Author's Note: Thank you for being really understanding with the length last time, guys. As an apology I kind of wrote part 2 of that chapter to post now. This was originally all supposed to happen last chapter but I could not write anymore. I'm not going to sit here and say I'm no longer in pain, physiotherapy has started and now I am constantly causing myself horrible pain, but I am encouraged to use my arm for small tasks. Typing two handed is amazing and you should never, ever take it for granted. This was so much quicker to type! Anyway, yeah, so sorry about last time. I hope you like the rest of what was supposed to happen. Please read, review, and 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 Saw Him After Falling

It was official, Anthea's flat was now a maze of boxes and garbage bags. The girls had the right idea – to dump all the boxes in the dining room and the spare bedroom now known as Jamie's room for the time being. The thing is, when you're carrying boxes from your car to your third story flat, you tend to dumb the boxes in the nearest empty space that wasn't in the pathway from one room to another. The first space to be filled was Anthea's dining table. Next were the walls and in front of her bookshelf that acted as a room separator. They then began to spill into the living room proper, and onto the kitchen table. The hallway was the closest either girl got to Jamie's room, except for a garbage bag of clothes that was in there after Jamie had a shower. As it were, the only space that wasn't invaded with Jamie's stuff was Anthea's bedroom. Even the bathroom had been invaded by those stupid boxes filled with nothing but make up supplies. It was messy and disorganised, something that Anthea had learned to hate in her role as Mycroft Holmes' personal assistant and as a common house guest in his neat, albeit empty, house. She couldn't bring herself to care about that right now, however, she was too tired. Jamie would neaten it up on her first few unemployed days here while James and Anthea were at work.

Jamie was currently lounging on the couch, her feet up on – you guessed it – a box. She was drinking a bottle of water, having already sculled her can of lemonade. Her blonde hair was tied in a messy bun on the top of her head. The girl, for once, didn't have any makeup on and it was obvious that she was too tired to move. She was probably not going to move from the couch any time soon, unless it was to replenish her water. Anthea had just jumped out of the shower, herself. She'd thrown on any blouse and skirt she could find and tossed on a bit of lip gloss and mascara. Her shoes were those lovely Chanel flats from all those years ago. They were the only flats she could think of wearing to the office, and they made her smile whenever she picked them up.

Anthea walked at a quick rate into the living room and past Jamie on the way to find a pair of earrings she'd taken off and dumped on the kitchen counter. Jamie's hazel eyes followed the brunette as she passed, taking her feet off the box and sitting up.

"Woah, woah, why are you dressed up?" She questioned, twisting the lid back on her water, a frown furrowing her much-darker-than-her-bleached-hair eyebrows. She held her hands u in a defensive action. "If you're about to tell me were going somewhere fancy for lunch, I'm not going anywhere." She leaned back again as Anthea smiled at her, picking up her silver studs with a simple – fake – diamond. "I just want to watch the telly and wait for my muscles to feel real again." Anthea put her studs in without looking as she rolled her eyes at her best friend.

"Nah, don't worry, lazy." She crinkled her nose as Jamie sneered. "I just need to pop into the office for a second." Jamie's eyes widened at the television and stayed that way as she turned to face Anthea.

"Now?" She scoffed. "Why?"

"Your boyfriend scheduled a meeting for first thing tomorrow." Anthea nodded accusingly. "So I need to go get the file to read over. Otherwise I'll look like a clueless idiot. That's the other people's jobs." Jamie quirked an eyebrow and tilted her head, looking quite smug with whatever she was thinking.

"And why did my best friend, famous for t-shirts and jeans, decide to get dressed up to 'pop into the office'?"

"Because if I turned up looking like a mess, wearing sneakers, either people would assume something horrible had happened, or I'd ruin my always prepared reputation." Jamie nodded as if appeasing her friend rather than believing her. Anthea looked for her handbag next to the couch, finding it she shoved her phone into it. "Reputation is everything in what I do, Jay. I need to stay calm, cool, and mysterious." Jamie shrugged.

"I thought you might have dressed up to see your boyfriend." She quirked her eyebrows and stuck her tongue out at Anthea. Anthea went cold at the thought and gave Jamie the iciest glare she could muster while being so exhausted. It didn't scare the blonde, she only giggled and looked even prouder of herself.

"Jamie!" Anthea scolded. "Don't joke like that, please. You've already ruined my life." Anthea ran a hand through her newly washed hair. "Plus, he's at a meeting right now." Recognition dawned in Jamie's hazel eyes as she took another sip of water.

"Mmm." The noise came while she was still drinking. "So you're avoiding seeing your Ice Man."

"He's not mine, Jamie."

"He's not anyone else's, Alice." Anthea huffed.

"Whatever. I'm going." She began making her way through the maze of boxes. "If you get hungry… my fridge is empty, so go check out one of the local places or shops." As her hand lands on the doorknob she turned back and pointed at Jamie. "But if you cook, make enough for me. It's the least you can do for me."

"I'm not moving from here, Ali."

Anthea jiggled the doorknob of the office door. Locked. Good, that meant that both James and Mycroft were out and she could slip in, get the file, and leave without a problem. Anthea took out her keys and unlocked the door. The moment she stepped into the office she was assaulted by the sights and smells of the wooden office, and she had to smile. About a week away from this place was far too long. A week away from the Diogenes Dungeon she could do, but not from this wooden government office with the comfort and memories all around the place. And people who actually spoke to you when you were walking around, that too.

Anthea wandered over to her desk and peered about carefully. She pursed her lips as she did so, not pleased with how James had left the place. Loose contracts and documents were placed haphazardly across the desk, with a crossword book open on top of them. He's very lucky none of them appeared important otherwise someone would have to teach the blonde agent a lesson. Anthea carefully lifted objects and documents, searching for the specific file she needed. Of course it wasn't on her desk, James wasn't that organised. The man could organise a SWAT team like no one's business, give him paperwork and he crumbled. Anthea huffed and placed her hands on her hips, looking around the room. That meant it was most likely in Mycroft's office – either on his desk or in the filing cabinets.

Gently, as if she expected someone to be in there, Anthea pushed Mycroft's door open. She stuck her head in the small gap she'd created and looked around. Finding it empty, as she knew it would be, she opened the door like a normal person and walked in – though very quietly. Feeling her usual slightly cheeky self, Anthea took the opportunity to sit in Mycroft's chair as she looked over his desk. Now this, this was a well organised desk, a much nicer view than the state of her current desk. It should also be noted that Mycroft's chair was a lot softer than her own, she'd have to mention that sometime, she thought as she stroked the ends of the arm rest. Still, no sight of the file. Anthea drew her attention to the drawers of his desk. She pulled on the top handled. Locked. Of course, it was. Interestingly, Anthea had never seen the contents of Mycroft's desk drawers. She tried the bottom one – also locked. She bit her bottom lip as she considered picking the locks. She shook her, deciding against it, it would only get her into trouble… thought she could totally do it.

As Anthea got out of the seat, she clicked her tongue, now for the stupid filing cabinets. She yanked it open hard, the old thing getting harder and harder to open, and almost fell over. Now, to find that thing. She began going through the files one by one, having no clue where James might have put it. This could take a while…

"Miss James." Anthea jumped out of her skin as soon as the melodic voice was heard. Her heartrate increased at the thought of having been caught. As she turned around, however, Mycroft did not appear annoyed, rather just amused as he stood near the door with an eyebrow raised and an accusing smile. This did nothing to settle down Anthea's heart. This was Jamie's fault. Her fault entirely that Anthea was extremely aware of how her favourite pinstripe suit with the burgundy tie made her feel, and how Mycroft's severely intelligent eyes not only fascinated her but completely captivated her. Yup, Jamie's fault, not at all anything to do with Anthea herself… Anthea matched her boss' smile.

"Hi, sir." Her voice was a tad more breathy than she'd have liked it to come out. "I came to find the file about tomorrow morning's meeting." Mycroft licked his lips as he nodded. The man smoothly walked over to his desk and placed his briefcase on top of the dark wood. He opened it and pulled out a thin blue folder. Walking over to Anthea with what could be described as a smug swagger, he held the folder out in front of him.

"My dear, you mean this file." For reasons beyond her own understanding, Anthea giggled as she tucked a newly dried curl behind her ear.

"That's the one." She felt like a foolish school girl. Again, this was Jamie's fault. "Thanks, sir." Her hand took hold of the file but Mycroft's hand refused to let go. Instead his steely eyes searched her face. His smug expression dropped at the same time as his hand relented. Anthea knew that instant that he knew. He knew what Jamie had informed her of. Mycroft cocked his head to the side and sighed.

"Oh, Anthea." Anthea held her free hand up in a stop sign gesture and shook her head. If possible, it felt like her heartrate had increased again.

"No." She breathed. "No, no, no. Let's not do this." Her dark eyes searched his gaze, silently pleading. "Let's not play a game of deductions that might have to lead to you firing me. Nothing has changed, nothing new is going on with me. Any changes you think you see in me." Anthea stopped as she looked to the ground and took a deep breath. When she looked back up she had a fake smile plastered on her face and she was sure it looked as fake as it felt. "Let's just say that I really missed you, that's all." Mycroft's eyes narrowed as he continued to read his personal assistant like an open book and for a dark moment, Anthea thought he was going to disagree. Instead he pulled a face and nodded before walking over to his desk and sitting down. Anthea let out a sigh of relief. She also knew, by the way he fidgeted in the chair, that Mycroft knew Anthea had been sitting at his desk. That made her smile a little more natural.

"Whatever you say, my dear." Mycroft sighed. "If that means you'll leave me alone with James less often then I'll accept it." Anthea laughed lightly and her smile became even more natural. She blinked a few times to clear her head and nodded towards the door.

"I better go, I left Jamie alone in my flat. I can't let too much damage happen." Mycroft, nodded and waved her off, as if she were just returning to her desk. If it wasn't Mycroft it could be considered rude, but Anthea knew this was just acting normal for the sake of ease. "See you tomorrow, sir."

"Miss James." Mycroft called quickly after her. Anthea raised her eyebrows to indicate she was listening. Mycroft placed his work down and folded his hands on top of his desk. "If it's any consolation, you're too valuable to work and to myself to fire simply because you missed me." His tone was so void of emotions but it meant so much. Anthea sniffed as she looked to the ground once more and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"Thank you, sir." She replied before leaving the office.

Knowing that James would be at her desk, Anthea kept walking straight through the office space.

"Hey, Wonderland." The agent's voice came behind her as she waltzed past.

"Hey, cupcake." Anthea replied as she shut the door behind her.

The flat door was slammed hard as Anthea dropped her handbag by the door. She trudged into the living room and collapsed on the couch next to Jamie who, as promised, was in the same place and staring at her best friend as if she were an extra-terrestrial.

"I take it your boyfriend was there and it didn't go well?" The blonde asked, turning back to watch some old sitcom on the telly.

"Stop calling him that." Anthea muttered angrily. Jamie didn't even flinch.

"I take that as a yes." Anthea groaned loudly in an exaggerated manner as she slid down the couch sideways until her head fell onto Jamie's lap.

"No!" Anthea's voice was muffled by her hands rubbing her face. "He was great about it. Didn't say a freaking word." Jamie placed her hand on top of Anthea's head and began stroking her like a cat. Annoyingly, it was quite comforting. Anthea lowered her hands from her face and stared up at the ceiling as Jamie continued to watch her show while stroking her. After the fifth laugh track, Anthea turned her head to watch the show.

"This is your fault, Jamie." She mutter.

"I know."

"I hate you."

"I'm sorry." She was smiling, the liar. Anthea turned to peer up at Jamie's face and the blonde looked down.

"Did you get us any food while I was out?" Anthea asked. Jamie scoffed.

"No. Told ya I wasn't going to move." Anthea blinked, staring up at the girl. She turned her head back to the TV and sighed.

"Typical. I'm expected to be the breadwinner and the housekeeper?" Jamie faked offence as her stroking stopped and she flicked Anthea's head.

"Do you know how much effort goes into looking this pretty for you? This doesn't just happen, I work hard for you." Anthea giggled as Jamie continued. "I mean, do you think your boyfriend takes two seconds to get ready in the morning? No. Sorry if you don't appreciate all our hard work, you slob."

Sure, this was all Jamie's fault, but thank God for Jamie. If anyone could cause a distraction from confusing and unwanted emotions, it was Jamie.

Author's Note: So? What do you think? I just had to reuse the cupcake joke. TYPING WITH TWO HANDS IS AWESOME! Now I'm able to write easier I might just have to start on the Myc POV for the 1000 review special pretty soon ;). Anyway, time to thank the guest reviewers. Thanks to: Georgie, Britta, Cumberkale, Lll, Corrine, bgeiner, Anon, Wink, Guests x2, Wheezzy8, and EggsBenedict. Thank you to my lovely readers and reviewers, you are amazing. Not going to lie, writing this chapter has helped me through the first few days of exercises and that just makes this fic even more special to me.