Beep…beep…beep…

Q's device softly beeped every ten seconds, it gave a new reading with every sound. It didn't bother James though, not much bothered him, double-oh training did that to you.

Q glanced over to where James was lying down in the corner of the greenhouse away from all of the expensive, exotic plants. His eyes were closed but Q knew he wasn't asleep and could easily see all of the exits from his position; that was likely why he chose it.

There was never a doubt in Julian's mind that James loved him, yes he often screwed people for information on missions, but it was always Q that James came home to. James would protect Q over anyone and anything, and Q would sooth his nightmares and bring warmth and meaning to the agent's life. They had a unique, intricate thing but Julian was happy, comfortable and in love.

He sighed; he just wished Mycroft could accept where he had laid his affections. His brother was such an over protective git sometimes. Often, he wished he didn't have brothers, but deep down he knew Mycroft cared, he just didn't show it like a normal person would, although they weren't exactly a normal family.

"I can hear your brain working from over here, what's on your mind?" James asked, startling Q from his thoughts.

Julian glanced at his lover, the agent was still laying with his eyes closed, he looked peaceful, but Q knew he was ready to spring up at any moment, James almost never let his guard down, "I'm just trying to figure out what this thing is and why its here."

James chuckled softly and sat up, "You're a terrible liar, love," he got up and padded over to Q, his arms rested over the younger man's thin frame and fuzzy cardigan, "Its Mycroft isn't it? It really bugs you so much that he hasn't given his approval of us?" he kissed Q's neck, causing the genius to shiver.

Leaning into Bond's touch Julian sighed again, "It's frustrating because I know he looks down on you, he thinks you aren't good enough for me."

"Maybe it's because he hasn't kidnapped me yet," James suggested, a hint of teasing in his voice.

"Excuse me?"

Bond pressed another kiss to the top of Q's head and stood up straight stretching as he rose, "John told me that Mycroft kidnapped him and I should expect the same," he explained.

Q rolled his eyes, of course Mycroft had kidnapped John, which meant Bond had it coming any day now, "In that case, try to not kill anyone when he does, that certainly won't win you any points."

"Surely Mycroft would know better than to attempt to kidnap an MI6 agent."

Q gave Bond a look that concerned him, "If you aren't scared of the power Mycroft has then you're an idiot, and I know you are not an idiot James."

"I'll take it under advisement."

A man in a suit and ear piece walked in unannounced and Bond tensed ready for trouble, but it was just one of Mycroft's henchmen, uh, underlings. He was carrying two takeaway cups, silently he handed one to Q and the other to James and then left again. Julian took a sip and exhaled in contentment; it was from his favourite café he could tell; no one brewed earl grey tea as perfectly.

James glanced around, "Where is Mr British Government anyway? I'd have thought that he would be watching this like a hawk."

"We're under surveillance, he's probably taking a walk in the garden with his goldfish," Q answered without looking away from one of his screens, but there was a trace of spite in his tone.

James frowned, "You mean Detective Inspector Lestrade?" he tried his coffee; it was delicious.

"I had hoped that having a relationship with a normal person would make him kinder, more understanding, less judgemental, but I have yet to see any change," Q said as way of an answer.

"You never know, it's still new, people don't change overnight," Bond assured him.

"Hmm, maybe you're right," Q took another sip of his tea and stared into the big glowing orb in front of them just watching as it moved around itself.

XXX

It was a nice night for a walk in the gardens, there were only a few scattered clouds covering the stars and the slight breeze was nothing a good jacket couldn't handle. Small solar lights lit their path and illuminated some of the more interesting species of plants that had flourished in the spacious gardens.

They had been walking side by side in silence for a while now, their fingers kept brushing as their arms swung gently from the motion. Greg wanted to hold his hand, but he was uncertain; this was so new, like a month ago new and they hadn't really talked about it to be honest. Mycroft had flown off to a country Greg wasn't allowed to know the name of the day after it happened, and then Greg had been swamped with cases. They had only shared a few kisses and rushed lunches, but god was Greg dying to get Mycroft alone, snog him senseless and remove him from his pristine three piece suit.

Fuck it, he wouldn't know if he didn't try. Greg tangled their fingers lightly on the next brush and Mycroft immediately tightened the hold, Greg grinned and they kept walking.

A wooden bench seat came into view along a path amongst some flowering shrubs, "Shall we sit for a while?" Mycroft proposed.

"Sure," Greg agreed, their hands released as they sat down together.

"I appreciate your help on this Greggory, I know we have not had much time in the past month," Mycroft was always so vague.

"We've both been busy, perhaps we could, uh, make some time…dinner? I'm not a very good cook, but I do make a mean stir fry," Greg offered while his nerve held.

Mycroft turned his head and smiled at him, "That sounds like a pleasant evening, say Tuesday at six?"

Greg let go of the breath he didn't know he was holding, "Brilliant, I'd give you my address but I'm sure you already know where I live."

"Of course I do," Mycroft leered, "I'll bring a bottle of wine."

Feeling more courageous, Greg leant in and pressed his lips to Mycroft's, he had intended it to be brief, but Mycroft's hand came up to hold the back of his head and kept their lips together. Mycroft's mouth parted and his tongue encouraged Greg's lips to do the same. So, there they were; a couple of middle-aged men sitting on a bench seat in the middle of the botanic gardens under the cover of darkness and making out like they had just discovered what kissing was.

Minutes ticked by and if it wasn't so cold out Greg might have been tempted to take it a bit further, unfortunately the magic was broken by a loud chirp from Mycroft's phone. They pulled apart panting lightly, their eyes locked on each other, Mycroft adjusted his outfit and was pristine as ever, except for the rose coloured cheeks and crimson lips.

Greg licked his lips, and attempted to calm his breathing, "I guess we won't be needing dessert on Tuesday."

Mycroft's eyes went dark and primal as they swept over Greg's body, "I shouldn't think so," and then he blinked and his eyes were normal again as he pulled his attention away. He dug his phone from his coat pocket; it was a message from an unknown number. Mycroft quickly read the message and then put his phone away, "It was Sherlock, he's playing detective with the locals and should be home for lunch."

"Did he say anything about whatever that thing is?" Greg asked, his mind getting back on track.

"Some sort of portal apparently, I don't doubt he'll come back with some useful information," Mycroft rose from the seat and held his hand out to Greg, "We should head back and check on my little brother and his agent boy toy."

Greg took his hand and they began back on the path back to the greenhouse, "Why do you disapprove of your brother's partner?"

"What makes you think I disapprove of him?"

"The way you talk about him, like he isn't good enough for your brother."

"Hmm, James Bond, double-oh seven, licence to kill and sleeps with anything that moves. I know everything there is to know about Bond and I don't believe that they could possibly have a healthy relationship. It is my duty to look out for my brothers, Sherlock was fortunate to find someone like John that could put up with his behaviour, but Julian is the most normal of the three of us, he could have much better candidates, yet he chose this beaten up, sleaze of an agent,"

Greg listened to Mycroft rant and thought about it, "You only know James from his file, I'm sure you also read mine and John's files, now that you know us, are we the same people you assumed we were? Perhaps you should give James a chance to prove himself, get to know him, you might be surprised by what you find."

Mycroft was silent for a few moments and Greg worried that he had over stepped, but then the older Holmes spoke, "You have admirable qualities, Greggory, I will consider what you have said," he paused, "I have never had the luxury to speak so freely with someone."

Greg smiled to himself, he considered that a huge win, "You'll always have that luxury with me, Myc."