This chapter is also an apology for taking so long; it's a little bit lighter and funnier... I guess. Thanks for reading!

Sherlock had just re-settled into his dorm at Cambridge when he got his mother's letter.

Dearest Sherlock,

I am glad to see you back in University after the horrible affair you went through. Although it is only July, I would like to invite you home for Christmas dinner; I regret to say that your brother will not be joining us because of the nature of his work. I would love for you to come on the night of the 24th.

Love,

Mummy.

Sherlock loved how his mother made it sound like an invitation while allowing no room for arguments; he scribbled his reply immediately and sealed the envelope. Of course he would go, especially since Mycroft was not going to be there, things had not gone well after the Whitehall affair, Sherlock had refused to go back to the clinic and instead insisted on going back to Cambridge, according to Mycroft he would fall back into the same pattern as before but Sherlock, as usual, did what he wanted.

For seven months Sherlock stayed in school and off drugs, not because he did not want the needle but because he wanted to prove Mycroft wrong. He glided through the lessons getting the grades that were expected of him with minimum effort and then spent all of his free time staring at the void or experimenting on the kitchen table.

On Christmas eve Sherlock got onto his bike and rode off to the Holmes Manor. The ride was quick; Sherlock sped through the motorway uncaring of regulations, all his movements were smooth and precise. He marched his motorcycle up the driveway and rearranged his clothes and hair before knocking on the door, he had keys but since this was no longer his house he preferred to be invited inside, Mycroft opened the door.

"She told me..." he began

"She told me the same thing" Sherlock mumbled as he walked past his brother and into the main room.

"Well, I see you're wearing the scarf she gave you" The corner of Sherlock's mouth turned upwards slightly "That's nice of you, of course she prefers when you wear a tie"

"And she prefers to see you actually fit into your suits brother-dear" Sherlock turned away and directed himself towards the living room where his mother was sitting graciously on a chair "Hello mummy" he said with a genuine smile when he leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"It is lovely to see you dear" Just then Mycroft walked in "It is lovely to see both of my boys for Christmas" she smiled and stood up prepared to lead the way into the hall where the food was being served. Mycroft and Sherlock spared a glance at each other, smiling slightly, their rivalry forgotten for a moment, both amused at the fact that their mother had lured them to dinner by saying that the other would not be present, and then the moment was gone and both of them made their way into the hall and sat down.

Dinner was quiet as usual, neither of the Holmes eager to start a conversation until the plates were clean and the tea was served.

"And tell me Sherlock, dear, what are you up to?" Violet said pleasantly

"You know mummy, studying, I have not done much else" Sherlock spared his mother another smile.

"Am I correct in assuming that your grades are excellent?"

"Indeed mummy, they exceed the professor's expectations" Sherlock took a sip of his tea "But I am more interested to know what you have been doing mummy, I noticed the roses outside"

"Ah yes, I had them picked and planted last month, beautiful aren't they"

"Indeed they are mummy" Mycroft said smiling pleasantly "Did you enjoy your trip to France?" Sherlock sighed imperceptibly, there was Mycroft showing off again.

"Oh yes!" Margaret went into a detailed story of her trip, the brothers smiling, nodding and commenting when necessary "I think it is time for me to leave you boys, I am afraid getting old makes you tired" she said with her ever present smile "I'll see you in the morning" She kissed them both on the cheek and left. The dining hall remained quiet until Mycroft decided to break the spell.

"I think I might have found you a job" Sherlock sighed "It's in my office you see, I thought you might like to—"

"Go work for you?" He chuckled darkly "So that you can have more power over me? You already control my allowance"

"Yes and look what you've done with it, bought a motorcycle. Do you really want to kill yourself that badly?"

"It's only means for transport Mycroft" Sherlock looked up from his mug "Whatever I do, you'll criticize, I go back to school and you hate it, I buy a bike and you think I have suicidal tendencies!" he said smugly, raising and eyebrow and half-smiling.

"I don't think it was right for you to leave the clinic"

"Next time I'll just let someone shoot you in the head, right, got that" he shot sarcastically

"That is not what I mean! You should have gone back, you should have finished your treatment, I do not approve of what you're doing Sherlock"

"Well that's rich, I don't need your approval; you're not my father"

"Oh but you wish you had father's approval, don't you?" Mycroft regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth.

"Piss off Mycroft" Sherlock took a deep breath "The fact that I'm standing here today, looking as I do and being as I am, clearly shows that I never needed father's approval, I got over that about fifteen years ago, you on the other hand were always hungry for his approval. You were the one who tailed him like a dog to learn everything about his job, even though you weren't even remotely interested, you went to Eaton because of him, you hated the place but you kept quiet and let yourself be fucked in the arse by his ideals" Mycroft mask fell for two seconds before he regained his composure.

"I learnt how to act around people Sherlock, and that means that you don't always get what you want nor do what you like, apparently you never got the hang of that!"

"I don't need to; I'm doing quite well without it"

"You are a drug addict! Clearly you could have done better, and while we are on the subject how many joints did you smoke before coming here?"

"Two, how many whores have you shagged to gain your peer's approval?" Mycroft threw his chair back and stood up.

"That, dear brother, does not concern you"

"My personal life does not concern you either!" Sherlock also stood up "How come when it's my life you feel the need to get your nose in to try and fix it, but when it's your life you don't bother? Shagging whores for approval is pretty fucked up Mycroft"

"How dare you? I've spent my life looking after you"

"I don't need you Mycroft, I'm not three years old anymore. Get over yourself and your power complex and leave me alone. I'm going to bed"

Well that's that, I'm not sure how to continue but I swear I will come up with something, please review, you can leave me your suggestions there!

Take care!