A/N: Here's a brand new chapter. Please review and let me know what you think!
For the first time in a long time, the two Holmes brothers sat in the same room without arguing. Mycroft and Sherlock sat in the leather armchairs whilst Anthea and John shared the large sofa. John typed his blog of the latest case and Sherlock sorted through his memory palace, moving memories to different rooms. Mycroft worked on paperwork he'd brought back from work the following day, with assistance from Anthea and her Blackberry.
"This one just needs a signature and a date if you're happy with it. It's an official agenda from the meeting on Monday." Anthea said, handing over a document for Mycroft to examine.
Mycroft looked through the papers before he signed his name and dated the document, placing it down on a side table with the rest of the finished paperwork.
Anthea handed him another perfectly typed document and he stopped, looking up, "Anthea, this is your resignation." he said, surprise in his voice. Even John and Sherlock looked up, interested in the exchange.
"Yes, Sir." Anthea replied with a nod and a smile.
"Okay, Anthea. I accept your resignation." Mycroft said without demanding an explanation, instead he just signed the document to accept the resignation.
"You're leaving your job? Why?" John asked.
"A conflict of interest has arisen. It's no longer appropriate for me to work as Mr Holmes' personal assistant." Anthea replied simply.
"What conflict of interest?" John asked.
"I'm not at liberty to say due to the confidential nature of our work." Anthea said, replying with a default answer that offered no more insight into the matter.
With Mycroft in the kitchen fetching more drinks, Sherlock examined Anthea from his armchair.
"You want to be with Mycroft. In a relationship." Sherlock announced, causing Anthea to blush furiously.
"Sherlock!" John exclaimed.
"You think there's a conflict of interest because of how you feel. You're wrong. If anything, your...attraction...to my brother would make you an even more invaluable PA." Sherlock continued.
"There are policies that we must abide to in the workplace. I am unwilling to risk Mr Holmes' reputation because of my emotions." Anthea replied.
"Most of those policies were written by Mycroft. You are useful to him, he would create a loophole for you." Sherlock said.
"No. He shouldn't have to do that for me." Anthea replied, going back to her Blackberry as Mycroft returned with a tray of drinks. With just a glance around the room, Mycroft was able to deduce the conversation that had taken place without him in the room.
"Anthea, I have a vacancy that I would be pleased if you would consider." Mycroft said as he handed her a glass of wine, "I require a personal assistant and a companion. Your role would include all the tasks you currently do and a companion role also."
"I would gladly accept the job, Mr Holmes." Anthea replied with a smile.
"Did you just offer her the job of being your girlfriend?" John snorted.
"Girlfriend is such a vulgar term, John. I prefer companion." Mycroft replied as he ripped up Anthea's resignation document, "Please Anthea, call me Mycroft."
"Congratulations on finding a goldfish." Sherlock smirked as he and John were leaving to go home to 221B.
"Don't look so pleased with yourself, Sherlock." Mycroft said, "I'm sure Anthea will soon see sense and realize how tedious my lifestyle is."
"You'll have to keep up your diet, brother. You don't want to repulse your new girlfriend." Sherlock said before he left the house, flicking the collar of his coat up.
"Ignore him. He's pleased for you." John said, "Congratulations."
"Thank you, John." Mycroft replied, shaking the doctor's hand before he closed the front door.
Anthea looked up when Mycroft returned to the living room. "So, we should talk this through." she said.
"Yes, we should." Mycroft agreed, sitting back down in his armchair.
"I like you. I like your personality." Anthea said, looking down at her hands.
"I feel the same." Mycroft replied with a nod.
"I don't want anything physical. Not yet, at least. It'll take time for us to adjust to being close." Anthea said.
"I agree." Mycroft said, "Now, shall we order in dinner?"