A Christmas Carol


It was a cold December day, the sky was putting a fresh layer of snow on the grows of London. But it was not just any day, it was Christmas Eve to be exact. Many Londoners were busy shopping for those last few Christmas presents or the few ingredients they forgot for the Christmas feast.

A black unmarked car made it's way down one of the roads of London. Inside this car was Mycroft Holmes and his PA, or more commonly known as Anthea. The brunette girl was typing furiously on her blackberry and hadn't looked for ten minutes so far. The two, along with the driver although he never spoke unless spoken to, road along in silence. This comfortable silence between the two wasn't broken until the woman spoke.

"Sir, your brother was spotted by The Eye of London. Apparently he was assisting DI Greg Lestrade on another of his cases."

"And what is his status so far?"

"He is unharmed so far, but Dr. Watson has received a head wound from the murder. Nothing serious, but he will be receiving some stitches."

"This was the Matthew case? Where the bodies kept showing up in River Themes?"

"Yes sir, the murder was Nathan Matthew, he worked for Mr. Yo Le, the Chinese Representative who was suppose to meet with you next Tuesday." Anthea said as she scrolled through her blackberry.

"I suppose he'll try and return to his home country now, won't he?" Mycroft said rubbing his forehead.

"That seems most likely." Anthea said without really paying attention to what her boss was saying.

"Yes, well than I suppose there's only thing left to do. Have our meeting rescheduled from next Tuesday at 4 p.m. to tomorrow at 3 p.m."

"But sir, you do realize tomorrow is Christmas?"

"Just another work day if you ask me!"

As they spoke the black car stopped in front of an office building. The driver got out and opened the door for his boss. Once Mycroft stepped out of the car, the driver wanted until his PA was out before going back in and driving back around to a parking lot not far from the building, awaiting orders for when he was to pick them up.


Mycroft worked endlessly, he felted surrounded by the piles of paperwork around him. He could almost feel new wrinkles making their mark on his face.

The door to his office flew open and his PA brushed into the room. "Sir, your brother is here."

And almost immediately his dark haired younger brother came swooping into his his office.

"What have you do this time Sherlock" Mycroft said with a groan.

"Please do try and give me the benefit of the doubt, I've actually come for a social visit."

"You?! A social visit?! What has Dr. Watson taken from you this time? Did he help Mrs. Hudson hide your skull again?"

Sherlock rolled his eyes, "No, in fact Mycroft I came by my own will. As you most likely know, I and John host a Christmas party each year. It is usual a small intimate group, I have spoken to John, and he has agreed to let me invite you. No, I am not being forced, but I thought maybe this might get you to stop bugging me to come to mummy's cotillion."

Mycroft was torn between raising his eyebrows in surprise or groaning. "No Sherlock, I-"

"The party is tomorrow at seven p.m. It would been at six, but since John's sister, Harry, insisted that she was getting clean and wanted to celebrate with John this year. John has foolishly agreed, he is spending Christmas afternoon with his sister and than she is going to see some aunt. Don't worry about attire, although John insist it is semi-formal he will mostly likely be wearing some ridicules sweater. No doubt you'll be wearing on of your tailor made-"

"I will not be attending Sherlock." Mycroft said through gritted teeth. His younger brother had a bad habit of blabbering on when he was embarrassed about something. Ever Sherlock's faked suicide he and Mycroft had grown eve further apart. Of course Sherlock realized that Mycroft had betrayed him, but what hurt the most was that Sherlock wasn't surprised by it.

Now they hadn't spoke, not that they spoke much before. But now whenever Mycroft did stop by Baker Street to offer his brother a case, Dr. Watson would end up doing all the talking for Sherlock. The last time it had taken a full two weeks before he heard a reply from them. But by then the murder had already committed two more murders, and one being a teenage boy.

After that Sherlock had gotten an ear full from John, Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson. Apparently it was a 'bit not good' and John made sure Sherlock understood that peoples lives were more an important than their 'stupid bloody rivalry'.

Mycroft realized that by inviting him into their home for an 'intimate party' entailed that he was 'intimate' with at one person at the party. Going by his relationship with both Sherlock and John, he could honestly say he wasn't intimate with either of them. Perhaps this could be his chance to fix things, to mend his relationship with his brother. But- there was simply too much work. Besides, if they did get Mr. Yo le in tomorrow and the deal went through, there would certainly be a handsome enough of money coming through.

"You- what?!"

"I'm sorry Sherlock, but I have a meeting tomorrow-"

Sherlock rolled his eyes, "I'm sure you can afford taking Christmas off tomorrow. Nearly the rest of the worlds does and they seem to be able to get along fine. Besides, I'm sure your PA-"

"Please Sherlock, if that is all than please leave. I have work-"

"Why are you always so stubborn?! The one time I try and make an effort you turn me down because you have 'work' to do. I myself understand the importance of work, but you still have to rest sometime!"

"Dr. Watson seems to be rubbing off on you. Did you crash again brother?" Mycroft said with a scowl, he didn't need to be told off my his brother. His younger, ex-addict, 'sleeping and eating slow me down' brother for that matter. "Honestly Sherlock, I'd think you'd know by now-"

"Don't try and use 'reason' Mycroft. Unfortunately when it comes to sentimental things Holmes logical doesn't work."

"Sentimental? To think that the day has come when The Great Sherlock Holmes has turned to...Sentiment." Mycroft said the last word with such disgust that you could practically see it dipping with it.

Sherlock took a deep breath, "Mycroft, please, I'm-"

"Please? Has the world finally come to an end? Leave now Sherlock, I'm much too busy-"

"I am TRYING Mycroft! I'm trying to fix things with John, I'm still working to prove myself to Lestrade. Yes, my name has been cleared, but now I actually have to face the fact that I have friends, and now I have to be one. And on top of all that I face the fact that my brother betrayed me! I know you think me heartless, but I think this whole ordeal has proved that false! People have died because of our stubbornness Mycroft! Could you not put your work aside for once and at least TRY!"

Sherlock was furious by the end of his rant. Mycroft had been polite enough to stay quiet and listen the whole time. But...He had work to do, not only the Mr. Yo le deal, but there was also a meeting in Germany in three days that he needed to prepare for, and he still had to call back-

"I'm sorry Sherlock, I can't make it. It seems I can't make you understand, so I will ask you politely to leave and that you give my regard to Dr. Watson."

Sherlock, with a dark and thunderous look upon his face, stood and staked out. As his coat flew behind, he slammed the door shut, causing the room to shake and a vase to fell and shatter.


A/N: So, in the original 'Christmas Carol' the character scrooge was in love with money. Unfortunately I couldn't imagine Mycroft like that, so I had him choosing his work over everything else.

Also, there is no Mary Morstan in this. This is because I don't feel comfortable writing her character yet without seeing what she will be like.

Okay, so I know Sherlock is being a bit OOC, but it'll be explained later. Plus, i think after the whole fall thing he'll differently be changed over the time he's been away.

Just bare with him me.