June 15th, 2005
Mycroft's POV
He knows even before Sherlock bolts that something has gone wrong. What went wrong? He thought things were going better. It was the longest his brother has spent in his company in the last few years. More than that, he even smiled a few times. True each of the smiles was for the cook, but she is an excellent cook, and has always had a soft spot for him, so that was not overly surprising.

Perhaps he spoke too much. It was just so very odd to have there be silence where he is used to sounds. He cannot remember a single time in his life where his brother was quiet, yet now that seems to be Sherlock's primary setting and it rankles him. Part of him wants to grab his brother and just shake him until the fool snaps out of whatever is going on in his head. However he is moderately sure that would not do anything but make things worse between them. So he closes his eyes and takes a breath, reminding himself that he has an appointment to speak with Doctor Watson the following morning. Hopefully he will have more ideas as to what he can do to get his brother back now that they have spent several days together.

He is pleased when Mr. Moriarty takes the initiative to go check on his brother. He is even more pleased when the agent goes to check on him a little while later, reporting that he is sleeping. That's a good thing since he knows how hard it is for his brother to do so.

So he heads to his office, leaving the agent to his work while he sets to his own. He doesn't actually trust the younger man, but he excels at hiding what he is doing and erasing any evidence, so even if the agent does try to look for something it will not be there. That's where he spends most of his not, until the very early hours of the morning before finally sleeping for a few brief hours.

Come morning he is up and ready at his normal time even though he actually has an extra half an hour due to his appointment with Doctor Watson. That's alright it gives him extra time to consider what went wrong the previous night.

When he gets to the office, the receptionist greets him warmly, as she has every time she has seen him, using both sign and spoken language, out of habit from the way she does it absentmindedly.

He doesn't even have a chance to sit down before one of the nurses is calling him to the back.

Quietly, he follows her to the office, thanking her when they get there and before she nods, returning to her other duties.

-Good morning, Doctor Watson.- he greets the younger man.

-Hello Mr. Holmes,- the doctor replies as he stands for a moment.

-Thank you for taking the time to speak with me,- he comments, -I hope you have a few more suggestions for assisting with Sherlock.-

As they both settle into their seats, the doctor nods at him to continue.

-He seems pleased with his instruments and the lab I had installed in the basement, yet there was an,- he pauses as he considers what word he wants to use to describe the previous night, -episode last evening at dinner. One moment we were having a pudding and the next he is bolting to his room.-

When he is done, he relaxes into the chair, or at least that is the impression he gives.

-What were you doing during dinner?- the younger man inquires, before typing on his laptop, eyes still on him instead of the screen, waiting for his answer.

-My cook was excited to see him, I told her to calm down because she was overwhelming him. She did so immediately. I told him I had an appointment with you to see if there was anything else I could do of assistance. Miranda, my cook, gave him a paper and pen with a note telling him to write his favorite foods down so she can add them to the menu. I mentioned the fact you would have been an excellent agent if you could hear, which he seemed to agree with according to expression.- he lists off as he considers the previous night.

-Were you speaking aloud or with BSL?- the doctor inquires after taking finishing the notes he was taking as he spoke.

-Aloud.- he responds promptly.

The doctor frowns, looking at him thoughtfully for a long moment as if he is trying to decided what to say. Despite that, his expression is mostly neutral, making it difficult to get a read on what exactly he is thinking. He stays quiet, waiting to see what the doctor has to say to him.

Drumming his fingers on the table as he thinks, Doctor Watson eventually begins speaking, -Sherlock flinches at all noises from what I have seen. He is hyperaware of his surroundings, to the point where he never relaxes when there are people around. That causes his him unnecessary stress. It is also a factor in his continued mutism.-

He nods, not pleased to hear that, but confirming some of what he suspected.

After he nods, the younger man continues, this time with suggestions rather than observations. -I would suggest using BSL when speaking with him. Do not expect answers. Watch for nonverbal cues, from our brief meetings I know you already do that with me. Do the same with him. Have you replaced the companion already?-

-Yes. A young man name Jim Moriarty. He understands BSL and ASL, enjoys science, and comes highly recommended for his intelligence and ability to adapt.- he promptly answers, -So far it seems that Mr. Moriarty has had better luck than Miss Morel.-

Again the blonde drums his fingers on the table, eyes narrowing as he thinks of something. -Will I be meeting this assistant?- the doctor eventually inquires.

-He will be with him this evening. At this moment I am unaware whether I will be available to accompany him or not.- he replies seriously.

Nodding, the Doctor Watson makes several notes on his computer. –Very well. I will have Ella make an appointment for our next discussion. At this point I wish to speak with you at least once weekly to discuss your brother's progress. I will not tell you what we discuss, however I will give you suggestions on how to work with your brother. I will also listen to what his behavior is like when he is with you and the assistant so I may add it to his records and thus better assist him.-

It is his turn to nod as he agrees, -I understand and will make sure to schedule that time in as much as work allows. There are times I am called away unexpectedly for work.-

-Of course, I understand you are busy, however if you wish to help him, you have to be committed to doing so, and not just doing so when it is convenient. It is going to be an uphill battle. There will be times you want to give up because it seems there is no progress. There will be times you will want to scream at him, try and force a reaction, lose patience. It will be up to you to remember that is only going to make things worse and adapt as the situation changes, sometimes moving forward and sometimes moving backwards. From what little I have seen and spoken with your brother, he wants to speak, he wants to be back to normal, he wants to be accepted.- Everything is signed with a type of sharpness he has not seen too much of, it comes across as determination and seriousness rather than arrogance or anger.

He nods, -Of course.- He knew when he brought his brother into his home to recover that there would be some changes that are necessary. He is not sure why the doctor wishes to drive that point home, but he accepts the warnings and advice.

-Excellent. Do you have any other questions or concerns for me?- the younger man asks with a tilt of his head.

-No, I believe my concerns from last night have been answered. I will take what you said to heart, good day, Doctor Watson.- he answers, nodding one last time before standing to leave.

-I hope you have a pleasant day,- the doctor wishes him.

Leaving, he meets his assistant just outside the door, "I have your schedule and plans for the next four days. We may have to make a trip." She tells him seriously as they slide into the car.

"Doctor Watson has suggested sign language as the primary mode of communication for Sherlock, and after last night I agree. As such, whenever possible I will be using only sign language with him." He tells his assistant before switching to work, "Now tell me about the situation."

She bobs her head slightly and does just that, he will consider what to do with Sherlock further when he has a free moment.

Publishing schedule, I will update one or two stories on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

I write do commissions for those who are interested, the info can be found on my tumblr JaimiStoryTeller under Donations, Commissions, and Cosmos

I love reviews, comments, and any other sort of communication, feel free to stop in to say hi