A HUGE thank you to: bored411, ErikaconlaK, nofilter, MageVicky, the-goblet-of-deduction and Guest 2.0 for your reviews on the last chapter. This chapter, though it may not be the most exciting, is dedicated to you.

Please do let me know how I'm getting on with this.

Stay Safe. Take Care.

The thing about Roid, was that he could get furious, and when he was furious he was loud. It was evidently not a good day for him as Emily could hear his shouted tirade even with her door closed. He must be really angry to have raised his voice that much.

But instead of calming down, or fading away as he carried on down the corridor, it was getting closer. She had an awful feeling he was on his way towards her office.

She kept her head forwards, though watched the door handle from the corner of her eye. Sure enough, his irate voice stopped outside and as soon as the handle began to turn Emily began furiously typing, hoping she wasn't making it too obvious.

"Emily - "

"Mr Roid, it's rude not to knock you know." She kept her tone calm and casual, the complete opposite to how she felt on the inside. She didn't glance away from her screen as she discreetly pressed a finger on the backspace button on her keyboard to rid her page of the mess of letters she had managed to type in her haste to look busy.

"Never mind that now." Her eyes widened as she spun to face him. Not that she would ever consider getting changed in here, but what if she had been half undressed? "These two here," he indicated with his head to the two men behind him that she hadn't noticed before, "Say they need you to go with them immediately."

"Ok?" She asked, wondering exactly what was happening and who the two men were.

"Miss Cooper." One of them stepped forward into her doorway. She noticed briefly just how smart he looked and guessed the other one would look much the same. "We'd like for you to come with us." She smiled at him for saying it himself as if Roid had not just informed her of this.

"Where am I going?" She begun to save her work with one hand and organise the papers she had strewn on her desk with the other.

"Well - "

"I hardly think that's important!" Roid all but spat.

"I think it's very important if I'm to go with these men."

"These men could be kidnappers Emily. They could be taking you anywhere. Which is only the tip of the iceberg young lady. It's bad enough those irritating flatmates of yours distract you when they pop by for a visit. Even worse when they decide to take you with them when they leave the building. But at least I know the two of them. These two could be anyone, could be taking you anywhere and by the looks of it you're willing to go with them. Now I really must insist that you stay and continue with your work!" He took a deep breath as he came to the end of his speech before breathing it out again through his nose. An image came to her mind of a cartoon Bull as it snorted angrily, two puffs of air coming from its nostrils.

She didn't know whether to be touched or disgusted that he was so seemingly worried for her safety. Her mind was made up when he finished his speech by looking at her chest.

"Sir," The second man stepped forward now, looking eager to get out of the building and away from her boss. "Miss Cooper will be coming with us, with or without your permission. I'm afraid we can't disclose where we're taking her, but it is a matter to do with the British Government. Mycroft Holmes has requested her presence." Her face lit up at the mention of the elder Holmes brother. The man turned to her, not giving Roid a chance to reply, though his face was so full of rage Emily doubted he'd be able to string together any words. "Miss Cooper. If you would be so kind as to grab your things and follow us to the car."

She nodded mutely and continued to arrange her things ready for when she came back whilst inconspicuously flicking her gaze between the three men seemingly having a silent standoff in her tiny office. She heard a few mumbles from the corridor and wondered just how many people had stopped to gawp.

"I'm ready." She felt like a child as she whispered the two words. Clearing her throat she tried again. "I'm ready." Better.

"Emily - " Roid tried one last time, though she could see in his eyes he had already given up despite his face still red with rage.

"Sir, I'll be back later." She felt odd at her attempt to comfort him. Let's never do that again, she thought to herself. Might encourage him.

Roid cast his gaze down at the floor and Emily pondered if this was how her boss looked when he was sulking: Like a toddler that had finally got the message they weren't allowed a cookie. She briefly imagined him turning on the water works and stomping his feet.

"Miss Cooper," The first man spoke again. "This way please." He held an arm out in the direction of the exit as if she needed guiding from her own workplace. While she was used to exiting the building, the thought of what could possibly be going on distracted her from where she was going, making her grateful they were escorting her.

The first man held the car door open for her and she shuffled herself over to the middle seat when she realised she would be by herself in the back.

She managed to wait until St Bart's was out of sight (wouldn't want any staff that may have been watching as she relaxed reporting back to her boss) before she started gushing her excitement. "Oh my god!" She stared at the two men in the front seats, letting a smile take over instead of keeping her mouth wide open in awe. "That was so cool!" She was unsure if the two men were even allowed to talk to her now that they had managed to get her where they needed her. But she noticed them share a hint of a smile. "How would you feel if I were to ask you to come back and do that more often?"

"We were warned your boss might be awkward but we didn't realise he would be that bad."

"And you were only in his presence for a few minutes, imagine spending more than that with him."

A silence fell. She tapped her fingers against the leather seats trying not to explode from all the questions she had.

Apparently the pair noticed, they shared another look and the one in the passenger seat took this as his cue. "You have questions I'm sure Miss Cooper."

She took this as a sign that she could ask them. "Where are we going? Are you really from the government? You look far too posh. Did Mycroft really send you? Were you actually allowed to say any of that?" Though the journey was short, they both answered all her questions, save for where they were taking her. It was only as the second one, the one in the passenger seat, helped her from the car that she realised where she actually was. The smile died from her face at the sight before her. "Are you sure you have the right Emily Cooper?"

She was taken through a grand hallway that seemed as if it could fit the whole of Baker Street in and was so busy looking around in awe that she missed the sight of Mycroft at the end of the corridor waiting for her. She only stopped when she walked into the man escorting her. "Sorry." She mumbled to him, rubbing her nose.

"Quite alright Miss Cooper." He stepped to the side so she would be in view of the elder Holmes brother. "Miss Emily Cooper for you Sir." Though she felt the introduction unnecessary, it did make her feel slightly important. Should it haven been the other way round? She wasn't sure, but she was going to accept it all the same.

"Thank you. How long till the others arrive?"

"About twenty minutes for Mr Sherlock Holmes and just under thirty for the Doctor Sir." So at least she was going to be able to share being here with John, who no doubt would be just as in shock as her. Sherlock more than likely wouldn't even bat an eyelid about where he was. Probably knew he was being bought here.

"Thank you."

"Sir." The man spun to walk the way he had come. "Miss Cooper." He broke his no nonsense attitude to send her a wink, smirking to himself when she blushed. Was he allowed to do that?

Mycroft raised an eyebrow to her, but said nothing about it. "Emily." He said instead and smiled at her when her attention landed on him. "It's wonderful to see you my Dear. Have you eaten this morning?"

How did he know her so well? More importantly, why was he acting so casual in Buckingham Palace?! "I had a bite." She replied.

"Of?" He turned and offered her his arm, she took it and allowed him to guide her to wherever it was he was taking her.

"John's toast." She gazed up at the ceiling to the chandeliers that hung from it, which seemed to be art themselves.

"Are you thirsty?" Thinking about it, yes she was, but she was a little ashamed to admit that she hadn't drunk anything of value that morning either. Her silence told him everything he needed to know. "I can have something made up for you if you would like?"

Instantly she was shaking her head. "Honestly, I'm not that hungry and I wouldn't want to be a bother to anyone."

"No bother at all my dear." He smiled again. "Perhaps some tea and biscuits?" She nodded mutely. "You are allowed to use your voice here Emily, Lord knows someone else will use his when he gets here."

She smiled up at him, knowing he was talking about his brother. "I guess I'm just taking it all in. Who'd have thought little me would ever get to set foot in here! Tea and biscuits would be lovely."

"Would you like a tour? While it must be brief, I believe we have some time." She nodded enthusiastically, to which he beamed back at her. Together, they strolled towards their destination, poking their heads through doorways so Emily could take a look into the rooms beyond while Mycroft told her what they were used for along with interesting facts. They paused at his favourite portraits and, arms still linked, ascended the fanciest staircase Emily had ever seen.

All too soon, they arrived in a room that, while wasn't as grand as the ones she had just been allowed to view, was still just as beautiful. She assumed this would be the place the others would arrive at soon and her assumption was correct as Mycroft turned to her. "Make yourself at home." He indicated to a sofa with his free arm. "I'll be back shortly. Don't tell Sherlock I'm here." Emily took a seat. "He more than likely already knows, but lets not give him reason to leave before I've had the chance to speak with him."

"Mycroft?" The man paused in leaving her by herself and raised a curious eyebrow at her, letting her know she could continue. "Will there be a gift shop when we leave?" She teased.

He rolled his eyes good naturedly and left her to herself. She leant back onto the cushion behind her, allowing herself to become comfier but abruptly sat up straight again when Sherlock - wrapped in a bed sheet - entered the room promptly followed by two men who, much like her escorts, were smartly dressed. While her two had been chatty and friendly, these two looked anything but. Though judging by the fed up look on her flatmates face she got the impression he hadn't made it easy on them.

Sherlock slumped silently into the seat next to her and they watched as one of the men placed a pile of Sherlock's clothes on the table before them. They sent Emily a nod of acknowledgement, to which she sent them small smiles, and gazed back at the clothes before her.

"So..." Emily began, desperately trying look anywhere but at her flatmate. She could feel his gaze burning into her and no doubt could see her cheeks turning flush. "Is this you not getting out of bed?"

He smirked to himself and sat up straight. "The case I was working on was only a six. I don't leave the flat for anything less than a seven. I can wear what I like at the flat." He explained, Emily nodding along.

"But this...you're not at the flat now." She stated, making the mistake of flicking her gaze to him and finding him still watching her closely.

"No." His voice had turned deep and she had to swallow hard.

"And you're still only wearing your sheet." She cursed herself when it came out quieter than she had wanted it to.

He moved his face closer so he could whisper in her ear. "Would you like me to take it off?" She never got the opportunity to answer however as a man appeared in the doorway, swiftly followed by the Doctor who paused at the sight of his flatmates.

Both Emily and Sherlock looked over at him. The Doctor held his hands out in question and both replied with a shrug. As he nodded resignedly, Emily patted the spot next to her on the sofa. He walked over slowly and smiled at the Blonde as he sat down.

Emily examined her fingernails hoping to calm down her heartbeat and not think about the man to her left. Though she could see John from the corner of her eyes peer around her at the Detective.

"Are you wearing any pants?" He finally questioned.

"No."

"Okay."

Emily began to chew the inside of her cheek to stop from laughing but gave in when she noticed her two friends sharing a look and releasing their own chuckles at the absurdity of it all.

"If I'd known it was going to be so casual I'd have stayed in my dressing gown." Emily muttered to herself, only serving to continue the boys mirth.

John lifted his hands to gesture the building they were sat in, "At Buckingham Palace, right." He attempted to get himself under control, but the fact that he could feel Emily's shoulders shaking next to him wasn't helping. "Oh, I'm seriously fighting an impulse to steal an ashtray." Sherlock chuckled again. "What are we doing here, Sherlock? Seriously, what?"

"I don't know." Emily didn't need to look round at him, she could hear the smile in his voice.

"Any ideas Em?"

"Not one." But she was certain they were about to find out, she could hear the sound of muffled footsteps approaching.

"Here to see the Queen?" Mycroft chose that moment to enter the room.

"Oh, apparently yes." Both John and Emily cracked up, Sherlock promptly joining in. Emily ducked her head down so she couldn't see the look of exasperation Mycroft no doubt wore.

"Just once, can you three behave like grown-ups?" He asked.

"We solve crimes, I blog about it, Emily still loves The Muppets and he forgets his pants, so I wouldn't hold out too much hope."

Sherlock looked up at his brother as he walked closer, all humour vanished from his tone and therefore his face. Emily felt it was safe to look up at the elder Holmes brother. "I was in the middle of a case, Mycroft."

"What, the hiker and the backfire? I glanced at the police report. Bit obvious, surely?"

"Transparent."

Emily leant on John to whisper to him, "What are they talking about?"

"Time to move on, then." Mycroft continued.

"I'll tell you later." John replied.

The three watched as Mycroft leant down to pick up the pile of clothes from the table and turned to offer them to Sherlock who merely gazed at them uninterestedly.

The elder brother watched as Sherlock went back to studying the side of Emily's face though he wasn't sure she noticed. She was still too busy trying not to glance at the sheet covered man beside her. He released a sigh that got Emily's attention and she focused back on what was happening. "We are in Buckingham Palace, the very heart of the British nation." His voice became stern, "Sherlock Holmes, put your trousers on."

"What for?" Sherlock shrugged.

"Your client."

Sherlock stood. "And my client is?"

"Illustrious..." They all turned to look at the newcomer that had entered the room. "...in the extreme." John stood up, holding onto Emily's arm to take her with him. "And remaining – I have to inform you – entirely anonymous." He looked across at Mycroft as Emily looked over her shoulder at Sherlock. He looked utterly unimpressed. "Mycroft!"

"Harry." Mycroft smiled and walked over to shake the mans hand. "May I just apologise for the state of my little brother?"

"Full-time occupation, I imagine." Emily pretended to scratch her cheek to hide her smirk as Sherlock scowled and nudged her with his elbow, telling her to get rid of it. She looked up at him and winked trying not to look at the small patch of Sherlock's chest that had become uncovered. She failed. "And this must be Doctor John Watson, formerly of the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers."

"Hello, yes." The pair shook hands.

"My employer is a tremendous fan of your blog."

John looked startled. "Your employer?"

"Particularly enjoyed the one about the aluminium crutch."

"Thank you!" He looked round to give Sherlock a look, clearing his throat smugly.

The man before them turned his attention to Emily, his smile widening. "You, my dear, must be Miss Emily Cooper." Emily had never wanted an interesting job title more than she did just then, but it never seemed to put the man off. He reached forward for her hand.

"That's me." She smiled back and shook his hand.

"Tell me, did your employer give you much hassle?"

She pondered how he knew about Roid, but she quickly slid her gaze to Mycroft and noticed him listening attentively. "Enough."

"My apologies."

"He'll get over it." She shrugged as if it was nothing, but knew there would be more words spoken to her upon her return.

It was Sherlock's turn now and the man walked closer to him. "And Mr Holmes the younger. You look taller in your photographs."

"I take the precaution of a good coat and a short friend." For a moment Emily took offence at the word friend (singular) but quickly reasoned she'd not had her photo taken with him. She was bought from her thoughts abruptly when John took hold of her arm again, this time to pull her back out of Sherlock's way as he approached his brother. He did not look pleased. "Mycroft, I don't do anonymous clients. I'm used to mystery at one end of my cases. Both ends is too much work. Good morning." Emily thought 'too much work' would have been something he would have jumped at but she kept quiet as he started walking out of the room. That was until Mycroft stepped on the edge of his sheet that was trailing behind him. With Sherlock still moving forward, it began to come away and Emily could feel her face flush once again at the ever increasing amount of skin. She wondered if Sherlock would just end up walking around Buckingham Palace naked, but just as his backside was about to come into view he stopped and grabbed it, trying to tug it back round himself and only managing slightly.

"This is a matter of national importance. Grow up."

But with his back still turned to the room, Sherlock spoke through gritted teeth. "Get off my sheet!"

"Or what?"

"Or I'll just walk away."

"I'll let you." Emily decided she wouldn't mind this at all as she studied the expanse of his back, imagining it felt as smooth as it looked.

"Boys, please. Not here." John stepped in trying to break up the childish feud. But Emily was busy thinking about running her fingers through Sherlock's curls whilst snatching the sheet away and no one else being in the room.

"Who. Is. My. Client?" She was just about focused enough to recognise the rage in his tone.

"Take a look at where you're standing and make a deduction. You are to be engaged by the highest in the land. Emily may be enjoying the view, but she would be the only one. Now for God's sake..." Emily blushed all the more and looked down to the floor to evade John's smirk. Mycroft looked back at their company briefly as if remembering where they were and continued his sentence infuriated. Emily could imagine they might have had this fight as children but didn't particularly want to think of what circumstances it may have been under. "...put your clothes on!"

They listened to the Detective sigh before he bunched his sheet in one hand and held an arm out for his clothes with the other. As he vacated the room, Emily could feel his gaze burn into her, but she didn't dare look up to meet it.

"Well," Mycroft sounded back to normal, as if he hadn't just exposed his younger brothers backside. "Why don't we sit back down." He indicated the sofa they had just stood from. "Make yourselves at home." He sent a look to the man who took this as a sign to quickly move away. When Emily raised an eyebrow in question, Mycroft simply answered, "Off to find someone to deliver the tea and biscuits I promised." Emily nodded in understanding.

Sherlock had swiftly returned, now dressed and Emily had to fight off the feeling of disappointment. He had taken his seat again so she was squished between her two flatmates. Was it her imagination or had Sherlock sat closer to her? She certainly hadn't felt his arm brushing her before.

The tray of tea had arrived seconds after and Emily who thought it may be getting close to her lunchbreak felt her stomach grumble at the sight of the biscuits.

Mycroft who had taken the sofa opposite them next to the other man, sat forwards and lifted the teapot. "I'll be mother."

"And there is a whole childhood in a nutshell." Sherlock spoke pointedly causing Mycroft to glower at him. This time, Emily scratched her nose to cover her smirk. She felt Sherlock's arm move to rest on the back of the sofa behind her and began to gently fiddle with the ends of her hair.

"My employer has a problem." The man began.

"A matter has come to light of an extremely delicate and potentially criminal nature, and in this hour of need, dear brother, your name has arisen." Mycroft continued, passing Emily the freshly poured drink. She managed to mumble a thank you before Sherlock replied.

"Why? You have a police force of sorts, even a marginally Secret Service. Why come to me?"

"People do come to you for help, don't they, Mr Holmes?" The man - Harry - asked.

"Not, to date, anyone with a Navy."

"This is a matter of the highest security, and therefore of trust." He turned his eyes to Emily. "Biscuit, Emily?" He reached forward to grasp the saucer.

"Ooh, yes please." She looked excited as she leant to take the plate from him. "Jammie Dodgers?" Buckingham Palace...having Jammie Dodgers?

"Especially for you my dear."

"So thoughtful of you." She started dunking one into the tea, nudging John's grabby hand away.

"I know." Mycroft looked pleased with himself, even more so when he noted the look on Sherlock's face. Was that jealousy? He believed it was.

"You don't trust your own Secret Service?" John asked, brining the topic back to its point, hoping Emily wouldn't notice the biscuit he had just managed to snag.

"Naturally not. They all spy on people for money." John managed to bite back a smile.

"I do think we have a timetable." Harry encouraged.

"Yes, of course. Um..." He opened his briefcase and took out a glossy photo. "What do you know about this woman?" He handed it over, Sherlock let his hand run over Emily's back as he moved forward to take it from his brother.

"Nothing whatsoever." Emily leant in slightly to take a look herself, noting the woman's features, taking in the beauty of her. She could imagine she wouldn't need all the make up she wore.

"Then you should be paying more attention." Mycroft informed him. "She's been at the centre of two political scandals in the last year, and recently ended the marriage of a prominent novelist by having an affair with both participants separately." Emily felt as if her eyebrows could go no higher.

"You know I don't concern myself with trivia. Who is she?"

"Irene Adler, professionally known as The Woman."

"Professionally?" John queried.

"There are many names for what she does. She prefers 'dominatrix.'"

"Dominatrix." The Detective spoke thoughtfully.

"Don't be alarmed. It's to do with sex."

"Sex doesn't alarm me."

Mycroft smiled snidely at him. "How would you know?" Emily could only roll her eyes. "She provides – shall we say – recreational scolding for those who enjoy that sort of thing and are prepared to pay for it." He handed over an envelope from his briefcase. "These are all from her website."

Sherlock slipped the photos out and began to leaf through them. They left little to the imagination and even Emily could see how stunning the woman was. She fought the urge to look down at herself to focus on how much of a mess she looked at that moment and continued to stare at the photos.

"And I assume this Adler woman has some compromising photographs."

"You're very quick, Mr Holmes."

"Hardly a difficult deduction. Photographs of whom?" There was a silence as if the two men opposite were debating on whether or not to tell him.

"A person of significance to my employer. We'd prefer not to say any more at this time." The man answered and by the force with which Sherlock put the photos down on the table Emily gathered he had gone back to glaring.

"You can't tell us anything?" John attempted.

"I can tell you it's a young person." Mycroft eventually said. "A young female person." Emily almost choked on her biscuit. She certainly hadn't been expecting him to admit that bit out loud.

"How many photographs?"

"A considerable number, apparently."

"Do Miss Adler and this young female person appear in these photographs together?"

"Yes, they do."

"And I assume in a number of compromising scenarios."

"An imaginative range, we are assured."

"John, you might want to put that cup back in your saucer now. Emily, would you be so kind as to close his mouth?" Sherlock hadn't even looked round. Emily pushed John's chin up at the same time he placed his tea cup down as advised.

"Can you help us, Mr Holmes?" The man asked.

"How?"

"Will you take the case?"

"What case? Pay her, now and in full. As Miss Adler remarks in her masthead, 'Know when you are beaten.'" He turned and reached for his coat.

"She doesn't want anything." Sherlock turned back to him. "She got in touch, she informed us that the photographs existed, she indicated that she had no intention to use them to extort either money or favour."

It seemed that the Detective was finally interested. "Oh, a power play. A power play with the most powerful family in Britain. Now that is a dominatrix. Ooh, this is getting rather fun, isn't it?"

"Sherlock..." John did not sound amused and Emily rolled her eyes again and picked the crumbs from her blouse and inconspicuously placed them on the saucer. Better than on the floor she told herself.

"Hmm." Sherlock reached for his coat again. "Where is she?"

"Uh, in London currently. She's staying..." But Sherlock didn't allow Mycroft to finish. He picked up his coat in one hand and with the other snatched the saucer from Emily to leave it on the table and took her hand. He stood and started to walk away, taking the blonde with him.

"Text me the details. I'll be in touch by the end of the day."

"Do you really think you'll have news by then?" The others had stood and Sherlock stopped, Emily running into his back, to turn back to face him.

"No, I think I'll have the photographs."

"One can only hope you're as good as you seem to think."

Emily could only guess that the fact that Sherlock had not immediately responded meant he was making deductions about the man.

"I'll need some equipment, of course." He finally told his brother.

"Anything you require. I'll have it sent to..."

Sherlock interrupted. "Can I have a box of matches?" He asks of the man.

"I'm sorry?"

"Or your cigarette lighter. Either will do." He released Emily's hand to hold his out expectantly. She already missed it's warmth.

"I don't smoke."

"No, I know you don't, but your employer does." Emily shared a puzzled look with John as the man reached into his pocket and retrieved a lighter which he held out for Sherlock.

"We have kept a lot of people successfully in the dark about this little fact, Mr Holmes."

"I'm not the Commonwealth." He took the lighter and put it into his trouser pocket, turning away and grabbing Emily's hand again, ensuring she'd follow.

"And that's as modest as he gets. Pleasure to meet you." John's words made Emily giggle.

As Sherlock turned through the doorway he called back a "Laters!" to the remaining men.

Emily waited for John to catch up before speaking. "Just a sec!" She let go of Sherlock's hand. "Don't leave without me." She shouted as she briskly walked back to the room they had just vacated. She stopped in the doorway, waiting for them men to pause their conversation.

"Emily." Mycroft had noticed her over Harry's shoulder, unsurprised she had come back.

"Why was I bought here? I'm not much help surely?"

"I thought you might appreciate some time away."

"From work or Roid?"

"Why not both?"

"One more thing," She spoke through a smile, "Do I have to - "

"Mr Roid has already been informed you will not be returning today." Her smile only brightened with elation. "Thank you. It was lovely to meet you."

"And you Miss Cooper." The man inclined his head towards her and she took off back the way she had come. Thankfully the boys were still waiting for her though Sherlock couldn't look any more bored if he tried. Once she had taken up her space between them, she linked her arm through John's and though she went to do the same with Sherlock, was a little surprised when he took her hand again.

It didn't take them long to grab a taxi and while Emily was content to sit between her friends and watch the world go by, it seemed John was eager to fill the silence.

"Okay, the smoking. How did you know?"

"The evidence was right under your nose, John. As ever, you see but do not observe." He began.

"Observe what?"

Emily felt the Detective reach into the inside pocket of his coat. "The ashtray." He pulled out a glass ashtray, causing the Doctor to laugh with delight. Emily smirked, watching the man on her right toss the item into the air and tuck it back into his coat after catching it.

As the pair continued to talk, Emily kept her gaze out of the window. While she was grateful, not to mention excited, about having an unexpected day off, she couldn't help but think just how awful her return to work would be in the morning.

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