Isla had always liked the way she looked, like a cross between her two brothers. Wild curls like Sherlock, though their color was the same auburn color as Mycroft's. The same light blue eyes they all shared.
Though now, after Mycroft's people were done with her, she felt as though she had lost that. Her curls were gone, hair pulled back into an elegant updo. She wore the dress she had picked up, black, and strapless, cut to hug her curves until mid-thigh, when it gently flowed out. The back dropped low into a V, showing nearly all of her back. She looked in the mirror with heavily shadowed eyes, surveying her image.
She felt rather like a female Mycroft, all grace and good-breeding. She pulled a lone curl down from in front of her ear. It made her feel better.
Mycroft entered the room. "You're all set then? We're running a bit late now, thanks to your stopover."
He held the door open for her, ever the gentleman. She turned to him, her brows furrowed. "Mye, why exactly am I going with you?"
"I thought you would have got that right away. I have been assured by your instructors that you were clever."
"Ha, ha," she said dryly, ignoring his jab. "This isn't exactly field work. Why do you want me here?"
"I need someone to listen, I can't possibly do it all alone."
"That's all?" she said, her heart sinking.
"What's wrong with that? It's the party of the year, Isla, you should be excited."
"I thought you really needed my help."
"I do. I need you to listen."
"Well that's not exactly a mission. It's not exactly dangerous."
"I would have thought you'd have had enough danger for a lifetime."
Isla stared at him a long moment. Then she hugged him tightly around the middle. He seemed taken aback, patting her awkwardly on the back. She knew he was just trying to protect her, knew it was the guilt over what had happened in Yemen, even after all these years.
She stepped back, cocking her head to the side. "I'm just getting started."
He turned and made his way out. Isla followed, pausing only to fit her handgun into the holster strapped to her ankle. Mycroft glanced back, but only in time for him to see her re-adjusting the hem of her dress.
Ok, so not so much action in the last two chapters, but trust me, its leading up to something. Next Chapter will be the Minister's Ball. Any predictions?