Saturday

7:30am

I apologize, I didn't mean to upset you. MH

10:46am

I trust you with my life, John. I want to be able to trust you with my work too. MH

11:01am

I didn't mean for my previous message to come across in that way. I do trust you with my work, I just need to make it official. MH

3:19pm

I don't know what else I can say. MH

6:22pm

Call me, please. MH

John scrolled through the text messages he'd received throughout the day from Mycroft with a sigh. He'd hadn't replied to any of them and still had about a dozen missed calls and voicemails to wade through.

It was difficult to stay angry at either of the Holmes brothers as most of the time they had no idea what they'd done wrong. This time, John had explained his feelings to Mycroft and the man had responded with very little interest in his feelings. John didn't want Mycroft to leave the country without them at least being on talking terms. He knew how dangerous the government official's job could be and he wanted Mycroft to understand his views properly before they were parted.

7:31pm

Russell Square. 9pm. Come alone. JW

John knew that his text message would get Mycroft's attention and he hoped that the man would make the time to come and meet with him. He also knew that the Russell Square gardens closed at dusk so if Mycroft pulled some strings, they'd be alone and free to talk.

John wasn't waiting beside the main gates for long before Mycroft arrived. A black car pulled up at the curb and Mycroft gracefully climbed out, his umbrella clutched tightly in one hand.

"Good evening." Mycroft greeted with a polite smile. He looked pale and exhausted, clearly working too much with too little sleep.

"I was hoping you might have a key. I'd like to talk somewhere private." John admitted, glancing at the locked gates.

"You're in luck." Mycroft replied, pulling a key from his coat pocket. He unlocked the gates and held them open for John before he locked them from the inside.

"Are we alone?" John asked, "No cameras or microphones?"

Mycroft frowned a little, "Why would you think that I would have a microphone on me?" he asked.

"I'm not stupid, Mycroft. Don't play that game with me." John huffed, "I know how extensive your surveillance is. So, answer me honestly, are we alone?"

"Yes, we are alone. I have had all cameras in the area switched off for the duration of our meeting." Mycroft replied with a nod, leading the way towards the fountain.

"And you've not got any bodyguards hiding in the bushes?" John asked.

"No." Mycroft replied, shaking his head, "John, you are beginning to alarm me. Do you intend to harm me?"

John rolled his eyes, "Sit down, Mycroft." he said as they reached a bench.

Mycroft studied John in the darkness before he sat down on the bench, leaning his umbrella beside him.

John sat down beside Mycroft and reached out, gently taking the man's hand.

"I have one question and I need you to answer it honestly." John said quietly, "We're completely alone, no one is listening in. I need you to prove that you trust me. Where are you travelling to tomorrow?"

Mycroft sighed, "John, please understand, I am bound by a secrecy act." he said, "I want to tell you, of course I do, but I have pledged to Her Majesty that I will not reveal state secrets to anyone who has not also signed a secrecy act."

"I will sign your contract, if you tell me where you're going. I'm not trying to trick you, I'm not trying to get you fired, I just want you to trust me. Where will you be travelling to and how long will you be away?"

"That's two questions." Mycroft murmured.

"Yes. I'm going to keep adding questions for you to answer if you continue to dodge me." John replied, squeezing Mycroft's hand, "Where will you be travelling to, how long will you be away and what will you be doing on the trip?"