John's POV
It is just over two weeks before he hears from Mycroft again. When he does hear from him, it is to ask if he has Friday night free because there is an event that he will need a date and possibly a guard for via a series of text messages. Of course, he agrees, happy that he has already gotten some of the new clothes from the contract, particularly since he is sure he is going to need it.
Of course, Friday is three days away, and there is silence until just before he is expecting Mycroft.
He picks up his phone on the second ring, "Hello?"
"Good afternoon John," the smooth tones of his patron come across the line, "I hope this in not an inconvenient time. I thought we could discuss this evening."
Smiling even though the older man cannot see it, he replies, "Hello Mycroft, now's perfect, I wasn't doing anything important."
"Perfect, I do hate texting, however sometimes needs must." The older man comments seriously, "Tonight we will be having dinner with Mr. Terry Denton, his wife Alice, and his brother-in-law Mick Hale. After dinner we are to attend a meet and greet, it is there that your talents may be needed."
He bobs his head as he listens, "Alright, that's doable, anything special I need to know?"
"I do not believe so. Do not ask about the weather is my only advice, Alice can go on forever about weather patterns if allowed or encouraged." The older man tells him seriously. "It is not likely that there will be any guns, however knife threats are valid, as is certain poisons, though," there is something smug about his tone as he continues, "Very few poisons work on me due to Sherlock."
He takes that tidbit of information and files it away, sure that it will be needed at some point in the future.
"I will be there in fifteen minutes with the car," his patron tells him.
"Alright, I'll be ready," he replies, a moment later the line goes dead.
Smiling, he shakes his head, tucks the phone back in his pocket, and heads to the bathroom to make sure he looks like he is in order and to use it just in case. He debates about whether to take his cane or not, having recently found he does not need it as much, before deciding against it. Worse case is he spends tomorrow rubbing knots out of his leg. He is good at working through pain after all.
Just as he finishes in the bathroom he hears his phone chime. Pulling it out of his pocket as he heads to the front door, he is right when he thinks it is Mycroft telling him that he is there. Quietly, he steps out of the house, locking the door behind him before he moves down the walk way to the car. The driver is standing beside the door, opening for him, and closing it as he slides into place.
"The suit suits you," Mycroft remarks calmly as his eyes sweep over him.
He smiles as his eyes return the favor, enjoying the way the older man's suit makes his body look, "You too," he replies.
"Dinner will take roughly two hours, the meet and greet two to three hours," his patron tells him, "there will be drinks, dancing, and socializing at the meet and greet. Most the people there are politicians and bureaucrats or their significant other."
He listens closely, nodding once to acknowledge the information but not speaking beyond that. One thing he has always been good at knowing when to speak and when not to. This is a when not to moment. The ride to the place they are having dinner is peaceful. The silence is not tense, merely comfortable.
When the car comes to a stop, he waits for the driver to get the door even though it makes him frustrated because he can open his own door. However he gets the importance of appearance, and part of the appearance of power comes with someone getting the door. He is the first one out, with Mycroft close behind. With a smile, he offers his arm and escorts his patron to the door where a doorman opens it for them. They do not have to announce who they are before the host is showing them to a private dining room and seated with four other people.
"Good evening Mycroft, who's your companion?" the oldest looking one in the quartet inquires.
"Doctor Watson, this is Terry and Alice Denton, Mick Hale, and actress Ali Reid." Mycroft introduces him to the group at the table.
"Good evening Doctor Watson," the actress greets him with a warm smile.
He smiles at her in response, "Call me John," he replies.
"John," she repeats back, eyes widening slightly as she looks at him.
They take their seats and he thanks the host for putting the menus before them.
"What type of Doctor are you?" Terry just about demands when Alice and Ali both smile at him warmly.
Turning on the charm, he answers, "I was a field surgeon for the army, a captain in the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers."
"Was? Why aren't you anymore?" Alice asks, leaning forward slightly and tilting her head.
Right, so that's where the wind blows in that relationship. Good to know. Not that he is going to take her up on that offer.
"I was injured saving a soldier who was shot, both of us were sent home," he replies smoothly.
"Really?" both women query, voice full of interest.
Beside him Mycroft has a amused smile playing at the edge of his lips. While Mick and Terry both look a bit annoyed. He smiles winningly at the women and proceeds to answer every question they put forth, pausing in his answers only when the wait staff comes in to take their orders and then a while later to deliver them. Eventually, even the two men become interested in the conversation about his time in the army, and join in, while his patron merely smiles, his expression bordering on a smirk.
When the meal is done, Terry quickly bids Mycroft farewell, hesitantly bidding me goodbye right afterwards before ushering his party out of the room.
For several minutes he sits there with his patron, waiting to see what is happening next.
"That went far better than expected, thank you John," Mycroft eventually states, smiling at him.
He smiles back, nodding, "Good, that's good. Happy to help."
"Shall we go? I am certain the car is waiting for us now," his patron queries.
Nodding, he stands up, offering an arm to Mycroft as soon as the taller man is standing.
He hums softly as they move through the restaurant and out to the car, stopping his humming only long enough to bid the staff good evening.
The ride to the other event is just as quiet, though he notices that Mycroft sits just a little bit closer to him than he did during the first car ride. He just smiles and continues to hum. When they get to the next destination, he repeats the same actions as when they arrived at the restaurant.
Now comes the possibly dangerous and interesting part, guard duty while at a rather full social event. Here's to hoping he doesn't mess up.
*waves at reader* hi folks, I hope you all enjoy another update, any reviews, comments, questions or other forms of communication are welcome.
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