A Very Good Brother

by lumixedia

Why would 13-year-old Mycroft have been entrusted with the truth about his sister when his parents were not? What would Mycroft have thought of John's new girlfriend, Mary? Was Mycroft telling the truth when he denied being "given to outbursts of brotherly compassion"? What was going through Sherlock's head as he pointed a gun at his brother? Four dialogues.

2. Mary

"Rosamund Teimano."

Mary Morstan froze at the sound of a name she had hoped never to be called again. In a single smooth motion, she slipped her hand into her purse and turned around deliberately to face her interlocutor, who had pulled up next to her in a sleek black car-

"Mr. Holmes!" Mary laughed, relaxing and letting go of her weapons. She had never met Mycroft Holmes, but she had seen pictures of him, both in the course of her work and in the possessions Sherlock Holmes had left with John. "What brings you here?"

"I'd like a word with you," Mycroft said, gesturing at the car door. "Would you get in?"

Mary opened the door and climbed in without hesitation. If there had been any trouble between her and the British government, she wouldn't have returned here. "I am on my way to an appointment, but go ahead."

"I'll be quick." Mycroft did not look at her. He kept his eyes fixed on a point past the windshield, in the far distance. "You have entered into a serious relationship with Dr. John Watson. He has not succeeded in driving you away, unlike countless previous women. His past association with my brother does not frighten or threaten you."

"Sherlock sounds wonderful," Mary said. "I'm sorry for your loss. I wish I could have met him."

Mycroft continued staring at the place where the horizon would have been without the buildings in the way. "Dr. Watson was my brother's best and only friend. He is the reason Sherlock survived as long as he did. He has been a...valuable and remarkable asset." Now he finally turned to meet Mary's eyes. "Rosamund Teimano," he said softly, injecting the faintest hint of menace into his pronunciation of her name, "it is very important to me that he be kept healthy, happy, and safe. You must take good care of him." Because Sherlock will need him again in a year, he thought but could not say.

Mary laughed warmly. "Oh, this is one of those conversations! I never picked up from John that Sherlock's scary brother was so sweet."

"I am not being sweet," Mycroft snapped. "I'm looking after my assets. It's a basic principle of good governance."

Mary laughed more. "So sweet." Then her tone changed, becoming utterly serious even as it retained its warmth and joy. She touched him gently on the shoulder. "I swear, Mr. Holmes, that I will protect and care for John with everything in my power, in all the ways I can, for as long as I possibly can. I swear it on the old name you insist on calling me and all the others I've had before and since."

"Good," Mycroft said, Mary's infectious warmth creeping into his tone for the first time. "Thank you. That's all I wanted to hear."

Mary smiled and turned to open the car door. "Whatever John says," she declared as she stepped out, "you must have been a very good brother."

Mycroft sighed. I don't think either of my siblings would agree with you, he thought as he watched her walk away.