221b_recs | Fic Rec: The Secret Identity of John Watson (Reply)

Title: The Secret Identity of John Watson
Author: Scifigrl47 on AO3, FF.net
Pairing: John Watson/OFC
Length: 27,714 words
Rating: general audiences
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: Taken out of context, John Watson leads a terrifying life. You have to wonder what those poor women he dates think of it, especially if John decides to try keeping one away from Sherlock, and Sherlock decides that it'd be best if he could get rid of her. After all, Mycroft's taught him a thing or two about removing potential 'problems.'

Reccer's comments: Sam's friends say she needs to find "some perfectly ordinary bloke" to date.

John Watson seems so nice and normal. So why do strange, and sometimes dangerous, things keep happening when she's with him? Why do people keep warning her off him with mysterious innuendos? Samantha's friends think he must be a spy. Or maybe a mobster. And who is that creepy, dark-haired man stalking him? Still, he does seem awfully nice. And it's interesting. And sort of exciting.

First of all, this Samantha Carter is not that Samantha Carter. A half point off for lack of originality. Which leaves 99.5 points for thrills, chills, right-on characterizations, a real plot, laugh-out-loud funny, and all round adorableness. Plus snarky commentary from Sam's gal pals.

She wasn't sure why she did it, she was usually firm in her 'don't hit on the customers' rule, because if she screwed that up, well, it was pretty awkward when she had to turn them down for an auto loan. But he seemed so grounded, so ordinary, so, well, nice, and she could hear Caro and Margaret in her head, mocking her taste in men and what the hell, she could try, couldn't she, no, she probably shouldn't.

"Nice meeting you, too." And Sam gave him her card. "Samantha Carter. I'm usually the loan officer, but we're short handed today."

He took it, only a flicker of his eyes giving away any surprise. "So, you're not usually out here?"

"Sadly, no." She checked, but by some miracle, there was no line, so she could flirt a little bit longer without ending up on the death end of Laurie's glare.

He paused, considering. "All right, good, because then I can ask you if you'd like to get a cup of coffee sometime, because if you say no, I can just avoid your office."

"What if I say yes?" Sam asked with a grin.

"Well, if things go well, I'll hit you up for a loan, and if it goes badly? I'll just keep an eye on my checking balance," he said, after a moment of thought. "So you'll be instilling good financial habits, either way."

Sam couldn't hold back a laugh. "No coffee," she said, with a grin. "Dinner?"