"Get me a chopper." Mycroft slammed the phone down onto the table. "Now."
Mycroft's eyes had a fire in them beyond what Anthea had ever seen. Mycroft was angry. So, so, angry.
Best not to question him now. Anthea thought.
"Send squad 186 to John's holding site." Mycroft ordered.
"Sir, squad 186 was sent on the Siberian mission two months ago." Anthea paused, "They never returned."
"Right, right, send squad 290 then."
"They're in Germany, sir."
Anthea emitted a gasp, and dropped her clip board as Mycroft grabbed her by the upper arms.
"Send someone!" Mycroft growled. "Anyone! I don't care! Just send someone!" Mycroft let go of her, pushing her to the ground. Her head hit the desk on the way down.
Mycroft blinked at the noise, his eyes widening when he realized what he had done.
"Anthea!" Mycroft reached to help her up, but she flinched at his touch, and Mycroft quickly withdrew his hands. "I-I'm so sorry- I don't know what got into me-
I-" Carefully, slowly, he reached up and brushed the hair from her face, noting the already darkening bruise near her temple.
"I'm so sorry..." He whispered, his gaze falling to the hand planted in his lap.
How could I do this? I- I hurt her.
A soft hand reached up, covering his own.
Jayden felt like pacing. He really felt like pacing.
How am I supposed to think if I can't pace? Ugh!
Jayden resisted the temptation to tap his foot.
Just nerves, just adrenaline, I need to calm down. Jayden took a deep breath. Think.
Jayden looked around.
Uh... Nothing near me that I could use... He's wearing boots, but I don't think they're steel toed. They're obviously old, but there's no outline of the metal. He's wearing a bullet proof vest...
Jayden frowned. All of this seemed to come much easier to Sherlock.
Focus, focus. Jayden reminded himself. Alright... hm...
An idea inserted itself into his mind.
He couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes.
Mycroft felt Anthea shifting next to him, pulling herself into a sitting position.
"Mycroft," Mycroft closed his eyes, chin pulling in towards his left shoulder. "Mycroft, look at me."
Slowly, Mycroft did as he was asked.
"It's alright. I forgive you." Anthea's voice came softly, gently even. Almost as though Mycroft were the one needing reassurance that this wouldn't happen again.
"But-" Mycroft said. "I hurt you."
"Mycroft, it's alright." Anthea said, a slight firmness entering her voice. "You're scared, you're worried, you're angry, and you're not thinking straight. You didn't mean to do it."
"That's still no excuse."
"You're right, it's not." Anthea agreed. "But you apologized, I forgave you, and now it's over. It's done with."
Mycroft's eyebrows pulled together in the middle of his forehead.
"I-I don't understand."
Sherlock knew by the look in his eyes that Jayden would soon do something. Something that would change things up, throw the ring back into chaos.
Think it thorough, Jayden, please...
And then it began.
Just as the guard shifted positions, temporarily loosening his grip, Jayden stomped, catching the guard's shin all the way down to the top of his boots. Simultaneously, Jayden shoved his elbow into the man's stomach.
Just as the guards' attention left Sherlock and Lestrade, so did the guns.
I guess that's my cue.
A sad smile graced Anthea's face.
"I know you don't, Mycroft. But maybe someday, you'll learn." Her voice rose slightly towards the end of her statement, and Mycroft just listened. Seeing the still confused look on Mycroft's face, Anthea sighed.
"It's called forgiveness, Mycroft. Forgiveness, and love. Philia love." Anthea explained. Her patience was continued, and her compassion emboldened by his lack of understanding.
"Philia. Love between... friends?"
"That's right." Anthea smiled.
He's finally getting it! He's starting to understand!
"So that means that you're my friend?" Mycroft asked slowly.
Or maybe he's not understanding.
"I like to think so, yes." Anthea nodded.
"But I don't have friends." Mycroft spoke this in a somewhat questioning tone, as though he didn't quite believe what he was saying.
"You do Mycroft, you just don't call them that, and they don't take the traditional rolls of a friend." Anthea said. "Now come on, we have to go rescue your brother and John. We can discuss this later."
Focus. Focus. Focus.
Mycroft opened his eyes.
I am the British Government. I will take control of the situation, and put every thing as it is supposed to be.
I will restore balance.
I have to.
The chopper landed just outside the building, and Mycroft glanced at Anthea, who smiled, nodding gently.
My mind is my own.
"Get down!" Sherlock pushed Jayden down as fist whipped in his direction. "Are you paying no attention?!"
"I was a little distracted by the gun in my face." Jayden said. "One of them still has John. How are we going to get him?"
"No clue." Sherlock answered.
"And don't bother planning." The voice came out of nowhere, but was familiar to all in the room.
Every eye fell upon the intruder, and all action was stopped.
Lestrade's eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Mycroft?"
A/N: Sorry for the delay, band camp started. I'll be hitting things with sticks eight hours a day for the next three weeks!