John hurried into 221b Baker Street and found Tara sitting on the couch, reading one of Sherlock's case files. He hung his coat and bag before walking up to her. 'Thank you so much, Tara. You're a life saver' he said and kissed her cheek.

Tara smiled 'It's alright, John. Where is Sherlock?'

'Sherlock's out on a case with Mycroft. Didn't he tell you?' John asked as he relaxed on his chair.

Tara was taken aback. Mycroft had told her he was going for some diplomatic work. He had lied to her. He had said he hated legwork. 'No' she huffed a laugh and asked. 'Where are they exactly?'

'Well, some case in Russia. Mycroft gave Sherlock the case and he got into trouble so, Mycroft's gone there to bail him out. They're going to work together on this one. Though you can imagine how that would go...' John said absentmindedly.

'Right. This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that the east wing of the Kremlin just blew up, right?' she pursed her lips and nodded.

It was then that John noticed the look on Tara's face, she was upset. 'Tara, they'll be fine. We slay dragons all the time.' he tried to assure her.

Tara bit the inside of her cheek and nodded. 'Yeah. Umm... Rosie has had her dinner and is already in bed. I made you a plate, it's in the microwave' Tara told John and got up.

'Tara...' John tried to stop her as she hurriedly gathered her stuff.

She paid no attention to him and rushed to the door. 'Thanks, John...Bye' she said as she shut the door behind her.

John wondered if he should call Mycroft and inform him about the storm coming his way. Maybe not.

...

'Fancy place. Didn't know this was your style. A little too much, extra even don't you think?' Tara heard a familiar voice in the living room.

'Hey' she went near him.

'Hey!' he said excitedly.

'What are you doing here?' she whispered, almost afraid to get too near to him.

'Well! I am sitting in the living room of your mansion so, I'm guessing maybe you need someone to talk to' he stated in an obvious manner.

'I'm absolutely fine' she said defensively. He just raised his eyebrow at her and smirked 'Okay, I'm not fine. But I don't need you knowing I've turned into a worrying mess.'

'You were always a worrying mess. I just let it slide because you were HOT and way out of my league. Still are' he winked.

Tara shook her head. 'I don't know. I've gotten older' she tucked a strand of stray hair behind her year.

'You're still just as beautiful' he said looking into her eyes.

Tara averted her gaze. Those eyes. That spark. 'Thank you' she smiled and shook her head. She sat down on the couch next to him.

'You know, I'm seeing someone? ...Are you angry with me?' she asked hesitantly.

'I know and no, I am not angry. You had to move on. I'm glad you did' he told her with a smile.

'Are you jealous?' she asked cockily.

'Are you kidding? He has a tough act to follow and not a lot of hair on his head. I wish him well' he laughed.

'Hey! Mycroft is great you know' she smacked his arm.

'I know. He is just a bit old don't you think?' he joked.

'He is just 10 years older than me' she rolled her eyes and said, her voice got a little pitchy.

He laughed at his wife's defensiveness. 'You make him really happy' he stated.

She nodded 'He makes me happy too and I love him so much' she smiled.

'I know' he nodded in acknowledgment.

'I loved you too. Still do. Went through hell when I lost you. Getting over you was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I can't go through that again.' Tears welled her eyes.

He didn't say anything, just nodded in understanding.

'You know what hurt the most? I remember feeling so helpless,.. so weak. I couldn't do anything. Those eyes and that split second in which they looked at me without batting. It felt like you were asking me "Is that it? Is everything over?" and I was lying there without an answer. I never saw it coming' she said tearing up.

'You think I did. I got everything I hoped for and more, and then my life ended for no good reason.' He told.

'I used to live such a carefree life; I used to be the happiest person in the room and now I can't stop worrying. I keep thinking he's going to end up dead like you. What the hell is wrong with me?' she asked him.

'Nothing is wrong with you. You're just happy. You're finally happy again. It stings a little it's without me, but I'm glad you've found your happiness in someone else. You're just worried you could lose it all, again.' He explained

'That's all you got. I thought ghosts were smarter, wiser. This is pathetic. I hate feeling this way.' She scoffed at him.

'Be happy you have something to lose. Stop worrying, that's how lives get wasted. Even if something does happen, you'll get through it. After everything you've been through, you always do. You're the strongest person I know. You are kind of my hero, you know?'

She rolled her eyes and huffed a laugh. 'You look great by the way' she stated, changing the topic.

'Yeah. The good thing about dying is you don't age.' He laughed and she laughed with him.

'You're taking care of her, right? I told her you would.' She asked.

'I am. Don't worry about her. I got her.' He assured her, reaching for her hand.

'She is beautiful. Isn't she?' she asked with a smile.

'Oh! She is a heartbreaker' he chuckled. 'She is fine' he assured her. 'I'm sorry, I didn't keep my promise' he said after a few seconds of silence.

'You told me, you'd be there for me and you are' she said with a sad smile.

'The pain. It never really goes away. He needs to know your pain. You can't keep it from him. He knows you're in pain. He's not asking because he's afraid of hurting you. But he needs to know' he tells her

'I can't' Tara breathed.

'Trust that you know what you are doing. Talk to him.' he said.

'I miss you' she whispered through her tears.

'I know' he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

'I love you' Tara whispered.

He looked into her eyes and smiled 'I love you, too'

Tara jolted out of her bed and panted, as she thought about her dream. The familiar face, she hadn't seen in years was right. She looked at the pocket watch ticking away on her nightstand and sighed. She had to talk to Mycroft.

...

Mycroft entered the house. It was past 12. Tara had to wake up early and go to the bakery so, she always slept early. All the lights were switched off and it was quiet. He figured she was already asleep. He left his bags in the front hall and went to his study. He entered his study and walked straight to the bar trolley, pouring himself a drink. He turned and found Tara sitting in his chair, drinking scotch. Just by looking at her face, he could tell he had been made. 'I can explain' he said.

'You lied' she said clenching her jaw.

'He is my brother, I had to save him. I had to go' he told her.

Tara rolled her eyes at the man's stupidity. 'Oh, God! Mycroft, for someone who is incredibly smart, you're really thick. He is your brother, of course, you have to help him and this is not going to be the last time you save his sorry arse. But that's not what I have a problem with, what I have a problem with is you lying to me. If we can't be honest with each other, then what's the bloody point?' she asked, slamming the glass on the table.

'I just didn't want to worry you' Mycroft sighed.

She stood up and started walking towards him 'Of course, I'll be worried, Mycroft, I love you. But that's not a valid reason to lie' she told him.

Mycroft sighed visibly. He knew she was right. And he could understand why she was so worried about him. She didn't want to lose him.

'You should've told me' She whispered, caressing his face.

'You're right I should have and I'll apologize to you later, at length' he smirked and kissed her.

She smiled against his lips and moaned 'You did promise me undivided attention but this does not mean I've forgiven you'

'That's alright, I can earn it. And by the way, I know you nicked it, I am going to need my pocket watch back.' he said before picking her up and placing her on his table. He jerked her legs open and stood between them as he crashed his lips on hers. As he wrapped her legs around his waist, he slid his hands up her thigh. Tara leaned back on the table as Mycroft took off her underwear and worked his tongue. Tara smiled and clutched her hair in pleasure.

'Not so tired now, are we?' she teased.

Without looking up Mycroft brought his finger up to her lips. 'Shushhh. Stop talking'

...