The first time John went to see Mycroft was a bit of a surprise. It was two weeks since they had seen each other, at the funeral, for what John had honestly thought to be the last time. After all, what reason would they have to speak now? The one and only thing they shared was Sherlock, and Sherlock was gone now.

But, sure enough, just a fortnight later, John watched as the all too familiar car pulled up beside him. "Anthea", as John knew her, didn't even bother rolling down a window.

It was painful being back in Mycroft's home. John recalled the last true conversation he had had with the elder Holmes brother, besides pleasantries and such, which were the furthest thing from "pleasant" as far as John was concerned.

He sat in the chair across from the Sherlock's brother, and this was all that Mycroft said:

"John, that day, at the hospital, you said you were knocked down by a bicyclist, is that correct?"

John was taken aback by the question, and responded with a slightly akward, "Ermm, yeah, why do you ask?"

Mycroft simply flashed him that infuriating Holmes smile, and replied, "Oh, no reason really. So how much time, would you say, were you… distracted?"

John hesitated for a split second, then answered, "I don't know, 30 seconds, tops. I mean that's a pretty hard thing to be distracted from."

"Hmmm, alright John, thank you for your time. You may go."

And that was that.

The next time, all Mycroft asked was, "John, would you say, as a man who has seen far too much in his lifetime to be sure, that much could happen, and often does, in 30 seconds or less?"

"Oh, to be sure. But I don't think I understand, Mycroft, what are you getting at?" was the doctor's confused response.

"I'll see you soon, John," was the only answer.

It went much the same way for the next couple of months. Mycroft always asked John a question directly relating to the fall, ranging from, "What were Sherlock's exact words over the phone?" (which John thought was a bit ridiculous, seeing as the whole conversation was recorded) to "Do you believe he truly was a fake?" (which he said he did, but did mention he only said that to honor Sherlock's request; Mycroft seemed particularly interested in that), and John would answer, asking why he had to, getting only a "See you soon" or some such as a response. It was painful, talking about his friend like that, all facts and figures and quotes and such, especially since he had started (before the fall, only just) to have less than heterosexual thoughts about his best friend, colleague, flatmate, whatever. But in a way it was nice, talking to Mycroft, who he could rely on to be stone faced, whereas Mrs. Hudson or Molly or even Greg seemed to end with him in tears that night, and often times worse than usual nightmares, if he bothered sleeping at all.

Still, life went on. As it happened, Molly and Greg were engaged to be married, and John was, truly, happy for them. He went on living in Baker Street, though every moment killed him, because Sherlock, sod that he was, somehow got it into his will that part of his money went into paying half of John's rent each month. Not that it really mattered, seeing as the rest of his money, which was far too much to require a flatshare as it turned out, went to John as well, as well as every single other item he owned. Git. Even in the afterlife he fueled the now not-so-unpleasant rumor that they were a couple. Idiot.

One day that was a bit of a turning point in his meetings with Mycroft was on a gloomy looing Friday afternoon. Mycroft and he sat face to face in the elder's office as usual, but this time there were no questions.

"John, I brought you here today to discuss some very important news concerning my little brother. Me and my team have recently uncovered some startling evidence, which will be made clear to you in due time, as to his motivation that day. It is now evident that the man who you know as Moriarty, who has yet to be examined properly claims to the alias "Richard Brook", hired three snipers that day: one for you, one for Mrs. Hudson, and one for the recently engaged Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade. It is now clear that the operation was run with the sole intent that if they did not see Sherlock jump or get some sort of code from Moriarty himself that each would shoot and kill their intended victim. Once Moriarty realized that Sherlock could potentially be able to get the code from him, he shot himself in tem out, ending his own life and thus ensuring that Sherlock would be forced to jump and seal his image as a fraud. We thought it best to inform you, and I would highly recommend that you talk to Mrs. Hudson and the Detective Inspector as well."

For the first time in over a year John had to fight the urge to laugh. "Look, Mycroft, that's a lovely thought, and I appreciate the…" he almost giggled again. What about today was funny? "…Sentiment, but really, do you think I'm that stupid? The only two people who could possibly know that are both dead, how would you possibly be able to know that? Look, I'll see you around."

Well, maybe there were some questions asked that day.