Author's Note: I am so glad you guys liked last chapter! Like I said to you all, I had so much fun writing it that I was stoked that you all really, really liked it. Do any other countries other than Australia used stoked as a term for super happy? This chapter was fun to write too but I actually didn't start writing it until the night I post it because my OCD flared up (due to family stresses) and both last night and tonight I had quite bad panic attacks. Anyone who follows me on Tumblr or Twitter will know I spent a decent amount of time lying on the floor. Mind you, that's where I got the idea for this chapter so something good came out of it… Also this is a few hours late because I was watching Wimbledon. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter just as much. So please, read, review, and of course, enjoy!
Disclaimer: Clearly I don't own Sherlock. The show is the baby of Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, while Sherlock Holmes itself is the creation of Arthur Conan Doyle.
The First Time She Ran into Tim
Loneliness can do strange things to a person, it can make them do things they wouldn't normally do. Anything just to get rid of that feeling that consumed their heart. This is why Anthea, finishing work at 5pm for once, found herself out at a nearby nightclub just to feel the social interaction taking place around her. She turned down every piece of male attention she got – no one really interested her these days, but she chatted to the occasional person she knew and just enjoyed watching people walk around, and dance, and laugh. It was such a stark contrast to work. It made her miss her university days where during the breaks Jamie would come stay with her or she'd go stay with Jamie and they'd go out and have fun just the two of them and then the next night just watch whatever happened to be on television. It even made her miss those boring nights out with Tim's friends, at least they laughed. Really, she could have called James and maybe helped him pick up a girl, or called Carol and gone to her house for dinner with her family, but neither appealed to Anthea right now. She just wanted… well she didn't know, just not to feel so lonely in her own home.
She'd been at the club two hours and successfully tipsy when she saw him. Average height, scruffy sandy hand, deep green eyes that were hidden behind glasses today – he didn't wear his contacts. It was the lawyer. A mixture of emotions flooded through Anthea at the sight of her ex-boyfriend, anger, hurt, sadness, and, well, longing. He flashed her a toothy grin from the other side of the club and she gave him a lopsided smile and looked down bashfully. The lawyer who had broken at the first sign of trouble in their long and steady relationship. She should be, and was, furious. But that smile with a little bit of teeth showing through was the cure for her boredom and loneliness for so long. Slowly the lawyer made his way across the dancefloor to sit next to Anthea at her bench near the bar. He sat so close that their thighs were touching and Anthea was too tipsy to pull away. Forrest green eyes searched hers while a warm smile sat on his decently attractive face.
"Hey, Ali." He spoke softly but very warmly. Anthea blushed a little and looked down at the table briefly before looking back up at the lawyer.
"Hi Tim." She matched his tone. The two sat in momentary silence as they did nothing but search each other's faces as if making sure everything was just as it was in their memories.
"How have you been?" He asked with only the smallest hint of awkwardness. Anthea turned to look at the scotch in her hand and nodded.
"Good. Good. I've been good." She was still nodded. She looked back up at him and crinkled her nose. "Though I did almost get shot in Thailand." Might as well be honest. Tim almost choked on the air but it quickly turned into a laugh.
"You what? Are you okay?" Anthea giggled and gave him a soft nudge with her shoulder.
"I said almost, I'm fine." She looked back up to his face and her cheeky smile softened. "What about you? I know your boss is involved in that Henderson case." Tim rolled his eyes.
"The less we talk about work the better. But no, I'm good too."
"Good." Anthea said a little too lightly.
The music played loudly in the club but the two exes said nothing. Both of them staring into the drinks in their hands, unbothered by how much of their bodies were touching.
"You seeing anyone?" Tim mumbled so quietly Anthea had to ask him to repeat it. Once she understood she was a little taken about, frowning into her glass.
"No. Not really. I mean, I went on a date in Paris and I've had a little crush here and there but nothing has come up out of any of it." She felt a pang of guilt touch her heart but chose to ignore it. She turned to look back at Tim, curling a lock of hair in-between her fingers.
"You?" His face blushed lightly as he shook his head.
"I saw a girl for a few dates but it didn't work out. I've been spoilt by independent women that clingy ones scare me." His lip pulled into a half smile and Anthea looked away playfully.
They continued talking and drinking together for half an hour. Laughing at old jokes, sharing stories of events that had happened and they wanted to call each other about but couldn't. It was refreshing. It was… comfortable, the way Tim had always been before what happened.
Tim, with his eyes closed, rubbed his forehead.
"Look, Alison, or Margaret, or whatever your names is. I know we kind of reached a dead end in a horrible way, but," He took a deep breath and turned to look deeply into Anthea's chocolate eyes. "Maybe we deserve a fresh start."
Anthea's world froze. One side of her was screaming this was a horrible, horrible idea. One side reminded her of how lonely she way. Another side asked her what Mycroft would say. But where was Mycroft when Anthea was alone on evenings and Sundays with no family and friends to rely on? With family, his brother's friends, with colleagues, enjoying his own company peacefully.
Anthea smiled warmly and held her hand out for Tim.
"Hello, I'm Alice Clarke. And I really am." Tim grinned, took Anthea's hand and shook it.
"Hello Alice Clarke, I'm Tim Burgess."
"So, Tim Burgess. My place or yours?"
There are multiple reasons why you should never agree to work for a genius with a specialisation in deduction and analysis. The following morning when being picked up for work Anthea learnt one of the most important reasons.
The town car rolled up at the usual time on a Saturday morning to take Anthea and Mycroft to the Diogenes Dungeon. Anthea slid into her usual seat with her usual grace.
"Good morning, sir." She sung – shooting her boss a warm smile.
"Good morning, my dear." Mycroft answered, sparing a quick glance at his personal assistant. His face fell into a frown as he looked her over, pursing his lips. With a light shake of his head Mycroft turned to look back at his constantly present umbrella. The umbrella was twirled a single time. Mycroft froze. He took a deep breath and turned to scrutinize Anthea more carefully while she was absentmindedly looking out the front window between the gaps of Walter's seat and the front passenger seat.
"Anthea, look at me." Frowning at herself in confusion – though she had a feeling she knew what this was about – Anthea forced a smile as she looked over to her boss. After another moment of inspection and study Mycroft closed his eyes and ran a slender hand through his styled hair. Anthea gulped.
"Sir?" She asked cautiously.
"Please tell me it wasn't with who I suspect it was." Mycroft's voice was quiet. Anthea's heart fell into the pit of her stomach and her eyes fell into her lap. How does Mycroft do this? Mycroft groaned and his hands raised to cover his face. "The lawyer, Miss James," He lowered his hands. "Really?" Anthea's brow furrowed deeply as a nervous laugh escaped her lips.
"I don't think that's any of your business, sir.
"How can you be so stupid?" Mycroft raised his voice. This was something Anthea was very unused to, even after working for the man for years he barely raised his voice. She shifted in her seat and folded her arms across her chest.
"Excuse me?" She sneered.
"Every time I think you're better than that, that you're smart and an individual you go and do something to prove that you're no better than any other goldfish." Anthea felt a different kind of pang in her chest. It was a form of betrayal she wasn't used to.
"A goldfish?" She questioned almost silently. She was well familiar with Mycroft's use of the word. She'd laughed when he'd called others it. She'd pity him if he said he was stuck in a fishbowl. She'd even used the term once or twice herself.
"I've never really understood how people can just give in to primal instincts when we're a race that was supposed to have evolved past that. I think, maybe some people are more Neanderthal like than others but then educated and logical people like yourself go and fall for the same traps." Anthea hadn't heard a word of that.
"A goldfish?" She questioned again. "You think I'm a goldfish because I made a choice you don't approve of?" Fierce steel eyes locked onto chocolate eyes that shone of betrayal.
"It's not a choice I merely don't approve of, my dear." That was the very first time that term had ever been spoken with venom dripping off of it. "It is a colossal life ruining mistake." His eyes narrowed and he tilted his head. "Or do you not remember the fragile girl breaking down in the carpark of a very public event full of very influential people?" There was another pang in her chest.
"You're the one who said he wouldn't have done that if I wasn't so stupid and just let him move in." Anthea rose her voice, getting defensive.
"I also said that regardless of that turn of events, the lawyer would have ruined your life. Not to mention you've now proven yourself to be weak and forgiving, therefor giving him permission to repeat his mistake the next time he disagrees with you." Anthea leaned forward and pointed her finger at the tall brunette man with the fierce eyes.
"What have I told you about talking about my personal life and making snap judgements?" She spoke dangerously low. Mycroft scowled at her.
"That was before I discovered how idiotic you could be and before you decided to include me in this shambles. It does, however, seem as if I was correct. Your little infatuation with me was nothing more than a distraction until you could get one of your little pretty boys back. Thank you, Miss James, I am pleased I could be of service until you found something better." He whipped his head around to look out his window, his grip on the umbrella handle tight. Anthea went dead cold. She looked down at her hands and took a very shaky breath. A distraction? Is that what he thinks? A mere distraction?
"Walter, stop the car. I want to go home." Anthea spoke quietly. Mycroft clicked his tongue and face forward.
"Walter, don't stop the car." Anthea frowned.
"Walter, stop the car."
"Walter, do not stop this car."
"How dare you!" Anthea spat at Mycroft. She leaned forward to get closer to Walter's seat. "Walter, stop the car now!" At the nearest opportunity Walter pulled over. When Mycroft next spoke it was with calm and a deadly venom.
"Alice Clarke, if you step foot out of this car before it reaches its initial destination you can consider yourself fired."
Silence. For a whole minute the car was completely silent while none of the occupants looked at each other.
"Walter, keep going." Anthea sighed.
"Miss James."
Anthea looked up from her computer and turned to the door that lead to Mycroft's office. He was standing in his doorway, looking at the wall directly in front of him as if there was something extremely interesting on it. There wasn't, the entire dungeon was dull.
"Yes, Mr. Holmes."
"If you are at all upset regarding this morning's turn of events-"
"I am." She cut him off.
"Yes, well. I only wish to inform you that I only had the best of intentions." He spoke so professionally on such a personal topic. Anthea nodded.
"I know you well enough to know that, sir. But the things you said to me." She sighed and shook her head. Mycroft nodded.
"I understand that I may not be the best council in this situation and will not say another word on the matter." Anthea smiled.
"I forgive you, sir." He turned to look at her, a frown on his face.
"I didn't apologize." Anthea raised her eyebrows and smirked.
"I know, but you were trying to."
A, I need you at my home office. – M.H.
It's Sunday, sir. How important is it? – A.
I would not be bothering you if it were not imperative – M.H.
I'll see you as soon as possible – A.
Hey Tim, got to go to work. We'll have to reschedule our talk over coffee for another time – Alice.
I understand. Your boss can be scary! – Tim.
Mycroft opened the door to his house with an expression much more collected and forced than Anthea had expected. It wasn't quite neutral, there was some warmth present, but it was definitely one of his masks. It gave her a moment of pause as she considered why it was in place.
"Hello, my dear." He hummed, face softening but again still very contrived.
"Hi, sir." Anthea smiled up at him. He stepped aside, as per usual, to let Anthea in. She walked in, her heels giving that familiar echo on Mycroft's floors.
"Why don't you head to the office, I'll make us a cup of tea." He hummed before heading to the kitchen. That too was slightly off. Anthea didn't argue, however, she nodded and made her way to that lovely warm home office.
When Anthea stepped foot into the office she was stunned. Behind Mycroft's mahogany desk, hands folded together, sat a bleach blonde young lady with hazel eyes full of defiance and anger. To see this particular girl behind that desk – she looked slightly intimidating… slightly.
"Jamie." Anthea asked incredulously. "What are you doing in Mycroft's house?" Jamie, always one for dramatics, slammed her hands down on the desk and stood up.
"You slept with the lawyer? Really?" Anthea's best friend since boarding school practically yelled. Anthea looked around the room in confusion, as if looking for the punchline to this strange joke.
"What is this? Some sort of twisted intervention?"
"Yes!" Jamie exclaimed. She walked around the desk. "I had to hear from your creepy crush that you slept with that two timing shark!" Anthea rubbed her eyes and shook her head. She had no idea what was going on here. Jamie was in Mycroft's house yelling at her about Tim. Clearly Mycroft had found his loophole. He couldn't talk to Anthea about her personal life, but he could talk to Jamie and Jamie could talk to Anthea. Geniuses, they really do suck. Jamie and Mycroft shouldn't be allowed to talk to each other, it only ever leads to trouble for Anthea… like moving flats in the first place.
"Do you want me to bring up your dating record?" Anthea crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Because I can recall more than a few losers." Jamie copied Anthea's body language.
"Sure, but I've never gone back to a cheater because I'm lonely."
"Who said I was lonely?" Anthea shrugged, laughing it off.
"Creepy smart guy!" Jamie pointed hard to the office door. "You're supposed to tell me everything, Ali. Instead I get a call from Mycroft Holmes saying that he deduced you slept with that lawyer because you were feeling lonely." She paused as she looked up to the roof and shook her head. She looked back down her hazel eyes were shining with tears. She stepped forward. "He deduced it and say you didn't actually answer him. Alice, would you have told us if he didn't work it out?" Anthea looked down at the floor and tucked her hair behind her ears.
"I was embarrassed, okay!" It came out much more defensive than Anthea had intended. Jamie waved her arms in exasperation.
"Of course you were! You're better than him." She yelled. Luckily the next time Jamie spoke it was at a volume much more suitable for indoors, let alone Mycroft's almost silent house. "Ali, if you're lonely, if you miss your mum or dad or stupid Tim, there is so many better things to do. Call me, come visit me for a week and we can go to all our old hang outs. Hang out with James the cutie. And do you know what Myc said to me? He said he'd rather suffer through another ridiculous and nonsensical musical than sit back and watch you waste your time with that creep." Jamie pulled Anthea into a warm embrace. "Don't call the lawyer again. Call your friends that love you and if you need a hook up then hook up with James." Anthea laughed and returned the hug tightly.
"Okay," Anthea agreed as they released. A pause as Anthea squinted at her statement. "Okay to call you, not to hooking up with James." Jamie tilted her head and twirled her long straight lightened hair around her finger.
"Are you sure? Did you see him muscles when he lifted your washing machine?" This statement was followed by a wolf whistle. Anthea laughed and shook her head at her best friend.
"This is why I keep you around."
The door to the office opened and Mycroft entered carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. He must have heard the laughter and presumed it was safe to come in. He placed the tray on his desk as Jamie pointed at him.
"Then why do you keep that one around?" Mycroft clicked his tongue in disapproval. Anthea threw Jamie her famous lopsided grin.
"Because he meddles and calls you in for back up and because he would be lost without me. Also, he pays me to sit on my phone."
"It's nice to be so valued, Miss Clarke." Mycroft answered with his usual sarcasm as he sat down at his desk chair, looking much more natural in that seat than Jamie had. Jamie's face suddenly light up as she walked over to pick up one of the biscuits.
"Which reminds me," the blonde interjected. "Einstein here promised to take us to a fancy restaurant in exchange for rushing me over here and ruining my date tonight. Isn't that right?"
"Oh, you're absolutely correct, Miss Monroe."
A pause. Jamie blinked twice and turned to face Anthea.
"What that a dumb blonde joke? Did he just call me stupid because I called him smart?"
Dinner with these two? This would not be a forgettable night in the slightest.
Author's Note: So how did it turn out? Fine despite the panic attacks? I hope I managed to keep it at a quality you all expect. I thought you might enjoy some more Jamie. I can't wait for the reviews. Thanks to the guests I can't thank personally; Corrine, Enola, my dear ovejalucifer, Wheezzy8, Wink, LizzyB, and TheGreatGame 221B. Every single review makes me smile and inspires me to try my best for all of you. Thank you so much!
Also guys… we're getting awfully close to 500 reviews. That is absolutely insane. What do you want to do for the 500 review special? I'm still on holiday for a week so I'll have time to do it as well as more fun stuff.