A/N: Many thanks to the usual suspects - Sevenpercent, SailOnSilvergirl, and kate221b. The next chapter should be up sometime Friday or Saturday.
"Whatever it is you want, Mycroft, the answer is 'piss off'."
"What if I don't want anything?"
"Oh, well, in that case, the answer is 'piss off'."
"Ah."
"Yeah. So?"
"I came to offer you something. For you new … pastime."
"I don't want it."
"You don't know what it is."
"I don't have to. How do you even know about this?"
"Was I not meant to?"
"I guess not. You know everything. Except not to stand in the flight path. Move, or be stung."
"Thank you."
"My concern is for the bees, Mycroft. Not for you."
"Of course."
"Right."
"You know, bees fascinated Sherlock. That they hold a similar attraction to you was a surprising discovery."
"Another thing I should have known about him."
"The evidence is all over the flat."
"Ta. … He had a bee print ..."
"And several books on the subject, yes. Always said he'd keep bees someday. Insisted that Mummy keep our grandfather's old equipment. It's been in storage for years, waiting. For you, apparently."
"No."
"John-"
"Not because I don't want it, Mycroft. You knew I would, or you wouldn't have offered."
"Why, then?"
"I'm giving them up."
"Whatever for? You've clearly been enjoying working with them."
"I have, yes. I needed this. Them. But. Mary's allergic."
"It's serious, then? Your relationship?"
"Yeah. Brilliant."