Chapter 2 has finally arrived! Computer troubles and homework have kept me away from fanfiction but not anymore! Thanks for all the reviews and Enjoy!

Pushing the door open, the box tucked under my arm, I entered the room. My dearest friend was sitting in his chair, a pipe between his lips and his violin in his hands. He didn't turn around or in anyway acknowledge my presence.

I strode forward sitting in my own chair and placing the box on my lap glancing at holmes as I did so. At a loss as to what to say, I stayed silent, nervously drumming my fingers on the arm of the chair. The silence was tense and uncomfortable a contrast to our usual atmosphere.

Finally, I could bear it no longer. Hesitantly, I said:"Holmes, you seem distracted. Do you have a case at the moment?"

Turning slowly around, taking the pipe from between his teeth, Holmes shook his head.

"No, Watson. I do not."

"Oh"

Holmes turned back around and picked up his violin, beginning to play a slow, mournful melody.

"Holmes..."

"Watson, if you want my permission to look through that box then you need only ask."

"Yes, well... Can I?"

"Of course" his reply was too short and curt for my liking.

"Are you sure you meant that? I could just put it back and forget about"

"No!" He cut me off with a violent gesture of his hand.

"No, it is too late for that my dear Watson. It will pray on your mind your natural curiosity will see to that. You won't mention it but you will find yourself, at idle times, wondering about its contents and what your somewhat vivid imagination can conceive could very well be worse than what it is. Any truth is better than doubt after all."

"Well then, I think that you should commentate we wouldn't want me drawing any false conclusions after all."

"I would love to" Holmes said standing up "but unfortunately I must leave for a short while"

"Your going? But where?"

"Out. To the diogenes club to be more precise" he answered picking up his cane and placing his hat on his head."And so I bid you farewell."

Before I could stop him he had flung the door open and left, leaving me to ponder over why he had left to visit his brother Mycroft for that must have been his reason for visiting that particular club.

He had no case and I would laugh at anyone who suggested that Holmes would visit his brother on purely social grounds. He was not in want of money or anything else Mycroft could offer, except maybe advice.

And what could Holmes possibly want advice about.

My mind, and eyes, strayed to the box. My curiosity battled with my conscience but eventually it won out and I once again opened the box. I picked up the first thing I saw, a letter.

The paper it was written on was stiff and obviously not cheap though very old. The ink had started to peel but was still legible.

The writing, was strong, bold and clear and also strangely familiar. It was not Holmes', of that I was sure, but possibly some relative of his.

It was addressed to my friend and ran like this:

Sherlock,

Don't reply to this but listen to what I have to say; I'll know if you have. Don't mention this letter to anyone, it will only get me, and most likely you, into trouble. At 11 tonight, come to my room and knock very softly at my door, I'll hear you. Don't wait for a reply; just come straight in and quietly shut the door behind you. I have something I would like to give you but I am afraid that father would not be too happy if he were to find out. And finally, don't leave this letter lying around, in fact, dispose of it in anyway you see fit.

Mycroft

This only succeeded in confusing me further. What was this gift of Mycroft's? Why would their father disapprove? Did they communicate via letter often?

I would have to wait until Holmes came back to find out.

I picked up a second letter. Appearing to be of the same age as the first, and with the same writing I thought that it might give me some clue.

Sherlock,

Ignore them. I know its not in your nature, but you can not retaliate. Look at what happened today. You'll have the last laugh in the end, I promise you but for now you must be patient. Getting into trouble will do no good and you get into enough as it is. It may seem unfair, and that is because it is, but little brother life is never fair and you're old enough and clever enough to understand that.

I would be grateful if you didn't mention this to anyone by the by,

Mycroft

And I read one more letter:

Dear Mycroft,

I know that I have already said this, but I shall say it again anyway. Thankyou. And to show you that I mean what I say, I have something for you too. Meet me in my room at 11 and I shall give it to you. I am only giving it to you in secret because father may question why I am giving you anything.

Sherlock

Unfortunately, this helped in no way and I was left pondering my many questions until my friend returned.

I'm sorry to say that chapter 3 won't be up anytime soon but after Christmas expect lots of, hopefully regular, updates

And if you want me to be happy then: REVIEW!