Sherlock called John several times, but each time, there was no answer. It wasn't until the cab pulled up to the intact hotel, that he finally received a response from John.

"John! What the hell?! Why weren't you answering your phone?!"

John sounded out of breath, as though he'd run from the hotel to the Holmes mansion. But that was miles away. He'd have to have been a fool. "I'm sorry Sherlock. Mary called me. There was a bomb in her home."

Sherlock's heard leapt. "Is everyone alright?"

"Yes. But I think you should come over. We need to talk in person." Caroline's laugh could be heard in the background.

"I'll be right there." Sherlock hung up the phone and directed the cabbie to Mycroft's. When he arrived, there were several cop cars with lights blaring already in the driveway. Despite protests from policemen, Sherlock pushed his way into the house. He found John and Mary in the kitchen; both being looked over by paramedics, and Caroline who was busy chatting with Sally. He immediately hugged John, then Mary. He placed a kiss on her cheek. "You're both alright." He sighed. "John, where is it?"

"The bomb? The bomb squad took care of it, after I took care of it."

"You?"

"Well, Caroline did the work. I just told her what to do. I couldn't reach it, and didn't want her to move it, just in case, so with my instruction she disarmed it."

Sherlock ran a hand through his hair and looked over to the small child. "How?"

"She's brilliant."

"And how did you know…"

"After the incident with the trolley car, I did some research. I'm surprised you don't remember. You were in the room when they came to test… actually, no. I'm not surprised. I trained for this."

Sherlock turned away and scanned the room for Mycroft. "Where's Mye? I thought he'd be here by now."

Mary folded her arms and looked to her daughter. "Isn't he with you?"

Sherlock shook his head. "I left him with Lestrade. He's fine by the way."

"Alright." Mary dropped her arms to her side and fiddled with the hem of her jeans.

"Are you and Caroline going to be alright?" Sherlock asked.

"We'll be fine." Mary's worried face gave her away, but Sherlock dropped the subject.

John turned his head so Mary couldn't see and whispered to Sherlock. "She's been like this since I arrived. Still in shock I think."

"And what about you?"

"I've seen worse things in my day."

Sherlock nodded. "I think we should all stay here tonight. I'll wait outside for Mycroft, then we'll decide where we're all going come morning. I… I'm glad you're safe. I don't know what I'd do if…" Sherlock turned to hide his rapidly warming cheeks. What was going on with him lately?

John looked confused. "Thanks Sherlock. I think. You're just going to be outside right? You're not about to run off again?"

"Of course not." Sherlock couldn't look John in the eyes. "I'll be right out front." Sherlock pat John on the shoulder and made his way outside. He wandered down the street, hoping to find a cab. After several blocks from Mycroft's home without any luck, he decided to turn back. John would probably come looking soon. He stopped when he came to a wall plastered in posters and fliers.

Mycroft came to, still strapped to Mrs. Hudson on Sherlock's bed. "Oh, you're finally awake. Are you alright dear? I hope you don't mind. I had to use my teeth to untie your gag. Mine came loose on its own, but I didn't want you to choke. I didn't know how else-"

Mycroft cut her off, "It's fine." He groaned. "Wh…what happened? Where is everyone?"

"Well, James, or whatever his name is, you know, the Irish fellow, he was about to push that button," she tilted her head toward the detonator, "when the DI burst in. Sherlock, bless him, kicked the button from his hands, then the DI took him away. Sherlock left soon after in quite a rush. No care for us might I add. It's been almost ten minutes." Mrs. Hudson grunted disapprovingly.

Mycroft looked to where Mrs. Hudson had gestured and noticed the pressed button. He started to struggle against the bonds.

"Stop struggling. Mycroft. Mycroft Holmes!" Mrs. Hudson yelled, and Mycroft stopped briefly. "It's no use. I'm sure someone will be back soon. It hasn't been that long."

"I'll struggle if I damn well feel like struggling!" Mycroft resumed his wiggling. "There's nothing some old hag is going to say that will stop-"

"Mycroft!" Lestrade stepped into the room and Mycroft froze. Mrs. Hudson had begun to cry.

"Untie me immediately!"

"There's no need to shout."

"Just untie me Greg!"

"I'm getting there." Lestrade untied the pair. "I trust you can get your feet?"

"Already done. Now. Where's my phone?" Mycroft spied it on the desk by the window along with his umbrella. He picked up both and called Mary. There's no answer. He tried again but still, no answer. "Fuck." He hurried outside and hailed the first cab he saw.

Sherlock stared intensely at one flier in particular. It looked relatively normal. White with a simple graphic of an umbrella on the top, but it was the text underneath that held his attention.

-I gave you a warning,
Thinking that's all that you'd need,
So continue if you must,
But that little blonde girl will bleed.
-Midnight Howler-

Sherlock pulled out his phone and took a photo of the poster just as a cab turned the corner. Determined to not let this one go, he ran directly into its path, giving it barely enough time to screech to a halt. "I need a ride." He moved to the door behind the driver and pulled it open. "Mycroft?!"

"Sherlock?"

Sherlock looked into the cab, finding Mycroft alone. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going home. The detonator was pressed. Mary wasn't answering her phone. I am afraid… I need to make sure she's safe."

"They're fine. For now. I just came from there. Where's Mrs. Hudson? She needs to be here."

"Why should I care about your landlady?"

Sherlock hit the side of the car. "Damn you! You never think things through!"

"She was blubbering. I was not taking that with me."

"You sodding git! Move over." Sherlock shoved his way into the cab. "221B Baker Street. I'll pay the difference."

"The only people I care about is my family. Why should she matter?"

"Mycroft! I told you they're fine."

"You said they're fine for now, but they need me there. Stop the cab. I'll find my own way home."

"Move the bloody cab." To Mycroft, "You don't think they can keep themselves safe? Besides, John is there now. They'll be fine."

"If you don't stop the cab this instant, I will have you fired!" The cab pulled over immediately and Mycroft climbed out.

"Mycroft!" Sherlock groaned. "Just go. I'll pay his fare too." He fell back into his seat and hit the door with a clenched fist. "Damn the man." The cab returned to Baker Street which was now entirely blocked off. Sherlock told the cabbie to wait for him and sped through emergency personnel until he reached Lestrade. "Gilbert, where's Mrs. Hudson?"

Lestrade turned to face him. "Gilbert? Alright…. What happened to you Sherlock? Where did you run off to?"

"It doesn't matter. Just tell me where she is."

"She's inside. Medics are looking her over."

Without hesitation, Sherlock rushed into the building. As Lestrade had said, she was sitting in her kitchen, being examined by medical professionals. "Dearie me Sherlock. Aren't you a sight-?"

"You're coming with me. You're not safe here," he interrupted.

"Sherlock, please. I'm fine."

"But-" Sherlock tried to protest but Mrs. Hudson held up a hand.

"Honestly. The Inspector has taken care of the flat. It's you I'm worried about Dear. You look dreadful."

Sherlock turned to look into the mirror hanging on the wall. His hair was a mess of curls, he had bags under his eyes, and his coat collar was askew. He quickly ruffled his hair and straightened his collar to its usual standing position. "Of course." He grunted. "I uh… I was simply worried about you after that whole… and then my brother left you-"

"Oh don't mind me. A woman of my age has a few tricks up her sleeve and years of favors piled up. I'll be fine. Come morning, I'll have fully recovered."

Sherlock subconsciously imitated John's military nod and backed towards the door. "I'll be… I'll be going then. You know my number."

Mrs. Hudson laughed. "John's waiting. Go."

He arrived back at Holmes manor, slightly ashamed at the fit he'd thrown at Mycroft. The squad cars were gone, and everything was quiet again. At the front door, he took a deep breath, pushed his shoulders back, straightened his coat, and entered. He found everyone in the kitchen, including Mycroft who was fretting over his wife and daughter. John stood a few feet away.

"He find out about Caroline and the bomb?" He muttered, out of earshot of Mycroft.

"Oh yeah."

"Did you tell him she stopped it?"

"Nope."

"I'd suggest we not."

Sherlock turned to look at Mycroft who had deliberately turned his back on them. Such a child. He walked over to his brother. "I told you they were fine."

Caroline piped up when Mycroft stayed silent. "Of course I was Sherly."

"Your father doesn't like to believe me. Been eating cake lately Mye? You've got some crumbs on your jacket, and some frosting just there." He tapped the side of his lips to indicate the damning evidence on Mycroft.

"No." Mycroft mumbled, brushing a sleeve over his mouth.

"He has. He gave me the rest." Caroline beamed proudly.

Sherlock smirked. "I'm sure he did. Tsk tsk. What would Mummy say?"

"Leave me be." Mycroft turned away, hiding his embarrassment.

"You've been a right bloody sod tonight. I hope you know that."

"Go away Sherlock!" Mycroft shot back.

"How mature of you…"

John took Sherlock's arm before he could retort. "Behave. Both of you. This time, Mycroft, Sherlock is right. But we need to get along. We're in this together."

"Of course I'm right. I'm always… this time?" Sherlock shot a look to John just as a paper airplane flew in from the window and hit him in the head. Mycroft set Caroline down and ran to the window it came from. Sherlock picked it up and unfolded it. It was a note.

'I know where you're headed
You can't hide from me.
Mycroft Holmes is a fool,
Trying safety for three?
-MidnightHowler'

"Is there anyone out there Mye?"

"Nothing. It's too dark to see." He pulled the window closed and shut the curtains.

Sherlock crushed the paper in his fist and threw it to the ground. "We need to get them out of here. Somewhere new. They know what you'd had planned." Mycroft walked over and picked up the balled-up paper. He unfurled it and read, a crease growing between his eyebrows. He handed the note off to Mary and ran a hand over his head.

"We need to talk. In private." Sherlock pulled out his phone and subtly flourished it, indicating what he wished to talk about. He glanced to Mary before adding, "Just to the side. Won't be a minute."

Mycroft looked uneasily at Mary who patted her hip, reminding him of the gun she was carrying. He breathed out. "Alright."

Sherlock led him to a side room and held out his phone, which was opened to the photo of the flier. "This was hanging on Cornilles Drive. I doubt it's there now. They're threatening everyone. And now we know they're serious. We were lucky with the bomb." Mycroft read the flier, dropped the phone, and he sunk to the floor, all his strength gone. Sherlock knelt beside him. "We're going to have to separate you three." Mycroft tensed up. "I know you don't…" Sherlock sighed and sat beside his brother. "We've both reached our extremes, haven't we?"

Mycroft buried his face into Sherlock's shoulder, "I don't want to go back to school Sherly. The kids are mean to me."

Sherlock looked at his brother confused. "You don't have to Mye. I promise. Never again." He slowly embraced him. "I know school was hard for you, but this isn't school. It's just a math equation. Put two parts together, solve for 'x', and prove it. It won't be hard. Plus, you've got me, and John, and Mary, and… and… and Caroline. She's so bright Mycroft. She'll outsmart us both if we're not careful." He laughed lightly.

"Caroline. My daughter. My beautiful, brilliant daughter…" Mycroft tried to smile, but broke into tears. "They're going to kill her."

Sherlock's eyes widened. He didn't know how to deal with this. "I'm going to protect them. I'd die to save them, Mye. Not that I like them that much, but" he forced a laugh. "I'll do my best." Mycroft pressed his face deeper into Sherlock's chest and he pat his back cautiously. "I don't… I've never seen you like this Mye. Should I get Mary?"

"No!" Mycroft quickly pulled away, eyes red with tears. His voice shook violently. "I don't want her to see me like this."

"Alright. Take a deep breath for me okay? You're hyperventilating. Deep breath. In." Mycroft breathed in a shaky breath. "Good. Now out." Mycroft obeyed. "Mummy used to do this for me. Father would…" Sherlock paused, debating whether to admit what he said next, "he beat me. After you left for school, he was relentless. Nothing I did was alright in his eyes. So he hit me. Mummy tried to get him to stop but then he'd hit her too. Despite her own wounds, she'd hold me as I cried."

"Father hit you?"

Sherlock nodded. "Constantly. Any chance he got. He said I deserved it; I was different. I was a shame to the family. No one would come to help me, so I let it happen." Sherlock looked away.

"I… I didn't know. I knew he could be violent, but I thought he'd let up." Mycroft sat up and dried his tears. "I never should have left."

"It's not your fault Mye." Sherlock rubbed Mycroft's back. "You feeling better?"

"A little, given the circumstances."

"Anything else you need?"

"Cake."

Sherlock chuckled. "You just had some, but I think I'll let it slide, this once."

"I'm supposed to be strong, for Caroline, for everyone, but look at me. Weaker than I ever remember being and relying on the brother I shut out."

"You and me both." Sherlock thought back to last night. "Everybody breaks down Mycroft. I'm honestly surprised you didn't break sooner." Sherlock stood and offered his hand to Mycroft. "Come on. Let's go take care of accommodations and catch this sonofabitch."

He took it and stood. "Yeah. Let's." He grinned sheepishly and followed Sherlock. "Mary, get the car packed, would you?"

Mary nodded, "Sure." She left the room.

Mycroft picked Caroline up and she flipped to face him. "Daddy, why are you sad?"

"Oh. I just got my insides hurt. They feel better now. Nothing to worry about."

"No, Daddy. You're worried about me. I'll be fine. Me and Mummy are strong and I'm small and smart. You just need to worry about yourself."

Mycroft looked over to Sherlock who shrugged. "She's your girl, not mine."

Caroline planted a kiss to Mycroft's nose. "Don't worry so much Daddy. It's degrading." She turned and Mycroft set her down.

"Okay. I'll try not to worry so much." Caroline rushed off to be with Mary.

Sherlock watched her leave. "Be bloody proud of her."

Mycroft nodded. "I am. I always will be."

Mary returned with two suitcases in hand, Caroline following close behind, struggling with her own suitcase. "Oh good, pack the car. Mye, we ought to remove the plates, just in case. John, call Lestrade and let him know. Don't want to get pulled over." John and Mary left to their tasks, and Sherlock turned to Mycroft. "Do you still remember the code we made up as kids?"

"How could I forget it?"

"I think we should use it. At least when we're figuring out details."

"I agree. Good plan, Brother Mine."

"Sherlock, Mycroft, you coming?" Mary called from the garage.

"Coming Darling." Mycroft gestured for Sherlock to lead, and away they went.

Song: Soldier - James TW

*Good news! I did get into some fluff. Chapter 15. Nothing sexy yet, but that'll happen probably around chapter 28 judging by my preplanning. Have to get through some rough stuff first.*