Chapter 3: In Action
Mycroft's POV
His brother has been nauseatingly happy since he reconnected with Doctor Watson. The two of them had returned nearly completely to their old way of life from before the Fall, the only major difference was they were now in an open and affectionate relationship. Part of him envied the easy relationship the two of them had. He would never admit to the fact that he was jealous of them but it was still there. He wanted someone that he could come home to, who would understand him.

On the sixth of January he had stopped by to wish his brother happy birthday, he was surprised when he got there to discover that his brother was having something like a birthday party that the doctor was hosting. It was a moment later that he remembered that the doctor had texted him an invite, along with having Amaya deliver a printed card request. Originally he had decided not to come because he thought he would feel out of place, and look he had.

"Hello brother mine," he hears Sherlock great him before he has a chance to back out of the flat without being noticed, "Come in, there's plenty of cake to eat along with tea and other treats."

Blinking, he is trying to think of how he is going to get out before the others notice.

"Mycroft! I'm happy you decided to show," he hears the doctor as the smaller man comes hurtling towards them. "For a bit I thought that you wouldn't."

Internally sighing, he nods at the smaller man, accepting the small plate in his hand, and mildly shocked when it is his favorite type of cake.

Again before he can speak the smaller man is off and away, checking on how the detective inspector and Doctor Hooper are doing before heading into the kitchen again, humming softly as he goes.

With a fond smile his brother watches the doctor before turning his attention back to him, "Despite how often I snip about cake I am certain that is not why you are here. You tend to avoid social events unless you're being paid to be there."

Reaching in his pocket he pulls a small package out and silently hands it to his brother.

Raising an eyebrow, his brother takes it, carefully looking it over before opening it, he is surprised by the fact his brother has not said anything about it. "Why?" he inquires as he opens the box.

"You are the most like him of the family, it was appropriate," he replies as he uses the fork to eat his cake, enjoying every bite.

A genuine smile curves his younger brother's lips as he pulls the small pocket watch and chain out of box. It had been their great uncle's, the man who had encouraged Sherlock with his dreams and experiments even when the rest of the family had not. He had died two years ago while his brother was gone and this was the first chance he had to give his brother the watch.

"Thank you," Sherlock murmurs, carefully placing it back in the box and tucking it in his pocket.

He inclines his head as he considers the thanks, again startled by the changes in his normally stoic and sarcastic brother who he cannot recall the last time he was actually thanked.

"Any luck on your own goldfish?" his brother inquires after a bit, watching his chatting with the other two.

"I do not need a goldfish, brother mine," he replies a bit stiltedly.

"Your right, you need a salmon instead, goldfish are dull, however there are not a lot of salmon floating around and you cannot have mine. Perhaps you should consider one of those matchmaking agencies. I believe your assist has experience with those, perhaps you should ask her." His brother suggests before going to rejoin the others.

He stares after him for a moment before shaking his head and leaving without another word to anyone. As he walks away he hears the doctor wish him a good day, but no one else does.

Two weeks later he is back to give his brother a case involving a member of the peerage thought to be running a prostitution ring. So far every member of MI5 and MI6 they have sent in has either had their cover blown or ended up dead, so as a last ditch effort he decided to see if his brother could pull off what the trained operatives had not. His other choice was to do so himself but that was not going to happen since he had recently been told that he was to attend a Valentine's masquerade.

"Brother mine, what do you want, today's been boring," his brother tells him as he steps through the door.

Glancing around the flat, he notes that the doctor has been working at the clinic the last few days and had not been home much.

"I have a small job for you," he answers the sulking detective as he holds out the folder, "Finding out who the main player in the ring is, get me the proof so I can get rid of them."

His brother nods as he accepts the folder, thumbing through the papers while he listens. "I'll do it." Lifting his phone, his brother quickly sends off a text which is responded to less than a minute later, "For a change this is not going to be boring. Is everything you know in the file?"

"Yes," he replies as he watches his brother.

"Good," his brother remarks, "Have you seen the bloke your assistance was with last? I thought it was you for a moment, the resemblance was uncanny, but he was too short. Its remarkable really, every time I have seen her off duty, the men she favors look a great deal like you."

Flushing, he quickly excuses himself before leaving.

Just over a week later he is called back to his brother's flat as he hands over several files, a camera, and notes. There is enough information there in order to deal with them, but his brother's comment when he goes to take the paperwork has them curious.

"I will text when I am ready for your team to take them." the younger tells him, "I'd suggest having your PA do the initial entry, she's got the type of looks that they prefer and will not realize straight off that she is there to take them into custody."

Blinking, he nods and does as suggested, the following day he has Amaya go first, watching through the cameras as all of the men in the building, even those who are far too interested in his brother have their attention drawn to her as she just about floats in. All eyes are on her, particularly the guards which works perfectly for when his men come in a moment later to take everyone in their into their custody except for his brother, his partner, and PA, all of which slip out while the rest are being cuffed. The two that try to escape get hit hard upside their head before it is done.

Afterwards, as he sits in his office reviewing the video, he watches his assistant. How she moves, acts, and responds. His brother is right that she is physically the type that he tends to like, but she has never shown any interest in him. In the fact, as he thinks about those that she has dated, they are similar to him, well sort of, they are about the same height, have dark auburn red hair, and come from powerful jobs. Maybe his brother is right, maybe he does need a goldfish of his own, but is it really worth it?

oOo

Anthea's POV

In the next few weeks a few things happened including the German Minister of Defense decided to hold a masquerade ball for Valentines, her boss was informed that he had to attend and with a date, and Sherlock had gotten in touch with her to inform her that her costume was going to be delivered to her house the night before they were to leave. Three times her boss had gone over to visit his brother, and each time he had done so he had returned to the office with a speculative look in his eyes. Then there was the night that they had to deal with the prostitution ring which included six members of the peerage, over ten high powered executives, and more than thirty underage prostitutes, most of which had been sold into the ring by their families or kidnapped and sold into them.

By the time they have to prepare in order to go to Germany for the ball, she is wondering why she even considered going with the younger Holmes' plan. Then she remembers, she wants to see if he is right, if her boss really would like her.

Giving a small shake of her head, she packs everything before double checking the security plans including the fact that they apparently have a private suite to themselves for if all goes well.

The following morning she collects her things and her boss before they head to the airport. The flight over is quick, mostly done in silence. They will dress for the event when they get to the embassy. She is not exactly sure what style masquerade outfit she will be wearing, however she is certain that it would play to her features.

At the embassy they head into their individual rooms and she opens the clothing case that has her costume in it, surprised when she finds that hers seems to be designed to look like a multi-tone red flower of some variety, her mask covered most of her face with small red ambrosia flowers on the edges around the eyes. In with the costume is note suggesting that she leave most of her hair free falling however there are a few more ambrosia flower clips to hook into her hair. There are also a collection of make-ups, all of which are designed to compliment her coloring.

Biting her lip, she carefully dresses, though she is pleased to see that there is a slot for her knives, her phone, and a small collection of lock picks.

Glancing at the clock, she smiles, she's supposed to meet her boss in the entry way to the ball room in find minutes.

One last glance at the mirror, she thinks, let's go startle Mycroft.