The Most Dangerous Game | Sherlock Holmes

05

Galina's usually elegant- yet sometimes difficult to understand- English was getting worse and worse as she excitedly told Mycroft about her night. 

"Мы ходили на гала-концерт, и это было так здорово! Я соскользнула вниз по лестнице и чуть не подвернула лодыжку. Мы с Шерлоком танцевали, а он пытался спровоцировать бунт с кейтеринговой компанией! Это было просто замечательно!"

If Sherlock was not borderline heavily intoxicated and, if Galina wasn't slurring her words, he might have understood almost everything she had said.

He made it a point to take up a rigorous study in the Russian language the following day.

All he could make of Galina's rant was only a few words; gala, staircase, dance, riot, and catering company.

Sherlock was hoping that she had told Mycroft about his attempt to incite a riot with the employees of the catering company. 

It obviously didn't take. 

Mycroft eyes slowly moved from Galina to Sherlock as he raised his eyebrows and quirked his head. 

"My, it seems that the two of you had a grand time, that is, judging from the alcohol on your breath," he muttered bitterly, which caused Galina to roll her eyes as she slapped his arm. 

"Ugh, you are always too...встревоженный...uh..."

"Uptight."

"Спасибо (Thank you), Sherlock. Mycroft, you are always too uptight for your own good, If you two will excuse me, I am headed to bed."

Galina went ahead and gave Mycroft a loving hug as he unwillingly smiled down at her, but the tension was quickly relieved when he saw how wide and bright her smile was. 

When she made her way to the door, something caused her to stop. 

The sound of her heels landing on the floor vibrated through the quiet room as she flung herself onto Sherlock. 

He staggered a bit when he caught her but he held onto her firmly with her hands wrapped around his neck and her bare feet inches from the floor, being supported by only his hold on her lower back. 

"Спасибо, моя дорогая, это было прекрасно (Thank you, my dearest, it was perfect)," she whispered in his ear, her face buried in his neck for only a moment before she picked up her discarded shoes and ran out of the room. 

Sherlock smiled reluctantly as his hand rubbed his neck, still being able to feel the ghost of her hair tickling his cheek.  

Mycroft coughed once again and Sherlock snapped out of Galina's spell and began to violently tug off his bow tie as he let out a dramatic sigh. 

"While I normally enjoy your company, as you've been able to surmise this night has been exhausting. If you could-"

"Sherlock Holmes, what exactly are your intentions with Galina Ivanov?"

Sherlock had been in the middle of taking off his shoes when the ridiculous question was posed and he almost fell flat on the floor. 

"What?" Sherlock questioned, remembering exactly why he rarely drank when it took him more than a few seconds to figure out what Mycroft was hinting at and when he did, he drew his shaking head back as he knitted his brows. "Oh, you are so ridiculous."

"Well, what do you expect me to think?" Mycroft shouted, sitting down angrily in Sherlock's chair. "I send her to you for safekeeping and you've managed to woo her instead. You're taking her out drinking and dancing, next thing you want to-"