The Conversation
Jim walked Irene down to the street and Irene saw a car driven by a tall sandy blond haired handsome man. She turned to Jim and said "That doesn't look like a cab"?
"You and I need to talk now".
"Who's driving"?
"Sebastian, a friend of mine. I trust him with my life. Let's find a quiet place to talk".
"Ok Jim".
Jim opened the back door of the car and Irene slid in. Jim walked around to the other side and sat beside her. Sebastian drove awhile with all of them in silence to a quiet street next to a park as it was twilight. Sebastian stayed in the car. Jim and Irene walked over to a bench within view of Sebastian and they sat down. Crickets were chirping loudly in the grass. Irene took a deep nervous breath and waited for Jim to speak.
Jim gazed at Irene and said "I introduced you to Molly Hooper because I feel she needs a friend to watch out for her and treat her very special. I am aware that your real passion is the ladies. Understand me Irene. If you ever hurt her I will skin you and pour lemon juice in your wounds until you scream. Do you understand me"?
"Jim. I’m hurt that you don't trust me. We've known each other quite a while".
"Secondly quit phishing for information when you are talking to me. If you need to know something I will tell you".
"I'm sorry Jim. I didn't mean to sound like that. I was just trying to make conversation".
"You chatter on like a magpie at the damnedest times".
"Oh, you mean about me speaking about Mary. I wasn't thinking. You're right that wasn't right".
Irene glanced at Jim flirting (trying to change the subject). "You know that I've missed you Jim. Most of the people I've have been around lately have been so boring. I adore brainy men too and if I didn't like the ladies so much I'd snatch you up for a little fun. I've missed London so much".
"Where have you been hiding"?
"Well, I've been in Germany staying with an old girl friend in a town near Munich. After that close call I didn't feel safe around people. When I got word that you wanted to see me I got curious as to why. So I came back to town".
"You haven't told me what you've been up to? Have you gotten tired of playing games with the Holmes boys"?
"Oh, I have many things going on and some might even involve you soon, but let's just leave it there".
Irene took a deep breath and smelled something blooming nearby. She moved closer to Jim on the bench and asked "Are you still angry with me"?
"If I was I wouldn't have introduced you to my Molly mouse. She is very special in a way I can't explain. It pains me for her to be alone with her cat".
"I can see what you mean. She is smart but shy. She has no idea how beautiful she is. Brainy is the new sexy". Irene snuggled up to Jim and said softly "Don't worry I'll treat her like a precious treasure. I'll take my time getting to know her. Maybe I can take her out shopping the next time she has a day off".
Irene glanced up at Jim and squeezed his left hand. She wanted to give Jim a hug but thought better of it.
"Let's go back to the car before your friend Sebastian gets bored. We have been talking for a while. He's handsome. But no, I'm not going to pry about who you're sleeping with lately" and she threw him a wicked smile.
"I know why you are called 'the woman'. You have all the allure and wiles of your gender. It's hard to stay angry with you". Jim stood up and extended his hand to Irene and helped her up. They walked back to the car with Jim's arm around Irene's waist. He opened the car door and she slid into the seat. Jim walked to the other side of the car and got in.
Sebastian and Jim dropped Irene off at a quaint little hotel and waited until she got safely inside and they drove off.
"What was that all about boss" Sebastian said with a grin?
"I am too tired to talk about it".
"Join me in a drink, Jim"?
They drove off to find a pub still open as it was getting late. Seb had brought Jim a casual jacket in the car to change into and they went inside to have a few.
"Are you hungry, Jim"? "I was going to order a sandwich and chips. Would you like to share them with me"?
"Maybe a few bites. We had dinner earlier so I'm not that hungry. I just hope I made a right move introducing Irene to a friend. I get the feeling they can learn a lot from each other".
"I've tried hooking up friends before but sometimes it works out strange". "If you're tired Jim you won't mind if I flirt and dance a little"?
"No, go ahead Seb".
Actually Jim didn't feel like going home just yet. He knew no one would be there, just him. This wasn't a time that Mycroft would be free to visit. He had promised to trust James and not spy on him the way he often did his younger brother Sherlock. James was never a hundred percent sure so he was careful who he hung out with just in case. Mycroft just didn't want James getting into any trouble.
At least he could relax around Seb. They didn't just have a working relationship but were friends. As protective as a tiger so that became his nickname. Jim had names for everyone in his life. It was nice to have someone he could truly trust. Trust is worth more than all the great sex partners in the world. (He was still hiding his relationship with Mycroft from Seb though).
Eventually Jim went home with Seb to sleep.
This had been a busy day for everyone.
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