Brother in the Warehouse
Fandom: BBC Sherlock
Summary: Sherlock and Lestrade follow a lead on Prophecy. Instead they find Mycroft.
Rating: T
AU for obvious reasons

Disclaimer: Characters and Sherlock do not belong to me, but to Moffat, Sir A.C. Doyle and all associated thus. I am responsible for creating the alternate universe, the OCs, and the storyline only. Please do not take and use or post elsewhere without my permission.

xXx

"Is this entirely... sane?" Lestrade hisses to his newly released companion.

Sherlock scowles faintly. He has spent the better part of a week in the hospital due to the attack, and the last thing he wants right now is for Lestrade to stupid up the atmosphere. At least it isn't Anderson, he mentally grumbles, then adds aloud, "Shut up."

He can feel the DI's frown as they sneak through the shadows of the warehouse. "It's our best chance of beating him. You do want to get rid of Prophecy, don't you?"

The inspector is frowning – Sherlock knows this – but mercifully falls silent as they walk through the night-silent, cluttered storage space. Sherlock is right, he knows this, and if this is their best chance of getting rid of that supernatural menace once and for all, Lestrade will do what he asks. They have to find this vampire.

A few minutes pass before Sherlock stops walking; his companion nearly bumps into him in response. There's a brief moment of silence before he hears the whisper of sound and a voice.

"What is the purpose of you calling me here?"

"Concern, of course, Mister Watson. Or should I say Doctor?" There's no answer, and so the second voice continues. "I believe you are acquainted with Sherlock Holmes?"

Lestrade makes a muffled noise, and Sherlock distractedly waves him silent. Who is that? Why does that voice sound familiar? He scowled. And why is he talking to Mycroft?

The conversation continues. "I was."

"And now?"

"I'm not. Is that all?"

"Hm. Not quite."

Ugh. How much more insufferably smug can he get? Sherlock glances around, catching Lestrades eye in the process, and motions for the DI to stay put. I need to get a visual, he thinks irritably as he inches away from his companion.

"What else, then?"

Mycroft heaves a put-upon sigh as Sherlock peers around a stack of boxes. Unfortunately, the only conversant he can see was his brother. "Are you aware that your association put him in near fatal danger?"

Again, there's no answer, but it's hardly necessary anymore. Sherlock is frozen in place as the dots connect. Not possible.

"Ah. I thought not. He was hospitalized, until recently. Attacked by that... blood-sucking rat."

The still-not-visible second person makes a strangled sound. It may be a choked laugh. "That's original." Mycroft only frowns. "Anyway. Sorry about that, but it shouldn't happen again. I'm keeping my distance."

"Are you." Sherlock's brother does not sound convinced, and suddenly Sherlock is inclined to agree. "Hm. I'll make a deal with you, Doctor Watson. You get to choose. Either stay by Sherlock Holmes' side, or leave him be completely."

"How is that a deal?" the other demands, sounding irked.

Sherlock nearly jumps when he feels a hand on his shoulder, but Lestrade shakes his head and then jerks a thumb to indicate the speakers. 'John?' he mouths, brow furrowed in that annoyed way he does.

He only gets a nod in response.

Mycroft chuckles. "If you continue to not choose one or the other, then I shall have to... permanently deal with the problem you represent." A pause, likely for effect. "And please don't think that I pose no threat simply because I'm human."

Lestrade tugs on Sherlock's shoulder, and the consulting detective scowls at him. The DI frowns back and gestures for him to come along. Sherlock shakes his head and waves his companion off. Lestrade gives up and leaves.

Sherlock lingers. "Consider it. Come to a choice within the next fourty eight hours," Mycroft continues.

There's no answer, and after a few minutes, Mycroft sighs. "Do come out, little brother. He's gone."

Feeling irritated, the consulting detective rises to his feet and steps around the crates, meeting his brother's dark-eyed gaze. "What was that?" he growls.

Brows lifting, Mycroft looks incredibly unimpressed. "Brotherly concern," he replies blandly. "He almost got you killed."

"I loathe you," Sherlock retorts furiously. "Keep your nose out of my business."

"Never." The older man shifts his umbrella from his hand to the crook of his elbow. "Is that all? I have a meeting to get to."

Sneering, the consulting detective spins away. "Piss off!" he throws over his shoulder on his way out.

Stupid false leads. Then again, he supposes it's almost natural to assume Mycroft is a vampire. Stupid brother.

xXx

Le gasp! I updated! OMG! ^^; sorry it took so long. This past month, I was working on my NaNoWriMo novel with the delightful Azhwi and hadn't any time to work on this. The rest of the delay... was plain procrastination/lack of inspiration. Whoops. Anyway, review! Tell me what you think, make plot suggestions, you know the routine.