This Is A Test (Sherlock)
Title: This Is A Test
Author: Morgan Stuart
Fandom: Sherlock
Disclaimer: This universe does not belong to me; I'm just an appreciative visitor. I make no profit from this fan work.
Description: John Watson wasn't the first person Mycroft Holmes kidnapped for a little chat in a warehouse.
Author's Note: This is a 221b ficlet: 221 words, with the last word beginning with a "b."
Historian's Note: This takes place approximately five years prior to events in the Sherlock episode "A Study in Pink."
Chinese Translation: available here and here by freya-fsc
The "guest" stands with legs spread, arms crossed.
Mycroft reads his body language like a textbook. By necessity a scrapper in his youth, Lestrade's first instinct when cornered is still to fight. But he's older and more patient these days, a bit blunted at the edges, and, quite frankly, tired.
At a considerable disadvantage just now, as well. He knows it.
"Right," Lestrade says without preamble, "I get the message. You have money. Connections. You're bold enough to nick a DI off the street in broad daylight."
Scanning the warehouse, Lestrade licks his lips. "So tell me what the hell you're playing at."
"Please, Detective Inspector." Mycroft waves a hand. "Let's not begin on the wrong note."
Lestrade interrupts Mycroft's dramatic pause.
"Let's not waste time, either. I'd thought word got around after the Vassellas bust and Donegal case: I won't be bought."
No false bravado, only genuine stubbornness.
"If this is a hit" - Lestrade's frown deepens, fear present but outpaced by fury and resignation - "then just get on with it, yeah? Spare me the Bond-villain monologue."
This isn’t a hit; it’s a test. Moments pass. In reply, Mycroft offers silence and his favourite calculating stare.
Lestrade lifts his chin, waiting.
Staring back.
Nothing fragile there, Mycroft realises. How... satisfying.
He smiles. Yes, perhaps this man could handle Baby Brother.
THE END
Note: Read a counterpart story from Lestrade's point of view: "Catch and Release" by lady_karasu.
Vital Stats: Originally written in August 2011.
Author: Morgan Stuart
Fandom: Sherlock
Disclaimer: This universe does not belong to me; I'm just an appreciative visitor. I make no profit from this fan work.
Description: John Watson wasn't the first person Mycroft Holmes kidnapped for a little chat in a warehouse.
Author's Note: This is a 221b ficlet: 221 words, with the last word beginning with a "b."
Historian's Note: This takes place approximately five years prior to events in the Sherlock episode "A Study in Pink."
Chinese Translation: available here and here by freya-fsc
The "guest" stands with legs spread, arms crossed.
Mycroft reads his body language like a textbook. By necessity a scrapper in his youth, Lestrade's first instinct when cornered is still to fight. But he's older and more patient these days, a bit blunted at the edges, and, quite frankly, tired.
At a considerable disadvantage just now, as well. He knows it.
"Right," Lestrade says without preamble, "I get the message. You have money. Connections. You're bold enough to nick a DI off the street in broad daylight."
Scanning the warehouse, Lestrade licks his lips. "So tell me what the hell you're playing at."
"Please, Detective Inspector." Mycroft waves a hand. "Let's not begin on the wrong note."
Lestrade interrupts Mycroft's dramatic pause.
"Let's not waste time, either. I'd thought word got around after the Vassellas bust and Donegal case: I won't be bought."
No false bravado, only genuine stubbornness.
"If this is a hit" - Lestrade's frown deepens, fear present but outpaced by fury and resignation - "then just get on with it, yeah? Spare me the Bond-villain monologue."
This isn’t a hit; it’s a test. Moments pass. In reply, Mycroft offers silence and his favourite calculating stare.
Lestrade lifts his chin, waiting.
Staring back.
Nothing fragile there, Mycroft realises. How... satisfying.
He smiles. Yes, perhaps this man could handle Baby Brother.
THE END
Note: Read a counterpart story from Lestrade's point of view: "Catch and Release" by lady_karasu.
Vital Stats: Originally written in August 2011.