Chapter twenty: An invitation

I was still somewhat emotionally drained from last night's events. I hadn't seen John or Sherlock since then and I'd blocked Moriarty's number. He wasn't family anymore, he was my enemy. After burning my present to Moriarty, I decided to cook. I decided to bake several batches of Mrs. Fields, double chocolate dream cookies and then sit down to watch 'Somewhere in time' with a box of tissues and a huge glass of milk. What else was one supposed to do after getting out of such an emotional tornado?

I was right at the moment where Richard and Elise finally meet for the first time, when my doorbell rang. I groaned and walked to the door with my mouthful of a cookie and a milk moustache. I grabbed a fresh cookie, prepared to hand it to Sherlock or John before politely asking that they leave me alone. I was stunned when I saw Sherlock's brother Mycroft, standing there.

He at least had the decency to shift uncomfortably, for my silk, white lounge dress could be interpreted as intimate apparel. "I'm sorry, I should have assumed that you were still tired from last night's events. Most courageous of you."

"Courage had nothing to do with it."

"Ahh yes," he nodded. "love. A powerful motivator."

"How did you, never mind. Your eyes and ears are everywhere. Besides, you're a Holmes, end of deduction." I groaned. "John really should keep his mouth shut."

Sherlock wasn't an idiot. My actions alone practically screamed to him that what John said was the truth. I'd surrendered my emotions that I'd been holding back and cried in the taxi. John, was the only one who offered me a shoulder to cry on. Sherlock, he just looked uncomfortable with my display of human emotions.

Then upon exiting the taxi, I got sick all over him. It was an accident! I swear it! It just happened. I was expecting him to start shouting at me, but he simply let out a loud groan of disgust. Mrs. Hudson and John fussed over me while Sherlock went to take a shower and immediately sent his suit out to the cleaners. After I had a cup of cocoa, John gave me something to help me sleep and I fell asleep in my clothes.

"Sherlock doesn't deserve your love." He said as kindly as Mycroft can. "Your brother, actually did you a favor."

"I'd prefer to be the judge of that." I shook my head, shaking all my prior thoughts from my head. "Now, what do you want?"

"May I come in?"

I didn't even blink. "No."

"Not surprised." He said. "You're rather old fashioned, that much is obvious, as you still haven't slept with any man. Of course you wouldn't allow a man you've met only once into your flat."

I nodded, having heard all this about my being a virgin a thousand times over. "Indeed. And if your brother, had proposed to me and we'd married at least he'd have the satisfaction of knowing that even though I didn't know where he was in the world, that my head and heart decided that he was worth waiting for. My body would be his alone."

"Admirable." Mycroft's shoulder's sagged and he exhaled. "I'm well aware that you and Sherlock don't like me-

"You annoy me." I stated. "There's a difference between annoying and not liking."

He frowned. "What could I have done to annoy you?"

"Your manners are snobbish and I don't really care for the way you speak, so cold and condescending."

"I shall try to improve in that area." He cleared his throat. "Well, I am here at my mother's request."

I frowned. "Your mother?"

"Yes, Sherlock's and mine. We do have parents you know. She's heard about you and she's decided that she'd like to meet you tonight. She's arranging a dinner party for tonight and I suggest you make it."

I stared at him. "Wow! How can I refuse such a charming invitation?"

"Sorry. It's just…Mummy is a little overbearing."

"And you take after her in that area?"

"A little. I shall have transportation waiting here for you at 5:30."

"Thank you. I believe I can make it. How shall I dress? Casual?"

He shook his head. "Dressy. Be sure to bring a change of clothes. It's a bit of a drive and you'll definitely have to sleep over."

"Thank you for the warning. And is Sherlock coming?"

Mycroft shifted. "He told me to…go get lost."

"A lot stronger than that I'll venture. I'll get him to come if you'd like me to."

"Please." He smiled. "You could be good for Sherlock, it's just a shame he's not good enough for you."

"It's the puzzle of life Mycroft. No piece in a puzzle is good for just any puzzle piece. Only the piece, that it was made to fit with, is the perfect fit. Even then, it's not a perfect shape. But, they were made to be together. And who are we to judge who's perfect for someone?"

He mussed. "That was most eloquent Tammy. I see now why my brother loves you."

I stared at him. "Sherlock is not in love with me."

"In his own way, he is." Mycroft said. "He's just does not understanding what's going on inside his heart at this moment."

"What makes you so certain?" I asked. "We weren't really even dating to begin with! Now, we probably won't be dating due to circumstances."

"You two have been dating a lot longer than you realize it." he shifted. "I watched Sherlock when I was last here. You've enslaved his eyes, they follow you wherever you go." I trembled slightly. "You know he loves you, but in light of the situation, you're turning every emotion off. He'll never tell you, but I thought you'd deserve to know his feelings at least."

"Good day Mycroft." I stated handing him the cookie I still held in my hand. "I'll be there with Sherlock this evening."

"Fine." He took the cookie and examined it. "Homemade I presume?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

"If Sherlock doesn't go willingly with me, I may twist the truth a bit, involving you."

"Oh I see," he smirked. "you're going to make him jealous?"

"Maybe a little." I said. "I'm not even sure it will work."

"Oh, it'll work. Feel free to use my name as freely as you wish. Now, I must be off." He trotted down the stairs. "Good day Tammy, a pleasure seeing you again."

"See you tonight Mycroft."

Later that evening,

I had put my plan into action. I went out and bought a new dress, a deliciously, sexy, black cocktail dress. It was short and showed off quite a bit of my legs. It was sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline; I added a short sleeve floral, black, lace jacket to complete the look. I let my hair hang loose, added a diamond bracelet, and a strappy, set of black heels. I didn't want Sherlock to see my outfit, so I put on my knee length coat. He'd go crazy trying to deduce what I was wearing under my coat.

I trotted down the stairs and hesitated outside the door. I decided to take act as if nothing had happened and then I tapped on Sherlock's door. "Come in." He barked.

I pushed the door open and his head snapped in my direction. "You look bored." I commented.

"You're going out on a date." He accused me. "You're wearing Elizabeth's Taylor, 'Passion' recommended for nighttime use. You rarely wear makeup unless you're doing a show, but it's not December first yet. So you must be going on a date."

"Yes, I've got a date," I laughed. "and you're the lucky devil who's taking me out."

He frowned at me. "Really?"

"If not I'll have to go with someone else. So, why don't you go get a shower and dress? We still have time for you to get ready."

"First," he asked, folding his hands. "where are we going?"

"Your mother has requested my presence for dinner."

The moment I spoke those words, Sherlock jumped out of his chair. "I am not going to my parent's house!" he snapped. "I won't!"

"Why not?"

"I am not going."

I exhaled. "Fine." I pulled out my cellphone. "I shall just have to call Mycroft and tell him that he may come pick me up after all."

"Wait a minute." He snapped as he walked towards me. "What does Mycroft have to do with this?"

"He asked me to go with him as his date. I told him I'd go with him as a friend if you turned me down." Anger flashed in Sherlock's eyes and I took a small step back. "Is something wrong?"

"You're lying to me aren't you?" he demanded.

I shook my head. Mycroft had asked me to come to his parent's house. "No, I'm not, Mycroft asked me to come with him and meet his parents." Sherlock glowered at me; I swung my hands back and forth, casually allowing Sherlock a glimpse of what little I was wearing underneath this coat. Sure enough, his eyes narrowed. "It seems a shame that's he's going to get to walk in with me on his arm." I lowered my lashes just a little. "I was really hoping you'd take me."

Sherlock slowly pulled off his red, silken robe, revealing that he'd dressed in a black suit with a bright white top. "Shall we?"

I stared at him as he walked towards me and took hold of my arm. "You knew?"

He nodded. "Of course, you're quite readable Tammy."

"Good to know."

"But what are you wearing under there?" I batted his curious hand away from my coat. "Aren't you going to be cold?"

"Probably. But I want to wear this dress. I just bought it!"

"Do you have your inhaler?"

"Yes."

"And your scarf?"

"Honestly!"

"I just want to make sure you're all right for tonight." He said. "And I want to warn you. You think that this is going to be an average family meeting for dinner, but it won't be!"

"Sherlock," I said patiently. "The word average and your last name do not belong in the same sentence. I know what to expect and I have armed myself for it. Trust me, I will shock the daylights out of everyone."

"Easier said than done." He huffed, as he walked out of the door, with me behind him.

"I'm looking forward to meeting your parents."

Sherlock groaned. "Want to bet?"

"I'm not betting with you." I stated. "The odds are highly in your favor of you winning. Your parents can't be half as bad as you make them out to be."

Sherlock muttered something. "You'll see Tammy."