ago. Doesn't fit the timeline. Plus, he wasn't bothered in the least when I met her."
"Then who else is he friends with that's a woman?" He asked confused.
"That's what I need to find out." I said.
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(Emily's P.O.V.)
I was on a roof top across from Irene Adler's flat.
Since I left John, I've been on the roof keeping an eye on her.
She has done nothing but look at herself in the mirror, read, and eat.
It was boring. And I planned on killing Mycroft after.
Suddenly, Irene picked up her mobile, which was lying on the table where she was currently sitting at admiring herself in the mirror again, dialed a number and put it to her ear.
Suddenly, my mobile began to ring.
Keeping my eyes on her, I took my mobile out and answered it and put it to my ear without saying a word.
"Hello Agent Grant." I heard a voice say. "I'm about ready to have my evening tea. If you like, you can join me instead of watching me from across the street….I believe there's business we need to take care of."
Then there was a click. Indicating the person hung up.
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I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
Not even a second later, the door opened revealing a woman.
"Agent Grant." She said. "This way."
I followed the woman into the house and was lead to the room that I've been watching Irene in for the past couple hours.
As soon as I entered, I saw Irene Adler sitting in a chair, looking at me with a smile.
"Thank you, Kate." Irene said to the woman beside me. "That will be all."
Kate nodded and left.
"Agent Grant." Irene said. "Please, have a seat."
I studied her as I walked over to the chair that was across from her and sat down.
"I was told you would come." She said, smirking.
"By who?" I asked.
"Our mutual friend." Irene said. "Jim. Though, I believe you know him better as Moriarty."
I stayed silent, as a different woman came into the room and sat down a tray with two cups and a kettle on the coffee table in between us, before leaving.
"Tell me," Irene began, looking curious. "Is it true what he said? Is the Head of the British Government truly the Iceman?"
I stayed silent.
"Or have you seen a side of him no one has before?" She asked. "Since rumor has it, you're his loyal guard dog."
When I didn't say anything, Irene continued:
"How did that come about anyway? I was told he worked alone. Since he didn't play well with others…What makes you so special?"
"I'm not special." I said. "I'm just another employee."
"I doubt that." She said. "You must have something in order to work that close to him. Word has it, you're the only one."
"And since when have rumors been true?" I countered.
A smile came to Irene's face.
"I like you." Irene said. "Now, what can I do for you?"
"You can tell me what you're doing with Moriarty." I said, as she picked up the kettle and began to pour the water in the cups.
"That's simple." She said. "It has to do with my profession." She glanced up at me. "Do you know what that is?"
"I know exactly what your profession is." I said.
Whenever I take a mission or case, I always make sure to read and do my research about everyone and everything involved.
This one was no exception.
"Then you must know that people are very….discrete when meeting someone like me." Irene said, setting the kettle down. "They don't want the word getting out that they've been with someone like me, or having the world know what their fetishes are." She studied me as she carefully put sugar in her cup. "I bet you have some interesting ones."
"What ties your profession to Moriarty?" I asked.
"Nothing." She said. "At least….I didn't do anything to him. He wanted me to put my skills into good use elsewhere."
"Like?" I asked as she sipped her tea.
"Are you sure you want to know?" Irene asked. "It may shock you."
"I work for the Iceman." I reminded her. "Nothing shocks me." I then leaned forward a little. "And I think we both know I'm not leaving here until I get what I came here for."
Irene looked at me with renewed interest.
Honestly, I was kind of glad that Mycroft had the reputation as the Iceman. People believed he did all these nasty things and did whatever they could to stay on his good side.
And since I happen to have the reputation as his loyal guard dog, everyone who knew of the Iceman, knew of me, and believed I was there every time he did something cold hearted. They also made sure not to mess with me. Due to the fact they were afraid of him.
And I could see that Irene Adler believed the same thing.
"Lucky for you, I made copies." She said, setting her cup down. "Only one for you to give to the Iceman with the assurance of him knowing I have the other, and won't go public if he meets my demands." She took out a folder from behind the pillow she had behind her. "I took the liberty of putting what I wanted inside along with my number."
She held the folder out to me and I took it.
"Go ahead." Irene encouraged. "Look at it."
I studied her for a moment, before opening the folder.
I saw her list of demands, along with photos of someone of very high importance in them.
I closed the folder and looked at her to see a smile on her face.
"You can also tell him I have other information as well." She said. "Things that can easily put England to the ground and start World War three. And if he doesn't meet my demands, not only will those photos be released, but so would this Intel."
She picked up her tea and began to drink it again.
"I wouldn't flatter yourself too much." I said. "There is a reason why he's the Iceman…..I don't think I have to tell you that." I stood up. "With that said, I'm sure this won't be the last time I'll be seeing you, Miss Adler…..Have a good night."
I began to walk away when I heard her say:
"I still don't understand."
I stopped.
"Loyal, yes. Very loyal." I heard Irene say. "Guard dog, obviously. But why he chose you over everyone else who may have been more qualified and experienced…."
I turned around.
"You want to know why I'm his loyal guard dog." I said.
"Yes." Irene said. So much curiosity soaking in that one word.
I smiled a little.
"Are you sure you want to know?" I asked. "It may shock you."
I could tell her curiosity grew. But I ignored it and left.
