"I've never heard such an absurd plan."

Sherlock's eyes narrowed slightly at his older brother. Couldn't he be a help instead of a hindrance, just this once?

"Don't exaggerate; of course you have. In fact, this plan is rather sound."

"There's too much relying on his choices," was the argument.

"That can't be helped. But you can't deny that I've predicted the most likely outcomes. Your brilliant mind can surely work out that much, just as mine has."

"But it's too risky, Sherlock!" he insisted. "You could die."

Sherlock just looked at him stoically. Mycroft gave a sigh.

"You don't care about that of course."

"I'm accustomed to gambling with my own life."

"But not with others' lives," completed Mycroft resignedly. Sherlock nodded sharply, uncomfortable discussing emotions with his older brother.

Mycroft sat back heavily in his plush chair pondering this. There did not seem to be any way of convincing Sherlock to give up his mad plan. Sherlock would never change his mind or back down, all because the lives of a few other people were on the line. Mycroft was stuck between rather conflicting emotions. On the one hand he was exasperated because Sherlock was not taking into account the fact that his own life was significantly more important to preserve: a genius the caliber of the Holmes brothers was not a common one after all. But on the other hand, Mycroft found himself somehow glad that his brother had finally found people that he cared about enough to protect at any expense.

Well… thought Mycroft, If it must be this way, Sherlock must at least take into consideration those who will also be affected by his actions.

"You know what this will do to John, don't you?"

"I couldn't care less if John hates you because of it Mycroft."

"Don't be such a child Sherlock," he snapped. "I'm not concerned about such a trivial matter. I meant-"

"I know what you meant," Sherlock cut in abruptly. Mycroft waited for a moment, but Sherlock gave no sign of an intention to speak more.

"Well? Do you understand what-"

"Of course I do." Sherlock's voice became tight as his eyes shifted irritably. The conversation had clearly become highly uncomfortable for the consulting detective.

A tense silence fell between the two men. Mycroft found himself reflecting on their childhood. Sherlock had never been a normal child, nor had Mycroft of course, but it had still pained Mycroft to see Sherlock so reserved. Oftentimes Mycroft would find himself wishing that Sherlock would talk to him, make Mycroft his confidant. Mycroft wanted Sherlock to disclose his feelings to him. A few times Mycroft had even been on the verge of inviting Sherlock to do so, but the words always seemed to catch in his throat, so he never said them.

Now, as he watched Sherlock struggle to subdue the emotions he rarely admitted to having, Mycroft felt that way once again. As always, Mycroft wanted to support Sherlock in the way that a normal older brother would support his younger brother.

But, as always, Sherlock did not give him the chance.

"You'll do it?" Sherlock checked. It took Mycroft a moment to shake off the sadness that he had once again failed at making a connection.

"Well. It seems you've left me no choice," he replied with a fake, tight smile. Sherlock nodded once and then quickly turned on his heel and left the room, his long black coat flapping up behind him.

As soon as the door shut closed Mycroft slumped down in his chair, covering his face with his hands. Though he liked it little, Mycroft understood Sherlock's need to get out of the public eye and to best Moriarty's game. Therefore, Mycroft would do everything he could to assist him.

Perhaps it was impossible for Mycroft to ever have the relationship with Sherlock that he desired, but then, if this was the only way he could even be close to supporting Sherlock, he would do it. He would do it.

"Please be safe, little brother," Mycroft murmured sadly.

.-.-.

So, right now I'm on a bit of a Reichenbach binge, but not all of the chapters will be involved with the Fall. Thanks for reading! Please review. Let me know if there are any characters you particularly want to see.