Beta Reader: pussycatadamah
Disclaimer: I do not own Sherlock and I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from the tv series and the books respectively. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 43 - It's All In The Cut
He had not meant to look, he really had not, but his ears picked up the gossip first and then his eyes followed. His wizard assistant's pet project, the newly renamed Anthea, and Ms Cowel were returning from their joined lunch with other office workers and Mycroft just happened to stand by the lifts, waiting for the elevator to arrive when he heard the not so subtle whispering those two plus Madeleine from the front desk and Joan the PM liaison were engaging in.
"…and those tight fitting pants…"
Mycroft's ears picked up the words but he did not pay them any mind until…
"I'd love to be his tailor!"
Followed by giggles.
Now, there were only two people in the entire floor that wore tailor made suits. One was Mycroft himself and he doubted the ladies were discussing his… assets, and the other was none other than his green eyed assistant. Now, he was usually above overhearing conversations without strategic value and participating in gossiping but he could not help but strain his ears to listen more.
"And did you see him when he bent over the other day?" Ms Cowel was asking. There was giggling, mostly from Madeleine and Joan.
"He is in a very good shape," Anthea agreed and Mycroft nearly found himself nodding. He knew what the ladies were talking about. The green eyed man was quick to help whenever he was needed, not turning up his nose whenever some subordinate needed help with a security matter, or even with a technical issue. A few times the man had shed his jacket, rolled up his sleeves and helped carry files for, or a piece of sensitive equipment (the IT department still gushed about how the man helped with the trolley that carried the equipment that jammed bugs). The wizard in his slacks and vest looked quite distinguished and apparently the ladies had noticed.
"I'd love to pinch him and cop a feel," Joan admitted. "Have you? I heard from Mark down the hall that you two spar," she mentioned to Anthea.
"I've never groped a sparring partner," the woman replied, "Nor am I going to do so now, no matter how tempting the target."
The 'ping' of the elevator made Mycroft blink and focus on the doors opening in front of him. Not wanting to get caught eavesdropping, he stepped inside, wondering if all their conversations focused on his assistant and his assets. If so, at least he did not have to wonder about the leaking sensitive information. Still, their chosen topic was stuck in Mycroft's brain for a while after that day.
