The three of us began to laugh in disbelief. My eyes fell upon the pile of clothes on the table, "You really should put those on…" John nodded as he slapped his hands gently along his knees, "Who else would be able to say they got dressed at Buckingham Palace this morning…right." He looked around as you all started to calm down, " I am seriously fighting the impulse to steal an ashtray." I cleared my throat trying not to laugh anymore, "So, boys, what are we doing here?" John nodded in agreement as he looked over at Sherlock, "Here to see the Queen?" Sherlock looked straight ahead, "I don't know." Mycroft walked around the corner and Sherlock looked over at me and the towards John, "Apparently yes."
They started to laugh but you didn't get it. Mycroft smoothed out the front of his coat, "Just once, can you two act like grownups? I mean really…Klayre glad you were able to make it as well." I gave him a small smile as he walked over to us. John spoke, "We solve crimes. I blog about them and he forgets his pants. So, I wouldn't hold out too much hope." Sherlock looked irritated, "I was in the middle of a case, Mycroft." I shot a look over at John, whispering, "What case?" Mycroft answered for him, "The hiker who died as a car backfired? I glanced at the police report, a bit obvious, surely?" Sherlock looked up at his brother, "Transparent." He cleared his throat, "Time to move on, then." He picked up the pile of clothes and held them out to him, "We are in Buckingham Palace, at the very heart of the British nation. Sherlock Holmes, put your trousers on!" He shrugged, "What for?"
I rose an eyebrow at him. As the two brothers continued to bicker. Mycroft huffed out, "Your client." Sherlock stood up and I averted my eyes to keep from seeing anything, "And my client is?" The direction I looked in showed the arrival of another man, dressed in a nice suit. He smiled quickly at me, "Illustrious, in the extreme. And remaining, I must inform you, entirely anonymous." He greeted Mycroft as Sherlocks brother apologized for his state of dress. He quipped back, "A full-time occupation, I imagine." He turned to John, "This must be Doctor John Watson, formerly of Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers? They shook hands as John confirmed his identity, "Hello, yes." Harry nodded as he continued, "My employer is a tremendous fan of your blog. Particularly enjoyed the one about the aluminum crutch." He looked sideways towards Sherlock, "Thank you."
The man walked up to Sherlock, "Mr. Holmes, the younger. You look taller in the photographs." I smiled at response, "I take the precaution of a good coat and short friends." He then turned to Mycroft, "I don't do anonymous clients. I am used to mystery at one end of my cases, both ends is too much work. Good morning." He then started to walk out of the room. Mycroft then stepped on the end of the sheet as he walked by, instantly time went in slow motion. I watched as Sherlock flung his hands behind him to grab the sheet as it started to fly off his body and down its length. I felt the heat in my cheeks as he brought it to a stop around his waist. Mycroft spoke harshly, "This is a matter of national importance. Grow up!" He grumbled as he tried to yank it all towards him, "Get of my sheet!" Mycroft snipped back, "Or what?" He tsked, "I'll just walk away." Mycroft looked over at me, "I'll let you." I stood up, putting my hands up in the air, my heart beating rapidly, "Boys, please. Not here." I looked at Mycroft, "Please, just tell u-, him who it is?" Mycroft looked around the room, "Why doesn't he just look around where we are standing and make a deduction. You are to be engaged by the highest in land. Now for god's sake! Put your clothes on!" Sherlock grabbed his clothes and sulkily walked into another and dressed.
Mycroft smiled as he poured the tea, "I'll be mother." Sherlock looked at him unmoving, "And there is a whole childhood in a nutshell." I sat quietly as Harry began to tell us about the problem. Mycroft joined him, "A matter has come to light of an extremely delicate and potentially criminal nature. In this hour of need, dear brother, your name has arisen." I looked at the two men, "Why?" Sherlock continued after me, "You have a police force of sorts, even marginally secret service." Harry replied with a smug smile, "People do come to you for help, don't they?" Sherlock replied, "Not to date, anyone with a navy." I looked out at the room as Mycroft's voice filled the air, "This is a case of highest urgency and trust." I looked over at him, "You don't trust your own secret service." He shook his head, "Of course not, they are all willing to spy on people for money." Harry interrupted, "I do think we have a timetable." He nodded picking up a briefcase, "What do you know about this woman?" He handed out some photos. She's pretty, I thought to myself. Sherlock answered him, "Nothing whatsoever." Mycroft scolded him, "Then you should be paying more attention. 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." Sherlock looked back up at him, "You know I don't concern myself with trivia. Who is she?" Mycroft took a sip of his tea, "Irene Adler, professionally known as The Woman." I sat up straight at the name, "She's a dominatrix. I've heard about her from various friends of mine in the culinary field."
Sherlock glanced sideways at me, "Dominatrix?" Mycroft spoke, "Don't be alarmed, it's to do with sex." Sherlock looked over at his brother, "Sex doesn't alarm me." Mycroft hummed, as he quickly glanced at me, "How would you know?" I looked down at the floor, he was implying that he was a virgin. Mycroft continued, "She provides, recreational scolding, for those that enjoy that sort of thing and are prepared to pay for it." He then passed out photos from her website. As John handed them to me I cleared my throat trying to make light of the topic, "Not enough leather for my taste." John shot me a shocked expression and I chuckled as I handed the photos back, "I'm just joking. Let me guess she has photos of someone she shouldn't." Mycroft nodded, "She's here in London and we need you to get those photos for us." I nodded standing up, "Makes since. I think we should get on it then. Boys?" Sherlock stood looking a bit happier than earlier, "It's a powerplay, I love it. This case is already so much better."