Chapter 2
After at least an hour of negotiations, Sherlock, John, and Mrs. Watson all arrived via chauffeur to Buckingham Palace. John couldn't help but notice how distracted Sherlock seemed; not in his normal, thinking of 20 different things at once way. He looked out the window in a way that seemed to say, "I know exactly what is at the end of this journey, and I will do my best to hide my excitement."
While he had put up a fight against a visit to see his older brother, John had a feeling that Sherlock was actually somewhat relieved. It had been weeks since their last case, and a meeting with Mycroft meant for an interesting afternoon.
As they were guided into a sitting room, Mrs. Hudson let out a high-pitched squeal after every turn in the many hallways. Their attendant kept shooting them looks, in which John just shrugged in response. He brought them to a grand sitting room, the very same room Sherlock and Watson had visited months before.
After being set up with places to sit and an offering of tea, the attendant closed the door behind him. They sat in awkward silence, feeling uncomfortable in the stiff furniture.
"Mrs. Hudson, are you mad?" Sherlock cried, narrowing his eyes.
John looked at Mrs. Hudson's fingers, which already had several buttons stashed in her palm.
"They've fallen off the cushions on their own, I swear it! And if I remember correctly, the last time you were here you got off with a bloody ashtray!"
"Precisely," Sherlock replied, under his breath. "I actually left with something of use."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the door to the sitting room once again opened. In walked the attendant with tea, Mycroft, and a tall man in a suit.
The man, bald, tall, with a round stomach, was introduced by Mycroft as Mr. Washington. Washington shook all of their hands warmly. Mycroft made the introductions, waiting to introduce Sherlock last.
"And this is my dear little brother-"
"Washington isn't your real name."
John and Mrs. Hudson looked up in slight shock, watching as "Mr. Washington's" eyes grew just the slightest bit wider.
"Oh really? And how would you know that?"
Sherlock rolled his eyes. "We've only just met. Do you actually expect me to explain how I deducted this?"
"Mr. Washington's" face few into a strange contortion, causing John to shift uncomfortably in his chair. If Mycroft had brought this man here because he had a case, the last thing that Sherlock needed to be doing was piss him off right the introductions.
Suddenly, the man let out a loud laugh from his gut and clapped Mycroft on the back.
"You weren't kidding, were you? And to think I thought it was just an act! Dear fellow, you are quite right. I'm no Washington. But would you be able to guess what it actually is?"
Annoyed at his happy outburst, Sherlock let out a sigh and pursed his lips. "Herbert Rowling."
The man absolutely whooped at Sherlock's answer. Mrs. Hudson let out a nervous giggle, which stopped immediately when realized that Sherlock was becoming more and more agitated by the second.
"I'm sorry, but I am a very busy man, and if you really beckoned me from my home to come all the way here so you two could make me play guessing games, than I might as well-"
Sherlock was interrupted by the sound of laughing. The door to the sitting room opened. A young woman walked into the room, finishing up her conversation with the attendant. She nodded goodbye and than gave a smile to those sitting.
John took notice to her instantly. She was of average height, with dark brown hair that lay wavy down her back. She was beautiful, with a friendly face and large brown eyes. John heard a quick intake of breath, and looked questionably at Sherlock; the noise seemed to come from him, but his face showed no evidence of the fact.
"Ah, yes! I forgot to mention, we have another guest," Mycroft stated, the group standing as the woman walked closer.
"May I introduce Ms. Charlotte Gates. She is here in London as my guest, as she has graciously accepted to assist me with the Queen's Benefit for England's Children's Hospital in between her travels for charity."
"Surely I'm more than that, Mycroft," Charlotte said, smiling.
"Of course. Ms. Gates is an old friend of the family's. If I do remember, there was a time where she and Sherlock used to spend hours-"
"In between adventures, I see?"
Everyone, besides Charlotte, looked unnervingly towards Sherlock. He had a slight grin on his face, as if he knew his interruption would receive a reaction.
"Choosing to advance the betterment of society isn't exactly what I would call an adventure," Charlotte replied, barely giving Sherlock a glance.
"What, no room service in your hotel room?"
"Quite the opposite, actually. The locals in Uganda were able to supply me with my own hut, and I was fortunate enough to have a fruit tree right outside my window."
The two stared at each other, testing looks on each of their faces. John looked from one to the other, surprised at Sherlock's interrogation on this seemingly sweet young woman.
To John's surprise, Sherlock was the first to allow his face to break into a small smile.
"Lovely to see you, Charlotte."
Charlotte smiled, her eyes shining slightly.
"Likewise, Sherlock."
More to come soon! Hope you enjoyed it. Review if you can!
-Marissa