Mycroft was surprised by the knock on his door. It was 11 at night. Who could it possibly be at this hour? He wondered and went to get the door. He wasn't that surprised by who it was, he already saw it in the security footage.

'What are you doing here?' he asked Tara, who stood in front of him, drenched in rain and a suitcase in her hand. He ignored his instinct to cover her up in something warm. He would maintain his normal passive-aggressive, cold exterior, he was still upset with her. He couldn't exactly tell why, but mostly because she was taking so long to make up her mind.

'Ummmnmm. Trying to make a big romantic gesture?... Wow, I really suck at this, I haven't done this in a while...' She rambled 'I am moving in with you. I am all in. Here I am' she said awkwardly, wondering why Mycroft was making her stand outside in the cold.

Mycroft nodded in confusion and looked down at the suitcase in her hand. 'All your things fit in one bag?' Mycroft mused. He knew Tara wouldn't pull some juvenile prank on him. Sure, she joked around but there were lines she knew not to cross with Mycroft. Yet, Mycroft found it a little hard to trust her this time. Something that struck him as a little odd since, from the beginning of their relationship they both had shown so much trust towards each other, especially for their circumstances and the people they were. And now,... well, he wasn't lying to her, it was more like, omission of truth. He didn't want to worry her for no reason. He loved her but a part of his decision to ask her to move in with him was because he was worried about her safety. The fact that they had an argument a few weeks ago and ever since the argument Tara had been hesitant about moving in was concerning for him. Even if Tara assured him, she wasn't thinking about having a child, their argument plagued him from time to time.

Tara wanted to roll her eyes at him. Here she was trying to make a romantic gesture and Mycroft was thinking about her suitcase. 'No. I packed all of my things but I couldn't bring them all here by myself.' She laughed awkwardly. 'But I did want to make a big romantic gesture so, I brought this one bag with me. I'll go back and get the rest of it later.' She shivered as the cold wind rushes past her, making her voice tremble. She hoped Mycroft would let her come inside the house because one, she was freezing, her teeth were beginning to chatter, and two, they were letting in all the cold air inside the house.

A small smile bloomed on Mycroft's lips and he shook his head at his partner's antics. He wasn't completely against the gesture but, she could have very well made it at a more appropriate hour. Like in the morning or sometime it wasn't raining and she wasn't freezing. 'Don't bother, I'll ask Thomas to get it tomorrow. Give this to me' he said and went to take the bag from her hand.

'It's a trolley bag, Mycroft. I can roll it in myself' she rolled her eyes and told him

'This is my romantic gesture, just give it to me' he told her.

'Oh, right. Here you go!' she smiled and gave him the bag. Tara linked her arm in Mycroft's as they went inside.

...

Tara's move was simple and smooth. She knew the Holmes brothers hated change. So, she tried not to spook Mycroft. It was a big deal for Mycroft to ask her to move in with him, she didn't want to push him too much. The extravagance of his house didn't really bother her so, she made no effort to change it. It reminded her of something and it was oddly comforting. Though one thing she thought was a bit too much. The steel horses in the dining room. They were the only things she had asked Mycroft to get rid of and he had reluctantly agreed. That was the least he could do, he thought and putting up with Tara's insane habit of playing Bette Midler over and over on full blast. Mycroft would never get used to listening to The Rose on repeat.

Tara didn't have to ask for closet space. Mycroft understood that she would need that so, the day she had said yes to moving he had the closet expanded so she could fit all her clothes comfortably. One other thing that had changed since Tara moved in was the kitchen. It was stocked with more food now than Mycroft could remember. She had also brought with her all her baking and cooking utensils, which Mycroft didn't really mind. He didn't cook often. Mrs. Green cooked so, that was her problem.

Tara didn't bring up their previous conversation again. Things were going great and she didn't want to ruin it. They would cross that bridge if and when they came to it.

...

Tara hummed as she entered the house. She dropped her bag and keys on the front hall table and made her way into the house to surprise her partner. She hears the old record playing in the bedroom as she enters. She carefully steps towards the bathroom and twists the doorknob as slowly as physically possible so, she didn't spook the person inside. And standing there, in front of the bathroom mirror was Mycroft Holmes. A stained brush in his hand, and hair color mix lying near the bathroom sink. Tara stares at him with her mouth agape, suppressing the urge to smile at the scene.

Mycroft froze when he noticed the intruder in his bathroom. His face went pale like he'd seen a ghost. This was exactly why he didn't like sharing his personal space with anyone. 'You were supposed to be late' he said, bringing Tara out of her thoughts.

'Ummm...Yes, I thought I could come home early and surprise you. And you are coloring your hair' she said awkwardly, pointing at his head.

Mycroft nodded and sighed. 'Yes, you weren't supposed to know that' he said in defeat.

Tara smiled and walked to him. 'Mycroft, it's alright. I will still love you when you're old and bald, and your teeth rot away' she smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, not caring if she was getting hair color on her forearms.

Mycroft grimaced at the 'I will still love you when you're old and bald, and your teeth rot away' comment. He'd rather die early than reach that phase of his life.'I know you said that to make me feel better but it is not helping' he told her.

Tara chuckled 'I am sorry' she kissed his nose. 'I love you. Now sit down, let me help you do this right' She forced him to sit down in front of the mirror and took the brush from him. Getting old sucked. God knew she hated it. She didn't mind if Mycroft looked old. It was natural. He was getting old. They both were. But, if her man didn't want to look old, she would help him.

...

Tara entered Mycroft study through the side door. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders from behind. Bending down she left a soft kiss on his cheek. Mycroft leaned back in his chair and held Tara's hand.

'Are you coming to bed?' she asked him.

Mycroft looked at all the paperwork lying on his desk. 'I'll be up in a bit' he assured her with a smile.

'Don't stay up all night' she told him as she walked out of the study.

'No, I'll be right there' he called after her and got back to his work.

...

Tara was laying opposite her husband, the love of her life, looking into his eyes, feeling so weak and helpless. She cried out his name over and over again him but he was too far from her and she was hurt. She cried and begged for help but no one heard her.

He tried to reach for her outstretched arm as if wanting to hold her one last time. She looked into his eyes without batting. Both their eyes held only one question. Is this the end? Is everything over? He held her gaze as he felt his life slipping away.

She looked into his eyes, the eyes that had once shown her the world, the eyes that had once carried love for her, the eyes that she had dreamed their child would have. She looked into his grey eyes as they turn cold dead and lifeless. She suddenly noticed a tinge of blue in his grey eyes, they start turning blue. She blinked away the tears that blurred her vision. The face in front of her was not of the love she had once lost but of the one had now found.

'Mycroft...' She cried and started to shake him awake. But nothing happens. He laid lifeless in front of her. She cried and hit him on his chest, trying to wake him up but he wouldn't respond.

'Mycroft, you can't leave me too, you're all I have left' she said cradling his face. 'Please, please, please, please...' she cried.

...

Mycroft entered the master bedroom to find Tara asleep on their bed. She was in distress. She flailed her arms wildly and murmured something Mycroft couldn't understand. Tears ran down the side of her face and beads of sweat danced on her forehead, her breathing tensed and she kept repeating the same words over and over again.

Mycroft ran to her and held her down, as she tried to hit his chest. The words she spoke after that were a lot more clearer, 'Mycroft, you can't leave me too, you're all I have...Please, please, please, please...' she cried. She was having a nightmare about him leaving her. Mycroft blinked at her in utter confusion.

'Tara, darling, wake up' Mycroft shook her awake. It takes him some time but he is able to wake her up.

'Mycroft' She breathed as he jolted her out of her misery.

'Are you ok?' he asked softly.

'Yeah' she exhaled.

Mycroft held her arms. 'Sure? It looked like you were having a nightmare...'

'I am fine' she cut him off. 'Are you coming to bed?' she asked him, avoiding the previous subject. She wasn't going to tell him that she dreamed that he died.

'Yes.' he nodded and crawled under the covers. He pulled her close, leaving a kiss on the top of her head 'Go to sleep, my dear. I'll be right here' he whispered.

Tara exhaled and closed her eyes, trying to forget the horrifying image she had seen. 'Mycroft?'

'Hmmnmm'

'Sing me something, will you?' she whispered

Mycroft looked down at his partner and raised an eyebrow. 'What do you want to hear?' he asked and turned to face her.

'Anything'

He was only agreeing to it because she just had a nightmare and thought he was going to leave her. 'Don't get used to this' Mycroft said as he pulled Tara into his arms.

'I won't' she mumbled into his chest

''I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world...

Mycroft looked down at Tara, who had now fallen into a peaceful slumber. He smiled at her sleeping form and stroked his thumb over her cheekbone. He couldn't believe he had actually managed to lull her to sleep. He fell asleep thinking about her nightmare. He wouldn't force her to talk about it if she didn't want to but he could make her feel a little better.

...

The next day, Mycroft brought all his work with him when he came to the bedroom. He wanted to be close in case Tara had another nightmare. He didn't want her to suffer through it. Mycroft sat on his side of the bed, his laptop on his lap and he was surrounded by files.

'Can I at least turn off the overhead?' Tara asked as she walked out of the bathroom.

'Of course.' He told her and switches on the night light so, he could work while Tara slept.

'Do you want me to go work in my study?' he asked her, in case his work would disturb her sleep.

'No, that's fine. Just make some room' she said and helped him move his files, making room for her to sleep. 'Thank you' she whispered to him.

'Go to sleep' he said softly and kissed her forehead.

Tara turned on her side, facing away from Mycroft in order to avoid the brightness of his laptop. Slowly and slowly the noise of Mycroft typing on his laptop became distant as she fell asleep.

Later that night, Mycroft is awakened by his cell phone ringing. Both Tara and Mycroft stir in the bed. Tara checks the phone, shoots Mycroft a look as he sits up, and answers the call. He clears his throat 'Hello?' he answered groggily.

'I found it, Sir. It'll be on your desk first thing tomorrow morning' he heard Anthea's voice through the phone.

'No, no. Don't bring it to the office. Stop by the house tomorrow morning and drop it off' he told her and rubbed his hand over his face. Tara sighed and turned over to her side, facing away from Mycroft as she tried to fall back to sleep.

'Is this personal?' Anthea asked.

'Follow your orders. Stop by the house tomorrow morning and drop it off' He ordered 'And cancel my 2 o'clock appointment'

'Baker Street?' Anthea asked, thankful that her boss couldn't see the smirk on her face.

'Don't try to be smart' he told her '...and wipe that smirk off your face' he said and hung up.

Mycroft leaned back, resting his head against the headboard. He gazes around the room before looking to his left. He stares off thoughtfully then closes his eyes and rubs his forehead. He blinks his eyes open and peers back to his left. Lying beside him in bed, Tara sleeps peacefully. The shirtless handsome Holmes lazily rubs his face, his gaze fixed on Tara's smooth delicate features. He traced the three bullet wounds on her back. He leans over and gently touches her face, lips, and chin. He looks at her with a pensive expression. Tara moans lightly then opens her and meets his gaze. 'It's five in the morning' her voice raspy and barely audible.

'I know' Mycroft whispered.

'We have to be up in an hour'

'I know' Mycroft sighed.

'Can't go back to sleep?' it was more of a statement than a question.

She was right, he couldn't go back to sleep. Not after that phone call, it had given him a lot to think about. He had a lot on his mind. He looks at the calm, peaceful expression on her face. If she knew the thoughts racing through his mind, she would definitely lose her peace of mind too. He couldn't tell her what was on his mind, not when he wasn't sure of his theories. Not when she was already struggling with nightmares of her own. There was no point in worrying her for no reason. He knew even her steely façade had the potential to break.

'Let's go for a run' Tara suggested.

Mycroft sighed and nodded.

Frank and Bob, the security details are standing by the motorcade when Tara and Mycroft come out in their running attire.

'Want us to drive alongside you, Sir?'

'No, you stay here' Mycroft said reluctantly, knowing Tara wouldn't like a security detail following them when they were running. It just drew too much attention.

'Yes, Sir'

'You ready?' Tara asked as she stretched for the run.

'Yes' Mycroft nodded.

They run at an easy pace down the middle of the quiet tree-lined street, bordered by parked cars. Out in the night air, Tara and Mycroft run side by side at a brisk pace. Slowly and steadily, Mycroft increases his pace and without realizing he leaves Tara behind as his mind raced with the thoughts of his action and the consequence it would have on their lives. The irony of the situation is lost on him. He had already chosen a path. He wasn't sure if it was the right one but he had made his choice. He knew his decision would affect Tara too, but there was no turning back now. He was alone on this road. Tara struggles to catch up with Mycroft, as he runs into the fog.

...