06/19/13 Edited ch2ch3 while I was supposed to be working on ch4. *shrugs* Chapter 4 wouldn't flow how I wanted. Though ch4 is a little shorter, there's about 215 story words extra between ch2 and ch3. A bunch of little additions and a couple (small) changes if you want to look. If you already reviewed them and have comments/questions you can just PM me.
A side note but did anyone notice P1 only had 'always' (ie, didn't have need, want or necessary), P2 had 'always and need', P3 had 'always, need and want'? P4 has forms of Always, Need, Want and Necessary. It was just a fun side idea while writing to have each chapter have the previous chapter titles in it along with the current title. It made P1 & 2 a little difficult - they got edited a couple times before posting to remove future chapter titles. It was surprisingly easy to include a form of each title in the next section though.
Unnecessary – ASiP spoilers
Mycroft sat in his study looking at the folder that lay closed before him. His umbrella and shoes had been quickly abandoned in the entryway when he's arrived at his flat and a glass of scotch had just as quickly made its way into the loose grip of his hand with the bottle sitting closed beside him. He already knew the folder's contents; there was no reason to view them again. The first time he'd seen the information it had been to late anyway. It was a completed aftermath report of the evening's events. Of the events Sherlock had been a central figure in.
Closing his eyes he could visualize the information in the report with ease. The events in question had come to a head rather rapidly. One day routine surveillance had been sufficient to monitor his brother's whereabouts and condition. Then it had failed and his people were left scrambling for information that could mean the difference between his brother's continued life or his willing death.
The serial killer Sherlock had been looking for had showed up at 221B Baker Street. Sherlock had willingly left with the man to destination unknown, always one to disregard safety in favour of intrigue. A call had been taken and units dispatched to reports of a gunshot; an ambulance was also dispatched of course. One fatality confirmed. The remaining party detained there but unharmed. The initial report mentioned Sherlock's presence at the scene but hadn't contained the details of the identity of the victim or the secondary party. He'd been driven to the location upon receiving the report; an unease present in him that was not displayed.
If Sherlock was unharmed there would only be derision for him having shown up flustered after the event. If Sherlock were already dead there was no longer a reason for him to feel anyway; caring was not an advantage but Sherlock had always been his exception. Upon arriving at the scene he had hesitated only briefly before exiting the car. He needed to know what had transpired and he wasn't going to let sentiment keep him from knowledge out of fear of what he might find. Hesitance would change nothing about what he would find out at this point, merely when he would find it.
Several officers and forensic techs had littered the area surrounding the police cars and ambulance; a lone figure stood on the opposite side of the police tape looking in on the scene. Another figure approached them, shoulders covered in the orange of a typical shock blanket which was discretely thrown into a nearby police car. The form was undeniably identifiable as Sherlock; whole, healthy and for once seeming genuinely happy to be in another's presence. The uncertainty he could handle with aplomb, he had dealt with it often enough; his legs had wanted to give out from the relief he felt though at viewing the scene. One could easily be braced for the worst but relief played havoc on one's systems. He had locked his legs in place leaning lightly on his umbrella for balance, waiting as his brother approached.
The conversation had been short and though abrupt and caustic as usual Sherlock had seemed in good humor owing to his new friend's misconception of their relation to one another. Not in years had they had so civil a meeting that did not involve one of them being unconscious for a least a portion of it. In the end he'd watched Sherlock walk away with his new flatmate; the two of them giggling over some comment they'd made. Genuine mirth over anything as simple as a few words was a reaction he had long since given up on trying to coax from Sherlock and yet this stranger had done so a number of times this evening. It would seem there was a great deal to think on this evening.
With the matter of his brother's continued existence among the living resolved he had headed back to the office to finish the night's work and when that was done he'd finally headed home. The folder that currently lay before him brought with him secured in the briefcase used whenever a 'SH' situation arose. He took a few sips from the glass he was holding. No, there was no reason to open the folder. Like any other time he'd received one it had only been so he could deal with the aftermath of whatever mess his brother had gotten sucked into. Only this time he hadn't even been the one to get Sherlock out. A man Sherlock had known for a day had done it for him and received the appreciation Sherlock would never have shown Mycroft. His presence this evening hadn't been necessary and as the man was Sherlock's new flatmate it seemed it wouldn't be again. He left the glass sitting atop the closed folder and retreated to bed for the night. Perhaps come morning things would look a little brighter.
Consider part 4 the unhappy ending and part 5 the happy-ish ending. Originally it was only 4 and it would have ended here but when I presented the idea to a friend I decided I wanted a nice round 5 so there's one more left.
Perhaps Mycroft is being... overly dramatic in his reading of his worth but from his point of view he was absolutely useless that evening and even normally he is only able to manage the aftermath of whatever trouble Sherlock finds. Now there's another player who not only was able to aid Sherlock during the events in question but also seems able to make Sherlock genuinely enjoy having his company. Holmes brothers never do anything halfway so... should sentiment be any different?
W05/04/13, 05/06/13, 05/08/13, 05/10/13, E061313, 061413, 061713, 061813