For as far back as Mycroft could remember his future had already been decided. He was trained to follow in his Uncle Rudy's footsteps and one day become a part of the government. Not the one that the people saw but the real one that operated behind the scenes and kept the world running. Sherlock's future was never as clear. His uncle had originally wanted both children to follow in his footsteps but as Sherlock's neurological problems became clear he was pushed to the background. The last resort as it were. There was even talk of having him institutionalized when he came of age in order to relieve the stress of taking care of an adult child on his parents but that was something Mycroft vowed would never happen. Unwilling to see his brother become a burden, Mycroft took it upon himself to care for his brother at an early age. He was Sherlock's first teacher, friend, confidant, and audience. He was the one who protected his brother when the world told him he couldn't succeed and pushed to make sure that Sherlock had every opportunity possible. His wishes came true as Sherlock graduated early and was accepted into university for chemistry. From his current position in the government, he began to make connections in different areas so that he could help Sherlock get whatever job he wanted once he graduated. Unfortunately, life once more had different plans for his brother.
He had been blindsided by Sherlock's addiction until it was too late to stop him. Not that he didn't try. Only Sherlock was no longer the little boy who looked up to his brother but a grown man determined to make his own way through life. He left university to live on the streets, hiding among the homeless and away from Mycroft's growing eyes as he let the drugs completely overtake his life. It was only after that faithful day in the alley that once more changed the course of Sherlock's life that Mycroft finally started to get the answers he was looking for. A few names came up while Sherlock thrashed in the midst of detox and fever but there was only one that Mycroft was truly concerned with. The one who had first given his baby brother the drugs that sent him on the path of addiction. Sherlock refused to give Mycroft that name but over the years he had been able to narrow it down to three individuals.
"Sebastian Wilkes called to report an assault tonight at the hands of one John Watson," Anthea informed Mycroft as he sat working in his office.
"Prepare my car. I think it is long past time that we pay Mr. Wilkes a visit," Mycroft instructed as he stood. It was the work of a moment to have John's name and the complaint against him removed from his record. Gregory would make sure that no officer looked further into the missing complaint allowing him to handle Sebastian. Arriving at the warehouse, he worked on his laptop while he waited for Wilkes. His men didn't go into the restaurant to retrieve Wilkes, instead of waiting for him to exit before making it clear that he had no choice but to join them in the car. They knew not to talk to him so by the time he arrived at the warehouse he was riled up but Mycroft remained calm as he made his way the short distance to the man.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" Sebastian asked him. "I am the chairman of Shad Sanderson."
"Which is the only reason you will be returning to your flat. Whether you are still alive is entirely your choice," Mycroft informed him. Sebastian paled slightly but he stood his ground.
"So you are the one behind the death of my stockbroker," Sebastian stated.
"The death of one stockbroker doesn't concern me. I am here because of Sherlock Holmes," Mycroft answered.
"You're not with the Police," Sebastian told him.
"No."
"Then who are you?" Sebastian asked.
"I am the last face you will ever see if you don't leave Sherlock alone. I know you have given him a case, and he will finish it because he hates unanswered questions, but once it is over you are to immediately cease all contact with him. You will delete any contact information you have for him and forget about the fact that he exists. If I will be watching and if I find out that you have contacted him again, I can promise you it will be the last thing that you do. Is that clear?" Mycroft wondered.
"Perfectly. I will let Sherlock finish his case and then I will not contact him again," Sebastian agreed quickly. Too quickly in Mycroft's opinion but that was alright. He had plenty of time to make sure that Sebastian completely understood the consequences of contacting Sherlock again. "Is that it?"
"For now," Mycroft agreed turning to head towards his waiting car. Sebastian made to go the other way but Mycroft's men blocked him giving him no choice in the direction he chose to walk.
"I thought you said I could go back to my flat," Sebastian stated.
"I did but I never said it would be tonight. First, we are going to take a ride and once I am satisfied that you have clearly got the message to leave my brother alone, then you will be free to go. Whether or not you are still alive is entirely up to you," Mycroft threatened. The fact that his voice remained the same level the entire time unnerved Sebastian more than anything else.
"Brother?" Sebastian questioned weakly.
"Yes," Mycroft answered simply. Arriving at his car, Mycroft was true to his word as a black cloth bag was forced over Sebastian's head making him the last thing that Wilkes saw. The man's hands were tied behind his back and he was unceremoniously drugged before being forced into the boot of Mycroft's car. Mycroft straightened his suit as he climbed into the back of the car. The door closed and they started off as he picked up his laptop once more. Work was never-ending but maybe he could convince Gregory to join him in a few day's time for supper and some alone time. First, he had a point to prove, and just over twenty-eight hours later when he dropped a shaking Sebastian off at his flat, he felt as though it had been clearly made.
Across the city, Sherlock woke early in the morning, panic rising quickly as he woke in an unfamiliar bed next to another body. He practically leapt out of the bed and was almost to the door before his mind caught up to the fact that he had fallen asleep next to John. He slowed his footsteps but was unable to calm his breathing as quickly as he made his way down the stairs. He wasn't sure if he woke John as he escaped but he didn't look back to check. John didn't need to see him like this. He was already having a nonverbal moment, he didn't need to add to it with John witnessing a panic attack. So, he didn't stop moving until he had reached his room closing and locking the door firmly behind him. Only then did he feel like he could breathe normally.
Despite only sleeping a couple of hours, he knew that he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. So instead of trying, he took a shower, dressed, and then sat at the kitchen table working on an experiment. He barely looked up as John came down the stairs turning on the tea kettle before disappearing into the toilet. Standing, he made his way to his room to take his morning pills before returning to the table without John ever knowing he had moved. John made them both tea setting Sherlock's by his arm then crossing into the living room to drink his own.
"We need to go to the bank," Sherlock informed John. A hmm was Sherlock's only response as John continued to wake up. Sherlock gave him a moment as not only was the bank still closed but Sebastian still had yet to answer him. It was another half an hour before John was showered, dressed, and ready to go. Together they went to the bank making their way up to Sebastian's office once more. Sebastian was there but John immediately noticed that he looked sick and not at all happy to see them. His suit and clothes were crisp but didn't hide the fact that there were dark rings under his eyes as if he hadn't slept. Whether Sherlock noticed that Sebastian seemed to push his chair further back from his desk as Sherlock took a seat wasn't clear. Sherlock didn't seem to care that Sebastian was less talkative as he explained the case and informed him that he no longer had to worry about threats to his employees.
"Thank you," Sebastian said at last. He reached into his desk to pull out his checkbook in order to pay them for their work but Sherlock didn't wait as he hurried out into the office eager to speak with another employee. John watched on as Sebastian's hand seemed to shake slightly as he wrote out the check.
"Are you alright?" John asked in concern.
"Fine," Sebastian answered though he clearly didn't sound it. He held out the check to John who took it. He looked at the check whistling slightly upon seeing it was twice as much as the previous check and made out to him this time. He looked up at Sebastian but the man refused to meet his eyes.
"No hard feelings over the other day," John stated.
"What? No, none. Now if your work here is concluded I would appreciate it if you take Sherlock and leave," Sebastian told him. John looked him over once again. It was clear to him that something was wrong and that Sebastian was lying when he said he was fine. Still, it wasn't his place to ask, and the sooner he got Sherlock away from this man the happier he would be. He pocketed the check leaving the office to go find his friend. Sherlock smiled up at him from where he was talking to a young woman. The woman was in shock over the amount that her hairpin was really worth and promised to deal with it as soon as possible as the sooner it was out of her possession the safer she would be.
"Hungry? I was thinking we could get a curry for lunch," John offered. Sherlock nodded.
"I know a great place. I helped the owner catch an employee who was stealing from him so he gives me a discount when I eat there," Sherlock told him. John shook his head.
"Of course you do. Lead the way," John answered as together they left the bank. Only Sherlock noticed as a tall man in a suit slipped out of the bank a moment later. He looked like any other person who came to the bank but Sherlock recognized him as one of his brother's minions. Wondering what his brother was up to, the two of them started towards the restaurant.