"…just fell…"

"Malnourished…."

The voices floated around in Elise's head, and as she attempted to open her eyes, her vision swam and the voices became clear.

"I think she's coming around."

Elise managed to open her eyes without much pain. John and Sherlock were standing over her, John with a worried expression. She was lying on the sofa. "What… what happened?" she said groggily. Her words felt like sandpaper scratching her throat.

"Here, you need to eat." John handed her a box of take out.

"Coconut shrimp," Sherlock remarked. "Protein and fat to help you rebuild."

Elise took the container. "Dad would buy this all the time." She said quietly, beginning to eat.

((Flashback))

Elise swung her legs back and forth as she nibbled at the delicious coconut shrimp sushi. Andy was eating a dragon roll with avocado and eel, Anthea was having dumplings and Mycroft had miso soup.

Today was a special day, Andy and Elise had received report cards. Elise was happy; she knew that her report card was full of good marks. Seventh grade was too easy.

Andy was less enthusiastic, as he had been slipping in his AP History class. The teacher was boring and he didn't pay much attention.

The Holmes' hearts all fluttered a bit as Mycroft opened Elise's report. Anthea was too engrossed in her phone to mind much.

"Elise!" Mycroft gasped.

Elise's brow furrowed as she attempted to reach for the sheet of paper. "What?!" her jaw dropped.

Laughing, Mycroft slid the paper across the table. "Just kidding, A's in everything."

Elise folded her arms. "It's not funny, Dad. You really frightened me, I was afraid I'd miss out on a scholarship!"

Elise wanted to become a Pathologist, and the time required equaled a large sum of money.

Mycroft grinned once more before opening Andy's report. His face dropped. "Oh, Andy."

Elise rolled her eyes. "That's not wor-"

The concern in her father's eyes was real. Andy tried to hide in his seat, to hide from the shame in his voice.

Andy had received a C+ in AP History.

"Elise, Andy, go to your rooms." Mycroft commanded, the meal forgotten.

Elise slunk up the stairs, and then slid under her bed. Her room was right above the dining room, and she could hear everything.

"Mycroft, it's just a C+."

"Anthea, no, it's so much more than that! That's his future. He wants to become a teacher." Elise heard a rattling that was probably him slamming the table. "A teacher! I've tried everything, I've taken him to work, but he won't let go of that stupid dream of his!"

"A teacher isn't a horrid place to be in."

"For the son of a Government official, yes! He's going to inherit everything and he's going to be a teacher!" Mycroft let out an exasperated sigh.

"BUT WHY ARE YOU PUNISHING ELISE?!" That was Anthea, screaming. "She wants to be a Pathologist, she's being the good child and you send HER to her room? She wants to impress you, Mycroft, and you're ignoring her!"

"I'm… I'm not ignoring her!" Mycroft spurted.

"She had a play. Last weekend. She was the stage manager, and the show went by without a hitch. Where were you?"

"Berlin."

"Right. Her father wasn't there, and all I could offer her were your insincere apologies and a ride home." Anthea was seething.

Mycroft was silent.

Elise sat on her bed, facing the wall. She did want her dad to be at the play, but it didn't really matter, she only carried props and scenery on…

Who was she kidding? She searched the audience for him.

I don't need to hide anymore. She told herself.

Suddenly she heard her name being called. Putting on the mask of ignorance, she sat down at the table and tried to continue eating. The shrimp melted in her mouth, and she focused on it instead of the angry daggers Anthea was shooting Mycroft.

Author's Note

"I would like to see though memories of the love Mycroft has for her." –VoiletErin.26

Ahaha nope! But thanks for the idea; it got me out of the deep pit I call a too complicated plot.

Review!

-ATLK