"It takes a certain level of nerve," John admitted. "But I enjoyed saving lives like that, and I enjoy helping people at the clinic."

"It does sound rewarding," Bree agreed. "But why a doctor? Did you just decide that sounded like the right calling?"

"It's what I wanted to do," John said. "Not much more complicated than that. I wanted to be a doctor since I was a boy, and I got the chance."

"Good for you." Bree grinned. "When I was little, I wanted to be an Egyptologist, and then I decided I wanted to be a vet when I found out how long it takes to become and Egyptologist and how few job opportunities there are."

"And how did it go, wanting to be a vet?" John asked, curious.

Bree grinned. "I started school and decided to specialize in dragons," she said with a bit of a shrug. "Ended up spending two years extra, but it was worth it."

"Specializing in dragons?" John asked, surprised. "That's amazing. I've never met anyone who actually did that. Most give up before they finish, I've heard."

"It's tough sometimes, it's hard to find dragons willing to be poked and prodded and examined," Bree said with a grin. "Usually it's the really old ones who don't care anymore that volunteer to let the students climb all over them measuring and poking and taking samples. That part was really fun."

John grinned as well.

"I can imagine," he said. "I can barely get Sherlock to sit still long enough to give him a once-over once in a while."

"Ah, he's one of those," Bree said with a knowing grin. "Charlotte's gotten used to it by now so she gets regular checks, in exchange for not having to go get one. Plus she gets tea and the occasional sparkly for cooperating."

"Sherlock just won't sit still," John said. He shrugged a little. "I've adapted. I would rather argue over it myself than try to drag him to a specialist I know he'll refuse to cooperate with."

"No kidding. When a dragon refuses to cooperate, you know it and there's not much to be done." Bree snickered. "You could always try bribing him next time."

"It's difficult to bribe Sherlock," John said, chuckling a bit. "Damn expensive tastes in valuables." He sent his dragon a quick, affectionate glance.

Sherlock just smirked faintly, which he knew John would take for the affectionate teasing it was, before hiding it behind his mug again.

Bree grinned knowingly.

Ah, a dragon with taste, Charlotte approved. And clearly the bond between dragon and partner was strong, if they were able to tease each other like that. She supposed Bree could make worse friends.

Sherlock was thinking something similar. Well, if John had to have human companions, he could do worse than someone who knew about dragons and knew how to act and what lines not to cross.

Charlotte looked at Sherlock and delicately set her teacup down, nodding to him once. Perhaps it would be a good idea to get to know one another, since it seemed like their partners were well on their way to being friends.

Sherlock returned the nod, although he didn't set his teacup down just yet. He could be polite when he wanted to be. But he also wanted to see how the rest of this meeting went before he started to actually be friendly. Or as friendly as he ever got.

John paused and glanced between the two dragons when he noticed the interaction.

"Oh dear, I think we just missed something rather important," he commented to Bree.

"Possibly," Bree said with an easy smile. "But there's no snarling and posturing yet, so I think we might be okay still."

John nodded, although he kept an eye on the two. He knew Sherlock had no qualms about starting problems in public.

Fortunately for him, Sherlock didn't feel the need to cause any problems. He just drank his tea quite sedately, keeping half of his attention on the two across the table and half of his attention on John and the rest of their surroundings.

Charlotte just nibbled on a scone, also keeping half an eye on both Bree and their surroundings. She absently twisted a ring on one of her fingers, just fidgeting a bit. It was about that time that she was starting to crave a flight; she would have to drag Bree out to the countryside soon.

Bree had noticed the fidgeting and since she knew her dragon's moods she knew what it meant. Time to pack a weekend bag. Fortunately she didn't have to cut this tea short.

John noticed, too, and raised an eyebrow. He didn't ask, though, and just drank his tea.