Capta
Capture, November 2011

Anthea finished her morning cup of tea right as her phone beeped with an incoming message. She placed down the cup on her desk, reaching over a stack of files to retrieve it.

Let me take you out to lunch. I'm sorry for yesterday. Can we please talk? –Gavin.

They had had a disagreement of sorts. Gavin asked Anthea to accompany him to his cousins wedding. A wedding with a guest list of approximately 200 people. To say Anthea had freaked out slightly was an understatement. She had promptly shut down, saying no and refusing to speak of why. It was an instinctive reaction, from years of not sharing her problems and refusing to sxpeak to others about issues that bother her. Gavin had similarly become frustrated in return, not understanding why large family gatherings would bother her.

Not available. Meeting at Whitehall across lunch. –A.

Anthea turns back to her computer, rubbing her hand across her forehead, the dull throb of a headache already present. On two hours sleep, the fact a headache was all Anthea was battling with was a relief. Her phone chimed again.

Dinner then. I'll cook. Garlic and black pepper chicken. –Gavin.

Gavin, please, just leave it. I'll talk to you later, I'm rather busy currently. –A.

She took a deep breath, running a hand through her hair and visibly pulling herself together before standing. Anthea picks up her phone and the files for the meeting – national security, inquiry reports and findings – before sticking her head into Mycroft's office before leaving.

"Whitehall meeting, sir. Will most likely be out most of the day."

Mycroft looks up, tapping his pen on the edge of his desk. "Yes, dear. Pass my regards onto Charlston will you"

Anthea's face pulled up into a half smile. "Good or bad, sir?"

"Both."

Anthea turned and left, making her way down to security and out the side door of the building. She turned the corner to the garage looking down at her phone as she did.

"Miss Anthea Jones."

Anthea stopped and looked up. Jim Moriarty was standing in front of her.

"Oh fuck."

"Don't worry, my dear. I'm not going to hurt you. I just need you out of the way for a while. Now hand over your phone, and we'll be gentle."

Anthea glanced at the phone, thumb hovering over it, thinking quickly. She glanced at Moriarty, before smiling and hitting a sequence of numbers. She was vaguely aware of a presence behind her, before pain hit the back of her head and she crumpled forward.

Anthea regain consciousness slowly. She was dimly aware of lying on the floor. Anthea sat up, blinking through the pain and trying to clear her vision. She was in a small room, no windows and no identifying features. There was a door on the far wall with no handle on the inside and security cameras in each corner. Anthe raised a hand to the back of her head. Her touch was met with a throb of sharp pain, causing Anthea to gasp. When she took her hand away, there was blood on the end of her fingers. She slumped forward, resting her forehead on her knees.

At the sound of the door unlocking, Anthea snapped her head up and groaned, regretting the sudden movement.

"You don't look happy to see me, sweetie." A cold voice greeted her as Jim Moriarty moved into the room, a chair in his hand. He placed it down in front of Anthea before sitting, crossing his legs and leaning forward.

"Being abducted and hit over the head doesn't tend to bring out my good side, my dear." Anthea answered, a mocking tone to her voice.

"I feel if I had of given you another option, you would have refused, love."

Anthea levelled a look at Moriarty.

"And I have my answer." Moriarty reached into his jacket, pulled out Anthea's blackberry, tapping it on his palm. "Now, you really are of no importance to me."

"Yes I am."

"To a point. A minor thorn in my side."

Anthea sighed. "Do all genius' have to be so dramatic?"

"All part of the fun, dear."

"Why are you here? Just to mock at me, or is there something else? You know, I was on…"

Moriarty cut her off. "Not important. What may help you currently is to tell me what you have done to this." He gives the blackberry a slight shake.

Anthea smiles. "Really. You need me to tell you that. Your tech guys must be worse than I thought."

Moriarty was on the ground directly in front of Anthea. "DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH ME."

Anthea blinked. She closed her eyes, leaning back, briefly before opening her eyes and looking at Moriarty, a smug expression on her face.

"I erased it. The sim card is worthless. There is no data on that phone that you could have access to, no-way of restoring it. It's completely blank. And be careful about hitting the hash key."

Moriarty's eyes flashed, before he stood. The door opened again, and a man entered. Anthea could briefly see into the corridor beyond. There were another two men standing outside the door. Moriarty nodded towards Anthea. It was the first time in this conversation that Anthea had felt a glimmer of fear. She stood, using the wall behind her as support.

"What do you want?"

"I said before, Miss Jones, you aren't important. I needed you out of the way."

The man walked over to her. Anthea backed up a few paces, before stopping and standing still. She spoke in warning. "Don't touch me."

"I'm afraid you have no say in that, my dear."

Anthea moves. She ducks under the arm that is reaching for her, simultaneously slamming her palm upwards into his nose. She turns, cursing the limited space. She kicks out, her foot connecting with the second man's ribs. A crack is heard as he doubles over in pain, Anthea moving swiftly forward to take is wrist and twist. A jab to the temple has him collapsing on the floor.

"That is enough."

Anthea feels something cold at her temple. Metal. She turns. Moriarty is standing next to her, a gun in his hand. The look in his eyes is utterly empty. He barks a command.

A third man enters, picks up the fallen syringe before grinning. He gets a hand on her neck, roughly slamming her backwards into the wall. Before she could react, the man places the syringe into her neck, an arm pinning her in place. As the blackness took hold, Moriarty spoke.

"We could make quite a team, Miss Anthea. Think about that."

Gavin checked his phone again. Still no reply. It was nearing home time, and he still had not had contact with Anthea since before lunch. From memory, he was sure that the Whitehall meeting would not have run this late, and if it was Anthea was generally good at letting him known. Gavin stood and made his way to Mycroft's office. He knocked on the door and waited for the resulting "Enter" before opening the door.'

"Ah, Gavin, what may I do for you?"

"Just a quick question, Mr Holmes. Has Anthea been in contact at all?"

"No."

Gavin nods once and hesitates before asking, "Can you let me know if she does?"

Mycroft stands and moves around the desk to lean on the opposite side.

"Meetings have run later than this before, Gavin, don't…" he stops. A constant beeping can be heard coming from Mycroft's pocket. Mycroft pulls his phone out and freezes for a moment, he steps forward, moving swiftly to the office door. "Other things to worry about. Get Anthea's laptop and meet me downstairs. Moriarty's moving and he's after Detective Inspector Lestrade. Send a message to Anthea for me. We need her."

"Yes, Mr Holmes."

Gavin pulls out his phone, sends the message before walking to Anthea's office and picking up her laptop. The response is there before he has left the office.

This number is not active. Please check you have the right number before trying again.

"What?" It was the same number that he had always had in his phone for Anthea. Gavin turns and runs across the office to catch up with Mycroft. He finds him waiting outside next to a black car. When Mycroft sees Gavin, he opens the door and gets in. Gavin follows, closing the door behind him.

"Mr Holmes, you need to see this." Gavin hands his phone to Mycroft. "Response to the message I just sent to Anthea."

"Did you get the right number?"

"Yes, Mr Holmes. I checked."

"Bugger."

It was the first time Gavin had heard Mycroft swear while he was working. Mycroft handed the phone back to Gavin before pulling his out own.

"Her signal is gone. Not just hidden, completely gone."

"What? Is that possible?"

"Well, yes. But only Anthea could have done it. She built the software that makes it possible. A five-number key sequence that erases all phone data. Not just the data on the phone, everything. It makes it as if that phone and the number linked never existed."

"What does that mean?"

"It means Moriarty is smarter than I gave him credit for."

When Anthea next wakes, the first thing she notices is that she has moved. She is still on the floor, but the floor has a distinctly tiled feel to it. She's leaning against something and it's dark. Anthea can feel a slight breeze and the sound of traffic passing. She squints trying to see through the darkness, shakily moves to standing and freezes. It's her kitchen. The teacups in the sink and plates on the bench are exactly as she left them.

Anthea turns, having no idea how she got here or why she was here. The last thing she remembers is leaving Gavin's after the discussion about the wedding. She steps forward, bare feet moving silently across the tiles before stumbling, catching herself on the bench, the throbbing in her head making it difficult to see.

Supporting herself against the wall, she walks gently to her office searching for her phone. She doesn't find her current blackberry, but pulls out an emergency phone, sitting down on the floor with her back against the side of her desk. She takes a deep breath, shakes her head gently trying to clear it before looking down at her phone. There is one message showing as received.

Care to tell me why we had no warning on Moriarty cornering Lestrade on his way home? MH.

Possibly because I have no memory of anything from leaving Gavin's place to now. How the hell did I end up on my kitchen floor? –A.

Anthea leans back, eyes closing as she does. Events in her head don't line up with where she is now. The phone beeps.

What happened? –MH.

I don't know. One helll of a soree head. –A.

She touches her head, feels dried blood at the back, a puncture mark on her neck.

Gavin is on his way. Are you able to stay conscious and can you move? MH.

I should be albemto.m-A,.

Anthea? Are you still with me? MH.

Anthea breaths, pauses before replying.

Yeas. It's a bit hardd to see whatI'm typking curenmtlyu. ,a

Stay with me. Gavin will be with you in half a minute. Paramedics are with him.

Gavin? Whoiss…oh right. I remnember. He's angry withnme, but I can't re,ember why.,.

She leans back, phone slipping out of her hand as she tries to stay conscious. Dimly she is aware of hearing her name called and the front door opening. Footsteps make there way towards the office where Anthea is sitting. She looks up as a hand gently touches her face, blinking. Her voice croaks as she speaks.

"G-gavin?"

"It's okay. You're okay. It's going to be fine."

She nodded once before closing her eyes, blackness taking her again.

Gavin is sitting in the hospital watching Anthea sleep. Thanks to Mycroft, the hospital had not complained at Gavin staying despite not being listed as Anthea's next of kin. If it comes to that, there will be no record of an Anthea Jones ever being admitted to hospital once she is discharged. It's been twelve hours since the blood tests, and the two times Anthea has woken since then she has been confused and dazed. Gavin has been home to change clothes before returning back to the hospital. He's on his fifth cup of coffee for the day when his phone buzzes in his pocket.

Any change? MH.

Gavin shifts as he responds.

Blood tests done, and they have treated her for minor head trauma. It's probably what is causing the memory loss. Results should be here soon and I'll forward you a copy. She's woken twice, was disorientated and confused. Still no recollection of what occurred. –Gavin.

I'm sorry. I should have picked up on this sooner. MH.

Gavin stands, moving towards the window and looking out of the London streets below.

It's not your fault, Mr Holmes. –Gavin.

I employed her. It's entirely my fault. MH.

If it's anyone's fault, it's Moriarity's. –Gavin.

A question for you, why is Anthea under the impression you are upset with her? –MH.

We had a minor disagreement. And I was upset, but probably not for the reasons you think, Mr Holmes. –Gavin.

I see. When Anthea is well you and I need a little chat. MH.

He turns back towards Anthea and the quiet beeping of the machines hooked up to her. Her skin is paler than normal, a bandage cover the base of her head and neck and a drip in her arm. Gavin takes a shaky breath.

Yes, Mr Holmes. She…she looks so small. –A.

She is small, if we consider her literally, though she is taller than Doctor Watson. MH.

I know she is literally small, Mr Holmes, but she never seems it. –Gavin.

Gavin moves forward, sitting back down in his chair and reaching out, gently taking one of Anthea's hands in his. She shifts slightly in her sleep, fingers closing around Gavin's.

She projects quite the presence, yes. Anteha will be fine. MH.

I'm not worried. –Gavin.

Yes you are. MH.

Okay, so I know logically she is going to be fine. –Gavin.

Yes, but you are afraid that she will not be. Concentrate on the logic, Gavin. MH

I'll try Mr Holmes. –Gavin.

Anthea was discharged from hospital the next day and Gavin took her home and helped her back into bed as per the doctor's orders. She was still tired, sleeping more than she was awake. Gavin was cleaning up the kitchen when Mycroft arrived, a few packages under his arm.

"How is she?"

"Asleep. She might wake up later if you are still around."

Mycroft nods, moving forward and placing the packages on the kitchen bench. A new phone for Anthea and a few supplies that he thought she might need in the coming days. He moves into the kitchen, takes the cloth from Gavin and points him towards the couch.

"Sit. I know with the amount of sleep you've had in the last few days, you will be close to collapsing soon."

Gavin protests weakly, before doing as he is told. Mycroft boils the kettle, pouring two cups of tea before joining Gavin on the couch, handing one of them to him.

"How are you, Gavin?"

"Tired. But I'm fine. Nothing sleep won't fix."

Mycroft sips at his tea before fixing his gaze on Gavin.

"Indeed. Now, Gavin, believe me to currently be very suspicious of you. Pray tell me your intentions."

Gavin looks up, confused "Intentions, Mr Holmes? Intentions towards?"

"You are tired. You're normally quicker than this. Towards the woman undoubtedly lying unconscious in the bedroom. What are you intentions towards her?"

Gavin nodded in understanding. Running a hand through his dishevelled hair before answering.

"I don't plan on letting her go any time soon, unless she chooses it."

Mycroft leans forward slightly, catching Gavin's eye and not looking away. "Anthea is a sister to me, and one that I love dearly. You are not a fool, Gavin, and you are able to comprehend my meaning, I assume. Need I spell it out to you?"

Gavin shook his head. "No, Mr Holmes. You're quite clear. I don't intend on ever letting something occur where that should be necessary. If it is, then you have my permission to do your worst."

"Make no mistake that I will."

"Sir, you don't have any idea why she is adverse to family gatherings at all?"

Mycroft sits back and resumes drinking his tea. "She has recently lost her mother. Other than that I can recall no objections. She doesn't like talking about her family."

Gavin sighs, leaning back against the sofa.

"I warn you too, she rarely even speaks to me about issues concerning her. I wish you better luck."

"I've noticed that, Mr Holmes. Thank you."

"Now go. Rest, shower and change. I'll let you know when she wakes." Mycroft stands, takes Gavin's empty cup back across to the kitchen. He walks Gavin to the door before making his way to where Anthea is sleeping. She stirs slightly as he opens the door, opening her eyes and blinking.

"Mycroft?" She moves to sit up, but before she can Mycroft is there laying a hand on her shoulder.

"Stay. Don't get up on my account." Mycroft pulls up the chair that Gavin has been sitting on and brings it closer to the bed.

"Gavin?"

"I sent him to get some rest. I don't think he's slept since this started."

Anthea nods. "What happened? I can only remember bits from the last few days. Moriarty?"

"Indeed. You need to be more careful of who is behind you."

"I wasn't exactly expecting it."

Mycroft nods in agreement.

"You don't look the best either. When did you last sleep?"

"Too much to do. I will soon. It's more important that you rest and recover."

Anthea turns away, shuffling slightly. "Uh, sorry about this. Bit of an inconvenience for you. I'll pay more attention next time."

Mycroft sits up before replying. "Anthea, I am not blaming you if that is what you think. It's not your fault. You are on leave until Gavin deems you well enough to be back at work and you will be on a half-load until I deem it appropriate."

Anthea sits up, pushing at the pillows until they are more comfortable. "I'm fine. Slight headache and fuzzy memories. Gavin explained most of what happened. Though I think he left a few things out. I'll be right in a few days."

"You are not permitted in the building until you are completely well and Gavin will be the one to decided that."

Anthea's hand slams down on the sheets, a look of frustration on her face. "God damn it, I am fine and I do not need a nursemaid!" The tone in Anthea's voice changes from frustration to annoyance. "As much as I love him, all I can remember is that he was angry at me and I was annoyed in return but I can't remember why. It's one of the blank spots I can't get back. And Gavin refuses to tell me!"

"Anthea, that is what people do. Give him time. Lord knows it takes an age for Gregory to bring up something that is bothering him."

Anthea shakes her head. "I don't even know what we were talking about or what I said to cause it!"

"He will tell you eventually. Patience, dear." Anthea flinches. Mycroft notices and he leans forward in concern. "What is it?"

"Moriarty. He was calling me that. I remember that."

"Anything else?"

"Not really. A vague impression that he thought we would work well together." Anthea shudders slightly. "And I lost my best phone." It was a custom-updated blackberry that Anthea had put a large amount of time and effort into.

"I must thank you for that. I apologies for the amount of time it took me to realise you were missing, but the erasing of your phone made it easier to work out what happened. And to alert me to Gregory."

"Why he thinks taking me was going to help I have no idea. I'm not that important."

"You are the most important person on the team and most skilled in every aspect. Not that I am defending him, but he was wise to choose you." Anthea couldn't come up with a response to that. "Now, I do not want to see you in the office until at least Thursday. And you need to talk to Gavin. I have never seen him this worried before."

"Yes, sir."

"Now rest, Gavin will be back soon."

"Thea?"

"Office window."

Anthea was perched on the window sill, feet up with one foot dangling outside, a half-full cup of tea sitting in her lap. The sun was shining, with blue skies and a gentle breeze and Anthea was trying to soak up every bit she could while she had the time. Gavin entered the office, placing a laptop and bag down on the desk before walking over to her and placing a kiss on her temple.

"You know I get uncomfortable when you do that."

Anthea shrugs. "It's not that high. I've done worse."

"I'd rather not discover what is worse than sitting on the edge of a three-storey building with concert being all that greets you at the bottom."

Anthea just smiles vaguely before handing over her teacup and swinging her legs in off the sill and standing. She moves over to the desk pulling files out of the bag Gavin bought in. "Is Mycroft finally letting me back in?"

Gavin nods. "Yes. He's gotten to the point where he is more than willing to accept help again. I've never known a man to detest paperwork more than him."

"Now you know why I do all of it."

"Mmm." Gavin takes the files out of Anthea's hand and places them on the desk before taking her hand and leading her out of the office. "Enough work talk for today. I have something else I want to ask you." He leads her over to the couch and sits down, gently tugging Anthea down next to him Anthea sits and draws close to Gavin, resting her head on his chest, his arm coming down to settle around her. He absentmindedly draws patterns on her arm, causing Anthea to curl in closer, a soft sigh escaping.

"I think I know what you want to talk about."

Gavin looks down. "You do?"

"I remember…bits of it. Something about a wedding." She blinks, inhales quickly before continuing. "Dear god, tell me you didn't propose."

Gavin chuckles. "Nice to see the idea fills you with delight."

"You know what I mean."

"No, I didn't propose. When I do that you won't forget it."

Anthea twists slightly to look up at Gavin. "So you plan on proposing?"

Gavin raises a hand to brush the hair from Anthea's eyes. "Eventually. I'm not getting my hopes up. It took me 8 years to get you to agree to go on a date with me."

"If it's any consolation, I'm glad you didn't give up."

Gavin leans forward and kisses Anthea briefly before leaning to whisper in her ear.

"You were worth it."

Anthea smiles, reaches for Gavin's hand and links her fingers with his.

"Now, what was it?"

"I asked if you wanted to come with me to my cousin's wedding. You proceeded to, well, freak out for want of a better phrase and closed off. You left and wouldn't talk to me for days. Why?"

Anthea leaned her head down, closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself. She spoke softly, no louder than she knew she needed to.

"I don't know. Family situations have never exactly been smooth in my book. What's left of my family prefers not to have anything to do with me. I encourage that. We don't get along, we fight and don't talk."

"But that's the beauty of it. Family fight, you have arguments and people you don't like, but at the end of the day you are all there together to celebrate something special. You have support there for if you need it."

Anthea sits up, and moves away slightly, placing one hand over her face.

"I've never, ever had that support. My mother was cut off for her extended family and I practically raised my sister. There is no love there."

"Trust me. This will be different. And if it's bad, I promise we can leave. As soon after the ceremony as you want."

Anthea looks up at Gavin and nods before looking away, still not entirely convinced. Gavin watches her for a moment. "Come here." He lifts both arms and gently coaxes Anthea closer. "It will be fine. It will be better than fine." Anthea rests her head on Gavin's shoulder, closing her eyes and letting out a breath."

"I'm keeping you to that."

"I wouldn't expect anything else of you."

A/N: Thank you for bearing with me and the slow updates. Uni life and study has taken over.