Anthea arrived at 221B almost a month later, to collect the case files once Sherlock had found the criminal.
"Did I scare Mycroft away?" Sherlock asked without looking up from his thinking pose.
"You didn't scare him, he's resting today." Anthea replied, fiddling with her wedding ring.
"Don't be ridiculous. Mycroft doesn't rest." Sherlock scoffed.
"Well, he's resting today." Anthea repeated, not rising to Sherlock's taunts.
"These are the files." Sherlock sighed dramatically, holding a folder up.
Anthea walked over to him and took the file, "Thank you." she replied, turning away.
Sherlock caught her wrist as she turned away, "You've been turning your ring. You're particularly worried about him today. Are his symptoms getting worse?"
Anthea sighed and nodded, "Yes, worse by the day." she said, "He's at home today because he could barely get up this morning."
"Sickness?" Sherlock guessed.
"Yes." Anthea replied, "He has tablets from his doctor now, but he tries to work 20 hour days without them."
"Is he resting or is he working from home?" Sherlock asked.
Anthea laughed, "I locked his laptop and phone in the safe." she admitted.
Sherlock laughed too, "That won't stop him for very long." he said.
Anthea shook her head, suddenly becoming sad and serious, "He can't concentrate, Sherlock. It's awful." she sighed.
"I'll come with you." Sherlock decided, getting to his feet, "I might be able to help."
"Be gentle. Please." Anthea pleaded, following him to the door.
"Brother!" Sherlock shouted when he entered the large Chelsea townhouse.
"Sherlock!" Anthea reprimanded quietly, leading the way upstairs. She entered the bedroom first and went straight to the bed, "How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Tired." Mycroft murmured. He was propped up in bed with the curtains shut and the light off.
"Migraines?" Sherlock guessed as he approached the bed.
"No games today, Sherlock. I haven't got the energy." Mycroft sighed, clearly frustrated.
"Have you taken your tablets?" Anthea asked, glancing at her watch and touching her husband's forehead.
Mycroft shook his head, "Where did you put them?" he asked.
"Here." Anthea sighed, holding up the pill bottle on the nightstand.
Sherlock watched his brother's reaction and knew he had to step in. His relationship with Mycroft had always been rocky, but he wasn't cruel. He climbed onto the bed beside Mycroft and turned the bedside light on.
"Sherlock." Mycroft frowned, closing his eyes.
"Deductions. Come on, I'll even give you an easy one." Sherlock said, trying to distract his brother from his pain.
"You're like a child. I didn't want to play pirates with you then, and I don't want to play with you now." Mycroft muttered.
"Humour me. Please. Brother." Sherlock said quietly, pleading in his voice.
"Fine." Mycroft finally agreed, opening his eyes and turning towards Sherlock.
"Look at this and tell me about it." Sherlock said, handing over his own watch.
"Your watch?" Mycroft frowned in confusion.
"Yes. Tell me about it. What have I been doing today whilst wearing the watch?" Sherlock prompted.
"Experiments. Something with carbon and magnesium. No...wait...you burnt magnesium and ended up with small amounts of carbon." Mycroft deduced, examining the watch.
"Yes, now tell me more. Why was I burning magnesium?" Sherlock asked.
Mycroft frowned as he thought about it, looking for more clues on the watch. He sniffed at the watchstrap and let out a chuckle. "Tobacco. You've misplaced your lighter." he replied.
"Correct. Well done, brother. You are not as far gone as you think." Sherlock assured.