Chapter 35

Consequences Jim

Jim walks through the corridors leading to Mycroft's office following Greg. He pauses every couple of seconds to let the detective inspector get a decent distance ahead. 'Keep up Jim.' Greg says not even looking back. Jim growls and picks up his pace to position himself just behind Greg's left shoulder.

'How did you know I was dropping behind?' Jim is honestly curious.

'You, secrets and government. I don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to know it's not a very good idea to put all three together. Even Anderson would know that.'

'Yet I'm here.'

'By reluctant permission only.' Greg retorts. They stop outside the outer door of Mycroft's office. Greg knocks and waits.

'Would have thought you could have walked straight in.'

'I can, to the anteroom. But again, you're here.' Jim sneers.

'Oh, no fun.'

'It's not supposed to be.' Anthea says next to the open door. Neither of the men had noticed her approach or move the heavy oak door.

'Anthea.'

'Greg. He's in a meeting. He'll be a couple of minutes.'

'That'll be okay.'

'But it's rude.'

'He's a member of the government, deal with it.' Greg snaps.

Greg and Jim wait in Anthea's office for nearly seventy minutes. As the minutes tick by Greg could see her get more and more impatient to get back to her work but leaving it in the drawers to keep all the information from Moriarty. Finally Mycroft finishes his meeting and escorts the other government officials to the door of his office and nods to Greg behind the aforementioned officials and glowers at Jim. Jim, uncharacteristically, stays silent and watches as the unimportant men (in his mind) take their leave. Mycroft, Jim, Anthea and Greg watch the door close before Mycroft's pleasant expression drops, Jim grins, Anthea sighs and Greg grimaces as he glances at his watch. 'Took you long enough Mycroft.' Greg growls. 'I don't want to leave them there for much longer.'

'I apologize Gregory. Come into my office.' Mycroft leads Greg and Jim into the main part of the office and takes them to the corner with the armchairs. He sits with his back to the window, the same one he had sat in when he had found out about Sherlock and John's regression. Greg takes the one facing the desk forcing Jim to take the one facing the window and facing away from the desk.

'My, my I would say you are trying to hide things from me.'

'I wonder what gave you that idea?' Mycroft mutters sarcastically.

'Sarcasm doesn't suit Mr Iceman.'

'Have you seen him with the kids? Not so iceman.' Greg asks.

'Underestimation.'

'What do you want from me?' Jim decides to get down to business.

'One, the recipe, two, the reason for your help, three-'

'A promise that no criminal activity will be done by you or your people for the next three months.' Jim bursts out laughing.

'Do you really think that I will accept that Detective Inspector?'

'Yes.' Greg's simply reply quiets Jim so effectively, that Mycroft raises his eyebrow.

'Well, we could negotiate Inspector, but I can't promise.'

'And the recipe?'

'Not yet in my possession, but soon will be.'

'You didn't order the theft?' Mycroft asks slightly surprised.

'Nope. You managed to hide this one very well Mr Holmes. Would have if I had known.'

'Who was it?'

'The thief?' Jim shrugs. 'I don't know. Who gave the order? Althelney.' Jim sends a teasing glance to Greg.

'Why did they kidnap they boys?'

'Why do criminals act suddenly?'

'They want us to back off.'

'But their plan went awry. When they aged.'

'What were they given?'

'A sedative.'

'Yes, thank you Jim, we worked that one out.' Greg snaps pulling himself out of his chair and moving to the window.

'He really cares about them.'

'Of course he does. Why wouldn't he?'

'I am still here.'

'My apologies.' Jim smirks. 'James?' Jim raises his eyebrows. Mycroft sends a glance towards Greg.

'Sorry.' The consulting criminal mutters. Greg smiles grimly.

'The reason for your help.' Mycroft asks getting the subject away from Greg and his feelings. Jim laughs.

'I've already told you. Only I get to play with Sherlock.'

'Play with Sherlock.' Mycroft repeats carefully. Greg sniggers

'Oh hush not like that.'

'Like what, if you don't mind my asking.' Jim starts getting flustered. Mycroft bites back a quiet sniggers. Greg doesn't have such inhibitions. Jim grits his teeth and narrows his eyes attempting to belittle The British Government and one of the top Detective Inspectors. But he fails miserably. Instead he growls.

'He's trying to be a canine now Mycroft.'

'Yes, I believe so.'

'Shut up.' He snarls. Greg turns to face the room.

'Jim, each time you do that, you just play into our hands.' The consulting criminal visibly draws himself up and takes several deep breaths to calm himself.

'Where is the recipe Jim?' Greg asks suddenly.

'One of Althelney's people is bringing it over to mine. I'll let you know when I have it.'

'You will bring it straight to me or Mycroft without copying it.'

'Especially since we don't know all potential side effects.'

'Mycroft.' Greg growls. 'We need to talk. But later.'

'Of course.'

'To clear up then.'

'You will give us the recipe as soon as you get your hands on it. You will give your people a three month break.'

'One month.'

'Five months.' Greg counters.

'Fine, three.'

'To confirm; you will give us the recipe as soon as you get your hands on it. You will give your people a three month break and you will stay away from the children.' Jim opens his mouth to contradict the final terms but one of the phones on Mycroft's desk begins to ring and cuts him off. Mycroft nods at Greg to answer it. 'That's the phone to Anthea's desk.'

'Mr Holmes' office.' Greg's serious expression morphs into a broad smile. 'Okay, understood… Why and spoil their fun, would I do such a thing.' Greg replaces the receiver and scoots back across the room to the window. He looks out and ducks down crawling the width of the room to hide behind the armchairs.

'What are you doing?'

'Its called playing Jim.' Greg glances at his watch. 'Either of you give me away and I will kill you.'