This is my first Sherlock fanfiction. My main love pairing is Mycroft/Greg but this story is mostly about Sherlock and Mycroft's sibling rivalry and how they work through it. John isn't going to be in this story until a little later. This is all supposed to take place when they are younger. About 15 years before the show is even supposed to start.
I started writing this months ago and thought for sure that I would have the whole thing finished by the time the new season aired. Of course, that didn't happen. I can at least get the first chapter up.
I'm the Smart One
Things Change
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Mycroft was lost in thought about what he was required to do for work in the next few months.
His job was very demanding. When he had accepted being recruited into MI6 a couple years ago in college Mycroft didn't know what he had been expecting. Filling out paperwork had not been one of them. Lately, they had been expecting him to do more fieldwork. The things he had done and seen lately had been playing havoc on his mind.
Anthea arrived at the office half an hour early but wasn't surprised to see that her boss was already there. Mycroft was a workaholic in every sense of the definition. She suspected he had no life outside of the borough. Anthea supposed that she was the closest thing Mycroft had to a friend.
She could tell that her boss was troubled. Anthea had started the program less than a year after he had but Mycroft had been moving through the ranks a lot faster than Anthea had. It was a lot of pressure on someone so young. They were practically the same age but Mycroft seemed years older somehow.
"Better stop scowling, you'll get premature wrinkles." Anthea teased to announce her presence as she took off her coat.
"You know that I don't care about things like that," Mycroft replied absently. Not really paying attention because he was too caught up in the report he was reading.
"But you would if there's a wrinkle in your suit," Anthea said as she sat at her desk. After being recruited by MI6, Anthea never thought she would end up as an assistant. Performing simple office duties. Though she had a license to kill which was something. After checking the message machine she wrote down any relevant information. "Your mother called again."
"Tell her I'm busy." Mycroft sighed as he tried to get back to work. Worrying about what he had to do in the months to come wouldn't change anything.
There was a long moment of silence with only the sound of pages being turned to break it.
Anthea tapped her fingers on the polished wood of her desk because she had nothing to keep herself busy with. When she was bored she tended to become chatty. "How many people your age do you think have their own office with an assistant?" She contemplated out loud.
"Not very many." Mycroft knew that he had accomplished a lot in his 24 years of life.
"I don't know how I ended up here." Anthea gestured to the office.
"Do you not like working for me?" Mycroft said as he looked over the top of his report at her.
"You're a brilliant boss, and I wouldn't mind if I was one of the field agents you were gathering intelligence for." Anthea sighed dejectedly.
"I see, so you're unhappy with your position." Mycroft finally put down the report to look at her. Understanding that this was more than simple chit-chat. "You are way more than a simple assistant."
When they had been in the graduate training program together, Anthea had impressed him the most out of his peers. His instructors tended to look down on her because of her beauty but Mycroft could see that there was a brilliant brain behind her attractive features'.
Once Mycroft had graduated from College and finished the program, he had immediately been offered a junior intelligence position. After working under a senior officer for some time his talents had been noticed and he had been promoted. In just two years he had been offered his own office.
When Mycroft had been offered the chance to pick his own assistant, Anthea had been the first one to pop into his mind. Mycroft, of course, assumed that she was a field agent already and would be unavailable. It was surprising to him to see that Anthea was still stuck at the academy.
Mycroft wasn't a field agent because he had no desire to run around. He also didn't pass the physical training required for the job. His brain would have been wasted as a field agent anyway. Whenever he was required to run an errand he sent Anthea in his place. "I have you do my leg work for me."
"So I'm your legs." Anthea gave her boss a disbelieving look.
"Yes." Mycroft hid his smile behind a report.
Anthea was going to ask him to clarify what he meant when the phone rang. "Mr. Holmes office what may I do for you?" She paused to wait for the other person on the line to start talking.
"Put my boy Mycroft on the phone, tell him his mummy wants to talk to him." The voice cooed into the receiver.
It was hard for Anthea not to burst out giggling at the term, mummy, being used to describe one of her cold boss's parents. "One moment." She covered the microphone with her hand. Clearing her throat to gain her bosses attention. "Mycroft, it's your mummy on the phone for you."
A deep blush spread over Mycroft's cheeks. He wasn't sure why his mother refused to be referred to anything less than mummy. Usually, the parent let the child chose which form of mother they wished to use, but theirs enforced the ever embarrassing mummy. He really wasn't in the mood to be nagged at by his mother like a child right now. It was the only time Mycroft really ever felt his age. "Just tell her I'm busy," Mycroft whispered so that the microphone on the phone wouldn't pick up his voice.
It was easy for Anthea to forget that Mr. Holmes was only in his early twenties until moments like this. Because of the way he carried himself you would think Mycroft was in his thirties instead of only being twenty-four.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Holmes, your son is in a meeting right now. Would you like to leave a message for him?" Anthea nodded along as her superior's mother talked about her sudden business trip. She wanted Mycroft to take care of something while she was away. "Bring him over whenever it's convenient for you." Anthea hung up and looked at her boss. "Are you sure you don't want to hear the message your mother left right now," Anthea asked already knowing the answer.
"Whatever she has to say can wait till Monday." Mycroft brushed off the question.
Anthea smirked at the sudden surprise that would be waiting for her boss the next morning.
o0o
Mycroft had only one day a week that he got the whole day off to have some down time. Which was Sunday because. Not bothering to change out of his pajamas for once he heading to the kitchen for some tea. Filling the kettle with some water, Mycroft placed it on the stove to boil. The kettle whistled breaking him from his deep train of thought. He was always thinking of something or other.
Suddenly the doorbell rang, which was strange since Mycroft wasn't expecting anyone. Making sure that his robe was tied shut so that he was at least semi-decent for accepting company. The bell rang again, more insistent this time. Opening the door, Mycroft was surprised to see his own mother on the other side.
What truly shocked Mycroft though was the large luggage the women had with her. Was his mother planning on staying for an extended amount of time? He had heard nothing of a planned visit. Maybe that was what her phone call was about the other day.
"Mummy, what are you doing here?" Mycroft asked inquiringly.
"I explained everything to that assistant of yours," Mrs. Holmes said as she pushed her way into the house. Rolling the large luggage in behind her. "I have a business trip I must take, so I need you to take care of Sherlock."
"What?!" Mycroft gasped with complete shock. He hadn't even seen his little brother for a year. To suddenly have the responsibility to take care of him forced upon him was a shock. "I have work to worry about."
"Don't worry, that lovely assistant of yours assured me that she cleared the next week of your schedule so that you both have time to settle in together." Mrs. Holmes brushed off his worries.
"What about Sherlock's schooling?" Since his brother was only 17, Mycroft was certain that he had classes he must be attending. It was nearing the end of October so the school term had already well begun.
"I had him transferred to a school in London for a semester," Mrs. Holmes sighed with exasperation. "Truthfully it was the only one that would take him. That boy has already been kicked out of both good schools in the town where the family home is."
"What! Kicked out?" Mycroft blinked surprised. Had he really fallen so far out of the loop with his family? How could he have missed this development? Mycroft knew that Sherlock had some behavioral issues but was it really that bad to be kicked out of school. He knew his brother was smart so there must be other issues than grades.
"I just can't handle that boy anymore," Mrs. Holmes shook her head. "Drinking and smoking, as well as the drugs on top of that."
"Drugs?!" Mycroft gasped with shock. He was hoping she was just talking about weed.
"Cocaine, my dear." His mother said plainly. "I'm hoping to live under the same roof as you for a while will change him for the better. You've always been such a law-abiding child." It was the only way she could think of to describe her elder son.
"Meaning Sherlock is not?" Mycroft held his head in his hands. It sounded like Sherlock had gotten worse since last Christmas. "What exactly do you want me to do?"
"I'll be gone for a few months so I want Sherlock to stay here with you." Mrs. Holmes exclaimed like it was something that was going to be happening whether he liked it or not.
"A few months!" Mycroft said aghast. "I thought this was only going to be for a short amount of time."
"I've been offered the chance to teach Mathematics for a semester at Stanford." Mrs, Holmes revealed.
"That isn't a business trip, that is a new job opportunity." Mycroft expected to have to take care of his brother for a week at the most. "Hasn't school already started?"
"One of the Professors has come down with something and I'm filling in for them. This is a great opportunity for me." Mrs. Homes answered.
"Can't father take care of him?" Mycroft asked anxiously looking for other options. Their father was a much quieter, more normal person than the rest of the family.
"He's coming with me of course." Mrs. Holmes answered.
"To do what?" Mycroft asked surprised.
"Even adults need vacations sometimes." Mrs. Holmes answered flippantly.
"Are you teaching a class or going on a cruise?" Mycroft asked suspiciously. Were his parents just dumping his little brother off on him so that they could be alone?
"We will be going to California. It is a very lovely state that has many sights to be seen." Mrs. Holmes replied. "Our flight is leaving later this day so I don't have time to make any other arrangements."
"I guess if there aren't any other options." Mycroft agreed reluctantly. It sounded more like they were going on a tropical vacation than on a business trip.
"Sherlock, get in here!" Mrs. Holmes called out the door.
The old Bentley was parked just outside on the drive. The back passenger door opened and out stepped what looked like a tall man with black curly hair. It was only when the man turned around that Mycroft could see that it was actually his little brother Sherlock.
Mycroft was surprised by how much Sherlock had grown since the last time he had seen him. He no longer looked like the little child he once remembered. The cigarette hanging out of his mouth helped immensely.
Sherlock puffed on the filter one last time, before dropping it to the gravel drive. Crushing it under what looked like designer Italian boots. The only word that Mycroft could think to describe the way his brother walked, was a strut. His long black overcoat blew in the wind as he moved. He came to a stop on the landing of Mycroft's front steps.
"Is this really necessary, mother?" A surprisingly deep voice came out of such young lips.
"Mummy." Their mother continued to enforce which Sherlock rolled his eyes at. Mycroft had given up years ago of calling her by anything else except in his mind. "Yes, of course, dear. We've already talked about this. If you hadn't blown up the science lab, maybe we would have had other options."
Mycroft's eyebrows practically disappeared into his eyebrows when he picked out the words 'BLOWN UP THE SCIENCE LAB'.
Sherlock held himself like a grown up until their mother tried to pat his hair into submission. Then Sherlock hunched in on himself and scowled darkly like the sulky teenager he actually was. Hissing "Mother!" Just infuriating her more, since he refused to use her much-preferred mummy.
"You both need to get over this falling out you had," Mrs. Holmes tutted as she looked between them. "You used to be so close as children."
"Things change." Mycroft sighed dejectedly. When Mycroft had tried to keep in contact after he went away to university, their relationship had fallen apart. Sherlock never seemed to have forgiven him for leaving him alone with idiots.
"I have already confirmed that I will be teaching a semester at Stanford in America. This temporary situation will be happening whether you two like it or not." Mrs. Holmes looked intently between her two sons. "I suggest the two of you, take this time to work on your relationship."
"I will if he does," Mycroft replied glancing in his brother's direction, who stuck his tongue out in response. No matter how grown up Sherlock looked now, his brother was still a child at heart.
"Have fun together my sweeties," Mrs. Holmes kissed both her sons on the cheek. Quickly she strutted towards the door. Not even looking back. Shutting the door behind her she left them alone together.
Mycroft blinked, completely bowled over by what had just happened. They both just stood there awkwardly staring at each other.
Sherlock lit up a cigarette inside the front hall and blew out a perfect smoke ring.
Mycroft narrowed his eyes. Stalking over he snatched the cancer stick out of his little brother's mouth. He received a dark glare for his troubles. "There will be no smoking under my roof," Deciding then and there, that he was going to get his brother back into shape. "Actually, give me the whole package. I'm confiscating it."
"What? Not happening," Sherlock scowled darkly. Placing his hand protectively over his right pocket.
Not giving any warning, Mycroft snapped his hand forward and opened the left pocket, reaching in and grabbing the packet. He wasn't stupid enough to fall for misdirection
"Bastard," Sherlock cursed.
"We both know that isn't true," Mycroft said as he held up the package of cigarettes up in victory. Their parents had been married five years before he was even conceived. "Follow me, I'll show you where you will be sleeping. Grab your bag." He walked up the grand staircase with his little brother behind him, stomping on each step to show his displeasure.
Mycroft opened the first door on the right that had been made up to receive a guest. It was also the furthest from his own.
Sherlock looked around the guest room unimpressed even though it had high-quality mahogany furniture and was a large size for a guest room. Mycroft thought his brother would have turned down his nose at what was on the other side of the door no matter what.
"I'll leave you to unpack and get settled in." Mycroft had to gather himself to get a game plan ready. He stomped down the stairs and into his office. Collapsing into his desk chair. Tugging open his right desk drawer he threw the cigarette package inside and then locked it. If his brother was anything like him he doubted it would stop Sherlock.
Mycroft was wondering what he had just gotten himself into. His younger brother was an unknown entity. They had hardly spoken in the past five years and what he had seen made him think this was going to be some of the most stressful months of his life. Mycroft was an adult now who was responsible for a number of subordinates. This was just taking care of one person.
This wasn't going to be as hard as he was making it out to be. It was just taking care of his little brother.
o0o
The ring of his phone woke him from a dream that he now couldn't remember what it was about. Looking at the clock, he realized it was passed 3 am. It wasn't unheard of for Mycroft to receive a work call this late at night. Reaching blindly for his phone. Prepared for a business call.
"Yes, what do you want now?" Mycroft answered even though it wasn't the most polite way. If they were going to be waking him up this late, Mycroft saw no reason why he should mind his manners.
"Is this Mycroft Holmes." An unfamiliar male voice asked.
"Speaking." Mycroft waited for the other person to get to the point.
"Mr. Holmes, This is Constable Williams, we've detained a boy who claims to be your younger brother."
"What?" Mycroft shot up in bed. He threw the covers back and walked quickly out of his bedroom over to the quest room. "That can't be, Sherlock should be in…" The bed was empty and the window was open.
"What did he do?" His brother had been in his care for less than a full day and already he had gotten himself in trouble.
"Well, he was caught buying an illegal substance." The constable did not sound impressed.
"Of course he did," Mycroft sighed. "I'm on my way."
.0.
Using his connections, Mycroft was able to clear the situation so that there was no paper trail left behind. They left the station together silently. Mycroft wanted to give a lecture but he wasn't sure that it would help at all. Instead, he just said, "Don't make a habit of this."
"You wiped my record," Sherlock stated confused. He hadn't realized his brother had that power till now.
"For your sake as well as mine," Mycroft said tiredly.
"Mummy would kill you?" Sherlock asked as they walked out of the police station.
"Mummy would kill me," Mycroft confirmed.
...TBC
