The plane finally stopped and Sherlock opened the hatch as Mycroft shouted at a confused airport attendant to put a staircase against the plane. Sherlock was just as frustrated and leapt dramatically on to the tarmac. John and Mary were striding quickly to meet him only to have Sherlock pass them by, clearly entering a deep train of thought he had started as soon as the plane had started to turn back.
Sherlock reached the car where Mycroft was making calls one right after the other to various unsuspecting underlings that were feeling his wrath at this situation. Sherlock said nothing to him and entered the back of the car and sat staring off, still wrapped up in his thoughts. Mary and John looked at each other exasperated, looking expectantly at both Holmes brothers and receiving no information about what was going to happen.
John grew impatient at last and before Mycroft could make another call, he interrupted.
"Wait now. Sherlock saw him die. He blew a bloody hole into his brain. It is impossible for a man to survive that. Not even Sherlock could pull that off."
Mycroft was far from his usual cool self. His face had ranged from flushed to beet red depending on which insufferable call he had to make, but he went frigid as he replied to John. "Clearly someone is trying to make us believe just that. Now excuse me as I try to manage this crisis that is threatening our country."
Even in this dire situation, Mary couldn't help but find Mycroft's icy response worth a goofy face exchange with her husband. It was enough to give John a marginal lift to his heavy heart.
"Is anyone going to enter this car so I can save England from a madman, again?" Sherlock's head popped out of the car door with a clear look of irritation on his face. Mycroft finished his call and motioned for John and Mary to enter the vehicle. When the car made it off the airport property Mycroft broke the silence.
"Brother mine, any grand ideas to this problem?"
Sherlock remained quiet for ten seconds before he responded. "Yes. I need something though."
"Anything. Even I have superiors and they are expecting me to explain this and solve it now." Mycroft smirked and John scoffed at his cheekiness at this time.
"I need the transmission recording of Moriarty—multiple copies. There might be differences I need to observe. I want his death report and I need her."
"Her? She is unavailable. You know this. She can't enter this country without a national security incident."
"I believe that you are currently in a national security crisis that you desperately called me back from exile and certain death. You need me to solve this case and I require her assistance." Sherlock gave his brother a steely stare until Mycroft finally faltered.
"Fine. I'm not in the mood to put up with you and mummy to hound me at another Christmas dinner."
Sherlock set back in his seat and returned to his thoughts. John meanwhile knew not to try and interrupt him so he turned to Mycroft for his confusion.
"Who is she?"
Mycroft looked annoyed at John for asking. "She is someone I am going to have to call in numerous favours for beyond the ones I will need to force to have my brother back from his sentence. Although having an insane, previously assumed dead man grace every screen in the country to scare them into submission."
Sherlock set off on his phone texting intently. Mary took the lull to check her and John's phones they left in the car for their farewell to Sherlock. She had texts from Molly and John had many from Lestrade and a missed call from Mrs. Hudson. She made quick work of the texts. They mainly contained disbelief that both Watsons had experienced earlier and concern about their whereabouts. She fired off replies that would keep their recipients calm for a moment until Sherlock's plan could start. When she was finished, she placed her hand on her pregnant belly and firmly grasped her husband's hand.
John was pleased to have Mary take hold of his hand. He was brimming with conflicting feelings. Moriarty was back, but so was Sherlock. He just hoped that the price of getting him back would be worth it in the end.
A/N: Well howdy there! I am working on more chapters. I'm just trying to set up things properly for the Holmes family. They like to be a bit complicated. I'm trying to keep with cannon being applicable by starting right when series 3 ended. Let me know what you think, I enjoy seeing reviews! I'm not English so if I say something super wrong, you can let me know. Thanks!