H. Her Majesty

The first thing that I did was raise the surveillance status on my brother. I spent a part of each day reading his report, and John's. Moriarty had decided to take his time. He wanted me to stew in my own juices. Unfortunately his plan was working.

I began to receive queries from other nations about the universal key code. Did it exist? Had we recovered it? Did we know where it could be found? I gave a blanket order that all requests for information were to be refused. "We are not at liberty to say at this time," was our official response.

But the subject came up at the Queen's Tea, an annual event where certain high level officials and civil servants meet at the palace.

"So there Holmes, what about this key code I've been hearing of, is it truly able to open up our accounts for all to see? Tell us man, do we have it?"

"We are not at liberty to say at this time," I replied.

"Oh come now Holmes. I'm not some foreign ambassador. What's the real story?"

"Ah, " I said, "The 'real story' is no, we do not have it, but we are pursuing it at this time. What we do know for sure is that no one else has the code."

"Well, that's all that really matters isn't it," he said and he actually patted me on the back before going off to get a drink of something stronger than tea.

I noticed a disturbance and turned to see that Her Majesty was approaching. I was gratified to see that she came straight toward me. I bowed low.

"Mycroft Holmes. No need to be so formal, we are old friends." She held out her hand.

"Thank You, Your Majesty," I replied gently touching hers.

"I notice that you are wearing a ring," she said, "are you … Have you finally decided to get married?"

"Oh no Ma'am. It's simply a ring. I am not married."

"Pity." She said, "If you would be so kind, do you think that you can stay afterward so that we might have a little chat?"

"I would be most honored, Ma'am. Thank You." I said bowing again as she turned to leave.

After the banquet, I was shown into a private drawing room. Her majesty sat in a Queen Anne style chair upholstered in a white Jacquard print. She had beside her some photo albums which she put away when I entered.

"Mycroft. Please have a seat."

"Your Majesty." I said bowing before I sat.

"So good of you to come and talk with me. Have you been in good health?"

"Yes, I am doing well. Thank you for asking, and Yourself?"

"Oh a bit of a cold last week, but I feel much better now."

I leaned forward concerned. Her majesty laughed.

"Oh it was nothing. Don't look so concerned. I will be around for quite a few more years now."

"I certainly hope so. Your example is an constant inspiration to me in my work."

"And your work is a great benefit to this country, Mycroft," she said.

"You honor me too much, Ma'am."

"I think not. I knew your father and his father before him. We have always been able to rely on name of Holmes."

"Thank you, Ma'am, I live only to serve."

"And that is why I have asked you here today, Mycroft."

"Pardon me? I don't understand."

"Please excuse my impertinence for talking of a personal matter, but at my age I don't like to put off things that I have on my mind."

"I am always pleased to hear anything you would have to say, Ma'am."

"There have been many men who have served this great nation. They have given their minds, their hearts, and even their lives for it. For some, it becomes their entire life. I have learned how to recognize it in a man. I recognize that same devotion in you."

"Thank you, Maam."

"It was not a compliment, I'm afraid. A nation is simply a concept. It represents people. You should never put the idea of a country before the people it serves.

"I have served this great nation to the best of my ability, and I will continue to serve it until my death, even so, I feel a greater loyalty to my family, and all of those whom I love.

"Mycroft, don't set aside love. Don't put the concept of a nation above those whom you love. I have become accustomed to always having a Holmes to rely on. I hope that I can continue to rely on having one in the future."

"Ma'am, I... I don't know what to say."

"That's quite alright. Would you like to see some pictures of my grandchildren?" She asked and pulled the album off of the table and onto her lap.

"Yes, I would. Thank You Ma'am."

That evening I went to visit Sherlock. He asked me why I was there. When I said that I had come simply to visit, he asked if I had lost my job. John gave me a cup of tea in a coffee mug. Despite the fact that my brother continued to be his annoying self, I had a good time. I looked at Sherlock over the top of the mug and wondered what Moriarty was planning.

"You look thoughtful," Sherlock said.

"Simply matters of state concerning me," I replied.

"High level matters it would appear. Is that a gold tie pin?"

"Yes, I had tea with Her Majesty."

"I had tea at the palace. I suppose my tea suffers from comparison," John said.

I looked at him and smiled. "This tea has a certain...comforting quality in itself."

John chuckled, " I'll take that as a compliment."

Sherlock turned toward me examining me with narrowed eyes. "Mycroft. Are you fatally ill?"

I laughed. "Do not worry, I am in perfect health."

"How's your work?"

"Fine!" I said, "but now that you mention it, I should be getting back to it."

"Mycroft, why don't you stay for dinner," John said, "It's not tea at the palace, but I can order takeout, and I owe you one."

"You owe Mycroft dinner?" Sherlock said surprised, "Why?"

"No thank you. I should be going now." I said dialing for the driver to come around. As I stood at the door of Sherlock's flat, I looked up and down the street. Somewhere here, Moriarty's men were waiting.

From that window, a sniper could shoot down Sherlock and there would be nothing that I could do about it. My only consolation was that I knew that Moriarty was too dramatic to simply have someone killed. This would be extravagant. This would be theatre. Even so, I should take a look at the locations of all assassins and snipers in the London area. I'd call intelligence first thing the next morning. I got into the car and drove away.

That night, I had another dream.

I was walking through my house. Suddenly, I found myself in a deserted street. The walls on either side of me were filled with cubbyholes. On top of one wall stood Agnes dressed as the Greek goddess Hera. She texted me. The message on my phone read [watch out!] .

I turned to see a man coming toward me. Sherlock stepped out, and began to fight him. The man put his arms around Sherlock's neck. Then I saw John standing beside me. He aimed his gun and shot the man.

I stared at John who reached out and put his hand on my shoulder. Then Sherlock came over. He wrapped his arm around John's waist and they walked away together.

I noticed that at the place where John had touched me, my clothes glowed red and then turned to ash. It spread across my body until all of my clothes had burned away so that I stood in the street naked. The only thing that I had left was my pocket watch. I opened it, but it had no hands.