Mycroft watches John trudge up to the stoop at 221B, sack of groceries slumping against one arm as his leg hitches with each step. John doesn't spare a glance in the direction of the black sedan-he must not have seen it or he'd be masking the limp. No real need for situational awareness these days, at least not as far as John is aware. Well, that's why Mycroft has compensated with men (among other measures) posted around his brother's old flat.

John climbs the steps and pulls his keys from his left coat pocket with his free hand. There is a long moment as he fumbles with the lock, and the keys drop to his feet. (Mycroft will note in his file that the tremor is back.) John sags his head against the door, breathes deeply, then balances the bag on a hip while he reaches for the keys. At last, the door swings open and John disappears inside. Observing him go, Mycroft is reminded of an old Irish song their nanny would sing sometimes:

How can he break the honest heart

That wears him in its core?

It's clearer than ever that caring is not an advantage-and yet, Mycroft realizes, he's also more determined than ever to help fix this as quickly as possible and get Sherlock back.

Inspired by the poem/song by George Ogle (1742-1814) variantly called Molly Veg Masthore and Molly Asthore. Word count at 221 per Mac Pages. Sherlock Holmes characters are the property of ACD and BBC (Gatiss and Moffatt) - I neither own nor profit from.