John entered the apartment with groceries in one hand, holding Rosie's hand in the other. He found Sherlock sitting in his chair, the violin in his hand. Mycroft sitting on John's chair, twisting the umbrella handle with his fingers.

'John' Sherlock acknowledged John and plucked the pizzicato note.

Mycroft turned his head to the doctor, giving him a curt nod. The doctor replied with a curt nod himself. John let go of Rosie's hand and went into the kitchen to put away the groceries, as his little girl waved to the Holmes brothers and ran to Mrs. Hudson's.

'I can't' Sherlock said, plucking the pizzicato note again.

'Can't?' Mycroft asked raising his eyebrows. He really wasn't in the mood to play games with Sherlock, not that day.

'Stuff I've got on is just too big. I can't spare the time' Not really Sherlock just wanted to make his brother beg for it... Or at least he wanted to mess around with Mycroft a little.

'Never mind your usual trivia. This is of national importance.' He would have done it himself if he didn't feel like he was too close to the matter.

Sherlock plucked the pizzicato note again and looked up at Mycroft. 'How's the diet?' he asked with a sly smile, noticing his brother had lost a little bit of weight, his waistcoat was slightly big for him.

'Fine' Mycroft replied. 'Perhaps you can get through to him, John' he asked the doctor.

'What?' John asked cluelessly.

'I'm afraid my brother can be very intransigent' Mycroft smirked.

'If you're so keen, why don't you investigate it?' Sherlock suggested.

'No, no, no, no. I can't possibly be away from the office for any length of time. Not with the Korean elections so...' he said, focussing on his umbrella and then looked up at his brother. 'Well, you don't need to know about that, do you? Besides a case like this, it requires...' he grimaced, shifting in John's chair and finished 'Legwork'. He was also worried about Tara. The recent nightmares, and the fact that she worried every time he left town. He didn't exactly feel comfortable leaving her alone.

Sherlock plucked a false note. 'How's Sarah, John? How's the lilo?' he diverted the topic.

'Sofa, Sherlock. It was the sofa.' Mycroft corrected him, as he took a peek at his pocket watch.

'Oh, yes, of course'

John frowned and shook his head at the brothers 'How.. Oh, never mind' John said as he sat down. One would think after all these years, the doctor would've gotten used to it but no.

'You two seem to be laying low since you two started... taking care of your daughter. What's it like to raise a child with him around? Hellish, I imagine.' Mycroft mused with a sly smile.

'I'm never bored' John drawled. It was true, he was never bored. Between Rosie and Sherlock, it was like he had two kids.

'Good, that's good, isn't it?' Mycroft faked a smile and got up. He walked to Sherlock, with two case files in his hand. When his brother didn't take it, he bit the inside of his cheek and walked to the table, placing the files on it. Hoping his brother will have the good sense to leave Dr, Watson out of his personal case, and only use his assistance in the other one.

'You have to take this case, Sherlock. Don't make me order you.' Mycroft warned.

'I'd like to see you try.' Sherlock challenged and placed the violin on his neck.

Mycroft smirked 'Think it over' he advised. He turned and gave the doctor a handshake. 'Goodbye, John'

John got up and gave his hand a firm shake 'Goodbye, Mycroft'

'See you very soon' Mycroft smiled.

John sighed and Sherlock repeated a rapid phrase on his violin as the elder Holmes took his coat and walked out.

Sherlock stopped when the footsteps faded.

John sat back down 'Why did you lie?' He asked as they heard the front door shut. 'You've got nothing on. Not a single case. That's why the wall took a pounding. Why did you tell Mycroft, you were busy?' he asked

Sherlock gave John his best 'Seriously, John?' look and scratched the back of his head with the bow 'Why shouldn't I? Just want to make him work for it'

John nodded in understanding and then shook his head 'Oh. Nice. Sibling rivalry it is, all over again. Now we are getting somewhere'

Sherlock's phone rang and he answered it 'Sherlock Holmes' he smirked as the caller spoke 'Of course. How could I refuse?' He hung up, getting up from his chair and buttoned his suit. 'Lestrade. I've been summoned. Coming?' he asked John.

'What about Rosie?' John asked his best friend.

Sherlock knew John wouldn't allow it but he had to try. He really wanted to teach Rosie to solve cases. 'You could bring her along or one of Mrs. Hudson or Tara could watch her' he told him and got his coat. 'I'd be lost without my blogger' He winked as he walked out of the house.

...

Like always, Tara got ready for bed and entered her bedroom. She spotted an eye mask on her nightstand and smiled. Her smile grew bigger when two arms wrapped themselves around her waist. She leaned into his touch as Mycroft kissed her neck, going down to her collar bone and shoulder.

Since Mycroft started working from their bedroom when he had to work late at night, the brightness of his laptop and the nightlight disturbed Tara. 'You got me an eye mask. It's very thoughtful of you' she smiled and turned around to face him.

'Well, you won't be needing that for a while' he told her.

'Why is that?' she raised a brow at him.

'I am going on a work trip' he told her.

'Work, again?' she whined

'Diplomatic fires never stop, darling' he lied and kissed her. He did not feel good about lying to her, but telling her he was going to do some legwork was not going to help anyone.

Luckily for Mycroft, Tara hesitantly bought his lie. 'I'll miss you' she gave him a sad smile and caressed his face.

'I'll miss you as well' Mycroft offered a hint of a smile.

'If you don't mind, shall I go take a quick shower?' she asked him all of a sudden.

Mycroft furrowed his eyebrows. 'Uhhh...Not at all. Please' Mycroft said in confusion, why would she ask him that.

Tara walked to the bathroom and started to undress, putting up a show for Mycroft. A striptease. Oh, that's why. Mycroft sat back on the armchair in the bedroom and watched her through the transparent glass partition between the bathroom and the bedroom. Tara pressed a button, making the horizontal blinds of the partition fall just before she was completely naked.

Mycroft sighed and got up to pack his suitcase for the trip.

Tara switched on the lights of the bathroom. Mycroft noticed the shadow of her naked body on the blinds. The lights go out again. Mycroft rolled his eyes at all her teasing techniques and focused on packing his suitcase.

He is distracted by the horizontal blinds going up again and the shower lights being switched on. Mycroft smirked and watched the shower being turned on and the shadow of Tara's naked body appears through the translucent shower partition. He chuckled and clapped for Tara as the lights went out again.

He knew what she was trying to do. It wasn't going to work. He packed his suitcase and waited for Tara to finish her shower.

Tara finishes her shower and walked out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a silk robe which was about to fall off her shoulders and her wet dark brown hair falling to the sides of her face. She leaned against the doorpost, seductively posing and waiting for Mycroft to come to her.

Mycroft smirked and got up from his armchair. He slowly walked to the bed and picked up the two suits laid out on the bed.

'Which one?' he asked her, showing the suits.

Tara raised her eyebrows in surprise and smirked 'A wet naked woman is standing in front of you and you're asking her which suit you should take. Mycroft, you are a true gentleman'

'I would hardly call that naked. Now, which one?' he pressed.

'Depends...'

'On?'

'Are you going on a manhunt or are you going in peace?'

'Let's say I am going on a manhunt, which one?'

'Wear the black one' she smirked.

Mycroft nodded and laid both the suits neatly on the armchair, before walking to Tara. He pulled her close and leaned down to kiss her. Just before their lips could meet, they were interrupted by Mycroft's phone ringing.

'Do not pick that up' Tara whispered and warned him.

'I have to' Mycroft sighed and answered his phone. Tara sighed and walked away.

'Hello' Mycroft spoke on the phone.

'Sorry for being a spoilsport. I know I'm probably interrupting Tara at the altar of love, chanting your name. Anyway, sorry for being the interruption. But when duty calls, I got to call you.' Anthea teased.

'Shut up!' Mycroft ordered in annoyance.

'Your rides here. We'll be in the air in 30 minutes'

'I'll be there in 15 minutes'

'Poor Tara! She might get upset. I can delay the plane by an hour' Anthea suggested.

'Shut up! Give me 10 minutes, okay?' Mycroft hung up.

Mycroft turned to Tara, she had already packed the black suit in his suitcase and was waiting with the suitcase in her hand.

'I apologize' he whispered to her as she handed him the suitcase.

'Apparently, I am not as pressing as I thought I was' she pursed her lips

'Trust me, you're very tempting. I am just too busy to give you the attention you deserve. I'll make it up to you when I get back' he cupped her face, pushing the hair out of her face.

'Yes, you will, because next time I am tying you up.' she smirked and kissed him.

Mycroft stopped at the door and turned around, looking at Tara from head to toe. 'By the way, that was a cheap ploy' he told her.

'Cheap but effective nonetheless' Tara smirked.

Mycroft chuckled and shook his head as he left.

Tara smirked and fished the pocket watch out of her robe. Mycroft may be a genius but he wasn't smarter than her.

...