Penelope Watson returned home around 2 in the morning. She had taken an extra shift for one of her co-workers to make some extra money. It had been a long night; one of her patients had a cardiac arrest, another passed away during the night and another was just plain annoying.

Harry had called the hospital that day asking if she could spend the night at Clara's house. Of course, Penelope immediately agreed; Harry always did try her hardest given their...situation.

As Penelope entered the house, she found the kitchen light on and a tired, worn out John hanging over the sink with a dish rag hanging from his hand. She smiled fondly at the boy as she gathered him in her arms. She carried the blonde-haired boy up the stairs and to his room.

When they came to the hall, she heard snoring coming from her room. Penelope sighed, she could only imagine what Clint had done to the poor boy. After putting John in his bed, she walked to her room and opened the door a creak to peer into the room.

Client was spread out on the bed, still in his clothes, a beer can danging from his hand and a small puddle directly underneath where the can hung from his hand. The room stunk of alcohol, smoke and vomit. As Mrs. Watson looked by her husband's head she noticed that he had thrown up and not made it to the bathroom.

Now if only she could get John out of the house.

"So tell me, Elisabeth," Mycroft said, trying out the girl's name on his tongue. It had a strange feeling to it, not a bad feeling, but more like honey. Sweet honey. "What are your interests?"

The young lady in question looked up from her breakfast of eggs, bacon and a small bowel of oatmeal, "I've always adored the theater! Last year a sponsor played for us to see the play 'The Importance of being Earnest.' I must say I quite enjoyed it! My Aunt Tammy, who had an unfortunate car accident, once told me when I was a child that my mother did the make-up for a theater and would even sometimes volunteer to work with circuses and even operas!"

"And how do you like them? Operas I mean." Mycroft asked as took a bite of his egg.

"Well...I've never actually been to one... The only times I was ever able to see plays or musicals or any activities outside Madam Kelley's Home for Girls was when a sponsor would pay for us to go. All the money we earned went to paying for our schooling."

"How unfortunate, perhaps we can change that. Our family holds a box at the The Royal Opera and the The Royal Ballet. I believe La clemenza di Tito is showing this weekend, why don't we go see it?" Mycroft suggested.

"Really?! I-...I'd hate to impose."

"Oh no! It would be a pleasure! Is this weekend fine with you mother?"

"Hmm...This weekend?" Mrs. Holmes looked up from the catalog she was reading. "Oh Mycroft! This weekend I have a board meeting. My new design has gotten an offer from two different companies to be on their showcase. These offers could lead to other possibilities. I'm sorry Myc, but the meeting is scheduled in Italy; I'll be gone the entire weekend."

"Oh no! It's fine, Mrs. Holmes! While I'm sure there will be plenty of other operas, this would be a one time only deal!"

Mrs. Holmes beamed approvingly at Elisabeth while Mycroft seemingly appeared unfazed and gave a simple shrug.

It was late in the afternoon, Sherlock had already returned from school and Mycroft had just gotten off the phone with a business partner of his father who was interested in Mycroft.

Mycroft, who simply sat and listened for the better half of the conversation, came down to the kitchen to get a snack. On his way he passed his mother's study to hear yelling and Sherlock sitting outside the closed doors sulking.

"What did you do this time?" Mycroft asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Why do you su- susp- ect it was about me?"

Mycroft raised the other brow, "When is it not?"

Sherlock rolled his eyes and gave a small groan, "It's father, he's phoned mother, apparently it has something to do with me."

"You? What on earth does father want with you?"

"If I knew do you think I would be here now?! They've been arguing for over an hour!"

While most families would worry about what they were arguing about and what to find the easiest way to solve the situation, Mycroft's biggest worry was the bill, with all the calls from Mrs. Holmes' business and Madam Kelley's two hour call the previous day asking if Elisabeth met their exceptions, the electric bill would be plenty higher then usual.

The two boys cringed when they heard their mother raise her voice, nearly screaming into the receiver. Sherlock leaned closer to the door with his ear pressed up against the door. Mycroft rolled his eyes and then joined him pressing his ear up against the door as well.

"I DON'T CARE ELLIOT! HE'S MY BABY-"

"You know, You could always come here!"

"OH YES! Cause I have noooo idea what it's like having to work all time! I forgot for a moment all about that!"

"WELL AT LEAST MY PA ISN'T STILL WORKING FOR ME BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING SEX!"

"Oh please! Everyone knows that!-"

"Oh, I'm the hypocrite! Says the man who- "

"We just got a nanny and I want Sherlock to get used to her-"

"It might have something to do with the work that drags me around the world that, apparently, I know NOTHING about!"

An hour later, Mrs. Holmes emerged from her study with a blistering headache. She rang a bell and Dina came to the call.

"Dina, please have Sherlock come here, I need to speak with him."

"Yes ma'am, but why didn't you just ask him to come in?"

"Because I've been busy Dina, I need Sherlock here-"

"But he is here ma'am, I just saw him and Mycroft leave."

Mrs. Holmes sighed, her conversations with her ex-husband always ended up with the yelling and/or throwing things at each other. Aithley always tried to keep these arguments behind closed doors, she didn't need Sherlock or Mycroft being exposed to all their fighting.

"Well, see if they haven't gone off too far."

"Yes, of course ma'am."

"Dina said you wanted to see me, Mother."

Mrs. Holmes turned to see her youngest son enter her study. "Yes Sherlock, actually, there are two things I wish to speak to you about. The first being about your eavesdropping, I was informed that both you and Mycroft were seen listening in to my conversation with your father. This mustn't happen again, am I clear?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. Secondly, as you know, your father called; he wishes to see you again. He has already seen your brother and now he wants you to visit."

"But why? He's never there and it's boring!"

Mrs. Holmes sighed, "I understand, but one: he is your father all the same. Two: we both agreed in court that he could still see you once a month. Your father has been very gracious and has not tried to see you during our...Past situations. It is only fair that he sees you now. I've talked with Elliot, and he said either this weekend or over Christmas vacation. So which would you rather, two and a half days or a week and a half?"

Sherlock gave a loud groan, "Fine."