AN: Hello! We're nearing the end now, few more chapters to go. I have been thinking about writing a Prequel and/or a Sequel, I've put a poll on my profile please vote if you want either or neither thank you.

P.S Extremely long chapter for you! I'm going away to Soul Survivor for a week, won't be able to nag my beta to read through the next chapter so it could be a few weeks until that's done. Enjoy!

Mycroft left the warehouse to find Sherlock and Greg sat down leaning against the wall just outside just staring forward, "It's done. He's dead." He threw them the bag, "There's some spare clothes and wipes."

They both wiped blood off their hands and arms and got changed where they stood knowing that there was nobody around to see them, just changing their bloody shirt and jacket. "There is a shower on the plane." Mycroft told them, "It's not a particularly good one but it works, and we all have spare clothes. Clean up properly when we get home."

It wasn't long until they climbed onto the plane and Mycroft went for a shower first, he tried to hide it from the other two but he was shaking, he was thinking of what just happened, what he had just done. He didn't regret it but it was a lot to take in.

He came out of the shower to hear Sherlock and Greg talking.

"You're alive then." Greg stated.

"Yep." Sherlock nodded.

"I can't wrap my head around it...you're alive."

"That's the 8th time you've said that."

"I know but...you're alive!"

"9th."

"John is going to be so pissed with you."

"I know."

"What about Evie?"

"What about her?"

"Well Mycroft said that she knows your alive, but you've been gone...will she be excited to see you home?"

"I hope so."

Greg smiled lightly, "Are you two...?"

"Together? Yes actually."

"Finally."

"Shower is free." Mycroft made himself known as he dried his hair and sat beside Greg.

Sherlock and Greg looked at each other, "You go." Greg offered.

Sherlock didn't hesitate, immediately standing up going to the shower, he felt strange, it had been almost 3 long years since he 'died' and he was going to go back to the public within the next week about faking his death. He was extremely nervous on how John was going to react but he was really looking forward to seeing him and seeing Evie.

As Sherlock stepped out of the shower he thought about what he had just done, killed Moran, tortured him, he deserved it but still so much had just happened and he had helped his brother do it. Sherlock shook his head from that thought and came out the shower, "Lestrade?"

"Thanks." Greg stated standing up to enter the shower.

He let the water rush over him as he thought about the previous day, Sherlock is alive! He felt like jumping for joy but he also felt like hitting the man, and he probably would if his knuckles weren't already sore from giving Moran a beating. He couldn't help but think doing that sort of thing made them just as bad as him, but not really because they wouldn't torture him for a whole year for fun! This was revenge. Nor would they terrify him so much that he would have nightmares for the rest of his life. All they did was give him the beating he deserved and then killed him-being an officer of the law he knew that Moran should do his justice but then he also knew a man like that would escape and prison would never help a man like that.

Death was the only way.

They left him there, for everyone to read the message clearly; hurt Evie and this is what you'll become.

He knew it was the right thing to do, maybe they should have just killed him and if Greg was on his own he would have but Mycroft...the storm and anger in Mycroft's eyes terrified Greg. He knew Mycroft would never turn that on someone who didn't deserve it but that didn't make it any less terrifying.

As Greg went into the shower, Sherlock took the seat opposite his brother and stared at him, "How has she been?"

"Quite bad." Mycroft answered honestly, "Looking forward to your return,"

"And she's with John at this moment?"

"Yes."

"How did you manage to convince him to let her in?"

"I asked. Nicely."

Sherlock smirked at his brother but chose not to comment, after a few minutes Greg came out of the shower and took the seat beside Mycroft in silence.
The three men sat back silently, it was strange how beating a man to within an inch of his life can bring about such a bond but it did. They felt closer than ever, they seem to have made a silent agreement not to tell anyone the complete truth of what they did and how they did it, but they would know.

They would always know

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Evie? What are you doing here?!" Mary asked softly as she pulled out of the hug and took in Evie's appearance, Evie suddenly felt extremely self-conscience of the scars covering her body. "What happened to you?"

"C-croft th-th-" Evie sighed, she felt too nervous to speak, –Mycroft had to go out, he needed me to be safe so brought me to the safest available place, with John- she signed, pointing at John instead of spelling his name. –What are you doing here?-

"I live here," Mary stated well aware that Evie avoided her second question, "I'm Mary Watson now."

-So you married John?-

"Yeah, why are you signing, and what happened?" Mary gestured to the scars covering Evie.

-I can't explain right now- Evie shrugged apologetically, -I can tell you though, you remember my friend I told you about who was on drugs?- Mary just nodded while John struggled to keep up with Evie's signing, part BSL part universal, -Sherlock Holmes- she spelt the name and both Watson's eyes widened with realisation.

John had told Mary everything about Sherlock that he knew, he had cried many a time over watching Sherlock jump of that building and Mary had hugged him until he calmed down, and now hearing that somebody else knew Sherlock, well that blew the boat out of the water.

"So you did know Sherlock?" John asked joining into the conversation; the women looked at him in shock as if they had forgotten he was there. Evie nodded and was about to explain when Mary put her hand on Evie shoulder to stop her, Evie twitched away from the touch before looking apologetically at Mary; it was strange and slightly terrifying to be around other people. The only people she had let touch her in the past year and 3 months were Mycroft, Sherlock and Greg, having someone else around was quite scary.

"How about we all go to bed and you can explain in the morning because I'm tired and you don't look much better?"

"Yeah," John agreed not completely sure what had just happened, "I'll uh..."

"Sherlock's room?" Mary stated softly.

-I can sleep on the sofa?- Evie offered with a raised eyebrow to show her question after seeing John's hesitance.

"No, no," John shook his head, "You can sleep in his room." Evie nodded as Mary led her into the room and Evie stared around at Sherlock's almost empty room except for the various cardboard boxes which he assumed help his belongings. The room still smelt of him, John hadn't touched it. She smiled lightly as she looked at the periodic table poster still hanging on his wall.

-Thank you- Evie signed, John nodded distractedly leaving the room. Evie climbed into bed feeling quite relaxed as Sherlock's scent washed over her but it was still a restless night plagued with nightmares of Moran storming into 221B killing John and Mary before gloating about having killed everyone else.

Evie woke up the next morning and panic immediately hit her looking around and not recognising where she was, and then Sherlock's scent washed over her and everything came back to her. At 221B with John and Mary who are apparently married. Evie vaguely remembered Greg saying something about a wedding but she didn't realise it was John's.

Taking a deep shaking breath Evie climbed out of bed and into the bathroom to clean up quickly; as she came out she smiled seeing a red T-shirt, jeans and red jumper on her bed, one of Mary's she would assume. She got changed before heading into the sitting room to see Mary and John sat together talking quietly, "Good morning Evie," Mary greeted as John nodded.

"M-morning. T-th-thanks f-for t-these." She motioned to the clothes she was wearing, Mary shrugged.

"No problem. How are you feeling?"

"A-a-alright."

"Breakfast?" John offered but Evie shook her head.

"N-not h-hungry t-thanks. I s-s-sh-should e-explain a-about S-sh-Sherly and I."

"You can explain with food?"

Evie smiled lightly at Mary's mothering, "I-I'm okay th-thank y-y-you." She really wasn't hungry, just extremely nervous.

So then she begun to explain in a mixture of speaking and sign, from meeting Sherlock to what happened with the drugs, why they hadn't spoken in years and why John had never heard about her.

"Then we met in Dover." Mary grinned.

Evie chuckled and nodded, "Yep."

"Why did you lie to me in ASDA then?" John ask curiously, "And then run away?"

"I-I'm s-s-ssorry a-about t-t-that," Evie shrugged, "C-can't e-ex-exp-explain y-yet, b-b-but it w-was f-for a, it w-was for a r-r-reason."

John nodded in understanding but it was annoying him, he just wanted this to be simple but nothing with the Holmes was just 'simple' and never would be.

-Don't be angry at Croft or Greg- Evie thought to add. –They had to lie-

"When you spel T-'Croft' you do mean Mycroft right? An Y-'Sherly' is Sherlock right? Then obviousl is Greg Lestrade?" John asked with an amused smile, shaking his head while Evie replied with a nod.

"Right." Mary stood up getting their attention, "So who wants lunch?" Mary offered realising the time, she felt a bit overwhelmed, her husband's dead best friend, best friend was her own friend back in Dover, who was now scared and obviously terrified of something judging by her stutter, and going by the scars Mary wasn't surprised she was scared.

It was all a bit confusing really.

"Yeah that sounds good." John put in and Mary saw that he was just as overwhelmed at her. "How about we go out?"

"No!" Evie basically yelled making the other two jump, "S-sorry. I-I c-can't...c-c-can't g-go o-out...n-need C-croft, Croft n-n-n-needs t-to-to, he n-n-needs..."

"Hey Evie, shh," John tried, he now understood why Mycroft was asking him about panic attacks those months ago, "We don't have to go out," Evie looked up at John as he bent down in front her to catch her eye and be lower than her, "We can stay in, come on, breathe yeah?" Evie looked down at his chest and John realised that she was trying to follow his breathing pattern so he forced his breathing to be calm and deep, "Yeah, breathing, Sherlock found it boring but it's helpful and good isn't it?"

Evie chuckled lightly as she found herself calming down, almost grateful that she hadn't blacked out yet or as far as she could see she hadn't gotten violent, "S-sorry." She apologised once she was calm enough to speak.

"It's okay." John smiled lightly, "Do you like pasta?" Evie just nodded silently, "Mary could you start some please?" Evie saw Mary nod and stand up to go into the kitchen. Evie tapped her wrist lightly to ask the time, "1 in the afternoon."

The three of them relaxed for the next few hours, Mary went out shopping an hour after lunch, leaving Evie with John. John felt awkward and confused while Evie just felt confused but was surprised that she felt almost comfortable with him, nervous but comfortable. By midnight they still hadn't arrived home so John ordered Evie to go to bed and that he would wake her when Mycroft and Greg returned.

Evie just hoped Sherlock returned with them.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The three men went straight to Mycroft's house to clean up properly and get changed. "John's next?" Sherlock sighed, he was looking forward to it but at the same time, he was extremely nervous, what if John didn't want him back? What if John told him to piss off and never come back? Sherlock wasn't sure what he would do.

"It's 5 am." Greg commented, "Should we go now?"

"I don't think I could sleep." Sherlock commented.

"Me neither." Mycroft shook his head.

Greg sighed, he wanted to sleep so badly but he wanted to be there when John finds out that Sherlock's alive. So at 5 in the morning they went to 221B Baker Street and walked inside, Greg had a spare key from Mrs Hudson which he used to let them in. They walked silently up the 17 steps into the living room.

Sherlock looked around the room; it hadn't changed much, except that it was tidier, a lot tidier. The skull was still on the mantelpiece along with a picture of John in a tux next to a blonde woman about John's height, wearing a wedding dress.

"John's married?" Sherlock murmured.

"Yeah, few months ago." Greg answered, "I was the best man."

"Should we wake up John?" Mycroft asked.

"I'm gonna wake Evie first." Sherlock decided, "I'll be back in a minute," Sherlock assumed that she was in his old room because she didn't seem to be in the sitting room, he pushed the door open and gasped, immediately seeing that John had barely touched this room except for putting boxes of his belongings in it, although it looked as if some of the boxes had been opened quite often.

He then glanced at the bed to see Evie curled up in the middle shaking and murmuring to herself. Sherlock climbed into the bed sitting beside her, leaning again the wall he pulled her into his lap and started softly stroking her hair. Evie stiffened and her eyes opened.

First thing she saw was Sherlocks deep blue shirt and looked up to see his smiling face, "Sherlock?" She pulled out of his arms and turned so that she sat right in front of him, switching the light on and facing him, "Wh-what...?"

"He's dead." Sherlock told her.

"Completely dead?"

"Completely dead."

Evie giggled slightly hysterically, the man of her nightmares is gone! She pulled him forward meeting him in the middle for a deep passionate kiss, she felt herself falling backwards on the bed, Sherlock leaning over her, kissing her passionately. He moved onto her neck kissing it softly and Evie ran her hands under his shirt and gasped as she felt Sherlock kissing her neck.

Sherlock pulled back suddenly and Evie whimpered in annoyance, "Mycroft and Greg...are waiting," he told her slightly breathlessly.

"Ah," Evie sighed but nodded, "We should..."

"We should..." Sherlock agreed but he didn't move. The stared at each other for a few minutes until a knock on the door distracted them and Sherlock quickly climbed off Evie.

"Evie? Are you okay in there?" John's voice called, "I heard...something."

"Yeah, I'm g-good," Evie looked at Sherlock questioning whether or not John should come in, Sherlock nodded, "But uh...you might uh...wanna come in."

"Are you dressed?"

"Yeah,"

The door slowly opened and John poked his head around, he glanced over Evie and saw that she was okay, before his eyes focused on Sherlock.

"Sherlock?"

Sherlock and Evie both stood up out of the bed and Evie stepped away from Sherlock reluctantly as John stepped towards him, "Hello...I'm not dead." Was all Sherlock could think of saying.

"Sherlock?" John repeated as he took a hesitant step towards Sherlock who stood completely still as if he was trying not to scare an animal. Sherlock's eyes were questioning, worried about what John was about to say. John poked Sherlock in the chest lightly as if to confirm that he wasn't a ghost, but then without warning John right hooked Sherlock across the cheek causing Sherlock to fall backwards on the bed and look up at John slightly shocked, "Not Dead! 3 bloody years and all you have to say is 'I'm not dead!'" John yelled.

Sherlock sat up and touched his cheek lightly, slightly shocked but at the same time he had been expecting something like that, "I know John I ha-"

John was tired, confused and angry, he couldn't help himself from pulling his fist back and hitting Sherlock across the cheek again, he vaguely heard Evie calling out for 'Croft' but it didn't register as he pulled back and hit Sherlock again.

Sherlock's mind caught up with what is happening and grabbed Johns wrists, "John, stop." John stopped and stepped back, away from Sherlock but locked eyes with him and just stared at the slightly younger man who's eyes looked so much older.

Sherlock was first to move when he sat up and touched his cheek to find a bit of blood and his nose was bleeding but other than that John's punches were weak, not done out of malice but out of confused anger.

Mycroft, Greg and Mary all came running into the room and Evie subconsciously stepped closer to Mycroft feeling relaxed in his comforting presence.

"What...who are you? What are you doing here? What? Who?" Mary asked staring between Sherlock, Mycroft and Greg. "Greg? Evie? John?"

"Hello, sorry for popping in so late but we couldn't wait." Greg shrugged apologetically, being the only one in the room except for John obviously, that knew Mary quite well.

"What?"

"Sherlock's alive," Evie commented softly pointing to Sherlock, her voice slightly breathless and Sherlock realised that John's moment of anger had scared her but luckily not enough to give her an attack.

She is getting better.

"And you're here at 5 in the morning?" Mary asked incredulously.

"We couldn't wait...I apologise miss...Watson?" Mary nodded at Mycroft assumption, Mycroft had met her but at the time her and John had just been dating and Mycroft hadn't realised that it was so serious.

"Okay...shall we go into the sitting room?" Mary looked around Sherlock was still sat on the bed watching John, he was waiting for his next movement, while John just stared at him breathing hard, Evie had moved to Mycroft side hugging into him, "Honey, I think you should calm down, let Sherlock explain." Mary commented feeling extremely confused but put her hand on her husband's shoulder.

"Calm down?!" John yelled, "He faked his death! He let me believe he's dead for three years and oh great Greg you knew about this didn't you?" John turned to Greg with a betrayed look in his eyes.

"Not before yesterday." Greg said sincerely as he offered a hand to Sherlock pulling him into a standing position. John watched Greg as he answered and could easily see that Greg was telling the truth, so John nodded to show that he believed Greg. "Dunno how he done it yet either, so we could calm down and let him explain shall we?"

"Come on, sit down," Mary said un-fazed but her husband's anger, she led him to the sitting room and into his chair sitting on the arm.

"Sherlock?" Greg asked, "First aid kit needed?"

Sherlock shook his head as he walked out the room, "Weak punches."

"Evie?" Mycroft whispered glancing at her as she took a deep breath.

"Yep, sorry, I'm fine." Evie nodded, Mycroft led her to the sofa sitting down beside her and Greg sat beside him while Sherlock took a seat on his old chair with a sigh of comfort.

"So how the hell did you do this?" John spat angrily at Sherlock.

"Uh...Evie, did you tell them about us two?"

Evie nodded, -From when we met to the drugs- since she didn't know the sign for drugs she motioned sticking something in her arm which made everyone frown and then chuckle at her expression of being high, except for John who was still staring at Sherlock in almost wonder and anger.

From there Sherlock began to explain everything from after Evie left him because of the drugs to his death and what had happened in the past three years pretending to be dead. When he got to Evie's torture, he hesitated but Evie nodded at him to continue taking Mycroft's hand for comfort.

"And here we are. I'm sorry John, I didn't want to cause you any pain but I had to for your safety, for everyone's safety. Moriarty threatened you, Lestrade and Mrs Hudson; I couldn't let you all die." Sherlock finished sincerely.

"So you're alive." John said after a minute of silence.

"Yes." Sherlock resisted the urge to say a scathing 'Obviously' but the word was left hanging in the air.

Slowly and careful John stood up and walked towards Sherlock, everyone in the room tensed in case he hit him again but instead John held out a hand which Sherlock took, John pulled him into a stand position and lightly poked him in the chest, Sherlock swung back on his feet for a moment before standing straight and John laughed pulling the taller man into a hug which Sherlock gratefully accepted and returned. "You're a fucking bastard you know that right?"

Sherlock laughed, relieved, "Yep."

"We need c-cake." Evie announced making everyone stare at her in confusion except Mary who knew what she was doing. "C-Croft, G-Greg." Evie grabbed their hands and pulled them up.

"What? Four people aint needed to get cake." Greg stated in confusion.

"Are not needed." Mycroft corrected. "It's 5 am?"

"5:39." Evie put in precisely, "And oh well ASDA 24/7. C-c-come on." Mary laughed as Evie grabbed Greg and Mycroft's arms leading them both downstairs and out the door leaving the two alone.

John and Sherlock watched them all leave; Sherlock didn't want to be away from Evie after not seeing her for so long but he let her go, knowing that she's safe with Greg and Mycroft and he needed to talk to John.

"So, you're married." Sherlock started after a moment of silence.

"Yep. Apparently." John nodded, "Girlfriend."

"Yep. Apparently." Sherlock repeated his words with a smirk on his face.

"I was beginning to think that you were gay."

"I thought you were," Sherlock protested, "Asking me out first time we met."

"I wasn't-" John rolled his eyes, "Anyway, Evie seems like a really nice girl. I wish you had told me about her."

"It was...confusing for me." Sherlock tried to explain, "I found it hard to talk about her."

John nodded in understanding, "She makes you happy?"

"I love her."

John chuckled, "You're not as sociopathic as you try and make people think."

"Yes well..." Sherlock wasn't sure what to say to that and just shrugged.

"So, you're not dead." John decided to change to subject from Evie seeing that Sherlock was feeling awkward, "Sorry about you're uh..." John motioned towards his bruised cheek. The bleeding had stopped a couple minutes after it started.

"It's alright, I should have expected it. At least you avoided my nose and teeth," Sherlock smirked and John rolled his eyes knowing what Sherlock was referencing too, "I am sorry though."

"I forgive you Sherly." John grinned and Sherlock chuckled.

"Soon after we met she decided our-Mycroft and my-names are too long so she shortened them. Croft and Sherly." Sherlock felt the need to explain.

"Brilliant names." John laughed.

The two men fell into silence for a minute when a question came to Sherlock, "So you kept most of my stuff?"

"Almost all of it...packed up in your room, I guess I just never believed that you were dead. Although Mycroft took your violin...Inara?"

Sherlock chuckled, "Evie, she named her Inara soon after we met. Mycroft's piano is River."

"Mycroft plays piano?"

"Yes, he is...quite good."

"You just complemented Mycroft?"

"Ah...yes...well we have grown closer in the past few years. We were close before...everything happened with Evie but it went wrong then and now...here we are." Sherlock shrugged well aware that he probably didn't make much sense but John seemed to understand.

"I missed you Sherlock."

"I missed you also John." They smiled hesitantly at each other both afraid to say the wrong thing. Sherlock settled back in his seat allowing himself to actually relax for the first time since...he can't remember the last time he actually relaxed, he had rested, slept, allowed himself moments to himself, but no. He hadn't relaxed since at least before the drugs.

"Has it been hard?" John asked suddenly, he saw the relief in Sherlock's face as he settled back and suddenly realised that he had never seen Sherlock so relaxed, he was always bounding around or stressed or bored but right now he was calm and relaxed and John had to know how hard it was for Sherlock.

"Sorry?" Sherlock didn't understand.

"Since Evie left you after you uh...hurt her and well you mentioned her being taken, tortured which explains her scars and earlier today, Mary and I suggested going out for lunch but Evie started panicking. It wasn't too bad but I can imagine it being worse." John explained, "Has it been hard to...deal with all of this happening? I've never seen you so...relaxed."

Sherlock hesitated, "Yes...I did find it particularly difficult. When we were young I never felt bored around Evie, even if we just sat in silence I was never bored, when she wasn't around I got bored. And drugs helped that boredom, when she left I had nothing to distract me except the drugs, so that's what I went for, for years...then I started helping Lestrade on his cases which helped a lot. And met you, after I uh...'died' and went back to her I had all this with Moriarty and Moran. She was taken and spent most of last year recovering physically and especially mentally which was extremely difficult at times but...I love her and I would do anything to help her. Even learn sign language. But your right today is probably the first time that I have actually relaxed since before University if I'm honest."

Johns eyes widened, "That was..."

"Almost 10 years ago, yes. It's been a long time but I hope it's over now."

John nodded hoping for Sherlocks sake that he was right. "I'm assuming the stutter comes from Evie's fear?"

"I assume so." Sherlock nodded, "At first she didn't speak for months. Mycroft and I believe that with Moran she didn't ever speak to him, I know that she never begged him to stop which I am incredibly proud of but I would not think lower of her if she did. But she is getting better. She had begun to develop agoraphobia-cannot leave the house-which we have tackled by taking it slow. I would not be surprised if she has developed Claustrophobia but it has not been mentioned, if so I am unsure how sever it will be. She still cannot go near knifes-aichurophobia. We-Mycroft and I, believe that knifes were Moran's favourite torture weapon. He killed Steve-Evie's driver, my parents and Evie's cousin, almost killed Evie's sister Amy, who is in hospital in a coma."

"Your parents?" Johns eyes widened in concern for his friend.

"Yes," Sherlock nodded and then realised what Johns expression meant, "Oh no. Do not worry. In my entire life I could probably count the few times I've seen them. Mycroft brought me up more than they did."

John nodded but he still couldn't help but feel concerned for his friend, "What about Evie? She hasn't spoken about it?"

"Various uh...bits but no. Not really." Sherlock shrugged, he didn't want to discuss it in too much detail, it felt like invading Evie's privacy. "What have you been doing these past few years?"

"You can't deduce it?"

Sherlock smirked, "Easily, but I would rather you tell me."

John was mostly finished explaining when the front door opened, some rustling and then footsteps up the stairs. "W-we b-bbrought s-stuff for c-co-coconut cake." Evie announced cheerfully as she entered the room.

Sherlock chuckled as everyone came to sit down except for Evie who stood in the kitchen staring at Sherlock until he joined her. "You can make coconut cake?" John asked in surprise.

"Yeah, he's a-actually a g-g-good c-cook." Evie put in amused at John's surprised face.

"It's easy, simple chemistry, but extremely boring." Sherlock added.

Sherlock and Evie quickly and easily fell into their usual routine of making the cake whilst everyone else fell into a casual conversation, Evie and Sherlock commenting whenever they felt they had add something in to the conversation going on.

Evie stared up at Sherlock as she beat the eggs; she was in a really good mood. The star of her nightmares is dead, her best friend is alive and her closest friends were around her, she is making her favourite food. "I love you." She found herself stopping what she was doing to look at Sherlock to tell him completely, confidently.

"I love you too." Sherlock replied without hesitation and gave her a small kiss on her lips, both smiling contently.

John heard this and grinned towards them, it was a bit insane. Crazy enough that he found out Sherlock was alive and now he's in love? John felt a bit overwhelmed, confused and he was waiting to wake up and realise this was all a dream but this felt different to most of his dreams about Sherlock being alive, he had never seen Sherlock have such a look of love in his eyes as he does when looking at Evie, and Mycroft, he looked...human, he was sat beside Greg just chatting to Mary causally like normal humans do, John had to admit he wasn't expecting that.

Mycroft himself felt relax, it had been a long few years but now it was over, it was the start of a new era. Mycroft had a feeling that all 6 of them would be friends for a long while, and this was the start of that.

Then John thought of something, Mycroft, when Sherlock died John had just realised that Mycroft told Moriarty all about Sherlock's life; did he tell Moriarty about Evie? Is that why Moran got to her? Sherlock hadn't properly explained how they found out about Evie and why they took her and John wanted to know but he knew that Evie would not want to discuss it. "Mycroft?" Mycroft looked up at John curiously. "Can I uh...?" he gestured towards the door and Mycroft nodded standing up to follow John out the door with everyone watching them curiously, Sherlock had an idea what John wanted to talk to him about but kept his mouth shut.

"Yes John?" Mycroft asked leaning against the wall by the front door after following John down the stairs.

"Before Sherlock...uh...jumped, when we spoke..."

"Yes, I gave Moriarty 'the perfect ammunition'. I am aware, as if Sherlock. I am extremely sorry; I had never dreamed that what happened would happen..."

"Yeah, I know...I guess if Sherlock forgives you for that then I can. But I was gonna ask...did you tell him about Evie?"

"Ah," Mycroft shook his head, "No, I knew Sherlock would know, he would work it out and be safe. Evie is less likely. I could not put her in danger like that."

"How did they find out about her?"

"When she spoke to you, there were people watching you-hence the reason Sherlock could not tell you he is alive-and they heard what Jane said...uh Evie's Mother, so Moran did more research into Sherlock's school life and found out about her."

John nodded, he wasn't sure how to answer that, "Alright...I just...was wondering I guess."

Mycroft nodded, "I assumed, but John...I am sorry, about what I did."

John smiled at Mycroft softly, "I forgive you Mycroft." He put his hand on Mycroft shoulder and Mycroft smiled at him, it was a weird moment especially for John who was always slightly intimidated of the older man despite not showing it, but it was a bit of a bonding moment. "We should go back up,"

Everyone looked at them curiously as they walked in but Mycroft just shook his head and continued talking to Mary about her job in IT at St Bart's hospital.

"Evie," Greg called as Mycroft sat down beside him, "Sherlock tells me you two finally got together after riding this bloody roller-coaster for almost 20 years?"

Evie and Sherlock chuckled and caught each other's eye over the table, "Yep, we fi-finally g-got together." Evie stated.

"Good, took you both long enough." Mary basically yelled at them. "In Dover Evie wouldn't stop telling me about you, although she never showed me any pictures otherwise I would have put it together that you're John's friend as well."

"Th-there were p-p-pictures all over m-my house." Evie frowned in confusion.

"I never paid attention did I?" Mary shrugged, "And never told me that, those pictures were of him I just assumed they were 'Croft'."

"Th-there are l-lots of him as w-w-well."

"I didn't think about it." Mary shrugged again and then her eyes lit up, "Oh yeah! You also called him Sherly so I didn't realise his real name is Sherlock." Evie shrugged in reply and the others took that moment to speak.

"You two know each other?" Sherlock, Mycroft and Greg said at the same time.

"We met in Dover, I moved down here after my father died and I met John not long after that."

"How did you meet?" Sherlock asked motioning between Mary and John, he had been trying to figure it out and had deduced quite easily and quickly that they were married and both lived here in 221B.

"I uh..." John looked down at the floor, "After you uh 'died' I was a bit..."

"Board line depressed." Greg finished for him.

"Yes, thank you Greg." John stated with a glare towards Greg, "I went back to my uh therapist for a bit and she sent me to a group thing to talk."
"I was there as well because of my Father." Mary added. "Neither of us was very willing to speak but I asked him if he wanted to go drink."

"And we got talking. Found out we got along."

"We helped each other grieve and get through it."

"Fell in love on the way."

"T-th-that's so c-cute." Evie grinned while all the other men looked at each other.

"Thanks I think." John laughed.

"You got married within the last 7 months?" Sherlock guessed as he washed his hands and placed the cake in the oven, "Otherwise I would have heard about it."

"4 months ago, but we have been engaged for a while and lived together even longer." Mary answered moving her leg so that Evie and Sherlock could get past, Sherlock sat down on his chair whilst Evie sat on the sofa beside Mycroft who placed his hand on her knee in a comforting brotherly manner.

"What about you two?" Mary asked looking at Mycroft and Greg, "Are either of you two seeing anyone?"

Everyone heard this question and turned to them with curious eyes. Both men glanced at each other as everyone stared at them waiting for them to answer, "Well actually..." Greg spoke softly taking Mycroft's hands in his.

"We are." Mycroft finished with a small smile glancing up nervously, that was a weird feeling, he rarely felt nervous but it was Evie's reaction he was nervous about, did she know already? He thought it had been quite obvious that he's gay but Evie normally missed the obvious when it came to him or Sherlock. What will she say if she didn't know? He first looked at Sherlock who looked indifferent, obviously he had known, Mary was grinning and seemed to be satisfied with that answer, John looked shocked but didn't seem to care, then he looked at Evie who was beside him and caught her eye and she was staring at them mouth agape.

"Your gay?!" Evie spoke eventually, directing the question more at Mycroft but slightly at Greg, "Who-what-when-how?"

Mycroft chuckled at her reaction, "You did not know?" he tried to act calm and confident about her reaction but he couldn't judge what she thought about this new information.

"It has always been quite obvious Evie." Sherlock stated.

Evie frowned trying to think back over the years, she had never seen Mycroft with a girl, but never with a boy either. He always dressed in a suit, but straight men dress in suits, he carried an umbrella but straight men can carry an umbrella, the way he holds himself? Powerful-like. "H-how?" she couldn't help but ask Sherlock, knowing the Holmes brothers it was 'obvious' by the type of dirt on his shoe. Sherlock just rolled his eyes and Evie couldn't help but laugh in slight shock, she didn't care that he's gay, it makes absolutely no difference to her but that fact that he is in a relationship with Greg shocked her more than the fact that he's gay, "Well, con-grates!" she stepped forward to pull both men into a tight hug, "H-ow d-d-did it h-ha happen? When d-did t-th-this ha-happen?"

"We have sorta been dancing around each other for years." Greg replied. "Literally."

Mycroft poured himself and Greg a glass of wine and settled down on the sofa, they had returned from the restaurant and Mycroft couldn't get Evie's face out his mind as she stared at the blood, in wonder, shock and acceptance, he knew that she would just want to go home. Greg and he took her home and Mycroft placed her in bed making sure that Sherlock joined her before he then joined Greg back downstairs.

"That was..." Greg sighed slightly, "She stared at the blood like..."

"I know." Mycroft nodded staring at the red wine as if it held all the answers.

Greg shook his head, "You think it'll be a bad day tomorrow?"

"Most likely."

"Want me to stay over? You know, be there in the morning and stuff..." Greg was hesitant as he asked but Mycroft shook his head, Sherlock couldn't be caught.

"It is fine. We'll be fine."

"If you're sure."

"Thank you for your offer Greg," Mycroft thought to add, "It's thoughtful of you."

"It's no trouble," Greg shrugged as they fell into a silence for a minute, "Can you dance?"

"Sorry?" Mycroft blinked at the sudden random question.

"Dancing, are you any good?"

"Uh...yes I believe so; I have been learning most of my life."

"What about Evie? Can she dance?"

"Yes, I have taught her. Sherlock and she used dance together a lot. May I ask why the random question?"

Greg shrugged, "I was just wondering."

"Can you?"

"My pa taught me but he died when I was 18, I haven't danced since then."

Mycroft smirked, they needed something fun after today so he put his wine down and stood up, he put Greg's wine beside his own and held out a hand. Greg chuckled and took the offered hand, "There's no music?"

"And?"

"Who will lead?"

"Me obviously, as I have more experience."

They clasped hands and placed the other hand on the others shoulder and began swaying side to side, Mycroft lead them to waltz around the room until they both felt back on the sofa laughing. "Well thank you Myc, that was actually quite fun."

"You sound surprised?" Mycroft smirked making Greg chuckle.

"Well you know...I haven't danced in years, since Pa."

"I don't know much about your family?" Mycroft stated in a questioning manner.

"Not much to tell really, grew up in London, if you knew me as a kid you never would have seen me to work as a D.I or anything do to with the police. But my Pa was my hero; he was murdered when I was 18, never found out who killed him. That's why I wanted to become a Detective Inspector; I don't want anyone else not knowing who killed someone they love." Greg looked at Mycroft and smiled, "I've never told anyone that."

"Well...thank you for telling me."

Greg smiled softly suddenly noticing how close he was to Mycroft, without letting himself think about it anymore, he lent forward and pressed his lips against Mycroft's. Mycroft froze in shock for a moment and Greg was about to pull away when Mycroft began kissing back.

"I was obviously shocked," Mycroft smirked, "But I didn't mind."

"That's qu-quite c-cute!" Evie giggled.

"So it is okay?" Mycroft couldn't help but ask, that one question showing his nervousness.

"W-w-whhat d-do you m-m-mean?" Evie frowned looking offended that Mycroft had to ask, "C-course its okay! Y-y-your s-se-sexuality isn't g-g-gonna c-ch-change the w-way I love you. Like a b-b-brother of c-course." She added glancing towards Sherlock.

"Well...good." Mycroft found himself relaxing more now that Evie didn't seem to care. "Your sister knows."

"My s-s-sister? Amy?"

"Do you have another sister?"

Evie rolled her eyes, "No, b-but Amy k-kn-knows?"

"Die Hook die!"

"Never! I will beat you Peter Pan! You...you...Codfish!"

"Me the codfish? You're the codfish!"

"How dare you!"

Sherlock swung the old umbrella toward Mycroft in a perfect arc which Mycroft easily blocked with his own umbrella.

"Haha!" Mycroft laughed and jumping onto the sofa pointing the umbrella at Sherlock's chest, "I've got you now Hook! Drop your sword!" Sherlock held his arms by his side and let the umbrella fall on the floor, "Repeat after me, 'I am a Codfish!'"

"Never!" Sherlock yelled, Mycroft poked him harder in the chest.

"Say it or walk the plank!"

"I will never say it."

"Then so be it," Mycroft grabbed Sherlock by his shirt trying to lifting him onto the sofa, before spinning him around and poking on the back leading him to the end of the sofa. "Tick tock, tick tock," Mycroft mocked under his breath.

The door opened making them stop in their steps with Sherlock about to step off the sofa, Evie and Amy had entered and they just stared at the two, "Hello," Mycroft greeted with the umbrella still poking into Sherlocks back.

"Hello..." Amy rose a single eyebrow, "Having fun?" Mycroft shrugged in reply.

"Peter! You finally got Hook!" Evie laughed.

"Course I did! I am a genius!" Mycroft poked Sherlock in the back once more. Sherlock spun to face Mycroft.

"I'll be back." with that Sherlock jumped backwards onto the floor before spinning and grabbed Evie's hand dragging the giggling 9 year old upstairs. Mycroft jumped of the sofa and grinned at Amy.

"Thanks for bringing her round, would you like a drink?" he offered as he normally did when Amy brought Evie around, he wondered if Amy would still come when Evie was allowed to walk here on her own. Mycroft found himself slightly hoping that she did, he quite enjoyed her company.

"Yes please," Amy smiled as Mycroft lead her into the kitchen, they both greeted Sue.

"Tea?"

"Yes please." Mycroft nodded switched on the kettle to boil, "You're really good with him," Amy commented looking towards the living room where Mycroft and Sherlock were just playing a minute ago.

Mycroft shrugged, "He's my brother."

"Still, he loves you, you love him as well."

Mycroft chuckled as he handed Amy her drink and poured himself one, "Only because he has to, as family. I love him of course."

Amy rose an eyebrow, "You pride yourself in being extremely observant but you miss the most obvious things,"

"Like what?"

"The look in his eyes, the way he talks to you, plays games with you. It's obvious. Heck Evies even starting to get the same look in her eyes with you."

Mycroft didn't know what to say and Amy laughed seeing Mycroft embarrassment. "Well uh...thanks I think..." Mycroft handed Amy the brewed tea and took a sip of his own, "So, you've just in your first year of sixth form correct?"

"Yep. Got my results two days ago."

"Oh? How did you do?" Mycroft took a seat on the breakfast bar, Amy sat down beside him.

"Straight A's!"

Mycroft grinned, "Congratulations! Art, Drama and Media yes?"

"Yep. I wanna work in the media."

"Well I may be able to arrange that for you when you've finished sixth form."

"You can?" Amy frowned, Mycroft is a year younger than her which she often forgot, he acted a lot older and she knew he had finished school since he's a genius but from there she didn't know what he did, "How? What do you do, work or school wise?"

"I have a minor position in the government."

"How'd you manage that at this age?"

"My uh...father has connections."

"Well done I guess."

"Thank you." Mycroft smiled lightly but he noticed something seemed off with Amy, she looked nervous. He had only known her for less than a year and at the beginning she seemed a bit in awe of him which didn't surprise him, most people acted that way, he's only 15 but shows that he has power. But since then she seemed to have relaxed around him, she hadn't looked this nervous since the first time they met.

"I actually wanted to uh ask you if uh...you wanted to go out?" Amy glanced at Mycroft hopefully.

"Sure, I'll let Evie and Sherlock know, they'll be fine on their own for a while, well Sue's here."

"No, no...I mean on a date?"

"A date?" Mycroft repeated in shock, he wasn't actually sure how to answer that, but he went with the truth, "Amy...I uh...I'm sorry you're a really nice girl and all but I uh...I'm kind of gay. Well not 'kind of'...I am gay." Mycroft looked up awkwardly at Amy. He wasn't embarrassed about his sexuality and knew that Amy wouldn't care, at least, if she didn't apparently have a crush on him then she wouldn't care.

"You're gay?" Amy's eyes widened in shock, "I uh...of course you are, I didn't mean on a date I meant just out for drinks...saying that I was gonna meet this other uh person for a date...I should..." Amy pointed towards the door.

Mycroft nodded knowing exactly that she was just embarrassed for herself so he went along with it, "Of course. Have fun on your date." He followed her to the door.

"Yes, I will...see you."

"See you." Mycroft nodded as she closed the door behind herself but she seemed to forget there were windows in the door and he saw the outline of Amy put her head in her hands before walking away. Mycroft watched her go for a moment not sure if he should feel guilty or embarrassed or both. He settled for being embarrassed for Amy and upset knowing that for a while at least Amy will be too embarrassed to stop for a chat.

"Croft?" Evie voice floated down the stairs and he turned to look at her in question, Sherlock stood beside her. "Can we go out?"

"Sorry?" Mycroft frown, Evie wanted to go on a date with him now?

"To the park?" Evie stared at Mycroft as if he was insane for not knowing what she meant immediately, "Sherly and I?"

"Oh right, yes of course. Don't forget your coats."

Mycroft chuckled in fond amusement he thought back to that day and couldn't help but laugh.

"Ah, t-th-that actually m-makes m-more ssence n-now." Evie commented.

"Hmm?"

"Amy w-was an-angry at m-me f-for a f-few d-days, re-refused t-to b-bring me over."

"Angry at you?"

"I t-th-think she t-th-thought I kn-knew and she h-had t-told me t-that she l-likes you. I j-just s-said eww."

"Eww?" Mycroft asked looking offended.

"Well y-yeah. F-for a 9 y-year old w-wanting to g-go out wi-with a b-boy is dis-disgusting."

"You were best friends with a boy." Mycroft motioned to the amused looking Sherlock beside her.

"D-d-different."

"How?"

"I saw Sh-Sherly as a g-girl until w-we w-w-were t-th-thir-thirteen."

"What?" Sherlock joined into the conversation. A few chuckles were let out.

Evie shrugged, "D-don't w-wo-worry, I s-see you as a man n-now."

Sherlock rolled his eyes and decided to change the subject, "So Lestrade, are there any cases for me?"

"I'll let you know tomorrow." Greg replied, amusement obvious in his voice, "Since you 'died' the crime rate has heightened quite a bit. Although I cannot wait to see Donavon and Anderson's reaction to this."

"I have to be there." John laughed.

"Where would I be without my blogger?" Sherlock repeated his statement from years prior before he realised did John actually want to continue helping him with detective work? The two friends glanced at each other awkwardly.

"I guess I'll have to set up the website again." John grinned, Sherlock grinned in return, John wanted to join him again, be his blogger and his partner, Sherlock couldn't have asked for a better result. "So," John spoke after a few minutes of silence, he felt awkward, he wanted to go back with helping Sherlock with his consulting detective business but he knew he wouldn't be able to be on Sherlocks every beck and call now, he had a wife and a proper job now. "Evie, since Sherlock refuses to mention it, what was he like in school?"

Evie laughed, "He was...not much different, as I said in ASDA, always deducing teachers lives, they hated it."

"Sherlock as a little kid. I can't imagine it."

"N-next t-time we c-c-come I'll b-b-bring a p-ph-photo a-album."

"Uh oh..." Both Sherlock and Mycroft groaned simultaneously.

AN: Well there you go, the reunion. What do you think?