Author's note: Thank you all for your kind reviews and yes, Mycroft wasn't kidding. He never is, if you think it through. We move on and for the first character proposals, Langdale would be Stephen Fry and Mss Klein would be Michelle Fairley (she's two years younger than Mark Gatiss and that would suit this bad girl). Getting inspiration from Parade's End.

Update of the chapter so it doesn't look too lame!

Let's go!

4. Ransom for Our Kind

"A fabrication of a grand scheme

Where I am the scary monster

I eat the city and as I leave the scene

In my spaceship I am laughing

In your remembrance of your bad dream

There's no one but you standing"

Tracy Chapman

It was a rainy day. One of the many that would follow after that one and that got darker as the years went by. The old cedar stood side by side the house like the last remnant of a glorious past, with its branches filled with trinkets, lucky charms and other objects. It was the last resting place of brave Redbeard and the old well beside it was the only object in the world that, along with the tree, proved that two boys once played there and had fun throwing coins inside and counting how long the fall was.

The East Wind was howling as little William ran out of the house, coin in his hand, and stared at the tree as if he could still see the Irish Setter waging his tail and waiting for his order. The rain had drenched the boy in seconds but he didn't mind. He was far too upset to notice. He walked towards the well and stared at the dark bottom.

"William!" a young man in his twenties ran in his direction. The boy ignored him. "William! Why won't you answer? Mother is sick worried about you!"

"I AM NOT WILLIAM!" barked the boy and turned again to the well. "And you! You are a bloody traitor!"

"It is my future! I can't just ignore it!"

"But you can ignore ME instead, can you? Your precious uni! I should have known that you didn't care!"

"Caring is not an advantage… Sherlock"

"…" they boy didn't answer and looked at his coin.

"Look. I am sorry. I promise that when I get back, we will settle this"

"If you get back"

"I will. Am not leaving you alone to start a war all by yourself" joked the older brother and reached his brother's side. The younger remained silent and threw the coin inside the well. One… Two… Three… Four… "The world is far too dark for you, Sherlock" Five… Six… Seven… Eight…"I will always be there for you" the long arms embrace the curly hairs and they both stood under the pouring rain, still waiting for a wish to make it to the water.

Mycroft Holmes did come back but part of that promise was never fulfilled. Maybe that is why as he waits for Lady Smallwood and stares at Sherlock who has been put on a chair with his hands bound in his back. The young man is still unconscious and John will come asking for him in a few minutes. The government officer reaches for Sherlock's face and moans softly as he notices that someone has cut short all the curls, the same ones he loved to ruffle when the boys were young. Mycroft sighs.

The agent who has interrogated Sherlock has displayed all his might. The sleuth is drenched to the bone and his face, back and torso are haggard. The most brilliant detective has been declared an enemy for stealing documents of an important investigation and that puts Mycroft in a dire situation. He must decide how to preserve the Holmes good reputation and his job beside the Queen.

"Mycroft" the ginger man is soon joined by Lord Cantlemere, one of the heads of the government and close working partner.

"Horatio"

"You know this endangers our agreement"

"I know but, I'm sure my brother was here for a good reason"

"Colonel James Damery is on his way here with Lord Bellinger. The first one will speak in behalf of Mrs. Maberley but I can´t say the same about the second" the older man snorts. "He will ask for a kennel for Sherlock"

"I know"

"You must take over this case, Mycroft, or I won't be able to keep you both safe in these dire times. The Brexit vote is at hand and sides are being chosen"

"I'll see to this, Horatio" they both hear someone coming in. The large and masterful aristocrat who always talk in behalf of the powerful and the Cancerberus of the British government together in the same room with Lord Cantlemere and both Holmes brothers.

"Ah! Myc dear! So good to see you" the colonel shook his kid skinned-gloved hands with the older brother. "I admit I was hoping to be introduced to your junior. Another time perhaps"

"James. Milord"

"Mr. Holmes. You know what this government wants, do you?" the Minister huffs and leans on his cane.

"Yes, lord. But it's my brother we are talking about"

"Howard, for Queen's sake! You have already skinned the lad! What else? We need him to recover those papers or else the EF Clan will get away" chimes Damery.

"Or maybe we don't" Lady Smallwood closes the door. "We already have Mycroft to close this matter"

"He has not been in the MI5 for ten years!" the colonel remarks.

"Still…" they start to argue.

"You tortured a British citizen for a hard drive!"

"Who has stolen top secret documents!"

"Gentlemen, please" Lord Horace puts some peace. "I speak here for Her Majesty and she has requested that both brothers shall see into this matter"

"The voting is upon us, Horace. We don't know what plans that mob has" the woman stands tall.

"Whatever their plans are, Mrs. Maberley did ask for help to Mr. Holmes and clearly, the boy had been acquaintance by someone else after his brother put him away. The young man will not tell us who it is but, perhaps" they all turn to Mycroft. "It is your best way out of this one, Myc"

"It won't be easy" the ginger-haired sighs.

"You must. Or your brother has a very dark present ahead and so do you"

"…" they go quiet and the door bangs open. Someone is standing in the threshold and the elder Holmes stands up. "John"

"…" the doctor stares at his friend and then gazes at the older brother. No words. The brunette walks straight to the taller man and gives him a hard punch in the face. The politicians hold their breath. "You ask me to protect him. Fine! Then I will, starting from keeping him away from the likes of you"

"Doctor Watson" Lady Smallwood cries.

"…" Mycroft flinches, spits some blood and talks despite the pain. "It's all right, it's all right. I deserved that"

"You deserve worse! You weren't there for him when he was shot or to keep him safe from Magnussen. He is your brother, for God's sake! Your little brother!"

"I know" the tall man stands up again and turns to Sherlock. He remembers the stormy day by the well. "I wish things were different" Mycroft leans on his brother's forehead. He opens the knots and the young man fells into his arms. Sherlock feels so fragile, as he is about to fall apart. Another pair of arms helps. John's staring at the politician and the people around them are silent. "Call Mary"

"Ok"

"We're going home… William"

Hope you liked the changes.

Lord Horatio Cantlemere appears in "The Mazarin Stone", Sir James Damery in "The Illustrious Client" and Lord Bellinger in "The Second Stain".

See you real soon!