Hello Detective

Gregson Part 7

"You can, I know you can. Just be smart. And don't do anything stupid." I smiled, and he took my hand in his as we both re-entered the private poker room.

That sensation was foreign to me. Sherlock never held hands, ever. I was not used to it, but grateful for the human contact.

I lead Charles back to his seat before grabbing his tie and pulling his lips to mine. I knew I had the attention of the whole table, as was my intention.

"Hope that makes up for earlier." I whispered in Bass' ear, referring to how he wished me to enter the other night.

He sat back at the table casually, Le Chiffre seemed surprised that he managed the re-buy.

"Shall we up the blinds?" He said in a cocky manner. I gave him an unsatisfied look as if to say 'Look where your ego got you the first time, tone it down a notch'. He gave me a gentle smile, providing me with relief.

The game continued for hours, and honestly I was bored. On the bright side, Charles was doing extremely well. I was able to relax a bit, he was able to win back nearly everything he had before.

There were only five people left in the game when Charles' latest martini arrived straight from the bar. His eyes met mine and I watched him carefully. He quickly looked to his drink, which he had just set down after taking a drink.

"Deal me out." He said suddenly, and I stood in shock. What the hell was he doing?

He quickly left the table, and the American turned and met my eye as well, clearly concerned. More so for the potential loss of 5 million, but also for Bass.

I watched as he grabbed an empty glass and salt shaker from a table and brought them with him to the restroom. What was he doing? Then it hit me.

Was he just poisoned? Jesus!

I ran to follow him as he burst out of the door, swaying slightly. I needed to help him, but what could I do?

I quickly grabbed him and rushed him outside to the Aston Martin waiting in the lot. I knew besides a gun, there had to be something in there that could help me.

I pulled open the passenger door and shoved him into the seat. I opened the secret compartment in front of the airbags and quickly jabbed the needle into his arm.

I called back to headquarters, there had to be someone there that could tell me exactly what to do to help. The needle in his arm now was connected to a device that allows them to read his heart rate, blood toxin levels, and much more.

"009 you need to do exactly what I tell you or he'll be dead within two minutes." My contact at home told me.

"I'm all ears, dammit, just help me." I yelled back.

"Remove the defibrillator from the pouch", and I did just that, "Attach the leads to his chest."

I ripped open his dress shirt in a way that would surely be sexy if not for the current situation. I stuck them onto his smooth chest, and waited for further instruction. I waited for the charge to hit full and was about to press the red button to shock him.

"Wait, don't press the red button yet Gregson!" They quickly yelled, changing their mind.

"His heart's gonna stop! What the hell do you want me to do?" I yelled back, my finger hovering over the button.

"Take the blue combipen, Gregson. Mid-neck into the vein. That'll counteract the digitalis." He said, they finally scanned and found out what poison was in his system.

"I'm so sorry Charles." I said, grabbing the epipen looking device and gabbing it into his jugular.

"He's going to pass out in a few seconds, we need to keep his heart going. Press the red button now!" They yelled, and I slammed my finger onto it.

I waited for something to happen and nothing did.

"Something's wrong." I said, still pressing the button. He was slipping, and slipping fast. I picked up the red wire that connected the lead to the charge pack, somehow it had disconnected.

I looked up and Charles was unconscious. I quickly reattached the wire and slammed my finger down onto the red button.

He jolted awake, just staring at me for a few seconds before taking my hand.

"You okay?" He asked me, I looked at him, shocked.

"Me? You nearly just died. Don't do that to me again." I said, helping him sit back up.

"Thank you." He said, and I nodded, not convinced that he was okay.

"We need to get you to a hospital." I stated.

"Yes, will do. As soon as I win this game." He said, struggling to stand out of the car.

"You're not seriously going back there?" I asked.

"Wouldn't dream of it." He said, walking off.

"Charles!" I called after him, he was talking nonsense, he was in no state to return to playing poker right now.

I followed him as he sat back down at the table, Le Chiffre looked up in disbelief.

"Sorry. That last hand, nearly killed me." He said, a smirk on his face. Cheeky bastard. He nearly dies and the first thing he does is make a joke out of it.

Four players left, that was it. The American was out, and now standing at the bar next to me.

"24 million in the pot already. How'd you know I'd stake him?" He asked me.

"'Cause I knew he could win, and considering the cards you had at the time there was no way you'd stay in much longer, it's really simple-" I stopped talking when I heard Charles' voice at the table behind me.

"Forty million, 500 thousand, all in." He spoke, and I whipped around. I noticed everyone else at the table was all in. This was the end. It all comes down to the cards now.

Charles flipped his cards. A straight flush! He had actually pulled this off! The American next to me chuckled.

"He's all yours." Charles told him, I looked to him confused. Before sighing and rolling my eyes. In the deal for the 5 million rebuy he must have promised the Americans that they could take in Le Chiffre when Charles won. There's always something I missed. Well, no one's perfect.

"Much appreciated, brother." The American said before walking off.

"Well I think we could consider this a win. We might not be the ones to take him in, but the CIA isn't exactly saintly so Le Chiffre won't hold up long. Plus he'll no longer be funding terrorism, so top marks Bass." I applauded him for his performance.

"M might be slightly disappointed, but if he could manage any emotion other than that it would shock me." He said, causing me to laugh.

"Can we get back to London now? God, you don't realize how much you miss it until you leave." I said, absentmindedly.

"Sure, on one condition." He smirked.

"Oh dear God, what?" I asked.

"Dinner, with me. In London when we get back. As a way of saying thank you for saving my life." He said, genuinely.

"Ah Bass, you are my damsel in distress, I could never say no. Surprisingly I think we make a pretty good team, perhaps M will pair us up more often." You suggested.

"You- Adelaide Gregson- want to spend more time with me? I'm flattered. I thought you said my charm wouldn't work on you." He smirked as the two of us packed.

"Don't think that it has Charles. You'll need someone around to save your ass the next time you get poisoned or shot. I'm just saying I wouldn't mind being that someone." I explained.

"Sure, of course." He smiled sarcastically, and I punched him playfully.

"Our plane's waiting Charles, and I really don't want to miss it, so if you could please hurry up." I scolded.

"London, that great cesspool into which all loungers and idlers are irresistibly drained." Charles muttered as he finished packing.

"I prefer to call it home, but to each his own." I smirked, throwing my bag over my shoulder.