John's POV
When they get to the meet and greet, he escorts Mycroft in, keeping his face a pleasant if neutral expression as his eyes sweep over all of the people here. Automatically he can identify the soldiers and bodyguards from the guests based on how they hold themselves and their stances.
He plays a charming companion to his patron, amusing the older man with the little medically related things he notices about people, asking questions, and actually listening to the answers. Many of his patron's acquaintances seem surprised by him, much to his amusement. It's not much different from having to deal with a military ball. Small talk, BS, act like he cares what the person he is talking to is saying even when he doesn't, and praise accomplishments when he knows or hears about them.
It is nearly time to go when the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and his instincts scream that there is going to be an issue. Since he has always trusted his instincts, he leans close to Mycroft, commenting quietly, "There are at least two threats here."
His patron nods once, barely a twitch of his head and scans the room with those intelligent eyes, almost as if he is seeking the issue. A tiny frown plays at the edge of his lips as he murmurs, "I do not see one."
"It's here," he replies firmly.
"I do not doubt you, I just am not seeing it," the older man remarks calmly.
"How much longer will we be here?" he queries smiling at the man who brings them new drinks.
"Sirs," the waiter murmurs as he offers the tray.
Both of them take their drinks but neither lifts it to their lips. The waiter moves away but hovers just a bit from them, and watches.
"I wouldn't suggest drinking that," he comments as Mycroft lifts the cup.
"Of course," the older man responds with a glance around. "Ah."
Brushing a non-existent hair into place his patron motions to the waiter and nods. A moment later two security guards appear, taking hold of the waiter and leading them away.
They continue on their evening as if nothing else had changed, though another guard takes the tainted drinks while a new waiter brings them new ones. Neither of them drink them.
As the night draws to a close, that second threat he has been feeling for most of the evening finally shows itself as one of the guards near the front door pulling a taser out of his pocket and lunging towards them.
His body is moving before he even realizes it, hands going to intersect the forearm, the flat of his palm slamming in to the point just before the attacker's wrist. An audible cracking echoing through the air as his second hand slams into the back of the attackers arm just before the elbow. With a high pitched scream the attacker fingers spasm and a second strike allows the taser to be knocked from the attacker's hand. At the same time he strikes out with his foot, heel slamming down on the top of attacker's, pleased with the crunching noise that fills the air.
With reflexes born of a combat zone, he strikes a second time. The hand closest to the broken elbow latches on, squeezing and making the attack let off another strangled noise as his other hand shifts forward to strike the man's neck. The foot he had slammed into the top of the attackers, he shifts around to hook around the attacker's leg, slamming into the back side of his knee.
A moment later the attacker is down and two guards are there but neither moves close until he straightens and steps back.
"I almost think my men are not necessary." A middle aged man remarks as he comes striding towards them.
"Mr. Landey, Doctor Watson is quite capable, I am quite fortunate that he agreed to be my date tonight." Mycroft responds smoothly.
"So I see," the man identified as Mr. Landey remarks, "I will insure he is delivered somewhere useful."
"Perfect," his patron responds, "Insure my PA receives the information."
"I know your PA, she'd prefer to retrieve it herself, I will insure that is possible." the other man states before nodding in his direction, "Doctor Watson," and leaving.
"Shall we?" his patron queries with a smile.
"Yes," he agrees with a smile of his own and a nod. He's not sure what's next on the agenda but he is sure it will be interesting.
*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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Hello my beautiful and awesome readers, three things for you. First: sorry this is a few weeks late, real life has been crazy. Second: these boys have been difficult to write, at least for this scene, and it may get tweaked in the future, but this is it for now. Third: I should hopefully be back on schedule.