Chapter 11 A troublesome date

Francis sat in a busy restaurant, at a table for two that had a silk table cloth and gold utensils. The room was filled with a buzz of conversation and the clink of glasses. Somewhere a string orchestra was playing. It was very fancy, and exactly to his French tastes, however he would rather had been here with Arthur. Still, the blonde haired woman, with scandalously short blonde hair, sat across from him instead. She was very pretty, and from her accent he guessed French like himself. If he hadn't already given his heart away, then maybe he would have fallen for this woman.

"Where waz eet that you said that you worked again, monsieur?" She asked politely

"Ah, desole mademoiselle Joan, I am a doctor. I work for zee yard. "Francis replied realizing he had been zoning out of the conversation the lady had been trying to engage him in.

"Oh, so zat ez 'ow you know monsieur Kirkland." Joan said smiling kindly

"Oui. If you do not mind me asking, but 'ow ez et that you know Azzur?" asked Francis who was genuinely curious about this.

He had known Arthur for almost a year now. Despite himself and Arthurs brothers , Arthur had no other visitors. He had shown no other indication that he had friends outside of this normal social circle. Nor had he shown any indication of trying to increase said circle. So how he had managed to set up this little date between Francis and Joan was beyond Francis.

"Ee met me on one of iz past cases. I was standing up for what I believed in, and even though ee 'imself proved to be one of my biggest hurdles in doing so, we later on became acquaintances. It turns out zat ee 'imself has a little French blood in iz veins (This took Francis by surprise and he wondered why he hadn't told him this fact. Then again it could have been a pride thing, so he decided to store away this information for later use.) and I often find iz conversations to be refreshing. Ee ez an remarkable man non?" Joan explained

"Oui, ee iz." Francis agreed and sighed a little before saying it.

If anyone spotted the two, they would have believed it to be a date. However a man dining alone in his favourite corner of the restaurant, pretending to read the newspaper, saw it as something very different. His messy blonde hair was causing the fussy rich old lady at the table behind him to throw him dirty looks, but he didn't pay her any attention. In fact he had probably never even noticed her existence. His bright emerald eyes, that so rarely missed anything, where scanning the couple that where sitting a few tables across from him. He couldn't possibly hear them over the silly babble of conversation, but the words they could have been saying would not of been what they truly meant anyway.

He noticed that neither of their eyes truly met. A sign that neither of them felt comfortable with each other or a connection. Another sign was that every now and then one of them would flicker their eyes at the clock that was loudly ticking away on the wall beside them. This showed that neither truly wanted to be there. However Arthur had made sure Francis had gone, and as for Miss Arc, she clearly had reasons of her own to try and forge a connection between Francis.

Arthur had not just noticed the awkwardness and unwillingness of the forced couple, but some suspicious looking men who were also observing the oblivious couple. Arthur watched them with even more interest. One was a Chinese man, wearing a long red coat stereotypically seen as Chinese, probably made out of silk. He had long raven black hair pulled back into a pony tail. He had youthful face, with brown almond shape eyes. In Arthurs opinion the man was quite cute and handsome looking. He shook his head at the thought, wondering if his relationship with Francis had ended up perverting his thoughts.

It wasn't really that surprising to see a Chinese man in an English restaurant. In fact Arthur wouldn't be surprised if the man owned a trading company that traded with Great Britain. The surprising one at the table the two were sitting at was his large companion. This man was tall and looked sturdily built. He wasn't fat, just large. His hair was short and whitish blond. He also had amethyst coloured eyes, similar to little Mattieus in colour. Already the man seemed odd, but that wasn't really what was unsettling Arthur. It was the man's childish expression which still managed to threaten anyone who looked at him. It was enough to make the hairs on the back of Arthurs neck stand up.

"Your tea sir. May I get anything else for you?" Asked a waiter who seemed to be from India judging by his darker complexion and short black hair.

"Yes thank you. Maybe one of those toffee puddings." Arthur said politely while dismissing the waiter and giving in to his rather large sweet tooth

The waiter gave him a nod of his head and left the table. Arthur watched as the waiter left, feeling that he was forgetting something. He shrugged it off, and continued watching the two tables. He smiled when he saw that Francis had ordered Boeuf bourguignon, how like him to order something typically French thought Arthur lovingly. He mentally slapped himself and looked across at the other table.

The other two seemed a little uneasy. Their food had just arrived, and despite the fact that England's food had once been internationally viewed favourably, now that the industrial revolution had taken it's toll people had moved away from their farms and into the cities, thus making the international view of the food fall terribly. This was probably why the Chinese man and the tall platinum blond where poking the food uneasily with a fork. Arthur rolled his eyes as the waiter put down his sticky toffee pudding in front of him, he would rather have a steak and kidney pudding over Francis's home cooked frog legs or horse meat any day.

So the five continued to eat their meals. Three of them watching the awkward ignorant couple. This restaurant scene was anything but comfortable for anyone involved. Arthur was bored of watching the others. It was obvious that the Chinese man and his companion where tailing Francis. Also watching Francis and Joan was making him feel a little queasy and more than a little jealous. So he turned his attention to the waiters bustling around the restaurant. After a few minutes of watching them he realized the Indian waiter who had served him was no were to be seen. He looked down at his pudding and shrugged to himself as he took another forkful.

Finally the couple got up to leave, the other two following, and Arthur getting up to follow them. Before he did so, he carefully smeared something around the edge of the plate. On que, the Indian waiter arrived and picked up his plate while holding it he turned to Arthur.

"Sir, I am afraid I must ask you to come with me to the front of house for a moment." The Indian said apologetically but his eyes shone with mischief

"Of course. Is there a problem?" returned Arthur equally as polite, his shining with amusement

"Well si-" the Indian man started but suddenly staggered backwards and then collapsed on the floor

Arthur called an the alarm as men rushed to and fro trying to help the poor waiter . That or get him out of sight of the ladies. Arthur easily blended into the crowd and slowly moved through it to the door. He hated to dine and dash, so left his receipt and money under the desk at front of the house. He liked that restaurant, and would one day like to escort Francis to it for an more enjoyable visit. He then left at a run to catch up to Francis's pursuers.

...

"Yao, you are sure that he is the one da?" Asked the tall blonde to his Chinese companion

"Dui, I am Ivan." Was the reply

Ivan watched as the handsome long haired blonde with blue eyes and beard escorted the short haired blonde woman. He had no idea how Yao did know that that was indeed Francis Bonnefoy. Maybe Mr Kirkland had given him a picture or something. To Ivan he could have been anyone. He was defiantly not in the company of a scruffy blonde man with emerald eyes like the man who had sent them here.

"Well what do you want to do with him? Should I hit him with this and take him back to Eire?" Asked Ivan pulling out a metal pipe

"No need for that old chap. I believe Eire as you called him, would be happier if you brought me to him. Don't you think so companion?" Said a cold English voice from behind them

Both whorled around to see a man in a waist coat,with a chain of his pocket watch clipped to his right pocket and hanging loosely down the top of his right leg before going back into the pocket. He was also wearing a top hat and holding a cane. He had scruffy blonde hair and emerald eyes. He was the one that Eire had told them about, the true target! And he had just walked straight up at them! Yao and Ivan paused and glanced at each other. Then they both dashed towards the gentleman who didn't do anything but smirk at them. The two tripped on something invisible and sprawled across the ground at the man's feet.

"Oh my, do look out for the catgut wire." Taunted the man as he knocked them out with his cane and all went dark.

...

Back at 221 B Baker street sat Arthur and Francis drinking tea. Francis had arrived back after escorting Miss Joan to find Arthur reading to the irregulars. The sight always made him smile and his heart warm. Right now the irregulars where trying to learn their numbers at the table, but every now and then Arthur would bark out Alfred's name as the boy would try to cheat and copy down Mattieus answers.

Suddenly there was a crash as the front door was opened with a terrible force. Their poor house keeper, Mrs Hudson, let out a startled cry, and then could be heard trying to calm someone who was approaching the room with quick angry steps. Francis looked at Arthur with alarm, but Arthur continued to sip his tea and observe the boys to make sure Alfred wouldn't cheat on any more of his math.

"Really, I completely understand your frustration, but please refrain from damaging the house! Plus I am sure you have startled Mr Bonnefoy and those sweet lads." Mrs Hudson could be heard saying as the living room door flung open

Standing there was a livid Iain. The boys let out cries of joy at seeing their uncle. Especially Mathew who was extremely fond of his Uncle Alba as he would call him. Arthur merely picked up the teapot and poured another cup of tea. Iain strode up to him and stood glaring at him.

"Cannea noo have a normal day without causin any one any trouble?" roared Iain

"Busy day at work was it?" Arthur asked putting some personal touches on the tea so that it would taste they way that Iain like it.

"Yer ken whuar ah am talkin aboot! Tha waiter at yer favourite restaurant found unconscious and tha twa men found unconscious down tha road from here. Ah ken it was ye!" snapped Iain

Iain was fuming, but as angry as he was at his little brother, he still sat down and allowed Mathew to sit on his lap and snuggle up to him. Arthur saw this, and noted it as his triumph as there was no way that Iain would remain this angry in Mathews company for long. The boy had a calming effect on his uncle.

"Oh you don't say? How unfortunate. I imagine all of them are just fine by now." Arthur said in an off hand way as he placed the tea down in front of Iain.

"Azzur, the restaurant in question wouldn't be the one you made reservations for myself and Miss Arc would it? Ah but of course..." Francis said answering his own question

"Well I was a little worried Francis. I like that restaurant and didn't want you mucking up my reputation there. Iain, are you sure that you are yelling at the right little brother when it comes to those unfortunate men?" Replied Arthur who finally taking the conversation seriously

"What you mean Tristian?"Asked Francis in an appalled voice

But both Kirkland's ignored Francis. Iain closed his eyes and groaned. Arthur gave a scone with clotted cream to Alfred who happily bit into it. Francis watched in confusion and Mathew snuggled into Iains arms and looked owlishly at all the adults.

"Yer twa are always out fer each other's blood. Yer never get on will ye?"Asked Iain hopefully

"Nope. I completely hate him, and he hates me. " Arthur responded

" Ah dinnea think tha. If ah remember correctly thuar was a wee laddie, ye to be precise, tha followed im around everywhere and wanted ta be jus like him. He also would lend yer an hand with problems, though always in secret." Answered Iain watching with delight the embarrassment on his little brothers face

Arthur answered him with an hmpf, and Iain sat with satisfaction and drank his tea. Mathew and Alfred chattered away to him about their day and showed him the pictures they had drawn. Finally Iains break time was drawing to close as he gently pushed Mathew off of his lap and stood up.

"May ah ask what poison you used on the waiter sae ah can tell the hospital?" Iain asked with a yawn and Francis noticed how everyone was taking the poisoning as an every day occurance.

"Yes it is a benzodiazepine that can be absorbed through the skin. It should cause sleep and a calmness. It is usually used on the mentally sick. Activated charcoal should combat any harmful side effects but I doubt its needed for his recovery." Shrugged Arthur who poured more tea into his and Francis's cups

"Right. Night." Iain said waving hand in a goodbye gesture at the boys

"Oh an Francis, watch yer back is what ah think we can conclude from this conversation. Arthur isn't goin tae be watchin yer back all the time." And with that warning Iain left

Authors notes

Hetalia character/ Sherlock characters

Arthur/ Sherlock Holmes

Francis/ James Watson

Iain (Scotland)/ Lestrade

Tristain (Wales)/ Mycroft

Alfred and Matthew/ The baker street Irregulars (homeless network)

Connor/Eire (Ireland)/Moriarty

Joan of Arc/ Mary Morstan (Later Mary Watson)

Yao / Moriarty's crony

Ivan / Moriarty's crony

Vikas (India)/ Moriartys servent

Note: Some characters are not in the actual Sherlock Holmes book. However, as James Moriarty plays a role of a university professor, and/or a well off gentleman, it stands to reason he has servant. As this takes part in Victorian England, it is not that far fetched to believe him to be Indian.

Russia and Ireland: Russia was one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Ireland as a nation.

China and Ireland: China and Ireland have some pretty good relations.

India and Ireland: These two surported each other and tried to get their freedom from the English empire at around about the same time.

England's sweet tooth: With traditional puddings being so high in calories and sweet, plus the fact that Cadbury is an English chocolate factory, when I went to Thirsk there seemed to be more sweet shops than anything else, more sweet/candy variety and lets not forget the very popular drink J20 (Jay two oh) which was everywhere I looked is it no surprise that I decide to portray England as having a sweet tooth?

English food: Ok, once upon a time ago, other countries liked English food. However after the industrial revolution and the World Wars (which caused rationing) English foods reputation plummeted. Today is a little bit different. There is now a renewed interest food. Out of the worlds top 50 restaurants 15 are from Great Britain. Also I think that most of the English speaking world knows at least one-two famous English chefs?

Now I have nothing against the Irish. It's just after watching bbc's Sherlock I couldn't help but feel that it was a battle of two bored individuals (Sherlock and Moriarty). A giant game. Something that perhaps two very bored and amazing brothers would do?