First off let me preface this with: this is not how I expected this chapter to go. Secondly, thank you to everyone who has wished ma well, she is recovering, though not as quickly as she could because she keeps acting silly. Hope you all enjoy!

Warnings: implied/referenced drug addiction

June 26th, 2005
Sherlock's POV
He watches closely as he plays for John, relaxing with every note that his doctor and friend seems to appreciate. By the time his minder slips in the room, he feels a lot better. Better than he has in months actually.

How is that even remotely possible?

Not questioning it, not right now anyways. Right now is dinner time He knows that even before he turns towards Jim, arching a questioning eyebrow.

There is a playful smirk at the edge of the smaller genius' lips as he states, -Dinner is done, if you want to come to the dining room, otherwise I'll ask the cook to bring food in here.-

Turning to face John, he tips his head towards the agent, silently inquiring if his friend wants to go to dinner with his brother and his minder.

John smiles at him, answering, -Either way is fine for me,- Tilting his head, the doctor continues, –It would probably be better to eat together, however I can understand why you might not want to.-

He's surprised by the fact John means it. Chewing on his lower lip, he considers it for a bit. He wants to spend time with John. He doesn't want to deal with his brother. He wants to see Jim and Jasper interacting. He wants to see Jasper making Mycroft uncomfortable. He doesn't want to actually take part of the conversation. He wants to watch it. Can he do that? A quick glance between the spy and doctor reassures him that he can. They'll let him and make sure Mycroft doesn't push too much.

He eventually decides, answering slowly, -We'll be down,-. Curiously he asks,–Jasper?-

Jim nods, his smile a lot like a sharks, -He's here, we've been visiting.-

If Jasper is here does that mean Mycroft is the target of the evenings picking on? Will he get a chance to see his brother outwitted? –Annoy Mycroft?- he asks hesitantly.

The agents smirk is pure mischief as he nods slowly one more time, rolling his head a lot like a lizard as he answers, -Without a doubt.-

John just shakes his head, a small fond smile playing at the edge of his lips. –I'm in for an interesting meal, aren't I?- the doctor inquires with a huff of laughter.

Still smirking, the psychopath answers, -Without a doubt,- before leaving the room.

He happily glances at John, excitement bubbling because this might actually be fun. When was last time he could call a dinner with his brother fun? Mostly they are just stressful. He always feels like he is doing something wrong, even when all he is doing is trying to eat. It makes eating harder than it already is, particularly since most the foods Mycroft enjoys he can't stand.

-Ready?- John asks as he stands.

Nodding, he waits for the doctor to step up next to him before they leave his room to head towards the dining room.

When they get there, Mycroft is already in his customary seat. To an outsider, his brother probably looks calm and collected but he can see a myriad of different tells that say otherwise. That's rather interesting. They haven't even started the meal yet his brother is already showing signs of being bothered?

-Hello Jasper,- John greets the second agent, shaking hands with Pike as the spy stands.

-Good afternoon, John, Sherlock. I hope I am not intruding?- Jasper replies with smile shortly following.

-I'm not bothered,- his friend replies as John takes the seat next to him.

He just smiles, ducking his head and watching as the events continue to unfold. They've only been in the same room for two minutes and things are already better than expected.

Almost as soon as they sit down, Miranda comes bustling in with drinks for all of them, a warm smile on her face. Stopping next to John, she pulls a piece of paper out of her pocket to set next to him after she is done handing out the drinks. The doctor smiles in response, nodding in agreement at whatever is in the note.

He wants to ask what it is, or even figure it out on his own, but his mind keeps drawing a blank as he watches the interaction.

A slight tap against the table draws his attention to Jim who remarks, -Brain tricks.-

Blinking, it takes him a minute to understand before he slowly nods. Yes, that explains why it is taking him so long to comprehend things that should be easy. Turning his attention back to John, he is mildly surprised when the doctor passes the note his way. It's a thank you note, for the fact his friend is there to be supportive since it's above and beyond what most doctors would do. Only John's not only his doctor, he is pretty sure that the blonde is also his friend. That's a good thing right?

He gives the doctor a questioning look, hoping that John will understand without him having to actually say anything.

-Yes, we're friends,- the blonde replies to the questioning look.

Ducking his head again, he smiles at his cup.

Out of the corner of his eye, he watches as the two spies have a rapid fire conversation in sign language, but it isn't one he knows. Actually, he lifts his head up to watch a little closer, it's probably not one anyone but them knows. It seems to consist of signs from BSL, ASL, and ones they made. At least as far as he can tell from what he is seeing.

He's almost startled when Jasper address him without looking directly at him, -You play the cello very well.-

Blushing, he is considering answering when Miranda comes bustling back in with a cart full of food.

John immediately stands, offering to help with a quick motion towards the plates.

She shakes her head, nodding to his chair.

Sinking back down in the chair, John nods and waits patiently for his meal, thanking the cook when she sets it in front of him.

She seems to prefer to do things in her pace and way,- his minder remarks with a small smile.

-There is nothing wrong with that,- the doctor responds with a slight nod. –It smells good.-

-Miranda is a good cook,- he slowly states, not actually looking at anyone in particular.

John smiles in his general direction encouragingly without actually looking directly at his face, something he appreciates because it makes it feel like there is less pressure to respond.

Glancing at his brother, he realizes that Mycroft is watching with a combination of curiosity and distrust, with just a touch of distaste thrown into the mix. That's an interesting combination. As the meal progresses he continues to pay attention to the conversation going on, most of which is between Jasper and John. Sometimes comments are directed towards his brother or open for anyone to answer. When he does answer, all four give him plenty of time to think and comment, none showing any signs of impatience with him. He watched as his brother played the part of the politician more than anything, particularly when Jasper or Jim would direct a comment to him.

Still, something seems different, not just with the company, but with his brother's behavior. It's not normal Mycroft behavior. At least it is seems different. Calmer, warmer, not as distant. His brother is trying, but he doesn't understand why. Why is the biggest question of them all.

Almost too quickly it becomes too much, and he finds himself staring at the table, eyes glazing as he tries not to notice the other four in the room, and the occasional popping in by their cook to check in on them. Thankfully none of them are actually talking aloud, which is a good thing, but the fluttering of their hands is almost too much too.

Why? He wants to know. Why does this have to be too much? None of them are trying to force him to talk. None of them are being loud or too fast. There is no reason he can determine why it's too much. Only that it really is. Part of him wants the seven percent solution that can make his mind quiet quickly. Yet he knows if he tries all of the progress he has been making, and his one small friendship that he desires to keep so it could possibly become something more.

When he realizes he's closed his eyes and opens them, he's mildly shocked to see the only one still in the room is John. The rest have left. His friend and doctor is sitting beside him calmly, simply waiting without seeming to be impatient.

-Feel better?- John asks with a tip of his head.

He nods slowly, taking count of himself and realizing that he really does. ?

It's been a stressful day.

There's a bit of an update to my updating schedule, it won't affect this story, but it affects the rest of them. Since reviews have dropped since I went on a regular schedule, I am going to switch back to updating as I get things done and have focus instead. However I also plan to try and complete each story, or as complete as I possibly can without feedback before I begin posting. Once I get the story ready, when it would have originally be updated on the schedule is when I will update it. I still won't be doing more than two stories any given day, disregarding tumblr prompts.

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