This Is A Test (Sherlock)

[morganstuart]

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: Okay, let's try this again. It seems my two-part experiment with the 221b format (221 words, last word beginning with a "b") was, in fact, a three-part experiment. This is the third part.
Historian's Note: This takes place approximately five years prior to events in the Sherlock episode "A Study in Pink."



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

Vital Stats: Originally written in August 2011.

Comments

[sc010f.livejournal.com]

:D

That is all... :D

Marvelous as usual!

[methylviolet10b]

Brilliant. Just brilliant. I can just see this whole scene in my head. Your Lestrade is just perfect. :-)

(And is it just me, or did this story appear earlier, then vanish? Is LJ wonky again, or is it just my brain? Wellll...okay, is it *more* than just my brain?)

[bluerosefairy.livejournal.com]

I fully believe this happened. There's no way Mycroft scares Lestrade any more than he scares John.

[lucybun.livejournal.com]

Oh, I just found my fic rec for Monday! Yay! I love this dynamic between the two of them. Fics about Mycroft having respect for Lestrade please me to no end. <3 BTW, maybe your experiment should be an indefinite one, because I sure to enjoy these.

[lucybun.livejournal.com]

LJ is wonky. It did the same thing to me on another post.

[marysutherland.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed this - Lestrade displaying his own subtly different form of toughness from John's behaviour in the same situation. More willing to take the fight to the enemy and less patient. And I love Mycroft's thought that this is 'satisfying'; I can just hear his voice then.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so tickled you liked it! Thank you so much. :D

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so glad the scene seems right to you! Lestrade, especially.

LJ is being wonky. Alas, so am I. I got cold feet on this one and withdrew it, tinkered a bit more, and then decided I had to let it be or go insane. ;) I'm so sorry for the confusion!

Thanks again for your kind words. As always, they mean a lot to me.

[zephyr-macabee.livejournal.com]

Very nice take on both characters.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so glad this seems believable to you! I liked thinking about how Lestrade's "interview" was probably a variation on John's: some differences, according to their personalities and positions, but, as you say, neither being overly intimidated. I expect Mycroft doesn't get a frank stare back from people very often. Maybe once every five years. ;)

Thanks so much for reading and for your feedback!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, bless you! That's lovely of you. :D I'm so glad you liked this.

Fics about Mycroft having respect for Lestrade please me to no end.

I agree wholeheartedly!

And thank you so much for your encouraging words about these recent 221b ficlets. I'm just delighted that you've been enjoying them. I appreciate your encouragement!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed this! And I'm pleased that these differences between Lestrade's and John's "interview" felt fitting to you. I'm especially tickled that Mycroft's reaction seemed in character. I'd imagine finding someone who will meet his gaze without shying away is rare enough to be a refreshing experience when it happens.

I appreciate your reading and commenting very much. Thank you!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy you think so! Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

Gotta love Lestrade's stubborn, weary determination. Yes, he can handle Baby Brother well enough!

I think you are doing quite nicely with the 221b format. Maybe you should do 119 more. ;-)

[sabrinaphynn.livejournal.com]

Heh. I likes.
BTW, the staring and not talking bit. Totally learned from Mummy. ;D

[lady-karasu.livejournal.com]

I... really kind of love this. Lestrade's attitude just made me smile (as well as Mycroft's approval). Would love to see this from the DI's prospective - maybe including the pickup and release? Maybe? Just a thought. ;)

Oh god, catch-and-release - there's a fishing joke in here, but I'm refusing to look for it...

[r34dinglight.livejournal.com]

god do i ♥ things that reaffirm my headcanon. this one hits it dead on with its implication that lestrade is most definitely involved in sherlock's early!life, and that you betchya yes, mycroft was totally aware. and keeping his eye on it/him/them.

as is shown here that lestrade was up to that challenge and then some simply is the waythatitis. the end. :)

[bethan-b-bad.livejournal.com]

This is AWESOME. :D I love Lestrade.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Aw, I do gotta love Lestrade. Especially when he knows his back is to the wall. ;)

Oh wow, that really makes my -- well, more than my day. My week! Thank you for your encouragement. I don't know about another 119 (lol!), but I'm grateful to know these have worked for you. Thank you, my friend!

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so glad. Thank you for reading and commenting.

BTW, the staring and not talking bit. Totally learned from Mummy. ;D

I love it!!! That makes perfect sense. *nods emphatically and thanks heaven Mummy Holmes wasn't my mum*

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm delighted that you do! Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words.

Ooh, I really like this idea! And the notion of a catch-and-release fishing joke, too... ;P

[sabrinaphynn.livejournal.com]

Ha ha ha ha. I am not entirely certain that I am not turning into Mummy with my two, they turn my hair white daily.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

We're most definitely on the same page. What you said is my headcanon, for certain. I'm so tickled this seems fitting in light of those ideas. I do adore Lestrade depicted as being "up to that challenge and then some"!

Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words. You've put a huge smile on my face.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

I'm delighted you think so! Thank you so much for your kind words. :D I adore Lestrade, too.

[morganstuart.livejournal.com]

LOL! Does one carry an umbrella and the other talk to a skull? As long as the answer's no, I'd assume you're doing beautifully. ;)